A Healthy Start

I have always loved Hawaiin Haystacks and who wouldn't. They are sweet, salty, hot and cold, crunchy and soft. A completely delicious all-in-one meal.

Well I decided to make it just a little bit more figure friendly by using brown rice, low fat cream of chicken, and low fat cheese. Though I did put everything else on but for the most part the toppings are just veggies and fruit so you don't need to be shy. Now I do not know exactly how many calories I cut out by doing this but I do know I had no guilt at the end of the meal.

So if you have never tried this Mountain of a dinner before I suggest you start now.

Cooked and shredded chicken

1 can low fat cream of chicken soup

chicken broth

brown rice cooked

Toppings:

diced green onions

diced bell pepper

chucks of pineapple

diced tomatoes

diced celery

low fat cheese

coconut

sliced almonds

crunch won tons

When making the sauce start with the soup and then add broth or milk till it has a pourable consistency then add chicken and heat up. Served on top of rice.

Top with whatever your heart desires!

A Heart Healthy Meal

While watching television one day I saw an advertisement for Filippo Berio Olive Oil in which they featured this recipe. So I quickly got on my computer and looked it up.

I made it and Loved it! It was easy, light, fresh and the best part, Healthy! Score!

This was also the first time I had ever made Orzo- which has since become one of my new favorite types of pasta. It is a lot like rice in size and shape but is actually a type of pasta.

I am always trying to make life into a movie.

I always think it is so "cool" when people will go to the butcher and get some meat all wrapped up. So when I picked up this shrimp from the Butcher counter, I felt like I was in NY picking up my food from the Delicatessen. I know super Nerdy- what can I say that is just me!

Orzo Pasta with Shrimp

• 8 ounces uncooked orzo pasta

• 3 tablespoons plus 1/2 teaspoon Filippo Berio Olive Oil, divided

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1-1/4 pounds raw small shrimp, shelled and deveined

• 1-1/2 medium tomatoes, chopped

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente (tender but still firm). Drain.

2. Toss with 1/2 teaspoon olive oil; set aside.

3. Heat remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil in large skillet over medium heat until hot. Add garlic; cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes or until golden.

4. Add shrimp; cook and stir 3 to 5 minutes or until shrimp are opaque (do not overcook).

5. Stir in pasta. Add tomatoes, cilantro, parsley and lemon juice. Sprinkle with feta cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Spicy Mini Meatloaves

In my quest to find a great Meatloaf recipe, I happened upon this little find. It came from a Biggest Loser episode where Tara and her mom were cooking. Now the first time I made it I didn't have the "Chipotle in Adobo" this time I tried it with it ( using only about a 1/4 of what it called for) and man was it Tasty! Though it was too spicy for the kiddos, they did not enjoy it. But I thought it was absolutely amazing, the flavor was incredible and I loved the crunchy bits of veggies in every bite. I think next time I will do half with the chipotle and half without.

*Bonus this recipe when made with fat free ketchup, egg whites and lean ground turkey breast is only 110 calories a patty!

Here is my adaptation of the recipe.

Mini Meatloafs

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef or turkey

1/2 an onion

1/2 red bell pepper

1 carrot

1/2 C. quick cooking oats

1 egg

1 egg white

1/2 of a 4oz can chipotle in adobo

ketchup

Finely chop all veggies and chipotles. Then mix all ingredients together by hand. Form into balls and put into muffin tins, drizzle with ketchup. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 min.

* if made with ground turkey breast, egg whites, and fat free ketchup- each individual patty is only 110 calories