CheeseSteak Sloppy Joes - $5 Meals

As I mentioned yesterday on my quest for meal planning on a budget I tried out the $5 Meals website for some ideas.  Now these ladies have it down to a science with deals etc to make sure they stay at $5 a meal, I was closer to around $7 but heck I say not bad for my first time out trying this.   Now this was a meal I couldn't eat with the carbs and sugar so Rick's friend came over to watch a football game so my meal wasn't missed.  Our guest said it was the best, but I asked the boys just in case since they are my honest testers and they agreed it was a keeper.

So now on to CheeseSteak Sloppy Joes (I'm leaving her cost break down, Mine was a little different):

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground chuck ($1.99)
• 1 green pepper, seeded and diced ($.59)
• 1 15 oz. can tomato sauce ($.20)
• 2 tsp minced onion ($.05)
• 1 tsp minced garlic ($.05)
• 1 tsp vinegar ($.02)
• 1 Tbsp prepared mustard ($.01)
• 1 Tbsp brown sugar ($.01)
• Salt and pepper
• 4 whole wheat buns ($.50)
• 4 slices provolone cheese ($.67)

Directions

• Brown the ground beef. (If you want softer green peppers, cook them with the ground beef.) Drain and let sit.
• In the same skillet, add the tomato sauce, minced onion, minced garlic, vinegar, mustard and brown sugar. Stir and let simmer over low heat for 5 to 10 minutes.  Add the brown beef and (uncooked or cooked) green peppers and combine. Simmer over low heat for another 5 to 10 minutes, or until ready to serve.
• Spoon the sloppy joe meat over the buns and top with slice of cheese. Let the warm sauce melt the cheese, or microwave.
• Serve Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes.

**Alexis Notes: I used Ground Turkey (Since I could eat that before I put in all the extras). 

Hope you give these a try, it was a simple recipe to make plus some veggies in (you could probably even put some carrots & celery in).  Have a wonderful week!

Homemade Spaghetti Meat Sauce (Ideal Protein Recipe Ph 1-4)

After being on this diet (Ideal Protein) it has been trying to find meals for dinner that I would love to eat let alone my family wants to eat too.  Most nights I make my meal and then make something for them that they would like.  I have been able to come across a few great recipes and the one I found that the whole family would eat is a Homemade Spaghetti Meat Sauce.  I had mine on some lean ground turkey, the boys had egg noddles (a no no for me but they can splurge).

Ingredients:

1 pound 90% lean ground beef or ground turkey (I used Turkey)
8 large tomatoes
1 medium onion, chopped
1 small green pepper, chopped (I used red)
2 Tablespoons minced garlic

2 Tablespoons Italian seasoning
¼ tsp Red pepper flakes
½ cup water (I skipped this)

(optional) chopped Mushrooms (I Skipped this)

1 zucchini (I added this in for a little extra green)

2 pkg of Truvia/Splenda (this is something I added)

Brown turkey or lean ground beef, add garlic powder while cooking meat for more flavorful sauce, drain off any fat, add all vegetables and water, except tomatoes. Cook on low with lid until vegetables are cooked through. ** Alexis Note:  I decided to add all the veggies to my ninja and whirl them around (the boys aren't big on chunky sauce). **

In a magic bullet or blender (I used my Ninja), puree 6 of the tomatoes, add the Italian seasoning, garlic, red pepper flakes, and give it another little whirl.  Add in a zucchini sliced up at this time and the Splenda if you want it to be a little sweet. You need to boil this for about 20 minutes and skim off the water and froth. Pour into cooked ground turkey or ground beef mixture, turn on low heat. Chop remaining 2 tomatoes however small or large you like your chunks in sauce, add to mixture and simmer on low for 20-30 minutes. Makes 4-6 cups of sauce. Can freeze leftovers for later use.  ** Alexis Note: I just puree'd all the tomatoes (again my boys aren't big on chunky sauce). **

Enjoy this is one of the best sauce's I have had in a long time, it's so nice knowing it is healthy.

Asian Lettuce Cups (Low Carb & 5pts WW)

On a personal note I went to the doctor yesterday. 1st off it is great to step on the scale to not pretend I'm looking at the wall (like a hole magically appeared and I must look at in case a rabbit appears).  YUP this time I could actually look at the # and be proud I've done that!  THEN to have the doc sit down look at the chart, then look at me, then back at the chart, then look at me and say wow you've lost a lot of weight.  each time you have been in you've been done. YUP proud moment in my life, HEY it's not often I've gone to the doc and came out with a smile.  OK well a smile over that NOT over the fact I was stuck in traffic got there 10 minutes late to find my spot was taken and had to wait over an hour.  THEN when I need a shot in my rear to have another nurse open the door to share my bare rear off to the whole waiting room (oh yes got to love that prime room right up front).  I really do swear this stuff only happens to me!

