Ginger Snap Cookies

These are 'OMG melt in our mouth delicious, so delicious cookies'. I know you are going to devour these and then be so mad because there aren't left! Most cookies can be very unhealthy, but if you follow my recipe they will be healthy and so, so good!

Ginger Snap Cookies
1/2 c. apple sauce
1/2 c. white sugar
1 mashed banana
1 egg
2 cups. of whole wheat flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tbsp. ground ginger
3/4 c. brown sugar

1. mash the banana and then add it to the apple sauce - mix well
2. add in the egg
3. mix together the flour, baking soda, brown sugar, white sugar and cinnamon
4. mix your flour mixture with the apple sauce mixture and then add in your ginger
5. cover and place in fridge for at least 1 hour (no more than 4)

Preheat over to 375

Make small balls and place on baking sheet and then use a fork to push down on balls.

Sprinkle with colored sugar if you must for a holiday feel.

Bake for 18 minutes

Man Sandwich - Healthy Way

So I know everyone has heard of the "Manwhich", but normally a "Manwich" is really not that healthy and not good your liver, colon or weight. However, my "Manwich" which I have changed to Man Sandwich is healthy and is good for your body and overall health...but it still is filling and probably will not leave room for any dessert....LOL

Man Sandwich

1 whole wheat pita
hummus
2 slices of thinly sliced mozzarella low fat cheese
2 slices of tomato
2 slices of red onion
3 slices of avocado
1 Morning Star Soy Fake Chicken Patty
squeeze of lemon juice




1. spread a generous amount of hummus inside the pita pocket
2. melt the 2 slices of cheese on the burger and then carefully place inside pita pocket
3. add in the avocado slices, tomato slices and red onion slices
4. squirt in the lemon

Eat Up!!


Optional - Add some soy chips or blue corn chips on the side. 

Potato Vegetable Soup

Most potato soups have cheese in them which can add an easy extra 400 calories per serving. By eliminating the cheese in the super healthy recipe - you will be getting many nutrients and save loads of unwanted calories and fat.
 

Potato Vegetable Soup

14 oz. Veg broth

4 white Idaho potatoes

4 celery stalks

10 oz. can of corn

3 carrots

1 cup of cooked peas

¼ tsp. onion

¼ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. pepper

1. cut the potatoes and celery into chunks and simmer them in broth for 20 minutes

2. puree it

3. diced the carrots and then microwave them for 3 minutes with 3 tbsp. of water in the bowl

4. add the cooked peas, carrots and corn to the soup

5. then add in the spices

Reheat and Serve!! 

Creamy Spinach Soup

So I was thinking for weeks about a new possible soup recipe. As many of you know I pride myself on creating unique and delicious soups. I get inspired from posts I see on other blogs, pinterest and cook books to make my own. This one was a long time coming. I thought, I searched, I pinned and finally I came up with the most amazing spinach soup recipe. I promise you will love it and feel so good after eating it.

Creamy Spinach Soup

4 small white potatoes
3 celery stalks
1 tsp. olive oil
Vegetable Broth
handful of fresh spinach chopped
1 clove of garlic or 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder
dash of pepper/salt
splash of milk
handful of shredded cheese

1. cut the celery and potatoes and brown it in oil for 3 minutes
2. add in broth to just cover the potatoes and simmer for 20-30 minutes
3. add in handful of chopped spinach
4. puree it
5. add in milk, spices and cheese - stir

That's it! Enjoy! Yummy!

Best served with crackers, rice cakes or bread.

Zucchini Pancakes

So this a really easy recipe. I made this for Chanukah this year but never got around to posting it. It is a twist on the traditional latkehs.

Zucchini Pancakes
2 large zucchinis
1 egg
1/4 c. whole wheat flour
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1 tbsp. Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. cumin
olive oil for frying

Dressing
1/2 cup of low fat mayo, 1 tbsp. Parmesan cheese, scoop of regular cream cheese, 1/2 tsp. onion powder, dash of garlic powder, lemon juice

1. Shred the zucchinis - add in the egg
2. mix the flour and seasonings together
3. then mix the zucchinis, egg with dry mixture
4. heat skillet with oil - form zucchinis with your hands into little pancakes
5. fry on each side for about 3-5 minutes, flipping occasionally

Dressing - mix all the ingredients together and serve on top of zucchini pancakes

Happy Chanukah!

Mushroom Puffs

This recipe if for my dad. He's a mushroom lover!

Mushroom Puffs

1 package of fresh mushrooms

2 tbsp. butter

dash of salt

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

package of puff pastry sheets

egg

sesame seeds

1. heat the butter in a skillet

2. add the mushrooms and cook for about 4 minutes on each side

3. preheat oven to 350

4. lay the puff pasty in flat and add the mushrooms and then sprinkle with garlic and salt

5. roll tightly - beat the egg and the brush on top of puff pastry

6. sprinkle the sesame seeds and bake in oven for 40 minutes

Delicious! 

Corn and Bean Salad

Every Christmas and summer I volunteer at Elijah's Promise's, a local soup kitchen where I live. When I was volunteering last Christmas in 2013 they made this salad that I knew it would be perfect for my blog. It's healthy and high in protein, fiber and has lots of veggies!!


