72 Ways to Cut Calories From Your Diet

This is from an article on Yahoo. But very interesting!

Calories can be cruel. Sweat through a 30-minute workout and you can torch 200. Take three gulps of a foamy frappuccino and you're right back where you started.

But slashing those suckers can be as effortless as piling them on. We've found (72) ways you can cut 100 or more calories at a pop.

From picking the right slice at Pizza Hut to skipping the whip on your latte, they'll add up so fast, you won't miss a thing—until poof! Your love handles are gone.

Breakfast

• Ditch the Pop-Tart for a slice of high-fiber toast with strawberry jam.
• Gotta have carbs? Split a bagel with a coworker.
• Drink your two cups of joe black. Or order a single espresso instead of your usual latte.
• Swap OJ for the real deal—one fresh orange.
• Trade a side of regular sausage for turkey.
• Top your waffles with Reddi-Whip instead of syrup (or use sugar-free).
• Skip the whip on any Caribou Coffee 16-ounce drink.
• Eat your granola from a 4-ounce mug, not an 8-ounce bowl.
• Lose the Yoplait Thick& Creamy and have a Yoplait Fiber 1.
• Order pancakes, but hold the butter.
• Scramble together 4 egg whites instead of 2 whole eggs

• Lunch Listed at Bottom

Eating Out

• Dip your nachos in salsa rather than guacamole
• Drizzle extra hot sauce, not blue cheese or ranch dressing, on your wings.
• Drink sparkling water instead of soda.

On Your Snack Break

Move your stash of Hershey's Kisses at least 6 feet away from your desk—you'll dip in half as often.

Drain the heavy syrup from your can of fruit cocktail and then rinse the fruit with water before digging in.

Have 1/2 cup of fresh grapes instead of that little snack box of raisins.

Lay off the Lay's Classic potato chips and have a handful of Rold Gold pretzels.

Munch on a bag of Orville Redenbacher's Smart Pop Kettle Korn, not Movie Theater Butter.

Chase down the ice-cream truck for a Good Humor vanilla sandwich, not a King Cone.

During Desert

• Stop eating when you hit the crust. The edges and bottoms of baked goods are especially caloric because they absorb the butter used to grease the pan.
• Fill your bowl with sorbet instead of ice cream—you can have an extra 1/2 cup of the former and still slash calories.Next time a cocoa craving hits, ditch the dish of chocolate ice cream (about 3/4 cup) for a Fudgsicle.Have sugar-free Jell-O instead of pudding. Better your nighttime treat jiggle than your thighs.
• Go ahead and have that piece of birthday cake—just scrape off the chocolate frosting first.
• Eat 5 meringue cookies instead of 2 chocolate chip ones.
• Pass on the à la mode and savor that brownie au naturel.
• Can the cone. Have your ice cream in a bowl.
• Top your dessert with 1/2 cup of fresh berries instead of 2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup.

In the Kitchen

• Substitute nonfat Greek yogurt for a serving of sour cream.
• Use chicken broth (low-sodium is best) instead of oil to sauté meat and veggies.
• Making homemade mac 'n cheese? Cut 2 tablespoons of butter from the recipe.
• Replace the oil or butter in cakes with Sunsweet Lighter Bake prune-and-apple mixture or any brand of unsweetened applesauce.
• Next time you make meatballs, meatloaf, or burgers, go half-and-half with ground beef and turkey.
• When preparing packaged foods that call for butter or oil, like rice and stuffing, use a broth instead.Swap low-fat cottage cheese for whole-milk ricotta when you make lasagna or stuffed shells.

Eating Out

• Pass up a Wendy's baked potato with sour cream and chives and chow down on value fries instead. Amazing but true.
• Have a McDonald's cheeseburger instead of a Quarter Pounder with cheese.
• Downsize your drink: Trade a large fountain soda (with ice) for a medium.
• Go for grill marks. Order a flame-broiled chicken sandwich rather than one that's breaded (and usually fried in oil).Treat yourself to an ice-cream cone at McDonald's instead of Dairy Queen.
• Crunch on one Taco Bell regular taco instead of a Ranchero Chicken Soft Taco. And all the hot sauce you want.
• Slurp a cup of Panera Bread's low-fat chicken noodle soup instead of the cream of chicken with wild rice.
• Make your daily pick-me-up at Starbucks a skinny vanilla latte, not a regular.

