Pasta Recipe Under 500 Calories a Serving

http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/quick-recipes/dinner/healthy-pasta-recipes/?page=4


Spinach-and-Ricotta-Stuffed Shells
Rated : 12345 by 7 people
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Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 45 mins
Makes: 4 servings View Nutrition Facts
INGREDIENTS
18 jumbo pasta shells (about 6 ounces)
1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
1/4 medium onion, finely chopped
4 ounces fresh chorizo, crumbled
1 15 ounce can crushed tomatoes
3/4 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt plus additional for seasoning
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper plus additional for seasoning
Olive oil cooking spray
2 cups (about 2 ounces) baby spinach, finely chopped
1 cup low-fat ricotta
1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella
1 egg white, lightly beaten
DIRECTIONS
1. Cook shells according to package directions; rinse under cold water, drain and pat dry.
2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and chorizo and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Drain all but 1 1/2 teaspoons drippings and return pan to stove. Add tomatoes and sugar and season with salt and pepper to taste; simmer until sauce is slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
3. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and coat a 9-by-9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
4. Combine spinach, cheeses, egg white and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a large bowl. Spoon half the tomato sauce into prepared dish. Stuff each shell with 1 heaping tablespoon filling and arrange stuffed shells in baking dish. Spoon remaining sauce over shells and cover with aluminum foil. Bake until pasta is cooked through and sauce begins to bubble, about 30 minutes. Let rest 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Lazy Girl's Lunch or Dinner-Throw it Together Quick!

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/eggs_nested_in_sauteed_chard_and_mushrooms/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+elise%2Fsimplyrecipes+%28Simply+Recipes%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

Check this one out...It looks so yummy and incredibly easy!!!
(also posted on Facebook)

Green Chili Cream Cheese Chicken (Amy Nunnelly)

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs)
8 oz. package cream cheese (I use light or neufchatel cheese)
small can diced green chilis (I use Ortega fire roasted green chilis)
1 package dry ranch dressing mix (I use Hidden Valley spicy ranch)

Cut the chicken into large pieces, and place the chicken into the bottom of a crock pot.
Sprinkle the dry ranch dressing over the chicken, add the green chilis, and top with the cubed cream cheese.
Cook at least 4 hours on low. I usually cook it 6 hours.

Serve over brown rice.

*You can substitute goat cheese for the cream cheese...less calories and more protein!

---

EveryGirlFitness.com

Mitzi's Spicy Beef Tacos

Spicy Beef Tacos

1 tablespoon of EVOO (or spray pan with cooking spray)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 onion, chopped
3/4 pound of lean ground beef
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
3/4 teaspoon of salt (or to taste)
1 can of Rotel tomatoes, undrained
8 small corn tortillas, lightly toasted just before serving

Coat a large skillet with EVOO or cooking spray. Over medium heat, brown beef, breaking up meat and adding garlic as it cooks, about 5-6 mins. Add cumin. coriander, salt, tomatoes; cook, stirring occasionally, until most liquid is absorbed. To toast tortillas, place directly on the oven rack (350 degrees) for a couple of minutes; flip over and leave in oven for another couple minutes, or until desired crispness.

Serve with shredded lettuce, low-fat grated cheddar cheese, homade salsa (see below for recipe) and guacamole.

Easy Salsa

1 14 oz can diced tomatoes
1 10 oz can Rotel tomatoes
1/2 small onion, roughly chopped

1 clove garlic, minced or grated
1 jalapeno, seeded or not
1 teaspoon of honey
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1-2 tablespoons of fresh chopped cilantro
juice of 1 lime

Put ingredients in food processor or blender; pulse a few times. Adjust seasonings to taste.

Quick and Easy Recipes for Dinner!

One Recipe, Two Meals: 2-in-1 Dinner Recipes

Peter Ardito

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9 Magic Words You Must Say To Make Him Fall Deeply In Love.
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Slide 8 of 11

Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Reheat shredded chicken in a small saucepan, adding a bit of water to loosen if necessary. Place 1/4 cup warmed chicken and 2 tablespoons broccoli slaw mix in the center of each of 4 lettuce leaves. Top with lime juice and a splash of hot sauce. Serves 2.

