Superbowl Food

The big game is coming up this weekend and most of you are probably hosting or attending some sort of Superbowl party, even if it is just with your family.  Superbowl food is delicious but can be a killer on your plans of healthy eating.  But lucky for you, you can still eat amazing fun food that won't set you way back.  Wings are a favorite for many people but so many times what they are coated in isn't the best.  Try out these different flavor and spice combinations.  Mix the seasonings and then toss them with your wings in a bowl, spread them out on a greased baking sheet and bake away.  Or plan ahead and throw them into your slow cooker. You will love them!  Just remember that a couple wings are fine to eat, just don't go crazy and eat the entire pan!

Carribean Chicken Wings
Teriyaki Sauce + Pineapple + Garlic

Korean BBQ Wings
Chili Flakes  + Garlic + Soy Sauce
Garnish with sesame seeds after they are done cooking, it will perfectly complement the soy sauce.

Sweet Sraracha Wings
Sriracha + Honey + Lime
A little bit of heat and a little bit of sweet.  Garnish them with sesame seeds, fresh lime juice and cilantro.  They would also be yummy dipped in a creamy reduced-fat ranch to cool things down a bit.

Cajun Dry Rub Wings
Cayenne + Paprika + Greek Yogurt

For a healthy dip mix low-fat plain Greek Yogurt with a dry ranch packet and some more creole seasoning.
 

Curried Indian Wings
Curry + Greek Yogurt + Mint
Garnish with curry powder and Sriracha.  Serve with a Greek yogurt dip, a side of carrots and garnish of mint.

 

Source Live Better America

English Muffin Breakfast Pizzas

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!  If you are thinking "I am not a breakfast eater" then you need to change your thinking!  Your brain badly needs that nourishment first thing in the morning, so it is time to start feeding your brain!  These breakfast pizzas are really easy and delicious and completely customizable.  Throw whatever ingredients you have in your fridge on them. They can even be made in advance and thrown in the freezer, just pull one out and heat it in the microwave and you have a fast breakfast on the go!

English Muffin Breakfast Pizzas
Prep time: 20 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Serves 4

1 cup fat-free egg product or 4 eggs

1/4 cup fat-free (skim) milk

Dash of salt  

Dash of pepper

2 teaspoons canola or soybean oil

2 tablespoons chopped onion

2 tablespoons chopped red bell pepper

2 tablespoons chopped cooked ham

1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese (2 oz)

2 whole wheat English muffins, split, toasted 

 

In small bowl, beat egg product, milk, salt and pepper with wire whisk or fork until well blended. 

 

In 10-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook onion, bell pepper and ham in oil 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are crisp-tender. Pour egg mixture into skillet. As eggs begin to set at bottom and side, gently lift cooked portions with spatula so that uncooked egg can flow to bottom. Cook 3 to 4 minutes or until eggs are thickened throughout but still moist; stir cheese into eggs. 

 

Spoon egg mixture evenly over muffin halves.

 

Source: Live Better America 

 

Sweet Treats Are OK!

You don't have to completely deprive yourself of ever food that may be deemed "unhealthy" as you are trying to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle.  I personally think that telling yourself you can never have sweets just makes you crave it more and then causes you to binge.  I have read studies that say that a little treat after a meal is good because that little bit of sugar signals to your body that you are done eating.  I do this in my life and I think it has made a big difference.  Some days after dinner that little treat is perfect and I feel satisfied.  Some days it just doesn't sound good and so I don't eat treats those days.  But treats don't have to be bad. 
If you are out grocery shopping and those fresh donuts just sound so delicious go ahead and get one.  But just get one, you don't need three or four!
I love chocolate and candy bars used to be my weakness.  I keep a bag of mini candy bars around and when I really need some chocolate I eat just one mini candy bar and that completely satisfies my craving.
I also LOVE ice cream but it can be loaded with fat and sugar.  I like to by the "slow churned" or "double churned" types.  They usually have about half the fat and less calories and I think they taste just as good as their full fat counterparts.  Another trick that I have implemented for my husband and I is that I keep ice cream cones on hand.  Stay away from waffle cones, those are full of fat and calories.  But cake cones have about 50 calories each and sugar cones (look like mini waffle cones) have about 60 calories.  A good scoop of ice cream on a cone is completely satisfying and great portion control!
Another important thing is to plan ahead.  If I know we are going out to dinner for a friend's birthday and I will be eating a burger and fries or pizza, I make sure to eat extra healthy for the other meals that day.  It may not completely balance out every time but every little bit of effort you can make to compensate for a less healthy meal is great. 
Take a look at your life and see in what ways you can implement the little tricks that I use and maybe you can also find some others that work great for you!  

Chicken and Mushroom Panini

There is something about heating up yummy ingredients between two slices of bread that just makes a sandwich taste so much better.  My fiance calls paninis "sandwiches with lines".  He and his roommates claim it makes them fancier to call them that!  Whatever you call them, give this recipe a try, it has so many great flavors and is super simple to make!

Chicken and Mushroom Panini
4 Servings
Servings Size: 1 Sandwich

Cooking spray
2 cups presliced cremini mushrooms (can use any type of mushroom)
1 tsp minced garlic
1/4 cup canola mayonnaise
2 T chopped sun-dried tomatoes, packed without oil
1 T capers
8 (1 1/2-ounce) slices ciabatta or sourdough bread
8 ounces chopped skinless, boneless rotisserie chicken breast
4 (1-ounce) slices reduced-fat provolone cheese.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Coat pan with cooking spray. Add mushrooms and garlic to pan; saute 3 minutes or until mushrooms are tender. Remove from heat; set aside.
Combine mayonnaise, tomates and capers in a mini food processor, pulse until well combined. Spread 1 T mayonnaise mixture over each of 4 bread slices; top each with 1/4 cup mushroom mixture, 2 ounces chicken, 1 cheese slice and 1 bread slice.
Heat large grill pan over medium heat. Or if you have a panini grill, heat that up.  Coat pan with cooking spray. Add sandwiches to pan. Place a cast-iron or other heavy skillet on top of sandwiches; press gently to flatten them. Cook 2 minutes on each side or until bread is toasted (leave cast-iron skillet on sandwiches while they cook).

Calories 474; Fat 15.5g; Protein 33.7g; Sodium 974mg

Source: Cooking Light