Lemon Garlic Marinade

 

Hi guys! Over the past weekend my Mom helped me make her famous marinade. This recipe is a family favorite but it was the first time that I helped her make it (say what?!) and of course I asked her to measure everything so I could get the recipe written down for it, plus I needed to know just how many PointsPlus it was too!

First off…you need LOTS of fresh juicy lemons!

Gather up the ingredients….

Dried Oregano

Salt

Canola Oil

Oh! It REALLY helps if you have a juicer to make this marinade! We made 4 batches of it so it came in handy!

You will also need a mortar & pestle for this recipe.

Next ingredient…garlic! Make sure to use large cloves. They work best!

I also like to make sure that I have someone else to handle the garlic. lol My hands stink for days after I touch it! Thanks Mom for being my go to garlic peep of the day! 

Go Mama!

This is the garlic getting a good mashing! You combine the garlic & the salt to make a paste.

On top of the garlic/salt paste you add the lemon juice, oil, & a sprinkle of oregano to finish off the recipe! YUM!

This is all set to enjoy! We serve it over chicken or steak, even spoon it over a hollowed out baked potato skin! My Mom loves it drizzled on avocado and I agree that is a delicious combo!

Enjoy!

Lemon Garlic Marinade

Makes 8 servings. 2 tablespoons per serving

2 PointsPlus each

INGREDIENTS

3/4 C Fresh lemon juice

1/4 C Canola oil

4 Large cloves of garlic (or 5-6 med/small)

1 teaspoon salt

dried oregano

Peel garlic, crush, & roughly chop. Place in pestle with salt. Using mortar grind garlic & salt until it gets pasty. Add lemon juice to the mix, oil, & since my Mom didn’t measure the oregano, but gave these instructions, “sprinkle enough to cover the top of the oil”  

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I just wanted to thank everyone for your comments about my last post. The love & support that I get from all of you is amazing! I can not thank you enough for cheering me on. This journey is not always an easy one and I know that we all struggle. When we all can pull each other up and feel the support it makes a big difference! THANK YOU!

Tonight I am making an easy dinner…we had a big BBQ over the weekend and I had a lot of leftovers to be creative with but I felt like cooking so EASY works for me!

Turkey Meat Sauce

-makes 8 servings (3 WW points)

1 package lean ground turkey (1.25lbs)

2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning mix

3-4 crushed garlic cloves (or use the frozen crushed cubes from Trader Joes!)

44 ounces (1 large + 1 smaller can tomato sauce- any brand will work)

1 tablespoon tomato paste

Pepper/salt to taste

In a medium sized, deep covered dish- brown turkey. Continuously break up pieces as it is cooking to allow it to crumble. When almost cooked drain some of the fat & add in Italian seasoning; stir to mix well. Add in crushed garlic & let it cook for a couple of minutes. Next add in the Tomato sauce & paste; stir well, bring to a simmer & cover. Let sauce bubble lightly and stir occasionally for 30 minutes. Taste it to see if you want to add salt & pepper. :)

Roasted Spaghetti Squash

1 C= 0 pts.

2 C= 1 pt.

Cut squash in 1/2 long ways. Scoop out seeds. Place in roasting pan or on cookie sheet cut side down; and bake for 45min -1hr at 400 degrees. I like when the squash starts to get brown on the edges that are touching the pan, makes it flavorful!  Squash should be fork tender. Let cool before shredding with a fork or wear oven mitts that you don't mind getting a little messy. :) 

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Do you have a family recipe that has been past down from generation to generation? Tell me all about it! or if you blogged about it share the link with us!

Have a great evening everyone! BYE!

Technorati Tags: Lemon Garlic Marinade,Lemon,Garlic,Marinade,Turkey Meat Sauce,Turkey,Spaghetti Squash

Determination....I got it! :)

What makes you want to do your best? Does a simple question spark your determination? It did to me....just the other day I was asked: what made you start your weight loss journey? I sat there in silence for a second and answered honestly, "I did not like myself." 

That simple question made me realize that I have come a long way. From not liking myself, to now enjoying who I have become. I'd say that was a huge improvement. Do I still have my issues...yep! I'm not perfect, never will be! But it is my determination to keep going on this journey that I am proud of.