Nutrition facts per serving: 284 calories, 35g protein, 26g carbohydrate, 4g fat (0.9g saturated), 3g fiber

Next: Pomegranate-Glazed Skirt Steak with Roasted Green Beans

What do you think of this story? Leave a Comment.

EGF BLOGGING IS OVER!

We have decided that after 5 weeks of blogging...THE THRILL IS GONE!

Things we have learned about ourselves:

*We eat a lot of the same things over and over.

LESSON LEARNED: More variety is better.

*The hidden calories in dining out is astonishing.

LESSON LEARNED: Split meals, try to eat at home more often, plan ahead.

*Watch out for Starbucks (and any other liquids you are addicted to)

LESSON LEARNED: They just add more calories to your day.

Other things we know or have realized:

*NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU EXERCISE, most women cannot eat whatever they want, whenever they want, for as much as they want. PERIOD. Nor should they...for other health reasons besides weight gain. Think about fueling your body with every bite you take...not

just satisfying a momentary craving.

*Sugar is the devil (not the girl scouts or their cookies) and has to be treated as something that is toxic and addictive. It's in all processed foods, most restaurant dishes, and even in simple condiments like ketchup. Artificial sweeteners just tend to increase your craving for sugar. LIMIT IT OR CUT IT OUT COMPLETELY (empty, non-nutritious, and wasted calories)!!!

Things we have learned about our campers:

*Some of you don't care what we eat (and may even think we are lying).

*Many of you have told us that you are more aware of what you are eating and are keeping up with your calorie intake and calories burned through various methods like My Fitness Pal, etc. We think this is AWESOME...keep it up!

*A lot of you have healthy recipes to share-thank you!!!

On that note, our next six week blog will be about quick and healthy dinners. Please let us know of any recipes that you may have that work for you and your family.

Day 30 Red Meat

How do we all feel about red meat these days? Some people oppose it because of its cholesterol and fat content. Others oppose eating it for animal ethical reasons. One vegetarian wrote in his blog " mankind will never have world peace while men are declaring war on other life forms". I am not sure about all that. I just know sometimes I really want some meat, red meat in particular. I eat red meat maybe once a week. A lean cut of red meat can provide amino acids for muscle building, zinc, iron, and vitamin B. Of course, it is also a great source of protein. Today was one of those days-I just wanted some meat! Working backwards: dinner beef and broccoli stir fry(400-500) coffee(120) Lunch whole wheat english muffin, tomato, poached egg, bacon crumbles(350) 1/2 cup of oatmeal with blueberries(180) breakfast two scrambled eggs with cheese (350).

DAY 29 - The Opinion of "Some" of the Bloggers...

on this blog site are not necessarily shared by the other bloggers and/or EveryGirlFitness, LLC! Look, I personally like the girl scouts and think their cookies are yummy (in moderation). Looks like Leigh will be out of luck next year when those thin mints come around again!!!

Also, it has been brought to my attention that I tend to ramble on my days to blog so here is my day, short and sweet (how's that sassy St Stephen's 915 gals???):

430 am - Bar 110 cal

700 am - Banana 95 cal, Coffee 130 cal

1100 am - Turkey, haverti cheese, lite cream cheese, tomato roll up with 3 big strawberries (approx 350 cal)

And yes, I had two thin mints after lunch (80 cal)

3pm - Bar 110 cal

5pm - More coffee 130 cal

730 pm - 1 cup cooked whole wheat spaghetti with meat sauce (300 cal-saved 80 cal by eating whole wheat pasta and it has more fiber), spinach dijon salad (280 cal). NO BREAD! AND NO MORE COOKIES!!! Thinking of having one glass of wine (red 120 cal) since I am not teaching the 525 in the morning. There! Done!!!

