Fettuccine with Sweet Pepper-Cayenne Sauce

Fettuccine with Sweet Pepper-Cayenne Sauce
This was a super spicy dish, but very delicious.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 12 ounces of dry fettuccine pasta, I used 12 ounces of wheat fettuccine pasta.
• Instead of 1 cup of reduced-fat sour cream, I used 1 cup of fat-free sour cream.
• Instead of 3/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, I used 3/4 cup of fat free grated Parmesan cheese.

This recipe makes 4 servings that are 9Points Plus each.

Candy Cane Fudge

Candy Cane Fudge
I was surprised at just how easy this recipe was. It's delicious and perfect for the holidays!

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1 (14 ounce) can of sweetened condensed milk, I used 1 (14 ounce) can of fat free sweetened condensed milk.

This recipe makes 64 servings that are 3Points Plus each.

Dad's Breakfast Pizza

Dad's Breakfast Pizza
My husband absolutely loved this recipe and couldn't get enough!

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1 pound of bacon, I used 1 pound of turkey bacon.
• Instead of 2 (12 ounce) cans of refrigerated biscuits, I used 2 (12 ounce) cans of reduced fat refrigerated biscuits.
• I omitted the teaspoon of butter.
• Instead of 12 eggs, I used 3 cups of liquid egg.
• Instead of 2 cups of cheddar cheese, I used 2 cups of reduced fat cheddar cheese.

This recipe makes 12 servings that are 9Points Plus each.

White Chocolate Cookies 'n' Cream Fudge

White Chocolate Cookies 'n' Cream Fudge
This was a really easy fudge recipe.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 3/4 cup of butter, I used 3/4 cup of light butter.
• Instead of 1 (5oz) can of evaporated milk, I used 1 (5oz) can of fat free evaporated milk.
• Instead of 3 cups of coarsely crushed cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies, I used 3 cups of reduced fat coarsely crushed cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies.

This recipe makes about 60 servings that are 4Points Plus each.

Quick Gingerbread

Quick Gingerbread
This was a very easy recipe. I skipped the applesauce and whipped cream, which would obviously add to the points values.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 2 cups of Bisquick, I used 2 cups of Heart Smart Bisquick.
• Instead of 1/2 cup of milk, I used 1/2 cup of fat free milk.
• Instead of 2 tablespoons of butter, I used 2 tablespoons of light butter.
• Instead of 2 eggs, I used 1/2 cup of liquid egg.

This recipe makes 12 servings that are 6PointsPlus each.

Chourico Dip

Chourico Dip
This is great for parties!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of turkey chourico
• 1 (8 ounce) container of fat free cream cheese
• 1/3 cup fat free sour cream

Directions:

1. Cook chourico.
2. Mix all ingredients with a hand mixer.
3. Serve with cucumbers or tortilla chips. 

This recipe makes 18 servings that are 2PointsPlus each.

Chicken for Nachos/Tacos

Chicken for Nachos/Tacos
This is a versatile dish that you can use for nachos, tacos, fajitas, and more!

Ingredients:

• 3 boneless chicken breasts
• 1 (10 ounce) can of tomatoes with chilis

Directions:

1. Put all ingredients in the crockpot and cook on low for 8 hours. Shred the chicken before serving. 

This recipe makes 6 servings that are 3PointsPlus each. 

Pulled Pork

Pulled Pork
This is a good dish for parties!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless pork
• 1 can or bottle of light beer
• 1 cup leftover coffee
• 1 bottle BBQ Sauce

Directions:

1. Cover the pork with the beer and coffee and cook on low in the crockpot for 6-8 hours.
2. Shred the pork, then drain the liquid.
3. Cover with BBQ sauce and put the meat back in the crockpot on low for about an hour. 

This recipe makes 6 servings that are 7PointsPlus each.

Pumpkin Cheddar Mac & Cheese

Pumpkin Cheddar Mac & Cheese
A lovely meal for the fall!

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 4 tablespoons of butter, I used 4 tablespoons of light butter.
• Instead of 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, I used 2 tablespoons of light syrup.
• Instead of 2 cups of whole milk, I used 2 cups of fat free milk.
• Instead of 2 1/2 cups of shredded sharp yellow cheddar cheese, I used 2 1/2 cups of reduced fat shredded sharp yellow cheddar cheese.

This recipe makes 6 servings that are 7PointsPlus each.

Chicken Spaghetti

Chicken Spaghetti
This is a little heavier on the calories, but still a nice treat.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 3 cups of dry spaghetti, I used 3 cups of dry wheat spaghetti.
• Instead of 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup, I used 2 cans of Healthy Request cream of chicken soup.
• Instead of 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese, I used 2 cups of fat free grated sharp cheddar cheese.
• Instead of 1 cup additional grated sharp cheddar cheese, I used 1 cup additional fat free grated sharp cheddar cheese.

This recipe makes 8 servings that are 12PointsPlus each.

Pasta with Sausage and Red Grapes

Pasta with Sausage and Red Grapes
A dish that was sweet and salty!

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 6 oz mild Italian sausage, I used 6 oz of mild turkey Italian sausage.
• I omitted the olive oil and used cooking spray instead.

This recipe makes 4 servings that are 8PointsPlus each.

Healthified Fresh Apple Cake

Healthified Fresh Apple Cake
This is a great fall recipe!

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1 cup of buttermilk, I used 1 cup of fat free milk.
• Instead of 2 eggs, I used 1/2 cup of liquid egg.
• I omitted the walnuts.

This recipe makes 20 servings that are 6PointsPlus each.

