Some of my favorite recipes; more to come...!
My very favorite creation: Delicious & healthy SPINACH SMOOTHIE (in Vitamix):
Most smoothie recipes have a ton of fruit (AKA add sugars & carbs). I like mine with mainly spinach; it fills me up with minimal cals and carbs. The spinach is so mild that it takes on the flavor of the (minimal amount of) pineapple.
1.) Fill Vitamix completely with spinach (stuff it in there!)
2.) Add 1/2 cup no sugar added pineapple (or fresh), a dash of strawberry orange banana crystal light (Kroger brand), 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or Kroger Vanilla Carbmaster milk), a dash of Sweetleaf (pure stevia sweetener - or sweetener of your choice), 1 tbsp. flax seeds, & 1 cup ice.
3.) Blend on high/10 in Vitamix using tamper for 30-45 seconds until smooth.
-You could always add nonfat greek yogurt or 1 scoop vanilla protein powder if looking to increase the protein.
Most smoothie recipes have a ton of fruit (AKA add sugars & carbs). I like mine with mainly spinach; it fills me up with minimal cals and carbs. The spinach is so mild that it takes on the flavor of the (minimal amount of) pineapple.
1.) Fill Vitamix completely with spinach (stuff it in there!)
2.) Add 1/2 cup no sugar added pineapple (or fresh), a dash of strawberry orange banana crystal light (Kroger brand), 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or Kroger Vanilla Carbmaster milk), a dash of Sweetleaf (pure stevia sweetener - or sweetener of your choice), 1 tbsp. flax seeds, & 1 cup ice.
3.) Blend on high/10 in Vitamix using tamper for 30-45 seconds until smooth.
-You could always add nonfat greek yogurt or 1 scoop vanilla protein powder if looking to increase the protein.
Homemade Whole Wheat Pizza:
-Pre-heat over & pizza stone to 375*
-Roll out dough (use fresh whole wheat Trader Joes pizza - only $1.19!); Roll it onto whole wheat flour/wheat bran/whole wheat breadcrumbs to ensure it doesn't stick to the surface you're prepping on
-PREPARE your toppings: we grill onions, peppers, yellow summer squash, & mushrooms in EVOO or peanut oil (or chop up whatever raw veggies you like). We also use turkey pepperoni, FF feta (Trader Joe's) and/or nutritional yeast, and either Muir Glen or Hunts NSA sauce (see "food finds" page for details on ingredients!)
-Do this part QUICKLY so your stone stays hot: Once oven & stone are pre-heated, pull stone out, slide dough onto stone, add all of your toppings, and place it in the oven.
-Bake @375* for 25 mins (cooking times may vary)
-Pre-heat over & pizza stone to 375*
-Roll out dough (use fresh whole wheat Trader Joes pizza - only $1.19!); Roll it onto whole wheat flour/wheat bran/whole wheat breadcrumbs to ensure it doesn't stick to the surface you're prepping on
-PREPARE your toppings: we grill onions, peppers, yellow summer squash, & mushrooms in EVOO or peanut oil (or chop up whatever raw veggies you like). We also use turkey pepperoni, FF feta (Trader Joe's) and/or nutritional yeast, and either Muir Glen or Hunts NSA sauce (see "food finds" page for details on ingredients!)
-Do this part QUICKLY so your stone stays hot: Once oven & stone are pre-heated, pull stone out, slide dough onto stone, add all of your toppings, and place it in the oven.
-Bake @375* for 25 mins (cooking times may vary)
Chocolate Mousse
-1 package Mori-Nu silken-lite tofu
-4 tablespoons cocoa powder
-1 tsp pure (or imitation) vanilla extract
-2 tbsp. unsweetened almond milk OR Kroger Carbmaster vanilla milk
-1/8 tsp sea salt
-3-4 tbsp. Agave, Splenda, or Stevia (sweetener of your choice)
*Throw everything into Vitamix (or very strong blender/food processor) & blend until smooth!
-1 package Mori-Nu silken-lite tofu
-4 tablespoons cocoa powder
-1 tsp pure (or imitation) vanilla extract
-2 tbsp. unsweetened almond milk OR Kroger Carbmaster vanilla milk
-1/8 tsp sea salt
-3-4 tbsp. Agave, Splenda, or Stevia (sweetener of your choice)
*Throw everything into Vitamix (or very strong blender/food processor) & blend until smooth!
