RECIPE: Taco Soup 1pt

Oh my gosh !  I got this recipe from www.chubbiechica.com .  I wasn't sure how good it would be being only 1 pt.  But WOW, it was really good and I loved it !!!!  I was full after 1 1/2 servings!

Taco Soup
Serves 6 @ 1 pt.

Ingredients:
14.5 ounce canned diced tomatoes
14.5 ounce canned diced tomatoes with chilis
14.5 ounce canned Mexican corn with chilis
15.5 ounce can black beans
15.5 ounce can red kidney beans
1 large onion, chopped
1 package taco seasoning mix
1 package ranch salad dressing mix (dry)

Prep:
Saute onion with vegetable oil cooking spray. When softened, combine all other ingredients and cook until heated through.  Serving size is 1 cup!
And yes - eat more than 1 cup.  Maybe 2 ....ok, go for 3!

Chipotle Lunch

Me and the kids went to Chipotle for lunch Saturday while we were out shopping.  Since I started WW, I had to really think about what I was going to order.You can get Chipotle's Nutrition Information here. 

So, I ordered the Chicken Burrito Bowl.  I only ate half of it and my points were 5 !  Not too bad.

Five Question Friday #2

This weeks Questions:

1. Would you ever vacation alone?
    I don't think it would be much fun to vacation alone. I would like to have someone else around for company and to talk to.

2. Do you go the speed limit?
When I was younger, I wouldn't go the speed limit ever!!!  I was always speeding.  However, now, I almost always go the speed limit. 

3. Why did you start blogging/ following blogs?
I started blogging because I wanted some way to keep a type of journal.  I started following blogs because I enjoyed reading about other people's lives.

4. Where do you shop for yourself?
Are you kidding?  Shop for myself??  When does that happen??  Well, I shop at the Apple store :)  But for clothes, Target and Dots mostly.

5. What was the song that you danced your first dance with your spouse at your wedding?
I am just going to plead the 5th on this.  I really don't remember the song !

You've Been Warned by James Patterson

 

I finished this book tonight!  Another great book by James Patterson!  I am not sure if I like it better than the Women's Murder Club books or not.  I really was hoping for a "twist" at the end.

Taco Bell's Fresco Menu + Weight Watchers

I decided to start keeping a list of "low" point items from some of the Fast Food places so I can choose what to eat better.

Below is a list of menu items from their new Fresco menu.  I figured points based on the Nutrition Guide on their website. 

Fresco Crunchy Taco = 3 pts.
Fresco Ranchero Chicken Soft Taco = 3 pts
Fresco Grilled Steak Soft Taco = 3 pts
Fresco Soft Taco - Beef = 4 pts
Fresco Burrito Supreme Steak = 6 pts
Fresco Burrito Supreme Chicken = 7 pts
Fresco Bean Burrito = 7 pts

Thankful Thursday !

Things I am Thankful for today !!!

 

·         The Weekly points allowance that Weight Watchers has in addition to your daily points !  This morning I caved big time and stopped at Sonic on the way to work and got French Toast Sticks ~ EKKKK 12 Points ! that is HALF my points for the day !

·         That my hubby will be home Sunday, even if only till Tuesday (gotta love the Navy). Since he left a month ago, I have had a frozen water pipe, problems with his truck (check engine light), had to change the air filters in the upstairs attic (not as simple as it sounds), install blinds in a room, jump off his truck, clean the garage out, and split wood !

·         I have an incredible job.  Almost a year ago I was laid off from Dick’s Sporting Goods.  It took me till October to find a job, but I hit the jackpot with this job, I love it !!!

·         I have time to read at night.  I have become a bit of a reading addict this year soo far.

·         Tonight is YOYO (your on your own) night for dinner !!

·         My boss made it thru surgery Tuesday and is doing Incredible !   He found out he has colon cancer and had the tumor removed.  He will be starting Chemo in a few weeks.

·         To have a Blog to write about things and get to know others.

 

 

Wordless Wednesday - I WON !!!!

I entered at My Army Life Wife and I WON !!!!

