Healthy Mac N Cheese

Broccoli & White Cheddar Mac & Cheese

Printable Recipe
Serves 2-4 as a main dish, 4-6 as a side

Buy blocks of cheese and grate it yourself. It makes a world of difference! The pre-shredded stuff just doesn’t melt as smoothly. Plus, the more calories you burn shredding cheese, the more mac & cheese you can eat.

Ingredients

3 cups frozen baby broccoli florets
1/2 pound elbow macaroni
1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 1/3 cups milk
4 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese, grated
2 ounces pepper jack cheese, grated
salt to taste

Directions

Microwave broccoli florets in a large, microwave safe bowl according to package instructions until tender (usually 4-5 minutes). Drain off any water and set aside.

Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add elbow macaroni. Boil according to directions until al dente. Drain.

Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk to form a paste (roux). Cook 1-2 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste. Slowly pour in milk, whisking briskly to remove lumps. Continue cooking over medium heat, whisking constantly, until milk mixture thickens. Remove from heat and whisk in shredded cheese. Add salt to taste.

Add drained macaroni back to pot. Pour cheese sauce over macaroni, add broccoli, and stir to combine. 

Superfood Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

 

 

Superfood Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Print this recipe!
Serves 5
Ingredients:
1/2 cup dry quinoa
1/3 cup red onion, chopped
1 orange, peeled and segments chopped
1 avocado, chopped
1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup pomegranate arils (about 1 pomegranate worth)
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
salt & pepper
For the Lemon Vinaigrette:
2 lemons, juiced (need 1/4 cup juice)
2 garlic cloves, microplaned or finely minced
dash of sweetener (agave nectar, stevia or white sugar)
salt & pepper
6 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Directions:
1. Cook quinoa according to package directions. Set aside to cool.
2. For the Lemon Vinaigrette: combine all ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid, and shake to combine. Or, add lemon juice, garlic, sweetener, salt and pepper into a small bowl and whisk in oil.
3. Combine cooled quinoa with red onion, orange segments, avocado, beans, pomegranate arils, corn, cilantro, salt and pepper. Pour Lemon Vinaigrette over the salad and stir to combine. Serve cold or at room temperature.

15 Worst Burgers in America

Complete List of 15 Worst Burgers

10 Foods For Glowing Skin

Get Glowing with Chocolate

Cocoa hydrates your skin, making it firmer and more supple, Dr. Bank says. "And dark chocolate contains high levels of flavonols, a potent type of antioxidant," adds Nicholas Perricone, MD, a dermatologist in New York City. For maximum flavonol content, eat chocolate that's at least 70 percent cacao. A couple of squares a day should be enough to improve luminosity. "When applied topically, the caffeine in chocolate may temporarily reduce skin puffiness," says Jessica Wu, MD, a dermatologist in Los Angeles and the author of Feed Your Face. Try cocoa-rich 100% Pure Cocoa Kona Coffee Body Cream ($15, 100percentpure.com).

Prevent Wrinkles with Yogurt

The protein you get from eating dairy helps skin become firmer, so it's more resistant to lines, Dr. Wu says. Greek yogurt is especially beneficial. "The protein content is often double that of regular yogurt," Dr. Perricone adds. Eat a single serving daily to make your complexion smoother, and apply Korres Yoghurt Instant Soothing Gel ($38, sephora.com) to calm irritated, dry, or sensitive skin.

Protect with Pomegranates

They're packed with polyphenol antioxidants, Dr. Perricone says. Polyphenols fight free radicals and regulate skin's blood flow, giving it rosiness. One pomegranate or a few glasses of juice daily should do the trick. When applied to skin, the fruits' antioxidants help smooth lines and moisturize, Dr. Bank says. Reduce wrinkles with Grassroots Research Labs Pomegranate Super Anti-Oxidant Cream ($35, kohls.com).

Soften Skin with Walnuts

"Walnuts contain omega-3 essential fatty acids, which can improve skin's elasticity," Dr. Bank says. The nuts are also loaded with copper, a mineral that boosts collagen production. Snack on a handful of walnuts each day to improve your complexion's texture, and slough tough calluses with True Blue Spa Smoothing Foot Scrub Toe the Line ($15, bathandbodyworks.com). The ground walnut it contains acts as an exfoliant.

