Weight Watchers Monday ~ Vadalia Onion Pico De Gallo

 With Vadalia Onions being in season, I thought I'd put together something

that would bring out the awesome sweet flavor of the onion.

Why not Pico De Gallo?

Today is Weight Watchers Monday, and this is not by any means

a weight watchers recipe. But Pico De Gallo is all fresh.

So that means if you stick with moderation you will be fine.

I love the flavors of Pico De Gallo, and it can be used for almost anything:

Tacos

Burgers

Dipping tortilla chips

Salads

Beside rice

On top of enchiladas, burritos, and even eggs.

I will have something coming later in the week that I will be placing this on.

I can't wait to show you.....

Vadalia Onion Pico De Gallo

4 tomatoes, finely chopped

1/2 of a large vadalia onion, or a whole medium sized one, finely chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 large jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced

1 handful of fresh cilantro, chopped

1 lime, juiced

1 TBS olive oil

Salt to taste

Combine all ingredients into a bowl and stir to combine.

Allow to chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

  

Foodie Friends Friday

Welcome to Foodie Friends Friday!

Please take a moment to read through the rules before getting started, Thank You!

*By linking up you agree that you read these rules and all photos/recipes are original and belong to you. You agree to allow Foodie Friends Friday and any of it's affiliated websites or publications (Social Girls Media, LLC) to use photos, links, and recipes for reprint and/or republishing and distribution without monetary compensation to you. If photos & recipes are used, proper link backs to you will be included.

Adding Links back to Foodie Friends Friday and our Button is our only form of advertising to bring in more people to see YOUR recipes.

Please remember to do this. It benefits you! To thank you, we will continue to feature those with links throughout the year on various outlets.

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Meet our Co-Hosts at Foodie Friends Friday:

  Now Let's meet our sponsor this week! *Giveaway Disclaimer: Facebook is in no way associated with this website or giveaway and holds no liability for this giveaway. "Liking" facebook pages is optional, not mandatory for entry. Sponsors will be responsible for shipping- if there is a delay or problem with prize, you must communicate directly with sponsor.

A Crock Pot Party!!

How yummy is that?

And if you want a chance to win a crock pot,

just click here and follow the directions.

Now that you have successfully entered the crock pot giveaway,

bring your best crock pot recipe and share it with us.

What went on last week you ask?

Well, let's find out.....

 Most Clicks last week:

The Cookin' Chicks ~ Garlic Parmesan Knots

Yesterfood ~ White Bean and Garlic Dip

The Cookin' Chicks ~ Garlic Chicken Pizza

 Most Voted:

The Big Giant Food Basket ~ White Bean and Roasted Garlic Hummus

Amelia's Dessert ~ Vindaloo Prawn Curry

Young Adventures Kitchen ~ Creamy Garlic Salad Dressing

 The lucky winner from last week....

Congratulations!

And let's not forget about the host favorites.

Those recipes can be found here.

Wilted Spinach with Dried Cherries and Pine Nuts

 Have you ever heard your body talking to you?

And it says, "I need iron and vitamins."

I have been on the go non stop for the last few weeks,

and my body finally got tired,

and SICK.

So I headed to the grocery store in search of iron and vitamins

for my sick body.

I found spinach!

I bought 1 whole pound of spinach, brought it home, wilted it,

and ate it all.

Does my body feel better?

It sure does....

Wilted Spinach with Dried Cherries and Pine Nuts

1 lb. baby spinach
1 c. balsamic vinegar
1/2 c. white onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, sliced
1/4 c. dried cherries
2 TBS olive oil
1/4 c. pine nuts
salt to taste

In a saute pan cook the onion until translucent in the olive oil.
Add the garlic and stir so it doesn't burn (about 1 minute).
Add the balsamic vinegar
Bring to a boil and reduce mixture to half.
Add spinach leaves and cook until wilted (about 2-5 minutes).
Move the spinach to a serving bowl.
Add pine nuts and dried cherries and mix together.
Add salt to taste.
Serve warm.

Weight Watchers Monday: Sunshine Salad

 Okay, first off, I would like to apologize for being absent for so long.

