Saturday 28 December 2013

Healthy Smoothie

For Christmas we got a George Foreman Mix & Go. So far made a good old banana smoothie and caramel thick shake for my hubby but thought if try something with no dairy and nothing artificial added. 

Give this one a go, it's 0pp on the weight watchers program and so filling.

Ingredients
1/4 cup green grapes
1/8 cup blueberries
1/4 Lebanese cucumber
1/4 banana
1/2 mango
3/4 cup spinach
1/4 cup lettuce 
1/2 cup water
Ice cubes

Method 
Chop into small chunks and place in blender.

Blitz until smooth

Enjoy !!



Saturday 23 November 2013

Banana Split

Sometimes the best desserts are the ones we had as kids. This simple recipe pleases all ages from kids to adults and only 4PP a serve!

Give it a go and enjoy :)

Carmz

 BANANA SPLIT

Ingredients

  • 1 medium banana - 0PP
  • 1 tbs chocolate topping - 1PP
  • 1 tsp chopped nuts - 1PP
  • 1 scoop low fat vanilla ice cream - 2PP
Method
  1. Cut banana in half lengthwise
  2. Put a scoop of ice cream on top of the banana
  3. Drizzle with chocolate topping
  4. Sprinkle with chopped nuts
You can also substitute the topping for any flavour you like. Choose a diet topping if you would like to lessen the points. (1 tbs of diet topping is 0 points)

    

 
 


 

 
 


 

 
 


 

 
 



Friday 22 November 2013

Pear, Rocket & Bacon Salad with Grilled Chicken

Hi everyone,

After a very busy day at work, it's nice to cook up something in 10 minutes.

It may sound like a strange salad combination, but trust me it works! Even my husband (who is very fussy) loved the taste of the pear and bacon combo.

This recipe is really simple to make and is only 9PP per serve.

Enjoy!

Carmz



PEAR, ROCKET & BACON SALAD
WITH GRILLED CHICKEN
 
 
 
 
Ingredients
  • 30g rocket leaves – 0PP
  • 1/2 pear sliced thinly – 0PP
  • 1 small breakfast bacon rasher – 1PP
  • 1 tsp grated Parmesan cheese – 0PP
  • 1 tbs balsamic vinegar – 0PP
  • 1 tsp olive oil – 1PP
  • 2 small chicken thigh fillets - 7PP
  • 1/4 tsp dried crushed chili flakes
  • 1 tsp chicken stock powder
     
Method
  1. Grill or air fry bacon until crispy. Remove from pan and let cool slightly.
  2. Sprinkle chicken thighs with chili flakes and stock power.
  3. Put chicken on a non stick grill or fry pan and cook for 5 mins each side until cooked through.
  4. While the chicken cooks, prepare the salad by combining the rocket, pear and cooled bacon. 
  5. Make the dressing by mixing the olive oil and balsamic vinegar together.
  6. Pour the dressing over the top of your salad and then sprinkle the over the Parmesan cheese.
  7. Once your chicken is cooked, add to the side of your salad.

This recipe serves 1 person.




Tuesday 12 November 2013

Rosemary Chicken

On the weekend, my BFF and I were sipping on some skim cappuccino's and talking about cooking something delish for dinner.
 
Here is a recipe she tried on the weekend - quick to cook, tasty and it looks amazing! (only 8PP a serve)

Give it a go & enjoy!
 
