Water Enhancers

Unless it's a really hot day...I don't really like water all that much. But drinking water is a big part of keeping your body healthy. Which is the ultimate goal in losing weight I would think. 

In order to get my water for the day without having to force myself to chug glasses of water I have been using water enhancers! Oh my gosh they are good. And also really convenient...

All you do is squirt some into your water shake.. and taste. Add more if needed.
Plus it looks cool don't ya think? 

Right now this flavor is my favorite.. its it Albertsons brand "Essential everyday"
Energy Cherry Limeade... Yum! 

Brushetta and Turkey Sausage Zucchini Pasta.

I LOVE Brushetta! It has to be one of my favorite appetizers.  Plus it is really simple to make on your own. 

Only 4 Ingredients

                                                                            Tomato

Basil

Olive oil

and bread of course. 

First you Chop the tomatoes and put them in a bowl. Add the chopped basil and your olive oil (I used 4tablespoons) Then put in the fridge to use when your ready. This can be made a while ahead of time or right before.. I prefer it to sit for a while in the fridge first. So we let it sit around 4 hours today.

Next slice your bread. We used a sourdough baguette this time. Lay on a baking sheet and broil on both sides for around 4 min on each side depending on your oven. 

When they are done top with your tomato mixture and enjoy!

(Around 215 calories a serving)

I didn't just want brushetta tonight though But with the calories I decided zucchini pasta was the way to lighten up my pasta. 

I browned jenny o Hot Italian turkey sausage then simmered it in a sauce from diced tomatoes and Progresso recipe starters (first time using this.. it worked well) For around 10 min.

Next slice zucchini  and add it to the sauce and sausage

Simmer around 8-10min and there you have it!

 (around 320 calories a serving.)

It was Delicious!

Asian Chicken Won Ton Cups.

Tonight I wanted to try something a little different for dinner. I had recently bought some won ton wrappers and decided I wanted to try something using those. After getting inspiration from Healthyseasonalrecipies.com I decided to tweak it to fit the ingredients we had and make something new and fun!

First I Chopped the vegetables 

...Red bell pepper

...green bell pepper

...Mushrooms

....Onions

Next you fill a cupcake tray with Won Ton Wrappers and lightly spray with cooking spray. Put in the oven at 350 for 10-14 minuets.  Until Golden brown. 

Next Saute The chicken with the onions for a few minuets then add the rest of the vegetables and any seasonings you want to use. .
And finally mixed in the sauce I threw together consisting of soy sauce (around 2tablespoons) and Korean BBQ sauce.. you can use any Asian, Mexican, Italian sauce you have.. anything would work if you work with it.

Next you fill the won ton "cups" with lettuce, chicken/veggie mixture,  Tomatoes, cilantro, and anything else you want to add. 

The whole meal consisting of TEN won ton cups was right around 350 calories.

Hope you enjoy!

Taco Salad

I Love Tacos! What i don't love is how many calories the shells are. Although if you get the extra thin ones they really aren't that bad.  But anyways i wanted to switch things up tonight and we didn't have that many shell left so i thought.. taco salad!

It's so so good! and this whole plate was only 318 Calories! :)

you will need:

Lettuce 

Tomato

cheese 

(i use 1/2 fat free 1/2 reduced fat cheddar)

Ground turkey, beef, bison, chicken.. whatever you have.
(I used leftover 1/2 turkey1/2 bison taco meat from the other night)

Chopped tomatoes

olives

1 tortilla shell
(i used the extra thin)

Salsa

Hot sauce

and taco seasoning if you aren't using leftover taco meat.



First i preheated the oven to 400, sprayed the tortillas with cooking spray and a little bit of salt. Put cut into strips and put in the oven (6-10 min) 

Then put lettuce in the bowl and top with taco meat

and layer on your toppings as you like them and finish with salsa and hot sauce if you like it. sour cream would be great too but we didn't have any tonight lol .
You could use any toppings you like really and with only one shell the calories are really low!
It was Delicious :)

Let's Talk Ranch.

Mmmm Ranch Dressing. I love it on pizza, I love it on salad, I love it on wraps.. i just love it on almost everything.

Most Ranch dressings you buy on the shelf are going to be about 140 calories for 2 table spoons. That's A LOT for a condiment.  But since i love it i was trying to just use 1 table spoon but it wasn't to my satisfaction so one day when i was about to pick up my favorite ranch dressing (Marie's) i noticed they had one labeled "yogurt dressing (1/2 the fat and calories!)" i decided what the hell I'll try it! Since after all if i don't like it i don't have to buy it again.

After the big taste test (I'm snooty about my ranch) I couldn't believe it.. it tastes the same as the original! i mean if i had one after the other I'm sure i could find a difference but it's really really good!

If you want to try a healthier ranch that isn't the "fat free version" go with this one! i get it in the produce isle refrigerated section.  oh and it is 70 calories for 2 tablespoons :)


I've also heard mixing Greek yogurt with one of those ranch seasoning packets is also good but i haven't  givin' that a go yet.

Yay ranch!