Meal Prep Sundays - Recipes under $2 per serving! (Includes SmartPoints)

On the Menu for the Week:

• Ground Turkey Lasagna with Mushrooms (10 servings)
• Meat Lover's Bubble Up Pizza from Drizzle Me Skinny (9 servings)
• Butternut Squash Chicken Sausage Soup adapted from Weight Watchers (4 servings)

Ground Turkey Lasagna with Mushrooms (10 servings)

• 16oz. Jennie-O Italian Ground Turkey ($2.77 at Ralph's)
• No Cook Lasagna Noodles ($2.29 at Trader Joe's, used less than half package, approx. $1.15 cost for recipe)
• 2 Tbsp. Minced Garlic (Always have a jar on hand and not necessary for recipe, so I won't include cost.)
• 1/3 medium onion, diced (Ralph's $0.27)
• Mushrooms (Usually $1.99, used half package for $1)
• 25oz. Marinara (Trader Giotto's Traditional Marinara Sauce - $1.39 for 18oz. jar.  Approx. $2.09 for a jar and a half.)
• 15oz. Part Skim Ricotta (Ralph's $3.49)
• 6oz. (2 cups) Lite Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (Trader Joe's $3.99 for 12 oz. bag.  $2 for recipe)
• 1 egg ($3.99 per dozen, 1 egg = approx. $0.35)

Total cost for recipe: $13.12 makes 10 servings, or $1.32 per serving!

10 servings for 8sp each.

Turkey Lasagna Directions:

1. Cook ground turkey, diced onion, and minced garlic until browned.  Break up meat into crumbles while cooking.
2. Preheat oven to 350F.  Spray 9x13 dish with cooking spray.
3. Add mushrooms and marinara sauce to the pan with the browned ground turkey.  Cover and simmer for approx. 20 minutes.
4. Mix ricotta cheese and egg in separate bowl.
5. Place 3 no bake lasagna noodles on bottom of 9x13 dish.
6. Top with 1/3 of the meat and sauce mixture.  Top with 1/2 of the ricotta mixture. Place 3 more lasagna noodles on top.
7. Repeat with 1/3 of meat and sauce mixture and the rest of the ricotta mixture.  Place the last 3 lasagna noodles.
8. Pour the rest of the meat and sauce mixture on top, then sprinkle 2 cups of shredded mozzarella on top.
9. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.  Uncover and bake an additional 20 minutes.

Meat Lover's Bubble Up Pizza from Drizzle Me Skinny (9 servings)

• 16oz. Jennie-O Italian Ground Turkey ($2.77 at Ralph's)
• 1 Chicken Sausage Link (I used Trader Joe's Sweet Italian Link - 5 links cost $3.99 or $0.80 per link)
• 20 slices of turkey pepperoni (Ralph's $3.49, used approx. 1/3 package or $1.16 worth for recipe)
• 1 cup Trader Giotto's Fat Free Pizza Sauce ($1.99 for 16oz. jar so $2 worth for recipe - use the rest for pita pizzas with the turkey pepperoni later this week!)
• 1 cup Trader Giotto's Traditional Marinara Sauce (Used rest of the jar from the Turkey Lasagna recipe! $0.70 cost)
• 6oz. Lite Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (Used other half of package from Turkey Lasagna, $2 cost).
• 7.5oz. biscuits (Pillsbury will do, I used Psst. brand because it's cheaper! Ralph's cost: $0.47)
• Black Olives ($1.49 per small 2.25 oz. can, sliced)

Total cost for recipe: $11.39 makes 9 servings, or $1.27 per serving!

9 servings for 6 sp each.

Click link for directions!!  *I changed the recipe by skipping the bacon and adding sliced black olives.  Also, I spread the biscuit dough on the bottom of a 9x9 pan, cooked it for 5 minutes at 350F before adding toppings and then baking for another 30 minutes.  I felt the 9x9 pan made 9 servings easier to distribute.

Butternut Squash Chicken Sausage Soup adapted from Weight Watchers (4 servings)

I stumbled across this recipe because I bought a package of cubed butternut squash for $1.25 at Ralph's.  Since I had extra chicken sausage from the Meat Lover's Bubble Up Pizza, I figured it would be a great way to use up more ingredients!

