Cookies and Cream Cheesecake

     If Cookies and Cream is your weakness, then give this a whirl to keep it in the healthy zone!!!  It ain't Cheesecake Factory, but it will do just fine !!!  If you want to add a few diced berries for garnish, then feel free, but not necessary and good enough on it's own!  This 9" Springform pan gives you 8 pieces at 171.5 calories, 8.5g carbs and 23.25g protein, per piece.

Ingredients~
2 Double Chocolate Chunk Quest Bars
Butter Pam
2 Cookies and Cream Quest Bars, chopped
1/4 cup Vanilla Protein Powder
2 1/2 cups Fage 0% Greek Yogurt
1 cup liquid EggWhites
1/4 cup Date Sugar
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Paige's Handcrafted Vanilla
Diced Strawberries for garnish, if desired

     Remove bottom round of 9" Springform pan and spray with Butter Pam.  Heat one of the unwrapped Chocolate Quest Bars in microwave for 15 seconds and pat onto half of botttom round, repeat with other bar, then snap back into pan and secure.  Meanwhile, mix the Protein Powder, Yogurt, Egg Whites, Date Sugar, Cinnamon and Vanilla.  Pour half mix in pan and top with half chopped Cookies and Cream Bar, then gently spoon remaining batter on top and finish by sprinkling the remaining chopped Bars on top of batter.  Bake at 325 for 40 minutes.  Enjoy  :)

Grilled Chicken Celery Pesto Soybean Spaghetti Pasta

  Have you tried Soybean Spaghetti!?  It's fantastic and sooooo good for you !!!  Also, if you dress it up with all the great toppings then you can't even tell the difference from regular pasta!!!  #WINNING  Give it a try and see what you think, its worth a try because for 1.75oz its 190 calories, 15.5g carbs and 20.5g protein !!!  Awesome Stats !!!  Not to mention the great stats for a Celery Pesto!!!  :)

Ingredients~
3 cups mixed Stir Fry Veggies
1 Tablespoon EVOO
1 teaspoon heaping chopped jarred garlic
7oz Soybean Spaghetti~ I find this at Green Acres in Wichita
1 cup Celery Pesto
8oz Grilled Sliced Chicken Breast
Scant amount of shredded Parmesan for garnish

     Cook Spaghetti according to direction, drain and add to large pasta bowl.  Meanwhile, heat EVOO in skillet and add garlic and veggies and cook til crisp tender.  Add warmed pesto to pasta, top with cooked veggies, and top with warmed sliced Grilled Chicken and a few sprinkles of Parmesan.  This makes four hearty servings, each serving has 382.5 calories, 20g carbs and 34.25g protein.  The protein is so high in the Soybean Pasta that you don't need nearly as much meat added to your dish.  Enjoy  :)

In case you need the Celery Pest recipe~


     If you ever end up with an extra bunch of celery that is about to go bad, then just whip together some pesto !!!  This was literally a 5 minute project of just throwing everything in the Food Processor ( love that)!  This recipe made about 3 1/2 cups, so I froze 3 cups with a cup in each ziplock baggie, which makes it so easy to thaw out for a pasta night for two!!!  Voila  :)

Ingredients~
5 cups celery
1/3 cup raw blanched Almonds
1/4 cup EVOO
2 heaping teaspoon diced jarred garlic
1/3 cup shredded Parmesan
1 teaspoon lite salt
1 cup carrots
4 green onions
Sriracha to taste

     Blend all together in the Food Processor.  Enjoy over your favorite pasta!  For a 1/4 cup serving, it is 80 calories, 2g carbs, and 2g protein.

Salmon Celery Pesto Pasta

      If you have 1/4 cup Celery Pesto on hand, along with 1/2 cup prepared Pasta and 3oz  Baked or Grilled Salmon then you can have a wonderful healthy hearty light meal for around 300 calories.  And remember, 1 oz dry pasta would equal a half cup cooked in volume. Also, Salmon is super easy to cook, just throw in aluminum covered dish and bake at 450 for 17 minutes.  So layer your prepared pasta, followed by pesto and top with Salmon. If you want to take a walk on the wild side, then sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon shredded Parmesan.  Also, if you need the Celery Pesto recipe, then it is as follows:

Ingredients~
5 cups celery
1/3 cup raw blanched Almonds
1/4 cup EVOO
2 heaping teaspoon diced jarred garlic
1/3 cup shredded Parmesan
1 teaspoon lite salt
1 cup carrots
4 green onions
Sriracha to taste

     Blend all together in the Food Processor.  Enjoy over your favorite pasta!  For a 1/4 cup serving, it is 80 calories, 2g carbs, and 2g protein.