Now on to the food (I know why you are here .. lol).  Since doing this lean meat and all protein diet I've been on the hunt for good recipes.  This one was super yummy (it was higher in sugar then I would like so I'll have to work on that part - The Hoisin sauce).  I found on one of my favorite sites Eat Yourself Skinny these Asian Lettuce Cups (WW 5pts).

Ingredients:

1 1/4 lb. fat-free ground turkey

1 Tbsp vegetable oil

1 clove garlic, minced

1/8 tsp. ground ginger

2/3 cup thinly sliced green onions (about 4)

1 (8 oz) can sliced water chestnuts, drained and coarsely chopped

12 Boston lettuce leaves

3 Tbsp hoisin sauce

2 Tbsp lower-sodium soy sauce (green top)

1 Tbsp rice vinegar

2 tsp. roasted red chili paste

1/8 tsp. salt

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Add turkey, garlic and ginger to the pan and cook for about 6 minutes or until turkey is browned.  Stir to crumble.  Combine turkey mixture, onions and chopped water chestnuts in a large bowl, stirring well, and set aside.

Meanwhile in a small bowl, whisk together hoisin, soy sauce, rice vinegar and roasted red chili paste and drizzle over the turkey mixture.  Toss to coat completely.  Add about 1/4 cup turkey mixture to each lettuce leaf.

Servings: 6 Serving Size: 2 lettuce cups with 1/4 cup turkey mixture each Calories: 182 Fat: 7.5 g Carbs: 9.7 g

Fiber: 0.6 g Protein: 19.1 g Points+: 5 pts

Happy Friday everyone!  Try this yummy recipe :).

PLUS I was FEATURED over at my favorite designers Blog Diana Rambles (YES she designed my cute monkey layout).  Please go over and leave some love, click on the button below.

Turkey Burger with a Twist

On Pinterest the other day I saw a Turkey Burger filled with veggies!  I started a new diet this week to try to jazz things up a bit.  The diet is a very low calorie and no carbs, this is a hard one for me but I'm on week two and holding strong!  I even held out and ate the dinner I brought while getting my hair done and everyone at some yummy pizza.  Oh man it was hard but held strong.  I hate when I'm dieting to make everyone suffer with me so I try to find meals that they would like too.  I found this Turkey Burger with Veggies in it.   The veggies they used are not on my allowed veggie list so I tweaked it a little and it came out very yummy.  I added cheese to the boys burgers which they of coursed loved, and just a little grumbled at bit about ground turkey.

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground turkey meat (prefer thigh meat)
1 Red Bell Pepper (This is what I added)

1/2 Bundle Green Onion (This is what I added)
1/2 cup fresh parsley, minced (or whatever fresh herbs you like)
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt (I used Sea Salt)

1 tsp Mrs. Dash (I added this)
1 tsp pepper
cheese (optional)

* Original recipe: I omitted - 1 medium red onion, finely chopped

Mix ingredients together and form 4-6 patties. Grill on medium heat for 7 minutes a side. 2 minutes before burgers are done, place a slice of cheese (optional) on each patty. Serve hot.

Hope you enjoy!

Back to rainy days here so bring on the soup

We have gone from some amazing 70 and 80 degree days to downpour rain.  I must have had my physic hat on when I did my meal plan because when I woke up Monday it was pouring and didn’t stop so my plan for dinner fit so perfect.  Here I thought I was thinking it was just something easy but it turned out to be easy and warming just what we needed.

I found this recipe for Low Fat Lasagna Soup on What’s Cookin’ Italian Style Cuisine that turned out so yummy and the best part was I didn’t spend an hour + making perfect stacks to just come out with goo when I tried to cut into it.  YUP mine never looks like the kind you get in the restaurant standing up and looking all pretty.   Enjoy this soup I promise everyone will love it and not even know it was low fat.