WW Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Weight Watchers Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Ingredients:
1 chicken whole, no skin, cut up
2 medium Carrots — peeled and chopped
1/2 cup onion — peeled and chopped
2 Stalks celery — coarsely chopped
2 1/2 teaspoon Salt
2 teaspoon parsley
3/4 teaspoon marjoram
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/4 teaspoon Poultry seasoning
1/4 teaspoon Pepper
1 Bay leaf
2 qt Water
2 1/2 cups egg noodles
Directions:
Place the first 4 ingredients in a 3 1/2-quart slow cooker in the order listed. Combine salt and the next 6 ingredients; sprinkle over vegetables. Add 6 cups water; cover and cook on low setting for 8 to 10 hours. Remove chicken and bay leaf; add remaining 2 cups water. Stir in noodles and cook, covered, on high setting for 20 minutes. Meanwhile remove bones from chicken and cut chicken into bite-size pieces. Add to slow cooker, stir to mix. Cook for 15 minutes on high setting, covered or until noodles are tender. Makes 3 1/4 quarts.
Serves 10
Each Serving = 1 Weight Watchers Point

Missing the base life

I had someone ask me today what my husband does.  I told them he was in the Navy … and they asked me if I was sure ????  WHAT? REALLY?  Do they think I don’t know what where my husband works?

 

Here is the problem. We are stationed NOWHERE near water!  Nor near a base at all !  Why do people think the Navy is ONLY ships?

 

 

Well, we have been here for over a year now and although we are still active duty, the closest base is an hour away.  I really miss living on base.  Here are some of the reasons I miss it.

·         The “family” feeling

·         Going to the bowling alley (cheap bowling)

·         Going to the movie (cheap)

·         Commissary !!!

·         People understanding (somewhat) the military life

 

I am sure there are a lot more reasons, but I can’t think of any at the moment.

 

 

 

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I did NOT clean the garage out yesterday and find oil STILL in the pot from frying the turkey on Christmas.

I did NOT cheat on Weight Watchers only after being on it for 3 days.

I did NOT jealous my husband is in Hawaii and has been all month !

I did NOT just join the 30 Day Wii Fit Challenge after seeing it on someone’s Not Me! Monday.  Check is out here.

Getting to Know You #1

I decided to participate in "Getting to know you" over at MannLand5 .

The questions..

1. Waffles, pancakes or french toast?

   Waffles -- with peanut butter and bananas

2. Dream home..What would it look like?

   A big old farm house !!

3. Favorite sport to watch during the Winter Olympics?

   Any of the skiing sports and hockey.

4. The first word that comes to mind when describing yourself?

   Bubbley

5. Dresses, pants (jeans, leggings, etc.) or skirts?

   Jeans !!!

6. What is your favorite time of day?

   The first hour I am at work in the morning because I get the most work done :)  AND the hour before bed when I get to read.

7. Beach or Mountains..which do you prefer?

  Hard one!  I love both the Beach and the Mountains !  Being a Military wife, I have lived in soo many places and I enjoy the beach in the summer and the mountains in the winter!!

8.Will you watch the Super Bowl?
   I won't watch the actual game, but I will watch the commercials !

Menu Plan Monday 1/25 - 1/31

 

http://orgjunkie.com/2010/01/menu-plan-monday-jan-25th.html

Monday

Corn Tortilla Chicken Lasagna

Tuesday

Crockpot Potato Soup

Green salad

Wednesday

YoYo (aka:your on your own)

Thursday

Cheesy Chili Mac  -- Weight Watchers Recipe

Salad

Fresh Fruit

Friday

Frozen Pizza

Saturday

Taco Soup

Tortilla Chips

Sunday

Easy Chicken Parm

Brocolli

Salad

Bread

WW Day#3

Yesterday I went and got groceries, I bought alot of the WW brand things, cause it was easy.  However with my snacks.  I usually just eat what I buy for the kids.

I got home and figured the points for each of the items and wrote it on the package.  Today, I got the snack size ziplock bags and wrote the name of the snack and Points on the outside.  Then, with the help of my kids, counted out a serving and put it in the ziplock bag.  I did that for all of my snacks.  I put them all in a gallon size bag to take to work and put in my desk. 

Now, while I am at work and want a snack, I will have them and know exactly how many points they are !

Book Wish List

I had been making a list in my phone of the books I want to read... by the looks of my list, I am going to have to get busy reading!!!  There really isn't enough time in the day.


The 8th Confession -- James Patterson (ordered paperback, available 2/23)
Life As I Know It -- Melanie Rose
Blood Ties -- Kay Hooper
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo -- Stieg Larsson (on the wait list at the library)
The Girl who Played with Fire -- Stieg Larsson
The Girl who Kicked the Hornets Nest -- Stieg Larsson
Heat Wave -- Richard Castle
Guilt Pleasure -- Lora Leigh
Witch & Wizard -- James Patterson
Fat Hoochie Prom Queen -- Nico Medina
Sleep No More -- Greg Iles
A Reliable Wife -- Robert Goolrick

Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson

I love James Patterson, as you can tell by the books I read.  However, this books just wasn't the James Patterson I like.  It was too much of a love story for me.  It did have a good story line, but it wasn't what I expected from him.

