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. 

Friday Favorite: Peanut Butter Pie Battle

I decided I would go a different route this Friday Favorite edition. I have noticed two Peanut Butter Pies floating around the internet. I really, really, really, really want to try one of them. I knew which one I wanted to try out simply because it comes from my favorite food bloggers (Minimalist Baker).

Not only have I had it on my radar for several weeks, but I knew it would be healthier than the alternative pie I have seen recently. This pie looks oh, so delicious as well, but when I eat desserts I do prefer for them to be on the healthier side (or as healthy as possible).

I wanted to let this Friday Favorite post be about these two pies and which one you would choose.

1. When you look at the picture you might not notice at first which pie would be healthier.
2. You might not realize how many calories, sugar, fat, etc., is in the unhealthier alternative either. That's why I took it upon myself to actually examine the ingredients and calculate the calories based on an 8-slice pie. Please see photo below for ingredient and calorie count of the pie not from Minimalist Baker.

For calorie-counting purposes I separated the crust, filling and ganache respectively as breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Breakfast = Crust
Lunch = Filling
Dinner = Ganache

--> If you would like to try the left pie please click here
--> If you would like to try the right pie please click here

Disclaimer: This post is in no way related to Minimalist Baker or Best Yummy Recipes. This was simply a way for me to help make you aware of what you're putting in your mouth. Although you probably know pie is bad for you, you might not have known just how bad the pie actually is. Why not make a healthier alternative?

Vegan Chocolate Covered Strawberry Brownie

Healthy Mint Chocolate Strawberry Covered Brownie

As most of you know I have a sweet tooth, but I try to stay on the healthier side of the dessert spectrum. In honor of the Strawberry Festival Nick and I are going to at Boone Hall Plantation today, I made the following dish. I first got the idea from one of my favorite food blogs Jelli Bean Journals. 

With this recipe I simply made healthier brownies (from a box) and added a healthy chocolate covered strawberry to the top.

A) Did you know you can make your own hard shell chocolate sauce with two ingredients?
B) Did you know you can substitute oil and eggs for an avocado and water in brownies?

Well, check my recipe below to get the dish!

Brownie Recipe

Box of brownie mix
Avocado
1/3 cup of water

1. Pour brownie mix into mixing bowl.
2. Smash one avocado into the mix.
3. Add 1/3 cup of water and stir with spoon about 50 times.
4. Bake brownies as directed on box.


Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Strawberries
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
dash of mint extract (optional)

1. Pour coconut oil into bowl
2. Dump coco into the oil
3. Splash some mint extract in the mix
4. Mix all ingredients
5. Wash strawberries and place on plate
6. Drizzle chocolate sauce on strawberries
7. Place strawberries in freezer for 10-15 minutes
8. Place on top of your brownie

Enjoy!

How To Lose A Pound

I just read a very interesting article on Huffington Post that shows what individuals around the world eat and how many calories they consume on an average day. If you would like to read it you can do so here.

As most of you know I started a lifestyle change in 2012 and haven't looked back. I count my daily calories and track my physical activity as well. On a typical week day I will walk 3-6 miles and eat right at 1,500-1,900 calories.

Proof that tracking your caloric intake and physical activity pays off! 100 pounds lighter! 

Now, you may be thinking for someone who is still plus size how can I only eat 1,500 calories and still manage? I eat healthier foods, but I definitely won't lie and tell you I always eat healthy and keep a clean diet. I would be fibbing to no ends on that one. Though, I will admit that I do eat healthier throughout the weekday and give myself a break on the weekends. Nick and I have Friday night dinners and sometimes we just want to lounge and do nothing so we become couch potatoes on the weekends or at least one day of the weekend; I get too stir crazy and have to do something.

So, to give a glimpse into what my daily calorie intake looks like and what I eat on an average day.

I didn't walk three miles on this day but I did walk to a local store to purchase fresh veggies for the week ahead so I was able to burn 300+ calories just by forgoing my car and walking.

THE GOOD AND THE BAD:
Pros: 
• M-F between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., I drink 10-15 glasses of water | I eat plain oats every morning | I have at least one vegetable for lunch along with a lean protein and fruit.


Cons: 
• M-F between 6 p.m. - 11 p.m., I eat heavier meals and I am normally burnt out on water so I will drink some ginger ale, milk, etc., with my dinner. Sometimes I eat later than desired and I want dessert after dinner... EVERY NIGHT!!

• Saturday - Sunday I eat what I want to in moderation and I don't typically burn as many calories. 

The thing I recognize is that:
1. You can eat what you want but you have to remember moderation.
2. All calories aren't equal. You must move! Even if it is taking the steps instead of an elevator or running 5 miles a day, you must get to moving! Walking for an hour a day (3-4 miles) helps me burn right at 600-800 calories.

If you'd like any help, motivation or insight as to what I did and the steps I took please feel free to contact me.

36 Calorie Peanut Butter Cookie

When my sweet tooth gets too much to bear I try to make healthy choices and tonight I made my wonderful boyfriend and myself these delicious peanut butter cookies. I researched some recipes on Pinterest and here's what I came up with.

You can tell these aren't your typical peanut butter cookie with the added sugar, flour, etc but they'll cut the dessert calories and keep the cravings at bay!