Sugar Free Meringue Cookies

     What if I could offer you a sugar free, practically calorie free, crispy sweet fun little meringue cookie...would you like that!?  #thoughtso  And, did I mention the extra benefit of a delightful craft project!?  Perfect for special occasions, and no one will know they are good for you...and no need to share all your secrets!  (It's good for a girl to remain a little mysterious if you know what I mean)  So, whip these up today and I can't wait to hear what you think of my Sugar Free Meringue Cookies!  :)

Ingredients~
6 Tablespoons Aquafaba (1/2 the drained juice from a can of Chickpea's)
1/3 cup Swerve Confectioners Erythritol
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1/2 teaspoon Cream of Tartar

     Add all the ingredients to the small bowl of your Kitchen Aid, stir to incorporate and then set bowl into place, start to whip  on medium high with the whisk attachment and set the timer for 10 minutes.  Then drop by the spoonful or add batter to piping bag with a star tip and pipe onto Silpat lined cookie sheet.  Bake in a 200 degree pre-heated oven for 2 hours and then turn off the oven, DO NOT OPEN DOOR til the oven has cooled completely,  I suggest 6-8 hours or just be safe and leave over night.  Voila!  Enjoy  :)

Pumpkin Pie

     Pumpkin Pie is to Thanksgiving as stretchy pants are to Thanksgiving Dinner, not required but an enjoyable tradition.  To further spread the joy, each of the 6 servings are only 79 calories, 4.4g net carbs and 7.4g protein.  Since it's a Holiday, go wild and have 2 pieces...with macros like these, seconds are not to be feared, but revered.  :)

Ingredients for 6 servings
15oz can Pumpkin
2 jumbo Eggs
1/2 cup Lakanto Classic Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 for discount at checkout (sub with Sugar or half Sugar and half Erythritol)
1 scoop Quest Salted Caramel Protein Powder
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
Dash Vanilla
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Nutmeg
Dash Ginger (can sub Nutmeg and Ginger for Pumpkin Pie Spice)
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Sugar Free Whipped Aquafaba for topping, if desired~http://foodfitnessbypaige.blogspot.com/2016/11/sugar-free-whipped-aquafaba.html

     Line Pie Pan bottom with Parchment Paper or spray pan with non stick spray.  Mix all ingredients together til well combined and pour into Pie Pan, bake at 400 for 15 minutes, reduced heat to 325 and bake for 20 minutes.  Remove, cool and top with Sugar Free Whipped Aquafaba if desired.  Enjoy  :)

Taco Pizza

     When Thin Slim Foods (thinslimfoods.com) sends you a Pizza Crust to try, what choice do I have but create a Taco Pizza.  Their high protein low carb breads and pastas knock my socks off, the entire Pizza Crust is only 400 calories, 8g net carbs and 64g protein.  And the Pastas are outta this world delish.  Try my recipe or get creative and you do you boo, and let your imagination be your guide.  Voila  :)

Ingredients for 6 servings~
1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 medium Onion, diced
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh Garlic
Dash Cayenne Pepper
1 pound ground lean Beef, Chicken, or Turkey
1/2 packet Taco Seasoning
1 Thin Slim Foods Pizza Crust (thinslimfoods.com)
1 cup fat free Refried Beans
1/4 cup reduced fat shredded Cheddar
1/2 sliced small Avocado
1 diced Roma Tomato
1/2 cup My Brothers Salsa House Medium
Cilantro, as desired
Light Sour Cream, as desired
Sliced Purple Onion for garnish, as desired

     Heat EVOO in skillet, add Onion, Garlic and Cayenne til golden brown.  Add meat til cooked thru, drain fat.  Stir in Taco Seasoning til well incorporated.  Spread Beans on Pizza Crust, top with meat mixture, sprinkle with Cheese, top with Avocado, Tomato, Salsa, Cilantro, Sour Cream and Cilantro.  Enjoy  :)

