3 minute Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats!

Honestly - is there anything better than Chocolate and Peanut Butter! 

I mean, the two complete my life!

I about die when I eye those gooey chocolate rice bars on pinterest. Amazing!

 I'm sure, but I would definitely not be able to eat just one!

So to the kitchen I went! The PERFECT little treat for kids

 (or afternoons when I need a mommy "pick-me-up") 

I like to store them in my freezer, so I have to wait for them to thaw and it controls portion size!

But with these little babies, you won't feel as guilty if indulging wins!

 Wrapped in packages and Tied with bows - anything looks cuter!

1/3 c honey

1/4 c crunchy peanut butter (all natural!)

1/4 c raw cacao powder or cocoa powder

1/2 tsp salt if pb is unsalted, or you like salt!

1/2 tsp vanilla

3/4 c puffed brown rice cereal

1/2 c regular oats

Mini Chocolate Chips or Unsweetened Carob chips (for a lower sugar option)

(ps. I like lots of salt! Salt and sweet are for me! 

So lessen the salt if you want, but if you like salt - go with kosher salt! Its the best!)

Warm the Honey and Peanut Butter a little in microwave safe dish. 

Stir and add the rest of ingredients.

  Stir quickly and let cool a tiny bit before adding chips.

Roll into balls with hands and place in fridge until hardened

ENJOY!

Pin It

FAST and EASY Fish Tostadas with Avocado/corn Salsa

This is one of my Favorites!! I can have dinner done in a flash!

It's simple, fresh, good for you, and tasty!

MY KIDS LOVE THIS!

Corn tortillas

Low Fat Black Refried Beans

Canned Tuna or Salmon (whatever you prefer) in water

Mozzarella cheese

Olives

Avocado Corn Salsa (recipe below)

Any Salsa you like

Fat Free Greek yogurt (as sour cream)

Heat oven to 325. Spray Each side of corn tortilla with Cooking Spray or Olive Oil Spray and cook on baking sheet for 10 minutes (flipping half way through). They will turn lightly brown and crunchy. Spread beans on top and sprinkle fish on top. Top with cheese and place back in oven until cheese is melted. (about 3 minutes).

Top with toppings: Chopped Romaine lettuce or even better Cabbage, Avocado Corn Salsa, Any Salsa you like, Olives, and Greek Yogurt.

Avocado Cilantro Corn Salsa:

This is sort of time intensive with all the chopping. You can through it into a food processor, or just use organic canned salsa and scratch this all together. But it does make it good! I usually ALWAYS have this in my fridge during the summer. I eat it as a salad for lunch and the kids like to use it as a dip with chips! (sorta like pico de gallo) Its SO YUMMY - one of my All time FAVORITE SALADS! You really can change it up any way you like, but this is the basic version.

2 Peppers (red, orange, and yellow are best), Diced

1/2 Red Onion, Diced

1 small Cucumber, Diced (I've also used Zucchini which works too!)

2 Cobs of Corn (corn cut off with a knife right off of cob, do not cook!)

1/2 bunch Cilantro, chopped fine

1 Tomato, chopped, or 1/2 Container of Cherry Tomatoes Sliced

1 Avocado, Diced

Mix VERY well and sprinkle generously with Salt and Pepper.

You can add chicken and/or black beans to make a complete lunch Salad!

Or check out Fresh Mexican Salad.

Pin It

'Cheesy' Broccoli Baked Potato

Cheese - thats not really- :)

Everyone loves this stuff!

I have a lot of combinations and different kinds of 'cheese,' but this one is called our Nacho Cheese!

Dairy Free!

Use it to dip chips, on Taco Salad, Nacho's, or put on top of broccoli and potato boats!

The easiest Dinner EVER!

1/2 C Raw Cashews (if you can soak for 1/2 hour thats great! but not necessary)

1/4 C Nutritional Yeast (Health Food Store - gives it the cheesy taste - and good or you!)

1/4 C Water

1/3 C White Beans (drained and rinsed)

1/4 C Salsa

1 Tbl Taco Seasoning

1/2 tsp Garlic Powder

1/2 tsp Kosher Salt

sprinkle of red pepper flakes (totally optional)

1/4 C Cottage Cheese (totally optional - but it adds an awesome creaminess!)

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend until Smooth. Eat at room temp or heat up a little.

ENJOY!

Pin It

Eggplant Sandwiches (BETTER THAN YOU THINK!)

I loved this take on Eggplant - you really would never know! 