Celery Pesto

     If you ever end up with an extra bunch of celery that is about to go bad, then just whip together some pesto !!!  This was literally a 5 minute project of just throwing everything in the Food Processor ( love that)!  This recipe made about 3 1/2 cups, so I froze 3 cups with a cup in each ziplock baggie, which makes it so easy to thaw out for a pasta night for two!!!  Voila  :)

Ingredients~
5 cups celery
1/3 cup raw blanched Almonds
1/4 cup EVOO
2 heaping teaspoon diced jarred garlic
1/3 cup shredded Parmesan
1 teaspoon lite salt
1 cup carrots
4 green onions
Sriracha to taste

     Blend all together in the Food Processor.  Enjoy over your favorite pasta!  For a 1/4 cup serving, it is 80 calories, 2g carbs, and 2g protein.

Bar-B-Que Pepperoni Breakfast Pizza with Cauliflower Crust~ Gluten Free

     I hit the jackpot when I threw this together this morning!!!  I felt like I died and went to heaven with every rich filled bite !!!  This is a definite must try, ... and VERY SOON !!!  Amazing flavors !!!  :)

Ingredients~
6-8 inch Cauliflower Crust ( search Italian Chicken Corn and Avocado Pizza with Cauliflower Crust~see below)
1 Tablespoon Bar-B-Que Sauce
1 Tablespoon Cheddar
1 Tablespoon Parmesan
Chopped Kale
Chopped Baby Spinach
Cilantro
Diced Green Onion
Diced Tomato
5 Turkey Pepperoni, diced
Fresh Oregano
1 Egg
Dash Pepper

     Top crust with Bar-B-Que sauce, then add veggies, pepperoni, oregano and cheese.  Then make a well in the middle of the topping and crack egg into the well. Sprinkle with pepper and bake at 400 for 12 minutes or til whites are set.  Enjoy  :)


Ingredients for the Cauliflower Pizza:
1 head of Cauliflower cleaned and diced into crumbles ( I use my Pampered Chef dicer, or you can use a food processor~ just as long as you get the crumbled consistency ~ my head made 5 cups )
1 egg
1/2 cup egg white
dash salt and pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon dried onions
1 cup shredded mozzarella 

     Mix all together and form into 7-8 inch thin circles and bake at 450 for 15-20 minutes on Pam coated sheet or preferably on a Silpat Sheet, for 15-20 minutes depending on how crispy you want your cauliflower crust. This will make SEVERAL, so you will have plenty to freeze for next time! 

Braggberry Waldorf Salad in a Jiffy!

     If you ever have to throw together a meal in 10-15 or less then check this out !!!  I made this to walk out the door in just minutes and it was terrific, ... if I do say so myself!!!

Ingredients~
4oz diced grilled Chicken Breast
1/2-1 diced Fuji Apple
1/2-1 cup diced baby carrots
2 Tablespoons Bragg Organic Braggberry Fat Free Dressing & Marinade ( only 20 calories, 5g carb, 0 protein)

     Mix together and enjoy!!!  Loads of flavor and very filling for less than 300 calories!!!  Enjoy  :)

Breakfast Sausage Caserole

     Lucy for me, my friend Bonnie's husband is a BIG hunter!!!  And I was the lucky recipient of a pound of Elk Sausage !!!  YUMMO  ... and thanks Tom !!!  Having a big family gathering was the perfect opportunity to whip up a breakfast casserole and put it to use!  It turned out terrific, and hopefully you will try this out when you have your next group for breakfast!!!  :)

Ingredients~
1 Tablespoon EVOO
1 Yellow Onion
Heaping teaspoon chopped jarred garlic
Sriracha to taste
1 Pound Sausage or Ham
6 mini Bell Peppers or 2-3 Bell Peppers
4oz Shredded Hash Browns
1 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar
8 eggs
Dash Salt
Dash Pepper
12oz Evaporated Milk
1/3-1/2 cup diced Green Onions

     Heat EVOO in skillet, add diced Yellow Onion, garlic and Sriracha til golden brown.  Add Sausage or Ham and cook thoroughly, drain any fat.  Add Bell Pepper and cook til softened.  Meanwhile, add potatoes to Pam coated casserole pan, top with shredded Cheddar, and top that with meat mixture.  Blend eggs, salt, pepper, and milk and pour on top of casserole.  Top with Green Onions and bake at 350 for 45-55 minutes.  Enjoy  :)