The Perfect Pizza

The Perfect Pizza

My side is the mushroom side haha

Buon Giorno! This creation was inspired by a consistent craving....who does not love pizza?!?! I want to enjoy the popular dish without the Fat, Carbs, Calories, muffin top....ugh anyway. So after doing some research it seems that Cauliflower is still the most popular fill in for carb dishes. This vegetable can be morphed into most white carb dishes without the carbs and does not sacrifice taste! YAY for Low Carb! I know its way easier to call the Pizza Delivery guy and have this "Carby" treat delivered to your door but what is more comforting than knowing what’s in your food, its made the way you like it, it is healthier for you and you don't have to wonder if the teenage pizza tech dropped your food on the floor (Trust me...it happens - at least we know our floor is clean! haha). So this dish is so exciting because you can adjust it to your liking! I will give you the basics and then set you free to add what you would like. My nutrition will include everything except toppings (includes sauce and cheese) but I will give you some great tips on making this as healthy as possible ;) I got your back!

Ingredients List:

Short and Sweet today ;)



Our Skinny Ingredients (The eggs whites missed the Photo-shoot - Camera Shy I guess)



Crust:

4 oz. Soft Goat Cheese

Small Head of Cauliflower (only need two cups)

2 Egg Whites

1/2 - 1 Tbsp. Garlic Powder

1 Tsp. Dried Basil

1/4 Tsp. Black Pepper

1/8 Tsp. Sea Salt

Pam (Always need a little Pam in our life)

Topping:

5oz Goat Cheese Mozzarella

Pizza Sauce - I used wolfgang Puck Arriabata Sauce - I highly suggest making your own pizza sauce to cut back on sugar, fat and other undesirable ingredients :) - (E-mail or message me for a yummy pizza sauce recipe)

Any Veggies and Meat you choose! (Keep it lean sweetheart!)

Kitchen Tools:

Really Easy today ;)



Our own little Pizza Parlor!



Pizza Pan

Pizza Cutter

Measuring Cup

Cheese Grater

Measuring Spoons (What do we always say??? Measure Measure Measure and you will see results!)

Knife (To tackle that cauliflower!)

2 -Medium Bowls (Needs to fit at least two cups of cauliflower and spices. Microwavable safe)

Cutting Board

Spatula

Directions to the Perfect Pizza:

- Preheat Over at 450 Degrees

- Pull out soft goat cheese so it can reach room temperature

- Wash and cut of a portion of your Cauliflower Head (Needs to equal 2 Cups Roughly)

- Grate Cauliflower into your Medium Bowl - It will look similar to "Rice"(Watch your fingers! Be careful when grating, if cauliflower reaches a point where it is hard to work with you can chop it into small pieces or discard the remainder)

- Measure out 2 Cups and heat on high in your microwave for 5 Minutes (Cauliflower will shrink about 3/4 C - Just a friendly FYI)

Cauliflower Prep Success! :)

- While Cauliflower is heating mix Basil, Pepper, Sea Salt, Garlic, Soft Goat Cheese and Egg Whites in your additional Medium Bowl.

- Let Cauliflower cool for a minute. (Caution!!! VERY HOT! Thank you (; )

- Add Cauliflower to crust ingredients and mix well.

- Spray Pizza Pan generously with Pam (Less on the pan is more in our Tummies!)

- Pour Crust mixture onto pan

- Spread outward and evenly into an 11-12" diameter crust about 1/4-1/2" thick.

- Spray the top of your crust with Pam Generously (Pam is going to help us make our crust crispy - love you Pam)

- Place Pan on middle rack of your oven.

Omigosh! Almost Done!

- Bake Pizza at 450 degrees for 17-20 Minutes or until edges are golden brown and the middle is firm.

- Remove Crust from oven and top with 1/2 C and 2 Tbsp. of Pizza Sauce spreading evenly.

- Top with 5oz Mozzarella Goat Cheese and whatever other veggies and meat sound super-duper yummy to you!!! Peppers, onions, Mushrooms, Turkey Sausage, Chicken ect ect ect the world is your oyster...enjoy!

- Place pizza back into the oven on the middle rack and bake at 450 degrees for an additional 4-6 minutes or until it is golden brown on the edges (cook less or more depending on how you like it, that’s why pizza is so great! you can customize it!!!)

5 more minutes 5 more minutes 5 more minutes

- Remove from oven and let it coooooool.....

- While your pizza is cooling, clean up and set the table! Dinner is served Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm Magnifico!

