1250 Calorie Meal Plan

Awesome Like Adrienne Meal Plan

Plain & Simple 6

7 am Breakfast: 3/4 cup plain oatmeal w/ cinnamon with 2 hard-boiled eggs, OR  2 to 3 egg white omelet w/ veggies w/ 1 pc. plain whole grain toast OR veggie/fruit Smoothie with protein powder and flaxseeds. (250 calories)

 

10 am Snack: 3/4 c Greek Plain Yogurt w/ ¼  c fresh berries OR handful of raw almonds with small apple. (150 calories)

 

1 pm Lunch: 3 to 4 oz. grilled chicken breast (or other lean protein source) with half sweet or plain baked potato OR ½ c rice and 1 c vegetable (250 calories)

 

4 pm Snack: Handful of almonds OR plain rice cake with all natural almond butter or peanut butter OR 2 tbsp. humus with raw veggies OR 1 c mixed berries with handful of no salt roasted sunflower seeds or ¼ c granola with skim or almond milk. (150 calories)

 

6:30 pm Dinner: 3 to 4 oz. grilled chicken, steak or fish (or other lean protein source-turkey or pork tenderloin), big green salad or 1 c vegetable, if salad use dash of olive oil dressing, with ½ c quinoa, jasmine rice, sweet potato or in a flat out wrap. (350 calories)

 

9 pm Snack: plain rice cake or celery with 1 tsp. peanut butter (100 calories)

Use my blog to help create new ideas for meals/snacks/smoothies…..this is a general guideline and can be altered if you find comparable items with similar nutritional value and calorie count. Make the most of your calories as far as fiber and protein content-you want those to be high! Keep it fun by changing it up!  The more you care about the variety, the better you will be at sticking to it! Use a “fitness pal app” or something similar to track your calories!   (This is based on 1250 calorie daily diet)

Healthy Enchilada Lasagna

Enchilada lasagna!

So clean and healthy and the whole family will love this one!

What you will need:

12 small white corn tortillas

1/2 or 3/4 lb diced chicken breast or ground turkey (or omit meat for a vegetarian dish or add black beans)

Yellow, orange, red or green pepper-pick at least 2 of those 4

1/2 c chopped onion-which ever kind you like

1 c chopped tomatoes

1/2 c corn-frozen or fresh off the cob

2 cups salsa- I used a pineapple mango flavored for extra flavor

1 c shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 c lime juice

1/4 tbsp unsalted butter

1/4 c hot sauce

Fresh cilantro, pepper, Badia seasoning, red pepper flakes

8 oz Creamy citrus avocado dressing that I got from Whole Foods-which was the inspiration for this entire meal

DIRECTIONS:

1.Layer 5 tortillas on the bottom of the 9 by 13 baking dish then add 1/2 of the meat and veggie mixture that you cooked in a skillet already (add the hot sauce, lime juice, butter and seasonings as  it cooked down in the skillet)

2.Next, add the tomatoes and half of the salsa, half the cheese and then half of the avocado dressing.

3.Layer 4 more tortillas and add the rest of the meat and veggie mix, then repeat step 2.

4.Layer 3 more tortillas and sprinkle remaining cheese on top

Bake uncovered at 400 degrees for 20 to 25 min.

Enjoy!! A

Healthy Whole Grain Penne Pasta w/ ground lamb smothered in pesto garlic lemon sauce

[caption id="attachment_583" align="aligncenter" width="360"] penne with lamb and pesto[/caption]

What you will need:

8 oz Whole grain penne pasta

3/4 lb ground lamb-hard to find but so worth it!

1/2 c feta cheese

2 c spinach leaves

1/3 c pesto paste

1/4 lemon juice

1 cup pasta water

1/2 c skim ricotta cheese

2 tsp minced garlic

1/4 c chopped onion (white or spanish)

salt, pepper to taste

pine nuts to garnish

Optional: 1 c beef stock-mine was homemade from left over short ribs (celery, carrots, onion, basil, oregano and burgundy wine) I am pretty sure this contributed to the awesomeness but you should be fine with low sodium store-bought beef stock or without it at all. Lamb has a very powerful taste all on its own!!

Cooking Directions:

Cook lamb in skillet over med heat and drain fat

Cook pasta and set aside to cool-saving one cup of the pasta water for sauce

Add beef stock, garlic, onion, ricotta, feta, seasonings, pesto paste and  lemon juice to the lamb and mix together well

Let cook for 8 o 10 min on low to med heat then add in pasta water and pasta giving it all a good mix again

Lastly,  add spinach and pine nuts until all melted down and in together then serve

Warning!!! This smells divine from the minute you start to cook the lamb and you will want to taste it several times throughout the cooking process....its just so good!