I have started a new job and relocated to Columbus, Ohio.

My moving has consisted of my bed being hauled in a pick-up truck,

boxed items being hauled in a car,

and purchases being completed here in Columbus (TV, food, etc...).

So yeah, just a little busy these last couple weeks.

But I feel I'm at a point now where I can get back to my commitments

to you.

To celebrate my return, how about some of this low calorie Sunshine Salad?

 When we diet, or watch our calorie intake, 

sometimes we crave something sweet. 

Right?

I know I do. 

That is one of the battles of dieting....

So I paired fruit with chocolate.

Can't go wrong with chocolate, right?

This Weight Watchers recipe allows you to eat 1 full cup at only 3 WW points.

This is what I did:

Weight Watchers Sunshine Salad

1 (15 oz.) can mandarin orange slices

1 (20 oz.) can pineapple chucks in heavy syrup

1 small jar maraschino cherries

1 (1 oz.) box sugar-free white chocolate pudding

Pour fruit in a large bowl. Do not drain the pineapple. Drain half of the liquid off the mandarin oranges. Drain maraschino cherries. Pour the pudding powder over fruit and mix well. Chill in fridge before serving.

Foodie Friends Friday

Welcome to Foodie Friends Friday!

Please take a moment to read through the rules before getting started, Thank You!

*By linking up you agree that you read these rules and all photos/recipes are original and belong to you. You agree to allow Foodie Friends Friday and any of it's affiliated websites or publications (Social Girls Media, LLC) to use photos, links, and recipes for reprint and/or republishing and distribution without monetary compensation to you. If photos & recipes are used, proper link backs to you will be included.

Adding Links back to Foodie Friends Friday and our Button is our only form of advertising to bring in more people to see YOUR recipes.

Please remember to do this. It benefits you! To thank you, we will continue to feature those with links throughout the year on various outlets.

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.foodiefriendsfridaydailydish.com/" title="Foodie Friends Friday" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj628/busyvegetarianmom/FFFDDButtonNEW150Darker_zpse238f637.jpg" alt="Foodie Friends Friday" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Meet our Co-Hosts at Foodie Friends Friday:

  Now Let's meet our sponsor this week! *Giveaway Disclaimer: Facebook is in no way associated with this website or giveaway and holds no liability for this giveaway. "Liking" facebook pages is optional, not mandatory for entry. Sponsors will be responsible for shipping- if there is a delay or problem with prize, you must communicate directly with sponsor.

Garlic! 

How fun is that?

And garlic can be added to so many foods:

Spaghetti

Lasagna

Soups

Salads

Breads

and the list goes on....

So, bring your best garlic recipes and get in on the fun.

I can't wait to see what you share.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Host favorites from last week can be found here.

Most Clicks last week:
Peanut Butter Cookies ~ This and That
Triple Chocolate Chip Biscoff Cookies ~ This and That
Meyer Lemon Shortbread Cookies ~ This and That
I think This and That really knows her cookies....
What do you think?

Most Votes from last week:
Meyer Lemon Shorbread Cookies ~ This and That
The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie ~ Young Adventures Kitchen
Peanut Butter Cookies ~ This and That
Some great looking cookie recipes here....
Now let's see what's in store for this weekend.

Foodie Friends Friday

Welcome to Foodie Friends Friday!

Please take a moment to read through the rules before getting started, Thank You!

*By linking up you agree that you read these rules and all photos/recipes are original and belong to you. You agree to allow Foodie Friends Friday and any of it's affiliated websites or publications (Social Girls Media, LLC) to use photos, links, and recipes for reprint and/or republishing and distribution without monetary compensation to you. If photos & recipes are used, proper link backs to you will be included.

Adding Links back to Foodie Friends Friday and our Button is our only form of advertising to bring in more people to see YOUR recipes.

Please remember to do this. It benefits you! To thank you, we will continue to feature those with links throughout the year on various outlets.

