Chocolate-Chip Christmas Balls

If you are having a Christmas party or simple making sweet treats for the family to enjoy make these low fat chocolate-chip cookies!  Visit diet.com for other low fat recipes!

Start to finish: 40 min.

Makes: 36 balls

8 tablesppons butter, softened

1/4 cup cream cheese, softened (2 ounces)

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 egg

2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup white whole-wheat flour

1 12-ounce package miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup confectioners’ sugar

2-3 teaspoons fat-free milk

Directions: Preheat oven to 350°F.  In a medium bowl, beat butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer for 30 seconds.  Add sugar and salt.  Mix until combined.  Beat in egg and 2 teaspoons vanilla.  Beat in flours  Stir in chocolate chips.  shape dough into 1 1/2-inch balls.  Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake for 15 minutes, until bottoms are golden.  Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.

Meanwhile, combine confectioners’ sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of milk at a time until icing reaches desired consistency.  Drizzle frosting over cooled cookies.

Nutrition facts per serving: 124 calories, 1 g protein, 17 g carbohydrates, 6 g fat (3 g saturated), 1 g fiber

source: fitnessmagazine

Healthier Hot Chocolate

It’s almost Christmas time and I have the perfect low fat hot chocolate recipe for you and your sweetie to enjoy in the chilly weather!  There’s no need to ruin your healthy eating habits during holiday season! Check out these other low fat recipes!

Serves 2

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

3-4 tablespoons agave nectar (a natural sweetener found at supermarkets and health-food stores)

2 1/2 cups skim milk

1/2 vanilla bean, split

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions: Mix cocoa powder and agave nectar.  Heat milk in a medium saucepan over very low heat with vanilla bean, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Whisk in cocoa-agave mixture thoroughly, until mixture is warn but not boiling.

Nutrition facts per serving: 215 calories, 12 g protein, 44 g carbohydrate, 1 g fat, 3 g fiber

Source: FitnessMagazine

Delicious Low Fat Recipes for Slow Oxidizers!

Here are some delicious low fat recipes for slow oxidizers, also check out lowfat recipes at diet.com and here are some great recipes for vegetarians, organic cooking, and Low Carb Recipes.

Balsamic-Glazed Chicken and Bell Pepper Sandwiches

6 servings (serving size: 2 wedges)

Balsamic vinegar cooks down to a glaze that clings to the sandwich fillings, adding a hint of sweetness and a touch of acidity.  Pressing the sandwich after assembling it conducts the heat from the check to the cooked vegetables and melts the cheese.

Ingredients

4 teaspoons olive oil, divided in half

1 1/4 pounds skinless chicken breast, tenderized

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar, divided in half

2 cups red bell pepper strips (about 2 medium peppers)

2 cups vertically sliced onion (about 1 large onion)

2 (8-ounce) focaccia bread rounds, cut in half horizontally

4 ounces reduced-fat provolone cheese, thinly sliced

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Add chicken to pan; cook 1 minute on each side or until lightly browned. Add 1/4 cup vinegar; cook 2 minutes or until chicken is done and vinegar is syrupy. Remove chicken mixture from the pan; cover and keep warm. Wipe pan clean with a paper towel.

Return pan to medium-high heat; add remaining 2 teaspoons oil. Add bell pepper and onion; sauté 7 minutes or until tender. Stir in remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and remaining 1/4 cup vinegar; cook 1 minute or until vinegar is syrupy.

Arrange chicken mixture evenly over bottom halves of bread; top with bell pepper mixture. Arrange cheese over pepper mixture, and sprinkle with black pepper. Top with top halves of bread. Place a cast-iron or heavy skillet on top of sandwiches; let stand 5 minutes. Cut each sandwich into 6 wedges.

Nutritional Info:CALORIES 403; FAT 9.4g; CARBOHYDRATE 49g; SODIUM 259 mg; PROTEIN 34g; FIBER 1.9g

Ginger-Lime Swordfish

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 teaspoons grated lime zest

½ cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)

¼ cup honey

2 tablespoons ground ginger or 2 teaspoons fresh, minced

2 tablespoons minced green onion

1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce

2 teaspoons minced garlic

4 (6-ounce) swordfish steaks (about ¾ inch thick)

Cooking spray

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Preheat broiler to high

Combine first 7 ingredients in a small saucepan. Dip each steak into the lime mixture to coat.

Place fish on a broiling pan coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with black pepper. Broil 10 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.

While fish cooks, place lime juice mixture over medium heat; cook until reduced by half (about 8 minutes). Serve sauce with fish.

Nutritional Info:CALORIES 235); FAT 5.2 g; CARBOHYDRATE 22g; SODIUM 297 mg; PROTEIN 34g; FIBER 1.3 g

Source: Jillian Michaels, “Making the Cut”

Favorite Low-fat chocolate treat!

This is one of my favorite things to eat when I crave chocolate.

Low-fat Chocolate treat

• 1 sugar free chocolate puddings (any of the chocolate puddings that are 60 calories)
• 1/2 a banana (strawberries and raspberries are also good)

Extra: Sometimes I add a handful of cereal to add a little crunch (Cinnamon Toast Crunch is really good in it)

It’s super easy and it’s a perfect low fat treat!

Look at diet.com for other healthy recipes

Delicious Low Fat Fruit Smoothie

While trying to lose weight by cutting back on my sweets I made a lot of fruit smoothies for a healthy treat.  They are low in calories, naturally sweet, and delicious!

Low Fat Fruit Smoothie Recipe:

• 1/2 banana
• 1 Dannon Light & Fit yogurt (only 60 calories–try blueberry, cherry, peach, strawberry)
• about 1 cup of frozen strawberries
• 3-4 slices of frozen peaches

This recipe makes about 2 cups and is approx. 165 calories and it is delicious!!  You don’t need to add milk or ice, the fresh banana and yogurt and frozen fruits is all you need to make everything blend together.  You can also try frozen mixed berries, rhubarb, raspberries, etc.  I like to get the frozen fruits that don’t have added sugar.

Check out diet.com for some great low fat recipes