Blog Archives

Gluten Free

It’s been over a month now, and I still haven’t touched a single slice of bread, bowl of pasta, or pillowy-soft gnocchi. In addition to giving up gluten, I decided to quit eating refined sugar.

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Healthy Meals

Ideas for cheap healthy meals
Now you may have become discouraged by what many define as diet food. Bland or with an aftertaste and just plain non-appetizing to the palette, or if you do run across some foods that are good to eat on a daily basis, they can get costly. No worries! Having cheap healthy meals that you and your family can enjoy does not require any special training or fancy foods from a special store.
If you think that Spanish food is fattening, the truth is that it can be but there are changes that anyone can make so that it will be nutritious as well as filling. Take tacos, for example. You may have seen tortillas deep fried so that they will form that nice shape to hold all the fillings. After you have organized all of your fillings, just take regular tortillas to a hot pan that has been slightly oiled and let it brown for a couple of minutes on each side. Drain excess oil on a paper towel and add fillings.
Speaking of fillings, there are some corners you can cut so that they are not as fattening. Let’s start from the bottom. Ground turkey or chicken can be used instead of beef or you can try a leaner grade like 85/15 or 93/7. The bottom number represents the percentage of fat used in the ground but understand that the lower the bottom number, the higher the price.
By using refried beans in your tacos, you are getting fiber as well as sustenance. In other words, this will fill you up faster. Instead of going with sour cream and/or guacamole, try salsa and plain nonfat yogurt along with shredded lettuce. You’ll still have that same creamy texture but without the calories. These tips may be used for burritos, tostadas, quesadillas and nachos. If you must use cheese, try a reduced-fat cheddar or mix in Monterey jack with cheddar. Pepper jack cheese is a spicy option that has enough flavors so that you won’t need as much.
If you like chicken fingers or strips, there are ways to prepare this without deep frying. Let’s start with the coating. Many like to use a batter made of whole eggs and white flour. You can change things up by using slightly beaten egg whites and crushed corn flakes to dip raw chicken slices which should be cut fairly thin. In a shallow medium pan, use enough canola or vegetable oil to cover about a half inch in depth. Once oil is warm under medium heat, add covered chicken carefully. Cook on each side for about 7 minutes and let drain on towel while cooling. If you need additional cooking time, place in oven at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes.
Finally, instead of having regular potato skins or chili cheese fries, cook a raw potato or two in your microwave or regular oven the same way you would bake it as a side dish. After it has cooked, slice in half lengthwise and let cool. Turn on the oven at 350 degrees. Scoop out the potato and fill with turkey or meatless canned chili. Top with shredded, reduced-fat cheese and bake in oven for 5-10 minutes.
These are just a few ideas to help keep some of those comfort foods in your daily routine without ruining your diet or your health or your wallet!

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Grilled Chicken Salad with Walnuts

I’ve always liked chicken salad- it’s easy to make, and makes for a delicious meal, especially during the summer.

Herb grilled chicken salad with walnuts is a tasty meal, especially when served on a rich, buttery croissant.

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My Bloody Kitchen Accident

In my constant strive for greatness, and teetering on an unhealthy obsession with perfection, I often take things “too far” when it comes to my craft. If I try a recipe or procedure, and it doesn’t work the first time, I tend to try it again…and again, until I’m satisfied with the result.

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I Want You (She’s So Heavy)

Now for the bad news: I’m OVERWEIGHT. I know, I know…you’re all rolling your eyes. Sure, I’m “little”…I’m short. I’m like Snooki “little”…It ain’t “little” if you still got a muffin top. After a humiliating and eye-opening experience at the doctor, I decided that I could either bullshit all of you and allow myself to come across as one of those annoying people who eat TONS and never gains any weight, or I could use your support to start investigating a healthier lifestyle. I am 27 years old, I’ve never been married, no kids, and the wallpaper on my phone is a piece of pizza. Which one do you think I chose?

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