Spending $50, Saving $200 on Christmas Dinner and Holiday Foods

Holiday Foods

Each year I go overboard with the food expenses for the holidays. I spend an enormous amount of money for our Christmas dinner and holiday foods, and decided this year I am breaking the habit. I still plan to create a scrumptious meal for my family, but I'm not cooking enough for a buffet, or standing in the kitchen all day. I've decided to stick to a respectable plan with three sides, a bread, one dessert and a main protein dish. This immediately cuts back on the amount of money compared to previous Christmas dinners and holiday foods.


Read full article Spending $50, Saving $200 on Christmas Dinner and Holiday Foods

Almond butter and orange marmalade gooey cookie crisps

Let me say when it comes to cookies I'm very monogamous. I like chocolate chip cookies and chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, and I don't stray too far from that. On the other hand, I make the simplest peanut butter cookies that will knock your socks off, but today I tried a another version with almond butter and orange marmalade. Yes, orange marmalade!

1 Cup packed brown sugar

During the bodybuilding season I love the combination of oranges and almond butter, but I don't get to indulge in them. Not because of the calories, but because I know I can not stop at a couple of tablespoons of almond butter and one orange. However, I'm in the off season. Hooray for cookies!

Almond butter and orange marmalade gooey cookie crisp recipe

I honestly wasn't sure if I should call it a gooey cookie or a crisp since it's a combination of both. Perhaps it's more of a chew, but who cares!

• 1 cup almond butter
• 1 cup brown or white sugar
• 1/3 cup orange marmalade or more to taste
• 1 egg

Gooey cookie crisp preparation 

All the ingredients in a mixing bowl

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl, and mix it well. It will be very gooey, and not like regular cookie batter since there is no flour. Spoon out a tablespoon dollop onto a greased cookie sheet/pan and place it in the oven at 375* for eight minutes. Bake the cookies for another minute or two if you want them to be crispy, but keep a close eye on them. The edges will burn in a flash. 

Once out of the oven use a thin metal spatula or an icing spatula to gently raise the almond butter and orange marmalade gooey cookie crisps off the pan. The centers will be slightly gooey and will break apart if you use a thicker, plastic spatula. Use plastic wrap between each layer on the dish, otherwise they will stick together.

Orange marmalade adds to the sweetness

Finished cookies

I never liked peanut butter or almond butter cookies with flour so this is my way of having tasty nut butter cookies. I love the sweetness of the brown sugar and orange marmalade, and enjoy the bites with the orange peel the most. It's a burst of flavor.

Almond butter and orange marmalade gooey cookie crisps are very rich, and great served with hot tea.

Substitute high-calorie foods with low-calorie foods that taste great

During the bodybuilding competition season, it's hard to find foods that taste great and fit within my nutrition plan. My nutrition plan is stringent, and in the past I gave up certain foods because they were too high in fat or calories. The monotony of the nutrition program made it easy for me to crave foods that were not listed as part of my program.

For this season I tried several food items that were low-calorie and tasted great. I normally don't eat items that are considered diet foods, but I found some items that made my bodybuilding nutrition program easier to follow.

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Sapporo Ichiban Ramen Noodles

I grew up on Sapporo Ichiban Ramen noodles, or rom-ee-on, as we pronounce it. This was my mom's version of chicken noodle soup for a cold. My mom would make us a pack of this when were were sick, and would add vegetables and eggs to it.

Since I've been sick for an entire week I felt the urge to have some hot soup. I'm not a fan of many soups, but I do love rom-ee-on. It's got a great broth, cheap and super easy to make. Plus, my kids love it and we can have this as an entire meal with the tasty additions.

Sapporo Ichiban Ramen Noodles with veggies and eggs

• 1 pack Sapporo Ichiban Ramen Noodles (I prefer original)
• 1 sm. zucchini
• onion slices to taste
• carrots
• 1 or 2 eggs

Ramen with eggs and veggies

Place the pan on the oven and set the temperature on med-high to high. Drop in the eggs and carrots since these take the longest to cook. Break the yolks if you want them to cook all the way through.

Add the onions. Once it hits a boil add the ramen noodles, seasoning packet and the zucchini. Cook until the noodles are tender. 

Eat it with Kimchi

I like my noodles slightly hard, and take them out a bit sooner. I also eat my ramen with kimchi if I have it on hand. If you like kimchi, but not sure how to make it, buy some from a local Asian store or an Hmart. You can buy the kimchi in a jar, or wait until Sundays when it's prepared fresh for you.