Rosemary Chicken with Orange-Maple Glaze

Rosemary Chicken with Orange-Maple Glaze
This was great with brown rice and a side of broccoli.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1/2 cup maple syrup, I used 1/2 cup of light syrup.
• I omitted the butter and olive oil.

This recipe makes 4 servings that are 5PointsPlus each.

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup
This is a thicker soup, so its a great hearty meal.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead f 1 (12 ounce) can or bottle of beer, I used 1 (12 ounce) can or bottle of light beer.

I did not include the chips, cheese or sour cream into the points value, but this recipe makes 8 servings that are 7PointsPlus each.

Spinach Basil Pesto

Spinach Basil Pesto
We love pesto, so this was a healthy version!

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1/2 cup of vegetable oil, I used 1/2 cup of vegetable broth.

This recipe makes 24 servings that are only 1PointPlus each.

Candy Bar Salad

Candy Bar Salad
This was good for a dessert, and kids will love it!

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, I used 1 (8 ounce) container fat free frozen whipped topping.
• Instead of 1 (3.5 ounce) package instant French vanilla pudding, I used 1 (3.5 ounce) package of fat free, sugar free French vanilla pudding.

This recipe makes 8 servings that are 4PointsPlus each.

Spaghetti Carbonara II

Spaghetti Carbonara II
By omitting the oil, you save a lot of calories and fat in this recipe.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1 pound of spaghetti, I used 13 ounces of wheat spaghetti.
• I omitted the olive oil altogether.
• Instead of 8 slices of bacon, I used 8 slices of turkey bacon.
• Instead of 4 eggs, I used 1 cup of liquid egg.
• Instead of 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, I used 1/2 cup of fat free Parmesan cheese.
• Instead of 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese, I used 2 tablespoons of fat free Parmesan cheese.

This recipe makes 8 servings that are 3PointsPlus each.

Cajun Chicken

Cajun Chicken
This is really low in points, so you can make it for a night you want to save points for a dessert or other treat.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 2 cups of vegetable oil, I used 2 cups of chicken broth.

This recipe makes 10 servings that are 3PointsPlus each.

Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
This was an easy meal and it was ready shortly after I got home from work (since I had to add the dumplings later).

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 2 tablespoons of butter, I used 2 tablespoons of light butter.
• Instead of 2 (10.75 ounce) cans of condensed cream of chicken soup, I used 2 (10.75 ounce) cans of Healthy Choice condensed cream of chicken soup.
• Instead of 2 (10 ounce) packages of refrigerated biscuit dough, I used 2 (10 ounce) packages of reduced fat refrigerated biscuit dough.

This recipe makes 8 servings that are 6PointsPlus each.

Lasagna Toss

Lasagna Toss
An easy dinner for a busy day!

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 2 cups of uncooked penne pasta, I used 2 cups of uncooked wheat penne pasta
• Instead of 1 pound ground Italian sausage, I used 1 pound ground turkey Italian sausage
• Instead of 1 cup of cottage cheese, I used 1 cup of fat free cottage cheese.
• Instead of 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, I used 2 cups of reduced fat mozzarella cheese.

This recipe makes 8 servings that are 9PointsPlus each.

Cajun Macaroni

Cajun Macaroni
A spicy twist on an old favorite!

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1/2 pound of ground beef, I used 1/2 pound of ground turkey.
• Instead of 2 tablespoons of milk, I used 2 tablespoons of fat free milk
• Instead of 1 tablespoon of butter, I used 1 tablespoon of light butter.

This recipe makes 4 servings that are 9PointsPlus each.

Hamburger Soup

Hamburger Soup
Perfect for the chilly weather!

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, I used 1 1/2 pounds of ground turkey.
• Instead of 1/4 cup stick margarine, I used 1/4 cup stick light butter.

This recipe makes 10 servings that are 4PointsPlus each.

Pumpkin Dip

Pumpkin Dip
Just in time for the holidays... a great party dish!

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1 (8 ounce) package of cream cheese, I used 1 (8 ounce) package of reduced fat cream cheese.

This recipe makes 32 servings that are 2PointsPlus each.

Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Bread
This is great for the holidays!

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 2/3 cup of vegetable oil, I used 2/3 cup of unsweetened apple sauce.
• Instead of 4 eggs, I used 1 cup of liquid egg.
• I omitted the nuts and raisins.

This recipe makes 24 servings that are 3PointsPlus each.

Potato Chip Cookies

Potato Chip Cookies
These are a nice salty-sweet treat.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1 cup of butter, I used 1 cup of light butter.
• Instead of 3/4 cup crushed potato chips, I used 3/4 cup of baked potato chips.

This recipe makes 30 cookies that are 3PointsPlus each.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Squares

Pumpkin Cheesecake Squares
These are good, but the point values are still on the higher side, so I would only make this as a special treat.


The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 3 (8 ounce) packages of cream cheese, I used 3 (8 ounce) packages of reduced fat cream cheese.
• Instead of 3 eggs, I used 3/4 cups of liquid eggs.

This recipe makes 18 servings that are 8PointsPlus each.

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies
'Tis the season for cookies, so I have been experimenting with a lot of different recipes.

The recipe swaps:

• Instead of 1/2 cup of shortening, I used 1/2 cup of applesauce.
• Instead of 1 cup of peanut butter, I used 1 cup of reduced fat peanut butter
• Instead of 2 eggs, I used 1/2 cup of liquid eggs.

This recipe makes 48 cookies that are 3PointsPlus each.

