Weight Watcher Weigh-In Saturday

Well, I was not able to go in to be weighed, so I don't know exactly how accurate my scale is compared to theirs, but it looks like I lost 3 pounds. I now have lost 22 pounds in 10 weeks. 2 more pounds and I will have met my 10% target :)

Sweet Baby

Baby's Words
by Frank Greg

Although I am small and cannot say a word
these thoughts of my family I wish could be heard . . .
I feel all your love and the kind things you do.
I get so excited that I smile and coo.
A soapy warm bath or the comb through my hair
all your soft whispers that tell me you care.
Then wrapped in your arms it is safe and secure
protected with tenderness that is perfect and pure.
And if ever I'm messy, hungry, or cold
with just a small whimper I'm quickly consoled.
You kiss and caress to stop me from weeping
then patiently wait 'til I'm comfortably sleeping.
You make my life joyous, full of colors and fun
when I see you each morning your face is my sun.
So, if you aren't certain your gestures are felt
look deep in my eyes and I'm sure you will melt.
They say I'll grow fast like the blink of an eye
but do not be sad at the time that goes by.
Because I'll remember all you've given and shared
to get me through life completely prepared.
I'll be the great one who stands out in the crowd
your hearts will be happy I'll make you so proud.
I thank you so much for all that you do
and never forget that I love you, too.

My Little Boy

Why God Made Little Boys



God made the world out of His dreams

Of magic mountains, oceans and streams,

Prairies and plans and wooded land,

Then paused and thought “I need someone to stand

On top of mountains, to conquer the seas,

Explore the plains and climb the trees.

Someone to start out small and to grow,

Sturdy, strong as a tree…” And so,

He created boys, full of spirit and fun,

To explore and conquer, to romp and run.

With dirty faces and banged up chins,

With courageous hearts and boyish grins.

When He had completed the task He’d begun

He surely said “A job well done”.

Bet Your Wondering...

I bet your wondering how I manage to lose weight on Weight Watchers with all the recipes I have on my blog that are NOT weight watcher friendly..lol...well, its will power and a love for my kids and wanting them to enjoy the finer things in life which includes sweets and treats home baked from the oven....I want them to have the memories of Mom cooking...not Mom dieting ;) I also want to prepare for the grandchildren I may have some day...

Happy Wednesday..its almost the weekend...woohoooooooo!

You Choose The Goo Brownies

2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
3/4 cup melted butter
4 eggs

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350, Grease and flour a 9 x 13 inch baking pan.
2. Mix together flour, baking powder, salt, melted butter, and eggs in a large bowl. Add in sugar, cocoa powder and any options if desired (options can include 1/2 cup chocolate, vanilla or butterscotch chips., 1/2 cup mini marshmallows, 1/2 cup chopped or whole pecans or walnuts), Mix all ingredients thoroughly until well blended.
3. Spread the brownie batter evenly into the greased baking pan.
4. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Depending on what special ingredients you add, cooking time may vary. Make sure you keep an eye on your brownies to keep them from burning. Cool completely in pan before cutting into squares.

Recipe came from Home Made Simple Coupon booklet.

For more recipes go to Grocery Cart Challenge

Weight Watchers Weigh-In (A Few Days Late)

I missed on the 14th of this month and went this past week. I lost 0.8 pounds in two weeks...not all that great, but it is because I have been stressing lately and when I stress, I don't eat...that's right, I dont eat..ha ha. So, I have not been getting my points and getting your points is just as important as not going over your points for weight loss. So, in 9 weeks, I have lost 19.2 pounds. Going to be getting back on track with eating today :)

Have a great week :)

Menu Plan Monday

Monday: Tasty Lentil Tacos (served over salad for me, taco shells for the kids) We did not get around to having this last week.

Tuesday: CAMPERS CHICKEN POCKETS

1 lb skinless boneless chicken breast halves defrosted if frozen
1 sm onion for four slices
1/2 large green pepper(for 12 stripes; optional)
1 large white potato (for 24 thin slices)
3/4 barbecue sauce, plus more for serving
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 450

Tear off 4 large 14 in squares of foil. Cut the chicken lengthwise into strips that are roughly 1/2 inch wide. Divide the chicken strips amoung the pieces of foil. Peel the onion and cut into four slices, about 1/4 in thick. Place 1 slice in each packet, separating it into rings.

Stem, seed and cut green pepper into twelve thin slices. Place three strips over the onion in each packet.

Rinse the potato but do no peel it. Cut the potato into very thin slices, about 1/16inch wide. Place and equal number of slices, about six, in each packet. Spoon 3 tablespoons of the BBQ sauce over each packet.

Fold the foil across the middle and roll up the ends to seal the packets tightly. Place them on a baking sheet and bake until the veggies are soft and the chicken is no longer pink in the center 20 to 25 minutes. Serve at once with additional BBQ sauce if desired.

Wednesday: CHEESY BEEF AND RICE
 
1 cup long grain brown rice
1 lb ground beef
3 T. minced onion, or fresh chopped onion
1/2 t. garlic powder
sea salt, to taste
1 cup FF sour cream
1/3 FF cup milk
1 cups FF shredded cheddar cheese

Boil two cups of water.  Stir in rice.  Cover and simmer for 45 minutes.  Brown ground beef with onion and garlic powder.  Mix with rice and salt well.  Stir in sour cream and milk.  Spread into a casserole dish.  Sprinkle cheese on top. 

Place uncovered in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes, or until bubbly.

