Our family friend from Iran makes this at his bbq's and its one of my FAVORITES! It goes wonderful with a nice grilled chicken kabob, non-fat greek yogurt, pita break, and feta. You can leave out the pita bread if you want it to be carb free and just eat it all mixed in a bowl together.
Ingredients
4 pickling cucumbers
4 roma tomatoes
1/2 onion chopped
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup of extra virgin olive oil
2 TBS dried mint
1 TBS salt (mortons has something called Half Salt and its half the sodium of normal salt)
1 TBS Pepper (I usually add a little less)
1 tsp of sugar or splenda
Chop and mix all of the above, refridgerate to chill. Serve on warm food.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
MIA
Sorry I have been MIA! I have been working on new recipes and healthy changes :) I have a lot of really yummy recipes to post in the next few weeks. I have also started increasing my exercise and counting my calories, carbs, sugars and adding protein, veggies, fruits and healthy fats.
I am coming close to my 30 lb mark and I am super excited! I want to be down a total of 35 lbs by Thanksgiving.
Thanks for reading my blog! If you have any yummy/healthy recipes to contribute, please leave a comment or message!
I am coming close to my 30 lb mark and I am super excited! I want to be down a total of 35 lbs by Thanksgiving.
Thanks for reading my blog! If you have any yummy/healthy recipes to contribute, please leave a comment or message!
Salad/Sandwich
Ingredients
2 Romaine lettuce leaves
2 slices of tomato
few slices of cucumber or avacado (avacado gives you your healthy fat)
deli style meat (I go for ones that are lower sodium without added honey)
1 white protein (a piece of provolone, swiss cheese, crumbled feta or a scoop of cottage cheese)
a few splashes of red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, or Franks Red Hot (mild) sauce.
*Use the romaine lettuce as the "bread" on each side. Pile on the goodies and enjoy the flavors, protein and veggies for a healthy snack or lunch (this is great with an apple)
2 Romaine lettuce leaves
2 slices of tomato
few slices of cucumber or avacado (avacado gives you your healthy fat)
deli style meat (I go for ones that are lower sodium without added honey)
1 white protein (a piece of provolone, swiss cheese, crumbled feta or a scoop of cottage cheese)
a few splashes of red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, or Franks Red Hot (mild) sauce.
*Use the romaine lettuce as the "bread" on each side. Pile on the goodies and enjoy the flavors, protein and veggies for a healthy snack or lunch (this is great with an apple)
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Shrimp Tacos
I LOVE these and will make them again (and again). They were so full of flavor and just delicious!
(2 servings)
Ingredients
200 grams of shrimp (I weight when I removed the shells and thawed them)
3 TBS lime juice
bunch of cilantro
1/4-1/3 cup of fresh salsa or pico
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp garlic powder
few shakes of Franks Red Hot Sauce
Romain lettuce as a taco shell (if you are allowing carbs, you can use taco shells or wheat tortillas)
Directions
Cook the above (except the lettuce leaves) on your skillet
add cooked shrimp to a bowl and scoop into your lettuce
non-hcg dieters-
you could add a little extra pico or salsa to your tacos
you can use taco shells or wheat tortillas, a pinch of cheese and some low fat sour cream or plain non-fat greek yogurt.
(2 servings)
Ingredients
200 grams of shrimp (I weight when I removed the shells and thawed them)
3 TBS lime juice
bunch of cilantro
1/4-1/3 cup of fresh salsa or pico
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp garlic powder
few shakes of Franks Red Hot Sauce
Romain lettuce as a taco shell (if you are allowing carbs, you can use taco shells or wheat tortillas)
Directions
Cook the above (except the lettuce leaves) on your skillet
add cooked shrimp to a bowl and scoop into your lettuce
non-hcg dieters-
you could add a little extra pico or salsa to your tacos
you can use taco shells or wheat tortillas, a pinch of cheese and some low fat sour cream or plain non-fat greek yogurt.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Chicken Cacciatore
I have another version of this and its not as healthy, both have tons of flavor and go good with wheat pasta or brown rice. I just ate it plain with the veggies to make it carb free :)
Ingredients
2 chicken breasts cut in half (100 gram pieces)
2 large tomatoes finely diced/pureed in a food processor
1 tomato, chopped
1/2 of a yellow onion, chopped
2 tbs of Balsamic Vinegar
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
a bunch of parsley, chopped
juice from 1 lemon
salt and pepper to taste
garlic powder and onion powder to taste
dash of hot sauce (Tabasco or Franks Red Hot)
3 drops of stevia (or 1 tsp of sugar or splenda)
Extra add ins-
1 green bell pepper cut in strips
1 red bell pepper cut in strips
sliced mushrooms
Directions
Usually I cook the chicken with the juices, but for this healthier version, I grilled them on the George Foreman Grill. I seasoned with salt and pepper
Add tomatoes, garlic, onions and pepper and saute on high about 5 minutes
add seasonings and vinegar, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes
add chopped parsley, stir and serve
Ingredients
2 chicken breasts cut in half (100 gram pieces)
2 large tomatoes finely diced/pureed in a food processor
1 tomato, chopped
1/2 of a yellow onion, chopped
2 tbs of Balsamic Vinegar
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
a bunch of parsley, chopped
juice from 1 lemon
salt and pepper to taste
garlic powder and onion powder to taste
dash of hot sauce (Tabasco or Franks Red Hot)
3 drops of stevia (or 1 tsp of sugar or splenda)
Extra add ins-
1 green bell pepper cut in strips
1 red bell pepper cut in strips
sliced mushrooms
Directions
Usually I cook the chicken with the juices, but for this healthier version, I grilled them on the George Foreman Grill. I seasoned with salt and pepper
Add tomatoes, garlic, onions and pepper and saute on high about 5 minutes
add seasonings and vinegar, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes
add chopped parsley, stir and serve
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
These are a few of my FAVORITE (diet) Things!
