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

Saturday Skinny-Chick Cocktail~Hot & Skinny Tottie

I love everything about the Fall season...boots, sweater dresses, scarfs, pumpkin spiced anything and everything, cozying up by the fire and of course, fall inspired cocktails!!!

After getting your Saturday workout in today, treat yourself to a cozy night...all in the name of celebrating this beautiful Fall season! Put on this year's newest sweater dress, cute boots and enjoy a Hot & Skinny Tottie.

Hot & Skinny Tottie
3/4 cup black tea
2 tsp of Xagave
1 oz of whiskey
Sprinkle of cinnamon
Garnish with a cinnamon stick or lemon wedge!

Tasty Thursday ~ Guilt-Free Banana Split

Who says having a major sweet tooth can prevent you from being "healthy"?
NOT ME!!
I love, love, love my sweets...everything from Skinny Cows and Frozen Yogurt to Fruit Salads and Trail Mix...yum!

My girlfriend had me over for a "girls dinner and catching up on tv night" the other week and introduced me to her delicious (and guilt-free) version of a banana split. With less than 300 calories, this easy and sweet recipe is for sure a keeper.



Ingredients:
1 Small - Medium Banana
1 Tablespoon Almond Butter (Natural Peanut Butter or Cashew Butter also works)
1 - 2 Teaspoon Sugar Free Hershey Chocolate Syrup
Non-Fat or Light Whip Cream
Handful Carob Chips


Instructions:
Cut the banana in half and spread evenly with almond butter or peanut butter spread. Top with low fat whip cream and sugar free Hershey syrup and sprinkle with a few carob chips and...
VIOLA! You have yourself a super easy and guiltless treat!

When you can't workout outside...

As the seasons change, we loose our extra hours of daylight and desirable weather which allows us to jog, run, walk, swim, hike or bike outside. Many times the inability to do our favorite outdoor exercises results in no exercise at all. It is easy to get into a comfortable routine and loose the motivation to make a change. Here are a few ideas to get you pumped up for your Fall and Winter workout options!

• Utilize free week trials, groupon gym discounts and friend referrals ~ I always joke with my friends that with all the different bootcamps, yoga studios and gyms that offer a free week trial, I could probably get by with never paying for a membership! Taking advantage of these discounts and free trials is a great way to try out new exercise programs.



• Get a new membership ~ If you find a studio, gym or bootcamp that you enjoy- join! When you know you are paying a monthly fee, you are more likely to stay true to your weekly workout schedule...making sure to get your money's worth!



• Update your playlist ~ Running a few miles on the treadmill isn't always the most desirable workout...but running on a treadmill with a new playlist with a few of your favorite songs is a great way to get pumped up!



• Take a Group Class ~ Most gyms offer a wide array of group classes. Spin, kickboxing, zumba, weight lifting classes, gravity training, bootcamps and yoga...with so many choices, you are way less likely to get bored or burned out! Working out in a group is also very motivating...I don't know anyone who wants to be the girl that leaves the class 30 minutes early. My competitive nature always seems to kick-in, preventing me from slacking off!



• Workout in the comfort of your own home ~ It is easier than ever to order exercise DVDs online or walk into the local Target to pick up weight resistance bands, hand weights and bosu balls.