Carmz

(Thanks Mez for the recipe and pics)


ROSEMARY CHICKEN
WITH BRAISED LEEKS, PEAS & SPINACH



Ingredients
  • 120 g skinless chicken breasts – 5PP
  • few sprigs fresh rosemary – 0PP
  • 44g trimmed middle rasher bacon – 2PP
  • 50 g baby leeks – 0PP
  • 50 g baby spinach – 0PP
  • 50 g frozen peas – 1PP
  • salt and pepper - 0PP
  
Method
 

  1. On a large sheet of greaseproof paper, sprinkle chicken with salt, pepper and the rosemary leaves. Fold the paper over and bash and flatten the chicken to 1.5cm thick with a rolling pin
  2. Put chicken into a non stick frying pan turning after 3 or 4 minutes, until golden and cooked through
  3. Halve the leeks length ways, rinse under the tap, then finely slice. 
  4. In a separate pan on medium high heat, add finely sliced bacon cook for 1 min then add leeks, peas and 1/4 cup of water.
  5. Once leeks have softened slightly, add peas are tender, add spinach to the saucepan.
  6. Once spinach has wilted, pile vegies onto a platter and place the cooked chicken and bacon on top.

original recipe sourced from: http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/chicken-recipes/golden-chicken-braised-greens-potato-gratin
 

Sunday 10 November 2013

Carmz version of a BLT

If you are like me, you like a hot breakfast/brunch on the weekend. Give this one a go, only 6 points.

Enjoy!!

Carmz :)


Carmz Creations version of a BLT

Ingredients
  • 1 slice bread (I used white) 2PP
  • 2 slice WW bacon 2PP
  • 1 tsp light whole egg mayo 1PP
  • 1/4 ripe tomato 0PP
  • 1/2 cup rocket leaves 0PP
  • 1/2 boiled egg 1PP

Method
  1. Boil egg until firm but not hard boiled.
  2. Take the shell off the egg and cut in half
  3. Grill or air fry bacon (no oil)
  4. Toast bread until golden
  5. Spread with mayo
  6. Top with bacon, sliced tomato. rocket leaves and egg.




Balsamic Glazed Steak

On weekends, I always like to feel like I am having something "naughty". This was tonights dinner and worked out to be 12PP a serve.

If you are looking for something lower in points, add more 0PP salad and vegies and remove the fries.

I hope you enjoy this one too!

Carmz :) 


BALSAMIC GLAZED STEAK

Ingredients
200g lean blade or rump steak - 6PP
1 tsp chicken stock powder - 0PP
1 tsp crushed chilli flakes - 0PP
1 tsp olive oil - 1PP
1 tbs balsamic vinegar - 0PP
Rocket leaves - 0PP
125g McCain beer battered frozen fries - 5PP


Method
Cook fries as directed on pack. (I air fry mine but you could bake these too)
While the chips are cooking, coat steak in chilli and stock powder.
Grill on each side until cooked the way you like it. 
Remove from pan and put on a plate to rest for 5 mins.
While resting place oil and vinegar on top of steak. 
Put steak on top of rocket leaves and top with the remaining juice of steak, vinegar and oil.
Serve with fries on the side


Saturday 9 November 2013

Crustless Apple Berry Pie - Dessert Recipe

 
Only 3 pro points a serve.

The other day I had a craving for apple pie, so instead of having something full of fat and suagr, I decided to make my own.

Ingredients:
  • 4 apples, peeled, cored and chopped into cubes
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 cup frozen mixed berries
  • 1 tbs sugar (any type will be fine, I used raw sugar)
  • 1 tsp of cinnamon
  • low fat vanilla ice cream
Method:
  1. On a medium heat, add apples, water and sugar to the saucepan.
  2. Cook for 5 mins, then add cinnamon and frozen berries.
  3. Cook for a further 10 mins until apples are softened.
  4. Remove from heat and let the apple berry mix cool down in the saucepan.
  5. Divide apple berry mix into 4 dishes and top with a scoop of low fat vanilla icecream.


Follow my journey - Carmz Creations

Hi All
 
At the end of August 2013, I decided I was going to lose weight and get rid of 50% of me!
 
I have set my first challenge, which is to lose 40 kilos. I have lost 17.6 kilos as of 10/11/2013.
 
Follow my blog for motivation, product reviews and healthy recipes in line with Weight Watchers pro points.

You can also follow me on instagram - WW40kgchallenge

Enjoy!

Carmz

This is me at my heaviest weight. Progress shots to come once I have lost 20 kilos.