Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Turkey Stuffed Peppers

I wish I could eat these everyday! Supper easy to make and tastes delicious. Low carb, low fat. Good source of protein and fiber. It's pretty much a win-win for dinner.


I had some brown rice already cooked up from a previous batch cooking day. I love taking what is on hand already and making something great with it. Never let anything go to waste!  I used about 1.5 cups brown rice, 1/2 white onion, 6-8 mushrooms, 2-3 cloves garlic, 1 large tomato, 1.5 lbs ground turkey, fresh thyme and oregano (about 1 tbsp each), 1/2 tsp sea salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1 tsp pepper flakes, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp garlic powder and about 3 colorful bell peppers.


Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Brown your turkey in a large skillet. Meanwhile, chop up your onion, garlic , mushroom and tomato and oregano. Once the turkey is half way cooked throw in the garlic and onion, cook for 3 minutes. Then add all the seasonings, chopped tomato and mushrooms and continue until fully cooked.


Cut the tops out of the bell pepper, slice in half, lengthwise and gut. Spoon in the meat mixture, press down, spoon some more! Top with a slice of cheddar cheese and bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

"Whatever You've Got" Egg Bake!

Sometimes, I get tired of waking up and making a healthy well balanced breakfast every morning. Yeah, it doesn't seem like that big of a deal, but sometimes not having to think about it at all sounds really good. So, I had this thought:  "Why not make an egg bake?!"  With left-over home-made rosemary-garlic focaccia bread to use up, I couldn't see a more a perfect way.  Not only will I not have to think about what to make for breakfast for my husband and myself for a few days, but it also ensures that we don't cop out and eat something that (a) we regret; or (b) didn't really give us the proper fuel and nutrition to take on the day.


 

Ingredient list: Whatever you have on hand! This is my favorite type of cooking which was taught to me by my lovely mother who, in my estimation, champions all in this free-style, use what's lying around type of culinary arts.  :)  With that said, throw open your cupboards and refrigerator and get creative! You'll be surprised at how "out of the ordinary-type ingredients" can make a dish!

 This is what I had on hand. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Slice up whatever you've got.


Spray your pan with olive oil, throw your veggies in & season with whatever you like. Bake for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk together your eggs.


Pull your veggies out and pour in your whisked eggs.


Here I threw my left-over focaccia bread on top. Yum! Pop back in the oven for 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, slice and serve! This lasted my husband and me 3 days.  So easy, stores well and tastes great!

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Pumpkin Spice Protein Pancakes

Pumpkin Spice PancakesMmmmm! Who isn't ready for pumpkin pancakes! Moist, warm, heavenly. Fall is my FAVORITE time of year! So, I thought, "why not make Pumpkin Pancakes". :)  Of course I added extra protein to this to keep it fitness friendly!


 In a medium bowl, mix 2/3 canned pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup egg whites,  4-5 tbsp almond milk & 1/4 cup nonfat plain Greek Yogurt (optional).Pumpkin Spice 2


Next in a large bowl, mix together 3/4 cup almond flour, 1/2 cup oats 1/8 cup flaxseed meal, 1 scoop protein powder, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp cinnamon & 1 tsp stevia and a pinch of nutmeg, ginger & salt. Combine the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix it all up!Heat a pan with 1 tbsp coconut oil, scoop 1/8 cup or 1/4 cup for larger pancakes on to the pan. Fry for 5- 6 minutes each side. Slice up a half of a banana on top of pancakes and drizzle with Agave Syrup.


 

Pumpkin Spice Pancakes


3/4 cup Almond Flour [165017]

1/2 cup oats
1/8 cup flaxseed meal
1 scoop Plant Vegan Protein Powder [341963]
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch ground nutmeg
Pinch ground ginger
Pinch salt
1 tsp stevia
2/3 cup canned pumpkin purée [254016]
1/2 cup egg whites
6 tbsp almond milk

1/4 cup nonfat plain Greek Yogurt (Optional)

2 banana's sliced
1.5 tbsp coconut oil
2 tbsp agave syrup