CHEESY CRAB AND ARTICHOKE DIP

Hot and Cheesy Crab and Artichoke Dip

Hot and cheesy imitation crab and artichoke dip, serve this with baked chips and you have the perfect appetizer for a party.

My husband was craving an imitation crab meat salad and we made the mistake of going food shopping hungry… at a wholesale store no less, so we came home with 3 lbs of imitation crab meat!

What to do with all that imitation crab? I decided to make a hot dip with it using ingredients I had on hand.

I can see using a good light Swiss, such as Jarlsburg or a light mozzarella instead of cheddar, but all I had was cheddar and I thought it was fine.

This is large enough to feed a crowd. If you don’t want as much, you can certainly make half or freeze half for later. Make this a day ahead, then pop it in the oven before you are ready to serve. Let me remind you, this is a dip, so the serving size is 1/4 cup which I think is pretty average knowing people will pick on other stuff. Only 2 points plus per serving, I had to double check and see if I was wrong!

I tried this with pretzel thins, baked lentil chips (pictured here), baked corn chips.. it was great with all. Use what you like, and if you prefer to use real lump crab, go for it! You can even sprinkle some panko on top before baking… I would have but didn’t have any.

Hot and Cheesy Crab and Artichoke Dip
Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 16 • Size: 1/4 cup dip • Old Pts: 2 pts • WW Points+: 2 pts
Calories: 78 • Fat: 4 g • Carb: 4 g • Fiber: 0 g • Protein: 6 g • Sugar: 0 g
Sodium: 427 mg

Ingredients:

• 14 oz can artichoke hearts packed in water, drained (8.5 oz dry wt)
• 1 lb crab meat, imitation or lump
• 2 tbsp chives
• 6 tbsp reduced fat sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
• 6 tbsp light mayonnaise (Hellman’s)
• 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
• 3/4 cups shredded reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 – 2 tsp tabasco sauce
• 1 tsp lemon juice

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400°.

Drain the artichoke hearts and chop fine. Chop the crab meat fine. Add them to a medium bowl and add remaining ingredients. Mix well using a rubber spatula, thentransfer into a shallow baking dish.

Bake until the cheese is melted and the top becomes golden, about 30 minutes.Serve hot with baked chips.

AMAZING GRILLED PESTO AND TOMATO CHICKEN KABOBS!!!!

 

Grilled Pesto Chicken and Tomato Kebabs

 

 

These chicken kebobs just SCREAM summer, made with my skinny basil pesto and grape tomatoes. Serve this as an appetizer at your next backyard bash, or have them for dinner any night of the week with a great big salad or over pasta. 

 

 

We grow sooo much basil in my garden all summer long, so I make a lot of pesto and use it so many ways. This is super easy and can be made a day ahead, in fact the longer it marinates the better! Doubling the skewers helps keep everything in place while grilling, and makes them easier to turn. I love how the tomatoes taste after they are grilled, and they smell just divine when they come off the grill. To make my pesto skinny, I use less oil and make it without the pine nuts – but it’s still so flavorful you won’t miss them! If you’re having this for dinner, I would serve 2 skewers, rather than one with salad or grilled veggies on the side.

These are gluten free, inexpensive, low-carb, clean and simple. If you want to make them paleo, you can leave out the parmesan and swap it for pine nuts. If you love pesto as much as we do, you may also love Skinny Chicken Pesto Bake, Grilled Pesto Shrimp Skewers, or this delicious Eggplant Panini with Pesto – so good!!

Grilled Pesto Chicken and Tomato Kebabs
Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 8 • Size: 1 kebab • Old Points: 4 pts • Weight Watcher Points+: 4 pt 
Calories: 147 • Fat: 7.5 g • Carb: 3 g • Fiber: 1 g • Protein: 18 g • Sugar: 0 g
Sodium: 104 mg (without salt) • Cholest: 2.5 mg

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano
• kosher salt and fresh pepper to taste
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1-1/4 lbs skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 24 cherry tomatoes
• 16 wooden skewers

Directions:

In a food processor pulse basil, garlic, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper until smooth. Slowly add the olive oil while pulsing.

Combine the raw chicken with pesto and marinate a few hours in a bowl. Soak wooden skewers in water at least 30 minutes (or use metal ones to avoid this step). Beginning and ending with chicken, thread chicken and tomatoes onto 8 pairs of parallel skewers to make 8 kebabs total.