When You're Not Cooking

• Request the lemon chicken with white rice, not fried.
• Skip the crunchy noodles with your bowl of wonton soup.
• Ask for an order of Szechuan Shrimp instead of your usual General Tso's.
• Choose the pasta with 1/2 cup of marinara instead of 1/2 cup of Alfredo sauce.
• Indulge your inner carnivore with beef stroganoff, not meat lasagna.
• Go with the baked potato (butter only), not the mashed, as your side of choice.
• Dip your dinner roll in marinara sauce instead of olive oil.
• Avoid anything breaded. Flour and bread crumbs not only add calories but also absorb more cooking oil.

Lunch (This makes it out of order, I know..Sorry--blog won't let me move it. Grr.)

• Leave the Swiss cheese out of your sandwich.
• Slather your bread with mustard rather than mayo and save 80 calories per tablespoon.
• Pass up croutons at the salad bar.
• Use up to 10 pumps of ranch dressing spray instead of pouring 2 tablespoons from a bottle.
• Devour a slice of Pizza Hut cheese pan pizza instead of the meat lover's variety.
• Take your iced tea unsweetened.
• Reach for a Snapple raspberry white tea instead of a Snapple raspberry iced tea.
• Stuff chicken salad into a whole-wheat pita instead of between slices of multigrain bread.
• Make your burger turkey, not beef.
• Slurp minestrone soup instead of cream of anything.
• Go bunless—shed your hamburger roll.
• Use south-of-the-border savvy: Have a quesadilla made with two 6-inch corn, not flour, tortillas.

The God on the Mountain, is still God in the Valley.

Two of the hardest times in my life made me vulnerable, helpless, and totally dependent on God. And those two times taught me to trust that I have been made to fulfill something that I haven't yet, but it's great enough for God to keep me around. 

#1. February 25, 2006

#2: Scary, high-risk pregnancy. Result: The greatest miracle I've ever witnessed.



Meal Ideas

Keeping with the theme of Weight Watchers that this blog has taken on, I have found all of my WW booklets that I would receive at meetings and have been reminded of some awesome things.  It's no wonder this works.  Just thought I'd share some meal ideas today- enjoy!

Breakfast Ideas: Each breakfast has a total POINTS value of 3
*Yogurt with fruit - 1 cup of light yogurt topped with 1 1/2 cup sliced strawberries. sweeted with sugar substitute to taste.
*Vegetable Omelet - 1 egg and 1 egg white cooked in nonstick spray with diced frozen bell pepper and 1/4 cup fat-free shredded cheddar cheese
*Cereal with fruit - 3/4 cup bran flakes with 1/2 cup fat-free milk or calcium-fortified soy milk, and 1 small banana, sliced.
*Egg, bacon, and veggies - 1 egg 1 tomato (halved), 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms and 1 slice Canadian bacon, all cooked in nonstick spray
*Cereal with fruit - 1 cup puffed whole-grain cereal topped with 1/2 cup fat-free milk or calcium-fortified soy milk. 1 large ripe peach, sliced.
*Yogurt Parfait - Fill a tall glass with alternate layers using 1 1/2 cups sliced strawberries and 1 cup plain fat-free yogurt. Sweeten with sugar substitute to taste.
*Fruity Oatmeal - Cook one packet plain instant oatmeal as per package directions. Stir in 2 Tbsp fat-free milk and 1/2 cup fruit-flavored unsweetened applesauce.

Lunch Ideas: Each lunch has a total POINTS value of 6
*Roast beef salad: Mixed greens with 1 oz thinly sliced lean roast beef, 1/4 avacado, sliced, 2 Tbsp shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, 1 Tbsp dried cranberries, and 1 tsp olive oil and balsalmic vinegar
*Soup and Yogurt: 1 cup black bean soup (Pts value: 2) 1 cup light yogurt and 1 large banana, sliced. (Pts value: 4)
*Baked Potato with Broccoli and cheese: Lare baked potato with steamed broccoli, 1/4 cup shredded fat-free cheddar cheese, and 1 slice cooked canadian bacon, finely chopped. (pts: 5) 1 cup of grapes (pts: 1)
*Soup and Appetizer: 1 cup split pea soup (Pts: 3) Sliced tomato and 2 oz fat-free mozzarella cheese drizzled with balsamic vinegar (pts: 2) 1 medium apple (pts: 1)
*Tuna Salad: 1/2 cup canned tuna in water, drained, mixed with 1/4 cup fat-free mayo, 1 tsp Dijon-style mustard, chopped bell pepper, & diced celery. Serve on a bed of mixed greens. (pts: 4) 1 cup baby carrots with 1/4 cup fat-free ranch dressing for dip (pts: 2)
*Grilled Chicken Salad: mixed greens, sliced tomato, cucumber, red onion, 10 small black olives, 4 tsp feta cheese, and 2 oz sliced grilled skinless chicken breast. Toss with 1 tsp olive oil and red wine vinegar. (pts: 5) 1 large peach (pts: 1)
*Turkey Napoleons: Spread a large slice of tomato with Dijon mustard. Top with 2 oz turkey breast slices rolled up, and 1 slice of fat-free mozzarella cheese. Top with another slice of tomato. Secure with a toothpick. Drizzle with 1 tsp olive oil and balsamic vinegar. (pts 4) 1 cup vegetable soup (pts 2)

