{Banana Oatmeal Bread}

Over the weekend I was in the mood to do some baking.  I had several leftover bananas that were perfectly ripe for making banana bread of some sort.  I looked up a few recipes on my Weight Watchers app for banana bread and ran across this one.  Luckily, I already had most of the ingredients needed for the recipe.  Our house smelled AMAZING while the bread baked in the oven, and my husband absolutely LOVED it.  It's super easy to make, delicious, healthy, not too sweet and the oats in the recipe make it pretty filling. 

{Banana Oatmeal Bread}

1 1/4 Cup Flour, White
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/4 tsp Baking Powder
3 tsp Canola Oil
1 Large Egg, beaten
2 Large Egg Whites, beaten
3 Large Bananas
1 Cup Old Fashioned Oats (uncooked)

{Directions}
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl, stir together dry ingredients (minus the oats).  Add oil and eggs, mix together.  In a smaller bowl, mash bananas.  Add bananas and oats to batter.  Spray loaf pan with cooking spray.  Pour batter into loaf pan and bake until loaf is firm to touch, 45 to 55 minutes.  Remove from oven and allow to cool. {10 Servings, 5 WW Pts per Serving}
 


 

Enjoy!

 

Xox,

Mrs. Munana

{Where's the Beef?}

Just a small town girl, livin' in a beefy world!

In today's world, meat rules.  Every meal seems to revolve around the main course which is meat of some sort, in most cases beef.  Did you know there are better options to choose from than fatty ol' beef?!  In today's blog post I'm sharing some other varieties of protein that will help you cut out some fat and incorporate lean protein into your diet. 

Below I've complied a list of protein options commonly found in your local grocery store along with the lean protein sources I commonly purchase so you can compare the Weight Watchers points values.  I think you might be surprised!

Ground Beef (80/20)          4 oz = 8 WW pts

Ground Beef (90/10)          4 oz = 6 WW pts

Ground Chicken                 4 oz = 3 WW Pts

Ground Turkey (99% FF)  4 oz = 4 WW pts

Steak, T-Bone                    4 oz = 9 WW Pts

Pork Chop, fat trimmed     4 oz = 4 WW Pts

Chicken Breast, no skin     4 oz = 4 WW Pts

Bratwurst                           4 oz = 10 WW Pts

Turkey Bratwurst              4 oz = 5 WW Pts

Salmon, wild                     4 oz = 5 WW Pts

Tilapia                               4 oz = 3 WW Pts

Shrimp                              4 oz = 2 WW Pts


Don't get me wrong, I'm a girl who loves a steak cooked medium and smothered with A1 sauce.  However, it's not an item I eat on a regular basis.  In fact, I "treat myself" on special occasions only with a steak.  Reality is, when you're going to the local steakhouse and order that juicy 8 oz steak (which is considered a small steak), you're racking up a whopping 18 WW Pts.  That doesn't even include the free bread and side items that come with it! 

Next time you're planning your weekly grocery shopping trip, get creative and try something new.  Lean towards lean proteins!  My next two blog posts are going to include lean protein recipes that are a big hit at our house, so stay tuned! 

Xox,
Mrs. Munana

{V-Day Treat}

In celebration of Valentine's Day, I am sharing another one of my Weight Watchers recipes.  This one in particular is one of my faves because it's a no-guilt chocolate treat loaded with lots fiber goodness!  These little treats are perfect when you get the craving for something sweet, but don't want to ruin your whole day.  Reward yourself this Valentine's Day, my dear friends.

{Chocolate Crunch Treat}

1 Hershey Bar
1/4 Cup Reduced Fat Peanut Butter
1 Cup Fiber One Cereal

{Directions}
Melt chocolate bar and peanut butter in microwave.  Stir until smooth.  Add Fiber One Cereal.  Using a spoon, put a spoonful on a baking sheet lined with wax paper.  Allow to set.  Can be refrigerated or frozen.  They are delicious!!!

1 Piece = 1 WW Pt!

Oh-so comforting AND a great source of fiber - knock ya'self out!

