'On the go...' No! No! No!

Regulars who come here know I'm all about getting breakfast over and done with fast... During the week I just want it done with... the weekends I'm happy to lounge about and get all fancy but for years I never ate breakfast... then hoovered scones and goodies at 11am break and couldn't understand why I was gaining weight! Bless... Break fast... you've got to break your fast... clue is in the name eh?!

I'm a porridge gal and I mix it up with fruit and yoghurts and honey and all kinds of stuff to keep it interesting... when I'm saving points for a night out or a treat, I'm fruit and smoothies all the way... If I'm working from home I might even push the boat out and have an egg white omelette cause I'm a bit mad like that... I love my Special K red berries at work or at movie time... I'm a recent convert to Granola... and I'm a big fan of Weetabix when I get sick of porridge... so imagine how horrified I was when I saw Weekabix in a shake!! You read it right... 

Firstly... I'm not a fan of protein shakes or anything along those lines... but the thinking went like this... 'sure I like Weetabix.. I might like these...' I'm harmless really aren't I?! Again I'm a savoury toothed person so why I even picked up the chocolate one is beyond me!!!  'For the blog sure... people might like to know...' Let me tell you I'm SO glad I picked up the chocolate version because as bad as it was, the vanilla one was awful! 

These are designed for people who run... not jog... run to work... they're for the marathon trainers and cyclists of the world... they are not for normal folks like us... these people are not reading this blog... they're already super fit... points means nothing to them... 

The vanilla one is sickly sweet, and I'm a vanilla fan... you won't see me saying no to a '99'! Maybe I'm being a snob but this isn't real vanilla, even though it says on the pack its all natural it doesn't taste like the vanilla you get from a pod! 

If you do indulge, and don't come complaining to me about it... shake the holy bejesus outta of it! I shook the chocolate one for a solid minute and still lumps came out of it... that said it was the better of the two... but if I really wanted a chocolate milkshake for breakfast I'd go to McDonalds and spend the 6PP on a small one and enjoy the feckin thing! 

For 250ml you're spending 6PP on pure sickly sweet plastic vanilla flavoured milk... even putting them in a fancy bottle with my fav pink straw didn't help...

The packaging states "mornings just got a whole lot better...' not in my house they didn't... I had a go of both of them and then wrote off 2PP from my day and went about getting my real breakkie! 

6PP for the 'ready to go' drink or 3PP for 2 biscuits and your fruit and milk and you're still saving propoints! Set the clock a little earlier folks...  

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Use your noodle...

'All the dreamers in the world are dizzy in the noodle...'

Edie Adams

Caught on the hop during the week I ended up in Dunnes looking for something other than soup to warm me up and keep me going till I got home… Standing at the 'ready-made-microwave-me' lunch section I came across these… I love Asian spices and flavors and you all know I'm a 'cook it yourself' kinda gals… additives and E numbers scare me… But the Chicken Curry Ramen I had from Oishii was absolutely yummy! Oishii are also an Irish company and you all know how I feel about buying local! At 8 PP not actually too bad for the 400g serving… if you had did a wok full of stir fry veg at home with it you'd have a pretty good dinner for 8 PP … 

Note the Rustlers are only 300g and the additives on the back seems endless! As for the Zugo Cabonara… 15PP for 300g… FIFTEEN! You heard me!!! Remember the creamier the sauce is.. the higher it's going to be.. aim for tomato based sauces if you can… or better still don't get caught out! Plan! 

Oishii - Malay Chicken Laska Noodles - 400g - 8 PP

Oishii - Chicken Curry Ramen Noodles - 400g - 8 PP

Oishii - Spiced Chicken Ramen Noodles - 400g - 8 PP

Rustlers Noodles - Oriental Pork - 300g - 10 PP

Rustlers Noodles - Chicken & Mushroon - 300g - 8 PP

Zugo's Deli Cafe - Pasta Cabonara - 300g - 15 PP

Zugo's Deli Cafe - Pasta Bolognese - 300g - 9 PP

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Gone crackers!

