Zero Point Cheesecake

Cheesecake is one of those amazing desserts that I love to love. I have made many versions of cheesecake over the years that were amazingly delicious, and I won't say that this is better than peanut butter or toffee filled cheesecake but this Zero Point Cheesecake is the best zero-point cheesecake I've ever had!

This cheesecake from Pound Dropper was actually super easy to make! It really needs to refrigerate at least overnight. Really, the longer the better.

And mix using a spatula rather than an electric mixer.

It was pretty thin, but the original recipe did say to use up to 5 cups of yogurt if you want it to be thicker and since it was the first time I was making it I just kept to the basics.

Once it chilled in the fridge overnight I finally got to give it a try. I decided to smash up a few blackberries to add on top with a little fat-free whip cream and it was perfect.

• 3 large eggs
• 3 cups nonfat plain Greek yogurt
• 1  (1 oz.) small box instant Sugar-Free and Fat-free Cheesecake pudding
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
• 3 Tbsp sugar substitute (I used Swerve)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.


2. Using a mixing bowl add eggs, sugar substitute and vanilla and using a wire whisk, mix well.


3. Add yogurt then dry pudding, mix well.


4. Lightly grease Springform Pan and pour the mixture into the pan.


5. Bake for 30 minutes. (It will like it isn't done, but it is! And will set as it chills!)


6. Cool for 20 minutes before covering it with plastic wrap


7. Put in refrigerator and chill overnight.

I also tried her Mocha Chocolate Cheesecake and it was soo good! (It wasn't very pretty so maybe when I make it again I will share!)

This is zero points based on WW freestyle program. For other info on this zero-point cheesecake check out Pound Dropper - She has amazing recipes on her site!

Frozen Yogurt covered blueberries

Snacks are one of those things that can be really hard when you are trying to eat healthy and take care of yourself. It is so easy to grab unhealthy choices, like chips, crackers, etc because they are right there in front of you. But what if you make some snacks ahead of time so that you can't fail? What if you have them prepped and in separate bags so that you can grab a bag as you head out the door so you are tempted to stop through a drive-thru? These frozen yogurt covered blueberries will be perfect for just that!

Today I wanted to share a super quick and delicious snack that I have been loving quite a while. Really since I had started with weight watchers back in March of 2018 I started making these frozen yogurt covered blueberries and I have just made them ever since!

There isn't really that much with these blueberries. I used Light and Fit strawberry cheesecake flavored greek yogurt and dipped each blueberry into the yogurt. Then I placed them onto a lined cookie sheet and then into the freezer just until they are frozen.

Once frozen I put them into a sealable baggy and I keep them in the freezer. If you don't the yogurt melts pretty quick!

Two Ingredients:
blueberries
Light and fit Strawberry Cheesecake Greek yogurt

1. Dip blueberries in yogurt
2. Line dipped blueberries onto a covered cookie sheet
3. Place in freezer until frozen
4. Keep in the freezer when not eating as they will melt

So simple and delicious and ready in a short amount of time! What are you waiting for, make these now!

Now I have shared with you one of my favorite snacks, I'd love for you to take a moment and leave me a comment below about some of your favorite go-to snacks to keep you on track when you are trying to make a better you!

And don't forget to check out my Pinterest for other ideas!

InstantPot Chicken Taco Soup

It's Friday, I've already skipped a week of my new goal of sharing a recipe each week, so...  Maybe I'm not off to a great start. But today I have a great recipe to share Because this Chicken Taco Soup is amazing. It is a recipe I have been making for several years. And when I joined WW I started making it more often, mixing it up with different ingredients or spices sometimes. But mostly, I make it just like this.



So typically I would make this chicken taco soup in my crockpot. Smelling it cook all day long is so delicious. But then for Christmas, my father in law got me an InstantPot. Exciting, right? I was so beyond excited because I had been wanting one for a while.

Then I got it out of the box and just stared at it. It was pretty scary and I was so intimidated by this machine and I don't know how come. It felt like the days when I wouldn't make a recipe just because it had a random ingredient in it and I didn't know where to buy it at. But a couple of days in I decided to suck it up and go for it. chicken taco soup was the first thing I made. Seemed like it would be the easiest.



So I made it, but the chicken was a tiny bit tough and after cooking it a little longer it was great. So the next time I knew exactly how long to cook it for.

Then someone asked me how it was doing the InstantPot water test, and I had to admit that I never read the instructions... I guess I could have started there.



