Easy Pumpkin Cookies

Spice Cake Mix
1 small Can of pumpkin
Half bag of chocolate chips

Mix dry cake mix, pumpkin and chips together. Bake 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

These are one of my favorite fall treats! Enjoy!

Grilled Peaches with a touch of cinnamon

Ingredients:
Butter-flavor cooking spray
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
4 large peach(es), peeled, halved and pitted

Instructions:
Off heat, lightly coat grill grate with cooking spray; preheat grill to medium-high heat.
Sprinkle cinnamon evenly over cut sides of peaches; lightly coat with cooking spray.

Place peaches on grill, cut side down. Grill until browned and slightly softened, about 5 minutes. (For best results, do not move the peaches during grilling; this will ensure the attractive grill marks and keep the peaches from sticking to the grill.)

Turn peaches over and grill on other side for about 3 minutes more; serve warm.

You may want to Serve with a little bit of ice cream!

Adapted from WW Website

Polynesian Roast Beef

Ingredients:
1 boneless beef top round roast (3-1/4 pounds)
2 tablespoons browning sauce, optional
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 medium onion, sliced
1 can (8 ounces) unsweetened sliced pineapple
1/4 cup Domino® or C&H® Pure Cane Dark Brown Sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 cup beef broth
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1 medium green pepper, sliced

Directions: Cut roast in half; brush with browning sauce if desired. Combine the flour, salt and pepper; rub over meat. Place onion in a 3-qt. slow cooker; top with roast.

Drain pineapple, reserving juice; refrigerate the pineapple. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cornstarch and ginger; whisk in the broth, soy sauce, garlic and reserved pineapple juice until smooth. Pour over meat. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours.

Add pineapple and green pepper. Cook 1 hour longer or until meat and green pepper are tender. Yield: 10-11 servings.

I found this recipe a while ago in the simple and Delicious magazine and today I tried it...Justin loved it and so did I! It was a really good alternative to regular Pot Roast and I would definitely fix it again. I loved the Soy sauce and Pineapple flavors...very good! I fixed a baked potato and steamed carrots to go with it and we ate too much!

Posted By Julie

Sloppy Joes Mex style

1 Pound Lean Ground Beef
1 tsp Taco Seasoning
1/4 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Pepper
1 1/2 Cups prepared black bean and corn salsa
1/4 Cup fat free or lowfat sour cream
1 Tbs Lime Juice
Whole Wheat tortillas
2 Tbs coarsly chopped fresh cilantro
1 Scallion, Chopped

Directions:
1-Heat skillet and combine hamburger, taco seasoning, salt, pepper. Cook until meat no longer pink. Stir in salsa and cook until heated through, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
2-Combine lime juice and sour cream in a small bowl.
3-Place 1 warm tortilla on a plate and spoon 3/4 cup of the meat mixture onto the tortilla. Top with about 1 1/2 tablespoons of sour cream mixture. Sprinkle with the cilantro and scallion.

Note: You could use ground skinless chicken breast instead of hamburger and cook it in a little olive oil with the taco seasoning, salt and pepper. Also, I used more taco seasoning than recipe calls for and I added some chopped spinach leaves on top with the cilantro to make them more taco like. I liked having something more than just meat in the tortilla. Hope you like them as much as we did!

Post by Julie

Frozen Yogurt Dessert

1 Ready Made reduced-fat graham cracker crust
1 1/2 C fresh or frozen strawberries, sliced (sweeten with Splenda--optional)
3 C Vanilla fat free frozen yogurt, slightly softened

Let frozen yogurt thaw slightly so the strawberries can be mixed in. Spread into reduced-fat graham cracker crust. Freeze until set then serve.

Note: Any flavor of non-fat frozen yogurt or fruit may be used. Enjoy! Serves 8. 4 pts each.

Post By Julie

I saw this on the Today Show....Salad & Spicy Salsa Dressing

Mexican chicken salad with spicy salsa dressing

"The 5-Factor Diet" by Harley Pasternak

Servings: 2

INGREDIENTS

• 6 ounces skinless, boneless chicken breast

• 1 cup nonfat Sour cream

• 1 cup salsa

• 1 small head iceberg lettuce, coarsely shopped

• 1 1/2 cups canned corn, drained

• 1 teaspoon fajita seasoning mix

• 1 pinch cumin

• Salt and cracked black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine the fajita seasoning mix, cumin, salt and pepper. Coat the chicken breast with the seasoning mixture. Microwave the chicken for 6 minutes. Remove from the microwave and set aside to cool slightly.

