Tag Archives: Healthy Eating

Chicken Breast with Feta & Artichoke Recipe

Healthy Eating, Nutrition, Recipes, , , , , ,

Here’s a Greek-inspired recipe that is just 207 calories per serving, featuring artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese! 

artichokeTotal Time: 1 hr. 28 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: 18 min.
Servings: 8

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup nonfat plain yogurt
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 3 Tbsp. chopped fresh oregano, divided use
  • 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley, divided use
  • 1-1/2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 8 (4-oz. each) raw chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
  • 1 cup crumbled feta cheese (about 5 oz.)
  • 1 medium tomato, chopped
  • 1/2 cup canned artichoke hearts, packed in water, drained
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped, reconstituted in hot water for 10 minutes, drained
  • Nonstick cooking spray

Preparation:

  1. Combine yogurt, garlic, 2 Tbsp. oregano, 1 Tbsp. parsley, lemon juice, and pepper in a medium bowl; whisk to blend.
  2. Place chicken in a glass dish. Top with yogurt mixture. Marinate in the refrigerator, covered, turning once, for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
  3. Preheat grill or broiler on high.
  4. Combine cheese, tomato, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, remaining 1 Tbsp. oregano, and 1 remaining Tbsp.parsley in a large bowl; mix well. Set aside.
  5. Grill or broil chicken for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or until no longer pink in the middle. Set aside.
  6. Heat oven 350° F.
  7. Place chicken on a baking pan lightly coated with spray. Top each piece with 1 rounded Tbsp. of cheese mixture. Bake for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the cheese is lightly browned.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories: 207
Fat: 7 g
Cholesterol: 84 mg
Sodium: 662 mg
Carbs: 8 g
Fiber: 2 g
Sugars: 5g
Protein: 28 g

Spiced Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Healthy Eating, Recipes, , , ,

Save your waistline and skip the typical cranberry sauce recipes that are just loaded with sugar! Trust me, this spiced cranberry sauce recipe tastes so much better anyway!

Spiced Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Total Time: 30 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: 20 min.
Preparation Difficulty: Medium
Yield: 16 servings, ¼ cup each

Ingredients:
½ cup fresh orange juice
½ cup 100% apple juice
1 tsp. finely chopped orange peel
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
¼ tsp. ground ginger
1 (12oz.) bag fresh cranberries, rinsed
1 cup chopped raw pecans
½ cup raisins
2/3 cup canned crushed pineapples, packed in juice
2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup

Preparation:
1. Bring orange juice, apple juice, orange peel, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to a boil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
2. Add cranberries. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, uncovered, for about 10 to 12 minutes.
3. Add pecans, raisins, and pineapple; cook for 2 minutes or until heated through.
4. Remove from heat and stir in maple syrup.
5. Cool before serving.

Nutritional Information (per serving):
Calories: 91
Carbohydrate: 12 g
Protein: 1 g
Fat: 5 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 2 mg
Sugar: 8 g
Fiber: 2 g

P90X/P90X2 Portions (per serving)
½ fruit
1 condiment

Body Beast Portions (per serving)
1 fruit
1 fat

Pomegranate Salad with Walnuts & Cabbage

Healthy Eating, Recipes, Uncategorized, , , , ,

pomegranate-saladTotal Time: 35 min.
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cooking Time: 20 min.
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1 tsp. raw honey
1 dash sea salt
½ medium head cabbage, finely shredded (about 5 cups)
2 medium carrots, finely shredded
½ cup pomegranate seeds
¼ cup chopped raw walnuts
2 green onions, sliced thin
12 fresh cilantro sprigs, finely chopped

Preparation:
1. Combine oil, vinegar, honey, and salt in a small bowl; whisk to blend. Set aside.
2. Combine cabbage, carrots, pomegranate, walnuts, green onions, and cilantro in a large bowl; mix well.
3. Drizzle cabbage mixture with dressing; toss gently to blend.

Nutritional Information (per serving):
Calories: 176
Fat: 12 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 115 mg
Carbohydrate: 16 g
Fiber: 5 g
Sugar: 10 g
Protein: 3 g

Peanut Butter – What to Look For

Healthy Eating, , ,

healthy-peanut-butterHave you compared the ingredients in what you’ve been eating lately? The simpler and more understandable your ingredients are, the better it is as an option.

