Posts by admin:
- (Double Recipe if just making the sauce)
- 2/3 cup tomato paste
- 1 1/3 cup water
- 6 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 small onion, grated
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 3 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup Nectevia
- 2 Tbsp Fructevia
- 22-24 ounces of chicken breasts
- plus an Instant Pot
- 2 avocados, peeled and pitted
- 4 Tablespoons red onion, diced
- 1/4 cup tomato, diced
- 4 Tablespoons shredded carrots ( prepackaged)
- 1 lemon, juiced
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 pouches of StarKist Tuna Creations BOLD Tapatio
- green olives for garnish
- 4 multigrain rice cakes
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 4 Tablespoons pumpkin puree
- 1 Tablespoon NuNaturals Cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon NuNaturals Nustevia Pumpkin Spice Syrup
- 1 teaspoon NuNaturals Nustevia cocoa syrup
- 1 scoop Sunwarrior Warrior Chocolate Protein Powder
- 1 scoop greens
- 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin spice seasoning
- 1/4 cup water
- 4-5 ice cubes
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One bottle of the NEW SUGAR-FREE GINGER SYRUP
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One bottle of the NEW SUGAR-FREE COCOA SYRUP
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One bottle of the NEW VANILLA SYRUP
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PLUS a 50 pkt. box of our NuStevia NO-CARBS Stevia Packets.
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In addition, each of the 4 winners will also receive a FREE BONUS item.
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The total retail value of each package is $ 70.00.
- 1/2 cup apple juice
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 3 Tablespoons pumpkin puree
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin spice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 teaspoons Nectevia
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 1/2 ounces bourbon whiskey
- 1 ounce triple sec
- 1 orange peel
- apple cider flavored sparkling water
- 1 Tbsp Erysweet
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin spice
- 15 oz canned chickpeas, drained
- 2 item(s) egg(s)
- ⅔ cup(s) egg white(s)
- 3 Tbsp Fructevia sugar substitute
- 5 Tbsp Monksweet+Plus
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 Tbsp regular butter, melted
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup(s) canned pumpkin
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ⅓ cup(s) Giant Nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 8 ounces 1/3 less fat cream cheese
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil
- 1/3 cup pumpkin canned
- 3 Tbsp Monkfruit+Plus
Instant Pot Sugar Free BBQ Sauce for BBQ Pulled Chicken
October 27th, 2017If you are following a sugar free lifestyle, this is a recipe for you. Do you know that there is practically sugar hidden in so many products especially in condiments? Ketchup and BBQ sauce are two condiments that we probably used the most in our home. Truthfully, they have been the hardest to kick because I had not come with an alternative.
Since my husband likes a specific BBQ sauce line, I tried to really replicate as close as possible so that he did not feel deprived. He has been following my same clean eating lifestyle so it has been very encouraging. I was able to mix up all the ingredients in an Instant Pot to quickly end with a delicious recipe for BBQ Pulled Chicken.
One of the things I enjoy doing on busy weekdays is to make really quick meals. The kids seem the neediest during meal prep time, so I have been really enjoying my Instant Pot a lot more lately. I quickly add all my ingredients or I can sauté first and then cook my recipe and it be ready within 30 minutes.
As far as making my meals sugar-free, it has been definitely exciting to play around with spices and ingredients. Steviva brand is one of the newest sugar free brands on the market and are available on Amazon. They have blends that include agave nectar mixed with stevia for those that just need a little more sweetness, or there is the erythritol called Erysweet.
For my BBQ sauce, I used their other product called Fructevia that consists of crystalline fructose, inulin and stevia. I really has a nice flavor to it without any aftertaste. I added all my ingredients for my BBQ sauce inside the Instant Pot starting with a small diced onion and I set the pot to the sauté mode. I cooked the onions and added garlic and finally added the rest of the spices along with my tomato paste, water, and sweeteners. Once that simmered in the pot, I turned it off and added 22-24 ounces of chicken breast and set on the chicken mode.
Since I used a lot more chicken I increased my cooking mode on the manual setting from 12 minutes to 25 minutes to make sure that internal temperature for chicken would be appropriate. Sure enough, when the timer went off, I let there be a 5 minutes natural release before releasing completely. I used two forks to shred chicken and I was ready to serve.
Note: I did make this recipe several times. If you want to make the BBQ sauce by itself, double the recipe for a larger quantity and follow instructions in recipe. Seal in a mason jar and refrigerate. It is good for 15 days.
