roasted sweet potato & pear salad

I saw this photo on Food Gawker via The Kitchen Fix. I will be making this soon!

Ingredients:

• 1 medium sized sweet potato, cut at a 1/2 dice
• 1 medium pear, 1/2 dice
• 5-6 cups mixed greens
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/3 cup well-toasted pecans
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp pear juice
• 2-3 tsp rice vinegar
• 1/4 tsp all-spice
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1 large garlic clove, smashed
• 1 tsp chopped fresh sage (optional)

mini ham & cheese quinoa cups

I saw this recipe on The Kitchn via the food blog Iowa Girl Eats. I am going to make these next weekend! They have less than 50 calories each.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked quinoa
• 2 eggs
• 2 egg whites
• 1 cup zucchini, shredded
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup diced ham
• 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
• 2 Tablespoons parmesan cheese
• 2 green onions, sliced
• salt & pepper

butternut squash and pancetta orecchiette

This recipe looks AMAZING for November. Check out the site Spoon Fork Bacon for the recipe.

 

butternut squash soup with turkey bacon

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 lb butternut squash, cubed
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons EVOO
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 2 teaspoons chipotles in adobo, minced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups chicken stock or broth
• 14oz white sweet corn
• 1 bunch fresh sage
• 1 strip turkey bacon, diced small
• 4 tablespoons low fat Greek yogurt

skinny vine

Have you ever heard of Skinny Vine wines?

The Skinny Vine wines have all the flavor at 25% – 35% fewer calories.

The average holiday beverage clocks in at 300 calories. Skinny Vine’s The Slim Chardonnay (86 calories), Mini Moscato (95 calories), and Thin Zin (89 calories) contain up to 35% fewer calories then most wines. I need to try these!

Source: The Skinny Vine

spicy chicken stew

Ingredients:

• 2 baking potatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds), peeled and cut into chunks (3 1/3 cups)
• 1 (10-ounce) package frozen whole-kernel corn
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks (1 cup)
• 1 onion, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup bottled salsa
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken thighs (about 10.5 ounces)
• 2 1/2 cups fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
• 4 (6-inch) fresh corn tortillas, cut into strips
• Chopped fresh parsley (optional)

eat more protein

 

Want to lose weight? Eat more protein!

According to a study at the University of South Australia, eating a high protein diet yields greater weight-loss results.

1. It takes more energy for your body to process protein.
2. A higher protein diet keeps your metabolism going by preserving your muscle mass and resting energy expenditure (the amount of calories you burn while at rest).

The next time your stomach rumbles and dinner is hours in the future, reach for any of these  nine protein-packed snack combos, recommended by Lisa M. Moskovitz, RD, CDN, CPT, owner of Manhattan-based practice Your New York Dietitian.

manhattan beach

I took this unfiltered photo with my iPhone last night in Manhattan Beach. I feel so lucky to live near the beach here. Praying for everyone back East today dealing with the hurricane.

 

crispy quinoa sliders

 

My sister Michelle sent me this recipe she found on How Sweet Eats. Excited to try these.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
• 2 cups vegetable or chicken stock
• 1 cup cooked chickpeas
• 1/2 cup freshly grated provolone cheese
• 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup chopped carrots
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 large egg + 1 egg white, lightly beaten
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 12 whole wheat English muffins
• 2 avocados, sliced for topping
• 1/2 cup chipotle mayo, for topping

roasted squash & spicy cucumber salad

On Sunday night, I made roasted squash with Parmesan and herbs. We added spicy turkey sausage and red pepper flakes to give it some extra kick. One the side, I made a lime cucumber salad. It was a delicious, healthy Sunday night dinner.

Recipe for Cucumber Salad:  Cucumber, tomato, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper and chile powder

roasted squash with parmesan & herbs

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 shallots, diced small
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 3/4 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves
• 6 cups Roasted Spaghetti Squash
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
• Coarse salt and ground pepper

kale, apple & turkey bacon salad

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 4 ounces sliced turkey bacon, diced
•  1/4 cup champagne vinegar
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup or agave
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 small head radicchio, shredded
• 1 8-ounce bunch kale, stems discarded, leaves shredded
• 2 tart yet sweet apples, sliced into thick matchsticks
• 3/4 cup pecans, toasted if desired

beet quinoa, farro, and corn & bean salad

Delicious dinner tonight: quinoa with red beets, Farro with sliced cucumber and pine nuts and corn, tomato and black bean salad.

mini crab cakes

I made mini crab cakes this weekend for a party we held at our house. These crab cakes were delicious, and a great light, easy appetizer.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 3/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup non-fat Greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon finely grated orange peel
• 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel
• 6 teaspoons chopped fresh chives, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
• Large pinch of cayenne pepper
• 10-12 ounces fresh lump crabmeat, picked over, patted dry, coarsely shredded
• 1 and a half cups panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
• Fresh chives, cut into pieces

arepa pizza

I found this amazing recipe on the blog Spoon Fork Bacon. For full recipe click HERE. I am going to make this next week. I love the ingredients: spicy shredded chicken, honey, avocados, tomatoes, all topped with light cilantro yogurt sauce.