Open Faced Double Cheeseburger

     Every once in a while I get a grand idea and act on it.  Today was one of those days.  After creating the bun, everything else fell together like it was a match made in heaven.  This tower of love will set you back 540 calories, 9.6g carbs, 4.1g fiber, 5.5g net carbs, a whopping 42g protein and 39.4g fat.  If you are in the sharing mood, feel free to be generous...or call it a big meal and serve it over a bed of Greens, chop and toss all together for a bowl of deliciousness.  Either way you simply can't go wrong with this one.  It will make any fork look good!  ;)

Ingredients for one Tower~

1/2 cup Almond Flour

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

2 Tablespoons ground Flax Seed

1 Extra Large Egg

1 teaspoon Baking Powder

Dash Salt

Dash Pepper

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2 pieces Center Cut Bacon, cut in half

4oz 90% lean ground Beef, pressed into 2 equal patties

Seasoning Salt, as desired (I used a Garlic blend)

1oz/1/4 cup shredded Cheese

2 slices Roma Tomato

1/2 small Avocado, sliced

2 Tablespoons Sugar Free BBQ Sauce (I use G Hughes)

Sliced Whites of Green Onion, for garnish

      Mix first set of ingredients, pat out dough and stamp out 12 circles (I used a drinking glass~each Round should be .5oz), lay on silpat lined cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 for 6 minutes, longer if you want them crispier.  Use remaining for other Burgers or different use.  Meanwhile, add Bacon to skillet and fry til crisp, remove Bacon and add Beef patties to skillet, season as desired, flip when ready, top each half equally with shredded Cheese.  Add one Bun to plate, top with one cooked pattie, set tomato on top of melted Cheese, followed by half of the sliced Avocado and Bacon, repeat with other pattie.  For the finish, top with BBQ Sauce and Onion.  Enjoy  :)

    

Andrea's Frosted Brookies

     There are times that I want something quick, don't want to mess up the kitchen, and want to taste "wow" with little effort... (code for lazy).  When this mood strikes I turn to Andrea's Protein Cakery to save the day, proteincakery.com (psst...use code PAIGE for 15% off your order).  This girl knows her stuff...errr... desserts!  ...lucky me!  And lucky you, because I'm going to share my fab recipe I created all in 30 minutes...yes, I timed myself!  Each of these 4 decadent pieces are only 342 calories, 34g carbs, 3g fiber, 15g sugar alcohol, 16g net carbs, 16.6g protein and 21.9g fat.  So the next time your energy is low, but your cravings are high, try out this fool proof method for YUM!!!  :)

Ingredients for 4 servings~
1 packet Andrea's Protein Cakery Double Chocolate Chip Cake Mix ~use code PAIGE for 15% discount
1/2 cup unsweetened Applesauce
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1 packet Andrea's Protein Cakery Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix ~use code PAIGE for 15% discount
2 Tablespoons Butter, softened to room temperature
2 teaspoons Water
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1 packet Andrea's Protein Cakery Sugar-Free Vanilla Frosting Mix ~use code PAIGE for 15% discount
2 Tablespoons Butter, softened to room temperature
2oz/4 Tablespoons Cream Cheese, softened to room temperature
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1 Tablespoon Sugar Free Chocolate Chips
1 Tablespoon chopped Nuts

     Mix first set of ingredients til well incorporated, pour into greased parchment lined 6'' cake pan (preferably a spring form pan), bake at 325 for 18 minutes, do not over bake.  Meanwhile, mix second set of ingredients, using hands if necessary, pat into 6" circle, set on cake immediately after removed from oven.  Mix third set of ingredients, frost Brookie, and garnish with Chocolate Chips and Nuts.  Store in fridge.  Enjoy  :)

Hummus Rounds

     If you are looking for an appetizer, light lunch, or healthy snack, this is the ticket!  Talk about comfort food, these are DELISH!  Each round is 97.5 calories, 3.1g carbs, 1.3g fiber, 1.8g net carbs, 2.8g protein and 8.1g fat.  And luckily, there are enough to share and make an event out of it! ...these are worthy of the chatter!

Ingredients for 12 Rounds~
1/2 cup Almond Flour
2 Tablespoons ground Flax Seed
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Extra Large Egg
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
Dash Salt
Dash Pepper
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15oz can drained Garbanzo Beans

1 Tablespoon Light Italian Dressing

2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice

Seasoning as desired

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Sliced Green Onion, Sriracha, Bell Pepper, Broccoli for garnish as desired

     Mix first set of ingredients,  pat out dough and stamp out 12 circles (I used a drinking glass~each Round should be .5oz), lay on silpat lined cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 for 6 minutes, longer if you want them crispier.  Meanwhile, grind second set of ingredients in food processor, you will have left overs.  Top each round with 1 Tablespoon Hummus, garnish as desired with extra veggies.  Enjoy  :)

   

Green Olive Focaccia Bread

     Holy Toledo this is good, and so darn SIMPLE!!!  This came to me in my dreams and I had to make it a reality.  Whip this dough together in a flash and then just start adding all your favorite things!!!  A 1/4 of this will set you back 203 calories, 4.1g carbs, 2.3g fiber, 1.8g net carbs, 5.6g protein and 18g fat.  Add a Balsamic Glaze if you really want to kick it up...and I did!  Have two servings and call it a meal, share the entire thing and call it dinner for two!  Perfect with a side salad, or just straight in your mouth!  Yum Yum  ;)

Ingredients for 4 servings~
1/2 cup Almond Flour
2 Tablespoons ground Flax Seed
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Extra Large Egg
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
Dash Salt
Dash Pepper
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1/2 Roma Tomato, finely sliced
3 Cheese Stuffed Green Olives, finely sliced
Rosemary Leaves, as desired
Balsamic Glaze, for garnish if desired (not included in macros)