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.foodiefriendsfridaydailydish.com/" title="Foodie Friends Friday" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj628/busyvegetarianmom/FFFDDButtonNEW150Darker_zpse238f637.jpg" alt="Foodie Friends Friday" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Meet our Co-Hosts at Foodie Friends Friday:

Now Let's meet our sponsor this week! *Giveaway Disclaimer: Facebook is in no way associated with this website or giveaway and holds no liability for this giveaway. "Liking" facebook pages is optional, not mandatory for entry. Sponsors will be responsible for shipping- if there is a delay or problem with prize, you must communicate directly with sponsor.

 How exciting! This weekend is going to be spent with Stella & Dot.
Take some time to check out the Web site.
Julie Link at Stella & Dot
Facebook
Twitter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Most Clicks from last week:

Lemon Curd Cheesecake Bars ~ Annie's Noms

Smokin' Manwich ~ Living Rancho Delux

Pineapple Grilled Fish ~ Amelia's Dessert

Top Voted:

Chocolate Babka ~ Bakewell Junction

Jour du Macaron ~ From Calculus to Cupcakes

Smokin' Manwich ~ Living Rancho Delux

Our host favorites from last week's party can be found here.

Now onto the party:

Klondike Rose Potatoes & Johnny's Salts Giveaway

It's time for another fun-filled giveaway.

Everyone likes free stuff right?

But this giveaway is extra special....

It's FOOD!

 Klondike brands and Johnny's Fine Foods contacted me with a challenge.

You know how I love a good challenge.

To perform this giveaway I first had to create something using 

Klondike Rose potatoes and Johnny's salts.

This is what I came up with.....

 When I first looked at the bag of potatoes and seen that awesome color of red

and the word Rose, the first thing that came to mind was red wine.

You should always go with your first instinct, right?

Right!

 I chopped up 4 of those gorgeous red potatoes and covered them with red wine.

I know this going to be hard for you, and you will probably shed a tear or two,

but believe me, it's well worth it.

I let the potatoes soak in the wine for 2 hours.

I drained the potatoes, and yes, the wine went down the drain....

DON'T CRY!

There is enough left in the bottle for one glass.

 I arranged the chopped potatoes on a foil lined baking sheet

smeared with olive oil. Kind of toss the veggies in the olive oil to coat.

Along with the potatoes I sliced one red pepper and one medium onion, 

sliced and chopped.

Sprinkle with Johnny's Seasoned Sea Salt.

Place the baking sheet with veggies in a preheated 400 degree oven for

20 minutes, or until potatoes are fork tender.

 This is what they looked like when they were done.

We ended up with an awesome breakfast dinner.

Top the potatoes and peppers with a couple soft cooked eggs,

and you have heaven on a plate....NO JOKE!

The wine taste was fantastic mixed with peppers and onions.

So, since I completed my challenge I can now move on to the giveaway.

Two lucky winners will win this prize package shown below,

courtesy of Klondike Brands and Johnny's Fine Foods.

USA residents only please.

Klondike Brand is also providing a coupon for A'lil Country Sugar readers:

Coupon is here!

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Weight Watchers Monday ~ Cucumber Salad

 Cucumber salad is usually one of my favorite go-to salads.

It's easy to make, and can be prepared quickly for those last minute

dinner invites. You know the ones I'm talking about.....

What makes this cucumber salad special is, it's a Weight Watchers salad.

Yup, 0 WW points.

You can eat 12-14 cucumber slices per serving.

When I peel my cucumbers I like to leave a little of the skin on.

I cut off the ends and peel the cucumber so it looks like it has stripes.

The dark green color give the cucumber salad a much more pretty 

presentation. More inviting to eat.

I found this recipe at Nana's Recipe Box, through Pinterest, of course.

I made a couple changes, but nothing drastic.

Weight Watchers Cucumber Salad

(0 WW points, 12-14 slices per serving)

In a large measuring cup mix:

1/4 c. white vinegar

1 TBS lemon juice

2 tsp. liquid sweetener (Agave In The Raw)

1 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp. celery seed

Stir together and pour over sliced cucumber and onion.

In a med/large mixing bowl slice cucumber and onion:

1/2 of a medium sweet onion, sliced (I cut the slices in half and separated the rings)

3-4 medium cucumbers sliced (I used organic).