What's In My Gym Bag - Perricone Supplement

This week in my gym bag I am featuring my favorite multi vitamin - Perricone Skin & Total Body Supplements.  I have used these for years.  I take them twice a day when I am feeling drained or once a day the majority of the time.  (The directions call for twice a day.)

 The biggest change I see is that  I have a noticeable difference in my energy level.  I also find my hair and skin look and feel more healthy.  I have let myself run out of these on occasion only to find I am tired and my skin greatly suffers.  They are pricey but definitely worth the money!


You can check them out here:                                  

Saturday Secret - Ezekial Tortillas Make An Awesome Pizza Crust

Pizza is one of my favorite all time meals!  I do not always want to use that as my treat meal so I am always looking for a healthy yet satisfying alternative.  I occasionally do use whole-wheat crust but wanted something cleaner.  As any of you that have eaten Ezekiel tortillas know, they are a little thick to give you the sensation that you are actually eating a tortilla.  They break and are difficult to eat.  Although a healthy alternative to a flour or whole wheat tortilla, I have found they make a much better pizza crust!

I make mine in a toaster oven on bake and they are delish!  Here is an easy recipe to get you started:

1/4 cup all natural tomato/pasta sauce (no sugar added)
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 8" sprouted grain (Ezekiel) tortilla
1/8 cup sliced red peppers
1/8 cup sliced zucchini
1/8 cup mushrooms
1/8 cup chopped red onions
2 Tbsp. shredded mozzarella cheese (light)
2 Tbsp. shredded parmesan cheese


1.  Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2.  Combine tomato sauce, oregano & garlic in a bowl and mix well.
3.  Place tortilla on a baking sheet and spread tomato/pasta sauce on it.
4.  Top with veggies & cheeses.
5.  Bake for 8-10 minutes until cheese is bubbly.
6.  Enjoy!

Other toppings I use include spinach, ground turkey, sun-dried tomatoes and jalapenos.

Friday Faves - Finesseur Scale

I have purchased a couple of different scales, looking for the perfect one and have finally found that in the Finesseur.  It is sleek, small, light-weight and blends right in on my kitchen counter.  Whether I am baking a new dish that needs precise measurement or weighing and measuring my food for the day, the Finesseur never fails me.

You can place your container directly on the platform and then hit "tare" to zero out the container weight before weighing with your food in the container which is so convenient.  The platform is made of tempered glass and wipes clean easily.

If you are trying to accurately track your caloric intake and want to do it the traditional way with a scale, I highly recommend this one.  Do not fool yourself that you can accurately guess or estimate food weight by eye balling it.  Especially if you are just starting out on your healthy eating journey, an accurate scale is a must!

I got mine off Amazon for about $25.  Well worth the money.

Happy Friday everyone!

Fish Friday - Sicilian Swordfish

Happy Fish Friday everyone!  Here is another recipe for you to try during Lent.

Ingredients: (Serves 6)

1/3 cup dark or golden raisins
5 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1-1/2 cups ripe roma tomatoes, diced
1/3 cup black olives, chopped or whole (I prefer whole)
2 Tbsp. pine nuts
2 Tbsp. capers, rinsed
6 (1" thick) swordfish steaks with skin (2 lbs.)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper

Directions:

1. Put raisins in a bowl and cover with lukewarm water.  Soak 30 minutes.  Drain.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
3. Grease a 9X13 glass baking dish.
4. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.  Cook onion & garlic, stirring until tender (5 minutes.) Stir in raisins, tomatoes, olives, pine nuts & capers and simmer.  Cook, covered, until slightly thickened (10 minutes.)
5. Sprinkle fish with salt & pepper and arrange in baking dish.  Cover with sauce and bake until a paring knife pierces fish with no resistance and fish is cooked through (20-25 minutes.)
6. Remove skin if desired and serve 1 steak on each plate with a spoon of sauce.

Enjoy!

Nutritional Information:

346 Calories
19.7g Fat (3.3g Sat.)
31g Protein
10.5g Carbohydrates

Thirsty Thursday - La Croix Flavored Water

I love having a glass of red wine or champagne after a productive day to celebrate!  Unfortunately I would like to have that more than my personal plan allows.  I am always on the look out for something healthy that still gives me that celebratory feeling.  I have finally found a solution to my problem - La Croix sparkling flavored water.