The Skinny on the Nutrition:

Yields 8 Slices

Serving Size - 1 Slice

Without Sauce and Cheese

Calories........................ 47

Carbs........................... 2g

Fat............................... 2.5g

Sugar........................... 1.5g

Protein......................... 3g

Fiber............................ <1g

With Sauce and Cheese (includes crust, sauce and cheese)

Calories........................ 126

Carbs........................... 6g

Fat............................... 9g

Sugar........................... 4g

Protein......................... 8g

Fiber............................ 1.5g

**All nutrition is based off portions and brand suggestions

Too Much FAT???? Want to cut the fat but not the taste???

Instead of using Goat Cheese Mozzarella try using Fat Free Feta, still has zero sugar, low carb and is chalk full of protein without lacking that delicious flavor! I would suggest adding more than 5 oz. A great brand to look for is "President"!

Great on Salads Too!

Nutrition for President Fat Free Feta

Serving Size - 1 oz

Calories........................ 35

Carbs........................... 1g

Fat............................... 0g

Sugar........................... 0g

Protein......................... 7g

Fiber............................ 0g

Thanks for Stopping By! Hope you enjoy your dinner!

See you again next week :)

XOXO

Magan

Time to Go Running!!

OMG Oatmeal Cookies!!!

I love cookies yes I do! My tummy loves loves loves cookies so much too! Soon so will you! La La La La - Haha this is my Oatmeal Cookie Sugar-less High! Yes I said SUGAR-LESS Cookies! This is not false advertisement, it's legit! So if you love sweets as much as myself you will be right on this bad boy faster than flies on....well, ya know...never mind. Ok so let's get down to business! These cookies take some prep so please bring that creativity we love! I subbed out a lot of your everyday ingredients to create a much Happier, Healthier and Leaner Oatmeal Cookie. If you could imagine a cookie with a 6 pack, ripped arms, a great jaw line and an all around chiseled physique with an Australian accent (that's for the ladies - we love accents especially Australian ones!) this is the cookie! A cookie that the "Cookie Monster" himself would appreciate! Alright now that I got you amped up, let's get baking!



Even Sesame Street's "Cookie Monster" went healthy for 2012



Grocery List


Shopping Tip: Find a local store that sells Oats by the pound (Self-Serve), I find that it is cheaper to buy whole than buying the small packs. "Thank you Magan!" - Your Wallet :)


4.5 C Rolled Oats
1 C Stevia - My Sweet tooth has a crush on you, I think its love!
1/2 C Almond Butter - Yum Yum Yum
1/2 C - Coconut Oil - People Read up on this stuff! It has over 50 uses! No Joke!
3 Large Egg Whites
1/2 C Walden Farms Pancake Syrup - If you cannot find this use sugar free syrup :)
2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
1 Tsp Baking Soda
1.5 Tsp Ground Cinnamon (Did you know that Cinnamon is a fat burner??? True Story!)
1 Tsp Salt (Sea salt is great! Scale back just a hair if you use it (: )
PAM - BFF's Forever!

Your Ingredients

Kitchen Tools


- Blender - We will use this with a lot of my recipes
- Measuring Cup
- Measuring Spoons - I stress measuring everything! It is so important in reaching your goals!
- Mixing Bowl - Large and Medium
- Fork or Whisk - Use what you are comfortable with - We need these to cream together our eggs, sugar and syrup
- Cookie Sheet
- Cooling Rack - I usually cool my cookies on wax paper, use what you are use to!
- Positive Mental Attitude

Your Tools!

PS for Christmas I would Love All Orange Kitchen Tools *hint *hint ;)

Directions:


- Preheat your Oven to 350 Degrees
- Measure 1.5 C Rolled Oats and Blend until they are powder form (Pulse on High is Great)
- Mix Almond Butter, Coconut oil (heat almond butter and coconut oil in the microwave for 30 seconds prior for easy use), Stevia, Egg Whites, Vanilla Extract and Pancake Syrup
- Mix until creamy and smooth (We do not like lumps)
- Mix Oat Flour, Salt, Baking Soda, Cinnamon
- Combine Creamed Mixture and Dry Mixture until Smoooooooth
- Add one Cup of Rolled Oats at a time to creamed mixture until all is combined and evenly mixed


The Hard Part is All Done!

- Time to pull out your Cookie Sheet and Spray it down with PAM (We Love You Pam!) (The Less stuck to the Pan is more in our Tummies!!!)
- Portion your cookies into approximately 1" x 1" balls or I like to use an Ice Cream Scooper for Perfect Portions! (Not like I ever get to use it for Ice Cream hahaha) - You should get 24 Cookies out of this batch.
- Place Pan on Middle Rack in our Pre-heated Oven (this is ensuring even baking! No Burnt Bottoms on our Cookies!)

