Gluten Free Springtime Asparagus Tart ♥

 So why not try a healthy easy dinner tonight? Here is my recipe for a asparagus and gruyere cheese tart, perfect for spring! ♥

Ingredients ♥

 Gluten Free Flour, for work surface

1 sheet  Schar  Gluten Free puff pastry

5 1/2 ounces (2 cups) Gruyere cheese, shredded

1 1/2 pounds medium or thick asparagus

1 tablespoon olive oil

Salt and pepper

Directions ♥

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. On a floured surface, roll the puff pastry into a 16-by-10-inch rectangle. Trim uneven edges. Place pastry on a baking sheet. With a sharp knife, lightly score pastry dough 1 inch in from the edges to mark a rectangle. Using a fork, pierce dough inside the markings at 1/2-inch intervals. Bake until golden, about 15 minutes.

Remove pastry shell from oven, and sprinkle with Gruyere. Trim the bottoms of the asparagus spears to fit crosswise inside the tart shell; arrange in a single layer over Gruyere, alternating ends and tips. Brush with oil, and season with salt and pepper. Bake until spears are tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Enjoy! ♥

Frank's Skinny Buffalo Cauliflower Bites ♥

The NFC 2021 Championship game is today and my home state  Green Bay Packers are in it! 

I thought I would make a healthy version of wings using my fave sponsored product Frank's Buffalo Wings sauce

Here is a great alternative to buffalo wings ..why not make it healthy with low carb skinny buffalo cauliflower bites...dipped in delicious cool skinny blue cheese dressing! enjoy! ♥

Ingredients ♥
For the dip: 
1/3 cup nonfat Greek yogurt 
2 Tablespoons light mayo 
2 Tablespoons light sour cream 
1/4 teaspoon onion powder 
1/8 teaspoon granulated garlic 
1/4 teaspoon salt 
1 teaspoon spicy brown mustard 
4 - 6 Tablespoons blue cheese crumbles 

For the "wings" mix
1/2 cup baking  gluten free mix
1/2 cup water 
1 teaspoon granulated garlic 
1/2 of a large head of cauliflower (about 0.8 lb.)
2 Tablespoons butter( for a healthier version use Smart Balance)  
1/3 cup Frank's Buffalo Wings sauce (or your fave  hot sauce)

Instructions ♥
Preheat the oven to 425 F. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Make the dip by mixing all the dip ingredients together ... then set the dip aside to let the flavors meld.
Whisk together the baking mix, water, and garlic in a bowl until smooth.
Segment the cauliflower into bite-size pieces (whatever that means for you) and then dip each floret into the batter, shaking off as much of the excess batter as possible before setting it on the baking sheet. Set them in the oven and let them bake for 25 minutes.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a bowl in a covered bowl in the microwave, then stir in the hot sauce.
When the cauliflower is done, remove it from the oven, cut off any excess "drippings" from the batter that makes for an unruly-looking "wing" (I had a few ...), then brush each floret with the spicy sauce, coating it all over with the yummy buttery buffalo sauce and setting them back on the baking sheet.
Set your cauliflower yummies back in the oven to bake for 8 - 10 minutes. When you open the oven, you should hear them "sizzling" and see little bits of brown on some of them.

Set on a serving plate and serve with the creamy blue cheese dip. enjoy! ♥

5 Skinny Superbowl Dips ♥

Superbowl is approaching and I want to give you the 5 top game day dips my viewer request and a new easy queso dip recipe using my favorite product  Kraft Velveeta Cheese !  All are super skinny light on calories and fat! ♥ 


Skinny Kraft Queso Dip 

Ingredients  ♥ 
1 lb.  (16 oz.) VELVEETA®, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1 can  (10 oz.) RO*TEL Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, undrained

Directions ♥ 

COMBINE ingredients in microwaveable bowl.


MICROWAVE on HIGH 5 min. or until VELVEETA is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after 3 min.