I have tried many other flavored waters and never cared for the flavor.  I came across this in Whole Foods on my recent visit and since it was on sale decide, why not!  I chose the berry flavor and absolutely love it.

Pour it in a wine glass with some ice and it has the fizzle and feel of a glass of champagne with zero calories, carbs, salt or sugar.  It also does not have artificial sweetener which I love!

The next time you feel like celebrating and it is not your on plan day to do so, give La Croix a try.  You will be glad you did!

In Honor of National Heart Disease Awareness Month - Heart Healthy Foods.

February is Heart Disease Awareness Month.  Heart Disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women.  Adding exercise to your daily routine as well as healthy eating can do wonders for reducing your risk of heart disease, not to mention reducing your waistline.

The key to reducing your risk is clean eating (eating whole, natural foods) along with eating heart healthy foods such as fish, whole grains, fruits & vegetables, an occasional glass of red wine or piece of dark chocolate (70% cocoa or more.)  Making incremental swaps in your diet could make big differences for you.  Here are a few heart healthy foods that contain Omega-3s, Carotenoids, B-complex vitamins, C&E vitamins, phytoestrogen and phytosterols (all known to protect the heart, lower blood pressure & cholesterol):

Fish high in Omega-3s:  salmon, tuna, mackerel & trout.

Healthy nuts:  almonds or walnuts.

Hummus & Veggies:  packed with vitamins & nutrients.

Spinach:  great as a substitute for lettuce.

Berries:  Such as blueberries, strawberries & raspberries are full of phytonutrients & fiber.

Red, Yellow & Orange Veggies:  Carrots, sweet potatoes, red peppers are full of vitamins & fiber.

Flax seed:  Contains omega-3 fatty acids.  Throw them in your daily shake!

These are just a few of the foods you can work into your diet to reduce your risk of heart disease.

Cheers to healthy eating!

Two For Tuesday - Heart Healthy Red Wines

In honor of Heart Disease Awareness month, my Two for Tuesday is 2 of my favorite, economical red wines.  Red wine (in moderation of course) can help improve good (HDL) cholesterol levels, which helps prevent heart disease.  It also contains melatonin, which helps with sleep; also has antioxidants that slow aging as well as reduce fine lines and wrinkles; and can also lower the risk of breast cancer in women.  Just a few of the benefits of having a glass of vino!

The first bottle is Dreaming Tree "Crush" blended red wine.  For those of you that do not know, this wine is a wine made by Dave Matthews and  expert wine-maker Sean McKenzie.  I love Dave Matthews as an artist, so in all honesty, that is what originally drew me to this blend.  The wine has notes of vanilla and many different types of berries.  It has  a very smooth finish which I love.  It is excellent with red meats or with a cheese tray.

My second favorite wine is Josh Cellars Cabernet.  It has a deeper, richer flavor in my opinion with a spicy scent.  I taste more plum and smokiness in this than in Dreaming Tree.  This is our wine of choice at our favorite sushi place so that is my normal paring of Josh.

Both are excellent and in my area both range about $15.  If you are looking for a new red to try, these are two of my favorites.  Cheers!

National Margarita Day - Sassy Style!

Today is National Margarita Day - perfect ending to a Monday.  Love margaritas but hate the sugar and calories?

Here is a simple, skinny version for you!

2-3 fresh lime wedges
1-3 fresh orange wedges
2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
1/2 tsp. raw honey (or liquid coconut sugar)
1 cup ice
1 oz. agave tequila
1 splash sweet & sour mix
Lime slices for garnish

1.  Place the lime wedges, orange wedges, lime juice & honey in a serving glass.  Muddle until mixed well.
2.  Top with ice, tequila & mixer.  stir until mixed.
3.  Garnish with lime and enjoy!

What's In My Gym Bag Monday - G-love gloves!

