Pineapple Chia Pudding

     Don’t you just love fresh Pineapple!?  It makes everything sweeter in life,…and in recipes.  This is so fun and easy, you will want to run (not walk) to the kitchen and get started.  Super simple, and a wonderful overnight sensation.  Each of the two servings are only 292 calories, 25.5g carbs, 11.5g fiber, 14g net carbs, 20g protein and 14.1g fat.  How awesome are those macros…high fiber, low net carbs and a powerhouse of protein.  Winning all the way around!!!🍍🍍🍍

Ingredients for two servings~

1 cup 30 cal/cup Almond Milk

1/4 cup Chia Seeds

1 cup low fat Cottage Cheese

1 cup chopped fresh Pineapple

Strawberry for garnish if desired, not included in macros

Unsweetened Coconut for garnish if desired, not included in macros

     Stir together Milk and Seeds and let rest in fridge overnight, in the morning stir in Cheese and divide equally into two Mason Jars, or container of your choice, top with 1/2 cup Pineapple on each, and garnish with Strawberry or Coconut if desired.  Enjoy 😉 

Banana Bread

     Would you like to try your hand at a sugar free Banana Bread???  Why not, just for the heck of it!  This is loaded with flavor and a “buncha good for you bites”!  Each of the 8 slices are only 207 calories, 26g carbs, 3.5g fiber, 22.5g net carbs, 10g protein and 7.3g fat.  How bout that protein!?  Now, is this as sweet as a loaf made with sugar, nope, but close enough for me to enjoy the trade offs.  Up to you if to add the butter!😉

Ingredients for 8 slices~

3 large ripe mashed Bananas

4 Extra Large Eggs

1 cup 2% Greek Yogurt (I use Fage)

2 cups Oats

1 teaspoon Baking Powder

Dash Cinnamon

Dash Vanilla

1/4 cup chopped Pecans

     Add Banana to mixing bowl and beat til smooth, whip in Eggs, followed by Yogurt, then Oats, Powder, Cinnamon and Vanilla.  Pour equally into two parchment lined loaf pans, top equally with Pecans,  and bake at 375 for 30 minutes.  Enjoy 😊 

Apple Chia Pudding

     If you are into the “overnight thing”, you are going to love love love this one!!!  Is it breakfast, is it dessert, is it just a good time!?  Who knows, all I know is it is worth it!  Each of the two servings are only 297 calories, 39.5g carbs, 15.5g fiber, 24g net carbs, 8.1g protein and 13.2g fat…did you get a load of that fiber folks???  Anytime I can make something ahead and it’s ready to grab in the morning, then that is a winner in my books.  Give this a try and see if you agree!

Ingredients for two servings~

1 large ripe mashed Banana

1/4 cup Chia Seeds

2 cups 30 cal/cup Almond Milk

Diced medium Apple ( I am loving the new Envy Apples, Fuji is my second fave)

Strawberry for garnish if desired, not included in macros

     Combine, mashed Banana, Seeds and Milk thoroughly, rest in fridge overnight.  In the morning, stir in Apples, divide into two equal portion, garnish with Strawberry if desired.  Enjoy 😉 

Mediterranean Chicken Loaf

 

     If you are looking for a easy dinner idea, this is one to try.  Super easy to turn into a wrap, salad or main.  I combined mine with rice, chickpeas, pickles, tomatoes and a homemade Tahini dressing.  So the hardest thing you will do is decide how you want to serve it up!  Not to mention, great as leftovers, so get crazy and try it several different ways!

Ingredients~

2 pounds of Chicken Breast cut into smaller pieces

5.3oz 2% Fage Greek Yogurt

1/2 cup Lemon Juice

1/4 cup Olive Oil

1 Tablespoon chopped Garlic

Dash Cayenne Pepper

     Cut Chicken into pieces as desired.  Combine marinade ingredients into gallon ziplock bag, add Chicken and rest in fridge over night, up to 24 hours, flip over often.  When ready, line loaf pan with parchment paper, add Chicken to pan, bake at 400 for 1 hour, remove, cool to touch, slice as desired, use in a variety of ways.  I did mine in a Salad with Rice, Chickpeas, Tomatoes, Pickles and Tahini Dressing.  Enjoy 😊 

Sweet Mustard Tahini Dressing: 

Ingredients for 1 cup, or 8 two Tablespoon servings~

1/4 cup Lemon Juice

6 Dates, chopped

1/4 cup Dijon Mustard ( sub with regular~if you don’t love the strong Mustard flair, then reduce to 2 Tablespoons and increase Lemon Juice to 1/2 cup)

1/4 cup Tahini

     Soak the Dates in the Lemon Juice for at least an hour, add to Magic Bullet or food processor, blend til smooth, then continue to incorporate the Mustard and Tahini, mix til smooth.

Peach Cobbler Snack Cake

     Are you looking for the perfect summer dessert, heck…quite frankly any time of year.  This one has me brimming with joy over how good this turned out!!!  What makes it extra special is only 5 main ingredients and completely sugar free.  My hubby is my barometer for “yum”, and he asked for seconds on this one folks!  Each of the 9 pieces are only 162 calories, 24g carbs, 3.6g fiber, 21.4g net carbs, 6.3g protein and 4.8g fat.  This is truly one to try, great for breakfast, or even a pre or post workout refueling.  Here’s a chance to use up your fresh Peaches in an inviting way!!!

