Sweet Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Chips

This was my way of fighting off the ice cream craving on Friday night. Dan and I ate thee entire thing ourselves. The Salsa is good and low cal but the chips are gonna add up in calories, but they are not fat calories like ice cream and you can eat a WHOLE lot more than ice cream.

Simple, simple, simple.
SALSA
4 cups of whatever fruit you are craving or have in your fridge. I did mangoes, strawberries and kiwi's. But seriously whatever you want (I want pineapple next time!)
3 TBSP of honey
1/2 tsp of cinnamon (optional keen)
There is your salsa!

CHIPS
4 TBSP melted butter
mixture of cinnamon and sugar
6" tortillas

preheat the oven to 350

brush butter over tortillas and sprinkle with sugar mixture. Use a pizza cutter and cut each tortilla into 4th so they look like chips. Place in the oven 10-12 min or until lightly brown. Cool completely. Eat up.

Puffed French Toast

This should not be breakfast food, it should be a candy! Dan actually made these for me...Oh, it was so good. I know I say that about every recipe and about how much I love my "Our best bites" cook book but I must not lie. So this one is not hard to make up but it has a lot of directions and you have to be SO careful when frying it, not to burn it. So I am just going to put the link to the website. http://www.ourbestbites.com/2008/05/puffed-french-toast/

Fresh Fruit Bruschetta with Orange-Honey Cream

So this is actually not bad for you! But SO good for your belly. Made these last night and loved them. Of course super easy, it just took a while to cut up the fruit.

Fresh Fruit Bruschetta with Orange-Honey Cream
Recipe by Our Best Bites

1 baguette or similar-sized French bread loaf
4 Tbsp. butter, melted
2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1-1/2 C diced strawberries (about 10 medium strawberries)
1 C finely diced mango (about 1 medium mango)
1 C finely diced kiwi (about 3 kiwi)

1/2 C Breakstone’s Sour Cream
3 Tbsp. honey
1 tsp orange zest

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Slice bread into 1/2 inch slices. Place in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet. Use a pastry brush to brush each piece with melted butter. Combine cinnamon and sugar and sprinkle evenly over bread slices. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are toasted. Set aside to cool.

While bread is toasting, combine Sour Cream, honey, and orange zest. Stir to combine and place in the fridge.

Combine strawberries, mango, and kiwi and stir gently to combine. When bread is cooled, place about 1 Tbsp. of fruit mixture on top of each toasted bread slice and drizzle with sweet sour cream mixture. If needed, thin sour cream sauce with 1/2-1 tsp orange juice. Garnish with mint leaves if desired. Serve immediately.

Healthy Chicken Cordon Blue

I saw this on tv the other day and had to give it a try.  (I promise I really don't watch that much tv!)

4 chicken breasts

4 slices of low-salt, low-fat lean ham

4 slices of fat free/low-sodium swiss cheese

1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil or canola oil

3/4 cup of bread crumbs or 1 cup whole grain cereal flakes grinded in mini food processor  ( I also threw  in some Italian seasoning)

Pound out your chicken breast until flat.  Then layer ham and then the cheese, roll up and then use tooth pick to hold them in place.  Cover in olive oil and then roll in bread crumbs.  Cook at 350 degrees for about 20-25 minute, the last few minute set oven to broil and let them get crispy.  

This has around 350 calories per serving.  These were so easy and delicious, even Corbin loved them!

Crock Pot Chicken and Rice Soup

One of the girls at my work made this soup for dinner for us last night.  It was so good.  I have to post it so I don't forget the ingredients  (though pretty easy).  Sorry no pic, but trust me it was fantastic.


8 cups of water
4 chicken bullion cubes
Boil top two ingredients together until dissolved unless you use canned broth
1 1/2 cups of chopped celery
1 cup of chopped carrots
some chopped up onion,  (how ever much your taste desires)
1- 2 chicken breasts chopped
1 box of rice a roni with the seasonings


Throw it all in the crock and let cook 4 hours or how ever long your crock pot thinks.  And there you go, an super easy, yummy soup.  If you don't want to crock pot this, just do it on your stove cooking your ingredients first. And then throw them together. 

Egg White Wrap

Seriously I eat this almost everyday for lunch. It is protein packed and is so low in fat and calories and very delish.

