"Almond Joy" Healthy Chocolate Oatmeal

Sometimes I want something delicious for breakfast. Well, really  everyday I want delicious food but today I wanted to start my weekend with something extra special.

So now let me introduce my Almond Joy healthy oatmeal!

Seriously I think this was the best thing I ate all day here here is what you need:

1 cup Milk- I used Almond/ Coconut Unsweetened Almond Breeze

1/2 cup Old Fashioned Rolled Oat

2 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder ( I use Hershey's Unsweet Dutch Processed)

1 tsp Vanilla ( I use Vanilla Bean Paste)

Dash Salt

1 Tablespoon Coconut

1 Tablespoon Chocolate Chips

Heat the milk in a saucepan. When it is almost at a boil mix in the oats, salt, cocoa, and vanilla. Cook at a rolling boil about 2-3 min until the oats are tender. 

Pour into your bowl an dtop with sprinkle of coconut and chocolate chips. 

BEST BREAKFAST EVER!!!

I hope you love this as much as I do. It keeps you full for a long time, and is actually really good for you. 

If you try it out let me know how you like it!

~Jenn

Mini Mexican Bowls

I have a love of spicy mexican food that I can never give up. In turn my other half is not a lover of the spice but still loves mexican food so here I have come up with my Mini Mexican Bowls.

Here is what you will need:

4-5 flour tortillas 

1lb cooked ground beef or turkey

2tsp taco seasoning

1/2 cup Salsa- I like mine chunky

1/2 cup shredded Mexican style blend cheese

1/2 cup re fried beans- I like pinto but you can use black beans as well

peppers in adobe if you date

Combine all of the above in a small bowl and set aside. 

Heat oven to 350 and grab your cupcake pan!

Using a cookie cutter or round glass etc cut out circles of the tortillas to fit down into the cupcake pan. It does not need to overhang it just needs to fit. About a 3" circle should do it. 

Place rounds in cupcake tin and fill with the mixture. You should get 12 from the batch. Top with a sprinkle of cheese. I like to put a couple tiny pieces of  peppers in adobe on top of mine. Bake about 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. 

Remove from pan and enjoy!

I had mine last night with a little cooked Kale from my garden...

These are so good you have to try them. They are healthy, quick, and freeze well!

~Jenn

Tater Tot "Zucchini" bites!

Thanks to my new obsession Pinterest I came across a really great recipe for zucchini bites. I didn't like most of the ingredients that particular person used so I have messed with the recipe and have come up with a simply delicious recipe I could honestly eat at every meal.

These tasty nuggets taste like tater tots. Yes the tater tots you loved as a kid and maybe loved even more as an adult...I know I loved them. You don't get to be my "previous" size without a few tater tots in your past.

I hope you love these as much as I do.
Here is what you will need:

2 cups shredded and "squeezed" zucchini
1/2 cup plain bread crumbs
1/2 cup shredded cheese (whatever you like) I use sharp cheddar
1 egg
Salt and Pepper to taste

Make you sure really get the water out of the zucchini...some is not bad but sometimes mine is really drenched by the time I am done shredding it. 

Combine all ingredients in bowl and mix well. 

Spray a mini muffin tin with pam. Put a small ammt in each tin and bake at 400 until golden brown and delicious, about 10-15 min. 

Let cool slightly and remove from pan.  I typically get about 24 mini size. 

I like to eat a couple and then put the rest in a freezer bag for the rest of the week. 

This is one of my favorite recipes. If you try it I hope you love it!

~Jenn

Very Berry Protein Shake

Post WLS I still love my protein shakes. I am always trying new combinations of powders, fruits, add in's etc. Since I am working on recipes for the center newsletter I have been taste testing some new creations. Here is one of my favorites: Very Berry Protein Shake!

Here is what you need:

1 scoop Vanilla protein powder- any kind you like

3 strawberries - I use Fresh fruit but you can always use frozen!