Maangchi makes kimchi

If you want to try a hand at kimchi here's a great video from Maangchi, the Korean cooking goddess.

Mama's iced coffee

I am very predictable. Every morning I begin my day the exact same way. I get out bed, use the bathroom, brush my teeth, pull my hair back and head to the laundry room. I fold any clothes that need to be folded and start a load in the wash. After, I make my way to the kitchen for my first breakfast snack. This is my light breakfast before I have a real breakfast.

Each morning I have an iced coffee with an apple and a tablespoon of almond butter. I really stink at making good, hot coffee so I use instant for my iced coffee.

My morning coffee at 4:48 a.m.

Iced coffee recipe

• Instant coffee (to your desired strength)
• 2 packs Splenda
• Milk
• Ice

Add the instant coffee and sweetener to your glass. Pour the milk over it, but leave enough space to add ice. Let the coffee and milk sit for a minute or two so the instant coffee can dissolve. Stir, add ice and stir once again. 

It's simple, fresh and crisp.

Heart healthy options

I prefer to use 2% milk even with my lactose intolerance, but when I'm training for a bodybuilding event I use unsweetened and lactose free alternatives, or fat free milk. You may also prefer these options:

• Almond milk
• Soy milk
• Rice milk
• Hemp drink
• Coconut drink 
• Unsweetened almond milk
• Unsweetened soy milk
• Unsweetened rice milk
• Unsweetened coconut drink
• Truvia
• Stevia

It's all a matter of taste, but I found that most of the alternatives make a good iced coffee. The milk alternatives are also good for for those who are lactose intolerant.

***I've used milk, almond milk, soy milk, and rice milk. The coconut drink is new, and I've never tried the hemp drink.

Leftover turkey salad with fruit

Although I'm a big meat eater I don't eat much turkey. By the end of Thanksgiving and Christmas I've had all I can stand, but that still leaves me with leftover turkey. There is so much to do with leftover turkey, but one of my favorites is turkey salad with fruit. Leftover turkey makes great turkey salad, and I  love to make a good batch for sandwiches and wraps.

Cherries, apples and raisins

I add a couple of items to the salad to make it all my own, and I think that's why people love turkey salad from leftovers. It's simple, tasty and livens up turkey meat with your own special spin. 



Leftover turkey salad with fruit recipe

• 10 oz. Turkey
• 10 Cherries pitted and quartered
• 2 oz. raisins
• 2 to 3 oz. chopped apples 
• 1.5 oz. Applewood Smoked Gouda shredded
• 3 T Mayo (large helping)
• 1 oz. fine chopped celery
• 1 oz. sliced almonds
• 1 oz fine chopped onions
• 1/2 T butter
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder to taste
• Tarragon to taste

Onion, celery and almond preparation

Ingredients in the mixing bowl

Heat a pan on medium and add butter. Add almonds, onion and celery to the pan and saute until brown.  Place in a large mixing bowl to cool.

Turkey and fruit preparation

Chop turkey and apples into small pieces. Pit and quarter the cherries and place the turkey, smoked gouda cheese, apples, cherries and raisins into the mixing bowl with the onions, celery and almonds.

Add mayo, salt, pepper, garlic powder and tarragon and mix. Be careful with the tarragon. Tarragon is very strong and overwhelming if you add too much.

Heart healthy alternatives

Turkey salad on Texas toast with lettuce and tomato 

Exclude butter and use a fat free mayo if you prefer, as well as low calorie, low carbohydrate Santa Fe Tortilla instead of bread.  Use pears, cranberries and grapes if you don't like the above fruits, or  fat free shredded cheese.

Although I saute the onions, almonds and celery it's not necessary. I just prefer the taste better when it's sauteed. I also add the smoked Gouda because it gives the salad such a great smokey flavor and adds to the texture.

This turkey salad recipe only takes 15 to 20 minutes to prepare.

Sautéed asparagus, onions and peppers

Sautéed asparagus, onions and peppers is a  favorite side dish, and it's great with starchy foods like rice, pasta and potatoes. It's simple, colorful and tasty and a good dish for any meal, or the holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, also.

Sautéed asparagus onions and peppers recipe

• 1 bunch asparagus, usually a pounds worth
• 1/2 onion, your color choice
• 1/2  red bell pepper 
• Salt 
• Pepper
• 1 to 2 cloves garlic 
• up to 1 T olive oil (you really don't need a lot)

Simple, colorful and tasty

Tough asparagus stalks 

When it comes to asparagus I prefer it pencil thin. I snap off the bottom of the stalks which are tough. I do not throw the tough stalks away. Instead, I save them in a Ziploc freezer bag in case I need them for something else later. 

