Tuna Salad in Cucumber Cups (WW 6 Points)

Light and fruity, served in cute lil' cucumber cups, these tuna salad fingerfoods are great dinner fare or appetizers at your next party.  They saved for several days, so I was able to take them into work for a while, and everyone oooohed and aaaaahed at my mad culinary skillz.  Too bad it was a Pinterest idea, a WW recipe, and SO EASY I really didn't feel impressive at all.  But I was happily satisfied, for sure!  These are delicious.

TUNA SALAD IN CUCUMBER CUPS

INGREDIENTS:
3 cans tuna in water, rinsed and drained
1/2 c. light Miracle Whip
1 c. dried cranberries
2 small fresh apples, diced (I think I only used one)
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 1/2 Tbsp dried dill weed
6 small cucumbers, sliced into 1 1/2" "cups", using a melon baller to scoop out the cup part. (Almost all the way to the bottom and around the edges)
1 c. raw celery, chopped finely

DIRECTIONS:
1. Combine tuna, mayo, apples, cranberries, celery, lemon juice, and dill in a medium mixing bowl.
2. Spoon tuna salad into cucumber cups, heaping over the top of the cucumber.

About 1 cup of tuna salad per serving, yields six servings (at 6 WW+ Points/piece)

I ended up with 30 cups, so 1 cup tuna salad per 5 cups (1 cucumber's length).  The amount of cucumber you use doesn't actually affect the point total at all, so just make sure you're splitting the salad itself into about 6 servings if you're watching the points.  :)

Hot Dog Dogs (WW 7 Points)

I saw this on Facebook and decided to make a slightly healthier version for my puppy-loving hubby.  :)  Lean hotdogs are actually not too terrible for you, comparatively at least.  I couldn't find a low-fat version of the flaky biscuits, but if I had it would've been even lesser points!  This was a cute, fast meal for a busy weeknight--pair it with some pepper slices or other snackable veggies, and enjoy!

HOT DOG DOGS

INGREDIENTS:
Pillsbury Flaky Layers Biscuit (refrigerator mix), 1 can (enough for 8 biscuits)
8 lean beef hot dogs
a handful of black beans, for eyes and nose

DIRECTIONS:
Using a sharp knife (I found serrated was best here), cut slits in the top sides of each biscuit (to make ear) and pull the parts slightly away from each other.  Cut a slit for the "mouth", and lay on baking sheet.  Insert hot dogs, then place one black bean for each eye and nose (24 in all).  Bake according to package directions or until golden brown.  Serve with ketchup and a side of veggies!

Breakfast Fruit Pizza with Nutella (WW 8 Points)

I may have mentioned this before, but fresh fruits and veggies are 0 points under the 360 program.  I love that, because even though I KNOW they have calories, I don't feel guilty about piling them in.  And if I'm running low on points for the day, I'll bite into a peach or an apple instead of a 2-point brownie.  Sneaky, sneaky, Weight Watchers People!  :)

Anyway, the joy of this breakfast fruit pizza is that you have the natural sweetness of fresh fruit, the chocolatey-hazelnutty goodness of Nutella, and the wholesome whole grains of a whole wheat English muffin.  There isn't much to post as far as a "recipe"--cut the muffin in half and toast (3 points), spread on a Tbsp of nutella on each side (for 5 points total), and top with fresh berries, bananas, or other fruit of choice (which adds 0 points, yay!).  Delicious way to start your morning without feeling even the teensiest bit deprived.  I love it.  :)

Boyack De-LIGHT! (WW 3 points)

I'm sure it comes as no surprise that, while dieting, all I've wanted is CHOCOLATE.  ICE CREAM.  BROWNIES.  PUDDING!  :)  Lucky for me, a few tweaks to our family's favorite dessert literally cut the calories in half.  This sweet treat is a frozen pudding-pop like dessert, made all the better with the buttery saltiness of the Ritz crackers.  Hope you enjoy this one as much as I did!

