Presenting: Amazing (pasta free) Veggie Lasagna

I love to watch Dr.Oz. Last week he had the spokesperson for Weight Watchers on, the beautiful and insanely talented Jennifer Hudson. She was talking about how she changed her eating habits, the usual weight loss jazz. Then Dr. Oz led her to a table laden with all kinds of her “better food choices”. As they went down the line of food, they stopped at a tray of lasagna. This definitely caught my attention, as I am an Italian who loves her lasagna. It looked wonderful, but the best thing about it was that a nice big square was (get this) only 5 points!  This is A bit of work, but worth it- trust me:)

Here we go...

Gather your ingredients. It helps to have a mandoline, but if not you can slice the veggies into thin rounds.

Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees in preparation for roasting the veggies. Take a medium sized eggplant and slice thinly. Lay it out on a baking sheet and coat with Pam.

Do the same thing with the zucchini. Pop into the oven and roast for 8 minutes or so. Turn the veggies over, spray with Pam and roast for another 8 minutes.

Meanwhile, add a container of part skim ricotta to a bowl.

Add 1 egg and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese. Mix well, set aside.

OK, now we're ready for the assembly. Lower your oven to 350.

Start by coating the bottom and sides of your lasagna pan with Pam.

Add a thin layer of marinara sauce (canned is fine- I use Hunt's) to the bottom.

The next layer is the eggplant. Use it all, overlapping if necessary.

Add another thin layer of sauce.

Add 1/2 the ricotta mixture and sprinkle 1/8 of a cup of Parmesan and 1/2 cup part skim mozzarella on top covering evenly. And yes, I did take the extra liberty of adding a handful of mushrooms just to make things interesting.

Repeat the layering, this time starting with the zucchini, then the sauce, ricotta mixture, Parmesan and ending with the mozzarella.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until bottom is bubbly.  Take it out and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes before slicing.  Recipe makes 12 5-points plus servings.

Best 5 points plus EVER. Enjoy!

Here’s the link to the “official Recipe” from Dr. Oz.

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/weight-watchers-no-noodle-vegetable-lasagna

Fennel Mushroom Salad…Try it you’ll like it!

Ok, so I get bored with the same old same old. Here’s a tasty little low point salad that’s delicious and flavorful.

Slice a fennel, cutting away the core. Thinly slice a couple of mushrooms. Chop up 1/8 of a cup of Italian flat leaf parsley. Combine in a bowl. Toss with the juice of a small lemon and 3 teaspoons of Olive Oil. Add 1 teaspoon of salt, a grind of the pepper mill and a good shake of paprika. Mix, taste & adjust seasonings.

This healthy salad will only cost you the price of the 3 teaspoons of Olive Oil- 3 points.  TOTALLY worth it!  Be daring…try it!

Low Point Cucumber and Yogurt Soup – Fired or Iced

I know, sounds kinda weird, making a cucumber soup in the dead of winter, but hey! I live in Florida and right now it’s about 72 degrees, so this is a good dish for my Weight Watchers tracker.  This soup is great hot or cold…but I think it’s best cold…or hot you choose!

Gather your ingredients:  2 cucumbers, peeled and diced, 1 tsp olive oil, 1 small shallot, 2  cloves of garlic, 3 cups of chicken broth, 1 oz of white wine (whatever you’re drinking) and 1 1/2 cups of plain non-fat yogurt.

Add 1 teaspoon of Olive oil to your soup pot and heat.

Finely chop 2 cloves of garlic and one small shallot

Saute gently in the olive oil until transluscent

Add the diced cucumbers

Here's my secret weapon. The most wonderful, flavorful chicken stock, recipe from my friend Susan Branch. You can find this recipe in her "Autumn" Cookbook.

Here’s the link to Susan Branch http://www.susanbranch.com/

Saute cucumbers until nice and soft, add 1 oz of white wine. Raise heat, let mixture cook for 5 minutes, then add the chicken stock.

Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes

Get your yogurt ready. Let the mixture cool a little before adding the yogurt

Add your one and 1/2 cups of plain, non-fat yogurt

Get out your immersion blender

Let 'er rip until all the cucumber, garlic & shallots are pulverized.

add salt to taste plus a big pinch of dill

Now, either have a bowl hot….or chill for future consumption in the fridge.

For me, it's all about bringing it to work so I can stay on my Weight Watchers plan.

So, to sum it all up:  Dice a small shallot & 2 Cloves of garlic.  Saute in 1 tsp of Olive Oil until translucent.  Add an ounce of white wine to deglaze the pot.  Add peeled & chopped cucumbers, 3 cups of chicken broth and bring to a boil.  Lower heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes.  Let it cool a bit and add 1 and 1/2 cups of non-fat plain yogurt.  Blend with an immersion blender until smooth.  Enjoy hot or refrigerate for a cold soup.  Makes 4 servings, 2 Weight Watchers Points-plus each.

Can I Get a Drum Roll Please?

Saturday and it’s my “weigh-in” day. I’m following Weight watchers online, so my weigh in takes place in my own bathroom early on Saturday mornings. Today is a wonderful day…the birds are singing, beautiful Florida morning around 69 degrees. But it’s especially wonderful because this morning when I stepped on the scale…….this is the drum roll part…….I was down 2.7 lbs, making it a total of 9.7 lbs since I started on January 3rd. This makes me happy. Very happy. Later today I’m going to do a bit of low-fat cooking and I’ll post the recipes for anyone who is interested. For now I’m off to Whole Foods & Bedners Farmer’s Market.