Dinner Ideas: Each dinner has a total POINTS value of 8
*Chicken Cacciatore: (see recipe at end of todays blog) (pts 8) Garden Vegetable Soup (see recipe at end of today's blog) (pts 0)
*Teriyaki Pork Dinner: 2 oz lean grilled pork tenderloin brushed with 2 tsp teriyaki sauce (pts: 2) 1 baked large sweet potato topped with 1 tsp margarine and a sprinkle of cinnamon. (pts: 4) Broccoli florets and 1 tsp minced garlic cooked in 2 tsp olive oil (pts: 2)
*Pasta with Meat Sauce: Recipe at bottom of today's blog. (pts: 7) Zucchini sauteed in 1 tsp olive oil with minced garlic (pts: 1)
*Flounder and Mash: 8 oz flounder fillet brushed with 1 tsp olive oil and sprinkled with lemon pepper seasoning. bake 350*F until opaque, about 15 minutes. (pts: 5) 1/2 cup mashed potatoes (pts 2) Steamed asparagus drizzled with 1 tsp olive oil and balsamic vinegar (pts: 1)
*Chicken and Broccoli & Garlic Sauce: recipe at end of blog. (pts 7) Sliced tomato drizzled with 1 tsp olive oil and balsamic vinegar (pts: 1)
*Dinner Out or at Home: 1 large slice thin crust cheese pizza topped with spinach & mushrooms (pts: 6) Tossed salad with 2 tsp olive oil and balsamic vinegar (pts: 2)

Snack Ideas
*1 cup fat-free sugar-free chocolate pudding (3 points)
*1 cup baby carrots (0 points)
*1 cup grapes (1 point)
*1 packet of sugar-free fat-free hot cocoa prepared with 1/2 cup fat-free milk (2 points)
*5 cups 94% fat-free microwave popcorn (1 point) ***I spray mine with butter flavored PAM! 0 points!***
*16 oz fat-free sugar-free cappuccino (2 points)
*1/2 cup fat-free ricotta cheese mixed with 1 1/2 cup raspberries and sweetened w/artificial sweetner (3 points)
*1 cup cherry tomatoes (0 points)
*1 cup raw carrot sticks w/ 2 Tbsp fat-free ranch dressing (1 point)
*16 oz fat-free, sugar-free cappuccino (2 points)

RECIPES--- All these are 1 SERVING
Chicken Cacciatore
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp miced garlic
2 Tbsp chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped bell peppers
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
4 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 2-inch chunks
1/2 cup canned italian-style diced tomatoes
1 cup cooked whole-wheat spaghetti

Heath the oil in med. saucepan over med-hi heat; add garlic, onion, peppers, mushrooms. saute 4 min until mushrooms release their juice. add chicken; saute until golden brown on all sides, about 5 min. add tomatoes. bring to a boil. reduce heat to low, simmer 15 min. place spaghetti in a shallow bowl. top with chicken and vegetable mixture.

Pasta with Meat Sauce
1 tsp olive oil
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1/4 cup chopped onion
3 oz 93% lean ground beef or turkey
1 cup canned, italian-style diced tomatoes
pinch dried basil
3/4 cup cooked whole-wheat spaghetti

In a med. skillet over med. heat, saute garlic and onion in oil until lightly brown. Add beef, cook 4 minutes until browned. add tomatoes and basil. simmer 10 min. servoe over pasta.