     Mix first set of ingredients til fully incorporated, press out into rectangle onto silpat lined cookie sheet, top with and gently press down Tomato, Olives and Rosemary, bake at 350 for 8 minutes or til done.  Remove and garnish with Balsamic if desired.  Enjoy  :)  

Keto Broccoli Salad

          Is it a salad or a side dish!?  Either way, it's a winner.  My Keto Broccoli Salad is one to try.  Each of the four servings are only 196 calories, 10.5g carbs, 3.1g fiber, 3g sugar alcohol, 4.4g net carbs, 8.4g protein and 15.6g fat.  This is so versatile that you can add more protein, or it can top a mixed Green Salad, it can be a warm weather dish or perfect for cooler weather.  What ever your fancy, just give this one a try.  :)

Ingredients for 4 hearty servings~
4 cups chopped fresh Broccoli
2 Tablespoons Mayo (use more if you like heavier Dressing)
1 Tablespoon Lakanto Monk Fruit (use more if you like it sweeter)~use code Paige20 at checkout for discount
1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
1.5oz/6 Tablespoons shredded Cheese (I used Cheddar)
1/4 cup/1oz chopped Pecans (sub with other Nut)
1/4 cup chopped Bacon
1 Green Onion, sliced
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste

     Throw it all in a big mixing bowl and toss til well incorporated.  Enjoy  :)

Baby Chicks

     These Baby Chicks come to life every Easter, but there are no rules they can't be enjoyed all year round.  Plus, what a great chance to involve the kids in piping the filling, adding the eyes and setting the beaks.  They will love it, and be more likely to consume healthy snacks if they are part of the making.  Each of these 4 servings, 2 Chicks, are only 125 calories, zero carbs or fiber, 7g protein and 10g fat.  AND, don't fear eating the Peppercorn eyes, it adds the perfect amount of spice.  These are a guaranteed smile maker at any Easter gathering!  ;)

Ingredients for 4 servings~
4 Extra Large Eggs
2 Tablespoons Mayo
1 scant Tablespoon Mustard, adjust to taste
16 Peppercorns
1 Carrot slice, cut into 8 slices, similar to a pie

     Add Eggs to saucepan and cover with water, bring to boil, add lid, turn off burner BUT DON'T remove pan from burner.  Set timer for 15 minutes, then transfer to sink and add cold water to pan til Eggs have cooled, remove shell, cut in half, add yolk to bowl along with Mayo and Mustard, stir til smoothly combined.  Add filling to bag and pipe the Whites.  If necessary, add filling to baggie, snip corner and pipe, if you don't have a cake tip and bag.  Add Peppercorn eyes and pie shaped Carrot beak.  Enjoy  :)

Lemon Squares

     Get ready to pucker up!  It can't be helped after your first luscious bite of my Lemon Squares.  #worthit  ...and who doesn't love a good pucker!!!  Each of these 9 squares are only 261 calories, 21.5g carbs, 2.9g fiber, 16g sugar alcohol, 2.6g net carbs, 7.2g protein and 23.2g fat.  Get ready to make your kissy face sooner than later!  ;)

Ingredients for 9 servings~
1/2 cup Butter, melted
1 3/4 cup Almond Flour
3/4 cup Lakanto Monk Fruit, plus extra for dusting~use code Paige20 at checkout for discount
3 soft Lemons (the softer the Lemon, the easier to juice)
3 Extra large Eggs
Fruit, for garnish, if desired

     Melt Butter and stir with 1 cup Flour and 1/4 cup Monk Fruit, press into parchment lined 8X8 pan, bake at 350 for 20 minutes.  Meanwhile, zest one Lemon into mixing bowl and squeeze the 3 Lemons into bowl, remove any seeds.  Stir in remaining Monk Fruit and Almond Flour, as well as Eggs, pour onto crust and continue to bake for an additional 25 minutes.  Remove, dust with extra Confectioners Monk Fruit, and garnish with fruit if desired.  Store leftovers in fridge, and if crust is too soft, chill til firm.  Enjoy  :)

Easter Bunny Pizza

     Did you know the Easter Bunny's favorite food is Pizza!?  That's right, and I created the perfect recipe to satisfy his appetite.  I am especially proud of this earthy Olive Oil crust that will please the human palate as well.  Each of these 8 slices, errr...Carrots, are only 292 calories, 6.7g carbs, 2.6g fiber, 4.1g net carbs, 7.7g protein and 27g fat.  This dish is sure to please,and will give you the energy to hop with ease thru your entire day!!!  :)

Ingredients for 8 servings~
1/4 cup Olive Oil
1 cup Almond Flour
1/4 cup Flax Seed
2 Extra Large Eggs
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
Dash Salt, to taste
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8oz Cream Cheese, softened to room temperature
1 packet Ranch Seasoning
1 large 7-8'' Carrot, finely grated (should yield about 1/2 cup~please use freshly grated, not store bought)
1/2 cup very small Broccoli Florets

     Combine first set of ingredients in bowl til well blended, transfer dough to parchment lined 12'' pizza pan, oil hands and pat into a circle, leaving about an inch perimeter around pan.  Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.  Meanwhile, stir together Cream Cheese and Ranch til well incorporated, spread on cooled dough, top with shredded Carrots and line dough with Broccoli.  If the kids are around, involve them in adding the Carrots and Broccoli.  Involving our kids in the process encourages healthy eaters.  Enjoy  :)  Note: if you prefer, you can cut your slices into 16 to make more of a Carrot shape.