I know gloves are not for everyone, but for some of us, we prefer to minimize the calluses as much as possible.  I myself being one of those people, have tried many different glove brands.  I have found most brands are huge, they come up too high on the wrist, the fabric holds an odor quickly and cannot be laundered and they are not very feminine looking, just to name a few issues!  Plus I found they did little to nothing to prevent the calluses from happening.

I found the perfect solution to all these issues.  G-loves.  They come in extra small (which I need), they are machine washable, and they have tons of awesome designs!  An added benefit I found was that the palms are perfectly padded to help minimize calluses.  I have 4 pair I alternate and will never wear anything else!

Check them out here:  www.g-loves.com  They are definite game changers!

Saturday Secrets - Sassy Barbecue Sauce

Barbecue sauce is one of my favorite condiments.  Unfortunately everything out there is full of sugar in one form or another.  Here is an awesome sassy version that contains pineapple as the sweetener. I also sub coconut sugar for the pineapple.   Even yummier!  Cheers!

Ingredients:

3 tomatoes diced

1 white onion diced

4 cloves of garlic diced

1 (6 ounce) can of tomato paste

1 cup beef stock

2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons of sweet paprika

1 teaspoon of sea salt

1 teaspoon of cayenne

1 can of diced pineapple (8 ounces for not so sweet, 20 ounces for sweet.)

Directions:

1.Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan and place on stove over medium heat, stirring frequently.

2.Once your sauce starts to boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 60 minutes

3.Once your sauce has simmered, turn off the heat & pour your sauce into a blender or food processor and run until you have a nice, smooth consistency.

4.Return to the pan to keep warm.

5. Store in the refrigerator.

Fish Friday - Sesame-Glazed Salmon

Salmon is one of my favorite meals to eat!  Here is a simple yet delicious meal.

Ingredients: (makes 4 servings)

Salmon:

Olive oil spray
2 (6-oz) salmon fillets
1 Tbsp. whole grain mustard
1 Tbsp. agave nectar
1/4 tsp. balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp. dried chili flakes
1/4 tsp. toasted sesame oil
1/4 tsp. finely chopped fresh Thai basil


Green beans:

1 lb. trimmed green beans
4 tsp. fresh dill chopped
1 Tbsp. shallot minced
1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. whole grain mustard
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. fresh ground pepper

Directions Salmon:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Line a tray with foil and spray with olive oil.  Put salmon skin side down on tray.
2. In a bowl, mix mustard, agave, vinegar, chili flakes, sesame oil and basil.  Pour on salmon.  Bake for 10 minutes or until salmon reaches 160 degrees internally.

Directions Green Beans:

1. In a saute pan, bring 1" of water to a boil.  Add green beans and cover. Cook until crisp (2-3 minutes.) Remove from heat and keep warm.
2. In a bowl, whisk together dill, shallots, olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, salt and pepper.  Add the green beans and toss to coat.  Cover and let stand 5 minutes.  Serve with salmon.


Calories:  599
Protein:  63g
Carbs: 27g
Fat: 27g

Friday Faves - Amazing Monat Hair Products

TGIF!!!  Since I am a 30+ year colorista of my hair, I am always on the look out for amazing hair products.  I recently started using the Monat Global Balance Treatment System.  Wow!  Did it ever exceed my expectations!  My hair gets easily dry and brittle from all the processing and the Replenish Mask and Restore Leave in Condition are exactly what I needed!  I use the mask every other day and the leave in condition 1-2 times per week.  (I use the shampoo daily.)  My hair is soft, shiny and feels amazing!  I also notice it is MUCH easier to style.

There are a couple of different systems based on your individual needs, a style line, as well as a line for men.  Plus I adore purchasing from someone I know.  I love supporting others building business.  I did sign up for the VIP Program.  It saves me 15% and gives me free shipping forever.  Quite a deal.

Definite thumbs up for these  amazing high quality, naturally based hair products.

You can check them out from my beautiful friend Christy here:

www.christymathews.mymonat.com

Thirsty Thursday - Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Healthy Alternative

I LOVE Shakeology.  It is one of the tools in my tool kit and the best meal replacement I have tried (and I have tried many!)  It keeps me full for several hours and helps with my sugar cravings immensely.  it is packed full of super-foods as well.

I also have been a Starbucks lover for many years but the calories and sugar content do not work into my plan.  This is a great alternative I use for for a Peppermint Mocha.  When I have the craving for one, this does the trick!

Ingredients:

4 oz. unsweetened almond milk
2 drops peppermint extract
6 coffee ice cubes
1 scoop chocolate Shakeology

(coffee ice cubes is just coffee frozen in an ice cube tray.)

Place all ingredients in blender and serve.  Yummy!

Giving up Sweets for Lent??

Sugar detox - real or imagined?  I can tell you from personal experience it is very real.  And quite painful.  Sugar detox and the severity of withdrawal symptoms are influenced by several things:  sensitivity to sugar, quantity consumed, how long you have been consuming sugar and how you stop (tapering off versus cold turkey.)

If you chose sugary treats as what you gave up for lent, you will be giving this up cold turkey and may experience more severe symptoms.  If however you simply want to cut sugar from your diet, it may be best to gradually lower sugar intake, which should lessen your withdrawal symptoms.

Common symptoms include fatigue, anxiety & irritability, depression, rapid heart rate, dizziness, headaches and poor sleep.  You may also experience flu-like symptoms.  The length of symptoms varies from a few days to a few weeks.  The most common symptom seems to be increased cravings for sugar or carbohydrates in general.

There are a few nutrients that help reduce the symptoms of withdrawal and sugar cravings.  These include B-vitamins, vitamin C, zinc, chromium and L-glutamine.  Chromium helps insulin work more efficiently by removing sugar from the blood and L-glutamine can be used as a fuel source and also helps reduce cravings.

When I cut sugar from  my diet, I personally experienced intense cravings, headache and flu-like symptoms for about a week.  The third day was the peak and then it decreased after that.  On the third day my headache was so extreme I could barely function.  Sincerely.  Now take into account that I was a 6+ a day Dr. Pepper drinker among other things.

Since eliminating refined sugar from my diet I do find I have a sensitivity to it now.  When I eat it, as in dessert for instance, if I eat more than half the serving I become physically sick at my stomach.  Therefore when I do have a treat meal that involves sugar, I make sure it is a very small amount.

I have had nothing but positive results since eliminating refined sugar.  My energy level is higher, my mood is happier, my skin and hair is shinier and healthier.  I also do not have swelling in my face as I did before.

In my opinion, if your goal is to begin a clean eating plan, elimination of sugar is the place to start.  And if you gave this up for Lent, you are well on your way!

Cheers!

Two for Tuesday - Olive Oil - Like Wine There IS a Difference

I've often wondered if there really IS a difference in brands and quality of olive oil.  Virgin, extra-virgin??  What really is the difference??  According to 60 minutes, olive oil is now a 16 billion, yes billion with a B, dollar a year industry.

Unfortunately, there seems to be a large amount of fraud involved in the sale/production of olive oil due to the corruption by the Mafia.  So many oils are titled "extra virgin from Italy" when they may not be as pure as stated or may not contain any olive oil at all!  They may in fact be sunflower oil or a mixture of oils that give the appearance of olive oil.

True extra-virgin olive oil comes from the first pressing of the olive harvest and contains no additives.
I had the pleasure of visiting a gourmet olive oil & balsamic shop this weekend and was sincerely overwhelmed at the difference in taste and quality.  We had a mixologist of sorts that made us various combinations of olive oil and balsamic vinegar and the difference was absolutely amazing.  We also got to compare the gourmet oil with a store brand, Bertoli, which I have used regularly.  The difference in taste, color and consistency was very noticeable.

There were fused and infused olive oils as well as dark and light infused balsamic vinegars.  We left there with 12, yes 12 various bottles.  I cooked with mild olive oil and the difference in flavor produced was actually shocking. I cooked a simple meal of chicken and vegetables and the quality oil enhanced the flavor of the meal so much. My family noticed and commented on the improved flavor and wondered if I had changed the recipe!

So yes, there IS a difference in olive oil brands.  You must be cautious not to fall prey to fake or low quality brands though.  Inspect your label carefully.  Is the oil actually made in Italy?  Or is it just a beautiful picture of an Italian background?  If it is actually produced in Italy, where?  Go for a well known olive oil producing city such as Sicily or Puglia.

