Addition & Subtraction

Addition & Subtraction: x

Fruit popsicles!

So yesterday I came up with this genius idea of putting fresh cut up fruit on sticks for my kids. They loved them because I called them fruit popsicles or suckers. They totally ate it up and ate 2 each! What a great way to have our children eat fruit!

St. Patrick's Day Snack

The girls and I plan on making these today. You can make them much healthier by substituting whole wheat bread dough for the store bought tube dough. Either way, they look fun to make. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Sweet Shamrocks

Here's a tasty new twist on the traditional St. Patrick's Day shamrock -- sweet green pretzels fashioned from canned refrigerated bread stick dough and coated with a sprinkling of colored sugar and cinnamon.

What you need:

Canned refrigerated bread stick dough (we used Pillsbury Original Breadsticks)
Colored sugar
Cinnamon

Step 1 Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and lightly coat it with cooking spray.

Step 2 To create the clover shape, mold 3 sections of bread sticks into hearts and press them together as shown. Attach a small stem, decorate, bake according to the package directions, and serve them up to your lucky guests.

Tropical Popcorn

I haven't tried this but think it sounds yummers! I love simple ideas for healthy treats. FYI There are a lot of great recipes on Oprah's website right now.

Tropical Popcorn
Recipe created by Tyler Florence

Ingredients:
Makes 2 cups
· 1 bag plain, lightly salted, microwave popping corn
· 3 Tbsp. dried cranberries
· 3 Tbsp. dried pineapple
· 3 Tbsp. chopped dried mango
· 1/4 cup banana chips
· 3 Tbsp. shredded toasted coconut

Make popcorn following directions on the packet and microwave guidelines. In a large mixing bowl, combine popcorn and dried fruit and coconut and toss well to mix.

Sweet Potato Fries

Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Recipe created by Cat Cora

Ingredients:
Serves 4
· 1 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes , peeled and cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips
· 1/4 cup olive oil
· 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
· 1/2 tsp. dried Italian herb seasoning

Preheat oven to 425°. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil coated with cooking spray.Spread the sweet potato strips out onto the baking sheet in a single layer, coat with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and spices, turning them over to evenly coat on all sides with oil and spices.Bake for 30 minutes, turning every 10 minutes with spatula. Serve warm.

I think it might also be fun to try it with brown sugar and butter or maybe cinnamon, sugar and nutmeg....hmmm I'll give it a try.

Oven French Fries

We love potatoes in our family! Especially when they are salted and fried! So I tried making them healthier by baking them. It worked out really well. I cut the potatoes in wedges about 1/4 -- 1/2 inch thick. Layed them on their back (potato skin down) on the pan, sprayed pam on them, salted them with sea salt. Then I put the oven rack as close to the burner as I could. Put the oven on to bake (not broil) @ 500 degrees. Let them bake for 25-30 minutes. They are so yummy! We loved them! I hope you enjoy them too.

Easy Zucchini Side (or appetizer)

I absolutely LOVE zucchini! This wasn't always the case however. It wasn't until I tried these that I became a true believer and now I make them as often as I can!
1 large zucchini
olive oil
Italian seasonings
Cooking Directions:
Cut the zucchini into long, flat, thin strips (about as thin as a slice of cheese). Lay them out on a paper towel for at least four hours to dry out a bit.
Arrange the strips on a baking sheet. LIGHTLY sprinkle olive oil on each side of the strip. With your fingers gently spread the olive oil to make sure it is evenly coated. Generously shake the Italian seasoning over the zucchini. Turn your oven on to broil and place the sheet on a top rack. Carefully watch the zucchini. You want them to get browned on top...not black! :)
*Take them out of the oven and eat them warm, or cool them, and eat them at room temp. Either way they are great!

Still Around!

I know it has been a while since any posts. I just want you all to know that once I get through this first couple months of pregnancy and morning sickness I will be right back into the swing of healthier living again...but for now it is cereal for me.....yes it is the only thing that settles my tummy! Lots of high fiber cearals. lol!!! Keep it up though!

Fish Soft Tacos with Pico De Gallo-Black Bean Sauce

I have decided to try this out because it is easy, quick, and I probably have the stuff at home to make it. I however, thought of a couple ways to make it healthier or easier.



