So, I haven't posted in a loooong while..mainly because I slid back into a bit of a depression and when Mama's down, Mama doesn't cook. I'm wondering if it's a chicken and egg thing, though, because a chaotic environment brings me down, and I won't cook in a messy kitchen. My kitchen happens to be in my bedroom since I have the living/dining/kitchen area of a little mother-in-law suite for my bedroom.

In any case, a big decision I have just made has resurrected my little project here. I joined Weight Watchers. So, grabbing take out several days a week isn't going to be happening much here now, and as long as I am cooking, I will be posting. As an added bonus, not only are you going to get budget and family friendly meal ideas, but they will also be healthy. I tried doing that all along, but it certainly wasn't the focus and now, well, it will be.

I have a pal who is going to be doing WW with me, Chrissi. She blogs at www.Tres-Hearts.com and tweets under @tres-hearts. (We're both so consistent, aren't we? lol) We are going to be keeping a blog together, so please check it out: FromNickelsToDimes.blogspot.com

• 4 Boneless Pork Loin Chops
• 1 tsp Poultry Seasoning
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Pepper
• 1 tBsp Extra Light Olive Oil
• 4 Medium Granny Smith Apples
• 1 tsp Packed Brown Sugar
• 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
• 2 tBsp Promise Fat Free Margarine, divided into two equal portions
• 4 cups Cooked Egg Noodles
• 2 tBsp Dried Parsley

1. Combine salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning and sprinkle over chops. (Bring water to a boil for egg noodles and prepare according to the package while completing the following steps if you haven't already cooked them.)
2. Heat oil over medium heat in a large non-stick skillet. Add pork and cook for three to five minutes, or until cooked through. Remove chops from skillet when done and cover to keep warm. (We place ours in the toaster oven under the "Warm" setting to keep them heated.) Drain juices from skillet.
3. Melt 1 tBsp margarine in skillet, keeping heat at medium. Add the apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon and cook for five minutes or until apples are tender, stirring often. While cooking, take prepared egg noodles and toss with remaining margarine and parsley.
4. Serve apple mixture over chops, noodles on the side.>

Nutritional Info
Servings Per Recipe: 4
~Amount Per Serving~
Calories: 459.1
Total Fat: 18.6 g
Cholesterol: 89.4 mg
Sodium: 383.8 mg
Total Carbs: 51.0 g
Dietary Fiber: 5.5 g
Protein: 24.7 g

This one is another modification from my absolute favorite cookbook! I found this book tucked in a Ross store for $5.99 and let me tell you, it. is. GORGEOUS. Every recipe has a full page, full color photo, and there are ideas in the sidebar for sides, as well as a grocery list and nutritional info. If you are a busy mom trying to feed your family nutritous meals on a tight budget, if you buy any cookbook, buy this one. You can find the original recipe on page 34 in Southern Living: Busy Moms Weeknight Favorites: 130 Suppers Your Family Will Love. Everyone in my family went *bonkers* for this meal!

I totally forgot to take anything out for dinner, so tonight's meal is the perfect example of what you can throw together last minute if you just keep a few key pieces in the freezer. I keep the Perfect Portions chicken breasts in the freezer because they thaw under cool running water in less then a half hour, and they cook ridiculously fast in a skillet, and the Green Giant Steamers are quick, easy, require no clean-up, and they are low cal and low fat. I don't really consider this a recipe, by any means, but since I am being realistic about what a real family eats, I am laying it all out there. Plus, it LOOKS like I worked a lot harder than I actually did! *chuckle*

Seasoned Chicken with Roasted Red Potatoes and Green Beans in a Rosemary Butter Sauce
~10 minutes~
~5 servings~

•2.5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
•2 12oz pkgs Green Giant Steamers: Roasted Red Potatoes, Green Beans & Rosemary Butter Sauce
•1 tBsp extra light Olive Oil
•Seasonings You Prefer

1.Cook Green Giant Steamers in microwave according to package directions. While they are cooking, saute chicken in olive oil in a large skillet until cooked through, adding whatever spices you like.

Nutritional Info
Servings Per Recipe: 5
~Amount Per Serving~
Calories: 209.8
Total Fat: 2.5 g
Cholesterol: 68.4 mg
Sodium: 406.7 mg
Total Carbs: 16 g
Dietary Fiber: 2.0 g
Protein: 29.2 g