TV Shows -- likes

I haven't had much time to watch a lot of TV lately, but I have some new faves!

Me and Kaleb started watching Season 1 of Dexter --> this was a show I never thought I would like, in fact, I was sceptical when I was watching the first episode, but now I am sucked in !  We finished Season 1 and will start Season 2 soon !!

Burn Notice --> I started watching this because Rik liked it.  Now, I love it !!

NCIS: Los Angeles --> I loved NCIS, and this is even better !  Hayley even loves this show!!!!

I have a ton of things on the DVR that I really need to watch... maybe soon.

Weight Watchers

Well, after alot of thought, I decided to start weight watchers !  I have heard a lot of good things about it and some friends who have had success !  I am really hoping it helps !  :)

I am doing the online version of it and I was thrilled when I saw there is an App for my iPhone!!

Of course, tonight we are going to dinner at The Cotton Patch Cafe and wouldn't you know, they don't have a the nutritional information for their foods :(  So, I am going to have to take a wild wild guess !

Wish me luck on my new adventure to loose weight !

Five Question Friday #1

One of the sites I follow does Five Question Friday and I thought I would try it, since I am trying to be better about blogging. You should try it too :)



1. What is better, growing old without money or dying young and wealthy?
I would say growing old without money because you can’t take money to heaven with you, but you can take memories.

2. Who takes out the garbage at your house?
My son takes out the garbage, it is one of his chores !

3. Have you ever had the same dream many times? 
I don’t know,  I guess that means most likely not … LOL

4. Can you play a musical instrument? 
Yes, I can play the trumpet and clarinet.

5. If you owned your own store, what would you sell? 
Hard question.  I would probably sell all kinds of things.  If I was to sell what I know, it would have to be Mac’s and crafts.  If I was to sell things I enjoy it would be books, how awesome would it be to have a book store and be able to read all the time !!

Teenage driver

I have to say, all the stress and freaking out I did when Shelby learned to drive is paying off.  He just got his license on New Years Eve.  Since Rik is away, he gets to drive his truck to school all month and he drive him and Kaleb to the Fire Dept. training every Monday.  I am really enjoying the Monday nights free :)  Last night I realized how great this is with him having his license.  I got home from work and realized I hadn't planned anything for dinner and didn't feel like cooking.  So, I sent Shelby to Sonic to get burgers !!!  It was awesome not having to go back out after getting home to get dinner !  I think I may learn to like this.

Trying out a new layout ...

Found this cool free background/ Template .... trying it out....

Sony Touch Reader giveaways !!!

**edited to add another**


There is an awesome giveaway for military members.  Here are a few of the sites:

Military Avenue


A little of what she is saying:



"My husband's year long deployment to the sandbox taught me all about the wonders of technology. The beauty of communicating via webcam most nights was an amazing blessing! In only his first days of being settled at this base in Iraq I wrote: "We Have Established Communication". Isn't it amazing where technology has brought us in the last century, the last decade, even just a few years?

I recently had the opportunity to use a Sony Touch, a hand-held, portable, digital e-book. This is cool stuff! Although there is something about turning the pages of a real book as you enter your own little world, I have to admit the Sony Touch digital e-book has A LOT of appeal. I can go online and purchase books and have them automatically downloaded; even better I can go to my local library's website and download a book for free, if they have it in stock! The beauty of the Sony model is the versatility. You aren't limited to as many book-formats as some readers. The Sony Reader is able to read SEVERAL eBook formats!"


Hellcat Betty

Here is what she is saying about it, "A while back I was contacted about doing a giveaway, and now the time has come to share the details...
I am teaming up with Borders booksellers to give away a Sony Touch e-reader to an active duty U.S. service member!!! I couldn't be more excited! And just in time for Valentine's Day! The e-reader is valued at $300 and will come pre-loaded with 10 books (chosen by Borders). If the winning service member is deployed, they will ship the e-reader to the APO address. Sah-weeeet!"

A Yummy Mummy on a Pink Park Bench

Here is what she is saying, "Who out there has always wanted a library in their purse?

*raising hand fanatically* Oh, me! ME! ME! ME!

Wait, sorry.  I forgot this is for you guys, not me.

Well, with the Sony Touch Reader you can have just that.  A library and a bookstore in your pocket.  Yep, an entire library and bookstore in 10.1 ounces of technology.  And with the awesome screen technology called E Ink VizplexTM it really is just like reading a book. The screen looks more like ink on paper and is completely readable in the sunlight."

