Must Have Monday: A Nutritious Lunch

For this week's must have monday, instead of posting things I think you simply must have, I'm going to give you a recipe you simply must try! Not only is it super nutritious, full of fiber protein, and flavor, but it comes together in less than 10 minutes, and I'll even give you an option that allows you to make it without doing any cooking!

To make this delicious and nutritious lentil, spinach, and egg salad, you will need:
100g (1/2 cup) lentils prepared (I was feelin' frisky and bought the precooked ones from Trader Joe's which are AWESOME!)
a pinch of each of the following: turmeric, cayenne, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder
1 large egg prepared over easy (with spices of your choice!)
3 cups spinach/mixed greens of your choice

To prepare, simply combine the lentils with your spices and mix well. Then, toss the lentils over the salad, make your egg, pop the yolk and let it run over your salad, and eat up!

**To be honest, I wanted to have a hard boiled egg, but I didn't let it cook long enough, and the yolk actually slipped out while I was peeling it and fell right down the drain. I was then far too hungry to go through the process again, so I just made one over easy, and actually, the yolk sort of acted like a dressing for the egg and was super yummy. For a no-cook option, though, or, if you want to bring this salad with you to work, a hard boiled egg would work in place of the one pictured. And I promise there is enough flavor in the lentils that you won't miss the yolk "dressing." You could, however, squirt some fresh lemon or lime over the salad! Pin It

The Quest for New Quest... Resolved!

When Tiny Tummy found out that Quest was making a new flavor for their all-natural line, it's no surprise that I had to get my hands on the newest flavor, Banana Nut Muffin, and seriously, I think I've tasted heaven. When I was younger, my mom's banana bread was my favorite thing that she made me, but given that it is packed with empty carbs and sugar, we don't have it anymore. This bar brings me back to that banana bread. It is actually almost like liking the spoon of the batter. I love the chunks of walnuts in it, and the texture of the bar is actually smoother and chewier than the other bars, which I really love. If I could add one critique it would be that I wish it had chocolate in it, since my mom's banana bread did, but hey, nobody makes anything as good as your mama made, but these Quest Bars are pretty close! Pin It

You Wanna Pizza This?

Every Thursday and Friday, I walk to my internship and pass about every indulgent restaurant you can think of. The one smell I can't seem to avoid is the smell of fresh pizza, and let me tell you, I must pass about 10 pizza joints with incredible aromas. It's no surprise that I come home these nights craving pizza. Since Sandy, I hadn't bought and mozzarella cheese, so as much as I wanted to make my own pizza, I couldn't. Though, yesterday, I had simply had enough of these delicious aromas, and made it a point to stop and grab a block of mozzarella so I could make my own pizza, and it was beyond satisfying. Oh, and not to mention, there are less than 150 calories in the whole thing. Craving kicked!

To make this perfect pizza, you will need:

1 small La Tortilla Factory tortilla
1/2 cup tomato sauce of choice (I used my own, homemade sauce)
1 oz fat free shredded mozzarella cheese
turkey pepperoni to taste
optional: additional toppings and spices: sliced tomato, onions, mushrooms, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, etc.

To prepare, toast your tortilla in the oven on 350 for about 10 minutes, or until it just starts to get crispy. Then, flip the tortilla and add all of your toppings in the order you please (I went traditional sauce, cheese, pepperoni, spices. but if you're feelin' frisky go ahead and experiment and change things up! Finally, return to the oven for about another 7 minutes, or until your cheese melts. Additionally, you can put it in the broiler for a few seconds to get it SUPER crispy, though these tortillas get crunchy quickly so be careful not to burn it! Pin It

Fave Things Friday: Five Minute Recipes

Around the holiday times, things can get busy. And when I say busy, I mean busier than usual. Often, this leaves us with less time to cook, which usually only adds to holiday weight gain. Instead of just embracing this reality, I figured I would share my Top 5 Fav Five Minute Recipes. All of these recipes can be prepped in five minutes or less!

1. Mac and Cheese... the Healthy Way: Okay, definition quick dinner= Mac and Cheese, but usually healthy and mac and cheese are not found together. This recipe is a healthy take on Easy Mac that can be prepared just as quickly as the chemical-filled child favorite.

2. Slimming Sliders: There's nothing quite like a good burger, though people often associate a good burger with lots of fat and calories. Not only do burgers not have to be unhealthy, but seasoning the perfect patty can be done in under five minutes!

3. Baked Buffalo Chicken Bites: Buffalo wings are another typically fattening holiday food, but they can be made healthy in no time. Tiny Tummy shows you how!

4. Fast Fish:  Who says you have to go to a restaurant and get a piece of fish doused in some fattening sauce to have a quick and easy fish dinner? This fish recipe is about as fast as it gets, and it's super healthy and delicious!

