Food!

With the end of Faire came a good hard look at what we had been eating.  I have been working with Weight Watchers for over 24 weeks but during the Faire I lost next to nothing (.4 for several weeks).  I have gone back to being able to food shop on the weekends which gives me a little more time to be able to look at labels, check recipes, and best of all go back to eating fresh!

This was one of the first lunches I made for myself.  It is a total PointsPlus value of 4 and most of that is the cheese.  The smoked salmon was 1 oz which is one point and all the veggies are zero.  I found a wonderful Italian dressing from Walden Farms that has no points and I use it all the time. 

 

While on furlough I also re-found my love of baking/cooking.  I made little treats to share with my co-workers and friends for the last few weeks that included:  Peep-a-boo pumpkin bread, Beer cheese soup, zucchini cakes (like crab cakes only healthier), Hello Kitty sugar cookies, and cheesy corn chowder.

 

Have a great weekend.  Here's a bonus picture from the sun set on Wednesday.

Pictures!!

I promised some pictures RenFaire and will finally deliver.  Between the Federal Furlough, end of the fiscal year and then getting back to work it has been crazy in Maryland!

So this is a usual picture of Faire, kilts are usual and regular street cloths for families.  The final day of the final weekend is called the "Day of Wrong".  This is the type of dress we see, yes it is a man wearing all that hot pink and with a hat as wide as his shoulders!

 

We had a few superheros (there was a sighting of some jedi, sith, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, etc) and then this:

 

I even saw Q (without his continuum)

And one of the booths dressed as Alice in Wonderland.  Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb

The mad hatter with Chesire Cat

The Door mouse

And without her ears, the March Hare

 

It was a glorious day and the weather was great, for the first time in years it wasn't so cold that you dreaded going to the Port-o-johns because you would have to take off your heavy coat!  The 2013 season closed well.

Wonderful Wednesday

No pictures today either.  I have been feeling guilty because I don't seem to be able to make lunches during Faire time (mostly because I am trying to catch up on sleep) so I think for my mental health I will put the blog on hold until the end of Faire.  The last of the 9weekends is October 19 & 20 so hopefully on or around October 22 I will start to post again.
If you have some free time, stop by though, since I may post some pictures of some of the "interesting" people I see roaming the Faire grounds.

TGI Friday

Leftover central for me today.  We had a late dinner last night and after the Welsh Rarebit I wasn't too hungry for my fish and chips.  I have a fillet of white fish battered in gluten free batter and a 1/2 cup of hand cut fries that I will bake in the toaster oven!
Have a wonderful weekend, if you are in Maryland you need to come visit the Maryland Renaissance Festival, this is ASL weekend!

Thankful Thursday

No pictures today, I made a Green Giant Steamers for lunch (YUM cheese and broccoli for under 6 points!  We'll see what happens tomorrow.

Wednesday

Today's lunch was the exact same as yesterday so I thought that on this day of remembrance, I would take the time to thank all first responders and military personnel.

 

 

I also thought that I would take a moment to let everyone know that this is National Suicide Prevention Week.  If you or someone you know show any of the following signs:

• Talking about death and/or no reason to live
• Withdraws from friends or social activities
• Loses interest in hobbies, work, school, etc
• Gives away prize possessions
• Have been unwilling to "connect" with potential helpers

Know that you are not alone!  There is help out there!  In our county there is a "Warm Line" that people in crisis can call to get help and referrals.

If you are interested in reading more, here is a link to the American Association of Suicidology http://www.suicidology.org/resources/media-professionals

Tasteful Tuesday

WeightWatchers PointsPlus Value-1
 



 

I made my favorite standby lunch for myself today!  It is a portabella mushroom pizza!  I buy the caps and then add salsa, other veggies (today it is spinach and jalapenos) and pull apart a string cheese to cover everything.  I broil it and voila!  Yummy!

Manic Monday

Another crazy weekend where I was so tired when I got home Sunday night that I didn't even think about lunches!  We had a left over wrap that I had made for Sunday's lunch which we didn't eat that I took for lunch with a container of baby carrots and salsa. 
All those posts that others put up on the WeightWatchers and bento sites are right!  It is really easy to throw something together when you have items already washed, cut, and ready to go.

TGI Friday

WeightWatchers PointsPlus Value-4 

 

 



Hubby got a Hillshire Farm bourbon ham sandwich on a Foldit with lettuce, mustard and slices of fresh tomatoes today.  He got a few pieces of pineapple for sweetness and baby carrots for crunch.

