Brunch Anyone?

On Sunday morning we had my in-laws over for breakfast. I needed to serve something relatively healthy (both me and The Big T8 are doing Weight Watchers), but also tasty. So, I modified 2 recipes, and they were actually quite yummy. I had the leftovers for dinner the other night, and added a 3 point English Muffin for more yumminess. Enjoy!

Spinach/Artichoke Egg Bake - 4 Points Plus
10 oz. box of  frozen chopped spinach (defrosted & squeezed free of moisture)
1 can artichoke hearts (drained and chopped)
1/2 onion - diced
16 oz. fat-free ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1 cup egg whites
3 eggs
salt & pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- Combine all ingredients in bowl. Spray 9x13 baking dish w/ cooking spray. Spread mixture into dish, and smooth out. Bake in 375 degree oven for about 1 hour (or until set). Cool 10 minutes and Cut into 12 squares.

Breakfast Potato Casserole - 4 Points Plus
1 bag Ore-Ida Country Style Hash Browns (defrosted)
1 1/2 cups Shredded Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese
1/2 cup Reduced Fat Sour Cream
1 cup Campbell's Healthy Request 98% Fat Free Cream of Chicken or Mushroom Soup
6 Strips Morning Star Farms Bacon Strips (diced)
- Combine all ingredients in bowl, except 1/2 cup cheddar cheese (reserve). Spray 9x13 baking dish w/ cooking spray. Spread potato mixture in pan, and smooth out. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Bake in 375 degree oven for about 45 minutes. Cool 10 minutes and cut into 12 squares.

Stroller Recommendations

I have a LOT of strollers...you should see my basement. Here are my recommendations for strollers for your twins:


BEST EVERYDAY STROLLER - MacLaren Twin Triumph - I keep mine in the back of the loser cruiser and use it almost everyday. It's lightweight, durable and easy to use

BEST NEWBORN STROLLER - Baby Trend Snap & Go - we used this for both sets of twins for the first nine months. Don't buy a "real" stroller until after you've had the babies and they're a little older. The snap & go is light, super easy to use and you can modify it for most infant carriers

BEST ALL-TERRAIN STROLLER - Bumbleride Indie Twin - I love, love, love this big ol' stroller - it's light, you don't have to take the wheels off to put it in your car, and it folds pretty thin. I tried out a number of other all-terrain strollers, and this one rocked. Also, it fits through standard doorways and is easy to maneuver.

HONORABLE MENTIONS - Baby Jogger City Mini Double & Graco Quattro Tour Duo -I really liked the City Mini and used it for over a month when our Bumbleride was being repaired. If I ever need another stroller, this will be what I go for. One issue is that it's bigger than an "umbrella stroller", but doesn't have rubber tires like the Bumbleride (so you can't use it "off road" or for "jogging).  The Graco Quattro is a good tandem stroller, but it's very heavy, so we only use it when my husband comes with me.

Some Oh So Yummy WW Friendly Recipes I Love!

I LOVE to share good things, and I've discovered some real good Weight Watchers Recipes in the past month, that are too good not to share:

SMOKY TURKEY CHILI - 5 Points (1-1/4 cups = serving)
this is from the Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook. I bought mine at BJs and I also saw it at Costco (I think there's a BJs coupon for it).
1 pound ground skinless turkey - 93/7
1 large onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
4 minced garlic cloves
3 (15-oz) cans small white beans, drained & rinsed
1 cup ketchup
1 (4.5-oz) can of chopped green chiles
3 Tbsp chili powder
2 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp cumin
2 tsp instant espresso powder
1/4 tsp liquid smoke (hickory flavor)

Brown ground turkey in saute pan - remove from heat. In slow cooked, combine turkey, onion, bell pepper and garlic. Stir in all remaining ingredients. Cover and cook 8 hours on low.

