Skinny Style Cauli-Pizza

Oh my gosh. Yummm! I love this pizza! Especially the crust. You will never guess what I made the crust with... Cauliflower! Yep, Cauliflower. I have heard of using cauliflower for mashed potatoes but never as pizza crust! Thanks Pinterest! So I made this pizza in honor of the one and only, Jeremy Prenger.

What you need:

Crust--


11/2C Grated Head of cauliflower (cheap, healthy)
1 Egg
1C Low-fat Mozzarella Cheese
Oregano
Garlic Salt
1/2 TSP Garlic Salt

Toppings--

I used
Spinach leaves
Left over Ground Turkey from my Skinny Bella Pasta last night
1/4C Mozzarella Cheese
Less than 1/2C Ragu light Tomato Basil Sauce
Reduced Fat Feta
Green Olives

What to do:
1) Preheat oven to 450.
2) Grate the cauliflower. Place cauliflower in microwave for 8 minutes.
3) Add in all of the rest of the crust ingredients. Mix.
4) Spay cookie sheet or pizza stone, so the crust does not stick.
5) Spread the "dough" to make your pizza shape (a good idea would be to make mini pizzas)
6) Place in oven for 12 minutes.
7) Take pizza crust out when done. Place oven on broil.
8) Add all of your toppings-- check the bottom for variations.
9) Place back in oven for 5 minutes! Presto, you are done!

Enjoy!

Topping Variations:
BBQ Pizza: Light BBQ Sauce and shredded grilled chicken maybe some onions and mozzarella.
Hawaiian Pizza: Add pineapple and turkey bacon.
Veggie Pizza: Mixed Veggies and grape seed oil.

Skinny Bella Pasta: In Under 25 Minutos!

I was in the mood for some italian food tonight! And not in the mood for all of the carbs. I have made zucchini lasagna before and I knew I wanted to substitute the "pasta" part for veggies! So after I worked out tonight I jetted over to the local grocery store (lets be honest... HEB). I am imagining I am in Barcelona with all of their fresh produce markets. Ahh... If only. Okay I will snap back into it. Although, the one thing that is certain here is that regardless if you are in Barcelona or Texas this italian dish is muy delicioso (mmm kiss your fingers muwaaa, so Italian)!

Here is what you will need:

1TBS Grape Seed Oil***
1lb Ground Turkey (I used half a pound but cooked an entire pound-- scroll down I will explain)
Ground Pepper Flakes
Salt and Pepper
2 Zucchini
1 C No Sugar Added Reduced Spaghetti Sauce (I used Ragu Tomato Basil)
Reduced Fat Feta (Optional)
Lemon (Optional)

1) Place ground turkey and grape seed oil in a skillet on medium heat.
2) Sprinkle Ground Pepper, Salt and Pepper to taste
3) While the ground turkey is browning, take your zucchini slice off the ends and into thin spaghetti like strips.
4) Once your ground beef has been browned (set half aside if you used an entire pound-- I will explain later)
5) Add 1C Spaghetti Sauce and your sliced zucchini
6) Cook until zucchini is softened (al dente) this should take 5-7 minutes.
7) Optional: Add reduced fat feta and squeeze a little lemon on top (mmm)

Let me know what you think or if you have any suggestions! Enjoy!

Okay so, I cooked 1lb ground turkey so making tomorrow nights meal will be a breeze. I am doing a healthy twist on pizza with some ground turkey and turkey pepporonies. But this is a great way to save time on the next nights meal to all of those busy college students and moms out there. Buy cooking a full portion of ground turkey (even two pounds) you save time the next night. So instead of running through the drive through you can come home and make some turkey burgers, turkey tacos, my healthy shepherds pie or even PIZZA! So check back tomorrow night for a special Healthy Pizza meal dedicated to my friend Jeremy Prenger.


*** I am really promoting Grape Seed Oil this week. Grape seed oil has a lot of health benefits such as antioxidants that help keep cancers at bay and your skin looking marvelous. Click on the tap for more information!

