Trim Down Tuesday- Week 2

Not a great week but I am not giving up! Feel free to use my Trim Down Tuesday photo and join in.

Tuesday,June 16,2015

Breakfast: Snickers Oatmeal
Lunch: Salad with Best Balsamic Vinaigrette, apple
Supper: Tuna salad, Sweet Potato

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Breakfast: Snickers Oatmeal

Lunch: Strawberry Cheesecake Protein Smoothie

Supper: Reese's whip, a pancake and an apple.
Snack: popcorn

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Breakfast: Snickers Oatmeal

Lunch: Peach Cobbler Protein shake

Supper: Pizza and chips

Snack: Apple

Friday, June 19 , 2015

Breakfast: Snickers Oatmeal

Lunch: Salad

Supper: Burger and fries. Split an order of seafood mushrooms. 

Saturday,June 20, 2015

Breakfast: Snickers Oatmeal

Lunch: went to a baby shower....ate there...more than I should have

Supper: Small chicken sandwich, handful of trail mix

Dessert: kale chips. 


Went off the rails this week...ugh.  Trying to get back on track for next week!

Trim Down Tuesday-Week 1

So, week 1 went great. I am not sure why it helped me to keep track of what I was eating on the blog, but it did. I've tried paper, journals, notepad, My Fitness Pal...none of those worked. So maybe blogging is the key.

 I think some days I might not have eaten enough, but most of the time I felt satisfied.  At this point the only exercise I am getting is decluttering my house...and that can be pretty strenuous. :)

Feel free to use my Trim Down Tuesday photo and join in.  :)

Tuesday, June 9,2015

Breakfast:Lemon Cream Pie Smoothie (not my favorite)
Lunch: Blended Salmon Soup (love this!)
Snack: Mango Yonanas
Supper: Salad with Chicken; Best balsamic vinaigrette

Dessert: Chocolate Oat Fiber Cake with Strawberries and Coffee

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Breakfast: Strawberry Protein shake (almond milk, protein powder, frozen strawberries and sweetener)

Lunch: Salad and Mango Yonanas

Snack: Apple 

Supper: Blended Salmon soup
Dessert: Chocolate Oat Fiber Cake with strawberries

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Breakfast: Fat Stripping Frappa (This didn't hold me over and didn't actually taste that great.)

Lunch: Salad

Snack: Apple

Supper: Roast Turkey, Sweet Potato, Corn

Dessert: Chocolate Oat Fiber Cake with strawberries 

Friday, June 12, 2015

Breakfast: Plain Yogurt with Blueberries and Strawberries. 

Lunch: Salad

Supper: Salad and Kale Chips

Snack: Mixed Fruit Yonanas

Saturday, June 13, 2015

Recently I thought that oatmeal might be an overeating trigger, especially this recipe.  But, I am out of protein powder so I thought I'd give it a shot.  I was fine.  So that was in my head.

Breakfast: Snickers Oatmeal and Coffee (I use 1/3 cup oatmeal, water and 1 T. each of peanuts and choc)

Lunch: Salad with Quinoa and Turkey.  Used Walden Farms dressing. 

Snack: Apple

Supper: Zoodles with sauce and Parmesan cheese

Dessert: 1/2 Oat Fiber Shortcake and Fresh Strawberries (Half was plenty. I think the oat fiber makes my stomach hurt so I'm not sure I'll be using this recipe again. The Chocolate cake recipe uses less.)

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Breakfast: Snickers Oatmeal
Lunch: Salad
Snack:Apple
Supper: Yogurt with Strawberries and Blueberries
Snack: Banana and Peanut Butter, Kale chips

Monday, June 15, 2015

Breakfast: Oatmeal with Fresh Strawberries and Chocolate Chips
Lunch: Blended Summer Squash and Salmon Soup
Snack: Apple

Supper: Salad
Snack: Yogurt with Strawberries and Blueberries

Healthy Salmon Soup with your Blender

I really enjoy eating a blended salmon soup.  It's really quick and easy to make yourself a healthy soup.  Here's what to do:


Put 1/2-3/4 cup of water in a saucepan.  Cook a vegetable in the water....some choices are summer squash, zucchini, spinach, kale, collard greens, butternut squash.  Cook until greens are wilted or veggies are soft. (You'll want 3 large handfuls of greens or a whole summer squash.  You'll need less of a winter squash.  Just eyeball it.)