When it comes to peanut butter, I recommend PB2. It tastes good and is simply better for you! Take a look at the ingredients of some of the popular peanut butters. Notice how PB2 only has 3 simple ingredients and also notice how a low-fat version of Skippy has way more junk than the regular version.

Don’t be fooled by what’s on the front of these packages… always be sure to look at the ingredients. Your body deserves to have real food, don’t you think?

PB2:
roasted peanuts, sugar, and salt

Jif:
roasted peanuts and sugar, contains 2% or less of: molasses, fully hydrogenated vegetable oils (rapeseed and soybean), mono and diglycerides, salt.

Peter Pan:
roasted peanuts, sugar, less than 2% of hydrogenated vegetable oils, (cottonseed and rapeseed), salt, partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil. contains: peanuts.

Skippy (regular):
roasted peanuts, sugar, hydrogenated vegetable oils (cottonseed, soybean and rapeseed) to prevent separation, salt

Skippy (LOW-FAT):
roasted peanuts, corn syrup solids, sugar, soy protein, salt, hydrogenated vegetable oils (cottonseed, soybean and rapeseed) to prevent separation, mono and diglycerides, minerals (magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, ferric orthophosphate, copper sulfate), vitamins (niacinamide, pyridoxide hydrochloride, folic adic).

Mango Chicken Skewers Recipe

Healthy Eating, Recipes, , , , ,

 

  • 1 tsp. lime rind, gratedMango Chicken Skewers Recipe
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp. chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
  • 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tsp. honey
  • 2 mangoes
  • 1 sweet red pepper
  • 1 small red or sweet onion, cut into 1-inch chunks

In a small bowl, create marinade by whisking together lime rind and juice, oil, garlic, chili powder, salt, and cayenne pepper. Cut chicken into 1-inch cubes and place in separate bowl. Pour half of the marinade over top, toss to coat, and let stand for 20 minutes. Stir honey into remaining marinade and set aside. (Better yet, cover and refrigerate separately for up to 4 hours.) Meanwhile, cut off mango flesh from each side of pit. Cut in a grid pattern of 3/4-inch squares in flesh of each side down to (but not through) the skin. Gently push skin to turn inside out, and cut off the flesh. Chop any flesh left on pit. Core, seed, and cut red pepper into 3/4-inch pieces. Alternately thread mango, pepper, onion, and chicken pieces onto each of 8 skewers. Brush with half of the reserved honey marinade. Discard marinade used for chicken. Place kabobs on a lightly greased grill over medium-high heat; close lid and grill, turning and basting chicken once with remaining honey marinade until fruit is softened and chicken is no longer pink inside (about 8 minutes). Makes 4 servings.

Preparation Time: 40 minutes
Cooking Time: 8 minutes

Nutritional Information: (per serving)
Calories: 225
Protein: 14 g
Fiber: 4 g
Carbs: 35 g
Fat Total: 8 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g

Day 1 – 30 Days of Healthier Habits

Healthy Eating, Shakeology

imageI’ll admit, I haven’t been consistent with my fitness and nutrition habits lately. So to jump back in, I’m going to be blogging for 30 days straight about a healthy habit that is a part of my journey. Feel free to send me suggestions. I’m down to try something new! 🙂

Day 1 – I vow to drink Shakeology daily. I find that on days when I skip Shakeology, I feel really sluggish. So I want to function at my best so that I have the motivation and energy to workout, spend time with the family, keep up with the house and not feel tired when I’m at work or working my home business. Coffee doesn’t do it for me. That energy only lasts for a few hours. Shakeology swill last all day long and there is no crashing feeling towards the end of the day.

Tropical-Lime Flavored Water Recipe

Healthy Eating, Recipes, ,

Tropical Lime Flavored waterMake your water more refreshing as a tropical beverage with pineapple, mango, and lime. This yummy drink has less than 10 calories!

Total Time: 5 min.
Prep Time: 5 min.
Cooking Time: None
Preparation Difficulty: Easy
Yield: 1 serving

Ingredients:
1 cup ice ¼ cup diced pineapple
¼ cup diced fresh mango
3 slices fresh lime
1¼ cup cold water

Preparation:
1. Place ice in tall glass; set aside.
2. Combine pineapple, mango, and lime in large cocktail shaker. Mash well with back of a wooden spoon or muddler.
3. Stir in water; cover and shake.
4. Strain into ice-filled glass and enjoy.