Army Household 6

Here is what she is saying, "
So yesterday — I talked about the Sony Reader Touch Edition and how awesome and perfect it was for our military community!
As promised –  now its YOUR turn to win one! (and comes preloaded with 10 books!!!!) Yes you read that right — one lucky reader will get one for FREE just in time for a Valentine’s Day delivery !!!!! (they retail for $299)"

I like zebras :)

I found this cool zebra background !!!  I need to do a new header now  .. lol :)

WW: Flying

>

Go Ask Alice by Anonymous

I read this book over the weekend.  It was written in the early 70's (when I was born).  Supposedly it's a real diary from a 13 year girl who becomes a drug addict.  I am not sure I agree that it is a real diary, but I can say it is a great book.  It is very enlightening into the life of a teenager.  I know times are different now, but I am sure kids are having the same experiences.  I recommend this book to anyone who is a parent, it will really open your eyes !!!

Dear John...

I finished reading Dear John this weekend and it was great !   I can’t wait to see the movie. 

I am not much of a romance reader, I prefer mystery J  This book wasn’t a sappy romance, it was a great love story.  I liked the fact that I could relate with John being military.  It helped that I was continually picturing Tatum as John.

Hope

Dear John

I am not much of a romance book reader, but after seeing the previews for the movie, I decided I needed to read this book.

I started it last night and I am already sucked in.

7th Heaven by James Patterson

I just finished 7th Heaven by James Patterson.  AWESOME book !  The twist at the end was great!  I ordered the next book, but it won't be shipped until the middle of next month so I am off to find a new book to read.  i am thinking I should choose another author since I have been reading James Patterson non-stop for a few months.

Week 1 of working out.

Well, today is Monday and I will be starting my workout routine.... let's see how this goes.. LOL

OH the life of a Navy Wife

OH the life !!  Rik is gone and of course, this need to be done.  First, I put blinds up in Shelby's room !!  Then realized we had a frozen pipe :(   After a bunch of buckets of hot water poured on the outside spicket--- we finally had water upstairs.

Also, had to split wood !

Week 1 : 1/10- 1/16

Next week I will be starting a new running routine.  I plan on doing 3 days of running, and 2 days of the Wii. 

 

Week 1

 

Day 1 :

·          5 min. brisk walk warm-up

·         60 sec. jogging

·         90 sec. walking

·         TOTAL 20 minutes

Day 2:

·         5 min. brisk walk warm-up

·         60 sec. jogging

·         90 sec. walking

·         TOTAL 20 minutes

Day 3:

·         5 min. brisk walk warm-up

·         60 sec. jogging

·         90 sec. walking

·         TOTAL 20 minutes

 

 

Books of 2009

Books I read in 2009 ~!!!

• 4th of July by James Patterson -- 12/09
• 3rd Degree by James Patterson -- 12/09
• 2nd Chance by James Patterson -- 11/09
• 1st to Die by James Patterson -- 11/09
• Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen -- 10/09
• An Ice Cold Grave by Charlaine Harris -- 09/09
• The Front by Patricia Cornwell -- 09/09
• Honeymoon by James Patterson -- 09/09
• Red Headed Step Child by Jay Wells -- 09/09
• SEALed with a Promise by Mary Margret Daughtridge -- 08/09
• Unnatural Exposure by Patricia Cornwell -- 08/09
• SEALed with a Kiss by Mary Margret Daughtridge -- 06/09
• Second Glance by Jodi Picoult --05/09
• Girls' Poker Night by Jill Davis --04/09
• The Next Thing on My List by Jill Smolinski -- 03/09
• Ask Again Later by Jill Davis -- 03/09
• Lifeguard by James Patterson -- 03/09
• Cloud Nine by Luanne Rice -- 03/09
• Light of the Moon by Luanne Rice -- 02/09
• Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris -- 02/09
• Marley and Me by John Grogan -- 01/09
• Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult -- 01/09
• Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris -- 01/09
• Cause of Death by Patricia Cornwell -- 01/09

10 for 2010

I’m not going to call them resolutions… they are my 10 for 2010

 

10 for 2010

1.       Read at least 25 books.

2.       Run 3 5-k races

3.       Cruise for Thanksgiving

4.       Do the Breast Cancer 3-day

5.       Workout at least 4 days a week

6.       Better budgeting money

7.       Re-enroll in college

8.       Work on improving house

9.       Make more friends

10.   Run at least 5 miles a week (260 miles for the year)

 

9 for 2009

Some highlights from 2009

 

9 for 2009

1.       Laid off in February

2.       Purchased a new home

3.       Mother of Licensed driver!

4.       Lost Aunt to Breast Cancer

5.       Ran first 5-k!

6.       Got great new job

7.       Boys spent a week with grandparents

8.       Started my HOPEless Runner blog

9.       Read 24 books.