Citrus Salad

     This Citrus Salad is not only amazing in flavor, but super versatile.  For example I had this for breakfast, and it hit all the right spots to start my day.  I don't have macros on this because it's an add as you please dish...and add I did!  This would make a great side to any nice grilled protein, or easy to super size and bring it to a large gathering.  Anyway you decide to incorporate this into your life, there are no mistakes!  Thank you to the fresh ingredient Gods for making my tummy so happy  ;)

Ingredients~

Bed of mixed Greens

Skinned Grapefruit Slices

Skinned Orange Slices

Avocado Slices

Fresh Blueberries

Slivered Almonds

Crumbled Goat Cheese (optional if desired)

California Balsamic Sunrise Grapefruit Balsamic Vinegar (californiabalsamic.com) 

     Add mixed Greens to Salad bowl, top with Grapefruit, Orange, Avocado, Blueberries, Almonds and Cheese, then drizzle with the spectacular Grapefruit Balsamic Vinegar, season as desired and use desired amounts of each ingredient.  Enjoy  :)

Thai Peanut Salad Dressing

     I love a good Thai flavor, especially if it can be just a pinch mild yet powerful at the same time...seems easy and reasonable.  Whelp, while playing in the kitchen, I think I discovered the perfect formula.  Each of the 10 Tablespoons are only 23 calories, 3.2g carbs, .5g fiber, 2.7g net carbs, 1.6g protein, and .4g fat.  Try this on your next Salad that's adorned with Chicken, Red Bell Pepper and crushed Peanuts, you can thank me later...or stop everything you are doing and thank me right NOW!  ;)

Ingredients for 10 Tablespoons~

1/3 cup Lakanto Peanut Butter Powder~use code Paige20 at checkout for discount

3 Tablespoons Water

1 Tablespoon Coconut Aminos, sub with Lite Soy Sauce

1 Tablespoon Lime juice

1 teaspoon fresh chopped Garlic, more to taste if desired

2 Tablespoons California Balsamic Ginger Balsamic Vinegar (californiabalsamic.com)~sub with 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar and a Tablespoon Ginger Powder

     Add all ingredients to blender, blend til thoroughly mixed together.  Enjoy  :)

Mustard Balsamic Brussels

     I was inspired by a recipe created from Chef AJ, and that's how my Mustard Balsamic Brussels were born.  They are a pure delight of vegetable richness, all the flavor with none the guilt.  Each of these 2 half pound servings are only 124 calories, 26.5g carbs, 8g fiber, 18.5g net carbs, 7g protein and .7g fat.  Add these to your next meal, then decide if they are a side or the main star of the show!  ;)

Ingredients for two servings~

1 pound of fresh cleaned trimmed halved Brussels

2 Tablespoons Mustard

2 Tablespoons California Balsamic's Premium Classic Balsamic Vinegar (californiabalsamic.com)

     Clean, and trim fresh Brussels to yield 1 pound, add to bowl, toss with Mustard and Vinegar, spread on parchment or silpat lined cookie sheet, bake at 400 for 30 minutes, stirring half way thru.  Enjoy  :)

 

Chocolate Chip Muffins

     In a world filled with stress, my Chocolate Chip Muffins are a place of healthy peace.  With mounds of richness peaking towards the sunlight, you will appreciate every bite of joy.  Each of these 9 Muffins are only 176 calories, 20.6g carbs, 4.9g fiber, 7.6g sugar alcohol, 7.3g protein and 12.7g fat.  These are a great way to start or end your day, and every minute in between!  :)

Ingredients for 9 Muffins~

2 extra small (6oz total) ripe mashed Bananas

1/2 cup Peanut Butter, I prefer chunky

2 extra large Eggs, room temperature

1/3 cup Lakanto Golden Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 at checkout for discount~sub with Classic Monk Fruit  

1/2 cup Almond Four

1/2 cup Cocoa Powder

1 teaspoon Baking Powder

Dash Cinnamon

Dash Vanilla

2 Tablespoons Lily's Stevia Sweetened Dark Chocolate Chips

     Add mashed Banana and Peanut Butter to bowl, beat with mixers, blend in Eggs, then Monk Fruit.  Next add remaining ingredients minus Chips, add a 1/4 cup batter to 9 silpat lined muffin tins, sprinkle evenly with Chips, bake at 350 for 26 minutes.  Enjoy  :_)

Premium White Balsamic Breakfast

     Most people dream of a White Christmas, I could care less about that...I'm just dreaming of a White Breakfast.  My tummy was all smiles this morning from first to last bite, a perfect pre workout start to my day.  The entire portion was only 313 calories, 73.7g carbs, 8.6g fiber, 65.1g net carbs, 4.4g protein and .2g fat.  Off to the gym filled with power and energy!  :)

Ingredients for one serving~

3/4 cup Water

1/3 cup Rice (not Instant)

1 Tablespoon California Balsamic Premium White Balsamic Vinegar (californiabalsamic.com)

1 medium chopped Fuji Apple

Seasoning as desired, if desired

     Add Water and Rice to small saucepot, bring to boil, reduce to simmer, add lid, simmer for 15 minutes, remove from heat and stir in Vinegar, add to bowl along with chopped Apple, season as desired.  Enjoy  :)

 

