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Monday, April 30, 2012

Oatmeal Cake with Health One Meal Replacement

Welcome and HOORAY!  Today No Longer a Grim Girl received over 100 hits!  What a joy to know that so many of us are working toward the same goal...to live a healthier life.  It's inspiring that we are not alone in this journey as we learn to make positive choices and changes.

Since this blog is for you - it would be great to share your story.  Please send me an email at nolongeragrimgirl@gmail.com or leave a comment.  Together we can encourage each other!

A big thank you to Health One Meal Replacement, Needless Pounds and the Weight Management Program of Salem, Oregon for getting the word out about No Longer a Grim Girl!  (by the way - their websites and Facebook pages are a great resource of information and encouragement).

And now for today's recipe...

Oatmeal Cake w/Health One Meal Replacement




Oatmeal Cake Calories
Meal Replacement Calories - 160
Cake Additive Calories - 78
Topping Additives Calories - 17
Total Additives - 95

Cake Ingredients

  • 1 Vanilla Meal Replacement
  • 2 tablespoons rolled oats (oatmeal)
  • 3 tablespoons boiling water
  • 1 teaspoon Splenda Brown Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Splenda
  • 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (I love cinnamon - feel free to use a bit less)
  • 1 tablespoon of LIQUID Butter Buds ßthis is the Butter Buds that come in packages that are mixed with hot water – when mixed it is like melted butter. 
  •  2 tablespoons Egg Beaters - 15
  • 1/8 teaspoon vanilla

Cake Instructions

  • Pour boiling water over oatmeal and let stand for a bit.
  • Stir dry ingredients into oatmeal.
  • Mix in liquid ingredients.
  • Spray a small ramekin (mine is 16 oz. and about 5 inches across) with Pam Spray.
  • Pour batter into ramekin.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 17-20 minutes.
  • Test doneness with a toothpick.

Please note:  the topping is completely optional.  It is nice and adds that little extra; but, it also adds 17 calories.  So be sure to check where you are at with your additive calories for the day.

Topping Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon fat-free sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon liquid Butter Buds
  • 1/4 teaspoon Splenda brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon unsweetened coconut

Topping Instructions

  • Mix sour cream, Butter buds and Splenda brown sugar.
  • Spread over warm cake.
  • Sprinkle with coconut

enjoy...











Saturday, April 28, 2012

Potato Au Gratin with Health One Meal Replacement

Well...it happened last night.  Taking my turn as Manager on Duty at the community center where I work, I was busy walking the halls - answering questions, giving directions and making sure that all the little people were safe with their parents.  Then I smelled it.  Kentucky Fried Chicken.  Some co-workers were having a pot-luck and KFC was one of the offerings.  They invited me in.

What to do?  It felt like a lifetime as I stood there knowing that a decision needed to be made.  I thanked them for the invitation - then I quickly turned on my heels and headed to the other end of the building to remind myself why I am making a choice to be healthy.  A cardio hip-hop class was in session.  The upbeat music was playing.  The participants were sweaty and having fun.  I smiled. They were doing something that a year ago I would have been hard pressed to make it through 10 minutes - but, now I can.

That reminder was what I needed.  And this morning?  Well I experienced one of those unexpected moments.  Not knowing of my internal battle last night, a dear friend said:  "You know, today I can really see a difference.  Your face is slimming down and you are glowing."  Can you ask for more than that?  YAY!

Now on to today's recipe.  Took me a bit of testing, but we now have...
Potato Au Gratin.  

This potato au gratin will have a texture similar to a moist biscuit.  The sour cream and the onions give it a mild savory flavor.  Best of all - it tastes great!




Calories
Meal Replacement:  160 calories
Additives: 50 calories

Ingredients:

  • 1 – Potato Soup Meal Replacement
  • 1 tablespoon dried mashed potatoes (I used Idahoan Butter & Herb)
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 2-3 rings of onion about 1/8 inch thick (you will only use 2-3 rings - not an entire slice of onion)
  • 1 tablespoon mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fat-free sour cream
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • Sprinkle of Paprika
  • Pam Spray


Instructions:

  • Spray ramekin with Pam (I used a 5 inch ramekin)
  • Mix Potato Soup Meal Replacement with dried mashed potatoes.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Slowly stir in 3 tablespoons of water - you may need to add a little extra.  The consistency should be like a moist biscuit dough.



  • Place 1/2 of the potato mixture into the ramekin and press down toward the edges.
  • Break the onion rings into pieces and place 1/2 of them on top of the potato mixture.
  • Sprinkle 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese onto the potato mixture and onions.
  • Repeat potato and onion layer.
  • Spread sour cream over top layer.
  • Sprinkle remaining mozzarella over sour cream
  • Sprinkle with Paprika.


Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  Enjoy!








Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Potato Egg Casserole with Health One Meal Replacement

Tomorrow I will be working a rather long day.  Starting at 7:30 a.m. and ending around 9:00 p.m.  This is not the norm; however, it does happen and I need to be prepared.  The WORSE thing I could do is allow myself to get overly hungry.  That's when it is so easy to make poor choices and justify them because, well...I have to eat - right?

So tonight I decided on a dinner that is yummy, satisfying and filling.  And, I can easily double the recipe and have something to reheat tomorrow night when I am at work.  The recipe for Potato Egg Casserole was one that was given to me at the Weight Management Program of Salem, Oregon.  But you know me - I have to make it my own.  I encourage you to do the same by adding different vegetables, seasonings and toppings.

REMEMBER:  the ingredient quantities in this recipe is for 1 serving.  Tonight I just doubled the ingredients and used two single serving casserole dishes.  Be sure to read all the way through to see what I'm going to have tomorrow night!

Potato Egg Casserole w/Health One Meal Replacement




Calories:  1 serving
Meal Replacement - 160 calories
Additives - 56 calories

Ingredients:

  • 1 Potato Soup Meal Replacement
  • 1/4 cup Egg Beaters
  • 1/2 teaspoon Land O' Lakes Parmesan & Herb Seasoning
  • Pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup broccoli florets - cut into small pieces
  • 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
  • 1 tablespoon fat-free cheese






Instructions:

  • Blend Meal Replacement, Egg Beaters and seasoning.
  • Stir in vegetables.










  • Spray a single serving casserole dish with Pam.
  • Pour mixture into casserole dish.
  • Sprinkle fat-free cheddar cheese over the top (optional)
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 17-20 minutes




Now for tomorrow...
Remove the casserole from the dish and cut into cubes.  These hold up well in the refrigerator for a few days.  When ready to eat, heat in the microwave.  Or you can also stir fry in a hot skillet sprayed with Pam.

Then the toppings!  I really enjoy soy sauce - it is 0 calories and makes me think of egg fu yung.  But you could also use salsa or gravy (the powdered gravy mix that you stir in water...only 5 calories a tablespoon).


Be creative!  Make it your own!  But most of all...enjoy!











Monday, April 23, 2012

Refreshe Shake with Health One Meal Replacement

Oh it was nice today.  The sun was shining (which in Oregon is always a glorious thing); and, it was HOT!  Well hot for us - it hit 80 degrees.  Great time to have a frosty shake!

When it comes to summertime and shakes, I have a lot of favorites.  But I always enjoy one made with diet soda.  Today I decided to try something different.


First, I didn't use soda.  Instead I used zero calorie raspberry-blackberry sparkling water.  Nothing fancy, just the store brand.  I really dig the store brand name "refreshe" - so I named this shake after it!  J

I also made ice cubes out of the sparkling water.  I used half regular ice-cubes and half sparkling water ice cubes.  Why you may ask???  Well, due to the carbonation in the sparkling water ice, it doesn't freeze as hard as plain water.  So, if you're like me and prefer a really thick shake...then you'll want to use some regular ice too.


Calories
Meal Replacement - 160 calories
Additives - 0 calories

Ingredients:

  • Ice - half regular cubes and half sparkling water cubes
  • Sparkling water
  • Vanilla Meal Replacement

Instructions:

  • Combine ingredients in a drink mixer (like a Magic Bullet)
  • Stick in a straw and enjoy!


Very yummy!

By the way...the 80 degrees today?  It broke the record!







Sunday, April 22, 2012

Pizza Margherita with Health One Meal Replacement

Every Sunday my mother and I visit with my sister in Florida via Skype.  We talk and laugh just like we are in the same room.  


Today my sister was telling us about a pizza stone that a friend had given her.  She was planning to make some pizza to try it out.  Of course without thinking I said, "oh I LOVE pizza!"  And her quick response was:  "of course you do, didn't you know it's a food group?"  We all had a good laugh.  But later in the day I started thinking that I used to treat pizza like a food group.  If I could, I would have eaten it every day.


So, what is different today?  Well, I am learning that there is a lot more to life than instant gratification and the guilt that often follows.  Like making healthy choices in the food I eat, in what I drink (think water), getting up and moving...the list goes on.  What I am discovering is that when I make those healthy choices, I feel better about who I am. Not just the outside, but more importantly - the inside.  


