Unusual and unexpected, this soup is delish, and can be a wonderful vegetarian option.
1 cup roasted peanuts, crushed fine w/rolling pin or food processor (don't let it get like peanut butter)
4 cups vegetable or chicken stock
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 cup each chopped onion and red bell pepper (green in a pinch)
salt to taste (can be omitted)
Heat the broth, onion, pepper, and cayenne over medium heat. Bring to a low simmer and cook for 15 minutes, until veggies are tender. Puree in small batches (smoothness is up to you, I like a rough puree).
Stir in crushed peanuts and simmer for 10 min., stirring frequently. Salt to taste, if desired.
Garnish with peanuts, toasted croutons, or sliced rings of small red chili peppers.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Roasted Garlic Cups
These are regulars at parties at our house. Beyond yummy!
1 loaf (about 24 slices) white bread
butter-flavored spray
6 to 8 unpeeled garlic cloves
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 package (8 ounces) light or reduced-fat cream cheese
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons minced chives
1/4 teaspoon salt
Flatten each bread slice lightly with your hand or a rolling pin. Cut each slice of bread with a 2-in. round cookie cutter or top of a small jar or glass. I try to get two circles out of each piece. Spray both
sides of bread rounds with butter-flavored spray; press into miniature muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 10-15 minutes or until golden.
Meanwhile, place garlic cloves on a piece of aluminum foil and pour oil over garlic. Fold foil around garlic and seal tightly. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until garlic is very soft. When garlic is cool, remove from skins and mash.
In a bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, chives and salt until smooth. Add garlic; beat until combined. Put rounded teaspoonfuls of cream cheese mixture into each bread cup. Garnish with extra chives.
It's easy to make ahead; just fill the cups right before serving. I keep the cream cheese mixture in a zip top bag in the fridge, then cut a small corner off of the bottom and use it to pipe in the filling when I'm ready. The empty bread cups store well airtight on the counter for a day or two.
1 loaf (about 24 slices) white bread
butter-flavored spray
6 to 8 unpeeled garlic cloves
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 package (8 ounces) light or reduced-fat cream cheese
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons minced chives
1/4 teaspoon salt
Flatten each bread slice lightly with your hand or a rolling pin. Cut each slice of bread with a 2-in. round cookie cutter or top of a small jar or glass. I try to get two circles out of each piece. Spray both
sides of bread rounds with butter-flavored spray; press into miniature muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 10-15 minutes or until golden.
Meanwhile, place garlic cloves on a piece of aluminum foil and pour oil over garlic. Fold foil around garlic and seal tightly. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until garlic is very soft. When garlic is cool, remove from skins and mash.
In a bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, chives and salt until smooth. Add garlic; beat until combined. Put rounded teaspoonfuls of cream cheese mixture into each bread cup. Garnish with extra chives.
It's easy to make ahead; just fill the cups right before serving. I keep the cream cheese mixture in a zip top bag in the fridge, then cut a small corner off of the bottom and use it to pipe in the filling when I'm ready. The empty bread cups store well airtight on the counter for a day or two.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Eat like a skinny person
Most people think fitness pros never have to worry about their weight. Not true. Both times I had babies I gained almost 70 pounds (not a typo), and I was bulimic for years, using unhealthy ways to lose weight as a teen and in college.
So because I love Doritos as much as the next person, I want to share one of the best tips anyone ever gave me:
Eat like a skinny person.
To me this means that before I eat anything, I should ask myself "Would a skinny person eat this?" The half pint of ice cream...would a S.P. eat it? Probably not, probably something more like a bowl full of berries. Coke with lunch? Prob not, maybe water, ice tea, or even diet coke. Fast food burger and fries? More like salad with grilled chicken and light dressing. Drench something in cheese? Doesn't sound like something a skinny person would do.
You get the idea...whatever the stereotypical skinny person in your mind wouldn't eat, you don't eat it either.
So because I love Doritos as much as the next person, I want to share one of the best tips anyone ever gave me:
Eat like a skinny person.
To me this means that before I eat anything, I should ask myself "Would a skinny person eat this?" The half pint of ice cream...would a S.P. eat it? Probably not, probably something more like a bowl full of berries. Coke with lunch? Prob not, maybe water, ice tea, or even diet coke. Fast food burger and fries? More like salad with grilled chicken and light dressing. Drench something in cheese? Doesn't sound like something a skinny person would do.
You get the idea...whatever the stereotypical skinny person in your mind wouldn't eat, you don't eat it either.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Peep!
Just found out that one of my favorites, marshmallow peeps, have under 100 calories for the whole 6 pack of Halloween themed pumpkin shaped ones. Woo hoo! I love them after they are left open on the counter overnight...mmmm.....stale peeps; a yummy treat with no guilt!
Monday, October 11, 2010
3500
3500 calories equals 1 pound. To lose weight, you need a negative intake of 500 calories per day. How? Eat less calories (not eat less food, but less calories; eating primarily whole foods including lots of produce is a good way to do it), and/or burn more calories. Work out, take the stairs, walk, dance, move move, move!
It's not rocket science, but it is basic math. I'm just glad it's not algebra, or I'd be screwed.
It's not rocket science, but it is basic math. I'm just glad it's not algebra, or I'd be screwed.
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