Monday, March 31, 2008

White Bean Turkey Chili


A delicious low fat white bean chili recipe made with beans, turkey, and other ingredients. This can be made on the stove or in a crock pot. Makes great leftovers and tastes even better the next day for lunch!

My friend Debbie of Unfold Creative Invitations shared this recipe with me, which I modified a bit to suit my taste. This makes a lot, so you can freeze the leftovers. Easy and delicious, perfect for a chilly evening.

Click Here To See The Full Recipe...

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Your WW Daily Points Target

To figure out how many points you are allowed each day answer these questions and add your score:

1. Gender:
Female- score 2
Male- score 8
A nursing mom- score 12

2. How old are you?
17-26- score 4
27-37- score 3
38-47- score 2
48-58- score 1
over 58- score 0

3. What do you weigh?
Enter the first two digits of your weight in pounds.
(for example, if you weight 199, you will add 19 to your score)

4. How tall are you?
Under 5’1- score 0
5’1-5’10- score 1
Over 5’10- score 2

5. How do you spend most of your day?
Sitting down? score 0
Occasionally sitting? score 2
Walking most of the time? score 4
Doing physically hard work most of the time? score 6

Now add them all together and that’s your daily total.

You are allowed an additional 35 points per week, if you wish to use them. You must use all your points each day in order to lose weight.

Weight Watchers Tips to Lose Weight


Helpful Weight Watcher Tips to Lose Weight

1. Keep a Food Journal - Record everything you eat and drink immediately including the sugar in your coffee. You will start noticing where your bad eating habits are and how to change them. Write down the points next to everything you eat so you can monitor how many points you have consumed.

2. Drink 6 Cups of Water a Day - I find it helpful to always have a glass of water near me at all times.

3. Eat More Greens - There are so many nutrients in leafy greens like carotenoids, folate, calcium, and fatty acids. Put them in salads, soups, dips, or eat them as a side dish. They are delicious cooked or raw and they are zero points.

4. Cook With Fat Free Broth
- I like to keep chicken broth stocked in my pantry. I can make a quick soup by adding vegetables, or I use it in place of oil when I cook vegetables or rice, to give food extra flavor without the added points.

5. Eat Whole Grains - Switch to brown rice, oatmeal, whole wheat bread, whole grain pasta whenever possible. These foods are loaded with nutrients and fiber.

6. Measure Everything - Know your measurements or you will be consuming more points than you think. The only way to get an accurate point count is by measuring everything.

7. Use Skim Milk - You should have 2 servings of milk a day. Using skim milk instead of whole will save you half the points.

8. Take Your Time Eating - Cut your food in small portions and enjoy each bite. It takes 20 minutes before the stomach can tell the brain it is full. You will eat less if you take your time.

9. Use Smaller Plates - This tricks your brain into thinking you are eating more food.

10. Exercise - Exercise doesn't have to be boring! Take a Zumba class or if you aren't comfortable with lifting weights take a weight lifting class. You'll burn lots of calories, build muscle and feel great! The more you exercise, the easier it becomes and the more calories you burn, which means you can deduct points for food you can eat! Make sure to eat the amount of points recommended. If you burn 5 - 7 points during an exercise session, make sure you eat.

11. Eat More Seafood - I was so happy to learn that shrimp and scallops are low in points. Get the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids when eating fatty fish such as salmon.

12. Use Meat as a Condiment - You don't have to give up meat to lose weight. Use lean meat as a flavoring instead of the main ingredient. Make stir-fries with lots of vegetables.

13. Eat More Fiber - Eating fiber is key for weight control because it fills you up with fewer calories. Foods like beans, plant foods, whole grains are all high in fiber. The higher the fiber, the lower the points.

14. Eat More Vegetarian Meals - Plant foods are rich in phytochemicals, fiber and protein. They are low in calories and saturated fats. I like to make vegetable soups, stir-fries, pasta primavera, and salads.

15. Eat Healthy Snacks - The best way to make your metabolism work faster is by eating smaller meals, so in between your regular meals, snack on zero to very low point foods so you will not feel hungry throughout the day. Snack on crudites, fruit, fat free popcorn, salsa with baked chips, whole grain crackers, bruschetta. I like to buy Weight Watchers Smart Ones desserts and Weight Watchers ice cream bars. They taste great and are low in points. Also, Skinny Cow, Philly Swirl Sugar Free Swirl Stix, Jello Sugar Free Chocolate Pudding Cups are all low in points. I have a link at the top right of my blog, 1 POINT SNACKS, that I like to get ideas from.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Grilled Zucchini and Tomato Salad - 0 pts

Grilled Zucchini and Tomato Salad
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 6 servings Time: 25 minutes Points: 0 ww points

Spring is here and it is getting warmer out. Get your grill out and make this simple grilled zucchini salad. This is a great zero point side dish.
  • 2 medium zucchini
  • 2 tomatoes
  • cooking spray
  • kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • a few sprigs fresh parsley
Heat your grill to high flame.

Wash zucchini and trim off the ends. Using a mandolin or vegetable peeler slice the zucchini lengthwise in thin slices. Lightly spray with cooking spray and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Grill the zucchini ribbons on 1 side, until lightly marked and wilted, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove and put on a platter and let cool slightly.
Cut up tomatoes in large chunks, season with salt and pepper to taste. Arrange on a platter with zucchini and garnish with parsley sprigs.

