Recipes

 Roasted Chickpeas
 These are approximate measurements.  Use your own judgement when adding these spices.  If you like cumin go heavier, or if not a big garlic fan, go lighter. 

1 can of chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2-3 pinches white pepper
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground sea salt
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil


 Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Rinse each can of chickpeas under cool running water in a strainer.  Some of the chickpea casings may come off.  That is okay.  You can try to remove them by lightly rubbing your fingers over each bean or leave them on.  (It won't affect the taste or texture, I left most of mine on).

You will need a separate bowls for each chick pea mixture.  In each bowl, add a can of chickpeas followed by the olive oil or honey.  Continue to add the rest of the spices for each chickpea mixture.

Evenly coat the chickpeas in it's mixture.  Place chickpeas on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes.  I found it helpful to turn the chickpeas every ten minutes so they don't burn on one side!

Let cool to room temperature.  You will know they are done when you taste one and its crunchy all the way through!

 Chickpea Cookie Pie
2 cans white beans or garbanzos (drained and rinsed) (500g total, once drained
1 cup quick oats ( I use gluten free oats)
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
3 T Olive Oil
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 cup brown sugar....
(Seems like a lot, but this makes a big pie.  You can try adding less, if you’re used to healthy desserts; I chose to use this much because the people to whom I served it are used to “normal” desserts. Also, white sugar or evaporated cane juice will work if you don’t have brown.)
1 cup chocolate chips (you can try dried cranberries if you want to omit the chocolate)

So easy to make!
 Blend everything (except the chips) very well in a food processor. Mix in chips, and pour into an oiled pan (I used a 10-inch springform pan, but you can use a smaller pan if you want a really deep-dish pie.) You can also use a 9x13 rectangular pan and make bars.  Cook at 350F for around 35 minutes. Let stand at least 10 minutes before removing from the pan.

Cauliflower Pizza Crust.

CRUST:
1/2 large head cauliflower (or 1 1/2 cups shredded cauliflower)
1 large egg
1 cup finely shredded fat free mozzarella cheese (or try another kind!)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried minced garlic (or fresh garlic)
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon chopped parsley.  
TOPPINGS:
1/2 cup tomato-basil marinara sauce (or pizza sauce)
1/2 cup finely shredded fat free mozzarella cheese
Add ground turkey, ham, mushrooms, veggies, etc.  All toppings should be pre-cooked as you will be adding these and quickly broiling.


1. Shred the cauliflower into small crumbles. You can use the food processor if you'd like, but you just want crumbles, not puree.  You may also use a cheese grater and grate the cauliflower.  This is actually quite simple to do.  You'll need a total of 1 1/2 cups of cauliflower crumbles (which is about half a large head of cauliflower. Place the cauliflower crumbles in a large bowl and microwave them (dry) for 8 minutes  Give the cauliflower a chance to cool. Use no water when microwaving.
2. Prepare the crust: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Spray a cookie sheet or pizza pan with nonstick spray (or use a nonstick surface). In a medium bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups cauliflower crumbles with the remaining crust ingredients. Pat the "crust" into a 9 to 12-inch round on the prepared pan. Spray the crust lightly with nonstick spray and bake for 15 minutes (or until golden). Remove the crust from the oven and turn the heat up to broil.
3. Prepare the pizza: Spread the sauce on top of the baked crust, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge. Sprinkle 1/4 cup cheese on top. Add the toppings you would like sreading it out around the pizza. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Broil the pizza 3 to 4 minutes, or until the toppings are hot and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Cut into 6 slices and serve immediately.

BBQ Pulled Pork and Veggies....
1 Pork Loin
1 cup chopped sweet onions
1 cup Diet Dr. Pepper or Dr. Pepper 10... the new 10 calorie option
1 1/2 cups Stubbs Spicy BBQ sauce.  ( this is a great option as it contains 0 g of sugar.)

Lay 1/2 cup of the chopped onion in the bottom of your crock pot.  Place pork loin over the onions.  Lay the last 1/2 cup of chopped onion on top of the pork.  In a bowl mix 1 cup of the BBQ sauce with the 1 cup of diet soda.  Pour all over the pork.  Cover with the top and let cook for four hours.  At the four hour mark I added the last 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce and mixed it in.  I then took a fork to the pork and pulled it apart in larger chunks. This allows the sauce to really get into the meat.  I let cook for an additional hour.  The larger the pork, you may have to alter your timing.  Pork is done when you are able to fork and shred it easily.

Peppers and Onions

2 red peppers sliced in in long slivers
2 green peppers sliced in long slivers
1 sweet onion sliced in long slivers and separated.
2 Tablespoons Fat Free Italian Salad Dressing
Garlic Salt
Take pepper and onion mixture to saute pan that has been sprayed with Pam cooking spray.  I add 2 Tablespoons of fat free Italian Dressing and sprinkle the veggies with garlic salt.  Mix and cover to saute.  You want your veggies to soften..  ( 10 minutes )


Pumpkin Pie Protein Shake.
1 Cup Unsweetened Coconut Milk
1 Scoop Fusion FX nutritional shake (I love it... the company I work with... but protein powders work too)
2 Tablespoons Canned Pumpkin
1 Tablespoon Stevia
1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
6 to 7 cubes of Ice
Blend in blender.  Tastes so much like Pumpkin Pie and filled with greatness.  Pumpkin is a terrific source of Fiber, Fusion FX  has the proteins needed, low in calories, and  is low glycemic which keeps the body stable and encourages the body to move to fat storage.  Cinnamon is proven to control blood sugar levels and encourage weight loss.


 Cinnamon Apple Dessert
One apple (your choice, I like granny smith) cut and cored
1tablespoon Cinnamon
1 tablespoon Stevia.
Mix stevia and cinnamon (you may want to add more of one or the other; it is based on your personal taste).  Spoon all over cut apple slices.  Now you can cook two different ways.  For quick enjoyment, place apples on microwavable safe plate.  Microwave for 60 to 70 seconds.  Let stand for 2 minutes and eat.  Another option is to take the apple once sprinkled and put pieces back together.  Place in aluminum foil as a ball and cook in oven at 350 for 30 to 40 minutes.  This is definitely something you can play with.  You may enjoy them with a bit of crispness to them, or you may enjoy them soft.  I love them on the softer side.  Add a glass of water with this and I guarantee you will feel satisfied and full.

 1-2-3 PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE     

1 cup peanut butter
1 egg
1 cup stevia (or 3/4 cup if you prefer it less sweet)

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Mix peanut butter, stevia, and egg together in a large bowl. After all the ingredients have been combined, roll the peanut butter mixture into 1 inch balls.

Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Press down with a fork. Once the oven has pre-heated, put the cookies in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes. When they are done, let cool for 5 minutes.