Title Boxing Club - First class after-thoughts

I survived my first boxing class (barely, lol)!

It was one of the hardest workouts I have ever done, and I've worked out a LOT! From the beginning it got my heart pumping and didn't stop until well after the class was over! It was a lot harder than I expected. As I mentioned in my previous post, my endurance really sucks, so I took a beating at this class! I had to stop several times and rest. Burned 598 calroies! WOOHOO and that was doing about 50% of the work as I just couldn't keep up. As my endurance builds, I know it will get better!

I took a video right after class to share my thoughts. You can see how red my face is and how out of breath I am in the video. It really did kick my butt!

BUT of course I plan on going back! It was so much FUN and I highly recommend it!


Today I start Boxing Classes



If you follow my facebook page, you know I train at the gym at least 4 times a week with weights. I LOVE weight training, I love lifting heavy, I love getting stronger, BUT what I hate is CARDIO! It's just so boring! So I usually end up doing cardio maybe once or twice a week, if that. The bad thing about this is I REALLY need cardio to drop the fat! My body responds well to it!

So I was really excited to see that a new Title Boxing Club was opening right up the street from me. I went there on their Grand Opening day and got the information, but didn't join! That was about a month ago. Not sure why I've held off joining because I really wanted to. Perhaps I was scared if I would be able to handle it?, I swear my endurance is horrible! Hand me heavy a$$ weight and I have no problem with it, but test my endurance and I SUCK!

BUT this weekend while shopping at a women's health expo, they had a booth there and I finally took the plunge and signed up! It helped that I got an awesome rate too :)

If you have never heard of Title Boxing Club, they offer boxing and kickboxing classes called the "Power Hour" as described on their website:

We’ve taken fitness to a whole new level with the POWER HOUR. These explosive total body fitness classes can help you lose weight and burn fat. Depending on your intensity, you can burn up to 1,000 calories in just one POWER HOUR. How hard you workout is completely up to you. All fitness levels are welcome, from beginners to pros, in three fun workout styles.

Today, I am taking my first Boxing Power Hour class:

Total body boxing workouts will have you boxing like a pro. Step into the boxing heavy bag station and begin with a stretch and warm up that will get your blood pumping and your body ready to fight for your fitness.


Once you’re warm, you’ll put on your boxing gloves and prepare to strike the heavy bag. Your professional trainer will teach you the proper boxing techniques including the jab, cross, and hook. You’ll follow your trainer through one to three minute fitness rounds designed to provide overall total body strength and endurance challenges that will take your body from flab to fab. After your boxing rounds, your last 15 minutes consists of abdominal, core and strength training using medicine balls and your own body weight for resistance. You choose how hard or light you hit this workout—either way you’re sure to burn calories and have fun.

WOW, sounds like I will be on my toes the entire time! Sounds FUN and something I am looking for in my cardio. BUT also sounds like a lot of hard work!!

Oh and did I mention, the boxing gloves come in PINK! YES I LOVE PINK! So of course I'm going to be sporting my PINK boxing gloves!


I'm off now to head to class, wish me luck! I'll write an updated post on my first class experience! :)

Product Review: Chipins ~ All natural popcorn chips

Hey all you popcorn lovers out there, if you haven't tried this product, I highly recommend it!

Chipins made by Popcorn Indiana
All natural popcorn chips!



It's a chip made out of popcorn. YES Popcorn chips! And let me tell you, they are super Yummy!
PLUS much healthier than regular potato chips!

Gluten-free, all-natural, and zero trans-fat!

Here's the nutritional information for the "Sea Salt" flavor:

They come in 4 different flavors:
Sea Salt
White Cheddar
Hot Buffalo Wing
Jalapeno Ranch

So far I have tried the Sea Salt and the White Cheddar and both are very good, taste like popcorn but with a chip texture. Really satisfies that need for something crunchy!