You know when you get fed up of bread... that! Some to try...

Ryvita Crackers for cheese - Black Pepper : 1PP each or 3 for 2PP

Weight Watchers maths in our favour here!

(these are square crackers like your standard cream crackers)

Ryvita Thins - Multi-seed : 1PP each

Ryvita Thins - Sweet Chilli : 1PP each

I've tried these they are YUM! 

Ryvita Thins - Cheddar & Cracked Black Pepper : 1PP each

McVities Lunchtime Mixed seed Flatbreads : 1PP each

I've tried these they are YUM! 

Ryvita Cracked Black Pepper : 1PP each

Ryvita Fruit Crunch : 1PP each or 2 for 3PP

Maths going against us.. meh... 

I haven't tried these but someone in class suggested them with the choc philadelphia ...

Ryvita Sunflower seeds & oats : 1PP each

Ryvita Multigrain: 1PP each

Ryvita Pumpkin Seeds & Oats : 1PP each

Ryvita Fine Rustic Bakes - Cranberry & Hazelnut - Posh eh?

2 - 1PP,  3 - 2PP

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Are you salty or sweet?

Now I haven't tried these yet I'm saving them for the cinema at the weekend to share but I'll report back fear not! Note the bag weights .. although the same size physically! 

Metcalfe's Skinny Topcorn - Sweet'n'Salt  - 25g bag is 2 PP

Metcalfes Skinny Topcorn - Chocolate crackle flavour - 55g bag is 6 PP

Salty and sweet popcorn (6 pack) - 20g bag is 2 PP

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Natural born fillers...

What contemptible scoundrel has stolen the cork to my lunch?

W. Clement Stone

Lunches... is one of the meals that really get to people.. and if you don't eat breakfast its a big deal... cause you're STARVING by the time it comes around and you'll just grab anything thinking you've got loads of propoints ... then those who have had breakkie, don't want to use too many points but you need all the energy you can muster to get you through the afternoon without choccie! A meal thats too heavy in the middle of the day and there'll be naps at desks... and its the one meal most of us at one stage or another need to grab on the go ... be it in petrol station or a corner shop where the selection isn't great and all we need is energy to get us through the afternoon... and really we all want to save points for the evening when the munchies attack!

First up .. SOUP.. I've posted on here a million times.. HERE's one that's yum, with loads of ideas for added flavour and zero pp.. it fills you up.. its good for you... experiment with it.. freeze it in individual portions and you're onto a winner... its basic staple!

If you have access to a kitchen try the 

Zero PP omlette!

Spray oil your pan and fry off some onions or shallots and use a tbsp of canderel or similar to caramelize them… add cherry tomatoes and mushrooms, some courgettes, peppers whatever you fancy and flavor them with garlic, chilli, pepper etc worcestershire sauce will beef it up a little as will a teaspoon of bovril.. 

I know I know.. but don't knock it till you try it!  

Whisk up 3 - 4 egg whites and get them fluffy.. 

this will give you a bigger omlette both visually and in your tummy… 

you could nearly double the size of the omlette from whisking alone... 

Add a tiny bit of mustard if you want to trick yourself that its yellow! This works! 

Then pour the egg whites over your veg in the pan.. 

turn the heat down and let it cook slowly through… when its nearly done.. 

pop your pan under the grill and brown the top of it.. 

and for 0.5pp met 3 laughing cow extra light triangles over the top! 

You'll be stuffed I promise! AND... only one pan to wash up!

Tricking yourself into think you have more on your plate at lunch time is the key!

For the sandwich lovers amongst us..  a mug of soup before you tuck into a sarnie can make you feel fuller and help cut down the PPs... but try wraps, bagels, Pat the Baker has his new Slims out which are great and different... try an open sandwich... variety is what's going to keep you interested and not just having the same old boring egg sandwich then grabbing a bag of crisps and hitting the vending machine mid afternoon!

