Skinny Easter Egg Cake Balls

A fun Easter dessert idea, cake balls decorated as Easter eggs! Put them in a basket and watch them disappear.

We are all ready for the Easter bunny in my home. We painted some eggs, we made cake balls, maybe we'll even get to see the Easter bunny himself.

These cake balls were fun to make, and are made lighter than traditional cake balls by using a box cake mix, egg whites and fat free Greek yogurt – no oil, no butter required! Because I use a cake ball pan, there's no need to mix the cake with frosting, which is time consuming and adds a lot more fat and calories.

Aren't these just the cutest?!  And yes, they taste just as good as they look. To make them look like Easter eggs, we drizzled some colored chocolate on them, used some sprinkles, and just played had fun playing around with them.  I packed some in small boxes to give away as Easter gifts.

You can come up with countless ways to decorate cake balls, using the same basic recipe with this Nordic Ware Cake Pop Pan I purchased at Target. I highly recommend buying 2 pans if you plan on making these to speed this up. The candy melts were from Wilton, which I purchased at Michael's.

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Crock Pot Turkey Breast with Gravy

Juicy slow cooked turkey breast with rich turkey gravy, all in your crock pot. This was my first time making a turkey breast in the crock pot, but it won't be my last!

What an easy way to prepare turkey breast that doesn't require too much attention. The vegetables are first browned with a roux on the stove to ensure the gravy has a rich flavor base, then it's all slow cooked in the crock pot. At the end, I simmered the braising liquid on the stove until it reduced and thickened into a delicious, easy gravy.

I modified this recipe from the Slow Cooker Revolution cookbook. It's a great base, and I can see playing around with the ingredients in this recipe.

Madison, my toddler said yummy juicy meat (that meant she liked it) and my husband was thrilled there were mashed potatoes AND gravy on his plate. This was like a mini Thanksgiving feast, I made some skinny mashed potatoes on the side, (you could also make cauliflower mash if you want to go low carb) and I also served this with some sauteed broccolini which is not pictured.

Today, I guess I'll be making some turkey noodle soup with the leftovers! And since so many are asking, I have the 6 Quart Hamilton Beach Set 'n Forget Programmable Slow Cooker. I love it because you can adjust the time you want it to cook, and it automatically turns to warm when it's done. It also has a probe for meat that automatically shuts off when done. I hated my old crock pot, it burnt everything and my food had a weird taste. This crock pot is so great, I actually own two!

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Linguini with Sautéed Scallops and Peas

Scallops are great for a quick meal any night of the week and are a real treat. They can be quickly sautéed, then added to salads like this Scallop and Baby Green Citrus Mojo Salad, and this delicious Scallop and Grapefruit Salad, but once in a while when I want something more substantial, I love it with pasta. Here I tossed it with some pasta and peas, for a dinner that took less than 15 minutes to make.

I love sea scallops and it takes very little effort to get delicious results. For best flavor seek out the freshest scallops. Before cooking remove the small, tough muscle attached to the side. You can easily double this recipe for four servings.

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Kumara (Sweet Potato) Tandoori Salad

Roasted sweet potatoes, seasoned with curry and spices, then tossed with bell peppers, baby spinach and a flavorful vinaigrette.

I love the complex combination of the sweet, sour and spicy flavors in this salad. Sweet potatoes and curry work so well together, and the acidity from the vinaigrette just balances all the flavors out.

I was asked to lighten this recipe from a missionary working in Ecuador. Her mission there is to help teach women how to eat healthier and lose weight, and she's been translating my recipes for them and showing them how to change the way they cook. I was so touched by this because I love giving back, so I was happy to play around with this recipe. I did some research and found in New Zealand, sweet potato are known as "Kumara", so I'm guessing the origins of this recipe came from there.

I couldn't have been happier with the results, the flavors were wonderful, and I will absolutely be making this again and again.  This salad meets so many diet restrictions, perfect if you want to enjoy a Meatless Monday dish, but also gluten-free, to vegan, paleo, clean-eating, and more!

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Chocolate Drizzled Coconut Macaroons

If I'm craving something sweet, macaroons are a good option because they are made with just egg whites and sugar – no flour or butter. Of course, you shouldn't eat the whole batch, because too much sugar is not a good thing.

Last year I posted a recipe for plain coconut macaroons, but this year I was craving them drizzled with a little chocolate, so I reduced the sugar a little to compensate for the chocolate and drizzled some chocolate over them once they were done.

