FitSugar

Healthy Snack Idea: Baked Taro Chips

Fit Community — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 04:30:52 -0800

If you're looking for a new snack idea, and you crave something salty and crunchy like kale chips, FitSugar reader TuristaChef submitted a recipe in the Healthy Recipe Group for you to try.

To learn how to make chips out of the taro root, read more.

Baked Taro Chips
Turista Chef

Ingredients

One large taro, peeled and sliced
1/2 teaspoon salt substitute
1 tablespoon Spanish olive oil

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 400° F.
Wash, peel, and slice taro root into quarter-inch thick slices.
Brush olive oil on each side of taro slices.
Place each chip (separately arranged) on a non-stick one to two-inch deep cookie sheet.
Lightly sprinkle salt on taro chips. Bake for 10 minutes on each side or until golden crisp.

Serves: 2 to 3

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If you have a delicious and good-for-you recipe to share, post it in the Healthy Recipe Group.

Healthy Breakfast: Cinnamon Oatmeal Waffles

FitSugar — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:00:39 -0800

In the mood for something different for breakfast? You can whip up this batter in no time, and have yourself a delicious and hearty breakfast that's sure to satisfy your need for something warm and luscious. This waffle recipe is so sweet and cinnamony, that once topped with fresh fruit, I hardly needed any maple syrup. The oats coupled with the flax meal also make these full of fiber, so they're especially filling, and will keep hunger at bay for hours.

Curious to know how to make these waffles? Then read more.

Cinnamon Oatmeal Waffles
From Everybody Likes Sandwiches

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 cups rolled oats
3 tablespoons flaxmeal
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup yogurt (I used plain Greek)
1 cup skim or soymilk
1/4 cup Earth Balance margarine, melted
Cooking spray (for waffle iron)

Directions

Preheat the waffle iron to medium-high. In a large bowl, mix together the first seven ingredients (flour to sugar). In a small bowl, combine the eggs, yogurt, and milk and whisk to combine. Add in the melted Earth Balance margarine. Pour the wet mixture into the dry and mix gently.
Spray the waffle iron with the cooking spray. Pour 3/4 cup or so of the batter into the middle of the waffle iron. Bake until golden brown and serve with maple syrup and fresh fruit. Makes six waffles.

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If you have a tasty and healthy recipe to share, post it in the Healthy Recipe Group. I am always looking for new ones to try.

Healthy Recipe: Low Cal Chai Spiced Granola

FitSugar — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 07:00:43 -0800

I love a little granola in the morning. It naturally sweetens my bowl of Greek yogurt, a breakfast staple loaded with protein but a bit on the sour side. Problem is, my favorite granola is packed with calories and fat. I decided to create my own recipe using a bunch of spices to add flavor without calories while omitting the oil which adds fat. I added warming spices, many of which can be found in chai tea: cinnamon (a granola must in my opinion), nutmeg, cardamom, and cloves. My kitchen smelled divine as the granola baked, and I definitely cut a significant number of calories of the total calorie tally, as well as halving the grams of fat.

Check out the recipe when you read more.

Low Calorie Chai Spiced Granola
Adapted from Everybody Likes Sandwiches

Ingredients

3 cups organic oats (not instant)
1/4 cup uncooked millet
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/8 cup flax seeds
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 cup diced dried sour cherries
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup orange juice

Directions

Heat oven to 300F. In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients except dried fruit. Drizzle in the maple syrup, stir well. Add orange juice stirring so all ingredients are coated. If mixture seems too dry add in some more maple syrup and/or orange juice.
Spread the mix out onto a large, low rimmed baking dish and bake for 30 minutes, stirring checking about every 10 minutes so nothing burns. Add in the raisins and cranberries and bake until the granola turns golden and crisp, about five to seven minutes.
Remove from oven and cool completely. Store in an airtight container. Serve with fresh fruit and yogurt.

Makes 8 half cup servings.

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The Mister wanted me to name the homemade cereal Goa Granola, in honor of the cardamom. Cute, no? Make it and let me know if you come up with a catchy name. If you have a tasty, cleaned-up recipe be sure to add it to our Healthy Recipe Group.

Healthy Recipe: Edamame and Pear Crostinis

FitSugar — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:50:53 -0800

If you're having a dinner party and are looking for a healthy app to serve, search no more. Try this crostini featuring edamame, fresh mint, Romano cheese, and pears. These appetizers are packed with protein and zesty vibrant flavor.