Knorr Baked Skinny Spinach n' Artichoke Dip ♥

Frank's Red Hot Skinny Buffalo Chicken Dip ♥

Skinny Old El Paso Tex Mex Taco Dip ♥

Fresh Homemade Guacamole ♥

Christmas Menu ♥

Happy Christmas Eve! Here is a last minute menu idea for you, hope everyone has a blessed holiday! ♥





Italian Antipasto Wreath Appetizer  ♥


 


Skinny Holiday Shrimp Cocktail Dip ♥





Baked Knorr Spinach N' Artichoke Dip ♥





Kicken' Cranberry Punch ♥



Roast Turkey For Christmas Recipe ♥



Mamma's Christmas Sweet Bread ♥

 

Merry Christmas!  ♥

Healthy Holiday Party Survival Guide ♥

So the holidays are here again! read my article in Parade magazine and Sverve  This article  is on holiday fitness and a tasty healthy party menu for the holidays! 

First the party planning for a tasty but healthy menu you won't have to feel guilty about! Why not entertain buffet style using appetizers they are much less in calories and you can eat a variety and sample more rather than loading up on a big dinner. That way guests can pick and choose as to what they want to nibble on throughout the party! ♥

First start off with my Kicken' Cranberry Punch  sure to be a crowd favorite!

Then try my Ultimate Party Meatballs  

Try my Skinny Holiday Shrimp Cocktail Dip 

Knorr Baked Skinny Spinach  Artichoke Dip 

Holiday Pinecone Cheese Ball 

Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

Ingredients ♥

1/3 cup light Mayonnaise

3 tablespoons Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

1 can (6-1/2 oz.) crabmeat or 1 cup frozen crabmeat, thawed

18 medium mushrooms, stems removed

Directions ♥

1. Preheat oven to 400°. 

2. In small bowl, blend Mayonnaise, bread crumbs, cheese and garlic; fold in crabmeat. Evenly spoon mixture into mushroom caps. 

3. On baking sheet, arrange mushroom caps. Bake 20 minutes or until heated through and lightly browned.

Now here are some fitness tips so that you don't overdo  and splurge from those holiday parties you will be going to.

Socialize! Use holiday parties as an opportunity to socialize with your friends. Keep walking around and don’t stop for too long – and certainly don’t stop next to the chips and dips, or buffet table! Walking does count as exercise, so the more you move, the better.

Dance! Let loose and dance off any extra party calories. The added bonus is that the more time you spend dancing, the less time you will spend eating – and you get to hang out and have fun with your friends while you do it!

Maintain your routine. Don’t skip your workouts just because you’re on vacation. The best thing you can do is try to keep your exercise routine intact. I know as well as anyone how easy it is to forget healthy eating habits during the holidays, but if you can at least keep your workouts going, it will help prevent holiday weight gain.

Watch your drinks. Try to avoid drinking too many sugary drinks. It’s amazing how many calories can be hiding in a simple holiday punch, with or without alcohol. Staying hydrated with water will help.

Exercise! If time is tight, try to do a quick 10-minute workout routine in the morning, then repeat it right before you go to bed. Simple, interval-style exercises will help burn some calories and keep you toned up over the holidays.

Pre-Holiday Meal Make sure you eat a little bit of protein (promotes a feeling of fullness) and carbohydrate (energy foods) to take the edge off before leaving the house. You'll not eat as much if you're already feeling slightly full.

Water helps you to feel full and can help the body burn more calories by increasing your metabolic rate. Some studies have shown that the body can (and often does) confuse hunger with thirst. Instead of starting with eating first (hunger), give your body 1-2 glasses of cold water.

Alcohol and Sodas If possible, decrease or eliminate all consumption of alcoholic beverages. Before drinking any alcoholic (or sugary) beverages, both which have empty calories and are not good for your body, drink a glass of cold water first. Cold water will give you a feeling of fullness, so that you're not inclined to drink as quickly (or at all). 

Nibbling and Snacks When eating snacks during a party, distance yourself from the tables where all the food is. By staying close to the food, you're more inclined to just reach out and eat without thinking too much about what you're putting in your body.

