Food Fitness by Paige: June 2018

Thursday, June 28, 2018

Chocolate Palooza Cupcakes

Every once in a while I operate on all cylinders, and this morning was that time!!! All the stars and planets lined up last night and this came to me in my dreams. Will the wonders ever cease!? As if the magic of each rich gooey bite weren't enough, the macros are outta this world too. Each of these Chocolate Palooza Cupcakes are only 213 calories, 26g carbs, 14.3g fiber, 5g sugar alcohol, 6.7g net carbs, 19g protein and 9.4g fat. Can't wait to drift off tonight and come up with the next best thing!!! ;)

Ingredients for 4 servings~
1 Quest S'mores Protein Bar, divided into 4 equal pieces~sub with favorite flavor
1 Quest Cookies and Cream Protein Bar, divided into 4 equal pieces~sub with favorite flavor
6 Tablespoons Peanut Butter Powder
2 Tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon Water
2 Tablespoons Stevia Sweetened Chocolate Chips
1 Quest Peanut Butter Brownie Smash Bar, divided into 4 equal pieces~sub with favorite flavor

Add each of the 4 equal pieces of S'mores Protein Bar to microwave for 15 seconds and press each soft piece into bottom of Silpat Cupcake liner, repeat with Cookies and Cream on top of the S'mores. Mix Peanut Butter Powder and Water til thoroughly combined, add one Tablespoon of mixture to top of each Cookies and Cream layer, spread to fully cover, top each Peanut Butter layer with 15 Chocolate Chips. Repeat process with Peanut Butter Brownie Smash Bar by microwaving all portions for 15 seconds and press into circle to cover top of Cupcake, garnish each with 15 more Chocolate Chips. Bake in Cupcake tin at 350 for 7 minutes. Enjoy guilt free! :)

Snowball Chocolate Chips

Some days are better than others, this just so happened to be one of the great ones! My Snowball Chocolate Chips put a smile on my face and joy in my belly. My brain was on board too," 'cause I be knowin'" each of the 24 cookies are only 59 calories, 7.5g carbs, 6g fiber, 1.5g net carbs, 3g protein and 5g fat. Have 5 and make it a mini meal...cookies are the new lunch! If you prefer sans the Frosting, then dig in for 45 calories, 6.5g carbs, 5g fiber, 1.5g net carbs, 2g protein and 3g fat. Have 6 and call it dinner! :)

Ingredients for 24 Cookies~
2 Tablespoons Butter, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup Lakanto Golden Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 at checkout
1 jumbo Egg
1/2 cup Almond Flour
1/2 cup Oats, grind to powder in blender/magic bullet
2 scoops unflavored Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Lite Salt
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla
1oz ChocZero Dark Chocolate Almond Bark, chopped to bits
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2 Tablespoons Butter, softened to room temperature
2oz/4 Tablespoons reduced fat Cream Cheese, softened
2 scoops unflavored Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
1/4 cup Lakanto Confectioners Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 at checkout
Dash Vanilla Extract
Dash Butter Extract
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1 square ChocZero 70% Dark Chocolate

Cream together Butter and Sweetener in first set of ingredients, continue to add ingredients while mixing together, stir in last ingredient of chopped Chocolate. Drop by level Tablespoon on silpat lined cookie sheet, bake at 375 for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, mix together second set of ingredients, this will make 10 Tablespoons, but you will only be using 8 Tablespoons, store left over in fridge. When cookies have cooled, frost each cookie with one teaspoon Frosting. Use fork to grate Chocolate square shreds on top while Frosting still wet. Enjoy :)

Mocha Peanut Butter Brownies

I know it sounds weird, but these flavors are actually AWESOME together! Mocha Peanut Butter Brownies are filled with mellow richness like no other! Each of the nine servings are only 123 calories, 16g carbs, 14g fiber, 2g net carbs, 7g protein and 9g fat. With all these qualities, I see no reason not to try this one pronto!

Ingredients for 9 servings~
5 Tablespoons Butter, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup Lakanto Classic Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 at checkout
2 Extra Large Eggs
1/4 cup Instant De Caf Coffee
1/4 cup Coconut Flour
1/2 cup unsweetened Cocoa
3 scoops unflavored Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Lite Salt
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla
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1/4 cup Peanut Butter Powder
2 Tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon Water

Cream Butter and Monk Fruit til fluffy and well blended, beat in Eggs, then continue to add in rest of first set of ingredients, mixing well after each addition, pour into parchment lined 8X8 and bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Meanwhile, mix second set of ingredients til smooth and creamy, add to ziplock baggie, snip the corner and drizzle over Brownies when cooled. Enjoy :)

Butter Garlic Mushroom Thighs

So I did something I don't usually do...had the hubby grill Chicken Thighs vs Chicken Breasts. (trying to cook outside the box a smidgen more) This is one definitely worth trying. I don't have macro info on this because it was too hard to measure, but it is a rich decadent flavor that is still on the healthy side. So, as always, use your inner self to judge appropriate portions. Also, pairing with Broccoli and mixed Greens makes it a uber balanced meal. I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did, so satisfying!