Product Description:We admit it, we’re obsessed. Obsessed with flavor, obsessed with crunch, obsessed with natural ingredients. We’re even obsessed with the word “obsessed.” So when we decided to make a chip, well, let’s just say we decided to really go for it. Behold the chip'ins, the first popcorn chip from your friends here at Popcorn, Indiana. These beauties are gluten-free, all-natural, zero trans-fat, and put in simplest terms, they’re the goods. We hope you love them as much as we do, and yeah, we hope you become a little obsessed, too. Munch Better™.

The ONLY BAD thing about this products is, it's really hard not to eat the whole bag, they are THAT good!

Check out their website: Popcorn Indiana

They can be purchased at Walmart, Wholefoods, Costco and several other places, as well as online.

Product Review: Swarovski Women’s Fitness Gloves

Work out…looking like a girl!

I LOVE this companies motto!

I received a pair of these awesome workout gloves from Femme Fitale Fitness in "HOT Pink" and I must say I am really impressed with them.

I'm pretty picky when it comes to workout gloves. I've went through several brands before finding ones I really loved and I've been using that brand for the past 2-3 years. Only problem is, they cost $50! YIKES! That's a lot for a pair of workout gloves, at least to me, it is :) I've tried the cheaper ones and just didn't care for them. Either the padding just wasn't there or the fit wasn't right. 

So I was really excited to try out these new gloves. They fit Perfect! The padding is Perfect! And they look pretty dang cute!

Hot Pink Fitness with Swarovski Crystals

A little information from their website:

Match your outfit or your mood and work out looking like a girl with these feminine, fingerless fitness gloves for weight lifting, spin classes, elipticals, rowing machines, pilates, yoga, wheelchair use, etc. Each color is hand embellished with color matched genuine Swarovski crystals!


Our women’s weight lifting gloves and fitness gloves include animal print women’s fitness gloves and color fitness gloves embellished with genuine Swarovski crystals. Our golf gloves are 100% soft lambskin leather, are also embellished with genuine Swarovski crystals, and feature a matching Swarovski crystal and glitter Bonjoc brand snap on ball marker.



I highly recommend these gloves to anyone that likes a great feeling glove that provides support and padding without being too bulky! Next on my list is an all black pair and perhaps I'll let my wild side out and get an animal print too :)

Be sure to check them out at: Femme Fitale Fitness

Wearing my new gloves at the gym!


 

Turkey Meatballs, Peppers, & Onions w/Whole Wheat Spaghetti

I made this super easy, quick and yummy dinner tonight. Protein, carbs, veggies and 2 clementine oranges on the side. :)
Turkey Meatballs, Peppers, Onions w/Whole Wheat Spaghetti
Makes 2 servings

Ingredients:6 Turkey Meatballs (pre-made/pre-cooked in the meat dept, or you can use homemade or frozen)
½ Green Pepper & ½ Red Pepper - sliced
Sliced Onion
Fresh Garlic - chopped
½ cup no sugar Pasta Sauce
Whole Wheat Pasta (2 servings, mine is 56 grams per serving)

Directions:Saute the veggies in a skillet with pam until tender. I then cut my meatballs in half (so I have 12 halves) and add them to the skillet, add the pasta sauce and cook until warmed through.

At the same time as cooking the above, you also cook your whole wheat pasta. I love Barilla Plus pasta (love it). Drain when done.

Divide ½ of the pasta on a plate and top with ½ of the meatballs and veggies (6 meatball halves per serving).


Green Pepper Stuffin

This was my lunch today. So yummy and filling!

Green Pepper Stuffin (recipe below)
Veggie Blend
1/2 Apple w/cinnamon

Green Pepper Stuffin

I got this recipe from a guy at the gym. He was eating it and it smelled so good, I had to make it. I made some adjustments to fit my taste!

Ingredients:
1 lb extra lean Ground Beef
Brown Rice cooked, (I use a 10oz. frozen steam in bag kind)
1 can. Tomato Sauce
Diced Onion
1/2 Diced Green Pepper (I dice this really small)
3-4 cloves fresh garlic, diced
Salt/Pepper & Garlic powder to taste.