Vegan Peanut Butter Brownies

     I am learning more about the world of Vegans.  That being said, I was interested in trying my hand at creating a Vegan friendly Brownie that would delight my senses, I think I could get used to this!  These turned out magnificent and may be my new go to dessert.  Each of these 9 decadent pieces are only 104 calories, 5g net carbs and 5g protein (does not include Sugar Free Whipped Aquafaba topping, which is also Vegan and practically calorie free, type that in the search bar for recipe).  Take a walk on the wild side and try your hand with a Vegan recipe and see what you think, you may be like me and want to start exploring more.  Nothing to lose, everything to gain  :)

Ingredients for 9 servings~
3 Tablespoons melted Nutiva Organic Buttery Coconut Oil
6 Tablespoons Aquafaba (drained juice from canned Garbanzo Beans)
1/2 cup 30 cal/cup Almond Milk
1/2 cup Black Cocoa (can sub with regular Cocoa)
1/2 cup Swerve Granular Erythritol
2 Tablespoons Nutiva Coconut Flour
1 scoop Nutiva Organic Chocolate Plant Protein
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla
2 Tablespoons Vegan Chocolate Chips
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2 Tablespoons Betterbody Foods Peanut Butter or Chocolate Peanut Butter Powder PB Fit
1 Tablespoons 30 cal/cup Almond Milk (or amount for desired consistency)
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Sugar Free Whipped Aquafaba ~ http://foodfitnessbypaige.blogspot.com/2016/11/sugar-free-whipped-aquafaba.html

     Mix wet ingredients in first set, mix dry ingredients in first set except for Chocolate Chips, blend together and pour into 8X8 parchment lined pan and sprinkle with Chocolate Chips.  Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until lightly firm to touch, remove and cool.  Meanwhile, stir together PB Fit and Almond milk from second set of ingredients, may need more to achieve desired consistency.  Add topping to baggie, snip corner and drizzle over cooled Brownies.  Top with Sugar Free Whipped Aquafaba if desired, not included in macros.  Enjoy  :)

Sugar Free Whipped Aquafaba

     The Aquafaba Gods were smiling upon me today when I experimented with a few tweaks to the standard Aquafaba Whipped Cream recipe.  I hate making such a big batch with the standard recipe because I can never use it all before it deflates after about 6 hours, AND I wanted to try a sugar free variety making it even healthier...and it turned out sooooo sweet and DELICIOUS.  You will simply die when I tell you this entire voluminous batch is only 18 calories, 2.4g carbs and 1.2g protein....hardly even worth counting!  HA  So, if you want to try a smaller batch with less left overs, I suggest giving this a whirl.  Since you only use half the brine from one can, use the other half to make my Vegan Brownies!  You know what they say, less is more!  :)

Ingredients~
6 Tablespoons Aquafaba (1/2 the drained juice from a can of Chickpea's)
1/3 cup Lakanto Confectioners Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 for discount at checkout
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1/2 teaspoon Cream of Tartar

     Add all the ingredients to the small bowl of your Kitchen Aid, stir to incorporate and then set bowl into place, start to whip  on medium high with the whisk attachment and set the timer for 10 minutes.  Viola  :)

Cream Cheese Chicken

     It's good to have friends, especially those that are as interested in nutritious food and healthy cooking as I am.  My friend, Joyce, told me about her version of the most extreme moist crock pot Chicken that I have ever tasted.  You won't believe how easy this is and how delicious it is plain or decked out burrito style... choose your poison!  Or let creativity be your guide, make your own twist and create something completely outrageous.  Time to get your Chicken on!

