Italian, Anyone? Zucchini Eggplant Lasagna

 

 

Who doesn't love a nice warm slice of saucy lasagna?! Well, I do. However the caloric intake is terrifying! Here's a healthier alternative to the less "picky" eaters.  My husband would never go for this, but I certainly love it! I had a hard time finding an eggplant though. I've never worked with one before.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 large eggplant, cut crosswise into 1/4 inch thick slices
• 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 3/4 cup chopped onion (about 1 medium onion) 
• 3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
• 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes 
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1 cup (8 ounces) part-skim ricotta cheese
• Cooking spray 
• 1 (8-ounce) package precooked lasagna noodles
• 2 medium zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices 
• 2 1/2 cups (10 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Arrange eggplant slices in a single layer on several layers of paper towels. Sprinkle evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt; let stand 15 minutes.

3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic to pan; sauté 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, oregano, red pepper, and tomatoes; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Combine basil, ricotta, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon black pepper in a small bowl. Spread 1/2 cup tomato mixture into the bottom of a 13 x 9–inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange 4 noodles over tomato mixture; top with half of eggplant and half of zucchini. Spread ricotta mixture over vegetables; cover with 4 noodles. Spread 1 cup tomato mixture over noodles; layer with remaining eggplant and zucchini slices. Arrange remaining 4 noodles over vegetables, and spread remaining tomato mixture over noodles. Top evenly with mozzarella. Cover with foil coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 25 minutes or until browned. Cool for 5 minutes

 

 

Healthy, Simple Burger & Fries Lunch

Here's a super simple, practical lunch for anyone on the go, or busy Mom's. I decided for lunch today, Sophia and I would indulge a bit, and have  a burger! Who knew you could eat a delicious burger and still manage a low caloric meal.  Here's what I used and the nutrition facts. For each product and the whole meal.

So for the burger, I obviously used the all veggie, Boca burger. I put Kraft light mayo, mustard and a slice of Kraft American cheese on it.

My choice of fries are Alexia Sweet Potato fries, that are Cajun spice flavored. Many of you may not know that one trick of eating spicy food is that your body burns more calories trying to keep itself cool, there by expending more energy and melting away some extra calories.

 

 Although having fries seems very unhealthy, sweet potatoes actually pack quite a punch when in comes to nutrients and benefits. They contain vitamin A, vitamin C, manganese, fiber, B vitamins, potassium and even iron.

Some other health benefits of sweet potatoes are their antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties. They're also a wonderful choice for diabetics. Diabetics can eat sweet potatoes without worry because they have a low glycemic index.

 

 last, but not least, if you or someone you know suffers from kidney or gallbladder ailments, sweet potatoes may help because they contain a small amount of oxalates, (which in high concentrations can cause kidney damage.) Those with a healthy digestive tract will be better able to absorb the nutrients of sweet potatoes without suffering ill effects.

As always, doing research on your specific condition and a consulting with your doctor are recommended.

 

Then of course I had some grapes. Which, yes is a CARB!! AAAHHHHHH! But in the history of the human race, will you EVER see anyone who got fat eating fruit.  Here's what these little green wonders give you nutritionally:

vitamin C, the choline, vitamin A, vitamin K, along with trace amounts of vitamins B-6 and

vitamin E, folate, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin and thiamin. potassium, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium. Grapes are a low-sodium food. They also contain trace amounts of copper, iron, manganese, zinc, fluoride and selenium.

 

So as you can see I had a nutritious, healthy meal. But the biggest question of all is...HOW MANY CALORIES???

So, lets add them all up!

 

Bread:...........................................70c (2 slices)

Boca burger:.................................120c/patty

Kraft 2% American Cheese:..........60c/slice

Kraft Light Mayo:..........................35c/serving

Mustard:...........................................0c (EAT AS MUCH AS YOU WANT!)

Alexia Spicy Sweet Potato Fries: 130c/serving

Grapes:...........................................15c (6 large grapes)

 

 

Grand total: 430 calories!!

 

 

Although this meal seems small, there's so much protein in it, its super filling and delicious. Its quick, easy, and even my 2 year old daughter loved it! However, she ate tator tots, not spicy fries.

Until next time, enjoy your "Spring"!!

Clarisonic Mia = Heaven

Hi Dolls!
I have been watching YouTube tutorials and reviews for years.  It wasn't until  December of 2011 that I stumbled on one of MakeUpByTiffanyD's skin care videos and she said she used a Clarisonic to cleanse her face. The more i started to watch the more intrigued I became over this electronic wonder.  I had watched some people say "its amazing" others said "Proactives is better, and more affordable" or that "Olay Regenerist was as good, if not better." I had to try this thing out!