I've been using only raw sugar these days, so the color may not be as white, but they worked out just fine. These are gluten-free and Passover-friendly, hope you enjoy!

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Grilled Garlic Dijon Herb Salmon

Salmon fillets seasoned with a garlic, Dijon herb sauce and served with a squeeze of fresh lemon... delicious!!

Happy Wednesday! I'm busy as a bee, working on my cookbook so I wanted to share a recipe from the archives. Salmon is one of my favorite fish dishes to make, and this is a fabulous way to prepare it!

Salmon is a fatty fish, rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and vitamin A. When buying salmon, I prefer to go to my local fish store rather than the supermarket and try to look for wild Alaskan salmon, a sustainable fish that lives in pristine waters and consumes a diverse, healthy diet. It's available frozen year round.

I used a cast iron grill pan to make this but an outdoor grill works just the same, be sure the grates are clean and oiled to prevent sticking. If you don't own a grill, this can also be made in the broiler of your oven adding the mustard sauce during the last minute of cooking.

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Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles

Pretty little bundles of bacon wrapped French "green beans" known as Haricot verts which are longer and thinner than the typical American green bean. Of course, American green beans will work just fine here too.

As a kid, I never liked green beans because the only way I tasted them was boiled and overcooked. As I got older, I learned that I actually enjoy them if they are prepared right. Fresh green beans are a must for me, and I like them roasted or sauteed until tender and crisp. Add a little bacon to them and you can't go wrong.

These are really easy to make, I served them as a side with Petite Turkey Meatloaf for dinner, but this would also make an elegant side dish for Easter dinner if you double the recipe. You can prep them ahead of time, then roast them just before serving.


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Spring Asparagus Risotto

Creamy risotto, cooked with Spring asparagus, fresh herbs, Parmigiano-Reggiano and a touch of lemon. Perfect as a meatless main dish if you use vegetable broth, or wonderful as a side with grilled shrimp.

This Italian rice dish is a labor of love, not the kind of dish you turn on and walk away from, but instead slowly cooked with ladlefuls of broth, adding more each time it's absorbed. Just before the last ladle, I added fresh asparagus to the last five minutes of cooking time and finished it with a touch of lemon juice and lemon zest.

Because risotto is so simple, I like to use the freshest ingredients when I make it such as seasonal vegetables, fresh herbs and good cheese.


Asparagus is perfect addition to risotto, and now in season. This spear-shaped veggie is an awesome weapon for your health. It’s packed with disease-fighting nutrients including fiber, folate, vitamins A, C, E and K and glutathione, a detoxifying compound that may protect against certain types of cancer. And it’s loaded with age-defying antioxidants that work to neutralize cell-damaging free radicals in your body. Look for spears with tight buds and firm stalks without wrinkles.


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St Patricks Day Cake Pops

Everyone knows they're gold at the end of a rainbow, so why not celebrate St Patrick's Day with these easy cake pops, made skinny buy using a cake pop pan, a box cake mix, fat free yogurt, egg whites and water!

I was in charge of the cupcakes for my daughter's St Patrick's Day class party and found this rainbow idea here. I love making cake pops for school, because it's a bit less messy to eat since there's no frosting and they also taste so good! These were easy to decorate, using mini m&m's and marshmallows.

I packed them in plastic containers with some green grass and gold chocolate coins and I thought they looked adorable. To save time, I made half the batch green with sprinkles, and the other half rainbow.

I've mentioned in my first Skinny Cake Pop post, that using a cake pop pan like this Nordic Ware one I bought from Target makes these easy to make, just as easy as making cupcakes, and I love that I don't have to mix them with frosting to turn them into balls. Since making cake balls a few times, I got smart and bought an extra pan so I can bake two at the same time. Here's the recipe!

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Easy Crust-less Spinach and Feta Pie

In honor of National Pi Day, a day in history that celebrates the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter (3.14), I can't think of a better way to celebrate such an ironic-named holiday than to share a slice of this simply delicious, savory spinach pie recipe from the archives.

A simple Greek inspired pie combining savory flavors such as spinach, feta, Asiago cheese, dill and scallions. Perfect to take to a potluck!

Served with a salad, you can turn this into a main dish, or cut it into smaller wedges to serve as an appetizer. If you use full fat feta cheese, the fat only increases by 1 gram, and the points increase to 4 per serving. Enjoy this warm or at room temperature.

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Guacamole Deviled Eggs

If you're looking for a healthy snack of appetizer for St Patrick's Day, these green deviled eggs are the perfect solution.