Does all of this mean that I am not able to enjoy my food choices?  Absolutely NOT!  There are so many good and good for you things to enjoy.  And yes, I can still have some of those favorites, like pizza.  So today in response to the pizza discussion I decided to come up with a recipe for Pizza Margherita.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.


Calories:
Meal Replacement - 160 calories
Additives - 80 calories


Ingredients:

  • 1 Potato Soup Meal Replacement
  • 1 tablespoon dry Jiffy Pizza Mix
  • 1 teaspoon Land O' Lakes Parmesan and Herb
  • 3 tablespoons hot water
  • Sliced Roma tomatoes (I used about 1.75 oz.)
  • 2-3 fresh basil leaves (depending on size)
  • 1 tablespoon mozzarella
  • Pam Olive Oil spray
  • 1 tablespoon flour (this is just to keep the dough from sticking)


Instructions:

  • Mix dry ingredients.
  • Slowly stir in hot water (you may need a little more or a little less).
  • Cover dough and let set for 5 minutes – this allows the yeast in the mix to activate.
  • Sprinkle flour onto a cutting board or other smooth surface.  Knead the dough a few times in the flour.  The gluten in the flour helps the dough to become more elastic.
  • Spread the dough to about 1/4 inch thick on the cutting board.  Make certain to have flour underneath so that it doesn't stick.










  • Spray Pam olive oil spray onto a baking sheet.  I use parchment paper for easier clean up.
  • Slide the dough onto the baking sheet.
  • Spray the top of the dough with Pam olive oil spray.











  • Place basil leaves and tomatoes on top of crust.














  • Sprinkle grated mozzarella over pizza.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
enjoy!











Friday, April 20, 2012

No-Bake Cheesecake with Health One Meal Replacement


For the past week or so I have been craving cheesecake.  Sound familiar?  So I started my research - checking recipes for the "real" thing to see the different types of ingredients.  I also wanted to compare baked or not baked.  My goal was to determine what I might be able to do to have a YUMMY cheesecake and stay on program.  I had lot's of starts and stops.  But after quite a few tries, various ingredients, baking and not baking, I think this is it!

In this cheesecake, the crust is not baked.  I found if I baked it, it became very tough.  You may try baking; but, I would recommend against it.  Also, the filling is not baked.  I just couldn't get the filling to bake evenly or have the right consistency without having to add more ingredients (calories) than I was willing to use.

This cheesecake is absolutely decadent.  The texture is so smooth and creamy; and, I love the crust!  This would be wonderful with some grated nutmeg (picture below), a few berries sprinkled around or some sugar-free chocolate syrup dotted on the plate.


No-Bake Cheesecake w/Health One Meal Replacement


Makes one serving - but it is rather rich so you may want to split this into two servings.
Meal Replacement – 160 calories
Additives – 85.5 calories












Crust Ingredients
  • 1/2 package of Vanilla Meal Replacement
  • 1 tablespoon of graham cracker crumbs
  • 1 tablespoon of LIQUID Butter Buds ßthis is the Butter Buds that come in packages that are mixed with hot water – when mixed it is like melted butter.  This is the first time I used this product and I will definitely be using it again!

Crust Directions
  • Mix dry ingredients.
  • Add LIQUID Butter Buds a bit at a time.  The mixture should still be crumbly.
  • Press the mixture into a small pie plate (mine is a cute little 5 inch pie plate)
  • Set in fridge


Filling Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons very hot water
  • 1/8 teaspoon dry knox gelatin (unflavored) (if you would like a firmer cheesecake, increase this to 1/4 teaspoon)
  • 2 tablespoons fat-free cream cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 package of Vanilla Meal Replacement
  • 1 teaspoon Splenda
  • 1/4 cup of fat-free whipped topping




Filling Instructions

  • Mix dry Knox gelatin into hot water stirring rapidly with a fork to dissolve the gelatin
  • Combine gelatin water, fat-free cream cheese, vanilla and the 1/2 package of Vanilla Meal Replacement.  (I used my Magic Bullet blender).
  • Pour the mixture into a bowl and fold in the whipped topping.
  • Spoon the filling into the crust.
  • Place in the fridge to firm the filling.


Serving and Variation Ideas - be creative and make this recipe yours!  

  • Sprinkle with nutmeg
  • Put dots of sugar-free chocolate syrup or sugar-free jam around the plate
  • Serve with fruit
  • Instead of the vanilla, add another flavoring such as almond extract
  • Stir in some lemon or orange zest
There are so many things that you can do to dress this up!  Just be careful - if you're family tastes it, they will want to eat it...it's that good!

Enjoy!

