Light for Lunch!

Light for Lunch

When you need a little something more this is the best if you like Salmon

One piece of wheat bread or bagel, thin round...whatever  you choose!

Cream cheese, light

Spinach

tomatoes

Smoked salmon- you find this usually by the fish/meat area of the grocery store-it looks raw but is not.  Thinly pre sliced in the package.  

Put it all together and you are in love

                                                      Open Faced Smoked Salmon!

Indian Vegetables over Coleslaw

I bought a bag of broccoli slaw or coleslaw mix, a bag of pre-shredded carrots, peanuts and Indian paste with Light Coconut milk.  I ate these ingredients the last three days for lunch in a few different ways. 

1. First you have to choose your vegetables, choose at least two for variety and texture.

Carrots-1 to 2

broccoli a few flowerets

parsnip 1

zucchini 1/2 

peppers, mini sweet or regular. 1

?????  You fill in the blank 

2. Put 1 tbsp olive oil in a frying pan on med. heat and stir fry no longer than 5 min or till broccoli is slightly tender, so it doesn't get soggy.  Remove from pan and set aside.

3. Take a flavorful Indian paste of your choice and serve about 1-2 tbsp with your coconut milk, cook in on the stove separately from vegetables.  Note*  If you are the only one eating the amount of sauce will be more than one serving so use what you want for desired sauce and save the rest.  

4.  Take your broccoli Slaw or Coleslaw and put it at the bottom or your dish, cover with your stir fried vegetables and top with desired amount of sauce.  Toss with some peanuts on the top and Enjoy.

5.  Other ways you can switch this up

       a) I added a spicy Pineapple salsa by Wholly Salsa,  really good.

       b) You can add meat with your vegetable stir fry.  No longer than 5 minutes or no longer pink.

       c)  Add Chili Garlic Paste ( pictured below)  Spicy!

      d)  Put the combination on a lettuce leaf and wrap it or on any kind of wrap!

If you like your sauce spicy, Chili Garlic sauce with make it HOT!  A little goes a long way.  Even a tsp.

Why make things more difficult, if you're like me and you feel like you're in the kitchen all day, then you don't want lunch to be drawn out and you certainly don't want to skip lunch either.

What makes lunch easy for me some days....leftovers.

Try to utilize what you already have in your fridge, this not only will help you eat your leftovers but it will also be easier on your budget and save you time in the kitchen!

Lov'n Fresh Sandwich round skinny thins

Theses whole wheat rounds had only whole wheat flour, no enriched or bleached or unbleached anything.

These round save you 100 calories then a normal whole wheat bread sandwich with two pieces.

Red roasted  pepper hummus on both sides of bread.

Carrot sticks, mini pre cut

Spinach leaves

Black beans and corn with a little lime juice

( You can eat a little fruit on the side, smoothie on the side, or some healthy chips)

Pita Sandwich

I love toasted warm bread

We have something called a comal and you can use to warm bread, tortillas or to grill a sandwich.

This can make eating pita bread feel like SOUL FOOD!  Just for variety.  This will be more calories than a thin round but might leave you feeling more satisfied.

I added Hummus once again to the bread, cucumbers, sweet peppers, spinach and you can even throw in some leftover seasoned meat from a night before and call it good!

Breaded Chicken Tender SALAD

 So I think almost any mom or busy person at some point during the week is pulling out some Tyson chicken nuggets, tenders, patties, or anytizers.  With that being said, I love to eat more healthy than not but sometimes I do need a quick fixer for the family.  You can do this for lunch or dinner.
Take any kind of breaded chicken after its baked and then cut it up and throw on top of a bed of greens.  Then while you enjoy the sinful taste of breaded chicken you can also enjoy the healthy greens.
I also like to top with what I have around the kitchen.

You can take this and make it into any of the following:

Chinese style by adding-Mandarin oranges, Crunchy Rice sticks ( not chow mein noodles)
 Dressing-Mix about 1 tbsp vinegar, dash sugar, soy sauce to taste, and a little olive oil or veg oil.  This is a hard one because its mostly to taste.  Give it a try.  Top it off with Almonds!

