265 Calorie Spaghetti & Meatball Soup

I came up with the idea for this soup on a whim - I had all of the ingredients on hand so I just sort of threw it together, and it turned out great! This was a super easy, light, Italian dinner - perfect for the freezing weather we've been having in Chicago.

I used NOoodles for this recipe - they are a "zero calorie" noodle - basically there are so few calories that they can say there are zero calories, I would estimate there's about 30 calories or fewer in the whole package which is still really good for noodles  -- to satisfy a pasta craving I like to just rinse, drain and microwave these with some Earth Balance or olive oil and garlic powder and salt. These noodles are also already prepared so you don't have to cook them, just heat them up! They are also gluten and dairy free!

This recipe is gluten free and dairy free :)

Ingredients:

1 Can Tomato Basil Soup - 300 calories

1 Package NOodles - 30 calories

1 turkey burger patty - 200 calories

Garlic powder and Garlic Salt to taste                            

=530 calories, 2 servings, 265 calories per serving

Directions:

1. Put the turkey burger in a heated up medium sauce pan

2. Mash up the turkey and heat until browned

3. Add the tomato soup, bring to a boil

4. While the soup is heating, drain and rinse the noodles

5. Add the noodles to the pot, cook for a minute or two until the noodles are heated up

6. Serve hot :)

238 Calorie Chili

I tried making a skinnier version of my Mom's turkey chili - this was the result - you can customize it to your own preferences for chili ingredients, spice level etc.

This recipe makes at 2-3 large servings - you can freeze any leftovers and re-heat later for chili mac, chili dogs, or whatever else you might use chili for.

This would be great with my 158 Calorie Hearty Jalapeno Cornbread as a side :)

This chili is way better than canned/store-bought and it is gluten and dairy free!

Ingredients:

2 cans tomatoes - 180 cal

1 can chili beans - 315 cal

1 turkey burger - 200 cal

1 small can green chiles - 20 cal

1/2 tsp cumin

2 dashes each of salt, pepper and chili powder if desired                          

= 715 calories total, makes 3 servings, 238 calories each

Directions:

1. In a large stock pot brown and break up the turkey meat
2. Once the turkey is well browned, add in the tomatoes
3. Rinse the canned beans, then add to the pot
4. Add in green chilis and spices to taste
5. Allow to simmer for at least 25 minutes, longer if desired - stir occasionally
6. Remove from heat and serve hot - store leftovers in airtight container in the freezer

150 Calorie Bacon Mushroom Salad

I made this Bacon Mushroom Salad for dinner tonight and it was awesome - only 3 ingredients and under 20 minutes to make! 

The bacon and mushrooms would also be good as a steak or chicken topping, or on their own as a side dish - they are very versatile and there is no added oil because the mushrooms cook with the bacon - you can also add some extra spices like garlic or plain old salt and pepper.

This dish is gluten free, dairy free, and paleo :)

Ingredients: 

1 large slice of bacon - 80 calories

8 oz sliced mushrooms - 50 calories

2 cups mixed greens - 20 calories                       

= 150 calories total

1. Wash and slice up mushrooms, and cut bacon into 1 inch or smaller pieces

2. Add mushrooms and bacon to skillet or wok - cook on high heat

3. Stir occasionally, continue cooking until liquid from mushrooms cooks off and mushrooms are browned and bacon is cooked through

4. Remove from heat and serve over mixed greens - add salt and pepper, or garlic if desired

210 Calorie Garlic Pepper Shrimp and Broccoli

This is a really easy dinner recipe, and I (almost) always have these ingredients on hand so it's a good go-to dinner :)

All you need it broccoli, shrimp and some spices to whip this up 

- and it is gluten free, dairy free, and paleo :)

 Recipe:
4 cups Broccoli - 120 calories
6 oz. Shrimp(about 10) - 90 calories
Garlic Salt & Pepper to taste               
= 210 calories

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees

2. Spread broccoli florets on a foil lined baking sheet, spray lightly with cooking spray and sprinkle pepper and garlic salt on top

3. Bake broccoli for 25 minutes

4. While the broccoli is cooking thaw out the shrimp

5. Add the shrimp to a skillet and heat through - top with pepper and garlic salt

6. Take the broccoli out of the oven, top with shrimp :)

163 Calorie Eggs Benedict

This skinny eggs benedict has way more protein than regular eggs benedict -

 it is also gluten free and dairy free!

I used a broccoli pancake, a turkey slice and a poached egg to construct this - I also used some Annie's Light Thousand Island Dressing for dipping sauce instead of hollandaise

I used a microwave egg poacher but you can also poach an egg using a small custard cup in some boiling water in a sauce pan covered with a lid - or you can just baste or scramble your egg instead

Recipe:

1 egg - 70 calories
1 turkey slice - 23 calories
1 Dr. Praeger's Broccoli pancake - 70 calories


1. Cook the broccoli pancake
2. Heat up the turkey slice in the pan at the same time
3. Cook the egg last if you're using a microwave, it takes less than 30 seconds
4. Top the broccoli pancake with the turkey and egg - sprinkle salt and pepper if desired :)

170 Calorie Turkey Club Salad

Turkey Club sandwiches are classic - so I thought I'd try to make a salad version - 

I had a salad with Mustard dressing last week and it was fantastic so I decided to use mustard as the dressing for this salad - It is also much healthier than oily salad dressing

I also used Boston Lettuce for this - it's still alive when you buy it(it has the root attached) so it stays nice and fresh in the fridge :)

This salad is gluten free and dairy free!

Recipe:

1 head Boston Lettuce - 20 calories
2 slices Bacon - 60 calories
2 slices turkey - 70 calories
1.5 tablespoons Dijon Mustard - 20 calories          
= 170 calories total


1. Wash and chop up lettuce
2. Cook bacon and chop up, add to lettuce
3. Chop up turkey and add to salad
4. Add Mustard (as dressing) and toss to incorporate

200 Calorie Cabbage & Bacon Stir Fry

I found a recipe on Pinterest for Cabbage & Noodles cooked in bacon - and I figured I could make a healthier/gluten free version - 

This is sort of similar to Stir Fry or Pad Woonsen - it made a great main dinner dish and was really easy to throw together - you could add other veggies/protein to the mix if you want to change things up just make sure to cook the hard vegetables until soft

This is also gluten free and dairy free:)

Recipe:
1 package NoOdles - 40 calories
1/4 head cabbage - 57 calories
2 slices bacon - 60 calories
1 spritz coconut oil - 10 calories
1 teaspoon Tamari - 5 calories
1 teaspoon butter alternative - 29 calories
Garlic Salt to taste                           
= 201 calories total

1. Cook bacon halfway in the microwave
2. Wash and shred cabbage
3. Add cabbage to wok, spritz with coconut oil and heat up
4. Add the bacon and noodles(drained) and heat evenly
5. Add Tamari and garlic salt to taste - serve hot :)

16 Calorie Peanut Butter Pretzels

I had a craving for those peanut butter-filled pretzels - but I have yet to find a gluten free version so I had to make my own - 

I used Glutino Gluten Free Pretzels and PB2 to make these - using PB2 really lowered the calories in these because 2 tablespoons of regular peanut butter has 180 calories(that's more calories than my entire batch of peanut butter pretzels!) and PB2 only has 45 calories for 2 tablespoons

These make a delicious and easy gluten free snack :)

Recipe:
2 tablespoons PB2 - 45 calories
1 tablespoon water - 0
14 Gluten Free Pretzels - 70 calories                                                           
= 115 calories total, makes 7 pretzel sandwiches, about 16.5 calories each

1. Mix together PB2 and water into a thick paste
2. Take about 1 teaspoon sized spoonfuls of the peanut butter and press into a pretzel
3. Press another pretzel on top of the peanut butter - repeat with the rest of the pretzels and peanut butter
4. Enjoy :)

