Spudnuts

So I'm obviously not posting regularly, and I'm constantly trying not to post things I make that are in the sweet category, but here is yet another relapse. I've actually never deep-fat fried anything before -- I wouldn't be able to waste the oil and I can't (in good conscience) fry things. Put a box of Krispe Kremes or some french fries in front of me and I seem not to mind so much about all the greasiness.

Anyway, I actually have rarely had a homemade donut, and that's because the few that I've tried have just not measured up. These however, were very, very good. A nice chew to them but still light and fluffy.

1 lb russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 1/2 T instant yeast
1 1/2 c. warm milk
1/2 c vegetable oil
1/2 c sugar
2 eggs
1 t salt
7 1/2 c flour
Oil for deep-fat frying (I just used like 3/4 inch oil in my electric skillet and flipped them -- you can see the line)

Glaze:
4 c confectioners' sugar
1/3 c water
1 t vanilla extract

Boil potatoes until tender. Drain, but reserve 1/2 c cooking liquid. Cool to lukewarm. Dissolve yeast in cooking liquid, add mashed potatoes, milk, oil, sugar, eggs and salt. Add enough flour to form a soft dough. Place in greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise 'til doubled (about 1 hr.). Punch down and let rise again (about 20 min). Roll out on floured surface to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut into donuts (3"?). Heat electric skillet to 375 or deep fryer -- fry a few at a time til golden brown. dip warm donuts in glaze. Makes 4 dozen.

flatbread pizza

This is a yummy lunch alternative. I'm so addicted to a good sandwich, I hate to pass up the opportunity to have one, but then I want chips with it and it all goes downhill from there. But this is actually less points than a sandwich and if I want more to eat I'm more tempted with a side salad than something salty.the healthy or nonhealthy part of it is what you make it with. I used light Italian Flat Out wraps, tomato sauce, freshly-ground pizza seasonings I happened upon at the dollar store (Yum) canadian bacon, tons of fresh mushrooms and sliced tomatoes. Oh and fat-free cottage cheese instead of mozerella. I felt like I was getting a lot and it was way tasty. (3-4 WW pts)

PLUStify

Crazy week - what with Weight Watchers coming out with a brand new program! And though I feel like a brand-new unknowledgable member now, I like it. . . mostly because I was apathetic about everything. Especially since the broken foot, and with the holidays approaching, but mostly because of the foot. It should be the opposite -- eat even more concienciously when I can't exercise like I'd like, but the whole thing has kind of been a downer. But now, I feel the sudden urge to TRACK! I don't really appreciate the fact that a lot of my favorite menu items cost me more points, but I EXTRA appreciate all fruit being ZERO! Yay! This breakfast looks really simple, but it's really, really yummy. I call it "Egg cordon bleu". (actually I don't call it anything, I made that up just now.)

I just soft cooked an egg in EVOO and put a slice of real swiss and canadian bacon to melt on top. I think some sliced tomato for the top wouldn't hurt anything either.

Chocolate: It's not just for Breakfast...

. . . and neither is ice cream. Ma -- this post is for you.

so here's the story: I've always hated cooked oatmeal, (makes me gag) but I like the idea of it. and I'm NOT picky eater at ALL, so I think I should like it, being the healthy breakfast option and all. Every so often I will try to like it by taking a bite of the kids' oatmeal 'cause it smells so good, but i end up spitting it out. Then I found this the other day:
I added raisins for a choc-covered raisin effect and I'll be honest, I only ate half the bowl before I really just didn't want to eat it anymore. but as long as i got a hard bite of ice cream in with the oatmeal bite, it tasted like some sort of moulten fudge dessert (which i don't really care that much about) So to sum-up: Mom -- you may want to try this -- just to see.

Warning: what NOT to eat

These, , , were delish. That is why I made them and took them to a quaint girly dinner party. And just because they don't fall under the "healthy" category -- doesn't mean they can't get some recognition. Super, SUPER easy. I made pie crust. Squished it with my fingertips into the ramekins. Filled them with my home-bottled apple pie filling, topped them with a circle of pie dough. (I really need to get a cute little shaped fondant cutter for these kind of things) Baked them at 375 for an hour and they were perfect (if I do say so myself) with vanilla bean ice cream for the top. I was very impressed with myself.

And now, I will resolve to track track track my eating through this week of Halloween. No matter how many fun-size candy bars I devour. No matter how many sugar cookies or donuts disappear (I can't see how I could top last weeks feeding-frenzy and I even lost .2 lbs! If only I TRIED -- I can't imagine the weight loss if I actually had a good week for a change!!!) PLEASE -- make me be accountable!

Family night mini-pizzas

Monday night dinner: these were sure fun for the kids to make. Just tube biscuits (only since I was lazy -- if I wanted better taste I'd have made my own dough) rolled out and leftover homemade spag. sauce, smoked turkey sausage, olives tomatoes and cheese. Such tiny bits of everything I figured one was 2-3 points depending on the amt of cheese.

lunch

Monday lunch: just another turkey roll-up. figured, if it filled me up once, it'll fill me up again.