Monday, June 29, 2015

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream







     Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream is the cats meow!!!   After my first bite, I knew I found pppuuurrrrfection!!!  For each 3/4 cup it is only 134 calories, 3.8g net carbs and 13.6g protein, not including Whipped Topping garnish.  Saying this is good only "scratches" the surface... ;)

Ingredients for 4 servings, 3/4 cup each~
1 scoop Quest Peanut Butter Protein Powder
2.5 cups 25 cal/cup Cashew Milk 
1/4 cup Cocoa unsweetened Powder
1/4 cup Chocolate Peanut Butter Powder
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla
1 Tablespoon Lily's Stevia Sweetened Dark Chocolate Chips
1 Quest Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bar, chopped into small bits
Whipped Topping for garnish, if desired

     Add all ingredients but Chocolate Chips, Chocolate Peanut Butter Quest Bar bits, and Whipped Topping to Magic Bullet or Blender and whip til thoroughly blended, add to frozen freezer bowl of Cuisinart 2Qt Frozen Yogurt-Sorbet & Ice Cream Maker churning for 20-25 minutes til desired consistency, adding Chocolate Chips and Quest Bar bits during last few minutes.  If you don't have a Cuisinart, pour batter in casserole dish and place in freezer, stirring every 45 minutes til desired consistency.  Garnish with Whipped Topping if desired.  Enjoy  :)


Sunday, June 28, 2015

Cookie Dough Ice Cream







     Can you imagine a big bowl of frozen chunks of chocolate and cookie dough whipped into mounds of fluffy chocolate Ice Cream!?  Can you imagine that for 3/4 cup it is only 117.5 calories, 3.6g net carbs and 12.6g protein!?  Can you imagine that this is not just for special occasions but that you could have it every single day with out worry!?  This place is called Nirvana, and it's real ( ...Unicorns live here)!  Come join me in Ice Cream land and live happily ever after!  PS  Macros don't include Whipped Topping garnish.

Ingredients for 4 servings, 3/4 cup each~
2 cups 25 cal/cup Cashew Milk
1 scoop Quest Chocolate Milkshake Protein Powder
2 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla
1 Quest Cookie Dough Protein Bar, chopped into small bits
1oz/60 Lily's Stevia Sweetened Dark Chocolate Chips
Whipped Topping for garnish, if desired

     Blend all ingredients except Cookie Dough bits and Chips in Magic Bullet til well blended and pour into frozen bowl of 2Qt. Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt-Sorbert & Ice Cream Maker churning 20-25 minutes, adding Cookie Dough Bar bits and Chips during last few minutes.  If you don't have a Cuisinart, pour batter into casserole dish and place in freezer, stirring every 45 minutes til desired consistency.  Enjoy  :)

Cookies & Cream Ice Cream







     Hello Cookies & Cream Ice Cream!!!  Listen up, each 3/4 cup of this decadent healthy Ice Cream is only 82.5 calories, 2g net carbs, and 11.3g protein.  How can life be this good!?  Time to dust off your Ice Cream Maker and put it to good use!  I can't think of any better use of my time  :)  PS  Macros don't include Whipped Topping

Ingredients for 4 servings, 3/4 cup per serving~
1 scoop Quest Vanilla Protein Powder or Quest Cookies & Cream Protein Powder
2 cups 25 cal/cup Cashew Milk
1/4 cup Lakanto Confectioners Monk Fruit 
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla
1 Quest Cookies N Cream Protein Bar, diced into small bits
Whipped Topping for garnish, if desired

     Blend all ingredients except Protein Bar bits in Magic Bullet til well combined and pour into frozen bowl of Cuisinart 2 Qt Frozen Yogurt-Sorbert & Ice Cream Maker churning for 20-25 minutes til desired consistency, adding Protein Bar bits in last few minutes.  If you don't have a Cuisinart, then pour into casserole dish and place in freezer, stir every 45 minutes til desired consistency.  Enjoy  :)


Fudge Frosted Banana Cheesecake







     What happens when you combine Chocolate and Bananas!?  MAGIC, that's what!!!  Welcome Fudge Frosted Banana Cheesecake to your bag of tricks!  The festivities continue when you find out an 1/8th of the 9'' cake is only 133 calories, 9g net carbs and 12.7g protein.  (Macros don't include Whipped Topping garnish)  Whatcha waitin' for, you just gotta make it TODAY!!!  :)