 

Xox,
Mrs. Munana

{Pantry Essentials}

Over the weekend I watched several episodes I had DVR'd of Pioneer Woman.  In one episode, she cooked an entire meal with items she had leftover in her pantry.  She went into detail of what essential items she keeps in her pantry to get her family through until they take a "big city" trip to stock up.  She inspired me for today's blog post.  When me and my hubs make our weekly grocery shopping trip, we have particular items that make the list each time.  My pantry essentials aren't anything like the Pioneer Woman's, they're much more figure friendly.  Check it out!

{Mrs. Munana's Pantry Essentials}

1.  Apples.  Perfect as a snack on the go.  {0 WW Pts}
2.  Onions.  I use them in almost every dish. {0 WW Pts}
3.  Oranges.  Hubby grabs one on his way to work, great as a snack!  {0 WW Pts}
4.  Bananas.  I eat one for breakfast almost every day! {0 WW Pts}
5.  Brussel Sprouts. I buy 2 packs at a time.  Check out previous posts for my recipe! {0 WW Pts}
6.  Celery.  Great as an on-the-go lunch/snack.  You can also saute as dinner side-dish! {0 WW Pts}
7.  Carrots.  Pack 'em with your celery.  Super healthy and yummy!  {0 WW Pts}
8.  Blackberries.  I can't get enough of these!  {0 WW Pts}
9.  Raspberries.  I'm obsessed with these too.  I eat these for lunch often. {0 WW Pts}
10. Hummus.  Sabra brand is my fave.  {5 WW Pts for 1/2 Cup}
11. Whole Wheat Bread.  Make a quick sammy or for b-fast as toast.{2 slices = 3 WW Pts}
12. Whole Wheat Pasta. Always comes in handy, quick dinner when paired w/ ground chicken and sauce.  {1 cup = 4 WW Pts}
13. Classico Pasta Sauce.  Great brand with lots of variety to choose from. {1/2 Cup = 1 WW Pt}
14. Country Crock, Light.  {1 Tbsp = 1 WW Pt}
15. Mini Wheat Cereal.  I bag these for a quick b-fast on the go, hubby does too. {5 pts per Serving}
16. Salsa.  Great as a snack with a few tortilla chips. {0 WW Pts}
17. Weight Watchers Cheese Wedges.  Great sub for anything you use with cheese. {1 WW Pt ea}
18. Laughing Cow Cream Cheese Wedges.  I put one on a bagel thin for breakfast {1 WW Pt ea}
19. Skim Milk.  {1 Cup = 2 WW Pts}
20. Cottage Cheese.  This is a must for my hubby, his favorite snack. {1 Cup = 5 WW Pts}
21. Low Fat Yogurt. Yoplait brand is my fave. {2 WW Pts ea}
22. Weight Watcher Ice Cream.  Guilt-free sweet treat. {WW Pts vary, shown on box}
23. Pickles, dill.  Great side dish for any meal, or a guilt-free snack. {0 WW Pts}
24. Ground Chicken/Ground Turkey.  {1 oz = 1 WW Pt}
25. Thin Sliced Turkey Luncheon Meat. {3 Slices = 1 WW Pt}
26. Canned Veggies. Buy 'em with no salt and season as you wish.  {0 WW Pts}
27. Bagel Thins.  Lots of variety to choose from! Great for bfast or use for sandwich {3 WW Pts ea}
28. Cream of Wheat.  Hubby loves this on the weekend. {1 cup = 3 WW Pts}
29. Turkey Bacon. Always have this handy for breakfasts with my hubs. {3 pcs = 1 WW Pt}
30.  Arugula/Spinach Mix.  Great for a salad or to slap on a sandwich/wrap. {0 WW Pts}
31. Broccoli.  Eat raw or can be cooked, super healthy veggie {0 WW Pts}
32. Cauliflower.  Can boil & mash up as a mashed potato sub or eat raw! {0 WW Pts}

Share some of your healthy pantry essentials with me!  I'm always looking for new ideas in the kitchen!

Xox,
Mrs. Munana