Heat the outdoor grill or indoor grill pan over medium heat until hot. Be sure the grates are clean and spray lightly with oil. Place the chicken on the hot grill and cook about 3-4 minutes; turn and continue cooking until chicken is cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes.

 

DO YOU HAVE A GREAT HEALTHY RECIPE THAT’S EASY FOR KIDS TO MAKE??

WE WOULD LIKE TO SHARE IT WITH OUR BLOG!  SEND US A MESSAGE AND WE WILL FEATURE YOUR RECIPE! 

ALSO, COMING SOON…. SUMMER SMOOTHIE CHALLENGE!!!!   DO YOU HAVE THE BEST SMOOTHIES???? IF YOU DO YOU COULD WIN A NICE LITTLE PRIZE!!!!! 

WAKE UP STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE!!

With a stash of berries in your freezer, you can jump-start your day with this nutritious, tasty smoothie in just minutes. It provides vitamin C, fiber, potassium and soy protein.

“This smoothie is quite tasty. I didn’t add any sugar but did add a bit of toasted wheat germ. Sweetness was perfect for my taste, but the kids thought it was a bit tart. Either way we all loved it and have made a few times.q “

 

Makes: 3 servings, 1 cup each

Active Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

NUTRITION PROFILE

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/4 cups orange juice, preferably calcium-fortified
• 1 banana
• 1 1/4 cups frozen berries, such as raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and/or strawberries
• 1/2 cup low-fat silken tofu, or low-fat plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon sugar, or Splenda Granular (optional)

MORE HEALTHY RECIPE IDEAS

•  

 

PREPARATION

1. Combine orange juice, banana, berries, tofu (or yogurt) and sugar (or Splenda), if using, in a blender; cover and blend until creamy. Serve immediately.

NUTRITION

Per serving: 139 calories; 2 g fat ( 0 g sat , 0 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol; 33 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 4 g protein; 4 g fiber; 19 mg sodium; 421 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (110% daily value), Fiber (16% dv).

Carbohydrate Servings: 2

Exchanges: 2 fruit, 1/2 low-fat milk

VITAMIN B HELPS FIGHT DEPRESSION

SUPER VITAMIN B??

 The B vitamins are exceptionally important to a person’s overall health and well-being; many of these all-important vitamins are absorbed through a healthy diet, but they can also be destroyed by things like caffeine and refined sugar. Studies indicate that proper levels of B6, B12 and folic acid are crucial for the proper function of neurotransmitters such as serotonin; neurotransmitters are the naturally-occurring chemicals which carry impulses through the brain, allowing emotions to be properly perceived and regulating overall mood. If neurotransmitters are not functioning well, the ability to feel or respond to emotions correctly may be jeopardized. This crucial function strongly indicates a link between B-vitamins and depression.

 There appears to be a link between deficiencies of Vitamin B12 and various mental disorders such as depression. In extreme cases, deficiencies of B12 can cause brain damage and dementia amongst other things. In less severe cases, B12 deficiencies are linked to mental fogginess, fatigue and difficulties with concentration. Among those particularly at risk are individuals over the age of 65 or people on a vegetarian or vegan diet who do not take supplements that include proper amounts of B12.

COCONUT CHOCOLATE DRIZZLED MACAROONS!!

Chocolate Drizzled Coconut Macaroons

If I’m craving something sweet, macaroons are a good option because they are made with just egg whites and sugar – no flour or butter. Of course, you shouldn’t eat the whole batch, because too much sugar is not a good thing.

I’ve been using only raw sugar these days, so the color may not be as white, but they worked out just fine. These are gluten-free and Passover-friendly, hope you enjoy!

Chocolate Drizzled Coconut Macaroons
Skinnytaste.com 
Servings: 19 • Serving Size: 2 macaroons • Old Points: 2 pt • Points+: 3 pt
Calories: 105 • Fat: 5.5 g • Protein: 2 g • Carb: 13 g • Fiber: 1 g • Sugar: 12 g
Sodium: 15 mg (without salt)

Ingredients:
3/4 cup (5 large) egg whites

• 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp raw sugar
• pinch of salt
• 10 oz sweetened coconut flakes (Baker’s)
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 oz melted semi-sweet chocolate for drizzling (I melted 2 oz, but only used 1 oz)

Directions:

In a heavy saucepan combine egg whites, sugar, salt and coconut flakes and cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until all the ingredients combine together, about 12-15 minutes.

