Snacking!

   Snacks are an important part of our daily eats, but in the past I always found myself snacking on items that were never good for me.  Little Debbie was always a temptress that would hook my sweet tooth - that little witch! 

Now I find healthy items that curb my cravings and satisfy my palate.  One of my favorite evening treats is a Wasa Multigrain Bread Cracker (45 calories) with Laughing Cow Light Creamy Swiss Cheese (35 calories).  It's really good with a glass of red wine!

What do you snack on?

                                                  



Breakfast - the most important meal of the day?

So if breakfast is the most important meal of the day, why do we normally skip it?

In the past I would usually skip breakfast waiting until I got to the office or somewhere/sometime when it is more convenient.  That would usually spell disaster for my healthy eating because I would make poor choices.  Decisions such as my favorite fried bologna and egg sandwich with mayo on white bread - sounds like a blocked artery already!

I found that if I ate breakfast as soon as I got up, or at least before I was ready to go out the door, I would make better choices in my eating.  I also discovered that if I eat before I left the house, I would not eat as much throughout the day!  I guess eating breakfast is important!

One of my favorite morning meals is a simple one, yet filling with flavor and texture:

I toast a Thomas multi-grain English muffin (100 calories).
While it is in the toaster I slice a ripe roma tomato (13 calories)  into 1/4 to 1/2 inch slices. 

When the hot muffin is ready spread Hellman's Low Fat mayo (15 calories) on one half of the muffin, insert the tomato slices, add salt and pepper to taste. 

The combinations of warm muffin, cool tomato, with the crunchy and chewy textures is delightful.  A breakfast sandwich you can take with you if you need to run too!  All for just 130 calories.

What do you normally eat for breakfast?

First Post!

This is my first attempt and day one of blogging.  I feel so newbie!

Tonight's supper was a quick and easy meal.  It was a blend of recipes from Cooking Light magazine and Sparkpeople.com.

Ingredients:

Southern Home (BiLo brand) 90 second brown rice   ( I use Southern Home because it is about 70 calories 
                                                                                    per serving lighter than Uncle Ben's)
1/2 a medium onion chopped
1 can of black beans (rinsed and drained)
3/4 cup of medium salsa (any brand)
1/2 cup of mushrooms chopped
1/2 tsp of cumin powder
1 small slab of fully cooked ham  ( I usually use a boiled chicken breast and shred the meat)
4 whole wheat 8" tortillas

Directions:

1- Spray PAM in large skillet.  Heat over Medium heat and add ham slab.  (Yes, it is fully cooked, but we want to add some browning!)  Flip after a few minutes to brown the other side and remove from heat.

2- Add onions, mushrooms and cumin to the pan.  Stir often.  If it starts to get to dry add any of these in small amounts (wine, beer, water or chicken broth)  They all work.  Tonight I added about an ounce of white wine.  (While this is happening dice the ham into small cubes 1/2")

3. When onions are translucent add salsa, beans and chopped ham. Stir to mix and reduce heat to simmer.

4.  Heat rice in microwave for 90 seconds, then add to skillet. Stir to mix.

5. Divide mixture into 4 equal portions and fill tortillas.

ENJOY! 

Each Tortilla is right around 360 calories.  (325 when I use 5oz of boiled chicken breast)