Meanwhile in a blender add:

between 1 tsp. and 1 T. of oil (coconut or olive)
up to 1 T. tomato paste (I open a can and freeze it like this)
seasonings to taste-salt, pepper, nutritional yeast
choose a flavor profile...italian seasoning or curry for instance
if you like it spicy add some cayenne or red pepper flake

When the greens or squash are cooked add them to the blender and pulse for slightly chunky consistency.  (I use a towel to cover the blender to protect myself from hot liquids.)

Pour into soup bowl and add a packet of salmon (I get mine at Walmart by the tuna-fish.)

Optionally you can add about 1/2 cup of quinoa or brown rice.

Enjoy!

(If you don't like to use the packet salmon you can cook a thawed salmon fillet with your vegetables.  I find they are sometimes fishy, so I prefer the packets.)

My favorite version

Summer squash, 1 T. EVOO, salt, pepper, nutritional yeast, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, oregano, packet of salmon and 1/2 cup quinoa.

Starting Over

It's been a long time since I've blogged.  (almost a year and a half!)  Over the past year I've gained weight and all my attempts to get back on track have failed. I don't know how much weight I have gained because 1) I don't really want to and 2) my scale is broken.  I haven't gained back all that I lost, but if I don't turn it around, I feel certain I will.

I have crocheted a LOT since I stopped blogging and obsessing about dieting. (See my work on instagram.) I hope that I am in a better place now and perhaps needed a time to step back and try again without making it the sole focus of my life. Because all of my attempts to just eat smaller portions have failed miserably, I know that I need some sort of tracking/accountability. When I was blogging about my journey, I seemed to do much better and so here I am.  It doesn't matter if anyone reads it.  I need this for me.

I realize that I became totally and completely obsessed with weight loss.  My whole life CANNOT be about weight loss. At the end of my life I am not going to say, "Wow! I'm so glad I spent the last 20 (random number) years obsessing about every bite of food I put in my mouth!"  It's not a good use of my time.  But, I am hoping I can find a balance and maybe writing about it will help.  At this point, I'm not weighing or measuring myself nor am I following any specific diet plan. I am just trying to find a healthy balance of all the things I have learned over the past (almost) 5 years.

I am starting a new weekly series that I am calling Trim Down Tuesday where I will share what I am eating (with links to recipes where possible) and how I am doing. I am excited to get back to blogging.

Vintage Remedies Sale and Discount Code

Vintage Remedies is having an End of Year Sale on several classes and the Real Food books and cookbooks.  I ordered Effortless Real Food Cookbook, Guide to Real Food and Real Foods on a Budget.  These are available at a fantastic discount.  They also have a few free items you can order including the Vintage Remedies for Kids curriculum! I can't wait to get my new books!!

You can also use this link to get an additional 10% off discount code (if you use my link I will get a gift certificate).  Happy Shopping!

Just wanted to point out that I have the Vintage Remedies Guide to Bread which is not on sale but is a great read!

Sale ends Friday, January 3, 2104

Stick with it Saturday

This has been a good week.  I really LOVE following the Weight Watchers Simply Filling program.  I've been eating really healthy foods and enjoying them thoroughly.  I have my Sue Gregg cookbooks out and many of her recipes are Simply Filling.  I've even been making muffins.  A spelt muffin and a kefir smoothie for breakfast?  Yes, please!!

I maintained my weight this week at my meeting and don't expect much loss this week with it being Christmas.  If I go to a meeting I will have to go to an alternate meeting the next two weeks since I go on Wednesdays and Christmas and New Years both fall on Wed.

I didn't make my goal of 10,000 steps every day this week.  Honestly, I just didn't feel like it.  I'll try this week but this is just a busy time of year and less "routine" than normal.

Goals for the upcoming week are just to follow my WW plan and continue with my goal of getting a minimum of 10,000 steps each day. (I am having some pain in the bottom of my right foot so I may not be able to do that....we will see.)

Link up your own diet/exercise post at Stick with it Saturday. 

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal with Fried Apples

In my recent post, 30+ Whole Food Breakfasts for Weight Watchers I linked to this Baked Pumpkin Banana oatmeal. One morning recently, I really wanted baked oatmeal but didn't have time so I came up with this quick breakfast which is only 4 Points Plus for Weight Watchers.

Note: In the recipe builder this comes up as 4 points without the apple and pumpkin and 6 with them.  I count this as 4.

