Two posts in one day ~ What can I say, I wanted to make it up to you all for not posting as much while we were in Vegas. If you missed this morning’s post, you can find My Weekly Menu for this week over here.I will be posting my Las Vegas Shows and Todo’s at some point this week too.
This morning I wasn’t super hungry when I woke up. All I really wanted was my coconut coffee and a banana.
I figured my hunger would kick in soon, but, I think being super busy at work distracted me from noticing it.
I was glad that Tracey of TJ’s Test Kitchen talked me into taking a break and making a run for Vasquez Deli~ One of my FAVORITE taco places ever!
We shared a little salsa…..
Plus super thick, salty, crunchy tortilla chips (12 for 4 points+)
Today I ventured out from getting TWO of my usual Spicy Chicken Tacos.
I ordered 1 Spicy Beef Taco (6 points+) & 1 Spicy Chicken Taco (5 points+)! Honestly what makes their tacos so delicious, is the super thick, crunchy homemade tortilla that just crumbles in your mouth with each spicy bite.
On my way back home, I stopped for an afternoon pick me up. I am really loving iced coffees and lattes lately.
Venti Iced Coconut Americano (2 points+)
When I got home, I had a pretty awesome packages waiting for me. Here is a little “sneak peak” of some of the things I have lined up for you all this week.
The first up was from Uncle Sam! They sent me 4 flavors to try ~ Original, Mutli-Grain, Strawberry, & Honey Almond. I cannot wait to dig in ~ reviews & a contest + giveaway over at Friends for Weight Loss coming soon!
The folks over at Pop Chips, popped over a month’s supply of PopChips in every flavor for me to review……oh and I will be sharing the love with a giveaway for you all too!
Trust me, you want to win these 3 points+ a bag chips! They taste better than the real deal.
I read somewhere that if it would help you to eat more veggies if you bought them pre-sliced, then, it was worth the money. I actually think that is a good point.
However, I LOVE buying these at Trader Joe’s because they are easy and probably cheaper than if I bought everything to make them myself ($3.99 for the pack!)
I sprayed our skewers with nonstick spray, seasoned with garlic salt & black pepper then grilled them for about 10 minutes, rotating on all sides. (0 points+)
Served up with my FAVORITE chicken in the world ~ BBQ Chicken Legs! (3 points+)
We both are actually not fans of Macaroni Salad, but, for some reason I really wanted to make it after seeing this Weight Watchers Online Classic Macaroni Salad. I had actually planned on making their salad unmodified, but, when, it came down to it….I just couldn’t follow directions and stick the recipe.
The DILL, crunch of the veggies and the olives really take this mac salad to a whole other level. It sort of reminds me of a crunchy ranch salad and I LOVE that when you triple the veggies, you get a HUGE portion for not that many points+.
Did I mention that The Husband who HATES mac salad, ate half the bowl?! It’s that good!
CREAMY DILL MACARONI SALAD
INGREDIENTS
- 8 oz uncooked mini shell pasta
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 1/3 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots, chopped
- 1/4 cup red cabbage, chopped
- 4 oz sliced black olives, drained
- 2 Tbsp parsley, fresh, chopped
- 1/2 cup reduced-calorie mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder or 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 tsp dried dill weed
- 1/4 tsp garlic salt, or to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Cook macaroni in salted water according to package directions. Drain, rinse in cold water and transfer to a large bowl.
2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, dill weed and garlic powder; stir mixture into cooked macaroni.
3. Fold in celery through parsley; season to taste with salt and pepper.
4. Chill for 30 minutes and serve.
Makes 8 servings, 3/4 cup each, 4 points+ per serving
Nutritional information per serving
Since I know I will want to snack during The Bachelorette, I made up this fruit plate for The Husband and I to share during the show for dessert!
NEW AT FRIENDS FOR WEIGHT LOSS
New Tip of the Week & Guest recipe from Biz of My Bizzy Kitchen for 4 Points+ Strawberry & Blueberry Cobbler (just in time for July 4th!)~ check them out at the bottom of the page!
* This week’s Challenge ~ Water break ~ are you up for the challenge?
* Katie of Will Run for Chocolate is back sharing Her Week of “Radishes”!
Q’s
Are you a macaroni salad, potato salad or any other salad type of person?
I am personally a fan of pasta salad and any green salads, but, I will admit when made right, I LOVE potato salad and mac salad now too.
I can’t wait to watch the Bentley Drama……GO JP!
Night all!
I don’t like any salads that have mayonnaise in them so unfortunately that’s most macaroni and potato salads. >.<
Looking forward to your giveaways!
that pasta salad looks great!
and the fruit plate looks just about perfect 😉
That mac salad looks good!!! WOW! 🙂
We just had a LITTLE bit of salsa! lol 🙂 Lunch was YUMMY!
Thanks for the link love Danica! And I love your pasta salad – I am getting better about have mayo based things – I tend to lean towards vinegar salads.
I love both but they have to be homemade and use Best Foods mayo!! Hate store bought BLAAHHH!! LOL…still looking for my “before” pic for you, hopefully by this weekend. Iam at my Mom’s in Ventura for the week. Can’t wait till end of July for SF 🙂
I’ve bookmarked this salad….thanks for the recipe Danica. Have a great day. (glad you had a fun time in Vegas too!!)
Everytime I see a “taco” post from you, I want some. Same for the chipotle salads. We eat them a couple times a week now and I’m still losing weight. I was using the rice, but I dropped it to cut out some points since I never realy noticed it in the salad. Was it hard to reaclimate after your trip to Vegas? I’m worried about that, since I do plan on eating at some buffets and not being super strict on points. If I just maintain that week, I’ll be happy.
Mmmm, all of that food looks yummy! I’m craving the macaroni salad. I remember as a kid, I would eat bowls and bowls of my moms. All it was, was macaroni, loads of mayo,mustard, tomatoes, and cucumbers. I couldn’t stop!! However, I’ve not ate it in like 15 yrs!! I would eat yours though:) Thank goodness my mom has finally decided to eat healthier this yr. She’s lost 30pds, exercising, and considers buying healthier options.
I always laugh when you don’t make a recipe the way it’s written. I never can! I like macaroni and potato salad but usually can’t justify the points. I should try your version.
Oh my gosh–that salad has great stats!
HI Randi,
I was ready to get right back to it after my vacation because my body was kind of telling me too – I was craving salads and fruit ironically. I think you just have to put your mindset to say, ok, I am going to allow myself to enjoy vacation from this time to this time, but, when, I get back, I am hopping right back on plan whether you feel like it or not.
Have fun!!!!
Danica