Halloween 2012

Happy Halloween friends, time for trick or treating! Who did you dress up as for your Halloween parties? Aren't you glad that we have been watching our weight all year so we can fit in those scandals costumes? Ha I know you NEVER feel ready or that you watched your weight well enough for this time of year huh? I dressed up as Marilyn Monroe - picture update below. While KJ went with a good ol' ware wolf costume! He looks scary huh?? Well here is the break down of all the festivities we have been up to and what recipes I made for them..

We make brownie graveyards every year for dessert. They are basically just brownies (I did the awesome diet coke and low fat brownie mix trick) and assorted candy for the kiddos to create a spooky graveyard they LOVED it! For the main course we made Witch Pizzas.. they were suppose to be witches anyways haha they were fun. I used the dough recipe here - just made them individual pizza size, then they could use whatever toppings they wanted. These toppings were the ones that looked the most "witchy".

The besties throw a Halloween party every year at their house. It is always tons of fun and while there is always plenty of drank there is also always plenty of food! This year I shared this Pumpkin Dip I found via Pinterest! It only has 3 ingredients but of course I skinnied it on up. I did low fat cool whip, pumpkin, and sugar free vanilla pudding. It was delish!

For my mommas annual Halloween party I made an Ale & Cheddar Soup Recipe I also found via Pinterest. It has jalapenos, bacon, cheese, and beer all combined into a delicious soup. Ya didn't skinny this one up. Except for instead of half and half I used fat free milk which I found still tasted fantastic, also I added potatoes to the recipe to give it more substance. Didn't our pumpkins turn out cute? KJ's pumpkin was the one that says trick or treat.

 

Does it get any cuter than this lil lady right here? I don't think so! For my grandmas annual Halloween party I made the Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies I posted this week. I served them with pumpkin ice cream and sugar free fudge. Everyone enjoyed them! Before the brownies we went on a Haunted Tour of Salt Lake City it was a spooky adventure.

What have you been up to this Halloween season?

Protein Potato Soup

As all of you are getting your trick or treaters ready tomorrow night I am sure you don't have too much extra time to make dinner before you go out in the cold. Thats why today's post is the perfect meal: easy, thick, creamy, flavorful, high protein {with Greek yogurt, chicken, kidney beans, and cottage cheese} ALSO its low calorie! PERFECT to have on a crisp fall night.

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Servings: 12

Serving Size: 1 Cup

Calories: 150

Fat: 2 g

Carbs: 15 g

Fiber: 2.2 g

Protein: 17 g

Points+: 4

Old Points: 3

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Here Are Your Ingredients:

1/2 cup plain fat free Greek yogurt

1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese

1/4 cup low fat feta cheese

6 cups water
6 small red potatoes

3 large boneless skinless chicken breasts

1/2 cup frozen peas

1/2 cup part skim mozzarella shredded cheese

1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

1 tablespoon fat free chicken stock

1 teaspoon chili powder

2 teaspoons pepper

1/2 onion

1 jalapeno
1 can kidney beans
1 can stewed tomatoes (drained)

Cut potatoes and chicken into small squares. Dice onion and jalapeno. Boil water in large sauce pan. Place potatoes and chicken inside and turn heat to medium. Cook until chicken is fully white and potatoes are easily stabbed with a fork - about 20 minutes. Drain water except for one cup. Place hot water to the side, along with chicken and potatoes. Brown onions and jalapeno for about 3-4 minutes on medium heat in same large sauce pan. Add chicken, potatoes, hot water, yogurt, and cottage cheese. Mix completely. Now add feta, mozzarella, seasonings, beans, and drained stewed tomatoes. Simmer together on medium heat for about 5-8 minutes or until soup is fully warmed.



Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies

I am so thrilled to be GUEST POSTING this recipe at one of my darling friends {Elise} awesomely amazing blog called Thats Comma With A "K" I am positive you have already heard of it right? ALSO, for those of you that are new here sent over from Elise, WELCOME! Stay awhile let's get to know each other!

 Let me give you a little tease before I send you off for the recipe.. 