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 gallon low fat vanilla ice cream
1 large box fat-free, sugar-free instant chocolate pudding mix
One sleeve Ritz Reduced Fat Crackers, coursely crushed

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Melt ice cream in a large mixing bowl just until soft enough to mix (with hand mixer is fine, but I like to do it by wooden spoon...it really seems to change the texture).
2. Mix in pudding mix.
3. Sprinkle half the cracker crumbs on the bottom of a 9x13 pan.  Spread ice cream mixture in pan and smooth with a spatula (it should be kinda tough but not impossible to do).  Sprinkle remaining crackers on top.
4. Freeze at least 2 hours, or until solid enough to cut into slices and serve.  Cut into 4x5 grid, to make 20 bars total.

1 bar = 1 serving = 3 WW+ Points

BBQ Chicken & Black Bean Pizza (WW 10 points)

BBQ Chicken Pizza is my FAVORITE KIND!  And this lighter version has all the flavors I love, with half the fat.  Even though it is only one slice per serving, that one slice is FULL of flavor and dense enough with proteins to be filling on its own.  Serve with a dressing-free salad!

BBQ CHICKEN & BLACK BEAN PIZZA

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 pound cubed boneless skinless chicken breast (raw)
1/2 c. BBQ sauce
16 oz. pizza crust, pre-baked and ready to top and heat.
1 1/2 c. reduced fat shredded Mexican cheese
half a can of black beans, drained and rinsed. (7 1/2 oz)
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
1 Tbsp (or more!) raw cilantro, chopped.

1. Place rack in center of oven.  Preheat to 450 degrees.
2. Spray a skillet and stir-fry chicken over medium-high heat 'til cooked through.  Toss with half of the BBQ sauce.
3. Place pizza on a baking sheet or pizza tray.  Sprinkle with 3/4 c. cheese.  Arrange chicken and black beans over the crust.  Sprinkle with onion and cilantro.  Drizzle with remaining BBQ sauce and add remaining 3/4 c. cheese.
4. Bake at 450 for about 10 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly.  Cut into 6 large slices and serve immediately.

BLT Salad (WW 6 Points)

I love BACON.  Who doesn't?  And this salad is the perfect way to sneak in the real bacon flavor without eating TONS AND TONS of it.  :)  Since most of the fresh ingredients are 0 points with the 360 program, the bacon, cheese, and homemade mayo-based dressing give you the freshest version of my favorite sandwich, without all the carbs!

BLT SALAD

INGREDIENTS:
6 cups lettuce, any variety, chopped
5-6 Roma tomatoes, chopped
12 slices crisply cooked bacon (bake in the oven at 375 for about 20 minutes for a no-hassle bacon experience!)
1/2 c. shredded fat-free cheddar cheese

For Dressing:
1/4 c. light Miracle Whip
2 Tbsp. distilled white vinegar
1/2 tsp. fresh parsley (or more to taste)
1/2 tsp. minced garlic
1/8 tsp. table salt, or to taste

1. Crumble bacon.  Meanwhile, chop up veggies and toss in a bowl.  Stir in bacon and cheese.
2. Mix all dressing ingredients until smooth.  Pour over salad and toss (can serve on side if you want).  Serve immediately.

Serves 4.  About 2 cups of salad/serving=6 WW Points.

Light Chicken Satay With Peanut Sauce (WW 8 points)

Chicken Satay is Paul's favorite Thai dish; he gets it every time we go to Basil Thai.  This dish is a little different than the one he gets, but it wasn't a bad substitute, and it was MUCH healthier!  I had to make some adjustments to the sauce and the servings, so what started out as a 4-point/serving meal turned into an 8-point/serving instead...but, just so you know, that's still REALLY good. 

CHICKEN SATAY WITH PEANUT SAUCE

INGREDIENTS:
2 1/2 Tbsp Thai fish sauce
1 Tbsp minced ginger root (raw or frozen)
2 cloves minced garlic
2 tsp. lime juice
1 1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into thin 2-inch strips

For Sauce:
6 Tbsp light coconut milk
5 Tbsp reduced fat chunky peanut butter
2 Tbsp chopped cilantro
2 Tbsp honey
Juice of one lime, and 1 tsp. lime zest
1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

DIRECTIONS:
To Make Marinade:
1. Combine 1 1/2 Tbsp fish sauce, ginger, garlic, and 2 tsp. lime juice in bowl or baggie.  Add the chicken and coat.  Refrigerate, turning occasionally, at least one hour.
2. Meanwhile, soak about 16 skewers in cold water so as not to burn on the grill.

