White Bean & Lime Avocado Dip →

Alright y’all … I have made this dip SO many times since I found it on Pinterest!  It’s an easy go to when you’re having a get together or just want a health snack on hand.   I have served it with pita chips, crackers as well as vegetables!  I have also used seasoned feta cheese to mix it up a little bit.

It’s listed as a spring appetizer, however I think it would be perfect for any season!  For all my WW friends, the smart points value is 4 .. if you break it into 10 servings. This makes a big batch, so it serves a crowd!

Enjoy!  

Ingredients 

• One can white corn, drained

• One can white beans, drained and rinsed

• 3 ounces crumbled feta cheese

• 1/2 red onion, diced

• 2 ripe avocados, chopped

• 2 TBSP fresh lime juice

• 2 TBSP olive oil

• 2 TBSP white vinegar 

• 2 TBSP chopped cilantro (or more if you like)

• Salt & Pepper to taste 

Instructions:

• Combine all ingredients 

• Serve immediately with crackers or vegetable of your choice

• Refrigerate leftovers in tightly sealed container 


Note:  the original recipe calls for a scant of sugar, however I do not include that.  

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Taco Zucchini Boats

We have a local grocery store chain here in Georgia called Publix. They have a program called Publix Aprons! It’s similar to the grocery / recipe delivery services only in the store itself. They hold a cooking demostration and provide samples for you to taste. They have the recipe card and all the ingrediants right there for you to grab and go home to cook.

Well, I always grab the recipe and rarely make them. Cloe called me out on this the last time we were at the store. “Mama, do you ever cook these recipes?” I realized then that this is just another one of my good intentions that I never see through. Similar to all the magazines I buy then they sit in the stack to be read … and never are! Unfortunately that’s a theme recently that I really need to change. And this week I made a small step in doing so.

I made the below recipe and it was fantastic! For all my weight watchers friends, the full recipe is 4 points per serving. I didn’t use the sour cream or the avocado ranch dressing on mine so it would cut the points down further.

Give it a try and let me know what you think! ENJOY!

Shopping List:

 

MEAT

1 lb. ground turkey

 

PRODUCE

2 medium zucchini

¾ cup fresh mild salsa

2 cups shredded lettuce

3 tablespoons avocado-ranch dressing (optional)

 

FROZEN

1 (12.7 oz) package protein blend vegetables

 

DAIRY

½ cup fat-free sour cream

 

DRY GROCERY

1 (1-oz) package reduced-sodium taco seasoning

 

FROM YOUR PANTRY

Cooking spray

 

STEPS: 

1.     Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Microwave vegetable blend following package instructions.  Cut zucchini in half lengthwise; scoop out seeds and pulp, leaving a ¼-inch thick shell.  Chop scooped-out portion.  Coat 9-inch square baking dish with spray; place vegetable blend in dish, then add zucchini boats cut-side up and set aside.

2.     Preheat large, nonstick sauté’ pan on medium-high 1-2 minutes; remove from heat and coat with spray.  Place turkey in pan; brown 5-7 minutes, stirring to crumble, and until no pink remains.  Stir in chopped zucchini, salsa, and seasoning; simmer 5-6 minutes or until mixture has thickened and most of the liquid has evaporated.  Remove from heat and stir in sour cream.

3.     Fill zucchini with turkey mixture (sprinkle any remaining around zucchini boats).  Cover and bake 10-12 minutes or until boats are just fork-tender.  Toss lettuce with dressing; top boats with lettuce.  Serve.

 

Aprons Advice

Complete your meal with low-sodium salsa, multigrain tortilla chips, fat-free refried beans, and fresh cut fruit for dessert. 

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Slow Cooker Seafood Stew

For all my Weight Watchers friends, this is a light and delicious 3 point meal!  Enjoy!