The mixture should be sticky and moist, not dry. Remove from heat and stir in the almond and vanilla extracts. Set aside on a dish and let it cool in the refrigerator about 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 300°. Using a tablespoon, scoop tightly packed tablespoonfuls onto a baking sheet covered with a silpat or parchment paper.

Bake 27-30 minutes or until golden.

Let them cool then melt the chocolate in the microwave and drizzle on top of the cookies using a spatula or a spoon.

Makes 38 cookies.

DELICIOUS AVOCADO AND CILANTRO DRESSING

This is good stuff! Creamy avocado dressing with a little zing from the jalapeño pepper.

Make a boring grilled chicken salad exciting, use it over greens, on a sandwich, and it even makes a great dip if you use a little less buttermilk. This keeps refrigerated a few days without turning brown.

Low-carb, gluten-free, egg-free, vegetarian and delicious!

Zesty Avocado Cilantro Buttermilk Dressing
Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 6 • Serving Size: 3 1/2 tbsp • Old Points: 1 pt • Points+: 2 pts
Calories: 64.9 • Fat: 4.8 g • Protein: 1.8 g • Carb: 5.1 g • Fiber: 2.2 g • Sugar: 1.9
Sodium: 128.8 mg

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 1 small jalapeno, seeds removed, leave them in if you want it spicy
• 1/4 cup of fresh cilantro
• 1 medium haas avocado
• 1 clove garlic
• 2 tbsp chopped scallion
• juice of 1 lime
• 1/8 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt

Directions:

Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. For a thinner dressing add more buttermilk, for a thicker dip use less.

Makes 1-1/3 cups.

BEAT THE AZ HEAT!!! WITH THIS PEACHY GREEN SMOOTHIE!!

Just Peachy Green Smoothie

At least 3 to 4 days a week, I start my morning with a green smoothie because it’s a quick way to enjoy a nutritious breakfast without having to cook a thing. Just throw everything in the blender and breakfast is ready in less than a minute. I especially love this time of year when stone fruits are in season, especially sweet juicy peaches.
 for this protein packed liquid breakfast, I combined the peaches (skin and all) with a frozen ripe banana, some hemp seeds for extra protein, almond milk and baby spinach (you can’t taste it, I promise!) My toddler loves green smoothies and always reminds me to buy spinach when I’m out (cracks me up!).

 

And just one note about counting points in smoothies, as per Weight Watchers the official answer is yes, you should count the fruit when you calculate the recipe in recipe builder when making smoothies. That being said, I’ve been told many WW leaders don’t. One WW 

Just Peachy Green Smoothie
Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 2 • Size: 16-oz smoothie • Old Points: 4 • Weight Watcher Points+: 7 pt 
Calories: 205 • Fat: 8 g • Carb: 31 g • Fiber: 6 g • Protein: 7 g • Sugar: 20 g
Sodium: 170 mg • Cholest: 0 mg 

Ingredients:

• 1 frozen banana
• 1 packed cup baby spinach
• 2 large or 4 small fresh ripe sweet peaches, pitted (2/3 cup)
• 2 tbsp raw hemp seeds, shelled
• 1 3/4 cups unsweetened almond milk
• 1 cup ice
• sweetener, to taste (I used a few drops of Nu-Naturals liquid stevia)

Directions:

Combine all the ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth, adjust sweetener to your taste.

 

 

OATMEAL ON THE GO!!! IN A YUMMY SHAKE!!

Avena – Healthy Oatmeal Shake

Breakfast on the go? This quick shake is healthy and delicious!

My daughter loves Avena and requests it for breakfast at least 3 times a week. It’s nutritious, high in fiber, lowers cholesterol and tastes delicious! Avena is a very popular cold beverage in many Latin countries, here’s my healthy skinny version. You can even double it and call it a meal.

Servings: 4 • Size: 1 cup • Old Points: 2 pts • Points+: 3 pts
Calories: 123.9 • Fat: 1.8 g • Protein: 6.8 g • Carb: 21.3 g • Fiber: 3.2 g

Ingredients: 
  

• 1/2 cup quick oats*
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup fat free milk
• 1 cup ice
• 3 tbsp sugar (or honey)
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon

Directions: 
Cook oats and water in a small pot for about a minute or two, stirring often until it becomes thick and bubbly. Remove from heat and let it cool a few minutes.

