Cheesy Chicken Dip with Mini Croissants

A couple of weekends ago I thought Hmm, what should I make for everyone as a grazing snack, one we can pick at all day. So I looked at what I had in the fridge and whipped this up. I call it Cheesy Chicken Dip with Mini Croissants. It was so yummy, you have to try it!!

Here are the ingredients with measurements:

• Garlic Salt 1 tsp.
• Onion Powder 1 tsp.
• Ground Black Pepper 1 tsp.
• Sea Salt 1 tsp.
• Margarine 1 tbsp.
• Parmesan Cheese 1/4 cup

• Croissant Rolls X2 (any size doesn’t matter)
  
• 2 slices American Cheese (for creaminess)
• Fiesta Blend Cheese 8 oz. (whole pack)
  
  • Grilled Chicken Breast Strips (cut up into bite sized pieces)
• Milk 1/4 cup
• Whipped Cream Cheese 3 tbsp.
• Sour Cream 2 tbsp.
  

   Directions for Mini Croissants:

• Preheat Oven to prepackaged directions
• After rolling out dough cut Croissants into mini triangles about an inch in diameter with pizza cutter, so easy that way!!
• Spread out onto cookie sheet and put into preheated oven. Bake for ONLY a couple of minutes they bake very fast. Mine took about 3-4 minutes so watch the stove the whole time or they will burn. Shown below is what they look like when they come out, puffed and crispy on the bottom. You don’t even have to use a spatula, you just tap the cookie sheet against the top of stove and they pop off.
  

     Now for the Cheese Dip Directions:

• Start adding butter, milk, whipped cream cheese and sour cream, stir with whisk until no lumps left, then dump Fiesta Cheese bag, American Cheese, and Parmesan cheese into pot and bring up to medium high heat, stir until all incorporated.

• Next add chicken chunks, stir again.
• Lastly add in the salt, pepper, garlic salt, and onion powder
• Cook until all the way melted and hot
• This is how it looks after it’s all cooked

   Ok this is so yummy, can I tell you.

 

The finished product, I left it in the mini crock pot I use for dips and man it was amazing. High in calories but the diet starts tomorrow, lol. Well I hope that you try this recipe. It’s so great for a Football party, cold day, Holiday, or just because! Have fun and hey, let me know if you tried it, would love to know what you think, so comment below!! PS: One tip I’d like to add is make more croissant rolls because they go so quickly so I would double the amount to 4 roll tubes.

Enjoy! ~Christina

Quote of the Day:
If we find a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he reads.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson

Have Fun, Stress Less When Vacationing with the Kids ~Post 2 14 more tips

 

Picture of Greenville, South Carolina “The Reedy River”

Today I am adding more tips to the series see my previous post to catch up “Have Fun, Stress Less when Vacationing with the kids ~Post 1 Streamlining the preparation with 15 easy tips”