2. In a blender, combine the sour cream and salsa. Pulse until smooth. If the dressing is too thick, add a little water.

To serve: Cut the chicken breast into 1⁄2-inch pieces and toss it with the lettuce, corn, and salsa dressing. Serve immediately.

I SAW THIS ON THE TODAY SHOW AND THOUGHT THAT THE DRESSING MADE OF SOUR CREAM AND SALSA WAS A GREAT OPTION FOR A HEALTHY SALAD DRESSING.  DRESSINGS ARE THE KILLER TO A HEALTHY SALAD! HOPE YOU ENJOY! ALSO, I THINK I WILL PASS ON THE MICROWAVING OF CHICKEN...SORRY BUT THAT SOUNDS A LITTLE BIT WEIRD. I WILL STICK TO BAKING OR GRILLING CHICKEN!  JULIE

Green Valley Spa Pancake Recipe

From Julie

This is a recipe I got while Justin and I were at Green Valley Spa. The Head Chef gave it to me so that I could make this low fat pancake at home. I hope you enjoy!

Pancakes
Mix
2 Cup Wheat Flour
2 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 T Cinnamon
Soy Milk (Amount depends on amount of dry mix used)

Directions: Mix these ingredients for the dry mix. You can make this ahead of time and use some or all of the dry mix at a time. To make a batter...just add enough Soy Milk for the amount of mix you use.

Waffles
1 tsp Vanilla
1 Egg
1 T Yogurt
Soy milk to make it a batter for waffles.

Directions: Make the Dry Pancake mix above, add vanilla, egg, yogurt and soy milk

To top these you can use fresh fruit or whatever you want. I use low fat vanilla yogurt, bananas and granola...I love that!

Easy and Healthy Bran Muffins

Bran Muffins

3 Cups All Bran Cereal
2 1/2 Cup Water
1 1/2 t Baking Powder
1 Box Krusteaz Fat Free Orange Cranberry Muffin Mix

Soak All Bran Cereal in water for 5 Minutes (No Less!). Add other ingredients. Cook as directed on box. Makes 18. Note: Makes a thick mix, Can use other Fat Free Muffin Mix flavors. 1 muffin=1 point

Also, you can Substitute the muffin mix for Fat Free Krusteaz Brownie Mix. 1 brownie=2 pts

Potato Soup

1 pkg O'Brien potatoes (hash browns with red and green peppers)
3 Cans Chicken Broth
1 Pkg Country Gravy mix

Combine, Cook and simmer. Soup will thicken after removed from stove. Can add turkey bacon, broccoli or cheese. 1 Cup=2 pts

I made this for Justin the other night and it was really yummy for a fast and easy soup!

Sugar Sugar!

Although sugar is a part of life...there is a really great article about this in the new "Family Fun Magazine." It is called "Beat the Sugar Blues." It talks about simple strategies to reign in the sweet stuff without sacrificing the fun:

The article said that the average American kid consumes 116 pounds of sugar a year!
Here are a few tips from the article:
1) Mix sugar Cereal with non sugar cereal and each time you refill the container add more non-sugar cereal. Example would be Frosted flakes with cornflakes.
2) Turn Fruit into dessert by Freezing bananas, strawberries and blueberries and serve them as fruit kabobs or fruit-sicles.
3)Limit the Juice. Apple and Grape juice have roughly the same amount of sugar that Soda does. The recommended amount of juice for kids age 1-6 is no more than 4-6 ounces.

Also, it had two websites to read more: http://www.askdrsears.com/ and http://www.calorieking.com/
On the Askdrsears.com site go to "Nutrition" and then "Sugar'

A good way to start your day!

It may not be the breakfast we were

dreaming of but here are a few ideas...

2 point breakfast recipes at that!

Breakfast Burritos
Makes 1 serving
POINTS® value 2 per serving
Ingredients:
2 four-inch corn tortillas
2 Tbsp reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese
2 Tbsp salsa (or chopped tomatoes)
Instructions
Preheat broiler or toaster oven to high. Place tortillas on a cookie sheet and top with cheese; broil until cheese melts, about 30 to 60 seconds. Spread salsa (or tomatoes) down center of tortillas and roll up

Scrambled Egg White Pita
Makes 1 serving
POINTS® value 2 per serving
Ingredients
2 sprays cooking spray
1/4 cup scallions, chopped
3 large egg whites, whipped until frothy
salt and hot pepper sauce, to taste
1 small pita pocket, white or whole wheat
2 thin tomato slices
Instructions
Coat an 8-inch nonstick skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium to medium-high heat. Add scallions to egg whites; pour egg mixture into skillet. Cook until edges just start to set, about 45 seconds to 1 minute. Scramble egg and cook 1 minute more. Flip eggs and cook until done, about 30 seconds more; season with salt and hot pepper sauce.
Make a slit in pita; fill with eggs and tomato.