Top Seedz Oatmeal

     When I tried Maple Magic Seeds from Top Seedz (topseedz.com), I knew I had something special I had to explore, and explore I did...and the results were off the charts.  Using this mixture of organic Sunflower and Pumpkin seeds as a topper on my Oats was a taste thrilling experience.  Each of these 2 servings are only 237 calories, 41.1g carbs, 6.2g fiber, 12g sugar alcohol, 22.9g net carbs, 7.5g protein and 11.5g fat.  The best part of this is that it is a make ahead recipe, just waiting for you when the sun comes up!  Enjoy the heck outta this one  ;)

Ingredients for two servings~

1 cup water

1 small (3oz) trimmed and grated Zucchini (do not squeeze water from Zucchini and use smallest grater)

1 small (2oz) mashed Banana

1/2 cup Oats

2 Tablespoons ground Flax Seed

2 Tablespoons Lakanto Golden Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 at checkout for discount~sub with Classic Monk Fruit (or sub with extra Banana)

1/4 cup 30 cal/cup Almond Milk

1/4 cup mixed Berries

1/4 scant cup (1oz) Maple Magic Seeds (topseedz.com)

     Bring Water to a simmer, add Zucchini, Banana, Oats, Flax Seed and Monk Fruit, stir together and continue to simmer for one minute, stir in Almond Milk, bring to room temperature and store in fridge overnight.  When ready to eat, sprinkle with Berries and Seeds.  If you want a thinner Oatmeal, add more Almond Milk, but not included in macros.  Makes 2 servings, each serving a rounded cup.  Enjoy  :) 

Sweet Mustard Salad

     Just found a new Dressing and had to share.  It is the Sweet Mustard Dressing (wellyourworld.com), and the big bonus is there is no added salt, oil or sugar.  Two tablespoons are only 35 calories, 7g carbs, 1g fiber, 6g net carbs, zero fat and protein.  Super flavors for few macros.  My Salad toppings were 350 calories, 70g carbs, 8g fiber, 62g net carbs, 12g protein and 2g fat.  Can you believe only 2g fat in this luscious Salad!?  Add macros for you bowl of Greens, I used Romaine, Kale, Broccoli, Carrots, Red Bell Pepper and Onion, ...and anything else your happy heart desires!  In good health~paige  :)

Ingredients for one Salad (increase ingredients for multiples)~

Bed of mixed Greens as desired, set aside in fridge

1/4 cup dried Garbanzo Beans, prepared per package instructions, or 3/4 cup canned

1/4 cup Rice, prepared per package instructions

5 trimmed, halved and cleaned mini Sweet Bell Pepper, or half of a Bell Pepper

2 Tablespoons Well Your World Sweet Mustard Dressing

     Prepare Salad Greens, set aside, prepare Garbanzo Beans and Rice per package directions, be aware to plan for soaking Beans overnight if using those instructions.  Meanwhile, place trimmed, halved and cleaned mini Peppers on silpat or parchment lined baking tray and roast at 425 for 10-15 minutes or til browned, then flip and continue for another 10 minutes or til browned, you will have to keep a close eye as to not burn, or increase roasting time if necessary, use convection setting if desired.  Add Beans, Rice and Peppers to Salad bowl, drizzle with Dressing and season as desired.  Enjoy  :)

  

Dairy Free Ranch Dressing

            

     I didn't think it was possible...but it is!  Vegan Ranch Dressing, made completely Dairy Free.  And it is soooooo good!!!  This batch makes up 1.5 cups, maybe a smidgen more, and you get 6 fourth cup servings.  Each serving is only 57 calories, 10g carbs, 3.7g fiber, 6.4g net carbs, 3.6g protein and .2g fat, ...how 'bout those numbers on your salad!?  This is a must try  :)

Ingredients for six 1/4 cup servings~

15oz drained can Great Northern Beans

1/4 cup 30 cal/cup Almond Milk

2 Tablespoons White Vinegar

1/4 cup fresh chopped Parsley

1/2 teaspoon Lite Salt

1/2 teaspoon dried Dill

1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder

1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder

Dash Pepper

Dash Cayenne if desired to taste, (I did not)

     Add Beans and Milk to high powered blender, whip til smooth, add remaining ingredients and continue to whip til thoroughly incorporated.  Store in fridge.  Enjoy  :)

Cucumber Balsamic Salad

      When you try a new flavor, you can't make a special recipe fast enough...such was the case today.  Hello Cucumber Balsamic Vinegar, welcome to my world...well, not just yet, but in June 2021 California Balsamic will release this spectacular flavor.  My creation is only 355 calories, 47.8g carbs, 10.2g fiber, 37.6g net carbs, 9.9g protein and 14.6g fat.  These macros do not include the Salad base, which are a mixture of Romaine, Kale, Broccoli, Red Bell Pepper, Carrot, and Green Onion.  This is unbelievably refreshing, and will be a staple in my Salad rotation!

Ingredients for one Salad (multiply for more servings)~

1/4 cup dried Garbanzo Beans (sub with 3/4 cup cooked) 

1 small (approximately 3oz) ripe Avocado, peeled and chopped

1/2 fresh Cucumber, diced

1/2 Roma Tomato, diced

2 Tablespoons Cucumber Balsamic Vinegar (Californiabalsamic.com)

Bed of Greens and Veggies~Romaine, Kale, Broccoli, Carrots, Red Bell Pepper, Green Onions

Seasoning as desired

     Add Beans to bowl and cover with water by a few inches, soak over night, drain, add to pot and cover with water by a few inches, bring to boil, reduce to simmer, add lid and simmer for 2 hours, drain, and add to top of mixed Greens, along with Avocado, Cucumber, Tomato and Balsamic, season as desired.  Enjoy  :)