I went out to lunch to help a colleague celebrate his birthday.  My little "win" for the day:  only eating half the buffalo chicken wrap that was put in front of me, I put half directly into my take out box! 

Thankful Thursday

No lunch pictures today, I have been so tired that poor Hubby has had to make his own lunches and I have not woken up early enough to snap pictures before he leaves...maybe tomorrow!

Wonderful Wednesday

 

 

 

 

 

Hubby got a tuna sandwich today.  It is on a Fold-It and has a very large lettuce leaf with the mayonnaise.  I gave him some carrots and an ounce of peanuts.  To finish he got a single serve bag of cheddar puffs pirate's booty.

Tuesday

No pictures today.  It was a very long weekend at the MD Renaissance Festival and we are both making do with what we could find for lunches.

Thankful Thursday

 

 

 

This is my lunch.  I had some smoked salmon that I wrapped in romaine leaves and added some slices of peppers.  It wasn't as filling as I would have liked but it was delicious!

 

Hubby got close to the same thing, only I made his a salad.  He also received a wedge of WeightWatchers jalapeno cream cheese to put on his salmon if he wished.

 

Today is the last day of our week so I'll see you on Tuesday!  (Remember Monday is a US Holiday!)

Tasty Tuesday

 

 

Today Hubby received a fold-it flat bread with fresh spinach and spicy cheese.  There are pitted cherries and 2 oz of nuts.  His desert today is Whole Foods Chocolate squares.  Yummy!

Wonderful Wednesday

 

 

Yes, the lunch went so well yesterday that Hubby got the same thing again today.  I did add some of those fresh picked grapes just for the fruit value!

Tasty Tuesday

 

 

 

Hubby had a sandwich today.  It was pepper cheese on pumpernickel bread.  I had also found him some red velvet cookies which he is doing his best to eat slowly.  There is a key lime Chobani yogurt and one babybel mini cheese.  For his crunch factor today he got Aged White Cheddar puffs.

MAC also got her lunch packed today, sliced strawberries, spicy surumi roll and fresh picked concord grapes headed to school with her.  Just in case she needed some crunch I added some walnuts.

Manic Monday

Nothing to show today.  The Maryland Renaissance Festival started this weekend and I worked at my favorite mug booth both days (and was dead tired by the time I got home).  We ordered a pizza yesterday for dinner and Hubby was left to his own devices for lunch.  I think he'll probably take the left over pizza...I promise a good lunch tomorrow, MAC goes back to school!

TGI Friday

#WeightWatchers PointsPlus Value-16 pts.

 

Hubby got a mish-mash today.  The sandwich is on a FlatOut-FoldIt and has spicy ham and steakhouse onion cheese with a little spinach added.  The little container has mustard for spreading at lunch.  The Pretzel crisps are his crunchy item for the day and he got some tuna sashimi with a drizzle of spicy mayo. 

 

#WeightWatchers PointsPlus Value- 8 pts

My lunch today was just a whole lot of protein.  I haven't been feeling too well lately and with MD RenFest starting on Saturday I need to be at my ablest.  Hopefully the shrimp, salmon and tuna will help perk me up.  The salsa goes with my veggies (baby carrots and peppers) and I had to have a clementine for fruit.

Thankful Thursday

WeightWatchers PointsPlus Value-1

 

Having slept most of yesterday afternoon and evening I did not get a chance to make Hubby's lunch.  Above you see mine for today.  I have sliced tomatoes over a bed of spinach with a few slices of onion for flavor.  It is hard to see, but I have about a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar over them and just a touch of habanero salt.  To the right I have pepper slices (there are red and green although you can't see the red) which I'll probably dip into a little salsa.  Finally, because I like having something warm with my meals, I have stewed tomatoes and onions which I'll heat in the microwave at work.

Wholesome Wednesday

Nothing new today.  Hubby wasn't feeling well yesterday and stayed home so he took yesterday's lunch today.  I have been really tired and didn't make my lunch, and instead had a WeightWatchers Smart Ones for lunch.

Typical Tuesday

 

 

WeightWatchers PointsPlus Value-3

 

This was a fun one to put together!  I made a nice big healthy salad for hubby today.  It was then spiced up with a just a few onions  2 ounces of salmon and a slice of Jalapeno snack cheese some grapes and baby carrots.
I look forward to see you again in the morning!