Nutrition facts calculated by Recipe Calculator:
http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-calculator.asp




Thursday, April 19, 2012

Zucchini Patties with Health One Meal Replacement

YAY!  One of my recipes was "officially" recognized today!  (thanks Holly!)

My Zucchini Patties recipe was posted today on Health One's Facebook page!
https://www.facebook.com/notes/health-one-meal-replacement/zucchini-patties/278857442200716

If you haven't been there, Health One's Facebook page has some great recipes!  They also have some fabulous recipe instructional videos!

I must confess...I am excited and still smiling about my recipe being posted with Health One!

So in an effort to stop my blushing, I will share my "famous" recipe for Zucchini Patties!  enjoy....


Zucchini Patties

Calories:  Meal Replacement 160, Additives 52
Total Calories 212
Makes 4 Patties

Ingredients:
  • 1 Potato Soup Meal Replacement 
  • 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese 
  • Sprinkle of garlic powder – calorie free
  • Salt and pepper to taste – calorie free
  • ½ small zucchini grated (about ½ - ¾ cup grated – do not peel)

NOTE:  after you grate the zucchini, put the grated zucchini into paper towels and squeeze to release the water.
  • Egg Beaters – approximately 2 tablespoons…add a little at a time 
  • 1 teaspoon of cornmeal 
  • Pam Cooking Spray


Instructions:
  • Mix together dry ingredients
  •  Toss the grated zucchini into dry ingredients
  •  Slowly stir in Egg Beaters until the mixture forms a stiff, yet sticky ball.
  •  Sprinkle a little cornmeal onto a plate.
  •  Form the mixture into four patties (approximately 2 ½ inches) and place onto the plate with the cornmeal.
  •  Sprinkle top of patties with a little cornmeal.
  •  Place in heated frying pan sprayed with Pam (medium heat)
  •  Slowly cook the patties turning occasionally till nice and brown.  I patted them down with an egg turner to insure that they cooked through.


Oh my goodness – these are amazing – crispy and yummy!


Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Blueberry Cobbler with Health One Meal Replacement


Meet my new best friend – Baking Powder


Since my current weight loss journey began (and once I figured out I could make more than just shakes), I started adding some variety by making cupcakes, cookies, biscuits etc. out of Health One Meal Replacement.  Unfortunately, there was always something missing – lightness!  My baking results were very dense; and, if they were to rise when baked – they would instantly fall while cooling. 

Enter “Baking Powder” the great leavening with no calories.  I started adding this magic ingredient to many of my baked recipes.  You would not believe the results.  Maybe my baked goods weren’t angel food cake airy – but they were definitely lighter and less dense!  I also found that by adding a tablespoon or two of a pre-made mix such as cake mix added a bit more baking “punch!”

Below is the Blueberry Cobbler I came up with.  I used both baking powder and cake mix and the results were great! 

A note of caution:  if you think you may be tempted by having cake mix in your cupboard, then by all means, leave it out!  You may just increase the baking powder a bit.  The flavor won’t be quite as rich; but then again, you won’t be tempted by those extra calories calling your name from the pantry.

Blueberry Cobbler
1 serving
Meal Replacement – 160 calories
Additives – 53 calories
Total Calories - 213 calories

Ingredients:
  • 1 Vanilla Meal Replacement
  • 2 tablespoons white cake mix
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon Egg Beaters
  • Water
  • ¼ cup blueberries (if frozen, make certain that they have thawed out)
  • Splenda
  • Pam


Instructions
  • Spray very small casserole dish with Pam – I used a 2 cup oval casserole dish
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • Mix dry ingredients
  • Mix in Egg Beaters
  • Add water bit by bit until the mixture is the consistency of cake batter
  • Pour into casserole dish
  • Top with blueberries
  • Sprinkle with Splenda
  • Bake for 15 minutes.


Enjoy…

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Eating Healthy and the Environment


As I get further into my weight loss program, I am beginning to add whole foods to my Health One Meal Replacements.  I'm excited because summer is a fabulous time to do that with all of the fresh fruits and vegetables!

Living in Oregon, we are blessed with an abundance of local produce during the growing season.  We are also rather environmentally conscious.  Even our state motto is “Keep Oregon Green.”  Of course they came up with that well before “green” was the “in” thing.



plastic bags jamming
a recycling machine
Throughout the years, I have developed positive habits regarding the environment like recycling and composting (yuk).  But, there was one poor habit I just couldn't seem to shake - forgetting to take my own bags to the grocery store.  I knew that plastic bags were filling up our landfills.  But, for some reason, seeing a photo of plastic grocery bags jamming up a recycling machine made me realize that I had to make a choice.  So I have chosen that whenever possible (which is most of the time), I will not use plastic bags.  




