Ham & Cheese Grilled Potatoes 162 Calories, 2.1g Fat

Spring is here and more people will find ways to spend time outside and cook their favorite dishes on the grill. Well, let me tell you... this recipe is a must have this spring and summer. Who said the days of eat potatoes covered in cheese and meat were over?

"YUMMY" is exactly what my taste buds hollered when I enjoyed my first bite of these deliciously grilled potatoes with onions, ham; and then smothered in cheese. These potatoes are simply scrumptious, what a delicious side or even a great lunch item. These potatoes are low in fat, full of healthy carbs and loaded in protein. So Folks, get your grills ready, this recipe will make you say YUM!

Ingredients
30 Fingerling Potatoes
18 Slices of Oscar Mayer Smoked Ham
1 Large Yellow Onion
1/2 Cup Kraft Fat Free Cheddar Cheese
1/2 Cup Kraft Fat Free Mozzarella Cheese
1 tbsp Sea Salt
1 tbsp Coarse Black Pepper
1 tbsp Olive Oil

Directions
1.Wash approx 30 potatoes, dice into round circles. Chop onion. Dice 18 pieces of Oscar Mayer Shaved Smoked Ham. Place all items in large bowl, add 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp sea salt, 1 tbsp coarse black pepper. Mix well.

2.Place large piece of foil on counter, spray center with non stick butter flavored cooking spray. Place potato mixture in center of foil. Spray top of potatoes with butter flavored non-stick spray, place another piece of foil (same size as first piece) on top of potatoes, fold edges to create sealed pouch. Place on top shelf of grill over medium heat, grill approx 18 minutes, possibly 20-22 depending on grill/heat.

3.Remove pouch from grill, cut open top of foil. Serve each guest 3/4 cup of potatoes and sprinkle 1 tbsp of fat free cheddar and 1 tbsp of fat free mozzarella and ENJOY! Serves 8

We enjoyed these potatoes with a grilled pork loin that was loaded in juicy flavors and with a colorful salad on the side. Everyone at our table gave these potatoes TWO THUMBS UP!

Now, here's the skinny:

8 SERVINGS (approx 3/4 cup each)
162 Calories
2.10g Fat
25.91g Carbs
3.50g Fiber
10.38g Protein

Weight Watcher: Approx 3 PTS

Basil Chicken Primavera with Alfredo Sauce 339 Calories, 9.95g Fat

Delicious Garlic and Basil Chicken with assorted vegetables in a rich Alfredo sauce covering whole wheat pasta. YUM YUM Good!

Ingredients

16 Asparagus Spears
5 Carrots
1 Green Bell Pepper
1 Red Bell Pepper
1 Medium Onion
1 Pound Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
2 Garlic Cloves
2 tbsps Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/4 Cup Classico Traditional Basil Pesto
1/2 Cup Classico Roasted Red Pepper Alfredo

Directions

1.Clean and cut 16 Asparagus Spears into 1 inch pieces. Clean, peel and slice 5 Medium Carrots. Clean, seed and dice 1 Red Bell Pepper and 1 Green Bell Pepper. Thinly slice one medium onion. Thinly slice 1 LB of Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast.

2.Cook Whole Wheat Pasta as indicated on box.

3.Place 1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil and 2 tbsp of Classico Traditional Basil Pesto in large skillet over medium heat, add asparagus and carrots, stir well, cover with lid and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove lid, add red/green bell pepper, cook an additional 5 minutes, add onion and cook until onion is transparent. Now pour vegetables in a large bowl.

4.In the same pan, add 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp Classico Traditional Basil Pesto Sauce, grate two garlic cloves and add chicken, cook completely. When chicken done, add vegetables back to pan, add 1/2 cup Classico Roasted Red Pepper Alfredo Sauce, stir well and heat thoroughly.

Makes 8 servings of approx 1 cup pasta and 1 cup chicken/vegetables mixture. ENJOY!

