From My Pantry-Lunch meat

We love Delifresh chicken and turkey lunch meats!  We use them on sandwiches and salads. My husband came home with this Cajun seasoned chicken breast last week, and I was quick to tell him he needs to pay more attention. I questioned why he would ever get Cajun seasoned and was pretty disappointed.

After I tasted it I took it all back. It was delicious! We will definitely be buying it again!

Oh and you get 6 pieces for 50 calories!

Coconut Cream Pie Redo

My husband absolutely loves coconut cream pie. Now that he is watching what he is eating he always has to say no to it. Not anymore! This knock off turned out really really yummy!

Serves 4

Crust:

4 sheets of low fat honey graham crackers
1 1/2 tbsp low calorie butter

Turn the graham crackers into crumbs using a food processor.
Melt the butter.
Mix the two together and press into the bottom of a small baking dish.
Bake at 350 for 10 mins.
Set aside.

Topping:

2 tbsp fresh shredded coconut

Place in small baking dish.
Spray top with Pam.
Bake in oven with crust.
Set aside.

Filling:

1 lg box fat free sugar free vanilla cook and serve pudding mix

Prepare as directed on box.

When pudding begins to boil add:

2 tbsp coconut
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp coconut extract

Stir well.

Pour filling mixture onto crust. Top with toasted coconut. Chill before serving.

165 calories for one serving

Cucumber Crab Salad

Serves 4

2 c diced cucumber
1/4 c diced onion
1 pack imitation crab meat, diced

Dressing:

4 tbsp fat free mayo
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tsp Splenda
2 tbsp fat free milk
1/2 tsp dill weed
1/2 tsp lemon pepper
1/4 tsp Old Bay

Mix together and pour over diced veggies and crab. Mix well. Chill before serving.

85 calories per serving

Cannoli Cones

Yum. Yum. Yum.

Serves 6-8

6-8 sugar cones

1 cup + 2 tbsp fat-free ricotta cheese
2/3 cup fat free Cool Whip (thawed)
4 tsp Splenda
1 tbsp sugar free instant vanilla pudding mix (I used cheesecake flavored)
1 tbsp confectioner’s powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp mini chocolate chips (I used the regular ones because I had some)

Mix all ingredients except cones and chips together with a mixer until fluffy.
Stir in chips.

Place in a piping bag or spoon into cones. Serve immediately.

You can make the filling ahead, just don't put it in the cones until ready to serve.

About 120 calories per cone

Ranch Redo

I love Ranch dressing, but it is high in calories, and the low fat stuff is gross! Solution:

Serves 4

1 c low fat cottage cheese
3-4 tsp dry ranch mix
1/4 water or skim milk (I used milk)
Use a little less milk for a dip consistency or a little more milk for a dressing consistency.

Mix all ingredients in a blender for about 3 mins.

Tastes very close to the real thing!!!

55 calories for 1/4 cup

From My Pantry- Chips

I love crunchy snacks. When we first started this journey I thought I had to give them up. My mom introduced me to Special K cracker chips. I enjoy them and snack on them often. They aren't really like a true chip though.

Then, just the other night, it happened! Dale came home with these chips for me to try. They are amazing! They taste like a chip, look like a chip, and you can eat 20 of them for 120 calories! Special K cracker chips will remain my friend, but they defiantly won't be my number one go to anymore!

He found these Kettle Brand Baked goodies at Wegmans. We tried both a salt and vinegar and a bbq flavor so far. They were both really good!

Cheese Fries

This one is for you, mom! So my mom called me the other day and asked me how many calories were in cheese fries. My answer was "you better order a salad!" When I found out the average restaurant cheese covered fries have nearly 400-500 calories for a small, I knew I had to make my own! Quick, easy, and delicious, and the calories are cut in half!

Serves 1

1 medium potato

Cut the potato into quarters, skin on or off is up to you.
Slice the quarters into 4-6 thin wedges.

Prepare a cookie sheet by generously spraying it with Pam.
Lay out the potato wedges in one layer.
Spry the tops with Pam.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Bake at 350 for about 20 mins. I like mine just starting to turn brown.

Top with this yummy cheese sauce I found! 50 calories for 2 tbsp!

200 calories for the potato and 1 serving of the cheese sauce

Carb Free Breakfast Buns

This are super easy and yummy! They are perfect for creating breakfast sandwiches. You can use them for burgers, sandwiches, and other stuff too!

3 eggs, separated
3 tbsp fat free cream cheese
1/3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp Splenda

In one bowl mix together the egg yolks, cream cheese, and Splenda.

With a stand mixture, mix together the egg whites and baking powder until they are fluffy and form peaks.

Carefully mix the yolk mixture in with the whites.

Generously spray a cookie sheet with Pam.

Create ten mounds of batter on the cookie sheet, about the size of a small hamburger bun.

Bake at 300 for 20-30 mins until browned.

If the buns are crispy instead of fluffy, just store them in a sealed container over night and by morning they will be fluffy!

They have the consistency of a croissant, very fluffy and soft.

Serves 5 (2 pieces in each serving)
45 calories per serving

Frozen Yogurt Bites

My last post was about Fiber One's 50 calorie yogurt. This is something I do with it. You can use any brand or flavor to make these frozen treats. Yogurts with a lot of fruit chunks are more difficult to use.

Empty the container of yogurt into a baggie. Keep the yogurt to one corner. Twist the bag to create a piping bag. Cut a tiny bit of the corner off to allow the yogurt to go through. My yogurt came out pretty quickly so be careful.

Create any size drops or circles onto a cookie sheet.

Place in the freezer until frozen solid. Pop off with a spatula.

I put them in a bowl with a lid in my freezer and grab a few every now and then. They are a yummy frozen guilt free snack or dessert.

Calories are based on the container of yogurt you use. Check the back of it for the nutritional information.

From My Pantry- Yogurt

My husband and I love love love Fiber One's 50 calorie yogurt. The flavors are great! He loves Key Lime Pie. I prefer Strawberry.

Fruit and Jello Shooters

I think these will be a great summer time treat! They are really easy and quick to make, low calorie, and pretty!

To serve 6,

Prepare one small box of any flavor jello according to box directions. I used sugar free lime here.

Measure 1 c of the jello and set aside.

Mix a fruit in with the remaining jello. I used Mandarin oranges.

Distribute evenly to 6 small pretty glasses.

To get the jello to set in the glasses to one side do this:

Be sure the container allows enough room for them to lean but not enough that they will fall over.

Mix the remaining 1 c of jello with 1 c of fat free cool whip.

Set it in the refrigerator to chill along with the jello in glasses.

Once the jello is set add some of the cool whip mixture to each glass.

Top with fruit and some fat free whipped cream.

15 calories each.

From My Pantry- Mayo

My husband and I love Kraft Fat Free Mayo! For only 10 calories per tbsp, it also fits great in our diet. I recently purchased Light Miracle Whip. It has 20 calories per tbsp. They are great for using on sandwiches as well as in recipes. So whichever you prefer, there is a low calorie choice for you!

Steak Tortellini Alfredo

My husband and I agree that this is one of the best dishes I have ever made.  It is surprisingly low calorie and reminds me of Olive Garden!

 Prepare your favorite frozen tortellini according to package directions.

Prepare my Awesome Alfredo Sauce.

Top with steak or chicken breast. (optional)

I marinated venison steak cut into thin strips in the following:

1 tsp vegetable oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp fat free balsamic dressing
1 tbsp Montreal Salt-free Steak seasoning
Salt and Pepper

Mix well and marinate for 15 mins.
Brown in a pan for 2-3 mins on each side.
Cover and simmer for 5-7 mins until cooked through.

Place tortellini on a plate. Top with steak. Cover with alfredo sauce. Sprinkle fresh chopped tomatoes and fat free mozzarella cheese on top.

Around 500 calories.

From My Pantry- Walden Farms

I was searching for low calorie products I can't get in my local grocery stores online when I first came across Walden Farms products. I was confused, and to be honest still am, about how their products could be calorie free. I decided to order a few to try. I then found a few of their products in Wal Mart.  Here is my review.

We purchased the following:

Ranch Dressing: I absolutely hated the taste of the ranch. I'm a huge ranch dressing fan and this was horrible to me. However, my grandmother liked it. I wouldn't buy again.

Chocolate Syrup: You can tell it isn't as good as the "real thing" but for zero calories it has a decent flavor. It is a nice addition to desserts and things. I would buy again.

Peanut Butter: The texture is strange, but on a sandwich it is ok. I recently ordered PB2 to compare. I'll update once I try it. I haven't yet tried to use this in recipes in place of regular peanut butter. I might buy again.