1. If you have a DVD Player take along movies that interest various age groups & have a variety within children's reach.
2. Carry some cash, but make sure to have a debit/credit card and checks if in case you forget your money or credit card. I did just recently when my daughter and I got out nails done on vacation. I almost panicked then asked if they accepted checks. Whoosh saved!! That’s what I get for paying my bills online earlier in the day (forgetting my card at home by computer).
3. Plan on doing laundry 2 days before you leave and pick out fold and put into piles separated by child and adults. For example Shirts/Shorts/Socks/Underwear/1 pair of jeans/1 Hoody. Keep it simple and if staying 2 weeks, pack for 1 plus 2 days, on day 8 do laundry and you’ll be set.
4. Pack toiletries, I use a backpack for this, for separate pockets, yet I still use Gallon and sandwich bags to separate everything. For example: Separate 1 toothbrush and toothpaste into one sandwich bag, do this for all kids and adults/write on them with a sharpie everyone’s names. Bundle Shampoo/Conditioner/Hairspray into a Gallon Baggie. I put full sized soaps into separate baggies, since we have a family of six, we put hotel soaps to shame. Razors/Shave Creams/Soaps bundled together Gallon Baggie. I put my moisturizer/body spray/deodorant into one separate Gallon Baggie. My husbands into another. I have used many different types of toiletry bags and stuff gets spilled all over, so this is what works then if you need something, take out a bag at a time. Easy!!
5. I grab a variety of chips in a pack, usually Lay’s. I used to buy separate snacks for everyone, but the Lay’s variety bag has a cinch top and you can put some more snacks in it like granola bars and peanut butter crackers. My kids can get car sickness so we bring mini coke bottles and mini waters. I buy these the day before and stick them in the fridge so they are nice and cold when I arrange them in an insulated bag.
6. Pack the car/van/suv/truck the night before and stick everything your kids need i.e.: pillow/blanket/stuffed animals/chargers etc. near their seats. Also make sure you have baby wipes in middle console, change for tolls, within reach (if needed), GPS system charging and ready to go.
7. Pack a mini first aid kit and put it into glove box. Include in it band aids/Neosporin/pain medicine/alcohol swabs.
8. Hand sanitizer
9. Are pets coming with? We brought our cat with us to South Carolina. I included cat litter in a plastic bin with lid for the drive. I brought food/water/mini bowls/leash/cat carrier/kitty blanket/litter pan and toys.
10. Recycle your plastic bags. Use them for trash/kitty litter cleanups/change of clothes for kids/wet clothes/laundry.
11. When I pack the suitcases and we are staying over night 1 night and breaking up the drive. I pack individual bags with 1 outfit/socks/underwear/swimsuit for pool/pj’s for each person and stick them all in a tote bag, instead of unloading whole van. And bringing everything in. One bag, easy!!
12. Do you have your hotel confirmation numbers written down or a printout of it? Bring drivers license, license plate number, phone numbers of hotel and emergency numbers/ health insurance cards ( my son got strep the second week we were in South Carolina) keep them handy for anything you anticipate on the trip.
13. Bring a folder of bills that may be due when your gone and hopefully you booked a hotel that has free wifi or use your smart phone to pay them. Or go to the lobby and use the free computer.
14. Bring crayons/tablets for drawing/mini games/markers/crayon books/chargers/DS’s/PSP’s/video games etc. for keeping the kids occupied.

To be continued… there are more tips to come about the drive and when your actually there at your destination.

It’s Labor Day weekend and I may not get anymore tips up until the long weekend is over. Hope you have a Great Labor Day ~Christina

Wonderful Mediterranean Eats at River Place Greenville, SC

Way back in June my husband had an interview in Greenville, SC for a new job, so I came along with him to get to know the area. I was also due for a mini vacation. The first day he was interviewing I decided I would order food close by our hotel room at The Hampton Inn, overlooking The River Place Downtown Greenville. The Lazy Goat Restaurant which was literally underneath my hotel room, was a perfect choice. Wonderful Mediterranean food might I add. Before I even get into my meal, I have to say I am big on great first impressions and I give Props to The Lazy Goat, for friendly service, cozy atmosphere, and their superb take-out presentation. They had no idea that I was a blogger and delivered more than expected. Well here’s my gift bag of yums: Nice sturdy bag with plenty of napkins, utensils, and everything was wrapped up tight. This is how it should be no matter where you go!!

Harissa Whipped Hummus: crisp veggies and warm pita $7

This was my appetizer. My personal review of this is ~~~~~ 5 tizzy’s (my version of 5 stars). Warm homemade hummus, add to it warm and chewy pita bread plus some crisp crudités on the side. I couldn’t get over the flavor of their homemade hummus, puts store bought to shame! There is an immense difference. It has way more texture and for crunch they sprinkle sesame seeds on top. So Good!! PS I did save some for my hubby, but we ended up going out to another place that evening. So it was my midnight snack later on. Italian Grilled Cheese Panini (pesto, sliced tomato, fresh mozzarella) $5

This is what I had for my meal, my review of this was equally ~~~~~ 5 tizzy’s, perfect pesto with ripe, juicy tomatoes, warm smooth and creamy mozzarella, on a fresh warm roll. MMM, it was “PENTANOSTIMO” ~five times tasteful!!!