1/4 cup blueberries

1/2 medium size Peach 

1TB Sugar Free Vanilla Torani (optional)

3-4 Ice Cubes

Squirt of Sugar Free Whipped Topping (optional)

Put all ingredients into your blender except for the whipped topping and blend until combined.

I like to put mine in a pretty glass and top with some whipped topping and a few pieces of fruit. If I am making it a meal, I want it to not only look good but taste good too. You do eat with your eyes first after all!

If you try this recipe let me know.... and if you have any combo ideas pass them along, I am willing to try just about anything!

I think next up will be something chocolate, peppermint, and ....?

You can also follow me on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/jenniegrl

Freezer Meals

With softball season starting tomorrow, it's a few months of late nights and late dinners. In past years, eating "whatever" when getting home from the games it has not been a big deal. Between me going to the gym or game and Viv at the games, who is going to cook dinner so we are not eating at 10pm?

I like to call this season, major league crockpot season. I have been scouring the net for make-ahead freezer meal recipes that are healthy and not too complicated to prepare.

So I have a few meals lined up that I am going to baggy up and put in my freezer that way in the am I can just take them out and pop them into the crockpot.

What I really want to know is, anyone have any recipes to share? Suggestions on things that freeze or don't freeze well?

I am open to almost anything...except pasta dishes and only a few chicken recipes since only one of us eats chicken ;)

Smore's Cupcakes!

My friend was hosting a bake sale for an annual cancer walk last weekend and the baker in me, could not let that opportunity pass without trying out some new cupcake creations.

Today's post is for Smore's Cupcakes...I also made French Toast Cupcakes but that will be a post for another day. Stay tuned.

For now, bake yourself up a batch of these bad boys

First, make your graham cracker bottom crust:


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line cupcake pans with paper liners.

Smash up about 15-20 Graham Crackers in a zip lock and dump into a bowl. Add enough melted butter to make them into a crust. Usually 4-5 tablespoons will do it. Put about 1TB into each muffin liner and press down with a cup. Bake at 350 for about 5 minutes until just firm. Put aside to cool for at least 10 min while you mix up the cake batter.

Chocolate Cake- I heart the original Hershey's Chocolate Cake Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

•  2 cups Sugar
• 1-3/4 cup Flour
• 1.5tsp Baking Powder
• 1.5tsp Baking Soda
• 1tsp Salt
• ¾ cup Cocoa
• 1 cup Milk
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup Veg Oil
• 2 tsp Vanilla
• 1 cup Boiling Water

nocouponsDIRECTIONS:

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix together all your wet ingredients EXCEPT the Boiling Water.  In a separate bowl combine all dry ingredients and mix well. Slowly mix into wet. When combined slowly pour in boiling water. The batter will be really runny, but don’t worry!

Divide the batter among the cupcake pans (1 standard ice cream scoop per cup is the right amount). I spray the top of my muffin tins with cooking spray so nothing sticks.  Bake in the middle of the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, remove from the pans, and allow to cool completely before frosting.

If you make these ahead, they freeze really well if unfrosted!

And then you will need:

Marshmallow Frosting

INGREDIENTS:

• I cup marshmallow fluff
• 1 cup butter
• 2-2.5 cups powdered sugar
• A little milk (maybe)

nocouponsDIRECTIONS:

Cream cold butter in mixer. Add in Marshmallow fluff and a little powder sugar. Keep adding in sugar. If mix is a little dry you can add a little milk. Beat on high until frosting consistency.  Frost cupcakes.

Now for me, I have to add toasted marshmallows and Hershey's chocolate bars to the top of my cupcakes. 

Put a bunch of mini marshmallows onto a baking sheet and torch with your kitchen torch. If you don't have one, put under the broiler for a few seconds. Keep an eye on them cause they will brown up and melt quick! Let cool and put a few on top of each cupcake. Finish off with a slice of Hershey bar!

SO DARN TASTY

These will keep at room temp for a day or two but if it's hot put them in the fridge cause the frosting and chocolate bar will start to melt :)

These are perfect to bring to a cookout. Everyone will think you are a baking pro and only you will know how easy these really were!

Happy Baking!!

