Protein Shake

Hi all I am back after a LONG hiatus! School, kids, and finals will do that to you!

Just made the most fantastic smoothie! Thought I'd share… I have read that I need to up my protein intake so I have started making protein shakes once a day after a workout or just because….

I am using Isopure CreamyVanilla as it is HIGH in protein (50grams per serving) and NO CARBS!

So here goes…

Mocha Protein Frappe

2 scoops of Isopure No Carb powder

6 oz water

6 oz cold coffee

2 splenda

1 tbsp of Hershey's chocolate

8 ice cubes

Stick it all in my NINJA (Hiiiiiiii-yaaaaa!!) and blend! 

SO DELICIOUS! Reminds me of a certain overpriced coffee place I love! :o)

Sidenote: Just did the same thing with a chocolate protein mix and it was delish as well!

Rebate Site

Just was reffered to this AWESOME site! So check this out.. I needed Pet Meds for Winnie and Tibbers. 


Each one was $39.99 x 2= $80.00. YOWZAS!! So because I used this site to get to 1-800-PetMeds I got a 7% rebate off my total, 10% off IMMEDIATELY, and free shipping. So my price went from $80.00 to $65ish! AWESOME! And just for signing up I got $5.00 FREE! AWESOME!! 


Wish I would have found this before I do TONS of online shopping! Hit me up if you want me to send you a referral! It's GOT a ton of different stores that you can get rebates from! AMAZING!


I am adding a link to the site because I think it's an AWESOME find that everyone can use no matter if you shop online a little or a lot! 


Happy Shopping!


Heather :o)

This is the link... I have also put it on the right hand side of the blog
Mr. Rebates 

Authentic Mexican Rice

Ingredients

2 Cups of Rice
1/3 bottle of Sofrito
1 packet of Sazon
1 Chicken Bouillon cube
4 cups of water
1 clove of garlic
1/2 a small onion
1 teaspoon of Adobo
1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil


In a sauce pan heat olive oil on medium heat, add rice and toast.  Add 1/2 onion and glove of garlic ( you will leave these whole to remove once rice is done)
Once rice is toasted add 4 cups of water and chicken bouillon cube (make sure cube desolves all the way) Now at all the other ingredients.   And mix well. Bring to a soft boil.  Once it is boiling, reduce heat to a simmer and cover with the lid.  It will take about 25-30 minutes to cook.  Keep your eye on it, once all the water is gone and it has steamed for a few minutes turn the heat off and let it sit for 20 minutes.

You can find most of the ingredients at your local grocery store in the mexican food aisle.

Enjoy!!!

Alicia

Easy Blender Salsa

Ingredients:

• 1- 14 oz can diced tomatoes
• 1- 10 oz can orginal Rotel
• 1 medium onion, roughly chopped
• 2 clove garlic, peeled
• 1-2 jalapeno, seeded or not (depends on how spicy you like it)
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• small to medium size handful of cilantro, washed
• juice of 1 lime

Directions:

Put all the ingredients in the base of a food processor or good blender and pulse to combine for 30 seconds or so until all the ingredients are finely chopped and salsa is desired consistency. Taste for seasoning and adjust to taste. Serve with chips or over tacos.

Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup

This soup is so easy.  I made about 5-6 chicken breast earlier in the week and made a few different soups through out the week.  My boys LOVED this soup.  It is 5 WW Points Plus without the tortilla chips, sour cream or cheese.


Ingredients
2 cups of cooked boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 cans Ro-Tel
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can corn
1 onion, chopped
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 Tbsp garlic powder
1 Tbsp chile powder
1 Tbsp ground cumin
1 Tbsp fresh cilantro
1 Tbsp of dried hidden valley ranch seasoning

Optional:
Baked tortilla chips
Lite sour cream
Lite shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese


Add all the ingredients to the crockpot and cook on high 4-5 hours or low 7-8 hours.


It is that easy, if you are using raw chicken let it cook longer and shred the chicken before serving.

Enjoy!!!

Alicia

Crock Pot White Bean Chicken Chili

This was soooooo yummy!!! I can not beleive how good it is.  I counted it as 8 WW points plus for two cups.