Chicken with Apples.
Cut up apples, almonds, raspberry vinaigrette or light Poppy seed dressing

Mexican style
Chicken with salsa, peppers, black beans, avocado etc....

Keeping checking back for more!

Pizza made healthy

TACO PIZZA  

Prepare dough.  While you wait for dough to rise set aside and move on to step 1.  Once you have kneaded the dough, rolled it out and it is on a stone or pan poke with a fork in several places.  Place in oven and cook for about 5-8 minutes with nothing on it. 

1. Choose your meat, I use ground chicken!
2. While you cook the meat add Taco seasoning to it.  1 packet.

Once you have cooked the dough for 5-8 min, remove from the oven and top with taco sauce or Salsa, cheese and meat for about 10-15minutes.  Watch for cheese to brown a little.

After you have cooked pizza fully, remove from oven and top with all your favorites!

  Then you top it off with everything and anything you desire.

Lettuce, tomato, Salsa, sour cream, cheese, peppers, Crushed Dorrito Chips 

This picture is with white flour.  Pizza pictured above is with wheat!  Crust recipe found in the back to basics section.  To do the crust with wheat either to half wheat and half flour or all wheat.  

The incredible edible EGG!

EGGS!

4-5 Egg Whites with cheese and spinach.  The banana muffins are in the Something to bake section.

Omelette

Use whatever vegetables you have leftover from the night before. I added a little red roasted pepper hummus in the center. Add a little salsa on the top with a little cilantro.

I just had broccoli. Green beans, zucchini, carrots, peppers etc....would all taste great!

Taco Night

(with a twist)

I scrambled up eggs and threw it over a salad with peppers salsa cheese.

Smoothies

Smoothies

1. No YOGURT Smoothie!

PEACHES N CREAM

 Take 1 cup almond milk, 2 cups frozen fruit.  I ran out of peaches so I added in the mixed berries!
1 packet of Peaches N Cream Fiber drink ( does not cause cramping of Diarrhea)  and Yes, One packet instant peaches N cream OATMEAL!    I did all that and tasted it.  Smooth and thick the way I like it.  If you like them to have more liquid then do less Frozen fruit.

 Now you have your fruit, how about vegetables!  Add in a large handful of Spinach!  You wont even taste it.

 Kid tested, my son drank the whole 4 oz I have him and asked for more!

I recommend not having more than one a day and preferable one every other day.

1)  Peach Smoothie
3/4 cup vanilla yogurt.
1 1/2 cup frozen peaches
1/2 package of Advocare Peaches n Cream Fiber drink
1 cup almond milk

This recipe makes 3 small serving sizes.  Smaller serving sizes are better to decrease sugar intake from yogurt and helps to get enough to satisfy without filling your belly to the max.  Good food is good to have but too much at one time is never good no matter how much you're eating.  Learn to satisfy your cravings with out over indulging and feeling too full.


This smoothie is like any other but with some added GREENS.   

1. 3/4 cup Yogurt
2. 1 cup frozen fruit
3. 1 banana
4. 1 cup spinach

The best part is that you wont even notice the taste being any different, only the color.  Try it!

Green Smoothie

Smoothie

I have been adding my Fiber Drink to oatmeal instead of drinking it.

However, today I decided to make it a smoothie.

I added about a 1-2 cups frozen strawberries, 1 banana, almond milk if you have it (6-8oz) or Diet Splash (this is what I used), and Fiber Drink.

It made two cups. I drank one for breakfast and will drink one later.

If you're just looking to make a great smoothie

1 cup or to taste-Activia Yogurt is my favorite.

