Thursday, November 8, 2012

Chocolate Raspberry Oatmeal & Mexican "Rice"

As usual... it has been a while.. I am so so so sorry!
I swear school has been drowning me in project, presentations,
homework, and essays!! But, luckily after today I'm free until
Wednesday! Thank the Lord! I need a little break... where are
you Thanksgiving?!? Not to mention its almost 85 degrees here!
But, at least my pumpkin coffee and oatmeal feel a little fall festive!
 

Chocolate Raspberry Oatmeal

What girl doesn't love chocolate and raspberries together?!
Or...at least chocolate.. the fruit just helps us feel a
little better about eating the chocolate..guilty!

 
I've started making my own premade oatmeal packets like
you buy at the store to save on time in the  mornings.
I blame the time change.. I cannot get of bed anymore!!
It's super simple and definitely worth it to sit down and
knock out a whole bunch in one afternoon!

____________________________
Ingredients:
1/2 Cup Old Fashioned Oats
Cinnamon To Taste
Handful Of Raspberries
1 Chocolate Kiss
____________________________

For one of my presentations today the topic is Diversity..
so naturally my "attention getter" to start off my presentation
is a bag of yummy, assorted Christmas Chocolate..I know Genius!
& So again, one just naturally decided to join my oatmeal this morning!
 
 

Mexican "Rice"


 
This is another new recipe I decided to try last night.
With recommendation from my sister, I knew I wanted to try it!
She found it off of this blog (click) -->  Peace + Love + Low Carb
I changed mine a little up, just because I can never make anything
like I'm actually supposed to. (That's probably why hers looks
a lot prettier than mine..but its still super delicious!!)
______________________________________
Ingredients:
1 Head Of Cauliflower
1 Can Mexican Mild Rotel
2 Cups Chicken Stock
(I Used Chicken Base&Water)
1 Onion
2 (Rather Massive) Garlic Cloves
1/2 Packet Low Sodium Taco Seasoning
Cumin To Taste
Chili Power To Taste
Salt To Taste
______________________________________
 
I started out this process by "ricing" my cauliflower in a
ninja, make sure to do it in sections so you get it all in even pieces.
Then, I started to saute my onion and garlic in a pan with a little bit
of water until translucent. I then stirred the drained rotel to mix in with the
onion and garlic. Then, I added in the chicken base, two cups
of water, and mixed until incorporated. Following all of that, I added
all of my cauliflower and put on medium heat for 30 minutes with a lid.
For the last 10 minutes I took the lid off and turned down to low heat.
Mine came out a bit wet, when I try this again I may take her advice in
adding the cauliflower be the liquids, and reduce the amount of stock.
However, it is still delicious and so happy my sister showed it to me!
 
 


Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Laptop Lunchbox #21 & Halloween!

 
 
Happy Halloween Everyone!!
Hope y'all all have fun plans for tonight!
 
Seriously.. is that not the cutest dragon you've ever seen?!
Luckily my apartment complex is having a pet costume
contest so I can show off his cuteness enter him in it...
No but seriously.. no one stands a chance!

Laptop Lunchbox #21

 
 
________________________________
Ingredients:
2 Cups Of Romaine Lettuce
1/3 Of a Cucumber
1 Serving Light Italian Dressing
Feta To Top
2 Homemade Salmon Patties
^Click For The Recipe ^
1 Orange
________________________________
 
Also would like to remind everyone to keep the East Coast
in their prayers with the tragedy of Hurricane Sandy!
Sending lots of prayers to everyone and hope they are safe & with their family! 
My boyfriend is on his way there for work to help repair the aftermath,
He's been sending pictures all morning, such a pretty drive up the east coast from Texas!
 
 
 

 
Enjoy!
<3 AL
 
 
 

Monday, October 29, 2012

GoRaw! & Laptop Lunchbox #20!

 
Happy Monday ya'll! Hope your a little warmer then me
this morning! Gotta love walking to class when it's 39 degrees!
 
