I love spaghetti and needed a way that i could eat it without the noodles so I tried this recipe I found online.
What you need:
Spaghetti Squash
Favorite Spaghetti sauce
1 tbs butter
cut your spaghetti squash in half and clean out the seeds and any of the stringy stuff from the seeds. Then place face down in a microwave safe container, put about an inch of water in the pan, place in the microwave and cook for 15-30 min.
Shred the squash and place in a stove top pan with butter. Cook and add the spaghetti sauce. Serve and enjoy.
Friday, February 28, 2014
BBQ Chicken Pita Pizza
What you need:
Pita bread
BBQ sauce
mozzarella cheese
red onion
green pepper
chicken
cilantro
So all you have to do is cook your chicken in a little garlic powder then shred or chop up. smooth a tablespoon of BBQ sauce on the bottom of your pita, then layer cheese, chicken, red onion, green pepper and cilantro. then i usually drizzle more BBQ sauce on top. Broil on high for 5-10 min in the oven and eat.
Depending on the cheese, pita, and BBQ sauce you will probably eat about 400 calories from one pita pizza.
Pita bread
BBQ sauce
mozzarella cheese
red onion
green pepper
chicken
cilantro
So all you have to do is cook your chicken in a little garlic powder then shred or chop up. smooth a tablespoon of BBQ sauce on the bottom of your pita, then layer cheese, chicken, red onion, green pepper and cilantro. then i usually drizzle more BBQ sauce on top. Broil on high for 5-10 min in the oven and eat.
Depending on the cheese, pita, and BBQ sauce you will probably eat about 400 calories from one pita pizza.
Taco Bell Chalupa (Healthy Alt.)
My husband did some research to find this for me since i love love taco bell.
What you need:
Ground Turkey
1/4 cup of flour
paprika
salt
whatever spices you like to spice things up (we use taco seasoning, or cayenne pepper)
1/2 cup water
Pita Bread
tomatoes
lettuce
Greek yogurt
Meat prep:
In a bowl mix the ground beef, seasonings, water and flour until it's like a paste. Then cook on stove top, stirring frequently (it should stay like a paste, if it starts to look different its because you are not stirring it enough)
Take your pita bread and brush the outside lightly with olive oil, then broil in your oven until it's softened and the olive oil has soaked in.
Load your pita bread with the meat, cheese, Greek yogurt, lettuce and tomato and enojoy.
Depending on your turkey and pita bread this will be about 380 calories, but it will fill you up with just one!!
What you need:
Ground Turkey
1/4 cup of flour
paprika
salt
whatever spices you like to spice things up (we use taco seasoning, or cayenne pepper)
1/2 cup water
Pita Bread
tomatoes
lettuce
Greek yogurt
Meat prep:
In a bowl mix the ground beef, seasonings, water and flour until it's like a paste. Then cook on stove top, stirring frequently (it should stay like a paste, if it starts to look different its because you are not stirring it enough)
Take your pita bread and brush the outside lightly with olive oil, then broil in your oven until it's softened and the olive oil has soaked in.
Load your pita bread with the meat, cheese, Greek yogurt, lettuce and tomato and enojoy.
Depending on your turkey and pita bread this will be about 380 calories, but it will fill you up with just one!!
Tomato Vegetable Soup
It was raining so of course i was craving some soup, but couldn't decide between tomato or vegetable soup....so i made up one soup that would have both.
What you need:
28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
12 oz can of petite diced tomatoes
16 oz can of chicken broth
16 oz of kidney beans (I've also used chickpea and garbanzo)
1 package of frozen zucchini and yellow squash
1 can of corn
chopped carrots
1/2 sweet yellow onion
Garlic power
Onion Power
Oregano
Pepper
This was super easy because you honestly just dump this in and put it on low for like a 1/2 hour just long enough to make the veggies cooked and soft.
You could really add any veggies that you want, zucchini just sounded fantastic the night i made it.
this recipe is honestly only about 115 calories per cup so it's pretty awesome because it's hearty so it fills you up but you can also eat a ton of it if you desire and not feel guilty.
Jicama and Sweet Potato Fries
So I love french fries but since doing this new way of eating I just don't eat the white potatoes anymore. If you want a way to enjoy this guilty pleasure without too much fuss just follow this recipe and I promise you wont miss those white potatoes.
So you will need:
Either 1 Jicama or 1 Sweet potato
Olive Oil
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Cajun seasoning
All you have to do is peel the vegetable, cut it into fry chunks (skinny,fat, or sliced)
put in a bag or container and pour just enough olive oil to coat and then season to taste. (if you are feeling really dangerous you can also shake in some Parmesan cheese) I love the Cajun because it gives it a kick.
