Tiny Tummy Takes on the Cleanse

If I haven't said before on BETT, anyone who knows me knows I am pretty much dead set against traditional "cleanses." A cleanse is often associated with an all-liquid diet that spans the course of a few days (or as long as you can tolerate it), and promises extreme weight loss (most of which you gain right back!) Like I said, I do not endorse the liquid cleanse by any stretch. It's never worth starving yourself and depriving your body of much needed nutrients; however when it comes to whole-food cleanses, there is room for discussion. Keri Glassman, a registered dietitian (and also my boss!), has an awesome 4 day, 8 food cleanse that focuses on eating real foods throughout the entire day, so when she asked the entire office to do her cleanse alongside her to promote her new book The New You and Improved Diet, I was happy to jump on board. (It's an awesome book by the way!) Without totally chewing your ear off, I thought I'd let you all know that I will be cleansing alongside Keri and the rest of the Nutritious Life team starting on Monday, and I invite you to join me. To get ahead on your grocery list for the four days, head on over to the Nutritious Life website, and give it a look. I can't wait to share my experience with all of you. And if you want to get a head start, this recipe works PERFECTLY for lunch.

Feelin' Frisky? For all of you smarties with a smart phone planning to partake in the cleanse, enter the Instagram contest to win a signed copy of Keri's latest book, The New You and Improved Diet. Details here! Pin It

The Number of the Day is... 2!

I recently had a rather lengthy dispute with a friend who complained about "not having time to make their own breakfast or lunch," and then getting stuck eating something unhealthy. The conversation eventually led to me asking, realistically, how much time could you devote to putting together your own breakfast/lunch, to which the response was 2. 2?! Yes, 2! 2 minutes per meal... may seem like an impossible task, but Tiny Tummy doesn't know the word impossible, so challenge, accepted! So, here are 2 options for Under 2 Minute Grab and Go Meals for breakfast and lunch.

Breakfast Option #1: PB+Banana+Whole Grain Bread:

I would say toast, but 2 minutes doesn't exactly allow for toast. This one should be fairly self-explanatory, but slice your banana, shmear your PB on the bread (yep, I said shmear!), add the banana slices, and if you have time to spare, slice that puppy in half!

Breakfast Option #2: Oatmeal

While I'm all for making your own slow-cooking oats, to fit our 2 minute requirement, I'm opting for the 100 calorie oatmeal packs that cook in 1-2 minutes. Simply add the recommended amount of water (or milk), microwave, and you're good to go. If you can spare those extra few seconds, stir in some cinnamon, or whip of one of these delicious options.

Lunch Option #1: Spinach+Tuna Salad

I know this may seem like a no duh, but how hard is it to grab a bag of pre-washed spinach, open a can of tuna, and toss in whatever dressing you'd prefer? (Walden Farms Honey Mustard or Bacon Dressing are both great options!)

Lunch Option #2: Turkey+Spinach+Cheese Rolls Ups

It's as simple as this. Grab some turkey slices, spread a little Laughing cow cheese in each slice, add some spinach, and roll them up. See how many you can make in two minutes! I bet it is the perfect portion for lunch! Pin It

A Spawn of Splenda

We all know Tiny Tummy likes to stay current on the info on artificial sweeteners, so when I came across a free sample alert for Splenda's newest 0-cal sweetener Nectresse.

Not to be confused with Splenda, itself, Nectresse is sweetened with a mix of Monkfruit, erithrytol, real sugar, and molasses. No cancer killers there! The downer? I didn't particularly love the taste! I put it in my coffee, so maybe it was the type of coffee that ruined the flavor... I will give it one more try, but for now, my loyalty lies with Stevia! Pin It

Superbowled Over

While I am by no means any sort of sports fanatic, I know that this weekend is the Superbowl. And if there's one thing I know a lot about, it's superbowl sunday snacks- wings, chips, dip, pizza, beer, and all that other "bro" food. While these snacks are often a surefire recipe for disaster, I have a few swaps that you can bring along with you to your superbowl party, so at least you know you have a healthy option that still fits with the theme. All come from previous posts, but to save you the search, I'll post them below!