• 12oz. Cubed Butternut Squash (On sale at Ralph's $1.25)
• 1/2 medium onion (Other half from Turkey Lasagna recipe, $0.27)
• 1 Tbsp. Minced Garlic
• 4 cups chicken broth ($1.99 at Ralph's)
• 4 chicken sausage links (Used the rest from the Bubble Up Pizza, $3.20 for 4 links)
• Nutmeg, Salt, Pepper, Thyme, Bay Leaf (Just because I had them in the cupboard)

Total cost for recipe: $6.71 makes 4 servings, or $1.68 per servings!

4 servings for 4sp each!

Directions:

1. Saute 1tsp olive oil and diced onion with minced garlic.
2. Add sliced fully cooked chicken sausages.  Saute until browned, approx. 10 minutes.
3. Add 4 cups chicken broth, 12oz. butternut squash, and seasonings.  Bring to a boil on high.  
4. Bring to a simmer on medium low for approx. 10 minutes or until butternut squash is soft.

Happy meal prepping!

Lack of Motivation? Try These Tips to Stay Healthy!

I am one of those people who can be very excited and interested in an activity or topic for a week or two and then quickly lose interest.  When it comes to dieting, exercising, and just being healthy in general I am even more so a "dabbler".  I will decide one day that I am going to try a certain diet plan out and this will be the one that I stick too, only to find myself ordering a large pepperoni pizza and drinking a bottle of wine 3 days later.  However, as I have gotten older and am more likely to feel and see the effects of my bad habits, I have learned a few tricks along the way that help keep me motivated.  These aren't fool-proof by any means --  I still eat tons of pizza and drink lots of wine -- but they do help get me back on track when I have those days/weeks of giving up and they help keep me interested in my health.

• Track your food and physical activity.  Tracking can be an important tool when trying to live a more healthy lifestyle!  It makes us more aware of what we eat and how active we are being, also it typically encourages you to create a plan on a daily or weekly basis to ensure you hit your goals.  Whether it be an app like MyFitnessPal, where you track your calories, or Weight Watchers (something about having to calculate points as opposed to calories keeps me engaged in my meal planning), tracking what you eat can be very helpful!  Some prefer old-fashioned pen and paper, I have gone through periods where I use all three of these methods at the same time!  Another idea is to use Google Docs, so you can access it at home, work, or on your phone.  For physical activity, Fitbit and other activity trackers are great motivators.  I love using my Fitbit as it shows me how little activity I perform while at work, sitting all day at a desk.  With my Fitbit, if I don't have 2,500 steps by 10am, I get up and take a few laps around the office!  It keeps me conscious and aware of my activity, or lack there of.  You can also have daily or weekly challenges with friends and I always find this very motivating!  I will actually go to the gym more often after work if I am in a weekly challenge with some of my super active friends!

• Join an online community.  Online communities can be a great source of motivation and accountability.  When I began using Fit Girl's Guides in 2014, I quickly learned how helpful an online community can be!  I created a separate Instagram account where I could post my weight loss journey on a more frequent basis without annoying my friends and family (and post those "before" photos without feeling embarrassed!)  The Fit Girl community is one of the largest, most successful online healthy lifestyle community I have experienced.  The girls are all supportive of one another, post uplifting photos, and share their struggles.  If you have a chance, search #fitgirlsguide and you will catch a glimpse of this wonderful online community.  Since joining Weight Watchers, I have become more active following Instagram accounts of fellow Weight Watchers enthusiasts, but have yet to see the same overwhelming amount of support that overflows from the Fit Girl's Guide Community.  

• The Biggest Loser! Nothing motivates more than a little healthy competition!  I know Diet Bets are all the craze online, but I have yet to experience those so I will share what I do know from firsthand experience!  If you are close with your coworkers or have some friends and family looking for a little motivation, start up a Weight Loss Competition!  I have done this at my workplace and it can be very motivating.  Decide the length of time, usually a 3 month period is ideal to allow for some real weight loss to take place (and also allow for some extra time to get back on track if you slip up a few times!)  Then anyone who wants to compete will pay a buy-in amount, $20 for example.  This creates the pot of money that can be won!  You can have one winner that will receive the whole pot of money, or break it into first, second, and third place prizes (this usually allows for even more competition, especially if early on one person takes a strong lead, the rest of the group won't be discouraged and give up because there are still 2 more prizes to be won!)  One person can serve as the weigh-master and will track each individual's weight.  Make sure you all use the same scale and set rules such as no shoes worn, weigh at the same time of day for each weigh-in, etc.  You can judge the winner by total pounds lost or percentage of original weight lost; just make sure you decide that before beginning!