Munchie Monday

 

 

WeightWatchers PointsPlus Value-15

 

Hubby packed his own lunch today.  It was hard to find enough clear counter space to get a picture because the bags wouldn't stay open...
Lunch starts with a 1/2 cup of baby carrots.  There is a key lime "Flip top" Chobani yogurt for something different, a bagel and veggie carrot cream cheese, his biggest treat (a Twinkie) and a sandwich wrap.  The wrap has spicy turkey slices, a slice of jalapeno cheese and a little lettuce. 

Thankful Thursday

 

#WeightWatchers PointsPlus Value-14

 

 

Hubby made his own lunch today.  Since he hadn't taken the tea, apple and cheese sticks yesterday he only needed to make a main course.  It is in the black reusable sandwich bag.  He made two buffalo roasted chicken and cheese sandwiches on Multi-grain sandwich rounds.
Tomorrow is his flex day so we'll be back on Monday!  Have a good weekend!

Wonderful Wednesday

#WeightWatchers PointsPlus Value- 23

 

 

I was late getting home last night so Hubby had made most of his lunch.  I decided to "dress" it up a little though.
The black pouch is 2 ounces of organic blue corn chips, the cheese sticks are a mix of Colby and Jack cheeses.  He has found that he likes Wegman's black just tea and I have found Braeburn apples which are his favorites.  His sandwiches are made from a tortilla, 2 ounces of cheese and an ounce of ham.  I used a wolf cookie cutter to make the large sandwich, there is lettuce for "grass" and some cherry tomatoes as rocks.  Some tortilla pieces colored with food safe markers make the clouds and a mini-BabyBell light cheese is the sun.  The little green container is just some fun sandwiches:  2 different size bunnies and a penguin (also with lettuce and cherry tomatoes).
I was rather proud of myself for this creation!

Tasty Tuesday

 

 

#WeightWatchers PointsPlus Value- 15

 

 

Hubby got a very large taco salad today!  There were almost 2 cups of lettuce, jalapeno peppers, onions, 3 ounces of taco seasoned chicken and a Tablespoon of WeightWatchers Mexican Blend cheese.  He got a tiny bottle of "Ass Kickin'" hot sauce which is really spicy.  In the little round container I put salsa and the top left side is 2 ounces of Organic corn chips.  His treatis the cinnamon dark chocolate pieces.  We were so excited to find this at Stonewall Kitchens in January and it has just sat in our refrigerator until now.  I thought it would be a nice treat for him today.

Monday, Monday...

Yes, you're right, this isn't a lunch...This past weekend was the 2013 Otakon at the Baltimore Convention Center.  We tried very hard to eat "healthier" so hubby packed several sandwiches for the three days and they weren't all eaten so he took leftovers for lunch today. 
While it was nice not to rack my brain on what to make I purchased several new Bento items and was slightly disappointed not to be able to use them.  I am hoping that you'll be seeing bunny ham and cheese sandwiches and items with eyes very soon.

For those of you who don't know what Otakon is, it is the largest gathering on the East Coast (and the second largest in the US) of otaku generation: by fans, for fans; and this year was the 20th Otakon. 

Ever since 1999, they've taken over a sizable chunk of Baltimore's Inner Harbor for a 3-day festival celebrating the pop culture that's brought us everything from Astroboy to Yu-Gi-Oh, from Seven Samurai to Spirited Away.  They expected over 30,000 fans and descend on Baltimore to celebrate music, anime, manga, and all other facets of Asian pop culture!

Thankful Thursday

Last night Hubby made his own lunch for today before I got home.
He and MAC will be going to Otakon tomorrow at the Baltimore Convention Center.  I know this means that breakfast, lunch and dinner will not be the best.  I hope they don't just pig out on burgers and fries!  Have a wonderful weekend and I'll be back on Monday.

Wacky Wednesday

Nothing today, Hubby forgot his lunch yesterday so took yesterday's today.

Tasty Tuesday

 

#Weight Watchers PointsPlus Value-17 pts.

 

 

Hubby got something a little different today.   The back left corner is alternating slices of fresh mozzarella and homegrown tomatoes.  The little pig has balsamic vinegar to pour over the mozzarella and tomatoes for some flavor.  The last of the pitted cherries are in the back right and then a few slices of a Braeburn apple are in the front left.  He got a 1/2 oz of bay flavored peanuts and a 1/2 oz of wasabi almonds as well as some spicy pepperoni for protein.  Just in case he was still hungry he got the last weight watchers chocolate pretzel bar for desert.

