Chocolate Almond Apples

     Can I be honest here...this is just darn good!  It's definitely more carbs than my typical mini meal, but man oh man, #worth it!  And great if you could time it for a post work out re-fuel.  This sweet treat weighs in at 305 calories, 52.8g carbs, 19g fiber, 33.8g net carbs, 20g protein and 9g fat.  How ever you want to work it into your day, just make it happen.  You will not regret having this in your life.  #promise

Ingredients for one serving~
Small (approx 5.5oz) Fuji Apple diced
1/3 cup reduced fat Cottage Cheese
6oz Kroger Carbmasters Vanilla Yogurt
1/3 cup Fiber One Cereal
1/2oz ChocZero Keto Almond Bark, chopped

     Layer all ingredients in order of appearance.  Enjoy  :)

Balsamic Parsnips

     How familiar are you with Parsnips!?  If the answer is not so much, then I am here to tell you that you are sadly missing out!  This root vegetable is closely related to the Carrot and can be used in a similar manner.  This sweet delight is fabulous mashed, fried or roasted.  In fact, my Balsamic Parsnips back up my delicious claims quite nicely, and each of the 2/3 cups are only 106 calories, 20.7g carbs, 5.7g fiber, 15g net carbs, 3g protein and 2g fat.  How do you Parsnip!?  ;)

Ingredient for Eight 2/3 cup servings~
1 pound Parsnips
1/2 pound Carrots
1 pound Brussels Sprouts
1 medium Purple Onion
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
2 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
Dash Lite Salt
Dash Pepper

     Trim, peel and dice the Parsnips, Carrots, Brussels Sprouts and Onion and add to large mixing bowl.  Drizzle with Oil and Vinegar and toss to coat, spread on Pam sprayed baking pan in a single layer.  Make sure to not over crowd vegetables to ensure roasting vs steaming.  Season with Salt and Pepper, bake at 425 for 50 minutes, stirring half way thru.  Add additional seasoning as desired.  Enjoy  :)

Sprouted Grain Toast

     My sweet Courtney is on a new healthy kick and dragging us along with!  She was visiting for the weekend and insisted on making us breakfast, lucky us!  You can't have my girl, but you can have her ideas for only 295 calories, 23g carbs, 5g fiber, 18g net carbs, 14g protein and 17.5g fat.  Try this one on for size and let me know what you think, then we will decide if she is a chip off the ole' block.  ;)

Ingredients for one serving~
1 slice Sprouted 7 Grain Bread
2 Tablespoons Almond Butter
1/4 cup Turkey Sausage Crumbles

     Toast bread and spread with Almond Butter, meanwhile heat Sausage in skillet til cooked thoroughly, sprinkle on top.  She used Jimmy Dean's pre-cooked crumbles, and stores them in the freezer to use as necessary.  Enjoy  :)

Turkey Enchilada Bowls

     It pays to know people.  Why you say!?  Well, let me tell you a little story.  My buddy Alex has had a tremendous amount of success following a Keto lifestyle, and he just dropped a recipe idea on me I had to follow up on.  Although, he use's his Grandmothers homemade Enchilada Sauce in his recipe, but since her's takes two hours to make...I however, will be using a can...but if you want to start from scratch knock your silly self out!  Each of the 8 servings are only 167 calories, 4.5g carbs, .3g fiber, 4.2g net carbs, 30g protein, and 3g fat.  Add a bag of Quest Nutrition Tortilla Style Protein Chips for an additional 140 calories, 5g carbs, 1g fiber, 4g net carbs, 18g protein and 6g fat.  So if you are looking for a healthy addition to your evening repertoire', try this one on for size...and just remember,  choose your friends wisely!

