Sweet Potato Salad

     There are days that the planets align and all my ingredients fall into place.  Otherwise know as, Sweet Potato Salad.  I am open to additions and subtractions as your heart…errr tummy…desires.  My only must have is that beloved orange tuber.  Feel free to switch proteins, vegetables or fruit, but you will want to know my combination, because it is the best of the best, and not to be missed.  This is definitely one to try! 

Ingredients (amounts depend on how many Salads you are making)~

Sweet Potatoes

Olive Oil

Seasoning as desired

Corn on the Cob, in Husk

Mixed Greens (I used Romaine, Kale, Broccoli, Carrots, Red Bell Pepper, edit as desired)

Diced Grilled Chicken (sub with favorite protein)

Avocado, diced

Strawberries (sub with favorite Berry or other fruit)

Sliced Purple Onion

Chopped Pecans

Everything Bagel Spice (optional but I highly recommend it)

Balsamic Vinegar (I use California Balsamic Ruby Red Onion)

     Clean and dice Sweet Potato, lightly coat with Olive Oil, season as desired, bake at 425 for 30-40 minutes, stir once, set aside.  Add Corn on the Cob while still in the husk to microwave and cook for 2 minutes, remove, peel off husk, shave kernels off Cob, set aside.  Add mixed Greens to Salad bowl, top with diced Chicken or other protein, Sweet Potato, Corn, Avocado, Berries, Onions, Pecans, Seasoning, and top off with Balsamic Vinegar.  Enjoy 😉 

Steel Cut Oats

     I have a way to create 8 servings of breakfast, and even better they are in “to-go” containers ready to walk out the door at a moments notice.  Not to mention, this can work great as a pre/post workout fueling as well…I’m not picky!  Each of the 8 servings are only 247 calories, 52g carbs, 8g fiber, 44g net carbs, 6g protein and 3g fat.  These store great in the fridge for 8 days, just as good on the last day as the first.  Make your mornings easy and give this one a try!  As an added bonus, this is completely sugar free, only using all natural single ingredients, health in every bite!😊  PS  If you want more protein then feel free to add a scoop of unsweetened protein powder, or have eggs on the side.

Ingredients for 8 servings~

10 cups water

2 cups Steel Cut Oats

10oz bag shredded Carrots

2 -3 large ripe Bananas

4 large Apples (I like Fuji, Honeycrisp, Cosmic Crisp or Envy)

     Add Water, Oats, Carrots and Bananas to large pot, bring to boil, reduce to simmer for 30 minutes.  Meanwhile, divide Apples in half, remove core and stems, chop each half and add each half to each of the 8 containers.  When Oat mixture has cooled, add a rounded cup to top of Apples in each container til equally divided.  Add lids, and store in fridge.  Enjoy 😉 

Blueberry Zucchini Snack Cake

  Since I have gone sugar free, I have discovered a whole new way to enjoy my diet with out suffering.  I never miss flavor, or the good feels that come from taking care of myself.  My Blueberry Zucchini Snack Cake is no exception to this rule, and may be one of my new favorites.  Each of the 12 pieces are only 193 calories, 27.5g carbs, 4.2g fiber, 23.3g net carbs, 8.9g protein and 5.9g fat.  This will be a perfect way to start your day, or carry with you out the door.  Just make sure it gets into your life in some way!😉

Ingredients for 12 servings~

8oz Zucchini

3 large ripe Bananas

6 extra large Eggs

5.3oz container Fage 0% Greek Yogurt

3 cups Oats

1 teaspoon Baking Powder

Dash Cinnamon

Dash Vanilla

1 pint Blueberries, divided in half

1/4 cup chopped Pecans

     Grate Zucchini into dish towel and wring out excess liquid, set aside.  Meanwhile, add Bananas to mixing bowl and use Beaters til smooth, continue to incorporate Eggs, then Yogurt, as well as Zucchini, Oats, Baking Powder, Cinnamon and Vanilla.  Then gently stir in 1 cup of the Blueberries and pour into 9X13 parchment lined cake pan, and sprinkle with remaining Blueberries and Pecans.  Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.  Enjoy 😉 

Pork Chop Sheet Pan Dinner

      How nice is it to dirty up just one pan and feed your family all at the same time!?  This simple sheet pan dinner hits all the high notes.  Full of flavor and comes together in a breeze.  Follow my steps and you will be serving up dinner in no time at all.  For more time at the table and less time in the kitchen, give this one a try!

Ingredients for 4 servings~

1 pound diced Sweet Potato

1 pound cleaned, trimmed, halved Brussels Sprouts

4 teaspoons Olive Oil

Seasoning as desired

4 Bone In Pork Chops (sub with Boneless)

California Balsamic Teriyaki Balsamic

     Dice Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts, toss Potatoes with 2 teaspoons Olive Oil as well as Sprouts, spread on parchment lined cookie sheet, season as desired, bake at 425 for 15 minutes, remove, stir, and add Pork Chops to cookie sheet and drizzle with Teriyaki Balsamic, bake another 15 minutes or til Pork not pink in the middle.  Enjoy 😉 

Chelseas Garden Salad

 

     When your daughter grows a garden, you take advantage of the extra produce…. Her Cherry Tomatoes were in abundance and I put them to good use.  Adding in some other favorites, and I had a winner on my hands.  So search out someone with a garden and a generous heart, …or hit up your local produce department.  Just do what it takes to score all these ingredients🥗🥗🥗  PS.  I do remove the stems before eating…FYI

Ingredients~

Bed of mixed Greens (I use Romaine, Kale, Broccoli, Carrots and Red Bell Pepper)

Diced Grilled Chicken

Corn on the Cob in Husk 

Cherry Tomatoes, stemmed removed

Balsamic Vinegar (I use California Balsamic Ruby Red Onion)

Everything Bagel Seasoning     

     Chop a Garden Salad of mixed Greens, top with Grilled diced Chicken.  Microwave Corn in Husk for 2 minutes, remove, clean and trim corn from husk, add to Salad, top with Tomatoes, Vinegar and season with Everything Bagel Seasoning.  Enjoy 😉 

Blackberry Chia Pudding

     Don’t you just love a good berry.  Especially when it can be taken to the next level and turned into a work of art.  These macros can’t be beat at 320 calories, 35g carbs, 21g fiber, 14g net carbs, 24g protein and 11g fat.  This has all the elements of perfection, not to mention a flavor that can’t be beat.  Health in every bite.😊

Ingredients for one serving~

5.3oz 0% Fage Greek Yogurt

2 Tablespoons Chia Seeds

6oz container Raspberries, divided in half

Strawberries for garnish if desired, not included in macros 

     Stir together Yogurt and Seeds til smooth.  Mash half of Berries and stir into Yogurt mixture, rest in fridge overnight, and top with remaining Blackberries in the morning, and add Strawberries as garnish if desired, not included in macros.  Enjoy 😉  

Garbanzo Mac and Cheese

 

     I have a secret, I’m very lazy…which has made me extremely efficient.  So, when I can make in multiples, I am all in.  Such is the case with my Garbanzo Mac and Cheese, 6 days worth of lunches.  Each serving is only 329 calories, 28.5g carbs, 6g fiber, 22.5g net carbs, 31g protein and 11.3g fat.  The beauty is a punch of protein that can’t be beat.  But the best part is having a meal that is just a reach away, already measured out, in a container and ready to go at a moments notice!😊

Ingredients for 6 servings~

8.8oz box Barilla Garbanzo Pasta (sub with favorite)

4oz shredded Cheddar Cheese

1.5cup low-fat Cottage Cheese

2-5oz cans drained Tuna

1 cup 30 cal/cup Almond Milk

2 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard

Dash Cayenne Pepper

     Prepare Pasta according to directions, drain and stir in Cheese til melted, and continue to stir in remaining ingredients til thoroughly combined.  Divide into 6 equal portions, approximately one rounded cup per serving.  Enjoy 😉