Thursday, December 28, 2006

YUMMY MONDAYS- BUFFALO CHICKEN BITES


PREP TIME: 25 MINUTES
COOKING TIME: 15 MINUTES

BLUE CHEESE DRESSING-
3 Tbsp (3/4 oz) crumbled blue cheese
1/3 c fat free sour cream
2 tsp finely chopped scallion
1/2 tsp white wine vinegar


CHICKEN BITES-2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (10 oz total), cut into 1" cubes
1 scallion finely chopped
2 1/2 Tbsp mild cayenne pepper sauce
1 Tbsp butter, melted
3 ribs celery, cut into 2" sticks

1 c baby carrots



1. To make the blue cheese dressing: In small bowl, mash cheese and sour cream with back of spoon. Stir in scallion and vinegar until blended. Set aside.

2. To make the chicken bites: Preheat oven to 400*F. In medium bowl, toss chicken, scallion and 1 tablespoon of the pepper suace. Thread chicken on twelve 6" bamboo skewers, using two pieces of chicken per skewer. Arrange on foil-lined baking sheet. Bake 15 minutes or until cooked through.

3. Meanwhile, in small bowl, toss remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons pepper sauce and butter.

4. Arrange cooked chicken skewers on half of serving platter in single layer. Brush chicken with pepper sauce. Place celery and carrots on platter and serve with dressing.

Makes 4 servings

PER SERVING 150 CALS, 19 G PROTEIN, 5 G CARBS, 2 G SUGAR, 6 G FAT, 1 G FIBER

IF BUFFALO WINGS MAKE YOUR KNEES GROW WEAK, TRY THIS SPICY VERSION. THESE BITES HAVE THE SAME FEISTY FLAVOR, BUT THEY AREN'T LADEN WITH SATURED FAT. NAPKINS ARE A MUST! LESS IS MORE WHEN IT COMES TO THE DRESSING AND YOUR CALORIE COUNT PER SERVING WILL GO DOWN DRASTICALLY! ALSO THESE ARE QUITE FUN FOR A HEALTHY TREAT AT ANY GATHERING. ENJOY!

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

The Spirit of the Season


I love all Holidays. I go a little OVERBOARD decorating for every holiday, whether its Halloween, St. Patrick's Day or the Grand Daddy of all Holidays... Christmas. Considering the many blessings that our family has been given, it's important to Bret and I to teach our children the joy of giving. We know how important it is to make sure that less fortunate families are taken care of. For years we have kicked off the holiday season with a huge Kids' Christmas Party.


Of course we invite the Big Man in his red suit to join us. We hire a local company to bring one of Santa's helpers and arrive on a big red fire truck.

(I love this picture of our family. Nothing better than "real" photos. If you look closely you'll see that Cierra's face is covered in chocolate from a cookie which she's brushing off her hands. Brock is hilarious. I love my crazy family. I love the chaos and fun that this photo captures. I came "this close" to making it our Christmas card photo :)





We invite every kid (and parental units) we come in contact with over the past year and the only way you can get into the party is by bringing an unwrapped new toy for the Spark of Love Toy drive. it's a great way for me to get together with my best girls too. From Left, Angie (as seen in Cardio Party 3, Monica, as seen in "You want more pump?" and Cardio Party 3, yours truly, Danielle, as seen in Cardio Party Remix and Booty Sculpt, and Cindy, as seen in 3T. Its rare for us to see each other all showered and glammed up. 5 days a week this group meets before the sun comes up for a quick Turbo workout at 5:45 am. Oh and that little tiny one in the pink hat is Monica's daughter (one of her triplets) doing her best to sneak into the picture.


This year was fantastic. The men and women at the Mission Viejo Fire Station spend many hours organizing, collecting and distributing toys to families in our community who are most in need. My favorite moment is driving away from the fire station. It always makes me cry thinking about the happiness of those kids on Christmas morning or the relief the parents will feel knowing that their children will feel special on Christmas morning. This was our 9th year of hosting a toy drive kid's party. It's fun for the kids and serves a meaningful purpose.


As a family, we did something a little different this year. Instead of spending countless hours and dollars searching for presents for the adults in our immediate family, this year we decided to only buy for the kids and pool the money that we would have spent on the adults and use that money to help the less fortunate. With the help of my awesomely organized sister-in-law, Dana, we found the perfect charity, The Orangewood Children's Home.






