Happy Memorial Day all! I have to say I really DIG 3 day weekends and totally think that the “standard” work week should be 4 days work, 3 days off. Thanks for the compliments on our LOVE Garden & Garden Child. I LOVE it and can’t wait to see if I can make everything grow this year….fingers crossed!
This morning involved another Cinnamon Raisin Bagel Thin with 1 Tbsp Natural Honey Roasted Peanut Butter (6 points+)
Banana Chips!
If I had grapes, I would’ve totally put them in the “eye” holes…Blueberries were too small and well cherries just looked funky 
I made banana peanut butter sandwiches today.
I spent ALL day getting caught up with emails, comments and entering recipes into the new recipe organizer. I am SO EXCITED for you all to see it..I know I am only on “C”, but, its looking pretty sharp with just what I’ve entered.
I couldn’t wait to dig into lunch today. Do you ever buy products that CALL YOUR NAME until you eat them?! That is EXACTLY what this Puff Pastry Margherita Pizza from Trader Joe’s did to me.
Simple, REAL, ingredients!
10 points+ for the entire pizza (honestly, who eats half and is full?!)
You see, this isn’t your ordinary pizza and the picture does not even begin to do it justice.
It’s the flakey, buttery, crispy, slightly doughy puff pastry crust that literally melts in your mouth with each bite that makes it one of the most decadent pizzas I have ever eaten.
I literally wanted to go out to the store and buy up a whole bunch more as I ate it.
I made up a BIG SALAD today so I could just grab handfuls from it all week. The “key” to keeping it fresh all week is to add the wet ingredients (tomatoes, cucumbers, etc) and the ingredients that can get soggy (nuts, berries, etc) when you serve it.
~ Organic mixed greens, romaine, carrots, broccoli slaw, red cabbage, green onions, snap peas, cherry tomatoes and 1 Tbsp Ranch sliced almonds (1 points+)
TJ of TJ’s Test Kitchen told me about this Bolthouse Farms Brand of Yogurt Dressing a few weeks back (she is IN LOVE with the stinky cheese version).
I will be the first to admit I am a bit of a ranch snob. I don’t like bottled ranch because it taste NOTHING like the ranch you make or get at a pizza place.
This dressing comes as close to the real deal as I’ve ever found.
If you LOVE RANCH like me, then, you are going the LOVE this dressing.
It’s delicious and it’s only 1 points+ per tablespoon!
My lunch kept me full and away from the kitchen ALL DAY which is a huge success for me. 4 hours later I wasn’t hungry at all but my mouth wanted something sweet.
I decided to have these two mini chocolates I got from Scharffen Berger at BlogHERFood. I LOVE that they are 1 points+ each and you can savor them with each nibble.
I had a fancy dinner planned, but, The Husband actually asked for leftovers and snacks. I LOVE It when that happens and I do not have to cook.
The most delicious GRILLED CHICKEN in the world ~ BBQ Drumstick (3 points+)
1/2 cup Harvest Grain Salad (4 points+) ~ I am sad it’s all gone.
“Snacks”! Veggies dipped in ranch (2 points+)
Plus a Babybel Light for good measure (1 points+)
NEW AT FRIENDS FOR WEIGHT LOSS
* TJ of TJ’s Test Kitchen shares a 3 points+ Crunchy Greens & Apple Salad ~ it’s amazing!
Q’s
Do you have a favorite dressing that you make or buy? If so, what is it and who makes it?
As you all know I am addicted to Trader Joe’s Spicy Peanut Vinaigrette, Balsamic Vinaigrette and Newman’s Light Lime. When I am not having those, I am usually whipping up my own dressing.
Night all!
danica, i absolutely LOVE your blog! I am a religious daily reader, which may seem strange cause i’m only 18 🙂 I have always been interested in nutrition and cooking, and the rest of my family is starting to catch on, too! Your recipes are always perfect for my family who wants to clean up their eating habits without feeling like they are on “diets”. Do you have any all-time favorite recipes? I’m trying your harvest grain salad tonight!
Also, I have used this grain (cooked in chicken broth), mixed with sauteed veggies and diced chicken, previously marinated in the spicy peanut vinaigrette. it was great!
I’m with you on that bolthouse ranch dressing,
it’s the only ranch we use now!
I can’t wait to try the Bolthouse Ranch! I am a TOTAL ranch snob too. If it’s not hidden valley packet or good restaurant ranch (also hidden valley packet) it’s not satisfactory. I can’t wait to try this dressing!!! Your BBQ chicken looks delicious!!
AFter eating a McD’s Asian salad, I was hooked on Newman’s Lite Sesame Ginger dressing for years. Still love it, but now have sort of moved on to a Balsamic Vinegrette type dressing. I’ll look for the Bolthouse Yougert Dressings tho. Love that with veggies and for ranch lovers in the family that come for dinner. I tend to always have salads in the summer with our BBQ’s.
Hmm my favorite dressing is probably Annie’s Goddess Dressing. I love that you only need a small amount to get a burst of flavor! Not so much a fan of ranch or I would try that one. ~.^ I’m mainly a vinaigrette person.
Wow that pizza looks amazing. If I had a Trader Joe’s near me I’d run out and buy it!
Very much looking forward to your recipe organizer!
How do you make your BBQ Chicken drumsticks? They look delish!
