Low-Point Banana Cream Pie

This easy-to-make dessert recipe can quickly be added to your low-point, food-list favorites and is sure to be enjoyed by all Banana Cream pie lovers everywhere! 
This recipe did not call for the Keebler Ready-Made Reduced-Fat Crust; but I thought it would taste better with a crust. However, if you make it without, it's only 2 pts. per slice. With the crust, it's 4 points. Whichever way you decide to make it, it's delicious. (Note: If you put this dessert in the refrigerator, it will be soft and more of a pudding pie. I froze mine until about an hour before indulging, and it was a bit more firm and more refreshing on a hot summer day!) :)


Low-Point Banana Cream Pie with Strawberries and Kiwi
Ingredients:
1 oz. fat-free, sugar-free instant banana pudding and pie filling mix
2 cups fat-free evaporated milk
1 cup strawberries, thinly sliced
1 medium kiwi fruit, peeled and sliced
1 Keebler Ready-Made, Reduced-Fat pie crust
Prepare pudding according to package recipe but use fat-free evaporated milk instead of regular skim milk. Cover bottom of pie crust with layer of sliced strawberries. Pour prepared pudding on top and garnish with remaining strawberries and kiwi slices. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
Total Servings = 8
Serving size = 1
Points per serving = 4 pts.
If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this refreshing dessert, Click Here.

Glimpses of Heaven

I have always been fascinated with true stories about hope and peace. There's something very intriguing and special listening to stories about loved ones who are ailing and still finding peace and comfort from God, even at the end of their life's journey. That is why I especially loved reading "Glimpses from Heaven", by Trudy Harris.
Trudy was a hospice nurse who has visited countless patients and witnessed their spiritual journey from life into death. The divine stories she shares from experiencing such beautiful moments is almost unexplainable but leaves you feeling honored to have shared such holiness through Trudy's experiences.
What an amazing blessing for Trudy to be a part of people's lives in such a way that few people can ever imagine; and what a blessing for Trudy's patients to have had such an extraordinary hospice nurse gently and lovingly care for them and their families at the most meaningful time in their life.
I hope you get a chance to read this beautiful book. It will quickly become very dear to your heart.

Low-Point Deviled Eggs

This effortless low-point deviled egg recipe allows you to completely enjoy family get-togethers without having to give up your favorite foods!


Low-Point Deviled Eggs
Ingredients:
6 Large hard-boiled eggs, peeled
1/3 cup shredded low-fat cheddar cheese
1/4 cup fat-free mayonnaise
1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
3 Tbs. minced scallions or chopped chives (optional)
Cut eggs lengthwise in half. Remove yolks to small bowl. Reserve whites. In a bowl, mash yolks with a fork. Add cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, and scallions; mix well. Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon yolk mixture into each egg white half. Refrigerate, covered. Sprinkle paprika on top to taste and for presentation.
Total servings = 12
Serving size = 1
Points per serving = 1 pt.
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Low-Point Grilled Chicken Kabobs

After posting quite a few delicious low-point dessert recipes, I thought I would post a wonderful recipe that can be enjoyed as a meal for lunch or supper. It's incredibly tasty, healthy, and has very few points for no-guilt enjoyment! :)

Low-Point Grilled Chicken Kabobs

Ingredients:

1/3 cup balsamic vinegar

2 Tbs. spicy brown mustard

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts; each cut in half lengthwise, then crosswise in 1 1/4 inch-wide pieces.

1 each yellow squash and zucchini, halved lengthwise and then diagonally in 1/2 inch-wide pieces.

2 medium tomatoes cut and cubed (Romas work the best since they are very meaty inside and sturdier for the kabob skewer).

Whisk vinaigrette and mustard in a medium bowl until blended. Remove 2 Tbs. and set aside. Add chicken and vegetables and coat with the mixture. Thread the chicken and vegetables to skewer, leaving small spaces in between. Grill up to 15 minutes, turning once. Remove from grill and drizzle or brush with remaining 2 Tbs. dressing.

Serving size - 1 skewer

Total points per serving - 3 pts.

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Foster Parenting - One of My Most Fulfilling Roles

There are several things I've done in life that have filled my heart and made "my cup runneth over". Marrying my best friend, giving birth to three wonderful children, meeting friends that have actually remained near and dear to my heart, and a few other accomplishments that have nothing to do with career choice. 
One thing that has also given me great joy was being a foster parent. My husband and I have been blessed to have loved and cared for six newborn babies, all whom have been adopted by wonderful loving couples who have been raising these children with great love. 
I will never forget driving to the hospital to pick up our first foster baby. At that time, I was able to enter the nursery and introduce myself to this precious little miracle. Driving home with this bundle of joy, I talked to her about our family, promised to love and nurture her as long as she was in our care; and we always ended our little conversation by offering up a prayer for the birth mother. 
More often than not, upon realizing these children were foster babies, strangers would begin to ridicule the birth mother for having given up their baby. I always enjoyed the opportunity to challenge their thinking, to change their heart. How difficult a decision it must have been to make. To love someone so much that you are willing to give them the gift of life, then to give them up and allow them a chance to have more of a life than what you would have been able to provide. To give a couple who has yearned for years for a child of their own, the chance to experience the true blessing of parenthood and family.
Looking at the pictures of our foster babies that grace our shelves, I always cherish the blessings that our family received from caring for each one of them. Thinking of them always fills my heart with love and makes "my cup runneth over".

