Protein Pancakes!

My sister in law shared this recipe on her blog and I thought I would pass it along! Can't wait to try it!

1/4 cup egg whites (I used the whites of 2 eggs)
1/4 cup fat free cottage cheese
1/4 cup old fashioned oats
1 tsp. vanilla

Blend in blender or food processor and pour onto a WELL-greased pan/griddle on medium heat. This makes about 3-4 pancakes. Add any toppings you would normally. OR, if you want a healthier version: use cut up fruit (bananas,strawberries,blueberries), cocoa powder, butter spray (instead of the real stuff ...boooo!), Agave nectar or honey.

The total nutritional value:
135 calories
15 grams protein
1.5 grams of fat
2 grams of fiber

i am in Love

I know this may not seem like a proper post for a weight loss blog...hear me out. I for one feel that when you find tricks to help you look thinner, you feel thinner. If that means you found the right outfit to shave off ten pounds visually, or you secretly wear spanx under your clothes to look thinner, or in my case you get a tan...that is what makes me feel thinner.

I got my very very pale skin from my grandma...who never spent a day in the sun, in fact she carried an umbrella with her if she was going to be in the sun for too long, and she she still got skin cancer. So as a responsible adult, I have given up tanning, something I used to LOVE. For a while I was getting spray tans, but seriously, I just don't have the time.

One of my friends introduced me to Sally Hansen's airbrush legs. I use it on my arms and my legs, and a bit on my chest. This stuff is seriously amazing. Once it dries it is water resistant, and it doesn't transfer from your arms to your friends white shirt! I even sat in a hot tub with this stuff on and it didn't budge! I bought it at Walgreens next to the other Sally Hansen products. Give it a try, it is super easy to use, and I love the results!
ENJOY!

Turkey Burgers With Sweet Red Onion Relish

Just made these tonight for my family...plus one guest and they were a huge hit!! I love ground turkey, I use it in just about every meet dish that I used to use beef for. I have struggled to find an amazing turkey burger recipe. I think after tonight, my search may be over! I served this with broiled asparagus and fresh pineapple. Delish!!

1 tbls. e.v.o.o
2 1/2 c finely chopped red onion
3 tbls. balsamic vinegar divided
1 tsp fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp dried
1/4 chili sauce
2 tbls grape jelly
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
lettuce
buns ( I used sandwich thins )

1. Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, saute 10 mins or until lightly browned stirring occasionally. Add 2 tbls. of the vinegar, and the thyme; saute for 30 seconds, or until liquid evaporates. Remove from heat, keep warm

2. Combine remaining tbls of vinegar, turkey and next four ingredients in a bowl; stir until blended. Divide mixture into 6 equal portions, shaping into 1/2 inch thick patties.

3. Prepare grill. Place patties on grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 5 mins on each side or until done with no pink.

4. Place on bun and ad 3 tbls. of relish and lettuce.

TIP ALERT:

Since I used lower calorie buns instead of hamburger buns, I put one thin slice of Swiss cheese on mine, and 1 tsp of fat free mayo. I also put pickles on it!

Love This Site!

Check out THIS link. I get weekly emails from this site with amazing recipes! You will love it!

Temporary Vacation From the Band Wagon

Well, I may not have gone too far, just to SLC, but let me say, I had a REAL vacation... a vacation from stress, from kids, from laundry, from worrying about keeping anyone else happy, and mostly, I took a vacation from eating sensibly. One good thing that comes from eating like a race horse all weekend, is that you swear you don't want sweets for the rest of your life. My sister and I helped ourselves to all of the amazing food our hotel and surrounding restaurants had to offer! And, after taking 4 days off from will power, I could not wait to come home and have a salad! So, back on the wagon...and look for a killer recipe soon!!

Breakfast of Freaking Champions

Once again, the most amazing things I eat are usually suggestions of my Weight Watchers Queen Sister...this one took me a while to try for some reason. This is not an actual picture, because I housed it before I could get a picture, so this is the closest thing I could find on the internet!! You will love this...I PROMISE! And for only 4 points!!

1 Double Fiber English Muffin (Oroweat)
1/2 banana
1/2 tbls. Nutella

Toast, spread, slice, ENJOY!

I paired this with a cup of honey nut cherrios and some soy milk....mmmmm! If you have never tried Nutella before, it is in the same isle as the peanut butter. This recipe would be amazing with strawberries, on on crepes instead of the muffin, the possibilities are endless.

It's not me...it's you

Well, it has been two solid weeks since we parted, and I have to say, I am happier...less bloated...more hydrated and just all around feeling better! I knew this would be hard, and I have been so tired, but it just was never going to work out between us. Try to understand, if I see you and I must look the other way, it is just too painful sometimes. And don't take it personal when you see me and Fresca hanging out, she is only helping me transition I promise. Good bye my love, you will be missed!

Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler!

Well, I promised a killer recipe, and I believe I have delivered...I can't take too much credit for this one though, it came from the WW website. Either way, it is amazing! And summer is a great time to utilize this odd little plant known as rhubarb. I hope you enjoy this one!

	16 oz unsweetened frozen strawberries, thawed for 15 minutes
	14 oz frozen rhubarb, or fresh, cut into 1-inch pieces, thawed for 15 minutes if frozen
	1/3 cup(s) sugar
	1 Tbsp cornstarch
	1 1/3 cup(s) all-purpose flour
	3 Tbsp sugar, divided
	3/4 tsp baking powder
	1/4 tsp baking soda
	4 Tbsp reduced-calorie margarine, cut into small pieces
	1/2 cup(s) fat-free sour cream
	1/4 cup(s) fat-free skim milk
	1 large egg(s), lightly beaten

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375º F. Coat an 8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray.
  
  
• In a large bowl, combine strawberries, rhubarb, sugar and cornstarch. Mix well and spoon mixture into bottom of prepared pan.
  
  
• To prepare dough, in a large bowl or food processor, combine flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, baking powder and baking soda. Add margarine and mix with your fingers or process in the food processor until mixture resembles coarse bread crumbs.
  
  
• Add sour cream and milk and mix until dough comes together.
  
  
• Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and knead 5 times, until blended.
  
  
• Divide dough into 16 equal pieces and roll each piece into a small ball. Place balls on top of strawberry-rhubarb mixture and gently press down to flatten. Brush the surface of dough with egg and sprinkle remaining sugar over top.
  
  
• Bake until filling is bubbly and top is golden brown, 45 minutes. Cool 15 minutes before serving. Yields about 1/2 cup fruit mixture and 2 biscuits per serving.

TIP ALERT:

For some reason mine took almost a full hour and 15 mins to cook all the way through, so even at 45 mins, check the cobbler part, it will looked browned because of the sugar on top, but the insides were all gooey. Other than that, this is a pretty easy and yummy recipe!

I Have Been Slacking

We have all been so sick at my house...which for me means a couple of things. 1) I am not in the mood to blog. 2) I am not in the mood to cook, let alone try anything new and exciting. 3) I have not gone to the grocery store to buy anything new and exciting. 4) I am not loosing weight, because all I want are carbs. So there you have it, I am slacking, and sick, and tired, and I will be back after the weekend! I promise. I will come back with some amazing tip, or recipe, or new product or something! Wish me luck!

Taking a Day off, and Being Ok With it!!

Well, yesterday was mothers day, and in honor of being a mother, I did what any mother would do...I ate, and ate...and well, ate! Ok, maybe not thaaaat much, but I did have plenty of treats, and you know what??? For the first time in a long time, I did not feel guilty about it!! Today, I am back on track, watching what I eat, getting plenty of water, and despite the rain, and planning for a short jog later today. That is the joy of changing your lifestyle, not just your diet. I can see the big picture, and in the grand scheme of things, one day every now and again, is NOT the end of the world! So, to a new week, here we go...oh, except for moms night out tomorrow night, that one won't count...but after that, back on to the new week!

Pear Breakfast Tart

This is my own little creation and I must say, it was AMAZING! I love love love pears, and this is a fabulous little breakfast that truly celebrates this suculant little fruit! And amazingly, this will only cost you three points. I added two slices of Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon for a grand total of 4.5 points!!

1 Bagel thin
1/2 of a pear thinly sliced
1 Laughing Cow Lite Swiss wedge
1/2 tsp Splenda Blend Brown sugar
Dash of cinamon

Spread the cheese wedge on the bagel
Arrange pear slices around bagel overlapping each other
Sprinkle brown sugar blend and cinnamon over top of pears
Place in a preheated over set at 350
Bake for 10-15 mins depending on how soft you want your pears

ENJOY!

If You Have a Daughter...or if You are a Daughter...Listen UP!

I am reading this book called "My Mother My Mirror Recognizing and Making the Most of Inherited Self Images". I saw it on Amazon last week and felt compelled to order it. I am only to page 30 but I have already cried and have already felt inspired. So, if you have a daughter, or are a daughter, you may want to check THIS book out. I promise, you will be amazed!

Can we Talk!?!?