Fight Crow's-Feet with Peppers

"Women who eat green and yellow vegetables regularly tend to have fewer wrinkles, especially around the eyes," Dr. Wu says. Also, studies found that carotenoids -- the antioxidants in yellow and orange veggies -- can decrease skin's sensitivity to the sun, Dr. Bank says. Aim for about two cups of peppers daily.

Brighten Up with Sunflower Seeds

Loaded with vitamin E, sunflower seeds keep your skin supple by protecting its top layers from the sun. Eat a handful daily. A high essential-fatty-acid content makes sunflower seed oil a treat for parched body parts, such as lips and heels, when topically applied, Dr. Bank says. Fight flakes with Dr. Brandt Lineless Lines No More for Lips ($30, drbrandtskincare.com).

Zap Zits with Kidney Beans

They're high in zinc, and studies indicate a correlation between blemishes and low zinc levels, Dr. Wu explains. "That may be because of zinc's healing properties." Have a four-ounce serving of kidney beans to help you stay in the clear. In addition, studies show topical zinc to be as effective against acne as antibiotics are. Body lotions with zinc, like Dial NutriSkin Replenishing Lotion with BioNutrients Soothing ($7, drugstores), may kill blemish-causing bacteria.

Even Out Your Skin Tone with Soy

Drink a latte with soy milk or eat edamame and you may get a clearer complexion. "Soy contains minerals and proteins that have been shown to reduce hyperpigmentation," Dr. Bank says. One cup a day should yield results. Or smooth on soy-infused Elizabeth Arden Prevage Clarity Targeted Skin Tone Corrector ($125, elizabetharden.com) to help prevent sun spots.

Look Younger with Oatmeal

Steel-cut oatmeal is less processed than other varieties, so it retains more vitamins. "Plus, it takes longer to break down in your body, which helps keep your blood sugar stable," Dr. Wu says. "This is important because studies found that spiked blood sugar elevates your body's level of androgens, hormones that can contribute to wrinkles." Oats are also exceptionally skin healing. Lessen irritation with St. Ives Naturally Soothing Oatmeal & Shea Butter Body Lotion ($5, drugstores).

Calm Redness with Green Tea

"It's very high in antioxidants, particularly one named EGCG, which is proved to reduce redness," says Jeffrey Morrison, MD, nutrition consultant for Equinox Sports Clubs in New York City. "Studies have also demonstrated that green tea helps fight inflammation," Dr. Bank says. Sip at least one cup of green tea a day, and fight redness with Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins The Way of the Bath Matcha Tea Body Soak ($45, Origins stores).

Fitness Facts

Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going. -Jim Ryan

Yummy 5 Ingredient Salad

What you see is what you eat! Lettuce, grilled chicken, avacado, feta, red onions, and lemon! Delish!

Italian Veggie Hoagies

Italian veggie hoagies

INGREDIENTS

·         1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion, separated into rings

·         1 14-ounce can artichoke hearts, rinsed and coarsely chopped

·         1 medium tomato, seeded and diced

·         2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

·         1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

·         1 teaspoon dried oregano

·         1 16- to 20-inch-long baguette, preferably whole-grain

·         2 slices provolone cheese, (about 2 ounces), halved

·         2 cups shredded romaine lettuce

·         1/4 cup sliced pepperoncini, (optional)

PREPARATION

1.     Place onion rings in a small bowl and add cold water to cover. Set aside while you prepare the remaining ingredients.

2.     Combine artichoke hearts, tomato, vinegar, oil and oregano in a medium bowl. Cut baguette into 4 equal lengths. Split each piece horizontally and pull out about half of the soft bread from each side. Drain the onions and pat dry.

3.     To assemble sandwiches, divide provolone among the bottom pieces of baguette. Spread on the artichoke mixture and top with the onion, lettuce and pepperoncini, if using. Cover with the baguette tops. Serve immediately.

