Christmas Sprinkle Cookies

     Nothing says the Holidays like Christmas Sprinkle Cookies.  And, nothing says good cheer like a cookie for only 55 calories, 1.4g net carbs and 5.5g protein.  Kinda makes you wanna shout Ho Ho Ho...(or is that just me!?  :0)  You will not be able to resist these melt in your mouth treasures, in fact, I didn't resist and ate about 3...ok ok, 4...but who is counting...!?  Merry Christmas  ;)

Ingredients for 19 Sprinkle Cookies~
1/4 cup melted Coconut Oil
1 Extra Large Egg
1 scoop Quest Salted Caramel or Vanilla Protein Powder
1/2 cup Lakanto Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 at checkout for discount
1/4 cup Coconut Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla
Dash Almond Extract
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2oz/1/4 cup Cream Cheese, softened
2 Tablespoon Lakanto Confectioners Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 at checkout for discount
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Sprinkles if desired (not included in macros)

     Mix first set of ingredients together thoroughly, batter will be slightly sticky.  Drop by Tablespoon onto Silpat lined cookie sheet, should yield 19 cookies, bake at 350 for 8 minutes.  Meanwhile, mix second set of ingredients and chill til ready to frost cooled cookies.  Top each cookie with 1 1/4 teaspoon frosting, and decorate with Sprinkles if desired.  Enjoy  :)

Mint Molten Brownie Cupcakes

     When Neilsen-Massey sends you some of their finest Peppermint Extract around the Holidays, what choice do you have other than whipping up a batch of Mint Molten Brownie Cupcakes!?  ...none, right!?    Especially when you know their dedication to quality is matched only by their commitment to their customers.  Not to mention their pledge to provide pure vanilla and flavor products of unparalleled excellence, batch after batch, time after time.  AND, you will be delighted to experience my end product and know that each of the 6 cupcakes are only 201 calories, 6g net carbs and 18g protein.  Go to nielsenmassey.com to find all you've ever wanted to know about this great company and where to find their exceptional products.   #mintmadness

Ingredients for 6 Cupcakes~
1/2 cup melted Coconut Oil
1 Extra Large Egg
1/3 cup 30 cal/cup Almond Milk
1 scoop Quest Chocolate Milkshake Protein Powder
1/4 cup Cocoa (I use Dark or Black Cocoa)
3 Tablespoons Coconut Flour
1/4 cup Swerve Confectioners or Granular Erythritol
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla
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4oz 1/3 less fat Cream Cheese, softened
7oz 2% Fage Greek Yogurt
1/3 cup Swerve Confectioners Erythritol
1 teaspoon Peppermint Nielsen Massey Pure Peppermint Extract
Green Food Coloring
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Sprinkles, optional

     Mix first set of ingredients thoroughly and equally divide among 6 Silpat lined cupcake tins.  Batter will be very full in each, almost near the rim.  Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.  Meanwhile, mix together second set of ingredients with mixer til smooth, chill til ready to frost on cooled cupcakes.  Top with Sprinkles if desired.  Store leftovers in fridge.  Enjoy!  Note: Cupcakes will puff up and crown during baking, but will deflate at top of crown during cooling process and will leave a nice little molten surprise.

The 4-Ingredient Diabetes Cookbook

     The 4-Ingredient Diabetes Cookbook by Nancy S. Hughes provides busy families everything they will need to get dinner on the table in no time flat.  Each recipe incorporates a secret "cook's tip" to help readers make healthy, diabetes friendly meals in a fraction of the time it normally takes.  All recipes use just four ingredients (or less) and adhere to the dietary standards of the American Diabetes Association.
     A celebrated cookbook author and recipe developer, Nancy has created more than 18,000 recipes throughout the years and is a nationally recognized authority on food and diabetes.  Simpler really is better, faster and can be more delicious when every ingredient counts.  Meal-planning and whole food cooking are all the rage in cookbooks today, but few come with the promise of simplifying your life and enriching your taste buds at the same time.
     Did you know 1 in 3 Americans are currently living with diabetes or pre-diabetes?  Each recipe includes the American Diabetes Association's approved meal exchanges and detailed nutrition information, while Nancy adds an arsenal of simple hacks to transform the neophyte cook into an amateur chef.  I loved so many of her offerings, it made it hard to decide which one to try first.  This is such a valuable addition to any kitchen, as well as the perfect gift idea to any health conscious friend.  Get yours today at ShopDiabetes.org, in bookstores nationwide, or by calling 1-800-232-6733.  In good health, paige  :)

