Eggplant Lasaugna

Have you ever made Lasagna WITHOUT the pasta? Sounds crazy, right? Well, give it a shot, with EGGPLANT LASAGNA.

I have to admit, I've never used eggplant before, and was a bit skeptical, but our family gives this a 10 THUMBS UP because it's really quite delicious (and soooo easy to make!)

So give it a try!

(oh, you can substitute Turkey for the chicken - a great way to use leftovers!)


EGGPLANT LASAGNA

(serves 4)

1 large eggplant
1/2 can diced tomatoes
1 can mushrooms
9 oz baby spinach
2 boneless chicken breasts, cooked
1 onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
120 grams light cheese, grated
frylight


1. Peel eggplant (a carrot peeler works well), and slice lengthways in thin strips. Place in salted boiling water for 20 mins.

2. meanwhile... place peppers, onion, garlic and 1/2 tsp of the oil in frying pan on medium-high heat. Fry until onions are translucent. Remove from frying pan.

3. place baby spinach in frying pan with remaining 1/2 tsp of oil for about 3 mins (or until reduced).

4. pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Use two forks to shred apart chicken

5. Drain eggplant from water. Line 8x8 casserolle dish with strips of eggplant (1/3 of the eggplant). Layer half of chicken, pepper and onion mixture, spinach, tomatoes and mushrooms. Top with 1/2 the cheese. add another layer of eggplant and repeat. End with a final layer of eggplant

6. Pop into the oven for about 20 mins. Let sit 5 mins before serving.


per serving: 1 syn per serving on extra easy (for the cheese)

Lemon Dill Sauce

We know that fish is low in fat, but sometimes it just a little... bland on it's own. Try this amazing Lemon Dill Sauce to punch it up a notch! It's also delicious on chicken, pork, rice, potatoes and veggies!

The Lemon Dill sauce received a SIX THUMBS UP from our family because two of the children just don't like sauces of any kind - unless it's ketchup! Ah well. It's delicious just the same - and worth making, even if it's just for the adults.


LEMON DILL SAUCE
(8 servings)

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (we've used bottled juice and fresh squeezed lemons - either work)
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon splenda
1/3 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon of fresh dill
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon of lowfat margarine
1 tablespoon parsley
1/4 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon water

1. In medium stainless steel saucepan, wisk lemon juice into cornstarch;

2. Add water, sugar, thyme and salt. Bring to a boil. Boil and stir constantly for 2 mins.

3. Remove from heat, stir in dill, margarine, parsley and lemon zest.

4 serve and enjoy!

Per Serving (2 tablespoons): 23 calories, 0 g Protine, 2 g Fat, 2 g Carbohydrates, 68 mg Sodium, 0 mg Cholestgerol, 0 g Dietary Fiber. syns: 1

Crepes

Crepes are a family favourite in our house! They are so versitile - you can eat them for breakfast, lunch or supper, fill them with something savory or drizzle some fruit on them!

Here is a delicious way to enjoy your crepes - at only ONE POINT per crepe! Imagine that! This recipe gets a 10 THUMBS UP from our family - and no leftovers! (that's two thumbs per person)

BASIC CREPES

8 servings

1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (this is optional, but for sweet crepes, we recommend it - so nice!)
1 cup fat-free milk (skim)
2 large eggs, slightly beaten

1. In a medium bowl, combine the flower, salt and nutmeg.

2. In a small bowl combine milk and eggs. Slowly wisk the milk mixture into flour mixture until smooth. Let stand 15 mins.

3. Coat 8-inch non-stick skillet with nonstick spray and preheat on medium heat. pour 1/4 cup of batter into skillit, tilting in all directions to cover the bottom of the skillit with a fairly thin film. Cook 1 - 1 1/2 mins. Turn crepe and cook another 20 seconds. Transfer to a plate, and repeat.

4. Roll crepe or fill and roll.

5. Enjoy!

(these can also be made ahead and frozen for up to one month by putting wax paper or plastic wrap between each crepe)

Each crepe - 1 syn

What is "Slimming World"?

What is SLIMMING WORLD?

Slimming World is a new way of cooking - not a "new in the world", but more of a "new to you" way of cooking.  It teaches people how to cook without a lot of oils, fats, processed foods and refined sugars.  It is less of a diet and more of a teaching/learning experience.  It's learning a new, healthier way of life.  It's keeping all the flavour, but reducing (not eliminating) the foods that can cause major health problems.

There is no counting points - something I really struggled with when I tried the weight-watchers diet.  I often came to the end of my points allowance, but was still hungry...  I couldn't seem to eat enough protein to keep me feeling satisfied.  The result of this hunger was... grumpiness - just ask my family!  It was no way to live.

With Slimming World I can choose from one of three "plans" - which ever fits me best.  There is the GREEN PLAN, which is a lot of pasta and rice, and lower on the meats.  There is the RED plan, which is a lot of meat and potatoes, and lower on the rice and pasta.  And there is, my personal choice, the EXTRA EASY plan which is lower on the breads and cereals, but as much as I want of meat, potatoes, pasta, rice, fruits and veggies!  (just as long as 1/3 my diet is fruits and veggies)

If you are interested in more information, I really encourage you to take a look at the website.

http://group.slimmingworld.com/

The Beginning

This is not a picture I'm proud of....  but this is the beginning.  It's time for some serious ACTION!  My health and my family depend on it.

Stepping on the Scales

I nearly choked as I stepped on the scales - could this really be me? I was so fit in high school, and I've still thought of myself that way - for years! But reality has sunk in - where did all this FAT come from?

A nutritionist appointment confirmed my worst fears.  I am so obese that my life expectancy is getting lower every week.  If I don't make some major changes to my health, then I can anticipate abandoning my family before my grandchildren arrive.

A new lifestyle is in order...  I hesitate to use the word "DIET" because diets are generally fads that come and go.  This has to be a permanent change in my life.

A friend of mine (and the nutritionist) has encouraged me to try a new program, called SLIMMING WORLD.  It is a weightloss / weight maintance program developed in the UK, and based on foods available in British grocery stores.  I also need to start exercising... perhaps join a gym.

And so, it begins - the journey from FAT to FANTASTIC. A healthy diet, a dose of regular exercise, and the support of the entire family, because I know I can't do this alone!