Beyond Hamburger Helper

Lately, I have had people asking me for some recipes. How flattering! Thank you anyone that has asked me for a recipe. Of course you can make it for yourself.

First off, my dad is so surprised that I even cook. Or clean. Or whatever. When in junior high and high school, I strictly refused to do anything like that. I cleaned because it was a chore and I didn't want my butt chewed. I cooked because I was hungry, and I remember distinctly that it was always Hamburger Helper. I had hamburger, I needed a meal, and dangit, I NEED HELP!

When I got married, I learned to cook. Then, I had more confidence in cooking from the fine Food Network. I don't know what I'd do with out you Alton Brown, Rachel Ray, and Giada Di Laurentis!  They didn't use fire, weird utensils, and words I couldn't understand. I left feeling like a master... "I can make supper!" Therefore, I was a hero (at least, to my husband).

But, then, I started having kids. Food wasn't in question until Grace was eating table food. Oh my gosh?! What are omega 3, MSG, how many calories are good?, processed cheese..... How do I know if I am sending my child down the wide and easy road of gluttony and malnutrition?!

I joined Weight Watchers. I didn't need pre-fab meals coming to my door, (goodness knows I couldn't afford it anyway!). I wanted to know what to cook, how much to eat, and heck, loose some weight while I'm learning!

The first night my husband and I signed up for Weight Watchers, we had just finished eating a meal of Cheesy Hamburger Helper (see my confidence or preparation time still wasn't there). I am happy to say, February of 2008 was the LAST time I put Hamburger Helper in my mouth. Not that I am against HH, it's just that I couldn't believe that I ate that many POINTS in ONE sitting! AghhhHH!!!!

Anyway, so that I don't continue to bore you with this monologue... Since February 2008 I have lost 45 pounds, and my husband has lost 70. YAY! And I still eat icecream, chocolate (at least once a day) and drink Caribou Coffee whenever I can get close to one. I like to splurge at Buca di Beppo's and eat decadent Cold Stone Creamery Ice Cream (just probably not on the same night!). 

So..... linking to my other blog site. I figured I'd post our families favorite meals, starting with BBQ Black Bean Pizza. 

Whenever we have something new, we rate it. Was it, "Never Again." "Interesting...." "Oh, I'd like to have that again." or "Let's make that a regular."

This one, somehow, makes it on the menu almost every two weeks!