Chicken with Broccoli and Garlic Sauce
1 tsp olive oil
1/2 tsp minced garlic
4 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch pieces
pinch dried thyme
salt and pepper
1 cup frozen broccoli florets
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 cup cooked brown rice

Heat oil in a lg. skillet over med-hi heat. add garlic; saute 1 minute. season chicken with thyme, salt and pepper; add to skillet. cook, stirring frequently until browned, about 3 minutes. Add broccoli; cook 1 minute. add broth, cover and cook 5 minutes. serve over rice.

Garden Vegetable Soup (0 points, serves 4)
2/3 sliced carrot
1/2 cup diced onion
2 minced garlic cloves
3 cups fat-free broth (chicken, beef, or vegetable)
1 1/2 cups diced green cabbage
1/2 cup green beans
1 Tbsp tomato paste
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup diced zucchini

Spray a lg. saucepan with nonstick cooking spray, heat. Saute the carrot, onion, and garlic over low heat until softened, about 5 minutes. add broth, cabbage, beans, tomato paste, basil, oregano, and salt; bring to a boil. reduce heat, simmer, covered about 15 minutes or until beans are tender. stir in the zucchini and heat for 3-4 minutes. serve hot.

Portion Sizes

I'm trying to do better about my portion sizes..that is, after all, what got me into this mess in the first place!  Considering I can only eat fruits and vegetables!  This is where Weight Watchers has helped me the most.  Obviously you can't always be at home to measure everything out, so here's some helpful tips :)

Use everyday objects:
*a 3 oz portion of meat (such as beef) is about the size of a deck of cards
*a large bagel (6 points) is about the size of a DVD
*a small serving of a side dish like coleslaw (4 points) is about the size of a computer mouse
*a cup of rice (4 points) is about the size of a tennis ball
*a large potato (3 points) is about as long as a lightbulb

OR, use your hands features..this method is great when eating out:
FIST = 1 cup
THUMB (tip to base) = 1 ounce meat or cheese
THUMB TIP (tip to first joint) = 1 Tbsp
FINGERTIP (tip to first joint) = 1 tsp
INDEX FINGER (first to second joint) = 1 inch
CUPPED HAND = 1-2 ounces of nuts or pretzels
PALM (minus fingers) = 3 ounces of meat, fish, or poultry

Hope this helps!

Substitution ideas & Low-Point Snacks!

This seriously looks like a mess in the beginning...I apologize for this..but it took a REAAALLLY long time and I am out of patience to fix it!  Just read it this way..the first item listed is SKIP THIS, the following number is the amount of points found in the item you should skip...the second number is the points value of the recommended substitution, then the final name is that which is recommended! easier to see the further down you get. Again, sorry! It looked nice and neat when I typed it, but the way my blog is set up, it messed with my lines and spacing!

Substitution Ideas

When cooking

Skip this                  Points Value                                Points Value       Use This Instead

Butter/oil, 2 tsp                1                      --->                        0                Light Butter, 1 tsp

Oil, 1/2 cup                     29                     --->                        1                Unsweetened applesauce, 1/2 c

Cheese, 1 oz                     3                      --->                        2                Low-fat cheese, 1oz

                                                                                                1                Fat-free cheese, 1 oz

                                                                                                1                soft tofu, 1 oz

Cream Cheese, 1/4 c        6                       --->                        1                Fat-free cream cheese, 1/4 c

Eggs, 1 whole                  2                       --->                        1                 Egg whites, 3

Ground beef, 80% lean, 4 oz raw    8       --->                        4                 Ground turkey, 4 oz raw

                                                                                                4          Ground beef, 95% lean, 4 oz raw

                                                                                                3          Ground chicken, lean, 4 oz raw

Heavy cream, 1/4 cup        6                     --->                        1            Evaporated fat-free milk, 1/4 c

                                                                                                1                    Soft Tofu, 1/4 cup

Mayonnaise, 1/4 cup          13                   --->                        1                Fat-free Mayonnaise, 1/4 c

                                                                                                 1                Fat-free plain yogurt, 1/4 c

                                                                                                 1                   Soft Tofu, 1/4 c

Sour cream, 1/2 cup           7                      --->                       2                  Fat-free sour cream, 1/2 cup

                                                                                                 1                 Fat-free plain yogurt, 1/2 c

At Breakfast

Bagel, large, 1                   6                   --->                         3      Roll, hard, 1

Bacon, regular, cooked, 3 slices     4     --->                          2      Bacon, turkey, cooked, 3 slices

Jelly doughnut, 1               7                  --->                          3       English Muffin, 1, with Tbsp jelly