Ingredients

6 ounces cooked fish, such as baked cod, tilapia, samon, tuna
4 flour tortillas (I would use whole wheat tortillas)
1/2 cup pico de gallo (I am going to use a little salsa instead (I don't like pico))
1 can black beans, drained
1/4 cup sour cream (use lowfat)
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Directions
Mixed stir fried vegetables, recipe below
Lime wedges (I usually have lime juice on hand)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Heat fish and all 4 tortillas in a stack and wrapped in foil on a baking sheet for 8 to 10 minutes.

In a bowl, combine pico de gallo, beans, sour cream and cumin.

Arrange fish on tortillas and top with pico de gallo-black bean sauce and mixed stir fried vegetables. Serve with a lime wedge on the side.

Mixed Stir-Fried Vegetables:(My thoughts are this, you can buy a bag of frozen stir fry style veggies and just steam them in a microwave to make this easier)

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup sliced red onion
1 carrot, peeled and thinly sliced
1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced
1 bunch asparagus, ends trimmed and spears cut into 2-inch pieces

Carrot, Green Apple and Mint Salad

I found this recipe and thought it sounded so interestingly good! My little one may even like it. I am going to try it out!

Ingredients
1/3 cup plain nonfat yogurt
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
1 pound carrots, peeled and trimmed
1 Granny Smith apple, cored
2 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh mint leaves
Salt
Directions
Fold a full sheet of paper towel into quarters and place it in a small bowl. Spoon the yogurt on top of the paper towel. Place it in the refrigerator for 20 minutes so the yogurt can drain and thicken.

In a small bowl whisk together the thickened yogurt and the mayonnaise, until smooth. Whisk in the lemon juice, vinegar, and honey.

Grate first the carrots and then the apples in a food processor. Transfer them to a large bowl and stir to combine. Pour the dressing over the carrot mixture and toss. Add the mint and season with salt.

Serve chilled.

PIZZA!!!

LAYER THE INGREDIENTS:

-Whole Wheat Pizza Crust (or) make your own out of Whole Wheat Dough
(brush crust with little olive oil)
-Your favorite Organic Marinara Sauce (look for low sugar and sodium)
-Add tons of VEGGIES (my favorite are mushrooms, onions, and spinach)
-Then add Grilled Chicken or low-sodium Turkey Pepperoni
-Top with Mozzarella or low-fat Cheese

Super Fast and Easy!

Tricks for Eating to Lose Weight!

In College I took a nutrition class for one of my course requirements. We had a whole section about weight loss and some quick 'tips' that could help people to lose weight. Please note that diet and exercise are still a necessity. These aren't a magical weight loss remedy!
1. Apples and peppermint gum (not together) are an appetite suppressant.
2. Switching from regular to diet soda can drop five pounds off of you in one month!
3. Cutting out soda completely will reduce bloating.
4. Drinking a large glass of water BEFORE every meal helps to make you feel full sooner.
5. Try filling up on a large salad and then eating a small dinner.
6. NEVER eat after 8:00 PM. (water is fine)
*Additional note- the sooner you eat dinner, the more time you have to burn it off before bedtime!
7. Fiber is your friend!
8. Keep a food journal for one week of EVERYTHING you eat. (meals, scraps from the high chair, free samples from the grocery store, etc.) It helps you map out where you might be able to improve.
-These are just tips that have helped me in the past. You can totally disregard them if you want, but hopefully they might help someone out there!

Props To You Gals!

I just have to tell you all that I am SO Excited and SO Proud of all of you for being so willing to participate in this blog. This has turned out better than I ever hoped for! We already have 17 recipes added in just 11 days!! I am totally going to make this all into a cookbook on CD someday and send copies to each of you for helping out. You girls are helping to keep me on a healthy track and I hope this is doing the same for you.

WAY TO GO!

Love Ash

EASY (AND HEALTHY!) RATATOUILLE

1-2 Squash
1 Med. Onion
1 Red Bell Pepper
1-2 Zucchini
1/4 Cup Kraft Special Collection Sun-Dried Tomato Dressing/Marinade
1 Can (16 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 TBL Parm Cheese, Shredded
1/2 Cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 350 F. Slice veggies into chunks. Saute veggies in Dressing until tender. Add tomatoes and cook approx. 15 min. allowing some liquid to evaporate. Top with parm and Mozz cheese and bake for 15 min at 350. I serve this with baked/grilled chicken and cous cous, pasta, or potatoes. It's good plain too!


90 calories per serving!