Dessert Fruit Kid Friendly Recipes

Apple Pear Coconut Compote

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healthy breakfast recipe or low calorie dessert recipe

This is a very versatile recipe for a hot breakfast on a cold day or a light dessert. I used apples and pears because that’s what I had on hand, but you could use only apples or only pears or any combination of the two as long as it equals 6 pieces of fruit. To be honest with you I don’t always peel my fruit, especially when not cooking for company, but this recipe does taste better if you remove the peel and if you’re serving it to children you’ll find they’ll like it better without the peel. The peel is extra chewy and slightly bitter. Since I don’t like to waste food I save the peels to add to smoothies.

You don’t need to add the oatmeal or the coconut oil for this recipe to work, I added them because I wanted the health benefits of each and also I was going for a little bit of a fruit crumble/compote. If you don’t add the oatmeal you shouldn’t need to add the water. And yes, I know that adding the oatmeal means this isn’t really a compote, but I’m keeping the recipe name because I like how it sounds 🙂

P.S. You could use chia seeds instead of the oatmeal – your colon will thank you tomorrow!

Ingredients

4 apples
2 pears
1/4 cup oatmeal
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey or agave nectar
1/2 teaspoon powdered monk fruit or Stevia
1/4 teaspoon Stevia
1/2 teaspoon powdered ginger
2 teaspoons fresh lemon zest
1/2 cup water

Instructions

Peel and core the fruit. Set aside the peels to use in a smoothie for another day. Chop fruit into approximately 1/2 inch cubes. Place in saucepan over medium low heat. Add remaining ingredients. Cover and cook for 20 to 30 minutes until your compote is the consistency you desire.

High Protein Low Carb Recipes

Seasoned Steak Salad

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steak-salad10

Can it get any easier than a broiled steak and a green salad? Whether you are eating low carb or just enjoy a good steak, you’ll love this steak salad.

Ingredients

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or Herbs de Provence
2 teaspoons cooking oil
1 and 1/2 pound flank steak
mixed greens
oil and vinegar based salad dressing

Instructions

Preheat broiler.
Mix first 4 ingredients in a small bowl. Brush oil on both sides of steak. Spread herb mixture on both sides of steak. Broil six minutes per side or until done to your liking.

High Protein Low Carb Recipes

Lemon Crusted Fish

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I love how simple and versatile this lemony spread is. You can change it up in so many ways just by substituting cilantro, mint, dill, rosemary, sage, oregano … for the parsley. Just be sure to use fresh lemon zest, fresh lemon juice and of course fresh herbs.

healthy fish recipe

Ingredients

1/2 teaspoon garlic
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon minced parsley
1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

Mix all ingredients in a small bowl. Spread on 4 fish fillets, or 2 chicken breasts, or 1/2 turkey breast, or 2 pork chops. Cook right away or allow to marinate for up to 1 hour for fish and up to 8 hours for all other meats.
Saute, bake, or grill until done.

Gluten Free High Protein Low Carb Paleo Vegan Vegetarian

Paprika Spiked Cashews

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I love making spiced nuts. What I don’t love is tending to them while they slow cook on the stove or in the oven. Enter the slow cooker and suddenly I’m making more spiced nuts than a girl can handle. If you’re on my Christmas gift list I think you know what’s coming your way this year 🙂

Ingredients

6 cups raw cashews or mix of nuts
2 teaspoons coconut oil
1 teaspoon ground chili, cumin or curry
1 teaspoon powdered garlic
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon smoked paprika, or any good quality paprika
1 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

Put the cashews in the slow cooker. Add the oil and stir well to coat the cashews.
Add the spices and stir well.
Cook on low for 1 hour. Uncover and cook for an additional 15 minutes.

If there are any leftover after the first day these will keep in the refrigerator for 2 weeks and in the freezer for 2 months.

Gluten Free High Protein Low Carb Paleo

Herb Crusted Turkey Breast

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This year we decided to do turkey parts instead of a whole turkey and it turned out to be a great decision. We picked up 1/2 breasts, turkey legs and turkey thighs from the butcher (all with the bone in and skin on) and then I set about experimenting until I found a way to roast them that I thought would make everybody forget that there wasn’t a huge turkey presentation. My brother-in-law declared this the best turkey he’s ever had. I heard whispers around the table to the tune of “did you try the turkey?” so I think it’s safe to say that this one’s a winner.

Since it’s now past Thanksgiving I’m going to give you all the recipe for one half breast, which you can of course double, triple, quadruple as needed. I would count one package of legs or as 1/2 of a 1/2 breast so the mixture below would be for 4 legs.