3/4 cup egg whites, ( I used egg beaters or whites from egg)
1 La Tortilla Factory tortilla ( I love these wraps, they have 12 grams of fiber and 8 grams of protein)
3 TBS salsa
1/8 to 1/4 cup shredded cheese

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 serving (306.4 g)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 237 Calories from Fat 73

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 8.1g 12%

Saturated Fat 3.0g 15%

Trans Fat 0.0g

Cholesterol 15mg 5%

Sodium 978mg 41%

Total Carbohydrates 22.5g 7%

Dietary Fiber 12.8g 51%

Sugars 3.8g

Protein 32.1g

Vitamin A 6% • Vitamin C 1% Calcium 13% • Iron 3%

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

Read more: http://caloriecount.about.com/egg-white-wray-recipe-r606721#ixzz1IgPeupP8

Healthy Granola

Healthy Granola

So I used to make this all of the time and then I got burnt out on it.  But I made last week, and once again I am hooked.  This is so yummy. And oh so healthy.  Lots of protein to keep you full.  You can eat it plain, in your yogurt or with milk as cereal.  This makes quite a bit.  


4 cups rolled oats
1 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup flax seed
3/4 cup protein powder ( I used whey based vanilla, Dymatize, this is the best tasting protein powder out there!)
1 TBS cinnamon ( I omit it, allergic)
Mix all these ingredients in a large bowl.
Then in another bowl mix:
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
6 TBS canola oil
2 TBS water


Method:
Pour liquid mixture over dry ingredients.  Stir thoroughly.  Spread evenly onto a cookie sheet.  Bake for approx 25-30 minutes or until lightly golden brown.  After you take out of oven let it just sit in the pan for an hour to 3 hours to firm.  Then break up and put into container.  I like to add in almonds, coconut, raisins or dried fruit.  This includes 2 important ingredients for weight loss: Protein and Fiber to curb your appetite.  You will eat less and feel satisfied longer!

Healthy No-Bake Chocolate PB Oatmeal Cookies

Healthy No-Bake Chocolate PB Oatmeal Cookies

The average chocolate peanut butter oatmeal cookie has 204 calories, 26 carbs, 10 grams of fat (EEK!), and 4 grams protein. This version has 82 calories, 11 carbs, 3 g fat, and 3 g protein per cookie. Obviously amazing stats, right?"

*makes 24 cookies
6 tbsp unsweetened vanilla almond milk (I substituted skim milk)
1/3 cup Splenda or other sugar substitute
1/3 cup light agave syrup (I used honey because I didn't have any agave)
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tsp vanilla
2/3 cup peanut butter (I use natural PB)
1/4 cup wheat germ
2 cups oatmeal
*optional - 3 tsp ground flax seeds

Heat milk, sugar, and cocoa powder over high heat until boiling, stirring constantly.
Take off heat and stir in vanilla and peanut butter. Stir until peanut butter is completely melted.
Stir in wheat germ and oatmeal (optional - stir in ground flax seeds).
Drop by large spoonfuls onto cookie sheet covered in wax paper. Place in refrigerator. OR eat with a spoon right out of the bowl :)
ENJOY!

Eclair Cake

So I made this for our family Priesthood Conference get together this weekend.  Everyone loved it.  Once again it is one that I found on someone else's blog.  It is super easy and oh so good!


Eclair Cake
1 c. water

1/2 c. butter
1 c. flour
4 large eggs
1 pkg cream cheese
1 large box vanilla instant pudding
3 c. milk
1 container cool whip
chocolate syrup

Preheat oven to 400. Lighly grease a 9"X13" glass baking pan.

Eclair Crust:
In a medium saucepan, melt butter in water and bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Stir in flour. Mix in one egg at a time, mixing completely before adding another egg. Spread mixture into pan, covering the bottom and sides evenly. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown. You may want to check it occasionally-you don't want to overcook the crust, it will ruin the cake!Remove from oven and let cool (don't touch or push bubbles down).

Filling:
Whip cream cheese in a medium bowl. In separate bowl make vanilla pudding. Make sure pudding is thick before mixing in with cream cheese. Slowly add pudding to cream cheese, mixing until there are no lumps. Let cool in fridge.