The topping can be made ahead of time and it's a cinch to whip up, making this recipe popular with hostesses and guests alike. Check out the recipe when you read more.

Recipe For Edamame and Pear Crostinis
From Health magazine

Ingredients

16 ounce bag of frozen shelled edamame
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 cup chopped mint
1/2 cup grated pecorino Romano cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 baguette
1 Bartlett pear, diced

Directions

Preheat oven to 350° F.
Boil the edamame in salted water for 10 minutes. Remove beans with a slotted spoon and place in ice water for a couple minutes to cool; then drain.
Set aside 1/4 cup of the whole edamame and place the remaining edamame a food processor; process until coarsely chopped.
In a separate bowl, combine the mashed edamame with the whole edamame, three tablespoons olive oil, chopped mint, Romano cheese, salt, and pepper.
Thinly slice the baguette, brush each piece lightly using one tablespoon olive oil. Bake for eight minutes.
Remove from the oven, top each crostini with one tablespoon of the edamame mixture, garnish with chopped pears and enjoy.

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This recipe makes about 30 crostinis and they're quite healthy, so you can enjoy more than one.

If you have a tasty and healthy recipe to share, post it in the Healthy Recipe Group. I am always looking for new ones to try.

Snack Attack: Banana Dog

FitSugar — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 04:30:53 -0800

Here's a quick snack I love to nosh on in the late afternoon before a long hike or bike ride or after a run. It's filling, packed with protein, and tastes sweet enough to feel like a treat. If you're a peanut butter fanatic, you're going to love this simple and nutty snack.

It is so easy to make and only involves four ingredients. To find out how to create your own peanut butter hot dog, and see how many calories it contains, read more.

What you'll need:
One slice whole wheat bread
One tablespoon natural peanut butter (I prefer crunchy)
One small ripe banana (peeled)
1/2 tablespoon strawberry jam

What you do:
Spread the peanut butter on the bread. Place the peeled banana in the middle. Dab on the jam to make it look like ketchup. Squeeze the bread together like a bun and enjoy!

Check out the nutritional stats of this yummy snack:

Do you have a tasty and healthy snack you want to share? Post your recipe in the Snack Attack group.

A Warm Breakfast Doesn't Stop at Oatmeal

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 04:30:02 -0800

Last week I made a really yummy breakfast quinoa using a recipe from FitSugar reader leens824. Not only was it delicious, it reminded me that when it comes to warm, hearty breakfasts and whole grains, oatmeal isn't the only option. Check out some of the things I do at home to incorporate different whole grains into my breakfast.

Brown rice. I love using leftover brown rice to make a bowl of warm porridge in the morning. I add a decent amount of lowfat milk to brown rice and cook that over low heat for about 20 minutes. When it's almost done, I add a touch of honey, cinnamon, raisins, and fruit.
Whole grain, stone ground polenta. A fine grain polenta makes a great breakfast - it reminds me of a better version of Cream of Wheat. I make a really creamy polenta and then add milk, brown sugar, and crushed almonds to the mix. Delicious!
Amaranth. If you're not a fan of quinoa but want a good source of protein, try amaranth. It tastes great warmed with maple syrup, pumpkin puree, raisins, and a little rice milk.
Farro. Instead of using water to cook the farro, substitute lowfat coconut milk. Once a majority of the coconut milk is absorbed, add a pinch of salt and fresh mango.

What I hope you're getting from this is that almost any whole grain makes a great hot bowl of cereal in the morning. Just prepare the grain the way you normally would and then add all the fixings, much like you do with oatmeal. Or as I do in the case of farro, cook the grain in lowfat coconut or regular milk to give it an added dimension of flavor. While all whole grains are good sources of fiber, vitamin E, iron, manganese, and zinc, they are not created equally. Some have higher levels of protein - like amaranth and quinoa - but others are antioxidant powerhouses, like barley. Start experimenting with your morning cereal and see which one works best for you!

Valentine's Dessert: Frozen Raspberry Creamy, Dreamy Pie

FitSugar — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 04:30:42 -0800

Whether you're celebrating Valentine's Day with a special someone, friends, family, or you're soloing it this Sunday, this holiday just isn't the same without delving into a sweet, creamy, dreamy treat. Of course, I know you also don't want to burst out of your new Valentine's Day outfit, so here's a frozen dessert that's full of fresh flavor and a luscious texture that screams decadence, but won't break the calorie bank.