Ingredients for 9 servings~

2 large ripe mashed Bananas

4 extra large Eggs

2 cups Oats

1 teaspoon Baking Powder

Dash Cinnamon 

Dash Vanilla

3 large chopped fresh Peaches

2 Tablespoons chopped Pecans

     Add Bananas to mixing bowl, and beat til mashed smooth, blend in Eggs, followed by Oats, Baking Powder, Cinnamon and Vanilla, then stir in Peaches and pour into parchment lined 8x8 or 9x9, top with Pecans and bake at 375 for 35-40 minutes.  Enjoy 😉 

Avocado Chicken

     If you are looking for a simple dinner idea, I have one that will blow your mind.  It does involve the grill, but you can always do it your own way and I am sure it will turn out just as good.  Coming up with meals is always a struggle, so when I think of something new and easy I like to share.  And, if low carb is your game, then this is just the ticket!!!

Ingredients~

Chicken Breast

Marinade of your choice (I purchased a pre made Cilantro Lime Marinade, but so simple to make your own)

Avocado

Cherry Tomatoes

Purple Onion

Lemon Juice

Salt

     Marinate Chicken Breast, pour off excess Marinade when ready, then grill as desired.  If you can’t grill, then chop your Chicken into bite size pieces, and cook in skillet .  Meanwhile, chop your Avocado, Tomato, and Onion into a bowl, toss with Lemon Juice and Salt if desired.  When ready to serve, spoon Avocado mixture over Chicken and enjoy!!!😋

Sweet Potato Cake

     If you love Sweet Potatoes, then this will be a good use of your time.  Easily thrown together, my Sweet Potato Cake makes the perfect breakfast, snack or dessert.  Not overly sweet, so it won’t set your cravings on fire.  Each of the 8 pieces are only 255 calories, 35.6g carbs, 5.1g fiber, 30.5g net carbs, 11g protein and 8g fat.  This stores great in the fridge all week long, just waiting for you to open the door and reach in!!!😉

Ingredients for 8 pieces~

1 large Sweet Potato (about a pound)

6 Extra Large Eggs

3 medium ripe mashed Banana

3 cups Oats

1 teaspoon Baking Powder

Dash Cinnamon

Dash Vanilla

2 Tablespoons Pecans

     Clean bad spots off Potato, wrap in foil, bake in oven on cookie sheet at 400 for 75 minutes, remove, cook, take off skin and mash out a cup of Sweet Potato (snack on skin and leftovers), add to large mixing bowl and beat with beaters.  Next, add in Eggs and mashed Banana til well incorporated, along with Oats, Baking Powder, Cinnamon and Vanilla, pour into parchment lined 7X11 and top with Pecans, bake at 375 for 35 minutes.  Enjoy 😊 

Banana Pancakes

     If you are looking for a fun experiment in the kitchen then put this on your list!  With only two simple ingredients, this comes together in a flash.  And what a perfect breakfast idea, sugar free!  The entire stack is only 265 calories, 27g carbs, 3.1g fiber, 23.9g net carbs, 10.4g fat.  Not a bad way to start your day, ehhh!?  I added some Stevia sweetened Dark Chocolate Chips and Strawberries, however macros do not include toppings. 😊

Ingredients for one serving~

1 medium ripe Banana

2 Extra Large Eggs

     Add Banana and Eggs to Magic Bullet and whip til smooth and combined.  Add 1/4 cup batter to hot cooking sprayed skillet, and cook til browned, flip and brown other side.  Repeat with remaining batter, should yield 4 very thin pancakes.  Enjoy. ☺️

The Ugly Cheescake

     So, I had an idea about a Cheesecake I had seen online, and after a few twists and turns of my own, I came up with my version that I lovingly named The Ugly Cheesecake.  If you are sugar free this will be a dream come true, if not, your tastebuds may be searching for something.  This definitely is NOT sweet (so don’t send me hate mail), more of a tangy cheese flavor, but is perfect served with Strawberries for breakfast, snack or even dessert.  Each of the 6 generous slices are only 223 calories, 12.3g carbs, zero carbs, 12.3g net carbs, 20.6g protein and 9g fat.  Did you catch those grams of protein!?  I have been having this for breakfast and enjoying every single bite!!!  (Berries not included in macros)

Ingredients for 6 servings~

3 cups 2% Fage Greek Yogurt

8 Extra Large Eggs

1/2 cup Tapioca Flour/Starch

     Blend Yogurt and Eggs together with beaters til smooth, stir in Flour til well incorporated.  Tear off sheet of parchment paper to fit 10 inch springform pan, scrunch up well and then line the pan (like you would a regular pan) with crinkled paper, the scrunching process allows the paper to sit nicely in the pan.  Pour Batter into pan, bake at 350 for one hour, you will notice it puffs up during baking but reduces immediately upon cooling.  Remove, cool, then set in fridge for a couple hours or overnight.  When ready, serve with favorite Berries.  Enjoy 😉