Summer BBQ Tips

To celebrate 4th of July weekend, I thought I'd share 4 awesome ideas for fun summer BBQs that are healthy, delicious and festive!

1. Start off with guilt-free grilling! Skip the fatty burgers and high calorie hot dogs, instead- choose these great options: fat free all-beef hot dogs or turkey dogs (I always choose Hebrew National with only 45 calories per dog), Boca Burgers or Turkey Burgers (100-160 calories per patty. I like the Ballpark turkey burgers and the original variety Boca Burger. Both have 120 calories), chicken breast, lean steaks (like the 4oz Nolan Ryan Filet for 120 calories), and pre-seasoned chicken or beef fajita meat is a great choice! I usually go with the Kroger brand (the chicken has 120 calories per 3oz serving and the beef has 160 per 3oz serving).

Another tip here, skip the bun if you can! Who needs extra carbs when you're saving up calories for desserts and cocktails. If you do have bread, choose 100 calorie sandwich thins or hot dog buns with about 100 calories. Kroger hot dog buns have 110 calories each.

2. Offer up healthy choice sides for the outdoor fiesta. Make them fun and festive! The cuter-the healthier-the better. That's my philosophy!

-Fruit kebabs for a colorful party

-Strawberries, blueberries, watermelon and banana slices for the 4th of July. Make them into a flag if you'd like!

-Grilled up veggies for any summer night! Zucchini, squash, corn, carrots, mushrooms... Choose colorful veggies for a beautiful presentation 

-Baked Tortilla Chips and Salsa for a Mexican Fiesta (see #4 below for a margarita tip!)

- Baked Potatoes with low fat cheese, fat free sour cream and spray butter for an evening dinner with steaks. Date Night at home!

3. Something Sweet! 

The healthy dessert options are endless, but here are my 2 favorite choices...

--Ice Cream Sundaes: The perfect way to cool off and guests have fun making their own! Start off with a scoop of low fat or sugar free vanilla ice cream and top with a little of everything. Fresh Fruit, low fat chocolate syrup, a dash of sprinkles, a few crushed nuts, fat free whipped cream and a cherry on top! Stay clear of candies or crushed cookies.... The toppings above will fill you up just fine! 

--Popsicles: Fun, colorful and sugar free Popsicles are usually cheep and yummy, plus- it's one less thing to make! Look for fruity flavored pops with 10-20 calories each. Awesome! Here is a fun Pinterest tip (that can also add to any party theme): add a cupcake liner to the bottom of your pops to prevent a spill or sticky fingers! Love it!

4. Cocktails- crystal light style!

I absolutely love all three mock-tail flavors in the summer! Stir up a fresh pitcher of margarita crystal light with tequila, appletini with vodka, or mojito with vodka! Each mix has 5 calories per 8oz. + the liquor of course. A 3oz tequila or vodka shot is roughly 70 calories. I also highly suggest enjoying them in a super fun and colorful summer glass! 

Happy Summer!

Fun Mini-Taco Salads

Fun Mini-Taco Salads

Make these fun mexi-treats for dinner, snacks, or even appetizers for the upcoming Super Bowl! 

Recipe yield 18 Mini Taco Salads

75 calories each

(Depending on toppings you like)

Ingredients:

-18 Wonton Wrappers 

-1 can Fat Free Refried Beans

-1 package Morning Star Crumbles

-Taco Seasoning 

-Shredded Lettuce 

-Pico 

-Fat Free Sour Cream (optional)

-Fat Free Shredded Cheese (optional) 

Directions:

-Preheat oven to 375

-Spray a muffin tin with cooking spray and insert a wonton wrapper into each muffin hole.

-Place pan in oven while it preheats

-Meanwhile, brown Morning Star Crumbles with Taco Seasoning. Set aside. 

-Remove pan from oven.

-Fill each wrapper with one spoonful of beans and one spoonful of crumbles 

-Bake for 15 mins. 

-Remove from oven. Top with cheese, sour cream, pico, and lettuce. 

Enjoy your Fiesta Taco Salads! 

Trick or "Healthy" Treats

Halloween is my favorite holiday to celebrate- well one of them! This year, make your Halloween all about the tricks and the healthy treats!

Here are some of my favorites:

1. "Candy Corn" Parfaits: Canned Pineapple Bites and Orange Slices topped off with fat free whipped cream. Easy enough- and so cute! (2WW points!) 

2. Utz Snacks! Find them in bulk at Costco or Sam's. The Pretzels have 50 calories per bag and the cheese balls have 60 calories (1 WW point each). Both are prefect for a snack or in your lunch bag.

