Out of Sight, Out of Mouth

We all have trigger foods... you know, those foods that once you start, no matter how many times you tell yourself you're just going to have 1 or a handful, you end up eating every last bit. For me, nuts tend to fall in that category, along with soy crisps lately, and with the holiday season upon it, temptation is exceptionally high, which is why it is especially important to remember: out of sight, out of mouth.

By this, I simply mean don't keep trigger foods around. If you know that a bag of potato chips is a weakness for you, don't buy it. If you can't stop at just one Oreo, don't buy the box. As much as I love Soy Crisps, I save them for a once in a while indulgence because I know that if I open a bag, chances are, it won't live to see another day! Another option? Portion controlled packaging! If I am CRAVING nuts, I'll buy the 100 calorie packs of almonds, so even if I eat the whole bag, I'm not overdoing it. Unfortunately, I know not all foods work like this... you can't buy one square of cookie dough or a single Oreo, which is why sometimes out of sight out of mouth is the best rule. If it's not in the house, you can't eat it, so just don't buy it. In the end, it will actually save you some money too! Pin It

One Spicy Bird

Daddy Tiny Tummy is a big fan of cooking a whole bird- be it a turkey or chicken. He loves it fresh out of the oven (so much he will even scavenge the carcass- not kidding!), and he loves using the leftover meat in his sandwiches for lunch the rest of the week. Since Mommy Tiny Tummy usually eats the roaster that night as well, I generally can't spice it up like I would like to since she is not a fan of really spicy foods, so when Mommy Tiny Tummy was out of town and the Senor bought a chicken, I went to town in the spice department and whipped up a Sriracha glazed roaster. Daddy Tiny Tummy said it was the best chicken he's ever had, so spice fans, listen up!

To prepare a Spice and Sriracha Glazed Chicken, you will need:
1 whole chicken (or turkey or an oven stuffer roaster)
1 onion chopped or sliced
1T garlic powder
1T onion powder
1T red pepper flakes
1T paprika
1/4T black pepper
Sriracha (as much as you need to fully coat the skin of the chicken)
optional: dehydrated garlic and onion flakes for an even crispier coating
Note: This is, as usual, a ratio of spices. The bigger the bird, the more spice you'll need, so adjust accordingly!

To prepare, line the bottom of your baking dish with half of the onion, and stuff the other half into the cavity of the chicken. Then, combine all of the spices in a bowl, generously coat the skin and inner cavity of the bird with Sriracha, and sprinkle the spice blend liberally all over the chicken and inside the cavity. Cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken. I cooked mine on 375 for about 50 minutes and the chicken was moist and delicious with a spicy crispy skin! Pin It

Fav Things Friday

Oprah may have her list of favorite things, but when it comes to healthy eating picks, Tiny Tummy's got you covered. For the next few weeks, Tiny Tummy will be providing my favorite things within a given category in honor of the holiday season. This week, I'll share my Top 5 kitchen must haves.

1. Vitamix: This guy can be used as a blender, soup maker, food processor, ice cream maker, and pretty much anything you can think of. I've never made better peanut butter than I have in the Vitamix, and my squash casserole and mashed fauxtatoes come out best in my Vitamix. You can't find a more versatile machine.

2. George Foreman Grill: If you live in an apartment like I do, there really is no way to have a barbecue, but that's no reason to stop you from making burgers or steak. I love my mini George Foreman Grill for this reason (and not only cause it's pink!) It makes an extremely moist burger, a juicy steak, and nothing quite compares to grilled salmon.

3. Mandolin: Handy Mandy is great for slicing veggies super thin. Whether it's for a salad, stir fry, or anything else, the ability to get such a thin slice is nearly impossible with a knife. Just be careful to use the grip piece so you don't slice your finger- these things can be dangerous!

4. Frother: This is your key to a calorie-free (or almost) latte. I can't tell you how thrilled I was to learn I could make frothy coffee without the milk, sugar, and cream that traditionally goes into latees, I was thrilled. And you can get one for under $5!

