Dreamy PB Chocolate Ravioli Puffs

Courtesy of Hungry Girl (www.hungry-girl.com)  Don't these sound yummy???? These might be a little complex for me... I tend to make very simple things!

Dreamy PB Chocolate Ravioli Puffs

PER SERVING (4 "ravioli puffs"): 157 calories, 4.5g fat, 242mg sodium, 25g carbs, 1.5g fiber, 2g sugars, 5g protein -- POINTS® value 3*


Ingredients:
2 Mousse Temptations by Jell-O snack cups, Dark Chocolate Decadence or Chocolate Indulgence
2 tbsp. reduced-fat creamy peanut butter, room temperature
16 small square wonton wrappers (often stocked near the tofu in the fridge section of the market)
1/4 cup Fat Free Reddi-wip, divided
Optional: powdered sugar

Directions:
To make the filling, gently swirl together mousse and peanut butter in a bowl -- don't over-stir, but make sure PB is evenly distributed. Set aside.

Set out a wide plastic container (or a few mid-sized ones), and make sure you've got room in your freezer.

Lay two wonton wrappers flat on a clean, dry surface. Spoon a little less than 1 tbsp. filling into the center of each wrapper. Moisten all four edges of each wrapper by dabbing your fingers in water and going over the edges smoothly. Fold the bottom left corner of each wrapper to meet the top right corner, forming a triangle and enclosing the filling. Using your fingers or the prongs of a fork, press firmly on the edges to seal.

Repeat with all remaining wrappers and filling, placing each raviolo flat in the container(s). (Yup, that's really the singular form of "ravioli!") Freeze for 1 hour.

Bring a large skillet sprayed with nonstick spray to medium heat. Working in batches, place frozen ravioli flat in the skillet, evenly spaced, and cook for 2 - 3 minutes, until slightly puffy. Flip carefully and cook for an additional 1 - 2 minutes (no longer). Don't flip them again, as the filling may ooze out!

Allow to cool slightly. If you like, sprinkle with a small amount of powdered sugar. Then top each serving with a tbsp. of Reddi-wip and enjoy!

MAKES 4 SERVINGS

Crock-Pot Cinna-Apples 'n Oats

Courtesy of Hungry Girl (www.hungry-girl.com) --- I haven't made this but it sounds WONDERFUL!!

Crock-Pot Cinna-Apples 'n Oats

PER SERVING (1 heaping cup): 249 calories, 4.5g fat, 320mg sodium, 52g carbs, 7.5g fiber, 26g sugars, 4.5g protein -- POINTS® value 5*

Ingredients:
8 cups chopped Fuji apples (about 6 apples)
2 tbsp. brown sugar (not packed), divided
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, divided
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup light vanilla soymilk
1/3 cup sugar-free pancake syrup
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. light whipped butter or light buttery spread

Directions:
In a large bowl, mix apples with 1 tbsp. brown sugar and 1/2 tsp. cinnamon. Stir to coat apples well. Transfer to the crock pot.

In the empty bowl, combine oats, soymilk, 1 tbsp. brown sugar, 1 tsp. cinnamon, syrup, and salt. (All remaining ingredients except butter.) Add 1 cup water and mix well.

Add oat mixture to the crock pot, and gently stir. Cover and cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 7 hours.

Add butter and mix well. (Do NOT forget this step. Stick a Post-it to your timer if you have to!) Serve and enjoy!

MAKES 5 SERVINGS

Create your Weight Loss Resume

Courtesy of WeightWatchers.com

Putting together a résumé is the first step when you're applying for a job. You can use the same principle in your weight-loss journey.

Grab a pen and paper then read, think about and answer the questions below. This process can help you formulate your weight-loss résumé.

Objective: What are your weight-loss goals? What Winning Outcomes have you set for yourself? Are you trying to reach your 5-percent target, drop a pants size or achieve your goal weight?

Education: What have you learned since joining Weight Watchers that's helping you accomplish your objective? It could be social strategies from meeting topics, smart shopping tips or even the Tools for Living .

Experience: What were your past weight-loss experiences like? If they weren't successful long-term, what did you learn from those experiences?

Skills: What weight-loss skills have you acquired? Have you become a healthy cook or a dedicated exerciser?

Interests: What new interests have you discovered since losing weight? Did you learn a new sport, try a fitness class, take dancing lessons?

References/Community Involvement: Who is part of your weight-loss support system? Does being involved in meetings room discussions or chatting on the Message Boards keep you on track?

Accomplishments/Honors/Awards: What have you accomplished in your life that that proves you have what it takes to be successful? Acknowledge your perseverance and dedication to weight loss.

Focus on your strengths this week and carry your résumé with you. Refer to it when faced with challenges.