Additions:
2 Tbsp shredded reduced fat mexican cheese blend (2 pts)
2 Tbsp fat free sour cream (1 pt)
1 piece corn bread (3 pts)



Breaksfast Sandwich - 6 Points
1 "light" whole grain english muffin
1/4 cup egg whites or egg substitute
1 wedge laughing cow "light" cheese - any flavor (I like the new chipotle)
2 pieces of Morningstar Farms "bacon" or "sausage links"

Toast english muffin. In small microwave-safe bowl cook egg in microwave (about 45-60 seconds on high). On microwave-safe plate cook "bacon"/"sausage" about 1 minute. Spread cheese on english muffin; put egg on bottom and top w/ bacon or sliced sausage. So yummy!

Yummy Roll Ups for the Kids!

I saw this on another blog, and I've been making it for lunch the past few months.  The rollups are SUPER SIMPLE and UTTERLY DELICIOUS!

Ingredients:


Jelly | Peanut Butter | Cream Cheese | Wheat Bread













Roll out the bread very thin w/ a rolling pin:

About 1/8" thick

Spread PB & CC on the sides and Jelly in the middle; Roll Up & Cut:

Not too much!



Cut w/ sharp knife













Delicious!



Emma & Robin enjoy their lunch (usually have 2 pieces of bread each



Weight Watcher Recipe: Pastitsio

So this isn't as great as the "real-deal", but it is pretty good, and if you really like comfort food or Greek food, this recipe is for you (it's super easy too). All of my kids ate it for dinner (Emma had 2 helpings), and my picky husband liked it too. The portions are generous, and if you substitute Ground Turkey (lean 93/7) for the beef, you'll have an 8 Points Plus dish vs. 9 Points Plus


INGREDIENTS:

• 1 spray(s) cooking spray
• 1 pound(s) raw lean ground beef (I used 93/7 ground turkey instead of beef - drops the point value by 1)
• 1 medium onion(s), chopped
• 8 oz canned tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup(s) red wine, dry
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 8 oz uncooked whole-wheat pasta, such as penne
• 1 large egg(s), lightly beaten
• 3/4 cup(s) fat-free evaporated milk
• 1 Tbsp butter, or margarine
• 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp table salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/2 cup(s) fat-free evaporated milk
• 1 large egg(s), lightly beaten
• 2 large egg white(s), lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup(s) shredded parmesan cheese, divided

 

INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350º F. Coat a 9- X 13-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.

 

To make meat sauce, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook beef and onion, stirring frequently, until meat is brown and onion is tender, about 10 minutes; drain off fat. Stir in tomato sauce, wine and cinnamon. Bring to boil and then reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

 

Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside. Combine 1 beaten egg, 3/4 cup of evaporated milk and cooked pasta in a large bowl; toss to combine and set aside.

 

To make cream sauce, melt butter or margarine in a small saucepan over medium heat; stir in flour, salt and pepper. Gradually add 1 1/2 cups of evaporated milk; cook, stirring, until thickened and slightly bubbly, about 5 to 8 minutes. Very gradually stir 1 beaten egg and egg whites into hot milk mixture (be careful not to ‘scramble’ eggs); set aside.

 

Layer half of pasta mixture in prepared dish; spread with meat sauce and sprinkle with 1/4 cup of cheese. Top with remaining pasta mixture; pour cream sauce over top and sprinkle with remaining cheese.

 

Cover and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover; bake about 15 minutes more or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 15 minutes before slicing into 8 pieces.

I Need That

Little Robin Tate is quite a character! She is coming into toddlerhood with a bang, and I cannot imagine what she'll be like as a teen (well, I can imagine, but it scares me).  She has a mind (and mouth) of her own, and boy does she use it!

ROBIN'S TOP SAYINGS

• "I need that" - Robin walks around saying this phrase ALL DAY, in response to her "needing" everything that comes into sight
• That's mine" - what Robin says when taking away toy/book/cup/anything from her sisters/brother
• "Okay" - Robin's response to a question, instead of 'yes'
• "Wakkles" - what Robin wants for breakfast every morning (Waffles)
• "Shoo" - what Robin tells me to do when I come near her...
• "See ya yater" - what Robin says when she leaves a room
• "Go away Mommy" and "leave now" - what Robin says to me when she's mad