So I did it! For a while I’ve been eying the newly svelte Jennifer Hudson pitching for Weight Watchers. I resisted.I hate counting calories and points just seemed so complicated. I mean I love food and I love to cook. Therefore I hate diets.A few years ago I tried a home delivery service and the food was awful. I didn’t want to go on some other well-known programs because I hate processed foods. Weight Watchers seemed to be the only solution, where I could cook and have fun developing recipes. Most of you know I’m pretty much an open book and will share my joys and sorrows . Not being ashamed of the fact of what I was doing, I was surprised when many of my friends contacted be both publicly and off-line that they have had tremendous success with Weight Watchers. One food blogger friend revealed to me she lost 100 lbs in a year. All the success stories I heard motivated me more , as this seemed actually doable, and without depriving myself of anything.
So naturally I’m cutting back on fat, not entirely, as I believe fat carries flavor, but healthy fats and in moderation.I’m playing around with adding bulk and volume to my foods off the Power Foods list ( foods low in points that give you more fuel throughout the day). When I’m hungry mid day I reach for a banana, which surprisingly has zero points to satisfy both that sweet and creamy texture urge. So far so good, and on week 3 , I have lost over 5 lbs. The second week was challenging as we had several social functions with great food and alcohol, but I was able to indulge in moderation. Thank goodness for my Iphone app, where I plug-in foods and receive their values. Who knew a Screwdriver is the cocktail with the lowest points?
Sometimes I post some recipes to the community pages. The Farro with Turkey Kale and Sun dried Tomatoes was a very successful one that both Certain Someone and I enjoyed. I actually tea smoked my own turkey breast to use for the week and throw it into several recipes. The smoking adding a depth of flavor. For this recipe you can use regular roasted , cooked turkey breast.
- 1 pound(s) cooked turkey breast
- 1 cup(s) cooked leek(s)
- 1 cup(s) Kale
- 2 cup(s) sun-dried tomatoes (without oil)
- 2 cup(s) cooked farro
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- Boil Farro to package instructions and reserve
- Drain Julienne your Kale.
- Weigh and chop your turkey breast, tomatoes.
- In a non stick pan spray your non stick cooking oil.
- Add your leeks and kale and stir fry for a few minutes on med high
- Add your tomatoes and continue to stir and cook over med high heat.
- Vegetables should start to caramelize a bit.
- Add the turkey. Continue to cook.
- Lastly add the cooked Farro and stir fry for a few more minutes .
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
The winner of the Creminelli giveaway is Jen from The Whole Kitchen. Congratulations Jen!
A gorgeous dish! The kind of food I would eta during the week (minus the meat)! Farro is so delicious and versatile.
Cheers,
Rosa
Good for you Courtney. Jennifer Hudson looks amazing and the Weight Watchers plan seems doable.
Go Coco Go! Weight Watchers is so much easier and more enjoyable for those of us who cook and actually experiment with new foods and flavors. I know you’ll be successful!
My daughter-in-law swears by Weight Watchers. She LOVED it so much I think she has a job with them now!!! I can just see you developing tasty healthy weight conscience meals, Courtney. Who knows, maybe you will come up with some foods worthy of delivery!!! The fact that CS like this one is a sure plus!
I don’t “do” apps, (yet) but way cool. A Screwdriver, hmmm…
Thanks for sharing and congrats to Jen!
screwdrivers alone could make me be ok w/ doing weightwatchers! go you – i give you credit. we’ve been trying to do some moderation w/ food as well and even tweaking your norm at all is tough. if i can offer you a suggestion, we LOVE farro (love, love, love, love LOVE), but at about $7 to $10 a pound, it can get pricey for some. recently, we’ve been making bulgur wheat (big kind) and it’s incredibly close if texture and flavor as farro. it also costs about $3 for a giant bag. farro is much more nutty in flavor and, i do prefer it, but the bulgar wheat has been amazing. i wonder if they are on the same point list for weight watchers?
good luck w/ the life change (don’t call it a diet!)…
Thanks for the tip! I also purchased whole buckwheat grains and plan to play. I get Farro at a reasonable price at an Italian specialty market, but don’t feel like driving the distance always.
I feel your pain Courtney!! I had the unfortunate, or fortunate depending on how you looks at it, experience of being forced onto a scale at the doctor’s office and am really trying to increase the good carbs, eliminate the white ones except for special occasions and limit red meat. I see all the skinny &*#@! bloggers and I wonder why it isn;t happening to them, so thank you for sharing your struggle and such a lovely recipe.
Thanks. You know the saying never trust a skinny chef, well I wonder if that applies to bloggers. They must not be eating their own food.