Ingredients~
Chicken Thighs, seasoned as desired
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 chopped Onion
1 Tablespoon chopped Garlic
Dash Cayenne Pepper
Diced Baby Carrots
8oz sliced fresh Mushrooms
Sliced fresh Cherry Tomatoes
Dash Salt
1 Tablespoon Butter

Season Chicken Thighs as desired and grill per usual. Meanwhile, add Olive Oil to hot skillet, along with Onion, Garlic and Cayenne and saute' til golden brown, may take 30 minutes to achieve the perfect golden color. Then add diced Carrots til crisp tender, next add Mushrooms til cooked through. Lastly, stir in Tomatoes, Salt and Butter til melted, remove from heat and serve over Chicken. Enjoy :)

Low Carb Goulash

Have I mentioned what a fan I am of exercise!? If I haven't, I "shoulda", ...to the 10th power! There are many benefits to physical activity, and I experienced a huge pay off just the other day. I was telling my friend, Jennifer, at tennis my plan for a new recipe I was creating for dinner. She listened patiently, then when I was done with my "goings on", she offered a few additions that took my ideas from good to great. Four HUGE 2 1/3 cup servings are only 331 calories, 59g carbs, 39g fiber, 20g net carbs, 45g protein, and 7g fat. This high fiber Low Carb Goulash will keep you full for hours. Thanks to my buddy, there was a lot of "love" on the courts that day! It takes a village :)

Ingredients for four 2 1/3 cup servings~
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 medium yellow Onion, diced
1 Tablespoon chopped Garlic
Dash Cayenne
8oz sliced fresh Mushrooms
1 pound 99% lean ground Turkey
1 Green Bell Pepper, diced
2 Tablespoon Tomato Paste
14oz canned diced Italian Style Tomatoes, drained
1 cup low fat Cottage Cheese
8oz Impastable Low Carb Penne Pasta
4 teaspoons shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Parsley, chopped for garnish

Heat Olive Oil in skillet, add Garlic, Onion and Cayenne til golden brown, I don't rush this step, may take 30 minutes to achieve the perfect golden brown. #bepatient Next, add Mushrooms to skillet til cooked through. Add Turkey, heat til cooked thoroughly, add Bell Peppers til desired level of done, or keep raw if desired. Drain off any excess liquid. Stir in Tomato Paste, diced Tomatoes, and Cottage Cheese, add lid and keep warm. Meanwhile, prepare Pasta per directions, if you want a softer result add 2 more minutes of cooking time. Drain and stir into Turkey mixture, each serving is 2 1/3 cups, top each portion with 1 teaspoon shredded Sharp Cheddar and fresh Parsley. Enjoy :)

Thursday, June 14, 2018

Chocolate Chunk Biscotti Cookies

I like my cookies like Goldy Locks like her bed...#justright. Hey, we all have our preferences and being the Chocolate Chip Cookie connoisseur that I am, I'm no exception. And, quite frankly, sometimes I like them softer and when the mood strikes I prefer them a tad on the dense side. So hello Chocolate Chunk Biscotti Cookies, pleased to meet you. Also, have you noticed sometimes you like your desserts sweeter at certain times of the day. My Chocolate Chunk Biscotti Cookies are mildly sweet but not overpowering, making them perfect as an after work out mid morning fueling. I can carry 6 in a baggie and have a perfectly balanced mini meal. Each of the 23 cookies are only 47 calories, 6.8g carbs, 5.3g fiber, 1.5g net carbs, 2g protein and 3g fat. You do the math and see if these fit in your daily equation!

Ingredients for 23 Cookies~
2 Tablespoons Butter, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup Lakanto Monk Fruit (use code Paige20 at checkout)
1 Extra Large Eggs
1/2 cup super fine Almond Flour
1/2 cup Oats, grind to powder in Magic Bullet/Blender
1/4 cup ground Flaxseed
2 scoops unflavored Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
Dash Lite Salt
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla
1oz ChocZero Sea Salt Almond Bark, chopped

Beat Butter and Monk Fruit til fully combined, add rest of ingredients, mixing with each addition til the Chocolate, when you get to the Chocolate stir in with spoon. Chill for 2 hours, then drop by level Tablespoon on silpat lined cookie sheet and bake at 375 for 13 minutes. Enjoy :)

Fourth of July

Oh those summer holidays, filled with fun and wonder. Remember all those great adventures as a kid, being mesmerized by the fireworks and lightening bugs. Your dad cranking the ice cream machine by hand, then your uncle had to step in to help finish it off. That was the one time of year my parents didn't mind us drinking soda, there was always a big iced tub filled with an eye "popping" assortment...and, if you dug deep enough there was always an Orange Crush waiting at the bottom (and Grape if you were really lucky)...man that water was cold...but worth it. Holidays haven't changed much, but I have. As an adult I've shifted towards celebrating with health goals in mind. All things are possible if you want them bad enough, and I do, so I will. Check out some of my healthy ideas to add to the party, and go home feeling satisfied!