Spicy Stir-Fried Chicken and Spinach

We tried this weight watcher recipe for dinner the other night and we both liked it. It used a couple of things that I have never cooked with before, like chili sauce and Chinese noodles and one ingredient that I've never heard of before--Ponzu sauce. I don't know if this is a common ingredient that most people know about, but I had never heard of it. You can find it in the Asian section of your supermarket with the soy sauce. It's a citrus soy sauce/dressing and it wasn't expensive. Despite the name, this dish wasn't very spicy, so if you like spice, try adding more chili sauce. Also, we added soy sauce to ours which added some extra flavor.

Weight Watcher Spicy Stir-Fried Chicken and Spinach
Points: 5
Servings: 4

Ingredients
* 3/4 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
* 3 tablespoons ponzu sauce (it's a citrus-y soy sauce)
* 1 tablespoon cornstarch
* 2 teaspoons chili sauce
* 1 teaspoon dark sesame oil
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* cooking spray
* 2 garlic gloves, minced
* 1 8oz package presliced mushrooms
* 1 pound chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
* 1 6oz package fresh baby spinach
* 1/2 cup cut green onions
* 2 cups hot cooked Chinese noodles
* 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
* chopped green onions, for garnish



1. Combine first 6 ingredients in a bowl; stir with a whisk. Set aside. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add garlic; saute 30 seconds. Add mushroom; saute 4 minutes. Remove from pan.
2. Coat pan with cooking spray; add chicken, and cook 4 to 5 minutes. Add reserved sauce mixture to pan; bring to a boil, and cook 1 minute. Reduce heat. Add spinach and green onions; cook 1 to 2 minutes or until spinach wilts. Add reserved mushroom mixture and noodles; toss gently to combine, and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Garnish with green onions, if desired, and serve immediately.





I got this recipe out of 20 Minute Recipes.

Fall TV

I was very excited for the new seasons of my favorite shows this fall. Several posts ago, I said I would post my reviews/opinions of the shows I'm watching this fall, so here it goes.

The Community- I'm not very impressed. I had high hopes for this show since it stars Joel Mchale, who I absolutely love. I watch his show, "The Soup" on E! every week and he's so funny. I was so excited when I heard he had a comedy coming to NBC this fall, but unfortunately, it's not that good. It's kinda cheesy. It's not really funny and it's a little boring. I've only seen two episodes, so I'm going to give it a little more time. I really hope it gets better.

Survivor- I love this show. I really look forward to watching this every Thursday evening. It's the only show we watch live. Most shows we tivo and watch a few days later, but not this show. We are always so excited to see what's going to happen next. This season there is a hateful jerk on there named Russell. He's an awful person and so full of himself. He's mean and is only there to make everybody miserable. He owns an oil company and has made it clear that he doesn't need the money, he's just on there to manipulate people. It's so annoying. There was another jerk on there to, Ben, but he got voted out last night. I'm not sure who I want to win the game yet. I have some people I like, Jaison, Ashley, & Mick, but it's still a little early for me to have a favorite.

The Office- I absolutely love this show and will never get tired of it. Some shows stop being funny after a couple of seasons but not this show. It's hilarious. And next week Pam & Jim get married, which I can't wait to see. They are the cutest couple ever.

How I Met Your Mother- This show is really funny. My favorite character is Barney played by Neil Patrick Harris (Dougie Howser).

Heroes- We have the first 2 episodes of this season tivo'd, we're currently watching season 3 on dvd and want to get caught up before we start watching season 4, so I don't know how this season is so far, but I'm sure it's good. I love Heroes. It's not really my type of tv show, I usually like reality shows and comedies, but there's something addicting about this show. It's so good. Plus, it's full of hot guys!

The Amazing Race- this is the first time we've ever watched this show and we've only seen 1 episode, but I think we're going to like it. The first episode was 2 hours, which is way too long for me, but other than that, it was pretty good. I like seeing how the teams treat each other when they're stressed out. Some teams are so positive and supportive and others are so hateful.

And 2 shows that I know I'm way too old to be watching but I just can't help myself.

The Hills- I haven't watched this in a couple of seasons because it was so
ridiculous. It's very staged and kinda boring, but then this season they brought back Kristin Cavelerri from Laguna Beach, so I had to watch it. I love Laguna Beach. The first episode had a lot of drama in it, so I'm hooked. I will have to watch the entire season now. Damnit.

Real World/Road Rules Challenge- I love these challenges. I cannot get enough. I've been looking forward to this one ever since the last one ended. They are so full of drama, I just can't stop watching. I've been addicted to the challenges for quite some time, so I know all the players and who they don't like, who they've dated, etc. All they do is compete during the day and drink and party at night, which has led to some great fights. I know that this show is so ridiculous and stupid and that I'm far too old to be watching it, but I just can't help it. It's one of my favorite shows!

Friday

It's "Show Us Your Life" over on Kelly's Korner. This week's theme is "Best Baby Gear". No babies for me yet, so I didn't have anything to post for this, but I love Kelly's Korner and read it every day. So, I wanted to post a link for everybody so they could go check it out. next week is "Showing off your Team, Tailgating, Etc".

Weight Watchers is going good. I lost another 2.4lbs this week. I'm very excited. I love trying all the new recipes out of my Weight Watcher's cookbooks, it makes it much easier to stick to it when I have fun things to cook. I'm so glad I started Weight Watchers before the holidays because now I feel that I'm prepared to handle all the temptation that comes with the holidays.

