Low-Point Appetizers

I've always said that one of my favorite meals is simply, hors d'oeuvres. I could eat finger foods and hors d'oeuvres almost everyday. It's great being able to choose from a variety of bite-sized foods that are very pleasing to your palate. I have put together several ideas and recipes for low-point hors d'oeuvres that can be enjoyed at a party, or, if you're like me, anytime!
I have already begun finding more ideas and recipes for a Low-Point Appetizers, Part 2, blog that will give you even more low-point-appetizer ideas. Stay tuned! :)


Low-Point Black-Eyed Pea Dip

Ingredients:
- 3, 16 oz. cans Black-Eyed Peas (drained and rinsed)
- 1/2 to 1 cup diced Jalapenos (depending on "hot" you like it)
- 1 green pepper, diced (optional)
- 1 small jar of pimentos, (optional)
- 1/2 cup Fat Free Zesty Italian Dressing
Mix all ingredients together and enjoy!
Total servings = 10.5
Serving size = 1/2 cup
Points per serving = 1.5
(Dip with 9 Tortilla Chips = 3.5 total points)
(Dip with 22 Original Pop Chips = 4 total points)
For a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.


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, mayo, sour cream, and scallions; mix well. Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon yolk mixture into each egg white half. Sprinkle with paprika. Cover and refrigerate.
Total servings = 12
Serving size = 1 deviled egg
Points per serving = 1 pt.
For a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.


Low-Point Chicken Salad Snack
Ingredients:
- 1, 4.5 oz. can Swanson Chicken (drained)
- 1, Tbs. fat free mayonnaise
- 1 tsp. mustard
- 1 tsp. relish
- 1 small tomato
- 6 olives
- Package of Stone Ground Wheat Crackers (or the kind of your choice that are 60 calories for 3)
Mix can of Swanson Chicken, mayonnaise, mustard, and relish together. Cut small tomato in thin slices and layer 6 thin slices on 6 crackers. Put a small scoop of the chicken salad mixture on top and garnish with one green olive.
Total Servings = 6 crackers
Serving size = 1
Points per serving = .5 pts.
For a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.

Bagel Bites 
From the freezer section at the grocery store are also delicious for a nice appetizer and all flavors are only 1 point per bagel bite.

Sweet and Savory BBQ Rub

An excellent dry BBQ rub recipe that can be used in place of BBQ sauce. Mix and use this rub on chicken, steak, ribs, or anything you feel needs a sweet and savory boost of BBQ flavor!

Ingredients:

- 1/4 cup chile powder
- 1/4 cup paprika
- 2 Tbs. packed dark brown sugar
- 2 Tbs. ground cumin
- 2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. ground black pepper

Mix all ingredients together well and put air-tight container and enjoy every time you BBQ! :)

"Barbecue may not be the road to world peace, 

but it's a start." - Anonymous

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.
If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, just Click Here.

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".