Eggs Benedict, 1 serving   16                --->        11     Omelet, 2-egg, ham and cheese, w/1 slice of toast

Granola cereal, 1/2 cup      4                 --->                           2    Whole grain unsweetened cereal, 1 c

At lunch

Cream of Mushroom soup, 1 c    9        --->                           3       Chicken Noodle Soup, 1 cup

Deep dish sausage pizza, 1 large slice   11    --->       6  Thin-crust cheese pizza w/veggies, 1 large slice

Tuna salad, 1/2 cup                      7        --->                           2        Turkey breast, 2 oz

Egg Salad Sandwich                     11     --->                           7         Shrimp salad sandwich

Chinese Vegetables w/beef, 1 cup     6         --->                    2         Chicken & broccoli, 1 cup

Mussaman beef curry, 1 cup              19       --->                    7         Green chicken curry, 1 cup

Cobb salad, without dressing, 3 cups     10    --->                   2      Greek Salad, without dressing, 3 cups

At dinner

Macaroni & cheese mix, prepared 1 cup       9    --->        6         Rice Mix, prepared, 1 cup

General Tso's checken, 1 cup                        15  --->        7         Chicken stir-fry w/garlic sauce, 1 cup

Flounder, fried, 1 fillet (6 oz)                        12  --->        7       Flounder, 1 fillet, grilled, w/lemon, 6 oz

Fried chicken breast w/skin, 1 small             11  ---> 3   Grilled, skinless boneless checken breast, small

Hamburger, large, fast food, 1                       13  --->         6           Hamburger, small, fast food, 1

beef enchiladas, 2                                           12  --->         8           Chicken fajitas, 2

french fries, fast food, 1 large                         10 --->         4  Baked potato, 1 large w/ FF sour cream

For snacks/desserts

Pound cake, 1 slice                          8           --->              2       Angel food cake, 1/16" of a 10" tube

Potato chips, 1 oz                            4           --->              1        Popcorn, 94% fat free, 5 cups

Chocolate cake w/icing                   12         --->              1     Weight Watchers cake with icing, 1 cake

Chocolate candy bar, 1                    7           --->              2               WW snack bar, 1

Potato skins, bacon, cheese, sr cream   9     --->              1 Vegetable crudites w/1/4 c FF ranch dressing

Latte, unsweetened, low-fat,1 grande   5     --->              2  Cappuccino, unsweetened, fat free, 1 grande

Annnnd finally 0 and 1 POINTS value snacks

0 points

• 10 baby carrots
• 1 side salad (vegetables only) w/ 2 Tbsp fat free italian dressing
• 1/2 cup sugar free gelatin
• 1 hard-boiled egg (whites only)
• 1 small peach or orange
• 1 cup jicama
• 1 cup garden vegetable soup (WW recipe)
• 2 Tbsp fat-free black bean dip 

1 point

• 1 slice Canadian-style Bacon
• 5 cups 94% fat free popcorn
• 1 slice fat-free cheese
• 1 small whole-wheat pita
• 2 squares graham crackers
• 1/2 cup cooked shrip
• 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal
• 1/2 cup light yogurt
• 1 4-inch pancake, made from mix
• 1 medium orange, apple, or pear

Filling foods

So my first day of starting back on Weight Watchers did not go well...which I kind of didn't expect it to because if I had good eating habits, I wouldn't need WW :)  But today has gone much better and I thought I'd do this blog for myself, and hopefully it'll help someone along the way to make better food choices :) I am going to make a list of what WW calls "Filling foods"...foods that will keep you full longer.  And alas, credit goes to my WW Pocket Guide--not just from the top of my head. 

Whole-wheat Pasta, brown rice, potatoes, and grains
included:
*pasta, whole-wheat, or other whole-grain varieties
*brown and wild rices
*Potatoes--white, red, sweet
*Whole grains, such as: barley, buckwheat, bulgur, cornmeal (polenta), whole-wheat couscous, rolled oats, quinoa
*Popcorn, as long as it's air-popped or 94% fat-free microwave-popped
not included:
bread

Vegetables and Fruits
included:
*All fresh, frozen, or canned without added sugar
Not included:
*dried fruits
*juices
*Vegetables prepared with ingredients that are not filling foods (for example, corn in butter sauce, dried tomatoes packed in oil)
*French fries
*sweet pickles

Whole-Grain Cereals
Included:
*whole-grain cereals-hot and cold- without added sugar, dried fruits or nuts such as: bran, cream of rice, cream of wheat, grits, oatmeal, puffed wheat, corn, or rice, shredded wheat

