Friday, October 30, 2009

Oven-Fried Cheese Sticks

I love bar food.  I try to stay away from it, for obvious reasons, but sometimes you just need some greasy fried goodness.  I try to find ways to satisfy those cravings whenever possible.

This is based of a recipe I used to make, with one small tweak to make it even more healthy!  I used to use Cornflake crumbs as a breading for the cheese sticks.  However, Uncle Sam Original Brand Toasted Whole Wheat Flake Cereal makes these even healthier and even adds some nutritious flax seeds!

The S/C Value for two cheese sticks is 0/1.  This determination is assuming that you use the full amount of the coating on the cheese sticks (which I never do).

Oven-Fried Cheese Sticks
(serves 4)
1 1/4 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 c. whole wheat white flour (I used King Arthur Brand)
2 egg whites, beaten
Tbsp. water
1 c. of Uncle Sam wheat flake cereal, crushed into fine crumbs
1 8 ounce package of mozzarella string cheese (8 sticks)

Combine garlic salt, oregano, and the crushed wheat flakes.  Set aside.

Mix egg whites and water together.

Coat each string cheese with a thin layer of the flour.  Dip floured string cheese in the egg mixture, then roll in the wheat flake mixture.  Make sure the string cheese is completely coated with flour, egg, and the wheat flakes to avoid the cheese sticks melting out of the breading while baking.

Refrigerate the cheese stick for about 30 minutes (This also helps keep the cheese sticks from oozing.) 

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Cover a cookie sheet in foil and spray or coat the foil with a thin layer of oil.  Bake the cheese sticks on the pan for about 7-8 minutes, or until melted and golden. 

Serve with low sugar pizza sauce and enjoy while hot!

Healthy (and inexpensive) Microwave Popcorn

So a few weeks ago, I heard a news report on how bad microwave popcorn can be for you, and how you really should never eat it.  Apparently the bags are coated with some chemical that has been linked to cancer. 

I found some information online about making your own microwave popcorn.  It is really easy and really delicious.  It also allows you to use your preferred oil, good quality popping corn, and whatever seasoning you like.

My favorite variety thus far is Jamaican Jerk Popcorn! 


Jamaican Jerk Popcorn
1/4 c. unpopped popcorn kernels
2 tsp. oil (I have used coconut oil and Smart Balance Oil, and both are great)
1/2 tsp. Jamaican Jerk Seasoning (I used Island Spice brand that I got in Jamaica this spring), plus more for sprinkling after the popcorn is popped.

In a brown paper lunch bag, add ingredients and shake to coat the kernels.  Fold the top of the bag over three times to seal.  Place the bag on a paper towel in the microwave, and microwave on high for about 2 1/2 to 3 minutes, depending on your microwave.  The best way to figure out the time is to stand by and stop the microwave when the pops slow down to about 3-5 seconds between each pop.  You can always re-pop any kernels that do not pop the first time.

To make Old Bay Style Popcorn, substitute 1/2 tsp of Old Bay Seasoning.

Not so Crazy Mocha

Back in Pittsburgh, there is an awesome coffee shop called Crazy Mocha.  I was lucky enough (or unlucky enough healthwise) to have one on the first floor of my office building.

Crazy Mocha's signature drink used to be The Crazy Mocha, a sweet, creamy, heavenly blend of coffee, ice, ice cream, and chocolate.  Last time I was there, they stopped serving ice cream and no longer had the Crazy Mocha.

I re-created this drink this morning for breakfast, but took out the sugar and added some protein and a little fiber.  I used a small scoop of my Chocolate Ice Cream that I made last night (maybe a 1/4 cup) to give it the rich chocolatey taste.  You could use up to 1/2 c of the ice cream for an S/C Value of 0/1.

Not-So-Crazy Mocha
1/2 c. ice
1/2 c. cold coffee
1/2 scoop of Jay Robb's vanilla protein powder (this is the best kind I have ever had and is all natural)
1 small scoop of Sugar Free Chocolate Ice Cream (see below)
2 tsp. Benefiber

Blend everything together until smooth!