- Bake time is between 10 and 13 minutes, check at 10 minutes and cook longer if needed.
- While our cookies are baking let's clean up! No time wasted in our kitchen! We are far too busy :)
- Once your cookies have a nice golden brown edge they are DONE! YAY!
- When removing them from the oven please be careful because they are HOT!
- Let cool for 10 minutes and ENJOY!
(I love mine with unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk! Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm!)

The Skinny on the Nutrition:
Serving Size - 1 Cookie

Calories........................ 84

Carbs........................... 6g

Fat............................... 6g

Sugar........................... 0g

Protein......................... 2g

Fiber............................ 1g

***All nutrition is based off recommended brands and portions.

Too Much Fat for You!?!? Want a Cookie with Less Fat that is Sweeter?!?!

All you have to do is remove the Almond butter and Substitute it with one overly ripe Medium Banana! Cut your baking time down to 10-11 Minutes and Voila! Bananas are the Best! Hooray for Less Fat!

Your Nutrition with a Banana Substitute:
Serving Size - 1 Cookie

Calories........................ 55

Carbs........................... 6g

Fat............................... 3g

Sugar........................... <1g

Protein......................... 1.5g

Fiber............................ <1g

***All nutrition is based off recommended brands and portions.

Want to make this EVEN BETTER!!! Did you Do Extra Cardio? Want to Jazz it up???

Let's add one square of Simply Lite's "Dark Sugar Free Chocolate" to each Cookie!

Best Sugar Free Chocolate
Hands Down!!!
You can Find these online or at Trader Joes

- Did you know: Recent studies show eating a small amount of dark chocolate 2-3 times a week can actually improve your blood flow! This may help prevent the formation of blood clots, lower your blood pressure and hardening of your arteries! Now that's a Delicious Fact!
- Dark Chocolate is also full of antioxidants! Thank you Dark Chocolate for keeping my skin Gorgeous and Youthful!
Resources: Fitday.com and longevity.com



Chocolaty Goodness MmmmMmmm
So my "Round" Cookie needs work! Ha Ha


 
Add to your Skinny Nutrition:
Serving Size - 1 square

Calories........................ 33

Carbs........................... 5g

Fat............................... 2.6g

Sugar........................... 0g

Protein......................... 0g

Fiber............................ 1g


Thank you for stopping by for the sweet read! Hope to see you again!

XOXO

Magan



My Newest Member in My Kitchen
Gadget and Gizmo Collection!
I was totally Excited! (Clearly haha)
Cake Pop Maker! We are SO Using this Soon!



I Can't Believe it's Not Mashed Potatoes!

Ok so here’s the deal, I love carbs, I live for carbs, I dream about carbs but carbs DO NOT love me (Haters) :(. So what we need to do is tell a little white lie to our taste buds, tummy and that little voice in our head that says "hey...hey you....how about some garlic bread, cheesy pasta and a small pie for dinner?!?!??!" (Completely normal right???) They will never know if we don't tell! Now to solve this delicious dilemma I have a taken a few recipes create by others, tweaked them and made it my own. My boyfriend LOVES this stuff!!! What we are working with here is Faux Mashed Potatoes! That’s right people I said you can eat Mashed Potatoes! Ok I am drooling! So here’s the skinny, they are not real mashed potatoes (had ya going though haha) they are actually going to be cauliflower mashed "potatoes". I know that this idea of using cauliflower has become wildly popular but you have never had mine! HA! I cut out all the bad and only added the good...because that’s what friends are for :). Ok now that we established I got your back and we are friends let's get down to business and get this cauliflower dreaminess cookin'! (Please note: do not tell your children this is a vegetable - warning they will resist trying it - remember little white lie..shhhh...).

Magnificent Mashed!

Your Grocery List:
(List Tip - I make a list on my phone, since that thing is growing out of my ear I am surly not to forget my list)


Medium Head of Cauliflower (approx 26.5 oz)
1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (This is our good fat - remember to try to take in about 7g of good fat per meal!)
4 oz Goat Cheese - Room Temp (Let's give Bessie a break and try some goats cheese (:  )
1/2 C Chives (Half bundle of green onions is perfect! Not a fan? No worries this is optional)
2 Tsp Garlic Salt
Pam (Nice to see ya again BFF)


Kitchen Gadgets and Gizmos:


Large Microwave Safe Bowl
Dicing - Chopping - Slicing Knife (Emeril Eat your Heart Out)
Large Cutting Board
Measuring Spoons
Shallow Glass Baking Dish (approx 13" x 9" pan - Glass is easier for my maid me to clean afterward)
Large Spoon or Spatula for Stirring
Blender (Random right!)
Measuring Cup (We will not need this until the end - Portion Control is Protocol for Fitness Perfection)

Select Your Weapon

Directions to Magnificent Mashed


- Preheat Oven to 410 Degrees
- Wash the Cauliflower and chop into small pieces.
- Place chopped Cauliflower into Large bowl
- Add 1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil to Cauliflower and Mix thoroughly
- Heat Cauliflower and Oil on high in microwave for 6-8 minutes (If your microwave cooks at a higher lever cook more towards the 6 minutes or until vegetable is tender) Stir at 3-4 minutes
- Let Cauliflower cool for approx 3-5 minutes
- Add Cauliflower mixture to Blender (it's all making sense now right?!) Place Goat Cheese into Blender
- Blend on High (Puree) Stopping to stir mixture periodically. (This is hard to blend and needs to be stirred several quite a few times until it reaches a nice smooth texture - no lumps) - This takes some time...Be - Patient.....You can always do squats while waiting...*wink *wink
                        Note: Please be careful that the Mixture is not too HOT, this will create pressure in the blender when the lid is sealed and could cause it to overflow and burn you.

- Spray glass pan with Pam (Don't be shy use a little extra (; )
- After mixture is thoroughly Blended pour into pan and spread evenly
- Sprinkle Garlic Salt over the top of Mixture (I love garlic so I load it on MmmmMmmm Vampires Beware!)
- Finishing Touches - Load the Top with Pam - We want to get a little bit of a crisp on top (Thanks Pam)
- Place on middle rack and Bake uncovered for 20 - 25 minutes (My Oven takes 20 Minutes - Please check at 15 minutes and then again at 20 (if needed), once you see crisp on the edges your "Potatoey" goodness is done!)

Almost Done!!!

- Remove From Oven and let Cool for 10-15 Minutes
- Add Green Onions and Stir
- Clean up Time! (My maid didn't show up again! Ugh...She must be having drinks with my stylist!)
- Time to Enjoy your Super Yummy Mashed!!!!  Now I'm Hungry!


This goes great with Gravy and Butter Grilled Chicken!


Skinny on the Nutrition
Serving size - 3/4 Cup
Yields 4 Servings


Calories........................ 97


Fat................................ 5g


Protein.......................... 6g


Carbs............................ 11g


Sugar............................ 6g


Fiber............................. 6.5g


**Nutrition is based on serving size including green onions




Let's Super Size it!!!


Do you deserve an extra treat?!?! Add a little Reduced Fat Cheddar to your potatoes before serving! MmmMmm Cheddar makes everything Better!

Cheese Please!

Add to Your Nutrition
Based on Sargento's Reduced Fat Cheddar (2% Milk)
Serving Size - Approx 1 Tbsp


Calories........................ 22.5

Fat................................ 1.5g

Protein.......................... 2g

Carbs............................ 0.5g

Sugar............................ 0g

Fiber............................. 0g



Fun Facts about Food:

 Did you know that Chives / Green Onions contain quercetin, an antioxidant that helps fight free radicals -- rogue molecules caused by stress, aging and environmental pollutants. They are also a good source of oliogosaccharides, carbohydrates that support the growth of healthy bacteria in the large intestine which aids in digestion.


Did you know that Cauliflower is a great source of folate and Vitamin C which strengthens your immune system! This powerhouse vegetable is also an excellent source of source of two phytonutrients, sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol, which help fight against cancer! Go Fight Win! This little Veggie is a big Heart helper as well! We "heart" you Cauliflower!


Resources for Fun Facts about Food:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/422454-what-are-the-health-benefits-of-chives/

Elson Haas, M.D., author of "Staying Healthy with Nutrition,"

"Pharmacological Reports"; Antihypertensive effects of the flavonoid quercetin; Francisco Perez-Vizcaino et al.; 2009

Journal of Nutrition; Cruciferous Indole-3-Carbinol Inhibits Apolipoprotein B Secretion in HepG2 Cells; G.K. Maiyoh, J.E. Kuh, A. Casaschi and A.G. Theriault; October 2007

Journal of American Dietetic Association; Vegetables, Fruit, and Cancer Prevention: A Review; K.A. Steinmetz and J.D. Potter; October 1996

http://www.livestrong.com/article/22026-nutritional-value-cauliflower/#ixzz1uZbbUF3t

Cheers!

XOXO

Magan

Yours Truly!

