No matter how good I am, I occasionally get the craving for a big cheeseburger. Here's a healthier way to go about it than stopping by McDonald's.
INGREDIENTS:
1 sandwich round
4 oz. 93-97% lean ground beef
Season salt and pepper to taste
1 thin slice cheddar cheese
1T light mayo
2 tomato slices
1 lettuce leaf
Dill pickle stackers
1/2T ketchup
7-8 asparagus spears
DIRECTIONS:
Make beef into patty and salt and pepper to taste. Grill or pan fry in skillet with cooking spray (be sure to cover skillet to keep meat moist). Add cheese in last few minutes of cooking.
While burger is cooking, steam or sautee asparagus spears. Salt and pepper to taste.
Spread mayo over sandwich round. Add ketchup, pickles, lettuce and tomato. Pretend your asparagus spears are french fries and enjoy!
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Fajitas
Does anyone else hear fajitas and automatically think "healthy"? They've always seemed like a healthy option to me, whether they are or aren't! Either way, here's the way I make them that feels healthy to me!
INGREDIENTS:
1T Extra virgin olive oil
Taco seasoning to taste
1/2 Chicken breast sliced
Sliced bell pepper (all colors)
Sliced onion
1/4 C. cheddar cheese
2 whole wheat tortillas
DIRECTIONS:
Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Add chicken breast, taco seasoning and onions and sautee until done. Remove chicken and add bell pepper and sautee' until soft (you may need to add a little more oil). Add chicken mixture back to skillet and sautee for a few more minutes.
Soften tortillas in microwave for a few seconds then fill with chicken mixture and cheese. May serve with salsa and light sour cream if desired.
INGREDIENTS:
1T Extra virgin olive oil
Taco seasoning to taste
1/2 Chicken breast sliced
Sliced bell pepper (all colors)
Sliced onion
1/4 C. cheddar cheese
2 whole wheat tortillas
DIRECTIONS:
Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Add chicken breast, taco seasoning and onions and sautee until done. Remove chicken and add bell pepper and sautee' until soft (you may need to add a little more oil). Add chicken mixture back to skillet and sautee for a few more minutes.
Soften tortillas in microwave for a few seconds then fill with chicken mixture and cheese. May serve with salsa and light sour cream if desired.
Healthy Toastada
I've only made this once and didn't get a picture, but it was really good!
INGREDIENTS:
2 Corn tortillas
Cooking spray
1/2 C. cooked black beans (mashed)
1/8 C. cheddar cheese
1/2 avocado (chopped)
Chopped tomato
Chopped lettuce
Chopped onions
OPTIONAL:
Pinch garlic salt
1/4 C. Salsa
1T light sour cream
DIRECTIONS:
Heat oven to 350 and spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. Place tortillas on cookie sheet and bake until golden brown or crispy. Turn tortillas to cook other side.
Spread mashed beans on crispy tortilla and top with cheese, avocado, tomato, lettuce, salsa, sour cream and sprinkle with garlic salt.
INGREDIENTS:
2 Corn tortillas
Cooking spray
1/2 C. cooked black beans (mashed)
1/8 C. cheddar cheese
1/2 avocado (chopped)
Chopped tomato
Chopped lettuce
Chopped onions
OPTIONAL:
Pinch garlic salt
1/4 C. Salsa
1T light sour cream
DIRECTIONS:
Heat oven to 350 and spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. Place tortillas on cookie sheet and bake until golden brown or crispy. Turn tortillas to cook other side.
Spread mashed beans on crispy tortilla and top with cheese, avocado, tomato, lettuce, salsa, sour cream and sprinkle with garlic salt.
Chicken Tacos
Have you seen this trick on Pinterest? It's completely changed how I feel about tacos! This paired with boneless skinless chicken breast actually makes a pretty healthy and easy meal.
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 chicken breast
Taco seasoning to taste
2 corn tortillas
1/2 avocado (mashed or chopped)
Chopped tomato
Copped lettuce
1/8 C. cheddar cheese
1/4 C. Salsa
1T Light sour cream
DIRECTIONS:
Prepare tortillas as shown above. Place chicken in crockpot on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours, along with taco seasoning and salsa.
Shred chicken when cooked through. Add to taco shells and top with avocado, tomato, cheese, lettuce, sour cream and more salsa if desired.
1/2 chicken breast
Taco seasoning to taste
2 corn tortillas
1/2 avocado (mashed or chopped)
Chopped tomato
Copped lettuce
1/8 C. cheddar cheese
1/4 C. Salsa
1T Light sour cream
DIRECTIONS:
Prepare tortillas as shown above. Place chicken in crockpot on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours, along with taco seasoning and salsa.
Shred chicken when cooked through. Add to taco shells and top with avocado, tomato, cheese, lettuce, sour cream and more salsa if desired.
