This is a great alternative to lunch meat for sandwiches. We love it at our house and it can be adjusted for your family's likes and dislikes. I love to make a fairly big batch so I can use it for my lunches during the week. This tastes great in pita bread, any type of roll, multi-grain wraps or on bread. Its amazing on croissants but they are sooooo not on my diet! You could also eat it on a big bed of lettuce.
3 chicken breasts, cooked and diced
1 can mandarin oranges, drained
4 ribs of celery
1 c c'raisins OR grapes (halved)
1/2 c sunflower seeds
1/2 c slivered almonds (if desired)
1/2 c sweetened flaked coconut
1 t curry powder (if desired)
Mix together with 1 - 2 cups of Kraft mayo (I only use the one made with olive oil - half the fat but the same taste as regular).
Servings depends on the amount used!
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Healthy Holiday Salad
K - this one can actually be counted as fairly healthy. And its way easy! Some kids don't love the texture but most adults really like this salad.
1 large tub fat free cottage cheese
1 large box desired flavor of Jell-O (if you use sugar free, it helps with the "healthy" part of the title)
1 medium sized tub whipped topping (fat free or light)
1 can mandarin oranges
1 c berries (type of berries depends on flavor of Jell-O used)
1 or 2 sliced bananas
1 can crushed pineapple (if desired)
Mix cottage cheese and Jell-O together. Stir in fruit then fold in whipped topping. Chill for one hour before serving. Makes about 8 - 10 servings.
1 large tub fat free cottage cheese
1 large box desired flavor of Jell-O (if you use sugar free, it helps with the "healthy" part of the title)
1 medium sized tub whipped topping (fat free or light)
1 can mandarin oranges
1 c berries (type of berries depends on flavor of Jell-O used)
1 or 2 sliced bananas
1 can crushed pineapple (if desired)
Mix cottage cheese and Jell-O together. Stir in fruit then fold in whipped topping. Chill for one hour before serving. Makes about 8 - 10 servings.
Fat Free Cotton Candy Salad
This salad is a great one to help with sweet cravings. Its also great because kids love it and it makes a lot! Perfect for buffets or when you have to bring a salad (or even a dessert).
1 can cherry pie filling (can get the no sugar added if desired)
1 can fat free sweetened condensed milk
1 8 oz tub fat free whipped topping
2 cans mandarin oranges, drained
1 - 2 c marshmallows if desired
Stir together pie filling, sweetened condensed milk, oranges and marshmallows if desired. Then fold in whipped topping and chill for at least 2 hours before serving. Makes about 16 side dish servings.
1 can cherry pie filling (can get the no sugar added if desired)
1 can fat free sweetened condensed milk
1 8 oz tub fat free whipped topping
2 cans mandarin oranges, drained
1 - 2 c marshmallows if desired
Stir together pie filling, sweetened condensed milk, oranges and marshmallows if desired. Then fold in whipped topping and chill for at least 2 hours before serving. Makes about 16 side dish servings.
Black Bean Salsa
This is an awesome recipe when you are asked to bring an appetizer or something to share at a party. Serve with baked tortilla chips or baked multi-grain crackers for a very healthy version!
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can black eyed peas, drained and rinsed
1 - 2 cans corn
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
1/2 medium onion chopped (sweet purple is the best)
1 chopped red bell pepper
1 chopped green bell pepper
minced garlic to taste
1 t sugar
1 t cumin
1 avocado, diced, if desired
fat free Zesty Italian dressing
Mix all ingredients together except dressing. Then coat with dressing and toss. You can add other items if you would like. Some nummy additions are mandarin oranges, diced fresh tomatoes, diced green chilies (or jalapenos if you like it hot).
I know this is high in carbs but it is also really high in fiber, vitamins and protein and other healthy stuff!
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can black eyed peas, drained and rinsed
1 - 2 cans corn
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
1/2 medium onion chopped (sweet purple is the best)
1 chopped red bell pepper
1 chopped green bell pepper
minced garlic to taste
1 t sugar
1 t cumin
1 avocado, diced, if desired
fat free Zesty Italian dressing
Mix all ingredients together except dressing. Then coat with dressing and toss. You can add other items if you would like. Some nummy additions are mandarin oranges, diced fresh tomatoes, diced green chilies (or jalapenos if you like it hot).