So...what to do?  First, I made some grocery bags and produce bags that may be used again and again while I do my shopping.  And, believe it or not, I am getting better at remembering to use them.  Maybe it’s because I put the effort into making them.  Maybe it’s the magnet on the fridge that I made to remind me.  Whatever the reason – it’s nice to know that I am making a difference with my health and the environment.

grocery bags



Grocery Bags

To make the grocery bags, I used a plastic grocery bag as a pattern.  They are washable cotton, fully lined, strong, unique and, well, cute!  







produce bag

Produce Bags

The produce bags took a bit of thinking and research.  The bag needed to be sheer enough so that the fruits or vegetables would be visible through the fabric; and yet, strong enough to hold the weight.  I finally arrived at using old sheer curtains purchased from the Goodwill.  What a great way to re-purpose something that would otherwise end up in a landfill.  Add a tie and a few stamps to give some character and I had some "stylish" produce bags!




So, next time that you’re shopping for those yummy cherries and flavorful asparagus, remember to think green and take a bag!  This is my story...
the magnet on my fridge... 


Monday, April 16, 2012

Tuna Patties with Health One Meal Replacement

I don't know about you, but sometimes I just crave some "real food."  So today I decided to try to make Tuna Patties.  They were always one of my favorite quick meals, but definitely not low-cal.  After thinking through how this might be done with meal replacement and not too many additive calories, I came up with this...



Tuna Patties

2 servings – 4 patties per serving
Calories:  MR – 160 calories, Additives – 65 calories
Total Calories – 225
  







Ingredients:
2 – Potato Soup Meal Replacements
1 – 3 oz. can of Tuna packed in water – drained
¼ cup of Egg Beaters
Cornmeal
Pam cooking spray









Instructions:

Drain tuna. 

Mix tuna into potato soup meal replacements making certain that the tuna is thoroughly distributed through the meal replacement.  Slowly mix in Egg Beaters to make certain that you don’t use too much.  The mixture should stick together in a big ball.


Form the tuna mixture into 8 small patties.  Dip the patties into cornmeal on both sides – it doesn’t take a lot, but it adds a wonderful crunch on the outside of the patties.












Heat a frying pan over medium heat.  Spray with Pam and place the patties into the pan.  After the first side is a golden brown, turn over the patties.  At this point, I press on the patties to thin them out a bit so that they are cooked through.  You may want to experiment with this.







I like these served plain; however, you may like to use some type of dip.  Just make sure to count it in your additive calories.

Enjoy!

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Pretzels with Health One Meal Replacement


One of my biggest challenges when I began the Weight Management Program was what I thought was a lack of variety in the meals I could eat.  Basically shakes and more shakes.  Then I learned that I could use the Health One meal replacement in recipes by adding a little something extra.  So I did...and before I knew it I was in a rut again, eating the same thing over and over again.


So I have determined to be creative and step out of my comfort zone by trying new recipes.  Below is one that after a few failed starts has been perfected...and yes, it's yummy.  I have included calories, so that you are able to count the calories for the additives.


sooo...I begin my blog with its first post - a recipe!


Pretzels
Sugar & Cinnamon Pretzels instructions at the end of the blog.


Makes 2 servings of 2 pretzels each
Calories per serving:  Meal Replacement 160, Additives 44
Total Calories:  199

Ingredients:
·         2 potato soup meal replacement – 160 calories per packet
·         2 heaping tablespoon Jiffy Pizza Crust Mix – 35 calories per tablespoon
·         4 tablespoons of warm water
·         1 teaspoon flour – 9 calories per teaspoon
·         Pam spray – butter flavored
·         Salt

Mix potato soup meal replacement and Jiffy Pizza Crust mix.

Add water a little at a time, stirring in between to make certain that the dough does not get too wet (you may need a little less or a little more water – just add it slowly).  The dough needs to be moist, but firm.

Cover dough and let set for 5 minutes – this allows the yeast in the mix to activate.






Sprinkle flour onto a cutting board or other smooth surface.  Knead the dough a few times in the flour.  The gluten in the flour helps the dough to become more elastic.










Divide the dough into 4 pieces and roll into ropes.  Twist the ropes into the shape of a pretzel on a cookie sheet.







Bake at 350 degrees for 15-17 minutes - watching so that it does not burn.

Remove from oven and spray lightly with Pam butter spray and sprinkle with salt.








For Cinnamon & Sugar Pretzels:  use Vanilla Meal Replacement, spray with butter flavored Pam and dip in Splenda & Cinnamon.


ENJOY!