So after 14 minutes on the timer and doing a quick release, I shredded the chicken. Soft, tender chicken. I let it sit for a few extra minutes and then I dug in. I added a little shredded cheese to the top of mine, with a couple of crunched up tortilla chips and it was pure deliciousness.



Have you joined the InstantPot craze? Share your favorite recipe with me so I can give it a try!

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Broccoli Cheddar Soup

One thing people worry about with "dieting" is not getting to eat their favorite foods. But that is honestly just one of the things I love about doing WW. And that is why I love this Weight Watchers friendly Broccoli Cheddar Soup.

Since starting WW back in March I have definitely eliminated some of my favorite foods. But not because I have to. I have chosen to still eat Salt and Vinegar chips, just not the entire bag in one sitting. I still have nachos and taco salad, but I make my own tortilla chips.  And I changed up the Broccoli Cheddar Soup that I make to make it work better for me and my goals.

A few years back I shared this soup recipe, and I love it. It is delicious. But I don't make it regularly because of the butter, flour, and half and half. Then I found a new, weight watchers friendly recipe and thought I'd give it a try.  I am not always positive when it comes to trying healthier recipes because I figure they can never be as good as, or better than a "full fat" recipe, right? But this is. It really is! It only has 4 ingredients and is amazing.

3 cans of Chicken Broth (I use reduced sodium, 14.5 oz cans)
2 pounds of broccoli
1 can of diced tomatoes, no salt added, 14 oz can
1 small can of diced green chilies
10 oz Velveeta reduced-fat cheese

If using a crockpot, combine all ingredients and put on low for 8 hours, high for 4 hours.

If using the stovetop, mix together ingredients except the cheese, simmer on low for approx 2 minutes, until broccoli is tender. Add cubed cheese and simmer until cheese is melted.

This serves 10, and each serving is about a heaping cup
3 freestyle points per serving. 

Freezer Breakfast Sandwich

I've gone all in with Weight Watchers. Too many times have I found myself "cheating" on my food and exercise plans in the past and I have promised myself I wasn't going to do that this time. I am taking it super serious while still having fun. Meaning that I enjoy my food each day, but I make sure to track everything, including pieces of chocolate from my daughter's Easter basket. (though that actually hasn't happened much.) So finding meals, like this breakfast sandwich, are important to me so I can eat something filling, but also good for me.



I'm not a breakfast eater, but I know that eating breakfast is important and I have really made an effort to make sure I am fueling my body all throughout the day. And these breakfast sandwiches were really easy to make up and get into the freezer.

I started with these muffins, turkey bacon, and eggs.



I have never actually cooked eggs this way, but I found this breakfast sandwich recipe from the Skinnyish Dish and this is how she cooked them so I gave it a try. It was pretty impressive. But make sure you spray the pan with non-stick cooking spray because it could end up in a huge mess! Cook on 350° for 13 minutes.

Afterwards, I cut it into squares the size of my muffin.



Then it was just quick assembly. Cut the muffins in half, added a piece of egg, one piece of turkey bacon that I cut in half and some sliced cheese. When I made these I used a block cheese that I had on hand and accounted for the points, but there are definitely better cheeses to use! My favorite pre-sliced cheese is Sargento ultra thin sliced Colby-Jack. 1 slice= 2 points and it is totally worth it to me.


These breakfast sandwiches are delicious. And I love that I am able to grab one out of the freezer and have breakfast in 90 seconds. And they are worth all 6 points!
Muffin= 3
1 slice turkey bacon = 1
sliced cheese = 2
egg = 0



Then I wrapped them in foil and put right back into the muffin bag and tossed them into the freezer!



What is your go-to breakfast sandwich?

Two Ingredient Dough

By now you already know that in March I joined Weight Watchers. And I didn't want to mess around this time. #BecauseGoals. I have seen this two ingredient dough shared on Pinterest and on Instagram tons of times and it seems like people love it so I wanted to give it a try.



Not all nonfat Greek yogurt is equal, so make sure to scan yours to make sure your points are accurate for your two ingredient dough! But the Fage nonfat Greek Yogurt that I used was zero points. And this is SO simple. Add 1 cup of NFGY and 1 cup of self-rising flour and mix until a dough forms. If it is still a little sticky, add a tiny bit more flour.

NOTE: (If you don't have self-rising flour, use 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp of baking powder and a 1/2 tsp of salt and mix together before adding your greek yogurt.)