I know this is high in carbs but it is also really high in fiber, vitamins and protein and other healthy stuff!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Stroganoff
We don't use ground beef anymore. However, we do use ground extra lean venison and elk and lots of ground turkey and chicken breasts. This is a great easy recipe to use ground meats!
1 lb ground lean meat (your choice)
1/2 onion, diced
2 cans reduced sodium beef broth
1 t pepper
1 16 oz carton fat free sour cream
whole grain pasta or brown rice or mashed potatoes
Brown the meat and the onions in a large frying pan. Feel free to sneak in other veggies if you want - shredded zucchini is really easy to hide in this recipe! Once meat is completely cooked, pour beef broth over the top and bring to a simmer. Sitr in sour cream and pepper over medium low heat. When everything is completely combined and warmed through, serve over pasta, rice or potatoes. Another great addition to this recipe is fresh mushrooms if your family likes them!
1 lb ground lean meat (your choice)
1/2 onion, diced
2 cans reduced sodium beef broth
1 t pepper
1 16 oz carton fat free sour cream
whole grain pasta or brown rice or mashed potatoes
Brown the meat and the onions in a large frying pan. Feel free to sneak in other veggies if you want - shredded zucchini is really easy to hide in this recipe! Once meat is completely cooked, pour beef broth over the top and bring to a simmer. Sitr in sour cream and pepper over medium low heat. When everything is completely combined and warmed through, serve over pasta, rice or potatoes. Another great addition to this recipe is fresh mushrooms if your family likes them!
Rosemary Chicken and Beans - Slow Cooker
6 4 oz boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 cans great northern beans, drained and rinsed
1 c fresh sliced carrots
1 c chopped celery
2/3 c fat free zesty Italian dressing
2 t dried rosemary, crushed
1/2 t salt
1 t black pepper
Place chicken, beans, carrots and celery in a sprayed slow cooker. In a small bowl, combine other ingredients. Pour over chicken and vegetables. Cover and cook on low for 4 - 6 hours.
2 cans great northern beans, drained and rinsed
1 c fresh sliced carrots
1 c chopped celery
2/3 c fat free zesty Italian dressing
2 t dried rosemary, crushed
1/2 t salt
1 t black pepper
Place chicken, beans, carrots and celery in a sprayed slow cooker. In a small bowl, combine other ingredients. Pour over chicken and vegetables. Cover and cook on low for 4 - 6 hours.
A Healthier Cheesecake - and easy too!
Notice, I didn't say a HEALTHY cheesecake because I think that may be impossible. But healthier is a good thing, right?
1 8 oz pkg fat free cream cheese, softened
1/2 c powdered sugar
2 t vanilla
1/4 to 1/2 c of milk, depending on desired consistency
1 small tub whipped topping (light)
1 can desired pie filling
1 low fat graham cracker crust
Whip cream cheese, sugar and vanilla together - if too thick, add milk. When well combined, fold in whipped topping. Spoon into pie crust and refrigerate for at least an hour. Right before serving, cover with pie filling.
1 8 oz pkg fat free cream cheese, softened
1/2 c powdered sugar
2 t vanilla
1/4 to 1/2 c of milk, depending on desired consistency
1 small tub whipped topping (light)
1 can desired pie filling
1 low fat graham cracker crust
Whip cream cheese, sugar and vanilla together - if too thick, add milk. When well combined, fold in whipped topping. Spoon into pie crust and refrigerate for at least an hour. Right before serving, cover with pie filling.
Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken
1 can cream of tomato soup
3/4 c vinegar ( i just use white but whatever you have works)
1/4 c brown sugar
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp dried basil
1 medium onion, chopped, if desired
6 4 oz pieces of boneless, skinless chicken breast
Combine all ingredients except chicken in a bowl. Place chicken in a sprayed slow cooker. Pour sauce mixture over top of chicken. Cook on low for 6 - 8 hours or on high for 4 hours. I recommend the low setting!
3/4 c vinegar ( i just use white but whatever you have works)
1/4 c brown sugar
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp dried basil
1 medium onion, chopped, if desired
6 4 oz pieces of boneless, skinless chicken breast
Combine all ingredients except chicken in a bowl. Place chicken in a sprayed slow cooker. Pour sauce mixture over top of chicken. Cook on low for 6 - 8 hours or on high for 4 hours. I recommend the low setting!
