Pin Wheels...Not the cookie

Sometimes I just want a snack. But I want my snack to fill me. Now, i have found many uses for my Flat Out wraps that I buy at the grocery store, but this one is topping my last...

Mexican Pin Wheels

Ingredients

1 Flat Out Wrap Light

1/2 cup of lettuce (or to liking)

1/4 cup fat free refried beans

1/8 cup of mexican weight watchers cheese (or comparable)

2 olives cut up

1/4 fat free sour cream

Diced tomatoes (amount is to your liking)

Spread refried beans evenly onto Flat Out. Place sour cream over the refried beans. Next chop up lettuce and distribute evenly. Last sprikle the cheese olives and tomatoes on top. Roll up the wrap as if you were rolling a burrito or soft taco. Cut the wrap into pinwheels.

This recipe might seem high in points for a snack but the beans and lettuce really make for a filling snack and you get about 6 pinwheels.

Weight Watchers Points 3.5

Hot Dogs...Get your Hot Dogs...Or should I say Chili Dogs?

When the leaves start falling and football jerseys become the new weekend wear, I know it's time for one thing...chili dogs! When I began my weight loss journey I thought I had to avoid certain activities, like weekend football around the TV or sitting down and enjoying cold weather comfort food like Chili Dogs. Those are the days of the past. Try this chili dog recipe and guarantee you will want to make every day chili dog day.

Ingredients

1 Healthy Ones Hot Dog (Bought at any grocery store)

1/2 cup of Hormel vegetarian chili (or comparable)

1/2 cup of Weight Watchers Mexican Cheese (or comparable)

1 Healthy Life wheat hot dog bun (or comparable)

chopped onion to your liking

Bring a pan of water to boil and add the hot dog. Once the hot dog is cooked place it in the bun and add your chili. Sprinkle onion on top. Top with cheese. 

Weight Watchers Points - 5.5 

This recipe can obviously have many substitutions like turkey franks or cheddar cheese. The point is that you don't have to hide from the activities you love just because you might run into the food. Just modify it if you're doing the preparing. I'd really love to hear feedback on the hot dogs you all use in your daily recipes as there are so many different kinds. 

Another thing to keep in mind is that these Weight Watchers points can be played around with. If you like less chili go for it. If you like more cheese that's fine too. Just remember to adjust your points as these are based on my personal recipe.

LASAGNA!

I came across a box of Barilla lasagna noodles and it was just killing me to try and make a healthier version of lasagna. Sometimes it’s nice to eat a homemade dish. I did follow the layering version from Barilla so it is very important you follow the 12 noodle directions below and not the 16 noodle on the box.

Lasagna (12 servings)

 Ingredients:

Barilla 9 oz box of lasagne (that’s how they spell it) no boil noodles

24 oz jar of Barilla marinara sauce

24 oz jar of Barilla Italian baking sauce

2 Egglands Best eggs

1 15 oz of container of fat free Frigo or comparable ricotta cheese

2 8 oz packages of Weight Watchers shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup Kraft reduced fat grated Parmesan cheese

1 pound of 93% lean ground beef (cooked, crumbled, and drained)

Preparation:

Preheat oven 375

Spray 9X13 pan with non-stick cooking spray

In medium bowl beat eggs. Stir in ricotta, 2 cups mozzarella, and Parmesan

Assembly:

1. Spread half jar of Italian baking sauce on bottom of baking pan
2. Layer 4 uncooked noodles, half ricotta mixture, half of cooked ground beef, half jar of marinara sauce, 1 cup of mozzarella
3. Layer 4 uncooked noodles, remaining ricotta mixture, remaining ground beef, and remaining marinara sauce.
4. Layer 4 uncooked noodles, remaining Italian baking sauce and 1 cup of mozzarella.
5. Bake, covered with foil for about 50-60 minutes. Wait 15 minutes before cutting.

Calories: 264 per serving

Fat:  8 grams per serving

Fiber:  2.3 grams per serving

Weight Watchers Points:  5

Original Recipe

Calories: 427 per serving

Fat:  25 grams per serving

Fiber: 2.3 grams

Weight Watchers Points: 10 points

Note: You’ll notice I used brand names like Barilla and Egglands Best in this recipe. These brands are ones I’ve found to be a bit lower in count and thought I’d make your shopping easier. However, if you want to try other brands just check and make sure they are comparable as it may change the values.

Substitutions:

FF ricotta cheese

Weight Watchers shredded mozzarella cheese

Egglands Best Eggs (these are actually better than other egg brands)

93% ground beef instead of 80% or less

Kraft reduced fat Parmesan cheese

You Say Potato, I Say Yummy!

I love any kind of potato, but when you mix them with cheese and sour cream it’s simply heaven! I’ve seen the following recipe done many different ways, but one thing was always the same…IT WAS FATTENING! Not wanting to give up this gooey recipe I set out to make my own healthier version. The bottom recipe is the result.