Directions:
Spray a large skillet with pam, add onions, garlic and green pepper and saute over medium heat until slightly cooked. Then add your ground beef and cook until well done. Turn heat down to low and add your cooked brown rice, tomato sauce and seasoning. I add just a little bit of salt, pepper and lots of garlic powder (I love garlic), and cook on low for about 5 mins, stirring frequently (this is just to get all the flavors blended well).

I usually do NOT eat this right away, as I think it taste even better the next day. So I store it in a container in the frig until the next day. This makes a large amount. I get 4 large 1 cup servings (1 serving is what you see in the picture), so makes several meals for me.




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Mini Pancake Muffins (Blueberry and Pecan)

I made these this past weekend for the whole family and everyone LOVED them! I had to make 2 batches because my husband ate 19 of them. LOL, yep you read that right, 19, all by himself! Now I do NOT recommend you eat that many, but they are very low in calories, only about 25-30 calories each and are so Yummy!


Mini Pancake Muffins

Ingredients:
1 cup Multigrain Pancake Mix (I use Arrowhead Mills) *
2/3 cup Soy Milk (or any milk)
1/2 cup Sugar Free Brown Sugar & Cinnamon Syrup (I use Torani Sugar-Free Syrups) *
Frozen Blueberries & Chopped Pecans

* these products can be purchased online OR can usually be found at your local grocery or health food store. You can also use a different brand.

Directions:
Mix pancake mix, milk, and syrup together till thoroughly combined. Pour batter into a 24 cup mini muffin tin that has been sprayed with Pam. Fill about 3/4 way up.

Top each muffin with a 3 frozen blueberries or chopped pecans.

Bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes or until golden. Serve with sugar-free syrup.



This recipe is so versatile too. You can change out the flavors too by using a different sugar-free syrup flavor and different toppings. Enjoy :)


Banana & Caramel Protein Cake

I have a wonderul tasty recipe to share with you today. I made this last night and it was so good, even the kids liked it and asked for seconds. It's low in calories and fat and high in protein.


Banana & Caramel Protein Cake

Ingredients:
1 Egg, beaten
3 Tablespoons Milk (I use lite Soy Milk)
2 Tablespoons Sugar Free Torani Syrup (I use SF Caramel)
2 Tablespoons Banana, mashed
2 Tablespoons Sugar Free Applesauce (or you can use canola oil)
3 Tablespoons Multigrain Pancake Mix (I use Arrowhead Mills Brand)
1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder (I use Syntrax Nectar - Vanilla Bean)
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
1 Tablespoon chopped Pecans
Pinch salt
1 Microwave Safe Small Bowl or Mug
Toppings of Choice (see below)

Directions:
In a small bowl, mix egg, milk, syrup, banana and applesauce until well blended. In a separate bowl, mix the pancake mix, protein powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, pecans, and salt. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir until well blended.

Pour into microwave safe small bowl or mug that is sprayed with pam.

Microwave for 2-4 mins until no liquid is seen. 
*Microwave wattage can vary so adjust the timing as needed. Mine take about 3 minutes, but start off with 2 minutes and add 20 second increments if needed until fully cooked.

Let cool for about 3 minutes and then tip cake onto a plate and slice.

Yields 2-4 slices depending on the container you use. The picture of mine is 1 of 2 big slices.

Add Your Toppings:
You can get creative with your toppings. In the picture, mine is topped with Fat-Free Chool Whip, banana slices, pecans and Sugar Free Caramel sauce.


A lil Time off from Blogging Can Be a Good Thing!