Low-Point Lunch Ideas

In a previous post I listed some breakfast ideas (with points) that I enjoy. I thought it would be helpful to also have some lunch ideas to help you get started on your healthy "low-point" journey:
- 6 slices of Healthy Ones Lunchmeat = 1 pt.
- 1 slice Provolone Cheese = 2 pts.
- 1 slice Kraft Singles Fat-Free Sharp Cheddar Cheese = 1 pt.
- 1 cup Progresso Light Soup = 1 pt.
- Garden vegetable salad = 0 pts.
- 1 small can of Swanson white chicken breast = 2.5 pts.
- 1 Tbs. Fat Free Ranch Dressing = 0 pts.
- 1 Tbs. Fat Free French Dressing = 0 pts.
- 1 Yogurt - Dannon Light & Fit = 1.6 pts.
- Sugar Free Jello (add blueberries and top with 2 Tbs. low-cal Redi Whip) = 0 pts.
- Grilled Cheese = 3 pts. (with Nature's Own Honey Wheat Light bread (2 slices = 1 pt.) and Kraft Singles Fat Free Cheddar Cheese (1 slice = 1 pt).
- Bread and Butter pickles made with Splenda = 0 pts.
- Raw carrots = 0 pts.
- Potato, medium sized, baked = 3 pts.
- Orange, apple, 1 cup strawberries, or 1 cup watermelon = 1 pt.
- Sun Chips, 15 chips = 3 pts.
- Tortilla Chips, 12 chips = 3 pts.


If you are on the run and need to grab lunch at a restaurant here are a few items you may want to choose if going to McDonald's, Panera Bread, or Chick-Fil-A. (For more restaurant selections and food-point choices, please see my post Where Can I Find a List of Foods and Their Points.)
McDonald's:
- Hamburger = 5 pts.
- Cheeseburger = 7 pts.
- Grilled Ranch Chicken Snack Wrap = 6 pts.
- Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Snack Wrap = 6 pts.
- Small Fries = 5 pts.
- 4 piece Chicken McNuggets = 5 pts.
- Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken = 6 pts.
- Southwest Salad without Chicken = 2 pts.
- Snack Size Fruit and Walnut Salad = 4 pts.


Panera Bread:
- Chopped Chicken Cobb Salad without Dressing = 6 pts.
- Chopped Chicken Cobb Salad without Dressing and Bleu Cheese = 4.7 pts.
- Whole Grain Baguette = 3 pts.
- 1/2 Tomato and Mozzarella Panini = 8 pts.
- 1/2 (Pick-two portion size) Chopped Chicken Cobb Salad without Dressing = 3 pts.
- 1/2 Bowl (Pick-two portion size) Chicken Noodle Soup = 1.9 pts.
- 1 Bowl Chicken Noodle Soup = 3 pts.


Chick-Fil-A:
- Chargrilled Chicken Club Sandwich = 8 pts.
- Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich = 5 pts.
- Chick-n-Strips (1 count kid's meal) = 3 pts.
- Nuggets (6 count kid's meal) = 5 pts.
- Chargrilled Chicken Cool Wrap = 8 pts.
- Chargrilled and Fruit Salad = 4 pts.
- Southwest Chargrilled Salad = 5 pts.
- Cole Slaw Small = 9 pts.
- Hearty Breast of Chicken Soup Small = 3 pts.
- Waffle Fries Small = 6 pts.
I hope these ideas help when deciding what to eat for low-point lunches.

Gardening - My Stress Relief, My Therapy

I love my garden! All of my beautiful flowers, tomatoes and squash. I told my husband the other day that I love gardening and he said, "But you hate weeding." This is true... so maybe that doesn't qualify me as gardener, but I do love my garden. It's therapeutic for me to be outside watering my plants and seeing how well (or not so well) my flowers and vegetables are doing. 

A lot of times when I'm stressed or need some time alone in my thoughts, I will go outside, walk around my yard, and water some plants. 
My husband has suggested I bring the kids out with me to help water, and is surprised by me wanting to do it alone. To me, having the kids help would defeat the purpose of my therapeutic time and may just end up causing more stress. Ha! However, come to think of it, I might send them out to weed while I observe through the window with a glass of ice tea. :)

Low-Point Bananas Foster with Vanilla Ice Cream

Although I enjoy an awesome banana split from time to time, my metabolism doesn't allow me many of those pleasures any longer. Good thing I've always been great at improvising. :) Even though this isn't quite the same, it's pretty darn tasty nevertheless. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do.


Low-Point Bananas Foster with Fat-Free Vanilla Ice Cream
Ingredients:
- 1 medium sized banana
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray
- Dash of Cinnamon
- Dash of Nutmeg
- Dollop of Redi Whip Fat Free Whipped Cream
- 1/2 cup Fat Free Vanilla Ice Cream
- Non-fat cooking spray
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with the non-fat cooking spray. Cut the banana in half lengthwise, and place on baking sheet, sliced size up. Spray bananas with the butter spray until both sides are lightly coated. Drizzle bananas with maple syrup. Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg. Bake in oven for about 10 minutes. Top with 1/2 cup Fat-Free Vanilla Ice Cream and a dollop of Fat-Free Redi Whip.
One half of the banana = 1 serving
Points per serving = 3 pts.

To the left is a picture of this delicious dessert. If you want a printer-friendly version of this recipe, simply Click Here.