Thanks for all your comments yesterday about Tony making me dinner.  And yes, that does mean he’s feeling better.  He’ll feel even better when he’s not plugged into a wall anymore though!  The home health care nurse came by Monday to change his sponge, and his wound looks “pink” which is a good sign.

Even after I told Tony that each slice of his delicious jalapeno corn bread came in at six points, he said “will you eat any more of it?”  Hells yes!  I just need to make it work in my meal plan.

So yesterday I made a 1/2 cup egg white (2) omlet with spinach (0) with a slice of corn bread (6) and a cup of fresh fruit (0).  A lovely 8 WW point breakfast.  Tony said the recipe suggested reheating it in the microwave for a few seconds and it tasted as if it had just come out of the oven.  So fricken good!

While Tony is more than willing to make dinners so I can get to the gym, I plan on saving those days when I know the weather is not going to cooperate.  Yesterday, while cold (23), it wasn’t windy.  So I had a nice 45 minute walk at a pretty fast pace – I kept skipping the slow songs on Pandora to keep the momentum going.  I’ve found that I feel better when I run every other day – it gives my legs a chance to rest in between.

The only thing I hate about the end of February?  Dirty snow – when I am really done with winter and want it to be spring and 50 degrees so I can put up my gazebo again and watch baseball. 😀  Most of the snow is already melted and I think we have rain in the forecast, so it shouldn’t be around too much longer.

I have a bad habit.  I open cans of stuff, only use a little bit, then put them with the lids still in tact.  I just hate to waste food.  But then invariably I’ll be looking trying to find something and realize I have:

  • 1/3 of a container of chicken broth
  • 1/2 a can of tomato sauce
  • 1/2 a can of chipotle peppers in adobo
  • 1/4 can of canned black beans
  • 1/2 can fat free refried beans

The light bulb went off as I stared at these half used cans of food.

Refried Bean Soup – Makes One Generous 2 1/2 cup serving for 7 points

  • 1 cup chicken broth (0)
  • 1 cup tomato sauce (0)
  • 1/2 cup fat free refried beans (2)
  • 1/3 cup canned black beans (2)
  • 1 tablespoon chipotle peppers
  • 2 ounces of shredded chicken leftover (2)
  • 1/2 ounce of cheddar cheese on top (1)

I just mixed everything but the chicken and black beans with my stick blender.  Dumped that into my container, then added the black beans and chicken and then heated it up at work and topped with the cheddar cheese.  Spicy, slightly thick from the refried beans and delicious.  Anytime I can get 2 1/2 cups of soup for 7 points I am in. 😀

I had steak on the menu, and wanted to do something a bit different – a quick Tastespotting search brought me to Kevin’s site – should have known he’d have a great recipe for Steak Diane.  I did make a few adjustments – because even though I halved the amount of Dijon mustard, it was a bit too much for Tony, so I added more beef broth.

Steak Diane Sauce (makes 3, 1/3 cup servings for 3 points each)

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 clove minced garlic
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms
  • 1/4 cup brandy
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup fat free half and half
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershie sauce

I melted the butter over medium high heat and added my 4 ounce steaks.  I seared for exactly 2 minutes per side – Tony and I like our meat on the rarer side.  Kevin left his steak in, I removed it to rest.  In the same pan I added the garlic and sauted for about 20 seconds.  I added in the mushrooms and 1/4 cup of the broth and sauteed the mushrooms for about 2 minutes.  I added the brandy, and sadly since I have an electric stove, couldn’t ignite it as Kevin’s directions stated.  Next I added the mustard, fat free half and half, the rest of the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce and the juices that collected on the plate from the removed steaks.  I added the steaks back in and reheated the steaks for about 30 seconds while stirring the sauce.

I served my steak (4 points) over 3/4 cup mashed potatoes (3) and 1/3 of the mushroom sauce (3), with 1 cup of green beans (0).  A delicious 10 point dinner.

I love these little cups I got at Sam’s Club – I got 10 for $5 in the restaurant supply aisle – each cup holds 1/4 cup – it was nice to have everything ready when I needed it.

Alright I have to get going and get in the shower – make it a great day!