Lorie
ok…did you see your hubby on The Bachelorette last night. He now goes by the name of JP…:)
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Ranch too. And I haven’t been having it because of the points. I love my Girards Light Champaigne dressing but it’s not place for my Ranch. So I am going to try this dressing and see how close it comes. I hope it’s good!!!! Thanks for the tips. 🙂
I am addicted to Ken’s Light Raspberry Vinaigrette and Light Honey Mustard dressings. I am a Raspberry Vinaigrette snob, I haven’t found one I like as much as Kens 🙂
Love your site, and Love all of the idea’s and help you give us with the different recipies, can’t wait to see you recipie set up, Your the bomb, what I respect about you is you use and do things a layman can understand. Some peoples web sites use Items we would Never in life would use. Thanks again for being a down to earth Person and a Help to all of us that are trying to get healthy!
I love the smiley face food styling of the bagel and banana!!! I’m also a BIG fan of bolthouse dressings. Like TJ, I really like the stinky blue cheese one! 🙂 Have a great day Danica!
Well I love ranch.. so I think I am going to love this! Thanks for the recommendation. Also.. kicking myself that I don’t have a TJs.. puff pastry pizza sounds/looks awesome.
Ranch (homemade) is my favorite of all time! But I don’t eat it often.. I usually eat the TJs raspberry vinaigrette.
Love ya!
I have to get me one of those pizzas next time I’m at TJ’s!!!!
I have had that dressing before and it is awesome, I love it!
I love the Ken’s light Cesar dressing which I doctor-up by adding more vinegar. Great taste and a little goes a long way. Home made buttermilk Ranch is my most favorite, but like others haven’t had that in a long time.
Hi Danica! I am new to your blog.. Love it! I am super new to the blogging world so I’m still discovering all the fun healthy living blogs out there while trying to get my own going. 🙂 It’s been fun so far!
I am definitely a ranch girl but don’t eat it very often because of the calories, but I am going to have to give that one a try! I am not a huge fan of balsamic or vinaigrettes in general but I do like a good raspberry vinaigrette. YUM 🙂
So I got the Bolthouse Ranch. Can I just say YUMMO!!!!!!!!!! It’s amazing. I also got the ceasar dressing for the bf. He actually ate two bowls of salad…and he’s all about full fat dressing!! Great recommendation!!
I tried the kale and cannilli beans yesterday. It was really good but needed a little more balsamic vinegar for my taste. I am having the leftovers for lunch and know that they will be even better after sitting overnight. YAY!!
Odd question, but how long is your train ride. I’m so jealous you get to take the train to work. We don’t have cool options like that in indiana. 🙁
Hi Sarah,
Yeah and yeah!!! I am so glad you both LOVED the dressing ~ it is pretty delicious! I should try the caesar sometime – maybe LOL.
My train ride is about 53 minutes give/take. I LOVE it ~ it’s my time to read, relax, play on the computer or stare out the window at the bay as I ride.
Danica
HI Lorie,
To cook my drumsticks, I heat my grill to medium/high heat. Then, I cook them for about 40 minutes without any sauce on them, rotating about every 10-15 minutes. The goal is to get them nice and crispy. Then, I brush them with sauce for the last 5-10 minutes, rotating every 2-3 minutes so you get a nice coating. Be sure to make sure you don’t have your drumsticks directly over the flame or they will burn.
It’s pretty easy and definitely delicious.
Danica
Hi Norma,
I DID ~ it’s so funny because I didn’t actually catch the premiere until over the weekend and one of my co-workers called to tell me that he was on it last week.
I think it’s so funny since they are both named Jay and have the initials JP 🙂
Danica
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for reading and for the nice comment ~ you are too sweet. I am glad you take such an active role in making sure everyone in your family eats healthy ~ I LOVE that.
It’s hard to pick my favorite recipes because there are so many I LOVE….but, to list a few that I have/will make time and again:
http://danicasdaily.com/crockpot-steel-cut-oats-wpeaches-blueberries/
http://danicasdaily.com/brown-sugar-banana-nut-bread-recipe/
http://danicasdaily.com/fresh-tomato-basil-soup-recipe/
http://danicasdaily.com/butternut-squash-raviolis-in-a-browned-butter-cranberry-pecan-sauce/
http://danicasdaily.com/ceimb-savory-chinese-chicken-salad-recipe/
http://danicasdaily.com/bfl-shrimp-scampi-over-brown-rice/
http://danicasdaily.com/lazy-chicken-enchiladas-with-red-sauce/
http://danicasdaily.com/bubble-up-pizza-casserole-recipe/
http://danicasdaily.com/bacon-baked-vegetable-tortellini/
http://danicasdaily.com/quick-easy-slow-cooker-baked-beans-recipe/
http://danicasdaily.com/recipe-renovation-lasagna-belmont/
http://danicasdaily.com/zucchini-fries-a-maple-bacon-turkey-burger/
http://danicasdaily.com/thats-a-chicken-rollatini/
http://danicasdaily.com/vegan-pasta-salad/
http://danicasdaily.com/light-meyer-lemon-sugar-cookies-recipe/
I could probably go on, but, I tried to give you a mixture of things to choose from. If you have particular ingredients in mind, I’d be glad to suggest ideas too.
Danica
thanks so much, these all sound great!
I’ll keep you updated when I try them out, and let you know how they go over with the fam!
OK, I am a ranch snob and I am sorry to say I bought the Bolthouse dressing and it did not taste like ranch from a pizza place or a good salad bar. Those places are usually Hidden Valley Ranch but the packaged version. The Bolthouse tastes like the Follow Your Heart Ranch which is good too but it does not taste like the ranch where you want to dip your fries or pizza in. Just my opinion!!!!