Taste Test Challenge: Special K Lowfat Granola

This week's taste test spotlight is on Special K's new lowfat granola. I had a $1 off coupon, so I decided to buy a box and give it a try. I don't usually eat granola as cereal since you don't get much bang for your caloric buck. But...I like to sprinkle it on top of a bowl of fresh fruit and yogurt...and it can be a great snack right out of the box!

Granola has long been touted as a healthy, tasty food. It usually contains oats, honey, nuts, and dried fruit...all healthy foods to be sure. The trouble is that most granolas pack a TON of excess fat and sugar in a fairly small serving size. The average granola contains 10 grams of fat per serving, especially if it contains lots of nuts or coconut! Thankfully, the folks who make Special K have come to the rescue with a lower-fat granola that tastes GREAT!

The crunchy granola clusters are sweet, but not overly so compared to many other granolas that I've tried. You can definitely taste the oats and a hint of a vanilla in each bite. A half-cup of this crunchy, honey-kissed granola contains 190 calories, 3 grams of fat, and a whopping 5 grams of fiber (or 3 WW points). Beware: the 1/2-cup serving size is smaller than most cereals. If you were to eat a full cup of this granola with a cup of skim milk for breakfast, you'd consume nearly 500 calories (8 WW points!!). So, it's VITAL to measure a correct portion size of this granola to make sure you don't inadvertently overdo it!!

I'm planning to serve 1/4 cup of this yummy granola sprinkled on top of a fresh strawberry and yogurt parfait for dessert tonight. It should add lots of crunchy goodness for only a few calories and points!!

Monday Special Edition: Alexia House Party...and the Winning Dip Recipe

I'm taking a break from my usual Monday banter to give you the scoop about the Alexia House Party that I hosted last night. We invited my brother-in-law and sister-in-law over for dinner to try some yummy, healthy Alexia products. We ate spicy turkey and provolone burgers and tried three different Alexia sides: Spicy Sweet Potato Fries, Waffle Fries, and Onion Rings. All three were delicious, but it was especially nice to find a healthier, lowfat version of onion rings that bake up super-crispy in the oven in less than 30 minutes.

I served three dipping sauces on the side as well: salsa ranch, spicy chipotle ketchup, and the winning dip recipe from last week's contest. The salsa ranch is super simple: stir together 1/3 cup each medium chunky salsa and lowfat ranch dressing in a small bowl. The chipotle ketchup was a snap to whip up as well: it was 3/4 cup ketchup with chipotle chili powder, grated garlic, and Crystal hot sauce stirred in until the desired spice level was reached. The winning dip recipe was Zesty Lime Dip. This tangy dip went very well with the fries and onion rings, but I think it would be great with baked chips or crudite as well. As promised, here's the recipe:

Zesty Lime Dip

Ingredients:

• 8-ounce container light sour cream (I prefer Daisy brand)
• Juice and zest of two key limes
• 1 tablespoon dried cilantro
• One clove garlic, finely chopped (I grated it with a microplane)
• 1/2 teaspoon each salt and fresh ground pepper
• 2-3 green onions, thinly sliced
• Garlic Tabasco to taste

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours to allow flavors to combine. This dip can be made the day before as it tastes even better the next day.

I have some of this delicious dip left, so I'm using it as a topping on tonight's dinner of chicken fajita tacos...yum! Stay tuned for more giveaways and contests in the coming weeks. In the meantime, let me know if you try any Alexia products and what you think about them!

These Things In My Head...

So...what thoughts are swirling around in my head this weekend? Well...I went to my local Weight Watchers center for my monthly weigh in this morning. The results were good: I'm down 4.8 pounds for March and a total of 8.8 pounds since the first week in February. Go me!! Since I'm a Lifetime member (meaning I've been to the Promised Land of "at goal weight" before), I only have to go to a center to weigh in once a month, which is totally FINE with me.

I have what you might term as a love-hate relationship...mostly on the side of hate...with scales. In my younger days, I used to obsess over seeing a certain number on the scale and fret over minor daily weight fluctuations. Over time, I've managed to break my dependence on the scale.  I still know women who weigh themselves daily...or even several times a day. I decided a long time ago that I didn't want to be a slave to the scale and base my weight loss success solely on its whims.  So...I have a confession to make: I don't even OWN a scale, and I haven't for several years.

Eegads...the horror!! My monthly weigh in is perfect for me because it helps me gauge how my weight loss efforts are going over the course of a month. I no longer fret over daily fluctuations in my weight. It's a hard habit to break, but the scale isn't my only measure of success! I also go by how my pants are fitting...much looser these days, thank you very much! I also have more energy in the evenings since incorporating more fruit and veggies and lowfat dairy products into my eating.

I know my approach may seem a bit radical, but I have to tell you that it is SO LIBERATING to not be mentally tied to the messages that the scale gives me when I step on it at any given time.  While I was excited to hear that I had lost nearly 5 pounds this month, I knew that I had lost some weight before I even stepped on the scale. That's because I comfortably wore a pair of pants this morning that were too tight in February, and I can feel my jawbone starting to become more defined when I put on my makeup in the mornings.