To Make Peanut Sauce:
Combine coconut milk, peanut butter, cilantro, honey, fish sauce and lime juice, and lime zest, and red pepper in a medium bowl; whisk 'til smooth.  (Best served warm, p.s.)

Thread the chicken onto the top halves of the skewers so that you can fill about 16 skewers with the meat.  Grill until cooked through.

Serve with 1/2 c. cooked white rice (an additional 3 points if you choose to) and about 2 Tbsp peanut sauce per serving (included in point count).

Serves 4.  4 Skewers=8 WW Points+.

Weight Watchers, week 2

Just had my second weigh-in.  I've lost 9 pounds in the last 2 weeks!  I don't really feel it or notice a difference yet, and I know it'll plateau soon, but I'm pretty stoked nonetheless.  Still adjusting to not eating ALL THE TIME, but at least I'm not starving!  With yummy dinners like:



The Chicken Satay from Last Week (8 WW Points)

BLT Salad (6 points)

BBQ Chicken & Black Bean Pizza (10 points)

Boyack De-LIGHT (3 points/bar...my dessert all week!!!)

Breakfast fruit pizzas with nutella (8 points)

 

Hot Dog Dogs (7 points)

We also had Papa Murphy's Hawaiian pizza (a mere 7 points per slice!), and Applebee's, which has a great Weight Watcher's menu (I got a roasted garlic sirloin for 13 points).

Recipes are linked in each caption!  :)

One thing I'm grateful for is that paying for Weight Watchers gives me an excuse to spend a little more money on things like fruits and veggies, Fiber One brownies, rice cakes, and ingredients for these awesome recipes I am trying.  It also FORCES me to cook more, which is important even though I don't particularly love it and I don't always feel like spending the time on it.  When I look at the restaurant app and see how many "points" I was consuming before on a weekly basis, it's not much of a surprise that I've been gaining weight like crazy this year.  It's sad that I need a reason to take care of ourselves and cook/eat well, but I do.  And this is it for me.  I can't wait to see what the next 3 months bring me, and hopefully it'll help me to develop better eating habits that I can enjoy for a lifetime.  If things continue as they have been going, I will definitely be continuing in WW, too.  :)

Progression of a Puzzle

I'm not really a puzzle person.

 

But it's winter and we needed a few fun things to do besides just have the TV on all night long.

 

So I bought a challenging 1000-piece puzzle (challenging because it was all black and white puppies).

 

Here's how the months of January and February went down:

Sometime around here we caught Obi sneaking puzzle pieces when we weren't in the room with her...finally figuring out just what had happened to those two edge pieces (not to mention ALL the other pieces we couldn't seem to find...)

And around here is where I was able to do the math...51 pieces, to be exact.

As finished as it will ever be.  :)

Ah, the joys of puppies.  :)

Weight Watchers, week 1

Apparently I'm in a blogging mood today.  :)

So, I've officially gone through 7 days of Weight Watchers.  Not gonna lie, it's been hard.  I didn't realize how much I ate before--especially JUNK.  It didn't seem like much until I couldn't do it anymore.  Tracking my every bite has been a wonderful challenge, and it has kept me accountable to myself more.  I've already started to enjoy smaller portions and not feeling full all the time, which is the beginning of a paradigm shift for sure!  And I love the apps that aid you--another post on that to come!

Anyway, I'm not starving.  Here are some of the yummy things I've enjoyed this week:

Tuna salad in cucumber cups (6 Points)

LOADS of fresh fruit salads--0 points, quick and easy side to any meal!

