Simple Food Solutions

Anyone out there with an easy alternative to our favorite every day junk foods?

*When I say easy I mean using the types of natural foods around the house, rather than sugar free fat free pudding/ 100 calorie snack packs to name a few.

Here's a couple I've come up and snagged from a couple of people:

cream pie---> mirowave banana w/ yogurt sprinkles with oat cereal

crackers for dips--------> cucumber (Rachael Ray)

ice cream-------> frozen yogurt (could there be something done w/ milk if you don't have frozen yogurt?)

All ideas are welcomed!

I make a really awesome sorbet type treat thats really just a smoothie with extra crushed ice.  Here's the recipe if you want it.

Crush a cup or so of ice in a food processor then add:

 

1 frozen banana

1/2 c. frozen raspberries

1/2 c. frozen strawberries

8 oz lowfat strawberry yogurt

1/2 - 1 c sugarfree lemonade or orange juice

 

Add more ice or more liquid to get a good thick consistancy then put it in the freezer for an hour or so.  Makes around 4 servings.

:)

 

 

 

plain greek yogurt instead of mayo on anything

an apple /w cinnamon (microwave it in a bowl for a warm treat, may need to add water) instead of apple pie

diet rootbeer with milk or cream in it (just a little) instead of a rootbeer float

hummus instead of cheese

if you really need cheese, try a sprinkle of parmasan (which has a strong taste) instead of a lot of cheese that has a weaker taste

This may be what your looking for...

http://www.hungry-girl.com/chew/index.php

Lots of "alternative" recipes of our favorite foods (including some fast food)

half a banana+ a tablespoon of peanut butter. delish! xD

I love a little peanut or almond butter on an apple.

I second the Hungry Girl web site. 

i'm registered on hungry girl and she does have great ideas but i find that she uses a lot of Splenda and canned pumpkin (which i tried to find at my local jewel/ walmart and they didn't have any!) so that's why i want recipes that use versatile ingredients (fruit, milk, ect.).

How about this?  I haven't tried it yet, but I always thought it would be a great way to slash the calories in a slice of pie, since some pies (i.e., pumpkin, other fruit pies) can actually be sort of good for you except for the crust!  I plan on using this one around the holidays.

Egg white pie crust or Meringue pie crust

2 egg whites
1 pinch salt
1 pinch cream of tartar
7 TB sugar

Beat egg whites until frothy.  Add salt and cream of tartar and beat until stiff.  Gradually beat in the sugar until stiff peaks form.  Spread the meringue mixture on the sides and bottom of a 9 inch pie dish.  Bake in a 275 degree oven for 1 hour.  Turn off the heat and leave in the oven for 30 more minutes.  Remove and cool.

how does it become solid, crust like? is it like a caramel crust (sugar dissolved in egg whites)?

I guess so... as I said, I've never made it.  I imagine it would be something like a meringue cookie.  They are made in a similar way.  They have a really light and fluffy texture, but are solid.

The banana  + pb idea is good.  I like to wrap mine in a whoel wheat tortilla and maybe a few golden raisins.  It's quite filling so I only eat half and save the rest for later.  But it also stores well because of the tortilla.

Here's great recipe I got from Hy-Vee last week.  These are energy bars and they're really healthy for you...

1 c.  crispy rice
1 c.  oats
1/2 c. granola
1/2 c. wheat germ
1/2 c. flax seed
* Combine

In a microwave safe bowl melt:

3 T. Butter
1/2 c. peanut butter
1/2 c. Agave Nectar (a natural sugar instead of refined)
1 bag mini marshmallows
*Combine with dry ingredients and spread on a 13x9 baking pan and chill.

These bars are amazing and they have a lot of fiber and protein and they're delicious!  Here's the breakdown:

Makes 24 bars:
160 calories
4g fiber
6g fat
5g protein

How about wholemeal muffin 'pizzas'?   Simply split wholemeal muffins in two and toast on one side.... Then add some chopped tomatoes, a pinch of oregano and top with some half-fat mozarella before popping under the grill until bubbling and melted....  Serve with lots of green salad.  Delicious.

And as a healthier version of tortilla chips.... Use cooking spray or an olive oil mister to coat a flour tortilla, sprinkle with a little chilli powder, some black pepper and a pinch of salt, cut into 8 even wedges and then bake in the oven until crisp and curled.... takes about 2 - 3 mins.  Serve with some fresh salsa dip

Rather than chips or french fries try Roast Potato Wedges.  Wash a large baking potato, leave on the peel and cut it lengthways into about 8-12 even-sized wedges.  Place the wedges in a bowl with a teaspoon of olive oil and your choice of seasoning and stir thoroughly with your hands until everything has a good 'shine'.  Bake in a preheated hot oven for 30 - 40 mins until crisp and golden.  Great as a standalone snack or as a side-dish.

And a great alternative to a pie-crust on fruit is a good old English 'crumble' topping.   Make it with a mixture of wholemeal flour and rolled oats and spread reasonably thinly