Ingredients for 8 servings~
6oz fat free Cream Cheese, melted
2 jumbo Eggs
3~6oz Kroger Banana Cream Carb Masters Yogurt, or any brand of low carb Banana Yogurt
1 scoop Quest Banana Cream Protein Powder
3 Tablespoons Nutiva Coconut Flour
1/3 cup Swerve Granular Erythritol
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Betterbody Foods Vanilla
4oz Banana, sliced
1/4 cup Betterbody Foods Chocolate Peanut Butter Powder, PB Fit
1 Tablespoons Lily's Stevia Sweetened Dark Chocolate Chips, melted
1/2 cup 25 cal/cup Silk Cashew Milk
1/4 cup Swerve Confectioners Erythritol
2 Tablespoons Cacao or Cocoa Powder
Whipped Topping for garnish, if desired

     Stir together melted Cream Cheese, Eggs, Yogurt, Protein Powder, Granular Erythritol, 2 Tablespoons of the Coconut Flour, Cinnamon and Vanilla til well blended, pour into Pam sprayed 9" Sprinform pan.  Top batter with sliced Bananas and press slightly down into mixture.  Bake at 325 for 40 minutes or til done without over baking as Protein Powder can be drying.  Meanwhile, stir together PB Fit, melted Chocolate Chips, Cashew Milk, Confectioners Erythritol, Cacao Powder and 1 Tablespoon Coconut Flour til well blended, chill til thickened.  Remove Cheesecake from oven when done, cool and then chill in fridge for several hours.  When chilled, frost with thickened Fudge, slice into 8 pieces and top with Whipped Topping for garnish if desired.  Enjoy  :)

For 10 dollars off your first 30 dollar order at Vitacost.com click http://goo.gl/jjEvV7.

Guilt Free Potato Salad







     The next cook out you attend you should volunteer to bring Guilt Free Potato Salad and party like it's 1999!  Enjoy socialization without worrying about derailing your healthy habits!  Prepare for a large guest list because this recipe makes 10 cups, and each 1/2 cup serving is only 70 calories, 9.7g net carbs, and 1.2g protein.  Time to start putting together your menu for summer fun  :)

Ingredients for 20 servings, 1/2 cup each~
2.5 pounds of small Baby Golden Potatoes
8 Midget Sweet Pickles, chopped
1/3 cup diced Green Onion
4 stalks Celery, diced
Dash Salt
Dash Pepper
Dash Garlic Powder
1/2 cup Walden Farms Amazin' Mayo
1-2 Tablespoons Stone Ground Mustard, depending on taste
1/4 cup Mayo

     Boil Potatoes for 25-30 minutes til fork tender, drain and chop into small pieces.  Add to bowl along with diced Sweet Pickles, diced Green Onions, diced Celery, Salt, Pepper and Garlic.  Top with Walden Farms Amazin' Mayo, Mustard and regular Mayo and stir til well combined.  Enjoy  :)

For 10 dollars off your first 30 dollar order at Vitacost.com click http://goo.gl/jjEvV7.

Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream






     Instead of having your Strawberry Cheesecake on a plate with a fork, wouldn't it be more fun frozen in a bowl with a spoon!? And wouldn't it be even "funner" if a full cup were only 98.5 calories, 4.6g net carbs and 13g protein!?  Why yes, yes it would be "funner"!  Whelp, consider this a party cause the fun is about to begin!  PS  Macros don't include Whipped Topping garnish.

Ingredients for 4, one cup servings~
2 cups 25 cal/cup Cashew Milk
1 scoop Quest Vanilla Milkshake Protein Powder
1/2 cup freshly diced Strawberries
1/4 cup Lakanto Confectioners Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 at checkout for discount
1/4 cup/2oz Cream Cheese, melted
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla
1 Quest White Chocolate Raspberry Protein Bar, chopped in bits
Whipped Topping for garnish, if desired

     Blend all ingredients except Protein Bar Bits and Whipped Topping in Magic Bullet or Blender til well blended and Strawberries are blended thoroughly, pour into frozen bowl of 2 Qt. Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt-Sorbet & Ice Cream Maker, churning for 20-25 minutes or til desired consistency, adding Protein Bar bits during last few minutes.  If you don't have a Cuisinart, pour into casserole dish and put in freezer, stirring every 45 minutes til desired consistency.  Top with Whipped Topping if desired.  Enjoy  :)


Double Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream





     Holy Moly, who doesn't love Chocolate Ice Cream ...then throw in a handful of Chocolate Chunks and you will see the Heavens part and the Angels sing!!!  Combine that with the fact that each 3/4 cup is only 91 calories, 2.5g net carbs and 12g protein (does not include Whipped Topping).  This may be my new standard go to after dinner every night til the day I die!  ;)

Ingredients for 4 servings~
1 scoop Quest Chocolate Milkshake Protein Powder
2 cups 25 cal/cup Cashew Milk
2 Tablespoons Cacao or Cocoa Powder
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla
1 Quest Double Chocolate Chunk Bar, diced into small bits
Whipped Topping for garnish, if desired