Day 28 I hate the girl scouts...

not really, just their cookies. Next year when some adorable little girl asks me to buy her cookies, I will yell GET AWAY SATAN! Kidding. Kidding. Sugar is the devil, not your sweet girl scout. The day started well-greek yogurt and berries (180). Starbucks coffee (120). I had a sick child and she wanted Panera chicken noodle, so for lunch I had their Pesto Veggie soup (150) and half an Asiago Cheese Bagel (165). Also, picked up an Asian chicken green salad (400) for dinner. But before dinner, I managed to eat 4 thin mints (160) and two tagalongs (140). You can understand why I am mad at the girl scouts. This raising funds through cookie sales must be stopped for the good of my rear end (and maybe all of mankind). So I ate the salad for dinner (half 200) and was still hungry later. I ended having some 100 calorie popcorn after dinner and one 1 oz piece of dark chocolate...see, the cookies just started the whole carb/sugar crazy cravings!!! You may say (Gretel)..."how about some personal responsibility..." and I would say..."NO, I BLAME THE GIRL SCOUTS!!!"

PS-This is all from Leigh...

DAY 27 - Orzo is the new Mac-N-Cheese!

Ok, so got a little lip last night at the VCC...met up with about 25 other Mtn Brook couples who are also members of Vestavia Country Club, with us Windles. It was a fun night AND I did not have to blog-although I was still being good and mindful of what I ate. I think that is really the key to this whole blogging thing...think about everything you put in your mouth and decide if it will fuel your fitness or just be empty calories. Ok, enough about that...on to Sunday...

8am Bar (110cal) and water

11am 3 Egg Omelet with mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach (no cheese), asparagus spears x 15, strawberries and blackberries (300 cal for the eggs plus another 150 cal or so for the rest)

3pm Bar (110)

5pm Thin Mint cookies x 4 (160 cal)...I blame Cathy T and her sweet daughter who made me buy those cookies from her troop! So yummy...

7pm Hamburger patty (1/4 pound) with mustard (160 cal), orzo 1 cup cooked (200 cal), apple slices (50 cal), and glass of wine (120 cal)

So I compared orzo to mac-n-cheese and the calories in a cup of cooked M and C is 350 to 400 while it is half that amount in the orzo (200 cal). PLUS, there is less fat in orzo and I use mozerella and parmesan instead of yellow cheese. It is so yummy and I recommend that you try substituting it for your pasta next meal. Oh, forgot to mention that I did have a venti skinny vanilla latte after church around noon (140 cal).

Day 26 What's Up With The Goats?

After another visit to The Pantry, I started wondering about the whole goat cheese craze. What is the deal? I started my research (googled it) and found out that goat's milk compared to cow's milk is lower in fat, calories and cholesterol. SOLD! Use goat cheese instead of cream cheese in any dish, or on a bagel, or cracker. Chevre is french for goat...officially the name should refer to only french goats but is often applied to any ol' goat. Having said that I did not have any goat cheese today. Instead, I struggled with my E.T.A.C. (eating to avoid cleaning) problem. Come on...I know I am not the only one. Give me a shout out if you are with me on this!
I am making progress though. 7:00 - yogurt and toasted whole wheat bread with cheese (250), coffee(50). Another coffee(50) and then at 10:30 chips and salsa (150) ?? 11:30- strawberries and blackberries (60) turkey rolled up with cheese(200) sometime later dark chocolate square(50) wine (130) Dinner was supposed to be stir fry but it was pouring rain and I opted out of the grocery store visit. Had pork loin, salad, peas and a couple of bites of potatoes (500-600) Maybe having another glass of wine(130). Alot of calories today but my house is clean...well cleaner.

DAY 26 - Yes Lesley, I can give you that recipe!

Yes...that place may have frozen over and maybe pigs really do fly!!! Lesley D (former bootcamper from MBP) actually called me, ME, to get a recipe! I have really come a long way from that girl who was content in setting the table for dinner and not learning how to make my grandmother's cornbread (or any other dish for that matter). My mother would be so proud. I learned a few other things today from my friends at Publix...will get to that in a bit.

