Meal Ideas

Tex-Mex Stuffed Peppers
~ A little tasty and very healthy dinner option. These aren't your mama's stuffed peppers!

3 med-large bell peppers (I used the tri-color package from TJs)
2/3 lb. of ground turkey, seasoned and browned
1 can of black beans
2/3 cup diced tomatoes
taco seasoning (I used TJs, about 1/2 the package or you can use the reg ones from the market, but get low sodium)
3/4 cup - 1 cup of spanish rice - cooked (or white/brown works fine too, it's a flavorful dish, I just had spanish so that's what I used)

Combine your cooked meat, beans (do not drain), tomatoes, seasoning, and rice. Half and seed the bell peppers and stuff with the filling mixture. *Optional - top with grated cheese*

Bake at 375 for 20-30 min. Do not overcook, you don't want the bells soggy, just cooked, yet a bit firm.
Serve with a dollop of light sour cream and a side salad.
Enjoy!

Shrimp Scampi - Health Babe Style
~Shrimp Scampi is a delicious favorite of mine! However, I rarely order it when I go out, it's too buttery! I have lightened up a tasty fave, that is actually quite figure friendly when done this  way ;-}

1 - 1.5 lbs of large, uncooked shrimp (deveined, tails off)
1/2 red onion or a whole shallot, chopped
3-4 cloves of garlic, chopped
2 lemons
1/2 cup white wine
1/2-3/4 cup low sodium chicken stock
olive oil
1 box of whole grain spaghetti/linguini/angel hair (they all work well) -- semolina pasta is fine too.
grated parmesan
1/2 cup chopped basil
dry oregano, salt, pepper

Optional additions:
diced tomatoes
blanched asparagus
baby spinach leaves

Put your pasta water to boil and add pasta when water is boiling. In a second pan (saute pan), add enough olive oil to coat the bottom. Saute your onions and garlic for about 2-3 minutes, when just getting brown add your shrimp and cook over med heat til no longer opaque....maybe 5 minutes. Stir constantly. Drench with the juice of 1 lemon and grate some lemon zest. Then add your white wine and chicken stock, it all depends how much liquid you want.....you don't want it too dry. Better have more liquid than dry pasta! Season with salt, pepper and oregano. You want to heat the liquid, but not overcook the shrimp. When it's heated through, drain pasta and add to your shrimp mixture. Toss in your basil and if desired baby spinach leaves or blanched asparagus. Your spinach will wilt just enough from the warm of the pasta.
Plate as desired and top with grated parm  and a drizzle of lemon juice (and diced tomatoes if you wish.)
Savor the tastiness!

Crab Cakes
~ I have always enjoyed these tasty treats as an appetizer at restaurants...here is my version...tonight I served them with sauteed mushrooms and broccoli for a super health friendly meal!

16 oz lump crab meat
1/2 yellow bell pepper (diced) - I have used red in the past and it's just as tasty
1/3-1/2 c chopped red onion
3-4 leaves of chopped fresh basil
1 teaspoon of crushed garlic
1/3 c panko bread crumbs
1/4 c grated parmesan
2 eggs
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
juice of 1 whole lemon
1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
salt & pepper to taste

Mix the above ingredients together while warming a skillet with a drizzle of olive oil. Once the pan is heated form your patties (6) and place directly in pan. I rolled into a ball and then smashed into a patty with a spatula, once in the pan. They don't stick together like a hamburger patty, so be gentle when placing in the pan and flipping over. Cook until a nice golden brown crust forms and flip. Once both sides are nice and browned, they are done (the crab is already cooked).

These would be great along side a rice dish and veggies/salad. If you want to make them for appetizers, just make smaller patties ;-} Enjoy with cocktail or homemade tarter sauce.


Chicken Stir Fry

2 diced chicken breasts
teriyaki sauce
garlic
onions
green beans
mushrooms
carrots
brown rice

Pita Pizzas

whole wheat or "alternative" pita bread, top with marinara sauce and add your choice of toppings. Top with mozzarella and bake. Today we had these with light salami and spinach. I have made countless variations....a favorite was shrimp and pesto with roasted red peppers!

Health Babe's Spaghetti

whole wheat spaghetti
favorite jar of marinara
2/3 lb ground turkey BREAST
garlic and other desired seasonings

Hint: the turkey breast can get dry, so while cooking I kept adding low sodium chicken stock to keep some moisture going. Came out great!

This is so basic and easy! I tossed in some fresh spinach tonight to boost the health factor!

Shrimp Fajitas

1 1/2 lbs of med or large shrimp, uncooked (I get the peeled and deveined ones)
bell peppers, sliced (whatever color you choose! I use 1 yellow and 2 red ones)
1 med onion, sliced
garlic (to your liking)
*saute the above ingredients in olive oil just until shrimp is done and veggies are soft, but not overly soggy! Season with s/p, crushed red chili flakes, and a dash or two of cayenne or chipotle powder.
*this last time I also stirred in some pineapple chunks when everything was cooked = delicious!

Serve in your choice of tortillas (I used the low carb flour or wheat, but any are great)

I also prepared fresh pico de gallo (toms, onions, cilantro, jalapeno pepper all diced, seasoned and tossed with fresh lime juice.) and homemade guac to garnish the fajitas. So yummy and super healthy!

Hawaiian Turkey Breast Burgers and Pa's Oven Fries

~I created this burger on my way to work the other morning and tried it that night, paired with my dad's famous healthy fries....so gooood!

1 package of ground turkey breast (you can use reg ground turkey, it just ups the fat content)
1/2 red bell pepper diced
2 tablespoons of chopped italian parsley
2 cloves of garlic (crushed)
2 thinly sliced pieces of deli ham, chopped up
2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce (I use TJs soyaki)
1 heaping teaspoon dijon mustard
salt and pepper
*combine all the above ingredients (except pineapple rings) and form into 4 equal size patties and cook in a skillet with olive oil, flipping as necessary. I also brushed a tad of teriyaki on each patty before flipping.

small can of pineapple rings
swiss cheese slices
sandwich thin breads
*when finished cooking, place a pineapple ring on each and top with a slice of swiss cheese (if desired) - put a foil tent on pan to briefly melt the cheese. Then place it on a sandwich thin (like the super thin hamburger buns) and put whatever condiments you wish.

Now for the fries---
2-3 russet potatoes
1/4 cup olive oil
desired seasonings (I did grated parmesan, salt, pepper, garlic powder)
*slice the potatoes into circles (not TOO thin, but kind of thin) and toss in olive oil, season and place on a baking sheet. Bake at 425 for 10-12 minutes, flip each one and bake for another 8-10 min, until golden brown.