Pear-Ginger Smoothie
Makes 1 serving
POINTS® value 2 per serving
Ingredients
1 small very ripe pear, cored and seeded
1/3 cup fat-free vanilla yogurt
1 Tbsp crystallized ginger, finely minced
2 Tbsp fat-free skim milk
1/2 cup ice
Instructions
Puree all ingredients in a blender until smooth.

Seasoned Turkey Burgers

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 pounds ground turkey breast
1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 egg, lightly beaten (optional)
6 hamburger buns, split
DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, mix the turkey with the onion soup mix, pepper, garlic powder, soy sauce, and egg. Refrigerate the mixture about 10 minutes, then form into 6 patties. Preheat the grill for medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grate. Place the patties on the grill. Cook for 20 minutes, turning once, or until well done. The inside of the burgers will look whitish in color when cooked through. Serve on buns. ~From allrecipes~

7 points a Burger!

Notes From Julie: My husband and I had these for dinner tonight and they were yummy! Believe me....this was a new thing to try....never tried making turkey burgers before. Justin was not sure what to think ....but he ate it all!!! This does not even taste like turkey at all with all of the seasoning. Sometimes however....bad news...the turkey is not always better than red meat! There is an article on MSN about what you would think was healthy and what really is surprisingly better to eat. Check this out...Which is healthier? : http://health.msn.com/nutrition/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100230937&GT1=31036

One Point Snacks

Fresh Buttermilk Dip

Makes 1 serving

POINTS® value | 1 per serving

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 tsp reduced-calorie mayonnaise
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 Tbsp fresh chives, minced
• 1 tsp fresh dill, minced
• freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

• In a small bowl, combine buttermilk, mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, chives and dill; season to taste with pepper. Scoop up with broccoli florets, grape tomatoes or other fresh vegetables.

Salted-Caramel Apple Slices

Makes 1 serving

POINTS® value | 1 per serving

Ingredients

• 1/2 small apple, thinly sliced
• 1/8 oz caramel candy, chopped (1 very small caramel)
• Pinch of sea salt

Instructions

• Place apple slices on a microwaveable plate; top with caramel pieces. Microwave until caramel melts, about 30 to 60 seconds. Sprinkle with salt and eat immediately.
• 
  

Celery Stuffed with Blue Cheese

Makes 1 serving

POINTS® value | 1 per serving

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp blue cheese
• 1 tsp smoky barbecue sauce
• 1/2 tsp reduced-calorie mayonnaise
• 2 medium celery ribs, washed and trimmed

Instructions

• In a small bowl, combine blue cheese, barbecue sauce and mayonnaise; blend well. Spoon cheese dip into celery sticks.

Parmesan and Herb Popcorn

Makes 1 serving

POINTS® value | 1 per serving

Ingredients

• 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 ½ cups air-popped or light microwave popcorn

Instructions

• In a medium bowl, combine lemon juice, Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese; mix well. Add popcorn and toss to coat, turning several times with a spatula while scrapping bottom of bowl.

   Here are a few one point snacks that I found...I find it is always hard to eat well  while snacking...I am looking forward to trying these. A couple of my other low point  favs to eat and snack on are light yoplait yogurts (most are 2 points) and 100 calorie  chocolate hostess mini cakes (1 point).   Anyone else have some favs?

Chicken Fried Rice

  Good Health

 

Ingredients

• 2 spray(s) cooking spray
• 4 large egg white(s)
• 1/2 cup(s) scallion(s), chopped, green and white parts
• 2 medium garlic clove(s), minced
• 12 oz uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup(s) carrot(s), diced
• 2 cup(s) cooked brown rice, regular or instant, kept hot
• 1/2 cup(s) frozen green peas, thawed
• 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce

Instructions

• Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and set pan over medium-high heat. Add egg whites and cook, until scrambled, stirring frequently, about 3 to 5 minutes; remove from pan and set aside.
  