PS. I really need to get a professional photographer. My pictures are not doing these meals any justice!

Inspiration: Skinniest Pasta

Healthy Lemon Chicken & Mixed Veggies

I love using lemons when cooking. Especially in the summer and springtime. Lemons have such a fresh taste! So tonight I had some lemons that I have been needing and wanting to use. When life gives you lemons, grab some fresh vegetables and some boneless skinless chicken!

What you will need:

1 Lemon
4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Tenderloins
2 Red Skinned Potatoes
Vegetables (I used broccoli and carrots)
1/2C Chopped Onions
Lemon Pepper (About 1TBS)
Salt and pepper to taste
11/2TBS Spectrum Grape Seed Oil** Check below for health benefits of Grape Seed Oil

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 400.
2) Place 1TBS Grape Seed Oil and chicken in a skillet with lemon pepper seasoning. Cook one side of the chicken for about 5 minutes.
3) While your chicken is cooking on the skillet. Chop up the veggies of your choice and mix with 1/2 TBS of Grape Seed Oil. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper on top.
4) Take the chicken off of the skillet.
5) Place veggies on heated skillet for about 5 minutes. Stir.
6) Finally place your vegetables in a oven safe nonstick pan. Then place your chicken on top and squeeze your lemon on top of the chicken and vegetables. Cook at 400 for 40 minutes.

Enjoy!


Why Grape Seed Oil? Studies have shown that grape seed oil increases antioxidants in the blood stream. Grape seed oil also helps your skin and can reduce cellulite and is a healthier fat source than other types of cooking oil. Grape seed oil can prevent cancer and heart disease.

Skinny Steel-Cut's: Overnight Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

I made this Skinny Girl Steel Cut Oats, this past Sunday night and I must say, it made me excited for Monday morning! I have all 8am classes this semester. I know, what was I thinking... But with a healthy, filling, delicious morning meal like this it makes going to class a breeze. I bought steel cut oats because they are less processed and packed with protein that helps you stay full longer. This being my first time trying steel cut oats, I was a little nervous! Cooking to me is like an experiment and I hoped this little experiment would have a good turn out. And it did! This recipe is easy, healthy, and delicious! A bonus is that you can make your skinny girl steel cuts your own, and this recipe makes more than enough so you can freeze & reheat for a quick meal when you run out the door!

What you need:

1C Steel Cut Oats I use Bob's Red Mill
11/2C Water
1C Unsweetened Almond Milk
2TBS Brown Sugar
2TBS Fleischmann's Original Butter
1/4 Vanilla
1 Apple Peeled, Cored, and Diced
Ground Cinnamon (Sprinkled On Top Optional)
Stevia (Optional)

Serving Size: 4. Calories: 230 Per Serving

Place all of these ingredients in a slow cooker on low, except for the ground cinnamon. Once all of your ingredients are in sprinkle a little ground cinnamon on top. Let it cook for 7 hours. I added Stevia the next morning to sweeten it up! And a banana. (I have a sweet tooth!)

Variations:
Organic Stevia is a great way to sweeten things up without the calories. Or try these variations:

Maple Syrup
Cinnamon Sugar
Add almonds, or any type of nuts
Add extra fruit on top
Mix in some cocoa powder for a chocolate-y taste!
Peanut Butter- High in fat but a way to add extra protein (try an organic, reduced sugar/ fat kind)

Arribbaa! Three Ingredient: Chicken Tacos

I have made these chicken tacos before but I have failed in posting them! Or maybe we all eat them before I can take a picture...! Either way, be careful they are super delicious and addicting! I keep thinking of the Lay's commercial, "Betcha can't eat just one!" I decided to make these tonight because I had some left over black beans that I wanted to use! This recipe is simple and delicious. Sometimes the most delicious recipes are the simplest. You can have this as chicken tortilla soup if you do not want to place them in tortillas or on tortilla chips. Whatever your heart desires, I can assure you that either way-- you will incorporate this meal onto your weekly menu!

