TWIX Candybar

A Twix bar consists of a cookie-like biscuit, topped with caramel and coated in milk chocolate. Ah, we can do that!Ingredients in a Traditional TWIX bar = Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Milk Ingredients, Cocoa Mass, Lactose, Soy Lecithin, Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate, Artificial Flavour)Enriched Flour (Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid)Sugar, Hydrolyzed...

Stuffed Manicotti

1 large eggplant1 package Bolinski's organic Chicken Sausage1 1/2 cups cottage cheese2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese2 egg whites1/2 tsp dried oregano1 (32 ounce) jar no sugar marinara sauceTo prepare the shells, peel eggplant and cut into long "lasagna noodle" like shapes. Make a cylinder and pin with toothpicks (like the photo shows). Chop the chicken sausage into...

Lobster Bisque with Tomato and Brie Bread

I know the recipe sounds weird, instead of heavy cream, I used cream cheese. This added an amazing flavor without extra calories, 1 TBS of cream is 50 calories, 1 TBS of cream cheese is also 50 calories. Since you only need a small amount of cream cheese for the thickness and the flavor, you save a lot of calories this way.1 bag Trader Joe's lobster 3 TBS butter1 leek, halved lengthwise1/2 onion,...

Peanut Butter Cookies

Are you really fooled by this marketing? I hope not! I want to throw this down the aisle when I see people grab it off the shelf. The "hydrogenated oils" trump the fish oils that are added to the plastic tub...I should also mention that you can make healthy fish oils rancid by overheating them so they don't smell or taste "fishy," which you know they do because who wants a fish flavor in their peanut...

Baked Tostones with Mojo Verde(Green Dipping Sauce)

These crunchy-munchies are famous Latin American plantain appetizer.Traditionally fried twice ; loaded with fat calories,the recipe here is inspired by Chef Juan's low fat healthy variation. Chef Juan's boils them first in flavored broth until tender,then gently smashes and bakes until crisp.The green dipping sauce,Mojo verde is simply a concoction of fresh herbs and spices with tangy touch of lemon(can...

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

3/4 cup butter or coconut oil1/2 cup erythritol 1 tsp stevia glycerite 1 egg1 tsp vanilla extract1 tsp peppermint extract1 1/2 cups blanched almond flour1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder1 tsp baking soda1/4 tsp salt1 cup chopped ChocoPerfection Bars Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. In a large bowl, cream together butter and Truvia until light and fluffy. Beat in...

"Shake and Bake" Mix

I remember using "Shake 'n' Bake" as a kid. Little do most people realize that it is filled with TRANS-FAT, sugar, maltodexterin, and other unhealthy additives! Remember, maltodexterin is higher on the glycemic index than sugar! Click here to read why trans-fat is SO bad for you when it comes to weight loss.Shake 'n Bake's Original Pork flavor includes as ingredients: enriched wheat flour (wheat flour, niacin, iron, thiamin mononitrate Vitamin B1,...

Buffalo Chicken and Blue Cheese Mashed "Potatoes"

If you are a fan of buffalo chicken in blue cheese, try this recipe. My husband LOVED it!Chicken Strips:1 tsp coconut oilChicken Wings OR 1/2 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts - cut into strips1/4 tsp Celtic sea salt2 tsp butter1 TBS hot pepper sauceTo Make Chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet. Season chicken with salt and sautee over medium high heat, stirring frequently, until lightly browned...

Peanut-Coconut Chicken and "Rice"

This is an amazingly flavorful dish. I made a few changes to make it "healthified." I used almond milk instead of fat free half-n-half, guar gum instead of cornstarch, Swerve in place of sugar, one onion in place of 2, and cauliflower in place of white rice. All of these little changes make a HUGE difference in the nutritional information without changing the flavors. Enjoy!If you want to watch me...

Scrumptious Scones

When I was in high school, I worked at a coffee shop...maybe that is where my love of baking came along. We had amazing scones. There are 2 types of scones you will run across; the traditional English scones are a very light, dry, not too sweet scone that is awesome dipped in espresso. This scone recipe is more "Americanized" that is sweeter and denser...more of a "drop" scone. I hope you enjoy!2...

Steak and Mushroom Open-Faced Sandwich

2 large portobello mushroom6 ounces steak2 TBS tamari sauce (or soy sauce)2 TBS olive oil1 tsp coconut oil or butter1 garlic clove, minced2 ounces blue cheese1/4 tsp pepper1/4 cup beef brothCeltic sea salt and pepper to tasteHeat oven to 400° F. Lightly grease medium baking dish; place mushroom caps in dish, gill-side down. Place steak in shallow dish. Combine Tamari sauce, 2 TBS olive oil and garlic...

Cheesy Breadsticks

I grew up in the town where the first frozen pizza was invented, Tombstone Pizza! It started in a bar across from a graveyard. So I grew up on a lot of pizza. My favorite were the pizza sticks that you would dip in sauce. Here is my "healthified" version without trans-fat.3 eggs, separated1/2 tsp cream of tartar3 ounces Cream cheese or sour cream1/2 cup mozzarella or fresh Parmesan cheese, gratedSpices...