Instead of their chips and guac, make your own chips and bring them along. Use either of these 1, 2 recipes.

Instead of traditional fattening buffalo wings, make your own spicy chicken bites.

Instead of the tortilla chips or whatever they are serving for you to dip, bring your own crudite platter. It's bound to be a hit!

And, if you're hitting the bar, or dining out, the usual rules apply: don't be afraid to order something for yourself that will help you stick to your diet! You're there to focus on FOOTBALL, so if your friends aren't down with your custom order, then tell them to get their head in the game ;) Pin It

More D'Liteful Chocolate

A few months ago I tried a delicious chocolate bar that was loaded with probiotics and fiber in perfect little portion-controlled bar, and I totally forgot where I bought it. Luckily, on my way home from work the other day, I stopped into a health food store and had the revelation of the century when I remembered I bought them there!

Last time, I bought the chocolate peanut butter bar, so this time, I decided to try the chocolate almond and chocolate caramel. Both were good- I definitely liked the chocolate caramel better than the chocolate almond, though I wouldn't protest to eating either one. I will say, though, that the chocolate peanut butter one I had originally is still my fav. Regardless, each of the D'Lite bars has 100 calories, is full of probiotics, and has no sugar or cancer-causing sweeteners - impressive stats for a delicious chocolate bar. I would gladly eat these to satisfy a chocolate craving, and the built in portion control doesn't hurt either! Pin It

Beware The Hidden Candy Bar

A friend recently told me that they wanted to buy some protein bars to eat as an after-the-gym snack. In retrospect, that sounds like a great idea: a healthy mix of protein and carbs to recover from a big workout without counteracting your work, right? Not necessarily. It all depends on the bar you choose. We all know Tiny Tummy loves Quest Bars, but that's about where the love ends. When my friend told me the bars that made it into their grocery basket, I was a little alarmed. I asked if they usually eat a candy bar after they workout, and they laughed, but truth be told, many "protein bars" or granola bars are really just candy bars in disguise. Sure, they may have some protein in them, but I bet they have a lot more sugar than they do protein. Cliff, Luna, Special K, Nature Valley, Quaker, among others are all brands that I would avoid at all costs due to their excessive amounts of SUGAR. Think of it this way, you just worked out. Is it really worth sabotaging all of that work right after you get back by eating a candy bar? You might as well just reach for the Kit Kat or 3 Musketeers... (Yes, that was sarcasm. Don't do that either!!) My point is, be wary of the granola/protein bar. Read your labels, and if it looks more like a candy bar than a nutritious meal, steer clear. Fast. Pin It

Herb, Meat Turkey; Turkey, Meet Herb!

I'll admit it. I'm a convert. I had once said I'm not a huge deli-meat fan, but lately, I've been all about the meat! A few days ago, in a trip to buy my new fav turkey salami by Applegate Farms, I came across this herb turkey breast, and, since they didn't have any more turkey salami (I know, the horror!!), I decided to give it a try. For all of you herb lovers, you have to try this stuff. It's got all the herby flavor packed into each slice of turkey. It's great with laughing cow spread on it, or mustard, or even some hummus. Or, if you're the sammy type, amp up your usual turkey sandwich without any additional calories. These slices have all the flavor built in! In your next hankering for deli meat, give this a try! At 25 calories per ounce, you can't beat it!

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Ay Caramba! (Mexican Restaurant Quick Tip)

Who doesn't love Mexican food? With so much flavor in every dish, it's hard to avoid the craving for Mexican- and every once in a while, I definitely give in, but Mexican restaurants can be any health-conscious eater's worst nightmare with all of the empty carbs and fatty cheeses, but there are ways to stay healthy at the Mexican restaurant. For example, order a nice dry piece of grilled protein- and the best part of Mexican cuisine is that there are lots of sauces to choose from with tons of flavor, and not all of the are diet distasters! Here are my top tips on which to dip and which to ditch!

Pico De Gallo: Basically just a mix of Tomato, Onions, Cilantro, and some spices, you can't go wrong with some Pico De Gallo! Just ask to make sure it isn't laden with oil!

