Low Calorie Hummus Recipe

Hummus, if made right, can actually help you loose weight!  Here is why: 

Did you know that you lose three times more weight you eat high-fiber, low-calorie foods?  Based on this, hummus is an appropriate food to include in a weight-loss plan because of its high fiber, low caloric count, and that it provides additional beneficial nutrients.

Fiber is good!  A half-cup serving of hummus provides 7.5 grams of fiber.  Fiber is an indigestible plant material that fills you up and slows digestion of carbohydrates, which helps regulate the release of energy between meals rather than expending it all at once. The impact reduces snack cravings and supports healthy blood glucose. It also regulates digestion, which improves metabolism.  If you serve hummus with low-calorie vegetables, such as carrots, cucumber and red pepper slices instead of bread, it will cut out at least 200 calories!

http://www.livestrong.com/article/527080-does-hummus-help-you-lose-weight/

So hummus has 9.5 grams of protein in a half cup of which slows the absorption of its 17.5 grams of carbohydrates, which prolongs the effect of energy it provides. Maximizing the efficiency of metabolism reduces your caloric requirements. This helps in weight loss because it helps prevent unhealthy peaks in blood sugar that trigger hunger and overeating.

Phew!  So now that we know Hummus is good for you, here is my version of Hummus.  I really dislike using oils when I cook so I found a way to make Hummus without any!  Eat this for a snack with some veggies instead of your normal chips or candy and watch the pounds fall off.  Here is the recipe:

• 1 can of chickpeas or garbanzo beans, drained
• 1-2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2/3 cup plain non fat Greek Yogurt
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 1 teaspoon cumin 
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
•  

In a food processor combine all ingredients until smooth and creamy.  Feel free to add more spices or lemon juice if needed. 

My favorite things to dip in Hummus:

Carrots 

Celery 

Broccoli 

Cucumber 

Cherry Tomatos

Low fat Pita Chips

Great source of protein from the yogurt and the beans and without using any oil, this makes for a very low fat recipe that will help you lose weight! 

Mexican Stuffed Peppers

Great vegetarian option for a low calorie dinner!  Here is what you will need for 2 servings:

• 2 bell peppers (red or green, your choice)
• 1 can black beans
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 small onion
• 1/2 cup low fat mozzarella cheese
• ground veggie meat (or meat or your choice)
• 3oz can corn
• green salsa
• garlic powder 
• chili powder 
• salt and pepper to taste

Preheat over to 380.  In a sauce pan, cook the onion and veggie meat together until cooked through.  Beat the eggs and add them to the pan.  Add in black beans, corn, salsa, and your seasonings.

Hollow out the peppers and stuff them with the mixture.  Top with more salsa.  Put them into the oven for 35 minutes.  Add the cheese to the top and continue cooking for a few more minutes until the cheese has melted.  Enjoy your fiesta!!!

Cinnamon Rum Cider

If you live in a place like me where the nights get down to negative 10 degrees, this recipe will save your life!  It has a sweet cider flavor with a hint of cinnamon.  Add the rum and it makes for a perfect warm drink.  Here is the recipe for the best warm drink ever, probably my best cocktail work!

• 1 packet of apple cider (I use diet cider but it can be any kind)
• 1 shot Captain Morgan Rum
• 1 shot Fireball Whiskey 
• Cinnamon for garnish 

And here we go in 3 easy steps!  Boom best drink ever!

1. Heat up a mug of hot water then add the packet of cider and stir.
2. Add the shot of Rum and Whiskey and stir
3. I usually garnish with cinnamon and a spoon full of cool whip

This drink will definitely warm you up inside in more than one way!

Chicken Fajita Lettuce Wraps

I would like to first thank my boyfriend for this recipe!  We're both trying to cut down on the carbs so I come home to a wonderful suprise of home cooked fajiti lettuce wraps!  Seriously it's crazy that a tortilla can have up to 200 calories...for just one!!!  Anyways I figure by doing this recipe and using lettuce to replace the tortilla, I'm cutting out a good 500 calories from this meal.  Here is the recipe (serves 2):

1 head of iceburg lettuce
2 boneless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 small onion
1 green or red pepper
1/2 can black beans
Salsa
lime juice
fresh cilantro to taste
Low fat cheese of your choice for topping
salt and pepper to taste

1. Cut the chicken into strips and cook on frying pan (I use cooking spray to it doesn't stick).
2. Add in onions and peppers and season with cumin, salt, and pepper.
3. Once the chicken and veggies are cooked through, serve onto a plate
4. Top the mixture with salsa, cilantro, lime juice, and cheese
5. Heat up black beans either on the stove or microwave until hot
6. Serve black beans on the side
7. Use the iceburg lettuce to wrap the mixture in and enjoy!!

Extreme Scramble Recipe, low calorie

My favorite breakfast on the weekend during a cold winter day is a nice cheesy egg scramble...without too many calories of course!   Let's do another comparison... Did you know that the IHOP’s The Big Steak Omelette has 1,490 calories?  That's pretty much saying I'm going to eat this breakfast then not eat again for the rest of the day because my calorie limit has been used up! Here is a picture of this monstrosity:  I don't think it looks that good anyways....



 Stay away!!!!