I recommend if you are ever in Downtown Greenville, SC that The Lazy Goat would be on your must eat at list. You can also eat outside at night overlooking the river and lighted waterfall fountains. Take in the atmosphere combined with the outdoor bands/DJ’s playing music across the river, makes for wonderful ambience, especially for a date night with your spouse. Enjoy!!

No waste proper Avocado picking, peeling, and storage tips and tricks

This is a quick follow-up to my Lemony Avocado Tuna Salad Sandwich post where I used Avocado. Well I happen to think that I am a Master at Avocado picking and peeling with no waste.

Here is what I do: First, I test for how firm an Avocado is, depending on when I am going to use them, or if I am going to wait to use them. If I use them right away I make sure they have a little give, sort of semi-firm, the next day they should be perfect to use.  The color should be dark green almost black. If they are all the way black then they are too mushy and will be bruised and almost rotten inside. If I am going to wait a couple of days I buy the green ones and ripen them at home. I’m impatient so that is very rare for me unless I have no choice.

Tip: Be weary of the little sticker that says, RIPE, because that usually means they are not for you to eat, they are past their prime.

I then score with a sharp knife around the middle while turning the avocado.

Next I twist the Avocado to get two separate halves.

Shown here with nut attached.

So really, how do you properly get the nut out with the most meat left.  Pop knife into the nut while on counter, then hold half and twist it out and it should release. Now the Avocado I had was a bit too soft for doing this so it did get a little messy, but if it was a tad bit firmer it would have released with practically nothing attached to it. Easy!!

Score the half Avocado several times you can even do cross cuts too, but I have found slicing is easiest to remove and cut it in half shown here: why do I cut it in half again, well it makes it so easy to peel the skin right off. I don’t show the peeling part but if you have a perfectly ripe Avocado then the skin should peel off with no meat left in it. Like turning a page to a book, or peeling a banana. Be gentle and you’ll get everything out, no need to use a spoon. Guaranteed!!

Here’s the best part, if your not using the other half and want to use it the next day (recommended) then add lemon juice to it to stop it from browning and adds a little flavor too. 

Stick in a plastic baggie and get as much air out as possible, helps with no oxygen getting to it either. 

Turn upside down, well why you ask, well I’ll tell ya: this keeps it from getting any air to the meat. Then store in the fridge upside down till the next day, and you will find there is really no oxidation. So try it, hope this helped you out. ~Christina 

Bottomfeeder Snack Mix…Easy How To

Your probably wondering what Bottomfeeder Snack Mix is. Well it’s a term I’m using to describe the combined bottom of the bag snacks, I currently have in my pantry. I really get tired of the many wandering leftover snacks, so I decided to do something about it. Here is the before….

Here is the After, it was an Ahhh Moment. I dumped every snack that was dwindled down to the bottom into a Gallon sized baggie. Now it not only looks fresh, but its something my kids like. So now instead of throwing out the bottom of the bag scraps, they now have purpose, to be EATEN. Hope I’ve inspired you to clean out your pantry and repurpose your wandering leftovers. ~Christina

Day 28 CHALLENGE 31 Tips to Couponing the Organized & Fun Way!

So I’ll start off by saying I was a great coupon clipper about 3 years ago. When the economy was hitting I had to hit the coupons religiously. I would spend 3 hours every Sunday perusing online and circulars to get the best bargains and with some work, I did! I had gotten really good at it and even got my husband in on it too. We’d even have savings competitions going to the store, those were fun. I think when it comes to couponing, to each his own, but I would err on the side of caution that if you do start couponing that you do it for the right reasons and that it doesn’t get to an unhealthy point. ie; hoarding, buying things just because you have a coupon or going to 10 different places all in one day just to get the maximum deals, which would waste time and gas (we all know how expensive that is now).
Anyways, the following are the ways that I have saved and since I am starting to see a buzz on facebook and messageboards about the show extreme couponing on TLC, I thought that I would post what I have done, to save you some time, and with work, some money.
When you set up the basics you will then be able to sit down, sort and cut out your coupons then file them accordingly. It will get easier and you’ll get faster, as you go.