(p.s. great for kids too! My 3 year old had 2 helpings!!)

(p.p.s remember portion control-you can eat this and not feel guilty about being what feels like  indulgent but remember to save some for lunch the next day!! )

Makes about 5 total servings and I served it with a tomato and feta salad dressed in olive oil and red wine vinegar!

Enjoy!

xoxo-A

 

Twice baked sweet potatoes w/Greek yogurt, ricotta, black beans and blue cheese

 

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes-maybe my favorite thing to eat in the whole world!

Step 1: Microwave sweet potatoes until able to cut in half and scoop out 3/4 of the inside.

Step 2: Add scooped sweet potato to 1 heaping tbsp plain Greek yogurt, 1 heaping tbsp skim ricotta cheese, 1/4 c almond milk (optional), 1/4 c black beans and 1/4 c  crumbled blue cheese.

Step 3: Mix together with hand mixer until well blended and slightly fluffy

Step 4: Bake for 15 to 20 min at 375 degrees

Other combos to try for the stuffing:

Spinach, black beans, Greek yogurt and feta cheese

Ricotta cheese, tuna, red onion and Greek yogurt

Enjoy!

xoxo-A

Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet Potato fries! So simple and a tasty and healthy alternative!!!  I like them better than regular fries!

1.Peel and cut your potatoes into strips

2.Drizzle olive oil over them and sprinkle very lightly with salt, pepper and parsley

3.With hands give them a rumble around  to coat with oil and seasonings

4.Bake in oven for 40 min at 350-turning halfway through

Enjoy!!

xoxo-A

Greek Goddess Pasta

Directions:

Cook 1 lb chicken breast(that you cubed and marinated in a light Greek dressing for about 40 min) then set aside

Cook 3 c whole grain penne pasta noodles and set aside (make sure you save 1 c of the pasta water to add to your sauce)

***SAUCE***

In pan sautee' the following on med for 15 min:

Kalamata olive paste-2 tbsp (I got mine at the local Greek store)

Olive oil-2 tbsp

Garlic-1 tbsp

Red onion-chopped or sliced-1/4 c

Kalamata olives-1/2 c

Feta cheese-1/4 c

Water from pasta-1 c

*1/4 c pine nuts (optional)

*1 tbsp chopped banana peppers (optional)

Season with red pepper flakes, oregano, salt and pepper

Add the pasta and chicken to the kalamata sauce then add 2 c spinach leaves and 1/4 c feta.  Mix everything together and let them blend together for 10 min or so until the spinach is wilted down and everything is well coated in the sauce.

Enjoy!!!

xoxoxo-A

Roasted Acorn Squash w/ parsnips, plums and pinenuts

Directions:

1 acorn squash-cut in half , wrap with foil and bake at 350 for 1 hour

In skillet place 1/4 cup pine nuts, 2 peeled and  chopped parsnips and 2 med chopped plums (skin on)

Over med heat saute pine nuts, plums and parsnips in some honey, olive oil and  a tiny bit of brown sugar for about 10 to 12 min

Transfer mixture to oven to roast for an additional 10 to 12 min

When squash is done scoop out the seeds and stuff with sautéed mixture.

I drizzled some extra honey over top too!

Enjoy!

A

Wasabi, soy and lime tuna pasta salad

 





So simple to make, so good for you and so yummy!

2 cups of your choice of noodle-I used tri colored radiatore-cook , run cold water over and set aside in bowl

2 pouches Starkist white albacore tuna in water-add to cooled pasta

1 avocado-chopped-smother in lime juice after you cut it so it can keep its green color-add to dressing then pour into pasta mix

1/4 c chopped red onion-add to pasta mix

Dressing:

2 tsp honey

4 tsp olive oil

1/2 c lime juice

2 tsp hot sauce

2 tsp wasabi mustard

2 tsp soy sauce

whisk together then add chopped avocado to dressing then add to pasta mix

salt and pepper to taste

finish off with lime zest

yields about ( 4) 1 cup servings

Enjoy!

xoxoxo-A

Coconut & Dates Granola

 

COCONUT & DATES GRANOLA

Pre-heat oven to 380 degrees

mix together the following:

4 c Old Fashioned Oats

1 c raw natural silvered almonds

2 to 3 tbsp honey

1/4 c dark brown sugar

1/4 c cinnamon

Bake  on big cookie sheet, spreading as evenly as you can to ensure even toasting for 15 min

Add 1/4 flaxseed meal, 1 c shredded coconut on top and place back in oven for 10 additional min

***Let cool completely, add 1/2 chopped dates and then place in the fridge to store***

Serving suggestions: 1/4 c topping Greek yogurt, alone when you are hungry in the car or on the go or with milk.

