Everyday Foods

WHA? Pizza minus the carbs?!

December 8, 2011 0 Comments

Is it possible? Pizza thats not so bad for you?!

Of course it is!

Stuff you’ll need

1 egg
1 tsp baking powder
1/8 cup water
1/8 cup olive oil
1/2 cup hazelnut or almond meal
1/2 cup flax meal
salt & pepper to taste

Cheese
Tomato base sauce ( i like to use the recipe as mentioned in this post)
Mushrooms (pre fried)
Chicken breast
Roasted Capsicum
Olives
Onion

How i did it

Simply place all the initial ingredient into a bowl and combine – it should form a dough like mixture. If it is too moist add more hazelnut meal and flax meal (even qty’s of each). Once the mixture forms a dough ball sprinkle some of the flax on your bench and kneed a little. Place ball of dough on some baking paper and using a rolling pin roll out to about 1mm thick. This base is better ‘thin and crispy’.

Place in a pre heated oven at about 180 deg cel for about 20 minutes making sure it doesnt brown too much.

Take it out and make the pizza as you would any other pizza…

Place back in the oven for as long as it takes for the toppings to warm and the cheese to melt. I like to place the toppings all the way to the edge of the base so that the base doesnt burn…

Once cooked – enjoy!!

Filed Under: Cooking, Everyday Foods, Fifteen to Eighteen Months, My Miracles Life Begins, Wheat Free

Its madness i say, madness!

September 8, 2011 0 Comments

So chicken… How much chicken can one eat is the question i am posing to you today…? 6 meals a day? WHA?! I know MADNESS! So, no no i am not eating 6 meals of chicken a day, close but not quite…

Anywho apparently chicken and green veg is the bomb for loosing those kilos off your aahhhhh-ssssssssssssss which is really what i need to do in preparation for the coming bikini season… Or maybe just what i want to do depending on who you are and what you think of body image and dieting…

Right so back to the topic… What was i talking about again? Oh thats right the madness of eating chicken 5 million times a day….

So this week to escape the monotony that chicken is i came up with a lunch recipe of chicken meatballs and zucchini pasta, i am not sure if i have lost weight yet this week, but it is low fat and high in protein so i mean – how can you go wrong right? RIGHT?!

Chicken Meatballs & Zucchini Pasta

Stuff you’ll need

150grams raw chicken breast
At least one cup of cabbage
seasoning of your choice
One egg
One zucchini

How i did it

(now i prepared a week in advance so i did this with about 700 grams of chicken and about a quarter of a cabbage and be rest a sure it freezes and reheats well)

Dice the chicken and place it in a food processor with the cabbage that you have chopped up. Add the seasoning of your choosing and the egg and give the food processor a whirl until the chicken is minced and mixed with the cabbage and season. Take out and make into about 50-60 gram size balls. Heat oil in a pan and fry the meatballs until just cooked.

While the meatballs are cooking use a vegitable peeler and peel strips of the zucchini onto a plate and give it a zap in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes. Do one minute at a time cause you dont want the zucchini going soft and squishy… Just so its warm.

Place on a plate with the meatballs and enjoy… The first day i ate mine with some low fat gravy, but the other days i didnt, and it really didnt need it! If you wanted to make it more like a dinner meal you could create a low fat tomato sauce and add that to it also

Enjoy… And remember, the more herbs and spices you add the more the flavors will come out!

Filed Under: Cooking, Everyday Foods, My Miracles Life Begins, Twelve to Fifteen Months, Wheat Free

Simply Delish Salmon

September 6, 2011 0 Comments

Sometimes i have this thing where i find something i like and i obsess about it, maybe a little too much… But you know, thats my thing… So right now i am absolutely OBSESSED about grilling fish coated in Flaxmeal… Yes flaxmeal, and once again before you screw up your noses, it really is quite nice… What is it? Well have a lookski over here and there is a little more info here as well. Basically its low carb a little nutty tasting and great for your digestive and immune system… AND when you coat your fish in it and stick it under the grill it tastes like crumbed fish – no oils

Stuff you’ll need

Golden Flax Meal
Salt & pepper
Salmon or other fish of your liking
Broccoli to serve

How i did it

Place some of the Flax meal on a plate and season with some salt and pepper, if you like a little spice add some cayenne pepper as well…

I couldnt last night because a certain someone (to the left there) decided to get into the pantry!

Now cut your fish into even portions, or leave it whole completly up to you. Then stick the fish in the seasoned flaxmeal and push down, both sides of course.

