Baked Eggs with Peppers and Zucchini

This is such a great recipe for when you want to impress without working too hard!

This egg bake is delicious and filling!  And just over 200 calories!

You can customize it based on whatever veggies and spices you have around.

Recipe below is for 1 serving, just multiply per scrumptious serving!
Calories per serving: 210   Carbs: 10g     Fat: 14g     Protein: 14g

Ingredients:

1 zucchini, spiraled or julienned, blotted of excess moisture

1 bell pepper, thinly sliced (I used 1/2 red, 1/2 green)

1 tsp olive oil

2 eggs

salt & pepper

Preheat oven to 425.

In a pan, heat olive oil.  Sauté peppers until soft and starting to brown.  Add zucchini and cook another 2-3 minutes, season to taste with salt and pepper.  Remove from heat.

Place veggie mixture in an oven-safe dish.  Create a small well in the middle.  Crack 2 eggs into a ramekin (or another small dish) and make sure there aren't any shells.  Transfer onto veggie mixture.  Bake for about 15-20 minutes, until eggs reach desired doneness.  

I topped mine with hot sauce.  This was fantastic!  Enjoy!

Huevos Rancheros

I will start off by saying I've never had huevos rancheros before, so I don't know how authentic this recipe is.  I can tell you that it's delicious!!!

I often get in a breakfast rut, having yogurt, oatmeal or a shake.  Sometimes I want something different, and this was perfect!

The recipe below is for a single serving, multiply as needed.  Each serving has 247 cals, 24g carbs, 8g fat and 14g protein.

Ingredients
1/4 white onion, diced
2 tomatoes, diced
1-2 tbsp adobo sauce (from canned chipotle peppers in sauce, start with 1 and adjust depending on how much spice you like- I like mine spicy so I added 2 tbsp)
1 tsp salt
Pinch black pepper
1/4 tsp cumin
1 egg
1 corn tortilla (I used a Mission extra thin yellow corn tortilla, one has 40 cals)
2 tbsp reduced fat Mexican blend shredded cheese
olive oil spray

Spray pan and place over medium heat.  Add onions and sauté until softened and beginning to brown.  Add tomatoes, adobo sauce, salt, pepper and cumin.  Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, spray each side of the tortilla with olive oil spray.  Heat a pan over medium heat.  Place tortilla in pan, heat each side until it begins to form bubbles and brown.  Be careful not to burn!  Remove from pan.  

Spray pan , continue to use medium heat, and crack egg in.  I like to cover my pan with foil so that the whites set without overcooking the yolk.  Cook until desired doneness, I like mine yolky!

Plate tortilla, then egg.  Cover with sauce, and sprinkle cheese over top.  Enjoy!

Need a quickie?

Sometimes, you just need a quick, light hunger solution, but don't have time for a meal.

GNC has a weight loss program called Total Lean.  I know almost nothing about the program as a whole, so I cannot evaluate it, but I have discovered their ready to drink shakes.  Here's why I like them!

Taste!
Each flavor I have tried (swiss chocolate, vanilla bean, and strawberries & cream) actually tastes good!  This is the first "diet" shake I have tried that I like drinking.  I haven't tried making them from powder, so I don't know if it tastes the same, but the bottled versions are yummy!

Portion and Nutrition
Each shake is 14 fluid ounces!  That's almost 2 cups!  It takes a while to drink, and it keeps you satisfied since it's a large amount of liquid.  The shakes are lactose free, high in protein, and low in sugar.  They also have 24 vitamins and minerals.

Here is the nutritional breakdown of each shake:
Calories: 170
Total Fat: 6g
Sodium: 330mg (chocolate has 390mg)
Potassium: 310mg (chocolate has 475mg)
Total Carbohydrate: 6g
Dietary Fiber: 3g
Sugars: 2g
Protein: 25g

I tend to grab one for breakfast on days that I don't have time to make something else.  I also pack one in a lunch bag with ice on days when I will be out running around for a long time.  It keeps me from stopping somewhere and getting something else to eat/drink that would be much worse for me!  