Jenn

Protein Sugar Free Banana Muffins

I have a ton of bananas on my counter that have just about seen their last day. I would hate to just throw them out so I have created a sugar free banana muffin with no flour and added protein powder!

Add all of the dry ingredients to your food processor and blend:

3/4 cup Old Fashion Oats
2 scoops protein powder-I used banana but vanilla would be good too
1/2 cup Splenda
1tsp baking powder
1tsp baking soda
1/2tsp cinnamon
Dash salt

Wiz in food processer. We all know I LOVE my Ninja :)

Once combined add in:
3 Bananas
2 eggs
1/2 cup Greek yogurt- I used 0% Vanilla Chobani, but plain will work
1tsp Pure Vanilla Extract (I actually use the Vanilla bean paste)


Combine until well mixed.Pour mix into well sprayed muffin tins. Do not use paper liners. Using paper liners with recipes with oats will cause the muffins to stick to the liners.

Bake at 350 for 15 to 18 min .Remove from oven and turn out onto cooling rack.

These muffins will also freeze really well. My mix above made 9 full size muffins when filling the muffin tins 3/4 of the way to the top. These would also be really great with some nuts or blueberries mixed in. If you try either of those let me know!

One of these will find it's way to my belly for dessert tonight...and maybe one for breakfast tomorrow am!

These muffins have about 90 calories, 8 grams of sugar and 9 grams of protein if you make full size muffins and get 9 out of your mix :) Counts will vary depending on your yogurt and protein powder!

If you try these let me know! I always love feedback :)

I need ideas....

I'm sitting here making lists of all the things I want to try and make WLS friendly. The center is having a meeting in October (I know a long ways out) on how to do recipe makeovers or something to that effect and I think this is a topic I can run a long way with.

Are there any things you really love and would like to see a WLS / sugar free/ healthier version of? It can be a baked good, dinner recipe, etc.

This is my Prince Harry....he likes it when I cook dinner foods cause he can't eat desserts!

I am looking for any and all ideas. Some may work out, others may not, but I am open to try almost anything! I will blog about the recipes I try and the really great ones I will add to the cookbook I am working on!

The "Elvis" Protein Shake

The other day I had some nearly gone bananas on my counter and a serious craving for peanut butter, so along came the "Elvis".

The Elvis

Ingredients:

8oz Lactose Free Milk (or regular, skim, or Soy)

1 scoop Chocolate protein powder

3TB peanut butter

1/2 banana

1TB SF Vanilla Torani

Add everything to your blender (I use my trusty Ninja) and blend away!

I like mine over ice and typically add a squirt of sugar free whipped topping. 

I liked this shake but I am not in love with the peanut butter banana combo. Some people really love it and I think those of you would love this!

My love of baking

I must admit I have a love of baking. It used to be I loved to eat all of the goodies I made, but these days full sugar treats are a thing of the past for me. I still do however love to make my full sugar yummy goodies for loved ones, and friends. People see a plate of cookies, batch of cupcakes, or slices of cake and their eyes light up like a kid on Christmas morning.
Seeing other people enjoy my baked goods makes me smile. Plus I get to taste test my recipes on people who I know will be honest with me.

I have a obsession recently with cupcakes and sugar cookies.
Here are some past creations over the last year or so....

I am planning another batch of sugar cookies soon to ship to my cousin, just have to pick out some cool shapes!

Local and need baked goods?? Let me know....I do parties :)

Banana Chocolate Chip Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Cream Frosting, Chocolate Drizzle and a Banana Chip

Disney Princess Cookies- Belle, Snow White and some others

Cheeseburger Cake- Vanilla and Chocolate Pound Cake- decorated with Fondant

Chocolate Chipolte Cupcakes with Hazelnut Cream Cheese Frosting

Vanilla Cow Sugar Cookies- I Heart Cows

Vanilla Cupcake Sugar Cookies

The "Princess" Basket- Disney Princess Dresses, Castles, Cupcakes, and Crowns

Dad's Tackle Box Birthday Cake

TV Dinner Cupcakes

Easter Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream frosting and a Tulip Decorated Sugar Cookie Topper

"Watermelon" Cake - Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Buttercream frosting and fondant

Stevie's Pokemon Cake- my first attempt at Pokemon...