Spaghetti with Asparagus

(Special thanks to WW Member, June, for providing the recipe)

7 POINTS per serving (1 1/4 cup per serving)

Ingredients
- 3/4 lb. whole wheat spaghetti
- 1 lb fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 shallots, sliced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup cottage cheese with roasted red pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper

- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray rimmed baking sheet with olive oil nonstick spray.
- Cook spaghetti according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, mix asparagus, shallots and 1/4 tsp salt on baking sheet; spray with olive oil nonstick spray. Roast until asparagus is tender, about 15 minutes, stirring once halfway through roasting time.
- Drain spaghetti, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Return spaghetti to pot; stir in cooking liquid, vegetables, Parmesan, cottage cheese, remaining 1/4 tsp salt, and pepper until blended.

Mandarin Delight

(Special thanks to Diane from WW Parma for providing the recipe.)

1 POINTS per cup

Ingredients
- 1 package Sugar-Free Orange Jell-O
- 1 package Sugar-Free/Fat-Free Vanilla Instant Pudding
- 1 8oz. container Fat-Free Cool Whip
- 1 small can Mandarin Oranges

Prepare Jell-O using 1 cup hot water. Drain Mandarin Oranges and retain juice. Add water to juice to make one cup and add to Jell-O mixture. Mix well and let sit for 5 minutes. Slowly pour in dry pudding mix and stir well. Wait 5 minutes, then fold in Cool Whip. Pour mixture into 8x8 pan and drop in orange slices throughout. Cover with clear wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours or more. Enjoy!

Snickers Pie

(Special thanks to Peg from WW North Olmsted)

3 POINTS per serving (8 servings)


Ingredients
- 1 pint vanilla non-fat frozen yogurt, softened
- 2 Tbsp chunky peanut butter
- 1/2 package sugar-free chocolate pudding mix
- 1/2 cup non-dairy topping (Cool Whip)
- 1 tsp chocolate syrup (Walden Farms)

Soften non-fat frozen yogurt in microwave for 1 minute on high. In a large bowl, combine frozen yogurt, chunky peanut butter, pudding mix and non-dairy topping. Mix well and pout into 8" pie tin. Freeze until set. Before serving, drizzle chocolate syrup over entire pie in swirl motion.

Spinach-Cheese Frittata

3 POINTS per serving

Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- 2 egg whites
- 1 cup chopped spinach
- 2 Tbsp chopped scallion
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded fat-free cheddar cheese

Coat 12-inch oven-proof skillet with 1 spray cooking spray; heat over medium heat. Pour egg mixture into skillet. Cook until partially set, 5 minutes. Sprinkle on cheese. Bake in 400 degrees oven 5 minutes. Remove; let stand 1 minute; cut into 8 wedges.

Yields 2 wedges per serving.

Ten Commandments of Weight Loss (according to Dr. Oz)

(Special Thanks to Joanne from WW North Olmsted for writing these down from Dr. Oz's TV program...)


1. Don't wear or keep your "fat" clothes.
2. Don't wear pants that stretch.
3. Don't eat meat that walks on 4 legs more than once a week.
4. Don't graze or browse in search of "prey" (in fridge or cupboard -- have food prepared)
5. Don't eat more than 2 hours before bedtime.
6. Don't pile food more than 1 inch high or 2 inches from the edge of your plate.
7. Don't chew food less than 20 times per bite (digestion begins with chewing)
8. Don't covet thy neighbor's plate (extra calories!!)
9. Don't carry small bills (temptation to buy food from vending machines!)
10. Don't eat while standing or in car (have prepared meal and sitdown to eat)

"Irish" Weight Loss Saying

May you have the hindsight to know where you've been; 

(celebrate your success)

the foresight to know where you're going; 

(goals and wining outcomes)

and the insight to know when you're going too far. 

(portion control)

Easy Cake!

Here's a YUMMY cake that's only 1 POINT per serving!

Ingredients
- One box Angel Food Cake
- One box any flavor cake mix
- 3 TBSP water

- Mix the Angel Food Cake mix and the other flavor cake mix in a ziploc bag or plastic container.
- Take 1/3 cup of the mixture and place in small bowl - must be microwave safe bowl. (cereal box or large soup/coffee mug works well)
- Add 3 TBSP water and mix.
- Put bowl in microwave for 1 minute.
- ENJOY!

Chicken Poem

Chicken in the crockpot;
Chicken in the Wok;
or Crunchy coated in the oven sometimes hits the spot!

In casseroles or chunky salads;
Or Stir Fried over rice.
Any way you fix it-
Chicken will suffice.

Grilled chicken;
Baked chicken;
Three times in a row.
This could cause our weight-loss to surely slow.

Just remember …TOO MUCH of the same
Will cause ‘Boredom’ to set in
So why not “Spice your menu UP”

And give it a NEW SPIN!

Add Spice to Your Recipe for Success

Tired of ‘taters? Tired of rice?
Seasoned couscous is quite nice.

Bored with salads? Bored with greens?
Add some filling pinto beans.

Sick of chicken? Sick of fish?
Spices can improve your dish.

Avoid pasta? Avoid meats?
Try a savory soup with beets.

Boring diets do not last.
Change it up and lose weight fast!

Same ol’, same ol’, makes you tired
Shake it up and get inspired.