Well, I'm off to plan our upcoming trip to Philly. I would love to hear ideas of things to do, places to see, and restaurants to eat at.

80's Party!

Our 80's party was last night and we had a blast. We had a good turnout and lots of great costumes. A guy Greg works with burned us a dvd of 80's music vidoes, short clips from tv shows, like "Alf", and the opening song for a couple of 80's shows, like "Facts of Life" and "Charles in Charge". It was great to not only have the 80's music but also to actually see the videos and outfits to go with it. We had a 80's trivia game with girls-vs-guys. It was close, but the guys ended up winning by one point. We gave out a prize for the best dressed guy and girl, which was hard because everybody looked great! At the end of the night, our kitchen table had been moved into the living room and our kitchen had been turned into a dance floor. It was so much fun. Greg's hurting a little bit today, but it was well worth it. Here are some pictures from our party. I posted more on our Shutterfly page.

Greg dressed up like an 80's rocker with a mullet, bandana, eyeliner, and a Def Leppard T-shirt. I put my hair in a side ponytail, big bangs, big hoop earrings, a shirt a wide collar hanging off one shoulder, bright plastic bracelets, and some bright pink leggings.

This Madonna costume won her "Best Dressed Girls" at our party. She created this entire outfit for $13.00! He decided to go a different route and dress up like he was in his 80's and he pretty much stayed in character the entire night. It was so funny.


Cyndi Lauper & Miami Vice. I love her hair!
I love her belt & side ponytail.

He even put a police light in his car to go with the "Miami Vice" theme.

Her son even dressed up. He came as Joey Lawrence. One of Greg's favorite 80's personalities!


Look at her bright pink shoes--so 80's. And I'm loving the headband.
He kept those sunglasses on the entire night. Perfect when "I Wear My Sunglasses at Night" came on, one of our favorite 80's songs.

I love her vest, I'm surprised we didn't see more vests since those were so popular during the 80's. And they're making a comeback.

I thought they looked great. He won for "Best Dressed Guy". Everybody LOVED his boots.


Our go-to rocker pose for the night.

Sante Fe Ravioli Soup

This recipe calls for ravioletti which are little miniature ravioli. It's actually called "Sante Fe Ravioletti Soup" but I could not find ravioletti. I looked for it at two different grocery stores and ended up deciding to just use regular ravioli. I really enjoyed the soup and so did Greg. He ended up having 3 bowls of it.

Sante Fe Ravioletti Soup
Points: 4
Servings: 6

Ingredients
* 2 (14oz) cans fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
* 1 (7oz) package three-cheese ravioletti
* 1 (16oz) container refrigerated fresh salsa
* 1 (15oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
* 1 (10oz) package diced cooked chicken (I used leftover rotessiere chicken)
* 1 glove minced garlic
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
* Reduced-fat sour cream (optional)



1. Bring broth to a boil in a large saucepan over high heat. Add ravioletti, and cook 3 minutes. Stir in salsa and next 3 ingredients. Cook 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring occasionally; stir in cilantro.
2. Ladle soup into bowls; stop with sour cream, if desired.



I got this out of Weight Watchers Five Ingredient, 15 Minute Recipes

Show Us Your Life- Go To Desserts

This week for Show Us Your Life over at Kelly's Korner, it's "Favorite Go To Dessert". I had no problems picking this recipe. It's Easy Pumpkin Cupcakes. They are so delicious and easy to make. I first tried this recipe when Greg & I first started living together in 2001 and it's been one of my favorite desserts since. Every time I take it to a party, there are no leftovers. I think these cupcakes look perfect for fall parties when they are topped with brown and orange sprinkles.

Easy Pumpkin Cupcakes
* 1 package spice cake mix
* 1 can (15oz) Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin
* 3 large eggs
* 1/3 cup vegetable oil
* 1/3 cup water
* 1 container cream cheese frosting

Preheat oven to 350. Paper-line or grease 24 muffin cups.
Blend cake mix, pumpkin, eggs, oil, and water in large mixer bowl until moistened. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour batter into prepared muffin cups, filling 3/4 full.
Bake for 18-23 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Spread cupcakes with frosting. Decorate with assorted sprinkles, if desired.

Marinated Asparagus

This recipe really makes plain old asparagus taste great. It tasted so fresh and delicious. We will definitely be having this again. The only bad thing is it has to marinate for 8 hours, so it's something you have to plan ahead for.

Marinated Asparagus
Points: 2
Servings: 6

Ingredients:
* 8 cups hot water
* 1 1/2 pounds asparagus, trimmed
* 1/4 cup olive oil
* 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
* 1 (2oz) jar diced pimiento, undrained
* 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
* 3 tablespoons finely chopped green onions
* 3 garlic cloves, minced
* 1 teaspoon sugar
* 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper



1. Bring 8 cups water to boil in a Dutch oven; add asparagus, and cook 3 to 4 minutes or until crisp-tender. Remove asparagus with a slotted spoon. Plunge into ice water; drain. Pat asparagus dry with paper towls. Place in a large zip-top plastic bag.
2. Combine oil and next 9 ingredients ina small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Pour marinade over asparagus in bag. Seal bad, and refrigerate 8 hours.
3. Transfer asparagus to a serving dish; drizzle remaining marinade over asparagus.



I got this recipe out of WW 20 Minute Recipes