Low-Calorie Vinaigrette Dressing!

• 1 cup olive oil 
• 1/4 cup white vinegar 
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder 
• 1 teaspoon onion powder 
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 

What To Do:

1. Place all ingredients in a medium bowl. Using a whisk, mix until well blended.
    
2. Serve immediately, or cover and chill until ready to use.

Makes 1-1/4 cups dressing.

Notes

ENDLESS OPTIONS: Go ahead and experiment by changing or adding things to this basic recipe to give it lots of different accents. For example, to make it more Italian, use balsamic vinegar and season with oregano. For a French flair, use red wine vinegar and season with tarragon. For a citrusy version, use lemon or lime juice in place of the vinegar.

SERVING TIP: If the olive oil in the dressing turns cloudy after chilling, let it stand at room temperature for a few minutes then whisk again before serving.

Vegetarian Chili!

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 medium onion, chopped
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 2 green bell peppers, chopped
• 2 jalapeno peppers, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped

• 2 (4 ounce) cans chopped green chile peppers, drained
• 2 (12 ounce) packages vegetarian burger crumbles
• 3 (28 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes, crushed
• 1/4 cup chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans
• 1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn
• Add all ingredients to list

Directions

• Prep: 15 min

• Cook: 1 h 15 min

• Ready In: 1 h 15 min

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in the onion, and season with bay leaves, cumin, oregano, and salt. Cook and stir until onion is tender, then mix in the celery, green bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, garlic, and green chile peppers. When vegetables are heated through, mix in the vegetarian burger crumbles. Reduce heat to low, cover pot, and simmer 5 minutes.
2. Mix the tomatoes into the pot. Season chili with chili powder and pepper. Stir in the kidney beans, garbanzo beans, and black beans. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer 45 minutes. Stir in the corn, and continue cooking 5 minutes before serving.

Greek Chicken Pasta

Organic and All Natural Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) package linguine pasta
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast meat - cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 (14 ounce) can marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1 large tomato, chopped

• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 lemons, wedged, for garnish
• Add all ingredients to list

Directions

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ready Time: 15 minutes

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water until tender yet firm to the bit, 8 to 10 minutes; drain.

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; saute until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 5 to 6 minutes.
2. Reduce heat to medium-low; add artichoke hearts, tomato, feta cheese, parsley, lemon juice, oregano and cooked pasta. Cook and stir until heated through, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat, season with salt and petter and garnish with lemon wedges.

Healthy Blueberry Pancakes!

Ingredients (Makes 6 Servings)

• 1½ cups white whole-wheat flour 
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 1½ cups buttermilk 

• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons orange zest
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup fresh (or frozen) blueberries

Preparation

• Active
  50 m
• Ready In
  1 h

• Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Whisk egg, buttermilk, oil, sugar, orange zest and vanilla in a medium bowl. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, add the wet ingredients and whisk just until combined. Stir in blueberries. Resist overmixing—it will make the pancakes tough. Let the batter sit, without stirring, for 10 to 15 minutes. As the batter rests, the baking powder forms bubbles that create fluffy pancakes and the gluten in the flour relaxes to make them more tender. Coat a large nonstick skillet or griddle with cooking spray; heat over medium heat. Without stirring the batter, measure out pancakes using about ¼ cup batter per pancake and pour into the pan (or onto the griddle). Cook until the edges are dry and you see bubbles on the surface, 2 to 4 minutes. Flip and cook until golden brown on the other side, 2 to 4 minutes more. Repeat with the remaining batter, coating the pan with cooking spray and reducing the heat as needed.

• Make Ahead Tip: To make ahead: The mixture of dry ingredients can be stored airtight for up to 1 month; the batter can be refrigerated for up to 1 day; cooked pancakes can be frozen airtight, in a single layer, for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or oven.
• Tips: White whole-wheat flour, made from a special variety of white wheat, is light in color and flavor but has the same nutritional properties as regular whole-wheat flour.
• No buttermilk? You can make “sour milk” as a substitute: mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup nonfat milk; let stand for about 10 minutes before using.
• Storage smarts: For long-term freezer storage, wrap your food in a layer of plastic wrap followed by a layer of foil. The plastic will help prevent freezer burn while the foil will help keep off-odors from seeping into the food.