Turn your grill on, stick the broccoli in the microwave…. Then when the grill is red stick the fish under it and cook for about…. Well however long fish takes to cook, turning half way, making sure it doesnt burn. I could have done my salmon a little less, but it would have only been in there for 10 minutes, not even…

And, there you go. Not only do you have dinner done in 10 minutes, but its healthy as well! Who would have thunk? Oh and if you have big beefy men who dont eat broccoli – give em a spud to shut him up!

Filed Under: Cooking, Everyday Foods, My Miracles Life Begins, Twelve to Fifteen Months, Wheat Free

No Naughty Noodle Omlette

August 11, 2011 0 Comments

I was hungry, and bored with veal and broccoli for lunch (sorry Mrs Trainer….) So i came up with something different, that still to me seemed healthy!

The recipe uses these new noodles that my trainer found, that are only about 20 calories per serve, with little to no carbs, and no fat… How you say?!! Have a read up on them here, it really is quite interesting – however, i am so used to not eating carbs that they dont really make much different to my everyday eating habits, and i just whipped this one up cause i thought it may fill me up some more!

Noodle Omelette

Stuff you’ll need

1 pkt Miracle Noodles
2 whole eggs
4 egg whites
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Mushrooms
Onion
Any other vegies you so desire

How i did it

First chop all the vegies up evenly. Heat some oil in a pan and fry the mushrooms until brown and moisture has come out. Fry off the onions, then add the rest of the vegies and stir fry for a minute or so.

Remove from the pan and set aside for a minute. Drain the noodles (they are stored in liquid) and add the the eggs and egg whites, whisk the noodles and eggs together with a splosh of cold water. Re-heat the pan with some olive oil in it, make sure the pan is well coated or the eggs will stick. Pour the egg and noodle mixture into the pan and cook for a jiffy before adding the vegies and cooking for another jiffy. Once the omlette is mostly set place under a preheated grill for yet another jiffy…

Then WOOLA! Done and ready to be eaten

Filed Under: Cooking, Everyday Foods, My Miracles Life Begins

An Old Winter Favorite

July 5, 2011 0 Comments

Once again it may not be the most attractive meal but lately i have been all about quick and easy meals, with DH coming home later in the afternoons these days, and my choofing off to the gym the second he gets home, i have been searching for meals that i can prepare in the early afternoon and make ready for when i return home & have the baby tucked in.

One of my winter favorites has always been curried sausages, and diet or no diet, this one is not only easy to prepare, but if you dont want the potatoes on the side – just add more of your favorite green vegies!

Curry Sausages

Stuff you’ll need

2 sausages per person (i use kanga bangers – 98% fat free)
Cabbage
Carrot
Celery
Zucchini (another option)
Broccoli (another option)
Cauliflower (another option)
1/2 – 1 tbls curry powder
1 tbls Greens Gravy Granules
1/2 cup boling water
Chicken stock (or beef or vegetable)

How i did it

Preheat the oven to 180 deg cel. Chop all the vegies and place in an oven proof dish. Place the sausages in the oven proof dish with the vegies. Mix the curry powder with the gravy granules and pour boiling water over it, stir until the gravy granules disolve. Mix the sauce with about a cup of the stock and pour over the vegies, mix the sauce through. Cover the dish with alfoil and place in the oven for about an hour, stirring occasionally. If the sauce hasnt reduced enough in this time, uncover the dish and cook for a further 15 minutes, checking in and stirring it every 5 (just to make sure the tops of the vegies dont burn)

DONE.

ENJOY.

Filed Under: Cooking, Everyday Foods, My Miracles Life Begins, Nine to Twelve Months

Something Different for lunch

June 21, 2011 0 Comments

While i love my usual frittata for lunch, which i MUST find time to post soon, i decided this week to have / try something a little different. So this week i attempted a meat loaf. Sounds easy enough i guess, however when you only have 100grams of chicken per serve, and little carbs – how do you do it? And plus the ‘standard’ meat load recipes arnt really that good for you, fatty mince, bread crumbs, tomato & bbq sauces….

So i have come up with the following, it actually worked quite well and tasted awesome with my vegetable sauce!

Vegetable Mediterranean style Meat Loaf

Stuff You’ll Need

2 Zucchini
500grams mushrooms
500grams chicken breast
Onion & Garlic
Greek seasoning
1/4 Cabbage
1 Red Capsicum
Olives
Spinach Leaves
2 eggs

How I did it

First chop the mushrooms in the blender, salt and place in a clean chux or paper towel and into the fridge for a 1/2 hour. Grate the zucchni and do the same as with the mushrooms, this will remove any excess moisture within them and ensure that the mixture isnt watery and doesnt fall apart.

Pre heat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius, and grease a loaf tin.