Eat Your Fruits and Vegetables Gravitate towards the fruits and vegetable options while eating starchy carbs, sugary and fattening desserts in limited portions. Remember that vegetables, especially broccoli, spinach and some fruits are rich in fiber, which will give you a feeling of fullness. You can add a small side of ranch dressing and drizzle some on your vegetables, instead of dunking your vegetables into your dressing. You'll save on calories and extra fat.

So there you have it a few tips for the holiday survival guide! Happy Holiday , Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone stay safe, have fun, and most of all eat healthy! ♥

Jdrf and Healthy Snacks for Kid's ♥

So the annual Juvenile Diabetes Research Fundraising Walk is coming up today and I walk every year in honor of my mother that had this disease and passed at a young age of 37. It is important for children to eat a healthy balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, proteins and low sugar, especially diabetic children. Here is my healthy recipe ♥

Low carb, nutritious snacks are crucial for kids with diabetes and unfortunately much of what’s out there is quite the opposite. Even for kids without diabetes, managing blood sugar from an early age can go a long way towards preventing high insulin levels and diabetes later on in life. But eating healthy and sticking to a low-glycemic diet can be very tricky with kids. The key is to find nutritious snacks that will appeal to those picky palates that are tempted daily by a barrage of sugary and empty calories. So think protein, fiber, and healthy fats — you’ll help set them up for a lifetime of good health.

Here are some diabetic kid friendly snacks..♥

Trail mix (over the age of two)
Low fat string cheese
Melon balls 
Veggies and dip cups ( A more fun way to eat your veggies!)
Grapes (frozen grapes are great in the summer)
Apple wedges
Rice cakes with all natural fruit spread or peanut butter
Banana slices with peanut butter
Low fat frozen yogurt 

miss you mamma ♥

So please support your local Jdrf branch click here. ♥

Labor Day 2015 ♥

Labor Day weekend is almost here... try my menu for the healthy version of favorite end of summer foods! ♥

Appetizers and Sides

Skinny Picnic Pasta Salad

 Homemade Summer Baked Beans

Skinny Old El Paso Tex Mex Taco Dip 

Copycat KFC Coleslaw 

Main Course 

All American Skinny Burger

Backyard BBQ Chicken

Dessert's 

Bailey Dipped Marshmallows

Healthy Back to School Meals & Fitness Ideas For Kids ♥

So I was approached once again by Parade magazine  and Sverve to write about healthy meals for back to school. I asked my stepniece Lucia and here are some supercute healthy recipes we came up with! ♥

Why not try these healthy diy lunchables 



Diy Veggie Lunchable

Diy Lunchables Ham n' Cheese Pinwheels 

Ingredients ♥


2 - packages (8 oz) light cream cheese, softened

1 - packet (.04 oz) Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix
6 - (12 inch) burrito size flour tortillas, room temperature
1 - package (12 ounces) thin deli sliced ham
10 - slices Swiss cheese
1 - cup shredded cheddar cheese or Colby jack
1 - 2.25 oz can chopped black olives

Directions ♥
Mix cream cheese and dry salad dressing together. Spread mixture on each tortilla. 

Drain the sliced olives and set aside.

Place two slices of ham on top of the cream cheese mixture. 

Add sliced Swiss cheese and sprinkle on shredded cheddar cheese and olives. 

Roll up tortillas tightly. Just like you would for cinnamon rolls and wrap in plastic wrap. 

Chill at least 2 hours or overnight. Remove wrapping and cut rolls into 1 inch slices. Makes 3 - 4 dozen pinwheels



Sugar Free Peanut Butter n' Jelly Sushi Rolls

Ingredients ♥
(makes 8 pieces)

2 tablespoons JIF® Creamy Peanut Butter

 2 tablespoons Sugar Free SMUCKER'S® Strawberry Jelly, Jam, or Preserves (pick your favorite)
2 slices bread


Directions ♥

Remove crusts from bread. With a rolling pin or large soup can, completely flatten bread.
Spread 1 tablespoon of Jif peanut butter and 1 tablespoon of Smucker's fruit spread on each slice of bread.
Roll each slice into a tight spiral. Cut each spiral into 4 pieces.