1-2 cups frozen strawberries or other fruit

1-2 bananas, depending on the size

Liquid:Milk or Diet splash 4-8oz or orange juice (light OJ would be best)

Fruity Smoothie

Substitutes for your cravings

Substitutes for Cravings

I know a Rice Cake

I know rice cake does not amount to much, however with a touch of Laughing cow spread wedges and blueberries I can satisfy the action with out sacrificing calories.  Not an every day thing but is helpful.

So I was at a gas station and wanted a candy bar.  I almost bought a snicker bar until I saw this.  More protein, less fat, less calories.  Educate your self on your options and then you can make better decisions when you have the choice.  

This summer try to find ways to satisfy your cravings without all the indulgence.  

Instead of Ice Cream- -------Frozen Yogurt

Instead of Mayo         ------- Hummus

Instead of cheese  ----------Salsa

Instead of cream cheese------Laughing cow!

Instead of chips          -----  Popcorn

Instead of candybar   -------   granola bar

Instead of cookie    -------   cracker

Instead of pop    -------Flavored water

Something cruchy   -----   Carrots, sweet peppers

Instead of Sour Cream or Cream Cheese/cheese------- Try laughing cow Spread, less fat and less calories

While trying really hard to eat healthier I had some strong cravings the other day I wanted something crunchy, for lunch I had a salad with nuts and carrots in it.  This really helped me with the craving.

I also really like to have something after kids go to bed so here is what I try to do eat the healthier side. But the goal is not after 8:00pm

Yogurt with granola
pudding pop, light

natural Popsicles
Frozen Yogurt, Target Plain Brand is really good
Nuts
Kelloggs All Bran Crackers   ......These are really good
Emerald Breakfast to go packs
100 calorie packs whatever the content 

Organic, Back to Basics

Pizza Dough

Anything you can do yourself has less ingredients.

From Simply Pasta and Italian

1 1/2 tsp yeast

1 tsp sugar

1 cup warm water

1 1/2 c flour

1 tsp salt

1 tbsp olive oil

Place the yeast and sugar in a pitcher an mix with 4 tbsp water. 

 Let the yeast mixture stand in a warm place for 10-15 min or till frothy

Mix flour and salt separately 

Add oil to yeast mixture when frothy. 

Mix both wet and dry together.

Turn dough for 5 min.

Return to bowl and cover with towel for 30 min or till doubled in size.

Remove from bowl and knead again.  This recipe makes one pizza dough.  Cook in preheated oven at 400degrees F.  20-25 minutes.  

I like to heat dough for 5 min with out any toppings first, remove, add toppings, and continue to cook till brown.

  

Whole Wheat

So Summer is coming and we are all thinking about how to look better right?  Eating clean is a great way to get in shape for life not just summer.  I'm going to use this post to add some ways to prep food without all the added ingredients you get from processed foods.

This last weekend my husband used our own wheat grinder to grind up some Hard Red Wheat.  This morning we had our very own Cream of Wheat from scratch.  I love the comfort I get knowing there is nothing added to the wheat except what I put in it for a little flavor and taste.  Stay tuned for pictures and more advice on canning and other basics to help you have food in its whole form.

books

  If you have not read this, you must.  Very simple easy read.  Eye opener on many simple topics.


        The Sparkpeople cook book is what I'm all about.  I'll be tackling recipes and posting results as soon I get my hands on it.!   This all about switching out things that are more fattening for less fattening ingredients in everyday cooking.  AWESOME!

I recommend reading this. It is on my new list of books to read.

Update

So here is how life is going at the moment.

I can finally eat a little bit healthier! I hope to be posting some more meals ideas sooner than later.

With that being said, I will probably be MIA for about a month due to moving to another state.

For anyone with a question about Advocare go to my Advocare site and place a question to my email there.

The Holidays are upon us to I'd like to leave you with some tips to get through the holidays without hopefully putting on the pounds.

1) Don't eat everything you have an opportunity to eat

2) Eat extra healthy before and after and Christmas parties.

3) Don't eat to be pull or stuff your self. Enjoy the special things you'd like too and remember Christmas will come again.