A lil time off from blogging can be a good thing! :)

My life is busy, it always has been, probably always will be! I run a household, I run a business, I try to train at the gym at least 5 days a week, try to eat healthy, take care of my children and my husband and our 2 new boxer puppies (that's a job in itself, wow), as well as spend time with my family and friends. I've also been on a coupon saving kick the last few weeks! :)

So YES I'm busy, but Honestly I probably could of found "some free" time to blog, but really I just haven't been in the mood! I go through stages a couple times a year where I just want to chill and not worry about deadlines or posting updates on a blog. So I took a lil time off from blogging! It's a good thing! I feel it allows me to recharge so to speak!

So I'm all recharged :) I'll be back to posting here on the MGF blog again!

In the meantime, I switched my facebook group over to a facebook page! LOVE! :)

Please come and join us! We would love to have you!

Winner of Coaches Oatmeal!

We have a WINNER of our Coach's Oatmeal Giveaway!

The Winner is: Julie

Congrats! Please email me: shellyeubanks@gmail.com to claim your prize!



Product Review: Coaches Oats & A Giveaway

Well if you have been following my blog or post on facebook, you know I LOVE oatmeal! I eat it almost every morning and sometimes have it for a snack. I have several Baked Oatmeal recipes here on my blog and was super excited when I found out about a "new to me" brand of oatmeal called "Coaches Oats", I was even more excited when the company sent me samples to try out!

For those of you that aren't a fan of the mushy oatmeal, you are going to LOVE these! They have the texture of steel cut oatmeal, but don't take 30-45 minutes to cook like traditional steel cut oatmeal does.

Coach’s Oats are prepared in an entirely new way. The groats are toasted to bring the natural sugars to the surface of the oat, then cracked into small pieces. This patented Cracked n' Toasted™ process means that Coach’s Oats are never mushy, always naturally delicious and cook in just 3 to 5 minutes on a stove top or in the microwave. That's the Coach’s Oats difference!


So even though these can be cook in the microwave or the stove top, I just had to try them in one of my baked oatmeal recipes. I made Baked Apple Pie Oatmeal using Coach's Oats and it turned out wonderful! The texture was great (wasn't mushy at all) and the flavor was amazing!

Baked Apple Pie Oatmeal using Coach's Oats
I will definitely be using these oats again. They have several recipes listed on their website that I plan on trying out and of course using them in my baked oatmeals as well.

Coach's Oats can be purchased on their website and they even sell a single-serving packet for those of you who would like to try it out before buying a big bag.

Giveaway!!
Now for GOOD News! The company sent me enough samples, so I have decided to share it with one lucky reader of my blog! I have (4) single-serving packets that I will be giving away to one lucky winner! To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is post a comment here! It's that simple!! ONE LUCKY WINNER will be drawn at random from all entries next Sat. Feb. 26th. Good Luck! :)

Well I am off for the day to relax and spend some time with my family. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!

Sticky Cola Chicken & Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

WOW, it's been a couple weeks since I updated my blog. Sorry, just been super busy with life. Still training hard and eating better. I'm not eating 100% clean but about 85-90% so that's good and even the "non-clean" stuff I eat is still lower in calories and fat.

I haven't done a weekly check-in, in awhile so I thought I would do one now. I weighed in this morning at 166lbs. That's total loss of 7lbs since I started My 2011 Goal I'm a little behind in where I was hoping to be at this stage but I had a couple weeks where I didn't eat well at all, so that's to be expected. I'm still very happy with the 7lbs gone! :) I also kicked up my workouts and I am finding it's making a difference. What I am doing now between weight training sets is running a lap around the gym. This really gets my heart pumping and helps to burn those calories. So as long as I stay on track with my food, I should have some really good losses coming up.

I have a couple new recipes to share with you! I use to make them all the time when I was following weight watchers and decided to make them again for the family. Everyone loves this, even the kids do and it's super easy to make! It's not a "clean" meal but really low in calories and fat.


