Wholesome Blueberry Pancakes.....

The hardest thing about eating right for me is breakfast.  Breakfast is my favorite, favorite, favorite meal!  I love it so much that one night a week at my house.... I make breakfast for dinner for the little birdies.  The problem with breakfast?  It is usually high in sugar, fat, carbs and calories.  For a while I was cooking for the family..... a scrumptious big breakfast, and making myself a smoothie.  Now I am not knocking smoothies.  When the kiddos are in school it is my go to breakfast of choice because I can take it with me on the go.  But, it is so hard not to sit down and indulge in a big stack of pancakes... especially when everyone else around you is.  So alas I present you with this yummy healthy version of Blueberry Pancakes (and yes this will be what I make for breakfast tomorrow morning).


Ingredients:

1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup splenda granulated sweetner
1/2 cup low fat milk
1 cup low fat cottage cheese
2 large eggs, well beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup fresh blueberries

Directions:

In a medium bowl, mix together the flours, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and sweetner.

In another bowl, whisk together the milk, cottage cheese, eggs and vanilla extract.

Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry, being carful not to overmix.  Fold in the blueberries.

Preheat a nonstick griddle or skillet over medium heat.  Allow the pancake batter to rest while the griddle is preheating.  Spray the griddle lightly with cooking spray.

Pour 1/4 cup of batter per pancake and spread into 4 inch circle.  Cook the pancake for 3 to 4 minutes on the first side, until edges appear dry, some of the bubbles have popped, and the underside is browned.  Flip the pancake and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.  The centers will puff and remain moist.  Serve hot.

Use sugar free or light syrup to keep it healthy.  I have found an awesome 0 calorie sugar free syrup I love by Walden Farms:

This can be found at most heath food stores including Sprouts, Whole Foods and Vitacost online. 

Calories: 
180 Calories in 2 pancakes

Delicious Turkey Burgers.......

For dinner tonight I made Turkey burgers.  These are super simple and quick to make.  Not only are they easy, quick and yummy but they are so much healthier and lower in calories than a traditional burger.  I served these with fresh cut up veggies and some skinny dip.

Ingredients:
 
For Patties-
1 pound of lean ground turkey
1/2 cup of seasoned bread crumbs
1/2 cup of finely diced onion
1 egg white lightly beaten
1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
2 cloves of garlic minced
1 teasoon salt
 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Trimmings-
whole wheat hamburger buns
white american cheese slices
green leaf lettace (or any type you prefer)
light mayo
assorted veggies (we use red onion and tomato)
avocado (optional)


Directions:

In a large bowl mix ground turkey, seasoned bread crumbs, onion, egg whites, parsley, garlic salt, and pepper.  Form into 6 patties

Cook the patties in a medium skillet over medium heat, turning once, to an internal tempeture of 180 degrees or until cooked through.
Remove from skillet and top with one cheese slice.  Set aside

Place buns ( insides down) in skillet to toast.  Remove.  Add mayo to buns, top with Turkey pattie.  Add lettace, veggies and a slice or two of avocado.  Serve

Calories:
325 Calories in one Turkey Burger with light mayo, whole wheat bun, white American cheese slice, lettuce, tomato, onion and small slice of avocado.

Indulging in Delivery Pizza...... the right way

You know those kinda days... when you are go, go, go all day.  Then you look at the clock and it is 5:00 p.m and you relize you didn't defrost anything for dinner?  Or more importantly.... you are too tired to even think about cooking?  Yeah that was today...... after house cleaning, errand running and finally grocery shopping I looked at the clock and relized that it was an hour til dinner.  As I looked at my little birdies in the rear view mirror, I decided I would rather spend an hour at the park running and playing with them.... then frantically scrambling to make up something for dinner. 
     So to the park we went.... I had fun, the kiddos had fun, and then the mama swung by the local pizza joint and grabbed a large pizza to go.
     Now I am all about eating healthy.  Even on a night like tonight.... with cheesey ooey gooey goodness in hand, you can still stick to healthy eating and habits.  The average large cheese pizza slice is about 250 calories.  Now, that is a lot of calories for only one piece right?  And seriously who is gonna get full off of one slice?  Here is where the problem comes in.  You think your gonna be good and eat just one, but as everyone else dives into slice 2 and 3 and you sit feeling unsatisfied..... you find yourself caving in.  Now your 250 calorie dinner went to 500, 750 or even 1000.
    Here comes in Sarah's solution.  I like to whip up a quick batch of my mock ranch dip and slice up a big heap of veggies.  I take a slice of pizza...... cut it in half and leave one half in the box.  I sit down with the other half of the slice and consume.  I then load up on veggies and dip.  This light dip which I call "skinny dip" only has 65 calories in two tablespoons with a full cup of sliced veggies.  Now you are getting some veggies in with your pizza which is always a plus, and your not starving.  Sometimes I am satisfied enough at this... other times I go back and pick up the other half my slice.  The key is to keep temptation out of reach (hence leaving the other half in the box) and to make better choices handy. 
    
     Here is the recipe for the "skinny Dip" :

Ingredients

1/2 cup buttermilk (you can save a few more calories if you use reduced fat buttermilk)
1/3 cup light mayonnaise
1/4 cup plain nonfat yogurt
1 1/2 teaspoons of Mrs. Dash seasoning
1/2 teaspoon galic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
Sliced Veggies ( I prefer cucumber, carrots and cheery tomatoes)


Directions:

In a small bowl, whisk the buttermilk, mayo, yogurt, Mrs. Dash, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper and salt together.  Cover and place in refridgerator and chill for 30 min.