4) Tell yourself your limit before you start your treats not during or after. Grab something and put it on the plate and be done. No excuses.

5) Take the stairs, park further away, go for a walk, drink lots of water and don't forget to get your sleep.

6) Think about doing a cleanse when the holidays are over. What a great way to start out the year.

Making time to exercise

When is there time to exercise? Funny how modern day technology makes things easier for us and yet there are still not enough hours in a day. What are we so busy doing?

Some people in our modern world work full time jobs, some work part time, some don't work at all.

Some people have large families consisting of 4 of more children, some have small families consisting of 1-3 children and some have no children at all. Some people live on farms while others live in a city. No matter what your time looks like YOU are in charge of how it is spent.

Before you can live your life you need to decide what you are living your life for. Knowingly or not we are all making decisions everyday, all day based on our goals, values or standards.

Some things that determine how I spend time in my life are the following :

Family

Religion

Health/exercise

Children

Work

cooking

daughters school

books

Television/movies

Internet

Self Maintenance

Cleaning

We have to set goals and make decisions based on those goals. So how do you make time to exercise? Start the week by making a list of all the things that must be done. If Exercise is a part of a must then pencil it in and don't let other things interfere. If something has to be sacrificed in order to take care of you health it will most likely be worth it in the end.

Learn to listen to your body and figure out when the best time for you to exercise is. Sometimes waking up early is hard to do but after the fact you'll feel great and ready to take on the day and be more determined to make better food choices.

If you're a person that works during the day, its not a bad idea to exercise right after work and get all the stress released before going home. Find meals that you can make in a crock pot or marinate the night before so you don't have to worry about on those days. You could do this two or three days during the week day and then add on a Saturday morning and or Sunday evening walk.

Sacrificing a nap if you're a tired mom with children just might have to happen once in a while.

little by little find what you can do when you can. Go to Self.com and check out all the exercise videos they have from abs to workouts on the go.

Make what is important to you a priority. There are days when I find my self sacrificing relax or me time to prep for dinner so that I can exercise in the evening so I can have my exercise "me" time.

I find that exercise helps my mental health as well as my physical. Do what you can and make improvements little by little and sooner than later it won't be such a struggle.

Health Bars, How does yours measure up?

These are some of my favorite bars. Why do I buy bars? I buy bars because sometimes life is busy and I need to get things done or go some where without skipping a meal. I don't believe in skipping meals because it sets people up for bad health choices. How many times have you been out running errands only to find time slipping away and you're hungry with still more to do before you can go home and eat. For most people in this situation the answer to the problem is FAST FOOD. :( That is how I feel about fast food on a general basis. I like to think of fast food as a last option not the first.

How about keeping healthy good tasting bars with you instead! I find different bars are good for different reasons because of their ingredients.

Odwalla Berries Go Mega-calories 210, Fat 6 grams .5 sat fat, Protein 5 grams, Fiber 5 grams,

16g of sugar

I like this flavor in this brand because of the balance in the nutrients. I love a bar that has a good amount of fiber that won't make you gassy. Yes I said it.

Luna Nutz over Chocolate-180 calories, 6 grams of fat, 2 grams of that is sat fat, fiber 4 grams, 10 grams of sugar, 9 grams of protein.

This one is very good tasting but better as a snack because it does not keep me full for as long.

Think Thin creamy Peanut Butter

230 calories, 8 grams of fat, 3 g sat fat, 1 g fiber, 0 grams of sugar ( 11 g sugar alcohol) , 22 grams of protein. Gluten Free

I think this is one to consider if you are getting a heavy workout in with lots of weight training.

Kashi Go Lean- More details to come

I think this one is excellent also as a snack but will not leave you full for long. Good source of fiber, natural and low sugar.

Larabar- Good bar for breakfast. Fruit and nut bar, organic.

Advocare breakfast Bar- Great for breakfast when you're tempted to skip. Made with real cinnamon flavor, soft crunchy texture that you can't eat so quickly. You enjoy every bite.