But, on a happier note, last week I was so excited to check my mail
and receive my awesome GORAW! <-click Package!!
Seriously, so many items! All natural, raw ingredients
you know and can actually pronounce! 

Even Braxton liked them! He decided he wanted
to sneak one of the granola bars when I wasn't watching him!
Found him under my desk trying to open my pumpkin granola bar!
Sneaky little puppy! I haven't tried them all but you should check them out!
 

Laptop Lunchbox #20

___________________________________
Ingredients:
2 Cups Romaine Blend Salad
1 Romano Tomato
1 Serving 2TBS Light Italian Dressing
Feta To Top
1/2 Cup Deer Sausage
1/2 Peach
___________________________________

 
Since Halloween is on a Wednesday we decided to
celebrate this weekend! The cold front came just in time too!
Lots of Halloween Cupcakes!
Loved going to the pumpkin patch and seeing all of the
little kids so excited about getting to pick their own pumpkin!
After the pumpkin patch Ryy&I decided to carve the
ones we bought & had a contest to see which was better!
He won.. by a sad landslide of 6-1 :( My poor Frankenstein!
 
 
Hope everyone had a perfect halloween weekend!
Enjoy!
AL <3

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Roasted Cauliflower Laptop Lunchbox #19

 
 
This past week has been a crazy one!
Full of exams, projects, and perfect 21st birthday festivities!
But, more importantly I am so blessed to have such great people
in my life to help me celebrate another birthday!
Seriously my friends are perfect!
& of course so is this boy! <3
 
Okay, enough mushiness back to food!
Today's delicious breakfast was some cooked,
warm apple oatmeal! Can you tell I'm so happy it's Fall?!

Cooked Cinnamon Sugar Apple Oatmeal


________________________________
Calories:214
Ingredients:
1 1/2 Cups Water
1 TBS Sugar
2 TSP Brown Sugar
1/2 Honey Crisp Apple
Cinnamon To Taste
1/2 Cup Of Dry Oats
Water For Desired Texture
________________________________

Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Add in sugars, stirring
constantly until completely dissolved. Add in apples and cinnamon
to taste and let cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes stirring
every once in a while so the sugars don't stick and burn on the
bottom.Turn down heat to about 3 and let cook for an additional
20 minutes without stirring until apples are cooked to desired softness.
 
 
So, for some reason lately, allll I've been wanting
is some warm, roasted vegetables! I think it's probably
because here in Texas it's still in the upper 80s in October!
So late last night , after realizing I still hadn't made my lunch
for today I decided I would use the head of cauliflower sitting in my fridge!
 

Oven Roasted Cauliflower

_________________________________
Calories: 424
Ingredients:
1 Medium Head Of Cauliflower
2 TBS Extra Virgin Olive Oil
~4 TBS Of Reduced Fat Parmesan Cheese
*Garlic Powder, Onion Powder,
Salt & Pepper To Taste!
_________________________________

Start by preheating your oven to 350. Place your washed
cauliflower florets into a 9x13 casserole dish, and top with your EVOO,
parmesan cheese and *desired seasonings. Cover with foil (or a lid)
& bake for 25 minutes. My cauliflower was not tender enough for me,
so I then put it up to 400 degrees for an additional 20 minutes.
I also wanted a nice color to them, so I took off the foil, and
put them back in for 5-10 minutes with the broil on high!

Laptop Lunchbox #19

________________________________
Calories: 381
Ingredients:
Oven Roasted Cauliflower
Vanilla Chocolate Chunk Chobani
1/2 Cup Of A Honey Crisp Apple
________________________________

 
Enjoy!
AL <3
 

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Oven Roasted Cabbage & Laptop Lunchbox #18

 
 
I cannot believe its only Wednesday!!
The week goes by so slow whenever your birthday
is on a Thursday! YES! 21 tomorrow! Happy girl!
 