Ingredients

1/2 turkey breast

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon dried powdered savory

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon dried sage

1 carrot

1 onion

1 stalk celery

Instructions

Mix spices and salt together in a small dish.

Rinse turkey breast and pat dry. Rub spice mixture over the turkey breast or under the skin. Set aside overnight or proceed on to roast immediately.

Peel carrot and onion and slice into large chunks. Cut celery into large chunks. Place vegetables in bottom of roasting pan to form a bed for the turkey. Place turkey breast on top of vegetables and roast in a covered pan until the juices run clear when pierced with fork and a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers 165 degrees F, 1 to 1 1/4 hours.

Note 1: I had 4 breasts, 4 legs and 2 thighs in the roasting pan and roasted everything for 2 and 1/2 hours. It was falling off the bone tender and not dry at all.

Note 2: The second time I made turkey this way I was all out of carrots, onions and celery (it was the week after Thanksgiving and I was still trying to use up leftovers so while I ran out and picked up turkey breasts I forgot to pick up the fixin’s) so I made a bed of quartered apples and – well lets just say WOW!

Let rest, covered with foil, for 10 minutes before carving. The temperature will continue to rise to 170 to 175 degrees F while resting.

Variations

Smash and mash 4 garlic cloves with the sea salt until it’s a paste, then mix with remaining spices.

Stir 1 to 2 tablespoons olive or coconut oil into spice mixture.

Add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper to spice mixture.

Use dried crushed rosemary in place of the savory.

Use 1 tablespoon Herbs de Provence in place of the spices.

Use 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning in place of the spices.

Use 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning in place of the spices.

High Protein Low Carb Vegetarian

List of Low Carb Veggies For Induction Phase

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mixed-vegetables

This list of vegetables that are 3 net carbs or less is for those in Phase 1 or the Induction Phase of a Low Carb eating plan. I’ll be posting a list of vegetables that are 3 to 6 net carbs a bit later in the week.

1 carb

Asparagus: 4 five-inch spears
Haas avocado: ÂĽ small fruit or ÂĽ cup chopped
Bok choy: 1 cup, raw, chopped
Brussel sprout: ÂĽ cup raw
Broccoli: ½ cup, raw, chopped
Celery: 3 five-inch stalks
Cabbage: ½ cup, raw, shredded
Daikon radish: ½ cup, raw, sliced
Chard & kale: ÂĽ cup, raw, chopped
Eggplant: ½ cup slightly rounded, raw, cubes
Endive: 9 cup, raw, chopped
Green chilies: ÂĽ cup, diced
Green onion: ÂĽ cup raw, chopped
Hearts of palm: ÂĽ cup rounded, sliced
Lettuce: 2 ½ cup, raw, shredded
Mushrooms: Âľ cup, sliced or pieces, raw
Onion: 2 tablespoons. Chopped
Radish: ½ cup sliced
Spinach: 2 cups, fresh or ½ cup frozen

2 carb

Celery root: ÂĽ, raw, chopped
Cucumber: 2 cups, sliced
Green beans: 10 four-inch long beans
Mustard greens: 1 cup, raw, chopped
Summer squash – such as zucchini or yellow: ½ cup, fresh, chopped or sliced
Tomato: ÂĽ cup rounded, chopped or sliced, raw

3 carb

Cauliflower: 1 cup, raw pieces
Fennel: Âľ cup raw, sliced
Green bell pepper: ½ medium pepper, raw
Onion: ÂĽ cup, raw, chopped

Low Calorie Recipes UnDiet Eating Plans Vegetarian

300 Calorie Day

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We haven’t talked about the Rotation Diet here on The UnDiet – I’ll do that in an upcoming post, but I did want to give you a taste of how easy it can be to do what most people would think is impossible and that’s to have only 300 calories in a day and not be hungry.

On 300 calorie days you’ll want to use salad dressings and sauces that are 25 calories per tablespoon (or less) so that you don’t use up the majority of your calorie allotment on jazzing up your salads and veggies . I’ve included a recipe in this post, but for those of you who are crunched for time most health food stores carry these in the produce section by the lettuce or on the shelf in salad dressings section, or you can whip up your own by combining yogurt and herbs seasoned with sea salt and black pepper – my Yogurt Dill Dressing recipe will show you how it’s done and you can create endless variations from there.

Oh and if you’re checking my math and wondering why it doesn’t add up, when doing the Rotation Diet you don’t count the calories in fruits or veggies, so they’re freebies. Eat as many fruits and veggies as you want. That’s the secret to staying out of the “gorilla hunger” zone.

