Lighter Sloppy Joes

There are some foods you think you can't have when you're eating healthy. Burgers, pizza, anything fried or whatever. This is not happening for me I can tell you that much. If I deprive myself, 99% of the time I'll end up cheating and bingeing on crazy unhealthy foods. So, I try to make awesome favourites into healthy options. Take the sloppy joe! Not usually associated with healthy foods, but hey, we all deserve a second chance. So here I present, the lighter sloppy joe, with a nice Southern twist!

1 Tbsp Canola Oil
1 Onion, Chopped
1 Garlic Clove, Minced
1 Tsp Chili Powder
½ Tsp Oregano
¾ lb Ground Turkey (Lean)
1 (7oz) Can of Mexican-style Corn
1 ½ Cups Mild Salsa
1 Tbsp Brown Sugar
4 Hamburger Rolls (Low-Cal Whole Wheat Preferrably)
Dash of Hot Sauce

Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Swirl in the oil, and then add the onion and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the chili powder and oregano and cook for 1 more minute. Add the ground turkey and corn; cook until mixture is nearly dry, about 4 minutes. Stir in the salsa and sugar and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and the turkey is cooked through, 4-5 minutes longer.

Spoon over opened rolls and serve!


Approx. 385 Calories (3/4 Cup Mixture Over 1 Roll)

Skinny Pizza Pockets

This is one of my own creations. I love pizza. I would pick pizza over a hundred dollar dish from a Michelin star restaurant. 'Cause I'm classy like that. There's just something about the sauce, and the cheese, and the sauce...and the CHEESE.

So, I came up with the skinny pizza pocket when I was in the midst of one serious craving for high-cal pizza pie. This rings in at under 400 calories for the entire thing as opposed to 250 calories for a small piece of a medium pizza. Let's face it, there's no way your getting away without taking another slice. I've tried. And failed miserably.

2 6” Tortilla Shells (100 Calories Each)
1 Tbsp Pizza Sauce
¼ Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Veggies/Meat of Choice
Cooking Spray

Lay one tortilla on a plate. Spread pizza sauce over tortilla like a pizza. Sprinkle cheese and filling. Cover with other tortilla. Place quesadilla type pocket onto a pan, lightly coated with cooking spray, over medium heat. Flip pocket when the bottom is golden. Continue cooking until the other side is also golden. Serve slice in half and hot!

Approx. 359 Calories (Per Cheese Only Pocket)

Oven "Fried" Cajun Cod Fillets

Today's Tip: Don't give up if you have a sudden binge! I do it all the time (I know, I know). BUT, you only fail if you quit! So stay on the wagon, aim for progress, not perfection!

I posted a few desserts, so lets get back to entrees and find you somethin' to eat for dinner tomorrow! One of my favourite light meals is fish, almost any kind. This recipe is golden, there's nothing like a crispy crust around your food...thank goodness this one only tastes deep fried!

6 Large Cod Fillets (About 5oz Each)
2/3 Cup Buttermilk
Grated Lemon Zest (1 Lemon)
3 Cups Special K or Corn Flake Crumbs (Ground Into Fine Crumbs)
¼ Cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 Tbsp Fresh Chopped Parsley
1 ½ Tbsp Cajun Seasoning
Cooking Spray

Preheat oven to 450F. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and set aside.

Pat cod fillets dry with a paper towel. Whisk together buttermilk and lemon zest in a shallow bowl or casserole dish. Add cod fillets and turn to coat both sides with buttermilk mixture. Let stand for 10 minutes.

In another bowl, combine cereal crumbs, parmesan cheese, parsley and Cajun seasoning.

Working one piece at a time, remove cod from buttermilk mixture and shake off excess liquid. Press one side of the fish into crumb mixture until completely coated. Place fish, crumbed side up, onto prepared pan. Repeat with remaining cod pieces. Lightly spray finished fillets with cooking spray.

Bake for 10-15 minutes, until fish flakes easily with a fork.

Approx. 206 Calories (Per Fillet)

Skinny Girl's Cheesecake

I know. You can't say no to cheesecake.

Me neither.

So, here is an excellent and super easy recipe to make cheesecake that won't leave you feeling like you cheated!

8 Oz Cool Whip Fat-Free
1 Package Fat-Free or Light Cream Cheese
9 Inch Reduced Fat Graham Cracker Crust
6 Splenda Packets 
2 Tsp. Vanilla
Favourite Fruit For Topping

In a large bowl, whip together light cream cheese, vanilla & Splenda until your mixture has a fluffy texture.  Fold in the Cool Whip and whip until smooth.  Spoon the creamy mixture into the pie crust and chill in the fridge until firm (a few hours should do it).  Arrange your fruit on top of the cheesecake and serve!

Approx. 200 Calories (Per 1 of 8 Slices)

Guilt-Free Black Bean Brownies

If you're like me, you have an insatiable craving for CHOCOLATE. Every kind. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, nutella, truffles, cake...yeah, I know I'm not helping. BUT this recipe will definitely help! I came across the idea online to use vegetables in chocolate cake recipes including black beans and zucchini. This is a fantastic recipe for black bean brownies! Honestly, all you taste is chocolatey goodness, no veggies!

1 (15.5 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
3 eggs
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 pinch salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon instant coffee (optional)
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease an 8x8 square baking dish.

Combine the black beans, eggs, oil, cocoa powder, salt, vanilla extract, sugar, and instant coffee in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top of the mixture.

Bake in the pre-heated oven until the top is dry and the edges start to pull away from the sides of the pan, which takes about 30 minutes.

Approx. 126 Calories (Per Brownie)