I also like it for days when I'm going to the gym, but I'm hungry!  I don't want to eat a meal before the gym, but working out with a grumbling tummy is only going to make things worse!  A shake is the perfect solution for me.  Quick, easy, yummy, and doesn't hang around in the stomach too long to cause discomfort while exercising.  

Quinoa

I've had a love/hate relationship with quinoa.  I would make it, it would be just okay, and then the bag would just sit there forever because I didn't really want to eat it.  Until I found some delicious recipes!

For those of you unfamiliar with quinoa, it's a seed and although it looks and cooks like a grain, it's actually a member of the same family as spinach, swiss chard, and beets!  It has a higher protein count than other "grains."  Quinoa is a good source of calcium, fiber, iron, magnesium and phosphorus.  It's also gluten-free!

Important quinoa cooking information- before you cook with quinoa, make sure to rinse it thoroughly in a fine mesh strainer.  This will remove any residual saponins (part of the natural seed coating that can cause a bitter taste).  In my early quinoa days, I don't think I rinsed the seeds, and that might be part of the reason why I never really developed a love for quinoa.

I have yet to develop my own quinoa recipes, but here are 2 that are sure to win you over!

Skinny Taste Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

This salad is my new summer obsession!!!

It's light and refreshing.  I used regular tomatoes instead of cherry since that's what I had in the house.  Also, NEVER use pre crumbled Feta, or any cheese for that matter.  It looses so much of it's flavor.  It's not hard to buy a block of feta and chop it up yourself, and it will taste a million times better!  A generous cup of this salad only has 145 calories!

Skinny Taste Quinoa and Spinach Patties

These made for a very different breakfast!  I will say that these were heavier than I expected them to be, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.  It means that one fills you up, no need to eat another!  I served mine over baby spinach with a poached egg on top.  

I also sprinkled parmesan cheese on top for a little salty flavor.  

Each patty has 188 calories.

What are your favorite ways to enjoy quinoa?

Bagels and Lox

When I was younger, many Sunday morning would begin with a dozen bagels, cream cheese and lox.  I would eat 2 bagels, loaded with cream cheese.  Delicious!!!!  This would be about 27 Points+, about an entire days worth of an adults food intake.


Obviously, that was one of the habits that landed me where I am today, but I'm learning I can still enjoy my bagel with cream cheese and lox in a more responsible way.  It's not really a recipe, just a controlled ingredient list.  This breakfast will put you back 5 Points+.

I couldn't wait to take a bite!!!

1 Pepperidge Farm Mini Bagel
1 wedge Laughing Cow Light Cream Cheese
1 ounce lox
2 slices tomato, salted
2 slices red onion


Toast bagel if desired.  Top with cream cheese, onion, salted tomato and lox.  Eat.  I also ate the remaining tomato slices and had a few strawberries on the side.


This filled me up, I expected to still be hungry.  Small but satisfying!

French Toast with Mixed Berry Compote

I have breakfast issues.  I usually stick to my greek yogurt or oatmeal.  Sometimes I'll change it up with some eggs and center cut bacon, but that's about it.  Over the weekend, I had a huge craving for french toast after working my butt off at the gym.  I really just wanted to head to the diner, but knew that I would be in for a mega-point breakfast that wouldn't help me out at all.


Luckily, I came up with a delicious recipe for french toast with a mixed berry compote.  I was HUNGRY, so 4 pieces of french toast with all of the compote and 1/4 cup of sugar-free syrup came to a total of 7 Points+ (8 if you count the compote as a point).  And, boy, was it tasty!

Ingredients:
1 cup frozen mixed berries
1 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
1 tsp lemon juice
2 packets Splenda


4 slices light wheat bread
1 egg 
2 egg whites
Dash of cinnamon
Dash of vanilla extract
Dash of Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze


1/4 cup sugar-free syrup (I used Vermont Maid- it's not bad!)


Directions:
Combine berries, vinegar, lemon juice and Splenda in a small sauce pan.  Cook over medium heat until it is simmering.  Reduce heat to low and let simmer and reduce, stirring frequently so that it doesn't burn.


