Dandelion Blossom Pakoras

Here is a non sugar, no wheat treat - recipe for my sister Marlene. Enjoy and let me know how it is!

Ideas for Lunches

Here is a list of some great Lunch time ideas:

• whole wheat thin bread (any) turkey, swiss, veggies and chipolte mayo. [sprouts, pepper, lettuce, tomato, or avacado]
• pretzel sticks, edamame, feta, lettuce, baby beets , low cal dressing (pretzel sticks on side)
• low carb tortilla, ham, cheese, veggies [above], sugar snap peas, honey mustard or whatever you like
• cooked whole wheat pasta, canned chicken, veggies.  mix together.  [broccoli, peas, onion,  whatever] mix with a little pasta sauce or light mayo.  Same with Tuna, but use mayo for sure.
• wasa crackers, tuna, veggies
• crackers, cheese string, veggie soup
• yogurt, fruit, toast
• crackers, peanut butter, carrots
• chicken noodle soup, fruit
• celery with cream cheese or peanut butter, fruit, crackers
• egg salad, cut up peppers, celery, pickles, etc...
• pizza on tortilla
• black bean & veggie nachos

* if gluten free then use gluten free products.

Strawberry Un-Sundae

Strawberry Un-Sundae

Slice up several strawberries and place in a bowl.  Drizzle with choc. syrup.  Spray on some whipped topping.  Top with crushed peanuts.  (No ice-cream necessary)
ENJOY!!

Pantry Breakfast Frittata ~

Breakfast Frittata
Cook desired veggies in spray, oil etc.
     I used: asparagus, red pepper, onion, mushroom  & hashbrowns because that's what I had in the fridge.
3 eggs + 3 egg whites
1/2 C cheese of choice( I used 1 tlb of parm. and then some shredded lowfat mexican
Place veggie mix in a pie or quiche pan; pour egg mixture on top, stir in cheese
Bake for about 25 minutes.
(This is a designer recipe by Kathryn J.)

Oven-Fried Onion Rings

I love this alternative to deep fried onion rings.
Ingredients ~
1 sweet onion
1 TB veg. oil
2 TB cornmeal
2TB bread crumbs
1 TB Parmesan cheese
1/8 t paprika
Peel onion; slice into 1/4 inch rings.
Sprinkle with oil and toss to coat.
Mix dry ingredients together, sprinkle over onion rings and toss to coat evenly.

Place on non-stick baking sheet.  Bake at 400 degrees for 20 min. or until lightly browned.

Door To Door Organics

I decided to try this.  You order the size box & type of fruits and veggies.  IT's delivered right to your door.  I have never seen more beautiful produce.  It was a great deal.  Your first box is 50% discount- so I tried the medium box.  Wow!  I am going to switch to the Bitty box.  There is so much.  The pic is on FB. 
Stay tuned for new recipes................

Chicken Pot Pie

Publix Grocery in Florida always has nice recipes. This year I picked up a magazine that had some great lowfat/healthy switches. This is the one that I am trying tonight.

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Salt -And-Pepper Shrimp with Snow Peas

1/4 pd shrimp/per person
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 tsp five-spice powder or cinnamon
1/2 tsp fresh grated ginger
2 scallions - sliced on angle
1 Cup snow peas

Toss shrimp ina bowl with the salt, pepper, and five spice powder.  Heat skillet or wok.  Add oil, then ginger for 30 seconds.  Add shrimp, scallions and snow peas.  Cook, stirring constantly until shrimp oaque: 3-5 minutes.
I served over homemade fried rice.  It was very tasty!

Key Lime Pie

I love Key Lime Pie!  I only eat it in FLORIDA.  I have managed so far to ingest only one single peice.

A New Snack

Whilst looking for portable delectable for the mini fridge and (1) cupboard at the hotel, I came upon this snack @ Publix Grocery.  It's pretty tasty.  For 1/4 cup:
150 calories. 8 fat grams, 40 mg sodium, 140 mg potassium, 18g carbs, 5 grams fiber, 4 grams protein.  I don't usually eat the whole 1/4 cup.
For the rest of our dining experiences we purchased:
chips and salsa and queso
fruit & dip
lunch meat/
Greek yogurt
cheese and crackers
bag salad: Cesar & strawberry with some pre-cooked chicken to put in

Just Getting By

I haven't really been making anything creative this week.  I'm kind of just trying to get by and use up most of the food already in the fridge.  Leaving on Friday.  Now, then we will get in to some REAL creativity.  I think we only have a fridge and microwave.  Going to have to get thinking about what I can do with that.  Salads, Nachos.....
Any ideas?  Write back.

