Happy Monday all! Thank you all so much for your get well wishes ~ you really made me sappy with each message you sent. It really helped knowing I have so many caring friends out there. I am doing a “little” better now but cannot wait to have an action plan to make my shoulder normal and pain free again. I see the Orthopedic Surgeon on Thursday for another evaluation so my fingers are crossed I can get it “fixed” before our vacation.
Every year I ALWAYS have to buy a box of one of my FAVORITE pancake mixes out there….
Trader Joe’s Pancake & Waffle Mix ~ for the record, I’d totally make them as waffles if I had a waffle maker ~ kinda crazy that is one kitchen appliance I do not have 
Yes, you could make these tasty pancakes from scratch, but, why mess with a good thing?!
The mix alone is 4 points+ per serving. I mix 1 cup of the pancake mix with 3/4 cup FF milk and an egg (I omit the butter because you don’t need it). It adds a little protein boost and brings the total to 5 points+ for 3 pancakes (each 1 cup batch makes 9 pancakes).
Topped with 1 tsp whipped butter, 1 Tbsp PURE Maple Syrup, 1 tsp unsweetened coconut flakes and 1/2 a banana (7 points+).
It’s like having a pumpkin spice muffin that is accented by hints of salty whipped butter, sweet maple syrup and creamy banana.
Another FUN FALL FAV ~ Cuties!!! Paired with a Chobani Peach Yogurt (3 points+)
Tracey of TJ’s Test Kitchen actually turned me onto this Asian Salad Mix you can pick up (or make at home) from Costco.
100% REAL ingredients that you can pronounce and recognize.
I LOVE that they break down all the components in the mix so you can calculate the stats. For the record….
Salad Mix ~ 0 points+
1 1/2 Tbsp Crunchy Noodles & Almonds ~ 1 points+
1 1/2 Tbsp Ginger Sesame Dressing ~ 1 points+
YUP ~ you totally read that right ~ ONLY 2 points+ per serving and a little goes a LONG way!
I took 1 1/2 cups of the mix and added 1/2 cup shredded carrots with 1/2 a pear for crunch and sweetness.
Rounded out with 3 oz. of Rotisserie Chicken Breast (3 points+), green onions and 2 types of sesame seeds.
One HUGE salad that only took minutes to make! Sometimes I really NEED to remember that meals can really be THIS easy.
I always buy the big bag of these mini peppers when I go to Costco too because they are great snacks and work for decorating salads and/or as peppers in any dish. They are sweet & crunchy (not spicy at all).
I measured the crunchies to make sure I kept myself in check.
Then, I measured out 1 1/2 Tbsp of dressing with 1/2 Tbsp of Rice Vinegar because I LOVE the kick it adds and it “stretches” your dressing further.
Commute snacks ~ Sargento Lite String Cheese & another cutie (1 points+)
When I drove up to our house I saw The Husband’s Mom waiting “in line”and The Husband was hard at work at the “Farmer’s Market”.
He is SUCH a clown!!! He knew I was bumming out a bit because I missed the last two days of our local Farmer’s Markets and have to wait until next year.
So, instead, he brought the Farmer’s Market to me 
Can you believe he didn’t buy anything? Yup, this is only like 1/2 of what is in our fridge….what can I say ~ at least it’s “The Good Stuff” 
He also said we should go to Chipotle for dinner so I could rest my arm…..um OK!
I decided to go with the 3 Crunchy Chicken Tacos because they fill them so much that you end up with a salad after you eat them. I LOVE that! (15 points+ or 5 points+/taco)
* 3 crunchy corn taco shells with chicken, pico de gallo, corn salsa, cheese & lettuce
I will be working on catching up on all your emails and comments this week. Thanks again for being patient since my arm has sort of made me slow down a bit. I also have some SUPER FUN giveaways coming up too!
Q’s
What is your FAVORITE thing to get at The Farmer’s Market or store?
I definitely change favorites each year, but, this year, I cannot get enough watermelon.
Night all!
That is hilarious and sweet! That is completely something dorky my husband would do if I was very badly upset about something. 🙂 Love it! I recently had to quit my WW meetings because of financial issues and he surprised me with star stickers of assorted sizes and informed me he is going to reward me just like my leader did. Awwww. 🙂
I love any good produce find at the store these days! Lately I have been very into pears, and they are really cheap right now, too. Yay!
Hope you get the arm situation fixed up soon. It always stinks to not be at your fully capacity physically!
Awwww, I LOVE that your husband is doing that with the stickers – that is AWESOME! 🙂
Your hubby cracks me up! Hope your shoulder is resolved soon!
OMG! What a sweetie he is! You two are too cute! Hope you’re feeling better and healing fast!
I am soo laughing at Jay!! I love him he is a GREAT guy Danica I know you know how lucky you are to have found him! Yummminess on Chiplote that is what Ed use to get every sat. night on his way homw from working a double ! I am trying to kick this cold’s butt and have other health stuff going on…Old age!! LOL take care of that arm. xo
Your husband is too cute! I have to share that Eggo Waffles has a seasonal flavor of Pumpkin Spice – Delish – three points plus for two waffles – and has such a good taste i just use a little butter spray. I’ve only been able to find at Target – and they were on sale last week so I have stocked up.
SO SO SO SO SO FRIGGIN CUTE 🙂
i knew already your husband was a total keeper, but seriously that is just awesome 🙂
really hope the shoulder and all get well quickly!
Your hubby is just too cute!!!
I just bought TJ’s Pumpkin Pancake Mix for the first time this weekend! What have I been waiting for?? It’s awesome!
So sweet of your husband! What a fantastic assortment of produce right in your fridge. You should be proud of your healthy choices.
keeping my fingers crossed for good news for you later this week!
love the farmer’s market set up 🙂
Hoping there’s good news on Thursday! Take care of yourself. Love the farmer’s market from your hubby! Too cute. 🙂
I’m in love with pluots!! YUMMY!!
That is sooooo sweet of your husband. He is so obviously, completely, totally head over heels in love with you 🙂 What a wonderful thing to witness! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Your hubby is simply too sweet! Reminds me of what my own would do.
Hope everything with your shoulder is resolved soon, your pain is lessened and you are soon back to your usual abilities. Best wishes!
I am speechless because I am still laughing so hard looking at “the husband”.
After meeting Jay it does make sense though because he is a great guy! Remembering the look on his face will keep me smiling all day……thank you Jay!
Good luck Thursday Danica and keep us posted as much as you comfortably can.
Um, can I totally borrow Jay to show my husband that this is what he needs to be doing every once in a while for me? 🙂 Glad that you aren’t getting yourself down in the dumps over the injury. Just take it one day at a time.
Ok, I want one of your husband’s cloned! He is SO sweet and handsome.
That is so nice and super cute from your husband. Right now, I love apples from the market as well as fresh cabbage. Wishing you a quick recovery (HUGS)
Haha What a great guy. I was so impressed and touched when I seen that I actually got teary eyes. There are just some neat guys out there. It doesn’t take a mountain of money to show you care, just a lil thought and effort and creativity. LOVE IT!!!!
Your husband is definitely a keeper 🙂 Glad you’re back!
Thanks for the timely recipe on the TJ’s pumkin mix; I just bought it for the first time yesterday and now am eager to try it out.