Love Sugar Cookies

     When love is in the air, Sugar Cookies are in the tummy.  And my Love Sugar Cookies can be yours guilt free for only 74 calories, 4g net carbs and 6g protein.  So delicious, so sugar free, so gluten free, so filled with Valentines fun!  Show your honey you care by whipping up a batch today...who am I kidding, just make some for yourself and if anyone else walks in the room offer them one...just to be polite...not because you want to share.  Tis the season for all things heart shaped!  ;)

Ingredients for 9 frosted Cookies (macros don't include Sprinkles)~
1/3 cup Oats
1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil, melted
1/3 cup Almond Flour
2 Tablespoons 2% Fage Greek Yogurt
1 Extra Large Egg
2 scoops unflavored Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
1/4 cup Lakanto Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 for discount at checkout
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
Dash Lite Salt
Dash Cinnamon
Heavy Dash Almond Extract, sub with Vanilla if preferred
- - - - - - - - - - - -
1oz/2 Tablespoons Cream Cheese, room temperature
2 teaspoons Lakanto Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 for discount at checkout
Food Coloring, if desired
Sprinkles, if desired (not included in macros)

     Grind Oats to powder in Magic Bullet or blender, add to mixing bowl along with remaining first set of ingredients, stir til well incorporated, set in fridge to chill for a couple hours.  When ready, weigh dough by 1oz portions, should yield 9.  Spray a heart shaped cookie cutter with Pam, lay on Silpat lined cookie sheet and press dough inside cutter to form heart, gently remove cutter and repeat 8 more times, making sure Hearts are spread equally apart on cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.  Cookies will be soft initially, but will stiffen as cools.  Meanwhile, mix Cream Cheese and Monk Fruit with Food Coloring to desired color, add to baggie, snip corner and decorate equally as desired when cookies have cooled.  Garnish with Sprinkles if desired.  Enjoy  :)

Cauliflower Meatballs

                                                                           (the end...)

     Cauliflower is the new "it girl" in produce.  Find her showing off in Pizza, Taco's, Stir Fry's and now MEATBALLS!!!  I received my inspiration for Cauliflower Meatballs from Gina at Skinnytaste.com, she's the bomb when it comes to healthy fun.  My yummy twist on this weighs in at 247 calories, 12g net carbs, and 21g protein for 3 Meatballs and 1/4 cup Sauce (each Meatball is 74 calories, 3.3g net carbs and 6.5g protein).  This flavorful dish needs to be on your short list pronto!  :)

Ingredients for 12 Meatballs and 1 cup Sauce, 4 Servings~
1 Tablespoon Avocado Oil (sub with Olive Oil)
1 diced medium Onion
1 Tablespoon chopped Garlic
Dash Cayenne
1/2 pound/8oz ground Chicken Breast (Whole Foods grinds theirs fresh every day)
1 12oz frozen bag Riced Cauliflower, thawed
Dash Lite Salt
1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella
1 jumbo Egg (important to use Jumbo Egg or won't be enough volume)
1/4 cup Bread Crumbs
1 cup Marinara Sauce

     Heat Oil in skillet, add Onion, Garlic and Cayenne and cook til golden brown over medium heat.  Add Chicken and cook thru, drain if necessary.  Add Cauliflower and continue to cook til tender, season with Salt to taste, stir in Cheese til melty.  When cool enough to touch, scoop by 1/4 cup and compress into condensed balls and set on plate, repeat with remaining mixture.  Roll each ball in Egg, then in Crumbs and set on foil lined cookie sheet that has been sprayed with Olive Oil Spray.  Finish by spraying tops and sides of Meatballs with Olive Oil Spray before baking at 425 for 25 minutes.  Serve 3 Meatballs over of 1/4 cup Sauce.  Enjoy  :)

Blueberry Collagen Muffins

     Thank you Berry Gods for shining down upon us with all your juicy goodness!  There are so many things you can do with Berries, from pancakes, to cereal toppers, to muffins and to directly in my mouth.  But combining them with a few more delicious ingredients enhances their rich flavors even more.  Such is the case with my Blueberry Collagen Muffins, each of these 12 servings are only 81 calories, 5g net carbs and 4g protein.  Have them for breakfast, snack or dessert...but just have them, and enjoy the many benefits of Collagen.  This protein aids in skin, hair, nails and joints....we can all use a little extra boost in being our best!  Enjoy  :)