*For a clear beverage, strain through a cheese cloth.

Nutritional Information (per serving):
Calories: 9
Fat: 0 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 0 mg
Carbohydrate: 2 g
Fiber: 0 g
Sugar: 2 g
Protein: 0 g

Chocolate & Vanilla Shakeology Parfait

Healthy Eating, Recipes, Shakeology, , , , , , , ,

Who says Shakeology always has to be served as a drink? Try this recipe for a tasty and healthier parfait to satisfy your taste buds, mind and body at breakfast time… or even at dessert-time too!

Chocolate & Vanilla Shakeology Parfait

 

Total Time: 15 min.
Prep Time: 5 min.
Cooking Time: None
Servings: 1

 

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup nonfat Greek yogurt, divided use
  • 4 tsp. Chocolate Shakeology
  • 4 tsp. Vanilla Shakeology
  • 3 medium strawberries, chopped
  • 1/2 medium banana, chopped
  • 1 tsp. sliced raw almonds

Preparation:

  1. Combine 1/4 cup yogurt and Chocolate Shakeology in a small bowl; mix well. Set aside.
  2. Combine remaining 1/4 cup yogurt and Vanilla Shakeology in a small bowl; mix well. Set aside.
  3. Layer half chocolate yogurt mixture, vanilla yogurt mixture, strawberries, and banana in a medium dessert cup; repeat. Chill for 10 minutes; top with almonds and enjoy!

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories Fat Saturated Fat Cholesterol Sodium Carbs Fiber Sugar Protein
253 3 g 0 g 10 mg 210 mg 30 g 5 g 18 g 30 g

P90X/P90X2 Nutritional Information:

Protein Fruit Dairy
1 1 1/2


Body Beast Nutritional Information:

Fruit Protein Liquid Balanced Liquid Protein
1 1 1 1

Chicken Piccata Recipe

Healthy Eating, Recipes, , , , ,

One of my favorite dishes to make is Chicken Piccata. Chicken Piccata RecipeTry this recipe it out. After one bite, you’ll find it hard to believe that this flavorful, tender chicken piccata is good for you!

Total Time: 30 min.
Prep Time: 7 min.
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
4 (4-oz.) each raw chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
1 Tbsp. whole wheat flour
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
½ cup low-sodium, organic vegetable broth
6 Tbsp. capers
1 (14-oz.) can quartered artichoke hearts, packed in water, drained
2 cups sliced mushrooms

Preparation:
1. Place chicken in a resealable plastic bag. Add flour and seal. Shake to coat chicken.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add chicken, cook for 3 minutes on each side, or until browned.
4. Add garlic; cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until tender.
5. Add lemon juice, broth, capers, artichoke hearts, and mushrooms; cook, turning chicken halfway through, for 12 to 15 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink in the middle.

Nutritional Information (per serving):
Calories: 240
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 73mg
Sodium: 560mg
Carbohydrate: 10g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 3g
Protein: 27g

P90X/P90X2 Portions (per serving)
1 protein
½ fat
1 vegetable
½ condiment

Body Beast Portions (per serving)
3 proteins
1 fat
2 vegetables

 

Piña Colada Recipe

Healthy Eating, Recipes, Shakeology, , , , , ,

Here’s a healthy twist to a popular cocktail drink. This nutrient-filled piña colada makes a refreshing drink during the summertime. If you’re having a ladies night, maybe adding in a little rum won’t hurt… right?

pina-colada-shakeology

Ingredients:
1 serving of Vanilla Shakeology
½ cup water
½ cup 100% pineapple juice
½ tsp pure coconut extract
lots of ice

Directions:
Pour it all into a blender and turn that baby on! Then pour it into your favorite cocktail drinking glass and enjoy!

Getting Fit Tip:
Use fresh coconuts and fresh pineapples instead of the juice & extract!

Nutrition Info: 
Calories: 202
Total Fat: 2 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 5 mg
Sodium: 212 mg
Carbohydrate: 30 g
Fiber: 3 g
Sugar: 20 g
Protein: 16 g