I know that not everyone reading my blog is at the point where they feel comfortable tossing out their bathroom scale...and that's ok. I just wanted to give y'all some food for thought and encourage you to reflect on your relationship with the scale and the messages it gives you. If you weigh yourself daily, maybe reduce that to once a week for a start. But, in my opinion, it's vital for us to break our reliance on the scale as our sole measure of weight loss success.

Yep...that's what's on my mind today! I'd love to hear your thoughts on this fascinating topic of scales and our relationship with them. Be sure to come back tomorrow for the scoop on my Alexia Home Party and the announcement of the dipping sauce recipe contest winner. Think cilantro lime...

Taste Test Challenge: Special K Blueberry Fruit Crisp

This week's Taste Test Challenge features a fantastic new product from Special K...Blueberry Fruit Crisps. These crisps are basically a sweet, crispy cracker that's filled with a smear of fruit filling and drizzled with some icing. I've heard them described as similar to a pop tart, which they are...sort of. This is a great little snack or after-dinner treat that's perfect for satisfying that craving for "a little something sweet" without costing you a ton of excess fat or calories.

Each box contains five individually wrapped two-crisp servings, which helps make portion control a snap. Each two-crisp serving contains 100 calories, 2 grams fat, and a trace of fiber (2 WW points). Yes...it would be nice if they had a bit more fiber, but I don't sweat that so much since I get my daily fiber intake from plenty of other sources.

Some of my friends who have tried these crisps find them to be a bit on the sweet side, but I don't personally think they're too sweet. These fruit crisps pair great with a small container of light yogurt. They also go well with a small bowl of sliced strawberries. These fruit crisps are also available in strawberry, but I prefer the flavor of the blueberry variety. If you go to the Special K website, you can download and print a $1.00 off coupon on your first purchase:

http://www.specialk.com/products/coupons

Now...a quick word about my Alexia healthy dipping sauce contest. I've received a few recipe entries, but I want to see MORE!! Tomorrow evening is the deadline. You still have time to submit your recipe to me at wwofford1@satx.rr.com.

If your recipe is chosen, I'll prepare it and serve it with yummy Alexia oven fries at my Alexia House Party on Sunday evening. In addition, your recipe will be featured in this blog next week for all to see and try. In addition to these kudos, you'll also win a coupon for a FREE Alexia product of your choice + a wooden serving spoon with the Alexia logo imprinted on it.  So...what are you waiting for?!?!? Get those dipping sauce recipes to me ASAP!!!!

Tuesday Food Find Corner: Alexia Oven Fries

This week's spotlight food is Alexia Oven Fries. As I mentioned yesterday, it's important to keep eating the foods that you enjoy in a healthy way while you're losing weight. French fries are one of those comfort foods that I refuse to give up. But...a medium serving of McDonald's french fries contains a whopping 380 calories and 19 grams of fat...yikes! That's where Alexia products come in. All Alexia products are 100% natural, with no preservatives and zero trans fats. Best of all? They taste FAB! I serve Alexia products at least once a week, and I highly recommend them!

They introduced their yummy oven fries first, and I've been cooking and eating them for several years. They have since expanded their product line to include even more flavors of oven fries, mashed potatoes, lower-fat appetizers, garlic bread and artisan rolls, and -- most recently -- potato and veggie side dishes. Their other products are just as tasty as their oven fries!!

Alexia's Oven Fries average 2-3 WW points per generous serving. They cook up crisp in a hot oven in 20 - 25 minutes. My favorite flavor is the new Spicy Sweet Potato variety. They are spicy from a sprinkling of chipotle pepper on the outside, but then the sweetness of the sweet potato kicks in and cools the spice. Delish! They go especially great with turkey burgers and pulled pork sandwiches.

Most grocery stores carry at least a few varieties of Alexia products, but in my experience Whole Foods carries the widest range of the entire Alexia product line. To make it easier for you to try these fantastic products, I'm going to give away a coupon for one FREE Alexia food item to one of my blog readers!!!!

Here's the scoop...

I was selected to host an Alexia house party this weekend. I'm serving turkey burgers and several varieties of Alexia Oven Fries, along with a trio of dipping sauces. One dipping sauce will be my lowfat salsa-ranch, and another will be a spicy chipotle ketchup. But...I need one more dipping sauce to round out my trio. That's where YOU come in!! My readers have until Friday to send me their best recipe for a healthy dipping sauce. I'll pick the winner on Saturday. The winning dipping sauce will be featured at my party...and the winner will receive a coupon for one free Alexia product. Two other entrants will win an Honorable Mention coupon for $1.00 off any Alexia product.

Please e-mail your dipping sauce recipes to me at wwofford1@satx.rr.com. One last thing: make sure to put your full name and Alexia Dipping Sauce Contest in the header so I don't delete your e-mail by mistake. Good luck...I can't WAIT to see what creative ideas y'all come up with!!

Tricks of the Trade: Enjoy Your Favorite Foods...Wisely!