Crazy Chicken Marinade Grilled Chicken

Crazy Chicken Marinade Grilled Chicken
This was another easy recipe that uses mainly spices that you find around the house.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 2 tablespoons of olive oil, I used 2 tablespoons of chicken broth.

This recipe creates 4 servings that are 4 PointsPlus per serving if you are following Weight Watchers.

Shredded Beef Chimichangas

Shredded Beef Chimichangas
Even though the recipe title calls for beef, I used chicken, and they came out just as good!

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 2 pounds of boneless beef chuck roast, I used 2 pounds of boneless chicken.
• Instead of 1.5 cups of beef broth, I used 1.5 cups of fat free chicken broth.
• Instead of 4 (8 inch) flour tortillas, I used 4 low-carb tortillas.
• Instead of 3 tablespoons of butter, I used butter spray.
• Instead of 1/2 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese, I used 1/2 cup of reduced fat Mexican cheese.
• Instead of 1/2 cup of sour cream, I used 1/2 cup of fat free sour cream.

This recipe creates four servings, which are 11 PointsPlus if you are following Weight Watchers.

Double Decker Tacos

Double Decker Tacos
I love tacos, so this was a great twist.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1 pound of ground beef, I used 1 pound of ground turkey.
• Instead of 1 (16 ounce) can of refried beans, I used 1 (16 ounce) can of fat free refried beans.
• Instead of 1 tablespoon of sour cream, I used 1 tablespoon of fat free sour cream.
• Instead of 12 (7 inch) flour tortillas, I used 12 low-carb tortillas.
• Instead of 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, I used 2 cups of reduced fat shredded Cheddar cheese.
• Instead of 1/2 cup of sour cream, I used 1/2 cup of fat free sour cream.

This recipe makes 12 tacos. If you are following Weight Watchers, each taco is 8 PointsPlus.

Cinnamon Bread Delight

Cinnamon Bread Delight
This was a great bread to have for breakfast.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1 (5.1 ounce) package of instant vanilla pudding mix, I used 1 package of fat free/sugar free instant vanilla pudding mix.
• Instead of 1.5 cups of milk, I used 1.5 cups of fat free milk.
• I omitted the 1/2 cup of vegetable oil.
• Instead of 1/2 cup of applesauce, I used 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce.
• Instead of 2 eggs, I used 1/2 cup of liquid egg.
• Instead of 2 tablespoons of cinnamon sugar, I used 2 tablespoons of cinnamon mixed with Splenda.

If you cut the bread into 24 servings, then each piece of bread is 4 PointsPlus for Weight Watchers.

Cajun Pasta Fresca

Cajun Pasta Fresca
This was an easy last-minute meal to make. It's meat-free, but it would also taste good with some chicken.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1 pound of vermicelli pasta, I used 1 box of wheat pasta.
• I omitted the olive oil.
• Instead of 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, I used 1/2 cup reduced fat shredded mozzarella cheese.
• Instead of 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, I used 1/2 cup of fat free grated Parmesan cheese.

To make it easier, I also used a can of chopped tomatoes instead of chopping plum tomatoes. For 8 servings, this recipe is 5 PointsPlus per serving for Weight Watchers.

Simple Taco Soup

Simple Taco Soup
Although the point value is slightly higher for six servings, this soup is delicious.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 2 pounds of ground beef, I used 2 pounds of ground turkey.

Instead of using a Dutch oven, I cooked this soup in the crockpot, which made it easy to make the night before and serve after work. If you serve this in six servings, then it is 13 PointsPlus for Weight Watchers. However, if you break it down to eight servings, then it is 10 PointsPlus per serving.

Quick and Easy Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Quick and Easy Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Casserole
This wasn't quite as easy as the title suggests, but it was still pretty good.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1 (16 ounce) package shredded Monterey Jack cheese, I used 1 (16 ounce) package of reduced fat Mexican cheese.
• Instead of 1 (8 ounce) container of reduced fat sour cream, I used 1 (8 ounce) container of fat free sour cream.

I also didn't char the corn tortillas on the gas stove, but instead toasted them in the toaster oven. If you are following Weight Watchers, this recipe makes 8 servings that are 9 PointsPlus each.

Grilled Chicken with Rosemary and Bacon

Grilled Chicken with Rosemary and Bacon
This was an easy main dish to make for a busy night, with minimal ingredients and only one swap.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 4 thick slices of bacon, I used 4 slices of turkey bacon.

Each piece of chicken is four PointsPlus if you are following Weight Watchers.

Banana Cupcakes

Banana Cupcakes
I made these, and my husband could not stop eating them! I didn't even frost most of them before they were gone.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1/2 cup shortening, I used 1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce.
• Instead of 2 eggs, I used 1/2 cup of liquid egg.
• Instead of 1/4 cup of buttermilk, I used 1/4 cup of fat free milk.

I actually didn't make the frosting in this recipe, and used store-bought frosting instead (on the ones that I actually frosted), so I am not sure what the point value is for the cupcakes with frosting, but if you make 18 cupcakes, they are four PointsPlus per cupcake.

Surprisingly Simple Spring Perfection Pesto Pasta

Surprisingly Simple Spring Perfection Pesto Pasta
While this recipe is already pretty healthy, I did make a few small changes to lower the fat content a little bit (and lower the Points value by 2). It was a great summer dish!

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1/3 cup of canola oil, I used 1/3 cup of vegetable broth.
• Instead of 3/4 cup low fat grated Parmesan cheese, I used 3/4 cup fat free grated Parmesan cheese.
• I omitted the olives (this is more for personal preference).

If you divide the dish into 8 servings, it is 8Points Plus per serving.

