Easy Lemon Cupcakes

Found this recipe online.... Was a little skeptical at first, but it turned out soooo good - and so easy! 

1 can Sprite Zero

1 package lemon cake mix

Combine cake mix & can of sprite.  (Use a large bowl because the sprite bubbles up quite a bit. Fill cupcake tin (with liners) 2/3 full.  Bake according to package instructions (should be 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes or so).

Can top with cool whip free and add lemon extract - or dust with powdered sugar.  I used vanilla icing because I was making these for family - to take with me to Christmas at Grandma's house tomorrow. 

Nutrition information is with icing.

156.7 Calories

3.5g Fat

30.3g Carbs

.7g Protein

198mg Sodium

Not too bad for a sweet treat!!

Taco Dip - Gone Skinny!

I found a recipe for this online (skinnytaste.com) but tweaked it and made it my own -- looks delish!  I'm taking it to Grandma's for Christmas Eve tomorrow... It'll be served with Baked Tostitos (which are actually lower in calories than the multi-grain Tostitos!)...  Rivals anything taco bell has to offer!! :)

8oz Fat Free Cream Cheese - softened

1/3 cup Fat Free Sour Cream

2/3 cup Plain Greek Yogurt, Fat Free

16oz black bean & corn salsa

Taco Seasoning (1packet)

1 Cup Iceberg Lettuce, Shredded

1/2 Cup Diced tomatoes (southwest style) (drained)

1 tbsp diced green chiles (canned, drained)

1/2 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese

9-10 olives - coarsley chopped

Combine cream cheese, greek yogurt, sour cream, salsa, and taco seasoning.  Mix well.  Spread on bottom of dish (I used an 8x8 baking dish).  Top with tomatoes/green chiles, lettuce, cheese, & black olives.

Makes 16 servings.

58 Calories

1g Fat

6g Carbs

1g Fiber

4g Protein

277mg Sodium

Spicy Black Beans!

Here's a super easy - super tasty - side dish you can make in a snap for dinner..... I didn't know what to have with our little steaks last night -- and I LOVE anything with a flare of Mexican - so I threw this together last night and it was quite tasty! And oh so cheap!!  Not only does this make a great side dish, also makes a great snack since it's loaded with protein & fiber!

1 can Black Beans - drained, rinsed

1/3 can Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles (slightly drained)

Shredded Mexican blend cheese

Fat Free Sour Cream (Optional)

Put beans in bowl, and heat (microwave is fine) for about 30 seconds.  Add tomatoes, and heat for another 30 seconds - you can do this on the stove too if you like.

Sprinkle with cheese (just a tiny sprinkle, don't douse it in cheese.  and Add 1tbsp Sour Cream if you like. Enjoy!

181 Calories

3g Fat

28g Carbs

9g Fiber

12g Protein

(This includes the cheese & sour cream)

Spicy Mexican Egg(White)!

Eggs are a classic breakfast food.  I typically eat egg whites -- but I also eat eggs.  The liquid egg (from the carton) or egg whites are so easy, you can even cook them in the microwave - so there's no excuse for anyone not to start their day with some protein.... Today I wanted to add a little kick to my eggs, and I had some left over diced tomatoes with green chiles from last night's dinner, so I decided to add those in -- Worked beautifully - and I'm not even a tomato person! 

6 Tbsp Liquid Egg Whites

1/8 cup diced tomatoes w/green chiles

sprinkle Mexican Shredded Cheese

Heat small frying pan... pour in egg whites. Add in tomatoes (slightly drained, but still with a little liquid).... Cook until egg whites are firm/done.  Sprinkle cheese on top.  (I also added s&p). Delish!!

76 Calories

1g Fat

4g Carbs

12g Protein

338mg Sodium

Sinfully delicous pizza for one!

Ok so this looks like something you'd get at a pizzeria that is loaded with calories right?!  I know - but it's not.  It's low in calories, and high in fiber!  So tasty and delicious - it looks like a guilty indulgence but it's not!! So skip the pizzeria and make this for yourself.  It will satisfy that pizza craving, and save you a ton of calories (one slice of Dominos pepperoni pizza has over 50% more calories than this entire recipe!)

1 Ole Extreme Wellness High Fiber Whole Wheat Tortila

1/4-1/2 serving Turkey Pepperoni Minis (a serving is 1/4 bag!)

Sprinkle (about 1/2 serving) Shredded Mozzarella (serving is 1/3 cup)

Sprinkle (about 1/2 serving) Shredded Mexican blend cheese (serving is 1/4 cup)

couple spoonfuls Spaghetti Sauce

Emeril's original essence - or seasoning of your choice

Preheat oven to 450. 

lay out tortilla, cover with spaghetti sauce.

sprinkle on the mexican blend cheese.

add turkey pepperonis.

sprinkle on mozzarella.

reduce oven temp to 425.  Bake for 5-7minutes. 

Makes one serving.

ENJOY!

207 Calories

11g Fat

14g Carbs

6g Fiber

21g Protein

Salsafied Egg (White) & Cheese Roll-Up!

Egg whites are something I often have for breakfast.  Why?  They're super easy, low in calories, and high in protein.  But just plain ol' egg whites can get boring, so I try to think of different ways to keep it interesting..... This is what I came up with the other day and just one word is needed to describe it - YUM!

about 4 tbsp Liquid Egg Whites

1 Weight Watchers String Cheese

Salsa

Cook egg whites (I like to use a small frying pan - and just cook them flat out and kind of thin - that way you can roll them up easily).  Place flat out on plate.  Place string cheese on one end of it and roll up (place seam on bottom) and then top with a tablespoon or two of salsa. 

*You can add veggies (like onions or peppers) into the egg whites when you cook them if you like for next to no additional calories*

90 Calories

3g Fat

5g Carbs

1g Fiber

13g Protein

398mg Sodium



No-Bake Peanut Butter Protein Balls!

Who doesn't like peanut butter & chocolate?!

These are decadently delicious! They are so tasty, and seem like a guilty treat, but they aren't!  They are low carb, and have a decent amount of protein - so they are the perfect pre or post gym snack!  They take only a few minutes to make - and I bet even kids will love them!  I'm thinking of making these to give out with christmas presents instead of cookies! 

1 cup natural peanut butter (I used Jif Natural Creamy)

1 cup protein (I used 1/2 vanilla and 1/2 chocolate)

splenda (I put in 8 packets)

chocolate chips (I used Dark Chocolate chips)

Combine dry ingredients.  Add in peanut butter.  Use a spatula or wooden spoon to mix up - the oil in the peanut butter will help meld the ingredients.  Spoon into evenly sized 'balls' and top with a chocolate chip.  Refrigerate.

(Makes 18 balls)

120 Calories

8g Fat

5g Carbs

1g Fiber

9g Protein

50mg Sodium