~Franks Red Hot Sauce- buffalo flavor or Mild Hot Sauce. You can grill up a chicken breast and drizzle a little of this baby on it to get rid your "buffalo wings" craving. Its delish!
~Jello Mousse. Sugar Free and only 60 Calories. What a wonderful dessert substitute!
~Jimmy Dean D-Lights (Canadian Bacon Honey Wheat Muffin) 230 Calories and 15 g protein 10 g of whole grain and only 4.5 grams of fat....YUM!! Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
~Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwiches, they are no Ben and Jerry's, but its wonderful and fills the craving.
~Uncle Ben's Boil in a Bag Brown Rice. 1o min and super tasty!
~Tortilla Chips- Target brand Archer Farms Organic or Tostitos Natural. Delicate and delightful, guilt free. I read about these in Cooking Light and have tried them. Both are fantastic
~Thomas Bagel Thins. 110 calories, 4 g of fiber and 1 g fat. Wonderful with "I can't believe its not butter" Spray
~Progresso Soup with Weight Watchers Points on it or "Reduced Sodium". Around 100 calories and very filling. A good lunch substitute when you want to avoid running to McDonalds for a Big Mac and fries...
~Costco Kirkland Weighloss Shakes. I have tried MANY weight loss shakes and these are very yummy. I could drink these for a meal suppliment anytime, I just love them.
~Jello Mousse. Sugar Free and only 60 Calories. What a wonderful dessert substitute!
~Jimmy Dean D-Lights (Canadian Bacon Honey Wheat Muffin) 230 Calories and 15 g protein 10 g of whole grain and only 4.5 grams of fat....YUM!! Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
~Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwiches, they are no Ben and Jerry's, but its wonderful and fills the craving.
~Uncle Ben's Boil in a Bag Brown Rice. 1o min and super tasty!
~Tortilla Chips- Target brand Archer Farms Organic or Tostitos Natural. Delicate and delightful, guilt free. I read about these in Cooking Light and have tried them. Both are fantastic
~Thomas Bagel Thins. 110 calories, 4 g of fiber and 1 g fat. Wonderful with "I can't believe its not butter" Spray
~Progresso Soup with Weight Watchers Points on it or "Reduced Sodium". Around 100 calories and very filling. A good lunch substitute when you want to avoid running to McDonalds for a Big Mac and fries...
~Costco Kirkland Weighloss Shakes. I have tried MANY weight loss shakes and these are very yummy. I could drink these for a meal suppliment anytime, I just love them.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
No bean Chili
This is a very fresh and yummy chili. It would be delicious with beans, but I am trying to cut the carbs. I've made this a few times already and its a huge hit with my family.
2 servings-
Ingredients
1/2 a lb of extra lean ground beef- atleast 93% lean (about 200 grams)
3 large tomatoes, chopped
1/2 of a green pepper, chopped
1/4 cup on onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 1/2 cups of beef broth (low sodium)
1-2 tbs of chili powder (to taste)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt (again, I use sea salt)
Directions
brown meat with a 1/4 cup of broth, drain fat
add veggies and garlic
add broth for 5 minutes
add seasoning.
