Too Much Weekend..

Ah, Monday.  I wasn't on my best behavior this weekend, that's for sure!  Friday night we went to St. Paul's Fish Fry and I ate.. well, fried fish.  Saturday lunch wasn't too terrible, a little Babbaganoush and a mixed green and strawberry salad.  Dinner was my biggest fail, my cousin stayed with us that night and we went and had an Italian feast.. way too much cheese!
I've noticed that I have a problem finding a balance between dieting and entertaining.  Parties, holidays, any general celebrations really have always been focused on the food/drink.  It doesn't help that I love to cook and my favorite foods to cook are 'party foods' so there is a strong relationship there for me.  Definitely something I need to work on!  Last night we had a cookout at mom's, I did MUCH better there.. and I have a yummy dessert recipe to share :)
Strawberry Tiramisu Trifle:
1- 3.4oz box of Fat Free and Sugar Free Instant Vanilla Pudding
1- 8oz Tubs Fat Free and Sugar Free Whipped Topping
1 1/4c Cold Skim Milk
6tbs Strong Coffee
1- 8oz Block Low Fat/Fat Free Cream Cheese
1 Quart Strawberries
Bar of good Bittersweet Chocolate
1pkg Lady Fingers, separated in 1/2

(I used the Cuisinart to make this, much easier to multi-task!)
Put pudding powder and milk into mixing bowl and whisk for 2 minutes.  Slice all but 3 strawberries and set aside in bowl.
Cream cream cheese until soft/smooth.  Slowly incorporate 2 tbs coffee
Mix pudding into cream cheese/coffee mixture.
Fold-in 1 tub whipped topping
In Trifle Bowl:
Brush remaining coffee onto lady fingers.
Put a layer of coffee-brushed lady fingers onto bottom of Trifle Bowl
Put a layer of sliced strawberries on top of lady fingers
Grate chocolate over strawberries
Put a layer of the pudding mixture over chocolate.
Repeat this layer.
Put a layer of whipped topping over final pudding layer, grate a bit of chocolate for garnish, slice reserved 3 strawberries for garnish and chill in refrigerator for 1 hour before serving.

It was really yummy and won't make you feel terribly guilty after eating! :)

Other than this dessert, I had Grilled Chicken Kabobs (one of my FAVORITE grill meals!) - Marinated chicken, green bell pepper, red onions (all in cut into chunks) and cherry tomatoes layered on a skewer and grilled; fresh fruit, a deviled egg, a little German potato salad... and a glass of Pino Grigio over ice w/ raspberry lemonade. (don't judge me, it was delicious :) )

Miss Nora has had a cold for the past few days and last night she was awake for most of the night coughing/crying so mommy was awake for most of the night patting her back/adjusting her sleeping position/consoling.  I didn't make it to the gym this morning but I plan to kick ass for the rest of the week! 

Food Today:
Breakfast
Small Bowl of Raisin Bran w/ Skim Milk
1/2 medium Orange

Snack:
LF Vanilla Yogurt w/ berries and grahams

Lunch:
Left over grilled chicken and veggie (removed from the kabobs :) )

Snack:
Weight Watchers String Cheese
A few natural raw almonds

Dinner:
Turkey Chili - a new recipe from the healthy cook books!  If it's a success, I'll post it tomorrow! 

I am very serious about taking the "before" pictures this week.. although I'm kind of beyond the before stage...

Until tomorrow!