So without testing any others, I went to Sephora's website and ordered my Clarisonic Mia. I bought the Mia, b/c it was smaller, good for travel, and was much less expensive than the original Clarisonic.

I was so excited to test it out! I couldn't wait till it was bedtime so I could wash off my make up and use this "miracle brush." I put it on charge (which is pretty cool because the charger is magnetic to the handle.) The brush was super easy to twist on and off.

So I'm finally tired enough to get ready for bed, brush teeth, wash face and moisturize.
The moment of truth comes, I put the cleanser they give you (a sample size) on the bristles and turn on the Mia. It reminds me of an electronic toothbrush (which I later found out, they are the pioneers of the Sonic toothbrush...who knew?!) So they give you advice on the time limits for your forehead, each cheek, chin and nose. Well I'm not that anal, so I just moved it at my leisure, when I felt the time was right. Going over my nose, took some SERIOUS getting used to. It vibrates so fast, it tickled my nasal nerve and kept making me sneeze. hahaha! So after it shuts off (after 1 min) I proceed with my normal routine; rinse, pat dry, then moisturize. Within just that ONE use, I knew that I'd gotten every pennies worth of my $119. My skin IMMEDIATELY felt smooth, my moisturizer went on easier, my skin was glowing, my skin was so soft. It was like another persons face I was touching. I've never had my face that smooth! Not with St. Ives exfoliant, or even The Body Shop. This handheld slice of heaven was my new best and favorite beauty product. Hands down.

So, if you're considering buying a Clarisonic, I say DO IT! Its so worth the money. The brush attachments come in varieties for sensitive, normal, deep cleaning and others for specific skin types. My skin tends to get redness easily so I prefer the sensitive.

I hope if you were on the fence, or even if you've never heard of this wonderful product, you'll take the initiative to get the best healthy, glowing skin  (aside from eating healthy and drinking water) you can!

Introduction 101

 The Early Years:

I was brought into this world on July 30, 1981. (Yep, I'm 31). I was born and raised in small rural towns about an hour North of Pittsburgh, PA.

I had an wonderful childhood, thanks to my AMAZING Mom. Times were hard and as a single mom she struggled to manage 2 kids, work, family time, bills, and putting food on the table.


The Partier:

As I grew up, I began to dabble in the smoking/drinking scene. I was tied up in the wrong "crew" and it just wasn't the ideal lifestyle my Mom had struggled to give me. I was drunk every weekend, hung out with drug addicts, had contact buzzes more times than brain cells. It got to the point friends were over dosing and dying.  My wake up call was when I saw a girl I went to school with (whom was the ENVY of all the girls), looked like pure hell. Sunken in face, dark circles under her eyes. She just looked completely strung out. Seeing her was all it took to make me realize its "hugs not drugs" and I dumped my druggie bf, and all his friends.
Sobriety:

Well, I'm clean, living with my parents and have virtually no friends. Now what? I started being more social at work. Befriending people I had otherwise been "too good" for "too wild" for. Once I started realizing you could have fun without having to drink, or watching people on drugs, I began to see that all that I'd been going through, was the right choice. It was freeing to not feel the pressures of "having one more drink". I look back at those people I hung out with now, and more of them are dead and the others are so strung out, they don't have a care in the world, or they're in jail. NO JOKE.
I am now proud to tell you I've been drug/alcohol free for 9 years.

Currently:

 

I met my husband, Ben, online- Facebook actually. The difference is, my brother went to school with him, so technically I knew him (but I don't remember him!).

I was going through a divorce, and he'd just gotten over one himself. He has 2 children, Ashleigh & Logan.

We met for the "first time" at a local pub on Thanksgiving, November 26, 2009. Needless to say - my life was about to change forever.

We were inseparable! We joked that in the upcoming New Year, it would be OUR year. "Ren & Ben in Twenty Ten" was our motto.

Our Time Line (in a nutshell):

April 2010: Ben moved in with me

June 2010: Ben "asked" me to marry him (i'm still waiting on a REAL proposal.)

Octobter 2010: We got married! <3

 

December 2010: We're Pregnant<3

February 2011: Ben went on tour in Afghnistan

August 2011: Ben came home for the birth of our daughter, Sophia Belle.

September 2011: Ben left again for "the Stan"

February 2012: Ben FINALLY made it home to me<3

August 2012: Sophia's FiRST birthday!

I love my life, I love my family. I wouldn't change the challenges I've faced and conquered or the ones I faced and failed. All roads have lead me right to where I'm supposed to be this very day, at this very moment. So essentially, if you're reading this, its lead me to YOU!