While that is cooking, whisk together eggs and egg whites, cinnamon, vanilla and the almond breeze.  Heat a non-stick pan (use cooking spray if you wish) over medium-high heat.  Dip each slice of bread into the liquid until it's completely covered.  Shake off excess liquid and place in pan, flipping after a few minutes.  I prefer to cook my french toast one slice at a time so that I can get it nice and crispy without burning it, but that's up to you.  Continue to dip and cook all slices.  


Serve french toast with the compote and syrup.  I originally was going to not use the syrup, but the compote wasn't enough to moisten the french toast.  Enjoy!

BLT

I love bacon, as most people do.  It's perfect at any time of the day.  I once thought that I would have to go without bacon if I wanted to lose weight.  WRONG!  Bacon and weight loss can happen at the same time!  It's all about the kind of bacon and the portion.  Mega-greasy heaps of bacon at the diner- not so much.  Crisp center-cut bacon?  Heck yes!  One of my favorite ways to enjoy bacon is in a BLT.  So here's a simple, non-diet killing recipe.  The sandwich only has a Points+ value of 6!  I know BLT's are pretty self-explanatory, but you're getting a recipe anyway!

Ingredients:
4 slices center-cut bacon, cooked crispy
1 Arnold Select 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Thin
1 tbsp light mayo (I really like Hellman's Light- the one with the blue cover)
1/2 tomato, sliced
Iceberg lettuce


Lightly toast the sandwich thin, and spread both halves with mayo.  Layer remaining ingredients in the order you like, I prefer tomato on the bottom, then bacon, then lettuce.  Put together, and eat.  


I had this for breakfast over the weekend, and it was great!  It's very filling and satisfies the need for bacon.  Since I usually have about 6 points for breakfast, this was an even swap for anything else I would have.  If you're having this for lunch or dinner, or if you're just really hungry, pair it with a salad or some cut up fruit.  I may just have to have another one for lunch!

Greek Yogurt

I love Greek Yogurt.  That's what I enjoy for breakfast 90% of the time.  My go to is to grab a plain Fage Total 0%, top it with some strawberry preserves, and viola!  4 Points+ and delicious.


My problem is that Greek Yogurt is expensive!  I try to stock up on the 6 ounce containers when they are on sale, but I recently ran out.  I stand by Fage through thick and thin, but I had to branch out.  So, Chobani 0% was on sale this week for 88 cents each, so I bought a few containers of different flavors.  I have to say, it's no Fage, but it's still good.  The texture isn't as thick as Fage, it's closer to regular yogurt.  The flavors are great, and the ones I've picked are 3 Points+ each (the honey and raspberry flavors are 4 Points+ each).  


What brand of Greek Yogurt do you love?

Bagels

I'm from Long Island.  We are known for bagels and pizza.  If you've never had a New York bagel, then you simply haven't really ever had a bagel.  It's a fact.

The quintessential weekend for me growing up began with a trip to the local bagel store to grab a dozen bagels.  Then, I would usually slather my egg-everything with cream cheese and perhaps some lox.  If I felt like it, I might even have 2 for breakfast, along with a glass or 2 of orange juice.

A thing of beauty.  NOM NOM NOM

Obviously, this type of diet did not do anything positive for me except satisfy my hunger at the time.  Our bagels are HUGE, at least twice the size of a commercial bagel you would find at the grocery store.  The cream cheese was always full fat (and delicious!).  The lox was the healthiest part by far, adding some lean protein.  While orange juice isn't horrible, the quantity I would consume wasn't doing anything for my waistline, it was just increasing my sugar intake  Yet, still, I crave that carb and fat filled breakfast at times.  Here are my 2 tricks to satisfy my cravings.


The first calls to still go to a bagel store, so a good amount of will power is necessary in order to stick to the plan.  I'm very lucky that my favorite local bagel store makes mini bagels.  They are about half to a third of the size of a regular one, about the size of the palm of your hand as opposed to the size of your entire hand, fingers included, but just as tasty.  They are probably meant for children, but they are big enough to satisfy an adult.  I order a mini bagel with a very thin layer of regular cream cheese (the low-fat just doesn't do it for me), sometimes adding lox if I'm feeling saucy.  I estimate that this meal comes with about 7 Points+ values, 8-9 if they go heavy on the cream cheese.  Not too bad for a bagel breakfast.