Quick Microwave Mug Cake
*Combine the following dry ingredients in a large mug:
-5 tbsp. flour/flour-blend of your choice (I use 1 tbsp. protein powder, 1 tbsp. low fat soy flour, 1 tbsp. wheat bran, 2 tbsp. 100% whole wheat flour)
-1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 pinch sea salt, 1 tsp instant coffee, 3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder, & 3 tbsp. Splena (or your choice/amount of sweetener)
*Add the following wet ingredients to mug & stir everything VERY well:
-1 tsp apple cider (or white) vinegar, 3 tbsp. unsweetened applesauce, 3 tbsp. unsweetened almond milk, 1 tbsp. egg whites, 1 tsp pure (or imitation) vanilla extract)
*Microwave x90 sec uncovered (cooking times vary, but the longer your cook, the drier it will become)
*Combine the following dry ingredients in a large mug:
-5 tbsp. flour/flour-blend of your choice (I use 1 tbsp. protein powder, 1 tbsp. low fat soy flour, 1 tbsp. wheat bran, 2 tbsp. 100% whole wheat flour)
-1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 pinch sea salt, 1 tsp instant coffee, 3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder, & 3 tbsp. Splena (or your choice/amount of sweetener)
*Add the following wet ingredients to mug & stir everything VERY well:
-1 tsp apple cider (or white) vinegar, 3 tbsp. unsweetened applesauce, 3 tbsp. unsweetened almond milk, 1 tbsp. egg whites, 1 tsp pure (or imitation) vanilla extract)
*Microwave x90 sec uncovered (cooking times vary, but the longer your cook, the drier it will become)
Vitamix "ice cream": this will not work unless you have a Vitamix
-1 cup unsweetened almond milk
-3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
-1/16th tsp sea salt (helps it freeze)
-1 tsp stevia or 1 tbsp. agave (or sweetener of choice to your taste)
-1 cup ice
-any additions you like: fresh/frozen fruit, SF pudding or syrups, protein powder
**Blend all of the above on high/10 in Vitamix for ~30 seconds using tamper
-add 1/2 tsp xanthan gum & 1/2 tsp guar gum (experiment with VERY SMALL amounts) - this gives it a creamy and smooth texture and consistency
**Again, blen all of the above on high/10 in Vitamix for ~30 seconds using tamper
I like to top mine with reduced fat coconut flakes or Kashi go lean (see "fave foods" page for details)
-1 cup unsweetened almond milk
-3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
-1/16th tsp sea salt (helps it freeze)
-1 tsp stevia or 1 tbsp. agave (or sweetener of choice to your taste)
-1 cup ice
-any additions you like: fresh/frozen fruit, SF pudding or syrups, protein powder
**Blend all of the above on high/10 in Vitamix for ~30 seconds using tamper
-add 1/2 tsp xanthan gum & 1/2 tsp guar gum (experiment with VERY SMALL amounts) - this gives it a creamy and smooth texture and consistency
**Again, blen all of the above on high/10 in Vitamix for ~30 seconds using tamper
I like to top mine with reduced fat coconut flakes or Kashi go lean (see "fave foods" page for details)
Cauliflower
Buffalo Bites:
I stole this recipe here: http://theleancleaneatingmachine.com/2014/02/02/cauliflower-buffalo-bites/
Fudgy Black Bean Quinoa Brownies:
Another stolen recipe that I like: http://www.cookingquinoa.net/fudgy-black-bean-quinoa-brownies
I stole this recipe here: http://theleancleaneatingmachine.com/2014/02/02/cauliflower-buffalo-bites/
Fudgy Black Bean Quinoa Brownies:
Another stolen recipe that I like: http://www.cookingquinoa.net/fudgy-black-bean-quinoa-brownies
Cauliflower "faux" mashed potatoes:
-Chop & steam 1 head of raw cauliflower until soft
-Drain excess water
--Option 1: Smash in a big mixing bowel, add any S&P/spices/Smart Beat or Earth Balance that you want, then blend with handheld mixer or Kitchenaid mixer
--Option 2: place in Vitamix (or food processer) with your spices/additions and blend on high/10
-Chop & steam 1 head of raw cauliflower until soft
-Drain excess water
--Option 1: Smash in a big mixing bowel, add any S&P/spices/Smart Beat or Earth Balance that you want, then blend with handheld mixer or Kitchenaid mixer
--Option 2: place in Vitamix (or food processer) with your spices/additions and blend on high/10
Homemade Turkey & Black Bean Chili:
Heat 3 tbsp. EVOO (or peanut oil) on medium in a large pot. Add 1 cup chopped onion, 1/2 cup chopped carrot, 2 cups chopped red bell peppers, sprinkle with a bit of sea salt & cook about 7 mins until softened.
Add 2 tsp minced garlic, 3 tbsp. chili powder, & 1 tsp cumin & stir for 1 min.
Add 1 lb lean ground turkey (I use Jennie-O or Kroger - the leanest I can find) & break it up/stir it in; increase heat to medium-high. Stir & cook until turkey is no longer pink.
Add 3 cups chicken stock (I use Organic Pacific Low sodium chicken broth), 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 bay leaf, 1 tbsp. tomato paste, 1 tbsp. apple cider or white vinegar, & 2 15-oz cans drained black beans.
Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer; cook covered for 30 mins, then uncovered for 30 mins (or until the liquid thickens). Remove bay leaf & add sea salt & pepper to taste. Serves 6.
Heat 3 tbsp. EVOO (or peanut oil) on medium in a large pot. Add 1 cup chopped onion, 1/2 cup chopped carrot, 2 cups chopped red bell peppers, sprinkle with a bit of sea salt & cook about 7 mins until softened.
Add 2 tsp minced garlic, 3 tbsp. chili powder, & 1 tsp cumin & stir for 1 min.
Add 1 lb lean ground turkey (I use Jennie-O or Kroger - the leanest I can find) & break it up/stir it in; increase heat to medium-high. Stir & cook until turkey is no longer pink.
Add 3 cups chicken stock (I use Organic Pacific Low sodium chicken broth), 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 bay leaf, 1 tbsp. tomato paste, 1 tbsp. apple cider or white vinegar, & 2 15-oz cans drained black beans.
Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer; cook covered for 30 mins, then uncovered for 30 mins (or until the liquid thickens). Remove bay leaf & add sea salt & pepper to taste. Serves 6.