Sticky Cola Chicken
Serves 4-5

Ingredients:
4-5 skinless, boneless chicken breast
1 cup ketsup
(1) 12oz.  can of diet coke

Directions:
Put chicken in a non-stick skillet.
Pour ketsup and diet coke over chicken and stir until mixed well.
Turn heat to medium high and cook chicken for approx. 30 mins, stirring occasionally.
Cover and reduce heat to a simmer and cook another 15-20 mins.
Remove lid and cook until sauce thickens and sticks to chicken.

Sauce will taste like BBQ sauce and the chicken is very tender.

Note: You can also make shredded BBQ chicken sandwiches with this. Simply us 2 forks and pull chicken apart about 15 minutes before it's finished cooking.

Nutritional Information:
Coming Soon
Old Weights Watchers Points: 1 point per oz. of chicken

Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
Serves 8 (2/3 cups per serving)

Ingredients:
10 medium red potatoes (about 2 1/2 lbs)
1/2 cup buttermilk, warmed
1/2 oz. Parmesan cheese, grated (about 3 tbsp)
1/4 cup chives, chopped
1 tsp salt
1/8 ts. black pepper

Directions:
Wash potatoes and cut into fours (keep skins on), place potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to boil, reduce heat, and simmer until cooked (fork tender). Drain and return potatoes to pot. Mashed potatoes with a potato masher. Stir in remaining ingredients and mix well.

Nutritional Information:
Coming Soon
Old Weights Watchers Points: 2 points per serving


Healthy Recipe Makeover: Cheesy Potato Casserole

I LOVE comfort food, but I don't love all the calories and fat that usually come along with it. One of my favorite comfort food dishes is Cheesy Potato Casserole. I don't make it very often, because of the high calorie and fat content, but have been craving it lately, so decided to make a healthier version. It turned out so very good! 

It's not a "clean" meal for those of you following a clean diet, but it is a really good replacement for the original recipe, especially when you are craving some comfort food! It also makes a great dish to take to a potluck. People won't even know it's a healthier version! :)


Cheesy Potato Casserole
Makes 12 servings (serving size: 1/2 cup)

32 oz. package frozen southern style diced hash brown potatoes
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 tbsp. butter, melted and divided
10 3/4 oz. can condensed reduced-fat, reduced-sodium cream of chicken soup
8 oz. light Velveeta cheese, cubed
8 oz. light sour cream
2 cups cornflakes, coarsely crushed
Cooking Spray

Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. Combine the first 4 ingredients and 1 tbsp. of the melted butter in a large bowl.
  3. Combine soup and cheese in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 6 minutes or until cheese melts, stirring every couple of minutes
  4. Add sour cream to cheese mixture
  5. Pour cheese mixture over potato mixture, and stir well.
  6. Spread mixture evenly in a 13x9 inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
  7. Combine the cornflakes and remaining 1 tbsp. melted butter and sprinkle evenly over top of potato mixture.
  8. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
Nutritional Information:
Calories: 181
Fat: 6g
Carbs: 25.5 g
Sodium: 494 mg
Fiber: 1.5g
Protein: 7g
Not bad considering the original version has over 350 calories and 21 grams of fat per serving!

And for added flavor, you can add 1/2 tbsp of bacon bits and some diced green onion tops. It only adds about 15 more calories and makes the potatoes taste just like a twice baked potato!


Do you have a favorite recipe that needs a healthy makeover? Send it to me and I'll see if I can lighten it up for you.


Product Review: Filtrete Water Station

Filtrete Water Station

I was excited when I was contacted by the 3M company to see if I would be interested in reviewing their Filtrete Water Station. We are a family that goes through 60+ gallons of bottle water per month. That's a LOT of bottles! Even though we recycle the bottles, you can imagine how the cost adds up! So when I was approached with the opportunity to try a product that could save us money, I couldn't pass it up.

We already own one of those pitcher water filtering systems that is made by another company and my biggest complaint with that is the time it takes to fill up the pitcher. When I read up on this system, one of it's features was quick filtering, so that made me even more excited!