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal with Fried Apples

1/3 cup rolled oats
2/3 cup water

1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
dash of salt
2 T. pumpkin
1/4 tsp. molasses

Topping:
1 apple (I like Granny Smith)
1 tsp. grassfed butter or coconut oil
1 T. xylitol (or your favorite sweetener)
1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

optional: homemade cranberry sauce

Cook your oatmeal with your favorite method. (I used my microwave.)  Add the spices, pumpkin and molasses. Stir to combine.  In the meantime, peel apple if desired, then cut into chunks.  Fry in skillet in butter (or oil) until almost done (I did mine for 2-3 minutes but cook them until they are as soft as desired) add xylitol and pumpkin pie spice, stirring constantly.   Serve apples over the oatmeal.  This is fantastic with a scoop of homemade cranberry sauce in the middle.

Stick with it Saturday

I got sick last weekend and it lasted most of the week.  I managed to hit my goal of 10,000 steps almost every day but didn't have any really "big" days like I did last week.  I had lost another .6 this week.  I am less than a lb from the lowest weight I've seen and SO ready to see some new weight loss.

I decided to try something new this week. That is, I switched from tracking points to the Simply Filling version of Weight Watchers.  I am able to eat anything on the power foods list without measuring and counting and then I get 7 extra points a day for "indulgences".  So far, I really like it.  I have been enjoying brown rice, potato, sweet potato, corn and more....things I didn't eat as much of while I was counting.

Goals for the upcoming week are just to follow my WW plan and exercise at least 3 times this week and continue with my goal of getting a minimum of 10,000 steps each day. 

Link up your own diet/exercise post at Stick with it Saturday. 

Names of Jesus- The Almighty

In today's scripture, we see Jesus as not only the Alpha and Omega, but also as The Almighty.  Jesus is referred to as the Almighty in the book of Revelation.  Almighty God is He!!  Amen.

Review and Giveaway-Keep Crockin' AND Crock On

I have some confessions to make:  I love crock pots, but I don't use mine (I have 3) nearly enough. Secondly, I am terrible at getting real meals on the table in the weeks leading up to Christmas. This year is going to be different.  I have 2 fabulous crock pot cookbooks to keep our bellies full for the entire holiday season AND I am going to giveaway a bundle that includes a beautiful pdf of each cookbook thanks to the generosity of author and friend Stacy at Stacy Makes Cents...so now your bellies can be full of yummy goodness too!

Keep Crockin': A Poorganic Slow Cooker Cookbook is her newest release, just published on November 25. (Read what it means to be poorganic.) I was fortunate enough to get a copy of this book several weeks ago and I have tried several of the recipes....and liked them all so far.

This book contains 55 new recipes with easy to follow instructions and Stacy's witty quotes throughout. The book is entertaining, the pages are beautiful and the recipes are delicious.  You can't ask for much more in a cookbook.

She has released the recipe for Chicken Tikka Masala and it is seriously easy and yummy.  I made this last week (using chicken breasts) and I will definitely be putting this on my December menu!

Some of the recipes I have tried so far:

Loaded Butternut Squash Soup --Big yum factor here...loved this.

Hamburger Stew- Delicious

Sweet and Spicy Boston Butt- Great

Italian Casserole- Fabulous...really, really liked this

Chicken Tikka Masala-Super Delish.  I served mine over cauli-rice.  Kids had regular rice.

Sweet Bacon Green Beans- sweet and bacon?  Need I say more?

and the recipe I tested for the book-Almond Flour Brownies

Here is what I said about this recipe:

"Moist, delicious and gobbled up in no time. My family loved these and I love having the option of making brownies in the crockpot. Highly recommend you make these today!"

Did you even know you could make brownies in a crockpot?  I had no idea...and these are great!

Keep Crockin' is available as a download, for Kindle or Nook for $8 and $12 for a physical book.



Stacy's first cookbook, Crock On is a semi-whole foods cookbook with  40 recipes like:

• Deluxe Potato Soup
• Cheeseburger Sloppy Joes
• Chicken Tetrazzini
• Pineapple Pork Loin
• Pizza Potatoes
• Upside Down Apple Pie
• Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Lava cake

go here to see all of the other mouth watering recipes!


There are 40 recipes and you can try Cheesy Sausage Potatoes to get a taste of what's inside.

You can purchase as a digital download, for Kindle or Nook for ONLY $5 and $12 for a physical book.


Stacy also has an affiliate program...so check it out!