Stir Fry With Sweet & Spicy Tuna

I picked up a pouch of StarKist Sweet & Spicy Tuna.  I've had it in the cupboard a while.  I looked at the back of the packet the other day and saw a recipe that looked worth trying.  So, I am doing just that tonight.

Sassier Stir-Fry

2 pouches Sweet & Spicy Tuna

2 Tbs. toasted sesame oil

2 cups zuchini, cut in 1/2 moons

1 red bell pepper sliced

1 cup matchstick carrots

1 clove garlic; chopped

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 TB. cornstarch

heat oil.  stir in veggies & garlic for 3 to 4 minutes.  Mix soy sauce w/ 1 cup water.  add cornstarch and stir to dissolve.  add to veggies.  cook 1 to 2 minutes; until thickened.  Add tuna - heat through another 1 - 2 minutes.  Serve over rice or similar.

I think I'm going to make some whole wheat muffins or WW blueberry muffins to go with!

Egg White Bites

I saw this recipe in my newest, latest, greatest edition of The Biggest Loser Cookbook.  I decided to try it.  I am eating it right now.  Oh, it is very yummy.  This will be one of my new favorites.
Egg White Bites ~

• saute one cup of veggies of choice in a pan. (spray bottom)
• I used: canned mushrooms, zucchini, carrot, onion, red bell pepper, asparagus
• put equal amounts of cooked veggies in each cup of a muffin pan (sprayed)
• pour egg whites on top of veggies.
• season.  I used my favorite spice: MIRACLE BLEND
• Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of each.
• Bake for 10 min. @ 350 degrees

One serving is supposed to be 3 bites.  I don't know if I made them bigger or what, but I can only manage 2.  With a sliced orange.
You are supposed to eat 3 bites, 2 or 3 sausage, 1/2 cup fruit and cup of milk.  Ok, well I can't eat all that for breakfast.  Especially in my meds induced illness.

Grouper Sandwich

Tonight's fare:
Grouper Sandwich

lightly   coat in milk, eggwhite, then Panko bread crumbs/parm cheese - sear in a pan - spray pan with cooking spray (add spices of choice)
Use bread thins for the bun
serve with: (in the sandwich)  lettuce,  coleslaw mix, avocado
I add a few dots of hot sauce

Dig In!

Nothing Today

I am sick again.

More Protein & New Recipe

I saw an infomercial on tv this morning about eating less "quick" carbs and more complex carbs along with  protein.  Example, for breakfast it's not good to just eat a bowl of cereal or multigrain waffle.  You have to include fruit, and a lean protein, milk or yogurt.  I'm bad at doing that.  I know I also need to add more fruits and vegetables to my daily menu.  Yesterday I downloaded the newest "Biggest Loser" book to my NOOK.  I noticed that in their menu they also have included more protein at breakfast.

New Recipe ~  Egg White Bites
1 cup  chopped veggies: onion, mushroom, zucchini, asparagus, peppers, etc
9 egg whites or 1 and 1/4 egg white or egg subst.
seasoning
1/4 cup lowfat shred cheese
spray muffin pan with non stick spray
cook the veggies briefly in a skillet until desired doneness
put a small amount of veggies in bottom of muffin pan
pour egg mixture on top
season
sprinkle each with cheese
Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes
Serve with glass of milk and lean protein serving & fruit

New Attempt - Old Idea

I decided to try and dedicate a blog to healthful eating.   It will be mostly about cooking.  I love new recipes and trying to find new ways to cook healthy.  I do subscribe to a few cooking/recipe blogs.  Meal planning and creative cooking takes a lot of time, don't kid yourself.  But it is well worth it.  I'm thinking that I need to incorporate more fruits into my dinner meals.  I'm hoping that will cut out the night time urge to snack.  My sister on her blog, "A spoonful of sugar" has alot of creative "fruit" desserts.  Additional challenge, I'm trying to cook foods that Peyton can eat right along with us.
Today's recipe:  = BBQ Chicken Pizza
use whole wheat crust
Go easy on the bbq sauce, touch up with a little apple butter
use fat free or low fat mozzerella
sprinkle with a little parm. cheese
add slices of red onion
use 'skin off' grilled chicken breast