Texas Hash Browns: Serving Size 1/2 cup

Ingredients:

2 lb bag of Ore-ida southern style hash browns (or comparable)

16 oz fat free sour cream

2 cups of reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese

1 1/2  sticks of light butter (Land O Lakes)

98% fat free cream of chicken soup

2 cups of corn flakes

Mix together hash browns, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and cheddar cheese. Melt one stick of the butter and add it to mixture.

Coat 9x13 pan with non-stick spray and spread potato mix evenly.

Next, crush the Corn Flakes. Sprinkle crushed corn flakes over potato mixture. Melt remaining half stick of butter and drizzle over cornflakes and potato mixture.

Bake at 350 for one hour or until bubbly.

Calories: 225 per serving

Fat: 10 grams per serving

Fiber: 2 grams per serving

Weight Watchers Points: 5

Original Recipe

Calories: 342 per serving

Fat: 26 grams per serving

Fiber: 2.25 grams

Weight Watchers Points: 9

As you can see I was able to cut this down significantly. You can also play around with the recipe and use an actual FF cheese or cut down on the butter, but I've found the cheese doesn't melt as well if it's strictly fat free, but it's completely by preference. Imagine if we cut at least 100 calories out of each meal a day (by ingredient swapping, not starving ourselves) for 7 days a week. that's 2100 calories a week. That's a significant difference. Have fun and enjoy! 

Ice Cream Cone Cakes!

Ice Cream, You Scream, We All Scream For Ice Cream...Cones!

When I was a kid I loved when the room moms would bring treats! Of course I did! I loved food even back then! My favorite treat was the ice cream cone cakes! Now, the version I remember is an ice cream cone, chocolate cake, and chocolate frosting. 

When I was shopping I ran across a box of cones that reminded me of them and it got me to thinking, "How could I enjoy these now?" Well the answer is to exchange the chocolate cake for angel food cake. I won't even address the frosting because there are so many kinds.

Ingredients:

30-35 (20 calorie) ice cream cones (my recipe is based on 30)

1 box of confetti angel food cake

Serving Size: 1 cone

Preheat the oven to 350

First prepare the angel food cake per box. Next, pour 1/4 of the mix evenly into each cone. The reason I say 30-35 cones is because you can fill them less or more if you like, but then you have adjust nutrition count.

Place each cone into a cup cake tray. They will wobble, just be careful. Place them in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden on top.

Fat 0

Calories 80

Fiber 0

Weight Watchers points 2

This treat gives you a sweet and crunchy mix leaving you satisfied after just one. It is also something different and fun to make with friends, family, or even the kids.

If you want to add a frosting, I suggest fat free Cool Whip or your own vanilla frosting made with Splenda.

If we had made the same recipe with the chocolate cake (I'm leaving the frosting out) it would look like this...

Fat 6

Calories 140

Fiber .4

Weight Watchers Points 3

As you can see I shaved almost half the calories and completely eliminated fat. I also shaved a point off, which let's face it, is what all of us weight watchers live for. One extra point during the day is always amazing!

If you really want to get fun you can use chocolate angel food cake or even add a hint of strawberry to your originally flavor.

Thanks!

Hey Everyone! I just wanted to thank everyone for reading and giving my recipes feedback! As you know from my previous posts I love mixing up ingredients! So thank you for your suggestions on different breading to use and sauces! It makes it so much fun!

I find these recipes by taking normal recipes and just playing around! I had some feedback about posting weight watchers points so as long as I don't get flagged I will post them as well for easy reference! The Chicken Parmesan is 4-5 points. I am giving an estimation because some people use different cheeses or a bit higher sauce. I have tried it with both reduced fat and FF cheese and it makes a bit of a difference. but as you can see a 1 point difference is not a big deal. Just have fun!

I also corrected an error! Hey, we are human : ) It should have read 1/2 pound of chicken in the ingredients....

I'm thinking breakfast this Sunday, but would love to hear what you want to see.

Chicken Parmesan! Check out the pic above!

With the fall weather coming it will be difficult to avoid those wonderful comfort foods we all know and love! One of my favorites happens to be chicken parmesan. With just a few simple changes you can eat this enticing dish and not ruin that summer body you worked so hard for!

Chicken Parmesan: Servings 2/Serving Size 4 oz

Ingredients:

1/2 pound boneless/skinless chicken breast

1 Egg white

¼ Cup Panko crumbs

1 ½ Tsp Italian seasoning

½  Tsp olive oil

¾ (8 oz can) cup tomato sauce

¼ Cup fat free mozzarella cheese

½ Tbsp Parmesan Cheese

Preheat your oven to 350. Make sure to coat a baking pan with cooking spray.

Place egg white in a bowl. On a piece of wax paper mix Panko crumbs with Italian seasoning. Coat chicken with egg white and coat with Panko mix. Make sure you thoroughly coat chicken with mixture.

Coat a skillet in cooking spray and put over medium heat and add oil. Once skillet is hot add your chicken. Brown on both sides. I usually go 5 minutes on each side because you don’t want it pink in the middle. If you are adjusting the recipe and have larger chicken breasts adjust the time accordingly.