Not pictured, but worth mentioning: Eating out, SMART, at O'Charley's and Papa Murphy's for Valentine's.  Southwestern Salad.  Beef Ginger Stir Fry.  Apple Thyme Chicken.  Homemade Veggie Soup (DELISH).  Marie Calendar casseroles for the nights that are just too busy to cook.  And discovering Fiber One 90 Calorie Brownies and Special K Chocolatey Delight.  :)  Popcorn, chocolate milk, lots of fresh fruits and veggies and almonds "fill in" any extra points I have each day. I still snuck in a whole box of chocolates, and I lost 4 pounds, give or take 2.  So I'd say week 1 was a success!  Here's hoping Week 2 is even better!  I'll post some recipes and the like soon and link it all up, as well as give out any tips or tricks I find that help make my weight loss goals easier.  :)  It's not gonna be a regular segment or anything, but I'm always looking out for healthier recipes and, as you know by now, I like to share.  :)

Apparently I'm not finished thinking yet. :)

I love being Mormon.  I do.  I believe the gospel it in its *entirety.*  I focus my life on it.  I mourn my family and friends who have lost the influence of the goodness of the gospel of Christ as restored and revealed to modern-day prophets, through modern-day scripture. 

But I understand sometimes why people leave.  People are people, and Mormons are no exception. 

One thing that has recently bothered me, not about our doctrine but about our CULTURE, is that as Mormons we put a lot of focus on WORKS.  And works are important.  FOR SURE!!!  The commandments, ancient and modern, are meant to bring us peace and progression.  Numerous scriptures, quotes from general authorities, even secular theories tout the importance of building good habits and living a good life.  I firmly believe that actions speak louder than words, that living righteously makes us worthy of the Spirit and revelation that follows, that you can't have a solid democracy/republic without the virtue of its citizens, and that hyposcrisy, contention, drugs, laziness, etc. are of the devil. 

The problem is not in teaching righteousness, but in teaching it separately and compartmentalized from the Atonement.  I know this is a main factor in most of my family leaving the Church.  We focus an awful lot on our duty to the law--the Word of Wisdom, the Law of Chastity, For the Strength of Youth standards, tithing, and a million other laws to follow and things to avoid because, let's face it, that's what we can CONTROL.  And we have to teach these things, by word and example.  But all of these things are appendages to the gospel, not the gospel itself.  BEING GOOD PEOPLE IS NOT THE GOOD NEWS!  The good news should MAKE you a good person.  Sometimes I feel like we teach these things backwards, like "after all we can do" comes BEFORE the "it is by grace that we are saved" part.  Does that make sense?

This makes me remember something else I read earlier this week, an article by someone of another faith. (You can read the whole thing HERE) who was pondering the reasons kids leave church, even for a short while.  The whole thing is great, even if we have different faiths we agree on one thing: the doctrine of CHRIST MUST be at the center.  Forgive me, I am just going to quote some of my favorite parts because he says exactly what I've been thinking much better than I ever could:

"The evangelical church isn’t catechizing or teaching our kids the fundamentals of the faith, we’re simply encouraging them to “be nice” and “love Jesus”. (Insert any other "doing" law here.)  When they leave home, they realize that they can be “spiritually fulfilled” and get the same subjective self-improvement principles (and warm-fuzzies) from the latest life-coach or from spending time with friends or volunteering at a shelter. And they can be truly authentic, and they jump at the chance because…

They can’t do it. They know it. All that “be nice” moralism they’ve been taught? The bible has a word for it: Law. And that’s what we’ve fed them, undiluted, since we dropped them off at the Noah’s Ark playland: Do/Don’t Do. As they get older it becomes “Good Kids do/don’t” and as adults “Do this for a better life”. The gospel appears briefly as another “do” to “get saved.” But their diet is Law, and scripture tells us that the law condemns us. So that smiling, upbeat “Love God and Love People” vision statement? Yeah, you’ve just condemned the youth with it. Nice, huh? They either think that they’re “good people” since they don’t “do” any of the stuff their denomination teaches against (drink, smoke, dance, watch R rated movies), or they realize that they don’t meet Jesus own words of what is required. There’s no rest in this law, only a treadmill of works they know they aren’t able to meet. So, either way, they walk away from the church because…

Our kids are smart. They picked up on the message we unwittingly taught. If church is simply a place to learn life-application principals to achieve a better life in community… you don’t need a crucified Jesus for that...As we jettisoned the gospel, our students are never hit with the full impact of the law, their sin before God, and their desperate need for the atoning work of Christ. Now THAT is relevant, THAT is authentic, and THAT is something the world cannot offer."