New to Me: So Delicious Coconut Milk

I love dairy products and have been looking for a low sugar alternative to dairy (other than drinking straight cream which I am sure cannot be good for me).  A lot of people have suggested Almond Milk as a substitute.  I am deathly allergic to nuts, so that would not work out so well for me.

Someone suggested So Delicious Coconut Milk during the first week of our online meeting.  I went to Whole Foods later that week and bought it.  You can find it in the refrigerator section near the sugar-filled milk.  The unsweetened kind only has 1 gram of carbs and 0 grams of sugar in 1 cup and tastes a lot like real milk.  My husband said it reminded him of skim milk, but tasted pretty good!  The coconut taste is very very slight and may not be noticed if you did not know what it was.

This morning I had it on my cereal and it was great subsitute to regular milk.

I am going to try to make yogurt out of it next week! 

Thursday, October 29, 2009

American Heart Associations Advice on Limiting Sugar

Here is an article from the AHA regarding how dangerous high intake of sugar can be to your health.  Scary stuff!

The AHA says, regardless of whether you are trying to lose weight or not, people should limit their added sugar intake. The AHA recommends less than six teaspoons of added sugar each day for women and less than nine teaspoons for men.

To put that into perspective, consider the following:  there are about 9 teaspoons of sugar in a 12 ounce can of Coke alone!! 

Obviously we all know how much sugar is in soda. But what about some supposedly "healthy" foods?

  • One 6 ounce container of strawberry yogurt sweetened with sugar has about 5 teaspoons
  • One packet of instant apple cinnamon oatmeal has about 3 teaspoons!
You can eat well over your added sugar limit just by eating breakfast!

 

Chicken Fried Rice

So, I am a huge fan of fried rice.  Sometimes I break down and eat it even though it is one of the worst things a diabetic could eat because of the insane amount of carbs in one serving.

Tonight, I made a version of fried rice that uses grated cauliflower instead of rice.  It was delicious!  I gave it to my husband without telling him that it was cauliflower, and he did not even notice that the rice was missing.

I got the recipe for which I based my version of the fried rice on Healthy Indulgences (wonderful website!!)

If you eat 1/2 of the recipe below, the S/C value would be about 4/2.  It tastes so good that I will not miss the carb laden version that I have been eating!  If you do not have 4 grams of sugar to spare for dinner, try omitting either the carrots or the onions, or use 1/4 c of each. 

Chicken Fried Rice (serves 2-3)

1/2 lb of chicken, cut across the grain in thin slices
1 tbsp oil
salt and pepper

1-2 tbsp oil (I used Coconut, but whatever should work. The coconut oil gives the dish a slightly sweet flavor)
2 c. grated Cauliflower
1/2 c. yellow onion, chopped
1/2 c. of matchstick sliced carrots (I used the pre-cut version)
10 snow pea pods, chopped (about 1/4 c.)
1 clove of garlic
5 tbsp. low sodium soy sauce
1/2 tsp. toasted sesame oil
dash of garlic powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 eggs, beaten

In a frying pan over medium-high, heat 1 Tbsp oil.  Add chicken and season with salt and pepper.  Cook until cooked through.  Take chicken off of heat and set aside.

In a frying pan, heat 1 Tbsp. of coconut oil over medium heat.  When hot, add onions and cook until soft.  Remove onions from the pan and set aside.  Add carrots, chopped pea pods, and garlic and cook until soft and set aside with the onions.

Add cauliflower to the frying pan and saute for a minute or two, adding more oil if necessary.  Add 3 Tbsp. of soy sauce, 1/4 tsp. sesame oil, garlic powder, and pepper and stir until all of the cauliflower is coated with the soy sauce.  Cook until the cauliflower is soft.  Add the remaining vegetables.  Stir until combined.


Then, push all the vegetables to the side of the pan.  Scramble the eggs in the open space on the pan, using a spatula to dice up the cook egg.  When the egg is cooked, incorporate it into the vegetables.

