Category Archives: low-carb

Fruity Pizza

Posted in dessert, low-carb, side dish, Snacks, sweet treat, vegan, vegetarian, weight loss ideas by

Fruity PizzaCan’t wait until summer to have this pizza!  Packed with vitamins and minerals, this Fruity Pizza is the bomb.

The Watermelon “crust” is full of nutritious benefits. It is a high lycopene food. Lycopene is especially important in cardiovascular health and an increasing number of scientists are finding that it is beneficial in bone health too.  It also has amino acids known to promote strong kidneys and other organs.

The Kiwi  topping is one of the healthiest foods.  It has the equivalnet vitamin C of an orange  and its available year round.  The California crop is from November thru May and then we get them from New Zealand.  Their crop hits the market June thru October.  Kiwis are a great source of dietary fiber and also provides great antioxident protection.

Blueberries are full of nutritious benefits as well.  Chock full of vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, calcium, potasium and magnesium, these colorful fruits make a great pizza topping that is good for you and your body.

Dried  shredded coconut not only adds fiber, it adds iron which helps with healthy circulation and tissue maintenance.

Enjoy!

Ingredients

watermelon (large slice) cut into eight pie slices
kiwi, peeled and sliced
strawberries, cut in fourths
nectarines, sliced
green grapes, cut in half
whole blueberries
shredded cocunut

Vegetarian Jambalaya

Posted in cut calories, low-carb, main meal, soup, vegan, vegetarian by

vegetarian jambalayaMy sister recently sent me a subscription to Blue Apron and a box arrived right to my door.  I was intrigued.  The company sends you all the fresh ingredients to prepare three delicious meals for your family during the week, along with the recipe (including photos) to help you prepare it.  It was Mardi Gras this week so the meals all seamed to have a creole/cajun theme.  I decided to start with the Farro Jambalaya. Full of fragrant vegetables, this hearty meal was a hit with my family.  I have included the recipe here so I can make it again.  Yummy!

Vegetarian Jambalaya

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Simple Salad

Posted in AP's Favorites, dressing, italian, low-carb, salad, vegan, vegetarian, weight loss ideas by

simple saladThis is my go to salad. It compliments any meal and is so light and simple.

Favorite Vinaigrette Dressing

½ cup cider vinegar (or your favorite vinegar, I like lemon or grapefruit-infused vinegars)
1T. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. minced shallot
½ tsp. honey
6 T EVOO
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients but salt and pepper in a small jar with a tight fitting lid. Shake well. Season with salt and pepper.

 

Salad

Mixed greens (any mix of red and green romaine, red and green oak leaf, kale, frisee, and spinach)
Thinly sliced red onion (just a few)
Shredded carrots (handful)
Sliced tomatoes (homegrown are the most flavorful)
Fresh ground pepper to taste

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Stir-Fried Tofu with garlic, ginger and green onions

Posted in asian, low-carb, main meal, Moni's Favorite, tofu, vegetarian by

stir fried tofu
I only recently discovered tofu and the many health benefits it offers. Tofu is a high-protein alternative to red meat. Due to its protein content, eating tofu can help you feel full while consuming fewer calories.  A 1/2-cup serving of regular tofu provides about 10 grams of protein, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Nutrient Database.
Tofu is also a low-carb food.  A 1/2-cup portion of regular tofu contains about 2 grams of carbohydrates.  When trying to lose weight, trading in red meat and chicken for tofu is a great alternative.  It takes on the flavors of whatever it is cooked with.  Here is a yummy asian-inspired recipe.

Easy Stir- Fry Tofu with Garlic, Ginger and Scallions

 

Ingredients

12-14 oz. tofu (extra firm organic)
2 T. peanut oil (use more or less, depending on your pan)
2 tsp. minced garlic (finely)
2 tsp. ginger root, finely grated ( I use cubed ginger already grated and found at Trader Joe’s in the freezer section).
1 cup scallions (sliced into 2 inch pieces, This is about 1 bunch green onions. Keep white parts separate from green parts.
3 T. chicken stock (or vegetable stock)
1 1/2 T. soy sauce (I use low sodium)
1 -2 tsp. toasted sesame seeds (optional)

