Happy Friday Eve all!! Gahhh, I cannot wait for the long weekend to begin…not that I am counting the days, minutes, seconds or anything 
I actually made breakfast this morning in less than 2 minutes.
Ok, I really didn’t make it, but, it was everything I could grab as I literally ran out the door to catch the train (I made it with 2 minutes to spare!)
I WISH they would just sell these Quaker Oatmeal Square boxes just like this because they are in the perfect 4 points+ serving package.
Perfect for people like me who could easily eat the ENTIRE box and wonder where it went when I only portioned out 1 or 2 servings 
It’s another reason I don’t buy ice cream too…it disappears (by the spoonful) when I haven’t even had a serving LOL.
Today was a rest day since I am walking like an old lady after yesterday’s TRAVEL BOOTCAMP!
Instead, I skipped straight to my mid morning snack. I thought about doing my step-by-step mango cutting shots that I learned at BlogHERFOOD, but, I resisted so my co-workers wouldn’t think I was picture crazy
Instead, you all will have to settle for my Mango Monster! (2 points+)
Work has been insanely busy this week so lunch was eaten at my desk. More Spicy Peanut Noodles with Chicken (10 points+). I think this gets better each day as the flavors meld together.
Dessert ~ two Biscoff Cookies! (2 points+) As I was eating these today, I decided I want to try to re-create them and maybe attempt to make their spread too.
I traded in my Mid-Afternoon snack for PopChips! when my co-worker hit the jack pot getting two bags for the price of 1
3 points+ for the entire bag….
I have been waiting to make this Weight Watchers Kale with Bacon & Cannellini Beans recipe ever since I saw it last week. I resisted making a special trip to the store since we were out of town.
But, tonight….I couldn’t wait!
Start off by cooking up 3 slices of bacon!
Remove the bacon, leaving the bacon “juices” (it just sounds better!) and add onion, garlic and crushed red pepper flakes.
Resist eating the bacon bits while the onions cook!
You want to cook it until the onions are softened, about 10 minutes.
I skipped the saute the kale step and went straight to the add kale and broth step because I didn’t want my onions/garlic to burn.
After steaming for 10 minutes, add the beans and simmer for 5 minutes.
Remove from the heat and top with sea salt, raw sugar and balsamic vinegar.
You get 1/4 of the pan topped with 1/4 of the bacon for 5 points+ (I made 4 bacon piles and resisted eating it!)
Completely and totally delicious! You can really taste the bacon in the kale and beans followed up with the sweet caramelized onions. I am definitely making this again,
I served up HUGE artichokes on the side with 1 Tbsp Light Mayo (is it weird this is the ONLY way I like mayo?!) Funny….(1 points+)
The perfect filling low points+ dinner for 6 points+! Click HERE for the recipe.
NEW AT FRIENDS FOR WEIGHT LOSS
* Winner, winner, chicken dinner ~ did you win the $50 Shopping Spree?
* Check out this easy side for Memorial day ~ Crockpot Baked Beans ~ 4 points+
My Memorial Day Recipe ideas will be going up tonight or tomorrow!
Q’s
What is your FAVORITE way to eat Kale?
Up to this point, I absolutely LOVED Kale Chips and to use Kale in soups and ravioli recipes., However, sautéed in bacon juices takes the cake!
Night all!
we’ve made kale like this before, too – it’s so good!
i need to make that peanut chicken recipe. it looks great, and I love having leftovers 😉
Do you eat the artichoke with the mayo?? No offense but that sounds disgusting…and that’s coming from someone that could more or less eat mayo with ANYTHING.
The kale recipe sounds good. Bacon makes EVERYTHING amazing!!
I need to know how to cook/eat a whole artichoke. Have you done a how-to post? Can you lead me to it?
Never had it , couldn’t tell you, but am willing to try it, but how? Have a good day!
I LOVE baked kale chips. Addictive, like eating potato chips, but no worries.
Thanks for explaining how you resist the Oat Squares! ~.^ I absolutely love them.
My favorite way to eat kale is definitely kale chips. I’ve tried it in soup and I just don’t like it as much. I’d really like to see more recipes with kale though!
Hi Sarah,
haha ~ yup! The part that is crazy is I honestly do not like mayo in any other way (except maybe mixed in like potato salad). I haven’t found another thing I like dipping my artichokes in but I feel like they need something. My mom does ketchup which I think is nasty and The Husband does butter, but, I can’t convince myself to do that either.
How do eat your artichokes?
Danica
Hi Denise,
You know, I have never done an artichoke how to but I should. To prepare my artichokes, I cut about a 1/2 inch off the stem and a 1/4 inch off the top to create a flat surface so the artichokes can stand up. I place them in a large soup pan and add about 2 inches of water. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduced to a simmer and “steam” the for about 40 minutes. Be sure to watch the water levels as sometimes if the pan is too hot it evaporates too soon (I’ve done this, it smells bad lol).
Hope that helps – good luck!
Danica
Hi Colleen,
I definitely think this recipe is a great recipe for trying Kale. http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=265891
It’s also great in soups (you can use it like you would cabbage) and if you click any of the red words above in the answer to my Q’s, you will find more ways to cook kale.
I can’t wait to hear what you think of it – I LOVE it!
Danica
Danica,
I actually have never made artichokes. Too much work. 🙂 My mom used to make them…she probably still does, I just don’t live at home anymore. We always used melted butter…because that’s the way to go…although not healthy!!
I think I am going to try the kale tonight!!
Are the oatmeal squares really really good?? I might try them.
Hi Sarah,
I really LOVE the Oatmeal Squares but I only eat them straight up, not in milk or anything. Barbara’s Puffins are another favorite that I think might have better stats.
I like having a few cereals on hand occasionally to grab and go or for times when you don’t really want breakfast but need something.
Danica