To learn how to make this frozen raspberry pie, keep reading

Healthy Super Bowl Snack: Creamy White Bean Veggie Dip

FitSugar — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:00:10 -0800

Hummus has always been a staple snack for all my parties, but since it's so popular, it can get boring. Here's a twist on that basic recipe. You'll find this version is slightly creamier since it's made with Greek yogurt, and the dill gives it a fresh, zippy flavor. If you have time, whip up this dip, and refrigerate it overnight - it tastes much better the next day.

To see my recipe read more.

Recipe For Creamy White Bean Veggie Dip
Original recipe

Ingredients

1 15-ounce can of cannelini beans, rinsed and drained
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 tablespoons plain nonfat Greek yogurt
1/4 cup loosely packed fresh dill
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh dill sprigs for garnish

Directions

Place the beans, garlic, oil, yogurt, dill, and lemon juice in a food processor. Blend until smooth.
Garnish with fresh dill and serve with a variety of chopped veggies.

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If you have any tasty, healthy recipes to share, post them in the Healthy Recipe Group. Which Super Bowl team are you rooting for?

Healthy Recipe: Vegetarian Lima and Lentil Bean Soup

OnSugar Blog — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:50:03 -0800

OnSugar blogger Turista Chef shared this recipe for a hearty vegetarian bean soup.

This is a nutritious and hearty recipe for chilly winter days or evenings. Good for the body, and warm for the soul.

To see the recipe read more.

Hearty Lima-Lentil Soup
original recipe

Ingredients

2 cups presoaked green lentils
1/2 cup presoaked lima beans
1 small white onion, diced
10-15 whole cherry tomatoes
1 large carrot, sliced
3 celery stalks, sliced
1-2 small serrano chili peppers, chopped
2 small garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 dash of Bragg Organic Sea Kelp Delight Seasoning (can substitute with salt and pepper)
1 teaspoon of curry
3-5 tablespoons of Bragg Liquid Aminos
6-8 cups alkalized water
Parsley or fresh dill for garnish

Directions

Combine all ingredients into a crock pot and add enough water to cover everything in the pot. Cover and cook on low heat for 10-12 hours, checking on it every few hours. If necessary, add more water while cooking.
Garnish each bowl with fresh parsley or dill.

Makes four servings.

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Want to see more? Start following Turista Chef or start your own OnSugar blog. Maybe your stories will be posted here on FitSugar!

Snack Attack: Kale Chips

FitSugar — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:30:00 -0800

My first experience with kale chips was at Blue Hill New York - the highly respected farm-to-table restaurant owned by James Beard winner, executive chef Dan Barber. I was in heaven when I tried the first bite: light, crispy, and nutty, with the perfect amount of salt to complement the subtle taste of kale. The chips were a goner in less than a minute. Months after returning home, a craving hit me and I attempted to duplicate the recipe. Who knew it would be so easy!

Last night I was going through one of my favorite food magazines - Bon Appetit - and saw Dan Barber's own recipe within its pages. I guess I am not the only one addicted to these things! Try making them for yourself and you'll see what I mean. Besides being a great alternative to potato chips, kale chips make a great party snack or mid-afternoon treat.

Do you have a healthy snack to share? Post it in our Snack Attack community group - I'll need something to munch on after my kale chips are gone.

To see the recipe, read more.

Kale Chips
Inspired by a dish from Blue Hill New York

If you cannot find Tuscan kale (aka dinosaur or dino kale) at your grocer, it's OK to substitute the recipe with another type of kale. Just make sure you remove the leaves from the tough parts of the kale. Don't discard the stem and ribs though - use them to make a veggie broth!

Ingredients

1 large bunch Tuscan kale (10 to 12 leaves)
1 tablespoon oilve oil
Sea salt to taste
Fresh ground pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 275°F.
Remove stalks and ribs from kale. Rinse and dry leaves.
Toss leaves in a large bowl with olive oil. Sprinkle leaves with sea salt and ground pepper.
Arrange leaves in a single layer onto a baking sheet.
Back for approximately 30 minutes or until crisp.
Transfer and let cool onto a wire rack or paper towels.

Serves 2.

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Source: Flickr User ilovemypit