Grilled Chicken with Pineapple Peach Salsa

     What a way to celebrate warming temperatures!!!  Loving the fruit and meat combo !!!Nothing says Spring like a little bit of sweet with our savory  :)

Ingredients~
1 cup diced Pineapple
1/2 cup diced Strawberry
1/2 cup diced Peach
1/4 cup diced Green Onion
1/3 cup Cilantro Leaves
1 Tablespoon Maple Sugar
1/2 Lime, juiced
Oregano Sprig, to taste

     Combine and serve over Grilled Chicken, or meat of your choice.  Enjoy  :)

Raw Chocolate Pudding

     Ok so, the first bite is a little strange, ... BUT THEN,... I quickly acquired a taste for this rich thick puddin' !!!  :)  And, no white sugar !!!  This is a Healthy Chocolate Pudding !!!  Totally worth trying to see if its for you !!!  And, its kinda fun to make  :)  Its hard to determine the exact calories because of all the variables, but this makes approx 6 servings, for about 160-180 calories a serving.  This is definitely a higher carb to protein ratio dish than I am usually drawn to, but this was so unique I had to give it a try !

Ingredients~
2 Avocados~diced
1 Ripe Banana~diced
1 cup unsweetened Chocolate Almond Milk ( 45 cal/cup)
1/2 cup unsweetened Dark Cocoa Powder ( if this is too strong for you, then add less)
2-6 Tablespoons Honey, Maple Syrup, or Agave Nectar ( I combined Honey and Maple Syrup. If you use Honey the recipe wont be Vegan)
Generous Dash Vanilla
1 Tablespoon Ground Almond Butter
Generous Dash Cinnamon
Dash of Lite Salt

     Put everything in Food Processor and blend til smooth.  Divide into 6 cups and chill overnight!  Serve plain or with Whipped Heavy Cream ( add Stevia, Cinnamon and Vanilla to Heavy Whipping Cream and beat til stiff peaks form).   Enjoy  :)

Peanut Butter Protein Shake

     This is a wonderful protein shake, and I'm diggin on the PB2 addition!!!  Also, there is a new Peanut Butter Protein Powder in town, Peanut Butter Whey Better from Complete Nutrition.  The stats are 274 caloreis, 10g carbs and 34g protein.  Hello Mornings !!!  :)

Ingredients~
1 scoop Peanut Butter Whey Better Protein Powder
2 Tablespoons Ground Flax seed
2 Tablespoons PB2
1 cup Chocolate Almond Milk ( 45 cal/cup)
Crushed Ice to desire
Cinnamon to taste
Vanilla to taste

     Blend in Magic Bullet to desired consistency.  Enjoy  :)

Buffalo Bruschetta

     I got my inspiration from Gina at Skinny Taste on this little number !!!  She rocks and has super duper ideas!!!  I used Buffalo and Romaine in my recipe and it turned out dandy !!!  Each serving has 321.25 calories, 7.2g carbs, 29g protein.  It's a perfect little Spring time dish!  :)

Ingredients for Bottom Layer~
10oz Tomato, sliced into 12 thin slices
5-6 Romaine Leaves
1/4 cup Cilantro Leaves

     Lay 3 slices Tomato on plate and top with 1/4 salad mixture.  Repeat with the other 3 plates.

Ingredients for Meat Layer~
1 pound ground Buffalo
4oz Zucchini chopped
1 Tablespoon diced Red Onion
3 Tablespoons Bread Crumbs
1 heaping teaspoon chopped jarred garlic
Salt and Pepper to taste

     Blend Zucchini, Onion, Bread Crumbs, and Garlic in mini Food Processor.  Then stir into Buffalo, Salt and Pepper.  Divide into 8 small patties, and cook in  heated skillet.  These are very delicate, so be careful when flipping.  When done cooking, lay on top of salad.