5. Spicy Cheesy Veggie Bowl: Veggies, cheese, hot sauce.. what more can you ask for? And it all comes together in this super simple yummy bowl of goodness!

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A Dukan-Do!

While I do not follow the Dukan diet, my friend recently gave me a Dukan, natural sugar replacement to try and review, and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised.

Made from organic stevia extract, it makes a great addition to coffee, tea, I use to to make my cinnamon cream cheese, add it to tomato sauce... the possibilities are endless. It's especially great because since it's so sweet, you don't need to use much to get the full effect, so that shaker will last you AGES! As far as 0-cal sweeteners go, this one is a winner! Pin It

Tiny Tummy's Tantalizing Tzatziki

Nothing with my family is ever traditional, so it's no surprise that for the Hannukah luncheon, the family meal of choice was a Greek salad. Since my grandfather is in rehab recovering from a medical procedure, our celebration will take place in the rehab center (You know, if Mohammed can't go to the mountain, bring the mountain to Mohammed... or however that saying goes), so as much as I would have liked to cook a gourmet meal for everyone, it wasn't really practical. The Greek salad was the easiest thing, and fortunately, the whole family loves it. While the salad, itself, is perfect for everyone in the fam-- all diets alike, we have to be careful with the dressing and accouterments because my grandfather is on a highly restrictive, low-sodium diet due to his heart. Therefore, anything cooked, dressed, etc. is a giant question mark in the sodium department (and in any diet department in general), so when it comes to these, we like to avoid the guessing game and make our own- which brings me to this recipe. Everyone knows that half the fun of the Greek salad is the Pita and Tzatziki sauce that comes with it, and while I'd love to whip out my bread machine and attempt a pita replacement, Toufayan has us covered there, which just leaves the Tzatziki sauce. Easy, peasy!

To make Tiny Tummy's Tantalizing Tzatziki, you will need:

3 small containers of fat free Greek Yogurt (I used Oikos because it had the least sodium of the fat free varieties)
2 cucumbers peeled and seeds removed
3 cloves of garlic
a handful of fresh dill
the juice of 1/2 a large lemon or the juice of 1 small lemon
optional: a pinch of black pepper and salt (if you don't have a sodium concern, obviously!)

To prepare, simply put everything into the processor and blend away. Alternatively, you could blend everything except the yogurt together and fold the yogurt into the mixture at the end, which will ensure a creamier sauce, but I like everything combined as evenly as possible

Disclaimer: I am aware that the full fat yogurt has 5mg of sodium less per cup, but this sauce was meant to function for everyone. It's a great compromise for everyone watching their weight as well as my grandfather who needs to watch out for his sodium intake. Pin It

Chop, Chop: New restaurant survival tip!

So today's post was supposed to be Tzatziki Tuesday, but that recipe will have to wait because a friend surprised me with a much needed sashimi dinner last night that inspired this post. The last time I got a sashimi platter, I had planned to make tar tar salad with the sashimi, but did such a poor job butchering it, that I ended up eating the sashimi in tiny pieces, and I realized that I ate my dinner much slower than when I devoured it whole  piece by piece. So, Tiny Tummy's newest tip to slow down your eating: small bites.

I've always heard eating in small pieces is the way to go, but until you try it, it doesn't really set in. You're forced to eat slower, you put your fork (or chopsticks) down between bites, and you learn to really listen to when you're full. You can easily take this tip with you to your diner table or to any restaurant. So, my mistake turned into a positive! We both cut our sashimi up and enjoyed it slowly, which makes every bite all the more enjoyable!

Note: The photo pictured is our entire jazzed up dinner- complete with Tiny Tummy's Spicy mayo, chopped scallions, and a big bowl of ginger! And of course, a Bai to satisfy our sweet tooth! Pin It

Monday Must-Haves Part 2

As promised, here is another list of Tiny Tummy's must-haves in honor of Must Have Monday. Gluten free is all the rage these days, but for some people, it's a lifestyle. While I, personally, do not have a gluten intolerance, I find that removing as much gluten from my diet definitely leads to a happier Tiny Tummy, so I'm all in favor of any gluten free finds; therefore, this week's Monday Must-Haves are are your gluten-free friends.

1. Coconut Flour: In my opinion, an essential for gluten free or low carb baking. Almond flour, chickpea flour, etc. are all viable options as well, but I like the way coconut flour absorbs liquid and the consistency you get in the end product. It's also higher in fiber than most other flours, so that's a major plus.