Instant Pot Sugar Free BBQ Pulled Chicken
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Keywords: cook Pressure Cook entree lunch gluten-free low-carb sugar-free soy-free chicken American summer spring fall winter
Ingredients (4 cups of shredded chicken)
For Sugar Free BBQ Sauce
Chicken
Instructions
For Sugar Free BBQ Chicken
Add 2 tsp olive oil to pot and hit sauté mode. Add grated onions and minced garlic and sauté until caramelized (about 7 minutes). Add the water, tomato paste and the rest if the ingredients and let simmer for 10 minutes. Add the chicken breasts and seal Instant Pot with lid. Turn off sauté mode and use manual mode to add 25 minutes cooking time. Allow to natural release for 5 minutes then completely release. Use 2 forks to shred chicken and allow chicken to rest in sauce for a good 10 minutes before serving.
Add to baked potatoes, nachos, salads, and more.
To make JUST BBQ sauce
If you want to make the BBQ sauce by itself, double the recipe for a larger quantity. Seal the Instant Pot and cook for 12 minutes and naturally release so that flavors come together. Cool and seal in a mason jar and refrigerate. It is good for 15 days.
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Spicy Snack Hour | Tapatío Tuna and Guacamole Rice Cake Stacks
October 20th, 2017
The last few weeks have been a blur because packing up a home and unpacking into a new home is no joke. My steady healthy eating habits have kept steady up until the week we had to have everything packed. Two weeks later, now that most of everything is set in place in my kitchen, I can get back to eating the way I enjoy. Lunch is the most trying time of the day so I usually enjoy a heartier snack while the kids are down for a rest. There is only enough time to prepare something for 3 hungry toddlers before they are done and mommy needs to get going with the rest of the day.
One of my favorite quick protein choices that you will find in my pantry is tuna. I recently discovered StarKist Tuna Creations BOLD which are available in 6 varieties, including Thai Chili Style, Jalapeño, Hot Buffalo Style, Tapatío, Sriracha and even one with Rice & Beans in Hot Sauce. If you like a bite in your foods, these ready-to-eat options will spice up your snack hour.
StarKist Tuna Creations BOLD offer delicious & nutritious meal solutions to fit your busy lifestyle and add an extra kick of flavor —each is a good source of lean protein and 110 calories or less to keep you fueled. Fire up your taste buds and get ready for a BOLD hit of flavor. StarKist has partnered with Tapatío and added their hot sauce and a touch of lime juice to their classic chunk light tuna. This perfect blend is ready to enjoy on corn chips, on a salad, in a taco or straight out of the pouch.
I grabbed my molcajete ( a stone mortar and pestle) and made some quick guacamole. I added the guacamole to some hearty multigrain rice cakes and added half a packet on top of the guacamole for two servings. Depending on the day and whether I had lunch, I would eat two rice cakes for my snack. So satisfying and a perfect combination of cool and spicy. Yummy food makes a happy mother.
Oh, and if your husband is home, this is a winner for the father who forgets to eat. Thumbs up.
Tapatío Tuna and Guacamole Rice Cake Stacks
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients (4 servings)
For the Guacamole
Additional ingredients
Instructions
For the Guacamole
Add the avocado to a stone mortar and pestle or bowl, and mash with pestle or fork. Mix in the diced onions, tomatoes, carrots, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Assembly
Divide the guacamole between 4 rice cakes. Open two StarKist tuna pouches and divide each pouch between 2 rice cakes. Garnish with tomato and green olives. This can serve 2 people with 2 rice cake stacks or 4 people.
The pouches are single-serve and require no can opener and no draining, making it easy to add a BOLD protein to your favorite salads, meals and snacks…or you can just grab a fork and eat straight from the pouch wherever you are—just Tear. Eat. And Go! Visit http://starkist.com/ and follow @StarKistCharlie on Instagram and Twitter.
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Chocolate Pumpkin Protein Smoothie + Giveaway
September 27th, 2017I have partnered with Sunwarrior and NuNaturals to bring you this recipe & giveaway to you! This Pumpkin Chocolate Protein Smoothie is a great boost of protein for any morning, snack or dessert option. It is free of processed sugars, gluten-free, vegan, and raw. Affiliate links included to help support this website.
Protein: What Powers my every day
Protein. Protein. Protein. It is what I have been living by every time I go to the kitchen. I make sure that every meal and snack have some sort of protein so that my sugar level will be leveled. I have chatted in previous posts that finding out the right eating lifestyle to bring balance to my hypoglycemia has given me life. Gone are the days of just eating 2-3 meals a day. Now I eat 5 small meals a day and by God’s grace, I have lost 53 pounds.