430am- Think Thin bar (190 cal) with few sips of diet coke and water

730am - Banana (95 cal) and more water

Lunch - turkey, haverti cheese, avocado, tomato roll-up (450 cal because of the avocado). This was awesome and so filling...did not need any condiments or dressing. Also had 3 or 4 strawberries-yum! So the avocados were buy one, get one free. I bought a ripe one and then one that was green. It will ripen in 2 days or so. The cashier at Publix said that if you put the avocado in a brown paper bag, it will ripen quicker.

Afternoon snack - piece of dark chocolate (50 cal), a 12 oz diet coke (yes Kristen, I do still drink them from time to time), and some pistachios. Pistachios are 4 cal per nut...I think I had quite a few. Should have counted them but did not.

Dinner 7pm - chicken kabob, hummus, salad, a few bites or rice (from Pita Stop).

Having a glass of wine now as I blog...it's the weekend and don't have to get up at 430-yay!

***On a side note, turned in the forms for our BellRunners! I am so proud of our group and can't thank everyone enough for running for this very worthwhile cause.

Day 25 Crazy Busy Day

Four bootcamps, two meetings, two basketball games. What did I eat? It's a blur. Not really...did not do too badly after all. 4:30 bar (140 cal) plus water water water. 7:00 coffee from Starbucks (130 cal) water water water. 11:00 two cups of kale chips- not kidding (50 cal) . 11:30 chicken and tabouli salad with a square or two of pita (350-400 cal). Paula and I shared a plate from Olive Branch. Paula and I eat lunch together most days after bootcamp and we have decided plate sharing is the way to go. Sharing saves money and calories! 2:15 1/2 bar and another coffee at Starbucks (180 cal) and, you guessed it...water water water. For dinner having more chicken, leftover tabouli and fruit (400 cal). I know I am getting boring with the lack of variety in my diet...working on that for next blog. Don't give up on me! I am still new at this working Mom thing and Everygirlfitness has turned into a full time job. I love doing it and thank you all for letting me have this never boring, always fun job!

DAY 24 - Seeds are the new nut!

I happened upon a new, delicious snack today while I was shopping at Whole Foods...it's yummy, full of protein, and has half the fat of almonds. It's called Somersaults Pacific Sea Salt crunchy nuggets, made with sunflower seeds and toasted grains. One serving (14 small crackers) has 150 calories, 3g of fiber, 6g of protein, and 8g of fat. Pick some up next time you are shopping at WF and try it out...lots of flavors to choose from! Ok, on to my day of food...

430am - Think Thin crunch bar (190 cal), few sips of diet coke

715am - Carrot and Celery slices (about 3-4 slices of each) - not sure of the calories but I think you actually burn more calories eating celery than you consume!

1045am - Coffee (no, not Starbucks - 50 cal) and Babybel cheese lite (50 cal)

Lunch (1245) was a piece of spinach, mushroom and cheese pizza from Whole Foods (yes, that is why I was there) and a small spinach salad with walnuts, cranberries, pears, and a little bit of blue cheese crumbled on top. I drizzled about a tablespoon of poppyseed dressing on it as well. The pizza was around 400 cal (according to the WF gal). I didn't eat the pizza 'bone' but I did eat every bit of the cheese...was craving it and decided to go ahead and have it for lunch. I am guessing the salad couldn't have been more that 150 calories (4 cups of raw spinach has a whopping 20 calories in it!). Interesting thing about the salad...I picked it up for dinner last night, ate about 1/3 of it, Leigh and I BOTH had some with the pizza for lunch, and then I finished it off tonight for dinner. THAT'S JUST CRAZY. There were 4 meals in that salad and that is right in line with the conversations we have been having about restaurants and how they over serve us! Needed some caffeine so had diet coke with lunch (but drank water all day long).

So dinner was the last of the salad (added some grilled chicken to it so was probably closer to 300 cal now), and about 1/2 cup of leftover veggie soup.

