Winner of Coaches Oatmeal!
We have a WINNER of our Coach's Oatmeal Giveaway!
The Winner is: Julie
Congrats! Please email me: shellyeubanks@gmail.com to claim your prize!
Product Review: Coaches Oats & A Giveaway
Well if you have been following my blog or post on facebook, you know I LOVE oatmeal! I eat it almost every morning and sometimes have it for a snack. I have several Baked Oatmeal recipes here on my blog and was super excited when I found out about a "new to me" brand of oatmeal called "Coaches Oats", I was even more excited when the company sent me samples to try out!
For those of you that aren't a fan of the mushy oatmeal, you are going to LOVE these! They have the texture of steel cut oatmeal, but don't take 30-45 minutes to cook like traditional steel cut oatmeal does.
Coach’s Oats are prepared in an entirely new way. The groats are toasted to bring the natural sugars to the surface of the oat, then cracked into small pieces. This patented Cracked n' Toasted™ process means that Coach’s Oats are never mushy, always naturally delicious and cook in just 3 to 5 minutes on a stove top or in the microwave. That's the Coach’s Oats difference!
So even though these can be cook in the microwave or the stove top, I just had to try them in one of my baked oatmeal recipes. I made Baked Apple Pie Oatmeal using Coach's Oats and it turned out wonderful! The texture was great (wasn't mushy at all) and the flavor was amazing!
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| Baked Apple Pie Oatmeal using Coach's Oats |
I will definitely be using these oats again. They have several recipes listed on their website that I plan on trying out and of course using them in my baked oatmeals as well.
Coach's Oats can be purchased on their website and they even sell a single-serving packet for those of you who would like to try it out before buying a big bag.
Giveaway!!
Now for GOOD News! The company sent me enough samples, so I have decided to share it with one lucky reader of my blog! I have (4) single-serving packets that I will be giving away to one lucky winner! To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is post a comment here! It's that simple!! ONE LUCKY WINNER will be drawn at random from all entries next Sat. Feb. 26th. Good Luck! :)
Well I am off for the day to relax and spend some time with my family. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!
Sticky Cola Chicken & Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
WOW, it's been a couple weeks since I updated my blog. Sorry, just been super busy with life. Still training hard and eating better. I'm not eating 100% clean but about 85-90% so that's good and even the "non-clean" stuff I eat is still lower in calories and fat.
I haven't done a weekly check-in, in awhile so I thought I would do one now. I weighed in this morning at 166lbs. That's total loss of 7lbs since I started My 2011 Goal I'm a little behind in where I was hoping to be at this stage but I had a couple weeks where I didn't eat well at all, so that's to be expected. I'm still very happy with the 7lbs gone! :) I also kicked up my workouts and I am finding it's making a difference. What I am doing now between weight training sets is running a lap around the gym. This really gets my heart pumping and helps to burn those calories. So as long as I stay on track with my food, I should have some really good losses coming up.
I have a couple new recipes to share with you! I use to make them all the time when I was following weight watchers and decided to make them again for the family. Everyone loves this, even the kids do and it's super easy to make! It's not a "clean" meal but really low in calories and fat.
Sticky Cola Chicken
Serves 4-5
Ingredients:
4-5 skinless, boneless chicken breast
1 cup ketsup
(1) 12oz. can of diet coke
Directions:
Put chicken in a non-stick skillet.
Pour ketsup and diet coke over chicken and stir until mixed well.
Turn heat to medium high and cook chicken for approx. 30 mins, stirring occasionally.
Cover and reduce heat to a simmer and cook another 15-20 mins.
Remove lid and cook until sauce thickens and sticks to chicken.
Sauce will taste like BBQ sauce and the chicken is very tender.
Note: You can also make shredded BBQ chicken sandwiches with this. Simply us 2 forks and pull chicken apart about 15 minutes before it's finished cooking.
Nutritional Information:
Coming Soon
Old Weights Watchers Points: 1 point per oz. of chicken
Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
Serves 8 (2/3 cups per serving)
Ingredients:
10 medium red potatoes (about 2 1/2 lbs)
1/2 cup buttermilk, warmed
1/2 oz. Parmesan cheese, grated (about 3 tbsp)
1/4 cup chives, chopped
1 tsp salt
1/8 ts. black pepper
Directions:
Wash potatoes and cut into fours (keep skins on), place potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to boil, reduce heat, and simmer until cooked (fork tender). Drain and return potatoes to pot. Mashed potatoes with a potato masher. Stir in remaining ingredients and mix well.
Nutritional Information:
Coming SoonOld Weights Watchers Points: 2 points per serving
Healthy Recipe Makeover: Cheesy Potato Casserole
I LOVE comfort food, but I don't love all the calories and fat that usually come along with it. One of my favorite comfort food dishes is Cheesy Potato Casserole. I don't make it very often, because of the high calorie and fat content, but have been craving it lately, so decided to make a healthier version. It turned out so very good!