Monster Cookies

Monster Cookies
My youngest sister always loves to get Monster Cookies at a local coffee shop, so I figured I would attempt to make some on my own. Since you can really put whatever you choose into them, they can be made healthier or more unhealthy with the fillings. I chose to follow the basic recipe, with a few small swaps, and I also made smaller cookies. Instead of 36 cookies, I made 60.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 2 sticks of butter, I used 2 sticks of light butter.
• Instead of 2 whole large eggs, I used 1/2 cup of liquid egg.
• I omitted the pecans.

If you are following Weight Watchers, 36 cookies equal 5Points Plus per cookie; 60 cookies equal 3Points Plus per cookie.

Bacon-wrapped Coca-Cola Chicken Breasts

Bacon-wrapped Coca-Cola Chicken Breasts
I made this for dinner the other night, and my husband went back for thirds! You have to marinate it overnight, but it is otherwise a fairly simple meal to make. I also don't own a smoker, but it came out fine after baking in the oven at 325 degrees.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 4 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts, I used 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts and cut each in half.
• Instead of 1 12-ounce can Coca-Cola, I used 1 12-ounce can of Diet Coke.
• Instead of 8 thin slices smoked bacon, I used 12 thin slices of turkey bacon (since I had 6 pieces of chicken now).
• I couldn't find Jack's Old South Huney Muney Cluck Rub, so I used McCormick Grill Mates Applewood Rub. I only used what it took to cover all six pieces of chicken, which was maybe 1/4 cup, not 2 cups.

If you are following Weight Watchers, each piece of chicken is 5Points Plus.

Haystacks IV

Haystacks IV
These were really simple to make for a snack or dessert. They are also only 2Points Plus each, so they are great if you only have a few points left to use for the day.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1 cup peanut butter, I used 1 cup reduced fat peanut butter.

Cousin Cosmo's Greek Chicken

Cousin Cosmo's Greek Chicken
This was a fairly quick and easy dinner to make, and served over brown rice, it worked out great!

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1/4 pound feta cheese, I used 1/4 pound of fat free feta cheese.
• I omitted the olive oil and used cooking spray to coat the pan instead.

If you are following Weight Watchers, each serving is 4Points Plus. If you don't omit the olive oil, each serving is 6Points Plus.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie
This decadent dessert is not for the everyday snack, but more for special occasions. Even with the healthier swaps, it still rings in at 12Points Plus per serving, but it is worth every bite!

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of making the crust, I used a store-bought chocolate crust.
• Instead of 1 cup of creamy peanut butter, I used 1 cup of reduced fat creamy peanut butter.
• Instead of 1 package (8 ounce) softened cream cheese, I used 1 package (8 ounce) of fat free cream cheese.
• Instead of 1 package (8 ounce) Cool Whip, I used 1 package (8 ounce) of Cool Whip Free.

Cowboy Casserole

Cowboy Casserole
This hearty dish clocks in at 12Points Plus per serving, so it's not a light meal, but it's still pretty tasty.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1/2 pound of bacon, I used 1/2 pound of turkey bacon.
• Instead of 1 pound of ground beef, I used 1 pound of ground turkey.
• Instead of 2 (15 ounce) cans of baked beans with pork, I used 2 (15 ounce) cans of vegetarian baked beans.
• Instead of 1 (7.5 ounce) package of refrigerated biscuit dough, I used 1 (7.5 ounce) package of reduced-fat refrigerated biscuit dough.

As a side note, I would recommend pre-cooking the biscuits. On my stove, they took a while to cook on top of the casserole which resulted in some of the casserole burning in the pan. 

Loaded Potato Salad

Just in time for all of those summer BBQ's, a twist on potato salad! This recipe was taken out of an old Weight Watchers cookbook, with a few slight adjustments.

Loaded Potato Salad

PointsPlus Value: 3

Servings: 8 (serving size about 1/3 cup)

Ingredients:

• 3 medium-sized baking potatoes
• 1/3 cup fat free sour cream
• 1/3 cup fat free plain yogurt
• 3 tablespoons fat free mayonnaise
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 5 precooked turkey bacon slices
• ½ cup shredded 2% reduced fat sharp Cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup sliced green onions

Instructions:

1. Cook potatoes in boiling water in a large sauce pan 30 minutes or just until tender; drain. Cool to touch (about 15 minutes), and cut into 1-inch cubes.
2. While potatoes cool, combine sour cream, yogurt, mayonnaise, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
3. Cook bacon in microwave according to package directions for crisp. Cool and crumble.
4. Combine potato cubes, cheese, and green onions in a large bowl. Stir sour cream mixture into potato mixture, tossing gently to coat. Sprinkle with bacon. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

Cowboy Oatmeal Cookies

Cowboy Oatmeal Cookies
I took some of the notes from people who had already made these cookies, as well as swapping some of the ingredients. I will note them below.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1/2 cup of margarine, I used 1/2 cup of light butter.
• Instead of 1/2 cup of vegetable oil, I used 1/2 cup of applesauce.
• Instead of 2 eggs, I used 1/2 cup of liquid egg.
• I added one cup of quick cooking oats to the recipe, making the total 3 cups.
• I also added one teaspoon of vanilla extract.

If you are following Weight Watchers, this recipe makes 36 cookies that are 4Points Plus each.

Baked Ziti III

Baked Ziti III
This is one of my husband's favorite meals, but until now, I have not found a recipe that compares to the one he gets from his favorite local restaurant. When he tried it, he said he would now pay me the money he would normally pay the restaurant!