The day the Filtrete Water Station arrived, my 13 yr. old daughter and I were both in the kitchen. She was just as excited as I was. A new gadget to try out!. So after opening the box and reading the quick easy to follow instructions, we she got busy setting it up.

My thoughts:
The system was VERY easy to use. The water filtered very fast, unlike the pitcher we had used before. My daughter was able to set it up herself without any trouble. We put the bottles in the refrigerator and the boys both asked if they could have one when they came upstairs. I think the novelty of the bottle made them want to try it :)

About 15 minutes later, all 4 bottles were empty. They can of course be refilled quickly but you have to wash them first and then if you want cold water, you have to keep them in the frig until they chill. The company does sell extra bottles so this would solve the problem of having to refill bottles so often.

My biggest complaint with the system is the size of the bottles. It comes with (4) 16oz. bottles. I go through at least a gallon of water a day, so you can imagine how much I would have to filter to be able to use these bottles. Also I take water on the go with me and usually carry a 32oz. plastic water jug. I would have to take 2 of these water bottles for it to be enough. I really wish the company had different size options for bottles. A 32 oz. bottle would be perfect.

We did use the system for a few days (mainly the kids did) but really for our family who drinks so much water, it just didn't seem practical and who wants to spend all day refilling bottles. Now if you are a family that doesn't drink as much water as we do, this might be the perfect thing for you. For us, it just didn't cut it!

Facts about the Filtrete Water Station:

FILL
  • Revolutionary fast-flow filtration technology filters water and fills 4 grab & go bottles in just seconds – much faster than traditional filtering pitchers. 
  • Fill one, two, three or all four bottles at a time.
  • The water filter reduces chlorine taste and sediment from tap water to improve taste, odor and clarity of your water. 
  • Full bottles can be stored in the refrigerator. 
  • Extra bottles can be purchased separately.
GO
  • Includes 4 reusable grab & go bottles. 
  • Bottles are dishwasher safe and BPA-free. 
  • When bottles are removed from the Water Station, the docking station's valves prevent leaks, so no spills! 
  • Unique strap for on-the-go carrying features a leak-proof cap.
REUSE
  • Bottles are top rack dishwasher safe. 
  • Regular use can eliminate the cost and waste of up to 3,000 disposable water bottles per year. 
  • Filters last up to 100 gallons, or for about 3 months. 
  • Built-in Filter Change Indicator lets you know when it's time for a replacement. 
  • Recyclable filter housing is the same #2 plastic as a typical milk jug.
For more information about the Filtrete™ Water Station and other Filtrete™ water filtration products, such as our under-sink water filtration systems visit Filtrete.com/water.


Healthy Super Bowl Food



With Super Bowl Sunday just around the corner, I am getting our game day menu ready, BUT unlike years past when we sat on the couch and stuffed our faces with fattening foods, I am going to be serving up healthier options! It will be just the hubby and I and the kids, so our menu is small and simple but still full of yummy food!

Our Super Bowl Menu This Year:

Appetizers:


Dessert:Low-Fat Fudge Brownies (recipe coming soon)

How about you? What's on your Super Bowl Menu this year?
Are you sticking with healthy options?

For more Healthy Super Bowl Recipes and Tips check out Hungry Girl and 6 Healthy Snacks and Recipes for the Super-Duper Bowl


And if you are heading to the bar this Sunday, check out The Pub Grub Guide to help you pick better options.

It IS possible to still have a Great time celebrating Super Bowl and not go overboard on the calories and fat!
Oh and by the way, our family will be cheering for the Steelers  :)

Grilled Chicken Alfredo Flatbread

I have another flatbread recipe to share with you. My Fresh Tomato Basil Flatbread was such a hit with my family, that I decided to try another combination and this one turned out so good.

The recipe below is listed in 2 parts (the basic dough and the complete recipe).


Basic Flatbread Dough
Makes 6 servings

This is the base dough used for my Flatbread recipes. This makes enough dough to make 2 13x5 flatbreads. You can make them both now OR freeze ½ for later.

