Pasta dinner (without the pasta)

Pasta (Without the Pasta) Dinner
by www.trainermomma.com

1 lb lean ground turkey or beef
32 oz jar of marinara sauce (I've been using Classico Tomato Basil lately)
parmesan cheese, shredded
vegetable of your choice (zucchini, yellow squash, spaghetti squash, broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant, etc.)
seasoning blend

Brown up the meat and drain off the remaining liquid. Add a jar of your favorite marinara sauce.

Steam up loads of vegetables and fill up your plate/bowl. Season to taste. Top with 1/2 cup of the meat sauce and 1 Tb of the parmesan cheese.

Around 200 - 220 calories depending on what your vegetable is.

Pear and pecan salad

Pear and Pecan Salad
by www.trainermomma.com

romaine lettuce, torn
baby spinach
1 or 2 pears, sliced
1-2 tomatoes, diced
3-4 bunches of green onions
1 handful of Craisins
1 handful of pecans, roasted
4-5 oz of goat cheese, crumbled
balsamic vinegar
olive oil

Get a very large salad bowl and just start throwing all the goodies in the bowl. Add as many ingredients as suits your fancy. Remember, however, to go easy on the high calorie foods: Craisins, pecans and goat cheese.

Mix with salad tongs. When you load up your plate, drizzle with a bit of balsamic vinegar and about a tablespoon of olive oil.

YUM!

Chicken Hawaiian Salad

Chicken Hawaiian Salad

by www.trainermomma.com

adapted from Kirkland Signature Recipes

1 12.5 oz can of canned chicken

1/2 cup celery, diced

1 medium apple, chopped

1 cup pineapple chunks (tidbits would work even better)

2 Tb raisins

2 tsp toasted sesame seeds (when toasted it really brings out the taste)

3 Tb Miracle Whip, light or light mayo

1/2 tsp curry powder

Combine chicken, celery, apple, pineapple, raisins and sesame seeds in a large bowl.

Mix Miracle Whip and curry powder in a smaller bowl. Mix in with chicken mixture and toss to coat.

I like to eat this on a bed of greens or in a wrap for food on the go.

168 calories per cup.

Fajitas

Make these tonight!!!
These are SO good! Mmmm:)

http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2010/01/the-best-chicken-fajitas.html

To make it gluten free use Braggs Liquid Aminos instead of Soy Sauce and of course corn or rice tortillas but, hello, of course you guys know this!

P.S. I actually used sirloin tips for this and it was delicious!

breakfast burrito

Breakfast Burrito (Or anytime of the day, of course)

2 eggs scrambled
1/4 cup red and orange peppers, chopped
2 Tb refried beans, fat-free
Brown rice tortilla (the best, and also expensive... boo)
2 Tb cheddar cheese, reduced-fat

1 or 2 pieces of turkey bacon
2 Tb salsa
freshly ground pepper to taste

add everything to brown rice tortilla. yummmmmy!

mashed Potatoes

Healthy Mashed Potatoes

There are some meals that just need a side of mashed potatoes to feel complete. Try to this recipe if you're in the mood for mashed potatoes but don't want to ruin your diet.

Healthy Mashed Potatoes

Directions:

Boil: 2 pounds red potatoes

Once potatoes are soft drain, and mash in a pot.

Once mashed add the following:

8-10 ounces plain low-fat yogurt

1/4 cup skim/soy milk (More or less depending on what you prefer. I actually made this recipe once without any milk and it turned out fine! )

Salt and Pepper

Spice it up with your choice of the following:

- Green onions

- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon curry powder

- A dash of paprika

- Garlic Salt

- Dill

- Cayenne Pepper

..whatever else you'd like!

If you don't want to mash your potatoes you can slice them into wedges, drizzle them in olive oil, sprinkle with Italian seasoning (Typically a mix of: basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme pepper, salt) and stick them in an 400 degree oven for about 30 minutes.

Fun snack for kids

An old stand-by to always fall back on for a quick and easy snack is a piece of fruit and a stick of string cheese. Easy, yummy, and balanced. So why not mix it up a bit and make it fun for your kids? Here's how:

1. Supplies: string cheese, desired fruit, kabob sticks, and some fun treats: marshmellows, gummy bears, caramels, etc...
2. Slice up string cheese into 4 or 5 chunks.
3. Dice desired fruit into pieces - bananas, apples, kiwi, berries, etc... The more color, the better!
4. Stack kabob stick by alternating cheese and fruit. Add the treats if desired.