Trader Joe's Brings us a New Treat

At least it's new to me.

Yep!

They're pretty doggone good!

And they're only 3 points per bar for all of you WW people out there.

YUM!

Mama Bear

I Have a Love/Hate Relationship With my Hot Cocoa

Since I am currently doing Weight Watchers, and since I don't drink many "sugared" drinks anyways, Sugar Free Hot Cocoa is a great way to deal with those chocolate cravings. But I have a love/hate relationship with the Swiss Miss Sugar Free Hot Cocoa. It seems that they may have changed their formula, but who am I to say? See, before, I used to get their Sugar Free Hot Cocoa, and I wouldn't have any problem getting it all stirred in. But now, it seems that half the powder settles at the bottom of my cup as a sediment. I don't like that. I want to enjoy the full chocolate sensation, all the way down to the last drop, not just at the last drop. I even stirred for a bit longer than normal today, and there was still sediment. I hope they can fix this. It's not like I'll never buy it again, but I am more hesitant to do so. And ONLY when it's on sale!

Have you tried it? What do YOU think?

Mama Bear

Mint Chocolate Chip Gum???

I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical when I first saw the Extra Sugar Free "Dessert" gum on The Biggest Loser. I figured it might taste similar, but I'm not sure I'd like it. Well, I've tried the Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream gum, and I LOVE it! I LOVE mint chocolate chip ice cream, and the gum isn't too far off the mark. Since I'm doing Weight Watchers, I need something that can help with the sweet cravings. This gum is really helping. I've also tried the Key Lime Pie flavor, and I'm not a huge fan, only because I'm not a "lime" person. But I'll chew the gum. Next, I want to try the Strawberry Shortcake flavor. I will be very amazed if this meets up to my Strawberry Shortcake flavor standard. :-) But I have a feeling it just might.

Have you tried the gums? What do you think?

Mama Bear

Winning "Fried" Chicken Recipe

Last week, I tried a new recipe, found in the Biggest Loser Cookbook. It got TWO THUMBS UP from Papa Bear, me, and our teenage son! Please keep in mind that this recipe is only for two servings. I tripled it, so that we would have enough to eat, and still have leftovers. I took pictures while making it, so here you go:

3 Tbsp. fat-free plain yogurt
4 large fresh basil leaves, chopped
1 tsp. chopped fresh oregano leaves (I used dried...didn't have fresh)
1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme leaves
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (I might or might not have used a little more!)
Pinch of salt
Pinch of ground black pepper
4 Tbsp. Ian's Whole Wheat Panko Breadcrumbs or finely crushed Wasa Light Rye Crispbread (I used dried whole wheat roll bread crumbs...because that's what I had on hand.)
2 small (1/4 pound) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed of visible fat
Mustard or low-fat, low-sodium marinara sauce, to taste (optional)

*****
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly mist a small nonstick baking sheet with olive oil spray.


2. In a medium, shallow bowl, combine the yogurt, basil, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to mix well.


3. Place 2 tablespoons of the bread crumbs in another medium shallow bowl. Set next to the yogurt mixture. Dip 1 chicken breast into the yogurt mixture to coat.


(By the way, make sure that you pat your chicken breasts dry, in between paper towels. This will help assure that your yogurt coating will stick to the meat.)


Transfer to the crumbs to coat evenly.

Place on the prepared baking sheet. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons crumbs to the bowl. Repeat the process with the second chicken breast. Place on the baking sheet, not touching the other piece.


4. Bake for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until no longer pink. Serve immediately with mustard or marinara sauce on the side, if desired.

(Sorry about this photo. No matter how many times I tried to put it in, it still TURNED on me!)

(We used the marinara sauce with a bit of cheese melted on top, and it was delicious! We also had steamed green beans with marinara sauce, and my Tomato Rice Pilaf--for which I have previously shared the recipe.)

Let me know if you make this, and what you think!

Mama Bear

Our Dessert of Choice

Papa Bear and I have joined Weight Watchers. There! I said it! Yep, we're trying to get a lot healthier and lose weight too! Papa Bear craves fruits, which is good. I crave sweets, which is not so good. No, I don't crave sweet fruits...I crave SUGAR!!! But, we have found a great way to get around the sugar, and enjoy dessert for VERY few Weight Watchers points! One of my favorite desserts now, is Sugar Free Fudgsicles from Popsicle. I crave chocolate, so this is a GREAT choice for dessert! (I don't totally ban chocolate, but now I am learning to count the points, and watch my portion sizes.) A Sugar Free Fudgsicle only has 40 calories and less than 1 gram of fat! You can have two of these frozen delights for only 1 WW point, so I definitely choose to indulge in the yummy creaminess that Fudgsicles offer.

We also like the Tropical Sugar Free Popsicles, regular Sugar Free Popsicles, and Sugar Free Creamsicles (which can be found in the Healthy Pack).

Try one! Then, let me know what you think!

Mama Bear

Simple & Healthy Sauteed Zucchini

I told you that I would share my recipe for the sauteed zucchini that Papa Bear came up with. So here it is:

Start with one Tbsp. of Olive Oil; heat your pan to medium high.

Slice about 2-3 medium to large zucchini into thin slices, and add to hot pan.
You can also add however much minced garlic you like (um, yeah, we LOVE garlic!),
according to your own taste, as well as salt and freshly ground pepper.

Sautee lightly, until SOME of the zucchini turns a little transparent.
Be sure to "rotate" slices frequently, so they have equal cooking time.
You don't want to overcook, or you will have mush,
instead of crisp, yummy, sauteed zucchini.

Enjoy!

Mama Bear

Tomato Rice Pilaf -- Recipe

Last night for dinner, I made Spice Rubbed Pork Chops (a Weight Watchers recipe), Tomato Rice Pilaf, and Sauteed Garlicky Zucchini. My whole meal was only 10 Weight Watchers points! Here is my very own recipe for

Tomato Rice Pilaf

1Tbsp. butter
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
3-4 medium tomatoes, chopped

1-2 tsp. powdered chicken bouillon
2 cups jasmine rice

4 cups water (or just enough to cover the rice and veggies)

1 tsp. salt

½ tsp. black pepper

In a saucepan (that comes with a lid), over medium high heat, saute the chopped onions in the butter, until caramelized and golden on the edges.

Then, add the chopped tomatoes....

along with the rice, chicken bouillon, salt and pepper.

Add enough water to just cover the rice and veggies; stir.

Bring to a boil, then cover and turn heat down to simmer.
Allow to cook for about 20 minutes.

Give the rice a bit of a fluff with a spoon or fork, and make sure it's cooked all the way, after the 20 minutes is up. May take a little longer.

Enjoy! I will post the recipe for the sauteed zucchini next.

Mama Bear