What you need:

5-6 Frozen Chicken Tenderloins (Or 1C Organic Black Beans-- I used both! Yum!)
1 Jar Medium Pace Salsa
1 Packet Taco Seasoning (Inexpensive and a great way to season.)

Place all of these ingredients in your crock-pot on High for two hours, then switch down to low or medium. Always check your chicken to make sure there is no pink. If you are going to be going to class or in the office for awhile, simply place on low from 4-6 hours!

Once the chicken is cooked, shred up the chicken, warm up some wheat tortillas, and serve! You do not have to place the tacos in a tortilla. These are just as good on tortilla chips, or as soup. So do whatever your heart desires. I added black beans in mine because I had left overs and some cheese! You can also add onions, bell peppers, or corn! Go ahead take this simple recipe and make it your own!

Optional:

Wheat Tortillas -- I like mine in wheat tortillas only 130 calories for a large tortilla that is 98% fat free!

Tortilla Chips

Shredded Cheese

Onions, bell pepper, or corn (great way to add in veggies-- your kids, friends , boyfriend, hubby won't even notice!)

Rise and Shine Saturday Skinny Waffles!

I don't know about you, but I love breakfast. I woke up this morning craving waffles! Although sadly, when I think of waffles, I think of tons of calories. Since it is a Saturday morning I thought why not get creative and set out to make the healthiest waffles I could think of. So I rolled out of bed and set out to create not only healthy but delicious waffles using egg whites, wheat or buckwheat flour, unsweetened almond milk, and stevia. I must say it was a huge success! Thanks to Egg Beaters and my alteration ideas!


I am so glad I did this... These are the YUMMIEST Waffles I have EVER had. So put down the generic 'just add water' waffle shakers. Do your health and your loved ones a favor by doing these simple alterations. Enjoy!

Serving Size: 7-8 Fluffy Waffles

Ingredients:

2C Bob's Red Mill Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
6 Packets of Organic Stevia or 2 tablespoons sugar
1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 C Unsweetened Almond Milk or Fat Free Milk
1/4 C Butter Melted (1/2 Stick) I used Fleishmann's Original Butter
1/2 C Egg Beaters
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
PAM

1. Mix all of your dry ingredients Whole Wheat Pastry Flour, Stevia, Baking Powder, and Salt. Sift together all of the ingredients (use a fork or a wire whisk).
2. Add Almond Milk, Butter, Egg Beaters, and Vanilla. Mix until lump free.
3. Spray griddles on waffle maker. Place batter and cook.

While your waffles are on the griddle:

I sprayed PAM on the skillet. Peel & cut an apple. Place in skillet with some ground cinnamon and stevia.

Topping Ideas:

Warmed Apples w/ Cinnamon Sugar or Ground Cinnamon and Stevia

Strawberries

Blueberries

Cherries

Chopped Dark Chocolate (Mix in: small pieces (distributes more), and you get chocolate in every bite!)

Almonds

Finally place it all together--

Waffle + fruit topping of your choice + your choice syrup (try sugar free or corn syrup)

Aunt Shelley's To Die For: Veggie Burritos

I received a recipe this past week from one of the greatest cooks I know, my aunt Shelley. I have been dying to try it! Between tests, papers, and this hectic thing we call life, I finally had a chance to try it out! Before I divulge this delicious recipe, I must take a moment to thank her and my mother for continuously teaching me how to cook and bring families and friends together.

Beware this recipe is a little spicy-sweet!