5. A Tea Ball: I know it may seem like a strange one, but loose leaf tea can be some of the strongest, most delicious tea, and having a tea ball allows you to steep mug by mug of delicious, loose-leaf tea. And, you can find these for 99 cents if you're lucky!

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Dippy Chippies- Thanks to Sandy

When it comes to chips and salsa, I tend to shy away because unless you whip up a batch of Tiny Tummy's Tortilla Chips, tortilla chips are generally extremely caloric and fatty; however, during Sandy, I decided that there is no reason that salsa has to be reserved for just tortilla chips and I decided to experiment!

We all know Tiny Tummy likes lentils, so naturally, when I came across these "Lentil Chips," I was naturally curious. While I will admit, these guys do have a lot of ingredients, their caloric info is pretty impressive. At only 110 calories, 3g of fiber, and 4g of protein per ounce (approx. 22 chips- not bad!) you can afford to dunk more than two of these puppies in some fresh salsa! My fav. flavor is far and away the roasted pepper, but if you are a rosemary fan, you will love the rosemary ones. The cucumber dill have a slight flavor and the cracked pepper pack a serious peppery punch, which in my opinion, overpowers the salsa. On their own; however, they are quite flavorful! They also taste nothing like lentils and could easily replace unhealthier chips or crackers, so the next time you're craving chips and salsa, try these guys! Pin It

Maple Glazed Sprouts and Onions

Brussels Sprouts, for some reason, get a bad rap as being a yucky green veggie, when in my opinion, they are one of the most delicious, flavorful greens that the vegetable family has to offer- especially when you glaze them with a little syrup! Brussies are a great superfood for the holiday season, and this simple dish can easily be prepared and brought as a side dish to any holiday party or just made as a side dish for a weeknight dinner.

To make these Maple Glazed Brussies and Onions, you will need:
Brussels Sprouts (I used about 1/2 a pound's worth, but there's no right or wrong amount)
1 medium onion sliced (I used the mandolin to get them really thin)
Walden Farms Pancake Syrup (the amount will depend on the amount of sprouts you get)

To prepare, simply cut the ends off of your brussels sprouts, cut them into halves or quarters, depending upon how large they are, combine them in a bowl with the onions, and toss with enough syrup to coat everything well. Then, on a pan lined with tinfoil, roast them in the oven on 375 degrees for about 45 minutes, or until the sprouts have softened. The sweet kick is basically unbeatable. Pin It

Holiday Tea for You and For Me

Ever since I branched out to try Bigelow's Green Tea with Pomegranate, I've become quite adventurous in the tea department. In the spirit of the holidays, I thought it would only be fitting to try all of the seasonal teas, especially since they are all such fun flavors! I'm halfway through Celestial's Holiday Teas (those things are HARD to find!!!) And I have to say, I've yet to find one I don't like, though I definitely have my faves. All of the different flavors are listed here, and I'll give you my reviews of what I've tried.

My personal favorite is Gingerbread Spice. It's perfectly spicy without overdoing the gingerbread flavor like some gingerbread flavored things do. Sugar Plum Spice is a close second. I love the initial spice followed by the kick of sweet. And, finally, the Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride smells ridiculously yummy, but it's not as strong as the others. I have to use 2 tea bags per cup, but coming from someone who doesn't usually like orange flavored anything, the fact that I actually like this flavor (which has orange peel in it) says a lot. I'm eager to try the Nutcracker Sweet, but I can't find it ANYWHERE! Have you tried any holiday teas? What's your fav? Pin It

Fried Frice

No, I didn't typo in my post title. I was recently asked how bad fried rice really is for you, and the truth is, honestly, pretty bad. Not only is it empty calories from the refined carbs in the white rice, but it's also coated in tons of oil- and probably not a high quality delicious olive oil if we're being honest. Fortunately, if you want to make your own fried rice, I have a trick for you. This trick is also applicable to a biryani dish or paella or any dish that traditionally calls for a TON of rice. You could even throw a slab of chili on this puppy. Are you dying in anticipation yet?