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1 (16 ounce) package of dry ziti pasta, I used 1 (16 ounce) package of wheat ziti pasta.
• Instead of one pound of lean ground beef, I used one pound of lean ground turkey.
• Instead of 2 (28 ounce) jars of spaghetti sauce, I used 2 (28 ounce) cans of tomato sauce and seasoned them with a pinch of oregano.
• Instead of 6 ounces of sliced provolone cheese, I used 6 ounces of the reduced fat Italian blend cheese (since I couldn't find reduced fat provolone).
• Instead of 6 ounces of sliced mozzarella cheese, I used 6 ounces of reduced fat mozzarella cheese.
• Instead of 1.5 cups of sour cream, I used 1.5 cups of fat free sour cream.
• Instead of 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, I used 1/2 cup of fat free grated Parmesan cheese.

If you are following Weight Watchers, this makes 8 (large) servings that are 12Points Plus each. If you divide the recipe into 10 servings, the points drop to 10.

Healthified Monkey Bread

Healthified Monkey Bread
This recipe was already "healthified" so I didn't make many changes. It came out really well!

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1/4 cup of sugar, I used 1/4 cup of Splenda.
• I omitted the nuts, but that is because I don't like nuts in my bread.

If you are following Weight Watchers, this recipe makes 16 servings that are 4Points Plus each.

Spicy Pasta With Broccoli

Spicy Pasta With Broccoli
This is from my friend Valerie's blog, and it needed no adjustments! The original recipe was 5Points Plus per serving. Since I usually cook for a group, I added a little bit of pre-cooked chicken, which made it 6Points Plus per serving.

Crockpot Chicken and Corn Chowder

Crockpot Chicken and Corn Chowder
This was a good Sunday evening meal that was quickly thrown together after a busy weekend. I typically like my chowder to be a little bit thicker than this one was, but it was pretty good for being on the healthy side.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1 can of cream of chicken soup, I used 1 can of Healthy Choice cream of chicken soup (98% fat free).
• Instead of 1 cup of chicken broth, I used one cup of fat free chicken broth.
• Instead of 1 cup of milk, I used 1 cup of fat free milk.

I wasn't able to find any healthy choice versions of the cream of potato soup, but the soup was still only 6Points Plus for Weight Watchers when divided into four servings.

Country Breakfast Casserole

Country Breakfast Casserole
I made this for a weekend breakfast, and while it tasted OK, if I were to make it again, I would cook it a little bit differently. I will include those notes below.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1 (16 ounce) package of breakfast sausage, I used 1 (16 ounce) package of turkey breakfast sausage.
• Instead of 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, I used 2 cups of fat free cheddar cheese.
• Instead of 6 eggs, I used 1.5 cups of liquid egg.
• Instead of 1/2 cup of milk, I used 1/2 cup of fat free milk.
• Instead of 6 slices of bread and melted butter, I used 1 cup of frozen hashbrown-cut potatoes.

The casserole itself cooks a lot faster than the hashbrowns, so if I were to make it again, I would probably pre-cook the hashbrowns until they were about halfway done. Then I would add them to the top of the casserole and bake it for the remaining 40 minutes.

If you are following Weight Watchers, this makes 8 servings which are each 7Points Plus.

Chicken Fried Chicken

Chicken Fried Chicken
This was an easy Friday night dinner, and the main swap is to bake the chicken instead of frying it. I made it for a few friends, and they loved it!

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 30 saltine crackers, I used 30 wheat saltine crackers. You could also use fat free saltine crackers for the same results.
• Instead of 1 egg, I used 1/4 cup of liquid egg.
• I omitted the vegetable oil.
• Instead of frying the chicken, I baked it in the oven at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes.

If you are following Weight Watchers, each serving is 5Points Plus.

Burrito Pie

Burrito Pie
Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, a great Mexican dish! I made it for my husband, and he ate it up!

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 2 pounds of ground beef, I used 2 pounds of ground turkey.
• Instead of 2 cans of refried beans, I used 2 cans of fat free refried beans.
• Instead of 12 flour tortillas, I used 4 low-carb wraps (roughly 50 calories each).
• Instead of 9 ounces of shredded Colby cheese, I used 8 ouces of reduced fat Mexican cheese.
• I also omitted the black olives, but that is only because I don't like olives.

If you are following Weight Watchers, this recipe makes 16 servings that are 6Points Plus each. If you cut it into 12 pieces instead, they are only 7PointsPlus.

Broccoli Noodles and Cheese Casserole

Broccoli Noodles and Cheese Casserole
This is a really simple recipe, but I think it could definitely use a little more flavor. If I were to make it again, I would add some Italian spice and maybe some garlic salt. That being said, it's still a decent dinner.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 2 cups of cottage cheese, I used two cups of fat free cottage cheese.
• Instead of 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, I used 2 cups of fat free shredded cheddar cheese.

If you are following Weight Watchers, this recipe makes 8 servings that are 7Points Plus each.

Healthified Ham and Potato Casserole

Healthified Ham and Potato Casserole
We had tons of leftover ham from Easter, so this was a great use for it. It's already "healthified", but I made a few more small changes.

The ingredient swaps:

• I omitted the 1 teaspoon of olive or canola oil and used cooking spray instead.
• I used fat free mayonnaise, not reduced fat mayonnaise.
• Instead of 1 cup of shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese, I used 1 cup of fat free shredded cheddar cheese.

If you are following Weight Watchers, this recipe makes 6 servings that are 6Points Plus each.

7-Layer Mexican Dip

I created this dip by combining a few different recipes. It has always been a big hit at parties!