Breakfast

40 calories

  • apple slices dusted with cinnamon
  • coffee with 2 tablespoons half & half

Lunch

50 calories

  • green salad tossed with 2 tablespoons Yogurt Dill Dressing
  • artichoke cut in half, hairy choke removed and cooked with cut side down until tender in a broth made of white wine, vegetable broth, garlic and balsamic vinegar, allowing the broth to boil down so that the cut side of artichoke is carmelized.

Quick version: use frozen artichoke hearts instead of whole artichokes. Don’t use canned artichokes, they’re a whole different animal – a bit tough and vinegary. If you use canned artichokes you’ll not be satisfied with your lunch salad. If you’re not satisfied with your lunch salad you’ll start to think that eating healthy doesn’t really work. If you start thinking that eating healthy doesn’t work then you’ll start eating junk food. If you start eating junk food then you’ll start gaining weight and feeling lousy. If you start gaining weight and feeling lousy, you’ll get really really grumpy. If you get really really grumpy then … well you get the picture – don’t use canned artichokes.

Dinner

50 calories

  • celery sticks with 2 tablespoons any 25 calorie/tablespoon dressing
  • Imagine Foods Butternut Squash Soup thickened  or vegetable broth with pureed roasted onion and/or cauliflower.
  • 1/2 whole wheat roll

 Snack

120 calories

  • 2 cups lite popcorn (if no cream in your coffee you can melt 1 teaspoon butter and 1 teaspoon honey, drizzle over popcorn, toss until well mixed – m-m-m, who needs caramel corn?!)
  • sliced apples

 

Yogurt Dill Dressing

1 serving = 2 tablespoons

Per serving: 19 calories, 1.5 net carb, 2.3 grams protein, .5 grams fat,

Since I use this recipe in my Rotation Diet menus (and another version in my low carb menus) I’m using low calorie ingredients and including the calorie count as well as the carb count for any low carbers using this.

Even if you’re going for the low calorie bang, be sure to use real mayo, not the light stuff which contains added sugar and other ingredients to make up for the loss of fat.

Stir together:

1 cube dill pesto or 2 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
1 cube parsley pesto or 2 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 cup 2% Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 clove garlic, minced

 

At the end of the day, you’ll have lost around a pound – maybe a little more, maybe a little less. That’s a nice way to recover from a day or two (or a lifetime) of unhealthy eating. Rinse and repeat.

Recipes

7 Cheap and Easy to Prepare Superfoods

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easy and cheap superfoods

Super Food #3

One Green Planet recently posted an excellent article giving us the 10-4 on the seven cheapest superfoods you can buy. They give their readers some ways to use these foods but as I read the article my mind started whirling with all kinds of quick and easy ways to prepare these affordable superfoods so you can more easily make them recurring items on your menu.

Note: these are not listed in order of their super powers. These are all equally superfoods which you can use at your discretion.

 Number 1 on One Green Planet’s list is Spinach

Spinach is rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin K, calcium, folic acid, fiber, carotenoids, and iron. Fresh spinach is fantastic but one of spinach’s super powers is that you can so easily stash a frozen bag in your freezer to have it ready for any dire nutrition situations.

Grab a handful and add to soup, brown rice, pasta, creamy dip, hummus, chili, green juice or fruit smoothie. These might be leftovers, a dish you’re slaving over or frozen or boxed prepared dishes. Depending on the dish you may need to thaw and squeeze dry but for the most part you should be able to get away with adding the frozen spinach right to the dish you’re serving. It doesn’t need to be cooked, just warmed up to a temperature comfortable for consumption.

Garlic Spinach is a favorite at my table. Saute up some onions in a little olive or coconut oil. You can skip this step but I like the sweetness of the onions with the slight bitterness of the spinach. When the onions are almost al dente add LOTS of sliced garlic, sea salt and black pepper to taste. When garlic starts to turn slightly tan add spinach, stir and cover. When the spinach has wilted remove from heat and add a small pinch of nutmeg. Taste and adjust seasoning to taste.

Spinach Pizza

Cheesey Spinach Eggs

Number 2 is Coconut Oil

Coconut oil can have a profoundly positive effect on your health. Some of it’s amazing super powers include fat loss, stress relief, improved brain function, improved cholesterol levels, increased immunity, and better digestion. These are just a few of the improvements this amazing oil can make in your life.