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Mixed Baby Greens and Arugula with Blackberries and Pecans


This is an elegant salad full of antioxidants, fiber and vitamin E and C. Baby greens and arugula tossed with pecans and berries is a nice light salad to complement a meal. This salad relies on different textures rather than fat for flavor. Sweet, crunchy pecans, peppery arugula, and juicy berries all complimented with a light vinaigrette.

Click Here To See The Full Recipe...

Friday, March 21, 2008

Cuban Picadillo

 

Picadillo is a Cuban dish that I grew up eating in my home as a child.

If I ask my daughter what she wants for dinner, 9 out of 10 this is what she asks for. I probably make this once a week because it's easy and quick and everyone loves it. These are perfect with baked tostones and rice, leftovers make a delicious taco or quesadilla. Enjoy!

Click Here To See The Full Recipe...

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Sesame Crusted Tuna Steak on Arugula


Sushi grade tuna encrusted with sesame seeds, all I can say is yum!!! This is an easy main course salad.
Click Here To See The Full Recipe...

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Ratatouille


Ratatouille
Eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, bell pepper, garlic and onion sauteed with fresh herbs. Perfect way to use up your summer garden vegetables. 
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 6 • Serving Size: 1 1/4 cup • Old Points: 2 pt • Points+: 3 pt
Calories: 103.6 • Fat: 1.1 g • Protein: 3.8 g • Carb: 23.2 g • Fiber: 5.4 g • Sugar: 3.1 g
Sodium 96.4 mg without adding salt


  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 red bell peppers, chopped
  • 3-4 small zucchini squash, cut into 1/4 inch slices
  • 1 large eggplant, peeled and cubed
  • 4 large tomatoes, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 sprig rosemary
  • 2 sprigs of thyme
  • salt and fresh pepper to taste
  • 1/3 cup seasoned whole wheat bread crumbs
  • olive oil spray (I used my Misto)

In a 4-quart dutch oven or saucepan, spray a pan with cooking spray. Cook the onion and the garlic on low heat until soft, 5-6 minutes, do not let garlic burn. Add eggplant, peppers and tomatoes, bring to simmer covered for 15 minutes. Add zucchini, simmer for 10 more minutes or until the vegetables are soft. Stir in the herbs, season with salt and pepper to taste.

Sprinkle on the bread crumbs and cook another 5 minutes. Remove the bay leaf and serve.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Dad's Cauliflower Soup



When I was a kid, we had homemade soup every night before our meal and this was always a favorite of mine. This is the perfect quick and easy low fat, low carb soup.

Click Here To See The Full Recipe...

Skinny Garlic Mashed Potatoes

No need to give up on mashed potatoes with this lightened up recipe using low fat ingredients garlic and fresh herbs.


Click Here To See The Full Recipe...

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Eggs with Scallions and Tomatoes




Huevos Pericos are a typical Colombian breakfast typically eaten with arepa and hot cup of cocoa. The smell of sauteed scallions and tomatoes really brings me back whenever I make this for breakfast.

This is typically made with whole eggs, but I did a combination of eggs and egg whites to lighten this up. Brew yourself a nice cup of cocoa and enjoy!
Click Here To See The Full Recipe...

Monday, March 10, 2008

Cream of Zucchini Soup


This simple recipe is a favorite in my house. I make this a few times a month and my family loves it!
Click Here To See The Full Recipe...

Friday, March 7, 2008

Brazilian Black Beans





This is a delicious black bean recipe from my Brazilian/Argentinian cousin, Katia, from Food For Every Season. She makes the best black bean recipe handed down to her from her father, another great cook. Black beans are loaded with fiber. Try this over white rice with chimichurri sauce, for wonderful fusion of flavors from Argentina and Brazil.

If you are serving this over rice, 1 cup may be too much, adjust the points accordingly.

Click Here To See The Full Recipe...

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Split Pea Soup with Ham Hock

This soup is a satisfying delicious meal very high in fiber. A perfect soup on a cold evening. This is my good friend and cousin's Katia soup recipe, who is a great cook and finally started her own blog, Food for Every Season. So visit her and say hello!

Click Here To See The Full Recipe...

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Broiled Tilapia Oreganata


My favorite way to make tilapia when I'm looking for a quick weeknight meal.

Click Here To See The Full Recipe...

Low Fat Brownie Bites

Satisfy your chocolate urge with little brownie bites.

Brownie Bites
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 8 • Serving Size: 1/8th • Old Points: 2 pt • Points+: 3 pt
Calories: 103.9 • Fat: 4.3 g • Protein: 1.3 g • Carb: 15.6 g • Fiber: 0.6 g 

  • 2 tbsp margarine
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup cold water
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tbsp chopped walnuts
  • nonstick cooking spray
  • 1 tsp powdered sugar

In a small saucepan melt margarine, remove from heat. Stir in sugar, vanilla and water. Stir in flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder. Mix well. Stir in chopped nuts.

Spray the bottom of a 8x4x2 inch loaf pan with nonstick spray coating. Pour batter into pan.

Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool thoroughly. Remove from pan. Cut into 8 bars. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Stay Healthy While Losing Weight

water
  • If you want to lose weight, stay within your points
  • Drink at least 6 cups of water a day
  • Eat 5-7 fruits and vegetables a day
  • Include 2 servings of milk a day
  • Eat whole grain foods
  • Eat lean protein rich food
  • Limit sugar and alcohol
  • Be active 30 minutes or more at least 3 times a week

Monday, March 3, 2008

Recipe Index



Skinnytaste Recipes:
All recipes are Weight Watcher Friendly


Football Recipes

Turkey Recipes

Special Diets:

Perfect Skinny Summer Sides