Buddy Fruits

This (as it says on the package) pure blended fruit to go is quite different. It tastes kind of like a fruit roll up, but the consistency is more like jam. I ran into Walmart intending to grab a piece of fruit for breakfast. This was sitting in one of those little display boxes in the produce area with a big sign saying 88cents. It intrigued me. Upon a closer look I saw that it was 100% real fruit, all natural, and no added sugar. I picked up the Apple & Strawberry flavor and flipped it over and saw the only ingredients in this little pouch are apple, strawberry, black current juice, apple juice concentrate. I was shocked no chemicals in this crazy little pouch. The nutrition wasn't really much different than a piece of fruit. I decided I would give this little pouch a shot. Over all I wouldn't buy these regularly. They were good but I get more satisfaction from eating an actual piece of fruit. I will probably buy these and keep them on hand regardless. The expiration date is a good 9 months out so they will be handy to keep in the cabinet. They will be the perfect snack to throw in my backpack when I go for a hike for a hike, or to carry in my purse on a day I think I might need a snack. I may even keep one in my gym bag.Serving Size: 1 Pouch

Calories: 60 grams
Fat: 0 grams
Cholesterol: 0 milligrams
Sodium: 10 milligrams
Carbohydrates: 15 grams
Fiber: 1 grams
Sugar: 14 grams
Protein: 0 grams
Points: 1

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Chipotle Glazed Chicken

Looking for a recipe that was new, healthy, and flavorful I came across a recipe for Chilpotle-Glazed Roast Chicken with Sweet Potatoes on fitnessmagazine.com. I adapted it slightly to make it my own and I must say it was pretty tasty, but watch out it is spicy so if you do not like spice you might not like this recipe.

Ingredients

4 -10oz sweet potatoes (leave skin on and cut into 1" pieces)
1 medium onion cut into large chunks
2 tbs. extra virgin olive oil
2-4 chipotle chilies in adobo sauce, minced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tbs. splenda
2 tbs. honey
2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, toss sweet potatoes and onions in olive oil. Place in a foil lined baking dish that has been sprayed with non stick cooking spray. Roast for 25 minutes.

In a medium bowl mix together chilies, garlic, honey, splenda, vinegar, salt, cumin, and cinnamon. This mixture should form a paste. Rub the paste evenly on each chicken breast. Place the chicken breasts on top of the potato mixture. Spoon any additional paste onto chicken breasts. Return to oven and roast the chicken for about another 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and potatoes are tender, Remove from oven and serve with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
Calories: 585 grams
Fat: 12.5 grams
Cholesterol: 130 milligrams
Sodium: 720 milligrams
Carbohydrates: 72 grams
Fiber: 10 grams
Sugar: 23.25 grams
Protein: 52 grams
Points: 12

Black Bean & Sweet Potato Quesadilla

I recently went to a restaurant in downtown Ann Arbor called Sava. This restaurant is a vegetarian restaurant and I must say it is AMAZING. I ordered their Black Bean & Sweet Potato Quesadilla. I was unsure about this combination at first and hesitant to order it, but I am glad I did. It was delicious and if anyone visits downtown Ann Arbor I would definably recommend it. Last night though I was craving something yummy for dinner and while rummaging through my cabinets remembered this dish. I threw some ingredients together and came up with a tasty alternative.

Ingredients
4 burrito sized flour tortillas
210g (approx.) roasted sweet potato with skin removed
1 tsp. vegetable or olive oil
1/2 can black beans (rinsed and drained)
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 tsp. cumin
Juice from one lime wedge
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/4 - 1/2 jalapeno pepper diced
1/2 cup 2% cheddar cheese shredded
Directions

Place sweet potato in the oven and bake at 400' for 40-60 mins. When tender remove potato from the oven and let cool. Remove the insides of the potato into a microwave save bowl and mash them with a fork or a potato masher. If the potato isn't mashing well place in the microwave for a few additional minutes until tender enough to mash.

Heat oil in small saute pan. Add onions. Stir occasionally. Once onions have become slightly caramelized remove from heat and add them to the bowl with the mashed potato. Add black beans, cumin, lime juice, and salt and pepper. Continue mashing until all ingredients are well blended.

Place 1/4 of the mixture onto each tortilla. Spread evenly over 1/2 of the tortilla. Top with 1/8 cup shredded cheese. Fold tortilla over an place in a fry pan sprayed with cooking spray. Cook both sides until lightly brown.

Cut in wedges and serve with sour cream and/or salsa.