Ingredients for Bruschetta~
6oz  Roma Tomato, diced
1/4 cup Red Onion, diced
1 Tablespoon EVOO
1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
1 Tablespoon chopped jarred Garlic
1/4 cup sliced chopped fresh Basil Leaves
3oz  diced Mozzarella
Salt and Pepper to taste

     Blend all together and divide into four equal parts.  Top each Beef Pattie with a fourth of the Bruschetta.  Enjoy  :)

Cinnamon Roll Yogurt Protein Shake

     I love all the great flavored Protein Powders to make rich thick Shakes !!!  A new flavor from Whey Better  (found at Complete Nutrition) is Cinnamon Swirl, and I had the bright idea to combine it with low carb Cinnamon Roll yogurt, a little Almond Milk and Flax!  All this wonderful deliciousness for 274 calories, 10g carbs, 37g protein. Voila  :)

Ingredients~
1 scoop Cinnamon Swirl Protein Powder
1 Carbmasters Cinnamon Roll Yogurt
2 Tablespoon ground Flax Seed
1 Cup 30 cal/cup Almond Milk
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla
Crushed Ice, desired amount
Magic Bullet

     Blend all ingredients in Magic Bullet and blend til desired consistency.  Enjoy  :)

Coconut Cashew Cheesecake with Pineapple Topping

     Ok, I gotta say, ... I knocked this one outta the park !!!  It totally ROCKS !!!  You simply MUST try this, especially if you are a Coconut LOVER !!!  ... which I am.    Not only does this taste fantastic, the stats are a winner as well~ 185.75 calories, 9.35g carbs, and 23.5g protein per slice ( one slice is 1/8 of a 9" Springform pan).

Ingredients~
4 Coconut Cashew Quest Bars
4 Dannon Greek Light&Fit Toasted Coconut Yogurt
1 cup Egg Whites
1/2 cup Vanilla Protein Powder
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla
3 Tablespoons Unsweetened shredded Coconut
4oz finely diced Pineapple
1-2 packets Stevia

     Remove bottom round from Springform pan, spray with Pam.  Heat unwrapped Bar for 15 seconds in microwave and press into half of round, repeat with another bar to cover entire bottom round. Then snap round back into Springform pan and secure into place.  Meanwhile, blend Yogurt, Egg Whites, Protein Powder, Cinnamon and Vanilla.  Finely dice remaining 2 Bars, set aside. Pour half of batter in pan, top with half of the diced bars, gently spoon remaining batter on top.  Finish by topping with remaining diced bar and the 3 Tablespoons Coconut.  Bake at 325 for 45-55 minutes, or til slightly wobbly.  While cooking, combine pineapple and stevia.  Chill Cheesecake overnight, remove rim of pan, and divide into 8 slices.  Top each slice with a scant Tablespoon of the Pineapple mixture.  Enjoy  :)

Loaded Beef Enchilada's

     We ALL LOVE Enchilada's!!!  So wouldn't it be nice to have them guilt free!?  Well, I gotcha covered !!!  ( You're Welcome ) ...  Each hearty Enchilada is only 190 calories, 14g carbs, and 16g protein.!!!  #SCORE  For a perfect night, serve 2 Enchilada's with large Garden Salad with Light Italian Dressing for a complete meal!!! ( Feel free to also make homemade Tortilla Chips with another Low Carb Tortilla and Seasoning Salts - refer to my Homemade Tortilla Chips recipe)

Ingredients~
1 Tablespoon EVOO
Large Yellow Onion Diced, (about 2 1/2 cups is what I used)
1 Heaping teaspoon chopped jarred garlc
McCormick Enchilada Sauce Packet
8oz Tomato Sauce
1 1/2 cup water
1 pound 96% Lean Ground Beef
15oz Black Beans, rinsed and drained
12 Mama Lupe Low Carb Tortilla's
1/4 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese

     Heat skillet with EVOO and add Onion and Garlic til golden brown, approx 20-30 minutes.  Meanwhile bring to simmer Sauce Packet, Tomato Sauce, and water, following packet instructions.  After Onions have cooked then add Beef and brown thoroughly.  When finished cooking, add drained Black Beans and 3/4 cup of cooked sauce, stirring to blend.  In foil lined pan, coat each side of Tortilla with remaining Enchilada Sauce, then spoon 1/4 cup Beef mixture down the middle, roll up and place in pan seam side down.  Repeat with the other 11 Tortilla's. When finished rolling, spoon any remaining sauce on top and sprinkle top with Cheddar Cheese.  Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes or until cheese is melted and heated thru.  Enjoy  :)