Remove the mushrooms and zucchini from the fridge and with the pieces still in the chux, squeeze as much juice as you can from the mushrooms and zucchini and place in a large bowl. In the blender mince the chicken onion and garlic, place in the bowl with the mushrooms and zucchini. Chop the cabbage and place in the blender and chop as well, once again adding to the large bowl with the other ingredients. Add in the Greek Seasoning and eggs, and using your hands bring the mixture together. Remove a handful or two of the mixture and place in a smaller bowl. Firmly place the larger qty of the mixture into the loaf tin and set aside.

Cut the capsicum and olives into same size peices, wash and roughly chop the spinich leaves. Place into the smaller bowl with the remaining handfuls of the meat loaf mixture and bring it together using your hands. Firmly pack on top of the other loaf mixture in the loaf tin.

Place in the oven for approximately 1.5 – 2 hours. I knew it was cooked when no more liquids came out of the top / stopped bubbling.

This is 4 – 5 serves, i ate it for lunch & definitely did not need anything else on the side!

Filed Under: Cooking, Everyday Foods, My Miracles Life Begins, Nine to Twelve Months, Weight Loss

Low Carb – No Problem!

June 17, 2011 0 Comments

Have you ever been on a diet and simply just craved something from the ‘old days’? I know many times i am eating my sausages and think, this really just needs some mashy potatoes, or a shepherds pie, why cant you eat a shepherds pie on a low carb diet?

Well i say you can! You just have to have the right trick up your sleeve ;o)

Bangers & Mash

Stuff you’ll need

2 sausages (low fat of course!)
snow peas (or other greens)
4 – 5 ‘florets’ of cauliflower
garlic, peeled
onion

How i did it

So honestly it is easy as 1, 2, 3…

Fry the sausages and onions to you liking, while they are cooking place the cauliflower and peeled garlic into water and boil for about 10-15 minutes, until they are soft – very very soft (when they are just about ready chuck in the snow peas to blanch for a minute or two)
Remove the snow peas from the water and drain the cauliflower and garlic
Place the cauliflower back into the saucepan and back on the heat to remove a little of the moisture, and mash with a little salt and pepper.

Doneskies. Now all you have to do is place the snow peas on the plate, the sausages and onions should be cooked, and the fake mash is ready to go! Yummmy! It doesnt obviously taste exactly like mashy potatoes, but it is similar in texture and if your not to concerned about a little dairy, place some creamed cheese in it for a bit more substance – i would defiantly do that if i were making the fake mash for on top of a shepherds pie

Filed Under: Cooking, Everyday Foods, My Miracles Life Begins, Nine to Twelve Months

It’s so simple you will wonder why you didnt make them sooner!

June 15, 2011 0 Comments

Meat patties… Yum! Who doesnt like meat patties?

Well even my husband, whom as you know doesnt eat many of the things i like to eat, eats these ones… And the best bit about them? You dont have to use meat, or you can use another type of meat… Chicken, fish, pork, beef… Or like me – my ol mate skippy, yes thats right i made kanga patties – low in fat, BURSTING with flavour…

Meat Patties – The Healthy Way

Stuff you’ll need

(This serves about 2-3 people makes about 9 patties)

200grams beef mince (or whichever meat you choose, simply just place it in the blender and puree/chop it up)
1/4 cabbage
handful of mushrooms
onion
garlic
carrot grated (if you like)
zucchini grated
1-2 eggs
cumin, paprika, Cayenne pepper, or any other flavor you desire (curry powder is a good one, fish works with ginger and chilli)

How i did it

So… Chop all the vegies up in preparation to placing them in a blender (keep different vegies all separate) i have a small blender so i place bits in at a time, i guess if you have a larger blender just fill it to compacity and chop. I chop up all the vegies to very very fine, i add the spices into the mix when i am chopping the onion and garlic. Once all of the vegies are chopped and the meat is minced, basically so that everything is the same size.

Place all the vegies with the meat and grated zucchini (and carrot if you choose) in a bowl add one egg, and using your hands combine it all together. It should be a medium firm consistency – not as firm as normal beef patties as there is no breadcrumbs in these. You may need to add another egg, or just the egg white depending on how healthy you want to be…

Once all combined, measure out 100grm amounts and roll into patties. Place in the fridge for an hour – moisture will come out of them from the zucchini and mushrooms, but dont worry its all good

Place the fry pan on hot add a splash of oil and fry away as you would with normal patties. It took me a while to perfect the qty’s and egg amount, and i have had some awesome flops with the things falling to pieces, but if you fry one side, turn the heat down and let mostly cook through – when you flip them they should stay together!

Serve with your favorite green vegies…

Filed Under: Cooking, Everyday Foods, My Miracles Life Begins, Nine to Twelve Months, Savory

Eggs need Sauce, but oh what to do when the sauce has more calories than the eggs?