My trick is to make "cauli-rice." Basically, take a giant head of cauliflower and grate it using a cheese grater to get it to the consistency of rice. Then, microwave it until it's softened. (You could steam it but it tends to get very watery if you do that.) If you're eating it plain, I might suggest adding some seasoning to it just to give it a little flavor. Otherwise, sub it in any recipe that calls for rice in equal quantities. Talk about slashing calories and carbs! Pin It

Chocolate Craving Kicked

Every once in a while, I have a craving for a plain ole chocolate bar. And truth be told, a little bit of dark chocolate is actually quite healthy! My problem; however, is that when it comes to chocolate, there is no little bit for me, which is why when I came across these single serve, 100 calorie dark chocolate bars at Trader Joe's, I had to try them.

Truth be told, they are actually pretty good! If you are having a serious chocolate craving, these will definitely do the trick, and since it is dark chocolate, you probably won't need more than just one to satisfy the craving. While it is definitely not the best dark chocolate I've ever had, it is certainly good enough! And for any of you milk chocolate lovers, they come in milk chocolate too, though I personally don't love the milk chocolate bars! Regardless, gotta love Trader Joe's and all of their Flab Free Food Finds!

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Vitamix Peanut Butter (How to Make your own Peanut Butter)

With all the hype surrounding the recent recall in peanut-related products, I thought now would be a fitting time to share one of my favorite recipes (if you would even call it that, considering it has a whopping 1 ingredient!) to replace the processed store-bought peanut butter found in most houses. The peanut butter you buy in stores often has tons of added sugars, oils, and chemicals, all of which are completely unnecessary because guess what! You can make your own fresh peanut butter using just peanuts!

I use my Vitamix, though if you don't have one, a food processor would work also. If you use a food processor, I highly suggest roasting the nuts first to awaken the oils to really get a creamy nut butter. All you do is add 2 cups of peanuts to your Vitamix, and grind away! I slowly increase the speed and smash the peanuts into the blade gradually. The process takes a few minutes, so be patient. First, it will form a powder, and then it will turn to that yummy nut butter we all love. And seriously, nothing is better than eating it warm and fresh straight after you make it, just try to save some for later!

Feelin' Frisky? The process works with almonds, cashews, or any other nut as well! You might need a little oil for drier nuts, but either way, it is still WAY healthier than the jars sold on most shelves with the nasty preservatives in it! Also, to make your own honey roasted peanut butter, try roasting the nuts first and adding a teaspoon of honey or agave to the blender as you go! I find roasted nut butter has the best flavor! Pin It

A Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner... Or is it?

We all know that when it comes to food, Tiny Tummy is about as traditional as it gets... only kidding. So, I guess it comes as no surprise that for Thanksgiving dinner, since it was just Tiny Tummy and Daddy Tiny Tummy, I decided to make something a little less than traditional for dinner- crab legs and homemade seaweed salad.

Okay, so when way non-traditional for Thanksgiving, but delicious nonetheless, and at least you all benefit with a new Asian recipe to add to your repertoire. 

To make this delicious seaweed salad, you will need:

1 2oz packet of dried Wakame Seaweed

2t soy sauce (I use low sodium)

2t rice vinegar

2t plum vinegar (or more rice vinegar if you don't have)

2t lime juice

2 t stevia

2t red chili flakes

optional: sesame seeds to sprinkle on top

To prepare, reconstitute the seaweed by drowning it in water until it puffs back up. Rinse and drain well, then add everything else and mix away. It's best after it has marinated for a few hours or even overnight. 

As a disclaimer, this is nothing like the traditional seaweed salad you get at Japanese restaurants, but it's still delicious regardless!