Corn and Bean Salad
1 green pepper
1 carrot (grated)
1 can of corn
1 can of black beans
balsamic vinegar dressing (I make my homemade since I can never find a kosher kind in the store).

Optional - add some red pepper for some extra color

Balsamic Vinegar Dressing
1 c. balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp. salt
tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1.4 tsp. garlic powder


dice the green pepper, grate the carrots, add the corn and black beans and mix in the dressing. allow it to marinate for couple hours and serve! It's that easy! 

Baked Beef (fake) and Bean Burritos

So I found this great recipe on Six Sisters Stuff - titled Beef and Bean Burritos and was inspired to create my own healthier version of it. I made this tonight for my parents and they loved it!! It was a huge hit. I made 5 servings - thinking I'd have enough for one left over night but it turned out I was only left with 1 burrito - that's right they each had 2! (Well my dad had 2 1/2 and my mom had 1 1/2 but who's counting?) Enjoy! (note: photo taken before olives were added)

Baked Beef (fake) and Bean Burritos
1 package of Morning Star crumblers
2 cups of Red Pack tomato sauce
1/2 onion diced
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. chili powder

1 can of baked beans (mashed)
1 tsp. fat free Russian dressing

Black olives
1 cup of shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese blend

4 whole wheat white tortillas

Preheat oven to 350
1. In a large plan soften the crumblers in the tomato sauce - then add in the spices
2. add the diced onion to the cumblers and allow it to heat together until the crumblers are soft (defrosted) and warm
3. Take the mashed beans and heat in a pan

5. Lay out each tortilla and place 2 spoons fulls of the crumblers, 2 spoon fulls of the beans, Roll up tightly
6. Place in oven and bake for 25 minutes- Take it out and pour cheese and olives over the burritos and place back in the oven for additional 10 minutes

Serve Up and Enjoy!!

Mexican Stuffed Pasta Shells

This recipe I made a while ago. The first I made this it was after a long hot day. We had been at work all day and working with kids in the hot sun. I work at a soccer camp where I coach little kiddos all day. It's fun but very tiring. After a long day this meal hits the spot. It isn't super healthy but it's just mediocre. Each serving is about 300 calories. Enjoy!

Mexican Stuffed Pasta Shells
1 pound of whole wheat pasta shells
1 cup of organic marinara tomato sauce
1 package of Morning Star crumbles
1/2 tsp. of garlic powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder
15 oz. can of black beans
15 oz. can corn
8 oz can of black olives
2 tbsp. fresh parsley
A couple of dollops of sour cream
2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
1 tomato (seeded and chopped)

1. Cook the whole shells until Al Dente (6 minutes)
2. Set aside and let cool - while it is cooling:(Preheat oven 350)
- heat the Morning Star with the tomato sauce and once the sauce is room temp. add the garlic powder and onion powder and then add in the black beans, chopped tomato and corn.
- place the shells in pan and put 2 tbsp. of the bean mixture in each shell. Then add olives to each shell. Cover the shells with cheese.
3. Put in oven for 40 minutes. Garnish with parsley and sour cream

Serve and Enjoy! (Serves 6)

Happy Memorial Day

So I am sure you are all getting ready for your BBQs with all your family and friends. So this post will be dedicated to all things BBQ. I am going to include 3 burger recipes, 3 side recipes and 3 dessert recipes. They're all healthy, so you can have all the recipes and not feel bad at all. So eat up!

Salmon Burger
16 oz. can salmon
1 cup of whole wheat panko bread crumbs
dried parsley
tsp. dijon mustard + another tbsp.
2 extra large eggs
1 tsp. mayo
dash of onion powder

lettuce
tomato
onion
whole grain bun

1. crush the salmon
2. beat the eggs
3. mix all remaining ingredients
4. with your hands form 3 nice sized burgers
5. heat the skillet with olive oil and cook on each side for 5 minutes - flipping every now and then
6. serve with whole grain bun, lettuce, tomato and dijon mustard



Turkey Burger
1 package of ground lean turkey
1 egg
3/4 cup of oatmeal
dash of onion powder

Preheat oven to 350*
1. mash the ground turkey
2. mix in an egg, onion powder and oatmeal
3. form the turkey mixture in hamburger patties
4. bake in oven for 50 minutes

Serve with a condiment of your choice on whole wheat hamburger bun


Veggie Burger
4 Morning Star veggie burgers
4 slices of tomatoes
4 slices of lettuce
4 slices of red onions
mustard and mayo mixture
whole wheat bun

1. Follow the boxed directions for the veggie burgers
2. Serve with sliced tomatoes, lettuce and purple onions
3. spread low fat mayo on one side of the bun and the mustard on the side of the bun


Serve and Enjoy!

Summer Spinach and Beet Salad

This recipe I created because I was trying to use 3 cans of beets that was in my house. My mom buys things a lot without any purpose for them. I truly hate having left overs or things being unused or with no purpose. So with some web searching, some alternations and little creative thinking I cam up with this healthy and delicious recipe. Enjoy!!