Nutrition information

• Serving size: 2 (4-inch) pancakes
• Per serving: 174 calories; 5 g fat(1 g sat); 3 g fiber; 27 g carbohydrates; 6 g protein; 7 mcg folate; 29 mg cholesterol; 7 g sugars; 2 g added sugars; 77 IU vitamin A; 3 mg vitamin C; 144 mg calcium; 4 mg iron; 378 mg sodium; 142 mg potassium
• Nutrition Bonus: Iron (22% daily value)
• Carbohydrate Servings: 2
• Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat

Healthy Granola & Fruit Recipe

Ingredients

Time: 1 h 10 m
Servings: 16Calories: 213 

• 3 cups old-fashioned oats
• 2 cups quick oats
• 1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
• 1/4 cup maple syrup

• 2 tablespoons Mazola® Corn Oil
• 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
• 4 teaspoons ground Saigon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 cup dried cranberries (or raisins or other dried fruit)

Directions

1. Combine old fashioned oats, quick oats, pecans and wheat germ in a large bowl. Combine maple syrup, oil, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg in a small bowl. Pour over oat mixture, stirring to coat. Spread mixture evenly on greased baking sheet.
2. Bake at 300 degrees F for 50 to 60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes, until oats are toasted.
3. Remove from oven and stir in dried fruit. Cool in pan on wire rack. Store in airtight container.
4. Serving suggestion: To make yogurt parfaits, layer 6 ounces vanilla yogurt, 1/2 cup mixed fresh or frozen fruit and 1/4 cup granola.

Pumpkin Pancakes!

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil

• Combine flour, brown sugar, white sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl and whisk together for two minutes to aerate.
• In a separate bowl, combine pumpkin puree, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, egg, milk, 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Mix in the flour mixture, and stir just until moistened. (Do not over mix.)
• Coat skillet with 1 teaspoon vegetable oil over medium heat.
• Pour batter into skillet 1/4 cup at a time, and cook the pancakes until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side.

Apple Walnut Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette

Ingredients

(10 servings/ 274 cals)
   
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/4 cup cranberries

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1 cup red onion chopped

1 tablespoon white sugar

1 tablespoon Dijon-style prepared mustard

1 cup vegetable oil

salt and pepper to taste

10 cups mixed salad greens, rinsed and dried

2 Red Delicious apples, cored and thinly sliced

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spread the walnuts out on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until lightly toasted.
In a food processor, combine the cranberries, vinegar, onion, sugar, and mustard. Puree until smooth; gradually add oil, and season with salt and pepper.

In a salad bowl, toss together the greens, apples, and enough of the cranberry mixture to coat. Sprinkle with walnuts, and serve.

Enjoy

Grilled Salmon with Mustard & Herbs

Salmon cooks over a bed of lemon and fresh herbs to infuse it with flavor and keep the fish tender and moist. We like a blend of thyme, tarragon and oregano, but any of your favorite herbs will work. Make it a meal: Serve with grilled new potatoes tossed in an herb vinaigrette and steamed green beans.

Makes: 4 servings

Active Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 2 lemons, thinly sliced, plus 1 lemon cut into wedges for garnish
• 20-30 sprigs mixed fresh herbs, plus 2 tablespoons chopped, divided
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 pound center-cut salmon, skinned (see Tip)

• PREPARATION

1. Preheat grill to medium-high.
2. Lay two 9-inch pieces of heavy-duty foil on top of each other and place on a rimless baking sheet. Arrange lemon slices in two layers in the center of the foil. Spread herb sprigs over the lemons. With the side of a chef’s knife, mash garlic with salt to form a paste. Transfer to a small dish and stir in mustard and the remaining 2 tablespoons chopped herbs. Spread the mixture over both sides of the salmon. Place the salmon on the herb sprigs.
3. Slide the foil and salmon off the baking sheet onto the grill without disturbing the salmon-lemon stack. Cover the grill; cook until the salmon is opaque in the center, 18 to 24 minutes. Wearing oven mitts, carefully transfer foil and salmon back onto the baking sheet. Cut the salmon into 4 portions and serve with lemon wedges (discard herb sprigs and lemon slices).

TIPS & NOTES

• Tip: How to skin a salmon fillet: Place skin-side down. Starting at the tail end, slip a long knife between the fish flesh and the skin, holding down firmly with your other hand. Gently push the blade along at a 30° angle, separating the fillet from the skin without cutting through either. 