You can also purchase online from Italian producers such as Nicolo Clemenza or Iannotta Oil.

There are also various producers in California, if freshness is a factor for you.  Also look at cost.  If you are paying $7-$8 a bottle, its probably not olive oil.  I suggest visiting a gourmet store as I did this weekend when I had the pleasure of visiting Redstone.  It was not just a store, it was truly an experience.  (https://redstoneoliveoil.com)

Cheers!

What's In My Gym Bag

I get asked a lot of questions about products I use, so I thought I would start sharing what's in my gym bag with you every Monday!  Since today is the first post I wanted to share my actual bag with you.

I am a HUGE advocate and lover of 6 pack bags and have been for several years.  They are awesome meal management bags.  I have had several and this is one of two I use now.  Well, I don't actually use the other one, I just stare at it since I won it from 6 Pack and it is autographed by Dana Linn Bailey herself!

Anywho, one of my philosophies is  "you fail to plan, you plan to fail" so I LOVE being able to carry a few meals on the go with me when I will be out and about for several hours.  The "Camille" bag that I carry allows me to take 4 snacks/meals with me on the go!  It comes with 4 snap lid containers and a sports nutrition compact.  It is kept cool by 2 gel packs that last about 8 hours or so when frozen.  (Fantastic on a plane trip.)

On top of the container section, is one large section which holds TONS of stuff.  There is also a slot for your laptop which is a really cool idea.  There are several smaller pockets inside to store your gear!

If you are looking for a meal management bag (they have purses, briefcases, you name it)  I highly recommend 6 Pack Bags.  (Not an affiliate, just a fan!)

Next week will will start exploring the contents!  Have a fantastic week everyone!

Saturday Secrets - Chicken Fajitas

Chicken Fajitas

(Makes 4 servings, 2 fajitas each) 

1 tsp.               chili powder

½ tsp.              sea salt or Himalayan salt

½ tsp.              ground cumin

¼ tsp.              garlic powder

2 tsp.               olive oil, divided use

4 (5-6 oz.)       raw chicken breasts, boneless & skinless, cut into ½ inch strips

1                      medium red or green bell pepper cut into strips

1                      medium onion, thinly sliced

1 Tbsp.            fresh lime juice

8                      large romaine or butter lettuce leaves

½                     medium avocado, thinly sliced

1 cup               fresh salsa (no sugar added)

                        lime wedges for garnish

1.  Combine chili powder, salt, cumin, garlic powder & 1 tsp. oil in a large zip lock bag.
2. Add chicken, bell pepper & onion and mix gently to coat.
3. Heat remaining 1 tsp. oil in large nonstick skillet over medium high heat.
4. Empty contents of bag into skillet; cook, stirring frequently for 5-6 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
5. Remove from heat and add lime juice.
6. Evenly top lettuce leaves with chicken mixture, avocado & salsa.
7. Garnish with lime wedges.

Secret Tip:  Substitute non-fat yogurt for sour cream.  Tastes just as yummy and a much healthier option!   

Friday Faves 2/12

In honor of Valentines Day, my Friday faves are all about my sweet tooth!

I've truly have learned to LOVE💗 dark chocolate and these are a couple of my favorites.

All Ghirardelli blends I've tried are yummy but the sea salt and almond and the Cabernet  are off the charts! If you love wine and chocolate grab a glass of cab and the Cabernet bar. Pure heaven! 

I also love Lindt chocolate, specifically the orange. (There is also chili and several other flavors that are yummy.) It finishes with an amazingly intense orange flavor! 

I saved the best for last, Alter Eco dark chocolate with quinoa. I know quinoa may seem odd but if you love a Nestle crunch, this will be your new best friend! 

Cheers my friends! Happy & healthy Valentines Day! ❤️

Fish Friday - Shrimp Tacos With Chipotle

In honor of Lent and fish Fridays, I will be featuring a fish recipe each week!  This week it will be Shrimp Tacos With Chipotle.


