The one thing I LOVE about recipe testing is having leftovers to “test” all week long 
Breakfast was a filling-less Cranberry Orange Scone. Just for the record, although delicious. they are so much better with the cranberry orange spread inside.
I was a bit too excited to eat one for breakfast because somehow I NEVER took a picture. That’s ok, I recycled my picture…recycling is good 
Recipe for both versions coming soon!
Mid morning snackage ~ Mixed nuts ~ I only ate about 1/2 this stack
We had a brown bag lunch today at work where we learned about Sustainability ~ what it is, what we can do and more importantly, the steps our company is taking. So cool!
Since I had to “brown bag it”, I figured it was the perfect time to whip up the sandwich I’ve been wanting to make for like ever now! I broke away from my usual Trader Joe’s FF Multi-Grain Bread to try the Nature’s Pride Oatmeal Bread that Foodbuzz sent to us as part of the taste maker program.
Decent stats, although I have to admit, I miss seeing a higher fiber number.
I do LOVE that they are focusing REAL ingredients that you can recognize & pronounce.
*Trader Joe’s Spicy Hummus
* Trader Joe’s Cranberry Orange
* Honey Roasted Turkey Breast
Sweet, spicy, delicious. I LOVE how soft the Oatmeal Bread is even after being frozen.
Crunchy, pumpkin seed side salad put together by The Husband. Have you all figured out how to tell when he makes the salads versus me? He cuts HUGE pieces It all crunches the same.
Tonight’s dinner originally started out as Elise’s Recipe that she whipped up for her hubby. Then, Janetha put her spin and I just couldn’t resist whipping up this delicious sounding Mexican Casserole.
I started off sautéing 1 yellow bell pepper & half a red onion with nonstick spray over medium heat.
Then, added ground turkey along with Taco Seasoning. You can easily use a package mix or you can make your own (once you make your own, you probably ALWAYS will – it’s THAT good!)
VEGAN/VEGETARIAN NOTE: If you wanted to veganize this dish, simply sub sweet potatoes for the ground turkey (omit the yogurt & use a vegan cheese). I LOVE using sweet potatoes with Mexican flavors….Veggie Terrain taught me that with her sweet potato tacos.
I pretty much NEVER cook brown rice anymore, unless it’s Trader Joe’s 3 Minute Brown Rice.
I absolutely LOVE that it doesn’t taste like instant and it doesn’t take hours to cook.
Once your turkey taco meat is browned and cook through, remove from heat and get ready to dump like EVERYTHING in the pan.
2 Fresh tomatoes, 2 cups brown rice and your favorite canned beans (drained & rinsed).
I personally think the type of enchilada sauce you pick makes a HUGE difference in the flavor. This is my FAVORITE one and it’s 110% worth paying $1 or $2 more.
.
11 oz Enchilada Sauce plus 4.5 oz diced green chilies.
1 cup Trader Joe’s 0% Greek Yogurt
1/2 cup Pepper Jack Cheese
You all know I sort of have a “thing” for tortilla chips. This recipe totally gave me a reason to buy THESE
I really wanted to add some crunchy texture and tortilla flavor to the ghoulash casserole.
Oh, since they are “veggie” chips they totally count as adding “veggies”, right?! Ha…I wish…how awesome would that be if chips counted too I have to admit corn would’ve been awesome in this too.
Since I have about 5 oz of enchilada sauce left, I decided to just go ahead and pour it on top.
Sprinkle with more cheese (about 1 cup). I used Low Fat Sharp because it’s what I had left.
Bake at 350 for 25 minutes, turn on broiler and bake another 3-4 minutes or until the top is crispy.
I cut it into 8 sections, scooped it up and served it with some homemade guacamole.
The result is freakin’ AMAZING! I LOVE that you get a little bit of everything in each bite…the cheese, chewy rice, crunchy peppers and tortillas, a little heat from the seasoning finished the cooling guacamole.