OH and my mid-afternoon snack was the Somersaults sunflower seed crackers (150 cal may give up almonds for them-they are that good) and a grande skinny vanilla latte (130 cal). Only down side to the crackers...a 6 oz bag is 5 bucks!!! May have to give up my daily Starbucks or go up on bootcamp rates! :)

***On a side note, Leigh and I hope that our 6 weeks of blogging is helpful to you! We mainly want to emphasize the importance of being aware of what and how much you eat so you can do it as healthily as possible!!! I talked to one of our campers who has had issues with calorie counting and food disorders in the past and realized that what we are doing is not healthy for everyone. It's important to make good choices and think about everything you eat as being fuel for your body...but don't get bogged down in the numbers and become a slave to them (we all deviate from the plan from time to time...80/20...enjoy the 20)!

Day 23 - Confession of a blogger

This minor omission on my last blog has really bugged me so here is an update. While dining with friends on Sunday night the chips and salsa called my name. Rationalization #1 8 chips and salsa are only 100 cals. Guacamole arrives. Rationalization #2 avocados are a healthy fat. Cheese dip arrives. Rationalization#3 I am here with my friends, I DESERVE some cheese dip. Look, it was really good and I had already blogged for the night. Whew, I feel better.
Today 7am Starbuck's breakfast sandwich (300) All this week they are $2. 10 am Coffee(130). Lunch was Paula's left over lentil soup and a half an apple (230) 3pm almonds and a dark chocolate square (150) I am making a salad for dinner and hubby made chili (not the low-fat one) but must have a little or he will not cook for me anymore. Rationalization#????

DAY 22 - Wagyus have got it good!

What the heck is a Wagyu and why do they have it so good? Wagyus are a type of Japanese cow that are fed beer (along with their normal food) AND get daily massages. Look, I might want to be a Wagyu except for the serving me on a plate thing! Anyway, I didn't eat that on my day to blog (yes, I am late-it was yesterday) but I did eat a another wonderful meal at The Pantry! In fact, it was so good, I picked up something for dinner too. Ok, I am getting ahead of myself.

Breakfast=fruit bar (110 cal)

Snack=english muffin (100 cal) and 1/4 cup blueberries (20 cal)

Lunch=Micro green salad with lentils and quinoa with the lavender shallot dressing (? cal...not sure of the calories but figure it couldn't be much and they were all GOOD ones. I tasted a couple more of their juices (Reload was my favorite) and had a few bites of the soup of the day (chicken veggie wheat pasta-yum). I may have had a taste of the goat milk ice cream too...not sure. LOVED the soup so much that I bought some of it (and another container of lentil soup) for my Mah Jonng friends. Served it with fresh strawberries and kiwi, crostini bread, and the Pantry's blackberry/wine goat cheese. For my friends who have a sweet tooth, bought some dark chocolate with nuts (just a little) to mix in with the almonds.

THANK YOU PANTRY FOR FEEDING ME ALL DAY! Will have to save the Wagyu tasting for another day...

PS-I did have some wine with my BFFs...but not much because you have to think a little when you play my favorite Chinese tile game.

DAY 21 - Lecture at the Temple

Ok...so today I started my morning with a 1/2 bar (75 cal) and a quick cup of coffee (35 cal) because I was in a hurry to get to church...yes, yes, I know, not enough. Came home and had the turkey roll-up that Paula failed to mention that I made for her yesterday (230 cal)...turkey, spinach, tomatoes, low-fat cream cheese. It was awesome and yummy! Had about 5 vanilla wafers (75 cal) on my way out the door to the Golden Temple for our fitness presentation (that was well attended for the few that came). Oh, forgot...had a banana before the lecture (95 cal) and then went out to dinner with my "hood" group of friends and had a grilled chicken salad with avocados and a glass of wine. Calories on the salad...445 plus another 100 for the avocados on the side. Wine is 120 cal per 4 ounce glass...I am OK with that. Calories for the day...someone do the math for me because my phone is charging and I don't have access to the calculator...

