Trying to SAVE LIVES by promoting fitness and health..
Friday, January 31, 2020
Cooking With Yogurt – How To Sub Greek Yogurt In Recipes
Easy Greek (and plain) yogurt swaps you can use every day in recipes to cut fat and calories with added health benefits!
Cooking and substituting yogurt in recipes expands yogurt beyond the quick breakfast with added health benefits that Greek yogurt brings to every dish.
When I create new recipes it’s always a priority that they are healthy without skimping on flavor. One of my favorite tricks for maintaining this balance of health and flavor is subbing Greek yogurt. I use Greek yogurt in place of much heavier, higher fat or more calorie dense ingredients – like butter, sour cream, oil, or buttermilk. Using yogurt in your baked goods will make them incredibly moist, while adding yogurt to savory dips and soups gives them creaminess with a touch of tang.
These bite-sized, air fryer bacon burgers make a great low-carb appetizer – perfect for the Super Bowl.
Air Fryer Bacon-Burger Bites
Move over, sliders. Get ready for burgers on a stick! This bun-less appetizer will be your new favorite low-carb way to eat a burger. They’re so cute and a definite crowd-pleaser. If you’re hosting a party for the Big Game, you should add these burger bites to your menu. If your obsessed with your air fryer as much as me, you will love this and more air fryer recipes!
Mezcal Paloma Punch is the big batch version of the cocktail, made with smoky mezcal. This punch has it all – it’s smoky and tart with just a touch of sweetness and bubbles. It’ll get the party started!
Tequila and I have a tumultuous history. We might have gotten along at one point, but after one particular trip to Mexico and a conga line of tequila shots… Well, we are no longer besties.
The mere smell of tequila can send me over the edge. Of course I will still drink margaritas if the tequila isn’t too strong… But it’s not my drink of choice and I tend to shy away.
Mezcal on the other hand. This is a spirit that I have gotten to know more and more over the past few years, primarily because of the Man’s encouragement. (more…)
Pasta with Italian Chicken Sausage, Escarole and Beans
Pasta with Italian Chicken Sausage, Escarole and Beans is ridiculously good made with lots of garlic, lean Italian chicken sausage, and white cannellini beans.
Pasta with Sausage, Escarole and Beans
Escarole and beans with sausage is a typical dish in Italian cuisine. Here I tossed it all with pasta, and loved the results! It turned out to be a winner with everyone in my home, even my picky kids. You can easily make it gluten-free and swap out the escarole for your favorite greens.
1. One of the better wine bottle labels I’ve stumbled upon, lol. Oooh my friends, this week is CREEPING by at a slower than slow pace. It’s not like this weekend is holding some magical craziness that I can’t wait to get to. Instead, it’s just a freaking loss ass week. Am I the only one feeling that way right about now? I’m also increasingly tired which might be to the intense workouts I put in over the last 5 days… or I am coming down with something. Which better NOT happen. After having bronchitis for so long, I REFUSE TO GET SICK. At least not for another full year. AT LEAST.
2. You all know how I like my puns… and these Shakespeare puns are both equally great and terrible, all at once.
Dry Rub Wings are the EASIEST way to make wings. All you need is a slammin’ seasoning to infuse your grilled chicken wings with a ton of flavor! You can serve them straight up or pair them with a tangy BBQ blue cheese dipping sauce.
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Head Country Bar-B-Q. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Cake ’n Knife.
Oh boy people, we are in the final leg of the football season… Can you believe it?
Now, I have to be honest, I don’t really have any strong feelings towards either team that is in the big game this coming Sunday. All I can say is that I am happy to have placed third in my fantasy league! HA. (more…)
These tasty Swedish Meatballs are always a hit with my family! They’re lighter than most recipes but still have all the flavor.
Swedish Meatballs
My family loves these Swedish meatballs. They are so tender and flavorful and much lighter than traditional recipes out there. And, let’s not forget the sauce! The creamy sauce really makes the dish.
Rinse broccoli under cold running water. Cut florets into quarters for quick and even cooking. Be sure to enjoy the stems and leaves of broccoli; they provide a good balance of flavors. Peel the broccoli stem and cut the stem into 1/2" slices. To ...
from The World's Healthiest Foods https://ift.tt/1FStQyw
What are purines and how are they related to food and health?
Two or three decades ago, purines were recognized for primary two reasons: (1) as building blocks for DNA (the primary genetic material in our cells) and (2) as substances that could be broken down to form uric acid and potentially increase our ...
from The World's Healthiest Foods https://ift.tt/2dQXBHd
Food Processor Method of Preparing Asian-Style Broccoli
Fill the bottom of the steamer with 2 inches water and heat, covered. You will need a food processor with at least an 8 cup capacity. Use the s-blade. Slice red onion thinly and set aside. Do not food process the onion. Chop or press garlic. ...
from The World's Healthiest Foods https://ift.tt/2tVjiih
The Difference in Nutrient-Richness Between Raw vs Cooked
At WHFoods, we receive frequent questions about the advantages and disadvantages of raw versus cooked foods. This week we will begin a series of editorials addressing various aspects of this topic starting with the nutrient-richness of raw vs. ...
from The World's Healthiest Foods https://ift.tt/2klLwsg
How Does Cutting, Slicing, and Chopping Affect Fresh Vegetables?
Food scientists treat the cutting, slicing, and chopping of fresh vegetables as procedures that wound the cells of the plants and trigger injury-based responses by the plant cells. As a general rule, researchers treat vegetable chopping as a form of ...
from The World's Healthiest Foods https://ift.tt/2HiDyM1
So did your favorite team make it to the Super Bowl? Honestly, I am not much of a football fan, but I love a good party- tailgate or otherwise! While I have a some great choices already on the plan for Sunday, make sure you check out all the Super Bowl recipes here. Which is your favorite?
