Recipe of the Day - Creamy Cherry Sorbet

Original Recipe - pg 202 of The Biggest Loser Family Cookbook
3 c., frozen cherries
2/3 c fat-free, sugar-free vanilla yogurt
2 tsp lime juice, preferrably fresh squeezed
2 to4 packets of sugar substitute (such as Splenda), to taste (optional)

Place the cherries in a food processor fitted with a chopping blade and process until just finely chopped.  Quickly add the yogurt and lime juice and process just until well combined.  Stir in the sugar sustitute, if using.  Divide among 4 martini glasses or bowls and serve.

Makes 4 (about 2/3 c) servings

Per serving: 88 calories, 3 g protein, 20 g carbohyddrates, trace fat (0g saturated), less than 1 g cholesterol, 2 g fiber, 22 mg sodium

I basically didn't measure and I didn't use the lime juice or the sugar substitute.  It was sooooooo good!  Just like ice cream!!

Spice it Up

Here is an article I received from Women's Health about all different kinds of spices.  Thought I would share.

Spices 101

Recipe of the Day - Slow Cooker Apple Porkchops

Original Recipe - allrecipes.com
1 Tbsp canola oil
6 bone-in pork chops
1/2 c apple juice
1/4 c apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 c chicken broth
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp meat tenderizer
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
2 Granny Smith Apples, cored and sliced
1 sweet onion (such as Vidalia), sliced
1/4 head of cabbage, shredded, optional

Heat the canola oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown outsides of the pork chops thoroughly, about 5 minutes per side.

Mix together the apple juice, cider vinegar, chicken broth, brown sugar, meat tenderizer, garlic powder nutmeg, ginger, and black pepper ina slow cooker, stirring until the brown sugar has dissolved.  Place the pork chops into the liquid.  Top the chops with apple, onion, and cabbage.  Set the cooker to Low; cook 4-5 hours., turning the chops over in the sauce once or twice.  An instant read thermometer inserted into the center of a chop should read atleast 160 degrees F (70 degrees C)

My Version
Olive Oil
4 boneless pork chops
100% Apple Juice (no sugar added)
1/4 c. Apple Cider Vinegar
1 box of chicken stock
Garlic powder
Ground nutmeg
Ground ginger
Couple handfuls of brown sugar
Fresh Ground Black Pepper
2 Granny Smith Apples, cored & sliced
1 Sweet Yellow Onion
1 Head of cabbage (sliced & diced)

Heat olive oil in a skillet and brown chops.

Meanwhile in a crockpot combine all other ingredients EXCEPT apples, cabbage, & onion.  I did not measure the majority of my ingredients and putting a whole head of cabbage was a complete accident, so I added the remainder of the chicken stock, another handful of brown sugar on top of the cabbage, and another splash of apple juice on top of the brown sugar.  My crockpot was FULL!

Set crockpot on low for 5-6  hours, then switch to "keep warm" overnight. This, too, was not intended.  After the 4-5 hours recommended the cabbage was still crunchy and it was 8 pm, so it was getting too late.  I left it on low for another hour and then switched to "keep warm" until the next day for lunch. (11am)

This recipe was AMAZING!!!!  I was a little skeptical at first, but it was so so so soooooooo good!!!!

Recipe of the Day - Pj Party Faux Kettlecorn

*Due to technical difficulties, a photo of this popcorn is not available*

Air popped popcorn
Melted Butter (the REAL stuff, not that plastic sibling "vegetable oil spread")
Ground Cinnamon
Sugar (YES! REAL sugar too!)
Salt (I used fresh ground sea salt)

Pop the popcorn in to a large bowl (duh!)  Drizzle with melted butter, sprinkle heavily with cinnamon, a smidge of sugar and a smidge of salt.  Toss and Enjoy :)

Recipe of the Day - Strawberry Banana Split

Original Recipe - pg 42 & 43 of The Biggest Loser Family Cookbook
1 1/2 tsp fat free, sugar free hot fudge
1 small (6") banana, peeled and halved lengthwise
1/4 cup fat free, sugar free vanilla yogurt
1/3 cup chopped fresh strawberries
1 Tbsp crunchy high fiber, low sugar cereal (such as grape nuts)

Heat the hot fudge in the microwave or in the top of a double boiler over simmering water until melted.

