New Years Hoppin' John

Hoppin' John, also known as Carolina Peas and Rice, is a dish served in southern United States. Throughout the coastal South, eating Hoppin' John on New Year's Day is thought to bring a prosperous year filled with luck. The peas are symbolic of pennies or coins, and a coin is sometimes added to the pot or left under the dinner bowls.

On the day after New Year's Day, leftover "Hoppin' John" is called "Skippin' Jenny" and further demonstrates one's frugality, bringing a hope for an even better chance of prosperity in the New Year. And besides all of that... it tastes pretty darn good! 

Ingredients:

- 3 slices of bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
- 1 clove of garlic, chopped small
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped small 
- 1/2 cup celery, chopped small
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup brown rice (or package of Uncle Ben's brown rice)
- 2, 15 oz. cans Black Eye Peas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup ham, diced 
- 1/2 tsp. Adobo seasoning (optional - but I recommend it) :)

- 1 1/2 tsp. fresh thyme

In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium high heat. Cook until crisp and remove to the plate. Saute' garlic, onion, and celery in the bacon grease for about 3 minutes. Add the water, chicken broth, and rice, stirring occasionally for a few minutes (until rice just starts to absorb water). Add black eye peas, ham, and Adobo seasoning. Simmer for about 5 minutes. Top with crumbled bacon pieces and fresh thyme. Enjoy, and best of luck to you in the New Year! 

"One word of encouragement can make the difference between going on or giving up." - Author Unknown

Low-Point Stuffed Peppers

Need a dinner idea? Here's one -- read through "Points in My Life" more often. :) But until you have time to sit down with nice drink and go through this entire blog, here is a quick and easy dinner idea for you now. Enjoy!

Low-Point Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients:

- 1 lb. ground turkey

- 1/2 cup chopped onion (or 1 tsp. onion powder)

- 1 clove garlic, chopped

- 1/4 tsp. chili powder, optional

- 1 tsp. salt

- 1/2 tsp. pepper

- 1 can condensed tomato soup

- 1 cup fat-free mozzarella shredded cheese

- 4 medium peppers (red, yellow, orange, and/or green)

- 1/2 zucchini, chopped or 1 cup chopped broccoli (optional)

Cook ground turkey, onion, and garlic in skillet until meat is browned. Drain grease. Add seasonings and tomato soup and simmer on low for 3 minutes. Add cheese and veggies (if desired), stirring occasionally until cheese is melted. Cut off tops of peppers and scoop out the insides with a spoon. Cook peppers in boiling water for 3 to 5 minutes (or until barely tender but not mushy.) Scoop ground turkey mixture into peppers and serve. (Sprinkle a little cheese on top if desired.) If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.

Total servings = 4

Serving size = 1

Points per serving = 5.5

Note:  Enjoy my low-point veggie salad as a side item.

"What you be tomorrow, depends on the choices you make today." 

- Anonymous

Low-Point Macaroons

Coconut lovers can stop searching the internet for a wonderful coconut cookie recipe, because you just found it! :) These terrific coconut macaroons have a great taste and with just a touch of chocolate, there's extra goodness in every bite!

Low-Point Macaroons

Ingredients:

- 3 large egg whites

- 2/3 cups Splenda granulated sugar

- 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

- 2 1/2 cups packaged shredded coconut, sweetened or unsweetened

- 5 pieces of mini Sugar-Free Hershey Chocolate bars, chopped (they come in 3 oz. little bags)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a large cookie sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk egg whites and sugar (or place in mixer and mix on medium speed for a few minutes). Add vanilla and coconut. Stir to combine. Scoop up a heaping tablespoon of batter and form into a little ball or pile into your hands. Place the ball or little pile of coconut mixture on cookie sheet. Bake until the tops start turning light tan (about 15 minutes). Remove cookies to cooling rack for about 30 minutes. Melt chocolate in a double boiler (or in the microwave) and place a little bit in the center of each cookie. Freeze until chocolate sets, about 20 or 30 minutes. If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.

Total Servings = 12

Serving size = 1

Points per serving = 3.5

Note: These cookies were a made a little larger than the recipe called. If you made them a little smaller and made 18 total, the total points per serving would be 2.3.

"The best place to serve is where God has placed you." - Author Unknown

Low-Point Crab-Stuffed Pea Pod Appetizer

You may not have time to prepare this wonderful appetizer recipe for Christmas, but let's not forget about New Year's Eve! :)  Ring in the new year with this fantastic crab-stuffed pea pod appetizer.


Low-Point Crab Stuffed Pea Pod Appetizer
Ingredients: 
- 1/2 pound (8 ounces) snow pea pods, tips removed
- 1/2 cup fat free sour cream
- 1, 8 oz. package imitation crabmeat, finely chopped
- 1, 3 oz. package fat free cream cheese
- 1 Tbs horseradish 
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
Cut seam on side of pea pod forming pocket.
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Spoon or pipe crab mixture into each pod. Cover and refrigerate at least one hour. If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.
Serving size = 1 pea pod
Points per serving = .4

"A good example is someone who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." - Author Unknown

Low-Point Lemon Cookies

All cookies don't have to be overly sweet to be wonderful. These satisfying lemon cookies are made with Bisquick. They have a great lemony "cake" flavor and are a wonderful treat with your morning, noon, or evening coffee. :)

Low-Point Lemon Cookies

Ingredients:

- 1 cup Heart Smart Bisquick baking mix

- 1/4 cup vegetable oil

- 1 egg

- 1/2 tsp. baking powder

- 1 tsp. vanilla

- 2, 1 oz. boxes of sugar free, fat free instant pudding (any flavor)

- 2 Tbs milk
- Powdered sugar, sifted on top after baking (optional)

Mix well and form into little balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and flatten with a fork. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 1/2 to 9 minutes. Sift powdered sugar on top after baking for a little added sweetness. If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.

Total servings = 21 

Serving size = 1

Points per serving = 1.3
*Tip: I made this recipe again using Chocolate Sugar Free Fat Free Instant Pudding but I added 1/2 cup Splenda granulated sugar. If you'd like a sweeter option, just add Splenda. (For those who prefer to use regular table sugar vs. Splenda, using 1/2 cup regular sugar, each enjoyable cookie would be 1.7 pts. instead of 1.3.)

"There is no limit to what can be accomplished if it doesn't matter who gets the credit." - Ralph Waldo Emerson