I workout 5-6 days a week. Yeah ok, most of it is in water! lol The osteoarthritis that has made my spine look like that of an old ladies has made me limit myself from certain forms of exercise. But I know I need to move, need to keep myself from stiffing up. Plus I LOVE it & I can see my body getting stronger from it!

Where is this post coming from (or going? haha) Well I guess I know I have been busier lately and I just wanted to remind everyone that if I could do this....so can you. :) It is NEVER too late to start feeling better about yourself. Please remember that it does not happen over night! I'm not finished, and I can say that I think that is a good thing! This is a life long commitment and I plan on sticking to it!

What do ya say? Join me? :)
xoxo
tj

I made this today....enjoy! :)

Hip like that!

Anyone ever use the Hipstamatic app for iPhone?  

I love it but never remember to use it! haha so I thought I would use it for our Sunday EATS!

We went to Gott’s Roadside in Napa for lunch. It’s my first time and I must say it will not be my last! BEST Turkey burger I’ve ever had! YUM! Grilled onions & a sweet chutney made it EXTRA tasty! This was a treat for me and not in my usual weekly lineup that’s for sure, but I loved every bite!

My lunch date  

Sean got all paparazzi on me so I had to put my shades on! lol

Turkey burger & sweet potato fries! YUM!

Dinner did not photograph so well We made pizzas on portobello mushrooms. It was delicious…maybe it was the lighting that makes it look BLAH? lol

A family favorite!

 Tomato Salad

Serves 2

4 med-lg. Fresh tomatoes, cut into chunks (make sure when slicing you do it on a cutting board so any juices you can add to the bowl)

1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

1 teaspoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 C water

Salt & pepper to taste

 

I like to make this ahead of time to let the flavors blend. Just place everything in a large bowl and the juice from the tomatoes combined with the water & oil make a delicious sauce. Especially yummy with a piece of crusty Italian bread to dip it in!  

I grew up eating this and I could totally make a meal out of a big bowl of it. Just the smell of it reminds me of family dinners when I was a kid.

 

Enjoy!

 

What simple dish takes you back in time? Do you have a childhood favorite?

 

Have a great evening everyone!

BYE!

LOTS to share! Plus Egg & Potato Tacos!

The last thing you wanna see when you log online.... 

I don't know what is going on but sometimes I can stay logged in sometimes I can not! So here I am crossing my fingers that I can post this!

Hi guys! :) How is everyone? I have been a BIZZY BEE!  I really don't know where a WEEK went!??!

Ok so I've made Crinkcut's protein waffle a couple of times....here with a morning star soy sausage patty- sandwich style! :) YUM!

 another breakfast..."bunless" lol

and with BUN! :) I played surgeon and cut my soy sausage in 1/2 then 1/2 again to make it fit on my bagel thin. :)

New recipe! I saw a potato taco idea and never got around to cutting out the recipe from the magazine,  so I came home & created this.

Egg & Potato Tacos


Serves 3
3 PointsPlus each
*extra points for tortillas & toppings


1 1/2 C egg beaters
6 Ounces baby yukon gold potatoes
1 med. yellow onion
fresh parsley
salt-pepper to taste
PAM
Poblano peppers roasted, skin removed, & diced OR just open a can of diced green chilis :)
**additional toppings- fresh salsa, hot sauce or even cheese!

Slice potatoes & onion thin, add to hot skillet sprayed with PAM. cook for 10-15 minutes until potatoes soften & get a lil brown. Add egg beaters, salt & pepper to taste. Scramble up! You can add in chili peppers to the mix or keep them separate as toppings.

I had 3 tacos on the Mission Extra Thin corn tortillas topped with fresh salsa, & poblano peppers that were SUPER HOT for some reason?? Cooled off my spicy mouth with fresh corn on the cob :) YUM!

 It was delicious & I love a good pointsplus friendly meal!

I also tried a new recipe from fellow blogger Gina over at SkinnyTaste!

 This was delicious, & EASY! Gotta love that combo! CLICK HERE TO SEE HER RECIPE! 


I got back in my weird salad routine this week too...lol

ooh & got a little crazy with my fruit too! :) I lychee, do you? :)

 ok so here is how you do it.... peel

 keep on peeling!

