Pumpkin Pie Pancakes

I've been having some fun lately coming up with new recipes and trying new things, and this morning I decided to make pancakes...a favorite. But rather than load it with butter and syrup (the old way), it decided to finally use that can of pumpkin leftover from Thanksgiving. The results were YUMMY! Even the kids loved it!

Pumpkin Pie Pancakes

I made thin wheat pancakes from a mix. I then sprinkled in some pumpkin pie spice. Adding extra water helped keep them thin. They were about 5 inches in diameter. I used spray canola oil in my skillet and had no problem flipping them. Three pancakes is approximately 4 pointsplus.

The topping:

1 can pumpkin (15 oz)

1/3 cup light brown sugar, unpacked

cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice to taste

1 Tbsp of splenda

Mix with a spoon and top each pancake with 1 T of topping. Approximately 1 point for 3 Tbsp. 

Total breakfast: 3 wheat pancakes with 3 T pumpkin pie topping=5 points. Very filling!

Working PointsPlus...and My Body!

I'm so proud of me!!!! (yes, being proud of yourself sometimes is important. You should try it sometime!)

Why am I so proud? I have gone from slug to jitterbug. Sorry, couldn't resist the opportunity to rhyme, but basically this is true. I stopped working out once school started this past fall, and over Christmas break I decided it was definitely time to start moving again. I miss the toned look, the feeling of strength, being in control, and the energy that came with being in shape (and not the round shape...that shape is not so fun).

This past week I worked out all but one day, and 4 of those workouts were at 6:45 before I had to go to work! I've been incorporating cardio, HIITs (high intensity interval training), abs, and general toning and sculpting. By Saturday morning I was sore from just about head to toe! But I knew the best thing was the keep working through it. That, and I longed for that euphoric "I'm tough, I'm strong" feeling! Once you really start experiencing that, working out becomes a treat rather than a chore!

Today I feel much stronger and am bursting with energy. Time for an oldie but goodie...a Turbo Jam cadio party and an ab workout! Join me! Kick some butt!

PointsPlus...a Delicious Change

I am still a fan of Weight Watchers...and I'm loving the new PointsPlus program! I knew I could handle it when most fruits and veggies are FREE (zero points, in other words). I do love some fruit and veggies! The problem for me, in the past, was that rather than make smart, healthy choices and use my points on those fruits and veggies, I would save my points to eat chocolate or something sweet. I still lost weight but wasn't gaining much in the health department.

I have spent the past few weeks losing over four pounds and gaining a nice "fat arsenal" of healthy and new recipes and ideas! It has been quite fun finding new and creative ways to eat and enjoy healthier items. Let's see...I've made butternut squash soup, turkey meatloaf, lightened smashed red potatoes, unique omelets with things like spinach and feta, breakfast couscous with cinnamon and pears, and baked bananas for dessert. Mmmm....

I continue to search for healthy recipes and alternatives. Another idea I'm anxious to try is a Crystal Light smoothie. Basically you blend water, frozen strawberries and banana with a crystal light packet. I'm thinking that strawberries, mandarin oranges and the lemon berry might be good together. So many ideas and such a small, shrinking tummy. :)