I'm back in San Antonio after a weekend away from the computer visiting our families back home in Houston. I certainly had ample opportunity to practice what I preach when it comes to moderation! I'm heading into the final week of March and looking forward to a successful monthly weigh-in this Saturday! I actually had a Lean Cuisine from Mom and Dad's freezer for dinner on Saturday to make up for the small serving of cake and ice cream that I had eaten earlier in the afternoon. Balance and moderation, my friends...balance and moderation ;)!

This week's tip is to enjoy your favorite foods like fried chicken, french fries, and hamburgers. Yes indeed...but it's important to do it in a healthy, responsible way. Instead of eating greasy fried chicken nuggets, coat chicken tenders in bread crumbs or crushed crackers and bake in a hot oven until crispy. Make your hamburgers using wheat buns, lowfat cheese, and ground turkey or extra-lean beef. You'll still enjoy the flavors of the foods you love, but for just a fraction of the fat and calories.

It's important to not give in to the diet mentality that says you have to eat celery sticks and plain broiled meat in order to lose weight! That sort of deprivation leads to binges, which ultimately lead to falling off the wagon. To be successful at losing and keeping weight off long term, it's VITAL that you incorporate your favorite flavors and textures. Like chips and dip? Then eat baked tortilla chips and fat-free salsa. Or is something sweet more your thing? Then have some, but in portion-controlled servings. I love 100-calorie packs for sweet treats...allowing myself a small portion of something that I'm craving is key. It's the flavor I'm looking for, not necessarily a huge serving!

Here's a recipe for some very yummy turkey burgers that I made last week. The original recipe came from Cooking Light magazine, but I modified it quite a bit using ingredients that I had on hand that night. Enjoy...

Turkey Feta Burgers

Ingredients:

• 1 pound 93% lean turkey breast
• 4 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese 
• 1 tablespoon Chef Paul Prudhomme Meat Magic seasoning (can sub any Cajun/Creole seasoning)
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• 1/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
• 1 egg white
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• Four Nature's Own sugar-free wheat hamburger buns
• Lettuce, tomato, and red onion
• 2 tablespoons light ranch dressing
• 4 tablespoons salsa (I used Frontera Grill medium roasted tomato)

Step 1: Combine ground turkey, feta, spices, breadcrumbs, egg white, and green onion in a large bowl.

Step 2: Shape mixture into four patties. Cook the burgers in a large non-stick skillet sprayed with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Cook for approximately 7-8 minutes per side.

Step 3: While the burgers cook, make a sauce by combining the salsa and light ranch dressing in a small bowl.

Step 4: For each burger, spread 1 tablespoon of salsa-ranch sauce on the bottom half of each bun. Add lettuce, tomato, and red onion slices. Top with a burger patty and the top half of the bun.

Each burger = 7 Weight Watchers points...or approximately 350 calories, 8 grams fat, and 6 grams fiber.

Make SURE to come by here tomorrow evening...I have a very special announcement to make concerning a giveaway in connection with an Alexia foods house party that I'm hosting this weekend!!!

Taste Test Challenge: Kashi Mayan Harvest Bake

Time for the Wednesday Thursday Taste Test Challenge...I took the day off yesterday to have dinner with my cousin, who's in town for her Spring Break. I decided to give my "tool box" a rest this week and tell you about a fantastic Kashi frozen meal that I had for lunch today instead: Mayan Harvest Bake.


I REALLY stepped outside of my comfort zone with this one, but decided to give it a try after reading about it on Hungry Girl's website recently. Mayan Harvest Bake is a vegan meal that has plantains, sweet pototoes, black beans, kale, seven-grain polenta with amaranth, ancho chili sauce, and pepitas. It may sound like a strange combination...but the flavors actually work really well together. I'm so glad I gave this meal a try, because I totally LOVED it!!


If you've never had plantains, they're related to bananas...but they're a bit more starchy and less sweet than a banana. The plantains paired very well with the sweet potatoes and the creamy polenta. I had to look up amaranth because I wasn't exactly sure what it was. Turns out that it's a seed that is high in protein (approximately 15-18%). It's also high in fiber and contains calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, and Vitamins A and C.  


I didn't see a ton of black beans or kale in my meal today, but the overall flavor of the dish was wonderful. The meal was topped with a spicy ancho chili sauce that reminded me a bit of enchilada sauce. It had just enough kick to please my palate without overwhelming the plantain and sweet potato. I especially enjoyed the sprinkle of crunchy pepitas (pumpkin seeds) on top. This was a very filling meal as well...it contains 340 calories, 9 grams of fat, and 8 grams of fiber (or 7 Weight Watchers points). I found it very satisfying, and it kept me feeling energetic all afternoon at work. 


Next time you feel like trying something a little exotic, I seriously urge you to step outside of YOUR comfort zone and give this tasty frozen meal a try. I rank this one right up there with Amy's Organic's amazing Mexican Tamale Pie. It's rather ironic that two of my favorite frozen meals also happen to be vegetarian. Bottom line: I'm a foodie who loves eating amazing food. When it's good for me and furthers my weight loss goals? Well, that's even better!!