Ingredients:

32 ounces of homemade chicken broth or use canned low sodium 99% fat free
2 lbs of fresh plum tomatoes diced or use a 28 ounce of whole tomatoes rinsed then diced to lower the salt content
2 cups homemade tomato sauce or  jar store bought your favorite kind
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 bell pepper finely chopped (I put mine in the food processor)
1/2 teaspoon each chopped parsley, basil, oregano fresh or dried
4 links of Italian mild turkey sausage snipped in small slices with a kitchen shears
1 pound of ground turkey
1 tablespoon oil
2 cups broken whole grain lasagna noodles
2 teaspoons grating cheese
salt and pepper to taste
pinch of cayenne

(I used canned chicken broth, canned tomatoes, store bought sauce.  I skipped the parsley and cayenne.  I know I should use fresh but you have to go with what you got.)

In a large dutch oven add the tablespoon of olive oil, both meats,  and peppers. Fry until the bottom starts to turn brown, stirring, this takes around 10 minutes. Add garlic and cook one minute. Next add all the liquids and spices. Cook around 20 minutes. Add broken up lasagna noodles and 2 teaspoons grating cheese. Let it cook for another 10 minutes for noodles to soften. Ladle into oven proof bowls, top with shredded fat free or low fat mozzarella cheese and broil till brown. You can also add a dollap of fat free ricotta cheese instead or both.

See I told you it looked yummy!  It was perfect!

Dinner with Friends–Skinny Enchiladas

Our dinner guest came over last week and we had a yummy Enchilada.  I found this skinny Turkey and Black Bean Enchiladas of course on Pinterest but it is one of my favorite sites as you know Skinny Taste.

This recipe was really simple to make and even the kids enjoyed eating it.

Turkey and Black Bean Enchiladas
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 8 • Serving Size: 1 enchilada • Points: 5 pts • Points+: 7 pts
Calories: 278.7 • Fat: 8.7g • Protein: 27.0 g • Carb: 35.6 g • Fiber: 15.1 g
Ingredients:

• 1 lb extra lean ground turkey
• 15.5 can black beans, drained
• 4.5 oz can chopped green chilies
• 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1-2 tsp cumin
• 1/8 tsp chili powder
• salt
• 8 (6-inch) low carb whole wheat flour tortillas
• 1 cup reduced fat shredded Mexican cheese
• nonstick cooking spray

For the Enchilada Sauce:

• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1-2 tbsp chipotle chilies in adobo sauce
• 1-1/2 cups tomato sauce
• 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 3/4 cup fat free chicken broth
• kosher salt and fresh pepper to taste

(I skipped the chipotle chilies)

Directions:
In a medium saucepan, spray cooking spray and sauté garlic. Add chiles, chili powder, cumin, chicken broth, tomato sauce, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reducethe heat to low and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Set aside until ready to use.
In a large skillet brown the turkey and season with salt. When the turkey is browned,add onion, garlic, black beans, cilantro, green chiles, diced tomatoes, cumin and chili powder. Mix well and simmer on low, covered for 20 minutes. Remove lid andsimmer an additional 5-10 minutes to reduce the liquid.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 13 by 9-inch glass baking dish with non-stick spray. Put 1/2 cup turkey mixture into each tortilla and roll it. Place on baking dish seam side down. Top with enchilada sauce and cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and bake in the oven on the middle rack for 20-25 minutes. Top with low fat sour cream, cilantro or scallions if you wish. (Extra points) Makes 8 enchiladas.

Happy Friday!  I will be helping at Cole’s school that is hosting an Olympics at a normal military base.  I hope to get home early and maybe put my feet up.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Tuesday Dinner with Friends … Hamburger Noodle Bake

We got back on our Tuesday dinner with my friend and her son.  It was great to have them back over it has been a few weeks and we were able to let the kids play and we were able to sit and chat and have some wine.  I haven’t been to the grocery store in a while so I’m using what we have in the house.  I found this recipe for Hamburger Noodle Bake on the Weight Watcher website.  I did switch it out with Turkey so I guess mine would be Turkey Noodle Bake!

Ingredients

• 12 oz uncooked no-yolk egg noodles  
• 2 medium uncooked red onion(s), chopped  
• 1 small green pepper(s), yellow pepper or green pepper, chopped  
• 1 1/2 pound(s) uncooked 95% lean ground beef  
• 29 oz canned diced tomatoes  
• 1/3 cup(s) parsley, flat-leaf, chopped  
• 1/4 tsp black pepper  
• 1 1/2 cup(s) low-fat shredded Cheddar cheese  
• 3 3/4 oz Nabisco Ritz Reduced-fat crackers, about 35 crackers  

Instructions

• Cook the noodles according to the package directions, omitting the salt if desired.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
• Spray a large nonstick skillet with nonstick spray and set over medium-high heat. Add the red onion and bell pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Combine the beef mixture, noodles, tomatoes, parsley, and pepper in the baking dish. Stir in the ¾ cup of the cheese. Sprinkle the top with the remaining ¾ cup of cheese and the crackers. Spray the topping with nonstick spray. Bake until hot and the cheese is melted, about 45 minutes.