However.. someone else isn't as thrilled as me..
Poor sleepy puppy!

So excited for a birthday spend with my sweet friends,
boyfriend, and family this week & weekend!
Not to forget a perfect bridal shower!
Since I know this weekend will be full of lots of food
I knew I needed to keep my lunches full of veggies!
 

Oven Roasted Cabbage


_____________________________
Ingredients:
1 medium head of cabbage
2 Slices Of Bacon
~3 TBS Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper To Taste
_____________________________

 
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees, and start preparing the cabbage.
Remove the two outer leaves, and then wash thoroughly.
Slice in about 1/2-1 inch thickness so all of the oils can absorb into the
cabbage and soften the leaves. Drizzle the olive oil to coat the top
of all the rounds, add cooked chopped bacon, salt and pepper. *the next
time I make this which I will it was amazing! I will probably try
wrapping them in foil to get more moist, soft leaves. Bake for about 30
minutes on 425, then turn down to 350 for an additional 20 if the leaves
 aren't soft enough. I believe the foil will cut down on cooking time as well!

Laptop Lunchbox #18

 

_____________________________
Ingredients:
1 Serving Oven Roasted Cabbage
2 Homemade Salmon Patties
^Click For Recipe^
1 Cup Baby Carrots
1 Serving Garlic Hummus
_____________________________

 
Enjoy!
AL <3

 
 

Monday, October 15, 2012

Salmon Patties & Laptop Lunchbox #17


Well..needless to say it has been a while!
School sort of took over my life for a good week!
Last night while trying to figure out what to pack for
my lunch out of my bare pantry and fridge I found two packets
of Salmon, and remembered my Mom talking about how she used
to always make Salmon burgers when we were little, so I thought why not?!
 

Salmon Patties

Recipe Adapted From Chicken Of The Sea


___________________________________________
Calories For Entire Recipe: 431
(Mine Made At Least 8 Small Patties) 
Ingredients:
2- 2.5 Oz Packets Of Salmon
(I Used Chicken Of The Sea)
1/4 Chopped Onion
1/2-3/4 Cup Bread Crumbs
(I Used Italian For More Flavor)
4 TBS Egg Beaters
Salt & Pepper To Taste
1/8-1/4 Cup Of Skim Milk Until Desired Texture
___________________________________________

I started off by emptying both packages of salmon into a
mixing bowl, then adding the bread crumbs, followed by the
onion and eggbeaters. Completely incorporate those 4 ingredients until
it starts sticking together.Add in salt & pepper along with any other
desired seasonings. Then, slowly add the milk until you are able
to get a chunky texture where you are able to form patties in your hand.
Heat a skillet to medium heat and spray your pan with cooking spray.
Since salmon is already cooked, you're just looking for color and
the break down of the onions. I did about 5 minutes each side.
 
 

Laptop Lunchbox #17

_______________________________________
Calories: 447
277 For Lunch & 170 Snack
Ingredients:
1 Serving (2 TBS) PB2
1 Banana
2 Homemade Salmon Patties
1 Serving (7) Tricuts
1 Light Baby Bell Cheese
(Cheese & Crackers Afternoon Snack)
1/2 Can French Cut Green Beans
_______________________________________

 
Enjoy!
<3 AL


Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Vanilla Caramel Coffee & Laptop Lunchbox #16

 
 
Already Wednesday...the week is flying by!
Not that I'm complaining at all!
I cannot wait for my best friend & boyfriend
to come to San Marcos on Friday!
 

Vanilla Caramel Coffee

Here's to another attempt of mine to keep liking coffee.
It seriously is freaking me out how I actually like coffee,
and not forcing it down my throat to stay up for finals!
Maxwell International's coffee definitely helps!

______________________________
Calories: 60
Serving Size: 1 1/3 TBS
______________________________

 
I left mine at work so if I ever forget it I can
easily make it since all you need is water!
I also love how filling it is for only 60 calories,
add an apple for my breakfast & I'm good to go!
 