Sweet Potato Pie - Lite version
1 large yam or sweet potato (1 lb)
1 T butter or margarine
1/2 c brown sugar
1/3 c white sugar
1 T flour
1/2 c milk (for a firmer pie, use fat free half and half)
4 egg whites
1 1/2 t ground cinnamon
1 t ground nutmeg
1 t vanilla extract
1 9 inch unbaked pie crust
Stab sweet potato or yam with fork and wrap in tin foil. Bake at 400 for about an hour. Remove skin and allow to cool.
Once cool, mash somewhat with a fork, add all other ingredients (except crust) and mix well with an electric mixer. Pour into pie crust and bake at 350 for 55 - 60 min or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool before serving.
Basically, the pie crust is the only "bad" thing in this recipe. I experimented with a crust made with mashed pinto beans instead of shortening but it still needs lots of tweaking before I put it on here. If you want to avoid the fat, just don't eat the crust! :) This has become one of my family's favorite desserts and I make it once a week. I don't mind since its actually pretty healthy!
1 T butter or margarine
1/2 c brown sugar
1/3 c white sugar
1 T flour
1/2 c milk (for a firmer pie, use fat free half and half)
4 egg whites
1 1/2 t ground cinnamon
1 t ground nutmeg
1 t vanilla extract
1 9 inch unbaked pie crust
Stab sweet potato or yam with fork and wrap in tin foil. Bake at 400 for about an hour. Remove skin and allow to cool.
Once cool, mash somewhat with a fork, add all other ingredients (except crust) and mix well with an electric mixer. Pour into pie crust and bake at 350 for 55 - 60 min or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool before serving.
Basically, the pie crust is the only "bad" thing in this recipe. I experimented with a crust made with mashed pinto beans instead of shortening but it still needs lots of tweaking before I put it on here. If you want to avoid the fat, just don't eat the crust! :) This has become one of my family's favorite desserts and I make it once a week. I don't mind since its actually pretty healthy!
Creamy No Fat Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes seem to be one of the dieters enemies. With this version, it adds extra vitamins and no fat but is just as tasty!
4 - 6 medium red potatoes, scrubbed but not peeled
1/2 medium head cabbage, chopped
1 c cauliflower
1 can great northern beans, drained and rinsed
Boil all together in salted water until potatoes are completely tender. Drain WELL! Add 4 oz of fat free cream cheese. Then with an electric hand mixer, blend together. If a thinner consistency is desired, use fat free half and half. Salt and pepper to taste.
4 - 6 medium red potatoes, scrubbed but not peeled
1/2 medium head cabbage, chopped
1 c cauliflower
1 can great northern beans, drained and rinsed
Boil all together in salted water until potatoes are completely tender. Drain WELL! Add 4 oz of fat free cream cheese. Then with an electric hand mixer, blend together. If a thinner consistency is desired, use fat free half and half. Salt and pepper to taste.
Orange Honey Glazed Turkey Breast
This is how we cooked our turkey breast for Thanksgiving. It was so tasty!
Remove skin from turkey breast - we didn't use a whole turkey because the white meat is the best for you
Then rinse off turkey and rinse out cavitiy.
Mix 1/2 c of orange juice concentrate and 1/2 c honey
Pour half of that mixture over the top of the turkey.
Rub it with ground sage and dried thyme leaves.
Cook in a cooking bag with onions, celery and bay leaves according to weight directions on cooking bags.
When done, remove from cooking bag, pour remaining sauce over turkey breast and return to oven, uncovered for about 15 - 20 minutes.
If you want gravy, don't use these drippings - they don't make good gravy!
Remove skin from turkey breast - we didn't use a whole turkey because the white meat is the best for you
Then rinse off turkey and rinse out cavitiy.
Mix 1/2 c of orange juice concentrate and 1/2 c honey
Pour half of that mixture over the top of the turkey.
Rub it with ground sage and dried thyme leaves.
Cook in a cooking bag with onions, celery and bay leaves according to weight directions on cooking bags.
When done, remove from cooking bag, pour remaining sauce over turkey breast and return to oven, uncovered for about 15 - 20 minutes.
If you want gravy, don't use these drippings - they don't make good gravy!
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