When I first started this blog, I had no idea how many great people I would “meet” whether it be on a daily basis via blog reading or actually in person.  While the bulk of emails I get off line are questions on how I handle diabetes, I will give you the #1 FAQ of My Bizzy Kitchen. . .

How Do You Do It?

Meaning, how do I work full time, spend time with my husband and daughter, menu plan, grocery shop and cook and post a blog 5-6 times a week.

First of all, I have all of you as inspiration on my meal planning.  I have a long list of things I want to make.  But I first start out with my grocery store sale flyer.  If chicken breasts are not on sale, all the chicken dishes I want to make are put on the back burner for that week.  Secondly, I try to figure out how dinners can become leftovers for me later in the week.  For instance, over the weekend I made a 2 pound pork roast on the grill.  It later morphed into my version of Clean Eating’s Pulled Pork Sammie.

Once I have my meal plan, when I get back from WW on Saturday mornings, usually Tony and Hannah are still asleep and I have a couple hours to enter the recipes for the week into the WW eTools recipe builder.  That way I know where the recipes are and I can throw out all the printouts.

Next, since I know what I am going to eat when, I start writing my blog posts for the week with the recipes.  So on the day I actually post, I only have to add any timely information according to what’s going on that day, and upload my pictures to the post.

Second, I get up at 6:30 in the morning, and don’t leave the house until 8:30.  That gives me 2 solid hours a day to publish my blog, read blogs, cook my breakfast and/or lunch or marinate meat for that night’s dinner if necessary.  

Lastly, but most importantly, I have a very supportive family.  They are so used to me taking my dinner outside to get a picture in natural light, taking 10 pictures of the grill before removing a roasted chicken.   So thanks for Tony and Hannah for putting up with my hobby! šŸ˜€  I may not say that enough, but I really do appreciate it.

Now onto the food!

How could I have missed bagel Wednesday?!  Whew, good thing I got my bagel fix yesterday morning – I have a 1 point eggbeater patty in the middle, which is drawfed by the size of this 9 point bagel.  Breakfast comes in at 10 points.

It was overcase, on the chilly side yesterday, so I headed to the gym.  I ended up doing 45 minutes on the treadmill, increasing my sprints – I held 7.5 mph for 1 full minute!!

I realized yesterday morning that I had only planned 4 lunches for myself and my co-workers.  I thought to myself – I have to have something to make in the house.  I had eggs, egg whites, bacon and broccoli and a quiche was born.  I got this recipe from the Whole Foods site – I have never put flour in my crustless quiche before – it held up beautifully!  Their recipe called for onions (nope) and spelt flour.  I didn’t have spelt flour, but I did have rye flour!

Bacon and Broccoli Quiche

  • 4 servings – 6 WW points per serving

Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 3 cups chopped fresh broccoli
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup egg whites
  • 1 cup skim milk
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 3 ounces cheese (mine was a combo of pepper jack and another white cheese from my cheese ends I got at the deli – maybe white American?)
  • 3 tablespoons real bacon bits
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 cup rye flour (or wheat or white)
  • dash of paprika

Preheat your oven to 450.  Spray a pie plate with Pam.  Heat oil in a large skillet.  Add garlic and cook for a couple minutes.  Add broccoli and saute for 5 minutes.  Put the broccoli in the bottom of the pie plate.  Mix together the eggs, egg white, milk cheese, salt, pepper and oregano.  Whisk in rye flour.  Pour mixture evenly over broccoli.  Sprinkle with paprika and bake until set, about 35 minutes.  Let cool at least 10 minutes before slicing.

I don’t think I’ve ever sauteed my broccoli before adding it to the quiche – I plan on doing this all the time šŸ˜€
my store sells cheese ends for $1.99 a pound – I have 3 ounces of mixed cheese here – the only one I know for sure is the pepper jack šŸ˜€
I love how there were pockets of cheese that bubbled up
6 points for the quiche – my salad is free and the dressing is 2 – not bad for an 8 point lunch!

I looked at my menu plan for the week, and was actually shocked that I had nothing on the menu for Thursday night!   While I could very well have come up with something off the cuff, my brain is fried with everything that’s going on at work, so I asked Tony if he minded if we ordered a pizza.  I didn’t even take any pictures!  I had six squares of pizza, and later on had three cheese and crackers, so dinner comes in at 19 points.

FLASHBACK FRIDAY!

I hope my brother doesn’t mind me sharing this!   Back in 1975 we lived in a townhouse that had a courtyard that everyone shared.  All the kids decided to put on a concert.  My Dad made a big banner, we decorated one porch like a stage.  My brother put a wig on and sang – it was a big production!  That’s Charlie with the guitar! šŸ˜€

 My sister and I apparently sang a song together – but I am sure we waited until it was dark so we could have the spotlight!  I am pretty sure I am the one on the right, but my Mom or brother may have to correct me!

we had such skinny legs!

 Stats for Thursday:

  • 44 points (including wine)
  • 14 flex points left
  • 27 activity points earned
  • average blood sugar 144 (I blame the bagel) šŸ˜€

Happy Friday!  It’s going to be an interesting day at work today – keep your fingers crossed for me today.  I will have a post sometime tomorrow – I am making a lentil bolognese for our lenten lunch today. šŸ˜€