You can use it to saute with, although it does have a slight coconut flavor so I haven’t completely replaced my olive oil with coconut oil. Because it’s solid when chilled I use it to make a Quick Peanut Butter Chocolate Frosting by melting it together with grain-sweetened chocolate chips and peanut butter.

When making Caramel Sauce I substitute coconut oil for half of the butter.

When making baked goods I substitute coconut oil for 1/4 to all of the butter, depending on if I want a butter flavor or not.

I add a melted tablespoon to fruit smoothies and when it chills it helps to make the smoothie a little thicker. I do the same in green juices and smoothies.

Instead of a mayo-based dressing on fruit salads I make a coconut oil and citrus juice dressing.

Whip into honey for a delicious spread. Add ginger or citrus zest for a little extra kick.

Drizzle over popcorn instead of butter.

Hot Chocolate Almonds

Popcorn Snacks

Brownie in a Cup

 Number 3 on the List is Strawberries

Strawberries make the superfoods list due to their power to protect the body from cancer and heart disease, their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds and many more healthy benefits are hidden under that little green cap.

Like spinach, strawberries are easy to keep in your freeze so they’re ready to go when your fridge is empty of fresh fruit and you need something for breakfast or dessert.

A handful of fresh or frozen strawberries tossed into your morning green or fruit smoothie will give you a boost of Vitamin C.

Fresh or frozen strawberries mashed with a little agave nectar for a sweet pancake or ice cream topper.

Fresh strawberries dipped in chocolate make an impressive dessert or decadent snack.

Fresh strawberries sliced on top of a green leafy salad and sprinkled with toasted pecans or walnuts will have your family or guests bowing to your culinary skills.

Dip fresh strawberries in yogurt. Plain, vanilla or fruit-flavored yogurts all work well. To make it even healthier stir some flaxseed or chia seed into the yogurt.

 Number 4 is Quinoa

Come on, you didn’t think quinoa would be left off a list of superfoods did you? Quinoa is a gluten free seed that’s loaded with protein, fiber and minerals. It is almost always grown organically although you’ll want to read the label to be sure if that’s something that’s important to you.

You can use quinoa in all of the same ways that you would use brown rice, couscous or millet. So go ahead and use it in some of your favorite recipes.

Add cooked quinoa to soups and casseroles.

Mix chopped vegetables, cooked quinoa and salad dressing for a high protein, fiber rich salad.

If you’re making soup or stew you can toss in some uncooked quinoa, just take into account that it will absorb about one and a half times it’s volume in water and takes about 12 minutes to cook.

Add cooked quinoa to burgers and meatloaf to cut down on meat in your diet.

Number 5 is Himalayan Pink Sea Salt

Until I read One Green Planet’s article I didn’t know that all sea salt isn’t created equally! Himalayan pink sea salt contains high doses of calcium, copper, potassium, magnesium and iron. What I did know is that I use much less salt because it tastes so good. It adds a clean flavor to your food that is hard to describe until you try it.

Now I know I don’t have to tell you how to use salt. Just pick up a grinder of Himalayan pink sea salt and use a bit less than you would when using normal table salt.

Number 6 – Bananas

Bananas are rich in potassium and a natural sweetener.When adding them to green or fruit smoothies I find I don’t need to add any other sweetener. I use half a banana per serving.

Mash ripe bananas with applesauce and use in place of maple syrup on your pancakes, waffles and french toast.

Slice green bananas, coat them with chocolate and stash in the freezer for dessert or snack time.

Add mashed ripe bananas to oatmeal and I bet you won’t miss the brown sugar.

Add sliced bananas to sugar-free cereal and see if your kiddos notice it’s not Captain Crunch in their bowls.

Cocoa Banana Pudding

And Number 7 is Sweet Potatoes

Love, love, love sweet potatoes. As with any orange vegetable you can bet that sweet potatoes are loaded with beta-carotene, but they are also heavy on other vitamins and minerals

My absolutely favorite way to have sweet potatoes is to cut them into wedges, like fries. Spray or lightly coat with oil, sprinkle with sea salt and roast at 400 or 450 degrees until browned.

Sweet potatoes sauteed with onions and seasoned with sea salt  are a great side dish for breakfast or dinner. Serve with a bottle of hot sauce on the side.

I add mashed sweet potatoes to mac ‘n cheese. Shhh, if they don’t know it’s in there they won’t complain.

I use mashed sweet potatoes to thicken boxed soups.

 

Now that you have your list of healthy, easy to make, super cheap, superfoods, go out and get yourself some 🙂

 

High Protein Low Carb Recipes Vegetarian

Cheesy Frittata Dinner Menu

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red-pepper-frittata

I love a good frittata. I’ve given you a specific recipe but really you can add any vegetables or cheese that you have handy.

