понедельник, 28 января 2013 г.

Healthy Game Day Snacks

Healthy Game Day Snacks
Healthy game day snacks for weight loss

It’s game day and you know what that means, right? Food, football, family and friends! If you’re staying strong during the game and sticking to your 17 Day Diet plan, here are a few ideas for healthy Super Bowl Snacks this football season.


Try these healthy food ideas if you’re on Cycle 1– you’ll find ideas for Cycle 2 and 3 below:


All American Football Veggie Tray

Certain vegetables are a freebie on the 17 Day Diet. Try adding the following veggies to your platter this season:


Carrots

Celery

Cherry Tomatoes

Asparagus Spears cooked lightly in olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper- serve cold

Variety of Bell Peppers- the yellow, orange and red variety have wonderful sweet flavor!

Broccoli and Cauliflower

Sliced Cucumbers- or try mixing with a little olive oil, apple cider vinegar, sweetener, salt & pepper for a tasty salad

Mushrooms- try a South American Marinade: Olive Oil, Vinegar, Chili Powder, Cumin, Oregano, Sweetener, Salt & Pepper- let sit for a few hours, then grill. Serve cold.


Veggie Dip- Use a 1/2 packet of Ranch Dip Packet with a cup of non-fat plain yogurt. Makes a great zingy dip for your veggies.


Deviled Eggs- Use a traditional recipe but swap out mayonnaise with non-fat plain yogurt.


Cycle 2 addition: Make a homemade hummus to go with your veggies


Cycle 3 additions: Cut pita bread into triangles, toast and serve with your favorite homemade hummus or guacamole


Lunch/Early Dinner


Turkey Burger- Protein Style


Season lean ground turkey meat with your favorite seasonings such as salt, pepper, garlic, etc.

In lieu of bun, use iceburg, bibb, or boston lettuce and wrap your burger along with your favorite condiments such as sliced tomato, onion, ketchup and fat-free cheese.


Cycle 2/3: Use lean ground sirloin rather than turkey


Cycle 3: Stuff your burger into a whole wheat pita pocket or make a burger wrap with a 10 inch whole wheat tortilla. If you want to use bread, fold your burger into one slice of your favorite bread from the Cycle 3 list.


Faux Buffalo Chicken


Cut chicken breasts into bite size pieces and marinate in a bath of your favorite buffalo wing hot sauce, reduced-sugar ketchup or BBQ sauce, add salt and pepper and any other spices you enjoy. Bake at 350 for roughly 20 minutes. Baste your chicken half way through baking process with extra sauce (make sure you set aside extra before putting chicken in marinade so not to contaminate cooking chicken). Serve with your ranch dip (see above).


Chicken Stir Fry


Slice chicken breast, carrots, broccoli, bell peppers and onions. Cook chicken with a bit of olive oil in pan, add veggies when chicken is almost cooked through. Add Bragg Liquid Amino to taste and top with your favorite seasonings such as salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, etc. *For added variety, add grilled tofu.


Chicken or Beef Skewers


Cut up chicken (Cycle 1) or Beef Sirloin (Cycle 2/3) into bite sized pieces. Use the following recipe and let meat marinate for at least 2 hours:


Marinade:

2 tbsp Olive Oil

1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar

1/4 Cup Tomato Sauce

1/2 tsp Chili Powder

1/2 tsp Cumin

1/2 tsp Oregano

1/2 tsp sweetener

Salt, Pepper to taste


Use your favorite veggies from the Cycle Food lists such as onion, mushroom, bell peppers, etc and place them on skewers with meat and grill (you may marinate veggies in same sauce if you desire).


Cycle 2/3 additions: Use potatoes for your skewers (try canned mini potatoes– they work best), or serve with brown rice or couscous.


Other Easy Recipes


Cauliflower Nachos: Think you’ll miss your nachos? Think again! Try this yummy cauliflower nacho recipe instead.


Greek Souvlaki Chicken Skewers: Who says you can’t have healthy for game day? Yes, please!


Tuna Cakes with Lemon Dijon Sauce: These can be a perfect appetizer. Actually, these are perfect any meal, any day!


Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce: Everyone loves a meatball and combine them with this tangy sauce!


Buffalo Chicken Meatball with Blue Cheese Dressing: Seriously, you can never go wrong with meatball for the game!


Just because you’re on a diet doesn’t mean you can’t eat great food. Enjoy game day with your friends and family…and remember, it’s not all about food!


Original article and pictures take 17ddblog.com site

пятница, 11 января 2013 г.

Grilled Pesto Chicken and Tomato Kebabs

Grilled Pesto Chicken and Tomato Kebabs
Grilled Pesto Chicken and Tomato Kebabs for the 17 Day Diet

There’s nothing better than Summer time grilling. Here’s a tasty chicken and tomato kebab recipe that’s actually perfect any time of the year!


Grilled Pesto Chicken and Tomato Kebabs


Ingredients:


1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

1 clove garlic

1/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

salt and pepper to taste

3 tbsp olive oil

1-1/4 lbs skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes

24 cherry tomatoes

16 wooden skewers


Directions:


In a food processor pulse basil, garlic, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper until smooth. Slowly add the olive oil while pulsing.


Combine the raw chicken with pesto and marinate a few hours in a bowl.


Soak wooden skewers in water at least 30 minutes (or use metal ones to avoid this step).


Beginning and ending with chicken, thread chicken and tomatoes onto 8 pairs of parallel skewers to make 8 kebabs total.


Heat the outdoor grill or indoor grill pan over medium heat until hot.


Be sure the grates are clean and spray lightly with oil.


Place the chicken on the hot grill and cook about 3-4 minutes; turn and continue cooking until chicken is cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes.


Yields 4 Servings


Approved for all cycles.


View my original post of the recipe on Instagram. Recipe courtesy of @skinnytaste


Grilled Pesto Chicken and Tomato Kebabs

Photo courtesy of @skinnytaste


Original article and pictures take 17ddblog.com site