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