7-Layer Mexican Dip
First Layer:

•  2 cups fat free ricotta cheese
•  1 cup fat free sour cream
•  1 can (4oz) green chilies
•  2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

1.  Mix the ingredients together with a hand mixer and spread over the bottom of a 9x13 glass pan.

 Second Layer:

•  1 pound ground turkey
• 1 packet taco seasoning

1. Follow directions on taco packet to prepare the meat and then spread over the layer of ricotta mixture.

Other Layers:
 In no particular order, layer the rest of the ingredients on top:

• Corn
• Black Beans
• Salsa
• Guacamole
• Mexican Shredded Cheese (reduced fat)

1. Sprinkle more Mexican cheese on the top of the dip and bake in the oven at 350 until cheese is melted and bubbles on top. Cool for about 5-10 minutes then serve with tortilla chips.

If you are following Weight Watchers, 12 servings of this dip are 5Points Plus each; 20 servings are 3Points Plus each.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Buffalo Chicken Dip
When I made this dip, I used fat free products, however, for someone who is not used to eating fat free products, reduced fat versions may work better.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 2 (8 ounce) packages of cream cheese, I used 2 (8 ounce) packages of fat free cream cheese (could also use reduced fat cream cheese).
• Instead of 1 cup of ranch dressing, I used 1 cup of fat free ranch dressing (again you could also use reduced fat ranch dressing).
• Instead of 1.5 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, I used 1.5 cups of fat free cheddar cheese (could also used reduced fat).

If you are following Weight Watchers, I have calculated the values in several scenarios. Using the fat free products, 12 servings would be 3Points Plus each; 20 servings would be 2Points Plus. Using the reduced fat products, 12 servings would be 6Points Plus each; 20 servings would be 4Points Plus each.

Annie's Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon Chips

Annie's Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon Chips
I made this dish for a Superbowl party as something different. It came out pretty well, and I was able to use the leftover chips as a healthy snack for a few days afterward.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 3 tablespoons fruit preserves, I used 3 tablespoons of sugar free jelly.
• Instead of 10 (10 inch) flour tortillas, I used 10 low-carb tortillas.
• Instead of 2 cups of cinnamon sugar, I used a blend I had made of 1 cup cinnamon and 1 cup of Splenda.

If you are following Weight Watchers, this recipe makes 10 servings that are 4Points Plus each.

Easy Pumpkin Muffins

These muffins are so easy to make and require only two ingredients:

• 1 (18.25 ounce) box of spice cake mix
• 1 (15 ounce) can of pumpkin

1. Combine the two ingredients in a food processor, then put batter into lined or greased muffin tins. Bake according to spice cake package directions.

If you are following Weight Watchers, 24 mini muffins are worth 2Points Plus each. 12 larger muffins are worth 5Points Plus each.

Memphis Pancakes

I developed this recipe after eating some delicious pancakes at a restaurant one morning, except I am sure my version was a lot healthier!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of Bisquick Heart Smart baking mix
• 1.25 cups of fat free milk
• 1/4 cup of liquid egg
• 3 large bananas
• 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup peanut butter chocolate chips

1. Mix bananas and milk in a food processor or blender until the bananas are fully liquefied. 
2. Add Bisquick and liquid egg and mix until the batter is smooth.
3. Stir in the chocolate and peanut butter chips.
4. Using a skillet or grill, drop the 1/4 cup of batter per pancake.

This recipe makes roughly 19 pancakes that are 3Points Plus each.

Easy Cardamom Bread

Easy Cardamom Bread
I made this bread for Easter dinner, and it was great! I didn't use walnuts or raisins in my version, and I also could not find pearl sugar. Regular white sugar did the trick.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1 cup of warm whole milk, I used 1 cup of warm fat free milk. Worth noting: I use the fat free milk that tastes like whole milk, so I am not sure if this makes a difference.
• Instead of 2 tablespoons of melted butter, I used 2 tablespoons of melted light butter.
• Instead of 1/2 cup of melted butter, I used butter spray.
• Instead of 1 egg, I used 1/4 cup of liquid egg.

If you are following Weight Watchers, each slice is 4Points Plus if you cut the bread into 20 slices.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
I got these from a friend's blog, and they are delicious! I only made a few small ingredient swaps... my friends and family ate them up!

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1/2 cup of olive oil, I used 1/2 cup of light butter.
• Instead of 1 egg, I used 1/4 cup of liquid egg.

When I baked these cookies, the batter made roughly 32 cookies. Based on that number, each cookie is 2Points Plus. If you only make 24 cookies, however, each cookie becomes 3Points Plus.

Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies
This recipe is a little indulgent, even with the ingredient swaps. After seeing a few friends posts with pictures of this treat, however, I had to give it a whirl.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 2 sticks of butter, I used 1 cup of light butter.
• Instead of 2 large eggs, I used 1/2 cup of liquid egg.
• Instead of 1 package of Oreo cookies, I used 1 package of reduced fat Oreo cookies.

This recipe makes roughly 24 cookies, which are 8Points Plus each (if you are following Weight Watchers). Like I said, this is not for an everyday dessert... more like a special occasion.

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
These are great around the holidays. I couldn't find creme de menthe baking chips at the grocery store, but a package of Andes did the trick! I cut each mint into four pieces to make smaller "chips".

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1/2 cup of butter or margarine, I used 1/2 cup of light butter.
• Instead of 1 egg, I used 1/4 cup of liquid egg.

If you are following Weight Watchers, each cookie is 3Points Plus.