Ingredients:
1 cup warm water (110º to 115º F)
1 tsp sugar
½ tsp active dry yeast
4 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp salt
½ tsp ground pepper
1 ¾ whole wheat flour
¾ to 1½  all-purpose flour
Olive oil non-stick cooking spray

Directions:

  1. In a large bowl, stir together the warm water and sugar until sugar dissolves. Stir in yeast. Let stand about 10 minutes or until foamy. Stir in oil, salt and pepper. Stir in whole wheat flour and as much of the all-purpose flour as you can. 
  2. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in remaining all-purpose flour for about 6 minutes. Shape dough into a ball. Place in a lightly greased bowl; turn once to grease surface. Cover; let rise in a warm place until double in size (about 1-1¼ hours).
  3. Punch dough down. Divide into 2 equal parts.
Dough before toppings are added.

Chicken Alfredo Topping Ingredients (for 1 flatbread):
¼ tsp Italian seasoning
1-2 pinches salt
1-2 pinches black pepper
1-2 gloves garlic, minced
½ cup light alfredo (I used jarred Ragu Light Alfredo)
3 oz. of grilled boneless/skinless chicken breast, sliced
1-2 medium plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
¼ cup 2% shredded cheese (I used mozzarella)
2 tbsp snipped fresh basil

Directions:
  1. Prepare flatbread dough (directions above)
  2. Preheat oven to 450º F. Use a baking stone for best results.
  3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out 1 portion of the dough into a 13x5-inch rectangle. Transfer to baking stone. 
  4. Top dough with salt, pepper, and minced garlic.
  5. Spread light alfredo sauce evenly over dough
  6. Arrange tomato slices on top.
  7. Arrange grilled chicken on top.
  8. Sprinkle with cheese. 
  9. Bake for 10 minutes or until flatbread is browned on edges. 
  10. Just before serving, sprinkle with fresh basil. 

    Hot out of the oven!
The above "topping" ingredient list is enough for (1) 13x5 flatbread. If you are making 2, then you will need double the amount of ingredients. Since the dough recipe makes enough for 2 flatbreads, I usually cook one at a time and freeze the other half. To freeze, wrap the dough in saran wrap and place in a covered container and freeze for up to 1 month. When ready to use, simply defrost at room temperature for about 2 hours.


Nutritional Information:
Coming Soon!



Baked Blueberry Muffin Oatmeal

Of course I had to make another baked oatmeal dish this weekend. I love the ease of a baked oatmeal and the possibilities of what you can do with it. Not to mention it's a super healthy breakfast (I've even eaten it as a dessert :)

I LOVE blueberries and normally eat them fresh but decided to test out a recipe with them. I am glad I did, because this one turned out so yummy! The blueberries have a sweet/tartness to them and the vanilla flavoring adds a hint of "muffin like" taste to it. Yumminess!


Baked Blueberry Muffin Oatmeal
Makes 1 serving

Ingredients:
1/2 cup dry oats (NOT the instant kind)
1/8 tsp baking powder
1 pinch of salt
1 cup water
3 tbsp liquid egg whites
1 tbsp sugar-free vanilla coffee flavoring (I use Archer Farms from Target OR Torani)*
1-2 packets of splenda*
1/4 cup fresh blueberries (you could probably use frozen as well)

* A note on sweetness: I'm use to eating my oatmeal plain! I've come to like it that way, so all of my baked oatmeals are not overpowering with sweetness! They may or may not be sweet enough for you. The best part about it, is you can adjust the sweetness to your liking. I'd just add a lil at time until it's as sweet as you like it. And of course you can use all natural sweeteners like honey or raw sugar instead. In both cases remember that the nutritional values may change anytime you make a change!

Directions:
Mix all of the above together in a small oven-safe container and bake at 350º for 35 minutes.

