Strawberry Basil Water

/in , ,

Want to jazz up plain old water? Try infusing, still or sparkling water, with fresh fruits, veggies, herbs and spices to hydrate your body during hot summer days, guilt free of calories and added sugars. You don’t have to spend a lot on fancy flavored waters or gadgets to reap the benefits for your skin, eyes, cells, brain and heart health. Fresh herbs and spices such as basil, ginger or cinnamon are powerful aromatics that not only smell great but boost the anti-inflammatory potential of liquid elixirs.

Ingredients

8 oz cold water
4 sliced strawberries
3 fresh basil leaves

Directions

Pour water into a glass; add strawberries. In a small bowl, muddle or crush basil gently with a spoon. Add basil to the water and stir with a straw. Enjoy!

Cinnamon Apple Spritzer

/in , ,

Want to jazz up plain old water? Try infusing, still or sparkling water, with fresh fruits, veggies, herbs and spices to hydrate your body during hot summer days, guilt free of calories and added sugars. You don’t have to spend a lot on fancy flavored waters or gadgets to reap the benefits for your skin, eyes, cells, brain and heart health. Fresh herbs and spices such as basil, ginger or cinnamon are powerful aromatics that not only smell great but boost the anti-inflammatory potential of liquid elixirs.

Ingredients

8 oz cold sparkling water
2 apple slices
1 cinnamon stick

Directions

Pour sparkling water into a glass; add apple slices and stir in cinnamon stick.

Grilled Chicken and Sweet Grilled Peach Salad

/in , ,

Grilled chicken and sweet grilled peaches come together to make a tasty summertime salad that is perfect as a main dish or a side salad.

Ingredients

4 cups mixed greensuse romaine, butter, baby spinach or kale mix
3 ripe yellow peachespitted and sliced
2 chicken breasts
1 cup cherry tomatoessliced
34 green onionstrimmed and thinly sliced
12 serrano peppersstemmed and minced
1 cup green grapes
3 tbsp olive oil or grapeseed oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
½ cup blue cheesebroken up
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat grill to medium high. Grill peach slices until char marks are visible on both sides, about 2-3 minutes. Let cool. Season chicken on both sides with salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon olive oil or grapeseed oil and place on grill. Once grill marks form on one side, flip and cook through on other side. Pull off grill and cool.

Toss tomatoes, grapes, green onion, balsamic vinegar and remainder of oil in a bowl. Slice chicken and add to bowl along with mixed greens, peach slices, and blue cheese and lightly toss. Add salt and pepper to taste. Transfer salad to bowl or plate and enjoy!

Citrus Spritzer

/in , ,

As the summer heat begins to pack a punch, quench your thirst with this tasty Citrus Spritzer!

Ingredients

24 oz lemonade
3 cups orange juice
1 liter lemon-lime flavored non-caffeinated soft drink
ice
2 cups orange and lemon slices
sprig of mintgarnish
2 cups fresh raspberries

Directions

Mix lemonade, orange juice, and lemon-lime soft drink in a large pitcher.

Stir in ice, raspberries, orange, and lemon slices.

Pour in a fun glass and add a sprig of mint as a garnish.

Slow-Cooker Chicken Fajita Burritos

/in , ,

A delicious and easy slow-cooker recipe.

Ingredients

1 lb skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 red peppersliced
1 yellow peppersliced
1 medium red onionsliced thin
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp cumen
2 cups crushed ice
½ cup salsause your favorite kind
½ cup low sodium chicken broth
15 oz can black beansrinsed and drained
8 large low-carb tortillas
1 cup reduced-fat, shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup non-fat plain Greek yogurtoptional
2 tbsp chopped cilantrogarnish
1 lime, slicedgarnish

Directions

Place chicken breasts in a slow-cooker. Top with remaining ingredients except for tortillas and cheese.

Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or until done. Shred chicken with a hand mixer or fork.

Serve ½ cup chicken and bean mixture on each tortilla and top with cheese and non-fat plain greek yogurt.

Garnish with cilantro and lime slices.

Watermelon Slush

/in , ,

As the weather starts to heat up and you are craving an ice cold beverage, give this watermelon slush a try and you will never go back to the ‘fruit flavored’ corn syrup and shaved ice concoction again!

Ingredients

3 cups watermelondiced
2 tbsp lime juice
2 cups crushed ice
½ cup water
6 drops stevia drops
sprig of mint for garnish (optional)
1 thin slice of watermelonfor garnish (optional)

Directions

Blend ingredients together until smooth.
Poor in a fun glass and add a sprig of mint and thin watermelon slice as a garnish.

Green Machine Smoothie

/in , ,

Whether you torched it at an hour-long spin class, or want to sip on something refreshing by the pool, nothing is more satisfying than a delicious smoothie packed with anti-inflammatory nutrients.

Ingredients

1 cup vanilla almond milk
1 cup mango chunksfrozen
1 cup spinachfresh
1 kiwisliced
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 tbsp flax seeds
½ cup plain low fat Greek yogurt
½ cup ice

Directions

Blend and enjoy!

Triple Berry Smoothie

/in ,

March is National Nutrition Month. This is an education and information campaign that focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices, and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

A sure fire way for the entire family to start their day filled with antioxidants and fiber and only takes a few minutes to prepare!

Ingredients

1 cup vanilla almond milk
¼ cup orange juice
½ banana
⅓ cup blackberries
⅓ cup rasberries
1 cup blueberries
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 tbsp flax seeds
½ cup plain low fat Greek yogurt
¼ tsp cinnamon
1 cup ice

Directions

Blend and top with a peppermint garnish (optional) and enjoy!

Chocolate “Power” Cupcakes

/in ,

This is a great diabetic friendly dessert. A delicious protein-packed way to satisfy that sweets craving!

Ingredients

½ cup coconut flour
1 tbsp baking powder
2 scoops whey chocolate protein powder 90-100 calories per scoop
2 tbsp dark chocolate cocoa powder
1 egg
1.50 cups egg whites
½ cup plain fat free Greek yogurt
1 packet sugar free fat free instant jello chocolate pudding
3 tbsp stevia
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp caramel OR maple OR mint OR coconut extract
½ cup water or unsweetened vanilla almond milk
3 tbsp mini chocolate chips

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees.

Mix all ingredients together except the chocolate chips.

Place cupcake wrappers in cupcake tin. Grease well with nonstick spray. Spoon batter into each tin until you have 16 cupcakes. Sprinkle ½ tsp of mini chocolate chips onto each cupcake.

Bake for 25 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.

Optional: serve with 1-2 dollops of light whipped topping.

Taco Ground Turkey

/in ,

Thanksgiving isn’t the only time for turkey! Try out this ground turkey recipe when you’re looking for a lean and protein-filled meal.

Ingredients

1 lb Lean ground turkey
3 tbsp Taco seasoning
¾ cup Water

Directions

In a wide pan brown turkey meat. Drain and discard any fat. Return pan with turkey to medium heat.

Add taco seasoning and water. Simmer for 5 minutes, or until most of the liquid has evaporated.

Place in an air tight container. Use within 7 days.