Ingredients

• 1 (32 oz) box low sodium chicken broth
• 1 (11 oz) can white corn
• 2- (15 oz) cans Great Northern Beans
• ½ cup plain greek yogart
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 (4 oz) can green chiles, chopped
• 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• 1 packet White Bean Chili seasoning mix
• 1.5 lbs boneless/skinless chicken breast
• *Optional: To garnish: 1/2 bunch cilantro leaves, chopped, cheese, sour cream, salsa

 

Place all of the ingredients in Crock Pot, and cook over high heat for 4 hours, or over low heat for 8 hours.

Thanks, Alicia

 

Pineapple Cupcakes

Easy and tasty recipe! Thanks Cari! :o)

1 box yellow cake mix (I used Betty Crocker SuperMoist)

1 can of CRUSHED pineapple (in 100% juice)

Whipped cream

Add cake and pineapple together. Mix well (do not drain). Separate into cup cake liners and bake according to directions on the box.

Once the cup cakes have cooled add fruit bits to the top for extra garnish or flavor.

(NOTE: Do not add any other ingredients to the mix that are listed on the box. Just the pineapple w/ juice and cake mix) Also, I got the wrong kind of pineapple.. DUH! So I sent it (juice and all) through my ninja for a quick chopping!)

Optional topping recipe: 

8 oz Philadelphia 1/3 less fat cream cheese

20 oz can pineapple in pineapple juice, DRAINED - SQUEEZE WELL

3/4 cup fluff marshmallow spread

Combine all three ingredients, mix with a hand mixer and top cooled cupcakes! 

Refrigerate after topping.

Enjoy!

Heather

Cha cha cha chiaaaaa….

I have had a few different people ask me about Chia Seeds and I found this list of helpful information. Chia is not to expensive but has tons of added health benefits! Thank you to my friend Nicole for turning me onto these! 10 Benefits to eating Chia Seeds


Nicole will also tell you that my first question was "Am I going to be growing green Chia grass in my belly?" Her response "If you didn't have stomach acids then Yeah maybe!" LOL :D


You really don't notice these little seeds in foods that you add them to. I feel like they are VERY similar to strawberry seeds. Normally when I have them it's in my Green Smoothies so because I add strawberries there really is no difference. Also they have NO flavor to them.. so no need to worry about that!


Click on the link for some interesting info on using Chia Seeds!


Heather

Growing Oatmeal Bowl

This is Heather's favorite breakfast!!!!

It is ONLY 5 weight watcher points plus

(this picture is ONLY 1/2  of the oatmeal, Heather can't eat the whole thing like her big sis)LOL

Also Heather likes to add the apples once the oatmeal is in the bowl, where as I like the apples heated with the oats in the pot.  You can do either or.

1 cup Almond Breeze 40 calorie milk
1/2 cup 1 minute oats
1/2 small apple, cored and chopped
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
2 Splenda sweetener packets
Dash salt
Optional toppings: blueberries, additional chopped apple, dried cranberries (or anything dried really)

DIRECTIONS

Combine all ingredients in a nonstick pot on the stove. Add 1 cup water and mix well. Bring to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer.

Stirring often, cook until very thick and creamy, 4-5 minutes. If you like, top with blueberries and additional chopped apple. Eat!

MAKES 1 SERVING (or 2 half servings)
 

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal

This is soooooo yummy and warm. Makes you feel so comfy and cozy!

1/2 cup of 1 minute oats

1 cup of water

1 cup milk of choice (I use Almond Breeze 40 calories)

1/4 tsp salt

1 ripe banana

1 T peanut butter (I use Better N' Peanut Butter from Trader Joe's)

1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract

 1 or 2 Splenda

Cook the oats, salt, water and  milk on the stove top. Meanwhile, smash together the pb and  1/2 the banana. Then add in your vanilla and splenda. In a bowl add oatmeal to the pb/banana mix and stir.  Add remaining chopped banana in and stir.  You can smash the full banana with the pb, but I thought it would be better to have larger chunks of banana in the oatmeal.  =)


The weight watcher points plus for this oatmeal is 5 pp.
3 for the oats, 1 for the almond milk and 1 for the peanut butter.