Pizza

Growing up, my mom always made her own pizza dough for our family's pizza night. Once I made it myself and calculated the points, I realized what a healthy alternative this was!

Dough:

• 2 tablespoons of yeast
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 cups warm water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 cups all-purpose flour

1. Put yeast, sugar and warm water into mixing bowl, and let sit for about 10 minutes.
2. Add flour and olive oil, then mix until the dough is smooth.
3. Let the dough rise for about an hour.

For toppings:

• 1.5 cups pizza sauce
• 3 cups part-skim mozzarella cheese
• Additional toppings, like vegetables, turkey pepperoni, etc.

1. Roll out the dough into 3 pizzas. Top each pizza with 1/2 cup of pizza sauce and 1 cup of cheese.
2. Add additional toppings as desired. Bake at 350 until the crust looks slightly browned and the cheese is melted. Cut each pizza into 8 slices.

This makes roughly 24 slices of pizza. With just veggie and cheese toppings, each slice is only 3Points Plus. Additional toppings will affect this value.

Uglies

Uglies
This is another recipe with some very easy swaps. My husband loves anything with BBQ sauce, so it was a big hit.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1 pound of ground beef, I used 1 pound of ground turkey.
• Instead of 1 (10 ounce) package of refrigerated biscuit dough, I used 1 (10 ounce) package of reduced fat refrigerated biscuit dough.
• Instead of 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, I used 2 cups of fat free cheddar cheese.

If you are following Weight Watchers, each "ugly" is 6Points Plus.

Slow Cooker Pinto Bean Bonanza

Slow Cooker Pinto Bean Bonanza
The servings for this recipe are surprisingly big, so it is a very filling meal with very few points (for Weight Watchers).

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 2 slices of bacon, I used 2 slices of turkey bacon.
• Instead of 1/2 pound of kielbasa sausage, I used 1/2 pound of turkey kielbasa sausage.

This recipe makes 6 servings that are 6Points Plus each.

Pumpkin Turkey Chili

Pumpkin Turkey Chili
This is a favorite in my house. I throw it in the crockpot for an easy dinner.

The ingredient swaps:

• I omitted the vegetable oil.
• Instead of 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, I use 1/2 cup of reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese (you could also use fat free).
• Instead of 1/2 cup of sour cream, I use 1/2 cup of fat free sour cream.

If you are following Weight Watchers, this recipe makes 6 servings that are 4Points Plus each. Please note, this does not include the cheese or sour cream, as they are optional as a topping.

Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
I found this recipe in the March 2011 issue of Cosmopolitan. It is a Katie Lee recipe.

The Original Recipe:

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 shallot, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 cups grated parmesan cheese
• 3 cups frozen broccoli florets, thawed
• 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cooked and shredded
• 1 cup cracker crumbs

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a saucepan, melt the butter over low heat, and add flour. Cook for about 3 minutes. Add the broth and shallot, and increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, stirring occasionally until the mixture thickens, about 10 minutes. Add the salt, pepper and lemon juice. Remove from heat, and stir in the sour cream and 1/4 cup of the parmesan.
2. Arrange the broccoli in a 2-quart gratin dish, and pour half the sauce over it. Arrange the chicken on top of the broccoli, and pour on remaining sauce. Top with cracker crumbs and remaining cheese. Bake for 20 minutes. Then put the dish under the broiler until the cracker crumbs are golden brown, about 1 minute.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter, I used 3 tablespoons of light butter.
• Instead of 2 cups of chicken broth, I used 2 cups of fat free chicken broth.
• Instead of 1/2 cup of sour cream, I used 1/2 cup of fat free sour cream.
• Instead of 2 cups of grated parmesan cheese, I used 2 cups of fat free parmesan cheese.
• Instead of 1 cup of cracker crumbs, I used 1 cup of reduced fat cracker crumbs.

If you are following Weight Watchers, this recipe makes 8 servings that are 7Points Plus each.

Sour Cream Noodle Bake

Sour Cream Noodle Bake
This was easy to make and another dish my husband loved.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1.25 pounds of ground chuck, I used 1.25 pounds of ground turkey.
• Instead of 1/2 cups of sour cream, I used 1/2 cups of fat free sour cream.
• Instead of 1.25 cups of small curd cottage cheese, I used 1.25 cups of fat free cottage cheese.
• Instead of 1 cup of grated sharp cheddar cheese, I used 1 cup of fat free cottage cheese.

If you are following Weight Watchers, this dish makes 8 servings that are 5Points Plus each.

The Best Lasagna

The Best Lasagna
Lasagna is always a good for a make-ahead meal.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1.5 pounds of ground beef, I used 1.5 pounds of ground turkey.
• Instead of 1 pound of hot breakfast sausage, I used 1 pound of hot turkey breakfast sausage.
• Instead of 3 cups of lowfat cottage cheese, I used 3 cups of fat free cottage cheese.
• Instead of 1 pound of sliced mozzarella cheese, I used 4 cups of fat free mozzarella cheese.
• Instead of 1 (10 ounce) package of lasagna noodles, I used 1 (10 ounce) package of wheat lasagna noodles.
• I omitted the olive oil from the pasta water.

If you are following Weight Watchers, this makes 12 servings that are 8Points Plus each.

Chicken Noodle Casserole

Chicken Noodle Casserole
My husband ate this dish up the first time I made it! I don't like mushrooms, so I doubled up on the cream of chicken soup, but it was still delicious.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup, I used 98% fat free condensed cream of chicken soup. Since I didn't use the cream of mushroom, I used two cans, but you could use a 98% fat free version of cream of mushroom soup as well.
• I omitted the 1/2 cup of butter and used cooking spray instead.