So here is the recipe for my favorite morning scramble.  It doesn't use any olive oil or too much cheese and it's very high in protein!  This will keep you full until your next meal and has less than 300 calories per serving.

For 4 servings:

8 eggs (beaten)
cooking spray 
1/2 small green pepper 
1/2 small red pepper 
1/4 small onion 
1/4 chopped zucchini  
1/3 cup low fat mozzarella cheese 
1/2 cup ground veggie meat (or lean turkey meat)
Salsa (optional for topping)
Salt and pepper to taste

Spray pan with cooking spray and add everything but the eggs and cheese.  When the meat is cooked through and veggies are tender, stir in beaten eggs and add salt and pepper.  Once the eggs are almost cooked to your liking, add cheese and stir. When plated I usually add salsa to the top for a more spicy taste! 

Here is a quick fun fact about eggs and weight loss:  So eat up!

A scientific review article published in today's Journal of the American College of Nutrition supplement reports that leucine, an essential amino acid found in high quality protein like eggs, potentially provides a weight loss advantage during dieting by helping to reduce loss of lean tissue, promote loss of body fat, and stabilize blood glucose levels.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/17154.php

Sugar Free Creamy Butterscotch Caramel Moose Dip

One of my favorite desserts!!  Sugar Free Butterscotch Caramel Moose Dip.  I make this for an after dinner snack and cut up a green apple to dip into it.  It's an easy recipe that takes only 7 minutes to prepare!  The best part?  The dip is sugar free, low fat, and has plenty of calcium!  A dessert to help you loose weight, what could be better.  Here is what you will need (4 servings).

1 package sugar free instant butterscotch pudding mix
1 tbsp sugar free cool whip 
2 cups non-fat milk
1 green apple (or any other snack you like to dip)


Prepare pudding as directed on package using the fat free milk.  Place in fridge for 5-10 minutes or until firm.  Stir in the cool whip and serve in a bowl with your favorite fruit to dip!  Enjoy the fantastic creamy flavor of this low calorie treat!

Healthy Personal Pizza!

 

An other pizza recipe!  Let's compare really fast... Did you know that one Chicago Grill Classic  Deep Dish Individual Pizza holds 2,310 calories - 165 g fat (54 g saturated) - 4,920 mg sodium - and 120 g carbs?  You are pretty much gaining one pound after eating that!  Guess how many calories this has?  About 300 for the whole thing! (more or less depending on what toppings).  Here is what you will need:

1 piece of 90 calorie Flat-Out Bread (Italian Flavor)
2 tbsp of low sugar pasta sauce (I get the one that has tomato chunks in it)
2 tsp of fresh basil or basil paste
1 packet of low calorie laughing cow cheese (any flavor, but I use blue cheese or chedder)
1/4 cup low fat mozzarella cheese 
1/4 onion, small
Green peppers or ground meat of your choice for topping!

Pre heat your oven to broil (I use my toaster oven which works great as well).  Take your Flat Out Bread and spread the layer of laughing cow cheese all over it.  Next add the basil (or basil paste) and cover with pasta sauce. Sprinkle on mozzarella cheese.  If you are using ground meat to top your pizza, cook the meat in a pan with the green peppers and onions.  Once they are all cooked through, top the pizza with the remaining ingredients.  Place pizza into oven or toaster oven and wait until cheese has melted and sides have become golden brown.  Remove and enjoy!

Healthy Chocolate Pudding Shake

For me one of the hardest things about trying to live a healthy life style was giving up chocolate shakes.  Aren't they the best??  Well guess what I found out... A Baskin-Robbins Large Chocolate Oreo Shake has 2,600 calories, 135 g fat, 1,700 mg sodium and 263 g sugar.  Wow.... Ok so that's literally how many calories I eat over 2 days!  Lucky for you though, I'm about the share the best low calorie chocolate shake recipe ever.  Here is what you will need to satisfy your sweet tooth for less than 250 calories:

1 small frozen banana (must be frozen or it won't work)
1/4 cup non fat milk
1/2 cup low calorie vanilla almond milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp. fat free sugar free instant chocolate pudding mix
2 tbsp fat free low sugar cool whip (optional for topping)

Mix all the ingredients into a blender until the pudding starts to thicken.  I use a Big Boss Blender but if you have anything like that or a the Magic Bullet Blender, it works great!  Top with the cool whip and enjoy a thick creamy treat!  It's also fun to experiment with different pudding flavors such as sugar free vanilla, banana, cheesecake, or white chocolate.  These all pair very nicely with the banana and vanilla flavor!

Low calorie panini sandwhich for lunch

This bread has saved my life when it comes to watching my calories!  I love sandwiches but when I grabbed a loaf off the shelf and saw that ONE piece of bread had 200 calories,  I thought no way.  Sandwich Thins are great because they allow you to make a great panini sandwich for less than 300 calories!  Here is my favorite recipe:

1 sandwich thin
2 slices of turkey meat
1/4 avocado
1 packet of 30 calorie laughing cow cheese (I use white cheddar flavor) 

Spread the laughing cow cheese on the bread then add the turkey and avocado.  

Though you can eat this sandwich cold, my favorite thing is to put it in the George Forman for a few minutes so the cheese gets hot and melty.  I found that this sandwich is not only a healthy choice but also is super quick to make on the run!  You can also experiment by added other veggies or different meats.