Beef and Bean Ranch Skillet

 

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     Coming up with simple ideas for lunch is not an easy task!  So nothing is more thrilling than when all things healthy come together in one pan without a hassle.  Such is the case with my Beef and Bean Ranch Skillet.  And the beauty of this is that you can simply divide it up into 5 containers for lunch all week.  Each of the 2 cup servings are only 357 calories, 43g carbs, 14g fiber, 29g net carbs, 32g protein and 4g fat.  Such a luxury to have on hand ready to go in an instant.  This one pot meal is a winner all the way around.  :)

Ingredients for 5 servings~

1 pound of 96% lean ground Beef

1 diced Onion

1 Tablespoon chopped Garlic

1/4 cup Ranch Seasoning, use packet or my Homemade

4 cups chopped fresh Broccoli

1 pound chopped fresh Zucchini

1 Red Bell Pepper, trimmed and diced

2 cans of your favorite Bean (I used Light Red Kidney)

1 can petite diced Tomatoes (I use no salt added)

     Add Beef, Onion and Garlic to large pot or extra large skillet, brown til Onions soften, drain if necessary, then stir in seasonings.  To that add the Broccoli til crisp tender, then add Zucchini til beginning to soften, then add in Peppers, Beans and Tomatoes.  Stir til thoroughly combined, and heated thru and well incorporated.  If desired, divide into 2 cup tupperware containers and use for lunch all week.  Enjoy  :)

Corn Salad

 

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     When it comes to Corn Season, there is no better way to celebrate than with a big bowl of delicious Corn Salad.  It holds all the exciting flavors and colors of what an amalgamation of produce looks like!  Not to mention this is large enough to feed a crowd!  Super easy to throw together, especially with my hot tips on cooking Corn on the Cob.  With a little chopping you can have spoonfuls of yum in every bite!  Use this as a side dish, or add a little protein to turn it into a main!  Either way you can't go wrong.  PS the quantities are just a suggestion, add more or less of any ingredient according to your taste!  ;)

Ingredients~

4 Ears of Corn, in the Husk or trimmed

10oz container of Cherry Tomatoes, halved

1 English Cucumber (sub with regular), diced

1 Orange Bell Pepper, diced

1/4 cup Red Onion, finely diced

1 bunch of Cilantro Leaves

1 Avocado, diced

Squeeze of Lime Juice

Salt, as desired to taste

Pepper, as desired to taste

     Wrap each trimmed Corn in wax paper like a tootsie roll and microwave individually for 1 minute, or put two in at a time and microwave for 2 minutes.  If your Corn is still in the Husk, then put entire Husked Corn in microwave for 1 minute and peel after it is cool to touch, repeat til all pieces of Corn have been cooked.  When cool enough, trim kernels from cob and put in large mixing bowl.  Add sliced Tomatoes, Cucumber, Bell Pepper, Onion, Cilantro, Avocado, Lime Juice, Salt and Pepper.  Toss til well incorporated.  Enjoy  :)  

Stuffed Green Peppers

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     You've heard of Stuffed Green Peppers right!?  Whelp, Paige has her own twist on her version.  This is simple simple simple, and only takes 5 minutes to put together, ...not to mention a flavor explosion of yum.  And can we talk macros!?  The entire shabang is only 399 calories, 18g carbs, 6g fiber, 12g net carbs, 37g protein and 21.5g fat.  (You did catch that protein number, right!?)  This is the perfect lunch (or dinner)...heck you could use it for breakfast too!  Can't wait to hear what you think about this one!  

Ingredients for one serving~

1 Green Bell Pepper, halved and seeded

1/2 cup Cottage Cheese

2.6oz water packed Tuna Pouch

1/4 cup raw unsalted Almonds

Dash Everything Bagel Spice Seasoning

      Cut and clean Bell Pepper, set aside.  Mix together Cottage Cheese, Tuna and Almond, and spread into each half of Bell Pepper.  Season with Bagel Seasoning.  Enjoy  :)

Cottage Cheese Flatbread

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     If you aren't having fun with your healthy diet then you are doing something wrong.  And, I am here to prove it!  The new viral Cottage Cheese Flatbread is now all the rage, and I had to up my game with my little additions to set myself apart.  And, did I mention the macros are superb...each half is only 205 calories, 8.5g carbs, 1g fiber, 7.5g net carbs, 21g proteins, and 10g fat.  I smeared mine with Hummus, Red Bell Pepper, Cucumber, Kale, and Baby Dill Pickles...but you do you boo!  This is so easy and the perfect substitute for bread, I can't think of any reason not to try it!  ;)

