Chicken Tostadas with Avocado Dressing

I got this recipe off of the message board from Weight Watchers.  And I'm so glad I did!



Nutritional Infomation:
Serving Size: 1 tostada
Servings: 4 tostadas
Weight Watchers: 8 Points Plus


Ingredients:

• 2 Tbs. FF Sour Cream
• 2 Tbs. FF Low Sodium Chicken Broth
• 2 Tbs. Lemon Juice
• 2 Tbs Canola Oil
• 1/4 Tsp Ground Red Pepper
• 1/8 Tsp Salt
• 1/2 Ripe Peeled Avocado
• 1 1/2 Tbs Canola Oil, divided
• 4 (6") Corn Tortillas
• 2 Cups Shredded Skinless, Boneless Rotisserie Chicken Breast
• 1 Cup Shredded Lettuce
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese

Method:

1.  Combine the first 7 ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth

2.  Heat a large nonstick skillet over med-high heat.  Add 3/4 tsp oil to pan.  Cook 1 tortilla 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.  Repeat with remaining oil and tortillas.

3.  Plan 1 tortilla on a plate; top with 1/2 cup chicken, 1/4 cup lettuce, 1/8 cup cheese, and 3 Tbsp dressing.

Enjoy!

hApPy BiRtHdAy tO My HoNeY!

My how things can change in one year.  Today is Ricky's 27th Birthday! This time last year I was sending him football cookies, going out to dinner with his parents, and buying football tickets.  Check out that post, Ricky's 26th Bday.  

This year we are on different continents, major different time zones, no football cookies (although I did send him chocolate chip cookies and he got those 2 weeks ago), no dinner with family, and no football tickets (for his birthday at least).  I'm a major birthday fan, I love to celebrate and make a big deal out of it, so it's really hard for me to not be able to control any of the celebrations.  I can't even control if I can talk to him to tell him Happy Birthday.  So, needlesstosay, I'm struggling today.  I want to be with him, to help him have an amazing day.  But I can't.  

Since he has no use for most things you could get on your birthday, I packed him up a huge box of candy and fun, silly stuff.  He still hasn't gotten it yet, even though I sent it a month ago.  So I'm sad he doesn't even have his presents on his birthday.  

I'll post pics of all the fun stuff in the care package once he gets it, I don't want to ruin the surprise for him :)  But here's a sneak peek. Ok ok, it's not really a sneak peek.  Just some boxes filled with fun!!! So stay tuned because I'll do a whole post of all the fun-ness.  I also told him he has to take pics with/or using some of the items in the box :) 

Thankful Thursday - Health

This week I have been very thankful for my health.  Even though I have been overweight since about 9th grade and on (off and on, I'd gain then lose, then gain again), I have still always been pretty healthy.  I haven't had any major medical problems, no hospital stays (except for when I had pneumonia in the 2nd grade), and no need for prescription medicine.  So today I am extremely thankful.

I will continue to do my best to stay healthy and keep my body happy.  I do that by trying my hardest to feed it healthy foods that it needs, and limit the processed candy and foods.  And also by regular exercise.

This week I started a bootcamp class here in Tulsa (bought it through Living Social) and it's been so great!  I'm excited to see what my results are at the end of my month long session.

Thankful Thursday

I have decided with all that I have going on in life at this moment, I want to start saying one thing I'm thankful every Thursday (love the alliteration).  These are by no means in order, it could just be something has popped out to me this week and I want to recognize it.

Today, I am thankful for the great communication between here and Afghanistan.  During Ricky's training phase, I was preparing myself for the worst, possibly only relying on letters, GASP! I didn't want to expect too much in case the technology was terrible where he was and then I was terribly disappointed.  I would recommend this theory to anyone having to go through a deployment. Thankfully, he is able to call whenever he can and the line is crystal clear.  Not much delay, and I can here him as if her were right here in Tulsa.  When he calls varies day to day, and sometimes I go days without hearing anything.  This is where my Faith in God comes in, a month ago my mind would automatically go to worry, but I am slowly learning to put all my trust in God that He is protecting those men and women.  I know he'll call when he can.

I'm extra thankful for this today because I went the last two days without a call.  And then he called this morning.  If you've ever had to go very long without hearing from your loved ones and/or have NO way of contacting them you know exactly how it feels to get that unknown number pop up on your phone.

So thank you Lord, for providing this capability for us.

Halfway there!

