MFB: Strawberry Nut Cottage Cheese

This is the perfect, quick put together snack for after school, or for when you are hungry, but you don't want to make a big meal. Yummy, light and nutritious.

Strawberry Nut Cottage Cheese

1/2 cup cottage cheese topped with:

Sliced strawberries

Almonds

Cinnamon

                           Truvia or Splenda

Enjoy every bite!

MFB: Thick and Frothy Peanut Butter Banana Shake

Photo courtesy of Helen Farr

Yumm!! A clean, healthy PB Banana shake?? Who could ask for anything more?! Try it!!

Thick and Frothy Peanut Butter Banana Shake

1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk

1/4 cup liquid egg whites (if any of you are too nervous to try the

egg whites, just use more milk here instead.  It just won’t be quite

as “thick and frothy”)

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1 Tbsp. peanut butter

1 Tbsp. banana cream sugarfree fatfree pudding mix

  ice

        Put all ingredients into a blender and mix.

Who has a new favorite shake now??

MFB: Loaded Oatmeal Base

Photo courtesy of Kelly Bentley

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and this recipe will make your family scream for breakfast- for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Delicious, and once you try the strawberry cheesecake version- you may never like another oatmeal again. 

Loaded Oatmeal Base

1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/2 cup water
1/2 banana, thinly sliced
splash vanilla

Cook all this on the stove over medium heat until it is the
consistency you like.  It usually takes me about 6-7 minutes.  Whisk
the oats as they cook to mash the banana.

Strawberry Cheesecake version:

Start with loaded oatmeal base and stir in 1 Tblsp. low fat cream cheese,
1 Tblsp. sugarfree, fatfree cheesecake pudding mix, ½ scoop vanilla protein powder and
¼ cup cottage cheese.  Top with sliced strawberries, ½ graham cracker,
crushed and 1 T. low fat cream cheese (to take bites off of!)

MMM... MMMM... GOOD!

MFB: English Muffin Breakfast Casserole

Photo courtesy of Larry Reeves

Ok, seriously- do you see this picture?! Does that not look to DIE for. Great, easy breakfast for the kids, prepared the night before. They will be asking for more!

English Muffin Breakfast Casserole

INGREDIENTS

7 turkey sausages
3 whole wheat English Muffins, cut into cubes
2 T. melted Smart Start or light butter
1/2 cup low fat mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup low fat cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped bell pepper
6 eggs (I used egg beaters)
1 cup milk
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 slices turkey bacon

Cook sausage according to pkg directions.  Cool slightly and cut into
1/4 inch slices.  Place English Muffin cubes in a greased 9×9 baking
dish.  Drizzle with melted butter.  (You could probably omit this
step…  I’ll try that next time.)  Layer with sausage, cheese, onion
and bell pepper.  In a large bowl, combine eggs, milk, salt and
pepper.  Pour over cheese.  Sprinkle with bacon.  Cover and
refrigerate overnight.

Remove from the refrigerator 30 min prior to baking.  Uncover and bake
at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until a knife inserted into the
center comes out clean.  Let stand for 5 min.

Get ready for a GREAT day after having this for breakfast. Enjoy!

MFB: Peanut Butter Cupcake Protein Bars

Photo courtesy of Courtney Brown

These PB Cupcake protein treats, from Moxie Full Body- are a definite must keep around ALL the time to snack on, for your kids to snack on, for your husband to take to work and share. I'm sure you will be making these over and over and over again. Delicious, simple, healthy, and bite size. Just what every busy mother needs. 

Peanut Butter Cupcake Protein Bars

1 c. oat flour

2 scoops vanilla protein powder

½ t. baking soda

¼ t. salt

¼ c. peanut butter

¾ c. splenda

8 oz applesauce

4 egg whites

½ c. water

Mix dry ingredients well.  Mix wet ingredients.  Combine.  Pour into

an 8x8 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes

Enjoy! (and try not to eat the whole pan at once;))

MFB: Fluffy Pumpkin Pancakes

Photo courtesy of Staci Hopkin

Lindsey knows how to put 2 of our favorite ingredients together! These pumpkin pancakes are super yummy AND super healthy! Win... WIN!!

Fluffy Pumpkin Pancakes

INGREDIENTS
4 egg whites

40g (1/2 c.) oats

1/2 c. pumpkin

1/4 t. baking soda

1/4 t. baking powder

1/4 t. cinnamon

1/8 t. ginger

1/8 t. nutmeg

Stevia

splash vanilla

Optional:  2 T. Torani sf pumpkin pie syrup

1.  Grind oats, stevia, spices and baking powder and soda in the

blender until it's like powder. Pour into a separate bowl.

2.  Blend egg whites on medium speed in blender for about 30 seconds.

Add pumpkin and Torani and blend again for about 30 seconds.

3.  Add dry ingredients to the blender and blend.

4.  Pour onto a preheated griddle and cook like pancakes.

5.  Top with sugar free syrup and 50g plain greek yogurt with cinnamon

and stevia mixed in.

Bon Appetite!

MFB: Orange Chicken Fingers

Photo courtesy of Teresa Henrie

Seriously, if you and I have anything in common, it HAS to be that this dish not only looks absolutely delicious, but that it is just as tasty! 

Orange Chicken Fingers

3-4 chicken breasts cut into 3/4 inch strips. (Make sure they are big
enough to go on the grill)

Whisk together:

Dijon mustard 1 1/2 T
Orange juice concentrate 1 1/2 T
Honey 1 1/2 T
Vegetable oil 1 tsp
Salt to taste
Pepper 1/2 tsp

Marinate the chicken for 15 min.