Verdict: Def. Dip!

Queso: Yikes. Any cheesy dip/sauce is bound to be a thick fatty mess. Any sauce that uses the word queso should definitely remain off limits:

Verdict: Ditch, and Fast!

Salsa: Again, salsa is usually safe! While it usually has a fair amount of sugar, it is low in calories and packs a good punch of flavor for the amount you actually end up using.

Verdict: Dip Away!

Guacamole: This one is debatable. Made almost entirely of avocado (and salsa, lime juice, veggies, etc. depending on the restaurant), guacamole is very high in fat and calories- but healthy fats, so if your diet allows you to indulge in these healthier fats, and then go for it, but if you're trying to keep a low-cal meal, then unfortunately, it will be hard to rock the guac.

Verdict: Indulge in moderation if you're prepared to pack on a few extra healthy calories. Pin It

Satisfy that Crunch

As much as I love to say there are plenty of ways to satisfy that crunchy chip craving without going for some sort of chip itself, I know that there are often times when the only thing that will truly satisfy that craving is a good crunch. Since I try to stay away from chips, themselves, I'm always looking for something that has the true crunch of real chips but doesn't pack all of the fat, calories, and carbs, that chips normally contain.

Glenny's has done it again with another crunchy option with less guilt than potato chips. While these crispy wheat snacks are not quite a potato chip, they definitely satisfy the need to crunch. I find the onion garlic ones to have the most flavor, though they have an overwhelming parsley flavor for someone who doesn't really love parsley. If you want something crunchy and sweet, I'd opt for the apple cinnamon. The honey ones were decent, but I wasn't blown away. They had a very mild flavor- definitely the mildest of the bunch. On a whole, I probably wouldn't eat them plain, but with a shmear of peanut butter or cinnamon cream cheese on the apple cinnamon or honey or a wedge of Laughing Cow cheese or some salsa/guac on the onion garlic ones, these could easily be a winner. If you're feelin' frisky, you could easily replace your usual sandwich bread with these guys to reduce the calories, but considering that each individual cracker doesn't have much fiber, I'd probably suggest sticking to these as purely a snacking option. All in all, these guys will satisfy a need to crunch in place of your usual chip routine, so if its crunch you crave, opt for Glenny's.

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Garlic Shrimp and Veggie Baraella

As I shared in a previous post, I recently determined that I love barley! Trader Joe's has come up with a great solution to the normal hour-long cook time by par-cooking the barley, so you only have to cook it for another 10-20 minutes to get a soft, fluffy grain. When I find something I like, I like to experiment, and with this barley, it was no different. A few nights ago, I had a serious craving for garlic shrimp, so I decided to experiment with a take on shrimp paella, hence Garlic Shrimp Baraella was born!

To make Tiny Tummy's Baraella, you will need:

1 oz (dry) barley
3 oz shrimp (I was a little Trader Joe's happy, so I used their frozen shrimp)
a mix of whatever veggies you'd like (I used a frozen veggie blend)
2t garlic powder
1 t onion powder
1/2 t turmeric (for color)
1/2 t paprika
1/2 t cayenne pepper

To prepare, thaw shrimp, and prepare barley on the stove top according to package instructions, adding all of the spices to the water. Once the barley has absorbed all the water, add the shrimp with a little more garlic powder (if needed and if you want it really garlic-y), followed by the veggies (which should be cooked), just to warm them up. Once everything is seasoned and warm, transfer to a bowl and eat up. For an optional kick of spiciness, feel free to add a squirt of Frank's hot sauce- I sure did! Pin It

A Presidential Lunch

For anyone who keeps up with politics (or just culture in general, I guess), you know that yesterday was the inauguration. Every year, accompanying the celebration of the president's inauguration, there is a giant, celebratory luncheon with lots of indulgent food. Now, the Obama's are known for being very health conscious, so it would naturally follow that their luncheon menu was on the healthy side, right? In truth, the menu could have been much worse. A friend asked me what I would do in this situation (a little fantasy involved here), so I thought it would be fun to share what I would eat or what I would makeover/replace given the 2013 Inaugural Luncheon Menu (which I've conveniently provided below).