I cannot wait for leftovers because I am pretty sure this just gets better each day! Hop over to Janetha’s site for the recipe.
Nutritionals with my modifications (tortilla chips, pinto beans vs black beans, red enchilada sauce vs green) ~ 10 servings, 8 points each (excluding guacamole).
Just another reason I LOVE California ~ after pouring down rain all weekend, we walked out of the movies to see this skyline.
We ended up seeing Unstoppable ~ I can’t believe it was based on a true story. It’s intense, but, in a good on your edge of the seat kind of way.
ONE WORK DAY LEFT!!!
Night all!
Um, yes. It gets better with age! I have some in the freezer, too, so I hope it thaws well. I told Marshall that I want to try it with red sauce–now I want to even more! Looks so good. I need to make my own taco seasoning. I have tried that oatmeal bread and really like it. Guess what, today was national cashew day! Good work. I need to remember to snag that rice at TJs this weekend if it is as good as you say! I can’t wait to go there haha. Your scones look awesome, looking forward to the recipes. Looking more forward to seeing YOU on Wednesday!! yay 🙂
OMG YUMMMO!! I am soo making this taco casserole thingie! Give us the scones Danica you are such a foodie tease!! LOL Keep the great food coming!
What a great recipe! I’m not the biggest fan of casseroles but Mexican Casseroles are an entirely different story. Yum!!
What program/website do you use to calculate your nutritional stats. I like format.
The casserole looks great!
Mexican casserole- right up my alley!
frontera salsa and those flax seed chips – two of my faves!!!
Hi Carlee,
I use Calorie Count (http://www.caloriecount.about.com) and sometimes My Fitness Pal (http://www.myfitnesspal.com). Both are FREE and fun to use. Calorie count actually gives each recipe a “nutritional” grade plus different graphs which is pretty cool. Once you figure out the in’s/out’s of how to use it, it’s pretty awesome.
Danica
That casserole has my name all over it!
I think I may sign up for the new WW program. I need the accountability, and it seems to jibe with my approach to nutrition these days (excluding my approach to pumpkin pie that will run rampant in the next couple of days). Thoughts?
Hi Tiff,
I totally think you should if it’s something that will motivate you! I absolutely LOVE Weight Watchers and will be jumping on the new program as soon as it comes out next week 😀 We could totally help each other out with ideas too. 🙂
I definitely agree that they are working the program more towards the direction of healthy, filling foods (think CORE, if you were there when they did that). Here is what I know about the new Weight Watcher’s Point Plus Program….
* all fruits and vegetables will be free (0 pts) because they want to encourage people to eat more of them.
* The points formula is now changing to include calories, protein, I think carbs, fat and fiber) because they want you to pick nutritionally sound foods over 100 calorie packs.
* Points are lower for good for you foods, lean protein, healthy whole grains, etc. Points are higher for not so nutritional things like 100 calorie packs, sugar cereals, etc.
** Things with fuller fat will have the same points value as things that are fat free – think of milk. This is the encourage people to get away from the fat free everything mode. It will still be encouraged to have lower fat choices however.
* All points ranges are changing due to the conversion but also to make it more realistic for people who lead lives not revolving around 18-20 pts.
I think that about sums up what I know, but, feel free to ask away and I can do my best to answer. I am definitely hopping back on the WW new program though because I’ve let too many pounds come back that I need to make go away.
I am so excited for you 🙂
Danica
i recycled my food photo last night too haha <3
that frontera sauce looks fantastic!!! its amazing what u can come across in stores- some companies make he best sauces!!
the tortilla casserole looks divine my dear <3
oh boy that looks freak’n tasty!!!! i’m gonna have to try that on whit one of these nights! sounds like a nice warm dinner!
I tried the same recipe I read from Janetha on Sunday (leftovers last night). It was fab!
I actually used leftover shredded turkey breast from Thanksgiving in mine, which was pretty awesome.