21 Day Fix Cheesecake

Cheesecake is one of my absolute favorite desserts but I always eat a slice and want another, and another, and another which leads to a disaster if I don't have my self control in check that day. But since I have been on the 21 Day Fix I stumbled across a recipe for a healthier alternative, if you can say that, to the regular counterpart. The amazing thing about this cheesecake recipe is that it tastes just like full sugar, full fat, rich and delicate cheesecake.

At first I was scared to see how many colored containers one slice had in it but then I was relieved to know that each slice is only equivalent to one red container. This is perfect for me because I am supposed to eat four red containers each day and I hardly make it to that four every day. Not only does this help me reach that four container mark but it allows me to have a nice dessert after dinner.

You can top this cheesecake with whatever you'd like but since I am on the 21 Day Fix I choose fresh fruit or if I haven't used my allotment of peanut butter for the day then I melt a little of it and drizzle on the top. It hardens as it touches the cold cheesecake and gives it an extra little something for peanut butter fiend like myself.

So enough of the fluff and more of the recipe!

Ingredients:

16 ounces low-fat or 1 percent cottage cheese

½ cup of plain Greek yogurt

2 eggs

5 tablespoons of sugar (I used Stevia instead [1 tablespoon of sugar = ¼ teaspoon of Stevia])

3 tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions:

1. Dump cottage cheese and Greek yogurt in a blender and blend/liquify until smooth.

2. Add egg, flour, vanilla and lemon juice and blend again until all smooth.
3. Pour into a 9-inch round pan.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until the top starts browning and pulling away from the sides. It should be jiggly to the touch but not runny.
5. Let cool for a couple hours
6. Transfer to fridge or freezer until chilled.
7. Enjoy!

Servings:  6   |  Container Count: 1 Red per slice

Note: the picture above is not my actual cheesecake slice. I am waiting for my camera to arrive so I took it with my iPhone camera and the quality was poor. Below is the actual picture of my cheesecake. 

Eating On A Budget: Pineapple and Chicken Black-Bean Quesadilla

Eat well while saving money.

I really like www.budgetbytes.com . I always look to her site for cheap, quick and healthy recipes. Of all things I have taken away from her site it is cooking beans in the crock pot instead of buying them canned. It is by far healthier, cheaper and easier!

I used to HATE beans; they weren't appetizing to me and I picked them out of everything. Since I made my lifestyle change I thoroughly enjoy them and have found that black beans are my favorite. They're an excellent source of protein, cheap and healthy! What more can you ask for?

As I have been working to streamline my grocery shopping, satisfy my health(ier) lifestyle and keep my boyfriend happy with heartier meals I venture to Budget Bytes often. I started making more from-scratch meals and stumbled upon the chicken and pineapple quesadilla recipe on the website.

A)Instead of using pre-made tortillas I made homemade ones with the following recipe:

2 cups self-rising flour
3/4 cup water
dash of salt
3 tablespoons vegetable oil

Since I like things to be easy and time efficient I threw everything in a medium-size bowl, stirred it together, broke it into medium-sized balls and then kneaded it until it was the thickness and size I preferred.

1. Mix all ingredients
2. Break into medium-size balls
3. Knead until desired thickness and size.

I sprayed a nonstick skillet with a little non-stick spray (I know it is repetitive but better safe than sorry). Over medium heat I cooked each side for one minute. It will yield around 8-9 tortillas.

4. Spray non-stick spray on skillet
5. Cook each side for 1 minute over medium heat

Enjoy!

B) As for the quesadilla recipe (as mentioned on Budget Bytes) I used black beans, chicken, pineapples and salsa along with toppings such as shredded cheese and a little plain Greek yogurt.

16 ounces (= 1 can) black beans
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
15 ounces (= 1 can) pineapple chunks with juice
dashes of minced onion
dashes of paprika
dashes of cilantro
dashes of oregano
splash of lemon juice
4+ cups of water

As you can see I obviously don't follow measurements unless I am baking. I believe that each individual has different tastes and I like my seasonings the way I like them; therefore, I go by eye.

1. In a medium saucepan add all the dashes of seasonings and the chicken breasts. Bring to a rolling boil then let simmer for 30 minutes (making sure not to let all the water evaporate).
2. Once chicken is fully cooked remove from the pan and empty leftover water.
3. Return pan onto medium heat and add beans and pineapples.
4. Add a few dashes of lemon juice and any additional dashes of seasonings you prefer.**
5. While the beans, pineapples juice and seasonings heat shred chicken breasts to the thinness you prefer.
6. Add chicken and cook for an additional 20 minutes over medium heat; stirring occasionally so that the mixture doesn't stick.

Once all is heated you're finished with your quesadilla mixture! All you have left to do now is plop some onto those yummy homemade tortillas, add your toppings and devour! This recipe makes right at 8-filled quesadillas.