First, let's start with the first course: Steamed lobster?! Hooray! Clam chowder sauce? ... not so much. I'd definitely opt for the lobster tails over sauteed (can I get it steamed?) spinach, and skip the sauce and more than likely fried sweet potatoes.

Moving onto the second course, hickory grilled bison? Great, some protein! And butternut squash puree? That practically screams for my favorite Vitamix recipe of all time! To be honest, that would be more than enough for me, but there's nothing wrong with some beets and green beans, though I'd probably skip the potato cake (since it's most likely fried-- and you already have your starchy veggie with the squash), and if I was feeling indulgent, I would get the wild huckleberry reduction on the side, though I tend to believe bison is flavorful enough that it doesn't even need a sauce. And, lastly, for the strawberry preserves and red cabbage, sounds like an interesting sweet slaw to cleanse the pallet. I might even use this as my dessert... but then I wouldn't be able to discuss the third course!

Lastly, the grand finale- the third course: Apple pie is the all-American dessert, but it is about as far from healthy as you could get. I would probably skip this dessert all together or replace it with an Apple Pie Quest Bar. Though, if you're set on a homemade dessert, how about baking an apple with some fresh cinnamon sprinkled inside? Now there's a healthy take on a traditionally very unhealthy dessert! You can even add a squirt of fat-free whipped cream on top for the full effect!

Feelin' Frisky? If you liked this fantasy "What Would Tiny Tummy Do" post, should I keep it going? Feel free to email me your "What If" scenario, and you just might see your situation in a future post! 

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More Yummus Hummus

I've been in an adventurous mood when it comes to hummus lately, and since my local supermarket sells just about every Oasis product they have to offer, I thought it was only fitting I give another one of their hummus varieties a try, and I am so glad I did, because this one is my favorite yet.

Oasis's Shiitake Mushroom and Sun Dried Tomato hummus is surprisingly delicious for its low calorie content. It's also refreshing to see that it is made from all natural ingredients- strictly the veggies and a little H2O. While, again, it is not as thick and creamy as other, more fattening hummus dips, it still manages to pack a punch of flavor and certainly kicks the hummus craving if you're not looking to load up on those healthy fat calories. Hooray for Oasis and another delicious dip! Pin It

Low Cal, Low Carb Dessert Nachos (PB, J, & C Nachos)

I've seen tons of recipes for dessert nachos, but I never really understood the appeal. Why would you want nachos for dessert? It wasn't until I realized that dessert nachos were all about the sweet ingredients! Most dishes are doused in fattening and sugary sauces that will seriously pile on the calories, when the chips they are served on are already bad enough! Luckily, I've come up with a way to enjoy dessert nachos without the crazy amounts of sugar, calories, or even carbs.

To make Tiny Tummy's Dessert Nachos, you will need:
1 small La Torilla Factory Tortilla, cut into triangles
2 T p2 powdered peanut butter, prepared
1 T sugar free fruit preserves
a sprinkle of cocoa powder

To prepare, simply toast the tortilla chips according to these instructions. Then, top with peanut butter, jelly, and sprinkle with cocoa powder. Yep- it's that easy!

Disclaimer: This photo was taken pre-jelly, but I promise, it made it in there! Pin It

Bai, Bai Sugary Lemonade

In a craving for some good old fashioned lemonade the other day, I came across Bai's Limu lemonade, and let me say, the makers of Bai never cease to amaze me! I'm pretty picky when it comes to lemonade- it can't be too sweet or too tart; there has to be the proper balance, and fortunately, this lemonade has it! And, it packs in all that flavor, yet is only 10 calories per bottle and 2 grams of sugar. And the best part? No cancer-causing-chemicals! During the summer, I'm sure I will be drinking lots of these guys, because there's nothing quite like a refreshing glass of lemonade in the hot summer months. Only a few months away! Pin It

Too Busy to Cook? That's a Crock!

A friend recently said that they don't cook because they "simply don't have time." To that, I call B.S.! Maybe you can't make a Chopped-worthy plate in 15 minutes like professional chefs can, but a simple, healthy meal can definitely come together in 15 minutes. And, if the whole "cooking" process is what's holding you back, I urge you to embrace the art of slow cooking.