This facility provides education, training, mentoring, housing and custodial care for unplaced foster children. Located in the heart of Orange, California, we drove up to the facility which is located between the county courthouse and juvenile hall. The the facility is very nice, quiet and clean, you can't help but notice the view of coiled barb wire fence topping the 40 foot chain length fence of the yard to juvenile hall, a stark reminder of where many of these children end up without the love and guidance of a parent.

Bret and I decided we wanted to donate something that would give these kids pleasure for more than a couple of days. We wanted to bring them something that could help them be active and fit and a moment to "escape", at least mentally. The perfect fit seemed to be bikes.

Together we visited the local Toys R Us and persuaded the manager to assemble 25 bikes for us before Christmas. We explained the purpose of our mission and the need for all the bikes to be ready on this "exact date". She graciously waived half of the assembly fees to help our cause.

My father and mother-in-law purchased helmets and toys to go with the bikes. They also arranged to have a truck pick up and transport the assembled bikes. Dana and my brother in law Rob hit Target. They filled shopping carts with electronics, t.v's, games, Playstations and gifts perfect for teens.



We took the kids out of school a few hours early. Bret and I both agreed that the lesson of giving back to your community is far more valuable than anything they could have learned in school that day. Together we unloaded the bikes, helmets, toys and electronics into a spare locker room located on the facility grounds. It was the best hour of our holiday season. I had goose bumps thinking about how exciting it was a kid to see that Santa had left you a new bike.

The idea became a valuable lesson for our children, a heart warming moment for our family, and a gift for children who have been dealt a hand they didn't ask for and don't deserve. (Photo of Brock and Cierra holding my only Niece, Tatum. (You've never seen a happier or cuter baby girl! Swear!) What I didn't expect was the gift of time it was for us! Wow! What a difference. This year we didn't run around finding presents for adults who are 'hard to shop for', spending hours tracking down sizes, colors and the store that still has "it" in stock. There was no last minute speed demon wrapping, saving receipts, crossing fingers and hoping someone liked what you picked out. As a result we were able to spend several nights driving around with the kids looking at Christmas lights, time with friends, baking with the kids, reading Christmas stories and generally, for the first time in many years, a relaxed and peaceful holiday season. What a blessing!

And... Christmas eve, as family assembled to exchange presents with the children, we all reminisced on what a wonderful day that had been. We also agreed to do the same next year. I purposed the idea to our family after seeing "Oprah's" Favorite Things show . Expecting her to give thousands and dollars worth of "things", I was surprised and inspired by her idea to give everyone $1,000 to see what "good" they could do with it. I hope that her show inspired others as it did our family. I truly felt that this year and years to come we will feel the true spirit of the season.

So many people have helped Bret and me. So many strangers have given me their support and encouragement to follow my heart and my passion for life and fitness. I could never repay each individual. All I can do is pay it forward in every opportunity and when there isn't an opportunity...make one. The greatest gift is to be able to give to others. I am thankful for the amazingly fulfiling life I have and the people who surround me. I am thankful for an amazing family, friends who share my values and the people who I may never get to meet, but who inspire me to do more. I love you.

Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

YUMMY MONDAYS: Granola Fruit Kabobs













1/2 cup granola
1/2 medium apple, cut into chunks
1/2 small banana, cut into chunks
1/2 cup fresh pineapple chunks
1 container of Light N Fit DANNON yogurt (you pick your favorite)

lemon juice

Cut fruit and toss with small amount of lemon juice to prevent browning then take your skewer and arrange your fruit however you may prefer. Place granola in a clean pie pan. To coat fruit, first dip the skewer (or just drizzle over all the fruit) in yogurt, then granola, covering each fruit with just enough granola to to add a crunch to each bite. Remember granola, although good for you, does have quite a bit of calories so don't over due it! As long as you don't overdue it o that granola you are looking at a super healthy and yummy treat for 150 cals!

Note:
While you can cut up fruit in advance, do not coat fruit until it is time to serve. Also feel free to use whatever fruit you may love the best!!! There are so many varieties with this tasty treat!! Have fun with it!!