DAY 20 - Nail Biters, Barn Burners, and Half Pounders

WHEW, it's been a busy day! It began at 615a with a fruit bar and water prior to my Saturday morning run (110 cal). It was a little bit colder than I thought it would be so REALLY needed the vente skinny vanilla latte afterwards (140 cal) and some oatmeal with blueberries (120 cal). Next, it was on to my first of 3 basketball games for the day. Maggie's sweet little 2nd grade team went to regulation time (tied), overtime (tied again) and then overtime with sudden death (first team to score wins). Ok so MB athletics is on a time schedule and has got to get those games over with fast! I am sad to say that the Golden Eagles lost by 2 when it was all said and done. BUT it was nothing that an icee from the Shell couldn't fix. Game 2 - Anna's team won handily so no drama there (30 something to 15 or 16). Lunch was a turkey, spinach, tomato, and low fat cream cheese roll up with black chips and salsa (370 cal). Met Leigh to work on our little presentation for Golden Temple patrons on Sunday (you are all cordially uninvited, by the way...don't need any unnecessary heckling). Mid-afternoon snack was diet coke and trail mix (170 cal). Last game was at Mtn Brook Baptist...Anna's OTM team vs a really big, really physical Moody team. Her group has been together since 3rd grade (she is now 6th) and has not lost a regular season game yet. This team was out to change that. After dropping her off, I ran to Western to grab a snack and a water. Looked long and hard at the Krispy Kreme doughnuts but got a banana instead (Sherry from BWB 915 is my witness!). NEVER NEVER go to the grocery store when you are hungry...you never know what you will come home with. So, back to basketball...Anna's team went down to the wire with the gals from Moody but ended up preserving their unbeaten record with a win over the blue devils (by 3 points). It was a very exciting game!!! Went to Mudtown for dinner (yes, the Windles like to eat out) and had a cheeseburger, side salad, and glass of wine. I started out with only the top off but soon went to meat and cheese only when I found out the burger was a HALF POUNDER...really, a half of a pound??? Does anyone need that much beef? Calories in a 1/2 pound of hamburger meat is 320. Cheese adds another 100 cal...wine 100 calories (Anna spilled it-thanks Anna-so only got about 2/3s of it). Side salad couldn't have been more than 50 or 60 calories (dressing on the side). Having a little bit more wine now...excuses = it's Saturday and Anna spilled my first glass so need to replace it, maybe? Keep up the blogging! It really does help...saw Joanna B at Mudtown (LP 745 Bootcamp) and she is using My Fitness Pal to track her calories. Says it's working and she no longer finishes her 3 year old's leftovers.

Day 19 FREE Fries and Coke

Am I Busted? Could I pass up free fries and a coke? I love fries...salty, hot, soft potatoes. What's not to love? So here is the deal. Buy a Hardee's Chicken tender pack and get a free coke and fries. I saw this ad and thought I would investigate further. The Hardee's website actually has a nutrition calculator where you pick menu items and it does the math. I like that! So the free coke and fries will cost you 620 cals. If you add the tenders to that, your meal will be over 1000 calories. So while it may be a cheap meal, your glutes may pay the cost. I think we all know how I feel about the glutes (preserve at all cost). I passed on the Hardee's meal today. Your welcome medius, minimus, and maximus!

7:00 - oatmeal (200) water - water- 10:30 coffee (120) 11:00 grilled chicken on salad greens with fruit and avocado(400) water 3:30 trail mix (175) 6:00 scrambled eggs with a little cheese and spinach (350)

DAY 18 - Finishing it out

My Zoe's lunch was yummy, nutritious, and had enough protein to keep me from being hungry for 3 hours or so. I had a half of banana and piece of cheese around 3pm (right before bootcamp with the teachers at the high school...who, I will have to say, are doing so great!!!). Calories in my snack...maybe 130. My Windle people sometimes like to have breakfast for dinner. So we had eggs, grits, bacon, biscuits, fruit. HOWEVER, I substituted an english muffin for the biscuit, had no cheese in my eggs, and skipped the grits. Instead, I had 2 scrambled eggs (200 cal), the muffin (100), and blueberries (1/4 cup 20 cal). Alright, Alright...I had one piece of bacon too (80 cal). Before bed, I had a small handful of almonds (because we ate a little earlier than usual).