Eggs In A Mug

Okay....this might look a little weird {or even gross} but it's really good and so easy. I would be totally content to eat this right out of the mug, but as my mom always taught me, "Presentation is everything" and "You eat first with your eyes."  With that being said, this next picture is for you, Mom....

I guess that's a little better.  It's really hard to make microwaved eggs look good. Once you take a bite, you'll forget about how they look anyway!

{117 calories, 2g fat, 6g carbs, 2g fiber, 18g protein}

Ingredients:

3 large mushrooms, chopped

3 cherry tomatoes, sliced

1/2 cup Egg Beaters

1 tbsp parmesan cheese

1/2 cup baby spinach leaves

salt & pepper to taste

Spray microwave-safe mug with cooking spray. Add mushrooms and tomatoes to mug.  Add Egg Beaters, salt, pepper and parmesan cheese.  Microwave on high for 45 seconds then stir.  Microwave another 45 seconds.  Your eggs might be done by now.  If not, just stir again and microwave 30-45 seconds longer.  Eat out of the mug or serve over baby spinach.

*Don't be afraid to mix up your veggies, cheese and spices.  Be creative and try different combinations!

Way Too Easy Mexican Chicken

I feel like I've been making a lot of Mexican food posts lately.  Well, here's another one!  Tonight was one of those nights again....the kids had to be a million different places and we needed something FAST for dinner.  This one is unbelievably easy and really tasty!

Ingredients:

2 large cans chicken breast, drained

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 paket taco seasoning 

1/2 cup water

Heat chicken and black beans in a skillet.  Add water and taco seasoning.  Simmer.

The kids like theirs in tortillas or on top of chips with melted cheese.  I made mine into a salad.  It doesn't get easier than this!

This is another meal I always have ingredients for.  If you have an issue with canned chicken, get over it and try this!  You won't be disappointed.  :) 

PB & J Greek Yogurt

Ever get a craving for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?  I do!  What is it about peanut butter and jelly that's just so darn good?!  Ever feel guilty after "accidentally" eating half your kid's sandwich?  I do that too.

PB&J is a classic flavor combination that never gets old. With that in mind, I set out to try a different {more figure friendly} version.

{157 calories, 3g fat, 19g carbs, 5.5g fiber, 20g protein}

Ingredients:

1 serving fat free plain Greek yogurt {I used Dannon Oikos}

2 tbsp PB2

1 packet Truvia

1 tbsp sugar free jelly {I used Smucker's raspberry}

1 tbsp granola {I used Nature's Path Pumpkin Flax}

Mix the PB2 and Truvia with yogurt.  Top with jelly and granola.

This might just be my new favorite creation.  I had it for breakfast today and have been craving it ever since!  Goodbye PB & J sandwiches....hello PB & J yogurt!!!

Chocolate PB2 Smoothie

After almost a week of sleeping in, not exercising and eating things like ice cream, cookies and caramel corn {gotta love spring break!} I decided I needed to buckle down and start the week off right.  When I feel like I've over indulged, I've found the easiest way for me to get back on track is to watch my carbs. Here's a little concoction I came up with for breakfast this morning....

{185 calories, 4g fat, 7g carbs, 3g fiber, 31g protein}

Ingredients:

1 scoop chocolate protein powder

2 Tbsp. PB2

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

dash cinnamon

ice

Blend it all up and enjoy!  

Hey, just because I'm watching my carbs doesn't mean I have to deprive myself of one of my favorite flavor combinations!

On a side note - apparently, my 7-year-old son isn't watching his carbs.  This is what his plate looked like at CiCi's today....

Nothing like mac & cheese pizza with a side of alfredo noodles, a breadstick and a garlic roll!  Wouldn't it be nice to be 7 again?!

Domestic Goddess Chili

Several years ago, the ladies at my church put together a cookbook.  The name of this particular chili caught my eye.... How could I NOT try it???  With a name like "Domestic Goddess Chili" it had to be good!  It seemed pretty simple {which makes it even better} and has now become the go-to chili recipe for my whole family.  My mom used to spend FOREVER chopping up veggies, cooking her own beans, etc.  She believed that her chili was the best.  Period.  Then I made her this....

Let me just say, this is the only chili she's made since.  In fact, she just made it for us tonight!  We served it taco-salad-style and it was delish!

Ingredients:

2 lbs. ground beef

2 cups diced onions

2 tsp. minced garlic

30 oz. tomato sauce

16 oz. salsa {I like Pace mild picante sauce}

1 15 oz. can kidney beans

1 15 oz. can black beans

1 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. sugar

Cook hamburger and drain.  Add onion and garlic and saute a few minutes.  Add remaining ingredients except beans and bring to a boil.  Add beans and heat through.

Hummus Deviled Eggs

Posts have been few and far between lately....sorry! I've been enjoying spring break at my family's ranch. It's been so nice to get away from all the craziness and just enjoy being with the fam.

One of the many perks of staying at the ranch is being able to "eat off the land." Chickens have been a relatively new addition and it's so fun having farm fresh eggs every time we're out here. I boiled up a bunch last night and was excited to try something new for my morning snack today.

Why is eating brown eggs so much more exciting than eating plain old white eggs? They're exactly the same on the inside, but I somehow feel more sophisticated and health-conscious when I eat them.  :)

This recipe is simple....1 hard boiled egg and 1 Tbsp of hummus.

I used spicy three pepper, but you can use whatever you like best.

Just mix the yoke and hummus and fill the egg whites....

Super easy.  Super good!  They would have looked better if I was more patient and blended the filling more.  Oh, well.

{100 calories, 6g fat, 4g carbs, 1g fiber, 7g protein}

Give it a try....I promise you'll like it!

Easy Fried Rice

Do you ever have those evenings when you look at the clock, realize it's after 5pm and you haven't even thought about what to make for dinner?  Yeah, me either.  ;)

Seriously though....there are some meals I always have ingredients for, and this is one of them.  This meal has saved me at the last minute more than once!  It's also a great way to use up leftover rice, meat and veggies.

Ingredients:

Rice {I like to use brown}

1/2 onion, chopped

2 eggs, scrambled

1 lg. can chicken {or any meat of choice...leftovers work great}

1 bag frozen veggies {any kind}

4-5 Tbsp. soy sauce

1-2 Tbsp. olive oil

Salt

Pepper

Saute the onions and veggies in oil over medium/high heat....

I just throw the veggies in frozen {I usually use the peas-corn-carrots-green beans mix, but this is all I had}.  On another burner, scramble the eggs....

When the veggies are cooked, add the rice {I microwave it first, but you don't have to} chicken and eggs.  Add soy sauce {I don't usually measure - just add to taste} and heat through.  Salt and pepper to taste....

**If you like your rice a little richer, add a couple Tbsp of butter, let it melt into the rice and stir it around.  You know, like they do at those Japanese hibachi places.  Yum!**

Throw together a quick side salad, and you're good to go.

Not the prettiest salad I've ever made, but I used what I had.  That's the beauty of this meal....there are no rules.  Just do what you want and use what you have!