What You Need:

Bell Pepper (Your choice, I used Orange)
1C Chopped Onion
1 Pablano Pepper (Optional-- Spicy)
1/2-1C Black Beans
Chopped Sweet Potato
Wheat Tortillas
Low Fat Shredded Cheese (I used LowFat Cheddar Cheese. Optional)
Pace Salsa (Optional)

Serving Size: 4

Preheat oven to 350. While oven heats, place onions and peppers in a sprayed pan on medium heat. Stir until softened. While softening, take the skin off of the sweet potato, slice into pieces, and then place in the skillet with veggies. Let the sweet potato soften for a few minutes. While your veggies and potatoes are softening, take out a cooking sheet and cover with foil. (Keep you skillet-- place to the side for later). Then place the mixture on pan and cook for about 20 minutes. The potatoes should be softened. Transfer the onion, peppers, and potato mixture back in the skillet and add your black beans! Stir and then place on a wheat tortilla with some cheese and if you want some salsa!

Notes:

Use Pace Salsa-- it is gluten free!

Skinny Girl Shepherds Pie

If you like Shepherds pie. You will LOVE this recipe. Its quick, easy, and yes you guessed it... HEALTHY! Impress your a date or your friends! Whoever you make this for, will be sure to come back for more!

You will need:

93/7 Lean Ground Turkey
2 Chopped Up Red Skinned Potatoes
1/2C-1C Chopped Onions
1/2C Chopped (Your Choice) Bell Peppers
1-2 Large Sweet Potatoes (I used one, and it was just about enough)
1 Medium Bag Frozen Veggies (You will have left overs, I did not use the whole bag)
A Sprinkle of Pumpkin Spice
Splash of unsweetened almond milk (tablespoon)
Teaspoon Honey

First spray a large cooking pan with PAM. Place your onions, bell peppers, and red skinned potatoes in the sprayed pan. Heat on medium and cook until the onions start to brown. Then add in your lean ground turkey. Cook until brown. While your turkey is cooking. Cut a slit in the top of your sweet potato(es) and place in the microwave for ten mintues. Take out, cut all the way through the potatoes. Place back in the microwave for another 3-4 minutes. Start to preheat oven to 350.

Meanwhile, place a splash of unsweetend almond milk, pumpkin pie spice, and teaspoon of honey in a mixing bowl. Once the sweet potatoes are done. Scope out the potato from the skin (this should be really easy) and miss together with the pumpkin spice, almond milk, and honey.

The turkey should be done. Drain. Then place in a casserole dish. Then add your veggies (I used mixed veggies). Finally add the sweet potatoes on top and cook for about 30 minutes on 375.

Take out and enjoy! ((Excellent as left overs!))

Side Notes and variations:

I usually use Extra Lean Ground Turkey, but I wanted the turkey to clump together a little more and you need the extra fat for this so 93/7 lean ground turkey is the best.

You do not have to use red skinned potatoes if you are not wanting to add extra carbs, though red skinned potatoes are much healthier than traditional potatoes. There is no fat in red skinned potatoes and remember FAT MAKES YOU FAT!

You do not have to add the honey or almond milk to your sweet potatoes. It just makes them more creamy but you can save the added sugar.

You can add any veggies that you want! Also frozen veggies are inexpensive.

Sunday's Strawberry-Banana Vanilla Protein Oatmeal

Good morning loves and happy Sunday! Before you make a donut run, think again. This oatmeal is just as sweet and delicious but way healthier, saves you money, time, and will keep you full and fueled for the day!

Ingredients:

1/4C Rolled Oats (37.5 Calories)
1/4 Scope Vanilla Protein (35 Calories)
1/2 C Boiled Water
1 Banana (120 Calories-- depends on the size)
4-5 Strawberries Sliced (Around 30 Calories)
Ground Cinnamon
1 Packet Organic Stevia
Almond Extract (optional, or use vanilla extract)

One Serving. Total Calories: 222.5

Boil the water. I placed mine in the microwave for four minutes. While my water was boiling, I mashed up my banana (so yummy once mixed in-- a must try). I also sliced up my strawberries while my oatmeal was cooking. Once your water is boiled pour over your oats and let it sit for about a minute. It thickens and is more delicious this way. Then add your mashed bananas and vanilla protein. A splash of ground cinnamon and the packet of stevia. Finally add a little bit of the almond extract. Mix and finally add your strawberries on top!

