Spaghetti Squash

So many people rave about spaghetti squash so I decided to pick up a smaller squash at the grocery store to give it a try. I enjoy squash in general – acorn, butternut, etc. so I figured it’d be a trial run to see if spaghetti squash would join that list.

I cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise then scooped out the seeds and pulp.  I spritzed a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray, then placed the squashes onto the pan face down.  I then put them into a 375 degree oven for roughly 45-60 minutes.

After taking the squashes out of the oven, I let them cool until cool enough to touch, then took a fork and raked it down the center of the squash, pulling out the pulp as I went along.  The squash came out of the “shell” so easily and none of it went to waste.  I ate some while it was warm and found I really enjoyed it.  It tastes exactly like squash.  The flavor possibilities are endless – you can eat it plain, you can eat it with some sweetness on it (brown sugar, etc.), you can saute it with onion garlic and olive oil.  Some even use it as a substitute to pasta – although I’m not entirely sure I’d be that adventurous.

The great benefit of squash is that it’s a power food, it’s filling, it’s really low in calories and it’s a 0 points plus value for those of us who follow Weight Watchers.

I’m quite a fan! Though sadly the price of spaghetti squash has doubled in the past few weeks … and that’s no fun.

Weight Watchers Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Pasta Salad (Weight Watchers BLT Pasta Salad)

After purchasing my Weight Watchers Family Style cookbook at my meeting, I skimmed through the book and attached sticky notes all over the place on recipes I wanted to make at home. I found this cookbook to be one of the better ones (in my opinion) because there are far more recipes I’d be willing to try not only for myself but for my family.  I realize I’m the only Weight Watcher in the house BUT that doesn’t mean my family can’t eat healthier.  But when cooking for others, I do have to take in others tastes but most importantly dislikes. For instance, my boyfriend doesn’t like cheese – so if I do make a dish that involves cheese, I have to remove his portion before the cheese is added.  But I will say outside of that one dislike I don’t really change up my style of cooking because at the end of the day, those who enjoy my dishes have no idea they’re healthier recipes.

So, with that when I saw the Weight Watchers Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Pasta Salad recipe in the cookbook, I decided that was going to be part of dinner on Friday. And part of dinner it became!  I had made Skinnytaste’s version last summer and loved it, so I figured this one had to be equally delicious – and it was!  It was a hit, a serving was huge and it made a batch for 4 individuals which meant it wasn’t going to be lying around for a long time (which I wouldn’t want it to because of the tomatoes and lettuce in the dish).

I strongly recommend giving this recipe a shot because it’s totally worth it!  1 3/4cup is only 7 points plus!

Trader Joe’s Turkey Burgers

I had been wanting to try turkey burgers for a few weeks, but didn’t want to buy a big box of the Jennie-O turkey burgers just incase I didn’t quite like them.  I had heard mixed reviews on turkey burgers in general – they’re flavorless, too dry, but I’ve also heard they’re delicious and you can’t even tell they’re turkey.  So, while at Trader Joe’s I noticed they had Trader Joe’s Turkey Burgers in a box of 4, so I picked up a box.

According to the packaging the burgers are 4 ounce patties and have rosemary in them.  I was glad to see the mention of some seasoning because I personally don’t eat meat that is unseasoned. I put the box in the refrigerator for about 2 hours before cooking and I merely put them into a frying pan on the stove and I did give the side facing “up” in the pan a light sprinkling of Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute just to give it a little more oomph!

My boyfriend and I both enjoyed these as we would a classic hamburger – lettuce, tomato, onion, mustard and for me a little ketchup.  I have to say, these turkey burgers are delicious! Flavorful, filling and you really can’t tell that it’s turkey.  I wouldn’t say it taste like beef, because it doesn’t, but if it tastes like anything I’d say a flavorful (seasoned) chicken burger. Since I have launched myself into the turkey burger realm, I will begin trying out other turkey burgers.

Each burger is 180 calories, which is 5 points plus values.

QUESTION:

Have you tried the turkey burgers from Trader Joe’s?

Nachos! Using Trader Joe’s Organic Reduced Guilt Tortilla Chips & Queso Cheese Dip

I had wanted nachos for a few days, I decided I was going to have them – so I threw them on my tracker earlier in the day. When I wanted them, I went into the kitchen and assembled them.  They were a delicious snack, low in points, loaded with fresh vegetables and completely satisfying.

 

A few Trader Joe’s trips ago I had picked up a bag of the Trader Joe’s Organic Reduced Guilt White Corn Tortilla Chips because I wanted to try them. They looked crispy in the bag and according to the nutrition facts, roughly 14 chips was a serving size.  A serving was also only 3 points plus.  I measured out 1 ¼ servings (which is 4 points plus) on my scale and arranged the chips on my plate.

I took the remaining Trader Joe’s Queso Cheese Dip and put the jar straight into the microwave (my jar was just about empty, I wouldn’t suggest doing this if your jar is full and you’re going to put it back in the fridge).  When it was nice and hot I took it out, stirred it up and drizzled 2 tablespoons over my chips. The great thing about this queso is it’s 0 points plus for 2 tablespoons!  The cheese itself is quite yummy, it’s a bit tangy and slightly sour, but when mixed with sour cream and fresh veggies you don’t notice the tanginess much more.  You can see me initial post on the queso here.