By "art" I really mean throw some ingredients in a Crockpot, and leave it to cook for a number of hours and come back to a delicious, perfectly cooked meal. You can make anything from soups to stews to baked goods to ribs to pulled pork (my personal fav). You can even cook a whole chicken in a Crockpot and the meat literally falls off the bone. For a healthy meal, toss some stock, veggies, and protein of your choice in the pot and cook away. If you're feelin' frisky, feel free to add whatever spices or sauces you may want to spice things up a bit, I won't tell! ;) Pin It

Gnarly, 10 minute Barley!

Mommy Tiny Tummy has come to love "Instant Brown Rice" because it can function as an afterthought for a side dish since it's prepped within 5 minutes. Brown rice is great in comparison to white rice and other refined grains, but there are so many other grains out there worth trying! I never really thought I was a fan of barley, but when I came across this package of 10 minute barley at Trader Joe's, I decided I'd give it another try, and boy am I glad I did!

While it actually took about 15-20 minutes for me to get the barley to the desired consistency, it's still much quicker than traditional barley. I spiced mine with some Indian spices because I was having it with curried chicken, but it had a nice nutty taste and texture on its own. I would say its somewhere between spelt and brown rice. I remembered barley to be very hard, but maybe I hadn't cooked it long enough because this grain was soft and delicious. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a quick grainy side with a burst of fiber!

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The Perfect Grilled Cheese

The art of the Grilled Cheese Sandwich (yes, it deserves to be capitalized) is an technique that requires mastery. While, yes, you can simply throw a slice or two of cheese on some bread and pop it in the microwave or toaster oven til it melts and just eat it, there's something about that perfect grilled cheese that is all the more rewarding. I think back to my diner days growing up- I almost always ordered a grilled cheese when I was little (with a side of honey mustard to dip, and a pickle, of course!). Now, while diner grilled cheeses are most likely doused in butter and full of fattening cheese, a healthy homemade grilled cheese can be just as satisfying if it is prepared properly, but technique is key. You can't just simply microwave it, because then the bread is soggy. And you can't just throw it into the toaster oven, because then the cheese doesn't melt evenly throughout.

The key to the perfect grilled cheese is as follows:

Assemble your cheese on your bread (make sure you have at least a slice of cheese on each slice of bread) and pop it in the microwave open-faced for approximately 30 seconds, or until the cheese has melted. Then, since the bread will be soggy, spray a pan on the stove top (or if you're feeling indulgent, melt a little butter) and add the two slices of bread, keeping it open face, to allow the bread to crisp up. Now, here's the key, cover the pan with the top of a pot to seal in all of the heat! Once the bread has crisped up on both sides, put the two slices of bread together, allow the cheese to stick together and slice, dip (if you please), and crunch away.

Feelin' Frisky? Tiny Tummy loves adding sliced tomato to her grilled cheese, and some people prefer bacon. For a healthier take on the classic bacon, try using turkey pepperoni slices- it gives a similar flavor, and it's the cheese you really want to taste anyway, right?! Pin It

Not a Ho Hum Hummus

We all know Tiny Tummy loves Oasis's Black Bean and Lentil Dips, so it would only naturally follow that their hummus should be delicious too, right?! You bet! I finally grabbed a container of their Mediterranean hummus from my local supermarket the other day, and I was pleasantly surprised! For some reason, I expected it to be tasteless and a strange consistency, and while this hummus is not as thick and creamy as most others, it is still pretty good, and at only 9 calories per tablespoon, there is no comparison to other store-bought hummus. I love to dip veggies in it or spread it on a grilled cheese sandwich. Regardless of what you're using it for, it's definitely worth trying, though I will say I will always be partial to my black bean dip when it comes to my Oasis fav! Pin It

Tiny Tummy's Samoatmeal and Tagaloatmeal

Girl Scout Cookies are probably among my favorite things in the world... so when Girl Scout Season approaches, the temptation is high. I'm pretty sure a box of Samoas or Tagalongs wouldn't last more than a few days in my house, but those things are PACKED with sugar, unhealthy fats, and calories. Needless to say, there are other ways to get the flavor of those delicious cookies without having to eat the cookies themselves, and what better way time to eat them than the very start of your day? Why not turn your morning bowl of oatmeal into a giant girl scout cookie in a bowl in anticipation of the upcoming season? Luckily, I've got two different recipes to make that happen!

