GUEST POST! Cheesecake Factory recipe re-created at home!

Hello! The other day I got a text from my friend Tina telling me that she had re-created a dish that we ordered out. I sent her a text back that she needed to do a guest post for me! I love making meals at home that I enjoy out at restaurants and LOVE when my friends and family try it out too! Great job Tina!

You might remember Tina was my date to our 20th High School reunion just this past October! Whoohoo!

Take it away Tina!

 

Hello Everyone!
 
My name is Tina, I am TJ's long time childhood friend. First let me begin by saying TJ is one of my best friends. She truly has been through all of my life's up and downs and has stood by  and supported me even when she didn't always agree with my choices. I am so proud of her and all that she has achieved in all areas of her life (plus its nice having a friend that cooks as well as she does).
 
I have struggled with my weight my entire life. I was a fat kid, fat teenager, fat young adult, fat through pregnancy...yada yada yada. At age 32 I decided to take a radical approach to weight loss and had a Gastric Bypass surgery. I am not here to advocate this choice for anyone, it was just the right choice for me. I was very successful and lost over 135 lbs very fast. Due to hard work and dedication I have kept off the majority of that weight.
 
Its been five and half years and I still struggle everyday with food....I Love it...everything about it. I have learned so much about food and nutrition throughout this this time. But the most important thing I tell myself everyday is "I am worth it". I still struggle with about 25 lbs but I guess most of us do.
 
TJ has taught me so much about "food swapping" you know... swapping bad stuff for the good healthy stuff. Might sound boring but its really fun and challenging.
 
A few weeks ago TJ and I went to lunch for her Birthday...BTW She's getting OLD! LOL  I love to tease her because she is one month older than me!We went to The Cheesecake Factory.  I know it sounds like calorie and point overload right? Not for us! We went straight for the lighter menu-didn't even look at the regular menu. That's a really good tip! Why temp yourself! We chose to share a Mexican chicken salad thing (it was good) and a flat bread...this was amazing! I re-created it for lunch yesterday and wanted to share my recipe with you all.
 
 

Gorgonzola and Pear Flat bread

**FAKE Cheesecake Factory RECIPE!**
serves 1

(added to the recipe builder- 6 PointsPlus)

1-Trader Joe's whole wheat Pita
1-T Gorgonzola cheese
1-T chopped walnuts
5-6 pieces of thinly sliced  pear (less than 1/4 of the pear)
10-15 spinach leaves (Cheesecake factory used arugula..I didn't have any so I used spinach)
 
 
Preheat oven to 375. Put all the spinach leaves of first. Place the pear slices on. then sprinkle the cheese and walnut. bake 10-12 min.
 
I really enjoyed this, next time I would do a little less pear and maybe a little more cheese!

Never Give up! Happy eating and weight loss to you all.

Tina

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