Make lunch exciting... I can hear your eyes rolling from here... but take the time to do a lunch box and put it in the freezer... it won't kill you!

Yoghurts, mini cheeses, crackers and don't hit me.. FRUIT! Filling up on a variety of things will mean you'll feel full without rushing in the door and putting on the toaster, before you ever get to making dinner... and takes only minutes to assemble in the evening.. and if your office has a microwave.. when you're cooking in the evening.. add a little extra and bring it in for lunch! My lunch box has started MANY a cooking debate with some added recipe swaps!

BREAD... all listed on the page on the right...  >>>>>>>

THE ZERO/HERO FILLERS...
lettuce, spring Onion, white/red onion, tomatoes, cress, peppers - 
tip - if you roast these when you're cooking the night before .. YUM! 
cucmber, radishes, capers, gherkins, beansprouts, beetroot, the list goes on...
... all the zero PP stuff can go in here! GO FOR IT!

FOR THE DRESSINGS...
Capers, Curry Powder, Garlic, Ginger, fresh or ground, All herbs and spices – fresh or dried, lemon, low fat cooking spray, mint sauce, mustard, soy sauce, tabasco sauce, teriyaki sauce, thai fish sauce, fat or oil free salad dressing, Balsamic vinegar.. experiment... 

THE PROTEINS...
Tuna in brine/water = 2 pp
1 med slice of roast chicken = 1 pp
2 slices of dennis Crumbled ham  = 1 pp
1 medium slice roast beef 35g = 3 PP
1 portion of King Prawns cooked (100g) = 3 pp
1 medium portion of smoked salmon 60g = 2 pp
1 med boiled egg = 2 pp
1 large boiled egg = 3 pp


THE READY MADES

M&S 

Free range egg & cress = 9 pp

Fuller longer italian style chicken & pesto flatbread = 8 pp

Salmon & Cucumber Eat Well sandwich = 8 pp

Low Cal Ham Sandwich = 7 pp

SUBWAY

Turkey wrap = 8 pp

Veggie Delite wrap = 6 pp

6-inch Roast Beef on white or wheat bread = 7 pp

STARBUCKS

BLT = 13 pp 

Free range egg mayo = 10 pp 

Mature cheddar with pickle = 13 pp 

Oak smoked salmon and soft cheese sandwich = 10 pp 

Roasted chicken with herb mayo = 9 pp 

Toasted club sandwich = 14 pp 

Tuna gluten fee = 12 pp 

Turkey feast sandwich = 12 pp

TESCO

Cheese & ham = 8 pp 
Tuna & Cucumber = 7 pp

COSTA
BLT = 11 pp
Free Range Egg = 10 pp
Chicken Salad = 8 pp
Tuna Salad = 7 pp
Cheddar Ploughmans Roll - 12 pp
Ham Hock & mustard Pickle Roll = 8 ppChicken & Bacon Club = 13 pp
Chicken & pesto Panini = 11 pp
Goats Cheese & Caramelised Onion Chutney Panini = 6 pp
Ham & Cheese Panini = 12 pp
Mozzarella, Tomato & Basil Panini = 10 pp
Ragu Meatball Panini = 13 pp
Ham & Cheese Toastie = 8 pp
Ham & Cheese Croissant = 9 pp
Tomato & Emmental Croissant = 9 pp
Chicken Fajita Wrap = 11 pp
Chilli Beef Wrap = 14 pp
Sausage bap/roll = 12 pp
All Day Breakfast Bap = 19 pp
Bacon roll = 10 pp
Tuna Melt panini = 12 pp

Doll x

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ALL IN ONE!!!!!

Ice cream, chocolate and cake... ALL IN ONE!!!! 

I mean are they trying to upset me!

Cadburys, bless em, have brought these beauties out .. Ice cream flavoured cakes! 

You heard me! AND you can freeze them.. and they are lush! 

