Category: lunch

Simple Zuppa Toscana (Italian Sausage, Potato and Kale Soup)

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Ok I’m totally jumping on this opportunity, since it’s a cooler day today, to start my soup adventure with you! I absolutely love soups, I even eat soup when it’s warm =P. It’s just so comforting and tasty. This recipe is based on one of my all-time favorite soups, Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana. The original recipe actually is relatively light, but I adjusted a few ingredients to make it even healthier. Fingers crossed it stays pretty cool this week so you can enjoy this ASAP!

-Mel

Health tips: Low fat, heart healthy

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Blackened Grilled Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Crema

Mel and Tammy3 Comments

Time to get back into healthy eating! It’s gone back to being pretty hot here in So Cal, so I’ve been thinking back to the good ol’ summer days and cooking up some fresh and light meals. Oh believe me, I’m anxious for the Fall and sharing more cozy  meals, but whew we need some more rain and overcast days around here! Until then, here’s a delicious recipe for a grilled fish taco and light cilantro crema. Enjoy this along with our healthy Roasted Corn Salad as a side!

-Mel

Health tips: Low fat, anti-inflammatory, heart healthy, low carb, diabetes friendly

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Kick-It-Up-A-Notch Caesar Salad with Parmesan Crisps

Mel and TammyLeave a comment

As we close with the last few weeks of summer, I decided to make a healthier version of Caesar salad. My hubby and I recently had our 10 year anniversary. We went out to dinner to a new restaurant and had a delicious Caesar salad. But what made it so special was that it had fried capers and little pieces of prosciutto in the salad! Those two extra ingredients really made the salad unique! As soon as I had it, I knew I had to re-make it into a healthier version by using my favorite go-to salad dressing. It’s made with yogurt! It’s low in calories, fat, sodium, sugar, has no preservatives, and has no artificial colors or flavors. You can find it in the refrigerated section in the produce department. Make your own whole grain croutons, if possible. I highly suggest it! (recipe to follow soon) And for a little extra indulgence, make my Parmesan crisps. So go ahead, have a Caesar salad without the guilt!

-Tammy

Health tips: Low carb, low fat, heart healthy, diabetes friendly

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Honey-Glazed Chicken Satay Skewers with Spicy Peanut Sauce

Mel and TammyLeave a comment

Happy Labor Day from Family Apron! This holiday marks the last official summer gathering for many, so why not grill some more before Fall comes around!? Get together with family and friends this holiday weekend and try this recipe for Glazed Chicken Sate Skewers with Peanut Sauce! The chicken is tastier and more tender the more you let it marinate, so start early! Thank you to the amazing Ellie Krieger for your inspiration on this one!

Tip: If you have leftovers, shred or chop chicken and mix with some greens and peanut sauce. This makes a yummy salad or wrap!

-Mel

Health tips: Anti-inflammatory, low carb, low fat, heart healthy, kid friendly

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Roasted Cabbage Steaks with Bacon, Blue Cheese and Scallions

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Are you ready for a super easy, quick and tasty snack? Roasted vegetables yield so much flavor and I’d have to say that cabbage is one of my favorites! As soon as you start roasting cabbage in the oven, the smells that fly through the house are amazing. And talk about healthy…cabbage is full of antioxidants, and rich nutrients that fight cancer and inflammation. This recipe allows you to indulge in a light helping of delicious bacon and cheese, while also taking in these amazing nutrients. We foodies don’t want to deprive ourselves right??? Proportion is key! You deserve it! =)

-Mel

Health tips: Anti-inflammatory, low carb, low fat, heart healthy, diabetes friendly

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Grilled Chicken Tacos with Roasted Salsa Verde and Chipotle Crema and Roasted Corn Salad

Mel and Tammy2 Comments

This past Sunday was our first Family Apron cooking day and what a blast we had! Being able to improvise and bounce ideas off each other was such a great experience. Tacos are so versatile, and just perfect for summer grilling. That savory charred flavor paired with bright toppings is a fabulous combination. Here’s our take on a simple, yet tasty chicken taco and a refreshing roasted corn salad on the side. -Tammy and Mel

Health tips: Low fat, heart healthy Read More »

Spicy Garlic Sesame Soba Noodles

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As you can tell, I love all types of food, but I’d have to say Asian flavors have to be in my top 3. To me, you can’t go wrong. The flavors are so bold and flavorful. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Plus, you can go so healthy and light with it using all sorts of vegetables, tofu, buckwheat noodles, etc… Oh tofu, that’s a different story for a different blog. It’s hard to believe but I crave tofu often. Anyway…..here’s my take on a soba noodle stir fry starring one of my favorite ingredients in the whole world, garlic! -Mel

Health tips: Anti-inflammatory, low fat Read More »

Lasagna Zucchini Boats

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Mmmm Italian food, especially lasagna, has to be one of my favorite comfort foods. But wow, do I feel so stuffed afterwards and so guilty with all those yummy carbs and cheeses…darn you carbs and cheeses! Here is a way that you can enjoy those wonderful Italian flavors and feel good at the same time!

-Mel

Health tips: Diabetes friendly, kidney friendly, low fat, low carb, heart healthy

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Black Bean and Sweet Potato Protein Burgers with Spicy Lime Cream Spread

Mel and Tammy1 Comment

So it’s the summer right? The season of sun, BBQs, Sangrias and oh so sinful food LOL! Well I’ve done all that and then some, so to be able to get back into healthy eating with the start of this blog is so refreshing. We still have a couple of months of summer so now comes the opportunity to get back in shape, in time to show off those new bikinis and swim trunks! I discovered the original recipe for these burgers in an anti-inflammatory/rheumatoid arthritis meal plan and adjusted a few ingredients to further lower the calories and carbs.

-Mel

Health tips: Anti-inflammatory, low fat, low carb, heart healthy, diabetes friendly

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