Spicy Cajun BBQ Shrimp and Cheesy Grits

I love the coziness, richness and spice of Southern comfort food. I was inspired by Downtown Disney’s Jazz Kitchen for this recipe. They serve up a mouthwatering BBQ shrimp dish over rich, luscious grits and I was determined to lighten it up so that I could enjoy it more often. I also added some healthy greens in there for extra vitamins. You can serve this up over my cheesy grits recipe or simply eat it with crusty bread for sopping up the sauce!

 -Mel

Health tips: Low fat, heart healthyRead More »

Bacon Sriracha Deviled Eggs

Lots of BBQ’s and summer gatherings will soon be happening (if they’re not already). If you need a yummy appetizer to bring to your next gathering, try my Sriracha Bacon Deviled Eggs! We recently went to a giant gathering and these bad boys were gone in minutes! Deviled eggs with a little kick! Enjoy!

 -Tammy

Health tips:  low carb, diabetes friendly, kidney friendly

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Blueberry Power Muffins

I definitely can’t call myself an expert at baking, although I’m trying to sharpen my skills as much as I can. Muffins and cupcakes though are some of the few baked goods I really enjoy making, it’s so easy and not very intimidating, they are just little palmfuls of love! I found the original recipe for these wonderful Power Muffins on Domesticated Academic and have been making them regularly ever since. It’s also one of the few baking recipes I’ve been able to experiment on with different ingredients while still keeping it delicious! I tweaked it a bit to reduce the fat even more. Enjoy these as a convenient and quick breakfast or snack!

 -Mel

Health tips: Low fat, anti-inflammatory, heart healthy, kid friendly

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Chicken with Cauliflower Alfredo

I’ve recently heard about cauliflower alfredo sauce. Sounds pretty temping, so I decided  to try and create my own. And it turned out really yummy! Your typical alfredo sauce is made up of mostly butter, cream, and parmesan cheese, which is oh, so delicious. I definitely couldn’t hit the same bells and whistles without adding the cheese, but the rest of it is pretty darn healthy! I decided to make chicken alfredo with it. I made zucchini noodles for myself and the hubby, but used whole wheat fettuccini for the kiddos. So if you are looking for a low-carb option, I say go with the zucchini noodles!

 -Tammy

Health tips:  gluten free*, diabetes friendly*

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Hummus 3 Ways!

My husband absolutely LOVES hummus and now that he knows how big of a batch we can make at half the cost of the store-bought kind, it’s a weekly routine for us! It’s such a wholesome snack and so satisfying, especially when eaten with veggies. My favorite basic hummus recipe comes from www.inspiredtaste.net. Very tasty, so simple to make and very fluffy. My sister-in-law Tammy and I also experimented with other variations using black and white beans. The basics of hummus are so easy that you can definitely make it your own!

 -Mel

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

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Quinoa Salad with Lime Vinaigrette

Craving a different kind of salad? I cannot tell you how delicious this salad is.  And if you think you don’t like quinoa…you’re wrong! When you add the flavors of lime, cilantro, and avocado, along with the “poppy” texture from the quinoa, your mouth is going to explode!  If you are going to give quinoa a try, please make this! And the best part is that you can feel great about eating it!

 -Tammy

Health tips:  gluten free, vegetarian, heart healthy, diabetes friendly

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Grilled Citrus Herb Halibut with Tomato Butter and Smashed Sweet Potato

This is one of my all-time favorite recipes. I came across the original recipe in Food & Wine magazine and just fell in love. It’s very light already, but I made a few alterations to make it even healthier. The combination of the citrus flavor with the tarragon is just divine, and that tomato butter just takes it over the top…plus it’s pretty easy. You’ll want to marinate for 2 hours so remember to prepare ahead! This bright dish is perfect for the spring and summer seasons!

 -Mel

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

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Strawberry Breakfast Yogurt

Need a quick, simple satisfying breakfast or snack? If you like berries, then this may be a great breakfast to start your day! This is always so yummy, I feel like I’m cheating! It’s like dessert, but it’s not…note to self- make this recipe into popsicles (future recipe to follow).

 -Tammy

Health tips:  low carb

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Portobello Mushroom Pizza w/ Italian Sausage, Tomatoes and Kale

Ok, who doesn’t have pizza as one of their tops favorite foods? It is #1 on my list! But oh how we wish we could have it multiple times a week without feeling guilty! This portobello “crust” allows you to enjoy your favorite pizza toppings…mmmm cheese and meat… without the carbs. These are some of my favorite low-fat toppings, but you can definitely make it your own. It’s also a fun recipe you can make with your kids while giving them a good dose of veggies!

 -Mel

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

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Strawberry Cheesecake French Toast

Strawberry season is upon us! And what better way to celebrate than to make my Strawberry Cheesecake French Toast! A yummy breakfast to make on the weekend OR for dinner (which is what we did….it’s always fun to have breakfast for dinner once in a while)!

 -Tammy

Health tips:  kidney-friendly, kid-friendly

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