Easter Bunny Says Whoa!!!

I slept like a big fat log last night! I think I was weighted down with all that food! This morning when I woke up, I had no desire for any type of food at all. Usually when I overeat, I feel more hungry the next morning, but not today -blech! Since nothing was appealing, I decided to try out something reaaaaally different. I have been seeing "green smoothies" all over the blogosphere lately. Basically, it's a smoothie made with a mix of veggies and/or fruit. Some use a form of milk, some just use water. I have been intrigued by them, although a bit hesitant to try them because they look, well, like swamp water! Since no food was going to pass my lips this morning, I thought it a good time to try this out; plus I had a huge bag of kale waiting for me to figure out what to do with it. Here's what I came up with...

• 2 handfuls kale
• 1/2 banana
• 1/2 c. pineapple
• 5.3 oz container Oikos Nonfat Vanilla Greek Yogurt
• 1/2 c. water

Isn't it swampy pretty?????

But, how does it taste??? Yeah, I was thinking the same thing! I was a little nervous to try it, so luckily the Easter Bunny was left lying on the floor by the messy daughters still hanging out at my house and was happy to try out this 4 POINT wonder...

And he said...

Whoa!!! It sure was interesting! I didn't dislike it, but wouldn't say I loved it:) I think what threw it off was the addition of the yogurt; it added a little too much tang for me. I put it in because I was worried that just the veg/fruit wouldn't stick with me for very long, so I thought it would add a good protein shot. I'll definitely try this again; I bet with some tweaking of ingredients, it would be really good. If you've tried this, I'm open to any suggestions!

After my green experience, I headed to the treadmill for another run. I felt tired, but I managed to crank out 45 min. Glad I did; I always feel so good after a run!

Lunchtime was paninis for everyone. Mine was leftover ham, 1 oz. Cabot's 75% reduced fat cheddar and a squirt of dijonnaise on Trader Joe's Sprouted Flourless Wheat Bread. I had 1/2 apple, pineapple and some carrots for the side. A very healthy 6 POINT lunch...

Later in the afternoon, I started to feel munchie. I had just the right snack in mind. Last week, Robyn from Gnu Foods sent me these cool bars...

I was looking forward to trying them! Not only are they all-natural with no high-fructose corn syrup, but they have the most fiber in a baked bar - 12 grams!!!! Best of all, the bars are only 130-140 calories and between 3-5 gr. fat which works out to only 2 POINTS!! I received samples of Banana Walnut, Peanut Butter, Cinnamon Raisin, Orange Cranberry and Chocolate Brownie. They all sounded so good, I had trouble picking which to dive into first. I was tempted to go with Chocolate Brownie, but I decided on the Peanut Butter...

It is a very healthy looking bar...

As soon as I opened it, I could smell the peanut butter! I have to say that I absolutely LOVED this bar!!! It had a great peanut butter taste and a nice chewy texture. A little "seedy"; I believe that's the millet, but I enjoyed that bit of texture. This was a terrific 2 POINT snack and good for you! These bars are available at Trader Joe's and The Vitamin Shoppe stores along with www.GnuFoods.com . I'm looking forward to trying out the other flavors. Thanks, Robyn!!

That bar held me over so well that I wasn't in a big hurry for dinner. Actually, I made dinner for the husband and daughters (and daughter's friend!) and waited a bit for my own. I decided on Stuffed Pepper Soup from the freezer. I also added 1/2 c. leftover cannellini beans. This made it an extra hearty 4 POINT bowl...

I also dug in to an Arnold Sandwich Thin with 1 tbsp. white bean hummus for another 2 POINTS...

Ugh, I was full after all that! However, this caught my eye ...

and I "forced" myself to have 1/2 c. for 4 POINTS. Boy, real ice cream tastes gooooood....

Glad I was able to get back on track today and not let the overindulgence of yesterday continue on. Although, the leftover ricotta pie was calling my name! I didn't answer. Today ;)

Have a great night!!

Here's Johnny

I'm starting to feel a little like Jack Nicholson in The Shining; cooped up and going stir crazy! I have not crashed through any doors, saying, "here's Johnny", but it was getting close! A little too much togetherness with little daughter, plus she's feeling better, so she was extra nudgy :) In honor of her "last day" home, I made her breakfast in (my) bed. I sat next to her with my breakfast of 3 scrambled egg whites topped with fresh salsa and 1 oz. lite mozzarella and a toasted Thomas' Light English Muffin; all for 3 POINTS...

We did some schoolwork after eating and I got in some laundry. Before I knew it, it was time for lunch. I found something new for me at the grocery store that I have been wanting to try...

I found these store brand Soy Crisps on the shelf with the rice cake-type items which was probably the right place as that would be exactly how I would describe them. I chose the cheddar flavor which I liked; it was a mild cheddar, not too overpowering. They also came in a ranch and barbeque flavor which sound good, too! A serving of Soy Crisps is about 19 chips and come in at 120 cal., 3 gr. fat, 2 gr. fiber and 7 gr. protein! They are transfat free and cholesterol free, too! A great "chip alternative" for only 2 POINTS!

Along with the Soy Crisps, I made a white bean hummus melt which was inspired by Cooking With Anne , a wonderful blogger who amazed me with her "from scratch" cooking and food budgeting skills for a family of 9! My version of this open faced sammie was made with 2 tbsp. of my homemade white bean hummus spread on a Weight Watchers Pita and topped with sliced tomato and 1 oz. Cabot's 75% Reduced Fat Cheddar and run under the broiler to melt the cheese. I had a sliced apple to round out this yummy 7 POINT lunch...

This was a nice filling lunch and really didn't leave me wanting much in the way of a snack this afternoon. I did have a cup of coffee with fat free half and half for 1 POINT as a warm treat, but no munching. I feel the munchiness from the past few days beginning to subside (thankfully), so I should be completely back on track this coming week!

For dinner, I decided to make myself something special that I KNOW the rest of the family would NEVER eat!! SHRIMP! Eeewwww, they say. I told them that something is wrong with their mouths ;) So, my faaaaabulous dinner was Salsa Shrimp with Feta over Whole Wheat Couscous! I sauteed 8 oz. large shrimp in a nonstick pan with cooking spray, added about 1/2 c. fresh salsa until heated through. I poured this over 1 c. whole wheat couscous and topped it with 1 oz. lite feta cheese. An amazing 8 POINT dinner...

I ended the night with another No Pudge Brownie iced with PB2. So rich and decadent tasting for 3 POINTS...

So, tomorrow little daughter is back in action and so am I! I am really looking forward to a nice outdoor run in the morning! Gee, never thought I would hear myself say THAT! Strange, but true =)

Have a great night! Oh, and stay tuned for my first ever giveaway this Friday!!!