These raspberry ripple flavoured ones are especially nice but I'm a massive raspberry fan and freezing them isn't as crazy as it sounds! Being a savoury gal... I can usually take or leave these kinda things but a visitor brought them round and at 3PP each, I'd have spent that on a few biccies and not have enjoyed them half as much!

Raspberry Ripple - 3 pp per roll

Mint Choc Chip - 3 pp per roll

Toffee Ripple - 4 pp per roll

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Holy moly!

Don't be fooled... this is not some glamourous Curly Wurly... They have the chocolate ( not the cadburys type though).. they have the caramel but they also have the added biscuit! About 2/3rds the size of a Curly Wurly and 4 PP each... these come in a box of 6 and can be found in most supermarkets... My opinion.. stick to original! 

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Nobody likes a cheat!

Lets face it, 

a nice creamy chocolate cake does a lot 

for a lot of people; 

it does for me!

Audrey Hepburn

Ok... what with Mary Berry and Paul Hottywood all over the place at the moment and Great British Bake Off still ringing in our years, sometimes you've got to realise that not everyone is a Nigella! So some of you have asked me to point the 'cheaters' cakes... 

FYI I made the Betty Crocker Devils Food cake for a party and it was AMAZING!!!! 
EVIL but AMAZING!!!

Doll x

500g box - 56PP 

PLUS you have to add your eggs and oil!

1/12th of the cake (81g slice) - 7PP

500g box - 55PP 

again... you have to add your eggs and oil!

1/12th of the cake when made (81g slice) - 7PP

500g box - 55PP 

again... you have to add your eggs and oil!

1/12th of the cake when made - 5PP

415g box - 45PP 

again... you have to add 1 egg and oil!

Per brownie - 3PP

100g dry mix - 11PP 

add 1 egg for 6 muffins

Per muffin - 7PP

100g dry mix - 9PP 

add 1 egg and oil for 6 muffins

Per muffin - 7PP

100g dry mix - 12PP 

add 1 egg and oil for 16 cookies

Per cookie - 4PP

100g dry mix - 11PP 

add 2 eggs and oil for 8 slices

Per 1/8th of a slice - 5PP

100g dry mix - 9PP 

Per 1/6th of a slice - 8PP

100g dry mix - 10PP 

Bag of dry mix - 38PP

add water & 20ml oil

100g dry mix - 10PP 

add 1 egg and 1 tblsp butter for 10 cakes

Per cupcake - 2PP

100g dry mix - 11PP 

Bag of dry mix - 42PP

add water & 20ml oil

100g dry mix - 10PP 

Bag of dry mix - 44PP

plus add water & 20ml oil

100g dry mix - 10PP 

Bag of dry mix - 52PP

plus add butter and eggs

100g dry mix - 11PP 

Bag of dry mix - 41PP

plus add eggs, oil & water

100g dry mix - 10PP 

Bag of dry mix - 29PP

Makes 12 muffins

plus add eggs, oil & water

100g dry mix - 10PP 

Bag of dry mix 450g - 45PP

Makes 6 LARGE muffins - 8PP each

plus add 250ml milk
I'd be inclined to make 12 small ones for 4PP to get the taste!

100g dry mix - 11PP 

Bag of dry mix 450g - 49PP

Makes 6 muffins - 8PP each

plus add 250ml milk

100g dry mix - 9PP 

Bag of dry mix 450g - 41PP

Makes 6 muffins - 7PP each

plus add 250ml milk

100g dry mix - 10PP 

Bag of dry mix 450g - 45PP

45PP for the loaf - only mixed with water
(you'll need to cut the slices thin to get the PPs low!)

100g dry mix - 9PP 

Bag of dry mix 450g - 40PP

40PP for the loaf
Only mixed with water...

100g dry mix - 8PP 

Bag of dry mix 450g - 38PP

38PP for the loaf
Only mixed with water...

100g dry mix - 7PP 

Bag of dry mix 450g - 31PP

 31PP for the loaf
You have to point 350ml of full fat milk, 
not sure if slim milk would work as well but you'd cut out points there too...

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