Here's the skinny:

Calories: 339
Fat Grams: 9.95g
Carbs: 45.66g
Fiber: 7.80g
Protein: 19.68g

Weight Watcher Points: Approx 7 PTS

Celebrate the Little Things

I have to admit, I have been a little disappointed in my scale numbers this month. Mind you, in January, I lost 18 pounds and in February, I lost another 20 pounds. So far this month, I have only lost 5 pounds. Realistically, 5 pounds is great but after such big numbers, it seems like nothing, that damn scale envy girl is just not satisfied with 5. I knew I would not be able to maintain such large numbers forever but I was just hoping it wouldn't slow down until after 100 pounds, go figure! My actual goal is to lose 10 pounds a month, so if by some crazy chance that I can lose 5 pounds between now and next Thursday... I will have hit my goal, so keep your fingers crossed!

After reflecting, I can say that I am still tracking everything I eat, I am exercising and for the most part, making very healthy food choices. I did eat a cupcake on St. Patty's Day but I am completely okay with that. I didn't feel a bit of remorse or guilt, moderation is key and I only had one. Its amazing to realize that I have taken back the power in the food battle, I choose what to eat, food does not control me.

Last week, my son and I went to eat, we went to CiCi's Pizza (his choice of course) it was spring break and well, it had been forever so why not. It was funny, neither of us enjoyed it. My son asked "Mom what is happening to us, this food is gross, my stomach hurts and it is making me sleepy!" I felt exactly the same way. The food was terrible, I enjoyed the salad bar more than anything! The food did make us feel sluggish and well, crummy. It didn't do anything at all for us nutritionally. Instead of going home and planting ourselves on the couch, we decided to go back to the park and walked another 1.5 miles (we walked 1.5 early that day). This time, we walked along the waters edge and looked for bugs, wild onions and had a sword fight with sticks in the woods. It felt great. And at the end of the day, I was still within my calorie range, I was very pleased. I am thrilled to realize, there is balance and that my body doesn't crave the same JUNK it did before, my body is beginning to demand fuel to keep me going and empty calories loaded with preservatives, sodium and fat just don't cut it anymore.

This weekend, I decided I wanted to buy a new shirt and I was thrilled that I fit very nicely into a Size 22! It is close to being a little big, so I thought, can I wear an 18??? No, no way... but I humored myself. I grab an 18 and headed back to the dressing room... off the hanger, over my head, my arms are in, over my breast, what its over my breast?!?!?! and now over my stomach, it is on! WOW, an 18 is on my body, I haven't worn an 18 in gosh, who knows how long (too many years to count)! I did a little happy dance and jumped up and down. Now don't get me wrong, the 18 was snug, not as tight as spandex but not comfortable either. I could buy the 22 but for what, I know that it won't be long before I needed the 18 so I put the 22 back and bought the 18. My new Motivation Shirt, I can't wait to wear it! I am sure I will be able to wear it in another 10 to 15 pounds. Momma is gonna be stylin and profilin!

So instead of beating myself up because of that number on the scale and turning to food in disappointment, I will celebrate what I have accomplished this year:

- Lost 43 Pounds
- Down 19.5 inches (as of 03/01/2010)
- 150,500 Fat Calories Gone FOREVER, WOO-HOO
- I am at 22% of my Goal Weight
- I've lost a Mid Size Microwave, Sack of Sugar and a human brain
- I am only 1 pound away from losing an Elephants Heart
- I am wearing size 24 pants (was 26/28)
- I am wearing size 22 shirts (was 26/28)
- I can ride my bike for 3 miles strait
- I can hike 9 miles
- I LOVE the OUTDOORS
- I have so much more energy
- I haven't smoked in 11 weeks YIPPEE!
- I don't binge
- I am going out and having fun, discovering what I like and don't like
- I dance again!

And most importantly, there is LIFE other than FOOD! So, even if that scale doesn't move another pound this month, I am a SUCCESS, I am stronger everyday and I am proud of me! I CAN and I AM Doing this for once and for all! Momma always said, celebrate the little things!