2 servings-
Ingredients
1/2 a lb of extra lean ground beef- atleast 93% lean (about 200 grams)
3 large tomatoes, chopped
1/2 of a green pepper, chopped
1/4 cup on onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 1/2 cups of beef broth (low sodium)
1-2 tbs of chili powder (to taste)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt (again, I use sea salt)
Directions
brown meat with a 1/4 cup of broth, drain fat
add veggies and garlic
add broth for 5 minutes
add seasoning.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Cilantro Lime Shrimp
This is very healthy and high in protein. I love this with steamed onions. You could also use boil in a bag brown rice for carbs/grain- but that is only if you aren't doing the HCG diet (or any diet that omits carbs)
2 servings (I usually eat half and save half for the next day)
Ingredients
200 grams of raw shrimp, shells removed
1 bunch of cilantro, chopped (about 2 TBS)
Juice from 1 lime
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
splash of vinegar (rice, white wine or red wine vinegar all taste wonderful)
*optional*4 drops of stevia (or a 1/4 tsp of sweetener)
salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Mix all of the above (except shrimp) in a food processor or mixer
Coat the shrimp and grill on a George Foreman grill (or your BBQ)
Once the shrimp is cooked, remove and add with a veggie and/or boil in a bag brown rice and use the remainder of the lime/cilantro mixture to drizzle over the top
2 servings (I usually eat half and save half for the next day)
Ingredients
200 grams of raw shrimp, shells removed
1 bunch of cilantro, chopped (about 2 TBS)
Juice from 1 lime
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
splash of vinegar (rice, white wine or red wine vinegar all taste wonderful)
*optional*4 drops of stevia (or a 1/4 tsp of sweetener)
salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Mix all of the above (except shrimp) in a food processor or mixer
Coat the shrimp and grill on a George Foreman grill (or your BBQ)
Once the shrimp is cooked, remove and add with a veggie and/or boil in a bag brown rice and use the remainder of the lime/cilantro mixture to drizzle over the top
Yummy Guacamole
This isn't HCG approved, but it is a very healthy fat and a good little serving of veggies. I've been making this guacamole for a long time and its always a hit at parties.You don't have to use chips for dip. You could use celery, pita chips (lets face it, this isn't always the healthy option), or just use it as a topper on a delicious steak or salad.
Ingredients
2-3 large avocado's
1 large tomato, chopped
1/4 cup red onion, chopped
2 to 3 TBS of cilantro chopped
Juice from 1/2 a lemon (or use the whole lemon for a nice kick)
garlic salt (if you want to avoid the sugar in garlic salt, you could sub garlic powder and sea salt or half salt to taste)
1 tsp of ground cumin
1/8 tsp of cayenne pepper
Directions
Scoop out avocado and moderately mash (you don't want to overly mash it)
Add spices and lemon juice
add tomato, onion and cilantro and give it a few gentle stirs
Ingredients
2-3 large avocado's
1 large tomato, chopped
1/4 cup red onion, chopped
2 to 3 TBS of cilantro chopped
Juice from 1/2 a lemon (or use the whole lemon for a nice kick)
garlic salt (if you want to avoid the sugar in garlic salt, you could sub garlic powder and sea salt or half salt to taste)
1 tsp of ground cumin
1/8 tsp of cayenne pepper
Directions
Scoop out avocado and moderately mash (you don't want to overly mash it)
Add spices and lemon juice
add tomato, onion and cilantro and give it a few gentle stirs
Friday, October 1, 2010
Balsamic Shrimp and Cabbage
I have been trying new things to "mix up" some flavors with my George Foreman grill for my lunches. This is a quick grab and its super easy and delicious!
Ingredients
(1 serving)
100 grams of shrimp, so like 1/4 lb with the shells removed (Shrimp are HIGH in protein- 20 grams per serving)
1-2 TBS Balsamic Vinegar
Garlic Powder
Sea Salt
1 cup of chopped cabbage (I like bigger chunks)
Directions
I have a microwave veggie steamer. They are very cheap and I use it all the time. You can get them at Target or Walmart for around $10. Its just a tray and cover that you add water and veggies too. I microwaved (steamed) my cabbage for a few minutes.
I cooked the shrimp on my George Foreman Grill (with the shells removed).
I put them ontop of the cooked cabbage in a bowl and added a pinch of garlic powder and sea salt. Then I added the Balsamic Vinegar on top of the shrimp and cabbage. You wouldn't think that shrimp would taste good with the vinegar, but I loved it! I've been doing lemon or garlic or cilantro/lime with my shrimp...etc... so this was a nice little change :)
Ingredients
(1 serving)
100 grams of shrimp, so like 1/4 lb with the shells removed (Shrimp are HIGH in protein- 20 grams per serving)
1-2 TBS Balsamic Vinegar
Garlic Powder
Sea Salt
1 cup of chopped cabbage (I like bigger chunks)
Directions
I have a microwave veggie steamer. They are very cheap and I use it all the time. You can get them at Target or Walmart for around $10. Its just a tray and cover that you add water and veggies too. I microwaved (steamed) my cabbage for a few minutes.
I cooked the shrimp on my George Foreman Grill (with the shells removed).
I put them ontop of the cooked cabbage in a bowl and added a pinch of garlic powder and sea salt. Then I added the Balsamic Vinegar on top of the shrimp and cabbage. You wouldn't think that shrimp would taste good with the vinegar, but I loved it! I've been doing lemon or garlic or cilantro/lime with my shrimp...etc... so this was a nice little change :)
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