Ingredients for 12 servings~
1/2 cup Oats, Gluten Free if desired
8 scoops Vital Proteins Vanilla Collagen Creamer
1/3 cup unsweetened Applesauce (grind your own if possible)
1/4 cup Coconut Oil, melted
2 large Eggs
1/2 cup Lakanto Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 at checkout for discount
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
Dash Lite Salt
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla
6oz/1 cup container fresh Blueberries
2 Tablespoons chopped Pecans

     Grind Oats in Magic Bullet or blender til powder.  Add to mixing bowl along with rest of ingredients except Blueberries and Pecans.  Once well incorporated, gently fold in Blueberries and add to Silpat lined or muffin lined tin, about 2/3's full.  Sprinkle evenly with Pecans and bake at 350 for 27-30 minutes.  Remove, cool and chill in fridge.  Collagen tends to bake very moist, and these tend to be wet near the bottom, so best served chilled.  Enjoy :)

Super Bowl Sunday

     Football is so popular they decided to name a Sunday after it.  It's almost considered a National Holiday.  For many it is the most important day of the year, we are a people obsessed with the sport.  With that comes tradition, and with tradition comes food... and plenty of it.  However, with a little strategy of our own, we can make just the right play and end up with a win on our happy plates.  Keep in mind, over indulgence doesn't help your team score touchdowns (but it does make your padding thicker).  Also, the game is on the TV not next to the food table, ...you don't have to take a knee but you do have to take a seat...away from the calories.  Hydration is key in any athletic performance, however eating is not a sport, but filling up on water will help keep you full longer.  Dehydration can be confused for hunger, don't risk your brain getting a muscle cramp.  Proper nutrition is key to endurance, so offer to bring a dish to share that will help the party go the distance.  Blow the whistle on weight gain by passing on seconds, intercept those spiraling thoughts.  Exercising a few healthy principles will allow your own personal cheering section to stand up and yell HURRAH, a stadium filled with healthy choices hold the happiest fans on earth!  I'm routing for you!  Now let's get out there America and enjoy the Half Time show, laugh and cry at society altering commercials, and may the best Seven Layer Dip..errr man...errr team win!  Cheers  ;)

Dip~ you don't have to give up flavor or fun.  With a few little tweaks you can have it all, and it all starts right here with my Healthy Seven Layer Dip!

http://foodfitnessbypaige.blogspot.com/2018/01/healthy-seven-layer-dip.html

https://foodfitnessbypaige.blogspot.com/2020/01/vegan-queso.html

https://foodfitnessbypaige.blogspot.com/2018/01/simple-guac.html

https://foodfitnessbypaige.blogspot.com/2019/01/chelsea-dip.html

https://foodfitnessbypaige.blogspot.com/2021/01/simple-hummus.html

Dip Holders~Chips, chips, chips....so many choices so few toppings.  When it comes to Tortilla Chips you can be a little picky with all the new healthy options.  Here are my top three picks, plus my favorite homemade Cracker!

     Make your own!!!  So simple to throw together a portion controlled amount in minutes, this way you have control over how much and what you are putting in your mouth!  Try this for a fun craft project in the kitchen!

https://foodfitnessbypaige.blogspot.com/2020/06/homemade-tortilla-chips.html

http://foodfitnessbypaige.blogspot.com/2018/01/homemade-tortilla-chips.html

 https://foodfitnessbypaige.blogspot.com/2019/01/mozzarella-tortilla-chips.html

https://foodfitnessbypaige.blogspot.com/2019/01/salt-and-pepper-crackers.html

https://foodfitnessbypaige.blogspot.com/2019/03/hummus-rounds.html

     High Protein Tortilla Chips!  I know I know, save the eye rolls for your mother.  These are good!  And if there weren't labels on the outside you would never know whats on the inside.  If you are looking for a little healthier version of a guilt free chip, give these a try.  I love that they are perfectly portioned.  And once they are toting a little dip you will never know the diff.

questnutrition.com

Appetizers!!!

     Keep the party going with the perfect healthy snacks.  This is not the time to skimp on your offerings.  Just keep it simple and flavorful, and everyone will be smiling win or lose!

https://foodfitnessbypaige.blogspot.com/2019/01/sweet-bacon-chicken.html

https://foodfitnessbypaige.blogspot.com/2019/01/pizza-muffins.html

https://foodfitnessbypaige.blogspot.com/2020/01/vegan-white-chili.html

Desserts !!!