This is also AMAZING just as a salad and not a hoagie

Let Your Fridge Help you!

This article is wonderful on how to successfully organize your fridge to help you stay on a healthier diet! Sounds good to me...now if we can only stick to it!  Full article on how to stock your fridge here!

Healthy Baked Chicken Nuggets

Healthy Baked Chicken NuggetsGina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 4 • Serving Size: 1/4th of nuggets • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 4 pts
Calories: 164.9 • Fat: 4.6 g • Protein: 22.1 g • Carb: 7.7 g • Fiber: 0.9 g • Sugar: 0.1

• 16 oz (2 large) skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into even bit sized pieces
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 6 tbsp whole wheat Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp panko
• 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
• olive oil spray (I used my Misto)

Preheat oven to 425°. Spray a baking sheet with olive oil spray.

Put the olive oil in one bowl and the breadcrumbs, panko and parmesan cheese in another.Season chicken with salt and pepper, then put in the bowl with the olive oil and mix well so the olive oil evenly coats all of the chicken.Put a few chunks of chicken at a time into the breadcrumb mixture to coat, then on the baking sheet. Lightly spray the top with olive oil spray then bake 8 - 10 minutes. Turn over then cook another 4 - 5 minutes or until cooked though.

Fitness at Home

Cilantro Lime Tilapia Tacos

Cilantro Lime Tilapia TacosSkinnytaste.com
Servings: 4 • Serving Size: 2 tacos • Old Points: 7 pts • Points+: 8 pts
Calories: 319 • Fat: 12 g • Protein: 26.5 g • Carb: 33.7 g • Fiber: 9.7 g • Sugar: 3.6 g
Sodium: 76.2 mg (without salt)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb tilapia fillets, rinsed and pat dried
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 2 jalapeño peppers, chopped (seeds removed for less heat)
• 2 cups diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 3 tbsp lime juice
• salt and pepper to taste
• 8 5-inch white corn tortillas (I used La Tortilla Factory Fiber & Flax)
• 1 medium haas avocado, sliced
• lime wedges and cilantro for garnish

To get the directions on how to cook these wonderful tacos go to Skinny Girl Taste Blog

Snack Chart

Having a chart like this is a quick easy way to ensure you know exactly what your putting in your body!

http://put-the-cookies-down.tumblr.com/page/7

Pizza Zucchini Bites

These are an easy, healthy and yummy alternative to pizza bites! they are quick to prep and only take a little time to cook! Try them out for dinner and save the rest for lunch the next day!

Zucchini Pizza Bites
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 1 • Serving Size: 4 pieces • Old Points: 2 pts • Points+: 3 pts
Calories: 124.8 • Fat: 5.7 g • Protein: 8.2 g • Carb: 10.4 g • Fiber: 3.0 g  

Ingredients:

4 slices large zucchini 1/4" thick (or 1 medium zucchini cut on diagnal)
Spray olive oil (I used my Misto)
2 tbsp pizza sauce
1/4 cup part skim mozzarella
salt and pepper

Directions:
Cut zucchini about 1/4 inch thick. Spray both side lightly with oil and season with salt and pepper. Broil or grill for about 2 minute on each side. Top with sauce and cheese and broil for an additional minute or two. (Careful not to burn cheese)

Healthy Shamrock Smoothie

Inching up on St.Patrick's day we thought we would get a head start on our green! Here is an amazing Shamrock Smoother Recipes you must try! ENJOY!

Shamrock Smoothie
1 banana, peeled and broken into chunks (optional)
1-2 cups honeydew melon chunks
1-2 peeled kiwi fruit
1 cup plain or vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup yellow lemonade, milk or soy milk
1 Tbsp. honey (or to taste)
Put all ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth, adding more juice, yogurt or fruit as necessary to achieve a sippable consistency. Serve immediately. Serves 2.

The Piña-Vocado is born!

Alright avacodo lovers, here is a hit smoothie recipe for you! Healthy Happy Life blog posted these recipes! There are a variation on different types of Pina-Vocado, so if the purple-licious one does'nt look pleasing, click below to see the full blog and find one that does!

See the original bloggers post here!