To make Tiny Tummy's Samoatmeal, you will need:

1/2 cup of plain, quick cooking oats (or 1 package of instant oatmeal) prepared according to package instructions
1 T shredded coconut (unsweetened)
1 T Walden Farms chocolate dip (or sub 1 t unsweetened cocoa powder + 1 t stevia or 1 T mini dark chocolate chips)
1 T Walden Farms caramel dip
optional: dash of vanilla extract and cinnamon

To make Tiny Tummy's Tagaloatmeal

1/2 cup of plain, quick cooking oats (or 1 package of instant oatmeal) prepared according to package instructions
1 T Walden Farms chocolate dip (or sub 1 t unsweetened cocoa powder + 1 t stevia or 1 T mini dark chocolate chips)
1 T powdered peanut butter (or sub all natural peanut butter)
optional: dash of vanilla extract

To prepare either one, simply combine prepared oats with other ingredients and stir until well combined. If using chocolate chips, stir until they have melted. Then, eat up and enjoy your girl scout cookie in a bowl! Who says you can't have chocolate for breakfast?! Pin It

Hooray for Fairway!

For those of you who don't live in the NYC area, I'm sorry, but this post may not apply to you; however, Tiny Tummy was EXTREMELY excited to find out that the new Fairway supermarket on 2nd Ave at 30th street is finally open! Fair way is far and away my favorite supermarket, as they have a bunch of my favorite products at reasonable prices. For those of you who have never been to a Fairway, it's basically a cheaper version of Whole Foods, and for those of you who have never been to Whole Foods, take a look at any of the posts tagged 'Flab Free Food Finds' for an idea of the types of products they sell. If you're not sure if there is a Fairway near you, check out their Store Locator! Pin It

A Cake-Sized Disappointment

For months, I have been on the hunt for this cheesecake sugar-free pudding mix. I mean, the thought of cheesecake and pudding in one container seemed like heaven and they make a sugar-free version! Unfortunately, to my dismay, it was disgusting!

The flavor of the mixture almost tasted like uncooked batter- and not in that yummy cookie dough type way, but more like uncooked pancake batter- GROSS! I was hoping to be able to bake with it because Tiny Tummy loves cheesecake, but I just don't see the powder adding anything valuable to a baked good. In the future, I'll be sticking to the chocolate, vanilla, and maybe butterscotch pudding mixes. Have you tried anything new lately worth sharing? Tiny Tummy loves to hear from you!

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Mango Balsamic Chicken Foil Pack

Say mango and balsamic in front of Mommy Tiny Tummy and she will probably respond with "sign me up!" So, for dinner one night when I was visiting, I prepared for her a mango balsamic chicken prepared in foil packs, and it was so easy to make, I thought I'd share the recipe.

To make this Mango Balsamic Chicken, you will need:

1 16 oz pack of chicken (I normally use fat-free breasts, but Mommy Tiny Tummy prefers skinless boneless thighs)
4 T balsamic vinegar (if you have a fancy one, this is a great place to use it- I used a Fig flavored one)
3 T maple syrup or honey (I used Walden Farms)
2 T dijon mustard
2 T sugar free apricot preserves
1 mango, diced
1 large piece of tinfoil

To prepare, preheat your oven to 350, and combine everything except the chicken and mango in a bowl and mix until well combined. Then, coat your chicken evenly with the mixture. Arrange the chopped mango on the tinfoil, followed by the chicken breasts on top, and close the foil pack. Put the foil pack on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 20 minutes if cooking breasts, or about 40 minutes if cooking thighs. (though as usual, cooking time will depend on your oven). And be careful when takin the pack out of the oven. If it was a juicy mango, the glaze may get watery!


