Healthy Ice Cream Made With ONE Ingredient....



Ever try frozen banana ice cream? Try it! It's an easy way to stay cool and use up over-ripe bananas at the same time.

It turns out that frozen bananas are good for more than just dipping in chocolate.  If you freeze a banana until solid, then whiz it up in a blender or food processor, it gets creamy and a little gooey, just like good custard ice cream. I was surprised at this bit of kitchen wizardry; I assumed that a blended banana would be flaky or icy. But no — it makes creamy, rich ice cream.

Some bananas, depending on their ripeness, have a bit of that green aftertaste. I've been experimenting by adding in another ingredient or two, like a tablespoon of peanut butter and another of honey. Delicious!

 

Chicken Fajitas: A Quick, Easy Meal for Families on the Go!

As many of you may know, I've been all about my wraps lately, in my lunch especially. This is a very quick easy meal that doesn't take much effort or time, and is loved by most. Not only is this a good snack, but can also be an easy dinner for families that have kids with extracurricular activities, ie. Little League.

Baked Chicken Fajitas Recipe:

(Serves 4-6)

 

Ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 1 jar of Tostitos salsa
• 12 flour tortillas, warmed to serve
• 1 sliced onion
• 1 can tomatoes, chunks
• 1 avocado (optional)
• 1 bag fat free shredded cheddar cheese

 

 Directions:

1. Bake or broil your chicken until thoroughly cookedCube or slice chicken into slivers
2. Place chicken in the bowl with salsa
3. Apply lid, and shake up.
4. Add on your favorite toppings
5. Serve with warmed tortillas and enjoy!

 

 

Total Calories for 1 wrap is 246 calories

 

 

No Bake Ginger-Lime Yogurt Pie

The summer months are quickly creeping up on us, although the nights are still frigid, we can't help but get excited for cook-outs, family reunions, trips to the beach and BBQs with friends and family. So I figured a nice clean, refreshing dessert would be the best item to take to your next summer function.

 

INGREDIENTS:



3c plain non fat greekyougurt

4 oz reduced fat cream cheese softened

1/4 cup water

1 envelope unflavored gelatin

1/2 sugar substitute (stevia or splenda)

2 to 4 minced crystallized ginger**

1 tsp grated lime zest (peel)

1 (6oz) reduced fat graham cracker crust

1 tub lite cool whip

 

DIRECTIONS:

• Beat yogurt and cream cheese in medium bowl with electric mixer at medium speed until light fluffy
• Place water in medium saucepan, sprinkle with gelatin and elt stand 2 minutes to soften.Stir in sugar a substitute. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, about 1 minute or until mixture thickens slightly and gelatin dissolves. (do not boil)
• Add gelatin mixture, minced ginger and lime peel to yogurt mixture, stir til well blended.
• Spoon filling into crust; cover surface with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 4 hours OR up to 2 days.
• Top with cool whip using a icing bag.
• Garnish with lime slices and serve.

 

Serves 8 to 10

 

**NOTE: crystallized ginger is available in large supermarkets and Asian markets. Its moist and chewy, with a strong spicy-sweet flavor.

 

 

 

You can also do these in a mini form, with cupcake wrappers, for smaller portion control.

Plus you get more bang for you buck, getting more product for the same amount of money.



 

Cheesecake?? On a Diet?! YES!!

I'm sure you probably thought eating cheesecake was something you could never enjoy on a diet. WRONG! You can enjoy a healthier version by simply swapping some ingredients for healthier ones. Here's a recipe that is a winner in my family (even the kids!):

Ingredients:

• About 4 graham crackers
• 1 tbsp low-fat margarine or butter
• 3/4 cup FAGE Total 0% Greek Yogurt
• 1 tbsp good quality lemon curd
• Thin slice of lemon and lemon zest to decorate

Preparation Directions:

1. Place the graham crackers in a plastic sandwich bag and roll a rolling pin across them, or crush with fingers until they are small, even crumbs.
2. Melt the margarine in a pan and add to the graham crackers.
3. Mix well until all the crumbs are lightly coated.
4. Place a small metal ring on a serving plate.
5. Pour the graham cracker mixture into the metal ring and press it down firmly with fingertips.
6. Combine the yogurt with the lemon curd and a little lemon zest.
7. Spoon this mixture on top of the graham cracker base and chill for at least an hour.
8. Remove the metal ring and add a slice of lemon rind to serve.

Additional Notes:

If you don’t have metal cooking rings, use a clean, small baked-bean can with each end removed. In-season, soft fruit, such as strawberries, can be pureed and used in place of the lemon curd. If you are in a hurry for the cheesecake to set, it can be frozen. Just lift it out of the freezer 10-15 minutes before serving to allow it to soften slightly.

 

 

Summer Refresher: Peachy Vanilla Smoothie

Want something light in calories, but cooling every sip? Entertain guests poolside with this delicious smoothie and feel guilt-free in enjoying consumption!