  
• Offheat, recoat skillet with cooking spray and place back over medium-high heat. Add scallions and garlic; sauté 2 minutes. Add chicken and carrots; sauté until chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes.
  
  
• Stir in reserved cooked egg whites, cooked brown rice, peas and soy sauce; cook until heated through, stirring once or twice, about 1 minute. Yields about 1 cup per serving.

POINTS^® value | 3 
Servings |  6

Art by Yuan Lee

Cake the Easy and Healthy Way!

Art By angela Staeling

Chocolate Cake

1 Chocolate cake mix any kind

1- 12oz can of Pepsi or Coke

Mix these together. Nothing else just the two! Mix with a beater and place in greased 9X13 pan.

Bake 350 degrees for whatever the time on the box indicates. If you make cupcakes this yields 24 cupcakes (servings 24) and they are 1 point per serving
Note: If you decide to frost your cake your point value goes up to 2 points per slice.

Frosting

1 - 8oz Lite Cool Whip

1 small box sugar free chocolate instant pudding

Mix together...That is it...just these two. Spread on a cake when cools.
Note depending on cake mix flavor adjust the pudding flavor.

VARIATIONS:

1 box lemon cake mix and 1-12oz can 7up.

1 box white cake mix and 1-12oz Fresca
1 box chocolate cake mix and 1-12oz diet cherry coke

Beef Stew
(6 Points)(Jill)

1 pound beef stew meat -- cubed, 1"
8 teaspoons McCormick Beef Stew seasoning -- (1/2 package)
15 ounces green beans, canned --
1 can 15 ounces canned black beans --
1 can (shop rite) 15 ounces peas, canned --
1 can 15 ounces corn, canned --
1 can 3 cups water
Put in a crockpot and simmer all day (about 8 hours or so). If you can not find McCormick Beef Stew seasoning use another brand of seasoning or use your own favorite spices i.e.: salt, pepper, garlic, or onion soup mix :)

6 Points Per Serving Serving Size : 8
NOTES : Per serving: 309.4 cal, 12.4g (35.6%) fat, 6.4g fiber, 646mg sodium, 27.1g Carbs, 23.5g protein

Barbecued Pork
(4 Points) (Jill)

2 lbs. boneless pork top loin
1 c. chopped onion
3/4 c. diet soda
3/4 c. barbecue sauce

Combine all ingredients in a crockpot. Cook covered on high for 5-6 hours or until meat
is very tender. Drain and slice or shred pork. I serve it on wheat buns that are 2 points
Makes 8 servings at 4 points each.

Lemon Chicken with Broccoli

POINTS® value 3 Servings 4 Preparation Time 10 min Cooking Time 10 min Level of Difficulty Easy

Ingredients
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp table salt,
divided 1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
12 oz uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, thinly sliced
2 tsp olive oil
1 1/2 cup(s) fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth, divided
2 tsp minced garlic
2 1/2 cup(s) broccoli, small florets
2 tsp lemon zest, or more to taste
2 tbsp parsley, fresh, chopped
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions
*On a plate, combine 1 1/2 tablespoons of flour, 1/4 teaspoon of salt and pepper;add chicken and turn to coat.
*Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook, turning as needed, until lightly browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes; remove to a plate.
*Put 1 cup of broth and garlic in same skillet; bring to a boil over high heat, scrapping up browned bits from bottom of pan with a wooden spoon. Add broccoli; cover and cook 1 minute.
*In a small cup, stir together remaining 1/2 cup of broth, 1/2 tablespoon of flour and 1/4 teaspoon of salt; add to skillet and bring to a simmer over low heat.
*Cover and cook until broccoli is crisp-tender and sauce is slightly thickened, about 1 1/2 minutes. Stir in chicken and lemon zest; heat through.
*Remove skillet from heat and stir in parsley and lemon juice; toss to coat. Yields about 1 cup per serving.

An easy weeknight dinner. Great with a side of angel hair pasta, rice or couscous.

MULTIGRAIN BREAD

MULTIGRAIN BREAD from America's Test Kitchen Family Baking Book

1 Cup seven grain hot cereal mix (Bob’s red mill brand)
2 cups Boiling Water
3 Tbs unsalted butter, melted and cooled
3 Tbs honey
2 1/2 - 3 Cups all purpose flour
1 Cup whole wheat flour
1 Envelope (2 1/4 tsps) instant or rapid rise yeast
1 1/2 tsps salt
1/2 Cup unsalted pumpkin or sunflower seeds
1/4 Cup old fashioned rolled oats or quick cook oats

1. Stir the cereal mix and boiling water together in a medium bowl and let stand, stirring occasionally, until the mixture resembles a thick porridge and is just warm (about 110 degrees), about 30 minutes. Stir in melted butter and honey.