In a blender add milk, sugar, cinnamon. Add oats and ice. Blend on high until very smooth. Chill in refrigerator or pour in a glass over ice. Enjoy!! Makes 4 cups.

*Use gf oats to make this gluten-free.

FIVE FOODS TO BEAT DEPRESSION!

The five foods for beating depression

Fish oils: Contain omega-3 fatty acids. Research has shown that depressed people often lack a fatty acid known as EPA. Participants in a 2002 study featured in the Archives of General Psychiatry took just a gram of fish oil each day and noticed a 50-percent decrease in symptoms such as anxiety, sleep disorders, unexplained feelings of sadness, suicidal thoughts, and decreased sex drive. Omega-3 fatty acids can also lower cholesterol and improve cardiovascular health. Get omega-3s through walnuts, flaxseed and oily fish like salmon or tuna.

Another top food for delivering imega-3 fatty acids is chia, and we currently recommend two sources for chia seeds:

Good Cause Wellness
IntegratedHealth.com

Brown Rice: Contains vitamins B1 and B3, and folic acid. Brown rice is also a low-glycemic food, which means it releases glucose into the bloodstream gradually, preventing sugar lows and mood swings. Brown rice also provides many of the trace minerals we need to function properly, as well as being a high-fiber food that can keep the digestive system healthy and lower cholesterol. Instant varieties of rice do not offer these benefits. Any time you see “instant” on a food label, avoid it.

Brewer’s Yeast: Contains vitamins B1, B2 and B3. Brewer’s yeast should be avoided if you do not tolerate yeast well, but if you do, mix a thimbleful into any smoothie for your daily dose. This superfood packs a wide assortment of vitamins and minerals in a small package, including 16 amino acids and 14 minerals. Amino acids are vital for the nervous system, which makes brewer’s yeast a no-brainer for treating depression.

Whole-grain oats: Contain folic acid, pantothenic acid and vitamins B6 and B1. Oats help lower cholesterol, are soothing to the digestive tract and help avoid the blood sugar crash-and-burn that can lead to crabbiness and mood swings. Other whole grains such as kamut, spelt andquinoa are also excellent choices for delivering brain-boosting nutrients and avoiding the pitfalls of refined grains such as white flour.

Cabbage: Contains vitamin C and folic acid. Cabbage protects against stress, infection and heart disease, as well as many types of cancers, according to the American Association for Cancer Research. There are numerous ways to get cabbage into your diet; toss it in a salad instead of lettuce, use cabbage in place of lettuce wraps, stir fry it in your favorite Asian dish, make some classic cabbage soup or juice it. To avoid gas after eating cabbage, add a few fennel, caraway or cumin seeds before cooking. Cabbage is also a good source of blood-sugar-stabilizing fiber, and the raw juice of cabbage is a known cure for stomach ulcers.

Also worth mentioning: Foods like raw cacao, dark molasses and brazil nuts (high in selenium) are also excellent for boosting brain function and eliminating depression. Get raw cacao and brazil nuts at Nature’s First Law. Another source for cacao is Navitas Naturals.

 

Things to avoid

If you feel you are depressed or at risk for depression, you also need to avoid certain foods and substances. Some commonly prescribed drugs — such as antibiotics, barbiturates, amphetamines, pain killers, ulcer drugs, anticonvulsants, beta-blockers, anti-Parkinson’s drugs, birth control pills, high blood pressure drugs, heart medications and psychotropic drugs — contribute to depression. If you are taking any of these, don’t quit them without talking to your doctor; but be aware that they may be contributing to your condition by depleting your body of depression-fighting vitamins and minerals.

You should also avoid caffeine, smoking and foods high in fat and sugar. Keeping your blood sugar stable and getting B vitamins is important for stabilizing your mood. Cacao can be good for mood because it releases endorphins in the brain, but watch out for milk chocolate and candy varieties high in sugar.

 

Other non-food things to do

• Get plenty of sunshine. Natural sunlight is a proven cure for depression.
• Engage in regular exercise at least three times per week. Exercise lifts and mood and alters brain chemistry in a positive way.
• Experience laughter. It’s good medicine.
• Take a quality superfood supplement to get even more natural medicine from the world of plants.

###

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/020611_depression_nutrition.html#ixzz2WbWQNkuL