Singing burns calories…who knew?

Yup, I knew singing in a church vocal group was good for my soul, but it’s also earned me a couple of “activity points” on my Weight Watchers plan. I’ll take them. Actually, I’m thinking any kind of activity is good for you and a smart alternative to crashing on the couch after work. I’m vowing to find a little something to keep me moving for a bit when I get home from work, instead of grabbing my laptop and going straight for the chaise lounge. It’s the little things.
I kind of miss cooking and posting recipes, so this weekend I’ll make some wonderful low-fat and healthy food to blog about. Stay tuned…and in tune!

Jacqui Visits the Gym

The mindset is here folks. I am on the mark with my diet after 2 years of half hearted attempts, lots of home cooking and minimal exercise. It’ all a state of mind…and apparently  I lost mine for a while. ANYWAY, I have stayed true to The Diet for over 2 weeks now, and it was time to take the next step…EXERCISE.
Stepping into LA Fitness after a long leave of absence takes determination and really, some bravery and guts. I got home from my grueling work day, and imagine this…a little thing called “motivation” in my mind kind of awoke after a lo-o-o-n-g nap and said “get out your workout wear and get thee to the gym!”. So I did. I printed out a schedule of classes for LA Fitness, saw there was an all-over body toning and cardio class, dug up some workout clothes from the bottom of the drawer,  put the top down on my Sebring and well…just WENT.
That class kicked my ass. This was a class I could have just sailed through in fitter times, but I LABORED through it, and I’m paying the sore muscle price today. But it feels GOOD to finally use the old muscles. And the first day back is always the hardest.  I am on my way. Let the journey begin…really.

27 points Plus

Ready for Health

Sometimes, you’re in a mindset where you can stick to a healthy eating plan. This elusive condition doesn’t come easily, it’s like something goes off in your brain, and finally, you’re ready to commit. For real. Not just saying it to everyone, not just falling off the wagon after 8 hours, but actually making a resolution and sticking to it.
I am very blessed to be in the right mindset at this moment in time. I have managed to stick to my guns for a week and 2 days, and really feel like I’m going to stay with it. I know there are many of you out there in the same boat with me, and I wish you all the best with your healthy endeavors. I’ve been following Weight Watchers online, and it’s working for me. I’m just about ready for step 2- dusting off my gym membership and actually walking through the doors of LA Fitness!
So…maybe I’ll be looking good for my Sister’s cruise wedding this April- a nice incentive

Ciao for now

A Slice of Life – 2011

How quickly this year went, sad times, happy times. I’m ready for 2012. Imagine the possibilities…anyway, here’s my small slice of life.

January

Top of the Ferris Wheel, South FL Fair

Mark snapped this picture just as we reached the top.

February

A glass of wine and an Anniversary toast to us!

We celebrated our 14th Anniversary at the Okeechobee Steak House.

March

Robert Klein performing at the Clubhouse

Broadway star Robert Klein performed at the clubhouse.  I was so excited to meet him!  One the nice perks of my job.

April

Lacey decorating Jill & Adam's Wedding Cake

In April my sister Jill and Adam took their vows in a small ceremony at our home.  They planned a big lavish Cruise Ship wedding for the following April, but for now this cozy ceremony was enough for them.

Mother's Day with my Mom at Brios's

June

Girl's Road trip

Mom, Lacey Noelle & Moi set out on a road trip up the East Coast from FL to CT.  We stopped at the Amish Country in Lancaster, PA.

July

Still on the Roadtrip, I met up with dear childhood friends I hadn't seen in 35 years!

August

Lacey turns 21

Unbelievably, my baby became an adult this year.  Shed a couple of tears over this milestone.

September

Bruce & Kim got Married

My brother finally got married!

October

Haunted Halls of Horror

Mark and I participated in the Haunted Halls of Horror to benefit Hugs Not Drugs.  I was a scary fortune teller.

November

Hogwarts and Harry Potter at Universal in Orlando

November brought a trip to Orlando and a visit to Universal.

December

Christmas Service at Christ Fellowship, view from the drummer's enclosure on stage. Candle light ceremony aglow.

A Cup of Kindness, dear. Farewell 2011

Grateful

Thanksgiving morning, everyone’s asleep and I’m alone in the kitchen, savoring the time for myself.  I open the front door for trip to the driveway to pick up the ad-laden newspaper, and the 70 degree morning greets me with the promise of a lovely day ahead.  Back in my kitchen, I put together some lemon poppy seed muffins for the family to devour for breakfast, pour myself a cup of coffee and sit down with my recipe books to find my ‘Best Candied Sweet Potato with Marshmallows” tried and true recipe I am bringing to Bruce & Kim’s house for Thanksgiving dinner.

Usually I host all the major family holidays, but my brother and his wife love to host Thanksgiving.  I am grateful for being able to just show up with my side dish and enjoy their hard work and the spread they have assembled.  I am looking forward to spending my time with my husband and daughter, my Mother, sister and her husband, brother and his wife and assorted nieces and nephews.  We are a nice, not too large family.  I miss my Dad at these gatherings, but I’m sure he is smiling down at our family gathering from Heaven.

I am grateful for all the love that surrounds me, having God in my life and the promise of many more family gatherings to come.  Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, enjoy your special day.