Look at all the cute little baby bagels among the huge ones!

If you want something to keep at home for bagel emergencies (or lazy mornings), Thomas' makes a 100% whole wheat bagel thin.  These taste really good, and have 3 Points+ each.  Pop one in the toaster, spread 1 tbsp of your favorite cream cheese on each half (fun fact- my favorite cream cheese, Temptee, has only 1 point per tablespoon, and it's full fat.  Awesome).  This will only cost you 5 Points+ (depending on your cream cheese).  And it's so good.

So, if you are trying to eat healthy, don't think that you need to cut out your favorite foods.  Find a way to enjoy them by controlling the quantity or finding a smart yet satisfying substitution.  Now, I'm off to enjoy some poached eggs, center cut bacon, and a toasted bagel thin!

Best Breakfast Ever!

Despite my addiction to Fage 0% Plain Greek Yogurt, once in a while I crave a warm breakfast.  Bacon.  Eggs.  Deliciousness!  I usually do egg whites with spinach, but I needed yolk.  Gooey, runny yolk.

Please enjoy the BEST BREAKFAST EVER!!!  

Poached Egg over Polenta with Bacon

Ingredients:
1 cup corn meal
1 tsp salt
3 cups water, divided
Salt
Pepper
4 slices Center Cut Bacon
1 egg
1 tbsp White Vinegar


Instructions:
Cook polenta according to package directions.  I made mine by whisking 1 cup of corn meal into 1 cup of cold water and 1 tsp salt.  Add 2 cups of boiling water and heat over medium low heat, stirring constantly.  Season with salt and pepper to your liking.


While that is cooking, get the bacon going over medium heat.


In a small saucepan, heat about an inch and a half of water to a boil.  Lower heat until it's at a steady, slow simmer, and add the vinegar.  Crack the egg into a small bowl or cup, and gently lower it into the water.  Cook until the whites are completely set, and remove with a slotted spoon to drain.  


Plate up 1/2 cup of the cooked polenta, and place the egg on top.  Add the bacon on the side, and enjoy! You will have way more polenta, but that makes it easy to serve more than one person. 


Each serving of 1/2 cup cooked polenta, one poached egg and 4 slices center cut bacon has a Points+ value of 7.  It's so satisfying, and such a great portion of food.  Not to little, not too much, just right!

Mmmmmm, yolk!

Granola

Last weekend, we were away and I discovered the joy of oatmeal with brown sugar and granola.  I was determined to make my own granola.  I found a great recipe, tweaked it to my taste, and it was so easy!


As written, an 1/8 cup serving has 2 Points+.  This plus a cup of oatmeal and 1 tbsp makes a delicious breakfast for 7 Points+.


You can add other nuts or dried fruit, but keep in mind that the Points+ value will change.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt


3 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup dry roasted almonds, chopped


Directions:
Preheat oven to 275


Mix butter, honey, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in a bowl.  Stir until well combined.


Add oats and almonds, stir until evenly coated.  There will be enough liquid to coat it all, I promise!


Spread mixture in a 9x13 pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray.  Bake for 50-60 minutes, stirring every 10, until granola has reached a beautiful, golden color.

I Wish I Could Pronounce the Name of my Post Topic!

So, walking around the grocery store the other day, I spy something interesting in the cereal isle.  Bob's Red Mill Old Country Style Muesli.  Moosley?  Myoosley?  I'm not sure!


I am sure that I have a new favorite hot breakfast!  And it's filled with yummy, healthy things!

Muesli is a whole grain cereal, similar to oatmeal, but with a lot of yummy things in it.  It contains rolled oats, wheat, rye, triticale, barley, raisins, dates, sunflower seeds, almonds and walnuts.  I'm pretty sure all of those things are on many "things you should eat" lists.