Something to think about as we teach our children, our primary and youth classes, our wards...are you putting it all into perspective of the PLAN OF SALVATION?  Is Christ REALLY at the center of your lessons, your lives, or is He only in words?  Because if not, you are treading dangerous, exhausting waters.  In my humble opinion.

Thank goodness for a Heavenly Father who stands ready as our lifeguard, every moment!  And the Savior is the lifesaver He throws to us.  We can tread water and swim like pros, set our course and do our best, but it won't get us out of the water.  "He, Only One" can do that for us--and, in fact, He already has and continues to do so every day we let Him.

Just a quick something that I learned today...

We had a particularly awesome sacrament meeting today.  A friend of mine got up and gave one of the most honest, humbling talks I may have ever heard.  And I don't even remember most of it.  But the point was this:

The gospel doesn't always make your life HAPPIER.  But it DOES make it BETTER.

What do we do when all the little discouragments and setbacks "don't lead us to a happy, shiny ending, but instead prepare us" for the even bigger disappointments yet to come?  What if life is just plain hard, always, with only a few fleeting moments of respite in between?  Is the gospel still worth it?

This is something I have been pondering myself lately, this fact that "happier" and "better" aren't the same thing.  This idea of pleasure vs. happiness vs. joy.  The purpose of our trials, especially when you can't seem to catch a break from them.  The command to "be of good cheer."  Or even just the absence of noticeable blessings, especially if you've been praying and working for them for a long time.  And while I DO think that the perspective the gospel brings CAN bring happiness and peace in the NOW, I don't think that's the point of it.  If it is, we've ALL OF US missed the mark at some point or another and have no reason to continue.  And I know from experience that it's not always true that living righteously brings happiness in this life.  The point is that even if NOT, the gospel is still true.  The GOOD NEWS is still TRUE!  We have a Savior that succors us, that walks through these things with us.  He has suffered for our sins and made salvation possible.  We suffer to learn and grow.  You can't really learn and grow WITHOUT suffering and sacrificing (at least a little).  Especially when it comes to things of the Spirit.  We become more like the Savior when we stop trying to be happy (which is, at its core, a little selfish, even if it's necessary) and start trying to be better, to reach out to others and make THEM happier (isn't that what He did?).  Once again, that awesome talk, "But If Not," reiterates the fact that none of us are exempt from this thing we call LIFE.  Life isn't fair.  It's not easy, it doesn't go according to plan, and even if you try really hard to be grateful and faithful, most days are just "okay" at best.  But even if we have to wait 'til the next life for everything to be settled or fair or to receive the FULNESS of joy, the gospel is still worth knowing and living.  Because we're trying to become GODLY. 

That is a pretty lofty goal, don't you think? 

My Valentine's Day, in Pictures

Found these at Aldi for $5!  Who says you can't give a MAN flowers, too?

Attempted drying strawberry hearts on Valentine's EVE...at least the parchment paper turned out cute! :)

Woke up in the morning to find THIS!

It's a BEAST.  :)  Filled with snippets of our first date, a two-week-long private Facebook event ('cause we'd started dating during finals week and couldn't find time to see each other).

Also, this. Hilariously scandalous name, but OH-SO-COMFY.  I have worn them every day since!

This is what I got for him--found a seller on Etsy who made them.  Yes, those ARE Pride and Prejudice Cufflinks!

A surprise visit by my student and her mom--they brought me flowers, chocolates, and a sweet card she wrote herself!

Proof that the iris DID bloom that night.  :)

The days after holidays are my favorites, because everything is ON SALE!  These adorable stuffed animals were $2.50/piece at Aldi.  Perfect.

Love my hot booties!  ;)  I'm wearing them even as we speak. 

Not pictured: fancy schmancy dinner out (O'Charley's) and getting to sleep early!  Woohoo!

Who's ready for a Friday? THIS GIRL!