Enjoy!

Skinny Girl Tuna Cakes

Skinny Girl Tuna Cakes 

So much cheaper than crab cakes yet still super delicious and healthy! Try them for yourself! I just threw some ingredients together and presto dinner is served!

Ingredients: 

1 5OZ Can of Albacore Tuna

2 Tbs Quick Oats

1/4 C Egg Whites (I used a little less) 

A little lemon juice (optional, but nice pop of flavor)

Mrs. Dash Garlic & Herb Seasoning (secret ingredient: no sodium!)

Capers (optional)

2 Tuna Cake's: 182.5 calories without capers. Tuna with capers: 195 calories.

Drain the tuna. Mix all ingredients in a small bowl. Place on a nonstick pan or one sprayed. This is healthier than frying in oil. Although, if all you have is oil that will be fine for this one time. Alternate from side to side until a golden brown. Not too dark or they will be dry.

I placed some veggies in a PAM sprayed pan while the cakes where cooking. I used carrots, yellow bell peppers, onions, and brocoli. But again, use the veggies that you prefer! Add a splash of Mrs. Dash and voila a yummy and healthy low fat, low carb meal! 

This serves one! But it is always easy to double! Enjoy!   

St. Patty's Day Lean GREEN Smoothie

Happy St. Patricks Day!

I love this smoothie. So good and so healthy. With your fruit, veggies, and lean protein all mixed in! Lets be honest beer is good. But being and feeling fit and healthy is better. So put the beer down and make this for a healthy low-fat, low carb, low sugar lunch!

What you need:

1 Scoop Vanilla Protein Powder (Great source of lean protein. 140 Calories. 4 Carbs. 0 Sugar.)

8OZ Unsweetened Almond Milk (only 35 Calories. Also a great subsitute to yogurt. Yogurt holds water weight.)

Frozen Fruit (I used strawberries and bananas.)

A handful of spinach 

Extra Ice

Place all of this into your blender. Mix and enjoy!

Hello Sweet Potato!

I swear this tastes just like Pumpkin Pie! It is a delicious treat that is packed with yummy healthy carbs and virtually no sugar! Go ahead and indulge! Healthy and delicious! Sweet potatoes are low in sodium and fat. Although, there are carbs in sweet potatoes but they are the good carbs that you need to give your body energy. Sweet potatoes are a lot better for you than traditional mashed potatoes. So add this to a side of grilled chicken and veggies, as a sweet treat or better yet, BOTH!

This makes two servings:

One big sweet potato
1 packet Stevia
Teaspoon Pumpkin Spice (Or to taste)
Splash of unsweetened almond milk

Cut a small slit into the top of your sweet potato. Microwave for 7 minutes. When done, take out and cut a bigger slit into the sweet potato. Place back into the microwave for another 7 minutes. Place all of the ingredients into a bowl. Once the sweet potato is done scope out the sweet potato from the skin. This should be really easy. Then mix everything together and enjoy!

Rise & Shine: Healthy Oatmeal

Good morning loves! Hungry? Put down the bagel. Put. It. Down! This oatmeal is packed with healthy deliciousness to hold you over throughout the day. Also you can modify this recipe to fit your health and taste bud needs.

1C Boiled Water

1/2C Oats (Steel oats are less processed but rolled oats are fine too) I used quaker oats this time

A splash of unsweetened almond milk

1 Packet Organic Stevia

Sprinkle a little ground cinnamon

Banana Slices

** 1/2 Scope Vanilla Protein (optional) mine was before a workout you do not need to add this.

Variations: 

Instead of rolled oats use Steel oats or quick oats (these are the most processed try and avoid)

Add dried fruit or nuts

Instead of Stevia you can use any unsweetened sugar (I prefer stevia it is healthier)

Add in almond extract or vanilla extract

Enjoy!