Thanks to Heavenly Homemakers

Thursday: BLACK-BEAN, AVOCADO, AND TOMATO QUINOA

makes 4 side servings, or 2 main-dish size portions

2 teaspoons grated lime zest
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup quinoa (I buy the pre-rinsed kind-- the other seems like more hassle than its worth)
1 (14- to 15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 medium tomatoes, diced
4 scallions, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 avocado, diced

1. Prepare quinoa as directed on box (takes about 15 minutes)
2. In the meantime, whisk together lime zest, lime juice, olive oil, sugar, salt & pepper to taste in a large bowl.
3. Once quinoa is cooked, add it to the dressing and toss until absorbed. Then, stir in remaining ingredients and S&P to taste.

Friday: Hot pockets from the freezer

For more Menu Planning Monday visit Organizing Junkie

Lots O' Cookie Dough

I have been reading up on some great recipes. I was reading on one of my favorite blogs, Moms By Heart, about how she makes cookie dough and freezes it...so simple..don't know why I have not done it and so much better than store bought...and I am sure cheaper. Soooooo, I made A LOT! We are pretty set for a while on cookie dough.

The recipe is....

1 1/2cups brown sugar
1 1/2cups white sugar
2 cups shortening(No substitutes)
7 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons salt
6 eggs , gently beaten
2 teaspoons baking soda
4 tablespoons hot water
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 lbs walnuts or pecans , chopped
3 lbs semisweet chocolate chunks

1. Preheat Oven to 325°F.
2. In a VERY large mixing bowl or largest bowl of your
Stand Mixer, add brown sugar, white sugar, and
shortening. Cream together very well.
3. In another large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder,
and salt. Set Aside.
4. Add flour mixture and eggs alternately to the creamed
mixture, mix well, scraping down sides of bowl as
needed.
5. Dissolve baking soda in the 4 tbs of HOT water. Add
baking soda mixture and vanilla to dough and mix well.
6. Stir in nuts and chocolate chunks.
7. Drop by heaping tablespoonful onto an ungreased
cookie sheet and bake at 325° for 15 - 17 minutes. I get 12
cookies to a standard sized cookie sheet.
8. VARIATIONS/TIPS:.
9. Nuts: Can use walnuts, pecans, macadamia nuts, etc. so
long as you have a total of 2 lbs. I measure each type of
nut used into it's own bowl, see reason below.
10. Chocolate Chunks: I seldom use just the chocolate
chunks called for in the original recipe. Instead I use a
combination of 3 lbs of a variety of baking pieces, and
put in separate bowls. Try chocolate chunks, semisweet
chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, mini M&M's, vanilla
baking chips, chocolate/caramel swirled chips, etc. so
long as you have a total of about 3 lbs (about 4 - 12
ounce packages) I have already used a little less than 3
lbs when I just didn't have enough available.
11. FUN TIP:. Before adding the nuts and chocolate to your dough,
divide the dough into 2 bowls. Since you have measured
out the nuts and chocolate (or variety of baking pieces)
into separate bowls, you can now create a variety of
cookie dough flavors. Add whatever combination you
would like so long as you add approximately equal
amounts to each bowl.
FOR EXAMPLE: Divide cookie dough into 2 bowls. To
first bowl add 1 pound chopped pecans, 1 pound
chocolate chunks, and 1/2 pound butterscotch chips. To
second bowl add 1 pound chopped walnuts, 1 pound
caramel/chocolate swirled chips, and 1/2 pound vanilla
baking chips. The possibilities are endless. Have fun
with this!
12. Wrap and freeze, take the dough out of the
freezer and put in the fridge the day before
baking.

For more freezer recipes you can visit Mom By Heart here

Homemade Hot Pockets

Hot Pocket Dough- makes six 6 inch pockets
1 C. Luke Warm Water
2 T. Olive Oil or Canola Oil
1 t. Sugar
1/2 t. Salt
3 C. Flour (I usually do Half all-purpose and half whole wheat or all whole wheat flour)
1 1/2 t. Yeast

Dough by Hand:
Dissolve Yeast in warm water. Add Oil, Sugar, and salt. Slowly mix in flour and knead. Cover and let rise for 45 minutes.

Dough in Bread Machine: (this is my favorite because you can throw all the ingredients in and set the dough cycle and get some other things done while it’s doing the work for you!)
Add ingredients in order your bread machine specifys (for example: for mine I need to add the liquid first, then dry ingredients, and then form a well and pour my yeast in). You don’t want your dough to raise for more than one hour. Most bread machine dough cycles will “beat” down the dough and you’ll want to take the dough out before it does that. Consult your users manual for timing and instructions on how to put the ingredients in.

1. Pre-heat oven to 375
2. When dough is ready, separate it in to 6 portions. If you want to be really exact, you can weigh the dough. I usually just eye ball it.
3. Using a rolling pin, roll out dough to 1/8 inch thick circles.
4. Let dough rest for 5 minutes.
5. Put 1/4-1/2 cup worth of filling. If you’re making all the same kind of hot pockets mix all your filling items together and use a scoop to fill the pockets.
6. Fold dough in half over the filling and clamp edges with fork.
7. You can brush the tops with an egg white wash (1 egg white beaten with 1-2 T. water) if you want them to look really professional!
8. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 375.

I got this from everydayfoodstorage.net :)

Blueberry Drop Cookies

Blueberry Drop Cookies

INGREDIENTS

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening
1/4 cup milk
1 egg
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest
1 cup fresh blueberries


DIRECTIONS
In a large mixing bowl, cream the shortening, sugar, egg, milk, almond extract and lemon zest. Mix well after the addition of each ingredient. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; blend into the sugar mixture. Fold in the blueberries. Cover and chill for 4 hours.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Drop dough by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets, about 1 1/2 inches apart.

Bake 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

For more recipes go to Grocery Cart Challenge