Now my little tweaks were using Ground Turkey & Whole Wheat Noodles.  This was delish, very easy to throw together and even our little picky eater who usually is not a noodle fan loved it.

Tuesday Friends with Light Comfort Foods

Well I’m back to my normal schedule which is good for my sleep lol.  The extra hours I worked will help us get over the hump.  I will miss the extra hours but it’s a good move what my boss did.  Of course this crazy person had a minor freak out when I first noticed what happened but all is good.  Have I mentioned I have a slight abandonment issue? LOL, so my weeks won’t be a long and crazy and as always I know the Lord will provide until we work at all the changes with Rick’s new job.

We had a great Tuesday night dinner at our house this week.  I have not one but two friends from High School come by for dinner!  One friend had never had ground turkey so I of course had to find a recipe for her to try it out.  Meatloaf is always a hit with the boys so I found this recipe from the Hungry Girls’s Crazy Good Turkey Taco Meatloaf.  It was cheesy and good all wrapped into one!  The whole pan was gone before I could say another word (I did put one a side for Rick).

Next on the request list was for Mac and Cheese, I wanted to find  a healthy version.  This recipe called for winter squash but all I could find was butternut squash which I’ve used before in a mac and cheese so I took a gamble and made it again.  This Macaroni and 4 Cheeses off the food network and it turned out wonderful!

And we must end with dessert so why not a Banana-Peach Smoothie Pie that didn’t set up before our guest where to leave so we had a not set up pie that was super yummy!

Hope you all have a wonderful Friday, it looks like it will be a nice day here.  Maybe I can get the whole family out for a walk or something fun.

Another Boy Pleaser Meal

As you all know by now the boys are all about the meat and potato dishes.  My challenge is finding ways to make it healthier sider.  So I share with you another meatloaf and mashed potato dish.  Both of these were rather simple to make and both boys went back for seconds, Cole even had thirds!

First off is a Skinny Turkey-Spinach Meat Loaf now I did all ground turkey since I had it on hand and no one here seems to mind it.  PLUS I was able to sneak in spinach, which in this house is not that hard except for Rick … lol.

Next on the list was Skinny Garlic Mashed Potatoes from my favorite site Skinnytaste.com.  These were simple to make and the boys of course loved them.  Another simple one but a crowd pleaser!

Hope you find this to your table soon.  Tonight is our Tuesday dinner friends plus we have another friend joining our table tonight.  So we’ll be adding a place and enjoying Old-Fashioned Spaghetti & Meatballs (Eating Healthy) and Lighter Cheesy Garlic Bread.

What’s for dinner tonight?

Twist on Meatloaf & Potato

Last Tuesday due to the snow our Tuesday night dinner friends didn’t make it but I still made up our dinner that was planned.  It was actually good it was just us due to the boys liked this meal so much they ate it all! Cole told me I was the best cook and I need to be on one of the cooking shows I watch … ahh!  Than Caden told me I was a “Cool as Grave Digger” we recently went to Monster Jam …. LOL.  Thank you again to Pinterest you make my meal planning easy!!  When growing up Meatloaf & twiced baked potatoes where something my mom would make all the time.  I love to bring things from my childhood but with out all the calories.  Here are some great twist of family favorites that won’t bust your pants.

I made the meatloaf with ground turkey due to that was on sale the other day and I stocked up!  I found this Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf and I think I may have to make it again soon!

“This is my entry to the Hotpoint family baking competition”

And of of course a side, I loved this one the boys were so so on it.  These Cheesy Twice Baked Potatoes were easy to make (I did them first in the microwave).  The recipe called for baco bites but I did up some turkey bacon!

What is on your menu tonight?  Thank you Pinterest we have Kalyn's Stuffed Cabbage Casserole on our menu for the night.

Tuesday Friends with Full Bellies

Last week was a Mexican meal week, I didn’t realize that while I was making my meal plan for the week. This was super yummy and I can’t believe how easy! This Bubble-Up Enchiladas were a hit even my friends son that is a picky eater.

