Mini Pizza Bites

This is my 100th post! Yay!!! So in honor of that, I am revealing a brand new recipe you are all sure to love!

I just love pizza...simple as that...so I experimented a little bit and came up with this "I-promise-you-will-love-it" recipe.

Step One
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Gather your ingredients. You will need...

1 cup Cauliflower (2 Greens)
1/2 cup of tomato sauce (1 Green)
1/4 cup Egg Beaters (1/8 Lean)
4 ounces Low fat cottage cheese (3/8 lean)
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese (2 condiments)
1/2 teaspoon Dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon Dried basil
1/4 teaspoon Garlic powder
1/2 cup light mozzarella cheese (1/2 lean)

Step Two
Wash cauliflower and break it into segments. Next, place it in the food processor and pulse it until it reaches a rice-like texture.

Step Three
Place the riced cauliflower in microwave safe bowl and microwave for 8 minutes. (Do NOT add water or cover).

Step Four
Remove the cauliflower from the microwave and add the rest of the ingredients except the mozzarella cheese. Mix Well.

Step Five

Place back in microwave for 2 minutes. Mix again.

Step Six
Scoop the cauliflower mixture into muffin liners (or a greased muffin tin), dividing evenly.

Step Seven
Then press filling down so it’s compact in the liner.

Step Eight
Divide the tomato sauce evenly in each cup.

Step Nine
And then divide the cheese evenly in each cup.

Step Ten
Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or when the tops begin to turn golden brown.

Allow it cool and enjoy!!! And for those of you on the Take Shape For Life program, this entire recie counts for one lean and green meal!

xoxo,
Toni

cilantro-lime cauliflower rice

This recipe is going to blow your mind. It is the best alternative to Chipotle's cilantro-lime rice you will ever eat. The lime juice creates such a unique taste and compliments the earthy cauliflower taste. I promise you will love it.

Step One
Gather your ingredients. You will need:

1 1/2 cups shredded cauliflower
1 teaspoon olive oil (1 healthy fat)
1 Tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/8 cup cilantro, chopped
salt (optional)

Step Two
Shred cauliflower using the shredding blade on a food processor, or by hand with a flat or box grater.

Step Three
Pulse until the shape resembles that of rice.

Step Four
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Step Five
Add cauliflower and season with salt if you like.

Step Six
Then saute until soft and just starting to turn golden brown, about 10 minutes.

Step Seven
Next, turn off the heat and add the cilantro...

Step Eight
...and the lime juice

Step Nine
Then transfer to a bowl and enjoy!

Optional
To make this a complete lean and green meal, top the "rice" with some chicken (or any other protein) and shredded cheese. Delish!

xoxo,
Toni

day fifty-seven...month two update

Hi friends! Can you believe that it has already been two months!? I mean, where has the time gone? It's flown by, that's for sure.

The reason for my quote above is because I was so concerned about my weigh-in this morning and what would happen...what if I gained? But you know what? Instead of worrying about it, I should be excited to see how my hard work has paid off! :D Future notes to myself.

I have to tell you, that I am the happiest I have been in a long time. I know that I am not at my goal weight yet, but I feel so much better and am even more confident when speaking with people. The shy girl who stood in a corner is gone...hopefully for good. :)

But anyways, let's move on to what I ate today so you can see my updated photos and measurements!

Breakfast
It's Friday, so it is going to be a fun eats day. With that being said, I made myself an eggnog shake this morning. This has got to be my favorite shake...by simply mixing the vanilla shake with some eggnog capella drops, I can create the drink of my holiday dreams.

Morning Snack
I just love the hot drinks in the morning. I am so happy I ordered enough to have one every day. At first I liked the calorie burn cappuccino better, but now I am leaning towards the chai latte. I don't know...they are both so good! But today, I had the calorie burn cappuccino and loved every sip!

Lunch
I got a little creative for lunch today! It's Friday, so why not? I made cilantro-lime cauliflower rice and topped it with some chicken and light shredded cheese. So stinkin' good! The lime totally compliments the cauliflower. I will be posting the recipe for the rice soon!

Afternoon Snack
Keeping up with the favorites for today, I had some brown sugar cinnamon cereal crunch while sipping on some coffee as well.

Dinner
For dinner, I made something new again. I guess I was just in the mood to try out some new recipes. I made a pumpkin pie custard. And yes, it is as amazingly delicious as it sounds...and then some. So good! Definitely a holiday favorite. I will be posting the recipe for this as well fairly soon.

Dessert
I sort of wanted a chai latte for dessert rather than a crunch bar, so I made one and brought it with me to church. It was perfect because I put it in a red holiday Starbucks cup and I was able to drink it without anybody wondering what it was. ;)

Update
Okay...the moment you are all waiting for...the updates! Well, for starters, I only lost one pound this week, but considering all that has happened with me being sick, etc. I count that as a victory. And let's be real...I am still going down on the scale and have not gained, so double victory. I am excited to see what 2014 has in store for me!

Click here to see my starting pictures
Click here to see my month one update pictures

...and here are my month two update pictures...

