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

day thirty-nine...motivational monday

I saw this quote and just knew I had to share it. I am still truckin' along and I do at times get weary and want to eat a cake or something. Weight loss doesn't happen overnight, so I just need to remember that even though I may not be at my goal weight yet, and may still have a while to get there, I am one step closer to that goal. Every day counts. As long as I am sticking to the TSFL program, I am one day closer to my weight loss goal.

Remember that today. It can really apply to anything in your life. Just make it through the day and you will be one day closer to that goal. Even if you mess up...start again the next day or better yet, the next minute and continue going. Don't beat yourself up. We all make mistakes, but it also our choice to get back up and start walking forward again.

Breakfast
I am back to my normal schedule today (unlike yesterday). I woke up, got ready, and made myself a mocha shake. I think these shakes are one of the things keeping me going on TSFL. All of the flavors are so good!

Morning Snack
Because it was the first day back to work since the warehouse sale on Saturday, we had a lot of clean up to do. I was busy all morning, but I was able to take a quick break and eat an oatmeal raisin crunch bar. I love being busy...makes the time fly by! PS...these bars are amazing!

Lunch
Back to my normal salad today. I made a pizza burger and put it on top of some chopped romaine and mozzarella cheese. I then topped it all off with some light Italian dressing. It was really good! I thought I wouldn't be able to taste the cheese all that much, but it was very prominent in the meal. And I love cheese.

Afternoon Snack
The salad didn't hold me over all that well because I was hun-gry by the time my snack time came around. Whenever I do get hungry, I just tell myself that I am going to eat in an hour...so just hold on. I also drink some water and chew gum which seems to help.

So for my snack I had the nacho chili puffs and drank a ton of water while eating them...they had a spicy kick to them!

Dinner
I made some macaroni and cheese tonight but decided to put a twist on it. I sprinkled some parmesan cheese in it to help thicken it up...it worked too! After I cooked it in the microwave I put the dish under the broiler to attempt to brown the top...but it only burned. Whomp, Whomp. It was actually pretty good though! Kind of tasted like a grilled cheese sandwich.

Dessert
To end the night, I had a peanut butter milkshake. This is the best dessert! Can't believe I get to have milkshakes on the TSFL program and still lose weight! Love it.

I pray your day is blessed and that you will continue to strive toward your goals. Just take it day by day.

xoxo,
Toni

3 ingredient asparagus frittata

This is the easiest dish you will ever make. I promise. It only has three ingredients! All you do it is mix everything together and throw it in the oven. That's it! I have adapted this recipe from Lauren Conrad and Food52

Step One
Gather your ingredients. You will need:
1 1/2 cups of chopped asparagus or any vegetable you like
1 cup of egg beaters
1/2 cup of light mozzarella cheese
pepper to taste

Step Two
Saute the asparagus until soft.

Step Three
Add the cheese (set aside about 2-3 tablespoons), pepper or any other seasoning you like, and the asparagus. I would recommend chopping the asparagus into smaller, bite-size pieces. It was kind of hard to eat when they were long.

Step Four
Turn the oven on to 375 and bake for about 30 minutes. Check after 25 minutes and stick a knife down the center. When it is soft, but not runny, it is done!

Step Five
Take the frittata out of the oven and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.

Step Six
Put the frittata under the broiler for a few minutes to melt and brown the cheese. Keep a close eye! You don't want it to burn.

Step Seven
Enjoy! I would eat it as soon as it comes out. No one likes cold eggs.

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

zucchini pasta with sausage

Step One

Gather your ingredients. You will need:

2 medium zucchini

1/2 cup of marinara sauce

1/4 cup of light mozzarella cheese

4 sausage links (depending on what kind of sausage. I used Morningstar)

1 teaspoon of olive oil

Step Two
Wash the zucchini. Then cut off the ends and peel the skin.

Step Three
Julienne the zucchini to resemble spaghetti noodles.

Step Four
Heat up the olive oil in a non stick pan and add the zucchini. Saute for a few minutes.

Step Five
Cut the sausage into bite size pieces.

Step Six
Add the sausage to the zucchini and cook until thoroughly heated.

Step Seven
Mix it all together while adding the marinara sauce. Keep stirring until the sauce is warm and zucchini is soft.

Step Eight
Transfer the zucchini to a clean, oven-safe plate. Then sprinkle the cheese on top.

Step Nine
Place the plate under the broiler and cook for a few minutes. Keep an eye on it so the cheese doesn't burn. You want it to have a nice golden brown color to it. Take it out of the oven carefully (plate will be hot) and enjoy!

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

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