Peanut Butter Cookies

This weekend I wanted to experiment with the baker side of me (which I am not). I wanted to bake something healthy, easy and with as few ingredients as possible. I decided to try "PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES." But these cookies have a healthy spin, they are made with all-natural peanut butter (my favorite.) These cookies are so simple that I left my husband to the recipe while I worked on dinner! So guys, if you think you can't bake something special try again. Ingredients: 1 cup Sugar (I used Brown Raw Sugar) 1 cup Natural Peanut Butter (I used Skippy) 1 egg (Organic Brown) Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Take all three ingredients and stir them in a bowl. Using a tablespoon scoop out your cookie mixture and place it on a cookie sheet. Make sure to spray it with a little PAM cooking spray so they don't stick. Place into the oven for 10 minutes and let cool for about 5. You now have some really healthy cookies that are great for a date night in, party or if you want to impress a loved one. Francesca Pucher

Cucumber Roasted Pepper and Tomato Salad

So my team memeber Jeff grew his very first Jersey Garden this season. When he told me that he got some nice cucumbers I said have you ever eaten a cucumber salad, if not I am making you one that is really good and healthy. Well today was the day I made it and brought it in for him to eat for lunch. He LOVED it and here is how simple it is to make. Give it a try let me know what you think... Ingredients 2 Large Cucumbers (peeled and sliced) 2 Large Roasted Red Peppers (jarred and washed) 1 TBSP Sliced Black Olive (or your favorite) 6 oz Chopped Cherry Tomatoes 1 ½ TBSP Cut up Low Fat Mozzarella (Slice the block long ways and cut into small pieces) Sprinkle of Ms. Dash (Italian Medley Seasoning) 1 TBSP Plain Balsamic Vinegar Take your cucumber, peppers, olives, and tomatoes cut them all up and put into a serving bowl. Sprinkle your seasoning on top and toss. Add the balsamic vinegar and cheese toss again and serve. You can serve this dish chilled or room temp. Great as a side dish with your favorite grilled protein or as a refreshing light salad.

Turkey Spinach Baked Meatballs

Ingredients: 1 package lean ground turkey meat 1/2 bag fresh baby spinach steamed 1 cup any jarred tomato sauce or fresh 2 squirts of Pesto Paste (in a tube) Sprinkle of Ms. Dash Tomato Basil Garlic seasoning Dash of Parmesan Cheese This dish is so easy. You can make up a bunch and have them for dinner or lunch the next day, its even a great way to get your kids to eat veggies. So lets get started: 1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees (baking then will cut the fat, its way healthier) 2) Take all the ingredients above and mix together 3) Take the mixture once you are done and start to form medium size balls and place in on your baking sheet a good distance apart. 4) Bake for about 35-40 minutes Once your turkey balls are complete take your tomato sauce that is left over and heat it up for a few minutes. Using a nice size dish or bowl take the sauce and pour it on the bottom of your dish, place your meat on the dish and garnish with a bit of Parmesan cheese and serve. I love this dish it is delish and its portioned out. I like to serve with a huge salad of mixed greens and roasted vegetables or you can serve it with some Quinoa. The best part about making a bunch is you have leftovers for lunch with a salad, or you can make this for company with some pasta as a last minute resort. So try and enjoy.

Chicken with Goat Cheese and Tomato

Ingredients: 1 Package of Chicken Breast Black pepper Tomato Basil Garlic (no salt season)Ms. Dash Balsamic Dressing (light or regular) 1 cup Diced cherry tomatoes(fresh) Olives (whatever you like black, Kalamata) about 2-3 TBSP if jarred rinse liquid 2 TBSP sundries tomatoes in seasoning 3 Roasted Red Peppers (jarred and rined) chopped Goat Cheese crummbles Fresh Basil torn and chopped This is such an easy dish especially if you want left overs or are entertaining for a group and don't know the likes of all the guests (can't go wrong with chicken). I made this dish for a dear friend of our who had surgery and wanted to get together. The entire dish took 35 minutes, and it was a hit. So lets get started: Get a large flat bottom saute pan and spray with PAM. Take your chicken and coat with black pepper and Ms. Dash. Cook till its no longer pink. While that is cooking chop take the rest of your ingredients (tomatoes, peppers, olives, sundried tomatoes) place in a separate bowl. Remove the chicken from the pan and place on a dish to the side. Take your balsamic dressing and coat the bottom of the saute pan you just used, add the chopped ingredients a heat till tomatoes get soft. Add back the chicken to the pan and let it all heat up for about 5 minutes. Turn the heat off and sprinkle with your goat cheese and fresh basil. So good your guest will love it. Also its nutritious and low in calories. Serves about 6. Serve with your favorite vegetable, rice, pasta, or a large salad.