Raspberry Jelly: I think this is a great substitute to sugar and calorie loaded jellies. I would buy again.

Coleslaw Dressing: I doctored this up with some seasonings and a few tbsp of Mayo. It was ok. I might buy again.

Alfredo Sauce: I haven't tried this yet.

Overall, between my husband and me, we were satisfied enough that we have placed a second order to try a few of their other products. I will review them once we give them a try.

Products can be purchased directly from their website  http://waldenfarms.com/. However, I found them cheaper at other places like http://www.amazon.com/.

Awesome Alfredo Sauce

I'll be posting a recipe that I used this in, but I wanted to share the sauce recipe alone because it deserves it! It was really yummy!

Serves 2

2 tbsp low calorie butter spread (I use Brummel and Brown)
1/2 c diced mushrooms
1 tbsp minced garlic
2 tbsp corn starch
1/2 c fat free milk
2 tbsp cream cheese (I use Weight Watchers)
2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

 In a saucepan over medium heat melt the butter.
Add the garlic and mushrooms
Simmer for 2 mins.
Add cornstarch and stir until well mixed.
Add the milk.
Bring to low boil.
Add cream cheese and Parmesan cheese. Simmer on low until cheese are melted and mixed well.

110 calories per serving.

Last Night's Dinner

My husband and I love to go fishing. So, on Sunday we went and caught a bucket of Perch and Sunfish. We cleaned them and they became last night's dinner.

The fish was 330 calories with the bread crumbs.

I laid the fish out on a cookie sheet and topped it with the following:

1 tbsp dill
1 tbsp lemon pepper
1/2 c Panko bread crumbs
Salt and Pepper

Sprinkle evenly over fish.
Bake at 350 for 10-20 mins, depending on how thick your fish is.

I paired the fish with Green Giant Green Bean Cassarole and some Rice Select Royal Blend rice topped with Parkay spray butter and some Parmesan cheese.

The entire dinner was right around 600 calories.

Baked Ranch Oyster Crackers

For around 60 calories you can eat quite a few oyster crackers. My husband and I really love them baked and seasoned for a crunchy low calorie snack!

1 bag of oyster crackers
2 tbsp oil
1/2 packet Hidden Valley ranch seasoning mix
1 tbsp lemon pepper
1tbsp dill weed
1tbsp garlic powder

Mix all ingredients until the crackers are evenly coated.
Bake at 250 for 10-15 mins.

Check the back of your brand of oyster crackers but for 30-40 seasoned crackers it is around 75 calories.

You can also substitute hard pretzel pieces for the oyster crackers. It will add calories, but they are really good!

From My Pantry- Rice Select Royal Blend Rice

140 calories for 1/3 c dry. My husband and I tried this tonight and really liked it!

Muffin Tin Meatloaves

 
I made these on Saturday when I had family over for dinner. They were a huge hit!

For 24 muffin sized servings:

1 lb ground beef
2 lbs ground venison or turkey

1 chopped bell pepper
1 c chopped onion
1 c chopped mushrooms

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 c ketchup
1/4 c mustard
2 tbsp vinegar
1/4 c brown sugar
3 eggs
4-6 slices of 35 calorie bread, white or wheat, made into crumbs in a food processor

Mix together all ingredients with hands until well mixed.
Evenly distribute into 24 servings.
Form into balls.
Place in muffin tins.

Bake at 350 for 30-45 mins until cooked through.

About 120 calories per meatloaf.

Diet Soda Cake

 
This recipe is amazing! I will be trying new flavors and kinds and will update with the results! YUM!

Cake:

1 yellow Duncan Hines cake mix.
1 12 oz can of any brand diet lemon lime soda.

Mix well.
Bake according to package.

Icing (optional) or top with fat free Reddi Whip and fruit like Mandarin oranges

Icing Recipe:

1 container fat free Cool Whip
1 box sugar free Vanilla pudding mix
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 c fat free milk
2 oz fat free cream cheese (optional)

Mix with stand mixer for 15 mins.
Be sure that the Cool Whip mixes long enough that it is no longer sticky.

209 calories for 1/12th of the cake. (This is the cake with the optional icing.)

The cake without icing or topping is 160 calories per serving.

Almost Cheesecake

 Crust:

2 Fat Free Graham Cracker sheets
2 tblsp low fat butter, melted

Crush crackers in food processor until fine.
Add melted butter.
Mix together.
Press into the bottom of an oven-safe dish.

Bake at 350 for 8 mins.