StarKist Tuna and Salmon

     As we enter the New Year, everyone is ready and motivated to kick start their New Year Resolutions.  For the most part, people are looking for a sustainable way to include a fitness regime and healthy eating plan to their already busy schedules.
     StarKist understands the struggle and therefore can offer you healthy, simple and delicious Tuna or Salmon products that can be prepared with great recipes to keep everyone on track for 2017.  Check out their great recipes at starkist.com.  My weight management secret is having a large green salad for lunch with a packet of StarKist on top.  I allow myself a full fat dressing, but only 1 Tablespoon.  Of course, a light dressing or no dressing at all is even better.  One of my favorite parts about StarKist is the perfectly pre portioned servings, it sure makes life easy when they are doing all the work!  ;)
     They know it takes a lot of determination to look and feel your best.  Their goal is to provide simple tips and ideas that will make life easier.  They want to inspire you to live your personal, healthy best!  Their website starkist.com provide articles that promote healthy eating, exercise and lifestyle management.  Follow them on Facebook and Twitter for more healthy tips and quick recipe ideas, or just to see what's cookin' in their kitchen!  Check out your local Grocery Store for many of their super products.  In good health, paige  :)

Ground Beef

     I was telling my friend that I am the worst gift giver, I never know what to buy people.  Her response surprised me, she told me I wasn't trying hard enough, and she was a great gift giver because she had a talent for really thinking about a person and their needs.  Hmmm...maybe I could try a little harder after all.
     Step One was deciding who I was going to practice on first.  The obvious Guinea Pig needed to be my friend who challenged my sub par abilities.  Step Two was thinking about her wants, needs and lifestyle.  Step Three, get to work.
     During Step Two I realized I needed to think thru the receivers day and where they spend their time.  That's when I  had my Aha moment, ... for those who are giving gifts to fitness friends or busy mothers, what would they love more than to have hep with their weekly meal prep process.  (Thank you, ...thank you very much)  Genius right!?
     For Step Three I bought 5 pounds of Laura's 96% lean Ground Beef, each 4oz has 140 calories, Zero Carbs and 24g protein.  Follow my recipe for the perfect prepped meat!

Ingredients for 5 pounds Lean Ground Beef~
1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 large Onion, diced
1 Tablespoon chopped Garlic
Dash Cayenne Pepper
5 pounds Laura's 96% lean Ground Beef

     Heat EVOO in skillet and add diced Onion, Garlic and Cayenne to skillet til golden brown, may take 20-30 minutes.  Add Beef til cooked thru and crumbled, drain off all grease.  Weigh out equally into 5 freezer proof containers and store in freezer til ready to use, or give as a gift.  Note~cooked and drained Beef may only yield 14-15oz out of each pound.  Enjoy  :)

Pumpkin Frosted Gingerbread Cupcakes

     Wow, just wow!  These Pumpkin Frosted Gingerbread Cupcakes turned out spectacular!!!  Just in time for the Holidays, these are the perfect treat to get you into the spirit!  To make them even more alluring, each one is only 230 calories, 5g net carbs and 14g protein.  You won't find any "grinching" round this house while these are on the table.  See for yourself, and don't be surprised if the first bite makes you start singing, "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas"!  ;)

Ingredients for 6 Cupcakes~
1/3 cup Coconut Oil
1 Extra Large Egg
1 scoop Quest Salted Caramel Protein Powder
1/3 cup Swerve Granular Erythritol (can sub with Confectioners)
1/4 cup Almond Flour
1/4 cup 30 cal/cup Almond Milk
1 Tablespoon Ginger
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Allspice
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla
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1/4 cup Philadelphia Cream Cheese Pumpkin Spice (Holiday Flavor~sub with Regular Cream Cheese)
7oz 2% Fage Greek Yogurt
1/4 cup Swerve Confectioners Erythritol