• Potlucks and Recipe Swaps. Since you are becoming healthy buddies with your coworkers, friends and family, you should consider hosting some potlucks and recipe swaps to keep each other motivated!  You can share recipes by having shared Pinterest boards or doing a weekly recipe swap where everyone brings in their favorite healthy recipe and shares with the group.  Healthy potlucks or healthy dinner events are another fun way to stay motivated and try something new and delicious.  I eat lunch at work everyday with a coworker who uses Weight Watchers and we are always sharing new recipes and meal ideas with one another!  Plus I feel obligated to pack a healthy lunch every day because it has become our routine to eat together and I would hate to show up one day with some leftover pizza while she is trying to eat healthy! 

• Join a CSA or Fresh Produce Delivery Subscription.  A couple months ago, I signed up for Farm Fresh To You and I absolutely love it!  Every month, a box of fresh, organic, local produce is delivered to my doorstep.  I have the option to go in and select what items I would like in my box or I can simply be surprised (this is a really fun way to try new produce and recipes!)  You also have the option for more frequent delivery.  If you are interested in trying out Farm Fresh To You, check out their website and use the code SHEL2641 for $10 off your first delivery!  I pay only $26 per box and here's a sample of what is coming in my shipment this week: 2 Bosc Pears, 1 Eureka Lemon, 2 Fuji Apples, 1 head of Lettuce, 1 bushel of Red Beets, 2 Kiwis, 1 bunch of Nantes Carrots, 1 head of Romanesco Cauliflower.  Also, you can check out local farms in your areas, as many host Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs) and offer similar services.

My first Farm Fresh shipment!  I added Pasture-Raised Eggs to this box and they were delicious!  Unlike any eggs you will buy in the grocery store.

Another Farm Fresh delivery!  They even list the farms that each item came from!

I hope these ideas help you stay motivated during your healthy lifestyle journey!  Please share any of your motivational tips in the comments below!  I am always looking for new suggestions to improve my health and well-being!

Mini Chocolate Chip Protein Muffins! (You need these in your life!)

The Cookie & Cocoa Swirl was an afterthought,
but ended up working out perfectly!

I am super excited about this little treat!!! I stumbled upon Kodiak Cakes Power Cakes Mix in the store today and couldn't wait to come home and begin experimenting with them!

1 cup of mix packs 28 grams of protein! If you are using the Smart Points on Weight Watchers, you know how valuable protein is for creating recipes with low points!  I began scouring Pinterest for the perfect recipe, but most of them contained too many ingredients (let's keep it simple people!), donut pans, other miscellaneous protein products, etc.  Finally I landed upon a donut recipe that I figured could be adapted to mini muffins.

Each mini muffin was approximately 1 Smart Point before adding the Cookie & Cocoa Swirl drizzle and only 43 calories!!!

Naked!  Something is missing...
good thing I've been keeping a jar
of Speculoos Cookie & Cocoa Swirl
Spread on my counter for inspiration!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Kodiak Cakes Power Cakes Whole Grain Buttermilk Flapjack and Waffle Mix
• 2 Tbsp Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
• 1 Egg
• 1/4 cup unpacked Brown Sugar
• 2 Tbsp unsweetened Applesauce
• 1/2 cup unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
• 2 Tbsp Mini Chocolate Chips (optional)
• 2 Tbsp Speculoos Cookie & Cocoa Swirl Spread (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Combine Kodiak Cakes Mix, Cocoa Powder, and Brown Sugar.
3. Mix in Egg, Applesauce, & Almond Milk.
4. Fold in Mini Chocolate Chips.
5. Lightly spray mini muffin pan with cooking spray.
6. Spoon 1 Tbsp of mixture into pan (Mine made approximately 20 mini muffins).
7. Bake for 20 minutes at 350F.
8. Let cool then drizzle with melted Speculoos Cookie & Cocoa Swirl (microwave the Cookie & Cocoa Spread for 30 seconds).
9. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts:

Makes Approx. 20 mini muffins.

Without Cookie & Cocoa Swirl - 43 calories & 1 Weight Watchers Smart Points

With Cookie & Cocoa Swirl Drizzle - 52 calories & 2 Weight Watchers Smart Points

In all their chocolate-y glory!