Ingredients~
2.5 pounds skinless boneless Chicken Breasts (I used 3 large Breasts)
1 packet of dry Ranch seasoning
4oz 1/3 reduced fat Cream Cheese
1 jar Banana Peppers

     Line Crock Pot with disposable liner and add Chicken Breasts, sprinkle with packet of dry Ranch mix, break Cream Cheese into 3 equal portions and rest on top of each Breast.  Pour rine of Banana Peppers jar over Chicken, using as much as desired (I used about 2-4 Tablespoons), then add as many Banana Peppers as desired on top of Chicken.  Add lid and cook on low for 8 hours, shred Chicken in Crock Pot and stir all together til well combined.  Use as a main dish, or create a Burrito using a low carb tortilla, refried beans, Spinach leaves, Cream Cheese Chicken, Tomato, Salsa, Green Onions, Avocado and Cilantro.  Let your imagination be your guide.  Enjoy  :)

Safe Catch Tuna

     Safe Catch Tuna is traceable from catch to can and they only buy from captains whose fish come from managed and sustainable tuna stocks.  Using their proprietary technology, they are able to test every single fish for its mercury content.  If it doesn't meet their purity standards they don't buy it.  It still may be a good tuna, but it's not a Safe Catch tuna.
     Most canned Tuna loses flavor and the majority of Omega 3s due to machine processing.  They hand pack pure, raw tuna steaks to retain all nutrients and then slow cook them to perfection.  The majority of canned tuna companies precook their tuna and use additives and fillers to put flavor back into the fish.  At Safe Catch, they don't add any filler or additives.  In fact, besides salt where noted, they don't add anything at all!  Just pure tuna.  Safe Catch tuna is Non-GMO verified and BPA free.  You will love the amazing, pure flavor of Safe Catch tuna.  Just as nature intended.  Visit www.safecatch.com to learn more and find a store near you!

Fudge Brownies

     My genius friend Andrea' from Protein Cakery has created her own brand of single ingredient lecithin-free Whey Protein Powder.... and it's "Whey goooood"!!!  I created the best Fudge Brownies known to man using this awesome new powder...if I do say so myself... and I do.  If moist rich deep chocolate is yo thang, then I suggest you give this one a try.  You can order her powder at shop.proteincakery.com, as well as many other convenient pre-made mixes.  She has made it easy to fuel your body and love your food.  Each of these 9 hearty Brownies are only 143 calories, 7g net carbs and 14g protein.  Visit proteincakery.com today for other high protein low carb breads and desserts, and use code Paige20 for 20% off your first order!

Ingredients for 9 large Brownies~
1/2 cup Brownie Batter G Butter
10 Tablespoons Aquafaba (brine from canned Garbanzo Beans, can sub with 2 jumbo Eggs)
7oz 2% Fage Greek Yogurt
1/2 cup Swerve Granular Erythritol
1/2 cup Black Cocoa, can sub with regular Cocoa
1 scoop Andrea's Protein Cakery Whey Protein Powder
1 scoop ABS Chocolate Chip Protein Pancake Powder
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla
1/4 cup Lily's Stevia Sweetened Dark Chocolate Chips
Peanut Butter Cup Halo Top Ice Cream (not included in macros)

     Stir all ingredients til well combined, except Chocolate Chips.  Pour into parchment lined 8X8 and sprinkle with Chocolate Chips, bake at 325 for 33 minutes.  Top with Halo Top Ice Cream if desired, not included in macros.  Enjoy  :)

Aquafaba Vegan Cornbread

     Hello whole new world of baking!  Hello new vegan egg substitute!  Hello new moisturizer and binder!  For those of you just coming into the know, Aquafaba, or the brine from Garbanzo Beans is making a name for itself and working its way into kitchens across America.  Before you judge, you must try.  I have made Whipped Cream, Brownies and now Aquafaba Vegan Cornbread and I must say I am THRILLED with the results, and I think you will be too!  Each of the 12 large servings are only 176 calories, 27g net carbs and 2g protein.  Try your hand today and let me know what you think!

