Pay Day Love

     Pay Day Love are nothing short of spectacular!  ...and how can you not love that adjective!  Each of my 12 Pay Days are only 96 calories, 4.1g carbs, 1g fiber, 2g sugar alcohol, 1.1g net carbs, 3.2g protein and 8.7g fat.  These fit perfectly as an after dinner sweet tooth craving, ...or quite frankly any time of "Day"...#seewhatididthere

Ingredients for 12 servings~
1/4 cup no sugar added Peanut Butter
2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
2 Tablespoons Lakanto Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 at checkout for discount
1/2 cup plus 2 Tablespoons Salted Roasted Peanuts

     Add Peanut Butter, Oil and Monk Fruit to microwave for 15 seconds, stir til smooth, repeat if necessary.  Stir in Peanuts, drop by Tablespoon in Silpat heart shaped cupcake liners, chill in fridge til set.  Enjoy  :)

Salt Caramel Chocolates

     If you are looking to impress a loved one in the easiest of ways, I have an idea for you!  With Lily's Chocolate to the rescue, you can make just about any flavor using their Chocolate Bars.  See my crazy simple steps for a laughable quick gift of affection.  Each Heart is only 23 calories, 2.7g carbs, 1.5g fiber, .9g sugar alcohol, .3g net carbs, .3g protein and 2.2 g fat...or have all eight and call it a day!  ;)

Ingredients for 8 small Chocolate Hearts~
Half of a 2.8oz (1.4oz) Lily's Stevia Sweetened Chocolate Bar~I chose the Caramelized & Salted
1/2 teaspoon Coconut Oil

     Break up Chocolate Bar, add to bowl along with Oil, microwave for 15 seconds, stir til smooth, repeat for 10 seconds if necessary.  Drop by a level teaspoon into Silicone Heart Shaped molds, should yield 8.  Chill til set, pop out when ready to eat.  Keep chilled as will softened at room temperature.  Enjoy  :)

Chocolate Protein Walnut Truffles

     Who says healthy can't be tasty...not this girl.  Case in point, my Chocolate Protein Walnut Truffles!  Each of my 6 uber yummy 1.1oz balls of goodness are 175 calories, 9g carbs, 4.8g fiber, 2g sugar alcohol, 2.2g net carbs, 8g protein and 14.6g fat.  Brillant for breakfast, super for snacks, or decadent for desserts...choose your option, or make things simple and choose all three!

Ingredients for 6-1.1oz Truffles~
2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
1/4 cup Lily's Stevia Sweetened Dark Chocolate Chips
2 Tablespoons Cocoa
1.5 scoops Quest Chocolate Protein Powder (use less if you prefer)
Dash Salt
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla
1/2 cup chopped Walnut, divided in half

     Add Oil and Chips to microwave for 15 seconds, stir til smooth, repeat if necessary in 10 second increments.  Stir in Cocoa, Protein Powder, Salt, Cinnamon, Vanilla and half the Walnuts.  Divide into 6 equal parts or weigh out in even portions, then roll in remaining Walnuts.  Chill til set.  Enjoy  :)

Thick Chocolate Sauce

     If you are looking for a quick pick me up to add to any dessert, I have the perfect adornment!  When you find out that you can have a Tablespoon of Thick Chocolate Sauce for only 7.5 calories, 14g carbs, 1.5g fiber, 12g sugar alcohol, .5net carbs, .4g protein and .4g fat, you will be dreaming up different ways to top everything you can think of with a luscious mouthful of fudge like creaminess.  This is so simple to make it will make you laugh, and so delicious it will make you cry.  But wipe away your tears and head to the kitchen pronto to feel all the feels right away!  ;)

Ingredients for 1/3 cup~
1/4 cup Cocoa
1/4 cup Lakanto Confectioner Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 for discount at checkout
1/4 cup Water
Dash Salt, according to taste
Dash Vanilla, according to taste
Dash Cinnamon, according to taste

     Add Cocoa and Monk Fruit to small sauce pan and stir til combined, add Water and blended completely, season with Salt, Vanilla and Cinnamon as desired.  Bring to low simmer and stir continuously during low simmer for 3 minutes.  Chill in fridge any leftovers.  Enjoy  :)

Dipped Chocolate Chips

     You can dip just about all your favorite things, and one of those are my Chocolate Chip Cookies...why not!?  And would you believe these are each only 38 calories, 3.7g carbs, 1g fiber, 2g sugar alcohol, .7g net carbs, .8g protein and 3.6g fat.  I'm thinking 7 would be the perfect afternoon snack, 7 is such a good number!  ;)

Ingredients for 21 Cookies~
2 Tablespoons Butter, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup Almond Flour
2 Tablespoons Lakanto Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 for discount at checkout
2 Tablespoon Lily's Stevia Sweetened Dark Chocolate Chips
1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
Dash Salt
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla
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2 Tablespoons Lily's Stevia Sweetened Dark Chocolate Chips
2 teaspoons Lakanto Confectioners Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 at checkout for discount
1 teaspoon Coconut Oil