Then for dessert I made a Apple Oatmeal Crisp, that was easy and way to yummy!

So what is on your menu tonight?

Manic Monday (HG's Funkadelic Chili Mac & Scoopable S'mores Bread Pudding)

Here are a few treats I made for guest.  This first recipe I made is HG's Funkadelic Chili Mac.  I doubled it to have enough for the family and had enough to bring to my birthday BBQ party.  It was a hit with everyone. 

When I went to get my hair done at Rick’s cousin’s house I had to of course bring along something.  This Scoopable S'mores Bread Pudding looked so good I had to try it out.  OK people WARNING … as you may notice the pre backed photo is of mini marshmallows.  Well when they say be careful when under the broil because it will BURN.  TRUST me it will burn and stink!  Now my second time you see they are on the brown side, yes I let it go a little too long again. NOT as bad as the first time that was unsalvageable!  BUT s’mores outside are a little brown so this time was perfect .

Happy Monday everyone, I need to add the link up again soon I will .  I want to make sure I have a following to do the meme.

Tuesday Dinner Guest Means Burger & Pie (But Skinny Style)

Cole had to do his school singing to close out the school year today (today is his last day at 1st grade). So Momma was busy busy last night, so I'm throwing up a meal I made for our Tuesday night Dinner Guest. Enjoy!

First I started with some Homemade Hamburger Rolls. I switched out with some whole wheat flour and let my bread maker do the dough process.

Next was to make the Turkey Burgers with Zucchini. Very yummy!!!

And what is a dinner with out a special treat! This Low Fat Strawberry No-Bake Cheesecake was very very yummy and perfect for summer!

Happy Friday everyone!

Trying to be Healthy for the family & of course the dog to!

As many of you know I’ve been going to the gym every day and trying to eat better. I found an AMAZING site that has some great weight watcher meals that are easy to make. Go check out Skinny Taste for lot’s to choose from and you can even sort by points!

First we start with one of MY FAVORITES these meatballs were so tasty and I had to watch it so I didn’t eat them all! Asian Turkey Meatballs with Lime Sesame Sauce.

And a taste and great way to get kids to eat greens . Baked Zucchini Sticks.

And something taste and healthy for the doggy. My all time favorite place for dog recipes is Doggy Dessert Chef. She posted this Peanut Cinnamon Roll, that Jake actually will run to his cage just to get one!

I'm linking up to: Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays, Tasty Tuesdays, Tasty Tuesday,Tuesday at the Table, Delectable Tuesday, Delicious Dishes, Totally Tasty Tuesday,Hearth and Soul and Thursday Recipe Swap Meet.

We Continue Our Ground Turkey Journey

Happy Tuesday, well I'm not so sure it's happy but well it's another day. My little negative voice (aka person who drives me nuts) is trying to now work others around me to I swear make me loose my mind! One day they will get it that commenting on my weight! UGH, I'm inserting my head in the oven now :). So onto food because that helps keep my skinny ... hehe.

First off is a super yummy recipe! Debbie does healthy did one version and I went with the original roll version from Once a Month Mom. I'm in love with these meatloaf rolls!

Last on my list was a Cheesy Broccoli Rice. Come on don't let the name fool you I used brown rice, ground turkey and 98% FF Cream of Mushroom. Now take that hater!!!

I'm linking up to: Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays, Tasty Tuesdays, Tasty Tuesday,Tuesday at the Table,Delectable Tuesday, Delicious Dishes , Totally Tasty Tuesday, Hearth and Soul and Thursday Recipe Swap Meet.

Manic Monday Meals ~ It's a Turkey & Pasta Day (3 Recipes)

Happy Monday, another weekend that just flew by and I even got some cleaning done .. lol :). As you can tell I'm on a ground turkey kick. I'm trying to find new ways to switch it out in as many recipes as I can find! Hope you find one or more you may enjoy!

First on the list is Cheeseburger Pasta I adapted from Taste of Home.

Next on the list was my first attempt at stuffed shells. It was actually pretty easy to make and the boys LOVED them!!! Caden who usually only eats one bite went for SECONDS and Cole hungry boy had THREE helpings! Yes this was a HIT. Recipe adapted from The Comfort of Cooking.

And last but NOT least is a recipe from Alex at Ma What's for Dinner she is an amazing cook with meals that are simple but will give you that wow factor!! Recipe for Baked Ziti.