Fat-Free Dairy and Dairy Substitutes
Included:
*fat-free milk and beverages made with fat free milk, such as
-cappuccino or latte, as long as it's sugar-free
-fat free, sugar free instant hot cocoa
-weight watchers smoothies
-reduced-calorie dairy shakes
*fat free cheeses, including fat free cottage cheese
*fat free sour cream
*fat free plain yogurt
*fat free, sugar free pudding
*soy products, unflavored and plain, such as:
-calcium-fortified soy milk
-regular soy milk
-soy cheese
-soy yogurt

Lean Meats, Poultry, Fish, Eggs, Legumes, And Meat Substitutes
Included:
*beef: lean cuts trimmed of visible fat, including loin, round and leg; or ground with no more than 7% fat
*Pork: lean cuts including loin, tenderloin, sirloin, ham, and Canadian-style bacon
*Veal: lean and trimmed cuts including loin, round, sirloin, and cutlet
*Lamb: lean cuts including leg, loin, and sirloin, or ground
*Chicken and turkey: trimmed of visible fat before preparation, with skin removed, or ground
*Game meats, including buffalo, elk, venison, ostrich
*organ meats from beef, lamb, pork, veal, and poultry
*fish and shellfish: fresh, frozen, and canned; in water, broth, or tomato juice
*meat substitutes including seitan, tempeh, tofu, and vegetarian burgers (this is for you Melisha!)
*eggs: whole, whites, and fat-free substitutes
*dried or canned beans such as: black, cannellini, fat-free refried, garbanzo, kidney, lima, navy, pinto, soy, white
*other legumes, such as: dried peas including split and black-eyed peas....and lentils
not included:
*processed meats, such as deli products and hot dogs
*canned fish or shellfish packed in oil
*Meats or fish with breading or added fat
*canned beans prepared with ingredients that are not filling foods (for example, franks and beans)

Soups
included:
*fresh, frozen, canned, dried, and homemade soups made with filling foods only, such as:
-bean and ham
-beef and beef vegetable
-black bean
-borscht
-broth and bouillon
-chicken and chicken vegetable
-gazpacho
-lentil
-manhattan clam chowder
-miso
-onion (prepared from mix)
-split pea
-tomato (made with water)
-vegetable
not included:
*cream soups
*soups with regular pasta/noodles, matzo ball, and/or white rice

Weight Watchers Recipes

It's official. I've been too scared to step on the scales since the holidays, but I do know that I'm starting weight watchers again! I had a really good experience with it and loved the results.  As I was pulling out my tracker and dining out companion, I found some recipes I thought I'd share! I'm using the old points system but one recipe is the PointsPlus value, just fyi.

Oatmeal-Raisin Bites.......makes 40 servings/PointsPlus value per serving: 2

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup whole-grain wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp table salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup raisins, chopped

Preheat oven to 350. In a medium bowl, combine oats, flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon; set aside. Using an electric mixer, cream butter and both sugars until incorporated. Add egg and vanilla; mix thoroughly. Add oat mixture and mix until just combined; fold in raisins.

Drop rounded teaspoons of batter onto 2 ungreased cookie sheets, about 1-inch apart each. Bake for 9-10 minutes for chewy cookies or 11-12 minutes for crispy cookies. Remove from oven and let cookies rest on cookie sheets for about 2 minutes; remove cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Yields 1 cookie per serving.


Sweet Potato Crunch..............Serves 8 (1/2 cup servings) POINTS value per serving: 2

4 each----Sweet Potatoes (8 to 9 oz each)
1 1/2 cups- Weight Watchers Vanilla Nonfat Yogurt
1/2 tsp----Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 1/2 tsps- Kosher salt
2/3 cup--Low fat granola
               Cooking spray, butter flavor

1. Place washed sweet potatoes in oven and bake at 350 for approx. 40-60 minutes, until they are soft to the touch. After the potatoes have cooled, remove the skin.
2. Place the sweet potato flesh in a mixing bowl. Add WW Vanilla Nonfat Yogurt, pumpkin pie spice and salt. Whip on medium speed until all of the yogurt is mixed into the potatoes.
3. Coat glass or ceramic baking dish (1 1/2 to 2 quarts) with cooking spray. Scoop potato mixture into the prepared baking dish.
4. Sprinkle granola evenly across the top of the potatoes and lightly coat with cooking spray. Bake at 350 for approx. 40-50 minutes. Remove from oven and serve.