Ingredients (Serves 6):

12 corn tortillas
6 oz turkey bacon
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 lbs. raw large shrimp, peeled & deveined & cut in half lengthwise
2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
2 Tbsp. adobo sauce
2 limes cut into wedges
Lettuce, Onion, Cilantro for garnish as desired

1. Cook bacon until brown and remove from pan.
2. Add olive oil to pan, let warm up.
3. Add onion and cook until translucent (4-5 minutes.)
4. Add shrimp and cook until pink (about 3-4 minutes.)
5. Add turkey bacon back in, with chipotle peppers and adobo sauce.
6. Heat until warm.
7. Warm corn tortillas in a pan, microwave or over the burner.
8.  Fill tortillas with shrimp mixture and serve with lime wedges and lettuce/onion/cilantro as desired.

Nutritional Information:

Per 2 Taco Serving:

357 Calories
9.5g Fat (2.5g sat)
33g Protein
35g Carb
3.6g Fiber
378 mg Sodium

Sweets for Your Sweetie

Valentines Day is right around the corner!  If you are planning on having or giving some of your favorite chocolates, you might want to check this out.

According to Oxygen Magazine, candy is one of the TOP gifts on Valentines Day (as if we did not know that already.)  If you plan on indulging, this is what you will need to do to burn it off!

6 Dove dark chocolate hearts (220 calories) - 30 minutes of elliptical trainer
4 Godiva chocolate covered strawberries (160 calories) - 20 minute of circuit training
24 Conversation hearts (120 calories) - 30 minutes of pingpong
3 Russell Stover chocolates (250 calories) - 40 minutes of downhill skiing
10 Valentines gummy bears (90 calories) - 20 minutes of line dancing
9 Hershey's Hugs (210 calories) - 60 minutes of walking (3 mph)
1 heart-shaped York Peppermint Pattie (480 calories) - 90 minutes of intense skiing
28 Valentine's M&Ms (142 calories) - 15 minutes of jump rope!


Indulge in moderation and be sure to choose wisely!  Check out my blog yesterday on dark chocolate.  Its an amazing alternative!

Happy Valentines Day 💗

Valentines Day - a day where approximately one billion cards are exchanged! (85% purchased by women.) Where did this holiday and these traditions come from? That was a lingering question I had.

It seems Valentines Day, as relating to romance, dates back to the Middle Ages. In France & England, it was believed that February 14th was the beginning of the birds mating system, which added to the idea of a day of romance.

Written valentines didn't appear until about 1400 and by the middle of the 1800s it became common to exchange tokens of love and handwritten notes.  But how did we go from tokens of affection and handwritten notes to $100 flowers and chocolate??  A question for another day.

I love the thought of small gifts and hand written notes.  Not so big on $100 flowers or tons of sugary candy that shoot your blood sugar through the roof! (And especially not for our children.)

If your sweetheart LOVES chocolate (as most of us do), why not opt for a healthier version this year?  Dark Chocolate! (Dark Chocolate has a higher cocoa content, preferably 65% or more.) If you need a few health reasons to give this a try, below are just a few of the potential health benefits:

1. Dark Chocolate is very nutritious!  (It has fiber and is loaded with minerals.)
2. It is an excellent source of antioxidants.
3. It may lower blood pressure.
4. Dark chocolate may lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.
5. And last but not least, it may improve your brain function.

Although dark chocolate was something I had to learn to love, I personally have some (a square or two) regularly.  Give it a try for the one you love this year!  And Happy Valentines Week everyone!

Helpful Hint to Prevent that Superbowl Hangover!

Planning on indulging today at your Super Bowl festivities?  If so, the best way to prevent drinking too much and prevent that dreaded Monday morning hangover is to drink a glass of water with or between every alcoholic drink.  This helps ensure you stay hydrated!

Happy Superbowl everyone!

Sassy Superbowl Chocolate Chip Cookies

For those of you with a sweet tooth, this is a great sassy version of chocolate chip cookies!

Ingredients: (makes 25 cookies)

3 cups almond flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. Himalayan salt

1/4 cup extra-virgin coconut oil, melted

1/4 cup coconut syrup (or pure maple syrup)

1 large egg

1/4 cup egg whites 

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Combine almond flour, baking soda & salt in a bowl and mix well.  

