Baby it's COLD outside!

We had a great weekend! Attended our last few Christmas gatherings for 2012, ate way too much, spent time with family, and watched some football!

Saturday - Dashing Through the Snow



Minnesota Winter

Snow Bunny

Love Him

Sunday - Go Vikings!

SKOL

After the VIKINGS WIN yesterday I see a WILD CARD GAME FOOTBALL PARTY in our future! Gonna have to look for some new skinny appetizer and drink recipes, NO MERCY I'm working on my fitness!

Monday - Baby it's Cold Outside

Burrr

Hoping it's a little nicer tomorrow because Little Man would like to try out his new sled.

Let's go sledding Mama!

Tonight I am going to look at a used treadmill and am pretty excited about it! Let's hope it works out, I need something to get me through the icy and frigid cold days. Even the 20, 30, ok 40 lbs of extra fluff I'm carrying around doesn't protect me from -32°!

Skinny UP the Shrimp Dip

Whenever we get together on my mom's side of the family I usually bring Shrimp Dip because everyone LOVES it and it is EASY! We gathered on Saturday to celebrate Christmas and originally I was somewhat lenient to make it because with an ingredient list that includes cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and mozzarella cheese it tends to send the calorie calculator spinning. Instead of skipping it all together I opted to try and skinny it up and found out that the end result is as delicious as the original recipe.


Shrimp Dip
Recipe from My Mommy

     1 - 8oz package light cream cheese*
     1/2 cup light sour cream*
     1/4 cup light mayonnaise*
     1 cup cocktail sauce
     2 cups reduced fat mozzarella cheese*
     12 oz shrimp
     3 chopped green onions

1. Combine the cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise; spread in a 9 x 13 container or on an equivalent size serving platter.

2. Cover evenly with cocktail sauce.

3. Sprinkle on mozzarella cheese.

4. Scatter shrimp over the cheese layer.

5. Top with chopped green onions.

6. Chill until ready to serve.

7.  Serve with crackers, chips, or veggies.

Calories - less than the full fat version per serving
* I could have used fat free cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and mozzarella cheese but I was worried someone might notice a difference. Maybe next time.
 
 
Serve it tonight at your New Years Bash for all your buddies or make a pan for just you and your man if you're going to be home on the couch like we are.

Wishing everyone a Safe & Happy New Year!

Thursday Tale from the Scale - The Ugly Truth

When I started the blog on October 18th I talked a good game but never got DOWN n' DIRTY and did the work.

So here is the UGLY Truth....



 

one hundred eighty four point four
UP 4.0 lbs Since Last Weigh In
UP 2.4 lbs TOTAL

Time to stick to my own PLAN and get DOWN n' DIRTY because I have lots of BIG plans for 2013.

Now, who's with me?

Jerk Chicken Nachos & Cran-Raspberry Fizz Recipes

Jerk Chicken Nachos are Mr. You Betcha's favorite food to pig out on while watching a football game. From August to February we make it at least twice a month. The recipe actually found me while I was a Pampered Chef consultant and it instantly was added to our favorite recipes binder (it's like my personal cookbook). When I think Nachos I think naughty, greasy, and high fat but this chicken topped version isn't too bad.

We had them last night and I though I would share the recipe. They were gone before I got a chance to snap a picture but I will add one the next time we have them.


Jerk Chicken Nachos
a Pampered Chef Recipe
 
      6 cups tortilla chips
      3 cups diced or shredded cooked chicken*
      2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese blend
      2 tablespoons Jamaican Jerk Rub, divided (I got mine from The Pampered Pantry)
      1 small yellow or red bell pepper or combination
      1 lime
      2 tablespoons snipped fresh cilantro
      ¼ cup sour cream* and 1 teaspoon additional Jamaican Jerk Rub (optional)
 

1. Preheat oven to 425°F and arrange tortilla chips in a slightly overlapping layer on a large cookie sheet or baking stone.

 
2. Combine chicken, cheese and 1 tablespoon of the jerk rub and sprinkle mixture evenly over tortilla chips. Bake 5-7 minutes or until cheese is melted.
 
3. Meanwhile, dice bell pepper and cut lime in half crosswise. Juice half of the lime into a small bowl and add remaining jerk rub and bell pepper and mix well.
 
4. Snip cilantro and slice remaining lime half; cut slices in quarters.
 
5. Spoon bell pepper mixture over nachos and sprinkle evenly with cilantro.
 
6. If desired, combine sour cream and additional jerk rub in resealable plastic bag; trim corner to allow sour cream to flow through. Pipe sour cream mixture over nachos.
 
7. Garnish with lime slices.
 
12 Servings - 180 Calories (as is) per Serving
* Skinny it up with low fat cheeses and light sour cream or nonfat greek yogurt.


Another recipe I keep around from my Pampered Chef days is a punch called Cran-Raspberry Fizz. I have made it for several showers and get togethers because it is always sure to please. When we have girls nights or footballs parties I make it for the ladies and spike it with raspberry vodka for extra kick.


Cran-Raspberry Fizz
a Pampered Chef Recipe
 
      4 limes, divided
      1 can (12 ounces) frozen cranberry juice concentrate*
      3 cups cold water
      1 pint raspberry sorbet, softened
      2 liters (8 cups) chilled ginger ale*
 
1. Slice two of the limes & set aside. 
 
2. Pour cranberry juice concentrate and water into a large pitcher.
 
3. Juice remaining limes into pitcher.
 
4. Scoop sorbet into pitcher and mix thoroughly.
 
5. Add ginger ale and lime slices and gently until well mixed. Serve over ice.
 
16 Servings - 130 Calories per Serving (as is)
* Skinny it up with light cranberry juice from concentrate and diet ginger ale.
 
For EXTRA KICK add 2 cups raspberry vodka.


ENJOY!!!