1. Buy a 1 1/2 “ binder and baseball card page protectors to hold your coupons that you are stocking up on.
2. Buy printable labels for labeling your page protectors, each coupon slot is a different item. ie, canned goods, boxed goods, milk, diapers, etc…according to whatever the coupon is for.
3. Get a small accordion coupon holder that will just hold the coupons you will be taking to the store for easy access, and filing. Usually they will have a band on them and I attach that to the part of the cart and slip it through attaching back to the the coupon filer to be hands free.  This will have tabs for labeling your aisles (I label by aisles of the store I usually go to). I felt if I labeled by what the items were that I was fumbling with what aisle is this or that in. Organization is key!!
4. Make a spreadsheet Grocery List of what store you go to, what aisles you’ll need to hit, for what items and what coupon amounts you’ll be using. This can then be printed out and streamlines the process. When you save it, you’ll instantly have a template for the next time.
5. Buy “ALL YOU” magazine, you can clip alot of coupons out of this.
6. Go buy several copies of your local paper and bring them home, During certain times of the year they don’t have coupon circulars. Google this online or look it up through the links I posted below.
7. Make sure you buy an Entertainment Book, these you can get at Walgreens for about $20 or usually a school is selling them. or www.entertainmentbook.com Keep this in your car for when your out and about.
8. Make sure you have a store key fob card for every store that hands one out. Take the time to fill out the application for each. Alot of times they not only send you coupons in the mail but they give you coupons printed out at their actual store.
9. Join facebook and twitter for deals. Usually you can print out a coupon after you’ve LIKEd a stores fan page.
10. Sign up for email at restaurants and local places online and they usually will have a bday club, and coupons sent to you in your email. Just print them off and go.
11. Krogers has a service that you can go to their site and pick out your coupon deals then add them to your Kroger card online. Check your local store to see if they offer that service.
12. Go to sites that let you download and print coupons, you can pick what you want for the week and alot of times they generally coincide with your local deals in the store so it really pays off at the checkout.
13. Shop on double and triple coupon days if applicable.
14. Use rainchecks if a store is out of an item and you still want to get the sale the next time the item is in.
15. Send in your rebate checks if you purchase something save the receipt and instantly send in the info. to get your money back instantly or within the time they allot, which I think is up to 8 weeks depending on the manufacturer.
16. Call up manufacturers directly and have them send you some coupons just for remarking about their products.
17. Use your manufacturers coupons with the deals in the store that are on sale to get your items for pennies on the dollar or free.
18. Read your coupons for specific item (if it’s any size, pick the trial, usually it’ll be for free), quantity, expiration and any small details that may flub up the order when you go to check out.
19. You will find out what goes on sale and when. When to stock up and save at certain times of the year. When not to buy and hold out even if you wanted a certain item. Sometimes deals are worth the wait.
20. When you go to checkout pick out the nicest or most knowledgeable cashier, as this will help with any problems you may encounter in your couponing.
21. Make sure you keep an eye on your deals as they ring up and don’t give your card to them till the end when you can see what your true subtotal is then they scan your card. That will apply all of the in stores deals, then add your coupons after that and you start to see the savings. At the end of your receipt should say your total savings.
22. Shop when your store tends to stock up their items. I usually shop at off times, after they stock up, because, like the movies I like going when there are not alot of crowds.
23. Don’t forget to use coupons at places like, dept. stores, makeup stores, for haircuts, pet stores, fast food, movies, hotels, rental cars, etc….
24. Almost forget Always keep a pen and calculator handy for adding up your cost and savings as you go.
25. Have fun!

Here are some online things I have done that have helped me save.

1. Ebates, make sure you join and you can go to Groupon in ebates and find local deals.
2. I go to www.restaurant.com for local restaurant deals and usually you can get them for 1/2 price for dinners. Print out a coupon.
3. Online coupon codes, especially at www.retailmenot.com I have used them on so many occasions I can’t even count. For pizza and for dept. store purchases. I have saved alot with this.
4. Read email or even answer a survey to get some coupon deals.

Well I hope that I have done my due diligence in helping some of you save on shopping. I am going to start serious couponing again, since watching the savings others have had can be inspiring and fun! I have attempted to track down as much as I can here. I also have a couple of links that helped me out in the beginning.