Laptop Lunchbox #16

I must admit I have a little crush obsession with my
laptop lunchbox.. So needless to say I was a little extremely
upset whenever my mom called me 2 hours from home while
driving back to school to let me know I had forgotten
my lunch box...Lucky for me I order "Bento Buddies" too!
Although my actual lunchbox made for a lot easier transportation.

______________________________
Calories: 323
Ingredients:
2 Egg Whites
3 Baby Whole Dill Pickles
1 Serving (2 TBS) Garlic Hummus
1/2 Cup Of Cucumber
1/2 Cup Of Carrots
1 Cup Of Lettuce
1 Light Baby Bell Cheese
1 Serving (7) Triscuts
______________________________

 
 
 Enjoy!
AL <3
 
 
 
 


Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Patsy's Potato Soup!

 Alike yesterday's Pumpkin Bread (<- click), I was
still in the "fall mood" since all of the rain and cool
weather crept in this weekend! It's been so perfect!
&that is why October is always my favorite month!
(doesn't hurt its my birthday month too!!)
After my shopping spree trip to target to get only soup bowls,
and a new table set of plates, bowls, some heels, and
a new umbrella, we decided to sit outside & enjoy the pretty day!
& since weather was so nice we had to have a (mini) photo shoot!
Look at that precious pup smiling & posing!
But to the point of the perfect weather, it needed
some delicious, warm, and healthier potato soup!

Patsy's Potato Soup!

 
________________________________________

Calories: 210 Per Cup
Ingredients:
6 Potatoes With Skins
1 Package Mild Italian Sausage
*Mom Uses 2 Packages
1 Cup 2% Milk
*Mom Uses Heavy Whipping Cream
1 Onion
3 TBS McCormick Italian Herb Grinder
2 TBS McCormick Italian Perfect Pinch SF
1 TSP Oregano
Salt & Pepper To Taste
*Mom Adds 2 TBS Butter
________________________________________

 
Start by removing the skins and completely browning your
Italian Sausage. *It's best to brown them in the pot you
plan to boil your potatoes so you get alllll of the great flavor!
While the sausage is browning, slice or cube the potatoes
into desired thickness. Be sure to leave them at least 1" cubes
or ~1/2" slices so they don't all disintegrate while boiling.
As well as chop or slice the entire onion into preferred size bites.
Drain the grease from the sausage and put into a small bowl.
Add potatoes, onion, all of your seasoning and enough water
to cover the potatoes.Bring potatoes to a boil and let them
cook until soft.~20 minutes just keep checking until
they are soft. *I like to add 1/3 of the sausage during the
boiling process to get more of the flavor throughout the
soup. After potatoes are cooked to preference, add all of the
 sausage, as well as 1 cup of 2% milk to give it a creamier texture.
Simmer for about 15-30 more minutes to bring back up the temperature.


Enjoy!
AL <3
 
 

Monday, October 1, 2012

Wedding Weekend & Homemade Pumpkin Bread

Couldn't have asked for a better weekend!
Such a fun wedding, along with rainy, cool 
weather making me so ready for fall!!
Since the weather was soo rainy and
finally starting to get cool around Texas
(hopefully for good!) I was craving some
warm, delicious, spiced pumpkin bread!
 

Amanda's Spiced Pumpkin Bread

 
I decided I would try creating my own recipe just
to see how it turned out, and I must say it was pretty
tastey! However, it could have more of that pumpkin kick!
 