My mom adds hard boiled eggs to her guacamole, so I thought why not add guacamole to hard boiled eggs? The results were lovely, and since I was testing them out for the blog, I actually enjoyed them for lunch.

These are a fun, "clean" snack or appetizer, not just as a green food for St Patrick's day, but for anytime of the year. Loaded with a good dose of healthy fats and perfect for any dietary restriction – vegetarian, gluten-free, weight watchers, low-carb, paleo, and more!

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Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Soup

Rainy days and soup go hand in hand. If you're a mushroom lover like me, you'll love this simple savory soup that takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish!

This is a variation of my meatless Creamy Mushroom Soup, which we all love in my home. I like to have that as a first course since it's such a light soup, but to make it a little more substantial as a main dish, I added some chicken breast. Still light at under 115 calories, and 3 Weight Watchers points, you could easily serve this with a salad or half sandwich on the side.

I did some Spring shopping at Target a few weeks ago and couldn't pass up these pretty, inexpensive beaded bowls and dishes from the Threshold Beaded Collection. I love using white bowls and dishes to plate my food. I find food always looks prettiest on a white dish, and since we eat with our eyes, I usually have fun at dinner time and try to style our plates. Also a great tip if you like to photograph your meals.

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Tropical Papaya Batido (fruit shake)

A sunlit, vitamin-packed tropical fruit shake made with pink-hued papayas, fresh squeezed oranges and bananas.

Happy Monday! Monday morning are especially difficult the day after daylight savings, don't you think? This pick-me-up fruit drink is the perfect fix! Vitamin packed, dairy-free, and loaded with vitamins and fiber.

My aunt brought over this beautiful papaya, excited to make this fruit drink for me. If you've never tried papaya, it has a soft, buttery, pinkish-orange flesh with a taste similar to cantaloupe, with black seeds in the center which you discard; it's known for it's antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects.

Any restaurant or home you visit in Colombia, where my Mom is from, fresh fruit shakes made with exotic fruits are always on the menu for breakfast or lunch.

Papaya is an excellent fruit because it's high in Vitamins A and C, folate and potassium. In addition, it is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin E, and vitamin K.  It reminds me of a cantaloupe, only sweeter and softer. Fresh squeezed oranges were added for added vitamins and sweetness along with bananas to make this the perfect start to any morning.

Since this is made with nothing but just fresh fruit, I'm assuming the Weight Watcher Points are 0, correct me if I'm wrong. Enjoy your day!


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Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup

It's a cold snowy March day, perfect for this soup! Cabbage, potatoes, bell pepper and aromatics simmered on the stove with corned beef create this wonderful one pot meal. A fun twist on a Classic Irish dish!

I thought this was a great way to enjoy corned beef and incorporating lots of vegetables. A few notes: I purchased a 2 1/2 lb piece or corned beef brisket. After I trimmed all the fat off it was 2 lbs. I boiled all the beef in the soup which shrunk to 18 oz, but only used half (9 oz cooked) of the corned beef in the soup and used the other half in another recipe.

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Cheeseburger Casserole

If you're a cheeseburger lover, and the thought of ground beef, tomatoes, pickles and cheese tickles your fancy, then this truly American, comforting casserole is for you!

I was recently given the Bobby Deen: From Mama's Table to Mine cookbook as a gift. Bobby, in case you're not familiar is Paula Deen's son, who makes his Mama's Southern dishes a bit healthier and on the lighter side.

Whenever I get a cookbook, I usually attempt a dish that's out of my norm. A cheeseburger casserole... now that's not a dish I grew up eating!

What the heck is a cheeseburger casserole? Think cheeseburger essential ingredients such as lean ground hamburger meat sauteed with diced tomatoes, onions, a touch of mustard, and some not-so common burger ingredients such as pasta, all topped with melted cheddar and finished off with diced pickles.

My toddler gobbled this up, and I thought it was pretty darn good – and I would certainly make this again. I'm sure you can have fun with this and add your favorite cheeseburger toppings. I'm thinking sauteed mushrooms would be really good here too and maybe a few bacon crumbles for a bacon cheeseburger casserole (why not!).

The one thing I changed was the serving size, I thought 9 servings was a little more realistic than 12 for adults, and at about 260 calories (7 points plus if you're on Weight Watchers) it's still well under 300 calories.