Pour half of your tomato sauce into your baking pan and add chicken. Pour remaining sauce over chicken and sprinkle cheeses on top. Cover and bake 20 minutes or until chicken is done.

Total Fat Per Serving: 1.5 grams

Total Calories Per Serving: 180

Total Fiber Per Serving: 1

Average Chicken Parmesan:

Total Fat: 17

Total Calories: 423

Total Fiber: 1

Side Dish Option:

I found a great dish called a skillet parmesan zucchini on the back of the Kraft fat free mozzarella package that called for spaghetti noodles. I substituted spaghetti squash and it turned out to be a lower fat option and delicious. Check it out.

I searched many original recipes and found so many out there. The recipe I used to eat called for whole milk cheese and flour to coat chicken in. So as you can see it is so easy to eliminate these items to make this a healthy choice and I guarantee it tastes amazing.

As always you can change this recipe up if you want to use reduce fat cheese or a low fat bread to do a homemade crumbs just be sure to recheck values. 

TIP: You can use this recipe for more then just chicken! Spruce up your eggplant or for a completely different takes try using pounded down veal and switching out packaged brown gravy for the tomato sauce. Paired with low fat Yukon Gold mashed potatoes you’ll have a hit!

Nutritional values and info provided are approximations based on ingredients used. I am not a certified nutritionist as this is based on my own findings and calculations.

Next On Fix My Dish...

Tune in to an all new Fix My Dish, Sunday August 30th, when I will give tips on making a fabulous chicken parmesan. My secret for cutting the calories and keeping it crispy and moist? You'll have to tune in...

New Take On An Old Favorite: Cheese Pizza

I wanted to start my first recipe off with something simple that everyone can relate to, even kids. I aim to bring you simple recipes that can be incorporated into every lifestyle. The simple mans food if you will. 

When I started my new journey of a healthy life style I searched high and low for a pizza that not only bowed well on the calorie side, but also the taste side. Ladies and gentleman did I find a winner. Follow my simple instructions by substituting fat free mozzarella cheese and a 90 calorie flat out brand wrap for premium taste with out ruining your waist line.

Cheese Pizza Flat Out Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 Italian style flat out wrap shell or comparable tortilla wrap (purchase at any grocery store)

1/4 cup of pizza sauce

1/2 cup of fat free mozzarella cheese

Oregano 

On a baking sheet place the Flat Out in the oven and bake at 325 for about 5 minutes. Next, take the Flat Out and spread 1/4 cup of pizza sauce evenly across the wrap. Distribute 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese over the pizza sauce. Add the oregano.

Now that your cheese pizza is ready to be finished, place it back in the oven on 325 for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and enjoy.

Now for the fun part. Let's compare this version to a standard cheese 7-8 inch homemade cheese pizza.

By switching mozzarella cheese for fat free mozzarella and an off the rack pizza crust for a Flat Out wrap we cut calories by more then half as well as the fat and we increase the amount of fiber. Let's compare:

Quick homemade cheese pizza (Before Ingredient Switch)

Total For the whole pizza

Fat – 6 grams

Calories – 475

Fiber – 2 grams

Quick homemade cheese pizza (After ingredient switch)

Total For the whole pizza

Fat – 3 grams

Calories – 215

Fiber - 9 grams

So as you can see, I have cut both the calories and fat in half and the taste is crispy and fresh. Now, this pizza is more for one person, but if you apply the same rules by using larger wraps to work with you get the same out come. You can also add veggies to make the flavor pop and for an even bolder taste try turkey pepperoni or ham as a low fat substitute for sausage or pepperoni.

The total calories, fat, and fiber were attained from the products nutritional package and I am in no way a certified nutritionist. My years of nutritional reading and food studies are simply displayed from my own experience. These numbers can also be moved around depending on your own taste for more or less of the ingredients.

Welcome!

Welcome to Fix My Dish! A weekly blog that will show everyone they can make the recipes they love and still lose weight by making a few tweaks to their ingredients.

I have struggled with my weight all my life. In the past 2 and half years I have lost 80 pounds through the life style change program Weight Watchers. My biggest problem was learning to try new ingredients. By opening my mind and making a few ingredient substitutions, I have been able to cut the calories out of my favorite dishes, keep the weight off, and enjoy food just like I used to.

So grab your apron, some measuring cups, and get ready because I'm going to fix your dish.

Letter From Kristin

Hello Everyone! As you can see I have a new blog and a new recipe up already. This page will be getting some overhauls so be patient. Along with Fix My Dish there will be a segment called Intermission Kitchen. Here is where I will be giving quick recipe ideas for nutritious snacks you can make during commercial breaks from your favorite shows or movies. Heck, you can make them before if you want. 

In a third segment you will see Ask Kristin. Please post comments under that tab for recipes you'd like to challenge me to fix and make nutritional while keeping the taste. Thanks for the support! And remember to eat and be healthy!