I bake these at 400 for about 15-30 minutes depending on the size that you cut them into.
Sometimes I will dip them in plain Greek yogurt to taste like sour cream.
If you do just the basic above ingredients you are going to be looking at about 160 calories for the full vegetable, but then you would have to add in if you do any of the extras (Greek yogurt and Parmesan cheese)
So you will need:
Either 1 Jicama or 1 Sweet potato
Olive Oil
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Cajun seasoning
All you have to do is peel the vegetable, cut it into fry chunks (skinny,fat, or sliced)
put in a bag or container and pour just enough olive oil to coat and then season to taste. (if you are feeling really dangerous you can also shake in some Parmesan cheese) I love the Cajun because it gives it a kick.
I bake these at 400 for about 15-30 minutes depending on the size that you cut them into.
Sometimes I will dip them in plain Greek yogurt to taste like sour cream.
If you do just the basic above ingredients you are going to be looking at about 160 calories for the full vegetable, but then you would have to add in if you do any of the extras (Greek yogurt and Parmesan cheese)
Friday, January 24, 2014
Chili Lime chicken
I've published this before, but I want any readers that are looking for different chicken to please refer to that recipe, it makes such good chicken and you can use it in so many things.
Bakes Asparagus ( Must read if you dont like asparagus!!!!)
I used to hate asparagus, it was so green and well....asparagus. Well I strongly encourage you to try this sometime, it's now my favorite vegetable.
What you need:
Asparagus
lemon juice
garlic powder
Parmesan cheese
olive oil
Add your asparagus into a bag with lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1/3 cut of Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder to taste. shake the bag and then spread the coated asparagus onto a cooking sheet. bake 350 for 20-30 minutes depending on how done you like it.
What you need:
Asparagus
lemon juice
garlic powder
Parmesan cheese
olive oil
Add your asparagus into a bag with lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1/3 cut of Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder to taste. shake the bag and then spread the coated asparagus onto a cooking sheet. bake 350 for 20-30 minutes depending on how done you like it.
Salads, Salads, Salads
I eat salad pretty much every day, while most people will settle for lettuce and some tomato, i like to spice up my lunches. below are a few of the salads i make for lunches...
Santa Fe salad
4 cups of romaine heart chopped
1 roma tomato
1/2 cucumber chopped
1/3 cup shredded cheese
a little red onion
2 Tablespoons of tortilla strips (i like the lime ones)
I take 1/4 cup cooked chicken, 1/2 cup black beans, and yellow and red pepper into a pan with 2 tablespoons of BBQ sauce and just heat until covered and warm.
When i got to eat i will warm the chicken and beans up in their own container then add them to the top ingredients with 1 Tablespoon coyote ranch dressing. This salad is about 400-500 calories but it's very filling and you wont be hungry again until dinner if you are drinking your water.
Chicken Cordon Blue Salad
4 cups of romaine heart chopped
1 roma tomoato
1/2 cucumber chopped
1/3 cup shredded cheese
a little red onion
1/4 cup chopped chicken
4 slices of ham
1 slice mozzarella cheese
I put all of that together and will usually use an italian or coyote ranch dressing. Same as above this salad is usually about 400 calories
Asia Salad
3 cups of romaine heart chopped
1/2 cup napa cabbage
1/2 cup red cabbage
shredded carrot
chopped chicken breast
green onion
almonds
1 Tablespoon wonton strips
I will eat this with a miso dressing
Olive Garden Salad
4 cups of romaine heart chopped
Roma tomatoes sliced
red onion
Parmesan or mozzarella cheese
a couple olives
Olive garden Italian
* Be creative, if you keep having a similar salad then add something crazy like a little feta cheese, or try a new dressing or create your own dressing. I eat a lot of plain jane salads too but i'll add broccoli or asparagus into it once in a while to keep it interesting.
Santa Fe salad
4 cups of romaine heart chopped
1 roma tomato
1/2 cucumber chopped
1/3 cup shredded cheese
a little red onion
2 Tablespoons of tortilla strips (i like the lime ones)
I take 1/4 cup cooked chicken, 1/2 cup black beans, and yellow and red pepper into a pan with 2 tablespoons of BBQ sauce and just heat until covered and warm.
When i got to eat i will warm the chicken and beans up in their own container then add them to the top ingredients with 1 Tablespoon coyote ranch dressing. This salad is about 400-500 calories but it's very filling and you wont be hungry again until dinner if you are drinking your water.