     Mix first set of ingredients and pour into 6 Silpat lined muffin tins.  Bake at 350 for 19 minutes.  Meanwhile, mix second set of ingredients and chill in fridge til Cupcakes have baked and cooled.  When ready, frost and Enjoy!  :)

Walnut Fudge

     Thank you Whole Foods for having those wonderful bins filled with those beautiful Walnuts and Dates just waiting for my scooper to scoop you up and drag you home with me!  To make the Holidays complete, a batch of Fudge must be on the agenda!  More specifically Walnut Fudge, sans white sugar, butter or marshmallows...this is actually a good for you goodie.  This large batch makes 50 decadently rich pieces, each having only 83 calories, 8g net carbs and 2g protein.  The flavor is so intense you will be completely satisfied with one pieces... ok ok, maybe two... ;)

Ingredients for 50 pieces~
1 cup pitted Dates soaked in 1 cup Water
3 cups Walnuts
3 cups Cocoa
3/4 cup Coconut Sugar
1 Tablespoon Vanilla
Dash Cinnamon

     After leaving the Whole Foods parking lot, head directly home and cover Dates in Water for 10 minutes, drain and reserve 1 cup of Date Water, set aside.  Add Walnut and Cocoa in food processor til well combined, add Dates, Dates Water, Sugar, Vanilla and Cinnamon and continue to process til Fudge like consistency.  Pat into parchment lined Jelly Roll pan and set in fridge for at least 2 hours to set.  Sprinkle with extra chopped Walnuts if desired and pat into Fudge. (not included in macros)  Enjoy  :)

Disclaimer: I am a Whole Foods Market Blogger Ambassador and this post was inspired by their monthly themes and gift cards received to purchase ingredients for posts of my choosing. I am not compensated by Whole Foods Market for my blog posts and am free to post whatever I see fit to my own blog. 

Gingerbread Men

     No Holiday would be complete without biting the head off of at least one Gingerbread Man...am I right!?  Especially when the men are healthy good for you treats! (... and finally a man that doesn't talk back... am I right!?...please forgive, could not resist...)   The other bonus to these dudes, each gentleman is only 132 calories, 6g net carbs and 9g protein (macros do not include piping garnish).  With stats like these you can forgo online dating, just whip up a batch and spend a perfect evening in...a Gingerbread Man is all the man you will ever need!

Ingredients for 6 Men~
1/4 cup Nut Butter
1 Extra Large Egg
1/4 cup Lakanto Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 for discount at checkout
1/4 cup Almond Flour
1 scoop Quest Salted Caramel or Vanilla Protein Powder
1 Tablespoon Molasses
1 Tablespoon Ginger
1 teaspoon Allspice
1 teaspoon Salt
Optional~ dash Vanilla, Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Cloves
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Philadelphia Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese (sub with regular flavor)

     Mix first set of ingredients, batter will be VERY sticky.  Separate dough into 6 equal portions.  Using your Gingerbread Man cookie cutter, spray it with Pam and set on Silpat lined cookie sheet, press the dough into the cookie cutter and then gently lift the cookie cutter away from the dough.  Repeat with the 5 remaining pieces of dough.  Bake at 325 for 13 minutes, cool and add Cream Cheese to baggie, snip the corner and decorate as desired.  Enjoy  :)

Honey Roasted Peanut Butter

     Struggling with what to give that person that has everything!?  Hate to give calorie laden foods as a gift (that is no gift at all)!?  Want to give something unique and heart felt!?  Want to keep things healthy but still fun!?  Have I got a solution for you!  Homemade Peanut Butter!!!
     When it comes to gift giving, I love to give food, but never want to be labelled as a saboteur.  I have given  homemade Vanilla, Cinnamon, Cocoa Powder and now Honey Roasted Peanut Butter.  This is so simple it will make you laugh,  then so delicious it will make you cry... out of sheer joy.  Don't be intimidated, it's time to put your big girl antlers on and start a DIY in the kitchen!

Ingredients~
2 pound 2.5oz canister of Planters Honey Roasted Peanuts

     Pour nuts into food processor and grind for 3 minutes or until smooth, stopping as necessary to scrape down sides of bowl.  When done pour into jars and store in fridge.  Should yield 3-4 half pint jars.  Enjoy  :)