You can find Stacy all over the internet and I recommend you do!  First you should follow her @ Stacy Makes Cents, then Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

Now for the giveaway which I am running until this weekend so enter NOW!

The winner is Julie N!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Stick with it Saturday-Week 4

Time for another installment of Stick with it Saturday.  It's hard for me to believe this is already the 4th week.  This week I decided to try something new that I had read about on the Weight Watchers website.  They suggest getting up to walk for 5 minutes every hour (I set a timer).  I started this on Monday.  I have been AMAZED at how many steps I can get just by doing this.  I got between 12,000 and 16,000 every day.

My eating has been going fine.  I haven't lost anything this week but I'm just sticking to it!

Goals for the upcoming week are just to follow my WW plan and exercise at least 3 times this week and continue with my goal of getting a minimum of 10,000 steps each day. 

Trying to lose weight this holiday season?  See my list of tips for losing weight this holiday season!

Link up your own diet/exercise post at Stick with it Saturday. (link to last week....will update if there is a new one this week)

Names of Jesus-The Branch

Day 2 of the Names of Jesus series. I don't know about you but I love thinking about/learning about the different names of God.

Names of Jesus-The Word

During this Christmas season I am planning to blog the names of Jesus with a scripture verse.  I know I won't get to one every day, but I will do as many as I can.  I had a different name planned for today but then I listened to a devotion (linked at the bottom) on Jesus is the Word and decided to start with this. The verse I chose was one of the first verses I memorized this year in my 100 Bible Verses in 2013 challenge.  I hope these word art pictures will be a blessing to you.  I know I am being blessed by making them.

Names of Jesus Bible study at Manna2Go.

Sugar-Free Cranberry Sauce

I saw a couple of different sugar-free cranberry sauce recipes on the internet and decided to come up with my own. This ended up being the best thing on my plate on Thanksgiving.  So delicious!

Ingredients:

1 bag of fresh or frozen cranberries (you can use less if you don't have a full bag)
zest of 1 orange
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup Swerve

Directions:

Combine all in small saucepan and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes or until all the cranberries pop and it starts to thicken.  Stir and cool.  Store in fridge.


Enjoy!

Menu Plan Monday

I am determined to meal plan and cook meals this month and not get wrapped up in the busyness of the season.

Sunday: Leftovers-the end of the turkey (sad, sad day. I love turkey!)

Monday: Sue Gregg's Turkey Meatloaf, vegetables and potatoes (I might go for a sweet potato)

Tuesday: Fluffy Cheese and Greens Frittata

Wednesday: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Thursday: Pizza (or leftovers if we have a lot)

Friday: dinner out

Saturday: Potato Lover's Soup with Crispy Bacon

Link up your own menu plan at orgjunkie.com. 

(Or just find great ideas from other bloggers that share their menus.) This week is found here. (will update tomorrow when the post goes live)

Stick With It Saturday-Week 3

Another good week.  If it wasn't for back pain that seems to get worse each day I would just be so happy.  It's hard to be happy when you are in constant pain.  I lost over 1 lb this week AND I officially went back to Weight Watchers.  It was GREAT to go back and see people that I haven't seen since February.  I had lost 14 lbs since my last meeting.  I have decided on a goal weight that will put me at lifetime membership so I won't have to pay anymore.  I have about 5ish pounds to go.  At some point I might want to lose more, but this seems like a pretty reasonable goal that I can maintain.

Sunday
 Took a much needed nap this afternoon.

Monday

I had really hoped to exercise today but between cooking a turkey, writing a blog post, a dentist appointment and a trip to Walmart it just never got done. (not to mention my back pain...ugh)

Tuesday

Down a lb today.  Did The Big Burn today.

Wednesday

I went back to Weight Watchers today.  LOVED it. 

THANKSGIVING

Stayed completely on track today and didn't even use any of my weekly points.  When I got up today I was back at a normal weight (BMI) and didn't want to spoil it.  I have been hovering above it for so long.  It was very exciting.  First time in about 25 yeas that I was not overweight at Thanksgiving!  I can tell you that kept me out of the candy!  Success is motivating.

After dinner we went to the beach (it was COLD...about 31 degrees).  Rob took the kids to the playground and I walked.  My goal was to get 10,000 steps for the day.  When we left the beach I had about 6,000 so he dropped me off 2 miles from home and Jenna (8) and I walked the rest of the way.  I ended up with over 13,000 steps (and I didn't even put it on until lunchtime so I had a lot more because I was on my feet cooking and preparing pretty much all morning.)