Enjoy!

xoxoxo-A

 

 

 

Granola w/ Pepitas, walnuts, almonds, dried cranberries and mini choc chip morsels

INGREDIENTS:

4 c old-fashioned oats

1 c raw natural sliced almonds

1/2 c chopped walnuts

1/4 c flaxseed meal

1/4 c honey

McCormick's Cinnamon and Sugar grinder-about 2 tbsp or 20 grinds



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mix together and bake for 15 min at 350 degrees, give it a shake around to be careful not to burn any one area and bake for another 10 min. Make sure it is spread thinly and evenly on the pan.

Let cool for 25 min then add:

1 c roasted & salted pepitas (the inside of a pumpkin seed-very high in protein)

1/2 c dried cranberries

1/2 c mini chocolate chip morsels

Makes 8 total cups or 32 servings-a serving size is 1/4 cup.

I love to put mine on Greek yogurt or have it with almond milk. It is very satisfying and helps with my sweet and salty cravings!

Enjoy!

xoxoxo-A

Black Bean Spaghetti

BLACK BEAN SPAGHETTI!

Found this little gem at my local "health food store"-Today's Markey in Oakmont, PA

20 g's of protein per serving!!! Low carbs too!!! This spaghetti was sent from HEAVEN! Love it!

I made mine with about 5 oz of salsa marinated chicken, mangos, red onions, red and orange pepper.

This is so easy!

Marinade your chicken in salsa for at least 30 min or longer if you have time. Cube it, cook it in oven or skillet then set aside. Cook your pasta while you cook up your cut up mango and veggies..... sautee' for 10 min on low heat. Last, add in cooked chicken and cooked spaghetti to the mango and veggies and let them play around in there for another 5 min together adding whatever seasonings you want. Give them all a good stir and toss with some EVOO-Extra Virgin Olive Oil!

This is a very light but very filling dish!

I like to try new things all of the time-that is how I keep my healthy eating habits in check. I will not allow myself to get bored! If you put effort into your planning and cooking you will be completely satisfied eating healthy!

Oh ya-I had a small glass of white wine that I soaked some of the mangos in along with some apples and peaches-delicious!!! Also added some guacamole and a few chips!

Enjoy!!!
xoxoxo-A

Labor of Love LASAGNA!

 By now I think you are starting to understand that I believe you should LOVE your body and therefore want to feed it better with awesome good for you ingredients. This Lasagna is a labor of love but well worth the time put into it! There are  many healthy benefits to cooking it this way vs the traditional way and as always I promise it is just as delicious!!!

Ingredients:

1 to 1 and a half packages of lasagna noodles-WHOLE WHEAT (using whole wheat won't make you feel all icky and full after like white pasta does)

1 lb lean ground turkey meat

2 sweet sausage links or about 5 oz total

1/4 cup chopped onion

1 and a half cups chopped mushrooms

1 and a half jars of sauce-I used fire roasted organic

24 oz container of 2% cottage cheese

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

1 cup shredded skim mozzarella

Italian seasonings-I used basil, rosemary, garlic and red pepper flakes

I whole zucchini-peeled and shredded to use as  a layer

Step 1:

Cook ground turkey and sweet sausage over med heat in skillet for 10 to 12 min. Add in seasonings, onions and mushrooms for another 5 to 6 min.

Step 2:

Mix cheese mixture-cottage, parmesan and mozzarella in a bowl so it is ready as part of the lasagna assembly line......That is the fun part-putting it all together!!!



Step 3:

Cook your noodles or not depending on what the package says you can do then start to build your lasagna in this order:

noodles

sauce

cheese

meat

zucchini

Repeat ending with noodles and sauce on top. Sprinkle with a little bit more cheese-but remember this is "healthy lasagna" not "good old-fashioned lasagna" so easy on the cheese on top!!! Bake at 375 for 45 min.

This is great for dinner and then even better for leftovers the next few days!!!!

ENJOY!!!

XOXOXO-A

Baked Black Bean Pita Pockets

I love black beans! These can be made vegetarian if you like.  I added hot sausage to ours.

Ingredients:

Whole wheat pita pockets

1 can black beans

1/4 c chopped onion

1 c yellow pepper-or color of your choice

1 avocado

1/4 c shredded cheese

lime juice

olive oil

6 oz chopped meat-if you wish (chicken, pork or sausage)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and Combine all ingredients except for avocado and cheese in skillet. Heat in skillet for 12 min with lime juice and olive oil-tsp of each. Season with pepper, red pepper flakes, cilantro (and whatever spices you want)  Line the pockets thinly with smashed avocado and fill with the bean, veggie and meat mixture. Bake for 10 min then add hot sauce (if you wish) and cheese and bake for 5 more minutes.

