August 31st

Something Healthy is Hiding in My Meatloaf

One of the hardest parts I've found about the diet I've been on is getting my veggies in.  I like most people, am not the hugest fan of vegetables, so I'm constantly trying to sneak them into things disguised as other things.  So far I've been pretty successful with this, and this recipe is one of thsoe success.

Amazing Zucchini Meatloaf
recipe from: http://www.todaystaste.com/2014/07/amazing-zucchini-meatloaf.html

Ok, I'll admit, this isn't much to look at.  But, it tasted really good and it snuck some veggies in too!
Not only does this have the veggies, but it also uses turkey, which is much leaner that ground beef.

My favorite part about this was the sauce on top.  It had a great flavor that made the meatloaf taste delicious.  I'll definitely be using this recipe again!

Grades:

Megan - A (Yummy and healthy equals a win in my book!)

Noelle - D+ (I thought Noelle would like this one because she LOVES ketchup and I told her the sauce on top was ketchup.  I guess I can't fool her because she was not into it.  She hasn't really been into ground turkey recipes lately and this was no exception.)

August 30th

A Couple Switches to Lighten it Up

If you've been reading, you know by now that I'm on a diet.  I'm still trying to eat delicious things, but making little switches to lighten recipes up and be healthier.  This is a perfect example or a recipe that was good, but would be better if it wasn't "lightened up."

Skillet Chicken with Bacon and White Wine Sauce
recipe from: https://pinchofyum.com/skillet-chicken-bacon-white-wine-sauce

Changes I made to this recipe:
- I used boneless skinless chicken breasts instead of skin-on chicken thighs
- I used turkey bacon instead of regular bacon
- I used less flour and just browned the chicken in the skillet with a sprinkle of flour

Would it be better with regular bacon? yes. 
Would it be better with crispy chicken skin? yes.
Would it fit into my diet with those things? No.

For a "diet food" was was packed full of flavor.  It was just missing that crispiness that you would've gotten from the skin and more flour.  Oh well.

Grades:

Megan - B+ (Pretty good...I'm just not the biggest fan of eating big pieces of chicken breast.  I don't know why, I prefer it shredded, or cut up and mixed into something.)

Noelle - A- (After I scraped off all the onions, Noelle was happy to eat this.  Don't let her see even the tiniest piece of onion though, or it will be ruined.)

August 29th

Z is For Zoodle

I'm trying zoodles again.  The first time making them was a success and they are so healthy, I just can't resist.

Avocado Pesto Zoodles
recipe from: http://www.eatyourselfskinny.com/zucchini-noodles-with-creamy-avocado-pesto/

These were easy, but I felt like they needed more.  In my opinion, you need lots of textures in your zoodle dishes to hide the texture of the zucchini.  This didn't have enough texture so the zoodles really stood out, which makes it harder for them to pass as pasta.  Doing something as simple as adding a few toasted pine nuts on top at the end might help it enough to make it delicious.

Grades:

Megan - B- (I thought these were ok, but I love pasta with avocado sauce and these just couldn't live up to that standard.  Try it with the pine nuts like I suggested above - I think it would make a big difference.)

Noelle - D (I told Noelle these were Zoodles and zucchini pasta and she said she just likes regular pasta.  I don't think she's a big zoodle fan to start with and then the green color, and the pesto was just weirding her out.)