2. Bell Plantation P2 Powdered Peanut Butter: Peanut Butter generally has about 100 calories per tablespoon which adds up quickly if you're a peanut butter lover like this Tiny Tummy, which is why this powdered peanut butter is so awesome. A 2 tablespoon serving of this gem is only 45 calories, and since you have to make it as you go, you're less likely to overdo it. And, it's gluten free and great for baking! (Or for Tiny Tummy's Reese's Hot Chocolate!)

3. Glenny's Soy Crisps: We all know Tiny Tummy LOVES soy crisps... maybe a little too much; however, Glenny's delicious crunchies are gluten free and a great snack for all the celiacs out there craving crunch.

4. Kay's Assorted Chips, Krunchees, Snack Mixes, and Cereal: Along the same lines as Glenny's these are an AWESOME way to get your crunch on sans gluten. And the best part about these is that they have an excellent amount of protein, so you will actually be full after you eat them. I've been loving the BBQ Snack mix and the protein Krunchees, but you really can't go wrong with any of them!

5. Miracle Noodles: I can't say it enough, these things really are a miracle. They are basically 0 calories, and make an awesome pasta replacement. Personally, I like them best in asian dishes or in soups (put these in your pot of chicken noodle soup and I promise nobody will know they are 0-cal!) These babies are also gluten free, so pasta night is a go! Pin It

Twin Tenders

A friend recently asked me how it's possible that I have time to prepare my own dinner every single night. I told her it's because the majority of my dinners don't take more than 10 minutes to prepare and she laughed at me, but the truth is, as a full-time college student working two jobs, I can't make an elaborate, gourmet meal every night (as much as I would LOVE to). So, to prove just that, here is my ten-second twin tender recipe for the world's fastest chicken tenders.

To make Tiny Tummy's ten-second twin tenders, you will need,

2 large chicken tenders
a sprinkle of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, dehydrated garlic/onion flakes.... basically, or whatever spices you have on hand and are craving
optional: some yummy sauce drizzled on top: I used Walden Farm's BBQ sauce to keep things simple, but since the chicken is so easy to make, feel free to experiment and make something funky!

To prepare, simply preheat your oven to 350, lay the chicken tenders on tin foil, sprinkle with spices, and cook for about 10 minutes, or until the chicken has cooked through (time will depend on your oven, as usual) If it takes you longer than 10 seconds to sprinkle your spices on your chicken, then you're more than welcome to change the name of the recipe ;)... and for a complete meal, you can pair this with rice, veggies, or anything else you may like. I had a big bowl of veggies and squash casserole with mine! Pin It

Well Dressed (New Dressing Find!)

I never thought I'd be able to use bacon and calorie free in the same sentence (followed by delicious!), but thanks to Walden Farms, I can! I had read online that everyone's favorite dressing seemed to be the creamy bacon dressing, which, I have to admit, sounds kinda gross on first thought. Maybe because I'm not usually a bacon person, but it wasn't entirely appealing to me. However, since so many people LOVE it, I figured I'd have to try it, and boy am I glad I did. It's delicious!!!

Walden Farms Creamy Bacon Dressing is calorie-free, sugar-free, yet still DELICIOUS! It doesn't have that funky aftertaste that some of the Walden products have. I use it on salads as dressing, dip veggies in it, and I imagine it would work for a marinade too, though I haven't tried it yet. Pin It

Fav Things Friday Part 2

With the approaching holidays, snack attacks are inevitable, especially with all of the holiday sweets around us. Fortunately, there are lots of guilt-free ways to indulge that won't wreck your waistline. These are my top 5 fave sweet treats to cure any rampant snack attack.

#1 Quest Bar: If your sweet craving goes beyond just the need to satisfy a sweet tooth, and you're actually hungry, grab a Quest Bar. These gems have 20 grams of protein, so they are an AWESOME snack, and they have just the right amount of sweet without any added sugar. While I haven't eaten one I didn't like, my personal fav is probably the chocolate peanut butter.

#2 Hershey's Sugar Free Chocolate or Dove: If what you really need is a piece of chocolate, I really like the sugar free chocolates that both of these companies have produced. The Dove ones are a melt in your mouth kind of chocolate, and I LOVE the Hershey's chocolates that are caramel filled. And it doesn't hurt that they are individually packaged- built in portion control.

#3 Thin Slim Brownie or Muffin: I can't say it enough- these products ROCK! Everything they make is a winner, but I especially love the brownies and the blueberry muffins. Pop those bad boys in the microwave for about thirty seconds and you have a warm, sweet-craving kicker.

#4 Lily's Chocolate Bar: If you have a little self-control, go for a few squares of Lily's chocolate. Although there is no added sugar, it is actually still a very rich dark chocolate, so a few squares goes a long way.

#5 Gum: This one may seem like a no brainer, but if you're not hungry, but just want a little something sweet, pop a piece of gum, or as I like to say, DBD GFG!