WLS Friendly Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

My favorite banana bread recipe is one from Martha Stewart but post-op I can't eat it as originally written. Because I am a constant recipe tweaker the below is my latest version. Don't get me wrong...Martha is my go to girl, but below is a recipe I can have a piece of without feeling like someone is ripping out my pouch!

Here is what you will need:

9x5x3 loaf pan or mini loaf pans- buttered and floured ( I use the spray and line the bottom with a piece of parchment paper)

2 TB Melted Butter
1/2 cup Whole Wheat Flour
3/4 cup All Purpose Flour
1/4 Cup Golden Flaxseed ground
3/4 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1 large egg, and 1 Egg White
2 tsp Vanilla ( I like the Vanilla Bean paste)
2 large Bananas mashed well ( about 3/4-1 cup)
1/2 cup Light Brown Sugar or 1/4 cup Splenda Brown Sugar (which is what I use)
Handful or two of Sugar Free Chocolate Chips- Martha uses Walnuts but I don't


Prepare your pan and set aside.

Mix egg and egg white together. Add rest of wet ingredient and combine well.
Add mixture of dry ingredients ( I like to sift all the dry together first) to the wet and mix until just combined.
Stir in the Chocolate Chips (or whatever add in's you like) by hand gently.

Add to prepared pan and bake at 350 for about 25-30 min. It is done when your knife comes out clean!

Happy Baking!

My Crazy Life!!: Go to Foods/ Meals

My Crazy Life!!: Go to Foods/ Meals: People have been asking recently what my "go to" foods or meals are. I tend to be a creature of habit and once I find something I can eat I...

Go to Foods/ Meals

People have been asking recently what my "go to" foods or meals are.
I tend to be a creature of habit and once I find something I can eat I add it to the list and eat it over and over again. I still can't eat chicken and eggs bug me sometimes depending how they are cooked. Some days I like them, some days I don't.

I tend to pack my lunches in my bento box which I love. It's like built in portion control because the containers are small. I still weigh my foods except usually for breakfast because it typically is nothing that I can really weigh. I mean I suppose I could weigh a almond meal pancake, but really that's not going to tell me anything.

So here goes it.....by meal type

Breakfast
Eggs- hard boiled
Oatmeal- Steel Cut oats are my fav. I buy them plain and flavor them up
Fresh fruit
Protein Shakes- Almost every morning I have one
Bagel Thin with peanut butter (very rare)

Lunch/ Dinner- I tend to eat leftovers for lunch, etc
Sandwich Meat- Thin & Trim brand: ham, turkey, roast beef
Deli Cheese- 2% American
Cheddar Cheese- extra Sharp please!
Brie on veggies
hummus on veggies
Tuna Salad
Beef
Pork
Baked Potato
Sweet Potato
Peas, Green beans, other beans, edamame, broccoli, cauliflower, kale
Salad- tomato, cucumber, etc
13 Bean Soup
Chili

I love to cook things in my crock pot. My favorite recipes I tend to post about if I remember to take pics. Sometimes I want to eat it too badly to bother to whip out the camera and set up. My current favorite is to make the filling from my Pork, bean, and sweet potato Quesadillas and make it into patties, coat with panko and bake up. Super tasty. It's all about finding foods you love and not only eating them as is, but finding interesting ways to combine ingredients. I feel like I really need to try and tackle Tofu next. I use it in lots of desserts, but not too much for cooking.

Anyone have any great tofu recipes I can give a whirl?

Anyone have any kinds of food they would like to see new recipes on?

