Healthy on the Weekend

     Click on the link below to watch my video of how we keep on plan, specifically on the weekend!  You won't regret capturing these ideas for smoother sailing on those two slippery days of the week!  You’ve got this !!!  So click on the link below and enjoy the warrior within you 7 days a week!!!💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

                                                          👉🏻 Healthy on the Weekend 👈🏻

     Do you find yourself filled with pride after a hard week of working out, eating clean and going to bed on time, only to turn into a completely different person that you don't even recognize come Friday at 5?  How frustrating to feel like all your progress is wasted, and you are spinning your wheels every weekend!?  Sound familiar!?  Have no fear, Paige is here!  I have ideas, and you need to hear them.  #1) Have a plan, write it down on paper if necessary, make it feel like a contract.   #2) Go to bed on time, keep your same sleep schedule, if necessary take a nap later.  #3) Since you have more down time make a list of activities to fill that space so you don’t find yourself in the kitchen out of boredom:  write in your journal, call a friend, read a book, take a walk, take a nap, work on a hobby, put some pictures in a scrapbook, knit, etc.  #4) Drink your water, limit alcohol, zero is best.  #5) Create a new healthy recipe that you can feed your family, put left overs in containers for lunch next week.  #6) Make a plan for next week, including food prep for the coming week.  If you like these ideas let me know, also what do you do on the weekend to keep yourself safe???  Follow Food Fitness by Paige for more healthy lifestyle ideas❤️

Sweet Pancakes

 

     Oh the sweet joys of living sugar free, yet not feeling deprived in any way shape or fashion.  Such is the case with my Sweet Pancakes, loving my life of freedom from sugar obsession.  Each of these 4 pancakes are only 95 calories, 12g carbs, 2g fiber, 10g net carbs, 5g protein and 3g fat.  Stack them all together or keep them separate and enjoy one each morning.  Listen to your heart, …errr, your tummy and see what it has to say!  Either way, you can’t go wrong.  (Macros do not include toppings of Yogurt and Berries)🥞

Ingredients for 4 Pancakes~

2 Eggs

2oz/1/4 cup chopped Apple

1 small 3oz ripe Banana

1/2 cup Oats

Dash Baking Powder

Dash Vanilla

Dash Cinnamon

     Add Eggs and Apple to Magic Bullet or blender and whip til Apples are smooth and fully incorporated, add in rest of ingredients til well blended.  Drop by 1/3 cup on hot cooking sprayed skillet and cook til golden brown, flip and repeat til golden on the other side.  Repeat 3 more times with remaining batter. Serve as is, or as desired, I enjoyed mine with a smear of unsweetened Yogurt and Berries.  Totally Delish!😋

Feta Basil Spaghetti Squash

 

      Looking for something fun, interesting and different!?  Look no further.  This is an easy put together, and hits all the high notes.  Super low carb, perfect for keto, not to mention a creative way to utilized “noodles”.  The hardest part will be cutting your Spaghetti Squash in half, but you can always ask the produce man very kindly if he will do it for you.  Otherwise, you can fork it several times and microwave for 5 minutes to soften, then cut it in half.  Where there is a will there is a way, you just have to decide which way works best for you!  Love all these flavors together, makes the perfect meal!  Caio’

Ingredients for 2-4 servings~

1 Spaghetti Squash, cut in half horizontally, seeds removed

Olive Oil, desired amount

6-8oz block Feta Cheese

Cherry Tomatoes, desired amount

1 Tablespoon chopped Garlic 

Salt, as desired

Pepper, as desired

Fresh Basil Leaves, desired amount

Balsamic Vinegar, desired amount    

     Cut Squash in half, if possible ask Produce Man to do this for you, or fork it several times and microwave 5 minutes to soften, then cut in half horizontally and remove seeds.  Rub inside with Olive Oil, fill each cavity with half the Feta, top with Tomatoes and Garlic, Salt and Pepper if desired.  Add to parchment lined cookie sheet and bake at 400 for an hour.  Remove from oven, cool to touch, toss strands and cheese together til fully blended, top with Basil and Balsamic.  Enjoy ☺️ 

Beet Salad

 

     But really…this is gooddddd!!!  Good may be an understatement, it’s actually divine.  AND, … I have a fun tip you will not want to miss.  I microwaved my Beets, you read that right, …MICROWAVE!!!  Super simple, but yet oh so sweet, surprisingly so.  No one could have been more pleased than me.  So you can keep this as a light vegetarian dish, or add a protein like Grilled Chicken for a heartier meal.  Either way, you can not beat this fun new way on Beets!!!  #seewhatididthere 💁🏼‍♀️

Ingredients~

Raw Beets, trimmed, peeled and chopped into bite size pieces (instructions based on 3 Beets)

1/2 cup Water

Dash Salt

Plain Greek Yogurt (I use Fage)

Arugula Salad

Pistachio Nuts

Balsamic Vinegar

Optional Protein Source, I prefer a nice Grilled Chicken

     Trim, peel and chop 3 Beets, add to microwave safe bowl along with 1/2 cup water and dash of salt, microwave 8 minutes, test for tenderness, repeat for another 3 minutes, test for tenderness, repeat if necessary, but mine were done after 11 minutes, all the water should be evaporated by now.  Allow to cool.  Meanwhile, spread a thin layer of Yogurt on Salad Plate, top with Arugula, Beets, Chicken if using, Pistachios and finish with a drizzle of Balsamic.  Enjoy ☺️ 

Great Northern Artichoke Hummus

 

    If you are looking for a smooth Hummus with a lemony twist, then look no further.  A tang in every bite, this one will make you happy it’s dinner time!  Perfect for dipping veggies, or my favorite use is as a Salad Dressing.  This makes a whopping 3.5 cups, each 1/2 cup is only 113 calories, 13g carbs, 4.6g fiber, 8.4g net carbs, 7g protein and 3.2g fat.  This is super easy to pull together, so the hardest thing about this recipe is deciding how you want to use…maybe just straight from the spoon!?  #options 😊

Ingredients for 7 half cup servings~

1 can drained Artichoke Hearts 

1 can drained Great Northern Beans

1 peeled and seeded Avocado

5.3oz 0% Fage Greek Yogurt

1/4 cup Lemon Juice

1/4 cup fresh Basil Leaves

2oz/1/4 cup Feta Cheese

1 Tablespoon chopped Garlic

Salt, optional

     Add all ingredients to food processor or heavy duty blender, whip til smooth and fully incorporated.  Enjoy 😉 

Avocado Lemon Hummus

     Don’t you just love a good Hummus…I sure do.  It is becoming more and more popular, and so many twists to choose from.  I really love playing God with Garbanzo Beans.  If you are a fan, keep reading for my latest ideas!  Approximately each half cup is 182 calories, 18.9g carbs, 5.7g fiber, 8.3g protein and 9.3g fat.  Don’t limit yourself to just using as a dip, try it as a topper for Grilled Chicken, or some other creative way.  And, the perfect addition to any great St Patricks Day festivities.☘️

Ingredients for four rounded 1/2 cup servings~

1 ripe Avocado, peeled and pitted

1 can drained Chickpeas

1.5 cups Spinach Leaves

1/4 cup Lemon Juice

2 Tablespoon Tahini

1 Tablespoon chopped Garlic

1 teaspoon Cumin

Salt, optional

     Add all ingredients to food processor or heavy blender and mix til smooth and fully incorporated.  Enjoy 😉      

Everything Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

 

     If you like a pull together fast and easy dinner…and with little clean up, keep reading.  My Everything Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner is sure to please, especially for those on kitchen duty.  Each of the 4 servings are only 312 calories, 57g carbs, 22g fiber, 35g net carbs, 36g protein and 7g fat.  How can those macros be real, …but it’s true.  Make sure to put this in your meal rotation, and see if it doesn’t rise to #1 on your list.  Is there anything better than a one pan creation???🍲

Ingredients for 4 servings~

1 pound diced Sweet Potatoes (I prefer Red Garnet)

1 pound diced Cauliflower (I just use one head)

1 pound fresh trimmed Green Beans

1 pound Chicken Tenders

4 teaspoons Olive Oil

Everything Bagel Seasoning (or desired seasoning, not included in macros)

     After dicing all your vegetables, put each in a separate container and toss with 1 teaspoon Olive Oil, repeat with Chicken and last teaspoon Oil.  Lay Sweet Potatoes and Cauliflower on parchment lined cookie sheet, bake at 400 for 20 minutes, remove, scoot Potatoes and Cauliflower to one end of cookie sheet, add Chicken and Beans to pan, season Chicken with Everything Bagel Seasoning, return to oven for another 20 minutes.  Remove, season as desired.  Enjoy 😊  PS. I divided mine into 4 servings and used it as lunches for the next week.  Feel free to garnish with a teaspoon of Tahini on your veggies for another 33 calories, and lots of flavor!😋

Turkey Meatballs

 

     Looking for a simple dinner idea??? I have something that comes together fast fast fast, and is easy easy easy.  High in protein, low in fat and carbs…it’s a health nuts dream come true.  Each serving of three Meatballs is only 222 calories, 6.8g carbs, 1g fiber, 5.8g net carbs, 36g protein and 10.5g fat.  I turned this into a gourmet dinner with a side of rice, and a 1/4 cup Red Sauce (not included in macros).  This one made me smile with every bite, and I can’t wait to make it again…and again!  Ciao’ 

Ingredients for four servings, 3 Meatballs each~

1 pound 99% lean ground Turkey

2 Eggs

1/2 cup Oats

1/4 cup grated Parmesan 

Seasoning as desired

     Add all ingredients to a bowl, work together with hands till fully incorporated, divide into 4 equal parts.  Each 1/4 should be approximately 1/2 cup plus 1 Tablespoon dough.  Roll each fourth into a log between your palms and separate them into 3 equal parts and set on parchment lined baking sheet.  Repeat with remaining dough.  Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes.  Enjoy 😊 

Great Northern Carrot Hummus

 

     I love a new twist on an old idea.  Such is the case with my Great Northern Carrot Hummus.  This was great paired with sliced Red Bell Peppers, AND even better when used in place of Salad Dressing.  You just can’t go wrong with this one!  For each of the six 1/3 cup servings, it is only 112 calories, 15.5g carbs, 5g fiber, 10.5g net carbs, 5.4g protein and 3.3g fat.  Can you think of any other way that this one could enhance your life like it did mine!? 😉

Ingredients for six 1/3 cup servings~

12oz cleaned trimmed diced Carrots

1/4 cup Water

2 teaspoons chopped Garlic

15oz drained can Great Northern Beans

1/4 cup Lemon Juice

2 Tablespoons Tahini

1 Tablespoon Cumin

Seasoning as desired

     Add Carrots and Water to microwave safe bowl, heat for 3 minutes, check the tenderness and heat again another 3 minutes if necessary, check and continue another minute or two til soft, drain if necessary but all water should be evaporated by now.  Add to Food Processor or heavy Blender along with remaining ingredients til fully incorporated.  Enjoy 😊