It's not a "clean" meal for those of you following a clean diet, but it is a really good replacement for the original recipe, especially when you are craving some comfort food! It also makes a great dish to take to a potluck. People won't even know it's a healthier version! :)
Cheesy Potato Casserole
Makes 12 servings (serving size: 1/2 cup)
32 oz. package frozen southern style diced hash brown potatoes
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 tbsp. butter, melted and divided
10 3/4 oz. can condensed reduced-fat, reduced-sodium cream of chicken soup
8 oz. light Velveeta cheese, cubed
8 oz. light sour cream
2 cups cornflakes, coarsely crushed
Cooking Spray
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Combine the first 4 ingredients and 1 tbsp. of the melted butter in a large bowl.
- Combine soup and cheese in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 6 minutes or until cheese melts, stirring every couple of minutes
- Add sour cream to cheese mixture
- Pour cheese mixture over potato mixture, and stir well.
- Spread mixture evenly in a 13x9 inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
- Combine the cornflakes and remaining 1 tbsp. melted butter and sprinkle evenly over top of potato mixture.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
Nutritional Information:
Calories: 181
Fat: 6g
Carbs: 25.5 g
Sodium: 494 mgFiber: 1.5g
Protein: 7gNot bad considering the original version has over 350 calories and 21 grams of fat per serving!
And for added flavor, you can add 1/2 tbsp of bacon bits and some diced green onion tops. It only adds about 15 more calories and makes the potatoes taste just like a twice baked potato!
Do you have a favorite recipe that needs a healthy makeover? Send it to me and I'll see if I can lighten it up for you.
Product Review: Filtrete Water Station
Filtrete Water Station
Facts about the Filtrete Water Station:
I was excited when I was contacted by the 3M company to see if I would be interested in reviewing their Filtrete Water Station. We are a family that goes through 60+ gallons of bottle water per month. That's a LOT of bottles! Even though we recycle the bottles, you can imagine how the cost adds up! So when I was approached with the opportunity to try a product that could save us money, I couldn't pass it up.
We already own one of those pitcher water filtering systems that is made by another company and my biggest complaint with that is the time it takes to fill up the pitcher. When I read up on this system, one of it's features was quick filtering, so that made me even more excited!
The day the Filtrete Water Station arrived, my 13 yr. old daughter and I were both in the kitchen. She was just as excited as I was. A new gadget to try out!. So after opening the box and reading the quick easy to follow instructions, we she got busy setting it up.
My thoughts:
The system was VERY easy to use. The water filtered very fast, unlike the pitcher we had used before. My daughter was able to set it up herself without any trouble. We put the bottles in the refrigerator and the boys both asked if they could have one when they came upstairs. I think the novelty of the bottle made them want to try it :)
About 15 minutes later, all 4 bottles were empty. They can of course be refilled quickly but you have to wash them first and then if you want cold water, you have to keep them in the frig until they chill. The company does sell extra bottles so this would solve the problem of having to refill bottles so often.
My biggest complaint with the system is the size of the bottles. It comes with (4) 16oz. bottles. I go through at least a gallon of water a day, so you can imagine how much I would have to filter to be able to use these bottles. Also I take water on the go with me and usually carry a 32oz. plastic water jug. I would have to take 2 of these water bottles for it to be enough. I really wish the company had different size options for bottles. A 32 oz. bottle would be perfect.
We did use the system for a few days (mainly the kids did) but really for our family who drinks so much water, it just didn't seem practical and who wants to spend all day refilling bottles. Now if you are a family that doesn't drink as much water as we do, this might be the perfect thing for you. For us, it just didn't cut it!
FILL
- Revolutionary fast-flow filtration technology filters water and fills 4 grab & go bottles in just seconds – much faster than traditional filtering pitchers.
- Fill one, two, three or all four bottles at a time.
- The water filter reduces chlorine taste and sediment from tap water to improve taste, odor and clarity of your water.
- Full bottles can be stored in the refrigerator.
- Extra bottles can be purchased separately.
GO
- Includes 4 reusable grab & go bottles.
- Bottles are dishwasher safe and BPA-free.
- When bottles are removed from the Water Station, the docking station's valves prevent leaks, so no spills!
- Unique strap for on-the-go carrying features a leak-proof cap.
REUSE
- Bottles are top rack dishwasher safe.
- Regular use can eliminate the cost and waste of up to 3,000 disposable water bottles per year.
- Filters last up to 100 gallons, or for about 3 months.
- Built-in Filter Change Indicator lets you know when it's time for a replacement.
- Recyclable filter housing is the same #2 plastic as a typical milk jug.
For more information about the Filtrete™ Water Station and other Filtrete™ water filtration products, such as our under-sink water filtration systems visit Filtrete.com/water.