Serve dip with sliced veggies


Calories :
1/2 slice of cheese pizza and two servings of dip and veggies - 255 calories
1 slice of cheese pizza with one serving of dip and veggies -  315 calories
1 slice of cheese pizza with two servings of dip and veggies -  380 calories

Just a lovely little Sunday.....

Started working on one of my new year goals today.  I wanted to make Sunday's our official Family Day.  Each Sunday I want to take the time to enjoy each others company... no house cleaning, laundry or errand running.  Today was quite lovely.  The morning began with all of the birdie family (even daddy bird) sitting down to a breakfast of fresh fruit, fresh baked cinnamon rolls and pipping hot cups of coffee.  No t.v, no computers or video games... just squeals of laughter and good conversation.  Next we snuggled together and watched Seabiscuit.  The mama bird set out a buffet style lunch of finger sandwiches, cheese and crackers and veggies with dip.  after that the girlie birds drew pictures and colored while the baby bird took a nap.  The mama bird got the daddy bird to help her in the kitchen..... making homemade spaghetti sauce and meatballs.  After we got the sauce on and the meatballs simmering.... we sat down to movie #2  The Green Hornet.  After the movie it was family board games.... operation followed by guess who?  The mama bird and daddy bird got quite competitive on that one!  Finally it was dinner.... baths, a little playtime with the baby bird before his bed time.  Once the baby bird was in bed... we watched one more movie together before the girlie birds turned in for the night (Thor if you must know... lol).  It was so nice just enjoying the time together.  Yes the laundry is waiting for me.... and the dishwasher needs to be unloaded... but they will be there tomorrow.  The pile up is so worth it for the kind of day we had today.

Easy Oven Baked French Toast Casserole - The Healthy Way.......

My family loves french bread.  I usually buy two at a time just to let the other loaf sit out for a day to use for this recipe (and for my french onion soup).  I love this recipe.... it's perfect for Sunday mornings, or family holiday gatherings. What makes it even better than your traditional french toast casserole is this one is low on calories and sugar making it a healthier breakfast choice.   I just assembled this tonight so the mama bird and little birds can sit and watch the tournament of roses parade on t.v. tommorrow. 

 Ingredients:

1 cup liquid egg substatute
2 large eggs
2 1/2 cups of low fat milk
2/3 cup of splenda granulated sweetner
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon of maple extract
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
12 ounces of french bread, cut into 2 inch squares
2 teaspoons of powdered sugar

Directions:


Spray a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with non stick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, whisk together the egg substitute, eggs, milk, sweetner, extracts and cinnamon until well mixed.  Add the bread pieces into the mixture and quickly coat by gently stirring. 

Pour into baking dish.  Cover and refridgerate overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until puffed in center and lightly browned. 

Remove from the oven and lightly dust with powdered sugar before serving.


150 Calories :  Serving size is 1/10th of the casserole

Spaghetti and Meatballs.......

So today is the first official day of 2012.  Although this is not a brand new goal of mine... (I am kinda piggy backing on my last year goal) I wanted to start the dinner of the new year healthy.  I have always loved cooking, but recently found myself yearning for the ability to reinvent myself and how my family eats.  I wanted to be able to cook much of the same meals that my family and I have grown to love, but healthier.... which means little or no sugar and low in calories/fat.  So I would like to share with you this yummy and easy recipe for homemade spaghetti and meatballs:

For Meatballs:

1/2 pound lean ground beef
1/2 pound of lean ground turkey
1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons dried minced onion
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 large egg
2 tablespoons low fat milk
1 teaspoon minced jarred garlic
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper


Directions:

In a large bowl, with a spoon or with your hands gently mix together all of the ingredients until combined.

With wet hands form into 1 1/4 inch balls.  Set aside


For Sauce/spaghetti

12 ounces spaghetti
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
3 garlic cloves minced
1/2 cup dry red wine or beef broth
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
1 1/2 teaspoons oregano leaves
pinch of red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups of water
garlic salt


Directions:

In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium high heat.  Add the onion and saute for 3 to 4 minutes or until soft.  Add the garlic and saute for 1 additional minute.  Deglaze the pan by pouring in the wine ( or broth) and scraping the browned bits from the bottom.  Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, herbs, red pepper, black pepper and water.  Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.

Cook the pasta according to the package directions while the sauce simmers, drain and set aside.

Gently stir the uncooked meatballs into the sauce and cover.  Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until meatballs feel firm and are cooked through. Sprinkle lightly with garlic salt to taste.  Let simmer additional three minutes.

Place pasta in large bowl or platter.  Pour sauce onto pasta and top with meatballs.

420 Calories:   in one cup of pasta,  1/2 cup of sauce and 3 meatballs

Days of Fall........

So while it is officially Fall....here in California it is still hot and sunny.  I do sometimes wish I lived in a state where we experienced all four seasons.  Fall happens to be my favorite season.  I love a hot cup of coffee, a nice comfy over sized sweater and a big pot of soup cooking on the stove.    Here are a few things I am loving right now that make me giddy for this season:

Inside Out Caramel Apples

Roasted Potato Stacks

 

 

Baked Potato Soup With Bacon, Onion & Cheddar

 

 

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing