4/17/12 Almond Butter: While it is a good idea to watch the high calories in nut butters (haha, okay, get your laughs out) like almond butter, peanut butter, etc., I did find a delicious almond butter that I'm obsessed with! Go easy on the amount you slather on your English muffin (and keep those whole grain!) but I think you'll really enjoy MaraNatha brand, no stir almond butter. I had it for breakfast this morning . . . YUM! http://www.maranathafoods.com/
4/17/12 Amazing Butternut Squash Recipe: Load up on nutrients like beta-carotene and calcium with super low calorie, high protein and fiber butternut squash! Though this recipe does include butter and sugar, I've found you can drastically reduce the amount it calls for. I cut the butter and sugar in half! Here's a yummy and super easy recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/caramelized-butternut-squash-recipe/index.html
4/17/12 Dairy-less Chocolate Mousse Pie: Don't be fooled by the name, "mousse pie," this is packed with protein and SO rich and smooth! Use semi-sweet chocolates to get the great antioxidants! (I used regular brewed coffee, rather than the liquor.) http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/moo-less-chocolate-pie-recipe/index.html
4/20/12 Costco Chicken Salad Recipe: This Chicken salad is DELICIOUS! I have bought it at Costco, for special occasions only because it is definitely an indulgence, and loved it so much I wanted to figure out how to make it myself. This recipe came pretty darn close, if not exact!
Costco Chicken Salad
Marinade for Chicken: Chicken Salad:
3/4 cup white sugar 4 cups cooked chicken, shredded
1 teaspoon mustard powder 3 celery ribs, diced
1 teaspoon salt 1 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1/3 cup cider vinegar ½ cup chopped pecans, toasted
1 onion, grated, juice reserved 1 ½ cups mayo (I used light.)
1 cup vegetable oil 1/3 cup honey
1 1/2 tablespoons poppy seeds ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ tsp. pepper
Whisk these ingredients together. Whisk together mayo and next 3
Marinade the chicken for 1 hour. Ingredients. Add to chicken mixture.
Bake in the oven and let cool before This is supposed to make 4 servings, but
shredding. it seems like a lot to me!
7/19/12 BACK ON THE HEALTHY EATING TRAIN!
Okay, first of all, I'm ashamed it's been so long since I've added anything to this blog! But, just like the extra pounds I've put on recently, I've got to let that go. Since our summer vacation is over, it's time to stop indulging in anything and everything and get my diet back on track! By diet, I don't mean I'm necessarily dieting, I'm just remember how to snack on healthy, low cal foods and desperately attempting to control my portions . . . easier said than done! Sooooo, here are my most recent favs since revamping my cupboard and fridge . . .
- Cleaned and ready to eat carrots, celery and snow peas with a easy, fat free dip (about 1 1/2 cups ff Greek yogurt mixed with a powdered ranch packet)
- ALL fruit that's in season! Current favs are watermelon, apples, bananas, peaches, blueberries, strawberries, cantaloupe
- Rice cakes! This is something my mom used to give us as snacks when we were little. They totally cover my need for a crunch without being packed with calories. I buy the big ones and enjoy one at a time, so I'm not tempted to keep shoveling them in like I do with the minis. The white cheddar are delish, and I also like the plain ones with a tablespoon of peanut butter!
- Single serving yogurts. I like either Activia or ff Greek with a little honey. Many yogurts are packed with sugar or tons of fake flavorings and sweeteners.
- Cottage cheese and tomatoes!
- Almonds and cranberries, but I'm careful to portion these out or else I'll eat my entire day's worth of fat in one sitting.
- Kale Chips
- Fudgesicles or popsicles for a little treat
- Salad, salad and more salad! Just the other night the Hubs and I discussed how delicious a big old salad can be with steak, chicken or shrimp on top! We load it up with onions, chopped veges, a little feta and a light salad dressing . . . Yum!
- Spaghetti squash, butternut squash, sweet potatoes . . . give me my carb fix in a healthy manner.
- For those carb addicts out there . . . ever tried the Sara Lee Whole Wheat Pitas?!? They are SOOOO yummy and only 90 calories! I either stuff them with turkey and mustard or just eat them plain along side my salad.
That's all for now, but I'll add more as I think of it!