Italian Turkey Burgers...............5 points value per serving/ Prep: 20 min/ Cook: 10 min/ Serves 4

1 spray cooking spray
1 lb lean ground turkey
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 tsp minced garlic
2 tsp fennel seed
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
4 sprays olive-oil cooking spray
4 reduced calorie hamburger rolls
2 small ripe tomatoes, yellow and/or red, thinly sliced
1 cup fresh basil leaves, torn or thinly shredded

Coat a grill or grill pan with cooking spray; preheat to medium-high.
In a large mixing bowl, combine turkey, onion, garlic, fennel seed, salt, and pepper; form four 1/2-inch-thick patties. Coat burgers and inside of rolls with olive-oil cooking spray.
Grill burgers for 5 minutes; flip and add rolls to grill. Grill open-face rolls util lightly charred, about 1-2 minutes; remove to serving plates. Grill burgers until cooked through, about 5 minutes more
To serve, top grilled rolls with tomato slice and burgers; garnish with basil. Yields 1 burger per serving. good idea: for an extra flavor hit, rub bread with a cut garlic clove as it comes off the grill.  and try burgers with arugula leaves instead of basil.

Sooo...even if you aren't interested in doing weight watchers...these are still really good, healthy recipes that sound fairly easy! 

Makeup Tutorial

Okay, don't judge me but I really like My Life As Liz on MTV..and if you've ever seen the gorgeous Taylor Terry on there, she's..well..like I said..gorgeous.  Found this makeup tutorial she did on Youtube, and it's really good! She even tells what makeup she's using, the color, number, and the number of the brushes.  Very informative and neat tricks! If for no other reason than to learn how to do really good smokey eyes and to keep your lipstick on longer..this is worth watching!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7W_dQWaYD4&feature=autoplay&list=UUOqqQxneVPf7ciNVaEPN1dw&lf=plcp&playnext=2

Gift Ideas!

Here's some great ways to use your own Thirty-One products...OR great ideas for gifts!

BABY GIFTS/NEW MOM• Zipper Pouch filled with baby essentials (travel size diaper cream, lotion, baby wash, etc.)• Zipper Pouch filled with some newborn diapers, travel diaper wipe pack, hand sanitizer, etc.• All-in-One Organizer with baby's name in Powder Pink or Powder Blue with diapers & wipes• Thermal Zipper Tote filled with baby bottles, ice pack, etc.• Storage Tote with child's name "Sophia's Stuff" on 2 lines filled with baby blanket, stroller toys, stuffed animals, etc.• Storage Tote with last initial with coordinating Zipper Pouch filled with bath toys, sunscreen, & beach towel• About-Town Blanket with last name embroidered on it• Organizing Utility Tote filled with essentials such as diapers, travel wipes, water bottle, hand sanitizer, burp cloth, etc...can use the tote as a diaper bag!

TEEN GIFTS• Cinch or Ruffle Sac with initial filled with pedicure slippers, nail file, key fob, gum, magazines, etc.• Wallet with gift card to their favorite shopping destination• Cosmetic Bag filled with nail polish, lip gloss, nail file, etc.

TODDLER GIFTS• Storage Tote filled with inexpensive toys, books, or blocks• Storage Tote filled with coloring books, crayons, & art supplies (personalize as "Art Tote")•Backpack filled with books & activities for car rides• Zipper Pouch filled with hair bows, clips, etc. for little girl• Mini zipper pouch with child's name filled with my 1st purse type items• Zipper Pouch filled with matchbox cars for little boy

SPORTS GIFTS• Sport Tote with their name filled with sport drinks, energy snacks, hand towel, sports-related magazines or gear• Sport Tote with their name filled with juice boxes, granola bars, sports-related gear for the much younger sports kid• The Dancer - Sport Tote or Cinch Sac with "Twinkle Toes", "Dancing Queen", "Ballerina", or her name in hot pink or light pink filled with leotard, tights, etc.