Like I mentioned earlier I used a little pineapple salsa, Greek yogurt and shredded Mexican-blend cheese as toppings. I also used tortilla chips as a side. If you don't want to engorge on store-bought tortilla chips you can make your own simply by following the above tortilla recipe but instead of cooking in a skillet slice into triangles and bake on 325F until golden brown (about 10-15 minutes).

** I like to boil my chicken with dashes of seasonings so the flavors cook into the meat but I also add additional dashes once I am on the home-stretch and finalizing the cooking process that way it adds to the flavor of the finished dish.

P.S. be sure to drink PLENTY of water with this recipe as it is obviously packed with sodium. No one likes Mexican food the next day when they're bloated so just avoid that all together!

Please note as I have taken this quesadilla recipe from www.budgetbytes.com but I have adapted it to my likings.

Fast food faux pas

How many times have you been in a rush and stopped through the drive-thru for an easy meal? I am guilty and you're probably guilty too. I remember when I was a senior in high school I would stop every Saturday morning and grab a McGriddle from McDonalds before work. I did that, in total, about six times. One day, while I was at work, I looked down and realized what I was actually eating. Two pancake-ish biscuits, cheese, bacon, egg and syrup. What was I thinking? I wasn't, that's what! I haven't eaten one since 2007. I don't think I will ever eat one again; they are terrible. According to my research a normal adult should intake somewhere around 2,400mg of sodium. A McGriddle has a whopping 1,030mg. That is more than 1/4 of your daily allowance. 

Just in case you're wanting to see the recommendations for vitamins and nutrients here is the link. So, on to the point of this blog: fast food is terrible.. There aren't any fast food restaurants that are better than my cooking.. just saying. A home-cooked meal is usually your best bet when it comes to nutrients. Most foods that are sold in restaurants are preserved, fried or both. Chances are when you cook at home you're not throwing your chicken in a big pot of oil (or at least I'm not).

Now we all know that most countries tend to be a little healthier than America. Anyone recollect deep-fried butter from the Iowa Straw Poll? Have you ever been to a county or state fair and seen a funnel cake or corn dog? Ever walked into a movie theater and seen a snack menu with fried Oreos or a large buttered popcorn (which comes in at a shocking 160 ounces or 20 cups)? That's what I thought. It is more than easy to consume unhealthy foods while living in a country that is on the innovative side of food. Who would have thought, fried Oreos!

Well, I have news for you! America isn't the most innovative food distributor! After discovering a recent article on Yahoo!, I felt the need to do a post about crazy, unhealthy fast food choices not offered in the US. All of these menu items can be found in Japan. Fast food chains most of you are familiar with are on this list. Don't let your jaw drop too much when you read these choices.

3) Get ready

2) Brace your jaw

1) Let's go

1. Wendy's Foie Gras Burger

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/japan-s-epic-fast-food-war-inspired-these-crazy-menu-items.html

- Beef patty

- Duck liver

- All the regular fixings

Price = $16

2. McDonald's Mega McMuffin

- Two breakfast sausages

- Bacon

- Cheese

- Egg

- English muffin

- Ketchup

3. Burger King's NY Pizza Burger 

- Beef patty

- Pepperoni

- Marinara

- Mozzarella 

- 9 1/2 inch Sesame-seed bun

4. McDonald's Ebi Filet-O

- Fried shrimp patty

- Thousand Island dressing 

- Lettuce 

5. Domino's Sirloin Steak Pizza

- Original pizza

- Grilled eggplant

- Truffle cheese sauce

- Sirloin steak

6. Burger King's Meat Monster Burger

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/japan-s-epic-fast-food-war-inspired-these-crazy-menu-items.html

- Two beef patties 

- Chicken breast patty

- Three slices of bacon

- All the fixings 

- Sesame Seed bun

Any of these sound delicious to you? Well, as I mentioned earlier these are served up in Japan, but America has their own fried-up slice of heaven too. Being from the South, I know about fried foods. I freed myself from fried foods for 31 days a couple months ago and after I took a couple bites of the golden deep-fried-to-perfection chicken I felt my stomach rumble. It only took a few bites before I had to stop eating. If I can tell a difference that fast after eliminating my fried-food intake then clearly fried foods effect our body quickly after you chomp down. I obviously felt the need to eliminate these choices from my diet, but after returning to fried foods I have a better understanding of how fast, how bad and how important it is to eliminate (or at least minimize) my consumption.

So, I ask you to think about what you cook up and chow down on. Do you prefer a Big Mac or a Whopper? Do you like pizza or crispy chicken? I leave you with this favor. Fill this SURVEY out for a healthier, happier blog!

DISCLAIMER: I am not associated with any health, fast food or commercial group. I am a blogger that hopes my readers become happier and healthier by reading my posts. I have linked each picture and fact with the website/source. Any questions feel free to email.