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Servings: 16

Serving Size: 1 Brownie

Calories: 165

Fat: 7.6 g

Carbs: 23.9 g

Fiber: 2.8 g

Protein: 3.4 g

Points+: 5

Old Points: 3

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K ya loving it?? Keep scrolling down...

Envision this with a scoop of pumpkin ice cream and maybe a lil' bit of fudge sauce {sugar free of course}?? Are you drooling yet??

Okay now head over to check out the recipe and to meet this cute, fun blogger I speak of! I will see you there! 

What Makes Me Happy :)

Dear Life,

Thank you so much for giving me so many wonderful things that make me SO happy. Dylan and I watched a documentry a few weeks back called Happy and it really has made us start to pay more attention to what makes us happy. For any of you that have Netflix you should totally check it out here is a little clip. I think it will open your eyes like it did ours.


Happy - A Documentary Trailer from Wadi Rum Films on Vimeo.

Here are some things on my mind that have been making me happy this week.

Hearing KJ tell me he loves me more than anything!! We argue back and forth about who loves who most.

Finishing a hard workout and knowing I tried my hardest. Thank you sweat! Work it!

Creating a new recipe that is bomb townnnnn. Mini pat on the back for myself and a bow

Pumpkin spice candle burning in the house (reminds me of my childhood-thanks mom)

Morning coffee. Especially Pumpkin Spice Lattes YUMMY

via

When the day is over knowing I finished up all my goals for the day. Check, check, check, AND Cheeeckkk

Getting fun sweet comments from my readers. You guys are the best you make my day!

via Pinterest

When Dylan gently rubs my arm or hand back and forth with his thumb that just says I love you and care about you. Such a cute husband I have I know.

Hearing my fav song come on the radio - will you blow my whistle baby whistle baby let me know!! Sing it!

Family traditions. Those graveyard brownies we decorate, the pumpkin carving, bread bowls and soup, watching Hocus Pocus. YAY for Fall!

Brownie Graveyard

KJ's disgust as he pulls out the "pumpkin throw up" as he calls it

Laughing. Making people laugh. Ya I really try hard to be hilar Dylan says the funniest part of my jokes are how funny I think they are. Which is probably true haha

Coming up with something creative. Hello blogger friends out there you know what I am talkin' about don't cha?

Chatting with the hubs about our day. He is my best friend. I know sorry for the mushy mush but you should have known I DID label this post things that make me happy so..

   What makes YOU happy????

 

Feel free to either leave your comments below OR EVEN create your own blog post about what makes you happy!

Green Tomato {Strawberry} Jelly

For those of you that have been following by blog for awhile you know my friend Val from her Bridal Shower and Wedding posts. Well this recipe today is brought to you by her! She is pretty much a genius when it comes to skinny, or helpful tips. This is the perfect way to use up those last green tomatoes that are hangnin' out in your garden. Most importantly THIS TASTES EXACTLY LIKE YOUR GRANDMA'S HOMEMADE STRAWBERRY JELLY!!
 

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Servings: 32

Serving Size: 2 tablespoons

Calories: 4.4

Fat: 0 g

Carbs: .8 g

Fiber: .27 g

Protein: .2 g

Points+: 0

Old Points: 0

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Here Are Your Ingredients:
4 cups green tomatoes
1 1/2 cups sugar (or sugar substitute- I like stevia or truvia)
6 oz jello (I used sugar free strawberry)

Wash the tomatoes then blend them until there are no chunks. Then strain off the water. Put the strained tomatoes, the jello (whatever flavor is your favorite), and sugar in a pot and turn on high. Stir for ten minutes and when it starts to boil turn heat down to medium.Make sure to stir the whole ten minutes then when done put into jar and seal. While your cooking the jelly wash the jars in the dishwasher and put the lids in water to boil. The warm jar and lid will assure that it will create a tight seal and will help keep the jelly longer. Once the jelly is sealed it takes about 2-3 hours for it to seal. You will hear a pop and that means you can now store them. If you do not hear the pop and can push the lid in make sure to put those in the fridge.  

Thanks so much Val! KJ and I both agree its so delicious!!! Love ya