Artichoke "Rice" Salad

This is an easy side dish to prepare the night before. I brought it to a family get-together and it was quite a hit!1/2 cup veggie/chicken stock6 cups "riced" cauliflower1 tsp curry powdersalt and pepper to taste5 green onions, chopped1 green bell pepper, chopped3 stalks celery, chopped3 (6.5 ounce) jars marinated artichoke hearts, chopped1 cup Spectrum Organic Mayo1/4 cup chopped parsleyCombine chicken...

Pearl Millet(Jowar) Vegetable Stew.And the winners...

Contrary to the dull,bone-chilling and lifeless weather outside, this heartwarming invigorating stew is just what one needs to drive the winter blues away.Pearl Millet is another hearty whole grains like barley or farro,that is ideal for making wholesome stews that is all-vegan.To get the best of the flavor,the stew needs to be cooked at low heat and vegetables should be added when millet is almost...

Italian Broccoli Cheese Casserole

1-1/2 pounds fresh broccoli, cut into 1/4-inch slices1/4 tsp Celtic sea salt2 cups cottage cheese1 egg1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese1/2 tsp Italian seasoning3/4 cup no sugar spaghetti sauce (Mario Batali)1 cup mozzarella cheese, freshly gratedPreheat the oven to 375 degrees F. In a large saucepan, bring 1-in. of water, broccoli and salt to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5-8 minutes or until...

Gourmet Mushroom Risotto

If you want to watch me make a healthy "risotto" on KARE 11 TV show, click HERE.1/2 cup chicken broth, divided3 TBS coconut oil or butter, divided1 pound portobello mushrooms, thinly sliced1 pound white mushrooms, thinly sliced2 shallots, diced4 1/2 cups Cauliflower, "riced"Celtic sea salt to tastefreshly ground black pepper to taste3 TBS finely chopped chives4 TBS butter1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan...

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Vanilla-Pecan Butter

6 TBS butter, slightly softened1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped (or 1 tsp extract)1/4 cup toasted pecans, choppedSalt and freshly ground black pepper1 1/2 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed3 TBS coconut oil1 lime, finely zested1 TBS finely grated orange zestOPTIONAL: bacon piecesCombine the butter and vanilla bean seeds in a small bowl. Fold in the pecans and season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate...

Protein Noodle White Lasagna

3/4 cup minced shallots8 TBS butter1/2 tsp grated nutmeg6 TBS cream cheese3/4 cup chicken stock2 large eggs, lightly beaten1/2 tsp Celtic sea salt1/4 pound grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (1 cup), divided6 cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese1 pound deli shaved chicken breast or hamOPTIONAL: artichokes, capers, mushrooms, peppers or my favorite addition CRAB! LOTS of crab!Preheat oven to 350°F with...

Whole grain Apple Appams and a query

A South Indian delicacy, Appams are these crisp round dumplings ,traditionally prepared with fermented rice flour batter.The sweet variation of these are usually made with combination of wheat and rice flour or simply rice flour.Enriching the appams with fiber rich fruits like apples or bananas makes the appams all the more nutritionally appealing.And I recommend brown rice instead of plain white...

Pumpkin Cheesecake Concrete Mixer

Here is a small piece from my book: SECRETS TO A HEALTHY METABOLISM."The most important piece of our thermic effect of food metabolism is the amount of quality protein in our diets; which influences weight loss. Protein helps us sustain muscle during weight loss, improve muscle strength and endurance, improve immunity, enhance antioxidant function, build HDL cholesterol, and helps insulin and leptin...

Twinkies

What is really in those little plastic packages called Twinkies?The Twinkie was created during the Depression and contains 39 ingredients! One of those ingredients is a preservative, sorbic acid. Sorbic acid actually comes from natural gas. AND...5 ingredients come from rocks. If that isn’t gross enough, ingredients like cellulose gum, Polysorbate 60, and calcium sulfate are also used in sheet rock,...

Cream Filled Crepes and ADOPTION UPDATE

I get a lot of questions on when the boys are coming so I wanted to keep you all posted. The baby we were originally placed with died of malaria the first week of December. We were devastated. But then a wise child told me, "I bet Kai is having a great time in Heaven." Wow, children know exactly what to say in tough times!We asked to be placed with another baby, so that is delaying everything a bit....

Coconut Chicken Curry and NAAN Bread!

Are you looking for a thick, tasty beverage? or something to add to your protein smoothie? Try this. It has less calories than skim milk, and only 3 grams of sugar (versus 12 for skim milk...skim milk is high in lactose, which we slowly lose the enzyme after childhood to break this down..."lactose intolerance"). It also has 10 live and active cultures for good bacteria. Feeding your body delicious...

Easy "Pasta" Salad

Have you ever gone to a family BBQ and wondered...how long has that pasta salad been sitting out? I was surprised to learn that it is the starch in the food, not the mayo that can cause food poisoning! Just think about it, bacteria loves yeast. The bacteria grows on the starchy part of the dish as it sits out.I had to double the batch since it went so fast the first time I made it!4 cups Hearts of...

Mac & Not Cheese.And Dr.Axe's 'the real food diet' Cookbook Giveaway

Eating healthy does not mean eating sticks and grass.Eating real natural foods and using proper preparation can make food taste amazing.Dr.Josh Axe's 'The real food diet' cookbook has an umpteen collection of real food recipes that don't just taste great but also help loose weight ,feel great and transform your health for good.I was ecstatic to have received free copies of the cookbook to review and...