While I would love to focus and speak to just mothers, everyone in general lives much busier lives than ever before. Planning meals and snacks ahead of time just does not happen for everyone. Convenience and fast food places continue to grow and be in high demand. But when do we realize that eating requires us to be mindful?
Truthfully, I am someone who loves quick and convenient especially with 3 toddlers. It is easier for me to jump to the drive thru lane of our favorite Chick-fil-a and grab meals for my kids and even for myself. But how many times can I do that before boredom and bad habits slip in?
Busier lifestyles and On-the-go
I have made it a habit to always have a protein smoothie with me because sometimes I do not know how long I will be at different times of the day. Sometimes I only have time to make meals for my husband and kids. A quick protein smoothie gets me the protein and energy I need until I get my next meal. I have even learned the hard way.
Weigh-in days at Weight Watchers are Wednesday mornings for me. My husband has usually prepped a meal for me to take to consume after I weigh in but it has been 9a30am and I have already been awake 2-3 hours. I have had the worst days on Wednesdays simply because I crash and burn by the time I have my meal. My whole schedule gets off and I am not a happy mom.
I started 2 weeks ago having a smoothie even before my weigh-in and it has done WONDERS!!! Not only has it made me more regular in the mornings BEFORE I weigh-in, but I am a happy, sugar-stabilized person. Who knew? This is totally about getting to know yourself.
Protein Smoothies and Where to Start
If this is you, consider adding a protein smoothie for breakfast while you get your kids ready. Have one 3 hours before dinner, so that dinner preparation will not be so stressful with kids. Or even on the way home from work, lunch feels so far away and you want to grab a bite to eat at a fast food place. Take your smoothie with you!!
Here is what I stick to for my base:
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 scoop Sunwarrior Warrior Raw Blend (various flavors)
1 scoop greens ( I alternate between Amazing Grass & Innate Women’s Greens
1/2 cup frozen berries ( the least amount of sugar)
Ice
Nunaturals NoStevia powder (optional)
Chocolate Pumpkin Protein Smoothie
Prep Time: 5 minutes
4 Weight Watchers Smartpoints a serving
Ingredients (1 smoothie)
NuNaturals Discount + Sunwarrior & NuNaturals Giveaway
I have been using NuNaturals for more than a year. Their products have been a great substitute for sugar especially since everything they make is mostly stevia-based. They also make products that are blends of stevia and erythritol, and they also offer other sugar free alternatives for those seeking to be free from processed sugar in their eating lifestyles.
Sunwarrior is another brand I have enjoyed getting to know. I have tried many protein powders and their Warrior Blend is one of my favorite so far. They have a blend of amino acids and their powders are vegan and raw. I really do not endorse something I am not really familiar with but these two brands have been a huge help in my clean eating lifestyle and I hope to help you see if they can become part of yours!
Have you been trying to look for a protein powder? Two people have a chance to win a tub of Sunwarrior’s Warrior Blend. FOUR people will also win the following from NuNaturals:
NuNaturals GIVEAWAY is open WORLDWIDE and Sunwarrior is open to US readers only. Winners will be chosen through Instagram and this blog post.
Can’t wait to try their NEW Pumpkin Spice Syrup and Chai Spice Syrups???
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Spiced Pumpkin Bourbon Sidecar
September 25th, 2017
This is a recipe created for the Steviva Blogger Recipe Challenge. I was sent product to test and create one-of-a-kind recipes. I hope you enjoy this Spiced Pumpkin Bourbon Sidecar.
This weekend I anticipated the weather doing what it was supposed to do. Fall, where art thou? Summer has instead continued to linger and for now we have been enjoying the rays and getting a little more sunburn. Even so, I continue to create the fall recipes.
I have a love / hate relationship with pumpkin. The more I play around with pureed pumpkin, the more I seem to enjoy its versatility. My husband is on to me though. He can smell the spices and he knows I am up to something. Pumpkin pie is on hold until November but the Pumpkin Spiced Lattes and baked goods are calling my name.
It has been a while since I shared a cocktail with you. In reality I have not been really drinking since starting my clean eating lifestyle. I actually enjoyed more wine than I am used last weekend when I attended Expo East in Baltimore. I actually prefer beer most these days, but then again, I miss my gin and tonics.