Enjoy!!!!

Alicia  

Wendy's Chili Knockoff

2 lbs. fresh ground beef ( I use lean 93% / 7%)
1 qt. tomato juice

1 (29 oz.) can diced tomatoes
1 (15 oz.) can red beans, drained
1 medium onion (1 1/2 c.), chopped
1/2 C. celery, diced
1/4 C. green pepper, diced
1/4 C. chili powder (you may want to use less, some people find this is too much)
1 tsp. cumin (if you like real flavor, add more)
1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. each: black pepper, oregano, sugar
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

In a frying pan, brown the ground beef; drain. Put the drained beef and the remaining ingredients into a 6-quart pot. Cover the pot; let it simmer for 1 1/2 - 2 hours, stirring every 15 minutes. Serves: 8

Optional toppings cheese, scallions, crushed crackers, crushed Fritos

This tastes EXACTLY like Wendy's Chili and my family LOVES it! This is what's for dinner tonight! 

Enjoy!

Heather

10 Commandments

10 Commandments of weightloss

Love this!!!

So true!!!

Pumpkin Pie in a Bowl

Pumpkin Pie in a Bowl

This is my FAVORITE breakfast!!!

• 1/3 c canned pumpkin (or cooked pumpkin)
• 3/4 c nondairy milk (I use Blue Diamond Almond Breeze 40 Calories) 
• 1/2 cup of  1 minute oatmeal
• 1/4 to 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice (optional)
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 2 Splendas
• optional: chocolate chips, pecans, reddi whip

Blend all ingredients together. The oatmeal will have a thin consistency at first, but if you leave it in the fridge (after blending) for even just 10 minutes, it starts to get really thick! I count it as 4 WW points plus.  Enjoy!!!

Alicia

Banana Ice Cream

HOMEMADE 

Banana Ice Cream

Hubbs and I went to Trader Joes today and I forgot to get Ice Cream (sad face). But I did stock up on 19¢ bananas. So immediately my mind went to this recipe that I ran across somewhere... it's looks easy and I have been wanting to try it for some time now....

It was SUPER simple to make and with only two ingredients (I used 1 tbsp. Mini Chocolate chips and two bananas) that are pretty much staples in my home, there was no running to the store for me! I will say that I over blended the bananas a wee bit so I threw the Ice Cream in a container back into the freezer when I was done. About an hour later Jeff and I grabbed 2 spoons and went to town! It was delicious and healthy! 

Try it sometime!

Heather

Homemade LOW fat salsa

Homemade Salsa

I have been a busy beaver these past few days cooking up a storm.

Today I made homemade salsa.

This recipe is VERY easy.

I have been making salsa once a week for the last few months.

At 0  Weight Watcher points plus it is a great snack with some baked chips.

Here is how I make my salsa.

INGREDIENTS

2 Large Spanish onions

2-4 Jalapeno pepper (Depends how hot you like it)

1 large poblano pepper

3-4 Large Tomatoes

2-3 gloves of garlic

Fresh Cilantro

Olive Oil

AND

Adobo seasoning

Chop all the ingredients

 In a large skillet pour 1 tablespoon of olive oil in the pan over medium heat.

Add all the peppers first, sauté for a few minutes, then add the onion and garlic, sauté for a few more minutes, then add tomatoes, you guessed it sauté for a few more minutes. Every time I add an ingredient to the pan I add some Adobo seasoning just a shake all over the pan.

And last add the cilantro and sauté that for a few more minutes and you are DONE!!!

 And there you go, homemade salsa.

I sometimes add some red, orange or yellow peppers also. They give it a sweet kick. Also, if you like more of any one ingredient you can add extra or less.  It is all up to you.

This pot will last me all week between me and my husband.

We put this salsa on everything, tacos, eggs, pizza, EVERYTHING!!!

You can find the Adobo seasoning at most general grocery stores. I usually get mine at Tony's Finer Foods.

AND let me tell you I put this seasoning on everything!!!

Steaks, Chicken, Pork chops, and Fish, it is a great!!!

I must thank my Mom for all she has taught me, love you mom.