Nutritional Information:
Calories 120
Total Fat 1.2g
Sodium 86mg
Total Carbohydrate 18.9g
Dietary Fiber 3g
Sugars 4g
Protein 8g

Linking this post to: Slightly Indulgent Tuesday - Be sure and check out all the wonderful healthy recipes listed!

Fresh Tomato Basil Flatbread

Here is an amazing flatbread recipe that I have been wanting to share with you for awhile now. I finally sat down today and typed it all out. It's so delicious and although it isn't pizza, it defiantly satisfies my pizza craving, without all the added calories and fat. It's great served as a meal with a side salad or cut into even smaller pieces and served as an appetizer.

The recipe below is listed in 2 parts (the basic dough and the complete recipe).

Cut into appetizer size
Basic Flatbread Dough
Makes 6 servings

This is the base dough used for my Fresh Tomato Basil Flatbread. This makes enough dough to make 2 13x5 flatbreads. You can make them both now OR freeze ½ for later.

Ingredients:
1 cup warm water (110º to 115º F)
1 tsp sugar
½ tsp active dry yeast
4 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp salt
½ tsp ground pepper
1 ¾ whole wheat flour
¾ to 1½  all-purpose flour
Olive oil non-stick cooking spray

Directions:

  1. In a large bowl, stir together the warm water and sugar until sugar dissolves. Stir in yeast. Let stand about 10 minutes or until foamy. Stir in oil, salt and pepper. Stir in whole wheat flour and as much of the all-purpose flour as you can. 
  2. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in remaining all-purpose flour for about 6 minutes. Shape dough into a ball. Place in a lightly greased bowl; turn once to grease surface. Cover; let rise in a warm place until double in size (about 1-1¼ hours).
  3. Punch dough down. Divide into 2 equal parts.

Dough before toppings are added.

Tomato Topping Ingredients (for 1 flatbread):
¼ tsp Italian seasoning
1-2 pinches salt
1-2 pinches black pepper
1-2 gloves garlic, minced
3 tsp sun-dried tomato pesto (see image below)
1-2 medium plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
¼ cup 2% shredded cheese (I used mozzarella)
2 tbsp snipped fresh basil

Directions:
  1. Prepare flatbread dough (directions above)
  2. Preheat oven to 450º F. Use a baking stone for best results.
  3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out 1 portion of the dough into a 13x5-inch rectangle. Transfer to baking stone. 
  4. Top dough with salt, pepper, and minced garlic.
  5. Spread sun-dried tomato pesto evenly over dough
  6. Arrange tomato slices on top. Sprinkle with cheese. 
  7. Bake for 10 minutes or until flatbread is browned on edges. 
  8. Just before serving, sprinkle with fresh basil.  (I added basil both before and after cooking but I suggestion just adding it after)

Ready to go into the oven!
The above "tomato topping" ingredient list is enough for (1) 13x5 flatbread. If you are making 2, then you will need double the amount of ingredients. Since the dough recipe makes enough for 2 flatbreads, I usually cook one at a time and freeze the other half. To freeze, wrap the dough in saran wrap and place in a covered container and freeze for up to 1 month. When ready to use, simply defrost at room temperature for about 2 hours.

Hot out of the oven! Yum!

This is the sun-dried tomato pesto I use. It has around 250 calories per ¼ cup, which seems high but remember you are only using 3 tsp. If you can't find this brand, just look for one with a similar calorie count.


Nutritional Information:
Per serving, based on 6 servings total

Calories 140
Fat 2.5g
Sodium 276mg
Carbohydrate 20g
Fiber 2.8g
Sugar 0g
Protein 1.6g

This is so low in calories and fat, you could even have more then 1 serving! :)

I'm going to experiment with other toppings to use the flatbread next time I make it. I'm thinking a really good low-calorie chicken alfredo sounds yummy! I'll be sure to post any new recipes I come up with! If you have any suggestions for a topping, please comment on this post and let me know.

Linking this post to: Slightly Indulgent Tuesday - Be sure and check out all the wonderful healthy recipes listed!


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