Sugar Alternatives by Martha 7.15.10

These are the sugars I use now in place of the refined sugars that we are all used to. I have found they work great and taste delicious too! They are a little more expensive than your normal sugars, but when it comes to taking care of my body (and my family's bodies!) I only want the best anyway! I found the last one - your "white sugar" at Costco for a really good deal. The "brown sugar and powder sugar" I found at Harmons I believe.

Martha's More Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies 7.15.10

I modified my old recipe for chocolate chip cookies to try and make it a bit more healthy. I put it to the test by having my daughters and husband (he's the biggest critic of all) try the cookies. Needless to say, they all loved it! I didn't modify the entire recipe, but only what I could. So here it is...

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 C part-butter Shortening
2/3 C Organic Brown Sugar
2/3 C Organic White Sugar
2 Eggs
Mix these ingredients together in a mixer.

Add:
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Vanilla
2 C Whole Wheat Flour
1 C Chocolate Chips (can use dark choc if you like)

Bake at 350 degrees for 9-11 min. Don't over cook. I take them out before I see them turning brown.
The Organic Sugars and Flour I will post a photo of what I use and you can find something similar if you like.
Enjoy!

A Few Photos of My Favorite Foods 7.15.10

I've decided I need to post more pictures. I get comments at my bootcamp class that they are scared to buy these new types of foods because they have no idea what they are, what they look like, how to find it, or how to use it. So I have a list of my favorite foods here that will really help boost your metabolism and get your body working for you instead of against you! A lot of these foods have been talked about in our previous entries, so at least now you know what they look like!
This is Quinoa (Keen-Wa). It is a carb that you can use in place of white rice. It is better for you than brown rice and tastes better too! I found this at Costco, but Harmons and Wal-Mart and health food grocers sell it too. Sometimes it comes in a box. Be careful with prices though. I found the natural grocer and Costco were the cheapest.
This popcorn is a great replacement of your Movie Theatre Extra Butter Popcorn you USED to buy! My kids love it better than the old stuff and my father-in-law, who is a HUGE popcorn fan, has also switched after trying this out.... It makes a great snack when you have the munchies. I get this at Wal-Mart.
This is Quinoa I found in the form of spagetti noodles! My daughter says it tastes better than regular noodles, now that should tell you something! I will cook up a box of this, make some spagetti sauce and add my turkey muffins to the sauce for a great source of protein without my kids knowing it's good for you! I buy this at Harmons. You can check the health food grocer, I just haven't checked there yet.

I have to run, but I have a lot more to share. I will post more as I have time!!!
Martha

Cashew Chicken with Vegetables -Cali

I love this recipe. I made it for the first time a couple nights ago and I was shocked how yummy it was. You could taste the yummy ginger and broth along with the tender chicken then to top it off with a few chopped cashews. It was heaven! I hope you think so too!

Serves 6

1 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 4 breasts), cut into 1-inch cubes
3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
Olive oil cooking spray
2 carrots (8 to 9 inches each), shredded (2 cups)
1 bunch broccoli, cut into florets (about 3 cups)
1 small onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/3 cup unsalted raw cashews, toasted and chopped
cooked brown rice or quinoa (serve chicken over)

One: Combine chicken, soy sauce, ginger and garlic in a large shallow dish; cover and let marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 8 hours.

Two: Mist a large wok or skillet with cooking spray and set over medium-high heat. Add chicken and marinade and saute for 5 minutes or until tender. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.

Three: Add carrots, broccoli, and onion to same skillet and saute for 5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Move chicken back to pan, then add broth. Cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve over brown rice or quinoa. Sprinkle cashews on as needed on each plate. (If keeping for left overs, don't mix in all the cashews at once, they tend to be soggy the next day.)

Nutrient per 1 1/2 cup serving: Calories: 330, total fat: 9g, Sat fat: 1.25g, Monounsaturated fat 3.5g, polyunsaturated fat 1.5g, Carbs: 31g, Fiber 5g, Sugars 3g, Protein: 32g, Sodium 396 mg, Cholesterol 58mg

Love it!!! Even better the next day, enjoy!

Martha's Favorite Protein Shake 6.25.10

So I'm sitting here drinking my protein shake as usual after my workout. Then I thought, I need to share this with everyone because as my daughter says, "it tastes like candy"! So here it is:

Spinach and Fruit Protein Shake:

1 1/2 Scoops Vanilla Protein Powder (I avoid protein powders with "Casein" in it because it is slow-digesting and makes my stomach bloat and gives me discomfort and cramps)
1 Large handful of fresh Spinach Leaves
1 Banana
3-4 Strawberries
About a 1/4C (or less) Vanilla Almond Milk
6 Ice Cubes

Put in blender and mix!

Makes one tall class....ENJOY!

EGG Bites! -Cali

500 ml container of egg whites (not sure how many actual eggs that is)
1/4 tsp hot sauce
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp chili flakes

Pour into mini muffin tins sprayed with cooking spray(should make 2 dozen)
Cut up 1 cup of any vegetable that you like to have with eggs(mushrooms, red peepers, onion, spinach) and add this mixture to the mini muffins.
Bake 400 Degrees for 35 minutes.

Yummy! Like little quiches! Goes great with your morning oatmeal or perfect for on- the-go snack!

-Cali

Martha's Turkey Burgers

This has got to be the best hamburger (turkey burger) recipe I have ever found! It's perfect for summer and is packed with flavor! I think I have had it at least 5 times in one week! The best thing about it is it's super quick and super easy! Here it is...

Turkey Burgers:

Ground Turkey (enough for one patty)
Salsa (about 1 TBS)
Chopped onion
Chopped green pepper
Chopped green onion

Mix ingredients with hands until evenly distributed. Form into a patty and place on a frying pan with Olive Oil Spray. I put the heat just above medium. Cook 4 min on one side and flip over. Cook other side until meat is no longer pink inside.

Toast a Sandwich Thin and place burger on bread. Add 1-2 slices of tomato and 1/2 avocado. You could also add some spinach leaves if you have some handy.

This stays in the range of a 300 calorie/per meal plan. 27g protein and about 40g carbs.

So juicy, full of flavor...MY FAVORITE!

-Martha