June 10, 2011 0 Comments

Sauce, it is so tasty, so very very tasty, particularly true blue tomato sauce, i mean what could be better than eggs and tomato sauce? The problem is…. You’re eating eggs because your on a diet, so sauce… Well the sauce is a no no – way to many hidden sugars and fats! But if it is one thing i have learned from eating many many eggs it is that you simply can not live without it, so in search for something that would be a tasty side to my eggs while still being ‘good’ for me i came up with a vegetable sauce which has 1/4 of the fat, more protein, PLUS has less than half the carbs than normal tomato sauce has, and to top it off it is home made from fresh ingredient, so really its just 100% better for you than the old tomato sauce is.

Roast Vegetable Sauce

Stuff you’ll need

2 capsicums
3 tomatoes
1 medium size egg plant
3-4 onions
1 garlic bulb
vinegar
granulated sweetener such as stevia
Cayenne pepper

How i did it

Place all the vegetables in an oven proof dish, dont peel the onions or garlic – but slice them in half. Sprinkle some salt over and place them in a pre heated oven – about 200 degrees (Celsius) cook for about an hour or until the eggplant is cooked through & gooey inside. Remove from the oven and let cool, once cooled remove the seeds from the capsicum the skins from the onions and garlic, the skin from the eggplant and the core from the tomatoes – some may like to peel the capsicum and tomatoes but i dont because there are lots of good neautrience in the skins!

Roughly chop the peeled and cored vegetables and place in a saucepan with about 1/2 cup of vinegar, 1/4 cup sweetener, and about a 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper (if you like it hot) place on medium heat and bring to the bubble, turn down the heat to low and let simmer for about 1/2 an hour. Once the sauce has reduced a little, use a stick blender and puree into a sauce. Taste and if it is to your liking place in a jar in the fridge, you may need to adjust the spice, vinegar & sweetener depending on your liking…

The sauce will keep in the fridge for about 2 weeks….

(Normal tomato sauce will have about 107 calories, 2.1 grams protein, 24.5 grams of carbs, 2.1 grams of fat for the same qty)

Filed Under: Cooking, Everyday Foods, My Miracles Life Begins, Nine to Twelve Months

The Sabotages’ in your Fridge….

June 2, 2011 0 Comments

Snacks…

They are the killer.

Snacks, your fridge being loaded with all things naughty and being tired, too tired to think or care about what you are putting in your mouth, the kind of tired where you cant think straight let alone think healthy – moms you know the tired im talking about!

The two most effective things that sabotage diets and healthy lifestyles. That and husbands who have uber fast metabolisms that can eat nachos and drink full fat coke all day and still somehow manage to jump on the scales and loose weight… but thats another story in itself

So, snakes – no not snakes snacks. How do you get over that three-thirtyitis without feeling guilty. Simple. Have something yummy ready to go, something that you can just pull out of the fridge, something like my poached chicken of awesomeness. Now it has taken some time to perfect but i have it pretty much down pat now, and i reckon if you served this with some steamed vegies or on top of a salad, it would make for a really nice dinner that everyone would enjoy!

Poached Chicken of Awesomeness

650 grams of chicken breast
Your favorite herbs ( i particularly like this one at the moment)
Garlic – as much or as little as you like
Olive Oil
Water

How i did it

It doesn't look like much, but trust me.... NomNomNom

Fairly simple really. Put some of the seasoning in a bowl with a small drizzle of oil and the chopped up garlic – it should form a really thick paste. Cut the chicken breasts into 130gram portions – it does take a little skill to get the portions equal weight, but if ou have trouble with that sort of thing try weighing the whole breast first and dividing (thats what i do anywho). Chuck the portioned breasts into the season and garlic mix, toss around, then place the peices in an oven proof dish. Cover the chicken with water to about 3/4 the way up, then cover the dish in foil.

Place in an oven set to about 100 degrees Celsius for about 2 hours. Check it after an hour / hour and a half and make sure its not cooking too fast – ovens vary so much! In my oven it takes about 2 hours, because it is such a low heat you really have to be careful and ensure that the chicken is cooked all the way through, you dont want to get sick – no pink inside and no pink juices.

It did take a little practice to get the cooking time just right, and knowing when it is just cooked as to over cooked, but if you get it right the chicken is so moist and flavorsome and is almost unbelievable!

And the best thing about it? Place it in a container and it stacks nicely in your fridge ready for you when you just feel like something to nibble on. If you like a little cottage cheese but dont want the cracker – try slicing the chicken and dolloping a spoon of cottage cheese on top for a different kind of snack.

And speaking of fridges and freezers and self sabotaging diets – i have honestly found the rule that you pre prepare some meals and have a healthy fridge and freezer to be the best rule…. Check out my pal the fridge…