(That's me in the white)

Apple a Day Keeps the "Fat" Away

Apple Crisp Magan Style 

 Lately with all this icky gray weather I have been craving warm desserts! Not like I'm opposed to cold desserts or hot desserts or even frozen desserts hahaha! I think warm has been just right lately. So the other day when I was making homemade apple sauce I had a great idea, low sugar, low fat Apple Crisp! YUMMM! My boyfriend looked at me and said "YES!" so with his enthusiastic approval we are totally doing this! I am yet to meet a person who doesn't love apples or sweet toppings on apples or anything for that matter!
   The key is to be creative and try to only have one serving ;) - trust me it's tough! (I had two shhhhhhh ok two and a half haha). Now let's get cooking and cure that killer sweet tooth with a deliciously skinny dessert!

Yummy in my Hungry Tummy! MmmMmmMmm

Your Grocery List:
(Remember - Bring a List!)

Filling and Base-
1 Medium Granny Smith Apples (I like the tart flavor with the sweet topping but feel free to use other apples)
1/4 Tsp Stevia (Stevia how wonderful you are! I LOVE YOU)
1/4 Tsp Ground Cinnamon
1/16 C Water

Topping - (Crisp)
1/2 C Oats ( I like rolled oats but use what you love <3 )
1/2 Tsp Ground Cinnamon (Oh so good on everything!)
1 Tsp Stevia
2 Tsp Almond Flour (Nut Allergy? Try Rice, Wheat or Regular Flour)
1 Tbsp Walden Farms Pancake Syrup (I can be found at Sprouts - Mother's Market or Online)
2 Tbsp Water
Pam (Welcome back Pam! Our BFF )

Your Ingredients for Deliciousness

Your Tools to Tackle this Apple Goodness:

Shallow Pan (Needs to fit one medium apple with room to stir)
Spatula or Mixing Spoon
Small Mixing Bowl (This is needed to Mix that Delicious Crisp! Mmmmm)
Fork or Spoon (Mix the Crisp - Use what you're comfortable with)
Cutting Board
Paring Knife (Slice, Dice and Peal your apple)
Brulee Cups or Small Baking Dish ( I like to use 4-6 oz Brulee Cups for Portioning Convenience and they look like you're eating a fancy treat which makes it taste better, right? Right? Right!)
Measuring Spoons and Cup (Absolute MUST! Every little bit adds up on our booties, love handles, thighs, hips, tummies ect ect ect.....)

Directions to Dessert Delight:

Preheat Oven to 450 Degrees
Peal 1 Medium Granny Smith Apple (The less apple you waste the more apple you can enjoy!)
Dice Apple into approx 1 inch cubes (Smaller if you prefer - Keep in mind they need to fit in the Cup)
Heat Pan to Med - High to High - Add Water, Apples, 1/4 Tsp Stevia, 1/4 Tsp Cinnamon stir frequently for approximately 5 minutes or until apples are steamed and water is gone (Do not Scorch Apples!)
Remove from Heat and Set aside

Mix 1/2 C Oats, 1 Tsp Stevia, 1/2 Tsp Ground Cinnamon, 2 Tsp Almond Flour, 1 Tbsp Walden Farms Syrup, 2 Tbsp Water (Mix well)
Portion Apples into 4 Brulee Cups or into small baking Dish
Top Apples evenly with Oat Mixture
Spray the top of Oat Mixture with Pam (Use Substantial Amount so Oats will Crisp in Oven - We Love Pam <3)

Place Dessert on rack 1/4 from the top of the oven. Bake for 10 Minutes (Be sure to Check at 7 minutes to make sure they are baking evenly and not burning)
Remove from oven after crisp has hardened on top and let cool for 10-20 minutes.
Turn Off the Oven! (I am horrible at this) Do the Dishes - Clean Up and..........
Now ENJOY because after all this work you sure have earned it! YUM! :9



 The Skinny on the Nutrition:
Recipe Yields 4 Servings

Calories........................ 60

Fat................................1g

Protein..........................1g

Carbs............................13g

Sugar............................4g

Fiber.............................2g

**Nutrition is based on serving size and recommended Brands

Let's Super Size It!

Is it your "Off Season"? Cheat Day? Did extra Cardio and feeling a little crazy?!?!?! Add a scoop of Arctic Zero Vanilla Maple Ice Cream on Top! Mmmmmm!

GENIUS!!!!

Add To Your Nutrition:
Serving Size 1/4 C

Calories........................ 19

Fat................................0g

Protein..........................1.7g

Carbs............................3g

Sugar............................2.5g

Fiber.............................1g