Spinach Berry Smoothie

Get out your blender. This is going to be fun... and easy!

4 cups fresh spinach
1 cup grapefruit juice (100% juice, no sugar added)
1/2 cup frozen berries

Blend all ingredients. You can pour into single serving cups and freeze until ready to serve.

Optional-
Add in 1 to 2 cups of non-fat greek yogurt to make this a filling snack.
For a sweeter smoothie, add in 1 Tbs agave nectar.

Makes 4 servings. 1/2 cup per serving.

Nutritional Facts (per serving):

Calories- 40 Carbs-9g Protein-1g Fat-0g

Zucchini Bread/ Muffins

2 cups grated zucchini
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup no-sugar-added applesauce
1/2 cup plain, fat-free greek yogurt*
3 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice
pinch of ground cloves
pinch of ground nutmeg
1/4 cup sliced almonds (optional)

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 2 loaf pans or 24 muffin cups. Place grated zucchini in a paper towel and wring out extra moisture. Mix together zucchini, sugar, applesauce, and yogurt. Add in eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk together dry ingredients. With a rubber spatula, slowly add in dry mixture, being careful not to over-mix. Fold in almonds. Spoon into prepared pans and bake 40- 50 minutes (for bread) or 20- 25 minutes (for muffins), rotating halfway through baking.

* You can substitute regular plain, fat-free yogurt. Make sure that it does not have added sugars and remember that it will add more grams of carbs.

Makes 12 servings. 2 muffins per serving.

Nutrition Facts (per serving):

Calories- 148 Carbs- 24.5g Protein- 7.5g Fat- 3g

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vegan-baking/4277556698/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Simple Broccoli

4 cups fresh or frozen broccoli
2 Tbs light margarine
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp sage
salt and pepper to taste

Add all ingredients in a large sauce pan. If you are using fresh broccoli, add enough water to the pan to just cover the bottom. Cover and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until broccoli is tender.

Makes 4 servings.

Nutrition Facts (per serving):

Calories- 85 Carbs- 6g Protein- 3g Fat- 2.5g
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hulagway/5941767410/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Chicken Salad

You can try this salad on wheat bread or a pita. For a really flavorful salad, use 8oz of rotisserie chicken.

8 oz chicken breast,cooked and finely chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 Tbs plain, fat-free greek yogurt
2 tsp honey mustard
dash of seasoned salt
pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together. For best flavor, refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Optional- For a sweeter salad, add in raisins.
For more crunch, add in fresh snap peas.

Makes 4 servings.

Nutrition Facts (per serving):

Calories- 76 Carbs- 1g Protein- 13g Fat- 0.5g

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevendepolo/3640270410/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Easy Chicken-Mushroom Quesadillas

Ingredients
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 large onion, chopped (about 2 cups)
8 ounces white button mushrooms, (about 3 cups)
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups cooked chopped skinless, boneless chicken breast (1 breast half)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 cups baby spinach leaves, sliced into ribbons
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
4 (10-inch) whole-grain flour tortillas
1 cup shredded Mexican cheese mix or Cheddar
1/2 cup salsa
1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
Directions
Heat the oil in a large skillet over a medium heat. Add the onions and mushrooms and cook until the mushroom water is evaporated and they begin to brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Add chicken, cumin, chili powder and oregano and stir until all spices are incorporated. Add spinach, salt and pepper and cook until spinach is wilted, about 2 minutes.

Lay 1 tortilla on a flat work surface and sprinkle with 1/4 cup shredded cheese. Spoon 1/2 chicken and vegetable mixture on top of cheese, then top with an additional 1/4 cup cheese. Top with another flour tortilla. Heat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray over medium heat. Carefully place 1 quesadilla in pan and cook 3 minutes. Using a large spatula, gently flip quesadilla and cook an additional 3 minutes until lightly browned and cheese is melted. Repeat with second quesadilla. Slice each quesadilla into quarters. Place 2 quarters on a plate with 1 tablespoon sour cream and 2 tablespoons salsa.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/easy-chicken-mushroom-quesadillas-recipe/index.html

French Toast

This is a super simple recipe, but a fun way to start the day!

8 -10 slices whole wheat bread

6 egg whites

1 egg yolk

1/4 cup skim milk

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp nutmeg

1/8 tsp all-spice

pinch salt

Heat non-stick skillet to medium heat. Grease pan if necessary. Beat eggs and milk until smooth. Beat in spices and salt. Dip bread into mixture, coating both sides, letting extra drip off. Fry for about a minute on both sides, or until light brown.

Serve with fresh fruit, or light margarine and lite syrup.

Makes about 5 servings. 2 slices per serving.

Nutrition Facts (per serving):

Calories- 185 Carbs- 27g Protein- 12g Fat- 3g

http://www.flickr.com/photos/roboppy/24616167/

Extra Lean

Unfortunately, I don't have the time to post all of the tasty-looking recipes that I have been finding in Mario Lopez's new book Extra Lean: The Fat-Burning Plan That Changes The Way You Eat For Life.

The reason I actually picked up this book in the first place was because of an interview that he did with a local news station a few months ago. I was casually listening to the report, when suddenly I heard Jared's philosophies spoken in a stranger's voice. My jaw dropped to the floor as I realized that someone out there understood what Jared does day in and out. Our local interview is not available to view, but a similar one can be seen by clicking here.

The program outline is similar to what Jared does, however it is not individualized for gender, age, or fat-loss goal. I do recommend looking through the variety of recipes that he has available. The break-down of proteins, carbs, and fat is listed for each meal, but not always for individual recipes. Try something new and enjoy!

http://extratv.warnerbros.com/extralean/