Quick lil' blog post:

I feel like this week has lasted about a thousand years.  I feel like I could slip into silent slumber for about a thousand more.  It has been a trying week, emotionally and physically, at the school in which I work, and I think everyone around me feels just about the same way.  :) 

• The flu is going around--and kids are germy enough on their own, but when you add special needs into the mix, germs spread like wildfire! 
• I've been fighting off germs of my OWN.  Especially a little dizziness, which makes reading and crafting and watching TV (my usual passtimes) especially unappealing.
• Several teachers have had life-altering crises this week, including the teacher in whose classroom I spend my mornings. We are a tight community and it has been a wonderfully exhausting week of many prayers and miracles, but also of much worrying in between.  And worrying really does wear you out.
• I've been dropping little "surprises" in my birthday buddy's mailbox every day.  This may not seem like a big deal to some but when it's out of your comfort zone and you don't really know the person, it can be exhausting to find things to give each day!
• I've been battling dozens of children who are tired of sitting inside all day (has this winter been EXTRA COLD or is it just me?), sick as a dog (but not a fever or throwing up so they can still come to school), and just incredibly unmotivated to listen to a word any of us "know-nothing grown-ups" say.  I can handle sadness, cluelessness, etc., but flat-out defiance?  Not my favorite thing.  I may have snapped at more than one child this week.
• The teacher I work with in the afternoons had her official observation this week--but I felt like it was a third my own!  The principal came in for about an hour and just went back and forth between watching her and watching me (which could be a good thing since I'm hoping to score a teaching job next year?).  "The Beach" is a fun but stressful place to work at all the time anyway, but this week with evaluations and ISTEP+ and sickness and starting to think about NEXT year in serious terms it has just been a little extra rough.
• My own to-do list has grown EXPONENTIALLY this week, and my motivation these days is inversely proportionate to the length of my to-do list. 

I've even been eating relatively decently, taking my vitamins, drinking plenty of water, and trying to get 8+ hours of sleep at night, but I am still SO TIRED.

The truth is, I am weary.  Which is worse than tired.

I am weary of contention, in all its forms.  I am weary of worrying about what other people think, and just as weary of my own regrets and the consequences when I swing the pendulum to the other side and stop caring altogether about what other people think!  I am weary of routine, as much as I need it.  I am weary of anything that breaks me out of that routine.  I am weary of negativity and sadness and overthinking everything to the point of exhaustion.  I'm weary of pregnancy (not my own, just everyone around me--I'm weary of baby talk!!!).  I'm just incredibly weary of the world right now, and don't really feel like I've found my place in it--and I feel like I SHOULD have by now, as I am almost 30 and still feel like my "real life" hasn't even begun.  I am especially weary of hearing myself say that over and over these last few years--like a broken record that I don't even like but I don't know how to just STOP LISTENING.

I wonder when you feel like a grown-up?  I was told once (half-jokingly) that you had to be 28 before anyone took you seriously as an adult, but I'm past that and still don't even take MYSELF seriously.  Or maybe I take myself TOO seriously.  I don't know.  This is not the life I had envisioned for myself, AT ALL, but it has been absolutely marvelous and a total adventure nonetheless and I don't have a right to complain even for a second. 

Miracles happen, they really do.  I feel incredibly blessed lately to have witnessed several of them, this week and last alone.  I LOVE my job, even if it is trying.  I can't imagine doing anything else right now.  I LOVE my ward.  I might not have a LOT of friends, but the ones I have are REAL and we have lots to celebrate.  I have a great calling in which I get to work with sweet children every week and incredible, devoted women who buoy me up with their friendship and love and validation.  We had a charity auction at our relief society meeting last night and it was SO FUN--they even brought in a professional auctioneer for the event!  I'm learning to be more grateful for the little things, and it helps.  I have seen more BIG miracles this month than the last year combined, which helps a lot, too.  And I have the most FABULOUS, relaxed husband to distract me from myself, which helps most of all. 

But if I happen to sleep in almost all weekend, or start a countdown to spring break even though I have no travel plans, or if I get a little grouchy or a little less done than usual, now you know why, and I hope the people around me will be patient.  This, too, shall pass.