Fluffy, Tender Denver Omelet

Serves 2

1 Tbsp plus 1 tsp olive oil
1/2 c finely chopped red onion
1/2 c finely chopped red bell pepper
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 oz of chopped ham or turkey bacon (about 3 TBSP)
2 large eggs,
3 large egg whites
1 Tbsp chopped parsley leaves

Add 1 tsp olive oil to cast iron skillet, add onion, bell pepper, and salt and pepper. Cook about 5 minutes. Stir in the ham and cook until heated through. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and wipe out the skillet.
Preheat broiler to low. Lightly beat the eggs together. Heat the remaining 1 Tbsp olive oil, swirl in pan to insure it is fully coated up to 1/2 inch on the sides as well. Add the eggs and onion mixture and mix the ingredients. Cook for 2 minutes (or until the bottom is set). Place the pan under the broiler and cook until firm on top (about 1 minute). Let is stand 1 minute. Slice into 4 wedges and serve. Sprinkle parsley on top.

Calories: 233
Fat: 15g
Protein: 14
Carbs: 8.6

Warm to your soul Chili!

Chili is one of the dishes that actually is fun to make and healthy to eat. I love trying different ways to make Chili!  Spice it up, or substitute your favorite lean meat or textured vegetable protein. Experiment with different beans and legumes. It's also great for using up those soon to spoil veggies.  Try to avoid certain popular mix-ins like cheese and sour cream that add more fat than flavor. 

1 lb. ground chicken/turkey, extra-lean (or make it without meat and use buglur wheat)

1 large onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 bell pepper, chopped

2 stalks of celery, chopped

28 oz of fresh tomatoes diced

2 tbsp of tomato paste

1 bay leaf

12 oz of fresh tomato juice

2 cans (15 oz.) black beans or tri colored beans, rinsed

2 tsp. chili powder (or more to taste)

Salt and pepper to taste

In a large saucepan, brown ground turkey. Spoon out any excess fat. Add onion, garlic, celery, and pepper,  and sauté until veggies about 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and simmer at least 30 minutes. The longer it's cooked the better! Can be served immediately (although leftovers are great, too). Serve with hot sauce to taste. Serves 4.

Who doesn't love pumpkin in the fall!

Did you know that pumpkin is an extremely good source of vitamins A and C, essential for maintaining good eyesight and a healthy immune system, high in potassium, manganese, copper and one of the B vitamins, riboflavin, considerable amounts of magnesium, phosphorus, iron, folate, vitamins E and B6, niacin, thiamin and pantothenic acid — and is low in salt, cholesterol and saturated fat.

http://www.thegraciouspantry.com/clean-eating-pumpkin-quesadilla/

How often do you have your "treat" ??

So I learned a hard lesson this past week. I restrain myself and my family and we eat so perfect for a good 4 weeks....so I've taught my family that they don't need the willpower I have it for them, but when all my willpower is gone no one is there to help me fight against my cravings. So I fall down...and I fall hard! So after way to much Ice Cream and a few to many s'mores I have come to realize I need to "treat" myself a little more often and not take so much control of how my family eats. If they slip, I can't use all my energy talking them down. Hard lesson, but I'm glad I've learned it! I see the next 4 weeks being much more productive and a lot less stressful! What are you learning on your journey?

Do you love fries??? Me too...try these

http://www.thegraciouspantry.com/clean-eating-curry-parsnip-fries/

Clean, Comfort Chicken Dumplings! At about 145 calories a serving!!!

http://www.thegraciouspantry.com/clean-eating-chicken-dumplings/

I get a lot of questions about what to eat and how much....yoyo diets, and gaining weight back!

When you talk about dieting you are setting your-self up for failure! You are not going to gain long term success from a diet. So instead of cutting out carbs completely or eating certain foods for a certain amount of time, lets CHANGE what we eat and how we cook it.
You eat eggs and bacon with butter toast for breakfast! Ok, so do I! I eat 1 whole egg and 2 egg whites (120 calories compared to 3 whole eggs at 210 calories!) I eat 2 strips of turkey bacon (50 calories compared to 100 calories) and I have one slice of whole grain or whole wheat bread with my egg and bacon on it! So I don't need butter .... that saves another 50 calories! So my breakfast is 280 calories and yours is  460!
You eat a bag of chips for a snack....try lightly salted cucumber or 100 calories bag of plain popcorn with light salt!!
For lunch you stop at a burger joint and get a triple burger and large fries !!! I have a turkey burger with sweet potato fries!
You may skip the next snack which makes you hungrier at supper time so you eat two plates instead a one. You double your calories right there! Portion your meals! If one portion is too high in calories try to fix the recipe in order to lower the calories!
I hope this helps you! Small Changes in you lifestyle can make a huge difference! Switch pop for water and you will see a huge change over a 30 day period! But don't go back! Start with one less pop today and one more water....then next week 2 less....and so on! 100 extra calories a day equals 10 pounds in one year! Start in small steps and you will see yourself GROW! And your pants size shrink!

So get out of your own way!!!