Day that shall live in infamy!

Today marks a new chapter of my life! For 2 weeks I have been hovering 1-2lbs above my goal weight with little variance. I was beginning to accept that my goal might be a bit too low. So, I didn't get discouraged, I didn't binge, I just kept doing what I've been doing. If there is weight to be lost, my body will lose it. Slowly, but it will. So what is this new chapter if the menu stays the same? MUSCLE!!! Keep checking back for more great low carb recipes!

Parmesan Chicken Salad

On these hot summer days, sometimes a girl just wants a salad!  Unfortunately, a plain green salad doesn't last very long in my stomach.  So I decided to take the Low Carb Chicken Parmesan to another level.  You don't have to change anything when cooking the chicken.  Just a few simple extra steps, and it is delicious!  I use Dole Chopped Romaine for my salads.  Put in a large salad bowl, add approximately 1 tbsp of parmesan cheese, 2 tbsp Ranch dressing, chop chicken into cubes and VOILA!  You have a tasty, filling salad!

Nutrition:
Calories- 328
Fat- 19g
Protein- 30g
Carbs- 9g (6 net grams)
Fiber- 3g

Pepperoni snacks

One thing that seems to be in unlimited supply in my house, besides bacon, is pepperoni slices.  Having a busy schedule and a limited budget, I am left with just a few items to use in my "recipes".  That can get boring!  So every time I go into the kitchen for a snack, or to cook, I try to think about a different combination of ingredients.  Maybe some day I will fulfill all the possible options for combinations.

First off we have the Pepperoni mini quesadilla!

Ingredients:
14 pepperoni slices
7 small slices marbled jack cheese (or cheddar, your preference)

Create a sandwich of pepperoni, cheese, pepperoni.

Microwave for 30 seconds, flip and microwave for an additional 30 seconds.

Next are the Pizza mini's!  Yea, sounds the same as the pizza rolls.  And really they kind of are.  But as I stated earlier, I try to find different ways to eat the same ingredients, makes things interesting.

Ingredients:
14 pepperoni slices
1/2 cup shredded mozarella cheese
1 tbsp powdered parmesan cheese

Arrange sandwiches with pepperoni, mozzarella, pepperoni.

Microwave for 30 seconds, flip ****Add parmesan cheese****, then microwave for an additional 30 seconds.

Both of these can be served with either Ranch dressing, or Marinara Sauce.  I use both for either one.

Quesadilla Nutrition:
Calories: 350
Carbs: 0g
Fat: 30g
Protein: 20g

Mini pizza's:
Calories: 328
Carbs: 2g
Fat: 24g
Protein: 25g

Bacon Cheddar Chicken

So I've played with this idea in my head for quite some time, and I finally put it in the pan.  Simple, tasty chicken is my specialty!

Ingredients:
5- Boneless Skinless Chicken breast cutlets
5 slices bacon (I use maple bacon for everything)
5 square slices Sharp cheddar cheese (or equivalent)
Olive Oil

What's really great about this recipe is that because of the bacon, you don't have to add any salt or seasonings to the chicken for cooking.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Line glass baking dish with olive oil very lightly.  As bacon cooks, the bacon grease will act as a barrier. 

Wrap each chicken breast cutlet with one slice of bacon as shown, and arrange in dish.

Bake at 375 for 7-8 minutes, flip, and cook for an additional 7-8 minutes.
Add cheese and place back into oven.  I had a block at the time and used smaller slices, it all works the same.

Once the cheese is melted, you are done!  I usually let it cook slightly out of the oven so that it makes for slightly cleaner presentation.  Serve with vegetable of your choice!

Nutrition Info per breast:
Calories: 203
Carbs: >1g
Fat: 11g
Protein: 29

Low Carb Chicken Parmesan

Ok, so I am not exactly sure that Chicken Parmesan is the right name for this.  Also, I am probably not the first person to try this.  But everyone I have told about this has said it's the first they've heard of it.  I am determined to still eat the foods I like, just as a low carb option.  So here goes:
Ingredients:
4 Chicken breasts
1/4 cup Ragu Spaghetti Sauce
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Garlic powder
Italian seasoning mix
1 tbsp olive oil

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
In square Pyrex (or any glass pan), cover bottom with olive oil.  It really doesn't take very much, just a little patience to spread it around the pan.  Place the chicken breasts in the pan and sprinkle showing side with garlic powder and italian seasoning.  Once oven is ready, bake chicken for 8 minutes.  Flip and sprinkle other side with seasonings and bake for another 6-8 minutes.

Now you're basically done!  Now to add the spaghetti sauce, it takes about a spoonful per breast.  Next is the mozzarella cheese!

Simply place in the oven for another 3-5 minutes to allow cheese to melt and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts (per serving, serves 4):
Calories: 201
Carbs: 2g
Fat: 7g
Protein: 31g

Pizza Rolls

One of the hardest parts about any "diet" is the craving for pizza.  I came up with these out of complete desperation for pizza.  Great low carb snack!
Ingredients:
14 slices Hormel Original Pepperoni
1 String Cheese
2 tablespoons Ragu Spaghetti Sauce (or Ranch, your choice)
7 toothpicks, broken in halves

Cut string cheese into 6 long pieces, then cut those 6 pieces in thirds.

Now roll the one pepperoni with one string cheese piece, and hold together with toothpick.

Almost done!  Now turn the oven to broil and place in oven for 3-5 minutes.

Nutrition Info:
Calories: 240
Carbs: 3g (1g dietary fiber)
Fat: 19g
Protein: 13g
Sodium: 800mg

I did it!

Welcome to my blog!  I am so excited to share my adventures in the kitchen with everyone.  Let me start by saying that I LOVE food.  I enjoy experimenting with different flavors and trying out new ideas.  Most of the recipes I will be posting will be original ideas I threw together in my own kitchen, unless otherwise noted.  I will use MyFitnessPal.com to calculate recipe nutrition info, and will include as much of it as possible.  This blog is not intended to be a guide to weight loss, per say.  I have not always been skinny.  While I have a small frame, I have had my fair share of junk in the trunk (among other areas).  Through small lifestyle changes I am slowly making my way back to where I'd like to be.  Looking forward to sharing my journey with all of you!