Roni’s Weight Watchen Page(s) - Take 2 (the rebuild)

Posted on April 29th, 2007 3:25 pm

I had a craving and made pizza today.  It came out so pretty I thought I’d share.  :)

You can, of course, replace the veggie toppings with your favorites, this is just what I had on hand.  Man, I wish my herb garden was ready.  Some fresh basil would have been delish!

• Whole Wheat pizza dough (1lb) (I use Trader Joes brand)
• About ¾ cup of sauce (I use homemade)
• 2oz Mozzarella Cheese seperated
• 1oz fancy shredded mexican cheese blend (or just cheddar)
• 1 cup raw broccoli florets chopped
• 1 small tomato diced
• Ground black pepper

Preheat coven to 425 degrees

Prepare dough as instructed. 

I place the dough on a pizza stone lined with aluminum foil sprayed with non-stick cooking spray because I always have problem with sticking crust.  If you don’t have a stone, I’ve also formed the dough in a sprayed cookie sheet with good results. 

Smear sauce on raw dough, top with 1oz mozzarella and 1oz Mexican cheese blend.  Add the on broccoli, tomato and then top with the remaining 1oz moz cheese.  Sprinkle with fresh ground black pepper.

Bake for about 10 minutes, cheese should bubble.

The Trader Joe’s dough is awesome! 2 points a slice for the dough.  With controlling the amount of cheese my whole pizza is only about 25 points.  I think?!?  If you make 8 slices that’s only 3 points a slice!

Labels: DinnerIdeas

Posted on April 28th, 2007 12:40 pm

I told you I was having that “full fridge inspiration”.  This makes a huge batch and can freeze in single servings easily to bring for lunches. 

I also measured the ingredients for a change!  I probably would have had made it a bit spicier if I didn’t.  Experiment with the amounts and have fun.

• Non-stick cooking spray (or about tsp of olive oil)
• 1 thick slice of sweet onion diced (or a small yellow onion)
• 1 green bell pepper diced
• 1 red bell pepper diced
• 1 medium zucchini diced
• About 1 cup fresh green beans chopped
• Dash of salt
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• Can of diced tomatoes un-drained (the kind with green chilis would be good but I didn’t have any)
• 2 cans of chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 can of kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
• About 2 cups of cooked brown rice (I used the instant kind of uncle bens – 1 bag)

Spray a large pot with non-stick cooking spray. Sauté the onion over medium heat, once they start to get transparent and softer add all the other vegetables. Stir. Sprinkle with the salt, chili powder, cumin and paprika. Continue stirring over medium heat allowing the flavors to mix. 

Add the diced tomatoes, broth, beans and rice.  Continue cooking over medium heat for about 10 minutes.  Turn off heat and the soup will continue to cook (this is my attempt at not overcooking the veggies).

Points? I’m thinking super low.  It makes a HUGE pot, at least 6 servings if not more.  Recipe builder anyone? My guess is 6 servings 2-3 points a piece.  

Labels: DinnerIdeas

A few weeks ago, a Publicist contacted me and asked if I would review a book to include on my site. First, this FLOORED me! Who am I to review a book? Especially considering I’m not the workout queen and the book is about exercise routines.

I used it as a sign. I need to incorporate more exercise and structured workouts into my life and who can’t do some work on their arms, belly and bottom? Oh! Did I mention the name of the books is Tank Top Arms, Bikini Belly, Boy Shorts Bottom: Tighten And Tone Your Body In As Little As 10 Minutes A Day?

The book is organized into three different workouts for different skill levels. Three weeks ago, I started the novice routine. I normally do a 10-15 minute routine right before bed (not sure this is recommended but it’s about the only time I have time). The book has taught me some new moves and I’ve actually been enjoying the workouts.

I haven’t seen any results yet but I feel stronger. A few days last week I was a bit sore, always a good sign you are using muscles you haven’t in awhile!

As for the book itself, it’s easy to read. A majority of it is devoted to describing and illustrating the moves. Towards the back, the author puts together routines that allow you to vary your workouts from day to day. I love the fact that the workouts don’t require much more then some hand weights. They are all basic moves concentrating on those “certain areas” mentioned in the title.

I had one small problem (besides the awkward title.) The routine section of the book does not reference the page numbers of the moves. Therefore, until you are comfortable with the workout you are constantly thumbing through. I found it easier to write down the page numbers on the routine page incase I have to look something up quick.

Overall I would recommend it if you are looking for some new moves. It really does give you some quick routines that are easy to incorporate into your daily life.

There you have it, my first book review! Anyone else have the book?

Labels: BookReviews, review

Posted on April 25th, 2007 8:39 pm

I had a plan to make these on the grill but it rained.  :~(

• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 packet of splenda
• 1 tbsp molasses (or honey would work)
• 2 salmon fillets
• 2 bell peppers cut into strips
• 1-2 thick slices of sweet onion chopped

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix the soy sauce, splenda and molasses and marinade the salmon fillets in the mixture while preparing the other ingredients.

Place each salmon fillet on a large sheet of aluminum foil. Add the pepper strips, onions and pour the excess marinade mixture over the top. Fold the foil around the fillets to form packets. Tightly seal packets and place in a baking dish. Bake for about 20 minutes until salmon is flaky (or place on the grill over medium heat).  When you open the foil packets, watch the steam!

I served with a side of rice.  Points depend on the size of the salmon fillet, the marinade only adds about a point total.  

Update 8/14/2007 - I made this again, this time skipping the splenda and adding broccoli to the packets. YUM-O and more veggies!

Labels: DinnerIdeas

This was originally posted around April 23, 2007

I found these today at Target. Someone might have mentioned them to me before, I can’t remember. Anyway, they are REALLY good, similar to Wheat Thins in texture and size. I weighed out a serving and was quit impressed at the serving size for 130 calories, 6 g of fat and 5 g of fiber.

There is another flavor but my favorite is Multi-grain. Anyone else try them?

Oh and the toddler LOVES them. ;~)

Labels: FoodFinds

Originally Posted on April 19th, 2007 8:54 pm

• About 2 cups brown rice (I used the minute kind by Uncle Ben)
• 1 thick slice of sweet onion finely diced
• 3-4 gloves garlic minced
• About 2 peppers finely diced (I used about ½ each of a red, green, and yellow)
• About 1 cup baby spinach leaves (I packed them into a measuring cup) chopped
• Soy Sauce
• Ground Ginger
• Non-stick cooking spray

I prepared the rice according to the package (which was 90 seconds in the microwave). 

Spray a non-stick frying pan with non-stick coking spray and cook the onion and garlic over medium heat until soft and turning transparent.  Add the diced pepper and stir in the rice. Add the spinach, sprinkle on soy sauce and ground ginger. Cook for a few minutes and the spinach will condense down.

That’s it!

I served tilapia on the side.  I wasn’t planning on it so I only had frozen fillets.  I brushed each one with a bit of soy sauce mixed with a couple of dashes of ginger and a packet of splenda. I baked them in a preheated 425-degree oven for about 20 minutes.  They came out really moist! I was surprised.

Points for the rice would just be the rice.  Everything else is “free”!

Labels: DinnerIdeas