Measurements

weight: 141.6 (-8.6 pounds)...I only lost 1 pound however from last week's weigh in
total lost: 24.6

biceps: 12" (-.5") 
total lost: 1.25"

forearm: 9.6" (-.4") 
total lost: .9"

chest: 35" (-2") 
total lost: 5"

waist: 29" (-1") 
total lost: 5.5"

hips: 36.5" (-2.25") 
total lost: 4.5"

bottom: 39.5" (-1.5") 
total lost: 3.75"

thigh: 23.4" (-1.1") 
total lost: 2.85"

knee: 16.5" (-.5) 
total lost: .75"

calf: 15.2" (-.8) 
total lost: 1.3

neck: 12.5" (-.25") 
total lost: .25"

Total inches lost this past month: 10.3" 
Total inches lost overall: 26.05"

I am over the moon...it's amazing how much your body changes day by day. Even though I don't see it, my body is slowly making progress. I hope this encourages you somehow today. I mean, I am a living example that if you stick to this program, you will lose weight and inches.

Please keep me in prayer for this next month and that I would stay on plan and be able to encourage and help others around me. Also, if you ever have any questions, feel free to contact me at confessionsandfood@gmail.com...I would be more than happy to help!

xoxo,
Toni

Cauliflower Crust Pizza

Before you exit out of this post because you despise cauliflower, here me out. First of all, this pizza has no taste of cauliflower...it is completely drowned out by the gooey cheese and smooth marinara sauce. Trust me...this is the best alternative to pizza you will ever eat. Convinced yet? Well, let's get started then.

Step One
Gather your ingredients. You will need:

Crust:
3/4 cup of grated raw cauliflower

1/4 cup Egg Beaters
1/2 cup of light mozzarella cheese or any other kind of light cheese

Toppings:

1/4 cup light Mozzarella cheese

1/3 cup of marinara sauce

5 spinach leaves

5 basil leaves

5 slices of a roma tomato

Step Two

Using a food processor, process the cauliflower so it looks similar to rice.

Step Three

Measure out 3/4 cup and place on a paper towel and dab the cauliflower to try and get all the moisture out. You want it as dry as possible.

Step Four

Add the egg beaters and 1/2 cup of the cheese to the cauliflower and mix thoroughly.

 

Step Five

Place the cauliflower mixture onto a pizza pan or cast iron pan and make it as flat as possible. I would suggest also using parchment paper, if possible. It makes the flipping process more easy.

Step Six

Bake for 30 minutes at 425 degrees. Carefully flip the pizza crust over by using a spatula to lift all edges of the crust off the pan or parchment paper first. Then bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until edges are really brown and crisp. Mine came out a tad burnt, which is totally fine...it tasted quite good actually.

Step Seven

Add all the toppings to the pizza. Feel free to switch it up and add your favorite toppings. I added light Mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce, spinach leaves, basil leaves, and slices of tomato.

Step Eight

Switch your oven from bake to broil and stick the pizza back in for about 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and browned.

Step Nine

Slice it up into eight pieces and enjoy your tasty pizza creation! Oh, did I mention you get to eat this entire pizza?! Is like your own personal pizza...all for you to devour.

I sure enjoyed mine! Down to the very last bite.

Medifast Lean and Green Breakdown:
Lean: 1/4 cup Egg Beaters (1/8 Lean), 3/4 cup of light cheese (7/8 Lean)
Green: 3/4 cup Grated Raw Cauliflower (1 1/2 Greens), 1/3 cup of marinara sauce (3/4 green), spinach and basil and tomato (3/4 green)
Healthy Fat: none...no need for it

xoxo,

Toni

Meatless Meatball Casserole

I have another recipe for you all! Now, before I begin explaining how to make it, let me first say that you can substitute the meatless meatballs for any kind of meatball you like—it does not have to be vegetarian.

With that said, let's get started!

Step One: Gather your ingredients

What you will need:
1 1/2 cups of cauliflower
1/4 cup of marinara sauce
1/4 cup of light mozzarella cheese
6 meatballs
1 teaspoon of olive oil
pepper and other spices you may want to add

Step Two: Pour a teaspoon of olive oil in the cauliflower bag and cook in the microwave. While that is cooking, place the meatballs in an oven safe dish and being baking (follow the directions on the bag). I baked my frozen meatballs for 10 minutes.

Step Three: Puree the cauliflower using either a food processor or an immersion blender. I used the later and it worked like a charm. Oh! and before you blend, make sure to add some spices that you like. I just added pepper and garlic flakes.

Step Four: Once you have the cauliflower at a desired consistency, spread it evenly on the bottom of an oven safe dish.

Step Five: Once the meatballs have cooled, cut them in half.

Step Six: Place the halved meatballs evenly on top of the cauliflower puree.

Step Seven: Pour the marinara sauce evenly on top of the meatballs and sprinkle the cheese on top of that.

Step Eight: Put the dish under the broiler and bake it for about 4 minutes. Keep a close eye and make sure to switch sides so the cheese evenly melts. You want it to bubble and brown a bit.

Step Nine: Let it cool so you don't burn the top of your mouth and enjoy your delicious faux potato and meatball casserole!

Medifast Lean and Green Breakdown:
Lean: Trader Joe's Meatless Meatballs (6), 1/4 cup of light mozzarella cheese
Green: 1 1/2 cups of cauliflower, 1/4 cup of Trader Joe's marinara sauce
Healthy Fat: 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil

Lastly, I know it looks like a lot, but the dish I used was fairly shallow and small. But it will fill you up and keep you full for pretty much the rest of the day. :)

xoxo,
Toni