Chicken and Veggies
This is a classic for anyone trying to lose weight. In the height of my weight loss, I think I ate chicken and veggies at least 2-3 times a week. Remember you always want skinless chicken and I almost always use boneless skinless chicken breast, because it tends to be the leanest. It can get dry though so try to cover it when you're cooking or grill it for the best flavor.
Some quick vegetable ideas to add to your chicken are steamed green beans, steamed carrots, steamed broccoli, corn on the cob, salad and sauteed zucchini and squash with onions.
This is another one of those recipes where you can improvise with whatever veggies you like. I LOVE having a picture of food with a big heaping pile of veggies like the one on the top right. I always try to have a salad on the side to up the veggie intake of whatever dinner I'm eating.
INGREDIENTS:
Seasonings to taste
1/2 chicken breast
veggies of your choice
(easy right??)
DIRECTIONS:
Season then bake, pan fry (with cooking spray) or grill chicken breast.
Steam or grill veggies. Season and serve.
Another way to prepare is something else that's been floating around Pinterest:
Preheat oven to 350. Spray baking dish with non-stick spray. Line dish with rows of chicken, then veggies (I've seen broccoli and carrots used). Cover with foil and bake for 45 mins. or until chicken is cooked through.
Note: Try not to prepare your veggies with butter, instead, use Butter Buds or buttery spray, or slowly wean yourself off butter altogether. It can be done! Especially if you prepare your veggies with good seasonings!
Some quick vegetable ideas to add to your chicken are steamed green beans, steamed carrots, steamed broccoli, corn on the cob, salad and sauteed zucchini and squash with onions.
INGREDIENTS:
Seasonings to taste
1/2 chicken breast
veggies of your choice
(easy right??)
DIRECTIONS:
Season then bake, pan fry (with cooking spray) or grill chicken breast.
Steam or grill veggies. Season and serve.
Another way to prepare is something else that's been floating around Pinterest:
Preheat oven to 350. Spray baking dish with non-stick spray. Line dish with rows of chicken, then veggies (I've seen broccoli and carrots used). Cover with foil and bake for 45 mins. or until chicken is cooked through.
Note: Try not to prepare your veggies with butter, instead, use Butter Buds or buttery spray, or slowly wean yourself off butter altogether. It can be done! Especially if you prepare your veggies with good seasonings!
Turkey/Chicken Wrap
This is another quick alternative to sandwiches if you're sick of them, or just want to try something new.
INGREDIENTS:
1 whole wheat tortilla
2-3 slices lean deli meat or 1/3 grilled chicken breast
Bell pepper slices
Tomato slices
Chopped lettuce
Cucumber slices
Light Hidden Valley Ranch or 1/2 mashed avocado
Salt and pepper to taste
1/8 C. cheddar cheese or cheese stick (grated)
DIRECTIONS:
Place all ingredients in tortilla and roll. Serve with apple or string cheese.
INGREDIENTS:
1 whole wheat tortilla
2-3 slices lean deli meat or 1/3 grilled chicken breast
Bell pepper slices
Tomato slices
Chopped lettuce
Cucumber slices
Light Hidden Valley Ranch or 1/2 mashed avocado
Salt and pepper to taste
1/8 C. cheddar cheese or cheese stick (grated)
DIRECTIONS:
Place all ingredients in tortilla and roll. Serve with apple or string cheese.
Healthy Nachos
I always crave Mexican food when I'm pregnant and these nachos got me through the first trimester without feeling too guilty!
INGREDIENTS:
Cooking spray
1 whole wheat tortilla
1/4 C. black beans
1/4 C. corn
Chopped bell pepper
Chopped tomatoes or pico de gallo
1/4 C. cheddar cheese
1-2 T Salsa
1T light sour cream
DIRECTIONS:
Spray skillet with cooking spray and cook both sides of tortilla over medium heat until crisp.
Slice tortilla into "chips" with a pizza cutter and place on plate.
Top tortilla "chips" with beans, corn, bell pepper and cheese.
Microwave on high for approximately one minute, or until cheese is melted.
Top with tomatoes, salsa and sour cream.
INGREDIENTS:
Cooking spray
1 whole wheat tortilla
1/4 C. black beans
1/4 C. corn
Chopped bell pepper
Chopped tomatoes or pico de gallo
1/4 C. cheddar cheese
1-2 T Salsa
1T light sour cream
DIRECTIONS:
Spray skillet with cooking spray and cook both sides of tortilla over medium heat until crisp.
Slice tortilla into "chips" with a pizza cutter and place on plate.
Top tortilla "chips" with beans, corn, bell pepper and cheese.
Microwave on high for approximately one minute, or until cheese is melted.
Top with tomatoes, salsa and sour cream.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)