I was standing at the checkout line the other day for like 20 mins...it was a busy night being Cinco De Mayo and all. I had been feeling pretty good about myself all day, feeling happy, feeling fit, feeling hopeful...until, I looked over at the magazine rack, and I kid you not, EVERY magazine had a weight loss title of some sort. Try this, eat that, cut out this food, only eat that food...look good in your bikini FAST, look good naked FAST, life after plastic surgery, did she have too much plastic surgery...I MEAN SERIOUSLY???? And really, very few of the celebs on the covers of the magazines looked A) healthy and B) natural. Please don't preach to me about loosing weight by shoving an overly airbrushed picture in my face. I will NEVER look like that no matter what I do, because I don't have some one touching up my flaws as I walk around.

How are we as women ever supposed to overcome self image issues if all we see, hear, and read tells us we aren't doing enough?? It occurred to me that we are a society SO obsessed with the "perfect" body, that we have trained ourselves to hate anything else. I have flipped through many a magazine while thinking to myself, oh how I wish, and then being mad at myself for not having enough self control to look like the models and celebs I see.

I wish I had an answer to this, I wish I could say that I had come up with a solution for this world wide epidemic...I don't. All I can say is as women, we can stop this from affecting us anymore. I can choose to be inspired by REAL women, women whose images are not controlled by a highly paid PR person. So, who inspires you? I want to know. Share inspiring stories, if you want, I will post them for all to read...let's evolve past the superficial and get really, truly inspired!!

Your Welcome! Seriously...You will be thanking me!

I am always looking for some way to use leftover pumpkin puree after I make this spice cake that I love so much! I couldn't bare eating another bowl of oatmeal today, so I found this amazing recipe...tweaked it, and VIOLA!!!! It is amazing! (husband and 3 year old approved!)

I am calling these PumpCran Muffins
Here is what I came up with!!

1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
2 tbls. Splenda Brown Sugar Blend
1/4 apple sauce
2 tsp. baking powder
1tsp. baking soda
1 tbls. pumpkin pie spice
3/4 cup Craisins
2 cups pumpkin puree
2 egg equivalent in egg beaters
1 tbls. vanilla extract
1/4 cup water

Mix wet ingredients together

Mix dry ingredients together

Combine wet and dry and mix until just moist.

Divide batter into 18 muffin tins by using 1/4 cup batter for each.

Bake at 350 for 20 mins.

Each muffin is ONE point!

ENJOY!!!

I miss you.

So for those of you who live where i live, you know what I mean. I saw this image and it made me happy. I miss the sun...I am so tired of this overcast, windy, rainy, hell we are living in. I have felt really unmotivated to do much of anything this week...I haven't tried new foods, I haven't blogged, I haven't even wanted to get off of the couch. I wish I knew a way to get over this funk? Maybe today, I will force myself to try something new for dinner, and that will inspire me. I do love finding food that tastes amazing and is amazing for your body! So, keep a weathered eye on the horizon...I promise tonight you will see a mind blowing recipe from me!

For those of you who answered the poll question about snacking...HERE is a great link for some tips! I read a couple of different articles about snacking and this one had the best tips...if you ask me!!

The Winner of My Kernel Seasons Giveaway is............ANDREA LASLEY!! OK Andrea, Check out THIS site, and email me your choices to iluvmycurves@gmail.com! CONGRATS!!

Crab Quesadillas with Pepper Cream

I have no image of this recipe because we ate it too fast! I tweaked this recipe a bit for my mild taste buds! For the pepper cream, you could use just about any kind of pepper you prefer. The recipe calls for fresh Poblano peppers, I couldn't find them at Albertson's or Win-co, so I used Gypsy peppers that have a mild and sweet taste.

2 fresh poblano peppers ( about a half pound)
3 ounces lite cream cheese softened
1/4 fat free sour cream
1 tbls. lime juice
1 teaspoon bottled minced roasted garlic
1 pound lump or imitation crab meat
1 1/4 cup reduced fat Mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup sliced green onions
1 tsp. coriander
1/4 tsp. salt
6 8-inch low carb flour tortillas
butter flavored cooking spray
1 1/2 cups chopped tomato

1. Cut chilies in half lengthwise and discard stems, seeds, and membranes. Place chili halves on a foil lined baking sheet skin side up and broil for 15 mins or until chilies are blackened. Remove from sheet and place in a ziplock baggie and let sit for 5 mins. Peel chilies

2. Place roasted chilies, cream cheese, lime juice, garlic and sour cream in food processor and blend until smooth. Reserve 6 tbls. for topping.

3. Combine remaining cream, crab meat, mozzarella cheese, green onions, coriander and salt in a bowl and mix until coated with cream.

4. Spread about 1/3 cup crab mixture on a tortilla fold and place over medium heat until hot.

5. Cover each quesadilla with 1/4 cup of chopped tomato and 1 tbls. cream.

TIP ALERT:

I used fat free sour cream to top mine instead of the cream mixture, I also cut down on the amount of cheese I put in mine. With my modifications each quesadilla was about 4 points! Enjoy!!