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

oven roasted parmesan brussel sprouts

It wasn't until after I ate these that I realized they are on the "do not eat" vegetables list...whoops! But hey, you live and you learn, right? However, for those of you not on the Take Shape For Life program or are on the maintenance stage of it, here is a delicious vegetable recipe for you!

Most people cringe when they hear the words "brussel sprout", but have you ever really given them a chance? If you have never eaten them roasted, I highly encourage you to do so. And with parmesan cheese encrusted all around them, they are a delight to eat. I promise.

Step One
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and gather your ingredients. You will need:

1 1/2 cups of brussel sprouts
1 tablespoon of olive oil
2 tablespoons of parmesan cheese

Step Two
Wash and cut the brussel sprouts in half.

Step Three
Put the brussel sprouts in a bowl and add the olive oil and parmesan cheese and coat the brussel sprouts evenly.

Step Four
On a greased cookie sheet (I also used foil, but that is optional), arrange the brussel sprouts face up and evenly spaced.

Step Five
Bake in the oven for about 40-45 minutes, turning around halfway through.

Step Six
Allow them to cool and enjoy!

xoxo,
Toni

pumpkin pie custard

This is the perfect holiday treat for those of you staying on plan. You will trick your taste buds into thinking you are eating something "naughty", but you are really only eating something "nice".

Recipe is adapted from Sandy's Kitchen Adventures.

Step One
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Gather your ingredients. You will need:

1 package of Medifast vanilla pudding
1 egg white
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cup water
12 drops of the pumpkin pie capella drops (add a packet of splenda if you don't have the drops)
Light cool whip (optional)

Step Two
Mix all ingredients in a blender.

Step Three
Pour the mixture into a greased ramekin.

Step Four
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until set.

Step Five
Serve warm or refrigerate overnight. Oh and add a dollop of light cool whip if you so desire.

And that's it! Enjoy!

xoxo,
Toni

pumpkin apple bread

Sweet treats are everywhere this time of year, and it's hard to keep saying no to your favorite foods. So if you are looking for a special treat during the holiday season but want to stay on plan, look no further. This pumpkin apple bread is just for you. It is simple, quick, and sure to satisfy those holiday cravings.

Step One:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Gather your ingredients. You will need:

1 packet of medifast apple cinnamon oatmeal (or any instant oatmeal packet)
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp Capella Pumpkin flavor drops
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 cup of cold water

Step Two
Mix the all the ingredients together, adding the water last. Gently form dough using your fingers.

Step Three
Now, I don't have a mini loaf pan, so I made my own using foil. You can do the same or just use a mini loaf pan. Once you have decided on which on to use, spray your mini loaf pan or handmade one with non-stick cooking spray.

Step Four
And just to be extra safe, go ahead and add a piece of parchment paper. Once you have done that, add the thick dough and form into the mini loaf pan.

Step Five
Bake for about 10-12 minutes. After 10 minutes stick a toothpick in the center and if it comes out clean, it is ready to eat!

Hope you stay strong during the holiday season and pray that you have a very merry and blessed Christmas!

xoxo,
Toni

turnip fries

Missing the taste of fries yet? Well, I have created an alternative! Of course, nothing will ever compare to french fries, but these come close. Plus, you will feel so much better eating these than those greasy sticks.

Step One:
Preheat the oven to 475 degrees. Gather your ingredients. You will need:

1 turnip
1 teaspoon of olive oil
2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese

Step Two
Wash and peel the turnip

Step Three
Cut the turnip into 1/4 inch wedges and put them into a bowl. Then add the olive oil and Parmesan cheese and coat the turnip wedges evenly.

Step Four
Cover a cookie sheet with foil and spray with non-stick spray. Then arrange the wedges on the sheet. Do not overlap or they won't cook properly.

Step Five
Bake the fries for about 20 minutes and then carefully turn them over. Bake for another 15-20 minutes.

Step Six
Remove the fries from the oven and allow them to cool for about 5 minutes.

Step Seven
Using a spatula, carefully uplift each wedge and place in them in a bowl.

Feel free to enjoy them by themselves or pair it with a lean meat and make it a complete lean and green meal.

The turnips alone count for all of your greens for the day. Enjoy!

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

day twenty-nine...month one update

Don't you just love winter? I know I do. I love the rain and clouds and the chill you feel when you step outside. Love it! I saw the sky this morning and smiled because it looks like it just may rain. But this is Southern California we are talking about, so it will most likely pass right over us.

It has already been one month since starting medifast! Wow...time flies by! Well, this is it, the one month update on my weight, measurements, and pictures! But I will get to all that at the end of the post. First, let's talk about what I ate.

Breakfast
I opened up my new shipment of Medifast foods and tried out the french vanilla shake. Oh. My. Goodness. This tasted like a liquid cupcake. So good! I am bummed I didn't get it before. But hey, I am still trying everything and figuring out what I like and don't like. This vanilla shake is definitely getting 5 stars in my book.

Morning Snack
It is a morning of firsts. For my morning snack I tried out the chai tea. This was delicious as well. I used to love the calorie-laden and creamy chai tea lattes and this is such a great alternative! It is a tad more spicy than I like, but it's still very good.

Lunch
I was feeling adventurous today for lunch. I decided to make an asparagus frittata. And guess what? It is only 3 ingredients! Click here for the recipe. Besides being crazy filling, it was a perfect treat for the wintery weather we are (finally) having.

Afternoon Snack
In celebration of completing one month, I decided to eat my favorite Medifast foods today. With that said, I had the s'mores crunch bar which is just so yummy and satisfying! I actually ate a few bites before I realized I didn't take a picture! I just couldn't wait to dig in. ;)

A little while later I had a an unsweetened iced venti Passion Tea from Starbucks. I haven't had one of these in quite some time, so it was a delicious Friday treat. Thanks for bringing me this, Kiera! You are the best!

Dinner
Continuing with the "eat my favorite foods" day I had the brown sugar cereal crunch for my dinner. I cannot tell you enough how much I like this snack. Such a great "crunchy" and sweet snack.

Dessert
To end the night, I had a mocha soft served turned milkshake. Great end to a great day.

Okay...now the part of the post you are all wondering about. How did I do in the first month? Well, let me tell and show you...

weight: 150.2 (-16 pounds)

biceps: 12.5" (-.75")

forearm: 10" (-.5")

chest: 37" (-3")

waist: 30" (-4.5")

hips: 38.75" (-2.25")

bottom: 41" (-2.25")

thigh: 24.5" (-1.75")

knee: 17" (-.25)

calf: 16" (-.5)

neck: 12.75" (same)

Total inches lost: 15.75"

I would say that is pretty good...wouldn't you? You can click here to see my original measurements and starting photos.

...and here is my one month photo...
 

That's all I have for today, but I hope this encourages some of you! Thank you for following me this past month and for all your support and prayers! I hope you stick around for month two! :)

xoxo,
Toni