Filling:

1 large box sugar free cheesecake flavored pudding
2 cups fat free milk
4 oz fat free cool whip.

Mix pudding and milk until pudding begins to thicken.
Add cool whip and mix until blended well.

Pour on top of crust.
Chill for a couple hours.

Top with fruit before serving. (optional)

Serves 4


about 107 calories per serving

Easy As Pie, Apple pie

This recipe was taken from Hungry Girl. She has a lot of good ideas!

Crust
1 cup Fiber One Original bran cereal


2 sheets (8 crackers) low-fat honey graham crackers, broken into pieces


3 tbsp. granulated white sugar
 (I use Splenda)
1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 cup light whipped butter or light buttery spread (like Brummel & Brown)

Filling
6 - 8 Fuji apples (enough to yield 8 cups once sliced)
1/4 cup brown sugar (not packed)
2 tbsp. cornstarch
1 tbsp. plus 1 tsp. granulated white sugar

2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. salt
Optional topping: Fat Free Reddi-wip

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a deep-dish pie pan with nonstick spray and set aside.

To make the crust, place cereal and graham cracker pieces in a blender or food processor, and grind to a breadcrumb-like consistency. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add white sugar and cinnamon, mix well, and set aside. 


In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine butter with 2 tbsp. water. Microwave for 15 seconds, or until just melted. Add to the medium bowl and stir contents until thoroughly mixed. Evenly distribute crust mixture along the bottom of the pie pan. Using your hands or a flat utensil, firmly press mixture into the edges and up along the sides of the pan to form the crust.




Bake crust in the oven for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Set oven to 375 degrees. Peel, core, and thinly slice 8 cups' worth of apples. Set aside.

In a large nonstick pot on the stove, combine all ingredients for the filling except apples and optional topping. Add 1 1/2 cups cold water and mix until ingredients have dissolved. Add apples and stir. Bring to medium-high heat and, stirring frequently, cook until liquid has thickened and apples have softened, 12 - 15 minutes.

Carefully transfer filling to the crust in the pan, and smooth out the surface with the back of a spoon. Bake in the oven until apples are very tender, 20 - 25 minutes.

Allow pie to cool and set completely. Cut into 8 slices and, if you like, top each serving with a generous squirt of Reddi-wip. Enjoy!

MAKES 8 SERVINGS

Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8th of pie)
Calories: 159
Fat: 3g
Sodium: 167mg
Carbs: 37g
Fiber: 5.5g
Sugars: 23g
Protein: 1g

PointsPlus® value 4*

Healthier General Tso's Chicken

Serves 2

Chicken:

1 lb, cut into bite size pieces

2 lg egg whites
3 tblsp cornstarch or flour ( I used Panko bread crumbs instead)
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper

Whisk together all ingredients, add chicken. Stir.

Cook in a small amount of oil until brown and cooked through.

Set aside.

Sauce:

(I make this ahead and store it in the fridge then just heat it up when we’re ready to eat it)

¼ c Hoisin sauce
3 tblsp soy sauce
2 tblsp rice vinegar
2 tblsp sugar ( I use splenda or brown sugar splenda)
2 tsp chili garlic sauce
1 tblsp veg oil
1 tblsp ginger ( I left the ginger out)
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tblsp red chili flakes

Whisk all ingredients together. Add to sauce pan. Bring to boil.

Add:
1 ½ tsp corn starch dissolved in 1 tblsp water

Cook 1-2 mins until thickened.

Fried Rice:

I use Uncle Ben’s 90 second brown rice. Microwave it according to package. You can use any kind of rice you want even grab a quart from the local Chinese restaurant on your way home if you’re in a hurry. It isn’t as healthy of course.

In a pan with oil or a mixture of calorie free spray butter and Pam spray, I add 2 cups of chopped veggies. I use mushrooms, onions, carrots, broccoli, and peas.

Saute them until tender. Add rice. Saute for 2 mins. Push everything to one side of the pan and add one egg. Scramble. Once cooked mix everything together. Cook another few minutes.


About 450 calories per serving.

The Journey

My husband and I recently embarked upon the great weight-loss journey. Rather than join a fad diet, we decided to diy it. We have been counting calories and eating healthier food.  Occasionally we exercise. The best part so far (other than the scale numbers dropping) has been this passion I have found for finding how to cook delicious food that is healthy and low calorie. I'm learning as I go and hoping to share it with you.