Peggy's Healthy Recipes
Fat Burning Fudge
This easy, healthy recipe with coconut oil makes a perfect snack when you want to indulge without turning to junk food!
Click here to watch me make my Fat-Burning Fudge on America Now TV!
Coconut oil contains healthy medium-chain fatty acids that speed up fat-burning, along with lauric acid that boosts the immune system.
Honey is full of enzymes and also has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.
Cocoa powder is a rich source of anti-oxidants! You get all three of these super-foods in one tasty treat!
This recipe makes 1 serving (You can eat it all -- guilt-free!)
INGREDIENTS:
1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
DIRECTIONS:
Using a spoon, blend the coconut oil with the honey and mix well. (If the coconut butter is too hard, place it in an oven-proof container and set it in a 250 degree oven for a few minutes until softened). Stir in the cocoa powder. Mix until smooth. Pour into an shallow bowl (or portion into ice cube tray) and refrigerate until firm.
Note: You can also use this mixture as frosting! Simply use it before refrigeration and it will spread easily. I love it on top of a rice cake for my own version of a "healthy cupcake"!
..........................................................................................................................................
Spaghetti Squash Two Ways
I developed the spaghetti squash recipes for my clients who are following my 52 Weeks of Weight Loss online program!
Here are two ways to enjoy it: as a hearty side dish or as a sweet dessert option!
Spaghetti Squash with Marinara Sauce
Serves 2
I've never been a fan of regular pasta (weird, I know!) but I do
love veggie pasta substitutes.
It makes plenty to share but if you're really hungry, feel free to
enjoy the entire recipe!
INGREDIENTS:
1 medium spaghetti squash
2 cloves garlic (optional)
2 large tomatoes
dried or fresh basil, oregano and thyme
salt and pepper to taste
olive oil for roasting
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Cut squash in half lengthwise
Drizzle foil-lined cookie sheet with about 1 tablespoon oil
Place squash cut-side down on sheet
Place whole cloves of garlic on sheet
Roast for about 30 minutes, until cooked through
(garlic will only take about 10-15 minutes)
Marinara Sauce:
Peel and chop 2 large tomatoes (or use canned, no salt added)
Place in saucepan with roasted garlic (remove the skin)
Heat up and add 1/2 tsp each basil, oregano and thyme
Add salt and pepper to taste
Once the squash is tender, scrape out the seeds from the center. Use a fork to loosen the spaghetti "strands" from the squash. You can transfer the strands to a separate dish, or simply serve the squash in its own shells, like a boat!
Pour marinara sauce over the spaghetti squash.
This makes a great side dish to go with roasted chicken or fish.
You could also sprinkle with parmesean cheese or top with
mozzarella cheese for your protein portion.
Sweet Spaghetti Squash with Butter and Cinnamon
Prepare the squash as described above, but instead of topping with marinara sauce, enjoy with a dab of butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
One cup of spaghetti squash has only 42 calories and is an excellent source of Vitamin A and C, which boost the immune system.
..........................................................................................................................................
Peg's Chocolate Almond Butter Protein Bar!
If you like the convenience of nutrition bars as a snack or a meal
on the run, but you don't love the artificial ingredients, then try
this out:
(If you don't like almond butter, substitute peanut butter instead!)
Makes 1 serving
1 tablespoon natural almond butter (no oil, salt or sugar added)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
1/3 cup raw old-fashioned oats
1/3 cup powdered milk (or use 1 scoop vanilla protein powder)*
1 tablespoon raisins
Mix the peanut butter and vanilla extract together until blended.
Stir in the remaining ingredients and blend well.
Form into a bar shape and wrap in wax paper or plastic wrap.
Freeze until solid, about 1 hour.
Keep cool until ready to eat! I like to gnaw on it when it's frozen,
because it takes longer to eat it, but you can let it thaw a bit if
you prefer.
*Important! Make sure your protein powder is SOY-FREE!
Watch my recent TV segment for the dangers of soy HERE
My nutrition bar is one of my favorite healthy "fast foods" and
it's inexpensive as well!
Why not try it out for a snack and let me know how you like it, okay?
For more great recipes like this, don't miss out on my 52 Weeks of Weight Loss Online Program!
.............................................................................................................................................
Red-White-and Blueberries!
Serves 4
This makes a tasty, colorful, healthy dessert to bring to any picnic or potluck! In honor of Independence Day!
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups strawberries, sliced
2 cups blueberries
2 cups plain, fat-free Greek-style yogurt (add honey or stevia to taste)
1 cup low-fat, all-natrual granola (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
Simple alternate layers of the strawberries, blueberries, yogurt and granola into 4 parfait glasses...and enjoy!
