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Author: Frank Mastrandrea

Freeze Dried Fruit Cookies

Freeze Dried Fruit Cookies

I thought about calling these Quarantine Cookies, as they were created with an eye towards using ingredients that were easy to source while stuck at home. However, while they may have been born of convenience, these healthy, low sugar, fruit filled treats are really a hit in our household and I think will survive long past the days when the world is back in motion. At just 83 calories per cookie, and relying on freeze-dried fruit (a wonderful, versatile item…

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Cooking in Quarantine

Cooking in Quarantine

I find myself a bit surprised to be writing this particular blog entry.  I keep an ongoing schedule of planned topics and, frankly, “cooking tips for the zombie apocalypse” was further down the list than you might imagine. But in seeing post after social media post about people struggling with food issues, and major news outlets posting stories about the dramatic increase in sales of junk food… I thought maybe this was a worthwhile subject. Of course, if you’re making…

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Vegan Chocolate Microwave Cake

Vegan Chocolate Microwave Cake

I’ll admit, “vegan chocolate microwave cake” sounds like four words that aren’t necessarily meant to go together. This is very much the case where the name does not tell the whole story. This recipe is perfect for those trapped at home looking for an easy, quick, comforting chocolate dessert. And I’ve made it with things you’re almost certain to already have stocked in your kitchen or pantry right now. No trip to the store needed! It’s also a fun treat…

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Roasted Turmeric Cauliflower

Roasted Turmeric Cauliflower

Most vegetables taste great roasted. Meaning the best recipe is two ingredients: vegetables and heat. That being said, it’s nice to spice things up once in a while. And when you’re looking to do that, there’s no reason to add fat and calories in a quest for taste. Turmeric Roasted Cauliflower checks all the boxes — a low-calorie taste-packed side-dish that works great with most any protein. It’s quick and easy to prepare and features (as you probably guessed from…

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PB&J Overnight Oats

PB&J Overnight Oats

There were several previous versions of this recipe before the one you see here, but this was the first one that tasted distinctly like childhood. In a good way, of course! Once I had that, I knew I already had a combination that brought 50% of your daily vitamin C requirement, nearly eight grams of protein and six grams of hunger-satisfying fiber to start the day off right! Added bonus? No need to cut the crusts off! Ingredients (Serves 4)…

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Keeping the Scale in Balance

Keeping the Scale in Balance

A customer walks into an outdoor adventure store to find the owner setting up a realistic model of Mt Kilimanjaro.  “The detail on that is amazing,” says the customer. “Is it to scale?”  “No,” says the surprised owner. “It’s for display purposes only.” My point? The word “scale” can’t untangle every problem all by itself. Here’s an inescapable truth – if you’re trying to lose weight, you want to see results when you step on the scale.  However, if your…

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Garlic Lemon Basil Sauce (aka “the Stuff”)

Garlic Lemon Basil Sauce (aka “the Stuff”)

“The Stuff” is meant to not only pack of punch of flavor, but to do so with a mere 32 calories per ½ lb serving of protein.  It’s great on any white fish, on chicken, on turkey… try it on a salad if you’d like!  There’s simply no reason adding taste has to mean adding a ton of calories, nor a ton of time to your preparation! This is not a marinade.  It’s not a really a sauce. We have…

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WINNING THE BATTLE OF THE BINGE

WINNING THE BATTLE OF THE BINGE

Binging has ruined many a weight loss attempt. A binge adds a huge number of calories to a daily count, most probably from junk food or other unhealthy sources. More devastating, though, is the psychological wreckage it leaves in its wake. Addressing the issue boils down to two simple questions – what leads us to binging, and how do we avoid it? Why We Binge A binge is what happens when your futile attempt to deprive yourself of something for…

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German Chocolate Cake Overnight Oats

German Chocolate Cake Overnight Oats

The latest in my line of dessert-based overnight oats recipes, German Chocolate Cake Overnight Oats is one of the easiest and tastiest of the bunch! This one is all about the texture and balance, between the coconut and the pecans, between the maple syrup and brown sugar. When those are achieved you’ll can start your morning with the filing and long lasting energy of this chocolate coconut and oats mix, all for just 200 calories! Ingredients (Serves 4) 1 cup…

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Maple Mustard Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Maple Mustard Roasted Brussels Sprouts

This Brussels sprouts recipe is a triple-threat. It’s simple enough for your standard weeknight dinner table. It packs enough of a taste punch that it can hold it’s own as part of your holiday menu plan. And lastly? It’s low calorie enough that it works beautifully with any weight loss program. There are many ways to cook Brussels sprouts these days, most of which result in rock-hard and unpleasant tasting vegetables. Those that don’t are often a recipe for bacon…

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