90 Calorie Spicy Shrimp Cocktail

Frozen cooked shrimp is a great healthy snack to have on hand - I like to buy a big resealable bag (40-50 count) and keep it in my freezer so I can thaw and use them as needed in lots of different recipes

This spicy shrimp cocktail makes a great appetizer, snack or light entree - 

and it is gluten free, dairy free, and paleo :)

Recipe:

For the sauce:
1/2 tablespoon Barbecue Sauce - 15 calories
2 tablespoons Sriracha - 30 calories

3 oz. Frozen Cooked Shrimp - 45 calories
                                                                        
= 90 calories

1. Mix together the barbecue sauce and Sriracha
2. Thaw the frozen shrimp by running under cold water
3. Dry off the shrimp - serve with the sauce :)

9 Calorie Pan-Seared Apple Fritters

Here's another apple recipe - it isn't the prettiest thing I've ever made, but these apple fritters taste really good! And they are much better for you than traditional deep-fried apple fritters. These are healthy enough to eat as breakfast, a snack, or dessert!

These are Gluten Free, Dairy Free, and only 135 calories for the whole batch!

Recipe:

1 egg - 70 calories

1/4 cup Unsweetened Apple Sauce - 25 calories

1/2 a medium Honeycrisp Apple - 40 calories

1 teaspoon Stevia                                                  

=135 calories for whole batch, makes about 15 small fritters - 9 calories each

1. Wash and cut the apple into small pieces - I cut mine into shoestring-type pieces

2. Whip together the egg, applesauce and stevia

3. Add the apple to the egg mixture

4. Spoon small amounts into a heated greased pan, flip carefully, brown both sides - repeat with the rest of the batter

5. Top with butter or sugar free maple syrup, enjoy hot :)

100 Calorie Carrot Fries

I love sweet potato fries - but these carrot fries are even healthier, and they taste really similar!

These make a great snack or side dish

These are also super easy to make, and they are gluten free, dairy free, and vegan :)

Recipe:

1.5 cups Baby Carrots - 78 calories

1/8 cup Sugar Free Maple Syrup -10 calories

Coconut Oil Spray - 10 calories                                          

= 98 calories total

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees

2. Slice the baby carrots in half length-wise, then in half length-wise again - cutting each carrot into 4 long pieces

3. Spread carrots on a foil covered baking sheet, spray lightly with coconut oil

4. Bake for 30 minutes, halfway through the cooking time move the carrots around to help them cook evenly

5. Remove from oven, serve with maple syrup as dipping sauce

95 Calorie Apple Pie Protein Smoothie

Here's another protein smoothie recipe :) This one tasted fantastic in my opinion, I think the apple and cinnamon flavors worked really well with the Vanilla Vega protein powder 

Using half a serving of the Vega Protein powder gives this protein smoothie 7.5 grams of protein and a full serving of vegetables :)

This is also gluten free, dairy free, and vegan!

Recipe:

4 tablespoons Unsweetened Apple Sauce - 25 calories

3/4 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk - 30 calories

1/2 serving Vanilla Protein Powder(1/2 scoop, or half of a single serve packet) - 40 calories

1/2-3/4 teaspoon Cinnamon                                                   

= 95 calories total

1. Freeze Applesauce in an ice cube tray over night
2. Put apple sauce cubes, almond milk, protein powder and cinnamon in the blender
3. Blend until smooth - it may take 1 or 2 minutes for your apple sauce cubes to fully blend if your blender is like mine
4. Serve cold :)

45 Calorie Pumpkin Donuts

I finally cracked and bought a Donut Pan from Target - for my first experiment with it I made these Pumpkin Donuts :)

These held their shape really well - especially since they don't have any oil/butter or eggs!

These are also gluten free, dairy free and vegan!

