Snacks.....

I also don't have a scale yet. I think I just need new batteries for ours. I'll work on that. How come I have the least amount of calories to eat!? It's not fair.

I have a couple snack ideas for people who struggle with snacks like I do. I've put on here my recipe for Trail Corn. It's from the Biggest Loser Family Cookbook. I will put it on again with the exact calories listed. I also have a few more I like that I will mention. Also, I think Biggest Loser has a whole book on snacks. I don't have it, but a friend does. I'll try and borrow it and get some good ones out of there.

Trail Corn

4 cups air popped popcorn (I used jolly times 100 calorie packs)

1/2 cup high fiber, low sugar cereal squares (Quaker Oatmeal Squares)

1/2 cup dried red fruit (cranberries or cherries)

2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips

In assemble line fashion, place 1 cup of popcorn into each of 4 sandwich bags, followed by 2 tablespoons cereal, 2 tablespoons dried fruit, and 1/2 tablespoon chocolate chips. Shake each bag to distribute the ingredients evenly and seal. Eat immediately or transfer the bags to an airtight container and store for up to three days.

**I just store mine on the counter and eat one a day. They keep just fine. The jolly time popcorn makes five cups so I make five bags at a time instead of 4.

Per Serving: 152 Calories, 3 g. protein, 29 g. carbs, 3 g. fat (1 g. saturated) 0 mg cholestorol, 4 g fiber, 37 mg sodium

KIWI-WATERMELON SALSA

1 Cup diced peeled kiwi (about 2 large or 3 small kiwis)

1 Cup diced watermelon

1/3 cup finely chopped red onion

1 Tbsp. finley chopped cilantro

2 tsps. minced seeded jalapeno chille pepper

2 tsps lime juice

pinch of salt to taste.

Per Serving: 23 Calories, trace protein, 5 g. carbs, trace fat (trace saturated) 0 mg cholestorol, less than 1 g. fiber, 17 mg sodium.

**I've made this before and the salsa lasts so you can eat it during a weeks time also. I make pita chips to dip in it. Just get whole wheat pita bread and cut it into small chip size pieces and cook for about 10 minutes or less. It doesn't take long for the bread to crisp up. Pita chips are so good. Also, I skipped the jalapeno pepper. I don't like things too spicy and hot.

Simple snacks I've done are:

apple and a string cheese

yogurt

I hate cottage cheese but some people like it. But you can have cottage cheese with whatever fruit you like.

veggies

any fruit

Celery with peanut butter

Hummus dip with pita chips or veggies

hard boiled eggs w/ orange slices on the side

If you haven't cut out carbs, there is Peanut Butter toast or english muffin

There are millions more. But that's what I can think of for now. Anyone else have some good suggestions?

PANCAKE CHALLENGE:

Ok, here is what I'm having for dinner tonight. I challenge all of you to at least try this recipe. It's not as bad as it looks. Dave even likes them and that's saying something.

Servings: 2

Prep time: 15 minutes

1 cup uncooked whole grain oats (non-instant)

**I've used instant before and it's fine

6 egg whites

1 cup fat free cottage cheese

1/4 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

2 packets sugar substitute

1/2 cup sugar free maple syrup

1/4 cup mixed berries

**I've used regular syrup. I would work you way down to a sugar free or lite syrup. At first you might want the good stuff.

And then I've just used whatever fruit I had at home.

1. Lightly coat a nonstick skillet or griddle with cooking spray; place over medium heat.

2. In a blender, combine oats, egg whites, cottage cheese, vanilla, cinnamon and sugar substitute. Blend on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute.

3. Pour batter, about 1/4 cup at a time, onto hot skillet. Cook pancake until bubble on top and dry around edges, about 3 minutes. Turn and cook other side until golden brown, about 2 more minutes.

4. While pancakes are cooking, microwave syrup until warm.

5. Place a portion of pancakes on 2 separate plates. Top with warm syrup and mixed berries. Serve and enjoy!

One serving is 3 pancakes.

They are not your normal fluffy pancakes, but much healthier and not all that bad to eat.

If you don't mind I'll keep putting recipes on the blog about once a week. I would like to see some of yours as well!

Thanks!