3. Mini-Sized Everything! The best part of Halloween is that you can find mini versions of all your favorite snacks! Give them to trick-or-treaters of course, but don't forget to save some for yourself. Mini bags of goldfish, crackers, fruit roll-ups, rice crispy treats, and more - usually all under 100 calories. (Plus, hit up all the stores on November 1st and 2nd and get your favorite mini snacks on clearance!) 

4. Witch Brooms! Simple- String Cheese + Pretzel Sticks... So yummy and creative! (See photo)

5. For a sweet treat, that's also adorable, I love the Pretzel-Hershey Hugs-Candy Corn bites. I also made them with an orange Recess Pieces in the middle. Yum! (Here's how: Place a hug on each mini pretzel. Bake in the oven for 2 mins on 350. Top with candy. Let dry - I put them in the fridge to dry.)

6. Mummy Dogs...Love these! How to: wrap 97% fat free beef hot dogs (like the kind by Hebrew National) up in reduced fat pilsbury dough (see photo) and bake in oven. Top off with a mustard face :)

Also- for the candy lovers, here is a cheat sheet list of calorie and point values from my favorite blogger, Hungry Girl:  http://s3.amazonaws.com/hungry-girl/uploads/fck/HGHALLOWEENCANDYGUIDE2013.pdf

Happy Halloween!

October 4th is National Taco Day AND National Vodka Day

Celebrate Friday! Celebrate Tacos! Celebrate Vodka!

Apparently October 4th is National Taco Day AND National Vodka Day- what a combo! Celebrate with these great ideas....

1. Baked Tostitos and my homemade "easy-cheesy" queso (Fat free sour cream and 4-5 wedged of Laughing Cow Light Queso Fresco & Chipolte cheese blended together)

2. Simple tacos in a low carb 80 calorie flour tortilla (like the kind by Mission) however you like them. Tonight, I went with grilled chicken strips, lettuce, pico and a small scoop of the queso.

3. Vodka and Canada Dry 10 (a family favorite mixer!) bottoms up!

Side Dish: A regular soft or crispy taco (beef or chicken) at a fast food joint will only run you 160-180 calories, so feel free to indulge on one or two of those! 

Ready for some Football!

Fall has arrived, which means football season is here! Gear up for the big game with these guilt-free tailgate ideas:

1. Grilled Chicken Sliders: Tyson grilled chicken breasts (cut in half), slider buns (70-100 calories), lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles.

2. Hot Dogs in a blanket: 94% fat free Hebrew National hot dogs (45 calories) and reduced fat pillsbury crescent rolls  

3. Lentil Chips and Spinach Dip: Lentil Chips were a good find!  Try the kind by Mediterranean Foods (110 calories for 22 chips) and a dip with 40-45 calories! http://www.mediterraneansnackfoods.com/

4. Banana Muffins: See recipe below

5. Light Beer: Bud 55, Miller 64, or Michelob Ultra

6. Baked Tortilla Chips and Salsa (and fat free refried beans if you'd like)

7. Veggies: Carrots, Cucumbers, Celery, Roma Tomatoes

8. Hot Pretzels: Like the kind by super pretzel- cut up into bite size pieces. 

9. Mini Football Snickers: See Below- available in your favorite teams for only 45 calories.

10. Fun Football themed plates, cups and napkins!   

Banana Muffins:

Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup splenda (if you use sugar, add an extra 45 calories per muffin)

1-1/4 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

2 egg whites

1 cup banana, mashed

1/4 cup applesauce 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Lightly grease a 12 cup muffin tin with spray. In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon. Add egg whites, bananas and applesauce; stir just until combined. Pour batter into prepared pan. 

Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes.

100 calories per muffin!

Top "Ate" Cheesecake Day Picks!

Happy National Cheesecake Day!

To celebrate, I thought I'd share my top "ate" guilt-free cheesecake finds. Enjoy them year round! 

1. Smart Ones Raspberry Cheesecake Sundae (130 calories, 4WW points)

2. Skinny Cow Strawberry Cheesecake Ice cream (150 calories, 

4WW points)

3. Hungry Girl's "Yo! Oreo Cheesecake for One" Recipe (174 calories, 4WW Points) http://www.hungry-girl.com/newsletters/raw/1498

4. Hungry Girl's "Cherry-Good Cheesecake" Recipe (1 Slice- 195 calories, 5WW points) http://www.hungry-girl.com/chew/show/2603

5. Jello Temptations Raspberry Cheesecake (130 Calories, 4WW points)  

6. Special K Raspberry Cheesecake Bar (90 calories, 2WW points)

7. Honey Maid Cheesecake Delight Bar (100 calories, 3WW Points

8. Turkey Hill Strawberry Cheesecake  Ice Cream Sandwich (130 calories, 5WW points)

Happy National Hot Dog Day!