     Blend all ingredients in Magic Bullet or Blender, except Protein Bar bits and Whipped Topping.  Add to frozen bowl of  2Qt. Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt-Sorbet & Ice Cream Maker churning for 20-25 minutes or til desired consistency, adding in Protein Bar bits during last few minutes.  If you don't have a Cuisinart, then pour into casserole dish and put in freezer, stir every 45 minutes til desired consistency.  Enjoy  :)


Sweet & Spicy Tuna Salad Sandwich






     If you could have a Sweet & Spicy Tuna Salad Sandwich for 200 calories, 20g net carbs and 22g protein everyday for lunch, wouldn'tcha!? ... I would... and I will... now that I thunked it!  #whynot  Not only does this rock great Macro's, but the flavor is off the charts!  Add a bag of Quest Potato Chips for another 120 calories, 5g net carbs and 20g protein and feel like a kid again even those these numbers are adult friendly!  :)

Ingredients~
1 2.6oz package Starkist Tuna Creations, Sweet & Spicy (or any flavor of your choice)
1 Tablespoon Pickle Relish
1 Tablespoon Walden Farms Amazin' Mayo
2 slices 45 calorie Sara Lee Delightful Bread

     Stir together Tuna, Relish and calorie free Mayo til well blended, spread on low calorie bread and Enjoy!  :)  PS  feel free to add a leaf of Romaine Lettuce if desired.

For 10 dollars off your first 30 dollar order at Vitacost.com click http://goo.gl/jjEvV7.

Pesto Pasta Chicken Salad






     If you want a crowd pleasing dish that will thrill the masses then try out this Pesto Pasta Chicken Salad!  I have found that if you balance a little bit of pasta with loads of veggies it can actually be considered a healthy dish!  It's all about moderation and balance, so have your pasta and eat it too!  Since Pesto can be loaded with calories, it's easy to offset the rest of your dressing with a flavorful Vinaigrette, and BRIANNAS Italian Vinaigrette is just the ticket!  Once again, it's all about balance, have your Pesto and eat it too!  This recipe will make a giant bowl of 24 cups, each cup is only 158 calories, 13.7g net carbs and 10g protein.  Party on dude, Pesto and Pasta are now our friends!  :)

Ingredients for 24~1 cup servings~
1 Roma Tomato, diced and drained on paper towel all day
2 Tablespoons, plus 1/2 cup BRIANNAS Italian Vinaigrette
1 medium Yellow Onion, diced
1 Tablespoon chopped jarred Garlic
Dash Cayenne
Dash Salt
7oz Barilla Farfalle Protein Plus Pasta
1.5 pound Chicken Tenders
1.5 pound Broccoli Florets
15oz can Garbanzo Beans
15oz Black Beans
14oz can Artichoke Hearts, diced
3.8oz Sliced Black Olives
6 Green Onions, diced
Red Bell Pepper, sliced and diced
10oz package of shredded Carrots
1/4 cup jarred Pesto

     Dice Roma Tomato and drain on paper towel thru out day.  Heat 2 Tablespoons BRIANNAS Italian Vinaigrette in skillet and add diced Onion, Garlic, Cayenne and Salt til golden brown, may take 20-30 minutes.  Meanwhile, boil Pasta per directions, drain and set aside.  When Onions are golden brown, add Chicken Tenders til cooked thoroughly and dice into bite size pieces with spatula, drain any excess juice and set aside.  In LARGE bowl, add Broccoli Florets, Garbanzo Beans, Black Beans, diced Artichoke Hearts, sliced Black Olives, diced Green Onion, diced Red Bell Pepper, shredded Carrots, drained diced Roma Tomatoes, cooked diced seasoned Chicken and drained Pasta.  Top with Pesto and 1/2 cup BRIANNAS Italian Vinaigrette and toss till all well incorporated.  Enjoy  :)

For 10 dollars off your first 30 dollar order at Vitacost.com click http://goo.gl/jjEvV7.