There are all kinds of choices on my Blog to choose from.  Simply go to the right hand column and click on desserts, you could fill the day reading all my 1000 healthy dessert recipes.  But for now, how bout you start with my Super Chocolate Chips.  They are perfect for any Sunday, but especially when it revolves around Football!  Cheers  :)

http://foodfitnessbypaige.blogspot.com/2018/01/super-chocolate-chips.html

 https://foodfitnessbypaige.blogspot.com/2019/01/touch-down-chocolate-chips.html

https://foodfitnessbypaige.blogspot.com/2020/01/frosted-sweet-potato-fudge-bars.html

https://foodfitnessbypaige.blogspot.com/2020/01/chocolate-peanut-butter-crispy-treats.html

https://foodfitnessbypaige.blogspot.com/2019/01/winning-brownies.html

Super Chocolate Chips

     Super Chocolate Chips are not only perfect for the Superbowl, but for any gathering whether football related or not!  Consider these a win for only 73 calories, 3.3g net carbs and 2.6g protein.  If sugar free and gluten free is "yo thang", then these will score all kinds of points with your healthy regimen.  In a world filled with temptations, these are an easy reliable choice!  :)

Ingredients for 15 cookies~
3/4 cup Gluten Free Oats
2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil, melted
2 Extra Large Eggs
1/4 cup Almond Flour
1/2 cup Lakanto Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 at checkout for discount
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
Dash Salt
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla
1/4 cup Lily's Stevia Sweetened Dark Chocolate Chips
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1oz/2 Tablespoons Cream Cheese, softened to room temperature
1 teaspoon Lakanto Confectioners Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 for discount at checkout

     Grind Oats into powder in Magic Bullet or Blender, add to mixing bowl along with rest of first set of ingredients except Chips, when thoroughly combined, stir in Chips.  Measure out dough into 15 equal 1oz portions and lay a Pam sprayed Football shaped cookie cutter on Silpat lined cookie sheet.  Press the dough inside the cookie cutter to form shape, gently remove cookie cutter and repeat 14 more times.  Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.  Meanwhile, mix the Cream Cheese and remaining Erythritol til smooth, add to baggie, snip corner and pipe strings on cooled cookies.  Enjoy  :)

   

Chocolate Chip Cookie Energy Balls

     I have a story to tell you.  I had a hankering to create the perfect sugar free gluten free Chocolate Chip cookie.  Pridefully whipping together my fool proof creation, I smugly added the tray of dough to the oven.  Taking the time to bask in all my raw talent, I anxiously awaited the 10 minute buzzer to alarm.  For someone so full of themselves, you can imagine my shock to discover a giant melted mass form of ingredients scoffing at me.  Taunting me with getting the last word in, I hopelessly removed the blob to rest on the counter.  Having a mini meltdown seemed like the next logical step.  Wiping a tear for dramatic effect, I had a decision to make.  I can use all my energy flopping around on the floor in a hysterical fit, or I can use the same amount of energy in figuring out if these beasts can be turned into beauties.  But how in the world could I turn those catapillars into butterflies!?  So me think'd and me think'd...and then I thunk'd it.  I will crush those devils into delicious crumbs, stir in Almond Butter, shape them into balls, smooth out the edges and roll them into a beautiful white Collagen Creamer powder.  The end result were 22 DELICIOUS Chocolate Chip Cookie Energy Balls, all for 123 calories, 3g net carbs and 4g protein.  I realized it doesn't matter how you win, it matters how you loose...and, you never loose if you learn.  Humility never tasted so good.  Never never give up  ;)

Ingredients for 22~1oz servings~
1/2 cup Gluten Free Oats
1/4 cup Coconut Oil, melted
2 Tablespoons Coconut Flour
2 Jumbo Eggs
1/2 cup Lakanto Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 at checkout for discount
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Salt
Dash Vanilla
1/4 cup Lilys Stevia Sweetened Dark Chocolate Chips
- - - - - - - - - - - -
1 cup Almond Butter
1 scoop Vital Proteins Vanilla Collagen Creamer

     Grind Oats to powder in Magic Bullet or blender, add to mixing bowl along with rest of first set of ingredients minus the Chips.  Once well incorporated, stir in Chips and drop dough onto Silpat lined cookie sheet and bake at 375 for 12 minutes.  Remove from oven and cool, then crumble in bowl, and stir in Almond Butter.  Shape into 22~1oz balls and roll in Collagen Creamer.  Store in fridge and enjoy this crunchy yet smooth work of art!  :)