• Recipes

    Making Weeknights Easy

    Getting dinner on the table quick is always something we have struggled with in my house. Trying to make a meal that is homemade and not using a lot of prepacked ingredients can be a challenge. I always read labels and have found some really great products over the years that I can feel good about feeding to my family. Here is a list of my favorite pantry staples that I keep on hand for an easy meal. (Plus, they’re WW friendly!) I primarily shop at Kroger and linked the items here, but you can certainly use any brand you prefer.

    Favorite Seasonings:

    Simple Truth Everything But the Bagel– add to avocado toast, boiled eggs or even to meats to add great texture and flavor!

    Simple Truth Salt Free Garlic Herb Seasoning– This blend is so versatile and can be used on so many things and I love that it is salt free! I use this as a dry rub on meats as well as marinades. My family really loves when I add this to French fries. Just sprinkle it on your favorite frozen French fries and bake or air fry according to the package instructions. Once they’re cooked, just season with salt. Definitely a family favorite!

    Private Selection Herbs de Provence- I first learned of this blend from Giada deLaurentiis. She uses it on so many things and with good reason…it truly goes with anything! It contains savory, marjoram, rosemary, thyme, oregano and lavender. I cook with venison a lot and it pairs well with the lavender and rosemary. Even if I am using a pre-packed seasoning mix (such as taco seasoning) I use this as a base flavor and it compliments it well. I also add this to steaks right before we cook them and on roasted potatoes. Just add a little salt, pepper and olive oil and you’re good to go!

    Mrs. Dash Salt Free Taco Seasoning- Speaking of taco seasoning, this one is my favorite. Again, it’s salt free so you can control the amount of salt in your food.

    Pantry Staples:

    Simple Truth Chicken Broth– Chicken broth adds great flavor to so many things. From soups and stews to rice, you can’t go wrong having this on hand. I prefer the low sodium option, but there is also a fat free option that is good, as well. I really like that this brand is organic and made from free range chicken!

    Mission Carb Balance Flour Tortillas– There are a few variations of these tortillas, but I typically buy the fajita size. They’re a little smaller and are only 45 calories (or 1 WW pt!). I love how soft these are and you don’t feel your missing out on anything with these. From fajitas to breakfast tacos, we always have these on hand. You can also use these to make personal size pizzas. Just add some tomato sauce and your favorite toppings and back at 400 for 8-10 minutes!

    Sara Lee Delightful Healthy Multi-Grain Bread– When I started WW, one thing I really looked for was a good option for bread. Naturally, I started looking in the organic section of the store first, but soon found that some of those breads had tons of extra calories added to them. This bread is simple, delicious and only 45 calories per slice. (2 WW pts!) Perfect for avocado toast, French toast or just a PB&J.

    Quaker Quick Cooking Oats– I have learned to LOVE making homemade oatmeal! The options are endless! My favorite is blueberries and cream with banana. (Recipe is linked here!) With oatmeal now a 0 pts food on WW, you bet I have been trying my best to whip some up that stay as low on calories and WW pts as possible! It cooks in the microwave in 1-2 minutes and is a good heart healthy breakfast option!

    Barilla Whole Wheat Pasta– Another 0 pt WW option I keep on hand. My family even eats this and has no idea they’re eating something super healthy for them!

    Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Spray– This spray is 0 calories and is perfect for cooking scrambled eggs, fried eggs or for roasting veggies in the oven or air fryer.

    Tostitos Avocado Salsa– If you have not tried this…what are you waiting for?! It’s like guacamole and pico de gallo mixed together. We eat it with chips, add it to salads or sandwiches in place of mayo. Definite must have!

    Cream of Mushroom Soup/ Cream of Chicken Soup– I like having these on hand to whip up a quick meal. I use the mushroom soup with my Chicken with Mushroom Gravy recipe and it’s definitely a family favorite! The cream of chicken adds a nice thickness and creaminess to my Chicken Tortilla Soup.