Everyone knows that many cocktails require simple syrups and sweeteners which means more calories. Steviva has a product called Nectevia which is a blend of agave nectar with stevia and is 1/4 of the calories, carbs, and sugars than regular table sugar and agave. For every 1/2 teaspoon there are only 2 calories and 1 gram of carbs. 1 teaspoon of Nectevia equals 4 teaspoons of regular blue agave nectar.
I made a spiced mulled cider with apple juice, orange juice, water, pumpkin puree and spices and added Nectevia along with vanilla extract and chilled. When I was ready to serve I prepared two cocktails, a fall version of a typical bourbon sidecar, and added triple sec and bourbon. I then topped off each tumbler with apple cider flavored sparkling water.
If you are having friends over, this is a cocktail to prepare. Move over mulled wine or spiced cider and bring in the punch. I enjoyed the bourbon in this drink because it made it warm despite it being chilled. It was comforting with all the flavors mixed.
I created a spiced sugar to rim each glass using Steviva’s Erysweet which is a erythritol and a 1:1 replacement for table sugar. I added some pumpkin spice and mixed in the Erysweet and voila. Each drink was ready to consume.
Having trouble cutting back on sugar? Nectevia is definitely a product to try if you are having a hard trouble enjoying stevia on its own. A little goes a long way. While I do not use it for everything, I have been replacing the occasional treat with Nectevia because it is sweet.
Want to try these products? Use the code THANKYOU to save 20% when you checkout at the Steviva store.
Spiced Pumpkin Bourbon Sidecar
Prep Time: 10
Cook Time: 10
Ingredients (2 cocktails) – 12 Smartpoints per glass
For Spiced Cocktail Base
For EACH Cocktail
For Sugar Rimmed Glass
Instructions
For Cocktail Base
Add all ingredients to a small pot and boil for 5 minutes. Let the juices cool and refrigerate until ready to use. If using the same day, just make sure the mix is cooled.
Cocktail Assembly
Mix the rimmed sugar with spice. Use an orange slice to moisten the edge of each tumbler and dip the glass into the sugar. Repeat with second glass.
Add 1/2 cup of the cocktail base to each glass. Add 2 ounces of bourbon whiskey and 1 ounce of triple sec to each tumbler. Add 2-3 ice cubes and top off with apple cider flavored sparkling water.
Garnish each tumbler with an orange twist.
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Spiced Pumpkin Bars with Pumpkin Frosting {Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free}
September 21st, 2017It has been a while since I have shared a recipe with you and I am so sorry. I have been selfishly holding out on you. You need this spiced pumpkin recipe, so I am sharing this as a part of the Steviva Blogger Recipe Challenge.
While we hit fall this Friday, I thought I would share this pumpkin recipe because you need it in your life. Since starting my clean eating lifestyle, having desserts was not my priority. Slowly but surely I started wanting to get back to baking. I started playing with mug cakes or one serving dessert waffles. It was time to make something fancy.
I have gotten a whole new respect for dessert that is made from beans. I tried it many years ago but I did not like it but something about different recipes and trying my hand at my own has proven to be very exciting.
Don’t stop reading this post. No really. Beans for dessert? It is HIGH protein, low-carb, and free of processed and real sugar. Since I was sent a package using Steviva products I decided to use their MonkSweet+Plus which is a blend of monk fruit, stevia and erythritol and has less than 5 net carbs per serving.
I also used Fructevia sweetened to add more sweetness to the cake. The cheese frosting is sweetened with the Monksweet+Plus and proved to be one of my favorites.
I shared this recipe with a few ladies so I could get a good opinion from them and they all liked it. One of my friends stated how the cake tasted like a steamed pudding. It is both delicious cooled after coming out of the oven or chilled in the fridge.
I added this recipe to my Weight Watchers recipe builder on my phone app and each bar is 6 smartpoints with frosting and 3 smartpoints for only the bar itself. It was so good and am sure it will be one of your favorites.
Please make this and leave a comment here letting me know how you enjoyed it. Thanks!
Spiced Pumpkin Bars with Pumpkin Frosting
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Keywords: bake dessert snack low-carb vegetarian vegetarian recipes on recipage nut-free chickpeas pumpkin
Ingredients (9 bars)
For Bars
For Pumpkin Frosting
Instructions
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9×9 dish with olive oil spray.
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend well until smooth. The batter will seem like liquid, but it is okay. Pour the batter into baking pan and bake for 45 minutes.
Cool the cake and prepare frosting.
Add frosting ingredients to blender or food processor and mix well until blended.
Frost the bars and consume. Place in fridge when not eating.