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Don't get left behind

For many people, the day after Thanksgiving is just as exciting as Thanksgiving itself, simply based on all of those leftovers. I was recently asked how to use your Thanksgiving leftovers without pigging out time and time again.  As if one day of stuffing yourself isn't bad enough, people often do it the next day, and the next day, and the next day! Instead of piling up your plate with every indulgent dish that was put on the Thanksgiving table, make your leftover meal a healthier option! For example, use the leftover white meat turkey to make a sandwich or add a couple of the caramelized carrots to a salad. As far as those desserts go, send them home with your guests! There is no reason to eat all that pie night after night. Enjoy it once, and let it go. The holidays are about indulgence, just don't overdo it!

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Here's hoping your turkey was more stuffed than your Tiny Tummy! Pin It

Lentil Lovin'

As much as I love steamed veggies, I tend to like them best with a little something on them. I'm usually more than happy with some hot sauce or a little salsa, but lately, I've been bulking up my veggie bowls with as much flavor as possible, and I've grown to really love this Lentil Dip from Oasis.

By the same company as my beloved black bean dip comes a lentil dip, that is actually much thicker than the black bean dip. I often add a spoonful or two of lentil dip to my veggies, mix away, and there's an automatic pop of flavor. Oh, and did I mention a 2T serving is only 11 calories?! You basically can't beat it! Pin It

Turkey Tuesday: Spiced just right

Yes, I'm living on the edge, and I've dared to change Taco Tuesday to Turkey Tuesday in honor of the upcoming holiday. I have been asked by a few of my friends how I prepare my giant bird, so I figured I would share my favorite Thanksgiving Turkey spice blend. Just a disclaimer, this is simply the proportion for the dry rub, and the amount that you use will depend on how large your turkey is. I always find it's best to make more and have some leftover than to have to measure out a second batch. You can always use the spice on another meat down the line.

To make Tiny Tummy's Tasty Turkey, you will need:

1 T garlic powder
1 T onion powder
3/4 T paprika (you can use smoked if you want it to be a little smokey, but I use regular for a more traditional flavor)
3/4 T dehydrated onion flakes
3/4 T minced dried garlic
1/2 T dehydrated chives
1/2 T freshly ground black pepper
1/2 T red pepper flakes/cayenne pepper mixture
1/2 t cinnamon and or nutmeg (or more if you want to highlight the flavor, but I prefer to have it be a subtle hint where people say, hmm is there a little cinnamon in this?)
optional: if you opt out of the cinnamon, and you're feelin' frisky, try replacing it with a little turmeric- it will even give your bird a yellow-ish color!
also optional: a little lemon zest to rub on the turkey prior to the spices (I like to stuff my turkey with citrus, so this may be extraneous, but if you don't, then go for it!

Just mix it all up and rub away-- and make sure you get in the cavity too! A well seasoned bird is a happy bird! Pin It

Festive Fizzies

One lesson I've learned is never go food shopping thirsty (or hungry obviously!) If I go thirsty, I inevitably stock up on tons of drinks I don't need; however, i my mess of supermarket thirst today, I actually came across a new, seasonal line of seltzers by polar which I LOVED.

The new flavors are Butter Rum, Boston Cream Pie, Mint Chocolate, Eggnog, and Vanilla Pear. I bought (and loved) the Boston Cream Pie and Butter Rum, though I'm sure the others are yummy too. The Boston Cream Pie has a chocolatey undertone, but the flavors are subtle and not too sweet since there are no artificial sweeteners in them :) I have to say, you can always count on Polar to come out with the fun flavored seasonal seltzers! Pin It

Spruce up your Soup

When it comes to a can of soup, as far as I'm concerned, it makes a great side dish, but I'm usually hungry shortly after eating it, so it's generally not a meal in itself; however, with some added ingredients, it becomes super easy to turn a can of soup into a meal, as I did here.

All I did was take a can of Amy's low sodium minestrone soup and add some extra veggies, some shrimp from my freezer, and a pack of miracle noodles, and it became a very simple, satisfying dinner. For anyone who says they can't make their own dinner because they don't cook- this recipe is for you! Pin It