WW has changed their plan to now include a Blue, Purple and Green Plan. All the recipes on my blog are updated for the Blue plan. I’ve been updating all my recipes (over 2000) and have completed 2019 with the other two colors, and I am working my way down so please be patient.
Why Should Everyone Meal Plan?
Meal planning is a great way to organize your meals for the week ahead. You also save time and money in the supermarket! And of course, planning ahead helps you stick to your goals!
About The Meal Plan
If you’re new to my meal plans, I’ve been sharing these free, 7-day flexible healthy meal plans (you can see my previous meal plans here) that are meant as a guide, with plenty of wiggle room for you to add more food, coffee, beverages, fruits, snacks, dessert, wine, etc or swap recipes out for meals you prefer, you can search for recipes by course in the index. You should aim for around 1500 calories* per day.
There’s also a precise, organized grocery list that will make grocery shopping so much easier and much less stressful. Save you money and time. You’ll dine out less often, waste less food and you’ll have everything you need on hand to help keep you on track.
Lastly, if you’re on Facebook join my Skinnytaste Facebook Community where everyone’s sharing photos of recipes they are making, you can join here. I’m loving all the ideas everyone’s sharing! If you wish to get on the email list, you can subscribe here so you never miss a meal plan!
Also, if you don’t have the Skinnytaste Meal Planner, now would be a great time to get one to get organized for 2020! There was a print error last year, but it’s perfect now! You can order it here!
THE DETAILS:
Breakfast and lunch Monday-Friday, are designed to serve 1 while dinners and all meals on Saturday and Sunday are designed to serve a family of 4. Some recipes make enough leftovers for two nights or lunch the next day. While we truly believe there is no one size fits all meal plan, we did our best to come up with something that appeals to a wide range of individuals. Everything is Weight Watchers friendly, I included the updated WW Blue SP for your convenience, feel free to swap out any recipes you wish or just use this for inspiration!
The grocery list is comprehensive and includes everything you need to make all meals on the plan. I’ve even included brand recommendations of products I love and use often. Cross check your cabinets because many condiments you’ll notice I use often, so you may already have a lot of them.
And last, but certainly not least, this meal plan is flexible and realistic. There’s plenty of wiggle room for cocktails, healthy snacks, dessert and dinner out. And if necessary, you can move some things around to make it work with your schedule. Please let me know if you’re using these plans, this will help me decide if I should continue sharing them!
*Freeze any leftover you/your family won’t eat.
**This is just a guide, women should aim for around 1500 calories per day. Here’s a helpful calculator to estimate your calorie needs. I’ve left plenty of wiggle room for you to add more food such as coffee, beverages, fruits,
snacks, dessert, wine, etc.
A pear rosemary gin and tonic is the classic cocktail you know and love, with a wintery twist. Fresh fruit and herbs infuse the simple syrup, giving the drink ample amounts of flavor without being too sweet!
I’m bringing winter REALNESS to the table today with this pear and rosemary infused cocktail.
For me, a gin and tonic is a classic cocktail that never gets old. With all the different types of gin and brands of tonic out there, you can constantly make the simple drink with it coming out differently each time. (more…)
Mixed Baby Greens with Pomegranate, Gorgonzola and Pecans
The beautiful, delicious, fall or winter salad is made with mixed baby greens, pomegranate, Gorgonzola and pecans with a pomegranate vinaigrette.
Salad with Pomegranates and Pecans
I love adding pomegranates to my salads, they are juicy with a slight pop when you bite into them! I usually bring this salad to potlucks or parties because it’s so colorful and easy to whip up, and I always get compliments! A simple yet elegant fall or winter salad, perfect to serve as a first course for the holidays, or a simple side dish or lunch.
1. You know what I love? Random day dates with the Man that include beer, wine, bruschetta, and some of the best sweet potato wedges I’ve ever had. If you are here in Denver, Il Postino is where it’s AT. Their happy hour is $5 for a glass of wine or a pitcher of beer until 5PM EVERY DAY. SO so so worth it. Plus their bruschetta is oh-so creative and packed with flavor. A couple of my favorites are their sweet and spicy red pepper jam with goat cheese and fig jam, brie, and green apple.
Though they also have an amazing one that has burrata, bacon, and tomato.
YUMMMMMMMY.
Then there were the sweet potato wedges that paired perfectly with the winter ale we had. The spicy tahini dip is my new favorite thing. GAH, I’m ready to go back immediately and it hasn’t even been a week since we were there last…
2. Cues for your portrait session. If you’ve ever had any photos done, you’ll appreciate this lol. I wish I could add “Look at your beer mug as if it’s the most beautiful person in the world.”
3. Song of the Week is Rare by Selena Gomez. I am totally digging her new album and I don’t care who knows it. She’s got me dancing around my kitchen all afternoon long these days! (more…)
This quick and easy wonton soup is super simple, loaded with veggies and takes under 15 minutes to make thanks to the frozen wontons.
Easy Wonton Soup
I love wonton soup, especially when it is full of veggies, which helps make it more of a meal. Unfortunately, my local Chinese takeout restaurant makes a basic one with broth only. So, I made my own! This makes a great lunch, or if you want to make it a larger multi-course meal add Cauliflower Fried Rice or Spicy Shrimp Brown Fried Rice, Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry or Pepper Steak.
French onion soup is one of my favorite soups, we order it all the time at our neighborhood restaurant but it’s just as easy to make from scratch and so much lighter.
French Onion Soup
French onion soup is one of my favorite soups, it’s comforting and filling, perfect for lunch or dinner as a main with a salad, or serve it as a first course. Making it from scratch is great for weekend cooking, leftover broth can be reheated for the week.