How to sauté asparagus, onions and peppers

Slice the asparagus in half, but at an angle. It's much more attractive than a blunt/straight cut.

Rinse the asparagus well. Place it aside. While you slice the onion and red pepper preheat your pan on medium. Add olive oil to the pan. Once it's hot add the onion to the pan. Then add the peppers and asparagus. Add the garlic last. Garlic burns very easily and tastes bitter when it burns. 

It will only take a few minutes to cook. Once the asparagus is a bright green the veggies are done. 

Asparagus tip:

Snap off the tough ends and place the asparagus in a bowl of ice water if it looks a little wilted. It will bring them back to life.

Related Material:

Low Glycemic Fruits and Veggies with Healthy Benefits

Happy Turkey Day!

I hope everyone has a fabulous Thanksgiving! I'm not sure what you're thankful for, but I have hundreds of reasons to be thankful. To begin, my mom and dad are here, and my kids and husband are safe in bed. That alone is a blessing.

Male Turkey Wikimedia Commons

By the way, if you can take a moment out of your day to feed one extra person, please do. Or, if you need a hot meal don't be afraid to ask. Someone out there will have an open heart.

Toaster pancakes: What to do with leftover pancakes

Pancakes are a favorite at my house, and I make them five mornings a week. They don't take long to make, and can be bought in every type from whole wheat to gluten free. I used to make them from scratch, but found that the boxed versions work just as well.

Pancake stack

Since I love to break cooking rules I rarely follow the instructions, and make way to many pancakes. For years, I would reheat the leftover pancakes in the microwave and they were so soggy and gross. Over time, I realized the toaster was perfect and stopped using the microwave.

Toaster pancakes

Pop your leftover pancakes in a toaster and they will reheat evenly, and add a nice crusty/crunchy texture. It's no different than a toaster waffle. Once out of the toaster add these toppings for flavor.

• Syrup & butter
• Preserves
• Quick berry fresh pancake syrup (recipe)

Heart healthy toppings

• Sugar free jelly and Reddi-wip
• Walden Farms sugar free caramel and/or syrup
• Reddi-wip and fresh fruit compote
• Fresh fruit compote
• Almond butter & sugar free jelly
• Reddi-wip, bananas and sugar free syrup

You can see I love Reddi-wip, but this list could go on forever. I prefer the almond butter and preserves, but any of these are great to liven up leftover pancakes. Plus, you're not wasting food. 

Peanut butter and jelly sandwich: High protein, low calorie and low fat

100 calories per tortilla

Whether you're in need of a tasty treat, or a fast meal, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are super simple to make.  Although wholesome, they can be very high in calories depending on the ingredients used.

I don't eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches too often, but have found a low-calorie, low fat and high protein version that is tasty and heart healthy.

Peanut butter and jelly sandwich recipe

• 1 Santa Fe Tortilla 
• 2 T Pb2 with 1 T water mixed together
• 2 T Sugar free raspberry preserves (your preference)

I buy Santa Fe Tortillas at my local Costco. There are twenty to a pack, and are freezable. According the package the tortillas are 100% whole grain, with no Trans fat and has seven grams of fiber. Deducting the fiber from the carbohydrates leaves this tortilla with a total of six net carbohydrates per serving. These are the same wraps created for the South Beach Diet, as well.

There's even a chocolate version

Pb2 is a powdered peanut butter that uses two tablespoons of Pb2 with one tablespoon of water, and makes a serving that contains 1.5 grams of fat. This is extremely low compared to the average 16 grams in regular peanut butter. It only contains 45 calories per serving.

Although you can choose any type of jelly I prefer Smucker's Sugar Free Raspberry Preserves. For two tablespoons it's only 20 calories, and darn good.

Instructions:

Place the Pb2 concoction and jelly in the center of the tortilla. Push it out towards the edges, and fold the tortilla in half. Or, place it under the broiler (open face) for a few minutes for a hot peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  Be careful when folding it in half. The peanut butter and jelly can ooze and burn you. Eat it whole or use a pizza cutter to slice it into wedges.

Great on oatmeal 

Calories

• 100 Santa Fe Tortilla
• 20  Smucker's Sugar Free Preserves (2 servings)
• 45 Pb2

The total calories for one peanut butter and jelly tortilla sandwich are 165 calories with 13 grams of protein. Add a glass of skim milk to this sandwich for a well rounded breakfast, or snack. 

Note: Please click the item links if you have any other nutritional questions about the products.