Grilled Steak and Vegetable Salad! Must Eat.

So the other day Frank and I were in the supermarket; I am typically not a meat eater but my body was starting to feel tired and it wasn't just from my running but from what I felt was lack of some REAL Iron. So I headed to the meat department and picked up a pack of the leanest cut of steak they had. I went home that night and made a GREAT salad that my body thanked me for. Call it my Grilled Steak and Vegetable Salad, and all you need is a grill pan or your regular outdoor grill and a bowl to put everything in. So here's how to do it.... 1 pack lean steak cutlets 1 yellow zucchini 1 large tomatoes 1 head of asparagus 1 orange pepper Pam spray 2 large roasted red peppers (jarred) 2 TBSP chopped olives any kind (I used black) 1/2 can drained artichokes sliced in water 1 fresh lemon 1 TBSP crumbled goat cheese 2 TBSP Italian Dressing 2 cups Arugula Salad 1 cup fresh Spinach That's all the ingredients you'll need. I typically buy a bunch of these vegetables from the market and keep them in my fridge ready to go at any time...especially in the summer when it is to hot to put the oven on and you want a quick and healthy meal after work.

OK lets get started: 1) Marinade your meat with the dressing and let it sit room temp while you get the vegetables 2) Slice your vegetables so that they cook even on your grill, and spray your grill with PAM 3) Heat Grill to medium/medium high, and place your vegetables on top (cooks for a total of 10-15 minutes) We are talking all veggies (orange pepper, tomato, zucchini, asparagus) 4) Place your arugula/spinach/olives/roasted peppers/and artichokes in a large salad bowl 5) Remove vegetables when they are done slice them and add to bowl 6) Place steak on grill and cook at same temperature for 5 minutes, but watch them.. they cook really fast! 7) Remove steak & slice it up and toss in the bowl 8) Toss everything together and spritz your lemon juice over the entire salad mixture 9) Place your crumbled goat cheese on top toss again and serve This dish is so great. If you are not a fan of Steak then add Chicken tenders or even Shrimp....this whole dish took me about 20 minutes and it was so good. The next day my body definitely felt better. So give it a try and let me know what you think.

7 Foods to Always have Stocked in your Kitchen

1.Greek Yogurt: Yes, sure, this is perishable, but if you pick a few up before you head out the door for vacation … or even if that’s not a concern, but you always want to have a super easy snack on hand, individual containers of Greek yogurt are smart. 2.Nuts: In our opinion, these are some of the greatest foods. Ever! They’re a great source of healthy fats, they’re a decent source of protein, and loaded with antioxidants. Oh yeah and they don’t need to be refrigerated. An absolute win win! 3.Canned salmon/chicken (or tuna): So these may not be "your thing" — but hear me out. They’re not perishable. They will last in your cabinet for a long time and if you are open to either salmon and/or tuna, they’re a great source of protein and healthy omega-3’s. 4.Frozen berries: Remember, we’re going for non perishable. And these are winners. Always have them on hand to throw in smoothies, yogurts, or have with oats. 5.Nut butters (almond, peanut, etc): These are perfect for a quick meal — spread them on some whole grain bread, or just have with a banana or celery, as a quick snack. Here’s a favorite meal of ours — 1 cup blueberries, 1 TBS almond butter, a sprinkle of unsweetened coconut on wheat bread. 6.Black beans: Natures perfect carbohydrate — super high in fiber and antioxidants, yet also provides a nice amount of protein to boot. Try mixing a can of the salmon or tuna with 1/2 cup black beans, toss with balsamic vinaigrette, and you’ve got an easy meal that’s ready in minutes. Too bad we didn’t have these available when we got home! 7.Jarred tomato sauce: We’re advocates of throwing together you’re own sauce — it’s quick, easy, and has waaaaay less sodium and sugar. But this is always great to keep on hand for the times you’re in a really tight pinch … quick, easy, and can help you put together a meal in no time flat. A quick one for us — pick up a rotisserie chicken, top it with a little jarred sauce, melt some mozzarella on it, and you’ve got the easiest chicken parm you’ve ever eaten!

Papaya-Avocado Salad

Ingredients 1 medium papaya, diced 1 medium avocado, diced 3/4 cup(s) jicama, diced 2 tablespoon nuts, walnuts, chopped, toasted 2 tablespoon dressing, raspberry vinaigrette, low-fat Preparation Toss papaya, avocado, jicama, walnuts and raspberry vinaigrette in a medium bowl. Great refreshing salad to go with your July 4th or summer BBQ.