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Lemonade Raspberry Freezer Pie

Lemonade Raspberry Freezer Pie

I always make a pie on Pi Day (March 14).  This year I decided to make a freezer pie instead of a traditional fruit filled pie.  The result was amazing! Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: Crust- 20 lemon Oreos or cream filled cookies 4 

Pizza Pot Pies

Pizza Pot Pies

Who doesn’t love cheesy gooey pizzas?  These are basically upside down pizzas with a cheesy layer and any toppings you would normally put on your pizza.  My children love these and get excited when they see this on our weekly menu. Recipe adapted from Food 

Beef and Cheddar Noodle Casserole

Beef and Cheddar Noodle Casserole

Casseroles are one of my go-to weeknight meals because I can prep them on weekends and just throw them in the oven when I get home from work.  My kids gobbled this up and asked when I would be making it again.

Note: I used ¾ of the sauce/beef mixture for this recipe and ¼ for a zucchini beef and cheddar lasagna. 

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground beef

3 cups wide egg noodles

1 ½ cups plain nonfat Greek yogurt

1 teaspoon garlic powder

½ cup shredded Parmesan

1 red bell pepper diced

1 bunch scallions diced (white and green parts)

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

One 14 ½ ounce can diced tomatoes (plain or with basil and Italian seasoning)

2 cups grated Cheddar

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees if baking now.  Spray a 9×13 baking dish with olive oil spray.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.  Cook the noodles according to package directions to al dente. 
  3. Drain the noodles and put in the prepared baking dish.
  4. Mix yogurt, garlic powder, and parmesan cheese in a medium bowl. 
  5. Mix the yogurt in with the noodles.
  6. Brown the ground beef in a nonstick pan.  Drain. 
  7. Add the peppers and scallions and cook about 3 minutes. 
  8. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
  9. Add the diced tomatoes and simmer for 2 more minutes until sauce thickens. 
  10. Pour the beef mixture over the noodle and yogurt mixture.
  11. Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
  12. Bake 30 minutes if cooking now.  Bake 45-50 minutes after refrigerating.
  13. Broil on high 3-5 minutes to brown and melt the cheese.
  14. Let stand a few minutes before serving.
Beef and Cheddar Zucchini Lasagna

Beef and Cheddar Zucchini Lasagna

I often swap traditional noodles for veggie noodles or slices in recipes to increase my vegetable intake and reduce carbs.  In this recipe I substituted egg noodles for zucchini slices and made a lasagna type dish instead of using noodles. Recipe adapted from Food Network 

Loaded Vegetable Quesadillas

Loaded Vegetable Quesadillas

There’s nothing like a warm gooey quesadilla after a long day.  These are filled with vegetables, simple to prepare, and utterly delicious. You will feel like you are indulging, but they are actually healthy. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 2 medium zucchini 1 bell 

Peanut Banana Muffins

Peanut Banana Muffins

Peanut butter and bananas go so well together.  These healthy muffins include sweet bananas and salty roasted peanuts to create a sensational snack or breakfast on the go.

Ingredients:

3 ripe bananas mashed

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup almond flour

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

3 tablespoons peanut butter powder

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

¼ cup dark brown sugar

¼ cup pure maple syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs

½ cup roasted peanuts

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare a muffin pan with liners or nonstick baking spray.
  2. Mix bananas, eggs, vanilla extract, maple syrup in a large mixer.
  3. Add flours, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, brown sugar, protein powder, peanut butter powder, and salt to a large bowl.  Whisk to mix.
  4. Fold in wet mixture.  Mix to combine.  Fold in roasted peanuts.
  5. Use a large cookie scooper or measuring cup to fill muffin tins.
  6. Bake 25 minutes.
  7. Let cool in pan for at least 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack.
  8. Store in an air tight container.
Carrot and Parsnip Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Carrot and Parsnip Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Carrot cake doesn’t have to be bad for you.  Even though these are cupcakes they are made using whole wheat flour and lots of carrots.  Enjoy these without all of the guilt from most desserts. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: Cupcakes- 3 medium carrots 

Turkey and Veggie Meatloaf

Turkey and Veggie Meatloaf

One of my favorite things about meatloaf is how easy it is to prep days in advance and sneak in lots of hidden veggies.  This recipe was adapted from Fixate using vegetables I had in the fridge.  Recipe adapted from Fixate Ingredients: 1 pound lean 

Mashed Cheddar Cauliflower

Mashed Cheddar Cauliflower

Mashed cauliflower tastes as wonderfully as mashed potatoes with fewer carbs.  This is a side dish that is easy to prepare and goes well with meatloaf or many other meals where you would normally crave mashed potatoes.

Ingredients:

4 cups cauliflower florets

¼ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt

½ tablespoon fresh parsley

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon onion powder

¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese

Salt, pepper

Directions:

  1. Prepare a large pot with two inches of water to boil.
  2. Place cauliflower in a strainer over the boiling water.  Steam for 10-15 minutes to soften.
  3. Transfer cauliflower to a food processor. Pulse.
  4. Add yogurt, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder.  Pulse.
  5. Transfer to a serving dish.  Top with shredded cheddar cheese.  Microwave 30 seconds to melt cheese.
  6. Serve!
Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Soup

Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Soup

Dinners I can prep in advance and throw in the crockpot, oven, or on the grill are my saving grace on busy weekdays.  This is a simple chicken soup that everyone in my house devours.  You can up the spice by adding the optional ingredients.