Add the cooked chicken to the vegetable/egg mix.  Add remaining 2. Tbsp soy sauce and 1/4 tsp. of sesame oil.  Stir fry the mixture until chicken is warm. Serve and enjoy!

Follow up to Sugar Free Ice Cream

It is fantastic (see below)!! I skipped the chocolate chips, and I calculated the S/C Value.  It is an amazing 0/1 for a 1/2 c. serving.

Sugar Free Ice Cream

One of my favorite desserts is ice cream.  The idea of living without it is not acceptable for me.

I have looked into Clemmy's, which seems to be the only all-natural sugar free ice cream that I could find.  Since they do not sell it in Michigan, I decided to attempt to make my own.

I have been looking around for recipes for sugar free chocolate ice cream, and I stumbled on an awesome blog that has a lot of recipes that are sugar and gluten free.  It is called Healthy Indulgences, and the recipes look fantastic!

I am making the Premium Chocolate Ice Cream tonight.  I used Xylitol as my primary sweetener, and also used NuNaturals Pure Stevia, as per the recipe.

I cannot wait to try it!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Roasted Fennel

I have taken the opportunity to expand my veggie horizons while on the Belly Fat Cure program.

Fennel is a vegetable that I tried just recently.  I always held back because I was afraid that I would not like the anise like taste.  However, I am pleased to report that the flavor is mild and delicious. The S/C value for the Roasted Fennel is 0/1.

Roasted Fennel (serves about 1)

1 bulb of Fennel (trim off the green stalks)
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
Juice from a 1/2 a lemon

Preheat oven to 375.  Cut fennel bulb in half, remove the inside core, and slice the fennel into thin strips.  Place fennel on a baking sheet covered with foil .  Generously brush olive oil on the fennel.  Sprinke with salt and pepper.  Squeeze the juice of 1/2 a lemon all over the fennel strips.

Bake for 10 minutes.  Flip the fennel, and bake for another 10 minutes or until soft and golden brown.

Serve as is, or sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Enjoy

Mom's Keema- Indian Beef

This is one of my favorite dishes.  I love ethnic foods but find it hard to know exactly what is in them when I eat at restaurants.  This dish has the spices and tastes of Indian Food with a limited amount of sugar.

The beef alone has a S/C value of 2/1.  I like it best over vegetables and rice.  I usually eat it over 1/2 c. of brown basmati rice (SC value of 0/1). 

Keema Indian Beef
Serves 4
1 Tbsp. Canola Oil (I use Smart Balance Oil)
1lb ground beef (I think 80/20 beef works best here since you are not adding much additional fat.  It keeps it moist.  However, I have used beef up to 94% lean and still had great results.)
1/2 tsp mustard seed
1 medium sized onion, chopped into fine pieces (I use my food processor)
1 medium sized tomato, chopped (I also use my food processor)
1 inch of ginger, crushed OR 1 Tbsp of ginger paste (found in your ethnic foods department in a jar)
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp of cumin
1/2 tsp coriander powder
1 tsp gran masala
1 tsp salt (adjust to your tastes)


In a deep frying pan over medium-high heat, heat oil.  When hot, add 1/2 tsp mustard seed.  When the mustard seeds start to pop, add the onion.  Cook until light brown.

Add the tomato and  ginger that is crushed.  Keep stirring for 1 min.  Then add ground beef , turmeric powder, cumin, coriander powder and  gran masala and salt.

Lower to heat to med low and cook for 7-8 mins or until beef is cooked.

Old Bay Sauteed Shrimp

Last week, I was really craving Old Bay.  I love the seasoning, and I use the low sodium version as a seasoning on my popcorn all the time.

I wanted to make Old Bay Shrimp, but I did not feel like having the mess associated with peeling and eating steamed shrimp.  I found another way to make the shrimp and still get that great Old Bay flavor.

