I’m planning ahead for Valentine’s Day – maybe Easter too ! Calories in, calories out, right? OK – so here’s what we can have in a 1600 day 🙂
35 Jelly Belly Jelly Beans
1/4 c M&M’s
2 fun size Milky Ways
4 Gummi Worms
1 Blow Pop (any flavor)
7 mini 3 Musketeers bars
5 pieces Dove dark chocolate
4 Hershey’s Hugs
5 mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
3 fun size Nestle Crunch Bars
3 Jolly Ranchers
1 pack of Smarties
You ready? 🙂
A large latte in the evening is one of my favorite things. And at a fraction of the calories (and cost!) of a Starbucks drink, it’s worth it to get set up with all the equipment and make these at home. Just buy the sugar free syrups since they have ZERO calories. They are available right at your local Starbucks store (so you can get your favorite) or you can try Torani syrups and find a new favorite. I have been using these for months and have a stock of 10 different flavors.
1 serving
100 calories per serving
Heat 6 oz. of skim milk in a large mug in the microwave for 90 seconds. Add 1 serving of espresso or ½ a cup of strong coffee. Add 3 squirts of a sugar free flavored syrup. Top with a good amount of low fat whipped cream (from the can). Sprinkle with cinnamon or cocoa powder or chocolate shavings. I find the best shavings come from chocolate and cinnamon mills – I purchased this chocolate mill from Amazon and have been very happy with the performance:
This is the espresso maker we use – my husband is quite the espresso snob and let me tell you, he RAVES about this machine. We have had much more expensive machines and have had espresso out at some of the finest coffee shops and Italian restaurants, and nothing compares to the espresso that this little machine makes:
And these are the sugar free syrups that I use (local coffee shops also sell versions of these):
This really dresses up green beans and the added potatoes make it more satisfying than just a regular bean casserole. If you don’t have fresh tomatoes on hand, substitute a can of diced tomatoes. Don’t skimp on the cilantro, it gives this dish a nice flavor burst. This dish really calls for Mise en Place preparation, it makes the steps go much easier.
8 servings
70 calories per serving
1 1/2 T oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 c diced red potatoes, skin left on
1/2 c chopped cilantro
1/2 c celery, sliced thinly
1 pound green beans, ends removed
3/4 lb. plum tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1/2 c water
1/4 t fresh ground black pepper
1/4 t red pepper flakes
Salt to taste
Heat oil in skillet over medium high heat. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute, stirring constantly. Do not let the garlic brown or it will become bitter. Add potatoes, celery and salt and sauté 4 minutes. Add the beans and sauté another 3 minutes. Add water. Cover and cook 7 minutes. Add tomatoes, reduce heat and cook 4 minutes longer or until tomatoes soften. Stir in pepper flakes and serve immediately.
Mis en Place is a cooking technique that really helps things to go smoothly in the kitchen. Especially when you are preparing recipes where the different steps go rather quickly. It basically means to prep everything ahead of time so all you need to do when it is time for the next ingredient or step is to turn and grab it. Try it out – it really makes cooking much more enjoyable and relaxed !
It is defined at wikipedia as:
Recipes are reviewed, to check for necessary ingredients and equipment. Ingredients are measured out, washed, chopped and placed in individual bowls. Equipment such as spatulas and blenders are prepared for use, while ovens are preheated. Preparing the mise en place ahead of time allows the chef to cook without having to stop and assemble items, which is desirable in recipes with time constraints.
What’s pumpkin pie without the crust? It’s naked pumpkin pie ! And by removing the crust, you also remove oodles of calories. Serve with a slice of low fat graham cracker if you miss the crunch too much. For 400 calories, you can almost eat the whole pie (Did I say that out loud?) 🙂
8 servings
66 calories per serving
15 oz. can of pure pumpkin (NOT the prespiced pumpkin pie mix)
12 oz can fat free evaporated milk
½ c Egg Beaters
2 ½ t pumpkin pie spice
½ c Splenda
1 ½ t vanilla extract
Pam
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a pie plate with Pam. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and then pour into the plate. Bake for 15 minutes. Then reduce the heat to 325 degrees and cook for another 40-45 minutes. Cool completely.
Both spinach and mushrooms are low on the calorie scale, but high on the flavor scale. Combine them for a great tasting very low calorie side dish that you can whip up in just minutes.
4 servings
52 calories per serving
2 shallots, sliced thinly
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 c beef broth
3/4 t oil
4 oz fresh or canned mushrooms, sliced or quartered if button
1 lb. baby spinach leaves
1/4 t pepper
1/4 t salt
¼ t garlic powder
Combine shallots, garlic, 2T broth and oil in skillet. Cook 5 minutes or until shallots are softened. Add mushrooms and the remaining broth and cook 5 more minutes or until mushrooms are softened. Place on high heat and add spinach a bit at a time and stir until spinach is wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Add salt, garlic powder and pepper and serve.
Cheese tortellini, even in smaller portions, are very filling and satisfying. This meal also packs in tons of veggies and a great sauce that sooooo does not say diet. It’s almost a pesto alfredo the way the sauce flavors combine.
4 servings
335 calories per serving
9 oz refrigerated cheese tortellini
16 oz frozen broccoli stir fry vegetables
8 oz fat free sour cream
2 T pesto sauce (Buitoni makes a good one)
1/4 c grated parmesan cheese
1/8 t pepper
¼ t garlic powder
Salt to taste
Cook tortellini and vegetables together in 3 quarts of water 7-9 minutes. Drain and place in a bowl. Combine sour cream, pesto, salt, garlic powder and pepper. Stir into pasta and veggies. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and serve immediately.
I’m not a huge fan of plain salads. But when you add lots of fiber (chickpeas) and cheese, then they become special and they do fill you up. This one has both and has a great citrus dressing. Add a few squirts of fresh lime of orange juice to give it even more citrusy taste.
4 servings
178 calories per serving
1 15oz. can chickpeas, drained
2 scallions, sliced
1/2 c grape tomatoes, halved
3 T fresh parsley, chopped
3 C bagged salad mix (I like to use a mix or organic greens or mesclun mix)
2 oz. low fat feta cheese
1 t lemon zest
2 T lemon juice
1 t oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 t salt
Mix zest, juice, oil, garlic and salt. Add chickpeas, tomatoes, scallions, parsley and salad and toss well to coat. Sprinkle with feta and serve.
Citrus and chicken just go together ! And the flavor punch for almost no added calories is a great way to feel satisfied even after eating a smaller meal. There’s lots of calories to spare here, so add a hearty side dish and enjoy.
4 servings
133 calories per serving
4 small b/s chicken breasts
2t garlic powder
1/2 t seasoned salt
1/2 c lemon juice
1/2 c lime juice
2 t lemon pepper
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a small baking dish with Pam. Rub the chicken with the dry spices. Spray a skillet with Pam and cook the chicken 3-4 minutes per side to brown. Then place the chicken in the baking dish and pour the citrus juice over the chicken and bake 20-25 minutes.
The sauce ingredients make this a great casserole. It’s certainly not boring or dull – it has a rich flavor and a nice, creamy consistency.
6 servings
116 calories per serving
10 oz frozen chopped broccoli, thawed
1 can fat free cream of celery soup
1/2 c 2% shredded cheddar cheese
1 t seasoned salt
1/4 c skim milk
1/4 c fat free mayo
1/3 c egg beaters
1/2 c panko bread crumbs
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pam a 11×7 baking dish. Put broccoli in dish. Mix soup, cheese and salt. Stir in milk, mayo and egg beaters and pour over the broccoli. Top with the bread crumbs and spray lightly with Pam. Bake 45 minutes. Broil for 2 minutes to brown the top. Serve immediately.
