Mini-Bagels

I am still on a bagels kick. Last week, I found the bagels to be really filling. This week I have switched to mini-bagels. I couldn't find any bagels at the store with less than 290 calories a bagel. (Last week the bagels were 180 calories each) Two mini-bagels have 200 calories. I am hoping that these will be equally filling. Additionally, I am using only one wedge of laughing cow cheese on both bagels. Last week, I was using reduced fat cream cheese. My veggie is a sweet bell pepper and my fruit is ultra expensive cherries. I could not resist the cherries. For dessert, there is Snackwell's Chocolate-Mint Cake Cookies. Although these cookies are low in fat, they contain an average amount of calories. One cookie has 50 calories. I think that is the same, if not more than the other cookies that I looked at of the same size. I also packed a Crystal Light On The Go Fruit Punch mix.

*Clicking on the picture, will enlarge it and therefore the descriptions will be more readable.

Curried Lentils Over Rice

My friend shared her recipe for Curried Lentils and I finally made it for dinner. It was super easy, filling, and delicious. Best of all it is healthy - not to mention - cheap! I was able to find all the ingredients (besides the onion and garlic) in the bulk aisle of our natural foods market.

Mix together in a small bowl:

• 2 TBSP Curry Powder
• 1 TPSP Ground Cumin
• 1/4-1/2 TBSP of Red Pepper
• 1/4-1/2 TBSP Ground coriander
• 1 Cinnamon Stick

Set aside.

Chop one onion and press a few cloves of garlic. Saute onion and garlic in a saucepan with olive oil until the onion is soft and translucent. Add the spices and stir together until everything is coated and hot (less than a minute). Add two cups of water and one cup of red lentils. Bring to a boil and then turn down to a simmer. Simmer covered until the lentils are soft and ready. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and burning. If necessary, add more water to the lentils. Serve over rice. Enjoy!

New Food Find

Only three Weight Watchers points (150 calories) and very delicious. I like these better than their Skinny Cow Ice Cream sandwiches. Unfortunatly, they are about the same price and these come with only four to a box.

New Food Find

Crystal Light Fruit Punch On The Go's are my new favorite food find!

French Bread Pizza

With the ingredients I had on hand, I created these French Bread Pizzas. I spread the bread with pizza sauce, however, when using tomatoes, I do not think the sauce is necessary. On top of the sauce, are layers of tomato and torn basil leaves. The finale is a sprinkling of a good quality feta cheese. Bake the pizzas at 450 degrees for approximately ten minutes. The cheese should be melted and the bread crispy. Enjoy!

Bagel Topped With Tomato Slices

This simple lunch is comprised of a bagel lightly smeared with reduced-fat cream cheese. To enjoy this lunch to the fullest, pull apart the bagel slices and top with the slices of tomato. Cinnamon Almonds are back for a sweet and filling finish.

Pineapple Love

I spent part of my day sitting in the sun, drinking lemonade and flipping through my cookbooks. In my Hawai'i's Favorite Pineapple Recipes cookbook, which I purchased in Hawaii, I found a recipe for Pineapple Slaw with Feta Cheese. Unfortunately, I forgot to purchase a bell pepper at the market, but the salad is good none-the-less. (The smallest container is holding the Feta Cheese.) Additionally, I mixed low-fat cream cheese with fresh pineapple and spread it on my toasted bagel. My lunch also features Trader Joe's Cinnamon Almonds.

Pineapple Slaw With Feta Cheese

1. In a large bowl, mix together 1 cup minced fresh or canned pineapple, 2 cups shredded carrot, and 1 julienned green pepper.
2. In a small bowl, whisk 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar, 3 tablespoons pineapple juice, 1 tablespoon honey, and 1 teaspoon canola oil to make a dressing.
3. Pour dressing over the carrots/pineapple/bell pepper and toss. Chill covered for 1 hour. Top with either feta cheese or a mix of half feta and blue cheese.