Ingredients for 2 servings~

10 sliced Cherry Tomatoes

1 cup Cottage Cheese

2 extra large Eggs

1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning

Dash Salt

Dash Pepper

     Thinly slice Cherry Tomatoes and drain on paper towels, a few hours if possible.  Add remaining ingredients to blender til thoroughly incorporated.  Pour onto parchment lined 9X13 pan, top with Tomato slices, bake at 375 for 30 minutes.  Remove, cool to touch and use as you would any bread product.  Enjoy  ;)

 

Banana Nut Muffins

     If you are looking for a healthy sugar free alternative to morning, or a pre/post workout fueling (my favorite choice), or simply the perfect snack.  I love how packed this is with fruit and vegetables...and the greatest part is, no one would even know it's all natural...but I do, and it makes me feel so good to consume them guilt free.  For these 12 servings (2 Muffins), they are only 200 calories, 31g carbs, 4g fiber, 27g net carbs, 7g protein, and 5.5g fat.  These are so easy to cart to the gym and have them ready after a hard workout, in fact I have them pre packaged and ready to walk out the door each morning!  ;)

Ingredients for 12 servings~

3 large ripe Bananas

6 extra large Eggs

2 handfuls of fresh Baby Spinach Leaves

1 teaspoon Baking Powder

1 teaspoon-Tablespoon Cinnamon, as desired to taste

Dash Vanilla

3 cups Oats

10oz shredded Carrots

2 chopped Apples (I love Cosmic Crisps)

1/2 Pint (8oz) fresh Blueberries

2 Tablespoons chopped Walnuts

     Add Banana, Eggs, Spinach, Baking Powder, Cinnamon and Vanilla to heavy duty blender, I use my Vitamix, pour into mixing bowl afterwards.  Stir in Oats, Carrots, and Apples til well incorporated, then fold in Blueberries gently.  Drop by 1/4 cup in silpat muffin tins, sprinkle evenly with chopped Walnuts, bake at 375 for 40 minutes.  Enjoy  :)

Healthy Ranch Dressing

 

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     In the world of health, there is no reason you can't have it all!  So let's start with the obvious...Ranch Dressing,...duh!  This is ridiculously easy, and illegally delicious!  And I haven't even started on the macros yet....   Each of the 4 servings are a generous half cup, feel free to cut this in half, it will be easy to get away with less for Dressing purposes.  Each 1/2 cup is only 110 calories, 5g carbs, zero fiber, and 5 net carbs, 13g protein and 5g fat.  Don't limit yourself to Salad, how bout a nice protein or vegetable topper!?  Find a new passion in Ranch Dressing like you have never known!  ;)

Ingredients for four servings~

1/3 cup dried Parsley

3 Tablespoons dried Dill Weed

2 Tablespoons Garlic Powder

1.5 Tablespoons Onion Powder

1.5 Tablespoons Minced Onion

1.5 Tablespoons Freeze Dried Chives

1-3 teaspoons Lite Salt (according to taste)

1 teaspoon Pepper

Dash Cayenne Pepper (according to taste)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

16oz container Cottage Cheese

     Add all spices to jar, shake well and store on shelf.  If desired, feel free to zap with Magic Bullet if you want it finely ground.  Add a 1/4 cup seasoning to 16oz container of Cottage Cheese, blend til silky.  Use as desired, I used in the typical way of Salad Dressing on a bed of Greens, Beans, Avocado, Radishes, Salsa, and whatever else your heart desired.  Enjoy :)

Ranch Seasoning

 

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     You will NEVER revert to pre packaged again after this simple swap of making your own Ranch Seasoning.  Easy easy easy breasy to throw together in a flash!  And the real beauty is that you can edit the portions according to your greatest desire.  And, as a double bonus, this is not just limited to Dressing, feel free to get wacky and use it as a seasoning for protein, sauces, or vegetables.  This is definitely worth the 5 minute investment of time!

Ingredients for one cup~

1/3 cup dried Parsley

3 Tablespoons dried Dill Weed

2 Tablespoons Garlic Powder

1.5 Tablespoons Onion Powder

1.5 Tablespoons Minced Onion

1.5 Tablespoons Freeze Dried Chives

1-3 teaspoons Lite Salt (according to taste)

1 teaspoon Pepper

Dash Cayenne Pepper (according to taste)

     Add all spices to jar, shake well and store on shelf.  If desired, feel free to zap with Magic Bullet if you want it finely ground.  Enjoy  ;)