I really enjoyed it! - even the hubs liked it!!

Fresh, Simple, and Fun!

1/2 C Whole Wheat Flour

2 Large Eggs, Beaten

1 C Panko or any flavored Bread Crumbs

1 Medium Eggplant sliced (1/2 inch thick)

1/2 Canola Oil

Kosher Salt

Toppings: Big Juicy Tomatoes!, Romaine Lettuce, 1/2 C Fresh Basil Leaves, 4 oz of Goat or Feta cheese, crumbled, hummus.

Directions:
1) Place Flour, Eggs, and Crumbs in separate bowls. Dip Sliced Eggplant in Flour, then Egg, then crumbs.
2) Heat half the oil (or for lower fat use nonstick pan with a tsp of oil) over med-high heat. Cook the eggplant in skillet until golden brown. (2-3 minutes a side). Transfer to paper towel. Sprinkle Eggplant with Salt!
3) Build your sandwich with whatever you like and ENJOY!!
(I loved the hummus on mine - so good!) Pin It

Father's Day Quick Gift Idea

Does the man in your live enjoy grilling? 

Here is the perfect little gift!!

SPICE RUB:

2 Tbl Paprika

2 Tbl Dried Parsley

4 tsp Ground Hot Chili Powder

1 tsp Ground Cumin

3 tsp Dried Oregano

1 tsp Ground Coriander

1 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt

1 tsp Cracked Black Pepper

Combine and store in a clean glass jar. 

Use on Fish, Beef, Chicken, or Veggies!!! 

YUM!

Pin It

Super Fast Monday!

Who doesn't love the classic comfort food of the Chicken Salad Sandwhich?? 

It always looks so good, but oh so dangerous!   :)

When I crave it,  I like to make a lighter version:

I don't really have exact measurements, here's a guess:

1 Can chicken - or diced cooked chicken (about 1 Cup)

1/2 C Chopped Celery

1/2 C Chopped Green Grapes

1/2 C Chopped Red Grapes

1/4 C Toasted Slivered almonds

1/4 C Raisins

1/4 C Low Fat Mayo

1/2 C Plain no fat Yogurt

1 - 1 1/2 tsp of curry powder (to taste)

S & P

Just mix and spread on toasted Whole Wheat bread. ENJOY!

Variation:
I eat mine differently. Instead of Chicken I throw in about 1/2 C cooked whole wheat pasta. Blend well, and then serve over a large bed of lettuce. Pin It

Super Fast Monday!

Black Bean Soup with Roasted Salsa 

Supper Super FAST

Ingredients:
2 T Olive Oil
1 Large Poblano Pepper or Green Bell Pepper
2 Cloves Garlic, chopped
1 Large Red Onion, chopped
Kosher Salt and Black Pepper
1 tsp Ground Cumin
2 Can's Black Beans, rinsed
12 oz. Chichen or Veggie Broth
3-4 Jalapenos, halved and seeded
1/2 C Fresh chopped Cilantro
2 T Fresh Lime Juice

Directions:
-Heat Oil in pot over medium. Add Pepper, Garlic, and all but 1/3 C of the onion. Season with S and P. Cook, until soft about 8-10 minutes. Then stir in Cumin.
-Turn on Broiler.
-Add the Beans to the pot, Brother, and 1/2 C water. Mash some of the beans with a fork or potato masher. Bring to boil, and then simmer about 6-8 minutes.
-Meanwhile prepare the salsa: place the jalapenos on a pan and broil until charred, 2-3 minutes. Dice and combine in bowl with cilantro, remaining 1/3 C onion, and 2 tsp of Olive Oil, 1/4 tsp of Salt and Pepper. Serve the salsa on top of the soup.

PS- my baby LOVED THIS!

Serve with Rolls, Garlic Bread, Quesadillas, or a Salad. You choose! :)

Pin It

My FAVORITE Snack - Microwave Potato Chips

That's right, you read that right - Microwave!

I was ecsatic when I found this recipe! 

Its the perfect snack for those moments I want something evil, but don't want to open a whole bag of Oil and trans fat, if you know what I mean. :)

These are going to be the purest and least fat chip you can make and still ENJOY!

-OIL FREE-

Instructions:
1- Take one Russet Potato and slice VERY THIN - as thin as you can get. Try to keep them as even as possible, so you don't end up with some burn't ones.
2- Take the microwave plate out of your microwave. Cover with a piece of parchment paper.
3- Lay the sliced potato onto the sheet, evenly spaced. Sprinkle with desired seasonings. Salt, Garlic Powder, Chili Powder, you can try many different things!