Arrange the banana halves in a small banana split dish or shallow bowl with the cut sides facing inward.  Spoon the yogurt in the middle.  Top with the strawberries, then the cereal.  Drizzle the fudge evenly over the top and serve.

Makes 1 serving

Per Serving: 195 calories, 5g protein, 46g carbohydrates, less than 1g fat (trace saturated), 2mg cholesterol, 5g fiber, 88mg sodium

My Version
1/2 large banana, halved lengthwise or even quartered (whatever you prefer)
6 frozen, unsweetened strawberries
1/2 c. low-fat vanilla yogurt

Spoon yogurt in to a bowl.  Stick banana halves in, top with strawberries (I left mine whole)

Recipe of the Day - Grilled Chicken Parmesan

I've actually made this one before.  SO GOOD!!!

Original Recipe - pg 116 & 117 of The Biggest Loser Family Cookbook
4 (4 oz) trimmed boneless skinless chicken breasts
Olive oil in a sprayer (not store-bought spray that contains propellant)
Salt, to taste
Ground black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup Main Event Marinara Sauce (page 162) or other low fat, low sodium, low sugar marinara sauce, or more to taste
6 Tbsp finely shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese
2 tsp grated reduced fat Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 F.  Preheat grill to high heat.

Lightly mist both sides of the chicken with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.  Grill the chicken, turning once, for 3-5 mins per side, or until it is no longer pink inside and juices run clear.  Transfer to a baking dish.

Heat the sauce on low in the microwave until warm.  Top each breast with 2 Tbsp marinara sauce, followed by 1 1/2 Tbsp mozzarella, and 1/2 tsp Parmesan.  Bake the chicken for 3-5 minutes, or just until the cheese is melted.

Makes 4 servings

Per serving: 169 calories, 29g protein, 5 g corbohydrates, 3g fat (less than 1g saturated, 70mg cholesterol, 1g fiber, 210mg sodium

My Version
1 Boneless skinless chicken breast for each person you are serving
Spaghetti sauce or whatever red sauce you prefer (I used the McCormick Seasoning packet with tomato paste & water)
Mozzarella cheese (I found a whole milk version I tried)
FRESH parmesan cheese, shredded

Microwave the chicken breasts for approximately 8 minutes or until cooked through.

Transfer to a ungreased glass baking dish

Spoon on red sauce, top with mozzarella, bake for just a couple minutes (or until cheese is melted)

Shred/grate FRESH parmesan on top just before serving.  Enjoy :)

*Note* I <3 cooking chicken in the microwave.  It keeps the the chicken moist and juicy.  I microwaved the three breasts I was preparing for a total of about 8 minutes.  This also eliminates any added oils/fats.  I also did not heat my sauce prior to topping the chicken.  If the oven is how enough to melt cheese, it's hot enough to heat the red sauce.

I VERY much prefer the grilled chicken over the breaded versions of chicken parmesan.  The breading always soaks up the sauces and gets mushy. 

*I paired mine with frozen steamed green beans with fresh ground black pepper.  Another accidental discovery was that some of the parmesan ended up on my green beans....HOLY YUMO!!!

Recipe of the Day - Apple Turnover Sundae

**Due to technical difficulties, a photo of this recipe is not currently available.**

Original Recipe - pg 40 & 41 of The Biggest Loser Family Cookbook
1/2 cup fat free, sugar free apple turnover-flavored or other apple-flavored yogurt
2 Tbsp crunchy, high fiber, low-sugar cereal (such as grape nuts)
1/3 c. chopped apple (about 1/2 of a small apple)
Pinch of ground cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp raisins (optional)

Spoon the yogurt into a small, deep bowl.  Sprinkle the ceteal over the yogurt, followed by the apple.  Top with the cinnamon and then the raisins, if using, and serve

Makes 1 serving.

Per Serving: 147 calories, 6g protein, 31g carbohydrates, trace fat (trace saturated), 3mg cholesterol, 3g fiber, 154mg sodium

My Version
1 cup Low Fat Vanilla Yogurt
1 whole apple, chopped
Cinnamon, to taste

Spoon yogurt in to bowl, top with chopped apples and sprinkle heavily with cinnamon.

mmmmmmm so so so so good!