On A Roll

It was a busy day; I headed out earlier than expected to help my parents with Gram's moving day. Before I left, I had a delish bowl of cereal - 3/4 c. Quaker Crunchy Corn Bran, 4 strawberries, 4 dried apricots and 1/2 c. unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze for 3 POINTS. The dried apricots made it taste really good and added another good dose of fiber...


Before I left to help out at Gram's new apartment, I grabbed another one of the SoBe Lifewater ...


Loved this one, too! I have one more flavor to try. Maybe, tomorrow!

I knew we would be busy unpacking boxes and setting up the apartment, so I brought my lunch. I planned ahead and decided to make my own veggie burger - Chickpea Spinach Almond Burgers. These are so tasty; a bit reminiscent of a falafel patty. For this recipe, you'll need...

• 1 can chick peas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed
• 1/3 c. chopped onion
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 c. baby spinach
• 1/4 c. whole almonds, roasted then coarsely chopped
• 2 egg whites
• 1/4 c. dried breadcrumbs
• 1/8 tsp. dried thyme
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 2 tbsp. chopped parsley

1. In a food processor, combine chick peas, onion, garlic , spinach and almonds. Pulse for 30 sec. or until coarsely chopped.
2. Add remaining ingredients and process for 20 seconds. The mixture should be coarse, not a smooth paste.
3. Using a heaping 1/3 c., form mixture into 6 burgers approx. 4" in diameter.
4. Chill for 1 hour or overnight.
5. In a nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, cook burgers for 4 minutes per side.

I put my recipe through the Etools Recipe Builder and came up with 6 burgers at 3 POINTS per burger. I roasted my almonds for a nuttier taste, but feel free to put in natural almonds. I'm sure it would be just as yummy.

Lunch was served on a paper towel, standing in Gram's new kitchen, due to lack of plates and seating at the time! I had my Chickpea Spinach Almond Burger on an Arnold Sandwich Thin with some shredded lettuce and a side of pretzels, carrot and apple. A working 7 POINT lunch...

I picked up little daughter from school just in time to turn back around and head to dance class. My stomach was growling, so I grabbed this snack for the car...

I have to say what I like about these bars is that, they do not leave you wanting more. I know that doesn't sound good, but it is! You know how you eat a bar sometimes (especially ClifZ bars or Weight Watchers Mini Bars) that are really sweet and good, almost dessert-like and when you eat your last bite, you still want more of it? It's like a trigger for more sweets. Well, these bars are just sweet enough that it leaves you satisfied instead of triggering for more goodies. At least, that's what I've found for me. Anyone try these and have the same experience?

Since everything was all rushed today, I didn't get to make the chicken dish that I had planned on. Instead, I picked up ready-made fried chicken from the supermarket and a bagged salad kit and served that to my thrilled family. Not only were they thrilled to be eating some unhealthy meal, but they were also thrilled to be eating OUTSIDE because the freakin rain has finally stopped and the sun was O-U-T! WHOOO HOO!

I did not want to partake in the unhealthiness, but was too starving to conjure up some fabulous meal for myself, so I went into my freezer and whipped up my favorite Lean Cuisine - Parmesan Crusted Fish! I added a side of Green Giant Immune Blend veg, too. A great, quick 7 POINT dinner - al fresco (whooo hooo)...

Since I didn't get my workout in this morning, I headed to the basement after dinner for a sweaty 35 weighted minutes on the elliptical! Yay me!

I wanted a tiny bit of sweet after my workout, but wasn't in the mood for my regular desserts. Can you believe I just said that?? I think that was due to some kind of weird exercise induced momentary illness! Anyway, I opted for this 1 POINT treat...

Yes, fruit for dessert! I should go take my temperature ;)

Well, dare I say that I seem to be "on a roll" with sticking to my program this week? Usually when I say that, I shoot myself in the foot the next day! But, I think I'm ready for the next step now - GOAL, GOAL, GOAL!!!

Here's my last reminder for you on the awesome Dogtoys giveaway! The contest ends tomorrow at 12 noon EST, so click HERE to enter to win these cool items for you and your pup to have fun with!!!!