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Skinny(er) Shamrock Shake

Confession, I've never had a shamrock shake from McDonald's. But I love the idea of a green minty milkshake for St Patrick's Day, so I set out to make my own, with a bit less fat and calories.

Yesterday I drove to three McDonald's just to test them out, but no one seemed to carry them in my area, which surprised me since the commercials seem to be running frequently on my TV.

No worries, I figured I know what mint ice cream should taste like, I'm sure it's not much different.

I put a lot of thought on how I would make this sweet and creamy like a real ice cream shake, without having to add green food coloring. I knew I was going to start with Stonyfield's 0% fat vanilla frozen yogurt, because I love it and am always amazed at how much it tastes like full fat vanilla ice cream. I also knew I would add a little spearmint extract to give it that minty flavor. But for the coloring, I was stumped,  and then it hit me... avocado's are green, creamy and taste great in smoothies, so it was the perfect solution.

In fact, I may drizzle a little chocolate syrup on top next time I make this to get that mint chocolate chip experience. This is a fun dessert your kids I bet will enjoy!


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Homemade Croutons

Healthier homemade croutons made with whole grain bread, Italian seasoning and shredded parmesan cheese. These are so simple to make, with ingredients you probably already have on hand.

I love how the grains in the bread add a nutty texture to the croutons, so much better than white bread!

Once baked you can keep them in a ziplock bag to use for salads or soups (I love croutons in my split pea soup!) Be sure to use shredded Parmesan cheese so it sticks to the croutons when baked in the oven.

For this side salad, I chopped up some tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion and romaine lettuce, and tossed it with my red wine tomato vinaigrette.

 

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Dairy-free Lemon Pudding

This dairy-free, low-fat lemon pudding is a thing of dreams! It's bold in flavor and richness but not in calories and is made with just 6 simple ingredients, including one you would never imagine...

Cauliflower! Crazy? I know!

Please welcome today's guest poster and holistic nutritionist, Leanne Vogul of Healthful Pursuit.

Hi Everyone, I'm pretty excited to be sharing this recipe with you today but first, let's chat about dairy! Many of us are allergic to it, sensitive to it, or have developed a love hate relationship with it. We eat, we enjoy, our stomachs hurt, our complexion suffers, but we just can't imagine a life without the good stuff. Taking the dairy-free lifestyle for a test drive or committing to it because of sensitivities can be a challenge... but it doesn't have to be this way! After a decade of being dairy-free and learning what it takes to thrive on the diet, I created the Done with Dairy Toolkit a (free) guide to living dairy-free with loads of dairy-free recipes and health tips from yours truly. When I'm in a crunch and need some dairy-free inspiration, I turn to the toolkit and my problem is solved!

One of my favorite tricks to making a healthy, dairy-free, Skinnytaste approved dessert is to use cauliflower in place of thick creams and added starches. I know what you're thinking, 'cauliflower in dessert?' YES! If you flavor it just right; with things like vanilla extract, lemon or orange zest, chocolate or citrus juice, you do not taste the cauliflower one little bit. All you have is smooth, creamy, sweet goodness. Skeptical? I have just the recipe that will prove that dairy-free doesn't mean that you have to be gnawing on cardboard, or giving up your favorite low-fat treats. This pudding is impressively low in fat, rich in flavor, highly creamy, and under 130 calories per serving. Crazy, right? Let's get right down to business!  

Important Notes from Leanne – 

Make sure you weigh your cauliflower or, if you don't have a scale, only roughly chop the florets, measure and then cook.

If you do not have a powerful blender like a Blendtec or Vitamix, opt to finely grind your cauliflower before cooking so that it is easier to puree.

Leanne Vogel is a holistic nutritionist and the girl behind the healthy living blog, Healthful Pursuit. Whether you're sensitive to dairy, gluten, soy, eggs, grains, or sugar, or are just interested in eating healthy, Leanne's fun and simple healthy recipes; of which she has more than 550 on her blog, are a great resource for everyone.
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Skinny No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie

Light and creamy and ever so addicting! Whip this up in minutes for a dessert everyone will love. It's Peanut Butter Lover's Day (who knew!) so I thought I would revive this from the archives, one of my favorite desserts!

I don't know about you but I love pie! Fruit pies, banana pie, pumpkin pie, pudding pies, and high on my list... peanut butter pie. To keep it light I used Better n' Peanut Butter which is available at Target, Trader Joe's, health food stores and online.

Drizzle the top with a little chocolate syrup right before serving and you will enjoy each and every last bite!

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