Simply Homeschooling

May. 1, 2008

Aw, nuts !

Five months into the weight loss journey, and we are all still losing, getting stronger , healthy, and have no intention of stopping. This is both good and bad. Good in the fact that this has become a real lifestyle change. bad in the idea that if we experience a financial setback, it can be hard to keep up this way of life if I do not learn a few new tricks with keeping down food costs. We have come to rely on a lot of boneless skinless chicken breasts, pre- portioned foods and so forth , simply because it is easy to figure out how many Weight Watchers points each serving is.

I have tried experimenting with some staple items , making our meal choices pantry friendly, diet friendly and healthy choices. The last factor has been a greater concern of mine lately with the more articles I read about nutrition. I don't want to lose pounds as well as Vitamin D,C,Protein,and so on. I do not want to trade weight for chemical altering in order to make food mouth friendly. I want to know that my family is eating real food and getting real nutrition in the process.

So I have been experimenting with peanut butter. Cholesterol free, high in essential fats, shelf stable and economical, a part of so many of our childhood lunches. We do not suffer from nut allergies, so this becomes a good alternative protein option. Here are two dishes that have become family favorites, with Weight Watchers Flex points information

                      Honey Milk balls 2 points each

Serving Size : 24

     1/2           cup molasses, blackstrap
     1/2           cup peanut butter
1                cup dry milk
1                cup old-fashioned rolled oats

Mix well, knead by hand until well blended. Shape into balls- makes 2 dozen

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 87 Calories; 4g Fat (43.5% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 10g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 5mg Cholesterol; 49mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Non-Fat Milk; 1 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

     CHINESE SESAME NOODLES -8Pts

Serving Size : 3

     1/4           cup peanut butter, creamy
     1/2           cup hot water
     1/3           cup soy sauce
2          teaspoons honey
1              clove garlic -- crushed
1           teaspoon ginger
6             ounces whole wheat spaghetti noodles -- cooked

In a large bowl, mix the peanut butter or sesame paste with hot water
until creamy. Whisk in soy sauce, honey, garlic and ginger. Add the
noodles. Serve warm or cold.

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 378 Calories; 13g Fat (31.1% calories from fat); 15g Protein; 52g Carbohydrate; 3g Dietary Fiber; 54mg Cholesterol; 1943mg Sodium. Exchanges: 3 Grain(Starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 1/2 Vegetable; 2 1/2 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

Note- I steam a bag of stir fry vegetables to toss in with this and serve it with a side salad for a fast, easy healthy meal

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