Zucchini Pizza Boats

Zucchini Pizza Boats

   

Ingredients:

3 large zucchinis

1 c. Pasta sauce

1 c. reduced fat mozzarella

1 tbsp. Fresh Oregano (dried works too)

1 tbsp. Fresh Basil (dried works too)

1/2 c. diced red onion

1/4 c. diced green pepper

Dash of salt

Dash of pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Wash the zucchini and cut in half long ways. Then cut the zucchini in half short ways to create smaller boats. Scoop out the seeds to create a small indent into the top of the zucchini. Slice a small amount off the bottom of the zucchini skin to create a flat laying surface.

Spray the tops of the zucchini with non-stick cooking spray and bake for 10-15 minutes. Remove the zucchini after it feels tender (should not be mushy). Spread sauce, cheese and toppings on each zucchini boat then bake for an additional 10 minutes. The cheese should be melted when removed.

Feel free to change up the toppings you use and create your own pizza. Pesto is a great alternative to the traditional pizza sauce.



Low Carb Waffle

Low Carb Waffle

I got a waffle maker for Christmas and wanted to make something lower carb for days that I don't work out but want a delicious breakfast. This is TOTALLY guilt free. I used the lean shake 25 from GNC as my "flour", almond milk, 1 egg, and peanut butter. 

1 scoop of lean shake 25 vanilla protein

1 tbsp. melted peanut butter

1 egg

1/2 c. almond milk

Mix all together until it resembles a waffle batter. Pour into waffle iron and cook until firm.

For topping:

Mix 1 tbsp. peanut butter and 1/4 c. sugar free syrup in bowl. Microwave for 20 seconds. Pour overtop of waffle and enjoy.

Can also top with fruit of your choice (will no longer be as low carb). Bananas go great with the peanut butter flavor.

Pesto Spaghetti Squash

Pesto Spaghetti Squash

Looking for a low carb alternative to pasta? Also great for a gluten free diet. Try spaghetti squash. 

Set your oven to 375 degrees. While the oven is preheating, slice the spaghetti squash in half (long ways). Scoop out the seeds in the middle (kind of like a pumpkin). Then take a baking dish and put enough water in the pan to cover the bottom. Place the spaghetti squash in the pan and bake for around 30 minutes. 

After 30 minutes take the squash out of the oven. It should be very soft. Take a fork and scrape across the squash. It should form strands that look like spaghetti (pictured above). Scrape until only the skin of squash is left. After the spaghetti squash is scraped out into a separate pan, add remaining ingredients and bake for an additional 20 minutes. The remaining ingredients are 3-4 tbsp. of pesto, 1 tbsp. margarine, 3 tbsp. parmesan cheese, 3 tbsp. olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste.

Ground Turkey Muffins

Ground Turkey Muffins

1 lb. extra lean ground turkey breast

1 egg white

1 whole egg

1/2 c. oats

1/2 c. diced red onion

1 tbsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. red pepper flakes

1/2 tsp. chili powder

1 stalk of celery

Dice the celery and onion into finely chopped pieces. Add to mixture of remaining ingredients. Spray muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. Fill the muffin pan 1/2 way with turkey mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until fully cooked.

Banana Nut Muffins

Banana Nut Muffins

I had some over ripe bananas that needed to be used up so I made some tasty little muffins for everyone to enjoy.

1.5 c oat flour 

2 bananas

1 egg 

1 egg white

1/3 c walnuts 

1/4 c unsweetened applesauce

1/2 tsp baking soda

3/4 c Brown sugar 

1 tsp canola oil 

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

and a dash of cinnamon

Spray muffin pans with nonstick cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Put the oats in a food processor until it resembles a flour consistency. Combine all the wet ingredients (bananas, egg, egg white, applesauce, canola oil, vanilla extract, and brown sugar). Mix with a mixer. Combine all dry ingredients in a separate bowl (oat flour,baking soda, walnuts, cinnamon). Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.

Fill muffin pans half way and bake.

Greek Yogurt Substitutions

Who isn't always looking for easy ways to cut calories throughout the day? Weight loss doesn't have to involve starving yourself. There are plenty of substitutions you can make throughout the day to still enjoy delicious food without making it taste like cardboard.

Plain Greek Yogurt- can be used in place of sour cream in many recipes
They are the same equivalent in cooking (1c.=1c.).

• Spinach and Artichoke Dip
• Buffalo Chicken Dip
• Mixed with Ranch Dressing Powder or Onion Soup Mix to make a veggie dip or dressing
• Topping for sandwiches and tacos
• Topping for an omelett
• Chicken or Tuna Salad
• Smoothies
• Granola Bars
• Mixed with salsa and microwaved
• Mix with flavored protein powder for an extra protein boost
• In a Quiche (in place of sour cream) 
• Eat it as yogurt and sweeten it yourself (save ~15 g sugar)
• Use splenda, fresh fruit, or a sprinkle of regular sugar

Blueberry Greek Yogurt

Serving Size 6 oz.

Calories 140

Fat 0

Sugar 20g

Plain Greek Yogurt

Serving Size 6 oz.

Calories 100

Fat 0

Sugar 7g

Cauliflower Pesto Chicken Pizza

Today I discovered one of the best low-carb alternatives to Pizza - Cauliflower Crust Pesto Chicken Pizza.

This recipe is so simple to make and tastes delicious!!

1 head of cauliflower
1 egg
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 tbsp. oregano (divided)
1 tsp. basil
1 grilled chicken breast
1 tomato
4- 6 oz. pesto
1 c. fat-free mozzarella cheese


First, I rinsed one head of cauliflower and cut the florets into pieces. Next, throw all of the cauliflower into a food processor (may have to do small batches at a time). Once all of the cauliflower is pureed into a "rice-like" texture, place it in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 8 minutes.

While the cauliflower is in the microwave, you can start to cook your chicken for the pizza topping.

When the cauliflower is done in the microwave, place in a towel and soak up the moisture as much as possible. Put the cauliflower back in the bowl and add 1 egg and a couple dashes of salt and pepper. Mix it all together and form the dough into a ball while in the bowl.

Spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray and spread the cauliflower across the pan into a pizza shape (Don't make too thick or won't cook thoroughly). Bake the crust for 10- 15 minutes (should look golden/brown).

 Next spread the pesto across the cauliflower crust, add fat-free mozzarella cheese, oregano, basil, sliced tomato, and grilled chicken.

Bake in oven at 450 degrees for an additional 10-15 minutes (make sure edges are crispy).

Delicious!!!!!