The Old Bay Sauteed Shrimp has an S/C Value of 0/0.  I served the shrimp with a boiled Artichoke (S/C Value of 1/1) dipped in a French Vinaigrette Dressing (Brianna's Homestyle Brand is a S/C value of 0/0). This would also be great with some roasted fingerling potatoes (S/C Value of 0/1 for half a cup). 

Old Bay Sauteed Shrimp 

 Serves 2-3

1 1/2 lb shrimp (I used large USA caught shrimp)
2 tsp Old Bay Seasoning, original
1 tbsp unsalted butter

Peel and devein shrimp, if necessary.  Pat the shrimp dry and put them in a resealable bag.  Add Old Bay and shake to coat the shrimp.

In large skillet, melt butter on medium-high heat.  Cook shrimp for about 2 minutes per side, or until the shrimp turn pink, curl up slightly, and are cooked through

Serve while hot.

A Quick Dose of Buffalo Chicken Dip

Today I was really craving Buffalo Chicken Dip.  For those of you who have not had this delicious party food, it is a creamy and spicy dip that tastes like buffalo chicken wings.  It has become an obsession for some of my friends, and we make it for every party!

Buffalo Chicken Dip is a wonderful mix of chicken, ranch dressing, cream cheese, and hot sauce.  It is excellent when paired with tortilla chips and celery.

I mixed up a single serving version to satisfy my cravings.  Based on the brands used below, one serving of the dip alone has an S/C value of 2/0 (1.5 grams of sugar and 2 grams of carbs). See below for a list of delicious dippers and their S/C values.


Single Serving Buffalo Chicken Dip

2 Tbsp of full fat cream cheese, softened (I used Philadelphia brand)
1 Tbsp of ranch dressing (I used organic Hidden Valley Ranch)
1 1/2 tsp of Frank's Red Hot (more or less can be used, depending on taste)
Chicken chunks, shredded  (I used  about one heaping tbsp size scoop of Valley Fresh 100% Natural white meat canned chicken) 

In a small  microwave safe bowl, smash cream cheese with a fork.  Add ranch and hot sauce and stir to combine.  Flake chicken with a fork and add to cream cheese mixture.  Combine.  Microwave for 5-10 second intervals, stirring after each, until the dip is  hot, soft and creamy.

Enjoy with any of the following:

Tortilla Chips- I used about 1 ounce of  Tostito's brand Scoops for an S/C value of 0/1. You may be able to find a better option.  This is just what I had at my house. (The total S/C value for the dip and chips would be 2/1.)
Celery- A whole stalk only has an S/C value of 1/0! (The S/C value of the dip and celery would be 3/0)

Salmon with White Wine and Chives

I made this recipe for dinner on Monday night.  It turned out fantastically!

The salmon dish has a S/C value of 0/0!  I served the salmon with steamed broccoli (2/0 for a whole cup) and a serving of Cascadian Farms Straight Cut French Fries (I found them at Whole Foods).  I was amazed that 18 fries had a S/C value of only 1/1!!  It was a delicious and filling meal!  I dipped the fries in the wine sauce from the salmon, and it reminded me of moules frites (mussels with fries) from one of my favorite restaurants.

Salmon with White Wine and Chives (serves 2)

1 lb Alaskan Salmon (any fresh caught salmon would work)
salt, to taste (I used pink Himalayan salt)
1 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tsp unbleached white flour (I used King Arthur brand)
1 cup of dry white wine (I used 1492 Chardonnay/Viogneir/Chenin blend)
1 1/2 tbsp chopped chives

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Season salmon with salt, to taste.  Place on a baking sheet (with foil for easy clean up) and roast for 12-15 minutes, or until salmon is opaque in the middle.

While the salmon is cooking, melt butter over medium heat. Slowly whisk in flour, then add wine.  Bring the wine mixture to a boil and then reduce to a simmer.   Let wine mixture simmer until it thickens, about 10 or so minutes.
Stir in chives and a pinch of salt.
 Serve over the salmon and enjoy!