GET RID OF ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS! THEY ARE MAKING YOU FAT!

Today I want to revisit the problem with using Artificial Sweeteners.

 The #1 Habit Making you Fat is Artificial Sweeteners.

Think about this: Considering all that is available to us, low fat, no fat, skim, fat free, low carb, no sugar, fake sugar,'natural' sugar, and on it goes...should there even be an obesity epidemic?? We should all be thin, and magazine cover-ready, if they really worked!.

Each of us consumes an average 24 pounds of artificial sweeteners each year; a habit that could actually be making you heavier. Studies show how these substances may confuse the body's regulatory systems that control hunger.

Whenever you eat, your body is trained to expect calories, but it's not getting them  when you eat zero calorie sweeteners. You end up craving more food and not feeling full. Additionally  artificial sweeteners are up to 7000 times sweeter than natural sugars and this can desensitize taste buds.

Watch out for these names on labels, even if they are not advertised as "diet" foods, to spot artificial substitutes:
Saccharin
Aspartame
Sucralose
Neotame (used in stable baked goods)
Acesulfame (found in diet sodas)

Break the habit by using half sugar with half your artificial sweetener, then wean yourself off the artificial sweetener altogether.
Choose more natural alternatives such as agave or honey.

Healthified Key Lime Pie Bars

I don't know what it is about spring but it makes me want to eat anything and everything lemon and lime flavored!  Key Lime Pie is probably one of my favorite things but sadly isn't the best thing I could be eating.  But with this healthified recipe I can get an amazing key lime pie flavor and not have to feel guilty about eating it.  Try them out, they are super easy, super flavorful and you won't be sorry you made them!

Healthified Key Lime Pie Bars
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 9

6 squares low fat honey Graham crackers, finely crushed (1/2 cup)
2 T butter, melted
1 tsp sugar
1 package (4 serving size) sugar-free lime-flavored gelatin
3/4 cup boiling water
1 container (16 oz) fat-free cottage cheese
1 package (8 oz) fat-free cream cheese, softened
1 container (8 oz) fat-free whipped desert topping, thawed
Key limes or limes cut in wedges (optional)

In a small bowl, combine crushed graham crackers, butter, and sugar. Press crumb mixture in the bottom of a 2-quart square baking dish. Refrigerate while preparing filling.

 

In a large bowl, combine gelatin and the boiling water. Stir until gelatin is dissolved. Set aside.

 

In a blender or food processor, combine cottage cheese and cream cheese. Cover and blend or process until smooth, stopping several times to scrape sides of container. Whisk 1/2 cup of the cottage cheese mixture into the gelatin mixture. Whisk in remaining cottage cheese mixture until smooth. Fold in whipped dessert topping. Spoon filling over chilled crumb mixture.

 

Cover and refrigerate for 8 to 24 hours or until filling is firm. To serve, cut into squares and top with lime wedges, if desired.

 

Calories: 140 

Fat: 3g

 

Source: Live Better America 

Feta Topped Chicken

I absolutely love feta!  It is slightly tangy and salty and tastes good on so many things, it has become one of my favorite salad toppers.  Another bonus is that it is not too unhealthy for you.  Try this fast, light and healthy meal, serve it up with some veggies or a salad and you will have one great, quick, healthy meal!

Feta Topped Chicken
Prep time: 10 minutes
Start to finish: 25 minutes
4 servings

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1/1/4 lb)
2 tablespoons reduced-fat balsamic vinaigrette dressing
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon seasoned pepper blend
1 large Roma tomato, cut into 8 slices
1/4 cup crumbled fat-free feta cheese (1 oz)

Set oven to broil. Brush both sides of chicken breasts with dressing.  Sprinkle both sides with Italian seasoning and seasoned pepper.  Place on rack in broiler pan.

Broil with tops 4 inches from heat about 10 minutes, turning once, until chicken is no longer pink when centers of thickest pieces are cut.  Top with tomato and cheese.  Broil 2 to 3 minutes longer or until cheese is slightly browned.

Calories: 200
Saturated Fat: 1.5g
Sodium: 240mg

Ducle de Leche No Bake Snack Bars

This is a super easy snack and takes no baking time!  Its great when you need something sweet but are trying to eat healthy.  Its full of a lot of really yummy ingredients and is super tasty!

Dulce de Leche No Bake Snack Bars
Prep time: 10 minutes
Start to finish: 45 minutes
Makes: 15 servings

4 cups Dulce de Leche Cheerios cereal
1/2 cup dried banana chips
1/2 cup roasted whole almonds
1/2 cup roasted salted hulled pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries

Syrup:
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 teaspoon salt

Spray 9X13 inch pan with cooking spray.  In large bowl, mix cereal, banana chips, almonds, pepitas and cranberries; set aside.

In 1-quart saucepan, heat all syrup ingredients over low heat, stirring occasionally, until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved.  Pour over cereal mixture; gently toss to coat.  Press in pan; cool 30 minutes.  For bars, cut into 5 rows by 3 rows. 

Store tightly covered.