I prepared mine according to the package directions- equal parts muesli and liquid.  I chose my favorite- Blue Diamond Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk.  I combined a 1/2 cup of each, 2 packets of Splenda and about 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, stirred, and cooked on the stove.  It was so good!  The sunflower seeds provide a very good textural element that regular oatmeal lacks.  It was on the dry side, but still delicious.  I doubled the liquid the next day, but then it was too mushy, although still good.  I'm going to split the difference next time.


You can also eat it cold, letting it soak in milk or yogurt for a bit, but I haven't tried that yet. 1/2 cup of Muesli will set you back 6 Points+, and another 1 Point+ for the milk.  Very worth it!!!

Pumpkin Smoothie

I've been in a breakfast rut.  I like to use only 4 Points+, and my greek yogurt with preserves fits that bill perfectly!  It fills me up, keeps me satisfied, and it's delicious!  I sometimes make egg whites with center cut bacon and some toast, but that adds up in points, so I usually save that for mornings when Chris and I are home together and want to make a nice breakfast.  


This morning, it's all gray outside, Chris is at work, and I know I need to head to the gym soon or else I won't get my butt out of the house at all today!  I ran out of yogurt yesterday, and bacon and eggs is way too heavy to eat before going to workout.  


I decided that I wanted to make a smoothie.  The problem?  I have no fruit in my house!  My usual stockpile of frozen banana is empty and all fresh fruit has been consumed.  Off to the pantry I go to see what I can find.  


Enter:  Libby's Pure Pumpkin


I am a pumpkin fan.  It's a mild flavor, and I enjoy the texture.  After looking up some pumpkin smoothie recipes, I created one of my own that satisfied my breakfast needs this morning.  It has a mild taste, but I didn't want to overdo the cinnamon.  I might add a bit more next time, but for now, this works!  

Try out this Pumpkin Smoothie.  The best part?  3 POINTS+!!!

Ingredients

1 cup Blue Diamond Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk

1 cup Libby's Pure Pumpkin

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp brown sugar

2 packets of Splenda

5 ice cubes

Add all ingredients to a blender, and blend until well mixed and the ice fully broken up.  Enjoy!

Eating while Away

So far, so good!


Yesterday, I grabbed a chicken wrap for lunch along the way, and had a grilled chicken burrito for dinner.


Today started off with a trusted TJ's fig bar (3 Points+).  Then I went to the gym, and conference goodness followed.  For lunch I went to Subway since I know it's a dependable food source.  I got a 6" Turkey sub with lettuce, pickles and some mustard on wheat bread for 7 Points+.  I also stopped by 7-11 and grabbed a very large, very good fruit mix of apples, grapes, mangoes, strawberries and cantaloupe.  WOOHOO fruit being 0 Points+.  I'm keeping that on ice since it will last me a while, that way I have something to pick at when I'm a little hungry.


That leaves me with a whopping 21 Points+ to enjoy the rest of my day, plus I still have 42 weekly Points+ to use if I need.  Hooray!!!!  I would rather play it very safe on breakfast and lunch so that I can order something I really want for dinner.


Tomorrow I'm heading to Miss Shirley's Cafe for breakfast.  I really want the pumpkin cheesecake french toast, but that's out of the questions!!!  I think I'm going to treat myself to the shrimp and grits- sounds delicious and not the worst thing on the menu!  It shall be a true test of will power!  For lunch, I want to head over to the Lexington Market.  I'm craving some crabcakes, and Faidley's is supposed to have some of the best our there!  I love big markets, so many choices make it easier to find food you want to eat that won't kill your healthy eating habits!

Breakfast Burrito

Normally, I try to keep my breakfasts around 5-6 Points+.  This one is 8, but it's simple and delicious!  I'm going to keep it in mind for days when I am home and want a slightly more substantial breakfast.  It's pretty much what I eat on the weekends for breakfast, just in a tortilla (thus the extra points).  One of the keys ingredients are Mission Carb Control tortillas.  They have a great texture, and so much fiber.


For this meal, I use a large one (4 Points+).  Place one slice of WW American Cheese on it, heat for 15 seconds.  Cook up 4 slices of center cut bacon, add on top of the cheese.  Then, make 4 egg whites in a pan (salt and pepper if you like).  Place cooked eggs on bacon, roll up the burrito, and viola!