Chicken Cordon Blue Salad
4 cups of romaine heart chopped
1 roma tomoato
1/2 cucumber chopped
1/3 cup shredded cheese
a little red onion
1/4 cup chopped chicken
4 slices of ham
1 slice mozzarella cheese
I put all of that together and will usually use an italian or coyote ranch dressing. Same as above this salad is usually about 400 calories
Asia Salad
3 cups of romaine heart chopped
1/2 cup napa cabbage
1/2 cup red cabbage
shredded carrot
chopped chicken breast
green onion
almonds
1 Tablespoon wonton strips
I will eat this with a miso dressing
Olive Garden Salad
4 cups of romaine heart chopped
Roma tomatoes sliced
red onion
Parmesan or mozzarella cheese
a couple olives
Olive garden Italian
* Be creative, if you keep having a similar salad then add something crazy like a little feta cheese, or try a new dressing or create your own dressing. I eat a lot of plain jane salads too but i'll add broccoli or asparagus into it once in a while to keep it interesting.
Pita Pizza
What you need:
Pita bread
roasted red pepper hummus
red, green, yellow, orange pepper
1 can black beans
cheddar jack cheese
roma tomatoes
cilantro
seasoned chicken breast
spread hummus on pita bread ( i use one service size), add all of the above ingredients in the quantities that you want. then broil in oven.
* I use this same idea to make different kinds of pizza without hummus.
Pita bread
roasted red pepper hummus
red, green, yellow, orange pepper
1 can black beans
cheddar jack cheese
roma tomatoes
cilantro
seasoned chicken breast
spread hummus on pita bread ( i use one service size), add all of the above ingredients in the quantities that you want. then broil in oven.
* I use this same idea to make different kinds of pizza without hummus.
Minestrone Soup
What you need:
1 qt. chicken broth
2-3 pounds of ground turkey
1 medium onion diced
2 carrots, diced
1 stalks celery sliced
1 qt whole tomatoes (you can use the diced canned ones)
10 oz. package frozen mixed vegetables ( you can use fresh)
1 zucchini sliced
1 cup shredded cabbage
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 clove garlic
1/2 cup vermicelli
1 can garbanzo beans
1 t. oregano
Cook ground turkey, than add all ingredients to crock pot.
1 qt. chicken broth
2-3 pounds of ground turkey
1 medium onion diced
2 carrots, diced
1 stalks celery sliced
1 qt whole tomatoes (you can use the diced canned ones)
10 oz. package frozen mixed vegetables ( you can use fresh)
1 zucchini sliced
1 cup shredded cabbage
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 clove garlic
1/2 cup vermicelli
1 can garbanzo beans
1 t. oregano
Cook ground turkey, than add all ingredients to crock pot.
Southwest White Chili (chicken chili)
What you need:
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts- cubed
1/4 cup onion- chopped
1 cup chicken broth
1- 4 oz can green chilies or green chili salsa
1- 19 oz. can white kidney beans- drained
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 t. cayenne pepper ( if you don't like spicy use chili powder instead)
1 t. cumin
1/2 t. oregano
Brown chicken and onion in olive oil. Add everything else into the crock pot and cook all day.
* you can cook it on the stove if you don't like crock pot cooking.
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts- cubed
1/4 cup onion- chopped
1 cup chicken broth
1- 4 oz can green chilies or green chili salsa
1- 19 oz. can white kidney beans- drained
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 t. cayenne pepper ( if you don't like spicy use chili powder instead)
1 t. cumin
1/2 t. oregano
Brown chicken and onion in olive oil. Add everything else into the crock pot and cook all day.
* you can cook it on the stove if you don't like crock pot cooking.
Asian Beef with snow peas
What you need:
3 Tablespoons soy sauce
2 Tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 Tablespoon minced garlic
1 pound beef round steak cut into strips
8 oz. snow peas
In a small bowl combine the soy sauce, rice wine, brown sugar and cornstarch. set aside
Heat olive oil in a wok or skillet over medium heat. stir-fry garlic and add steak and cook for a couple minutes. add the snow peas and stir-fry for 3 minutes. add the soy sauce mixture, bring to a boil, stirring constantly. lower heat to simmer until the sauce is thick and smooth. serve with brown rice or by itself.
Nutrition facts:
Calories 203
Protein: 16g
Cholesterol: 39 mg
Sodium: 711 mg
Fiber: 1.5 g
* This recipe makes four servings.
3 Tablespoons soy sauce
2 Tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 Tablespoon minced garlic
1 pound beef round steak cut into strips
8 oz. snow peas
In a small bowl combine the soy sauce, rice wine, brown sugar and cornstarch. set aside
Heat olive oil in a wok or skillet over medium heat. stir-fry garlic and add steak and cook for a couple minutes. add the snow peas and stir-fry for 3 minutes. add the soy sauce mixture, bring to a boil, stirring constantly. lower heat to simmer until the sauce is thick and smooth. serve with brown rice or by itself.