Put some flour down on the counter and knead your dough for 2 minutes or so. Then section into 4 equal pieces.
The full amount of dough is 11 #freestyle points and each section equals out to be 3 pts.

I rolled three of my sections out and formed them into bagels. For my 4th piece, I rolled it then cut it into bits because I was wanting to dip them in queso.



After you have your bagels on a tray, paint a little of an egg wash onto the tops.



Then I sprinkled them with Everything but the Bagel seasoning from Trader Joes. I didn't use much because I wasn't sure how I was going to like the seasoning. But of course, it is delicious!



Then bake this two ingredient dough for 18-22 minutes at 350°. My bits were perfect after 18 minutes but the bagels needed to stay for longer. I took them out after 20 minutes but they probably could have stayed for the full time with no issue.

I am a total "chips and dip" person and I have missed queso. Just for fun I checked the points while I was at the grocery store the other day and it was 1 point for 2 Tbsp and that is totally worth it to me. In case you are interested, I used Tostitos salsa con queso.



Don't think you are limited to only making bagels with this amazing two ingredient dough! Because I have seen so many recipes made with this! Take a piece and flatten out and cook for a breakfast sandwich or pizza dough! The possibilities are endless!



Have you tried this two ingredient dough? What did you think of it?

Why I joined Weight Watchers

On March 1st I decided to join Weight Watchers.

As someone who has struggled with weight for most of their adult life, it was time. I've never shied away from sharing my weight gain and loss journey with you guys. And this time is no different. I have tried different things in the past that have worked and some that didn't, but ultimately I guess my head just wasn't in it to win it!



Last Fall I purchased a size 18 pair of jeans and went home and cried. I felt like crap. And I kept asking myself how I got here. After wearing them for a day and kept having to pull them up I felt a little better that I had to go grab a size down but still wearing a 16 was nothing to be excited about. However, not more than a month later those 16s were so tight that I was solely wearing the 18s, and over the winter I wore them every single time I left the house.  I would come home and put on sweatpants, that were also tight if I'm being honest!

This year I turned 35 and as my birthday came and went I was reflecting on a lot of different things. One of which was my weight. Here I was 35 years old and at my heaviest weight. These are supposed to be the best times of my life and the only thing I was enjoying was my food! I was only a few pounds away from my highest ever weight, even while pregnant.

So on March 1st my friend text me and told me that the day before she joined Weight Watchers. I thought, "that is awesome, I'm glad she is doing that for herself!" But within minutes I was thinking, "Why aren't I joining as well?" I looked at the website for a few minutes and decided to go for it and I signed up too.

I love that we joined at the same time. It has been great for accountability, motivation and talking about meal planning. With the weather getting nicer I have been able to get out and walk to take and pick up kids from school, plus we are already spending lots of time at the park. I have been exercising a moderate amount, mainly doing pilates or HIIT workouts. These are examples of the workouts I've been doing. I found these on Pinterest and I'll keep it real- this gal doesn't do burpees!





As far as the food part goes I have already made so many changes. I'm not eating anything I don't like. I'm not over here eating weird foods that I wouldn't typically eat. I'm not starving myself or living off of dressing-less salads.  The first is how much less I eat. I haven't had a single day go by where I felt like I wasn't getting enough to eat. I also haven't had any days where I felt sick to my stomach because I overate so much. I am just learning to make better food choices.  Also, I track every bite I take. Even if that means I go over my daily points. The blue dots below indicate the days I stayed within my points.



I never thought that counting points would be for me, but I guess the proof in is the amount of weight that I lost this last month and I am excited to see how I do in April!



I know those results aren't typical, but I made it happen. Weight Watchers really does make it easy for you and if you are on the fence about trying it, I say do it! Whether you have a little or a lot to lose, this program is working for me. (And I have about 75 pounds that I'd ultimately like to lose!) If you are looking for some motivation, I will be sharing this journey in my facebook group as well. ---> The Road to a Healthy You

This post is NOT sponsored. I am sharing my Weight Watchers journey with you because I love that in one month my size 18 jeans are so big I am constantly pulling them up. And those size 16s? I am having to pull those up as well. I even busted out a size 14 out of my closet yesterday. They were darn snug but they buttoned, which they didn't just over a month ago. You can imagine what that does for a girls self-esteem. ♥

If you are interested in posts like these, check out 10 Ways to Stay Motivated, and Healthy Eats.