We are officially halfway to R&R!  Technically today we have 48% left.  Things have gotten so much better for me the last week.  I've gotten into more of a routine and Ricky has been able to call just about everyday!  I am feeling very very very spoiled with all the contact from him.  We have so many fun things planned while he's home! But I can't share just yet, trying to store up all my excitement for a closer date :)

Design Inspirations

For those readers out there that don't know, I have my own little side business or more of a hobby.  About 5 years ago, while shopping in a craft shop in Stillwater, I saw a picture of this painted cross that was for sell for like $80!!! I decided that I could totally make that myself.  So I went to a shop in town that cuts out wood and had them make me a bunch of cutouts.  I just started making them for my friends.  And then once I got out of college, I started making them to sell.  I tried out a craft show, but didn't have much luck.  So I put my painting on the back burner.

So, when this deployment came around, I decided to pick it back up, it would at least keep my busy and keep my mind off of things.  And I would figure out what to do with them at a later time.  Then a friend suggested I start making them to sell for a scholarship that is newly set up for a sorority sister that recently passed.  I thought this was an excellent idea!  So I got in touch with some people and just started painting.


Yesterday I went to Stillwater to sell some of what I've made for the scholarship.  I set up my little booth in the corner of the TV room and had some really good success!

They also sell wristbands for the scholarship

My little corner booth

I have recently updated my little Facebook page with new pics.  So if you would like to place an order or buy one of the ones I have for sale, feel free to contact me.  You can comment me on here, facebook me, or email me.  They are $30 and half of the proceeds go toward the scholarship.

Ten Minute Taco Salad

Taco salad is one of my go-to meals when I'm short on time and want something to give me leftovers for a few days.  So I was thrilled when I found this recipe on how to make my own taco shell.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded lettuce
• 1 lb ground beef/ground turkey, fully cooked
• 1/4 cup taco sauce 
• 1/4 cup canned corn
• 1/4 cup salsa
• 1 tbs light ranch (or sour cream)
• 1 low carb wrap (such as La Tortilla brand, or something with 100 calories/high in fiber)
• Optional: 1/4 cup low fat shredded cheese, 1/4 cup black beans

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Gather ingredients.

2.  After removing the corn from the can, (I measure out 1/4 cup for my salad, and save the rest in a tupperware), remove the paper from the can, and place it on a sheet pan. (You could use any empty can you have on hand, or an oven safe mug or dish that you can drape the wrap over).  Drape the wrap over the can, and place in the oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the tortilla is golden brown, and crispy.

3. While the tortilla is baking, add the taco sauce to the meat, and stir until well combined.
4. Measure out, and prepare the rest of the ingredients to put in the salad.
5. When the tortilla is cooled, take it off the can, (it only takes about a minute), and add the lettuce first, followed by the rest of the ingredients.

Serve immediately and Enjoy!!!

1st Blog-iversary!!

Happy 1 year anniversary to my blog!  When I started this blog it was really for my own amusement (and still is), but I feel like having this blog reaches out to people in all kinds of different ways.

I have the deployment aspect.  I don't know how many readers I have that are also going through a deployment or know what it's like, but I hope that it gives some insight on what it's a little like.  You truly can't know unless you've been through one though.  It's also a good way to share how you can pray for Ricky, I, and the military as a whole.

I have the wedding aspect.  This is more just for fun :) Who doesn't love to read about a good wedding or maybe the planning process.  Hopefully, as time goes by, I'll have more DIY Wedding Projects that I'll share on here.

I have the DIY Project aspect.  This one has yet to get started.  I simply haven't had time to make some really cute things I want to.

And lastly, I have the weight loss aspect.  This includes lots of new recipes that I, myself, have been testing out.  It's been really fun trying out new things.  And I'll have new ideas for things to make for Ricky and I once we get married and I can cook for him all the time :)

So for whatever reason you read, thank you.  I enjoy seeing how many people read this and I hope it inspires you in some way :)

If there is anything you would like to see please feel free to let me know.

Wedding Dress Shopping!

Yesterday I tried on my first ever wedding dress!! I was originally planning on waiting until September/October to do my first shopping, but I received an email that a dress shop in Norman was having a trunk show of a designer I really liked.  Meaning, they carried a wider variety of styles than normal.  So I really wanted to check it out. So I booked an appointment for 10:00.  My mom couldn't make it, so my 2 good friends Meredith and Betty came along to give their opinion.

When we watched into this place I was so excited! I showed the girl some printouts I had of some of my favorite dresses and then went through the racks and pulled a couple more.  We went to the dressing room and I was all ready to put my first dress on.  I stepped out of the room and looked in the mirror and was already in love.  This was a dress that I had had in mind for quite awhile and was so glad it looked good on me.  So after trying on about 3-4 more, I went back to the first one and was hooked.  I love it.  It was flowy, light, was figure flattering, and just beautiful.  I stayed in it for probably 15-20 extra minutes before taking it off.  That had to be a really good sign right?  So I was hooked.  If I had been by myself, I might have bought that dress right then and there.  Luckily, I had some friends that encouraged me to try on more dresses just to see what else was out there.  So I left there empty handed, although I still really love that dress!

