Hi, I'm Rachel.

A few years ago I could barely boil water.

True story.

Determined to be a kick ass wife, I developed a love for football and learned to cook in my tiny Jersey City kitchen. I spend my days working in Manhattan, my nights and weekends chasing after a rambunctious toddler, and the hours in between cooking with my husband and feeding my TV habit...oh, and I blog about it all! 

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The Pantry

Entries from January 1, 2012 - January 31, 2012

Thursday
Jan262012

Biscoff Sundae

I feel like I was just complaining about Tuesday and somehow it's now already Thursday!

(Right? It is, in fact, Thursday today?)

Last night Shaun had basketball and so I spent the evening hanging on the couch catching up on my shows --->the ones Shaun refuses to watch with me (but then asks me for the recap of them, so I secretly think he does in fact want to watch!). Topping my list? Kourtney & Kim Take New York!

I'm not really into reality TV for the most part, but I do love me some Kardashians, Bethenny and of course, Jersey Shore. During this season of Kardashians, I've come to the realization that Scott is my favorite of the bunch. I know this is a bold statement. And I was there for the drunken mirror punching, Khloe-hating, the whole shebang. But now, I think he is funny, charming, and sort of puppy doggish in how he loves Kourtney so much and she can seemingly take him or leave him.

Am I wrong to like him this much? Let the Kardashian weigh-in begin!

Moving on.

You know that I've been doing Weight Watchers, and for me, the most difficult part of a maintaining a healthy lifestyle is that I really like to have dessert at night. It doesn't have to be anything big or fancy, but I do love just a little sweetness. With Weight Watchers in mind, I've been trying to get creative with my dessert to keep it low points but satisfying. Enter the Biscoff sundae.

If you haven't tried biscoff spread yet, it's like gingerbread and shortbread got married, had a baby, and it turned into a spread. It's yummy.

This little number takes about 2 minutes to whip up and comes to 4 Points+. Not to shabby considering this is one decadent and filling sundae! It's perfect for the evenings when you have a light dinner with a few Points+ to spare!

Biscoff Sundae

4 WW Points +

1/2 C light or sugar-free vanilla bean ice cream (I used Turkey Hill Light)

1 Tbsp biscoff spread

2 Tbsp whipped cream (aerosol or Cool Whip)

In a small, bowl, melt the biscoff spread in the microwave, about 20 seconds.

Meanwhile, scoop ice cream into a bowl. Drizzle with melted biscoff.

Top with whipped cream or fat free Cool Whip.

The biscoff hardens around the ice cream like a Magic Shell and adds such a delicious flavor. It's such a nice change up from chocolate syrup --->though I think light or sugar-free chocolate syrup would be A-mazing here too! And less Points+.

So there you have it. My favorite little dessert of late. It feels so fancy, but is really incredibly simple and worth every Point!

Questions of the Day:

Who is your favorite Kardashian (if you watch the show)?

What is your favorite ice cream topping? As long as I have whipped cream, I'm all good!

 

Wednesday
Jan252012

I Wish

...that I had enough time to do crafts...like everything on Pinterest

...that my house was just a little bit organized, and looking this tidy on a daily basis

...that laundry did itself

...that grocery shopping could be outsourced in a more fruitful way

...that I could teleport (especially to and from work so I could gain back 1.5 hours of my life each day)

...that pretty 4” heels were comfortable

...that I didn't need shapewear under my pencil skirts

...that we would get at least one really good, locked in the house snowstorm this winter

...that immediately follow said snowstorm, I could go here:

...that it wasn't still dark out every morning when I wake up

...that I could eat one of these for breakfast today:

What are you wishing today?

 

psst...Christine Bean is blogging all about her 5 must have beauty products...she's got me wanting each and every one!

Tuesday
Jan242012

9 Foods That Get Me Through

Well friends, we made it through Monday and onto Tuesday. Onward and upward! Though as a side note, I think Tuesday is actually my least favorite day of the week. You've made it through Monday, the excitement of a new week, but not quite to the hump on Wednesday. It's like a weird Pergatory where you're still waiting to see how the week will go.

Anyhow.

Since I started doing Weight Watchers, I've been on the hunt for any possible ways to keep it interesting and most importantly, filling. I hate that deprived feeling, like I'm so hungry and my stomach is grumbling, but I can't eat because I'll go over my Points Plus for the day. Ack. It's the worst. I have a list of go-to foods and ingredients that have been a life saver in the eating department.

1. Laughing Cow Wedges

I'm mildly obsessed with Laughing Cow cheese. I love it on toast or especially mixed into eggs in the morning. Not to mention all of the flavors keeping it interesting everyday!

 

2. Better 'n Peanut Butter

It's a cold, harsh reality to realize that one of your favorite foods is also contributing to your overweightness. I know that nut butters are 'healthy fats' and all, but the reality of the situation is that they can really pack on the pounds. My great friend Kristen recommended Better 'n Peanut Butter, which I've really grown to love. It's just 1 Point + per Tablespoon. I won't lie and say it's like the real thing, but after a week of no PB? It'll work just fine.

 

 

3. Fruit

On WW, you can really eat as much fruit as you'd like and so this has become my go-to snack. The winter is tough since not much is in season, but I just try to make it work. My favorite 4pm snack of late? 1 apple with 1 Tbsp of Better 'n Peanut Butter. Works every time.

 

 

4. Vegetables

Obviously most vegetables are also 0 Points + and so I try to pack them in e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e. I add them to eggs, eat lots of salads, whip up veggie stir frys and simply sneak in veggies anywhere I possibly can. Filling and healthy!

 

 

5. Pudding

I've been eating a LOT of fat free, sugar free instant JELL-O pudding. It's not the most glamourous dessert, but you get a whole 1/2 C for just 2 Points +. I'm working on some additional recipes with pudding to change it up a bit. I'll let you know when I find some good ones!

 

6. Cool Whip (Fat Free)

This goes right on top of the pudding. Every night. It's such a treat. I know that Cool Whip is NOT whipped cream (trust me, I'm a whipped cream afficianado), but for just 1 Point + for 1/4 C, I'll take it!

 

7. String Cheese & Cheese Sticks

I love string cheese! The WW string cheese is pretty good and serves as a nice little mid-morning snack. I also like the cheddar cheese sticks, which can be cut into cubes and served on a nice little cheese board with some DIY tortilla chips. After a few weeks without 'real' cheese, this seems like a real treat. Not to mention the cheese sticks range from 1 - 2 Points +.

 

 

8. Wasa Crackers

I like the light mild rye version. I spread on a little Better 'n Peanut Butter and some Polaner All Fruit and it's a nice crunchy change up to bread.

 

9. Low Carb Tortillas

I like Mission Carb Balance tortillas. Perfect for DIY chips, skillet tortilla pizzas (my favorite go-to dinner of late), or even making quick quesadillas or enchiladas.

 

So there you have it! All the little foods I'm loving of late.

Questions of the Day:

What foods or snacks get you through?

What is your least favorite day of the week?

 

psst...Kimberly is blogging about her Gym Favorites over on The Peach & The Pit Of It today! Czech it out!