When the crust is completely cooled, pour filling in. Top with layer of cool whip and serve with chocolate syrup.

Chocolate peanut butter Oatmeal

So I love, love, love my oatmeal in the morning.  So when I saw this recipe on someones blog I just had to try it. This is more like a treat not breakfast so super good, and filling!!

Mix 1/2 cup old fashioned oats & 1 cup water in bowl

microwave for 3 minutes, stir, microwave 1 more minute

Add 2-3 TBS ff/sf chocolate pudding mix, 2 tsp of cinnamon (I omit the cinnamon because I am allergic) , and stir it together

add a few dollops of PB to the top of that

For this combo: 275 calories, 11 grams of protein, 11 grams of fat, 2 grams of sugar, and 8 grams of fiber. 

Sometimes I will add a drizzle of honey or some chopped up banana

Use old fashioned oats the  slow cook/old fashioned oats are lower on the glycemic index, meaning they won't spike your blood sugar, and they contain more fiber. Instant oats have been processed more than the old fashioned oats have and may have lost some of the nutrients in the process. The old fashioned oats really do keep you more full! 

Cinnamon Rolls

I have never made cinnamon rolls until this weekend.  Conference weekends, what's better than to try something new.  These turned out so good, and they turned out looking exactly like the picture.  So yuuummy!  So easy!  I've got to stop making treats though,  when your trying to loose weight,  these aren't exactly part of the diet plan.

Cinnamon Rolls

Adapted by Our Best Bites from Allrecipes

Dough

1 cup milk

4 Tbs butter, cut into chunks

3 1/4 – 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided

1 (.25 ounce) package instant or ‘rapid rise’ yeast (about 2 1/4 tsp)

1/4 cup white sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 egg

Filling

1 cup brown sugar, packed

1 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup butter, softened

Icing
1 1/2 C powdered sugar
2 T melted butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
1-2 Tbs milk

Dough: Place milk and 4 Tbs butter in a microwave safe bowl. Heat on high for 1 minute 30 seconds. Butter should be at least partially melted. Stir and set aside. In a large mixing bowl whisk together 2 C flour, yeast, white sugar, and salt. When milk mixture has cooled to warm (not hot) add it to the flour mixture along with the egg while the beater (paddle attachment for those using a stand mixer) is running. Beat until well combined, about 1 minute. (Switch to the dough hook now) Add remaining flour only until dough barely leaves the sides of the bowl. It should be very soft and slightly sticky. Continue to let the dough knead for 5 minutes. If you are not using a stand mixer, turn dough out onto floured surface and knead for 5 minutes by hand. Turn dough out onto a floured surface and let rest for about 10 minutes while you make the filling.

Filling: make sure butter is softened well. Mix with brown sugar and cinnamon.

Assembly: Roll dough into a rectangle about 12 x 14 inches. Spread brown sugar mixture (it will be slightly thick, you might have to “crumble” it) over the surface and use your fingers or the back of a spoon to gently spread around. Roll up from the longer side of the rectangle and pinch edges closed. Score the roll into 12 equal pieces and then cut into rolls. Place in a 9 x 13 pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Cover pan with a clean towel and let rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes. In the mean time, preheat oven to 350 degrees.

When rolls have finished rising bake for 15-20 minutes or until light golden brown. If desired spread with icing while still warm. Makes 12 rolls

Sandwicherie de pinotte et fraise

This is one of my most treasured and true recipes. Always in high demand, it is quite the crowd pleaser for young and old alike. With less than 5 ingredients it is easy, cheap, and can be relatively low fat....practically perfect in every way!

Ingredients

4 slices Whole grain white bunny bread

2 tablespoons Jif extra crunchy peanut butter

1 tablespoon homemade strawberry jam.

A generous smattering of Love at Home

Take 2 slices of bread and spread peanut butter on generously on one side of one piece. On that same side spread the jam on top of the peanut butter. Take the other piece of bread and lovingly set that piece on top of the jam and gently press. It is recommended that you hum the tune Love at Home (See the church Hymn book page 294) for added comfort to this truly comfort food.

Makes 2 servings.

Serve with milk or juice and a smile (and maybe cheetos). Enjoy!

(Some ingredients may be altered according to personal preference.)