Friday

My reward for being so good yesterday was being up on the scale a bit.  Oh well...that's the way it goes. Put 11,000 steps on the pedometer today despite tremendous lower back pain.

Saturday

Same weight today but I am down 1.4 for the week.  Very pleased with that. No formal exercise planned but I am wearing my pedometer so I am shooting for 10,000 steps.

  

Goals for the upcoming week are just to follow my WW plan and exercise at least 3 times this week or get 10,000 steps each day. 

Trying to lose weight this holiday season?  See my list of tips for losing weight this holiday season!

Link up your own diet/exercise post at Stick with it Saturday. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankfulness

I have seen a lot of thankfulness posting on Facebook.  I am just not disciplined enough to come up with something different to be thankful for each day.  I figured I could do it all at once.

1. I am thankful for the free gift of salvation.  Thank you Jesus for saving ME.

2. I am thankful for my husband.  We have been married 22 years...all of them good.

3. I am thankful for my children. Rebecca, Erin, Rachel, Kaitlyn, Ryan, Connor, Emma, Jenna, Ellie and Sadie.  Each unique, adding something different to our family.

4. I am thankful for my home.

5. I am thankful for heat. (If you know me, you know that I am always cold...so this one is big!)

6. I am thankful for air conditioning (Ironic considering #5 but I can't stand really hot, humid weather)

7. I am thankful for good friends.  I have a lot of good friends both IRL and online.

8. I am thankful for my piano.  I love hearing my children make music on it.

9. I am thankful that we were blessed with a son with Down syndrome.  It is a blessing.

10. I am thankful to live in the USA.

11.  I am thankful that I live near the ocean.

12. I am thankful that I can read and write.

13. I am thankful for the internet.

14. I am thankful for my extended family.

15. I am thankful for my husband's job.

16. I am thankful that I am able to homeschool.

17. I am thankful for electricity (on this very windy day I am hoping we don't lose it!)

18. I am thankful for running water.

19. I am thankful for food.  (I do love food.)

20. I am thankful for my electronics. (computer, iPod, Kindle etc.)

21.  I am thankful for a bed with sheets, blankets and an electric mattress pad (see #5)

22. I am thankful for our vehicles.

23. I am thankful for rain and SNOW.

24. I am thankful for sunshine.

25. I am thankful that I live in a place where we observe the change of seasons.

26. I am thankful for clothing including a nice warm winter coat (and a rain coat for days like today.)

27. I am thankful for music.

28. I am thankful for quiet mornings with a cup of coffee. (Yes, I drink coffee now and love it..this is new for me.)

29. I am thankful for my health (and our health and dental insurance).

30.  Again-so thankful for Jesus and for all He has done for me.  Bless His Name!

10 Tips for Losing Weight This Holiday Season

I was in the store recently talking to a friend and she said, "I just need to get through the holidays and THEN I will go back to Weight Watchers."  Do you know how much weight the average person gains between this week and the first of January?  No?  Me either.  HA!  No, seriously I've read different numbers, but many gain anywhere from 5-10 lbs over the holidays. Don't let this happen to you.  At  the very least you should be able to maintain your weight.

Last year I lost about 7 lbs over the holidays.  It CAN be done.  This year I would be absolutely thrilled with that amount of weight loss but as I am nearing my goal weight it's much more slow going.

Here are some tips for losing weight (or maintaining):

1. Don't wait until January 1st.  Don't even wait until tomorrow.  Start with the next meal.  Make healthy choices.  If you are someone like me and have portion control issues....write down what you eat...count something...calories or points or whatever.

2. Every event does not have to be an eating event.  If it's not a sit down meal, no one will even notice that you aren't eating.  Either eat before you go and don't eat at the event at all OR eat a bowl of soup or something else light so you are not ravenous and will make better choices.  If you know ahead of time what will be on the menu think through exactly what you want to eat.

3. Choose ahead of time WHICH events will be eating events.  You don't have to skip the goodies you love on Thanksgiving or Christmas.  PLAN and DECIDE ahead of time what things you love and would feel completely deprived of if you didn't have.  Have some and move on.

4. If you eat more than you intended to....see #1.  Don't let this derail you. Start again right away.

5.  Make the time to exercise.  It doesn't have to be every day but wear a pedometer, do some extra walking, run, pop in an exercise DVD.  It doesn't take that long and you will be glad you did. (This one is for me!  I needed a little pep talk!)