Serving Size: 1/2 recipe (2 Quesadilla's)
Calories: 506.25
Fat: 15.5 grams
Cholesterol: 20 milligrams
Sodium: 1280 milligrams
Carbohydrates: 82.5 grams
Fiber: 11.5 grams
Sugar: 5.25 grams
Protein: 15.5 gram
Points: 11

White Chicken Chili

Carroll Shelby's makes my sisters all time favorite beef chili seasoning. She loves it. I have to admit it is pretty good. It is a thick chili you can eat scooped up on a tortilla chip. She was shopping the other day and came across Carroll Shelby's "New" White Chicken Chili Kit. Excited that this would be just as good as the beef chili kit she decided to buy one for me to try too. It is just starting to get chilly here in Michigan so it was the perfect time to try this chili kit. I have to say it did live up to the expectation I had for it. It was spicy, but not to spicy and quite thick for a chicken chili. My only complaint is that the seasoning is a little salty and there is no way to adjust that since the salt is in the seasoning pouch mixed with the other spices. Over all it is a good, easy, low calorie chicken chili that I will for sure cook again.

Ingredients
One box Carroll Shelby's White Chicken Chili Kit
2lbs. Boneless Skinless Chicken breasts (cut into 1/2" cubes)
1 tbsp. vegetable or olive oil
2 cups of water
1 15oz can drained white beans
1 14 oz can diced tomatoes
One small onion, diced

Directions
Brown chicken and onions in oil.

Add water, diced tomatoes, contents of box (spices, mesa flour, jalapeno and bell pepper packets) and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer covered for 15 minutes.

Uncover and add white beans. Continue to simmer on low to medium heat for an additional 15 mins or until chili has a thick consistency. Add cayenne spice packet from box (may omit cayenne if you do not want your chili spicy).

Serving Size: 1/4 recipe (approx. 1 1/2 cups)
Calories: 359
Fat: 5 grams
Cholesterol: 130 milligrams
Sodium: 1080 milligrams
Carbohydrates: 28.25 grams
Fiber: 9 grams
Sugar: 2.5 grams
Protein: 53.5 gram
Points: 6

Creme Filled Angel Cake

Yum, is all I have to say. I was wondering around Kroger after work and I knew I wanted something sweet but I didn't want to blow my day with a high calorie snack for the 5 minutes of enjoyment I would get from eating junk. I knew if I looked hard enough I would find something I could eat that was still low in calories but satisfying. I found these yummy little creme filled angel cakes by Specialty Bakers. They were just what I needed and only 120 calories each.
Serving Size: 1 cake
Calories: 120
Fat: 2.5 grams
Cholesterol: 0 milligrams
Sodium: 100 milligrams
Carbohydrates: 23 grams
Fiber: 0 grams
Sugar: 18 grams
Protein: 2 gram
Points: 3

Nothing better then a banana with hazelnut spread !!!

Yum ...... this makes an amazing breakfast or dessert DELISH !!!

1 large banana sliced
2 tbs hazel spread ( I used Kroger brand)

Layer banana slices and hazelnut spread in a cup or bowl, Enjoy !

Serving Size: 1
Calories: 281
Fat: 9.5 grams
Cholesterol: 0 milligrams
Sodium: 11 milligrams
Carbohydrates: 51 grams
Fiber: 3.5 grams
Sugar: 35.5 grams
Protein: 2.5 gram
Points: 6

Souffle Omelet with Balsamic Strawberries

I found this recipe while browsing for something new to try (recipe here). The picture looked amazing. When I got down to the ingredients list I have to admit I became scared. I thought to myself that this was either going to be an amazing recipe or a disgusting one. I was pretty convinced that it would not be something in between. I bought the ingredients to make it, and it took a few days for me to build up enough guts ( I really was expecting it to be gross) but to my surprise it was AMAZING !!! The egg is really light and fluffy. The sweetness reminded me more of a big pancake then an egg. This recipe reminded me of eating a dessert like strawberry shortcake. I will definitely be making this again.

Ingredients

8 oz. fresh strawberries, steams cut off and quartered

1 tablespoon fresh mint or 1 teaspoon dried mint (more or less to taste)

½ tablespoon balsamic vinegar

2 teaspoon granulated sugar, divided

2 large eggs, separated

¼ teaspoon Vanilla

1 tablespoon butter (use 2 tablespoons if you are making two omelets)

Directions

In bowl, combine strawberries, mint, vinegar and 1½ teaspoons of the granulated sugar; set aside. In small bowl, whisk egg yolks with vanilla and remaining ½ teaspoon granulated sugar for 1 minute or until slightly thickened. In bowl of electric mixer, beat egg whites until they form soft peaks. With rubber spatula, fold yolks into whites until no streaks remain. In 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat, melt butter. (To make 2 individual omelets, use 6-inch nonstick skillet.) When butter is sizzling, add egg mixture, spreading it into an even layer with spatula. Cover pan; reduce heat to low. Cook omelet 3 to 4 minutes or until golden brown on bottom and barely set on top. Spoon strawberries down center of omelet; with spatula, fold omelet in half over filling. Slide omelet onto plate; dust with confectioners’ sugar

Recipe makes 2 servings

Serving Size: 1 omelet
Calories: 196.5
Fat: 9.25 grams
Cholesterol: 210 milligrams
Sodium: 120.5 milligrams
Carbohydrates: 17.25 grams
Fiber: 2.25 grams
Sugar: 13.5 grams
Protein: 7 gram
Points: 4