You will need:
Blender
2 glasses

1 medium peach, pitted & peeled
       (or canned sliced peaches)
1/4 cup fat free (skim) milk
      (or vanilla soy milk)
1/2 cup crushed ice
1/4 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
1 TBSP sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract


Directions:
1. Combine peach, milk, ice, yogurt,sugar and vanilla in blender until smooth.
2. Pour into 2 glasses  and serve IMMEDIATELY


Nutrition Facts:
Calories 110g
Protein       6g
Carbs       20g
Sodium  120g

Conquering the MIND, Before the BODY

Some of you may know that yesterday was my step son Logan's birthday. We ended up going to dinner at KFC, (I wasn't happy). I almost didn't eat b/c I KNEW there was nothing I could eat that would be even remotely healthy. I've been a stickler for fueling my body for my health AND indulgence. I knew it would be awkward for everyone, had I not eaten ANYTHING. So, I ate while I fed Sophia. I had this shame and guilt for eating so badly, when I've been boasting about losing 4 lbs, and working out so hard. Last night I got a couple texts from people at BBW that said "you know you work tonight?" I had NO IDEA, I was so preoccupied with other things, it didn't even dawn on me. After mentally kicking my own A$$ and I weighed myself to see how much I'd gained in the course of the day (and after a hefty meal). It was 1.8lbs. (ugh!! SO MAD at MYSELF!! not only for missing work but also gaining lbs) So this morning, like every morning, I pee'd (tmi) then weighed myself.... I GAINED 1.1lbs! GASSSPP! So in my disappointment and depression, I ate a vanilla sugar wafer. Awhile later, Sophia was ready for her nap. When I came back downstairs, I plopped on the couch and started watching Real Housewives of Orange County. I sat there in the debate we've all had with ourselves, over doing something we KNOW we should and need to do, but don't want to "right now". It is what I've done every time I'm upset or depressed.  My workout time is when Sophia sleeps, and I NEEDED to do take advantage of the nap time. So, in my guilt, I got up double up on regular bras, put on a pair of Ben's socks, an old pair of shoes (all my work out gear is in Sophia's room) and I pushed through Pure Cardio harder than I EVER have before. Mentally, I was beating myself up, over losing control, not sticking with my diet, letting not only myself, but my fans and family down. I'm doing this not only for MYSELF, but I'm doing this for every woman who's a little insecure, every Mom who's putting their children and family first and have lost sight of themselves. Every Grandmother, who wants to keep up with their grandchildren. ANYONE who wants to make their lives more fulfilling, whom wants to live longer. To show people LAZINESS IS A CHOICE.
During my workout, while all this is going through my mind all I can hear echoing ahead of my own thoughts is Shaun T yelling, "keep pushing" and "dig deeper" and "you're almost there"... In that moment, I realized I wasn't pushing harder because I was mad at myself, I was pushing harder because I knew I had to work harder to burn what I had gained. I had an epiphany by the end of the workout. In today's society, we EAT when we celebrate, we EAT when we're depressed, we EAT at holidays. When we indulge, we know we'll regret it, but its OKAY to be human. Its OKAY to have cake, and mashed potatoes. I refuse to miss out on life's moments that we can NEVER get back. Logan will only turn 9 once, I can turn down cake and KFC any other time. But this day was about HIM, and I think we owe it to ourselves to allow these indulgences to being freeing from the daily grind. 
Once you've mentally conquered your lifestyle, the rest falls into place. We can't hate ourselves for one day of slip ups, or one day of celebrating, or one day of depression. All we can do is say "well, I screwed up, but I'm jumping right back on".
I'm telling you this, so you're aware that when it happens to YOU, you're not alone. You're NOT the only one that has bad days. We are all human, and we all love comfort food. :)


The Cherokee Proverb (for those whom don't understand the relevance)- means that we can be negative to and about ourselves (and other problems) or we can see the bright side, be truthful and positive to ourselves. The path we chose (or mouth we feed) is ultimately the winner of our attitudes, demeanor and actions.

Easter Special: Healthy Dilly Deviled Eggs

Here's an updated, healthier version to a holiday staple. What better way to use up all those colored, hard boiled eggs than to make deviled eggs!!

DILLY DEVILED EGGS

What you'll need:
6 hard boiled eggs, peeled and cut in half lengthwise
2 tbs plain low fat Greek yogurt
1 tbs light mayo
1 tbs minced fresh dill OR
    1 tsp dried dill weed
1 tbs minced dill pickle
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp white pepper (optional)
Dill sprigs (optional)
Paprika


Directions:
Remove yolks from egg halves. Mash yolks with yogurt, mayo, dill, pickle, mustard, salt and pepper in small bowl.

Fill egg halves with mixture using a teaspoon or piping bag fitted with a large plain tip.

Garnish with paprika and dill springs

NUTRITION FACTS:
1 whole egg/2 halves

Calories:80
Total Fat:6g
Saturated Fat:2g
Protein:7g
Carbs:1g
Cholesterol:185mg
Fiber:0g
Sodium:170mg