Strawberry-Ricotta Cakes

Drain 2/3 c part-skim ricotta cheese between 2 double layers of paper towels 10 min.  Spread 1 1/2 Tbsp low-sugar apricot jam among 6 (28 g) mini-sponge cake shells;  spread into each shell to cover.  Top cakes with 1 1/2 c sliced strawberries.  Mix drained cheese and 1 1/2 Tbsp confectioners' sugar; divide among cakes.  Sprinkle with 2 Tbsp chopped semisweet chocolate.  Serves 6.

Per Serving (1 cake) Points Plus Value: 4

Orange Chicken with Broccoli

Serves: 4

PointsPlus Value: 5

4 tsp vegetable oil

1 Tbsp minced peeled fresh ginger

1 pound skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut crosswise into ½-inch strips

2 cups broccoli florets

¼ cup water

½ cup low-sodium chicken broth

¼ cup orange juice

3 Tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce

1 tsp cornstarch, dissolved in 1 Tbsp water

1 orange, peeled and sectioned

In a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat, heat the oil.  Add the ginger and sauté, stirring often, 2 minutes.  Transfer to a small plate with a slotted spoon.

In the same skillet, sauté the chicken until cooked through, about 5 minutes.  Transfer to another plate.  In the skillet, combine the broccoli and water, stirring to scrape up the browned bits fro the bottom of the pan;  cook, covered, until tender-crisp, 3-4 minutes.  Return the chicken to the skillet; stir in the broth, orange juice, and soy sauce.  Add the dissolved cornstarch; cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture boils and thickens slightly.  Add the orange; heat through.  Top with the ginger and serve.

Per Serving(about 1 cup):  221 cal, 6g fat, 1g sat fat, 0 g trans fat, 66mg chol, 389mg sod, 12g carb, 3g fib, 29g prot, 49mg calc.

PointsPlus Value: 5

Walk It Challenge

We have begun our third annual Walk-It Challenge.  Weight Watchers encourages all members to move more and train to walk (or run) a 5K on Weight Watchers Walk-It Day.

Date:  locally on Saturday, May 21st (Nationally on Sunday, May 22^nd)

Location:  Valley Regional Park (5100 S. 2700 W.) 

Time: 1:00 PM

There will be bottled water and fruit available for our walkers.  Start your training!

Andrea Banks

Congratulations to Andrea Banks who lost 60 pounds to reach her lifetime goal weight.  Andrea has an amazingly positive attitude and outlook on life.  She is now an avid runner, training for many races.  Although she has MS, Andrea says she does not buy into being a victim.  Take a look at her pictures below.  I am so jealous of her new legs!    

Before:

After: