Crockpot Split Pea Soup

 

     And so I ask, how do you make a week of food prep look beautiful!?  You see the beauty from the inside, not the outside…believable!?  Hope so.  The real magic is having your lunches made for the week, and the inner peace that only can be found thru food prep (not joking).  So, setting aesthetics aside, I see art in each and every bowl, a labor of love.  What’s more to admire is the ease of the project, and inviting macros as a bonus.  Each of the 8 two cup bowls are only 262 calories, 53g carbs, 12g fiber, 41g net carbs, 10.4g protein and 1.5g fat.  Can you believe this recipe is practically fat free!?  So, if you are in the mood to be organized, try this out and see how your week goes!!!

Ingredients for 16 cups soup~

1 cup dried Green Split Peas

3/4 cup dried Qunioa

1.5 pounds diced Sweet Potato

1 large (approx 9oz) diced Onion

4 medium (approx 9oz) diced Carrots

6 medium Ribs (approx 9oz) diced Celery

2 Tablespoon crushed Garlic

10 cups Water

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

Seasonings as desired

     Line a Crockpot with a liner if desired, then add all ingredients to pot, I set mine on low for 8 hours, you can do 4 hours on high if desired.  Feel free to add a protein if you so choose, also feel free to add or subtract amounts as desired.  Macros are based on listed measurements.  I made 8 bowls of 2 cups.  Enjoy 😉 

Date Nut Bread

 

     If you are wanting to give up sugar, there are a few options for substitutions that are better choices.  I am all about Bananas, Apples, Raisins, and Dates.  So today I tried my hand at Date Nut Bread, and it turned out fantastic.  It is definitely not a sweet bread, but works great for me, and feel free to add a thin layer of nut butter if desired.  For each serving it is only 340 calories, 39.6g carbs, 6g fiber, 33.6g net carbs, 13g protein and 15g fat.  Perfect for breakfast, snack, or a pre/post work out fueling.  ;)

Ingredients for two loaves, 8 slices total~

2 medium ripe mashed Bananas

6 Extra Large Eggs

1/2 cup/4oz unsweetened Applesauce (make your own or I use Mott’s)

3 cups Oats

1 cup Almond Flour

12 chopped Dates

1 teaspoon Baking Powder

Dash Vanilla 

Dash Cinnamon

1/4 cup chopped Walnuts

     Add Bananas to large mixing bowl and beat til smooth, blend in Eggs, then Applesauce, followed by remaining ingredients, except for Nuts.  Divide batter equally into two parchment lined loaf pans, and sprinkle with Walnuts.  Bake at 350 for 40 minutes.  Enjoy  😊 

Garbanzo Garden Salad

     If you are feeding a large crowd, or just working on lunch for the week, this is certain to please.  Lots of roughage and fiber in each and every bite, with little to no fat.  Check out these macros for this 19 cup salad, each cup is only 61 calories, 12.3g carbs, 3.2g fiber, 9.1g net carbs, 3g protein and .6g fat.  I added a Balsamic for a light Dressing, and just enjoyed the healthy crunch in each and every bite.  Up to you if this is a side or a main, either way just enjoy the chew!

Ingredients for 19 cups~

1 pound shaved Brussels

10oz bag shredded Carrots

1/2 pound chopped Celery

1/2 pound chopped Apple

2 cans drained Garbanzo Beans

1 large Ear of Corn, cooked and Cornels shaved off the Cob (cooking tip~While still in Husk, place Corn in microwave for 3 minutes, remove, peel and shave when cool to touch)

1 chopped Bell Pepper, color of choice

1 Ring diced Purple Onion

     Add all ingredients to large salad bowl, toss til fully combined.  Add more of less of anything you enjoy, but macros based on above ingredients.  Top as desired, I used a straight Balsamic on 4 cups of Salad, and it made a nice lunch.  Enjoy 😊 

Sweet Mustard Tahini Dressing

 

     Do you like a little something on your Salads, but want to keep it light and healthy all at the same time?    I have an option I think you might enjoy!  If you like Tahini, then this will be right up your alley.  Each of the two Tablespoon servings are only 76 calories, 4.5g carbs, 1.1g fiber, 3.4g net carbs, 2g protein and 4.8g fat.  Besides these great macros, this is very flavorful and so easy to whip together…and it lasts nicely all week!!!  I served mine over a bed of Greens, with Beans and roasted Vegetables, including diced Sweet Potatoes.  Give it a shot and see what you think!!!

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.

Applesauce Muffins

     Have you tried your hand at going sugar free?  Even with desserts it is possible.  The sweet thing about giving up the white powder is that your taste buds change and adapt, fruits and vegetables become much sweeter, nice bonus eh!?  These all naturally sweetened Applesauce Muffins are only 116 calories, 14g carbs, 2.2g fiber, 11.8g net carbs, 4.2g protein and 5g fat.  These are perfect to have on hand to pass out in the morning, feel free to add a thin layer of nut butter if desired.  I prefer mine solo, but let your taste buds guide your way.♥️

Ingredients for 17 Muffins~

2 ripe medium Bananas, mashed

4 Extra Large Eggs

4oz/1/2 cup unsweetened Applesauce (grind your own or use store bought, I used Mott’s)

1/2 cup Almond Flour

2 1/2 cups Oats

1 teaspoon Baking Powder

Dash Cinnamon

Dash Vanilla

6oz or medium chopped Apple

1/4 cup chopped Pecans

     Add mashed Banana and Eggs to mixing bowl, beat til well incorporated, then beat in Applesauce, Almond Flour, Oats, Baking Powder, Cinnamon and Vanilla one at a time.  Stir in chopped Apple pieces, drop by 1/4 cup batter into 17 muffin tins, sprinkle with Pecans, bake at 350 for 25 minutes.  Enjoy 😊 

Chocolate Raspberry Torte

     Are you trying to go sugar free, but fear you will be deprived!?  Whelp, I am your girl to help you thru this transition.  There is a brand new better life on the other side of sugar, and I want to make it painless for you…and my Chocolate Raspberry Torte is just the place to start.  This super simple dessert is only 124 calories, 27.8g carbs, 6g fiber, 21.8g net carbs, 3.3g protein and 1.6g fat.  Interestingly, I have noticed as I have been off sugar, how much more sweet natural things taste, almost like your taste buds are coming back to life as Mother Nature intended.  Enjoy 

Ingredients for 6 slices~

1 cup Instant Oats

1.5 cups Water

3 smashed Bananas

1/4 cup Cocoa

6oz container of fresh Raspberries

     Add first four ingredients to saucepan, simmer for 5 minutes stirring continually as this will be very thick.  Pour into parchment lined 9” Spring Form pan and chill over night.  When ready to serve, slice into 6 pieces and add Raspberries on top.  Enjoy  ;)

Pumpkin Zucchini Bread

     If you are looking for natural, single ingredients, in a good for you loaf, …you’ve got it!  Is this a sweet bread you ask!?  Definitely not.  Can it be eaten without anything on it!?  Absolutely, and that’s how I roll.  However, if a thin layer of nut butter is your jam, then by all means be my guest…whimp.   Each of these 6 servings are only 323 calories, 43g carbs, 7g fiber, 36g net carbs, 14g protein and 8.3g fat.  But here’s the biggest bonus, know you are feeding yourself and your family all good things with each and every bite.  Enjoy  ;)

Ingredients for 2 loafs (6 servings total)~

6oz Zucchini 

1.5 cups Pumpkin Purée

6 Extra Large Eggs

2 Large smashed Bananas

3 cups Oats

1 teaspoon Baking Powder

Dash Cinnamon

Dash Vanilla

1/4 cup crushed Walnuts

     Trim ends of Zucchini, grate into dish cloth, squeeze excess liquid, set aside.  Meanwhile, add Pumpkin, Eggs and Banana to mixing bowl, and beat til well incorporated.  Then beat in Zucchini, Oats, Baking Powder, Cinnamon and Vanilla.  Divide into two parchment lined loaf pans, sprinkle each loaf with 2 Tablespoons Walnuts, bake them at 350 for 45 minutes.  Enjoy  :)