Makes 3 servings or 6 half pockets

Total time 30 min-15 prep-15 bake

Enjoy!
xoxoxo-A

 

Healthy Zucchini Apple and Walnut Muffins

HEALTHY ZUCCHINI, APPLE AND WALNUT  MUFFINS

 

INGREDIENTS:

1 c Bran Muffin Mix

1 c Flaxseed Meal-we love flax!

1/2 c chopped Walnuts

1/2 c chopped peeled Apple

3/4 c chopped peeled Zucchini

1 c water

3 tbsp unsweetened applesauce

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp honey

2 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp ginger

Makes 12 mini muffins and 6 regular muffins

Spray pan with Pam or cooking spray. Oven on 350-minis take about 12 min, regular take about 15 min. 

 Top with tsp of apple butter-extra yummy!!!

White bean, wheat berries, tomato & mozzarella salad

Ingredients:

Mozzarella pearls

Chicken cubed lightly seasoned-salt, pepper, red pepperflakes and parsley

Chopped tomato

Wheat berries

Chopped celery

Chopped onion

Mixed together with olive oil and red wine vinegar

Tips: chill the wheat berries and chicken in the fridge after they cook before adding them to the mixture.

It's even better hours later after all of the flavors have had a chance to marry together!

 

Enjoy-A

 

Santa Fe Chicken Salad

[caption id="attachment_390" align="aligncenter" width="630"] Santa Fe Chicken Salad-loaded with goodies-loaded with flavor-loaded with protein and veggies![/caption]

The other night I made a delicious Santa Fe Chicken Salad! I want to share it with you!

I marinated the chicken in lemon juice, lime juice and salsa just for an hour. Once I put everything together in the giant salad bowl  I baked it for 25 min at 350 degrees turning it at the halfway point- just like this in this pan.

[caption id="attachment_391" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Marination-makes it more moist and delicious![/caption]

Next I chopped up peppers, red onions, asparagus, tomatoes, green onion, lettuce, basil and cubed some cheese-cheddar and mozzarella blend. I let the chicken marinade for a while as I chopped everything up.....



Last, I made my own dressing using the ingredients pictured below.....

[caption id="attachment_393" align="alignleft" width="1024"] Make your own dressing-it is so easy!!![/caption]

The amazing avocado!

AVOCADO!

HOW

AMAZING

ARE

YOU?

 

 

 

 

 

Sharing with you 2 of my favorite ways to eat avocados! On the left- Egg white, mozzarella cheese, salsa and avocado breakfast sammie and on the right- Avocado and orange salad with pinch of sea salt and dash of olive oil!

Health benefits of avocados and other "good" fats:

"Avocados have a mild, nutty taste and creamy texture. This makes them suitable as a substitute for unhealthy fats you might normally add to foods. For example, spreading a bagel with 1 oz. of mashed avocado rather than butter can save 18g of fat and nearly 150 calories."Read more:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/28507-avocado-nutrition/#ixzz26AtcSOBz

http://www.livestrong.com/article/271767-the-calories-nutrients-in-an-avocado/

 

 

 

Breakfast or anytime sandwich made with "Flatout" Foldouts 5 Grain Flax flatbread-I really enjoy these!!! This is what I used in the one pictured.

http://www.flatoutbread.com/products/foldit-artisan-flatbread/5-grain-flax/

 

 Healthy fats: Remember 1 part good fat per meal! Food 101 tips:

http://awesomelikeadrienne.wordpress.com/2012/06/12/foodlifestyle-basics-101/

 

Other "GOOD" FATS and more info:

http://www.helpguide.org/life/healthy_diet_fats.htm

• Olive oil


• Canola oil


• Sunflower oil


• Peanut oil


• Sesame oil


• Avocados


• Olives


• Nuts (almonds, peanuts, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, pecans, cashews)


• Peanut butter

The avocado and orange salad that I will have for a "snack" is drizzled with olive oil-drizzeled not drenched remember.....good fat is still fat.

Later in the afternoon I will have a handful of almonds-so by the time dinner rolls around I will have had 4 servings of "good" fats that are delicious and so good for me!!! My snack this evening will be celery and peanut butter so all in all 5 good fat servings by the time my head hits the pillow tonight. That makes me happy!

 

Hope you realize that there is a better way to eat after reading this post. A better, cleaner, do good for your body way to eat....once you turn the corner you will never look back. Start today my friends!

 

xoxoxo-A