Delicious Eggplant Dip - Baba Ganoush

Ingredients:

1/2 large eggplant

1 tbs tahini

1 tbs lemon juice

1 garlic clove

pinch of chili powder

1 tbs olive oil

sea salt to taste

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees

2. Slice eggplant in half lengthwise and brush with olive oil. Place in foil lined sheet and bake it for 45 minutes.

3. Allow eggplant to cool, then place eggplant in the food processor, add tahin, lemon juice, garlic, chili powder, olive oil and blend until smooth. 

4. Add salt to taste.

Serving size is 2 tablespoons.

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Quick Snack - Rice Cake with Cottage Cheese and Raw Almonds

If you need a healthy, quick snack idea, this snack is  very easy to make.

Ingredients:

3 rice cakes

1/2 cup 1% low fat cottage cheese

1oz (22 nuts) roasted almonds

Preparation:

Put cottage cheese and almonds on the rice cake and enjoy.

Nutritional value per serving:

Calories: 354, Protein: 22g, Carbs: 31g, Fiber: 4g, Fat: 17g

Guilt Free Dessert - Bananas in Coconut Flakes

If you are looking for a healthy comfort food, this dessert is for you. Bananas in coconut flakes is very easy to make and does not require many ingredients. The main ingredient is coconut flakes and coconut oil. Why coco nut oil is good for you? It is good because coconut  fats have special fats called medium chain triglycerides (MCTs).  It has been shown that breaking down these types of healthy fats in the liver leads to efficient burning of energy. However, it does not mean that you can eat as much as you want. It is still dense in calories, 120 calories per tablespoon. Using this healthy fat in your diet can help our bodies mount resistance to both viruses and bacteria that can cause illness. Even more, it also can help to fight off yeast, fungus, and candida. Coconut oil can also positively affect our hormones for thyroid and blood sugar control and reduce bad cholesterol. Coconut oil also helps to absorb nutrients better. Try this guilt free desert and enjoy healthy, fit life.

How to Make Blueberry-Banana Baked Oatmeal

Eating oatmeal day after day can get old really fast. This recipe is perfect for weekend morning when you have a little extra time to cook and spoil yourself with this delicious meal. This recipe makes 2 servings.

Easy Dinner Recipe Turkey Breast in Almond and Flaxseed Meal

Almond meal and flaxseed meal are great to use instead of bread crumbs. Almond meal is low in carbohydrates and a good source of protein, fiber, vitamin E, and magnesium. Flaxseed meal has good nutritional benefits such as Omega-3, lignans (natural antioxidants), and dietary fiber.

How to Make a French Toast the Healthy Way - Nutrition by Olga

Who does not like a French toast for breakfast. Here is your favorite breakfast minus fat, sugar, and tons of calories. This clean recipe is packed with protein, fiber, and complex carbs that will provide serious fuel for your body, and it tastes terrific. You will always look forward to your early morning wakeup call.

Deciphering Fad Diets

January 1^st is approaching fast, and many people start thinking about the most common New Year resolution - weight loss. Some people have probably picked their weight loss program, and some are still researching and looking at many different options. I would like to help you to decipher fad diets that will help you to make the best decision.  

With new diet books published daily, and thousands of websites claiming the secret to weight loss, it can be pretty overwhelming deciding which diet to follow. You need to ask yourself few questions to decide if it is a healthy diet or a fad diet:

1.      Does the diet claim extremely fast results? If it does, the plan is unrealistic. The most effective and long lasting weight loss is slow and steady. It is healthy to lose in between ½ - 2 lbs per week. If the diet claims that you will lose 10 lbs in two weeks, you should not pick this plan.

How to Make a Clean Italian Dinner

Italian food is delicious but it is very high in calories. You can still enjoy a nice Italian dinner minus extra fat and calories. This clean recipe is absolutely delicious (makes 6 servings).

Ingredients:
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 4 oz each
3 eggs
1/2 cup almond meal
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tsp poultry seasoning
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Sea salt, to taste
Olive oil spray

Tinkyada Brown Rice Spaghetti
Cilantro for garnish

Sauce
2 tblsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
Pinch crushed pepper flakes
28-oz can pureed tomatoes
1 tblsp dried oregano

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
2. Combine almond meal, flaxseed , seasoning, salt and pepper in a separate bowl.

3. Beat eggs in a bowl with a fork. Dip each piece of chicken into eggs and set aside.
4. Briefly dip egg-coated chicken in egg mixture again, then dip into dry mixture and coat evenly.
5. Put chicken breasts on the baking sheet, spray it with olive oil, cover with foil, and bake it in the oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
6. While chicken is baking, cook pasta.
7. Sauce: Heat oil in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and pepper flakes. Shake pan gently until garlic becomes fragrant.
8. Add  tomatoes, oregano, and salt. Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 30 minutes.
9. Serve pasta and chicken breast with tomato sauce, and garnish with cilantro.

Calories: 316 Fat: 17g Carbs: 33g Fiber: 5.3g Protein: 17g Sugars: 4g

How to Make Baked Apples with Raisins, Almonds, Orange and Dates- Christmas Dessert

Clean eating should not be boring. There are so many delicious options. I love good, healthy deserts! One of my favorite deserts is baked apples, and I love making it during winter holidays. It is very easy to make, and you can enjoy this healthy treat without any guilt.

Ingredients:

8 large whole apples, cored

1 orange piled and cut

12 oz of natural apple juice (no sugar added)

3 oz raisins

2 oz pitted dates

2 oz almond meal

1 1/4 teaspoon grated orange zest

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 pinches of ground cloves

2 teaspoon Stevia

Directions:

1. Soak raisins in apple juice for a few hours. If you do not have almond meal, you can use chopped almonds or pecans. Soak the chopped nuts with the raisins in the apple juice. It will bring out the flavor even more.

2. Place the soaked fruit, almond meal, zest, pitted dates, and Stevia in a food processor and pulse to a paste.

3. Using a sharp knife, make a shallow cuts around the middle of each apple to prevent them from bursting during cooking.

4. Line a baking tray with foil.

5. Placed the cored apples on the baking tray and stuff each one with the filling.

6. Cover the baking tray loosely with foil and bake for 40-50 minutes at 350 degrees or until apples are soft.

7. Decorate apples with orange pieces.

One serving: Cals: 168, Fat: 2.25g, Sodium: 35mg Carbs: 35g, Fiber: 3.25g, Protein: 2g, Sugars: 31g

Concealing Dark Circles - Creating Flawless Skin Part 2

  What ages us more? It is dark circles under eyes. It makes us look older, unhealthy and tired. Using right corrector and concealer can help you to hide dark circles and make you look flawless. Skin in the under-eye area contains fewer oil glands, and it essential to apply plenty of moisture. The more moist and supple you make your skin before you apply your concealer, the better the results. Here are the steps how to cover dark circles:

     1. Prepare skin under eyes by applying eye creme and letting it soak in for a couple of minutes. If your skin is very dry, you should apply extra layer of eye cream and let it soak in and dry. You really need to be generous with your eye cream. My three favorite hydrating under eye creams that I use are Cellular Laboratories De-Aging Eye Creme, Dr. Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture, and Benefit It's Potent Eye Cream. After you apply the cream, you should blot off any excess creme with a sponge or tissue. Using eye cream is very important because it will help your concealer adhere, and it also prevents concealer from caking up and drawing attention to fine lines. I also apply a primer on the top of an eye cream. A