Sweet Cream Vanilla Ice Cream





     Do you know how many people say Vanilla is their favorite flavor of Ice Cream!? #whateverdude...  But, I have to admit, the classics never go out of style and if you can't beat 'em join 'em, right!?  Another thing to love about this simple staple is that for 3/4 cup it is only 71 calories, 6.8g net carbs and 7.8g protein.  That would put a smile on anyone's face ...even a chocolate lover!   :)

Ingredients for 4 servings~
1 cup Fat Free Half n Half
1 cup 25 cal/cup Silk Cashew Milk
1/4 cup Swerve Confectioners Style Erythritol
2 Tablespoons Walden Farms Sweet Cream
1 scoop Quest Vanilla Milkshake Protein Powder
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla

     Blend all ingredients in Magic Bullet or Blender til well incorporated, then pour into the frozen bowl of the Cuisinart 2Qt Yogurt-Sorbert & Ice Cream Maker churning for 20-25 minutes or til desired consistency.  If you don't have an Ice Cream Maker, then pour into caserole dish and place in freezer and stir every 45 minutes til desired consistency.  Enjoy  :)

For 10 dollars off your first 30 dollar order at Vitacost.com click http://goo.gl/jjEvV7.

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Grilled Cream Cheese Mini Bell Peppers





     How cute are these Grilled Cream Cheese Mini Bell Pepper!?  I saw Gina at Skinnytaste.com do something similar and I had to give it a go, and so glad I did!  These are easy to whip together and a real crowd "pleazzer".  Each little half pepper is only 22 calories, 1.9g net carbs and 1.8g protein.  So, I'm thinking atleast 4-6 halves are in order!!!  In my recipe I use 10 mini Bell Peppers, so luckily with 20 halves there was plenty to avoid any arguing at my house for the last one.  Miracles never cease!  Make sure to add this to your menu at your next cookout.  :)

Ingredients for 20 half Mini Peppers~
10 mini Bell Peppers
1 Tablespoon EVOO
8oz fat free Cream Cheese, melted
1 Green Onion, finely diced
Dash Garlic Powder
Dash Pepper

     Cut all 10 mini Bell Peppers in half and remove any seeds, coat with EVOO and line up on grill pan.  Place grill pan on medium heat grill and cook til slightly charred on each side, it took my hubby about 4 minutes on each side.  Meanwhile stir together Cream Cheese, Onion, Garlic and Pepper til smooth and put into a piping bag or ziplock baggie, after done grilling pipe equal amounts of Cream Cheese mixture in each half Bell Pepper.  Enjoy  :)

For 10 dollars off your first 30 dollar order at Vitacost.com click http://goo.gl/jjEvV7.

Cream Cheese Frosted Chocolate Chunk Cupcakes






     Uhhh, pictures don't lie people...these Cream Cheese Frosted Chocolate Chunk Cupcakes are actually as good or better than they look!  Not to mention the fun factor of sinking your teeth into that fluffy cloud of yummy Cream Cheese whipped frosting!  Now that's a good day folks!  And, it gets even better when I tell you they are only 152 calories, 6g net carbs and 15.9g protein.  I served these to my family for Father's Day and everyone was happy with their healthy results with no complaints!  I hope to have these again and again, and not just for special occasions!  You simply have to try these sooner than later!  :)

Ingredients for 6 Cupcakes~
1 Tablespoon Chocolate Brownie Sweet Spreads, melted
1 Jumbo Egg
7oz 2% Fage Greek Yogurt, divided into 4oz and 3oz
1 scoop Quest Chocolate Milkshake Protein Powder
1/4 cup Nutiva Coconut Flour plus 1 Tablespoon for Frosting
1/4 cup Swerve Granular Erythritol
1 Quest Double Chocolate Chunk Protein Bar, chopped into small pieces
1/2 cup 25 cal/cup Silk Cashew Milk
2 Tablespoons Cacao or Cocoa unsweetened powder
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt or Lite Salt
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla
2oz fat free Cream Cheese, softened
1/4 cup Swerve Confectioner Erythritol
36 Lily's Stevia Sweetened Dark Chocolate Chips

     Stir together Chocolate Brownie Sweet Spreads, Egg, 4oz Fage Yogurt, Quest Protein Powder, 1/4 cup Coconut Flour, Swerve Granular Erythritol, Quest Double Chocolate Chunk Bar, Cashew Milk, Cacao Powder, Baking Powder, Salt, Cinnamon and Vanilla til smooth~drop equal amounts into silpat or cupcake lined 6 muffin tin and bake at 350 for 17-20 minutes, carefully watching not to over bake as protein powder baking can tend to be drying if you don't keep an eye on it.  Best to slightly underbake for a more moist product.  Chill in fridge while making frosting.  Microwave Cream Cheese if not softened, add in the remaining 3oz Fage Yogurt, Confectioners Erythritol, and remaining Tablespoon Coconut Flour and blend til fully incorporated, chill in fridge to thicken.  Frost cupcakes when chilled and top each cupcake with 6 Lily's Stevia Sweetened Dark Chocolate Chips.  Store in fridge, best served chilled.  Enjoy   :)

For 10 dollars off your first 30 dollar order at Vitacost.com click http://goo.gl/jjEvV7.