Or try these for an after school snack homemade ( freezer Friendly) skinny mini pizzas perfect freezer friendly for after school meals on the go!

Ingredients ♥

Pillsbury Grands! Flaky Biscuits
Pizza Sauce or just tomato sauce

Oregano or Italian Seasoning

Mozzarella Cheese Light 
Pepperoni (Turkey) 
What other toppings you like black olives, basil, mushrooms.

Directions ♥

1.) Preheat oven according to instructions on biscuit package. Mine said 375 degree F
2.) Open the can of refrigerated biscuits. Using clean hands, stretch out the biscuits to make them flatter – about 6-inches across. If you had the time and patience – have the kids help! Work on a surface away from the preheating oven and have them help make their own. 
3.) Spread out onto cookie sheet. I could fit six to a cookie sheet
4.) Put about one spoonful of pizza sauce on each crust. Spread around. Sprinkle with italian seasoning (some sauces come pre-seasoned).
5.) Add cheese and other toppings
6.) Pop in the oven and check after 8-10 minutes. Bake until golden brown and cheese is melted!


Don't forget after school activities are the best to keep fit or kids during the school year. There are so many to choose from for boy's football,soccer, basketball, baseball. For girls cheerleading, dance, swimming, softball. 


Experts speculate that exercise may boost academic performance in various ways, including: burning off pent-up energy and allowing kids to pay attention better and focus on their work; boosting self-esteem and mood; and increasing blood flow to the brain, helping with memory and concentration.

My article is also featured here in Parade magazine ♥

Grandma Katrina's Russian Pickled Tomatoes ♥

Every end of summer my grandmother used to pick the tomatoes out of the garden, we would have an overabundance of tomatoes to use in salads, and sauces, but she loved pickling them.

 When they lived in Russian pickling was essential to get through the harsh winters. “Build your sled in the summer and your wagon in the winter,” an old Russian saying advises.
In the days when wagons and sleds were a part of everyday life, this was wise counsel: it was a good idea to plan ahead for summer since it came and went in the blink of an eye, while those who didn’t plan for the six months of freezing hell known as the Russian winter would find themselves in a lot of trouble. So here is her recipe it's a perfect compliment to any dish such as baked fish, or steak. ♥

Ingredients ♥

Per 1 quart jar or 1 liter-cherry or whole
Tomatoes
1-2 whole onion round
5-6 carrot rounds
3 bell pepper slices
1 bay leaf
3 garlic cloves
one sprig of parsley
one sprig of dill
10 black peppercorns.
1.5 heaping tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoon vinegar
1 tablespoon salt
water
For 3 liter jars-
1.5 tablespoon salt
3 tablespoons vinegar
4 tablespoons sugar

Directions ♥

Place onion,carrots,garlic,black peppercorns,dill,parsley,bay leaf on the bottom of the jar. Place tomatoes in a jar.preferably small, but slice in half or quarters if large. In a pot or sauce pan bring water to a boil. Fill jars(with tomatoes)with boiling water and let them sit for 15-20 minutes. Pour out the water from jars back into the pot and bring it to a boil again. Add sugar,salt and vinegar to the jar with tomatoes and fill it back with the boiling water that was poured out in to the pot. Close the lid tightly.Cover a table with blanket or towel, and place the jar upside down. cover it with blanket or a towel. Keep them covered with a blanket or a towel for 24 hours. Ready in a week or two.The longer, the better. 

Italian Dinner Party Menu

Every year I love going to Festa Italiana, it start's today!  and I love throwing together a collaboration of my fave Italian recipes. Here is a fun authentic healthy menu enjoy! ♥ 

click below for details on festa italiana! 

http://festaitaliana.com/


First start off with appetizers try my Insalata Caprese Salad 

Then try my Skinny Italian Pasta Salad 

Now it's time for the main dishes, try my Homemade Italian Tomato Sauce 

Here is my famous Skinny Italian Lasagna Recipe 

Then try some cocktails! 

Here is my recipe for Italian Red Wine Sangria 

And for something supercute try my Italian Flag Popsicles!