Sweet Potato Bread

     If you want to take bread to the next level, health level that is, I have an idea for you!  My Sweet Potato Bread is perfect for morning, afternoon or night!  Each of the 6 servings are only 300 calories, 43.6g carbs, 6.6g fiber, 37g net carbs, 18.5g protein and 6.2g fat.  How bout that protein, did you notice the 18.5grams???  This travels well and loves accompanying me to the gym.  Give this a try and see where it best fits in your schedule!  ;) 

Ingredients for 6 servings~

1 pound Sweet Potato flesh, mashed

1 cup Egg Whites

3 cups Oats

2 scoops Quest Vanilla Protein Powder (sub with favorite flavor)

1 teaspoon Baking Powder

Dash Cinnamon

Dash Vanilla

1/4 cup chopped Walnuts

     Clean Sweet Potatoes, prick with fork, wrap in foil, add to cookie sheet, bake at 400 for 90 minutes, removed, scrape out flesh, weigh out 1 pound, add to mixing bowl along with rest of ingredients, except for Walnuts.  Divide batter in half, add to parchment lined loaf pans, sprinkle Walnuts equally on top of each loaf, bake loafs at 350 for 45 minutes.  Remove, and divide each loaf in three pieces each, for a total of 6 servings.  Enjoy  :)

Lucky Leprechaun Muffins

      Why are my Lucky Leprechaun Muffins lucky you ask!?  I will tell you why...sugar free, gluten free and the only source of fat is a healthy Avocado, (that's where the green comes in for an additional bonus for St Pat's).  Add all those things together and you have a winner on your hands.  Not to mention, each of the 11 muffins are only 130 calories, 21.4g carbs, 4.8g fiber, .8g sugar alcohol, 15.8g net carbs, 4.6g protein and 5g fat.  Perfect way to start your day on a holiday, or any time of day!  So, if you want to get lucky, I encourage you to give these a try!!!  ;)

Ingredients for 11 servings~

2 medium or large ripe mashed Bananas

2 Extra Large Eggs

1 small (approx 3.5oz) ripe mashed Avocado

2 1/4 cups Oats

1/2 cup Cocoa

1 teaspoon Baking Powder

Dash Cinnamon

Dash Vanilla

77 Lily's Stevia Sweetened White Chocolate Chips

     Add Bananas to mixing bowl, beat til smooth, blend in Eggs and smashed Avocado, then continue to incorporate Oats and Cocoa, then finish with adding in Baking Powder, Cinnamon and Vanilla, drop by 1/4 cup to silpat lined, or St Patricks Day themed liners in muffin tin.  Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.  Remove, while still warm, decorate the top of each Muffin with 7 Chips, strive for a Four Leaf Clover for fun, or let you kids play with their creativity!  Enjoy  :)

Tahini Hummus Sauce

     When you stumble upon something good, you just have to share, and share I will.  We were visiting our son in San Francisco and discovered one of his favorites recipes, (not to mention his wife loves when he’s creating his masterpieces).  It was literally so amazing I had to take home his ideas and play in the kitchen.  After a few fun twists and turns, I think I have come up with a hearty spin off, all the while retaining the fantastic flavors.  Each of the sixteen 1/4 cup servings are only 87 calories, 8.5g carbs, 1.5g fiber, 7g net carbs, 3.4g protein and 4.4g fat.  Have I peaked your curiosity yet…follow along and see how we Alexanders do things!

Ingredients for sixteen 1/4 cup servings~

1 cup dry Garbanzo Beans (sub with 2 cans)

1 cup reserved simmered Water

1/2 cup Tahini

1 cup Lemon Juice

1 Tablespoon chopped Garlic

1 Tablespoon Cumin

Salt, as desired

     Soak Beans overnight covered in water, drain and add Beans to pot, cover with water and simmer for 2 hours, drain but reserve 1 cup of Water.  Add Beans and reserved cup of Water to food processor, along with remaining ingredients, blend til smooth, store in fridge, serve over roasted veggies, as a salad dressing or your favorite dip.  Enjoy  :)

PS. I roast Sweet Potatoes, Red Onion, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower, Kale and Red Bell Pepper, toss with scant amount of Olive Oil and spread on lined cookie sheet, I add Potatoes and Onion first for 10 minutes at 400, then add Brussels and Cauliflower for another 30 minutes, stirring half way thru, then add Kale and Bell Pepper for another 5 minutes.

Banana Walnut Snack Cake

   What could be better than throwing together a list of healthy ingredients, yet calling it cake!?  Follow along and see what I do to enjoy the best of both worlds.  Each of the 9 pieces are only 165 calories, 24.5g carbs, 3g fiber, 21.5g net carbs, 11.5g protein and 2.7g fat.  So how about that low fat high protein combo!?  Perfect any time of day!

Ingredients for 9 servings~

2 smashed ripe Bananas

1 cup Egg Whites

2 scoops Quest Vanilla Protein Powder (sub with favorite flavor)

3 cups Oats (I used instant which gave the cake a very dense texture)

1 teaspoon Baking Powder

Dash Vanilla

Dash Cinnamon

1 Tablespoon crushed Walnuts  

     Add Bananas to mixing bowl, smash to softened consistency, beat in remaining ingredients except for nuts, pour into parchment lined 8X8 and top with Walnuts, bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.  Enjoy :)

Strawberry Oat Pecan Squares

 

     The day I am writing this is a travel day for me, and I had to whip something together for a long stretch, with the desire to avoid airport food.  This way I know exactly what I am getting and it is ready when I am.  Plus, I just feel better eating what I make, and this will travel well.  The entire recipe is 403 calories, 35.3g carbs, 5.7g fiber, 29.6g net carbs, 49.7g PROTEIN, and only 6.3g fat.  So, we have some great complex carbs, and a whopping punch of protein, with very little fat.  This will get me where I am going in good shape…or even, if I were just slugging around at home!  ;)

Ingredients for one serving (or more if desired)~

3/4 cup Egg Whites

1/2 cup Oats

1 scoop Quest Peanut Butter Protein Powder (sub with Vanilla or favorite)

1/2 cup chopped Strawberries

1 teaspoon Baking Powder

Dash Cinnamon

Dash Vanilla

1 teaspoon chopped Pecans

     Throw everything in a bowl and stir well, I reserved part of the Berries and Pecans to sprinkle on top.  Pour into a parchment lined 5X7 and bake at 350 for 28 minutes, do not over bake as Protein Powder can tend to be drying post baking, so err on the side of undercooking.  Slice into four and Enjoy :)

Beef Enchilada Skillet

 

     For those of you that know me well, you know I do food prep every week, so I have my lunch and dinners all prepared by Sunday afternoon for the week.  HOWEVER, this week we will be going out of town so I wont have that same window of opportunity.  BUT…I put on my thinking cap and did my food prep today for the week AFTER vacation, …so when I get home everything is in the freezer ready to pull out and defrost for the return Monday morning.  Voila!!!  It sure will make things fall into place while getting back into a routine!  I’m going to share my Beef Enchilada Skillet with you, plus I will have 5~6oz grilled Chicken Breast in the freezer as well, I will have 5~6oz Potatoes on hand, and ready to throw in the oven to bake.  Easy Peasy.  Do you prep in advance of your week, or for after vacation? (per 1 1/4 cup servings is 285 calories, 41g carbs, 20g fiber, 21g net carbs, 35.7g protein and 4.4g fat)

Ingredients for 5 servings~

300g dried Black Beans (sub with 2 drained cans of Beans)

1 teaspoon Chicken or Vegetable Bouillon 

1.5 diced Onions

1 pound 96% lean Ground Beef

1 Tablespoon chopped Garlic

10oz can Enchilada Sauce, or Salsa, or Enchilada Spices

     The day before preparing, soak Beans in bowl covered with water over night, in the morning, drain, add to pot, cover with water, along with Bouillon and 1/2 Onion and simmer for 2 hours, drain excess liquid.  Meanwhile, add Beef, 1 Onion, and Garlic to skillet, brown and drain, stir in Beans and Sauce, divide into 5 equal portions.  Should yield about 1 1/4 cup per serving.  Store in fridge if going to eat that week, otherwise store in freezer til ready to use.  I serve on top of a mixed Green Salad, or add Chicken Broth and turn into soup, top with Avocado, or Rice or Corn if desired. Enjoy ♥️

Peanut Butter Protein Bread

     

     If you are looking for a heavy dense piece of yum, that can actually double as a meal, then you are in the right place!  Packed with protein, flavor and a nice boost of fiber, this one fires on all cylinders.  Each of the 4 servings are only 443 calories, 59g carbs, 11g fiber, 48g net carbs, 29g protein and 11.2g fat.  A hearty slice of heaven has never been better.  ;)

Ingredients for 4 servings~

2 medium ripe smashed Bananas

1 cup Egg Whites

2 scoops Quest Peanut Butter Protein Powder

1/2 cup ground Flax Seed

3 cups Oats (Old Fashion is what I use)

1 teaspoon Baking Powder

Dash Cinnamon

Dash Vanilla

1 Tablespoon chopped Pecans

     Add Bananas to mixing bowl and beat til smooth, incorporate Egg Whites, and continue to beat in Protein Powder, Flax Seed, Oats, Baking Powder, Cinnamon and Vanilla, and pour into parchment lined loaf pan, top with Pecans, bake at 350 for 30 minutes.  Enjoy  :)