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Stick it to 'em: Asian Food Quick Tip

Asian restaurants have to be one of my favorite places to eat out. First of all, the are surprisingly diet-friendly, for the most part, and they are always accommodating and willing to do what you ask without BSing you. Sushi, in particular, we all know is a Tiny Tummy fav, and while I could go on and on about why I love sushi, instead, I'm going to tell you about why I love something related to sushi: chopsticks.

When it comes to eating in Asian restaurants, no matter how much you suck at it, eat with the chopsticks. It will make you eat slower, you will use less sauce, eat smaller bites, and let's be honest, the challenge is fun! In this case, it's actually to your advantage to suck at using chopsticks- it will really slow you down and allow you to notice when you're starting to feel full. So, what are you waiting for? Get to it! Chop, chop! ;) Pin It

Freekah, and Lentils, and Mushrooms, Oh My!

In an indecisive moment the other night, I was struggling between making lentils or freekah as a side dish for my chicken, and actually, I came to a great conclusion- a mix between the two (and some added onions and mushrooms in there of course!) Needless to say, a yummy combo, and for those of you who like cold grain salads, I imagine this would be a winner cold as well.

To make this gem, you will need:

1/4 cup lentils (I use brown)
1/4 cup freekah
3 mushrooms chopped
1 small onion (think shallot sized)
a generous sprinkle of garlic powder, onion powder, and optional cayenne for some kick

First, sauté your onions and mushrooms in a pan and set them aside. Then, cook your freekah according to package instructions with the garlic and onion powder added to the water. When cooked almost entirely through (about 10 minutes from finished), add in the lentils with the recommended amount of water and allow to cook with the freekah until both have reached desired consistency, but there is still a little water left. Add your onions and mushrooms and allow it to simmer until the rest of the water has cooked out

Note: This recipe yields 2 servings as opposed to my usual one serving wonders. If you don't want to prepare enough for two, simply cut the measurements in half! Pin It

Taco Tuesday: Shrimp Lettuce Tacos

Taco Tuesday doesn't always have to involve conventional tacos, and today's post is far from conventional. Not only do these tacos not include the traditional ground beef or chicken or steak, but they are also shell-less, but far from flavorless. Instead of the traditional meat, these tacos are made with shrimp, and instead of taco shells, they are made in lettuce wraps.

To make these Shrimp Lettuce Tacos, you will need:

3oz shrimp
1.5T Tiny Tummy's Taco Seasoning
2 crisp lettuce leaves (I used romaine)
optional: Any additional taco fix-ins like chopped tomatoes, salsa, guac, shredded cheese, etc.

To prepare, toss the spices over the shrimp, cook the shrimp however you'd like (I used frozen shrimp and warmed them in a pan on the stovetop for a few minutes), and place them into your lettuce cups. How's that for 5-minute shrimp tacos? Pin It

Monday Must-Haves

Like I said in a previous post, with the holidays coming up, I have decided to give a few exclusive guides to some of my favorites. Last Friday, I shared my top 5 kitchen faves, and for must-have Monday, I thought I would honor another Monday tradition in the foodie community, and share my top 5 favorite must-have meatless masterpieces.

#1- Health is Wealth Chickenfree Patties: These vegan-friendly patties are reminiscent of a Wendy's fried chicken sandwich. For anyone's inner fast-foodie, this will certainly satisfy the craving. You don't have to be a vegetarian to enjoy these guys, trust me! Also, Health is Wealth's Sprout Burgers deserve honorable mention as another super yummy veggie-burger option. The Chipotle Bean is a personal fav.

#2- MorningStar Farms Grillers California Turk'y Burger: For your veggie burger cravings, it doesn't get any better than these avocado-filled burgers from MorningStar Farms. While they don't have a meaty taste, they are super delicious and have that veggie taste that I often crave when I want a veggie burger.

#3- LightLife Deli Slices: For the vegetarians out there that are missing the traditional deli meat sammy, these are for you. The bologna are my personal fav, and I would actually prefer these guys to traditional bologna. They are also super low cal and pack a fair amount of protein.

#4- Health is Wealth Vegan Buffalo Wings: If you're a vegetarian whose inner-child is screaming for chicken nuggets, look no further. Not only are these little nuggets packed with protein, but they even have a little kick to them, and we all know Tiny Tummy loves a hint of spice (or more than a hint!)

#5- Boca Ground Crumbles: Whoever said vegetarians couldn't have a traditional ground "beef" taco clearly hasn't tried the boca ground crumbles. Complete with taco seasoning and meaty texture, these crumbles make an awesome replacement for ground beef in tacos or in a taco salad. Pin It