I then topped off the queso covered chips with diced red onion, diced tomato and diced green peppers. Finishing it up I added in 3 heaping tablespoons of mild salsa and a teaspoon of sour cream right in the middle. Deliciousness!

The greatest part is the entire plate shown is only 4 points plus values!  Take that Taco Bell!

QUESTION:

Do you like making nachos at home?

Trader Joe’s Trader Jacques’ Macarons Assortis

For months I have seen these Trader Joe’s Trader Jacques’ Macarons Assortis all over my Instagram feed. Those folks who I follow that enjoy the amazingness that is Trader Joe’s have posted about how much they enjoyed these macarons … so they have literally been on my Trader Joe’s list for months.  Why months? Well, I couldn’t find them anywhere!

I had only found the chocolate and vanilla macarons (see post here) and enjoyed them so I was looking forward to the assorted flavors. I live in an area where French bakeries are really few and far between.  In my local area, bakeries are typically Italian bakeries and macarons are not in existence – but macaroons are. Ideally they are two different ballgames but both equally delicious.  So low and behold when I spotted these in the freezer section at a Trader Joe’s I was popping into to get a few things, I grabbed two boxes.

I stuck a box in the refrigerator and opted to have them for dessert that night.  Breaking out the box I had a sample of each cookie because I was going for the full effect.  The box comes with 12 macarons, 2 of each flavor: cassis, coffee, orange, pistachio, raspberry and salted caramel.  My favorite had to have been the pistachio, followed by the coffee with the orange coming in third.  Nonetheless all the macarons were quite tasty and a unique and different treat.

A serving size is 3 cookies – which comes with a very low 130 calories, which translates into 3 points plus values. Not bad at all!

QUESTION:

Have you ever tried macarons?

Blueberry Banana Bread

I had an abundance of blueberries in the refrigerator this weekend so I decided I needed to put them to good use.  Since I also had a few ripe bananas I figured I’d make banana bread … with blueberries in it!  I had never had blueberry banana bread before, but I figured it would be an experiment and it couldn’t necessarily turn out to be a bad thing.

I tried a piece when it came out of the oven after it had cooled for about an hour, and I found the blueberries were tarter while warm. But when I had a piece the next day and it had cooled down completely, the blueberries were not nearly as tart and the banana flavor had become more pronounced.  Definitely far more tasty the next day after it had cooled.

Serves 13. 2 Points Plus Values/serving.

Ingredients:

-          1 ¼ cup flour

-          1 tsp vanilla extract

-          ¾ tsp baking soda

-          1/8 tsp Salt

-          1/3 cup brown sugar

-          2 egg whites

-          3 ripe bananas, mashed

-          ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce

-          ½ cup blueberries

-          Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray a loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.  Set aside.

In a mixing bowl add ripe bananas and mash.  Add in apple sauce, vanilla, egg whites and brown sugar. Mix to combine.

Spoon 1 tablespoon of flour over the blueberries and mix around so the blueberries are lightly coated with flour.

Add salt, baking soda and remaining flour to mixture and mix until well combined. Be sure to not over mix.

Gently fold in blueberries until blended into the batter.

Pour batter into the loaf pan.  Tap the pan against a hard surface a few times to even out, then place into the oven and bake for 35-45 minutes (depending on your oven). The bread is done when a knife of toothpick can be inserted into the bread and it comes out clean.

Allow the bread to cool on a cooling rack before serving.

Strawberry Orange Banana Crystal Light with Green Tea

I’ve been considering making a detox drink for myself – you know the cucumber, mint and lemon concoction to help flush your system from the inside.  I find there are times where I am really great at getting all my water in for the day, and then there are other days where I’m questioning if I even drank any water for the day (outside of ice coffee, etc.).  Forgetting to buy extra lemons, I decided to make a different sort of drink for myself.

Green tea is a great little natural remedy which has many different health benefits.  I don’t necessarily love the taste of green tea on its own, but I do like green tea when it’s got other flavors in it (Lipton has a great line).  While at the store, I opted to pick up a box of Green Tea and then a canister of Crystal Light.

I whipped up a big double batch to have in the refrigerator and I in turn brought it over to my aunt’s house during a family BBQ.  When I do make canisters of Crystal Light or even one of those to go packets I always add extra water. If I don’t I feel the drink is far too sweet for my liking.  Each large packet of Crystal Light calls for 8 cups of water, I typically go for 10-12 depending on the flavor of the drink I am making (some are sweeter than others).

I emptied a packet of Crystal Light into 2 cups of water in a glass then poured it into my container and then poured 6 cups of water into the container.  I repeated this twice then took 9 tea bags and put 3 bags into 3 separate coffee mugs. I heated some water and poured it over the teabags (about 2 cups of water each mug) and let them steep. I let them steep for about 10 minutes before removing the tea bags and pouring the liquid into the container. Giving it a nice shake I then tucked it away in the refrigerator to get nice and cold.

I have to say, it was really refreshing, with a mild green tea flavor in the background.  You could of course increase the amount of tea or decrease per your taste.