    From the Freezer:

    Frozen Veggies- Frozen veggies are the next best thing to fresh and keep really well for a long time! Frozen corn is my family’s favorite and is always on hand, but I also like to keep edamame and potatoes on standby. While my family enjoys French fries with our burgers, I will typically opt for plain sweet potatoes as my side dish. While the traditional fries are delicious, they’re typically loaded with added fat and calories. On the WW plan I follow, potatoes are now 0 pts! I know, right!!?!? Such great news! I like to cook mine in the air fryer with a little avocado oil spray and some good ol’ salt and pepper. They’re perfect every time and totally worth having in the fridge!

    Simple Truth Organic Brown Rice– I am sure you’re wondering why this is not listed as a pantry staple. While I do keep some brown rice in my pantry, the frozen kind is just so quick and easy to make! Another 0 pts food find, I will typically have several bags on hand to add for a quick lunch or with dinner. Regardless of the meal we’re having, if it calls for rice, this is what I will opt for. For taco night, I will just steam the rice in the microwave, spray with some I can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Spray, add salt and pepper and a little salsa. I will often have a Chipotle style bowl with this rice, beans, salad and some protein for a quick lunch. It truly is a great alternative to traditional rice if you’re looking for a lighter, healthier option!

    Simple Truth Flame Grilled Chicken Strips– Grilled chicken is a great go-to for just about any meal. I love adding these pre-cooked chicken strips to salads, to have with some rice and sweet and sour sauce for a little Chinese inspiration. It’s a great way to add some protein especially for a single serve meal.

    Simple Truth Peeled and Deveined Jumbo Shrimp– Quick cooking and delicious shrimp is always a crowd pleaser and perfect for weeknight meals! Sautee in a little olive oil, butter, garlic, lemon juice and some red pepper flakes until cooked and then add to either pasta or rice. So simple, yet light and filling!

    In the Fridge:

    Dannon Light & Fit Greek Strawberry Cheesecake Nonfat Yogurt – Yogurt is a great source of protein and is only 80 calories a container! Mix in some fresh fruit (I love strawberries and blueberries) and a little granola for quick breakfast or even dessert!

    Wholly Guacamole Classic Guacamole – I LOVE avocados!!!! Only issue is they’re either ready to eat when you buy them or not quite ready…and then when you’re ready, they’ve gone bad! These are the perfect option and are pre-portioned to make tracking calories, points, etc. easy! I spread it on toast and add some Everything But the Bagel Seasoning or on a tortilla with some chicken for a quick wrap for lunch.

    I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Spray– Perfect for adding to rice or veggies without all the extra calories and fat of regular butter.

    Kroger Fat Free Vanilla Coffee Creamer– I’m fairly basic when it comes to coffee. Just a little vanilla creamer and some sugar and I am good! While I always have vanilla creamer in my fridge for coffee, I use it for lots of other things, too! Recently, I started adding it to my oatmeal to make a blueberries and cream style oatmeal as well as to make the custard to dip bread in for French Toast. It has tons of flavor without adding any extra fat.

    Single Serve Salads– These are great for a lunch on the go! You can have a different one every day and never get bored! If you’re tracking calories or macros, the nutrition information is on the back making it easy to stay on track! My favorites are the Crispy Apple Dijon, Avocado Cheddar Ranch, Sante Fe Style Chicken, Cranberry with Feta and White Balsamic Vinaigrette. Warm up some of the chicken from the freezer for a little extra protein!

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  • Where I'm Shopping

    Steve Madden

    I have always loved shoes from Steve Madden! I have been buying shoes from them for over 20 years and they never disappoint! I recently noticed a pair of mules that is part of the Nordstrom Sale, however, I did not have the appropriate access to the sale until later into August. Worried they would be sold out, I searched the Steve Madden site to see what I could find. I didn’t find the exact ones, but these are a great alternative! Plus, if you sign up for their emails you can receive discounts which came in handy for me with this purchase! I had a $40 off coupon I hadn’t used and thought this was the perfect opportunity to use it. They are regularly $69, but once I used my coupon with tax, etc. they were only $37! Definitely a win for sure!

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