Low-Point Fruit Bruschetta

Since bruschetta is one of my favorite things to eat, I was excited to find this "dessert-style" bruschetta recipe with fresh raspberries and blackberries. Although, any of your favorite fruits would work just as well. Looking forward to getting together with friends so they can taste and enjoy this sweet-berry bruschetta!


Low-Point Fruit Bruschetta
Ingredients:
- 10 thin slices of french bread (no more than 1/2 inch thick)
- 3 1/2 tsp. Splenda granulated sugar substitute, divided
- 5 oz. fat-free cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 tsp. almond extract
- fresh raspberries and blackberries
- "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" spray
- 2 Tbs Almond slivers, chopped
Spray the 10 thin slices of french bread with the butter. Sprinkle 1 1/2 tsp. of the Splenda on top of all the bread and toast. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine cream cheese, almond extract, and the rest of the Splenda (2 tsp.). Spread cream cheese mixture on top of each piece of toasted french bread. Add fruit on top of cream cheese mixture. Enjoy! (Option: Feel free to sprinkle a teaspoon of Splenda, real sugar, or powdered sugar on top of fruit for some extra sweetness that will add no extra points!) If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.
Total servings - 10
Serving size - 1
Points per serving - 1
TIP* - Another way of making this fruit bruschetta even easier is using 4 oz. fat free cream cheese with 1/4 cup lite cool whip. Mix together. Total servings are 13 thin slices of french bread. Serving size is one piece, and total points per serving is .5!

"Don't look for inspiration. If you start working, inspiration will come to you." - Anonymous

Low-Point Ham and Cheese Scalloped Potatoes

I really thought this would be 15 points per serving with how wonderful it tastes! It always makes me a little nervous to go ahead and eat something so cheesy and delicious before calculating the points. I took the chance after taking it out of the oven because it just looked too darn good to pass up. Lucky for me it was only 5 points per serving; so I didn't even have to feel guilty about sticking my fork back into the huge serving bowl for a few more bites after I (thought) I was finished eating!

Low-Point Ham and Cheese Scalloped Potatoes

Ingredients:

- 6 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced thin
- 12 oz. cooked lean ham, chopped or cubed
- 1, 10 3/4 oz. can condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
- 1, 10 3/4 oz. can condensed cream of celery soup, undiluted
- 1, 10 3/4 oz. can condensed cheddar cheese soup, undiluted
- 6 oz. fat-free evaporated milk
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 1/4 tsp. onion powder
- 1/4 tsp. garlic powder

In a large bowl combine sliced potatoes, ham, soups, and evaporated milk. Stir until all ingredients are combined well. Pour mixture into a greased (sprayed with Pam cooking spray) 13-inch by 9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with seasonings and bake, covered, at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Remove from oven and let set for a few minutes. Enjoy! If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.

Total servings - 9 cups
Serving size - 1 cup
Points per serving - 5

"If you want to succeed in your life, remember this phrase: The past does not equal the future. Because you failed yesterday; or all day today, or for the last six months, or sixteen years of life, doesn't mean anything. All that matters is: What are you going to do, right now?" 
- Anthony Robbins

Low-Point Cranberry Turkey Wraps

A low-point lightly-sweetened lunch item you can enjoy for only three points! Filled with a wonderful mixture of cranberries, turkey, mandarin oranges, apples, cream cheese and more; this wrap is a delicious and healthy way to fill your empty stomach without putting on the pounds!


Low-Point Cranberry Turkey Wraps
Ingredients:
- 16 thin slices of Turkey breast lunchmeat (Healthy Ones or Target's brand, Market Pantry have only 1 point for 6 slices)
- 8 oz. mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 medium apple, peeled and chopped
- 3 Tbs dried cranberries
- 3 oz. fat-free cream cheese
- 1/4 cup lite sour cream
- 1 Tbs Splenda granulated sugar substitute
- 8, 6-inch flour tortillas
- shredded lettuce
In a bowl, mix oranges, apples, cranberries, cream cheese, sour cream, and Splenda. Using one wrap at a time, place 2 thin slices of turkey on a wrap with a little bit of lettuce. Place 2 Tbs of the cream and fruit mixture on the wrap and roll up. Repeat with all 8 wraps. Enjoy! If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.
Total servings - 8
Serving size - 1
Points per serving - 3
Tip* If you prefer, just place the cream and fruit mixture on top a bed of lettuce for just 1 point.

"Simple it's not, I'm afraid you will find, for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind." - Dr. Seuss

Low-Point Tomato Zucchini Soup

My husband and I love going out for lunch. However, doing this too many times causes you to use a bit too many of your daily allotted points, leaving very little for a delicious supper. Got it covered with this super savory soup for only .5 points a cup! Awesome! Going to add this recipe to my list of "make often, especially after high-point lunches!"


Low-Point Tomato Zucchini Soup
Ingredients:
- 2 medium zucchini, chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
- 1 1/2 tsp. olive oil
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 1/4 tsp. Goya Adobo seasoning
- 1/4 tsp. Italian seasoning
(use any of your favorite seasonings to taste. It doesn't have to be these.)
- 1 cup Spicy V8 Juice
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 large tomato, chopped
- 3 large fresh basil leaves, chopped
In a large skillet, saute the zucchini and onion in olive oil until crisp-tender. Sprinkle in seasonings and add the V8 juice, chicken broth, basil, and chopped tomato. Cook until heated through. OPTIONAL: Add 2 strips of crumbled cooked bacon. If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.
Total servings - 4 cups
Serving size - 1 cup
Points per serving - .5
Points per serving with bacon - 1

"All that we are is the result of what we have thought." - Budha

Cheesy Chicken Ring

It's hard to tear into this magnificent chicken ring because it bakes up so beautifully. A perfect item to take to a party or enjoy with your family. People will be impressed with how hard you worked on this; just be sure you don't reveal how easy it was to make!

Ingredients:

- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 Tbs minced fresh parsley
- 2 tsp. Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 Tbs chives, chopped fine
- 1 3/4 cup cubed cooked chicken breast (1/2 inch cubes)
- 2 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
- 3/4 cup reduced-fat shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tubes reduced-fat refrigerated Pillsbury crescent rolls
- 1 plum tomato
- shredded lettuce
- Pam cooking spray

In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, parsley, mustard, onion powder, and chives. Stir in chicken, bacon, and cheese. Spray 12-inch round pizza pan with cooking spray. Unroll crescent dough, separate into 16 triangles. Arrange on pizza pan forming a ring with the pointed ends facing the outer edge of the pan and wide ends overlapping. Spoon chicken mixture over wide ends. Thinly slice tomato and place on top of chicken mixture all the way around the ring. Fold over points (tucking the points underneath the wide ends). Bake at 375 degrees for 15 to 17 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and slightly cool. Fill center of ring with shredded lettuce and add a few tomato wedges to the lettuce if desired. If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.

"The discovery of a new dish does more for human 

happiness than the discovery of a new star." 

- Anonymous