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!

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!

Roasted Grape + Goat Cheese Bites

Last night was a good night.

Shaun & me at a Giants game in 2010

The Giants are going to the Superbowl! I feel like celebrating.

Maybe with some popcorn mix...

...or red & blue cake!

But since it's Monday, I suppose I shouldn't. I'll save it for the Superbowl (!!!) in 2 weeks! We had a great time watching the game in all of its nail biting, shoulder tensing, stomach aching glory.

And you know I made a few other snacks in celebration! After seeing How Sweet Eat's roasted grape & goat cheese sweet potatoes, I knew that I had to adapt this flavor somehow. Roasted grapes simply sounded A-mazing! And so I did.

I used the DIY tortilla idea, but adapted it even further as suggested by my mom. I made the tortilla rounds slightly larger so that they became more Tostitos-scoops like, pinching the sides to fit them in the mini-muffin tin. Imagine the possibilities with this idea! I can think of 1.1 million fillings for these little low carb tortilla bites.

I filled these guys with roasted grapes, goat cheese and a drizzle of honey. The result? Sweet and tangy bites that were a perfect game day (or anytime!) snack! And at 4 WW Points Plus for 4 bites, you really can't go wrong.

Roasted Grape & Goat Cheese Bites
Yields 6 servings, 4 bites per serving
4 WW Points Plus per serving (or 1 PP per bite!)

1 recipe DIY tortilla chips, made into slightly larger rounds & pinched in the pan to make little cups
2 C red seedless grapes
4 oz. goat cheese
1 Tbsp honey
cooking spray
kosher salt

Make the tortilla chips and set aside, leaving them in the muffin tin to cool. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil, spray with cooking spray. Add the grapes. Spray them lightly with cooking spray and sprinkle with just a tiny bit of kosher salt.

Roast 'em up for about 20 minutes, or until they are squishy and smelling yummy.

Meanwhile, fill up the tortilla cups with about 1/2 tsp goat cheese each. When the grapes are finished, lower the oven heat to 350 and add a few grapes to each cup and top with a small dollop of honey. Bake for 10 minutes. Serve immediately. Beware of extrememly hot grapes!

Yum!

I really loved this little appetizer. It's delicious! I hope you give it a try and enjoy it! It's also perfect for the Superbowl and so I'm including it in Kelly's Skinny Superbowl Snacks! Head over to her site for some great snack ideas for the big game!

Have a great week everyone!

Questions of the Day:

What's your favorite appetizer?

What did you do this weekend?

psst...I reorganized another bathroom cabinet! Read about my strategy on The Peach & The Pit!