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Spice Up Your Morning

A friend recently asked me how she could add flavor to her coffee without adding sugar or any artificial sweeteners. While I suggested flavored coffee beans, sometimes, that isn't an option or isn't enough for some people. So, my next suggestion was to add cinnamon!

People often forget this trick. Not only can you add cinnamon to each individual cup of Joe, but you can also add cinnamon to the beans before you brew your coffee. Cinnamon is a great flavor-enhancer and has also been said to reduce high cholesterol, regulate blood sugar, and even promote better brain health. If you're not a fan of cinnamon, feel free to try nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, or any other spice of your choice. Pin It

Pizzafied Pasta

Every once in a while, I get in one of those carb-crazed moods where I can't decide between pizza and pasta because I'm craving both. Fortunately, I've come up with a way to have the best of both worlds- pizzafied pasta!

To make Tiny Tummy's Pizzafied Pasta, you will need:
2oz Al Dente Pasta (or pasta of your choice)
1/2 cup marinara sauce (I used this recipe)
1oz shredded mozzarella cheese (I used fat free)
4 slices Hormel Turkey Pepperoni chopped into small pieces
optional: other pizza toppings such as onions, mushrooms, basil, etc. (Tiny Tummy's tomato sauce has a ton of onions, mushrooms, and spices, which is why I didn't include them in mine, but if you are using a different marinara sauce, feel free to add 'em on in!)

To prepare, cook your pasta according to package instructions. Then, add everything into a bowl, and microwave for about a minute, or until the cheese melts, and eat up!

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Enlighten Me

As we all know, Tiny Tummy screams for ice cream, and is always on the hunt for new frozen finds. I recently came across a new brand of ice cream bars online that looks promising, but I can't find them anywhere!

Enlightened ice cream bars come in fudge, coffee, and orange cream flavors, and only have 70 calories and 3g of sugar per bar. Plus, they have a whopping 5g of fiber, 8g of protein, and NO artificial sweeteners. The stats enough are a homerun, I'm just hoping the flavor follows. If I can ever get my hands on them, I will definitely share my thoughts, but if anyone has seen them in stores, let me know! Pin It

Hostess with the Mostess

Typically, when you think of girls night, you think of gossip, laughing, and chips, chocolate, and all of the unhealthy snacks you could imagine. When Tiny Tummy hosts girls night, there's a lot of the first two, but there's no need to ruin a fun night with unhealthy munchies. Especially since my girls and I can EAT! So, knowing we would be munching away the whole night, I decided to try to throw some healthy snacks in along with the chips and popcorn (which I still found lighter versions of, of course.) I thought I'd use this opportunity to share another simple tip. When hosting a party, find the happy medium between you and your guests. If you know you can't resist the Oreos, but your guests love cookies, bake your own healthier version and serve those (and place them at the opposite end of the room/table just in case ;)). And, doing mostly healthy snacks and throwing in a few indulgent things is another great way to accomodate yourself and those who prefer the more indulgent snacks. For my girls night, I hit up my local Trader Joe's and went veggie crazy and made a nice platter with some hummus (as well as a side platter with a homemade onion dip, but that's a recipe for another day!). You can never go wrong with some old fashioned crudite!

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Fun With Foil

While watching Martha Stewart's cooking show with my mom, I vowed to try cooking with foil packs more often. I've always found that cooking things in foil packs really seals in the flavors, and it's a really simple way of cooking. As a side dish the other night, I decided to try making some yellow squash in a foil pack, and it came out delicious!

To make this super simple squash foil pack, you will need

1 yellow squash chopped

4 cloves of garlic cut into quarters

1 small lemon cut into rings

1 large piece of tinfoil

To prepare, preheat your oven to 400 and arrange your chopped squash in an even layer in your foil. Then, scatter your garlic and lemon rings evenly throughout the foil and seal up the packet. Cook on a baking sheet for about 20 minutes, or until the zucchini has softened. After the zucchini has softened, remove the pack from the oven and transfer to a bowl for serving. You can even eat the garlic, which is now roasted and delicious!

Feelin' Frisky? This technique can work for any veggies that you want. Feel free to mix it up and add carrots, asparagus, brussels sprouts, etc.