     Mix together first set of ingredients til well blended, drop by level teaspoon onto Silpat lined cookie sheet, bake at 350 for 10 minutes, chill after baking.  Meanwhile, add second set of ingredients to small bowl, microwave for 15 seconds, stir til smooth, repeat if necessary in 10 second increments.  Dip Cookies and shake off excess Chocolate, set on parchment paper and chill in fridge til set.  Enjoy  :)

Langostino Bisque

     The first time I had Lobster Bisque was on Nantucket 20 years ago.  It was rich beyond belief, flavor like I had never experienced.  In my quest to recreate that moment, I tried my hand at coming up with the perfectly balanced savory bowl of decadence.  It wasn't quite the same as that dark wood sea side cottage pub, but close enough...and my Hubby said he really liked it (#goodenoughforme).  Each of the six servings, (1.5 cups soup plus .5 cups Langostino Tails), are 399 calories, 13g carbs, 3.3g fiber, 9.7g net carbs, 16.5g protein and 29g fat.  If you are feeling the New England mood wash over you, give this a try and see if it makes you want to travel East.  :)

Ingredients for six bowls~
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 medium chopped Onion
1 Tablespoon chopped Garlic
Dash Cayenne Pepper, to taste
Dash Salt, to taste
Dash Pepper, to taste
4 stalks Celery, diced
2 large Carrot sticks (144 grams), shredded
6oz can Tomato Paste
15oz can petite diced Tomatoes
2 cups Heavy Whipping Cream
3 cups Chicken Broth
1 pound Langostino Tails
Diced Parsley, for garnish, if desired

     Add Oil to skillet, along with Onions, Garlic, Cayenne, Salt and Pepper, saute til golden, add in Celery and Carrots til softened.  Stir in Tomato Paste til thoroughly combined, and then blend in the petite Tomatoes.  Add to blender and puree, and add to soup pot along with Cream, Broth and Langostino Tails, heat thru and serve.  Garnish with Parsley if desired.  Enjoy  :)  PS  I serve this with my Salt and Pepper Crackers.  https://foodfitnessbypaige.blogspot.com/2019/01/salt-and-pepper-crackers.html

Sweet Bacon Chicken Ranch Salad

     This may seem like a bit of a process, but believe me it will all be worth it in the end, ...I promise!  The crackers in this Salad are homemade, so you can always make those the day before, and streamline the process.  This high pitched flavorful bowl of decadence weighs in at 618 calories, 36.8g carbs, 6.5g fiber, 24g sugar alcohol, 6.3g net carbs, 52g protein and 43.6g fat.  If this is too much for your eating plan, feel free to cut the portions in half.  Or follow my path with Intermittent Fasting, and consider this your large meal of the day.  Either way, you simply can't go wrong with this wonder.  :)

Ingredients for four large servings~
1 cup Almond Flour
1/4 cup ground Flax Seed
1/4 cup Water
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Seasonings, optional (I added a Garlic Salt blend, but you could add any extra flavors you desire, but please know the simple Salt and Pepper are fabulous just by themselves, and I like them equally with the simple Seasoning)
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1 pounds Chicken Breast, diced into 32 pieces
12oz Center Cut Bacon (16slices), sliced in half to yield 32 pieces
1/2 cup Lakanto Golden Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 for discount at checkout
Dash Chili Powder, according to taste
Dash Garlic Powder, according to taste
Dash Cayenne Pepper, according to taste
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16oz 4% Cottage Cheese
1/3 cup Mayo
1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1 Packet Ranch
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8 cups Baby Spinach Leaves
Pepper for seasoning, if desired 

     Add first set of ingredients to a bowl and stir til completely combined.  Add to a large Silpat lined cookie sheet, cover with parchment paper and roll into a perfect rectangle, keeping inside the trim.  Use a pizza cutter to make 72-80 equal crackers.  Bake at 350 for 15 minutes, remove, cool, and break apart!  These stay nice for several days if you wish to make ahead. Next, with second set of ingredients, stir together Golden Monk Fruit, Chili Powder, Garlic and Pepper, set aside.  Roll each of the Chicken Breast pieces in the sweetener mixture, wrap Chicken in half piece of Bacon, roll again in sweetener mixture and lay wrapped side down on aluminum foil lined cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, remove, flip each piece over and bake another 15 minutes.  Meanwhile,  stir together third set of ingredients til well combined.  Chill leftovers for later use for Salad Dressing, as you will only be using a cup of this dip/dressing.  When ready to assemble, layer plate with 2 cups Spinach Leaves, 1/4 cup Cottage Cheese mixture, 8 pieces Chicken and a fourth of the Crackers.  Season with Pepper if desired.  Enjoy  :)