3. Beat oil & syrup with a mixer until creamy.

4. Add egg, egg whites & extract and beat for an additional 2 minutes.  

5. Add almond flour mixture to egg mixture and mix well.

6. Add chocolate chips and mix until blended.

7.  Drop by tablespoon full onto baking sheets covered in parchment paper.  Flatten cookies with spatula.  Bake for 14-16 minutes into golden brown.

Enjoy!

Superbowl Zucchini Pizza Bites

Love bagel bites like I do??  This is an awesome alternative to those pesky bagels and tastes amazing!

Ingredients: (Serves 2)

1/2 - 1 cup tomato sauce (no sugar added)

1 zucchini, thinly sliced 

5 Tbsp. shredded Parmesan or light shredded mozzarella

garlic powder

crushed red pepper

Directions:

1. Set oven to broil.

2. Place zucchini on a baking pan covered with parchment paper.

3. Spray with olive or coconut oil and sprinkle garlic and red pepper.

4. Broil until zucchini starts to brown.

5. Remove from oven and flip zucchini and season with garlic & red pepper.

6. Top each zucchini with sauce, cheese and return to oven until cheese is golden & melted.

Enjoy!

Superbowl Chipotle Black Bean Dip

Here is another awesome dip for your Super Bowl celebration!  Remember to switch out your traditional corn chips for "Beanitos" restaurant style chips to keep it sassy!

Ingredients:  (10 Servings)

2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
2 Tbs. lime juice
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. cumino
1/3 cup cilantro leaves
2 cans (15 oz.) black beans, drained & rinsed
Himalayan salt to taste


In a food processor, combine the peppers, lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder, cumino and cilantro. Grind until they form a paste.  Add 3/4 of the black beans and grind until mashed.  Stir in the remaining beans and season with salt.

For a more authentic recipe, use a molcajete instead of your food processor!

Friday Favorites 2/5/16

Happy Friday everyone!  Every Friday I am going to showcase 2 of my favorite products! 

This week in honor of Super Bowl, I have chosen Beanitos restaurant style chips as one of my faves!  I am a HUGE chip & dip person so I am always looking for a way to make a sassy version of dips and especially chips!   You will see these chips noted in my recipes.  They are an awesome substitution for regular tortilla chips!  Sincerely.  I love the restaurant style chip because It has the taste and consistency of a regular chip.  They also have a pinto bean version which I eat as well, however with dip, they feel like you are eating beans rather than a chip.  I HIGHLY recommend these!  I get mine at sprouts but have also seen them at wal-mart.  (Remember these are made with beans so you might go lightly when first eating.)

My 2nd favorite product this week, in honor of Super Bowl (as well as upcoming Valentines Day) is woodwork wine!  If you love a big red, you will adore this one.  It has an amazingly smooth finish!  You will taste chocolate, vanilla, coconut and blackberry.  When I celebrate, red wine is my preferred drink.

Red wine has several health benefits (in moderation of course!)  It contains melatonin, which helps with sleep; helps prevent heart disease; red wine also has antioxidants that slow aging as well as reduce fine lines and wrinkles (and who does not want that??); and can also lower the risk of breast cancer in women.  Just a few of the benefits of having a glass of vino!  

Happy Friday everyone!

Sassy Superbowl Chili

Who doesn't love chili for super bowl??  Here is an awesome, healthy recipe for the crock pot so you can spend less time cooking and more time playing!  Throw it on in the morning and it will be perfect by game time!

Ingredients:

1 small yellow onion
2 cloves garlic
1 14.5 oz can fire roasted tomatoes with juice
1 15 oz can black beans
1 lb turkey breast, ground
1 bayleaf
3/4 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp oregano
1/8 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp coarse grind pepper
2 tbsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1.5 cup water

Directions:

1. Put veggies and beans in the bottom of the crock pot.
2. Layer ground turkey breast, spices, seasoning and water next.
3. Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
4. Stir and check seasonings & season to taste.
5. Cook for an additional 20-30 minutes on low. Enjoy!

Superbowl Veggie Dip

This is a great healthy alternative to go with a beautiful tray of fresh veggies!