Author:  Slow Cooker Gourmet

Serves:  about 6 servings

INGREDIENTS:

·      1 can (28oz) crushed tomatoes

·      4 cups vegetable broth

·      ½ cup white wine

·      2-3 cloves minced garlic

·      1 pound Dutch baby potatoes or any white / yellow baby potatoes, cut into bite sized pieces

·      ½ medium onion, diced (about ½ cup)

·      1 teaspoon dried thyme

·      1 teaspoon dried basil

·      1 teaspoon dried cilantro

·      ½ teaspoon celery salt

·      ½ teaspoon salt

·      ½ teaspoon pepper

·      ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

·      pinch cayenne pepper

·      2 pounds seafood (I used scallops, shrimp and white fish)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.    Add all ingredients except seafood to slow cooker

2.    Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-6 hours until potatoes cooked through

a.    I used the Instant Pot and and potatoes cooked in under 10 minutes

3.    Add thawed seafood to slow cooker and return to high heat

4.    Cook for 30-60 minutes until seafood is fully cooked through

5.    Serve with warm crusty bread or as desired

 

NOTES: 

Optional step:  Before adding seafood, heat skillet over medium high heat and melt 2-3 tablespoons butter.  Add scallops and shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side to brown.  Add to slow cooker with crab and cook as directed.

Important note:  You will need at least a 5 quart slow cooker for this recipe so that there is enough room to add the seafood. 

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Remember to ALWAYS ... Live ~ Laugh ~ Love

Anyone that knows me well knows that my favorite saying is "Live ~ Laugh ~ Love"!  I start my morning drinking coffee in my motto coffee mug.  I end every Christmas card and journal entry with the saying and try to remember to incorporate those three simple words into my everyday!  It's really hard some days!  It's ironic that last Thursday I wrote my journal entry specifically about how I really needed to take a step back in life and focus on Living ~ Laughing and Loving!  It's ironic because on Friday I was reminded just how important it really is!  

I woke up on Friday to find out a man that lived up the street from us had passed away after a car accident and left behind his wife and two boys - ages 14 and 10 I believe.  While we haven't had an opportunity to meet the family in person, we pass their house everyday going in and out of the neighborhood.  He was always outside, usually throwing the baseball with his boys and always waved and shared a smile as people drove by.  My heart sunk when I heard the news.  I couldn't imagine the families grief and feeling of loss.  It's something that we all know is possible but never really acknowledge it would happen to our families.  

Later in the afternoon I got a voicemail from a number that I didn't recognize.  When I listened to the message, it was Elijah.  He was calling from his friends phone to let me know he was fine, but he had been in a car accident.  Even though he started the message with "I'm fine" my heart sunk once again!  Everyone in the accident (3 cars) had to go to the hospital except him and his friend.  They were very fortunate as it sounds like things could have been much worse.  This immediately made me think .. what if he would have had to go to the hospital and I am so far away?  What if something even worse happened?  I felt helpless as a mother!  

As if that wasn't enough, I then found out that one of my best friends (since kindergarten) lost her father unexpectedly.  I felt instant guilt because I am hundreds of miles away and I just wanted to be there for my friend.   When I called to tell her how sorry I was, I instantly started crying when I tried to leave a voicemail.  So many of my childhood memories - most of them - are from being at her house and include her dad!  He will be missed!

So ... why am i writing this today?  As a reminder to everyone and to challenge us all to cherish life. It is so short and so precious.  LIVE everyday like it's your last!  LAUGH till your belly hurts!  LOVE unconditionally- and tell those you love, you love them everyday!  Share it and pass it on!

LIVE ~ LAUGH ~ LOVE

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Spring is here ..... and summer is on it's way!!

So many exciting things about this time of year - graduations, weddings, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, open toe shoes!!!   While these things are all exciting, they can also be overwhelming!  Well, don't get stressed out or be overwhelmed - let us help!  

  • Invitations
  • Party favors / decorations
  • Gift ideas

Mothers Day will be here before you know it!  We have great gifts to pamper mom!  Contact me today to get great products and/or set up one of my at home spa services.  jeneen@balanceplanpamper.com or call / text 330.277.7933.  The first 5 appointments booked will receive a special gift!  

Remember to Always:  Live ~ Laugh ~ Love

Fall is here ....

Which means BOOTS ... no more pedicures every couple weeks!  No worries, you're feet don't have to suffer, I have fabulous at home spa foot treatments to keep summer feet all year round.  