Ingredients for 12 servings~
1/4 cup Nutiva Buttery Coconut Oil, melted
6 Tablespoons Aquafaba (drained juice from can of Garbanzo Beans)
1 cup Blue Diamond 30 cal/cup Almond Milk
1/4 cup pure Maple Syrup
4oz diced Green Chilis
1 cup Corn (roast 4 Ears fresh corn rubbed in EVOO, Salt and Pepper in foil at 400 for 40 minutes, slice off cooled cob or can sub with canned corn)
1 cup Corn Meal (or Stoneground Grits that have been ground in Magic Bullet to flour)
1 cup Cassava Flour (can sub with regular flour)
1/4 cup Betterbody Foods Coconut Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt

     Mix all wet ingredients together, then stir in dry ingredients.  Pour into parchment lined 10'' Cast Iron Skillet or regular baking dish.  Bake at 400 for 25-30 minutes.  Enjoy  :)

Fall Leaf Blondies

     Doesn't the Season change seem more official when consuming an edible leaf!?  Why is that!?  IDK, but what I do know is I have a super simple fun leaf making tip in the directions for your crafting pleasure.  This scrumptous recipe makes 9 pieces, each one having only 128 calories, 6.7g net carbs, and 13.1g protein.  Let the Fall Leaf Blondies begin  :)

Ingredients~
1 Cinnamon Roll Quest Bar, (soften in microwave 15 seconds, press into leaf mold, then freeze to set up)
2 Tablespoon Cinnamon Bun G Butter
6oz Kroger Cinnamon Roll Carbmasters Yogurt 
1 Jumbo Egg
1/3 cup Egg Whites
1/3 cup Bob's Red Mill Oat Flour
1 scoop Quest Vanilla Milkshake Protein Powder
1 scoop Multi Purpose Baking Protein Powder
1/4 cup Swerve Granular Erythritol
3 Tablespoons Sun Spire White Chocolate Chips, divided in half
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
Dash Betterbody Foods Vanilla
Heavy Dash Cinnamon
9 Tablespoons Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe below)
Leaf sprinkles for garnish, if desired

     Soften Quest Bar in microwave, press into leaf molds, and put in freezer to set up.  Pop out after frozen, set aside. ( you will need 18 to put 2 on each Blondie).  Meanwhile stir all ingredients, except for half Chocolate Chips and Frosting, in a bowl and pour into greased or parchment lined 8X8 and bake at 350 for 20 minutes, making sure to not over bake as protein has a tendency to dry out, remove Blondies when still slightly wet on top.  After removing, sprinkle with remaining Chips, cool and chill in fridge til set up. Add one Tablespoon Frosting to each slice, and top with 2 Leaves, as well as sprinkles if desired.  Enjoy  :)

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Ingredients for Cream Cheese Protein Frosting ( makes 2 cups)~
1/2 cup 30 cal/cup Almond Milk
4oz Kroger Fat Free Cream Cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup lowfat Cottage Cheese
1 scoop Vanilla Milkshake Quest Protein Powder
2 Tablespoons Betterbody Foods Coconut Flour 
1 Tablespoon Sugar Free Cheesecake Instant Pudding
1/3 cup Swerve Confectioners Erythritol
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Betterbody Foods Vanilla

     Mix first three ingredients in Magic Bullet til liquefied , then add in remaining ingredients and continue to blend til mixed thru.  Chill in fridge to thicken, store leftovers in fridge.  Makes 2 cups, each Tablespoon is 11.5 calories,.8g net carbs and 1.5g protein.

Thanksgiving Turkey

     Grandma Willoughby taught me how to roast a Turkey when I was a young girl.  Her method is fool proof and has been practiced since the early 1900's.  (The big secret is a brown grocery sack...sshhh!)  So when I went pick up my Turkey, I asked for paper not plastic to carry it home ... you're gunna need it!  Let the celebrations begin  ;)

Ingredients~
Thawed Turkey
Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper
Garlic Powder
Brown Grocery Sack

     Remove wrappings from thawed Turkey, remove parts from inside Turkey, rinse with water and pat dry, rub with Olive Oil or Butter, sprinkle with Salt, Pepper and Garlic and put inside Brown Paper Sack, roll up the open end and place in roasting pan, following roasting directions on wrapper.  On last 20 minutes of roasting, remove Turkey and tear open sack, put back in oven to finish cooking and browning.  Remove when done, let rest 15 minutes, carve and serve!  Enjoy  ;)