Monday, January 20, 2014

Video Blog - Thick and Chewy Banana Oatmeal Cookies

Thick and Chewy Banana Oatmeal Cookies


Nutrition: 
30-40 Calories depending on size
Fat: 1.5 grams
Carbs: 7
Protein: 1.5 grams
Fiber: 1.3 grams
1 Weight Watchers Point

Ingredients:
3 Bananas
2 Cups Old Fashioned Oats
1/4 Cup Creamy Peanut Butter
1/4 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1/3 Cup Unsweetened Applesauce
1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
Dash of Cinnamon

Directions: 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Mash bananas in a large bowl
Stir in remaining ingredients
Let batter stand for 20 minutes
Drop by tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheet
Bake 10-12 minutes

                                                 Watch My How-To Video Below!

Saturday, January 18, 2014

No Bread Ideas!- First Video Blog! Cinnamon Banana Pancake

Hello everyone! I am super excited to announce that I have created my first video blog.  In addition to my ingredients, you can chop up nuts, coconut shreds, or berries and put them in the pancakes.  The possibilities are endless so don't be afraid to get creative!

Cinnamon Banana Pancakes

Nutrition:
Calories: 100
Fat: <5

Ingredients: 
1 Banana
2 Whole Eggs or 1/2 Cup Eggbeaters
Cinnamon to taste
                                                           Watch my video below!



Friday, January 17, 2014

No Bread Ideas! - Cucumber Tofu Rolls



Alright friends, here is the second post to No Bread Ideas- Low Carb January!  I know we often think of tofu as a meat substitute for a meal, but why not use it during snacks?! Tofu is great because you can basically make it taste like anything you want! It's packed with protein, calcium, and is low-cal.  


Nutrition:

Serving size: 4 rolls
Makes 8 rolls total 

Ingredients:

1 block extra firm tofu
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons Annie's Lite Gingerly Vinaigrette Dressing
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced 
Half teaspoon ground cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cucumber, washed
8 toothpicks

Directions: 

Place the oil in a pan on medium-low heat 
Make a slit in the tofu container and drain out the water in the sink. 
Place block of Tofu on a cutting board and cut 1/8 inch slices along the short side cutting 1.5 - 2 inch pieces. 
Place each piece of tofu in the hot pan.  Pour on the dressing and sprinkle on the minced ginger, cumin, salt, and pepper.  Allow 15-20 minutes to cook (or until slightly brown)  Don't forget to flip the tofu! Set aside to cool.
Cut cucumbers lengthwise in 1/8 inch thick slices.  Aim to get roughly 8 slices out of the cucumber. 
Lay one cucumber slice flat on the cutting board.  Place a stack of four pieces of tofu on each end of the cucumber, roll it up, and place a toothpick through the center to keep it in a tight roll. 

*Optional: Looking for some vitamin A? Slice a carrot lengthwise and roll it up with the cucumber! It adds color and makes for an appealing treat! 



Thursday, January 16, 2014

No Bread Ideas!- Baked Coconut Shrimp

I decided I wanted to focus the next few posts on "no bread ideas". Yes, you read that right, I'm talking low-carb!  I have received numerous messages via Facebook asking me to post low-carb snack and meal ideas for individuals on Atkin's, Heart Health diets, and other carb counting diets. I greatly appreciate the enthusiasm and hope you enjoy the posts!

1. Meatballs
2. Veggie Wraps
3. Nuts
4. Tuna Salad on Tomato
5. Avocado with Sunflower Seeds
6. Cucumbers with Ranch Greek Yogurt Dip
7. Cottage Cheese with Veggies or Fruit
8. Cucumber Tofu Rolls
9. Baked Coconut Shrimp

Baked Coconut Shrimp!




Ingredients:
Nonstick cooking spray
1/2 cup flaked unsweetened coconut
6 tablespoons plain panko breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons whole wheat flour
2 large egg whites
1 pound large shrimp, peeled, deveined, and patted dry
Salt and pepper

Dipping Sauce:
1/4 cup low-fat Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon ancho chili powder

Directions: 
Preheat oven to 450 F.  Spray baking sheet with nonstick spray.
Prepare dipping sauce.  Combine Greek yogurt, lime juice, and chili powder in bowl and place in refrigerator to cool.
Combine coconut, panko, and flour in a large bowl.
Beat the egg whites in a medium bowl until slightly frothy.
Add shrimp to egg whites; toss to coat.  Lift each shrimp from the egg whites, letting excess drip off shrimp.  Coat in the crumb mixture, pressing to adhere.
Place the shrimp on a baking sheet in a single layer.  Lightly spray with nonstick spray.
Bake until the shrimp are golden on the outside and opaque in the center or 8-10 minutes.
Serve with dipping sauce.

*Optional: Serve with grilled pineapple and green beans



Friday, January 3, 2014

How to Keep Yourself in Shape this Winter

The New Year has rung in and if you are like 90% of Americans, your resolution's may include losing weight/eating healthier/exercising more. Unfortunately, for those of us who live in the Northern part of the country, the winter storms have came early this year and can make it challenging to stick to those resolutions.  It is far more challenging to wake up and exercise in the early morning when it is -15 degrees and pitch black.  Not to mention, a foot of snow on the ground.
It is recommend that adults get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, like walking, per week. That's a little more than 20 minutes per day.  For some, that may seem daunting- but it is possible!

TV workouts- Have a favorite show or certain time each day you like to sit on the couch and relax? Use this time to stay active by doing some light stretching or short exercises during commercial breaks.  If you have an hour long show, that's 15 minutes of commercials to get your heart rate pumping!

Be active at work- If you have a desk job, take a break every 20-30 minutes to stand up and stretch.  A fellow employee needs to make a trip to the printer? Offer to do it for them.  You will get moving and when you sit back down to work, your brain will alert and able to function better.

Walking in a winter wonderland- Layer up! Grab a friend and go for a walk around the block.  Walking in the snow burns more calories than walking in regular conditions.  Even better, go sledding! Walking back up those hills is a great and free workout!

Workout DVD's -  This is my FAVORITE type of exercise in the brutal cold.  When I can't muster up the courage to spend the day outside, I love to do some of my favorite DVD's.  There are so many on the market, you won't have any difficulty finding one that suits your fancy and won't have to worry about getting burnt out.

Winter Cleaning-  Why wait for spring cleaning?  If your couped inside your house why not use this time to organize and de-clutter?  You burn roughly 150 calories per hour and can sleep better knowing your house is spotless.

All these activities will keep your wallet happy and body healthy.  So get creative this winter and be sure to bundle up!