.............................................................................................................................................
Blueberry-Almond Brain-Boosting Smoothie
1 cup frozen blueberries
1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or: 1 cup plain non-fat yogurt)
1 cup mixed baby green lettuces
1/2 tsp pure almond extract
option: 1 scoop non-soy protein powder
option: 1 tablespoon chopped raw, unsalted almonds
Blend everything well in your blender or Vita-Mix (my preference!) Add additional almond milk or water to make your desired consistency. Top with chopped almonds.
This makes a delicious breakfast or snack and is a perfect complement to my 52 Weeks of Weight Loss "4x4 Meal Plan"
.............................................................................................................................................
Carrot-Apple-Beet Salad
This great-tasting and healthy salad can be enjoyed as part of my
Three-Day Detox Plan.
Apples reduce blood pressure and lower risk of heart disease;
they're also excellent for relieving constipation. Apples and apple
juice are great for relieving dry throat and cough.
Carrots ward off cancer and nourish the skin! Of course, they also
protect our eyesight.
Beets are very detoxifying for the liver and help the body burn
fat! Also excellent for the blood and the skin.
Cabbage is the best thing to heal and prevent stomach ulcers.
Cabbage also heals the intestines and is a potent anti-cancer food.
INGREDIENTS:
one apple, shredded
one or two medium carrots, peeled and shredded
one medium beet, peeled and shredded
wedge of cabbage (any kind) shredded
juice of one orange or 1/2 a lemon
sprinkle of cinnamon
DIRECTIONS:
Mix everything in a glass bowl and refrigerate for about an hour
for all the flavors to blend. Eat as a side salad, or just as a
quick, nutritious, yummy snack!
.............................................................................................................................................
Spicy Thai Sweet Potato and Green Bean Salad
1 medium sweet potato, cut into 1/2 inch squares
1-2 cups baby green beans, cut into 1/2 in pieces
Put about 1 inch water in pot and bring to simmer.
Add veggies and let cook for 7 minutes.
Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
Whisk together the dressing:
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1 tablespoon chili powder
Grate 1 inch piece of ginger (or use 1 tsp powdered)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons almond butter
1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
Add 2 green onions (scallions) sliced
Mix the above with sweet potato and green beans.
Refrigerate for at least two hours to allow flavors to blend.
..........................................................................................................................
Peggy's Calorie-Free Faux-jito
For one glass:
juice from 1/2 lime
slice of lime for garnish
3-4 mint leaves (crushed)
few drops of liquid stevia
filtered water
4-5 ice cubes
For a pitcher to share!
juice from 4-5 limes
slices of lime for garnish
handful of mint leaves (crushed)
1/2 dropper of liquid stevia
filtered water
2 cups ice cubes
Directions:
Gently crush the mint leaves with your fingers (or use a mortar and pestle)
Place mint leaves in bottom of glass or pitcher
Add lime juice
Add ice cubes, then fill glass or pitcher with water
Add stevia, a bit at a time, to taste
Stir gently and enjoy!
...............................................................................................................................
Peach Crisp
Here's another delicious recipe that goes well with my Three-Day Detox Plan.
I love peaches and pears, and both of them go really well in this fruit crisp recipe.
And yes -- you can enjoy this even while you're detoxing!
Serves 1
INGREDIENTS:
One ripe medium peach, pear or apple; sliced or chopped
1/4 cup blueberries(optional)
1 tablespoon unsweetened applesauce (I like the organic brand from Trader Joe's)
dash of cinnamon (optional)
few drops of liquid stevia (optional -- I like the Sweet Leaf brand)
1/2 cup uncooked whole oats (like old-fashioned Quaker Oats)
DIRECTIONS:
- Turn the oven to 350 degrees
- Use a tiny bit of oil or spray oil to lightly coat a small glass, ovenproof baking dish
- place the fruit slices in the baking dish and sprinkle with blueberries
- mix the applesauce, stevia and cinnamon together in a small bowl
- add the dry oats to the applesauce mixture and stir together until coated
- scatter the oat/applesauce mixture over the berries, trying to cover all the fruit. Don't pat it down, but sort of dollop it over the fruit, like a "crumble" topping
- bake for about 15 minutes, or until the top is crisp and slightly brown
- let cool slightly before eating
Enjoy with 1/4 cup plain yogurt (sweetened with honey or stevia if desired)
......................................................................................................................
If you like these recipes, join in my 52 Weeks of Weight Loss (limited space) where you'll get my wellness tips, healthy recipes, special reports and audio mp3s to help you stay on track, motivated and inspired!