Ingredients for 8 servings, approximately 1 cup each~
1 large Onion, chopped
2 Tablespoons chopped Garlic
2 pounds 99% lean ground Turkey
Dash Cayenne Pepper
10oz can Enchilada Sauce
1/2 cup shredded Sharp Cheddar
Dash Lite Salt

     Add Onions, Garlic, Turkey, and Cayenne to skillet and heat til meat is fully cooked.  Drain any excess juices, stir in Sauce and fully coat.  Each serving is approximately one cup, top each with 1 Tablespoon Cheese and season with Salt as desired.  I served this with mini assorted Bell Peppers and a bag of the new Quest Nacho Tortilla Chips.  Enjoy  :)

Healthy Pancakes

     If you are looking for a healthy breakfast, snack or dessert then I have a recipe you need to try out!  Three of these delicious Pancakes are only 246 calories, 9.5g carbs, 2.5g fiber, 7g net carbs, THIRTY TWO grams protein and 8.5g fat.  Now how's that for a start (...or end) to your day!?  ;)

Ingredients for two servings~
1/2 cup Egg Whites
1/2 cup lowfat Cottage Cheese
1/4 cup Almond Flour
3 scoops unflavored Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
2 Tablespoons ground Flax
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla

Add all ingredients to blender or Magic Bullet, mix til thoroughly combined, pour batter by 1/4 cup on HOT Pam sprayed skillet, flip when ready to cook other side. (Hot skillet is key) Repeat 5 more times. Each serving is 3 pancakes. Enjoy :)

Orange Rolls

     About 20 years ago, my friend Gretchen gave me a life changing Orange Roll recipe that has turned into a family favorite.  If you want the perfect addition to a Holiday, special Dinner Party, or Bridal/Baby Shower then check this out.  I have no idea of macros, if you are eating these then macros are not of concern...obviously...but totally worth every bite!  :)

Ingredients for 24 Orange Rolls~
1 package Yeast
1/4 cup warm Water
1 Tablespoon Sugar
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
1 cup scalded Milk
1/2 cup melted Butter
1/2 cup Sugar
2 beaten Eggs
4 cups Flour
3/4 teaspoon Salt
- - - - - - - - - - - -
1 cup Sugar
2/3 cup Butter, softened to room temperature
Rine of two Oranges, grated off Oranges

     Mix together first set of ingredients, let Yeast dissolve and activate.  Meanwhile beat second set of ingredients and add Yeast mixture til fully combined.  Cover bowl with hand towel and let rise til double in bulk.  Mix third set of ingredients til well combined.  Divide risen dough in half, roll each portion one at a time into a rectangle, spread with half of filling and roll up like cinnamon rolls, slice into 12 sections and place in greased muffin tin, or silpat lined cupcake tin. bake at 375 for 15 minutes, flip upside down when removing from the oven to let filling drip onto rolls.  Repeat with remaining half.  Enjoy  :)

Healthy Potato Salad

     When it comes to health, creativity knows no bounds...especially on the holidays!!!  If you want it bad enough, you will figure it out.  And what I wanted was a Healthy Potato Salad, ... and I think I got it... it was even Hubby approved!  Each of the 18~1/2 cup servings are only 108 calories, 7.1g carbs, 1.9g fiber, 5.2g net carbs, 3.7g protein and 7.5g fat.  Do you have a Healthy Potato Salad occasion coming up?

Ingredients for 18~1/2 cup servings~
1 pound Potatoes, peeled, diced, boiled for 20 minutes, drained
1 pound Cauliflower, chopped to small pieces, steamed
6 Extra Large Eggs, boiled 9 minutes, peeled, chopped
Head of Celery (approx 10oz), cleaned and sliced
8 midget Sweet Pickles, diced
2 Tablespoons Sweet Pickle Juice
1/3 cup diced Purple Onion
1/2 cup Avocado Mayo, sub with regular Mayo
1 Tablespoon Spicy Brown Mustard
Dash Lite Salt
Dash Pepper
Dash Paprika

     Add all ingredients to large mixing bowl,  stir til well incorporated, reserve a few slices of Egg and Paprika for garnish if desired.  I serve this warm, that is a critical step, so schedule appropriately.  Enjoy  :)