It also means NEW COLOR... I love fall colors and am super excited about the new beautiControl fall Color Collection!  Experience autumn's richest blends with the Rose' Color Collection Set or dalliance with dark romance with the Bordeaux Color Collection Set.  Both collections on sale now for just $57.00 ... that's a $10.00 savings and you'll receive a FREE Cork Clutch!  

And with any change of season, it means changes to your skin.  For me, fall and winter always bring dry skin which is why I incorporate instant manicure into my morning and evening routine.   BC Spa Manicure Instant Manicure softens and moisturizes your hands and cuticles with Dead Sea salts that gently exfoliate dead skin cells.  Experience the wonders of natural oils as they nourish, moisturize and protect your hands and nails.

Contact me today to get these great products and / or set up one of my at home spa services.  jeneen@balanceplanpamper.com or call / text 330.277.7933.  The first 5 appointments booked will receive a special gift!

Always remember:  LIVE ~ LAUGH ~ LOVE

 

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Today's healthy snack: Homemade Kale Chips

Kale chips are super easy to make at home and they are a healthy choice over bagged potato chips and other snacks high in fat and calories.  All I did to make this delicious snack - that I will pick at all afternoon to satisfy my recent stress eating habit - was:

  • Bunch of fresh kale - purchased from local farm market
  • Spray with EVOO - I have an oil mister so it covers all the leaves without using too much.  
  • Sprinkle with Paula Dean "Silly Salt" - or you can use any type of salt or favorite seasoning
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 10 - 15 minutes 

 

Here is an article from mindbodygreen.com on 10 Great Benefits of Eating Kale!  

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4408/Top-10-Health-Benefits-of-Eating-Kale.html

Here is to a healthy afternoon!  Remember to always:  Live ~ Laugh ~ Love!

 

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Recipe of the Week: Weight Watchers, Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Basil & Pine Nuts

I made this Weight Watchers recipe for Easter and it was a big hit!  It was super easy and really yummy ... and it's only 1 point per serving!!  If you like Brussels sprouts, this one is a must try.  

brussel sprouts.png

WHAT YOU NEED:

  • 2 pounds Brussel sprouts, trimmed and outer leaves removed
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 3 shallots, minced
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted and chopped

HOW TO PUT IT TOGETHER:

1.     Shred Brussel sprouts in batches in food processor 

I cut the Brussel sprouts in quarters rather than shredding them!

 2.    Melt butter over medium-high heat in large heavy nonstick skillet.  Add shallots and cook, stirring frequently, 1 minute.  Add Brussel sprouts and cook, stirring, until ust slight softened, about 5 minutes.  Stir in basil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.  Transfer to serving bowl and sprinkle with pine nuts.

Per Serving – about 1 cup

Calories:  89 - Total Fat:  3g - Sat. Fat:  1g - Sodium:  512mg: - Total Carbs:  13g - Sugar:  3g - Fiber 4g - Protein: 5g

 

Sorry the picture is a little blurry ... I will get better at this, I promise!!

Sorry the picture is a little blurry ... I will get better at this, I promise!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to Balance ~ Plan & Pamper

Good morning and Happy Thursday!  I am so excited to launch my new business and website geared to help busy women everywhere achieve balance in their life!!  

Back in May, I posted a question regarding outsourcing:.  

  • Do you outsource?  If so, what types of things?
  • What types of things would you outsource if you could to help achieve balance?
  • What's holding you back?

If you had a place you could go to unwind, pamper yourself with great spa products, plan your upcoming events, call in a pinch when you need a party gift / favor, or just find your creative self?  Would this be a place you would like to have in your town to achieve BALANCE?  Well NOW YOU DO!  Introducing Balance ~ Plan & Pamper.  

What does balance mean to you?  Do you have balance in your life ?  What would it take for you to have balance in your life?  Let us help!!

Much, much, more to come!  The website is a work in process so please bookmark and check back to see how we evolve!

Always remember:

LIVE ~ LAUGH ~ LOVE!

 

 

 

 

 

BALANCE: "Mental steadiness or emotional stability:  habit of calm behavior" ... WHO'S IN??