2 cups of fresh baby spinach
1 15 oz. can of beets (sliced- not grated)
1 8 oz. can of mandarin oranges
1 cup of sliced feta

2 tbsp. of light olive oil
1 tsp. of red wine vinegar
1 tsp. of tarragon vinegar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. sugar

1. place the spinach on a plate and then in any order drizzle each ingredient on
2. Mix the dressing ingredients together and pour over salad

Serve immediately.
Serving Size: 2

Spaghetti Squash and Light Tomato Sauce

So my old next door neighbor had a vegetable garden and was always giving us vegetables that we truthfully had no use for. Of course we're a super healthy family and cook healthy most of the time but we are also just a family of 3 - so seriously how many veggies can one person eat? One time she dropped off some summer squash and I remember my mom saying to me "can you figure out to use this?". And sure enough I did. I came up with making spaghetti and then after the fact I found out it actually is a real recipe. I'll share with you what I made that day back in July of 2011. Now I make it as one of my go-to recipes.

Spaghetti Squash and Light Tomato Sauce

1 summer spaghetti squash

water

garlic and onion salt mixture

light tomato sauce

1. boil water

2. peel the squash into thin like spaghetti strips

3. boil it for about 3-4 minutes and then drain well - making sure it is fully dry

4. add in garlic/onion salt mixture (dash of each)

5. pour in sauce - about 1/4 cup and reheat or serve cold. 

Double Garden Burger

Okay so this is an easy recipe- barely a recipe just a good idea when you're in a rush. (Sort of how I felt today). It's under 300 calories and everyone in your family is bound to love it.

Double Garden Burger
4 Morning Star Garden Veggie Burgers
4 slices of Arnold's Select Thin Bread (2 sandwich pockets)
4 slices of American cheese
Mustard
Optional: lettuce, tomato and onion

1. preheat the oven to 350
2. cook the burger in a convection toaster oven for 15 minutes (8 minutes on one side and 7 on the other)
3. then place each slice of cheese on top of the burger and cook for another minute.
4. squeeze some mustard on the bread and then place the cheesy burgers on the bread

Serve up!
Easy, right?

Sorry but tonight was so crazy- I didn't even get to take a picture.

Summer Chili

I hate having ingredients in the house that isn't be used...I know this sounds strange but it's one of my biggest pet peeves. I looked in the cabinet already annoyed and saw canned beans. We've have them in our cabinet for over a month. Why are we even buying them? I decided I needed to find a recipe for it and that is when I came up with my famous chili.

Summer Chili
15oz canned red kidney beans
15oz canned black beans
15oz diced regular diced tomatoes
8oz canned corn- no salt added
1 12oz package of Morning Star Farms meatless crumblers
1 1/2 tbsp. chili sauce
2 cups of tomato sauce
1 1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
1/4 tsp. onion powder
dash of pepper
dash of salt

1. combine red kidney beans, black beans and diced tomatoes in a pot- put heat on low (make sure you drain the cans)
2. on a large skillet heat the morning star farms and 2 cups of tomato sauce until the fake meat is at room temperature.
3. pour the fake meat into the pot and bring flame to medium
4. add in the chili sauce, chili powder, onion powder, garlic salt and dash of pepper and salt
5. pour the canned corn into the pot and bring flame to high stirring every 30 seconds.

Serve warm with bread, crackers, rice cakes or just with a spoon and fork.

Cheese Burger, Fries and Milk Shake Please...oh no!

Well I've never actually ate this nor would I eat my version of it but from what I hear a cheese burger with fries and a milk shake is like heave. If you grew up in the 50's , 60's or 70's I'm sure you have one these once in your life and if you haven't I am sure you have dreamed about it. Remember in the movie Grease when all they really eat their hangs out are milkshakes and burgers? Yum! Well it does not take a rocket scientist to realize that this combo is not exactly going to lower your cholesterol. But still why shouldn't we be able to indulge a little? Well I am not going to give you permission to indulge completely but at least a little bit. Here is an amazing recipe to have your cheese burger, fries and milkshake and eat it too!!

Morning Star Original Burgers - a normal burger has between 250-300 calories. This only has 130 calories!

1 Slice of of low fat cheese- between 60-100 calories!

Whole Wheat Bun- the normal bun you get has 160 calories and enriched flour (which may sound healthy but it is actually so bad for you) a whole wheat bun has only 120 calories.

French Fries- just buy the kind in the store and reheat it without any oil!

1. Cook burger according to directions (meanwhile heat up the fries)
2. Place the slice of cheese on the hot bun and let it melt just a little
3. Place one bun on the whole wheat bun 
4. Serve on a plate with side of fries

Milk Shake
1 cup of vanilla frozen yogurt
1/2 cup of  low fat milk
2 tbsp. chocolate syrup

Pour all ingredients into a blender and blend on high for about 2-3 minutes or until nice and creamy.

Eat with Burger and Fries

Total Calories Healthy Version: 800 calories
Total Calories of Unhealthy Version: 1100 calories        

You just saved 300 calories!