Since I’ve been working on this series of low carb recipe books I’ve been focusing on low carb, high protein recipes, however if you don’t tell anyone they’ll never know this is a “diet” dinner. It’s not low calorie, but it is low carb or Paleo (if you leave off the cheese).

Cheesy Italian Frittata

Ingredients

1/2 onion, diced
1 clove garlic, diced (2 roasted cloves)
1-1/2 cups egg whites, or 6 whole eggs
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
14-16 ounce jar roasted red peppers, drained (save juice to add to salad dressings or a soup)
1/2 cup diced or shredded mozzarella
1 tomato, chopped
1/4 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Saute onion and garlic for 5 minutes in a little olive oil in 10-inch ovenproof skillet over medium high heat:

In bowl stir together eggs, salt, pepper and roasted peppers and pour into the skillet with the onions and garlic.

Cook for 5 minutes without stirring then place in oven and bake for 10 minutes. Take frittata out of oven. Turn oven temp to broil. Sprinkle cheese over top of egg mixture. Broil 3 minutes. Cut into wedges to serve. Top with chopped tomatoes and parsley.

 

Zucchini & Mushrooms

Ingredients

4 cloves garlic, minced
5 cups sliced zucchini
3 cups sliced mushrooms
1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed in your hand or 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh
1 teaspoon dried thyme or 2 teaspoons fresh
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon black or white pepper
1/2 cup white wine or broth

Instructions

Saute garlic, zucchini, mushrooms, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper over medium-high heat in a little olive oil for 1 minute.

Add white wine and cook 6-8 minutes longer until veggies are tender-crisp.

 

Pesto Stuffed Celery Sticks

Ingredients

8 ounces softened cream cheese
3 tablespoons storebought or home-made pesto – try basil or sun-dried tomato
celery sticks

Instructions

Mix cream cheese and pesto. Pipe or spoon into celery sticks.

 

Green Salad

Dress your greens with this dressing from my book “14 Days – 14 Pounds – Low Carb Daily Eating Plan Volume 1”.

Balsamic Dressing

Ingredients

3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 garlic cloves, grated on a fine grater
ÂĽ teaspoon each salt and pepper
½ cup extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

Whisk together all ingredients except olive oil. Slowly whisk in olive oil. Taste and adjust season if needed.
You could also prepare this dressing a blender by buzzing the first four ingredients, then while leaving the blender on slowly pour in the olive oil.

 

High Protein Recipes

Gyro Burgers

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low carb Paleo gyro burger recipe

We ate the gyro burgers before I could get a pic!

This recipe is from a book I’m working on with all recipes being 3 ingredients (or less). Ridiculous right? It was a challenge that I set for myself and I was surprised at how many recipes I came up with. Anyway, I’ll be sharing a few of them on the blog – teasers 🙂

4 servings
You can use ground lamb, turkey or beef for this recipe or a mix of any of these.
If you want to step up the flavor quotient of your meal look for feta cheese that has herbs and other ingredients such as sun-dried tomatoes added to it. You’ll need to adjust the carb count to account for these additions though.

Carb counters will want to know that this recipe is ½ net carb per serving. Yea, you read that right – .5 carbs! Nice!

Ingredients

1 pound ground meat
1 teaspoon Greek seasoning
ÂĽ cup feta cheese
ÂĽ cup Tzatziki Sauce

Instructions

Gently mix all ingredients together. Divide meat in half and form one half into 4 patties and the other half into 8 sliders DO NOT pack the meat together, just loosely form them into burgers and then use your thumb to create a gentle indentation in the middle of each burger. This prevent them from bloating in the middle which is why most grill masters are tempted to flatten the burger with a spatula, which squeezes out all those lovely juices that you want to keep in your burger.

Heat a lightly oiled skillet over high heat or heat your grill. Cook 5 to 6 minutes per side for medium-rare. When you see the juices start to sweat out on the top of the burger then its time to flip it. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes less than you cooked the first side.

Let the burgers sit for at least 5 minutes before digging in.

Top each burger with 2 tablespoons Tzatziki Sauce.

Gyro Sliders

Shape burgers into 8 sliders instead of 4 burgers. Cook as directed above.

Place one slider on top of one lettuce leaf and top with 1 tablespoon Tsatziki Sauce. Roll up the leaf around the slider, then position the roll on top of another lettuce leaf. Roll this leaf up and place on plate seam side down. Continue assembling until all 8 sliders are rolled up.