Breakfast in a Sparkly Wine Glass

This was today's breakfast

I like to call it my Chocolate Chocolate Peppermint Protein Shake and here is how I make it:

In your blender (we all know I have professed my love for my NINJA)
8oz Milk (I go lactose free, fat free)
1 scoop Chocolate Protein Powder
1TB Sugar Free Chocolate Torani
1TB Sugar Free Peppermint Torani
few ice cubes

Blend really well.
Pour into a fancy glass and I like to top with Sugar Free Whipped Topping...Hood makes a good one in a can :)

Some days I feel like I am happier to drink a protein shake when it is in a pretty glass. This is one my sister made for me for my 30th birthday. It was my special "party" glass. I still have it and it is the perfect size for a shake!

Are there any protein shake combo's you love? Let me know...I am always looking for new ideas to try!

SuperBowl Goodies - Go Pats!!

New England Patriots!!

I was thinking today about how much I miss watching the Super Bowl with all the delicious and naughty for you Super Bowl foods. Then I realized, I rather be 130 lbs lighter, so here are some ideas for fun and healthy foods at your Super Bowl party this year... some are actual links so click on them for full recipe :)


Cookie Dough Truffles

Mini Sandwiches

Pork, Bean, Sweet Potato Quesadillas

Black Bean and Mango Salad

Strawberry Shortcake Cake- non wls friendly :(

Steak & Cheese Casserole

This year I think I will make deviled eggs, the quesadillas, and maybe a fun dessert. I am thinking of my Tofu Fudge Pie. It's my new obsession.

How are you celebrating the Super Bowl this year? I wish we had a huge living room so I could have a ton of friends over but alas our living room is the size of a closet!

What are you doing for the big game this year? I love football so I can't wait to cheer on my Patriots!!

Chocolate Fudge Pie! Healthy & Sugar Free

For all of you who asked, here is the original link the the Chocolate Fudge Pie made with Tofu Chocolate Bar Pie by Chocolate Covered Katie.

Of course I can't leave a recipe well enough alone so I made a few changes. Make sure you use the FIRM tofu. I made mine with 1TB cocoa powder, sugar free chocolate chips and with Stevia in the Raw as my sweetener. Make sure you mix really well. I use my NINJA!

Now, this time I also made a crust. Next time, I won't. I am going with Katie on this one...so much better minus the crust!

Here is what I used for my crust:

1-3/4" cups of Fiber One Cereal (the one that looks like rabbet food) crushed up to look like graham cracker crumbs

4tsp melted butter- I use Earth Balance Vegan Spread

2TB Stevia (or sugar, splenda, or agave)

1tsp cinnamon

Mix all together and mash into a 9" pie pan. Bake a 350 for about 8-9 min.
Let cool completely before filling.

I didn't think so many people were going to ask for the recipe so I only took one pic of my piece yesterday. But it is delish! You can't see it but there is some Sugar Free Whipped Topping on the side...

If you try this recipe let me know how you like it! I am not really a tofu fan, but  a new way of eating introduces you to so many new things!

Chocolate Chip Chickpea Truffles! WLS Friendly!

This is a link to my new favorite recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles  This girl makes the most delicious treats! Click the link to get her recipe and then see my sugar free replacements below for us WLS folks :)

I followed her above recipe almost exactly. The only thing I changed was that I used regular Splenda in stead of brown sugar (you can also use the brown sugar splenda) and use sugar free chocolate chips because I can't do the whole sugar thing. Oh and I doubled it because I gave a bunch away to my sugar loving friends and guess what....they loved them!

How to make it all come together:

I use this bad boy....my NINJA. 

 First, rinse and drain the chickpeas really well. (this is a entire can, like I said I doubled the recipe)

 Add your vanilla...how cute is the detail in the bottom of my spoons!

 Splenda...

For my nut butter I like Almond Butter with Sea Salt from Trader Joes

 Throw in everything else EXCEPT the chocolate chips!

 Make sure you mix everything REALLY well. No one wants to bite into a chickpea! The Ninja is great for this. Best Gift EVER!

