Pita Panzanella

My absolute favorite food EVER is panzanella (bread salad)...well I am currently on weight watchers (still trying to stick to my rules but for now I just need to get some weight off in a way I will actually stick with)  Weight Watchers is the only diet I have ever stuck with and I love that you can combine it with other plans (vegan, paleo, pescetarian, gluten free, whatever).  Anyway, this is super low points and so so SOOO good!

Spread on a baking sheet:
1/2 whole wheat pita-sliced into 4 wedges and then each wedge split apart.

Spray with olive oil (or very lightly drizzle) and then sprinkle garlic powder and pepper.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, tossing once, until light brown.

In a bowl toss together some chopped tomatoes, sliced string cheese or crumbled feta, chopped basil, balsamic vinegar and crumbled pita chips.  E.A.T.

Day 2, I made it!

So, it wasn't SUPER easy but it was easier than any other diet I have tried, I ate super healthfully and I feel great!  For some reason having the list made me want to stick with it (and when I was hungry, I checked it and found something that fit my craving-sloppy super joe meat and a sweet potato topped with greek yogurt).

Make your own list-add your trigger/binge foods to the no list and the healthy, whole, low starch foods you like to the staples.  Somehow having it written down helps.

So far so good!

And for a little fun-this is my fantasy football logo (Madame's Minions). I lost to my husband last week but I think I win best logo!

Day 1

Sloppy Super Joes

My usual sloppy joe sauce is basically ketchup, Dijon mustard and brown sugar-delicious but I thought I could healthify it a bit. Last night I had an "a-ha" moment...DATE PUREE!  It has the caramel flavor I crave from brown sugar but it is much healthier.

The addition of greens adds so much nutrition but doesn't change the flavor, win-win!

1 tsp olive, coconut or avocado oil

1 small onion-chopped

1 lb ground meat (I used grass-fed beef but ground turkey or veggie burger is fine too)

1 cup frozen kale or spinach-thawed and chopped

2 Tbs red wine vinegar

4 Tbs tomato paste

1/4-1/2 cup date puree

1 Tbs Dijon mustard

2 tsp garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

In a deep skillet heat 1 tsp oil and then saute onion at med-high about 10 minutes.  

Add the ground meat and continue to saute,stirring often until cooked through.

Stir in remaining ingredients and simmer for at least 10 minutes.  Enjoy!

Add more date puree if you like your Joes sweeter.  I love to add chipotle pepper for a smoky flavor and chopped pickles for extra tang and crunch...chopped mushrooms are also a deliciously healthy addition without changing the flavor or texture. 

I'm sick

Lemon, ginger and leek egg drop soup made with chicken bone broth, I feel better already!