Happy National Hot Dog Day!

To celebrate, I'm celebrating Hebrew National 97% Fat Free all beef Hot Dogs. These BBQ-friendly franks only have 40 calories each (1WW point) - awesome! 

Fire them up on the grill and enjoy them with:

- Sarah Lee 80 calorie buns (this was a great find at Walmart- who doesn't love guilt free buns?)

-  Sauerkraut... Practically no calories

- Pilsbury Reduced Fat Croissants (rolled up "pigs" in a blanket- a family favorite in my house!)

- Bush's Best Fat Free Vegetarian Baked Beans (130 calories for 1/2 a cup, or 3 WW points)

- Sliced Zucchini fired up on the grill

- Watermelon for dessert on a hot day? Yes please!

Hope you enjoyed a yummy Hot Dog today, and more all summer long.

Matzah-Crusted Tilapia

After a week of Passover leftovers, I was more then ready for something new after a long work week. So, I whipped up a meal inspired by a dish my sister-in-law recommended.

Matzah-Crusted Tilapia

Ingredients:
- 4 1/4 lbs Tilapia Fillets
- 1/2 cup Matzah Meal
- Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Italian Seasoning and Oregano to your liking
- Fresh Lemon
- Misto with Olive Oil
(More on the Misto below)

Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400
- Mix matzah meal with seasonings and set aside in a big bowl
- One at a time, spray each fillet with olive oil and cover in matzah mixture
- Place each fillet on a foiled cookie sheet
- Bake for 20 mins (flipping at 10 mins)
- Squeeze fresh lemon over fish fillets
- Easy enough!

The fish turned out to be pretty yummy considering it was made with matzah! We also had mixed veggies (squash, zucchini, and mushrooms) cooked over medium heat on the stove with sprayed olive oil and garlic powder. Simple, healthy, and delicious!

Happy Passover!

Side note on the Misto- it's awesome! I highly recommend investing in one for healthy cooking. To use, you fille the can with the oil of your choice, pump, and spray. It's like Pam, but better! Mine is from Macy's, but you can get one anywhere!

Passover Berry Crisp Recipe

It's that time of year again when the Jews trade in their beloved bread and carbs for matzah and bitter herbs to remember our escape from Egypt. Add some enjoyment to your Seder with this yummy and healthy Passover Dessert Recipe. (I found this recipe on Pinterest, and altered it to be my own!)

Ingredients:
4 cups sliced strawberries
1-1/2 cups blueberries
1/2 cup sugar (or Splenda)
"Sprinkle" of cinnamon
Pam cooking spray

1/2 matzah meal
1/3 cup sugar (or Splenda)
1/4 cup almonds
2 tablespoons margarine (melted)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350
Spray an 11x7 baking dish with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, toss strawberries, blueberries, 1/2 cup sugar (or Splenda), and cinnamon. Spoon into dish.

In a different bowl, stir matzah meal, 1/3 cup sugar (Splenda), almonds, and margarine together. Sprinkle over berry mixture.

Bake on 350 for about 35-40 mins.

Yields 8 servings.
4 WW points with sugar per serving
2 WW points with Splenda per serving

*Honestly, the sugar and Splenda versions taste very similar. I made the sugar version for our Seder tomorrow and the Splenda version to enjoy all week long!

Happy Passover!
(More recipes and Passover tips to come this week!)

-Note, to enjoy this recipe year round (or if you're not Jewish), swap the matzah meal for flour or even heart smart bisquick!

Happy National Margarita Day!

This National Margarita Day, swap the crazy high-cal, sugary margaritas, fried chips and greasy tacos for a healthy and yummy alternative. Dig into fresco tacos from Taco Bell (only 4 WW points each, or 2 for 7 WW points), Baked Tositos (120 calories for 16 chips- 3 WW points) with salsa, and Crystal Light Margarita with a shot of Tequila...in a fun glass of course! The Crystal Light Margarita is surprisingly delicious!

It's hard to say "no" to tex-mex food (chips and salsa are my downfall), so it's always smart to plan your own party at home. Plus, you can drink more at home!

Es Muy Bueno!

Happy Margarita Day!

Holidays are something to celebrate!

One of the best tricks in the book is hitting Target and Walmart after to any major holiday for great deals on individually packed, tiny-sized treats! Last Halloween, I scored 60 calorie mini packs of goldfish and mini fruit roll-ups for 40 calories each. All of your favorite snacks and candy for a mini-indulgence at half price or less- what could be better? (Not to mention they come in adorable, festive packaging!)

These mini crunch bars were $1.07 at Target and clock in at 50 calories each. Perfect for a little chocolate fix. Yum! (Plus, I can leave little love notes around the house!)

Happy Bargain Shopping!