6. Have a meal plan.  You don't have to stick to it 100%, but have some guidelines. It's much easier to stay the course if you have a course set out!

7. Don't waste calories (or points) on beverages.  I don't drink alcohol, so that is not even something I think about, but there are plenty of other calorie laden beverages this time of year...eggnog, hot chocolate, mulled cider, punch, soda etc.  If it's a once a year treat and part of the list of things you decide you have to have, then have ONE.  Calories in beverages can add up quickly so be careful of that.

8. Don't skip meals.  If you know you are going to an evening event don't skip lunch and/or breakfast to save calories.  That never works.

9. Find healthy, yet good tasting foods to replace those that are too caloric. If your family balks then just add an extra dish or two just for you! For instance, I am planning to make Sweet Potato Casserole from Dashing Dish and a Sweet Bacon Green Beans from Keep Crockin'.(review and giveaway on this fantastic book coming SOON!) I may end up being the only one eating these (though I doubt it) but, I'll be happy and more likely to stay on track with some dishes just for me.

10. Enjoy celebrations without guilt.  This may sound contrary to the other tips but it really isn't.  With a little planning ahead and good decision making you will be well on your way to starting the new year off without regrets.

Whole Food Breakfasts for Weight Watchers

I am not even sure that I can express how happy I am about being back to counting Weight Watchers Points.  When I left Weight Watchers early this year, one of the things I was looking to do was eat a more whole foods diet.  When I recently wrote a post about why I left Trim Healthy Mama to go back to Weight Watchers, I received a comment on it that stated, "I can understand leaving THM - nothing works for everyone, but Weight Watchers? That is a horrible eating program. I'd encourage you to reconsider." I just disagree with this statement so strongly that I wanted to say so here and not just respond in the comments.

First of all, there are so many versions of what a healthy diet is.  I have spent so much time recently trying to figure out what the best way to eat is.  I have come to the conclusion that there isn't just one way.  Weight Watchers encourages healthy eating.  Is it going to fit everyone's idea of healthy?  Nope....NOTHING will.  However, each individual can CHOOSE how they want to eat on the Weight Watchers program so I feel that someone that would say Weight Watchers is a horrible eating program just doesn't understand it.

Some of these recipes will undoubtedly not meet YOUR personal health standards and that is OK.  You can easily substitute what you feel is good or skip that particular recipe. There are recipes included with all kinds of sweeteners.  Use what you are comfortable with and adjust points accordingly.  Also, use the dairy products you are comfortable with, if you prefer higher fat cheese or a non-dairy milk or whatever...use it!

When I was originally on Weight Watchers I always tried to keep my Points at 4 or less for breakfast.  I usually had a 3 Point breakfast.  I think this was a mistake.  Most of the breakfasts I am sharing with you today are higher than that.  I find if I eat a large healthy breakfast, I have a better eating day.  If you haven't tried that, consider giving it a try.

Enough talk!  Here are the recipes:

OATMEAL and HOT CEREAL

I never ate oatmeal growing up.  My mother didn't like it, so she never had us eat it.  I was an adult when I forced myself to eat it.  I ate it regularly until I could bear it.  Now I LOVE it...especially steel cut oats.  They are fabulous!

Peanut Butter Banana Steel Cut Oats 6 PTS+ (This post has a great recipe builder and more ideas, definitely check it out!)

Baked Oatmeal with Blueberries and Bananas  6 PTS+

Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal 3 or 5 PTS +

Baked Blueberry-Peach Oatmeal 7 PTS +

Baked Cranberry-Apple Oatmeal  6 PTS + (This is absolutely fabulous.  I mixed this up the night before using almond milk and baked it the next morning.  It is great re-heated too.)

Baked Oatmeal with Pumpkin and Bananas 6 PTS +

Cream of Millet add 1 tsp. butter and fruit 5 PTS+

Cream of Brown Rice (follow directions for Millet) add 1 tsp. butter 4 PTS+

Apples and Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa 8 PTS +

Quinoa Cereal for Breakfast

Crunchy Coconut Granola 4 PTS + (without the dried fruit)  add 1/2 cup Greek 0% yogurt (add 2 PTs+) and berries or fresh fruit

Pumpkin Pie Granola (4 PTS +)


Here are a few others that look good but don't have points plus values figured out.  If you have a chance to figure them out, I will add that information if you post it in the comments. Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal, Winter Blueberry Almond Baked Oatmeal, Stacy's Baked Oatmeal, Toasted Sesame Rice Hot Cereal

Eggs

The incredible edible egg.  Eggs are 2 Points + each and egg whites are 1 Point + for 3.  I think a nice compromise for getting some whole egg but not using too many points is to have a couple of whites with a whole egg.  But again, you could have 2 whole eggs for only 4 PTS + or even 3 for 6 PTS+, add some fruit and you have a nice filling breakfast.