1. www.hotcouponworld.com
2. www.couponmom.com

These sites can help you with everything and they even have databases for coupons.
I have also googled coupon sites before and alot comes up. See what you come up with and Happy Savings!~

Day 26 CHALLENGE Homemade Chocolate Frosting & Have a Happy Easter!!!

Today was a bit crazy, not only is it the day before Easter (wink, wink for you parents), but for our family today is my husbands 39th birthday. I was running around so much and cooking and baking that it felt like Christmas time with everything going on. Well since I had forgotten to grab some frosting at the store when I bought his box cake, I wondered, hmmm could I make my own frosting, turns out on the back of a Hershey’s cocoa container (an absolute staple in my home and should be in yours too) they have a recipe for Perfect Frosting. I needed butter so went to get some, hence part of the running around today. I never knew I could make my own. I have made glazes in the past but was under the impression that bakers knew some deep dark secret not privy to the rest of us on how to make decadent chocolate frosting. WELL MY DEARS I HAVE MADE IT and is it YUMMY!!!! Let’s just say there was no talking when the cake was eaten tonight. ; )
Here’s what you’ll need for your frosting~

Here’s the directions~

It was so easy to make, it was a piece of cake, punny I know! Here’s the end result, talk about licking the spoon, licking your fingers, I think I got it on stuff just TOO lick it off it was so darn good. I will never buy the cartons of frosting ever again. Everyone agreed, it was just the right sweetness, ever so chocolatey and Mmm gooood!! Enjoy~
   

Oh and by the way Have a Happy Easter!!!

Day 8 CHALLENGE A love of food and a love for children!

Today my post is about a need that is being met. What is that you say, well apparently there are children that go hungry or don't get a meal unless they are served a school lunch and it happens here in America. This is so sad to me that when I saw the story I am about to link you to I had some tears welling up, in a happy way. I saw this on CNN. The chef's name is Bruno Serato and well, he saw a need and filled it. To me he is an inspiration amongst one of the many angels on earth and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to blog about it. I hope that you find his story as heartwarming as I do, here's the link... http://losangeles.grubstreet.com/2011/03/local_chef_lauded_for_feeding.html

Thanks for taking a look and are you CHALLENGING yourself today, play along by posting one post per day for a month, to whomever is, great job!!

Creative Low-Cost Low-Calorie Food Tips and Recipes

I want to start off by saying that if you arrived to this post, it wasn't by accident your looking for some ideas on how to lower your calories and  how to eat on a budget. I get that, I totally do! I have 4 kids and suffice to say have to eat separate from what they do, not all of the time but most. Well here goes some tips and recipes to start with and in the future I'll make a page designated to this topic on its own. Starting with the tips and this coincides with my other blog post: http://creativetizzy.blogspot.com/2010/05/11-tips-to-de-cluttering-my-home-and-10.html