 All removed!

 Take a lil bite....but watch out for the pit!

 do not eat the pit... or choke on the pit! :)

PS I am going to see if blondes have more fun...lol Ok so I am just trying to cover up my gray hair, but either way it's a new look for me. :)

Last night I found out that Sean was going to be in a meeting so I invited myself over to Danica's pizza party! lol :) She was nice enough to have me over and we had a YUMMY meal!

Ya gotta check out her post about this pizza! You won't believe how PointsPlus friendly pizza can be! :)

YUM! 

It has been a GREAT week on plan! I hope I get some scale luv this Friday! :)

Off to Sean's parents tonight for dinner...so no cooking for me! 

Hope everyone has a great evening!

BYE!

Wednesday Stuff....

Hi Guys! Wow thanks for all of the chicken ideas & waffle ideas too! I gotta say I was excited to test out this one:

 CrinkCut said...

Easiest waffle ever, and loaded with protein:

1/3 cup rolled oats, 1/3 cup egg whites, 1/3 cup fat-free cottage cheese, 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder (I use Aria), 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, a shake or two of ground cinnamon, a dash of vanilla extract

Toss all ingredients in the blender and blend until everything combines into a batter. Pour into a preheated waffle iron that you've sprayed with cooking spray. Cook for about 8 - 10 minutes, depending on the temperament of your waffle iron. Makes one waffle of the circular variety.

Five PointsPlus for the whole waffle, and it keeps you full all morning! I love it topped with a dab of light whipped butter, a tablespoon of real maple syrup and fresh fruit. Adjust pointage to reflect your topping choices. It's my current favorite breakfast.

WOW! I actually ate the waffle as is...no toppings because I loved the taste of it so much! I bet it would be yummy with honey or even PB2 for a lil extra punch of protein! YUM! Thanks for the great idea Crinkcut! 

All of the chicken recipes sound great too....but I decided on a BBQ chicken salad for lunch yesterday. This is a local BBQ place around us and they have GREAT BBQ sauce! Sold in stores here! :)

 All natural too!

Ok so I know ranch BBQ dressing would have been better....but all I had was some blue cheese....so a mixin I went....humm not too bad! :)

Lettuce, red cabbage, shredded carrots, red bell pepper, grilled corn cut off the cob, 3 ounces leftover grilled chicken, peach slices & the dressing I made(above) The whole bowl...and it is HUGE for 7 PointsPlus! YUM! It was good and kept me full for hours!

 Sean's Uncle gave us this melon....

 I've never eaten one of these before!

 It was good! kinda like a cantaloupe but crisper inside. Really sweet! :)

One of Sean's favorite cold-cut is mortadella. His parents went down to Los Angeles to visit family and he asked them to get some of his favorite from a deli that they like down there. First of all I gotta say I LOVE this. I am actually salivating right now looking at the picture and typing about it! lol

When Sean came home with it he wanted me to taste it. I had 2 slices of it and I knew I had to stop myself right there. :-/ I want the whole stack of it! lol Worst part of it is that I am making Sean sandwiches this week for his lunches at work and I gotta remind myself that I don't NEED to eat this.

( I think I can smell it!) lol

 I think I deserve an award for this being in my fridge right now and NOT scarfing eating it! BRAVO TO ME! lol :)


 MOVING ON!!! Food I do eat....lol and enjoy very much! BLTA! Open face style! :) YUM!

Oh I made mini turkey burger sliders the other night! Looks like those sandwich thins...but SMALLER! I had one on a bun and one sans bun. :) Grilled corn, grilled asparagus, & baked "fries" as sides.

Those are yukon gold potatoes that I just washed, sliced into thin rounds and laid down on a cookie sheet sprayed w/ PAM, gave another spray on top of the potatoes, a lil salt & pepper over the tops & baked for 15 min, flipped them over, & baked for about 10 min longer at 425 degrees. :)

Tonight we are headed to Sean's parents for a taco party! OLE! :)  Tomorrow I am going to try out a new (to me) water exercise class. I am nervous & excited all at the same time! :) Whoohoo! :)

Hope you all have a great evening!

BYE! :)