Girl Scout Cookies...

A note from Sean:

It’s getting to be that time of year again. That time everyone watching their weight dreads – Girl Scout Cookie time! Pre-orders are going on now, and soon those pig-tailed sirens will be in front of every store. Fear not! You don’t have to stockpile groceries to avoid the guilt-inducing look of disappointment on the girls’ faces (after all, it’s for a good cause). As with everything, enjoy, but in moderation! Here are a few tips:

Know which ones are your best bet.

·         Counting calories? Savannah Smiles have the fewest calories per cookie.

·         Doing Weight Watchers? Shortbread have the lowest per-cookie points plus value.

·         Watching carbs? Thin Mints have the fewest carbs per cookie.

·         Tracking fat? Savannah Smiles have the lowest fat per cookie.

	Serving*	Calories*	Fat*	Carbs*	Fiber*	Protein*	Points Plus**
Thin Mints	4	160	7	22	1	2	4
Samoas	2	150	8	18	1	1	4
Tagalongs	2	140	9	13	1	2	4
Shortbread	4	120	4.5	19	1	1	3
Do-si-dos	3	160	7	22	1	3	4
Lemonades	2	150	7	22	1	1	4
Savannah Smiles	5	140	5	23	0	1	4
Thanks-a-lots	2	150	6	22	0	1	4
Dulce de leche	4	160	8	20	0	1	4
Mango Cremes	3	180	8	25	1	1	5
Thank You Berry Much	2	120	5	17	0	1	3

*as reported on girlscouts.org

** calculated on weightwatchers.com

Know your weakness! Choosing the best option is great, but sticking to a serving is the next battle. If you don’t think you can stop yourself from eating the whole box in one sitting (I admit, I’ve done it) then don’t let yourself get into that situation.

·         Divvy the cookies up into individual servings in snack-sized Ziploc bags.

·         Write the calories or points in large print on the box with a sharpie as a reminder.

·         Freeze them – you’ll eat them slower, and they’re really good that way.

·         Don’t sit down with the whole box.

·         Enjoy them with a healthier sweet that can make the dessert more fulfilling. Have them with fresh fruit or add them to sugar-free pudding, for example.

And remember, this isn’t about avoiding your favorites all-together. This is about finding a way to LIVE a healthy lifestyle. If you eat more than you expected, then just track it and move on.

Jalapeno Cheese & Potato Bake

Jalapeno Cheese & Potato Bake
3 servings @ 5 points each
Source: eMeals Portion Control

Ingredients 

1 diced red pepper 

1 diced med onion

(1 t minced garlic, ¼ t salt, ¼ t pepper)

½ of a 20 oz bag Simply Potatoes® Homestyle slices

4 oz RF jalapeno cheddar cheese, shredded 

¼ c chopped cilantro

Directions 

Sauté peppers & onions in a med sprayed pan; about 5 min. Add garlic, sauté 1 min more. Arrange half of potatoes in a sprayed baking dish; sprinkle w/ half of salt & pepper. Spread half of pepper/onion mix and ½ of cheese on top. Repeat procedure w/ remaining ingredients. Cover; Bake 50 min @ 400 remove cover last 10 min. Sprinkle with cilantro

 

 

Cobb Salad Pitas with Tropical Slaw

Cobb Salad Pitas
2 servings @ 9 points each
Source: 2 eMeals Portion Control

Ingredients  
(2 T bacon bits, 1 hard boiled egg-chopped, 4 T Kraft® light ranch dressing) 
2 c chopped lettuce (we used spinach)
¾ c diced grilled chicken strips

1 tomato, diced

wheat pita pocket bread, cut in half 

Directions 

Toss together bacon bits, egg, lettuce, diced chicken, tomatoes, & dressing.  Divide into 2 equal portions and stuff each portion into 1/2 pita pocket.  

 

 

Tropical Slaw

5 servings @ 2 points each

Ingredients 

 5 c coleslaw mix

1 diced mango

1 c diced fresh pineapple

(4 T light mayonnaise, ½ t salt, ¼ t pepper)

2 T chopped cilantro

Directions 

Toss all slaw mix ingredients together & divide into 5 servings.

Both of this items are to die for!  You'll love them both.

One Pan Mexican Supper

One Pan Mexican Supper
6 servings @ 4 points each
Source: eMeals Portion Control

Brown Rice 
½ cup @ 3 each

Ingredients 
½ lb lean ground beef
15 oz can light red kidney beans, rinsed/drained
14 oz can diced tomatoes w/ green chilies
1 pkg low sodium taco seasoning
¾ c frozen whole kernel corn
(¾ c water, 6 T FF sour cream)
6 T chopped fresh cilantro 
3 c cooked brown rice



Directions 
Brown beef in a large sprayed skillet. Stir in beans, tomatoes, taco seasoning, corn & water; bring to a boil. Cover; reduce to simmer for 12 min or until slightly thick, stir often. Divide into 6 servings and serve each over ½ cup brown rice. Top each with 1 T FF sour cream & cilantro 

Cantaloupe

1 cup @ 0 each 

6 c diced cantaloupe, serve on the side (we added fat free whipped cream for a yummy dessert!)