Thanks everyone!

Have a great rest of the weekend!!!

oxoxo

Alicia (AKI)

Low Fat Crab Rangoon

CRAB RANGOON

Made a great recipe yesterday for my dear friends after holiday party. 

They were so yummy and NO ONE knew they were low calorie!!!

I got the recipe from Hungry Girl.  If you have not heard of Hungry Girl you MUST look her up.  She has great recipes and provides Weight Watchers Points Plus with ALL her recipes.

I prepared them prior to the party at my home, then brought them with and popped them in my friend's oven.  So I would say you can freeze these and eat them anytime.

I served mine with Trader Joe's Sweet Chili Sauce.

Ingredients

• 4 oz. flaked imitation crabmeat (or high-quality crabmeat)
• 2 scallions, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup fat-free cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 wedges The Laughing Cow Light Creamy Swiss cheese, room temperature
• 1 tsp. reduced-sodium or lite soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp. chopped garlic
• 16 small square wonton wrappers (stocked with the tofu in the refrigerated section of the market)
• Optional: sweet and sour sauce, Chinese-style hot mustard

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray.

To make your filling, combine all ingredients except wonton wrappers and optional ingredients in a bowl, breaking up the cheese wedges as you add them. Mix until uniform.

Lay one wonton wrapper flat on a clean, dry surface. Spoon a heaping 1/2 tbsp. filling into the center. Moisten all four edges by dabbing your fingers in water and going over the edges smoothly. Fold the bottom left corner to meet the top right corner, forming a triangle and enclosing the filling. Press firmly on the edges to seal.

Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling, gently placing each rangoon flat on the baking sheet. Spray the tops with nonstick spray. Bake in the oven for about 12 minutes, carefully flipping halfway through, until golden brown.

Allow to cool slightly. If you like, dip your rangoon in some sweet and sour sauce or hot mustard!

MAKES 4 SERVINGS

PER SERVING (1/4th of recipe, 4 crab rangoon): 140 calories, 1.25g fat, 593mg sodium, 20g carbs, 1g fiber, 2g sugars, 8.5g protein -- PointsPlus® value 3*

Hope you Enjoy!!!
Thanks,
Alicia (AKI)

Peanut Butter Cheerios

These are AMAZING, but addictive!! Kinda reminds me of the old Peanut Butter Captain Crunch... DELISH!

Alicia here...

Hello everyone,

This is Alicia (the other sister)

This is my first time blogging EVER!

I am looking forward to sharing my life and my thoughts with you all.  I try to make about 1-2 new recipes a week.  I have been losing some weight so all my recipes will be WW (weight watcher) friendly and I will include the points plus values with all my recipes.

Thank you all for joining Heather and I on this  new blog adventure.

P.S. This weekend I will be making some low cal crab rangoon for a party I am attending on Saturday night so I will try to post on Sunday.

Green Smoothie tiiiimmmmeeeee!

So I have had requests for my green smoothie recipe and I must say I am happy to oblige! I start out with the same basic recipe and add whatever I have available in the pantry. You will be surprised that most people enjoy these drinks, my hubby LOVES it. We are constantly fighting to get to the last serving.


BASIC BASE
1 cup water
1/2 cup apple juice
1/2 cucumber (peeled)
1 apple (cored and sliced, skin on)
1 BIG handful spinach
1 BIG kale leaf
1 tbsp of Chia seeds (optional)
1 tbsp of Flax (optional)
1 LARGE glass of ice


Additions: I have tried different combinations of all of these and they are DELISH!
Banana, Raspberries, Blackberries, Strawberries, Pineapple


Things to try:
Mango, Papaya, Kiwi, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Cranberries
From what I have seen there are literally 100's of different green smoothies out there. This is one that is Piggy and Kermie approved! Serves 3 LARGE glasses


Enjoy!
Heather

Sisters..

My sister and I are constantly adding recipes, pictures, and interesting information to our Facebook pages… so we decided to start a blog to chronicle our triumphs and tragedies! Although we are sisters and very much alike in some ways, we are also VERY different when it comes to most things! So this should be pretty interesting… and might I add down right entertaining. Enjoy!!

Heather