1. Drink a tall glass of water with every meal, snacks also.
2. Take multi-vitamin and fish oil tab 1/2 way through meal. This I take a lunchtime 
3. Eat @ 250-350 calories per meal, snacks stay below 200 I have usually 2 snacks a day.
4. Shop in your own pantry and fridge, sometimes we can find things if we just dig.
5. Use spray butter for cooking on stove. http://www.icantbelieveitsnotbutter.com/Spray/
6. Cut out the salt, salt bloats you, I am a professed salt-a-holic and have to say over time, I don't need it and when there's extra dumped on my food without me knowing, it tastes, well, salty!!
7. Cut out the sugar, okay, besides the morning and afternoon cups of coffee, that's it! Limits people, limits!!
8. No Protein bars unless the sugars are low, some protein or breakfast bars have more sugar than a candy bar, you might as well go have that snickers bar anyways!! Check the label.
9. Cut the cheese, no not literally, cut it from your Food Plan. This bloats also, if I cheat, it's with Bleu or sprinkle of parm on my spaghetti, can't do without it. Your stomach will thank-you and you'll notice a difference in your side profile. If you have to have it, make sure its in moderation.
10. Cut out the soda consumption, if you thrive on soda, this is where your calories come from 97 to be exact in one can of Coke, you could lose weight just by cutting out this very thing, diet soda too.
11. Keep away from Aspartame, I was drinking diet iced tea thinking my vision was going and here it was aspartame messing with me, stay away from this stuff. Very in depth site, http://www.sweetpoison.com/aspartame-side-effects.html
12. Use frozen veggies, I have too or alot of things would go bad in my fridge. Although I eat clean, I do my version of eating clean. 
13. By prepacked produce, if this is just for you, smaller servings can be hidden in the fridge so tiny hands can't get them.
14. Use micro meals at lunch (sodium can be a little high on these, so be careful) most are under 300 calories, boom, lunch is done or dinner. 
15. Have fibrous carbs at Supper, what do I mean by fibrous, well these are your fiber veggies, spinach, lettuce, squash, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, cucumber. These take time to digest and therefore helps you to feel fuller longer and you can fill up on these and there are virtually no calories. I make a chicken salad that is huge and it by far exceeds the eyes are bigger than the stomach rule. 
16. Arm yourself ahead of time with foods before the week starts. Okay I know alot of fitness people use this, but it is so true. "If you Fail to Plan, then you should plan to fail". A little preparedness goes a long way. I will see what I have in my fridge, pantry, and for snacks and make a list, go shopping and now I can eat without guilt.
17. Have easy snacks on hand. I love, love, love the tomato/herb Special K crackers http://www2.kelloggs.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?brand=215&product=15771&cat=cereal why do I love these, not only are they tasty, but they are the least calories for the most you can eat, trust me, I compared boxes and believe that most crackers are 140 calories per serving. So in essence you could have almost a double serving and still stay within your 200 calorie snack range.
18. Shop in the organic section of your store, sometimes they have discontinued items that are really cheap or on sale items. Organic has come along way in their prepackaged dept. the prices I see are coming down and that's easier on the wallet.
19. Make a list, have a budget and stick with it. If possible try not to shop with the kids, they can be distracting and get your focus off of eating good.
20. Don't eat after 8:00, anything that you put in your mouth will eventually reach your stomach, 8:00 is 3 hours before I go to bed, my stomach will be empty and therefore the calories I burn throughout the night (when sleeping that's when your body goes to work) will be spent on the fat stores I have instead of the fuel I would eat right before bed, a no-no! If I want something, I'll have green tea with honey and a little milk, this makes me feel better, and suppresses that craving for food.
21. Drink Green Tea like above, read about it here:http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/benefit_of_drinking_green_tea
22. Arm yourself with gum. I can't tell you how many times I just want to chew on something and if I have gum it takes away the food factor. 5 calories http://www.tridentgum.com/
23. Deny the food monster, tell yourself mentally, I don't need it and I have control over food, it doesn't control me. PERIOD. Do not give in and have a piece of gum instead. The hunger pangs will pass and you will say, wow I don't feel hungry anymore. 
24. Look at your labels, what is a serving size and what are the calories per serving size, don't automatically assume that a can is a serving, soup usually has 2 servings, so calories X2.
25. You Can Do It. Keep telling yourself you can, and you will. I did and am going to keep doing it til I get to my goal. Now I have to, I just told you to! Now I have to stick with it. Holding myself accountable.

Now for the foods I use for fuel:

1. Canned beans, navy, pinto, chick peas (it's funny my hubby calls anything other than a stringbean, Goya beans) beans beans they're good for your heart the more you eat the more protein you get, ; )
2. Brown Rice this I make concoctions with chicken and beans and veggies.
3. Non Salted Almonds in a pouch, Walmart sells these @ $3.00 a bag, very cheap.
4. Apples, Bananas, Fruits Easy grab and go snacks
5. Popcorn (Airpopped) I lightly salt ( I mean lightly, just can't do no salt with this) this with butter spray, plus popcorn has antioxidants and fiber, you can have a ton of this and not feel the guilt. Airpop so you don't use any oil, that is where the calories and fat lie.
6. Whole grain, breads and pastas you can get white whole grain bread for kids (fakes em out) and yet you can still eat it to.
7. Jello-and light whipped topping, maybe 15 calories, very minimal and slightly sinful.
8. Slim-A-Bear Klondike bars, okay dudette, these are soooo good and at only 100 calories a bar, my kids fight me over these, I have to hide them in my freezer if we're out of popsicles.
9. Flax seed, I roast these in a pan a teaspoon at a time and add my eggs, they pop like popcorn so you get the benefits omega-3s, antioxidants, and fiber.
10. Oatmeal this is so filling, I do get the kind that takes a little to cook in microwave 
11. Berries of different varieties, blueberries are a superfood
12. Dark Chocolate, I am a dark chocolate fan. I get 70% and above, I think Cadbury's has them, but I get mine in the organic Aisle. Hubby says it tastes bland, but I am used to it and have a different palate now.
13. Canned or pouched Tuna, Chicken, Salmon. Makes a meal fast. 
14. Egg whites in the carton
15. Vinegars of all sorts, I like Malt, Balsamic, Apple I mix them with Olive oil for a light dressing on salads
16. Lemon Juice in the bottle or fresh if you can, makes dishes taste better, plus lemons amp up the metabolism. This I also use on salads
17. Frank's Red Hot Sauce, Ampin' up the metabolism again, put a dash of this on your eggs, chicken, steak, shrimp, yum.
18. Crackers in above tips
19. Mrs. Dash http://www.mrsdash.com/, has a wide variety of salt-free sprinkles so get what you like.
20. I was on a Protein shake kick, but only if I am lifting weights, will be introducing a fitness plan soon, so I'll be going back to that. Can find these in organic aisle or weight loss aisle. Or go to GNC http://www.gnc.com/home/index.jsp protein shakes without soy, look it up about soy and estrogen, it can be confusing so I limit my intake of soy, yet I do things in moderation. It's your choice. I leave it out, read here http://www.veganhealth.org/articles/soymessina
21. Whole grain tortillas, these you can make an white egg omelet with veggies, sprinkle on some Frank's and you've got a breakfast tort to go.
22. Veggies of all sorts, frozen as I said above for quick easy access

Creative Recipes or Concoctions

Breakfast:

Egg White Omelet, I measure out enough for like a 2-3 egg omelet with egg whites, but I first add can't believe its not butter then onions peppers spinach whatever I've got that day and measure serving size for the calories I need keeping it well under 300. Add egg whites, cook and flip, sometimes I don't flip it. Oh and I add fiesta lime Mrs. Dash.

Oatmeal (not the packets, they have too much sugar) the oats in the cardboard tube, usually on the lower shelf in the cereal aisle, with berries or bananas, again whatever I have on hand. I measure out 1/4 cup, this can balloon up to 3/4 filling up the bowl, add berries when you cook the oatmeal in microwave, mix around a little so the berries are still intact somewhat, and yummy.

Grilled Turkey and egg tortilla, grilled turkey with peppers and eggwhites, cook like above eggs and add to the tort, is so yummy and watch your potion sizes, this is key.

Lunch:
Micro meal from Weight Watchers or Healthy Choice, you pick.
Brown Rice, with 1-2 small chicken tenders or breasts, check the calories per serving, with veggies, either spinach, onions, squash, eggplant etc..

Couscous with Salmon or Tuna pouch ( I like to get the steaks in the pouches) add lemon and dash of flaxseed with some type of veggies, sometimes I add beans. Make sure that your calories will come out to up to 350.
Dinner:
Salad with 1/2 Avocado, cherry tomatoes, Butter lettuce or spring mix for variety, mushrooms, cucumbers, Add cooked Chicken breast or saute'ed shrimp. Mix Olive oil Balsamic Vinegar and Mrs. Dash together in tiny bowl with lid and toss with salad.

Snacks:

Bananas with little bit of peanut butter

Strawberries and fat free yogurt

crackers

popcorn

You can sub a micro meal for dinner or vice versa, I tend to switch daily.

Hope that I have given some good hints for you to be successful. The only part I can't do is be there and make sure that you implement it, that's your part. So good luck and in fairness of being human, we all make mistakes, so if you fall off the wagon, don't beat yourself up, just get up, dust yourself off, hold your head up, because you're worthy of being healthy, Now Git'R done. Hope to hear some progress has been made. Click on the comments button to leave me a note and subscribe to my blog, lots coming up!