Recipe: (makes 2 donuts)

3 tablespoons Oat Flour - 66 calories

1/4 cup Pumpkin Puree - 20 calories

1 tablespoon Unsweetened Apple Sauce - 5 calories

1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon

2 teaspoons Stevia                                                       

= 91 calories, makes 2 donuts - 45.5 calories each

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
2. Mix together the pumpkin, flour, apple sauce, cinnamon and stevia
3. Pour into a greased donut pan (makes 2 donuts)
4. Bake for about 18 minutes - let cool and remove from pan

230 Calorie Fried Rice

Chicken fried rice in a restaurant isn't very healthy - and it usually isn't gluten free because of the Soy Sauce - so I thought I would try making my own healthy/gluten free version for dinner :)

I used quinoa instead of rice - you can use rice if you prefer, I just already had quinoa - and I added egg whites and peas - but you can add whatever other veggies/protein you like

This was pretty easy to make, and its only 230 calories! It is also gluten free and dairy free!

Recipe:
2 Egg Whites - 34 calories
1/4 cup uncooked Quinoa - 160 calorires
1/4 cup Peas - 26 calories
1 tablespoon Gluten free Soy Sauce/Tamari - 10 calories
Onion Powder, Garlic Salt, Pepper (to taste)                     
= 230 calories total


1. First cook your quinoa or rice - quinoa takes about 15-20 minutes to make
2. Once the quinoa is cooked, scramble the egg whites
3. As the egg whites are cooking you can cook the peas in the same pan
4. Once the eggs and peas are done add the quinoa to the skillet and stir in the Soy Sauce or Tamari, and add the other seasonings
5. Serve hot :)

20 Calorie Apple Oatmeal Cookies

Fall is in full swing, and clearly I have caught Apple Fever - 

I based these cookies on traditional oatmeal raisin cookies, but instead of raisins I used apple chunks!

These cookies are also lower-calorie than regular cookies because of the oat flour, and they do not have any regular sugar or butter/oil

These are also gluten free, dairy free, and vegan :)

Recipe:

1 tablespoon Oats - 32 calories

2 tablespoons Oat Flour - 44 calories

3 tablespoons Unsweetened Apple Sauce - 19 calories

1/4 of a medium Honeycrisp Apple - 20 calories

1 tablespoon Pumpkin Puree - 5 calories

1 tablespoon Stevia

Cinnamon(to taste)                                                          

= 120 calories total, makes 6 cookies - 20 calories per cookie

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Mix together oats, flour, apple sauce, pumpkin, stevia, and about 1 teaspoon cinnamon - refrigerate for 20-30 minutes

3. Wash and cut up apple into small pieces

4. Spoon the batter onto a parchment paper lines cookie sheet - makes 6 cookies

5. Smooth the cookies out, they do not spread while baking - then top with apple pieces and sprinkle cinnamon on top

6. Bake about 10-12 minutes - remove from oven and let cool, store in an airtight container

80 Calorie Apple Chips

Apple Chips were on sale at the grocery store, so my boyfriend picked out a few bags - I thought they were good but they were very sugary (and 140 calories for 12 chips!) and my boyfriend didn't think they tasted apple-y enough  -  so I decided to try making some from scratch without the added sugar

These weren't difficult to make, but they have to bake for a few hours so these are a good thing to make if you're going to be home for a few hours -  I made them while I finished watching Breaking Bad :)

All you need are Apples and Cinnamon! These are gluten free, dairy free and vegan! There are also only 80 calories in the whole batch!

Recipe:
1 Medium Honeycrisp Apple - 80 calories
Cinnamon to sprinkle on top


1. Wash and Slice up your apple into thin pieces - I did lots of differently shaped pieces, but you could make them more uniform if you are better with a knife than I am :)
2. Spread out the apple slices on a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet, sprinkle with cinnamon(you could also sprinkle some Stevia on top if you want them to be sweeter)
3. Bake at 200 degrees for 3 hours - then turn off the oven and leave the apple chips in there for another hour
4. Enjoy! Store in an airtight container :)