____________________________________
Calories:137 Per Slice
*I Made It Into 15 Slices
*Without Optional: 117 Calories
-2 Cups Whole Wheat Flour
-1 Cup Pack Brown Sugar
-1 TBS Baking Powder
-2 1/2 TS Cinnamon
-1/2 TS Nutmeg
-1/2 TS Pumpkin Pie Spice
-1/4 TS Baking Soda
-1/4 TS Ginger
-1/4 TS Cloves
-1 Cup Pumpkin
-1/2 Cup Almond Milk
-2 Whipped Egg White
-1/3 Cup Light Sour Cream
-1/2 TS Almond Extract
-1/4 Cup Walnuts (Optional)
-2 Boxes Of Raisins (Optional)
____________________________________

-Preheat the oven to 350. In a large bowl mix flour, brown
sugar, and baking powder & soda along with all of the spices.
Stir to combine. In a separate bowl, with your mixer, whip
egg whites until they are a white and foamy texture.
 
After eggs are whipped, mix pumpkin, milk,sour cream,
almond extract, nuts, and raisins. Until combined.
Mix the dry ingredients in with the wet, only stir to incorporate.
Try not to over mix! Spray your pan with PAM, then dust
 with flour,and add combined mixes into the bread pan.
 
Bake for about 1 hour, mine took about 50 minutes.
Making sure to use a tooth pick to check the consistency!
 
 
Enjoy!
AL <3
 

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Laptop Lunchbox 15 & Skinny Funfetti!

 
It's my weekend!! TGIT! :)
However, today will be a loong day!
Work & School 7:00a.m - 3:20 then a nice,
extremely boring 4 hour drive home for a wedding!
 

Chobani, Banana & Coffee Breakfast

 

______________________________
Calories: 350
Ingredients:
Suisse Mocha & PB2 Coffee
^Click For Recipe^
1 Strawberry Banana Chobani
1 Banana
______________________________

This high calorie and protein packed breakfast will
be spread out throughout my morning since my lunch
will primarily (not the tacos) be for the road trip home!

Laptop Lunchbox #15

 

______________________________
Calories: 323
Ingredients:
1 Cup Of Baby Carrots
1 Veggie Laughing Cow Cheese
1/2 Cup Of Cucumber
1 Pineapple Chobani
2 Wonton Tacos
^Click For Recipe^
______________________________

Since last time I went home my sweet boyfriend surprised
me with roses, I decided I'd do something in return!

Skinny Funfetti!

Ryan and I are the complete opposite whenever it comes
to food. He could eat McDonald's everyday, while I
won't touch the nasty, fake stuff! Anyway, he absolutely
LOVES funfetti cake! He doesn't like chocolate (crazy right!?!)
or anything with cooked fruit like cobbler or pie..like I said
definitely opposites when it comes to food!! So I decided to try
and sneak in a healthy recipe on his favorite dessert and see
how it turns out! He'll probably notice, but hopefully he will
like it! I mean, at 110 calories per cupcake... it's perfect!
If you're like me & pintrest all day frequently, I'm sure
you've seen countless different alternatives to this
originally weight watcher recipe! Check out my
pintrest <-click to see the ones I found most helpful!
First off you will need only 4 ingredients! Healthy
cheap and easy?! Who knew that was possible?

______________________________
For The Cale:
1 Box Funfetti Cake Mix
12 oz. Sprite Zero
(Or Any Light Diet Drink)
For The Icing:
1 (1.5) SF FF Vanilla Pudding
1 (8oz) FF Cool Whip
______________________________

Start off by preheating your oven to 350 degrees.
Mix the Funfetti & 12 oz. of Sprite Zero together
in a mixing bowl. It going to look pretty funny,
and fizzy,but I promise that's right! Keep mixing,
by hand or a mixer until all of the lumps are out.
After greasing and flour dusting your pans, pour the batter
all in. Set your timer for ~18 minutes for cupcakes
or if you doing a cake, my two heart pans took about 25.
While the cakes are cooking, start mixing together your
icing. All it takes is dumping both ingredients in a
mixing bowl, and combining until they are smooth!!
Poke with a toothpick after the timer goes off to make sure
they are completely done, let them cool, icing & enjoy
your delicious low calorie, low fat funfetti cupcakes or cake!
 
Enjoy!
AL <3