Manic Monday

#Weight Watchers PointsPlus Value-8 pts

 

 

Hubby made half of his own lunch today.  He found  Flax and Fiber sandwich rounds and decided he wanted to try them instead of the Honey Wheat I like.  His sandwich is an ounce of salami, a slice of weight watchers cheese, and some slices of onions and peppers.  He also has pitted cherries, a spicy dill pickle and a few slices of tomato for the sandwich.  He has some mustard and a polly-o jalapeno string cheese.

Thankful Thursday

 

#Weight Watchers PointsPlus Value-9

 

 

It is the last day of Hubby's work week and it feels like he gets a feast for lunch.  Once again it is chicken tacos with blue corn chips on the side.  The little blue container is taco sauce and he has a few pitted cherries.
Have a safe and happy weekend.  I'll see you Monday!

Wholesome Wednesday

 

#Weight Watchers PointsPlus Value-13

 

Hubby's lunch starts with some cucumber and lemon infused water that I made, strawberries and 2 slices of hot and spicy dill pickle.

We found this new flat bread called FoldIt and Hubby is trying it for the first time today.  It is with his salami and the last of the 3 pepper cheese.  He gets some mustard and 1 ounce of jalapeno chips.  No desert today, but he has been carrying an extra snack bag with the mango licorice and a few dark chocolate squares in case he gets hungry before he gets home.

Tasty Tuesday

 

#Weight Watchers PointsPlus Value-8

 

Today was sushi day!  We got a piece of tuna, albacore and salmon sashimi and 3 slices of tuna tataki.  There were 2 slices of spicy tuna volcano roll and 1/2 ounce of the jalapeno PopCorners.  (Do you see the cute squeeze bottle of spicy mayo and the soy sauce pig in the corners?)  I suggested to Hubby that he put a slice of the tuna tataki on the jalapeno chip, I really enjoyed the crunch!  To round out lunch Hubby received his favorite pitted cherries.

Your bonus bento for the day is the other box I made with most of the same ingredients.  This one has the tuna tataki in the green cup with some pickled ginger and strawberries in the back cup.

Munchie Monday...

#Weight Watchers PointsPlus Value-16

 

 

Hubby really likes this Sistema lunch box, it is compact yet holds so much!  The top has 1 ounce of jalapeno pop-corners, 3 pieces of mango licorice, and pitted cherries.

The bottom has a string cheese, mustard, tomato slices and a salami and 3 pepper cheese sandwich on an Arnold Sandwich thin.  There is no lettuce since we didn't stop by the grocery store tonight but there will definitely be some tomorrow.

Fantastic Friday!

Ok, so full disclosure, the plumcot did not go over well with Hubby.  I put some on my salad and mixed with the salmon and Italian dressing I thought it was ok.

Today is taco salad day for Hubby.  I took the last of the bibb lettuce and added 4 ounces of chicken baked with taco seasoning, hot peppers, onions, cherry tomatoes and a little weight watchers taco blend shredded cheese.  He gets an ounce of blue corn chips and a little salsa to finish the main course.  He asked for cherries after the plumcots yesterday so his desert is pitted cherries.

Have a nice weekend and I'll be back Monday!

Thankful Thursday

I know it's hard to see but this really is a salad!  This week's Weight Watchers meeting was all about spicing up our salads so I tried it with Hubby's.  The lettuce is bibb lettuce with a small amount of fat-free feta cheese, cherry tomatoes and 2 ounces of smoked salmon.  I found a new fruit at the grocery store, the item on the right is a plumcot.  The person restocking the fresh fruits/veggie section said it is a lot like a plum but is more "sweet&sour".  I also added a little dark chocolate balsamic vinegar in case he wants to try it with them.

Wholesome Wednesday

Lunch for Hubby is easier to see today.  He got sashimi tuna and salmon over a bibb lettuce leaf covered in scallions and a drizzle of spicy mayo.  Because this isn't a lot of protein, I also added an ounce of drunken goat cheese and 2 left-over breakfast sausages.  To make lunch more healthful the final touches were sliced strawberries and baby carrots with NO calorie blue cheese dressing for dipping.
I was totally amazed to find Walden Farms products have no calories, no fat, no carbs, no gluten and no sugars!  Wegmans carries several different dressings and dips and Hubby says the blue cheese is "ok".  Maybe switching him from Marie's high Points Plus dressing to this cold turkey wasn't the best idea...