I like to dump mine out into a bowl and stir in a bunch of Sugar Free Chocolate Chips. I can only ever find these things at Super Walmart, but they do sell them other places and online! You can also make your own Sugar Free Chocolate Bars and chunk them up for the recipe. Here is a link to make your own : Three Ingredient Chocolate Bars- Sugar Free

Then make your balls! I use a mini ice cream scoop

Place them in the fridge to chill out...I usually dip half of mine in melted sugar free chocolate and leave half of them just like this. They are delicious either way.

Let me know if you give these a try! You could also add nuts, flavored sugar free Torani to change up the taste, maybe roll in unsweetened coconut...so many options!

I think I will eat one right now....

Cheesy Jammy Pillows

I saw this recipe on Pinterest...my new obsession and had to try and re-create it. If you have not checked out Pinterest, do it. If you need an invite email me your leave me a comment with your email address and I will send you one. It's addictive, but I find it useful and very creative.

Here is my recipe for yummy cheesy jammy pillows as I am calling them!
Ingredients: This recipe makes 6 larger "pillows"

1 sheet defrosted Puff pastry
1 egg- mixed with 1TB water to create an egg wash
Chuck of Brie- the more puffs the more brie you need!
Jam of your liking- I used Red Raspberry Preserve and it was delish!

How to:
Preheat over to 350F.
Defrost your puff pastry for about 40 min. Cut along each fold line. Cut each fold line in half and then in half again. This will give you 12 rectangle pieces which will yield 12 pillows.

Brush 6 of the pieces with the egg wash. Place a small piece of brie in the center of each puff and top with about 1-2 tsp of the jam.
Place 2nd piece of puff pastry on top and crimp around all sides with a fork. Try and avoid jam squeeze out if you can. I could not, because I obviously like too much cheese and too much jam in each little pillow :)

I baked mine about 12 min until light golden brown. I should have snapped pics as I went but I had no idea so many people would ask for the finished recipe, hence the cell phone awful photo below. They started as a nice little treat to eat during football.

If you make these let me know how they turn out and what jam combo's you try so I can try them next time!

Pork, Bean, and Sweet Potato Quesadillas!

So last night's dinner was inspired by this recipe.. Pork and Sweet Potato Quesadillas

Picture from FoodNetwork.com

I of course can't leave a recipe well enough alone so I changed it up a bit and they were so delicious. Even the wife ate them and she does not eat sweet potato unless it is in the shape of a fry.


Here is my take on the original:
Ingredients:
1 Medium-Lg Sweet potato
2 TB Olive Oil or Butter
1lb ground pork
1TSP Chipolte Chili Powder (use less if you don't like hot)
Sea Saltl
3 Cloves Garlic minced fine, almost into a paste
1 small yellow sweet onion
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 can of Cuban Style Black Beans ( I like trader joes brand)
Flour tortillas (at least 4 but this makes enough for really 6 or 8)
2 cups shredded cheese- I like a mix of Mexican and Cheddar
Sour Cream and Avocado for serving. I like the huge spanish Avacados not those silly Haas ones.


Heat oven to about 200.
Toss the sweet potato in the microwave oven for about 7-8 min depending on size. Make sure you prick it or it might blow up :)


Heat some olive oil in the pan and add the ground pork. Cook till almost done and add salt and chili powder and yellow onion. Cook about 2 min.


Mash the sweet potato in a bowl and mix in garlic. Add to ground pork mix. Also mix in can of black beans. Cook 2-3 more min and add a little more salt for seasoning and the chopped cilantro.
Transfer mix into a bowl.


In another pan (or I like to wash out and reuse) put a little butter or olive oil. Add tortilla and cover one half with about 1/2 cup of the mixture and top with a medium handful of cheese. Fold the tortilla over and cook until brown. Flip and cook other side. About 2-3 min each side. When done, transfer to pan in oven to keep warm while cooking the others.  I served ours with sour cream, avocado, and some honey mustard sauce for the wife.


We have a TON of leftovers so tonight, with the mix we didn't use, I am going to heat and top with a fried egg...I think it will be delish!


If you try this out let me know! It is full of protein and is pretty healthy overall! It is also great re-heated and made into other dishes.

Have any ideas for dishes the leftover filling could be made into?