COLLEGE-BOUND GIFTS• Magazine Basket, Sport Tote, or Storage Tote filled with school supplies or towels

TEACHER GIFTS• Thermal Tote• Cosmetic Bag filled with lip balm, hand sanitizer, travel size tissues, etc.•Zipper Pouch or All-in-One Organizer filled with fun teacher supplies

HOUSEWARMING GIFTS• Magazine Basket filled with our About-Town Blanket & 16 oz. candle• Magazine Basket filled with pasta, sauce, oven mitts, & a bottle of wine

"MAN"LY GIFTS• All-in-One Organizer with "Dad's Car" to hold maps, coffee mug, magazines, etc.• Lunch to go thermal along with sporting event or concert tickets• Magazine Basket filled with dad's favorite things (magazines, books, snack foods, DVD's, etc.)• Adult Apron with "#1 Dad", "BBQ Master", "Best Dad", etc. embroidered on it along with grilling essentials

BRIDAL SHOWER GIFTS• Expand-a-Tote Day Extender• Large Utility Tote •Tall Utility Bin

BRIDAL PARTY GIFTS• Zipper Pouch or Cosmetic Bag with bridesmaid initial, nail file, & candle with initial•Cinch Sac filled with pampering products

WEDDING SHOWER/WEDDING GIFTS• Magazine Basket filled with Ultra Plush Blanket with couples last name or monogram, candle with initial, Personalized Stationary with couples last name• Storage Tote with couples last name filled with 2 beach towels, 2 magazines (his & hers), & suntan lotion

ZIPPER POUCH IDEAS• Carry On Bag to put magazines, cell phone, pens, snacks, etc. in• Bridal Emergency Bag• Bible Study/Book Club Pouch• Car Fun Pouch - fits perfectly into seat back pockets• DVD Player Pouch - holds a portable DVD Player and cords

In sum, there's TONS you can do with Zipper pouches. You can never have too many of those or mini zipper pouches because there's always little odds and ends you can put in them!  :)  Hope these ideas help!!!

Youtube

I have a few websites that I check daily: Yahoomail, Thirty-One, Facebook, Starcasm, and Youtube. Thought I'd post some of the videos I watch repeatedly, because they're THAT good :)  and if you haven't heard of Tyler Ward, hopefully these videos will get you into checking him out. He's amazing..as well as Julia Sheer, AlexG, Megan Nicole, and Eppic. I started watching them because they do covers, but they clean up the songs. I first found them because i LOVED the lazy song by bruno mars, but the video has a raunchy part that I didn't want Kiah to see..so I found a cute (and really good!) version by Megan Nicole but really liked it myself.. Anyways, enjoy :) 

(Click on the following links..They open up in another window)

The Lazy Song-Megan Nicole

California Girls-Tyler Ward

Stereo Hearts-Derek Ward & Alex G

Airplanes-Julia Sheer & Jeff Hindrick

Misery- Julia Sheer, Tyler Ward, Eppic

If I Die Young-Julia Sheer

If You Could Only See- Jeff Hindrick, Julia Sheer, Eppic

Grenade- Julia Sheer & Tyler Ward

Pumped Up Kicks-Tyler Ward

I confess, I'm a Wardinator :)

Tonight's post really has no theme. No rhyme or reason. Just some randomness. And if you know me- it's just how I work.

Okay, first, shout-out to my mom.  She made me something for Christmas..that i LOVE.  For one, I'm a sucker for anyone making me anything.  The time and effort means more than anything that could be bought. But this is seriously something I thought she got off Pinterest.  It's just cute and crafty..but it was all her! Even better!

 Secondly, I have found the haircut that I was destined to have. hahaha. I have always loved the bob haircuts with a longer front, but have never been able to find a picture that shows it EXACTLY like I want it.  So, I'm on facebook, looking at a friend's pictures..and I think to myself "dang, her hair looks really good in every picture.." Then, there it was. A profile shot..and the cut i've wanted for years staring back at me. So, not in a creepy way, I saved and cropped the picture. haha, okay maybe a little creepy, but I didn't mean it to be.  I have spoken to her about it so it's not completely weird....right? anyways, here it is... 

Annnnd thirdly, I am dying for these boots.  The day after Christmas, my brother in law's wife and I went to Walmart and found these..however..there was one box left..and one boot was a size 8..the other boot a 9..in the same box..yes, i was confused as you are.  anyway, i needed a 7.5. soooo i've been looking online and everywhere i look, they are out of that size in black.  however, when i tried these on in walmart, they were super cute and comfortable.  i have trouble finding boots that will zip up my leg, since the calf muscle is the only one i really truly have, but these were great. would look great with both dresses and jeans.  If anyone finds these anywhere else, PLEASE SHARE!

And I may've posted this before..but is it weird that I want one of these for when Daniel's away with the Army??? 

And this is just to end this blog on a cute note, no pun intended ;)  okay, maybe a little.