Cook on the grill 2-3 min per side.  Brush your grill with oil so the
chicken won't stick.

Feature Week 2: Busy Girl Healthy Life

I am so happy to announce this weeks featured "clean eating" recipes are straight from Ms. Lori Harder herself, over at "Busy Girl, Healthy Life"  Lori is an inspiration and icon in the fitness industry. She knows what it takes to be THE BEST in the business, and best news is- she is sharing it with the WORLD. Some people like to keep their success secrets to themselves, luckily for us, Lori isn't one of them. She wants everyone to get what they want out of life, and it always starts with nutrition. If you eat well, you will live well, and have more energy to go after your dreams and your passions, the ability to ENJOY life!

So, get ready to keep eating clean and add these fabulous 7 recipes to your menu. I have linked each recipe straight to her site, because no one can do it like Lori does:)

 Tostadas - seriously these are my favorite!! I'm such a mexican food junkie- and these keep it clean!
 Asparagus Walnut Salad - super delicious with all the right flavorings
 Jackie's JACKED UP Peppers - get ready for a party in your mouth with these bad boys!
Chicken Fingers - perfect for everyone- kids LOVED them, and who am I kidding so did I;)
Healthy Pizza - great family night meal, where everyone can get creative in the kitchen together
Brayden's Southwest Soup - perfect for a chilly day
Ham & Swiss Stuffed Chicken Breast - mouth watering to die for combo!

Please go check out her website for even MORE delicious recipes, here.  You can also like her page on facebook, where she is always adding more fun recipes, and interacting with her "busy girls". 

And what you have ALL been waiting for- added to the prize list- is none other then Lori Harder's latest cook book, "Busy Girl, Healthy Life Cookbook"  To get extra entries, make ANY one of the featured recipes by Lori, and then comment below in this post letting me know which one(s) you made and how much you LOVED them. Each recipe made will give you an entry into the prize jar! 

Eat clean and eat up!

Clean Eating Shepherd's Pie

I think this very well could turn into a family favorite! 

The Gracious Pantry presents:

Clean Eating Shepherd’s Pie
(Makes 12 servings)

Ingredients
1.5 lbs. ground turkey meat
1 tbsp. olive oil
12 cloves garlic, chopped
1 large shallot, chopped
1 large white onion, chopped
2 cups sliced carrots, sliced
1/4 cup celery, sliced
1 large zucchini, cubed
1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
3 large sweet potatoes
1/2 cup chicken broth, no sugar added
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp salt

Directions

Step 1 – Place your sweet potatoes in the microwave for about 20-30 minutes, or until they are cooked all the way through.

Step 2 – While the potatoes cook, saute the garlic, shallot and onions together in the oil.

Step 3 – When the onions are translucent, add in the turkey meat, carrots, celery, zucchini, and balsamic vinegar and continue to cook until the veggies are cooked most of the way. They don’t have to be completely cooked because they will bake more in the oven. Just a bit tender is good.

Step 4 – When that is finished cooking, transfer everything to a casserole dish. (Mine was 9×13).

Step 5 – Using a thick towel so you don’t burn yourself, peel the potatoes while they are still hot.

Step 6 – Place them in a mixing bowl with the chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder and salt. Blend with a hand blender until smooth. A food processor or regular blender will work too.

Step 7 – Smooth the potatoes over the meat in the casserole dish. Drag a fork lightly across the top to “rough up” the surface a bit for baking.

Step 8 – Bake at 350 degrees F. for approximately 30 minutes or until it’s nice and bubbly (you’ll see that if your casserole dish is clear glass).

Step 9 – Cut into 12 sections and allow to cool a bit before serving. The potatoes really hold onto their heat, so be careful.

Eat and Enjoy!

Nutritional Content
1 serving = 1/12 of the recipe (About 1 cup)

Calories: 150
Total Fat: 6 gm
Saturated Fats: 1 gm
Trans Fats: 0 gm
Cholesterol: 45 mg
Sodium: 116 mg
Carbohydrates: 13 gm
Dietary fiber: 2 gm
Sugars: 4 gm
Protein: 11 gm
Estimated Glycemic Load: 5

Clean Eating Weeknight Spaghetti

Sometimes you just need a quick, easy meal that your kids will love, and not mind eating at least once (or twice) a week;) That is exactly why Tiffany over at The Gracious Pantry thought when she created this tasty clean version of spaghetti! And who doesn't love spaghetti?? Lady and the Tramp anyone? 

Clean Eating Weeknight Spaghetti

(Makes 8 servings)

Ingredients

1 lbs. whole grain spaghetti noodles

1-1/2 lbs. lean, ground turkey meat

3 medium zucchini, grated

1 tbsp. garlic powder

1 tbsp. onion powder

1 tbsp olive oil

1 jar clean spaghetti sauce (or as much as you like)

Directions

Step 1 – Cook your pasta to package directions.

Step 2 – While the pasta cooks, place turkey meat, zucchini, garlic powder, onion powder and olive oil into a large frying pan and cook until the meat is done. You are not using a lot of oil, so be sure to keep the heat at a lower setting. The water from the meat will help to cook everything.

Step 3 – Drain your pasta and return to the pot.

Step 4 – Stir in the meat and then the sauce.

No nutritional content available as sauce and sauce amounts will vary with this recipe.

Eat and Enjoy!