Tasty Tuesday

Hubby has a second bento.  Today's lunch included a salami and cheese sandwich on the sandwich thin.  There is lettuce on the sandwich and as you can see there are tomatoes for him to put on at lunch so the little bit of bread doesn't get soggy.  Yes there is another "Red Hot deviled egg" and the little container has dark chocolate balsamic vinegar for the cherries that are in the top.

 Please excuse the floor but I was having problems showing the three individual units on top.  The big side has pitted cherries and the front is a mix of green peppers, red peppers and onions.  The back is hard to see but it has 1 oz of the drunken goat cheese and a small container of blue cheese dressing for the veggies.

Hopefully this is more palatable than Monday's lunch for him.

Mostly Healthy Monday

Hubby got a lunch that contained items he wasn't thrilled about today.  He is not a fan of ham, but that was the only lunch meat that I had left after our weekend camping trip, so he got a ham and cheese sandwich on a honey wheat sandwich thin.  There was mustard, lettuce and tomato but he still had to eat the ham...
The deviled egg in the back was something we picked up at the Arrowhead deli in Deep Creek.  It is called a "Red Hot Egg" and was pretty good...we haven't been able to figure out what they soaked it in to give it the heat and the bright red color but it was vinegary...  Hubby got tomato slices and cucumber slices for his "crunch" factor.  Yes, a trip to the grocery store is in the cards for me tonight!

Thoughtful Thursday

This is NOT Hubby's lunch.  I woke up on Wednesday morning at 2 am and could not go back to sleep.  After working a full day and exercising in the heat I could barely make it home awake.  When I got home I sat down and the next thing I knew Hubby woke me up to eat a little dinner.  I had barely gone taken my last bite when I was back asleep again.
When I woke up this morning at 6:30 I made my own lunch.  It is 3 large lettuce leaves with 2 oz of smoked salmon.  The green container is 1/2 cup of fat free feta cheese, the blue container has chopped spring onions and of course my fruit of 1 clementine.  (Don't worry, I took 4 more clementine for a snack too.)  The bar to the far right is a Weight Watchers Mini Mint Cookie bar, they remind me of a Girl Scout Thin mint in a few ways:  the taste is just like biting into a thin mint and after two bites it's gone.
Have a great weekend, see you on Monday when we'll start this all over again!

Wholesome Wednesday

Today was a mix of reds and greens for Hubby.  He got a salad topped with spring onions, steak and cucumbers, which was a mix of left overs and the last of a head of lettuce.  The strawberries were the last of the box and the round container has an oil and vinegar mix as dressing.  The last part of the lunch is a red Babybel cheese. 
Because there is sooooo much red meat, this lunch tops out at 7 weight watchers points.

Tasty Tuesday

Today was something new:  Buffalo chicken, 3 pepper cheese and cucumbers on whole wheat bread.  One of the containers has mustard and the other has dark chocolate balsamic vinegar for the fruit.  Hubby got the last of the mangos and pineapple today.  Since this didn't seem like much food I also gave him a cheddar cheese stick.  Hopefully it's good!

Mighty Monday!

I know it doesn't look like much but this left over half sandwich is extremely filling!  We had Potbelly for dinner last night and I got a Turkey BLT.  (Of course, I thought that meant that the bacon was turkey NOT that there would be turkey, bacon, lettuce AND tomato!)  I also added hot peppers and had them put it all on whole wheat.  Half of it was all I could eat before I was full!
Hubby also got a dill pickle, mango slices and pineapple.  Small but Mighty Monday!

Freaky Friday

No pictures today.  Hubby had a really rough week and decided to take off for a mental health day.  See you on Monday!

Thoughtful Thursday

I was going for color when I pack this lunch.  Today Hubby got a Buffalo Chicken sandwich with a slice of 3 Pepper Colby Jack cheese, and lettuce.  I gave him two slices of tomato so he could put them on the sandwich or eat them alone, and you can just see the dill pickle sticking out behind them.  I gave him some mustard in the little green container, and the dark chocolate balsamic in the light blue.  His fruit today was sliced mangos and a clementine.