Healthy Super Bowl Food
With Super Bowl Sunday just around the corner, I am getting our game day menu ready, BUT unlike years past when we sat on the couch and stuffed our faces with fattening foods, I am going to be serving up healthier options! It will be just the hubby and I and the kids, so our menu is small and simple but still full of yummy food!
Our Super Bowl Menu This Year:
Appetizers:
Main Dish:Big Ol Pot of Taco Soup
Dessert:Low-Fat Fudge Brownies (recipe coming soon)
How about you? What's on your Super Bowl Menu this year?
Are you sticking with healthy options?
Are you sticking with healthy options?
And if you are heading to the bar this Sunday, check out The Pub Grub Guide to help you pick better options.
It IS possible to still have a Great time celebrating Super Bowl and not go overboard on the calories and fat!
Oh and by the way, our family will be cheering for the Steelers :)
Grilled Chicken Alfredo Flatbread
I have another flatbread recipe to share with you. My Fresh Tomato Basil Flatbread was such a hit with my family, that I decided to try another combination and this one turned out so good.The recipe below is listed in 2 parts (the basic dough and the complete recipe).
Basic Flatbread Dough
Makes 6 servings
This is the base dough used for my Flatbread recipes. This makes enough dough to make 2 13x5 flatbreads. You can make them both now OR freeze ½ for later.
Ingredients:
1 cup warm water (110º to 115º F)
1 tsp sugar
½ tsp active dry yeast
4 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp salt
½ tsp ground pepper
1 ¾ whole wheat flour
¾ to 1½ all-purpose flour
Olive oil non-stick cooking spray
Directions:
- In a large bowl, stir together the warm water and sugar until sugar dissolves. Stir in yeast. Let stand about 10 minutes or until foamy. Stir in oil, salt and pepper. Stir in whole wheat flour and as much of the all-purpose flour as you can.
- Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in remaining all-purpose flour for about 6 minutes. Shape dough into a ball. Place in a lightly greased bowl; turn once to grease surface. Cover; let rise in a warm place until double in size (about 1-1¼ hours).
- Punch dough down. Divide into 2 equal parts.
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| Dough before toppings are added. |
Chicken Alfredo Topping Ingredients (for 1 flatbread):
¼ tsp Italian seasoning
1-2 pinches salt
1-2 pinches black pepper
1-2 gloves garlic, minced
½ cup light alfredo (I used jarred Ragu Light Alfredo)
3 oz. of grilled boneless/skinless chicken breast, sliced
1-2 medium plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
¼ cup 2% shredded cheese (I used mozzarella)
2 tbsp snipped fresh basil
Directions:
- Prepare flatbread dough (directions above)
- Preheat oven to 450º F. Use a baking stone for best results.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out 1 portion of the dough into a 13x5-inch rectangle. Transfer to baking stone.
- Top dough with salt, pepper, and minced garlic.
- Spread light alfredo sauce evenly over dough
- Arrange tomato slices on top.
- Arrange grilled chicken on top.
- Sprinkle with cheese.
- Bake for 10 minutes or until flatbread is browned on edges.
- Just before serving, sprinkle with fresh basil.
Hot out of the oven!
Nutritional Information:
Coming Soon!
Baked Blueberry Muffin Oatmeal
Of course I had to make another baked oatmeal dish this weekend. I love the ease of a baked oatmeal and the possibilities of what you can do with it. Not to mention it's a super healthy breakfast (I've even eaten it as a dessert :)I LOVE blueberries and normally eat them fresh but decided to test out a recipe with them. I am glad I did, because this one turned out so yummy! The blueberries have a sweet/tartness to them and the vanilla flavoring adds a hint of "muffin like" taste to it. Yumminess!
Baked Blueberry Muffin Oatmeal
Makes 1 serving
Ingredients:
1/2 cup dry oats (NOT the instant kind)
1/8 tsp baking powder
1 pinch of salt
1 cup water
3 tbsp liquid egg whites
1 tbsp sugar-free vanilla coffee flavoring (I use Archer Farms from Target OR Torani)*
1-2 packets of splenda*
1/4 cup fresh blueberries (you could probably use frozen as well)
* A note on sweetness: I'm use to eating my oatmeal plain! I've come to like it that way, so all of my baked oatmeals are not overpowering with sweetness! They may or may not be sweet enough for you. The best part about it, is you can adjust the sweetness to your liking. I'd just add a lil at time until it's as sweet as you like it. And of course you can use all natural sweeteners like honey or raw sugar instead. In both cases remember that the nutritional values may change anytime you make a change!
Directions:
Mix all of the above together in a small oven-safe container and bake at 350º for 35 minutes.
Nutritional Information:
Calories 120
Total Fat 1.2g
Sodium 86mg
Total Carbohydrate 18.9g
Dietary Fiber 3g
Sugars 4g
Protein 8g
Linking this post to: Slightly Indulgent Tuesday - Be sure and check out all the wonderful healthy recipes listed!