If you are following Weight Watchers, this dish makes 6 servings that are 7Plus Points each.

Pasta with Butternut Parmesan Sauce

Pasta with Butternut Parmesan Sauce
This is a great dish for vegetarians or someone who loves squash (like me)!

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 8 ounces of bow-tie pasta, I used 8 ounces of wheat bow-tie pasta.
• I omitted the 1 tablespoon of olive oil and used cooking spray instead.
• Instead of 1/2 cup of packed, freshly grated parmesan cheese, I used fat free grated parmesan cheese.
• Instead of 1/2 cup of heavy cream, I used 1/4 cup of fat free milk and 1/4 cup of fat free evaporated milk.

To make it easier, I used frozen butternut squash instead of a fresh squash, as it was already cut and peeled.

If you are following Weight Watchers, this recipe makes four servings that are 7Points Plus each.

Cajun Chicken Pasta

Cajun Chicken Pasta
If you like spicy dishes, this one is great!

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1 pound fettuccine, I used 1 pound of wheat pasta.
• I omitted the olive oil and butter and used cooking spray.
• Instead of 1 cup of heavy cream, I used 1/2 cup of fat free evaporated milk and 1/2 a cup of fat free milk.

If you are following Weight Watchers, this recipe makes six servings that are 7Points Plus.

Bow-tie 'Lasagna'

Bow-tie 'Lasagna'
This is almost like a hamburger helper, and it is a quick and easy meal to make.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1 pound ground chuck, I used 1 pound of ground turkey.
• Instead of 3 cups spaghetti sauce, I used 3 cups of light spaghetti sauce.
• Instead of 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese, I used 1/2 cup of fat free mozzarella cheese.
• Instead of 1/2 cups of sour cream, I used 1/2 cups of fat free sour cream.

If you are following Weight Watchers, this makes 6 servings which are 9Points Plus each.

Beverly's Creamy Broccoli Chicken Recipe
This was another very easy recipe that you can throw in the crock-pot and dinner will be ready when you get home. I served it over brown rice, but you could also serve it as a soup.

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 2 cans of cream of broccoli soup, I used two cans of 98% fat free broccoli cheese soup.
• Instead of 1 cup of milk, I used one cup of fat free milk.

With this recipe, I also shredded the chicken and broccoli using a fork after it had been cooking for several hours. This made it easier to eat because I didn't have to use a knife to cut the chicken during dinner, and I was able to eat the leftovers as a soup.

If you are following Weight Watchers, this recipe makes roughly six servings, which are 5PointsPlus each.

Slow Cooker Chicken Stroganoff

Slow Cooker Chicken Stroganoff
This recipe was very easy to make, and the ingredient swaps were minor. I served it with some wheat pasta, and dinner was ready when I got home from work!

The ingredient swaps:

• Instead of 1/8 cup of margarine, I used 1/8 cup of light butter.
• Instead of 1 (8 ounce) package of cream cheese, I used 1 (8 ounce) package of fat free cream cheese.
• Instead of 1 (10.75 ounce) can of condensed cream of chicken soup, I used the 98% fat free condensed cream of chicken soup.

If you are following Weight Watchers, this recipe makes four servings, which are 7PointsPlus each.

Making Healthy Swaps

Light Substitutions
Here is a link to a list of basic ingredients you can substitute in recipes to make them healthier. Most of them are common sense, like using fat free or reduced fat sour cream instead of full fat sour cream. As a rule of thumb, opt for the reduced fat versions of products when cooking because you probably won't even notice much of a difference (if you notice a difference at all). I also try to use cooking spray instead of oil when I am cooking on the stove in place of oil.

You will find that not all of these substitutions will work in every recipe, and that a lot of times, it is trial and error. You also have to keep in mind that, while these recipes are definitely lighter versions, they are not calorie free so you should be mindful of portions.

I am going to share recipes and swaps that I have tried personally and had success with. Please feel free to comment and/or make suggestions of your own. Happy Eating!

Introduction

In the past year I have lost over 50 pounds, through a combination of following the Weight Watchers' plan, and getting an overall better sense of food portions and how to make healthier choices. It wasn't easy at first. Sure, following the plan was easy enough, but I found myself eating the same things over and over again simply because I only had a handful of Weight Watchers recipes that I liked, and quite frankly, I was lazy.

You can only eat the same foods for so long before getting bored and wanting to quit. I had never really been a big cook, but I started looking through websites like allrecipes.com and eatbetteramerica.com for recipes that sounded good. Most of the recipes from Eat Better America were point-friendly (for those of you who aren't familiar with Weight Watchers, all foods are given a points value, and you are given a daily and weekly balance of points to use when selecting foods to eat), but All Recipes were usually calorie and fat-laden. However, as I started looking at the ingredients for each recipe, I started making mental notes of ingredients that I could swap to make the dish more point-friendly, or in a sense, healthier.

Next I started cooking these recipes using the swapped ingredients instead of the ingredients that had been called for. Surprisingly enough, most of them came out pretty good! I started looking for more recipes, and came across sites like Pioneer Woman and Tasty Kitchen. I continued making the recipes with my healthy swaps, and now I have a whole binder full of recipes with my notes on how to make them healthier.

I know from personal experience that weight loss can be a struggle, especially when you feel like you can't eat what you want, but you can (in moderation). On this blog, I am going to share some of the recipes that I have found, along with the swaps I have made, so that other people can enjoy great food in a healthier way. I am also going to share a few of my own recipes that I have created through experimenting.
Hope you enjoy them!