Here are a few recipes to try:

Sausage, Egg and Cheese Hashbrown Cups* 3 PTS +

Crockpot Breakfast Casserole*  6 PTS+

Quick Breakfast Burritos 5 PTS +

Western Omelet (about 5 PTS + without cheese, will depend on the ham used)

Fluffy Cheese and Greens Frittata 4 PTs+ (per serving when cut in 4) 

Quiche Lorraine Light 6 PTS+

Giant Frittata 3 PTS +

Baked Eggs 2 PTS+ (for each egg plus whatever you add)

*If you are opposed to using pre-packaged hash browns it is easy enough to grate your own potatoes.  You could even try substituting grated turnip or zucchini!

If you are not opposed to Egg Beaters this is another great option.  You could try a Pizza Egg Mug (3 PTS +) or this Quick Egg and Toast (Egg is 2 PTS+, toast will vary). There are tons of recipes online for recipes using egg substitute ( you could easily substitute egg whites if you don't like eggs in a carton).


Pancakes, Waffles and French Toast

I love to top my pancakes, waffles and french toast with fruit.  One of my favorite things to do is take some frozen mixed berries and heat them up with some liquid stevia.  I don't even try to thicken them...I just pour them over and enjoy. You can use sugar-free syrup if you are so inclined or real maple syrup at 1 PT+ per Tablespoon.

Cottage Pancakes 4 PTS + for 1/3 recipe (these are sooo good-made with coconut flour!)

Protein Pancakes 1 PT+ per pancake

Carrot Cake Protein Pancakes 4 PTS+

Gingerbread Pancakes 6 PTS+

Baked Pumpkin French Toast 8 PTS +

Ezekiel Bread French Toast 5 PTS+

Stuffed Ezekiel French Toast 8 PTS +

Banana Bread French Toast 3 PTS +

Smoothies

This is probably my least favorite breakfast.  I enjoy one once in a while though.  I prefer to eat my points rather than drink them. When I make a smoothie I usually make it thick enough to eat with a spoon!

Protein Shakes (from Dashing Dish) I have tried many of these.  SO yummy!  (PTS + values vary)
(Some good ones to start with: Blueberry Cheesecake, Gingerbread Cookie, and French Toast)


Muffins and Baked Goods

Oh, how I love baked goods.  I have to be careful with these. :)

Sue Gregg's Blender Banana Muffins 4 PTS+ (using 1 T. each butter and oil, 1/2 cup nuts-16 muffins)

Sue Gregg's Carrot Bran Muffins 5 PTS+

Moist Pumpkin Protein Muffins 1 PT +

Baked Maple Donuts (grain free)  3 PTS +

Banana Bread Protein Muffins 1 PT+

Mini-Chocolate Peanut Butter Muffins 1 PT +

Lemon-Blueberry Coconut Flour Muffins 3 PTS +

The following recipes will require some substitutions to make them healthier but I thought they were worth sharing:

Cranberry Banana Bread 5 PTS+ , Three Berry Scones 3 PTS+, Low-fat Blueberry Scones 6 PTS+ 


I hope these breakfasts will keep you fueled and help you to stay on track.  It has been great fun pulling all of these recipes together and I can't wait to try them all myself!


Linked with Totally Tasty Tuesdays @ Mandy's Recipe Box, Fat Tuesday @Real Food Forager, Serenity Saturday @Serenity You, In and Out of the Kitchen @Feeding Big, Teach Me Tuesday @Growing Home, Titus2sdays @The Time Warp Wife, Wonderful Wednesday @Ducks in a Row, Wonderful Food Wednesday @All She Cooks, Cast Party Wednesday @Lady Behind the Curtain, Read Food Wednesday @Kelly the Kitchen Kop, Show and Share Wednesday @Mostly Homemade Mom

*Photos from rgbstock.com. Photography credit to: tomatogo (eggs),  MeiTeng (pancakes) and Lajla (oatmeal)