I have two teenage boys who are always hungry. They eat constantly when they are home. The worst time is when they come home from school -- they "snack-out." I find wrappers and pieces and parts all over the house (I swear, they just drop the non-edible debris wherever they happen to be at the time). Luckily for them, they are both into sports, and hence, both are thin. My oldest has to watch it -- he has my genetic propensity for weight, so he is always putting a check on himself if things get out of control.
I remember being like that after school. The word RAVENOUS comes to mind. I remember my mother telling me to "eat an apple" -- uh, right, like that will even come close to topping off the tank! Of course, I have made that same suggestion to my kids. Luckily, they like apples!
Afternoons can be treacherous for me. I was falling into the trap of eating when my kids got home from school, too. That seemed like as good as an excuse as any for eating, right? I've broken that habit now. I find something else to do during this feeding time for my voracious animals. I stay out of the kitchen, and it seems to work.
Alas, just as I think the feeding frenzy is over do I hear that age-old question: "What's for dinner?". As the primary meal-maker and a consumption-conscious person who is perpetually short on time, it is imperative to prepare ONE meal for the whole gang rather than multiple meals. The challenge is finding things that are healthy, on plan, and appetizing to the whole family. I have to say that Weight Watchers has been brilliant with their recipes -- they are generally flavorful, full of color, and full of variety. My kids and DH just eat more (okay, 2 or 3 times as much) as I do. It works for us.
I thought I would share one of these recipes with you; this is a favorite of ours now.
Barbecued Turkey Joes
POINTS® Value: 6
Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 10 min
Cooking Time: 15 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Use extra-lean ground turkey to help keep the fat down in this zesty, quick-cooking sandwich. Opt for a tangy barbecue sauce for extra flavor.
Ingredients
1 pound lean ground turkey
1/2 medium bell pepper(s), chopped
1/2 medium sweet red pepper(s), chopped
1/2 medium onion(s), chopped
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1 cup barbecue sauce
4 medium mixed-grain hamburger roll(s), sliced in half
Instructions
Brown turkey in a nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain off liquid. Add peppers and onion and cook until tender, about 3 minutes.
Add barbecue sauce and cayenne pepper; heat thoroughly, stirring frequently, about 2 minutes.
Top bottom half of buns with turkey mixture; cover with top half of bun and serve.
Use extra-lean ground turkey to help keep the fat down in this zesty, quick-cooking sandwich. Opt for a tangy barbecue sauce for extra flavor.
Ingredients
1 pound lean ground turkey
1/2 medium bell pepper(s), chopped
1/2 medium sweet red pepper(s), chopped
1/2 medium onion(s), chopped
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1 cup barbecue sauce
4 medium mixed-grain hamburger roll(s), sliced in half
Instructions
Brown turkey in a nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain off liquid. Add peppers and onion and cook until tender, about 3 minutes.
Add barbecue sauce and cayenne pepper; heat thoroughly, stirring frequently, about 2 minutes.
Top bottom half of buns with turkey mixture; cover with top half of bun and serve.
(I add extra Cayenne powder -- my family enjoys scorched tongues.)
Um, can it get much easier? Methinks not : )
Okay, now for an update:
I walked 15 miles this week
I lost 2.2 pounds this week -- total: 22.2 lbs!
I hope your week is going well, too...
