Busy Day

Today has been (is) such a busy day. Jason and I are taking the IHS class (new members class) at our church, but we missed last week's class due to our trip to the mountains. So we had to make up the class today at 8:00 (early for us!!), then we attended the regular class at 9:00. We finished up at church around 11:30 and headed to McAlister's for a quick lunch. Then it was off to the soccer fields where Ethan *almost* scored a goal in his game. (This bigger, faster kid on our team swooped around Ethan and stole the ball!! Grrrrrr.....doesn't he know you aren't supposed to steal the ball from your own teammate???) Now I have about 15 minutes before my stamping group arrives for a class. I'll sooo be ready for an early bedtime tonight!

So that leads me to my recipe for today. I want something easy that you can make on a busy day like I had today. A slow-cooked crock pot recipe would be perfect. Looking through our index of recipes though, I don't see very many crock pot recipes. (So, if you have any you'd like to pass along, please e-mail me. *hint*hint*) I LOVE MY CROCK POT! Here is a great crockpot recipe that is absolutely delicious. It's one of mine and Jason's all-time favorites. And you can't even tell it's another Weight Watcher's recipe! Make it this week and let me know what you think.

Slow Cooker Chicken Paprikash
2 cups mushrooms, coarsely chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 sweet red pepper, diced
1 teaspoon paprika
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup chicken broth
1 lb. uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
½ cup fat-free sour cream

Coat a nonstick skillet with cooking spray and heat. Add mushrooms, onion, garlic and red pepper. Sauté 5 minutes. Stir in paprika, salt and pepper; cook 30 seconds more. Spoon mixture into a 4-5 quart slow cooker. Add broth.

Cut each chicken breast into 4 long strips; add to slow cooker. Cover and cook on low setting 5 to 6 hours.

Stir together flour and sour cream in a cup (to prevent the cream from curdling in slow cooked dishes). Stir mixture into slow cooker. Cover and cook on low until the mixture is thick and hot, about 10 minutes more.

Note: Weight Watchers – makes 4 servings at 4 points per serving.

Skinny Soup

Okay, so I have to admit the last recipe, while it is delicious, may not be so figure-friendly with all that cheese. So, here are a couple of really yummy soup recipes I got from Weight Watchers. Trust me though; you can't really tell they are WW because of how delicious they are. Plus you can always doctor them up to suit your own dietary needs (or wants). Enjoy!

Weight Watchers Taco Soup

10 oz. lean ground beef, browned and drained
2 cans stewed tomatoes
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can pinto beans, undrained
6-oz. can tomato paste
1 can green chilies
1 package taco seasoning
1 envelop dry Ranch dressing mix
10 oz. frozen corn
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cups water

Mix all ingredients and cook until beans and onions are tender.

Note: Weight Watchers – This Taco Soup recipe makes 8 servings at 6 points per serving.


Weight Watchers Garden Vegetable Soup
2/3 cup sliced carrot
½ cup diced onion
2 minced garlic cloves
3 cups fat-free broth
1 ½ cups diced green cabbage
½ cup green beans
1 Tablespoon tomato paste
½ teaspoon dried basil
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup diced zucchini

In a large pot sprayed with Pam, sauté carrots, onion and garlic over low heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add broth, cabbage, beans, tomato paste, basil, oregano and salt. Bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer, covered, about 15 minutes or until beans are tender. Stir in zucchini and heat 3-4 minutes.

Note: Weight Watchers – This Garden Vegetable Soup makes four 1-cup servings at 0 points per serving.