Nutrition facts:
Calories 203
Protein: 16g
Cholesterol: 39 mg
Sodium: 711 mg
Fiber: 1.5 g
* This recipe makes four servings.
Greek Style Garlic Chicken Breast
What you need:
4- boneless/skinless chicken breasts
A little extra virgin olive oil
1 lemon juiced
2 teaspoons crushed garlic
1 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/3 teaspoon paprika
cut three slits in each chicken breast to allow marinade to penetrate. In a small bowl whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika for about 30 seconds. Place chicken in a large bowl and add marinade, work marinade into the chicken. cover and leave overnight in the fridge.
4- boneless/skinless chicken breasts
A little extra virgin olive oil
1 lemon juiced
2 teaspoons crushed garlic
1 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/3 teaspoon paprika
cut three slits in each chicken breast to allow marinade to penetrate. In a small bowl whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika for about 30 seconds. Place chicken in a large bowl and add marinade, work marinade into the chicken. cover and leave overnight in the fridge.
Almond Chicken Sal
What you need:
4- green onions thinly sliced
1- large carrot (shredded)
1- red bell pepper (cut into 1/2 inch pieces)
1/2 pound sugar snap peas
2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast meat
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 cup slivered almonds
2 tablespoons sugar substitute
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
1 Tablespoon teriyaki sauce
1 Tablespoon ground dry mustard
In a large bowl mix the onions, carrot, red pepper, peas, chicken, cilantro and almonds. set aside
In a small bowl whisk together the sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, teriyaki sauce, and dry mustard until smooth. Pour over salad mixture and toss until coated. serve in pita pockets or over a bed of lettuce.
4- green onions thinly sliced
1- large carrot (shredded)
1- red bell pepper (cut into 1/2 inch pieces)
1/2 pound sugar snap peas
2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast meat
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 cup slivered almonds
2 tablespoons sugar substitute
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
1 Tablespoon teriyaki sauce
1 Tablespoon ground dry mustard
In a large bowl mix the onions, carrot, red pepper, peas, chicken, cilantro and almonds. set aside
In a small bowl whisk together the sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, teriyaki sauce, and dry mustard until smooth. Pour over salad mixture and toss until coated. serve in pita pockets or over a bed of lettuce.
Biggest Loser Chicken Lettuce Wraps
What you need:
1- 8 oz. can bamboo shoots (drained and minced)
1- 8 oz. can water chestnuts (drained and minced)
3 Tablespoons cooking sherry
2 Tablespoons hoisin sauce
1 Tablespoon reduced fat peanut butter
2 Teaspoons soy sauce
2 packets sugar substitute (I use equal)
1 Tablespoon minced garlic
1 cup minced onion
1/2 pound ground chicken breast
1 Teaspoon sesame oil
1 Head butter leaf (AKA Boston leaf) lettuce
1 whole green onion chopped
In a medium bowl, combine the bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, sherry, hoisin sauce, peanut butter, soy sauce, and sugar substitute. mix well and set aside. ( I just food process everything so it's less work)
In a saucepan over medium heat good garlic and onion until fragrant, add chicken and a pinch of salt. cook and break the chicken into small chunks. and the bamboo shoot mix to the pan with chicken. Stir in the sesame oil. Spoon the chicken mixture into the Boston leaf lettuce.
* I cook brown rice while this is cooking and add that into the lettuce with the chicken mixture and add a little hot sauce to finish it off.
1- 8 oz. can bamboo shoots (drained and minced)
1- 8 oz. can water chestnuts (drained and minced)
3 Tablespoons cooking sherry
2 Tablespoons hoisin sauce
1 Tablespoon reduced fat peanut butter
2 Teaspoons soy sauce
2 packets sugar substitute (I use equal)
1 Tablespoon minced garlic
1 cup minced onion
1/2 pound ground chicken breast
1 Teaspoon sesame oil
1 Head butter leaf (AKA Boston leaf) lettuce
1 whole green onion chopped
In a medium bowl, combine the bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, sherry, hoisin sauce, peanut butter, soy sauce, and sugar substitute. mix well and set aside. ( I just food process everything so it's less work)
In a saucepan over medium heat good garlic and onion until fragrant, add chicken and a pinch of salt. cook and break the chicken into small chunks. and the bamboo shoot mix to the pan with chicken. Stir in the sesame oil. Spoon the chicken mixture into the Boston leaf lettuce.
* I cook brown rice while this is cooking and add that into the lettuce with the chicken mixture and add a little hot sauce to finish it off.
Healthy Start
As many of you know, i am participating in a biggest loser contest. I have lost 8 pounds as of Tuesday and I am getting a lot of people asking me for different recipes. Most of the things i do i just throw together, but I thought i would post a few different recipes, and some food ideas for those of you trying to eat better.
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