Tasty Thursday Dinner Idea ~ Grilled Chicken Garden Salad w/ Homemade Dressing

Yum! After a long day of work and workouts, nothing sounds better to me on a warm evening than a light grilled chicken garden salad with a light homemade dressing. When my fiance and I have salad dinner nights, we like to have a "do-it-yourself-soupplantation-type salad bar". I round up whatever veggies are left in the fridge, grill or poach a protein (chicken or shrimp are my personal favorites) and just start chopping.

The key to a great salad is:

1.) a variety of veggies

and

2.) a great dressing

I make my dressing with extra light olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, balsamic vinegar, lots of lemon juice, a little brown mustard, kosher salt, parsley and basil.

Some of my favorite do-it-yourself-salad bar veggies include:

- Avocado

- Tomato

- Roasted Veggies (red pepper, onion, mushrooms)

- Corn

- Kidney and Garbanzo Beans

A Health Conscious Italian Girl's Dream! Virtually Carb-Free Noodles!!!

I was like a kid in a candy store when I first came across the package of Shirataki Fettuccine Noodles at our local Henry's. WHAT??? Only 20 Calories and 3 Carbs per serving?!? Was this a misprint? Nope, every package was labeled the same. To make matters even better, they were only $1.39 per package. I loaded the cart up with both their Fettuccine and Angel Hair Pasta options.

I am a firm believer that if something is too good to be true, it probably is, so I must admit, I was very nervous to try these virtually carb-free noodles. Nervous became quite the understatement when I first opened the bag and took a whiff of the funkiest smell I have ever smelled in my kitchen (or what the package describes as "Authentic Aroma"). Nonetheless, I followed the instructions and rinsed the noodles...actually, more like soaked the noodles until the smell started to lessen.

After a few minutes of boiling the noodles and preparing my fresh veggie, turkey meat and roasted tomato sauce, I had a plate that looked much like the delicious homemade spaghetti I grew up on...but with 80% less carbs and calories. I dug in and instantly regained the excitement I had back when I was at Henry's finding these noodles for the first time. I could now eat my favorite pasta dish frequently without going into a major carb-coma!!! I have even cooked these for my fiance who enjoys his manly-man food and he too was pleasantly surprised!

Tasty Thursday ~ Jessica's Signature Corn & Edamame Salad

This delicious pairing of corn, edamame, tomato and avocado is the perfect side dish. I have complimented meals such as crab cakes and chicken dishes with this yummy dish, brought as a side to barbeque's and it's a perfect side for any Spring or Summer dinner! This side salad is best served chilled.

Ingredients

• 1 Bag Frozen Edamame


• 1 Bag Frozen Corn


• 2-3 Large Tomatoes or 1 Case of Cherry Tomatoes


• 2 Large Ripe Avocados


• 4-6 Tablespoons of Olive Oil


• 4 Tablespoons of Fresh Lemon Juice


• Sea Salt to taste


• Garlic Salt to taste


• Basil & Parsley to taste

Directions

• Combine and defrost frozen corn and edamame


• Dice tomatoes and avocado


• Combine ingredients and chill for 30 minutes before serving

ENJOY THIS DELICIOUS AND HEALTHY DISH!

The Lesser of Two Evils~ What to eat when you are eating out

Whether it's a quick work lunch, road trip, or a "I've been at the mall all day and forgot to grab a bite" there's always moments when we have to eat on the run with less-than-optimal choices. Below are a few of my choices for healthier/lower calorie options on menus when you are on the run, slammed for time and need a quick bite.

Starbucks

(When it comes to "fast food", I can always rely on the bucks! Not only are there locations on every corner but they also have some great low calorie drinks and food options)

~ Tall Skinny Vanilla Latte - 90 Calories

~ Tall Nonfat Iced Camel Machiato - 140 Calories

~ Egg White, Spinach & Feta Wrap - 280 Calories

~ Reduced Fat Turkey Bacon with Egg Whites English Muffin - 320 Calories

~ Strawberry & Blueberry Yogurt Parfait - 300 Calories

~ Farmer's Market Salad - 230 Calories

Subway

(although it takes awhile to get use to "Subway's Signature Smell" when you walk into any given location, Subway definitely offers some low-calorie options when there's no way around having to eat out and eat "fast")

~Turkey Breast Salad (loaded with veggies and low-cal dressing) - 320 Calories

~ 6" Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki on Whole Wheat - 274 Calories

~ Sunrise Subway Breakfast Melt with Egg Whites - 154 Calories

Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill

~ Chicken Tortilla Soup - 318 Calories

~ Chicken Balsamic & Roasted Veggie Salad - 408 Calories

~ Health Mex Grilled Chicken Taco - 141 Calories

~ Health Mex Grilled Mahi Mahi Taco - 149 Calories

El Pollo Loco

~ Skinless Chicken Breast Meal - 276 Calories

~Chicken Tortilla Soup - 213 Calories

Jamba Juice

~ Mango Mantra Smoothie (sixteen) - 150 Calories

~Berry Fulfilling Smoothie (sixteen) - 140 Calories

~MediterraneaYUm California Flatbread - 320 Calories

Easy Calorie Saving Tips When Eating on the Run:

~ Avoid Heavy Dressings

~Avoid Sauces (ask to be served on the side)

~Say no to Mayo

~Always go grilled over fried

~Pick fresh fruit or salad alternatives over fried sides

~ With coffee orders, go for the non-fat milk over cream

~ Sweeth Tooth? Grab a piece of fresh fruit of finish your meal with a piece of sugar-free gum