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

YUMMY MONDAYS-CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT FLOURLESS CAKE

PREP TIME 20 MINUTES
COOKING TIME 30 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS:
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 c blanched hazelnuts or almonds
8 Tbsp splenda
3 oz bittersweet chocolate
1/2 c reduced fat sour cream
2 egg yolks
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
5 egg whites, at room temperature
1/4 tsp salt
* fresh sliced strawberries for serving (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350*F. Generously coat 8" or 9" springform pan with 2 teaspoons of the butter and dust with 1 tablespoon of the cocoa (don't tap out excess cocoa; leave in pan)

2. In food processor, combine nuts with 1 tablespoon of the splenda until finely ground.

3. In top of double boiler over barely simmering water, melt chocolate and remaining 4 teaspoons of butter, stirring occasionally, until smooth.

4. Remove from heat. Place chocolate mixture in large bowl. Add nut mixture, sour cream, egg yolks, vanilla extract, cinnamon, 5 tablespoons of remaining sugar, and remaining 2 tablespoons cocoa. Stir until blended.

5. In another large bowl, with electric mixer on high speed, beat egg whites and salt until foamy. Gradually add remaining 2 tablespoons splenda, beating until whites hold stiff peaks when beaters are lifted.

6. Stir one-quarter of beaten whites into choclate mixture to lighten up. Gently fold in remaining whites. Spoon into prepared pan. Gently smooth top.

7. Bake 30 minutes or until cake has risen and is dry on top, and wooden pick inserted in center comes out with few moist crumbs. Cool on rack until warm.

MAKES 12 SERVINGS

PER SERVING: NUTRITION FACTS:
140 CALS, 4 G PROTEIN, 10 G CARBS,
4 G SAT FAT, 46 MG CHOL, 1 G FIBER,
80 MG SODIUM

HERE IS ANOTHER TASTY TREAT FOR THE HOLIDAYS. ONE LITTLE TIP THOUGH THAT I LOVE TO DO IS TO ADD THE FRESH BERRIES (RASBERRIES ARE A GOOD SUBSTITUTE TOO) AND THEN READY FOR THIS...DRUM ROLL PLEASE....IN A SMALL BOWL HEAT UP SUGAR FREE HERSHEYS SYRUP IN THE MICROWAVE AND DRIZZLE ON TOP... NOW WE ARE TALKING!!!! ENJOY!

Thursday, December 07, 2006

YUMMY MONDAYS: SUPER CREAMY, YET "HEALTHY," DEVILED EGGS

PREP TIME 20 minutes
COOKING TIME 12 minutes
CHILLING TIME 1 hour

6 lg eggs
1/3 c canned white kidney beans or butter beans rinsed and drained
1 1/2 Tbsp light mayonnaise
1/2 tsp mustard powder



1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 c finely chopped celery
1/4 c shredded carrots
1 Tbsp thinly sliced chives or scallions
Pinch of paprika on top

1. Place eggs in medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer slowly 12 minutes. Cool under cold running water. Shell by tapping eggs against side of pan and gently removing shells.

2. Cut eggs lengthwise in half. Place 4 whole yolks in bowl of mimi food processor and discrad remaining two yolks. Add beans, mayonnaise, mustard and pepper. Blend mixture until smooth. Add celery, carrots, and chives. Process using pulses, just until vegetables are incorporated.

3. Spoon filling into hollows of whites, mounding to fill. Place egg halves on platter, cover with plastic, and refrigerate at 1 hour. (can be made up to one day in advance) Serve cold.

6 SERVINGS
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PER SERVING:
100 cal, 7 g protein, 4 g carbs, 1 g sugar, 6 g fat, 2 g sat fat, 215 mg chol, 1 g fiber, 120 mg sodium

Here is a recipe that is just in time for the holidays because as we all know there are always, always healthy alternatives of some of the holiday constants. And just think any little corners that you can cut now, will show after the holidays. I love these deviled aggs because the vegetables give it a bit of a crunch, yet it is still creamy like those deviled eggs we all grew so much to love. If you really want to knock off the calories, I know you can find non fat mayo and that will lower the count even more. But remember dont tell the whole fam how healthy they are because they just may be a little hesitant to try if they think that they are too healthy!