Ingredients:

2 Tbs. Nonfat greek yogurt

1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese

3/4 tsp. fresh dill

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1-1/2 tsp. green onion, finely chopped

1/2 tsp. onion powder

1 Tbs. fresh parsley

2 tsp. lemon juice

Himalayan sea salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Mix ingredients together and serve chilled.  Enjoy!

Superbowl Sassy Guacamole

Here is an excellent guacamole recipe to knock everyone's socks off!  To keep this version sassy, try some "Beanitos" restaurant style chips.  They are an excellent alternative to traditional tortilla chips.  I purchase mine at Sprouts but have also seen them at wal-mart.

Ingredients: (This serves 6)

1 Roma tomato, finely chopped

2 Tbs. diced onion

2 Serrano chilis, finely chopped

1 Tbs. lime juice

1/2 tsp. minced garlic

1/2 tsp. Himalayan sea salt

2 large avocados

2 Tbs. finely chopped cilantro.

Directions:

Mix by hand and enjoy!

My Love Affair With Coffee

Coffee and I never really were a thing until my early 20s.  I never quite acquired the taste for it.  (Now i realize I never really had great coffee!)  Coffee was always a social thing and I always refused, never realizing the implications of that to the hostess until my sweet hubby pointed it out one day.  So, my journey began!

I could drink it on social occasions as long as it was drenched in cream and sugar!  Had to drown out that taste!  Then over time and lifestyle changes,  I became familiar with a home delivery service called Gevalia!  What a deal!  They sent you a free coffee pot and everything!  This habit continued for several years until I had an entire freezer full of Gevalia and realized it was time to shut that down as they sent more than we could ever possibly drink.

It was through that process that I realized I really did like to have a cup of coffee.  (A cup.  I was never a several cup or pot kind of girl.)  I started having a cup after dinner (No it doesn't keep me up.  I can drink coffee at midnight and fall fast asleep.)  I loved it with desert after an amazing meal.

Then came along the Keurig!  What a deal that was for someone like me that only wanted one cup!  It was perfection.  And then the variety was off the charts!  I could drink a different kind of coffee every day!  Until the machine suddenly quit.   I repeated this process 3 times with 3 different machines over a couple of years, always ending up with the same result.

Enter Starbucks Verismo!  The first machine I bought I had to promptly return as it would not work but my second machine was just fine.  Although the machine is still working, it will only use Starbucks coffee and unfortunately even the blonde is WAY too strong for me!

While shopping in Williams-Sonoma recently, the sweet ladies entertained my hubby with crepes and a fresh cup of coffee.  He loved it and of course called me over the check it out!  I was instantly in love when I saw the milk frother!  What an amazing idea that was!  I had a cup as well and knew this was exactly what I had been searching for all these years.

Below is a picture of my newest treasure! I HIGHLY recommend it!  The coffee is phenomenal.

Super Bowl Pizza - Sassy Style

I love Super Bowl (mainly because of the commercials) and always have!  It is such a festive time to be with your family and friends.  One downfall is all the unhealthy snacks out there!  If that is your planned cheat meal, more power to you!  But if not, I like to take some of my favorite foods and add a little sass to them to end up with a healthier version!

My absolute favorite Super Bowl food is pizza!  Just by changing a few ingredients, you can create a much healthier version.  Change your crust to whole wheat (check for added sugar in the ingredient list.)  There are several pre-made crusts out there that do not have added sugar, and these are the ones you want.  You can find them at wal-mart and target.  No need to run to whole foods, unless you just want to.

Next, check your sauce for added sugar.  If it is in there, select a different brand.  Even if it is a brand you normally buy (for me it was market pantry at target) they do change the ingredients as I learned this week!  That has been my go to for a long time and sadly, it is no longer.

Thirdly, opt for some reduced fat cheese instead of full fat.  It tastes just as good, I promise!

Last but not least, if you are a meat lover, try ground turkey as a substitute for ground beef.  It is awesome and so much healthier for you!

You will be pleasantly surprised at how great your sassy pizza tastes.  My whole family loves it when I make pizza and actually, this is the only version my 14 year old will eat!

Happy and healthy Super Bowl!