So we left there in search of more bridal stores to check out dresses.  But I didn't have any appointments, so while I drove, Meredith started calling some stores.  I managed to get in one store in Edmond at 2:30 and still had about 3 hours to kill so we stopped at a store on the way and just walked in.  Thankfully, they were very slow that day and let us come on in and pick out some dresses to try on.  I bet I tried on about 8 dresses in there.  But I found another one that I loved even more.  And so far it's my front runner in the dress shopping.

After eating a quick bite at this fantastic place called Cool Greens, we headed to my appointment at 2:30.  I tried on about 4 more, but I wasn't very impressed with any of them.

I didn't end up buying a dress because I really want to go shopping with my mom.  So we are already in the works to plan a trip to a Bridal store in Arkansas called Lowe's.  I really can't wait!  I really really wish I could share with you some pictures from today but I can't because my wonderful fiance reads this blog sometimes :) And I of course can't have him seeing what my potential dress might look like.

300 Days from today! It can't come quick enough :)

Game Night!

Ever since I moved to Tulsa 3 years ago, I have made some amazing friends.  Recently, we have started having game nights, where we all get together and just have a good time catching up on our lives and eat some delicious food and play some fun board games.  Last Friday we had a game night/See you soon Megan party.  Megan has been here for the summer and is going back to Enid to enrich children's lives at school :)  Of course this isn't goodbye, just a see you soon.  (Especially since football season starts in less than 30 days!) So we went over to Kara's and made homemade pizza's and played a new game Dicecapades! So fun!

Look at all the different kinds/colors of dice!

The smallest dice I've ever seen

One of the challenges we had to do in the game

The newlyweds had to arm wrestle

Kara got Megan penguin cupcakes!!!

Everyone needs fun nights with great friends :)

Petite Lasagnas

I have discovered yet another amazing food blog.  This is is extra encouraging because the girl that writes it lost 135 lbs!!! That's just incredible.  Really anything is possible.  Never give up on your dreams.  Anyways, back to the recipe.  Her website is: http://www.canyoustayfordinner.com so go check it out.  


I had seen these petite lasagnas, or cupcake lasagnas, several places on the internet and really wanted to give them a shot.  So I found this lightened up version and went for it.  These were truly delicious and really good for those of us that have problems with portion control.  

Nutritional Infomation:
Serving Size: 1 lasagna
Servings: 12 lasagnas
Calories: 181
Weight Watchers: 5 Points Plus


Ingredients:

• 12 oz raw ground turkey
• ¼ tsp salt, divided
• ¼ tsp pepper
• 14.5 oz can crushed tomatoes, or tomato sauce (I just used a jar of Prego)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tsp dried oregano, divided
• ½ tsp dried basil
• 1 ½ cups part skim ricotta cheese
• 24 small square wonton wrappers (the kind near the tofu in the refrigerated section of the produce dept)
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Method:

1.  Preheat oven to 375ºF. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the turkey, onions, mushrooms, salt, and pepper. Crumble the meat and saute the mixture for about 10 minutes, or until the turkey is cooked through. Add the garlic and stir constantly for 30 seconds.
2.  Add the crushed tomatoes and 2 tsp of oregano. Bring the pan to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.  

3.  In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, a pinch of salt and pepper, the remaining teaspoon of oregano, and the basil. Stir to mix well. Set aside.
4.  Coat a 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. Place 1 wonton wrapper into each of the 12 cups, pressing firmly in the bottom of the cup and up the sides.

5.  Using half of the ricotta mixture, divide it among the 12 muffin cups. Next, using half of the turkey tomato sauce, spoon it evenly over each of the ricotta filled cups. Sprinkle with 2 tsp of mozzarella.
6.  Gently press another wonton wrapper on top of the mozzarella layer.
7.  Repeat the process by distributing the remaining ricotta, then the remaining tomato sauce, and finally the rest of the shredded mozzarella.

8.  Bake for 10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
9.  Let the cups cool, remove them from the pan, and serve!

10 months

I simply can't believe in 10 short months I will be getting married!  (Well lets hope they are short for deployment sake).  I feel like I have so much to do! Even though I KNOW I have lots of time.  It's the organizer and pre-planner in me.  I have so many ideas, it's about time for me to start narrowing things down so I can find more stuff on clearance throughout the next 10 months.

But I found out today that I'm going to try on dresses Saturday! I came up pretty suddenly.  I got an email last week that a Bridal Store in Norman is having a trunk show this weekend and one of the designers I really like is going to be there with all of their designs.  I didn't want to pass up this opportunity so I booked an appointment. So we'll see how things go!