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A Cozy Cup of Winter Warmth

With the dead of winter upon us (and a temperamental heating system in my parent's house over the holiday season), a hot cup of tea is a must at all times. I've been going out of my way to try new teas, and I came across a few new ones in Fairway the other day (P.S. LOVE that place!)

Both decaf and full of flavor, these Rooibos teas from celestial are both delicious- but distinctly different. The Safari Spice tastes just as it sounds- full of spicy flavor, while the vanilla is a more subtle hint of vanilla flavor. When you're in the mood to spice things up, Safari Spice is a great choice, and if you're a vanilla person, Madagascar Vanilla has a subtle vanilla flavor. Either way, both are perfect for a cold morning or afternoon. Pin It

Fizzy Loco Coco

We all know Tiny Tummy is forever on the hunt for delicious, calorie-free, sugar-free beverages that don't have cancer-causing sweeteners, so whenever I come across a new one, I'm always eager to share. The other day when shopping in Shoprite thirsty again (guess I didn't learn from my mistake last time!), I bought this guy, but again, my thirst paid off.

Cascade has literally made a fizzy pina colada in a bottle. I have never tasted such a delicious coconut flavored soda. For you drinkers out there, mixing a little rum into this could easily be a mock pina colada! And by the way, this guy is sweetened with Sucralose, so not a total win, but not a loss either! I also tried the Strawberry Lemonade flavor. Both were good, but this one was definitely my favorite!

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Chocolate Pudding Shots

New Years Eve is usually all about taking shot after shot to bring in the New Year, which can really add up in the calorie department. Not to mention, you'll could easily be feeling those shots in the morning. Since I don't drink, I decided I had to come up with a way to participate in the "shots!" mentality without having to throw back tons and tons of alcoholic calories, and thus, these 2 ingredient chocolate pudding shots were born.

To make these pudding shots, you will need:

1 package sugar free chocolate pudding mix

2 cups almond, flax, or non fat milk (or water for a very watery shot)

To prepare, whisk the milk and pudding together in a large bowl. Then, distribute evenly into either dixie cups (think jello shots), or if you're feelin' frisky, you can use cute shaped mini cups like I did! Then, refrigerate until "set," though since you are using non-dairy milk, they will not have a true pudding consistency. Prepared with flax milk, the entire batch has less than 150 calories! A shot-bargain, if I may say so myself!

Feelin' Frisky? Just because Tiny Tummy doesn't drink alcohol, doesn't mean you can't! Feel free to add alcohol to these to make them real shots. Still a much healthier option that a mudslide or any sugar-y, caloric prepared mixed drink.

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Pumpkin Bread

It's rare that I am in a baking mood, but for some reason, the other day, I was in one of those moods. Keeping with the flavors of the season, I decided to try to make a pumpkin loaf using coconut flour to make a healthier version of the typically carb and sugar loaded bread, and it came out pretty good! I will warn you right off the bat it isn't your typical bread-y texture, but it is quite yummy and pumpkin-y. Even Daddy Tiny Tummy liked it and he is the ultimate critic of my healthier cooking.

To make these Pumpkin Bread Squares, you will need:
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup mashed banana (1 small banana's worth)
1 T honey
1/3 cup Walden Farms Pancake Syrup (or maple syrup)
6 large egg whites (or the equivalent of liquid egg substitute)
1 t vanilla extract
2/3 cup coconut flour sifted
1/2 t baking soda
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t nutmeg
1/8 t ground ginger

To prepare, preheat your oven to 350 degrees and spray a loaf pan with nonstick spray. Then, combine all wet ingredients in one bowl and all of the dry ingredients in another. Finally, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until well combined. I know it initially looks like you have too much wet for the amount of dry ingredients, but the nice thing about coconut flour is it absorbs a LOT of moisture. Pour the batter into your sprayed pan and bake for 1 hour. Once it's done, and cooled, cut into squares and serve!

I worked out the nutritionals for everyone who has been asking, and based on 12 large squares, each one has 80 calories, 3g of fiber and 4g of protein!

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