NUTRITION

Per serving: 212 calories; 12 g fat (2 g sat, 4 g mono); 67 mg cholesterol; 1 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 23 g protein; 0 g fiber; 261 mg sodium; 428 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (17% daily value), Omega-3s.

Carbohydrate Servings: 0

Exchanges: 3 lean meat

Quinoa and Roasted Pepper Chili

A bowl of spicy Quinoa and Roasted Pepper Chili guarantees to take the chill off a cold winter's day. This vegetarian chili is loaded with fresh vegetables, pinto beans, and quinoa and gets its zing from poblano chiles.

• Yield:

  Serves 4 (serving size: 1 1/2 cups)

Ingredients

• 2 red bell peppers
• 2 poblano chiles
• 4 teaspoons olive oil
• 3 cups chopped zucchini
• 1 1/2 cups chopped onion
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1/2 teaspoon Spanish smoked paprika
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/3 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes with chipotles, undrained
• 1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added pinto beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup low-sodium vegetable juice

Preparation

1. Preheat broiler.

2. Cut bell peppers and chiles in half lengthwise; discard seeds and membranes. Place halves, skin sides up, on a foil-lined baking sheet, and flatten with hand. Broil 10 minutes or until blackened. Place in a paper bag; fold to close tightly. Let stand 10 minutes. Peel and coarsely chop.

3. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add zucchini, onion, and garlic; sauté 4 minutes. Stir in chili powder, cumin, and paprika; sauté for 30 seconds. Add roasted peppers and chiles, 1/2 cup water, and remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until quinoa is tender.

Nutritional Information

Amount per serving

• Calories 258 
•  
• Fat 6.3 g 
•  
• Satfat 0.9 g 
•  
• Monofat 3.6 g 
•  
• Polyfat 1.2 g 
•  
• Protein 9.7 g 
•  
• Carbohydrate 42.1 g 
•  
• Fiber 9.8 g 
•  
• Cholesterol 0.0 mg 
•  
• Iron 3.7 mg 
•  
• Sodium 430 mg 
•  
• Calcium 108 mg 

Bean and Kale Ragu

• Prep Time: 10 Min
• Cook Time: 1 H 15 Min
• Ready In: 1 H 15 Min
• Recipe By:Stefanie N

"Simmer leafy green kale, canned tomatoes with chile peppers, onions, garlic, spices, and fresh herbs with plump, white canned cannellini beans to make this savory, Italian-inspired ragu or vegetable stew."

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 pound kale, stems removed and leaves coarsely chopped
• 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 (15 ounce) cans canned cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh basil
• salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and kale. Cook and stir until the onions become transparent and the kale wilts and reduces in volume, 5 to 7 minutes.
2. Reduce the heat to medium. Stir the tomatoes and green chiles, garlic, water, bay leaves, cumin, and onion powder into the kale mixture. Simmer the vegetable mixture until the kale is soft, about 1 hour. Stir in the cannellini beans and continue simmering until beans are heated through, about 10 minutes. Stir in the oregano and basil. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Superfood Smoothie Recipe

Ginger is included in this queen of healthy smoothie recipes -so your digestion should be pleased with that. And Greek yogurt thickens things up in this superfood smoothie -not to mention adding a protein punch. A little green tea and some pomegranate juice bring even more antioxidants to the party -and frankly, what more could you ask for?

One smoothie and seven super foods.  Drink up and reap the rewards!

Yield: Servings 3 | Serving Size: 1 Glass | Calories: 131 | Previous Points: 2 | Points Plus: 3 | Total Fat: 1 g | Saturated Fat: 0 g | Trans Fat: 0 g | Cholesterol: 2 mg | Sodium: 287 mg | Carbohydrates: 26 g | Dietary Fiber: 4 g | Sugars: 13 g | Protein: 7 g 

Ingredients

• 1 cup baby spinach loosely packed (organic) 
• 1 sm frozen banana, slice before freezing
• 1 cup frozen berries, unsweetened (blueberries were used in the photo)
• Fresh ginger root (1/2″ slice) 
• 1/2 cup Greek Yogurt, plain, 0% fat
• 1 cup chilled green tea (unsweetened)…home brewed is best. 
• 1/2 cup pure pomegranate juice
• 1 cup crushed ice

Directions

Toss all ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth. The blender will be filled to the top with loads of super foods, so be sure the lid is on securely before blending. It will take a minute or so for all the ingredients to blend completely. 

For a thinner smoothie, add more green tea.

Enjoy and reap the benefits!!!