2. Combine 2 1/2 Cups of the all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, yeast, and salt in a standing mixer fitted with the dough hook. With the mixer on low speed, add the cereal mixture and mix until the dough comes together, about 2 minutes.

3. Increase the mixer speed to medium-low and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes, adding the seeds during the final minute of mixing. If after 4 minutes more flour is needed, add the remaining 1/2 cup flour, 2 Tbs at a time, until the dough clears the sides of the bowl but sticks to the bottom.

4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured counter and knead by hand to from a smooth, round ball. Place the dough in a large, lightly oiled bowl and cover with greased plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, 1- 1 1/2 hours.

5. Grease a 9 X 5 inch loaf pan. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured counter and shape for the loaf pan. Place the loaf, seam side down, in the prepared pan. Mist the loaf with vegetable spray and cover loosely with plastic wrap and let dough rise again, 45-75 minutes, until nearly doubled in size.

6. Bake at 350 degrees. Brush the loaf with melted butter, sprinkle with oats, and then spray lightly with water. Bake for 40-50 minutes until golden. Rotate the loaf halfway through baking. Cool loaf in pan for 15 minutes and place loaf on wire cooling rack.

Notes from Julie:
I just got this cookbook for Christmas from Monica and wanted to try this healthy bread recipe. I substituted the butter for Smart Balance Spread and that worked really well. I also made this into two smaller loaves and baked for about 30-35 minutes. Although this took Over 3 hours to make…..it was really soft and yummy! Worth every minute! It is 1 point per slice of bread for Weight Watchers.

Fiesta Soup

So I tried the Fiesta Soup. Soooo Yummy!!! I tried it out on my family and they liked it! I added a little cheese and some light sour cream and made the points go up a little but it was so good. My kids even liked crunched up tortilla chips in it.

Juicy Hamburgers
POINTS: 5
INSTRUCTIONS
1 spray(s) cooking spray
1 pound(s) uncooked lean ground beef (with 7% fat)
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
4 item(s) reduced-calorie hamburger roll(s)

Coat a large griddle, outdoor grill rack or stovetop grill pan with cooking spray and preheat to medium-high.
In a large bowl, combine beef, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt and pepper. Mix well and shape mixture into 4 patties, about 1-inch thick each. (To retain juiciness, be careful not to overwork the meat.)
Place burgers on hot griddle or grill and cook 5 minutes per side for medium (or longer until desired doneness).
Serve burgers on rolls with your favorite toppings (could affect POINTS values). Yields 1 burger per serving.

Fiesta Soup
POINTS® Value: 2 Servings: 1 cup per serving Preparation Time: 10 min
Cooking Time: 20 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
1 can black beans
1 can white beans
1 can chopped tomatoes
1 can corn
1 can chicken broth
1 c. chopped chicken
Instructions
Put all ingredients in cooking pot. Bring to boil and then simmer 20 min.
Notes: For the chicken you can use the canned chicken from Costco it yeilds about 1 cup.

Grandma’s Pumpkin Muffins
POINTS® Value: 3 Servings: 12Preparation Time: 18 minCooking Time: 25 minLevel of Difficulty: Easy
Nothing says fall like the spice trinity of pumpkin, nutmeg and cloves.
Ingredients
1 spray(s) cooking spray
2 cup(s) all-purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp table salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
2/3 cup(s) unsweetened applesauce
1 cup(s) canned pumpkin
2/3 cup(s) sugar
1/2 cup(s) fat-free egg substitute
2/3 cup(s) fat-free skim milk
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400ºF. Coat a 12-hole muffin tin with cooking spray. Line with cupcake wrappers if desired.
Combine flour, baking powder, salt , baking soda, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg in a large bowl.
Combine applesauce, pumpkin, sugar, egg substitute and milk in a medium bowl; mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon.
Add applesauce mixture to flour mixture and mix until completely incorporated.
Pour batter into muffin tins so each hole is about 2/3 full. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. Yields 1 muffin per serving.
Notes
We use both cooking spray and muffin wrappers to prevent any batter from sticking to the top of the pan but you can use a nonstick pan instead, if you prefer.