High protien Parfait

Ok so, I have really been slacking on this amazing blog. But for good reason. This semester has been crazy, and it is finally over. I'm free, free at last. That's cause enough for celebration. Oh did I mention I graduated this past week. Yeah I know , I'm kinda a big deal. Ok, back to reality. I still have been cooking this whole time during crunch time and finals. Nothing extra special, no 5 course award winning meals coming out this kitchen this last month but still tasty. So the next couple of post will be updates of what I made , quick easy dishes, that I had no time to blog about.

Prior to this post, lots of my updates have been filled with chocolate, something fating, or something with melted cheese on it. Its not that I don't eat healthy, I do I promise, its just no time for updates. Anyhoo during this semester this was one of my favorite things for breakfast. Much better than the little .99 cent fruit and yogurt parfait from MickyDs. Start with 6-80z of Greek Yogurt. Must get the Greek kind has 13g of protein in it. Add strawberries, bananas, more yogurt and sprinkle with granola cereal. This little breakfast combo kept me energized and full for hours of studying. And was High in protein, and low in fat, a great combination.

Strawberry Pecan Salad so good

This salad was so good. I wanted a new salad from the usual boring tossed salad mix so decided to buy a new dressing and try out some flavor combination ...wow this was amazing I am like some salad genius. There should be some best salad award named after me, that's how good this salad is. This salad is a really good kick off to spring, its light and fresh and sweet. The pear Gorgonzola dressing is the perfect combination with the strawberries and pecans.

Ingredients:
4 ripe strawberries
handful of dried cranberries
candied pecans
crumbled goat cheese
Romain lettuce
iceberg lettuce
purple cabbage
Dressing Trader Joes Pear vinaigrette

Directions:
Toss all the ingredients in one large bowl and serve fresh with Pear dressing.

Edamame...eda what?

Edamame are baby soybeans still in the pod and are so good. I tried them for the first time last week at a place called XS in downtown Baltimore and became instantly hooked. Thanks to the lovely Aidah for putting me on to these. I feel like I have been missing out on these my whole life. They are really easy to make and a great healthy snack. Trader Joe's offers the salted and non-salted kind. They both are 10 grams protein and 5 grams of fiber ! I made these tonight with Mahi mahi and brown rice. I am trying to kick the new year off eating healthier dishes :-)

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups Edamame
Salt - dash of salt

Directions
Boil or steam Edamame of 5 mins.
Sprinkle with salt and serve. Voila! So good.

The Good Stuff....who knew

Its always a good idea to keep healthy snacks on hand. Most days I end up running late for work and stop by 7-11 or Wawa to buy some over priced protein bar that taste like cardboard. I was beginning to get tired of this routine so I decided to try out these protein bars from Beachbody. Wow , seriously this doesn't even taste healthy . Taste like a candy bar, and the best part is that its so good for you. Its packed with 20grams of protein and 0 trans fat. This is the best tasting protein bar I have ever tired. I was really surprised .I ordered the new flavor chocolate peanut butter and love it. I defiantly plan to keep this in heavy rotation . Great Stuff right here.

Tabbouleh

Tabbouleh

2 bunches of parsley
2 tbs mint
1/2 cup Spanish onion
2 vine ripened tomatoes
1/2 cup bulghar wheat
1/4 to 1/2 cup olive oil
1 1/2 tsp sea salt
Juice from 1 lemon
1 cup boiling water

Directions:

1. Place bulghar wheat in a bowl with the boiling water. Cover and let it stand for 20 minutes. Strain the bulghar wheat to drain off any excess water. Set aside.
2. Finely chop the parsley and mint. Place in a mixing bowl.
3. De-seed the tomatoes and dice. Dice the Spanish onion. Place tomato and onion in the mixing bowl with the parsley and mint.
4. Add the cooled bulghar wheat to the mixture. Add the lemon juice, remaining salt and olive oil. Mix thoroughly.
5. Cover and refrigerate . This salad is soo good. I could eat this everyday. This is another recipe I found on Taste buddies blog thanks Syrie.
   

Hummus

I love Hummus !!! This was my first try making it & it turned out great. I added extra garlic 4 cloves total and dash of cayenne pepper.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups canned garbanzo beans, drained
• 1/3 cup tahini
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cloves garlic, halved
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pinch paprika
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley

DIRECTIONS

1. Place the garbanzo beans, tahini, lemon juice, salt and garlic in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Transfer mixture to a serving bowl.
2. Drizzle olive oil over the garbanzo bean mixture. Sprinkle with paprika and parsley.

(only 77 calories !!!!)

Strawberry-Mango Parfait

Ok so wanted something quick and easy for breakfast. So decided to make this yummy parfait.
Ingredients :
Vanilla yogurt (used Activa light fat free yogurt )
Granola (used Almond Vanilla granola cereal Trader Joes brand)
4- fresh strawberries
1/5 mango sliced and diced.
Cool Whip (fat free light)
Directions : Add yogurt to bottom of dish, then granola, top with fruit and cool whip. This recipe is crazy easy my 4 year old niece can make it. Also its virtually fat free, great breakfast or anytime healthy snack any fruit can be used, I also make it with pineapples and Mandarin oranges if i don't have fresh fruit on hand.

Pineapple Mango Salsa!! Omg its so good

Ok, so i love fresh salsa so decided to make some to go with the beanstuff I made. It is simply delicious and like zero fat great snack.

Ingredients

• 1 large mango, ripe but still firm, peeled and diced
• 1 large can pineapple tidbits
  
• 1 large red bell pepper seeded-and diced
• 1 medium red onion, peeled and diced
• 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced (optional for added kick I left them out I don't like jalapenos)
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice (juice of 2 limes were enough)
  
• 1 ripe vine tomato diced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt.

Directions :Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.Cover and refrigerate for several hours before serving. Serve with Tostitos Lime chips. The picture doesn't do this meal justice .This salsa is the bomb. And fat free !!!