Directions

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Heavenly Deviled Egg Salad

Posted in appetizer, brunch, low-carb, salad, vegetarian by

IMG_3595.JPG
I adapted this recipe from one I found in Celebrate Cookbook by Sheila Lukins. I love her deviled eggs and make them every year at Easter. This modified recipe allows you to enjoy this vegetarian delight for lunch or as a snack. Continue reading →

Best Vegetable Chili Ever

Posted in Dani's Favorite, low-carb, main meal, soup, vegetarian by

best vegetable chili ever

Vegetable Chili

Serves 8

Ingredients

1/2 cup olive oil
2 zucchini, cut into ½ inch dice
2 onions, cut into ½ inch dice
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 large bell peppers, cored and cut into ¼ inch dice (I like to use one red and one yellow)
1 large can Italian plum tomatoes, w/ juice
1 ½ lbs. ripe tomatoes, cut into 1-inch dice
2 T chili powder
1 T ground cumin
1 T dried basil
1 T dried oregano
2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. fennel seeds
½ cup fresh Italian (flat leaf) parsley, chopped
1 can canned dark red kidney beans, drained
1 can canned chick-peas (garbanzos), drained
½ cup fresh dill, chopped
2 T fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup sour cream (optional)
1 cup Monterey Jack Cheese, grated (optional)
4 scallions (green onions), white bulb & 3  inches green, sliced diagonally (optional)

 Directions

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Artichoke Cheese and Rosemary Frittata

Posted in breakfast, brunch, low-carb, vegetarian by

artichoke rosemary and cheese fritatta

Artichoke Cheese and Rosemary Frittata

¼ cup chopped onions
1 jar (8oz) drained artichoke hearts, cut up
1 cup grated cheese (any kind you like, I like Sharp Cheddar & Monterey
Jack)
4 eggs
1/4 cup Bisquick
1 cup milk
½ tsp. fresh rosemary (or ¼ tsp. dried rosemary)
salt and pepper to taste
fresh shaved or grated Parmesean cheese (optional)

Directions: Continue reading →

Shrimp Gazpacho

Posted in appetizer, brunch, fish, low-carb, main meal, Moni's Favorite, soup by
light and healthy, no-cook meal for a warm summer night. light and healthy, no-cook meal for a warm summer night.

Shrimp Gazpacho

Ingredients

2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 tablespoons EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2-3/4 pound cooked large shrimp, peeled, deveined
3/4 pound cherry tomatoes diced into 6ths (I used a combination of red and yellow ones and rinse off most of the seeds)
1 red bell pepper, chopped into 1/4-1/2 inch dice
1/2 large cucumber, peeled, seeded, chopped into a 1/4-1/2 inch dice
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
1/2-1 large jalapeño chili, minced
1 1/2 cups (12 oz) V-8 spicy tomato juice, chilled
Lemon wedges

Preparation

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Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella Pops

Posted in appetizer, Dani's Favorite, italian, low-carb, Snacks, vegetarian by

Tomato Basil and Mozzarella PopsTomato Basil Appetizer

1 dry pint (basket) of cherry tomatoes
1 carton of fresh mozzarella cheese (small balls or you can cut up larger ones)
10-20 fresh basil leaves (depending on size)
good quality extra virgin olive oil
good quality balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
toothpicks

 Directions Continue reading →

Thai Lettuce Wrap

Posted in appetizer, asian, low-carb, main meal, weight loss ideas by
Fresh and Spicy

Fresh and Spicy

Thai Lettuce Wrap

.    2 pounds ground pork
.    2 garlic cloves, minced
.    2 small shallots, minced
.    1 large jalapeño, seeded & minced, plus sliced jalapeño for garnish
.    Juice of 1 lime, plus lime wedges, for serving
.    2 tablespoons Asian fish sauce
.    1 teaspoon light brown sugar
.    1 teaspoon Sriracha (chile sauce), plus more for serving
.    1 tablespoon vegetable oil
.    1/2 cup chopped cilantro
.    1/2 cup chopped mint
.    1/2 cup chopped basil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
.    1 cup chopped salted peanuts
1 large head Boston or other leafy lettuce, separated into leaves

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