Trader Joe's Weight Watchers Haul Part 1

Since beginning Weight Watchers (and utilizing the new Smart Points system), I've been returning to some of my favorite grocery spots with phone in hand and ready to scan!  (Unfortunately, the Weight Watchers label scanner is not the best... so it has added time to my grocery trips!)  Hopefully this list of items will help cut some time out of your next grocery stop!  This was a quick trip to Trader Joe's so I'll keep updating the list as I discover new finds that are worth the points!

Apple Cranberry Fiber Mini Cakes 

I was stoked to find these!  With the new points system, lots of sweet items like muffins went up in points, so finding ones that were pre-made AND only 2sp made my day!

Calories: 80 per cake

Weight Watchers Smart Points: 2sp

13g of Fiber & 5g of Protein!

Speculoos Cookie & Cocoa Swirl

This is a no-brainer! Do yourself a favor, melt a 1/2 Tbsp of this and drizzle on some fruit!  Or add a dollop to your favorite oatmeal or overnight fridge oats!  You can thank me later. :)

Calories: 90 per 1 Tbsp

Weight Watchers Smart Points: 4sp per 1 Tbsp so use sparingly!

             

Savory Thin Crackers

I love cheese, I love meat, I love crunchy little vehicles to eat both of these items.  However, most crackers take up too many of my daily points!  These are the perfect solution to this dilemma.

Calories: 130 for 17 crackers

Weight Watchers Smart Points: You can have up to 15 crackers for only 1sp! Woo!

Lite Shredded 3 Cheese Blend

It's light, it's cheese... need I say more?

Calories: 80 per 1/4 cup

Weight Watchers Smart Points: 2sp per 1/4 cup

The cheese above had a purpose... turkey tacos!  I love Trader Joe's Taco Seasoning mix & one packet will make 2lbs worth of meat for tacos!

Organic Tomatoes

Calories: 30 per 1/2 cup

Weight Watchers Smart Points: 0sp

Stay tuned for more awesome items from Trader Joe's!  Check out my old blog post for some of my favorite items from Costco!  I will be updating it with Weight Watchers points and adding it to this blog soon!

Embarkation

Drinking Pina Coladas this past Summer on our cruise to the Eastern Caribbean!  I came home engaged and 10lbs heavier!

So I guess I should begin with an introduction.  I am a 29 year old soon-to-be bride and have embarked on a health and well-being journey!  For most of my life, I could eat whatever I liked and didn't have to worry about my weight.  Well, the past 3 years has finally confirmed what I knew to be true - slowing metabolisms, gaining weight when in a happy relationship, and that I can't eat a whole pizza by myself forever without facing the repercussions of cheese & bread (ughhh whyyyy not!).  Over a year ago I decided to give Fit Girl's Guide a try and I really enjoyed it!  You can read a little bit about that journey at my old, failed blog!  Anyways, it was fun, I enjoyed it, and it worked pretty well (well it worked to the extent of the amount of effort I put in, which dwindled as I finished my final semester of my graduate degree).

So here we are, 24 days into 2016 and I've decided to give this healthy lifestyle and blog thing another go!  This time, I've decided to sign up for Weight Watchers, so I will be sharing my experiences, recipes, and meal plans along the way!  I do still use recipes from Fit Girl's Guides and I love the support from their online community, so you will see some of that as well!  So far, I am down 7lbs since January 1st! (Woo Hoo!)  I'm already seeing changes in my energy level and sleep patterns!

Anyways, I hate long, babbling blogs (like hellllooooo, I clicked a link to see a recipe, not a novel about how you found these organic blueberries while browsing the Farmer's Market and it inspired you!  Get to the point!) So here it goes, find some recipes, read some of my tips, and have a good time! :

Feeling a little less squishy after only 12 days!  Stayed within my Weight Watchers points, hot lemon water upon waking up, limiting myself to 1 cup of coffee per day, drinking a minimum of 64 ounces of water daily (usually with 8oz. of 100% unsweetened cranberry juice to help de-bloat!), no alcohol (ok that didn't last long after this pic, but I'm doing a lot better than before!)  Oh yeah and exercise, they say that part is pretty important!  I keep it simple, 30 minute workouts in my living room in the morning and cardio a few times per week (some weeks more than others!)