4 - Cook 5 minutes. Let set in the microwave for 1 minute. Microwave again about 3-5 minutes. I watch until they begin to brown slightly. Right when you see that, turn it off! They will still cook slightly as you let them sit in the microwave one more minute. They should be crunchy!

ENJOY!

Pin It

EASY EASY Crock Pot Shredded BBQ Chicken

Use on Salad, Brown Rice, or Sandwiches (whole wheat buns of course :))! YUM!

Low in sugar and fat! Their tasty!

Ingredients:

1 C Tomato Sauce

1 Small Onion, diced

2 Large cloves Garlic, grated

3 Tbl Cider Vinegar

2 Tbl Agave Nectar or Honey

1 Tbl Tomato Paste

1 Tbl Smoked Paprika

2 tsp dried Ground Mustard

1/2 tsp Salt

1 tsp Chili Powder

2 1/2 lbs Skinless chicken breast or thighs

Stir everything but chicken in Crock-pot. Put in chicken and stir to coat.

Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Shred and stir well.

ENJOY!

Pin It

Supper Super Fast

Say that three times fast. :)

This is PERFECT for the night you need dinner in less than 20 minutes.

Thats as long as this takes! I just altered THIS original recipe.

Picture (realsimple.com)

Green Veggie Fettuccine

12 oz. Whole Wheat Pasta (your choice)

1 Package of Frozen Lima Beans (about 1 1/2 c)

1 C Chopped Mushrooms

2 Cloves Garlic, minced

1 C Frozen Peas

2 Leeks:

(they look sort of like celery, taste like an onion) - just use the white and light green parts only.

Kosher salt and Black Pepper

3/4 C Low Fat Evaporated Milk

1 Tbl Whole Wheat Flour

2 Tbl chopped Fresh Tarragon (I used 1 tbl of dried)

1/4 C Parmesan

-Cook Pasta. Last 3 minutes of pasta cooking time, throw in Peas and Lima Beans.

- Add 2 tsp of Olive Oil to pan. Let it heat up a bit. Cute Leeks into half moons, and RINSE WELL! Add Leeks. Cook until softened slightly. (4-5 minutes). Add mushrooms and garlic. (You can add a little water if pan is too dry) Cook until leeks and mushrooms are pretty soft. (about 3 minutes more)

-Sprinkle with Flour and mix for about 20 seconds. Add Evaporated Milk and turn heat to med. Let it heat up and thicken. (the time depends) When the sauce has thickened to desired consistency add the strained pasta and veggies. (if the sauce seems to thick, and a little milk)

-Stir in Tarragon and Parmesan, S and P and serve! ENJOY!

• 
  

Pin It

Kid's Dinner

I love this! So many times I am just not up for making a full on meal.

Or I may be eating a salad for dinner and know the kids won't enjoy. :)

This is my go to!

I also pull this out when the kids are eager to 'help' with dinner or lunch.

You can use the awesome Sandwich Thins (love those), Pita's, or Whole Wheat Tortillas.

Just spread with tomato sauce (always keep this on hand),

and decorate with shredded 2% cheese, sliced olives, Canadian bacon, and anything else you desire!

Bake at 350 for about 10-15 minutes until cheese melts and they are slightly crispy

Pin It

Having Mexican?

Try this Awesome, Fresh, Simple Salad for a side Dish

Mango Avocado Salad

1 Mango Diced

1 Avocado Diced

1/2 Red Pepper Diced

1 Can Black Beans (rinsed)

2 Scallions, Chopped (green parts only)

Chopped Cilantro

2 Tbl of Lime Juice

1-2 Tbl of Olive Oil

Little bit of Salt if desired

Pin It

Fast Weeknight Dinner

This is probably one of my easiest weeknight dinners. Love it! A healthy take on the good old Fried Rice. Whenever I make Brown Rice, (always try to eat brown over white), I make TONS of it and freeze it in ziplocks. It freezes beautifully and it's so easy to throw into anything!

This one is stocked full of veggies and tofu! Another recipe from Ellie Krieger. I love her recipes - and she does a GREAT job at disguising tofu!!! Don't run away - try this!

Photo from foodnetwork.com

You can find the recipe HERE! ENJOY!!!

note: Tofu is found in the refrigerated section of the produce side of your grocery store.

Pin It