Livin' Lean Topic Tuesday: A Reminder of Why I Love What I Do

While at my dentist appointment yesterday, my very sweet hygienist took my pulse and then said, "Wow, 45...you must work out all the time." I told her that I am a runner and her eyes lit up like when I told Kimber that Santa is coming soon!

See, she is a beginning runner. Never did she see herself running anywhere. She even referred to her new running habit as "accidental". It started as a daily walk prescribed by her doctor. Then she started feelin' pretty good, so she picked it up to a jog. Before she knew it...she was running.

She went on to tell me about how she has lost 58 pounds since April, but that the weight loss is just part of the motivation to keep running She loves the feeling of reaching her running goals; pushing herself a little further each time. First it was a 5K. Now she is training for a 10K. She is hooked on running and loving it! She's reading books, asking for advice, sharing her ups and downs...it's great!

Her excitement for this new part of her life was infectious. I love running too. But I had forgotten what it feels like to be new at something, to hit my first 2 miles without walking, to finish my first race, to do something I never imagined I could do. Whether it is running, parenting, your profession, whatever...it is good to get back to why you love whatever it is you are doing. When you get back to that feeling, it's revitalizing. It gives me the energy I need to set new goals and feel that way again.

The excitement of my hygienist's accomplishments brought back those feelings for me. After some time, I think we tend to forget. I'm so happy for this woman and I thank her for bringing back those feelings in me; remembering why I love what I do. She's a reminder of how when one person changes his or her life, it has the power to motivate others and bring happiness to many.

Have a fabulous Tuesday!

Cookin' Lean with The Neelys: Old School Sweet Potato Souffle

Last Tuesday I asked for requests of traditional Thanksgiving favorites that ya'll would like to see Cookin' Lean Style. I was pleased to see that the very first request was for one of our own family favorites...Sweet Potato Casserole. And not just any ol' casserole! There was a specific request for "the kind with marshmallows", just to be sure there was no confusion.
For this challenge, I took inspiration from one of my favorite, adorable Food Network cookin' couples; the Neelys. There marshmallow-covered recipe for Old School Sweet Potato Souffle was the perfect starting point for making a sweet, yet slim version of this Thanksgiving staple. Thanks Patrick and Gina!

Old School Sweet Potato Souffle
Serves 8

INGREDIENTS

• 5 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4-1/2 ounces fat free half-and-half (or non-fat milk)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons Lighter Bake by Sunsweet (found in baking aisle)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3 egg whites
• 3 twists of freshly ground pepper

Topping~

• 1/8 cup crushed pecans
• 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Spray a 2-quart casserole dish with NON FAT cooking spray and set aside.

Add the potatoes to a large pot of cold, salted water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Drain.

Mash the potatoes in a large bowl using an electric mixer. Add fat free half-and-half (or non fat milk)brown sugar, LIGHT BAKE, vanilla, cinnamon, beaten egg whites, salt and pepper. Mix together until smooth. Pour the mixture into the casserole dish and bake for 25 minutes.

Remove the casserole dish from oven and top with pecans, marshmallows and brown sugar (all ingredients listed under "Toppings"). Bake until the marshmallows are lightly toasted, about 5 to 10 more minutes. Remove the casserole from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

RESULTS

Another victory for the Cookin' Lean Kitchen! Even Rudy (the Hubby), who is a self-proclaimed sweet potato hater, liked this dish. It's not over-the-top sweet and buttery, but it still tastes great! You can actually taste to wonderful, natural sweetness of the potato. You still get some of the sweet marshmallows and brown sugar, yet don't have the heaviness that comes along with the butter. The fact that it is a souffle also helps to give it that light texture and feeling. If you are looking for a place to lighten your menu this Thanksgiving, this is definitely a dish that will allow you to do so without making you feel like you are missing out.

Just look how it pans out nutritionally! Loved using Sunsweet Lighter Bake!! It's a first using it as a healthy sub for butter and I'm now excited to try it in more recipes. I've used homemade fruit purees before, but this comes in a nice jar where I can use what I need and put the rest in the fridge for next time. So smart, Sunsweet!


NUTRITION FACTS (Per Serving):  

BEFORE- 438.4 calories / 19.7g fat / 59.9g carbohydrate / 8.6g protein / 5.9g fiber
AFTER- 148.6 calories / 1.3g fat / 31.7g carbohydrate / 3.3g protein / 2.6g fiber

SAVES- 289.8 calories / 18.4g fat / 28.2g carbs

*PRINT~FRIENDLY*

Livin' Lean Topic Tuesday: We Have a Guest

Today I am taking up an offer from a blog writer who sent me this great piece on ideas for creating gourmet meals at home. Sean is from the Blog Content Guild and he reminds us that great dining experiences don't have to cost a bundle. Have a look at Sean's suggestions for budget gourmet at home. Of course preparing your own meals can bring more than just financial health but physical health too! You are the chef, therefore have total control of what goes into your food and how it is prepared. Double-bonus!


Enjoy!

Fine Dining at Chez Moi: Creating a Grocery List for the Perfect Home-Made Meal




In these tight economic times, you may be forgoing the Saturday nights out or gourmet meals. But you long for that delicious, spongy bread at your favorite Italian restaurant, the chocolate soufflé from that French bistro downtown, and most importantly, that feeling of warm contentedness after you finish a fantastic meal among good company. News flash: you don’t have to give these things up! Entertaining at home can give you an opportunity to enjoy a gourmet meal in the comfort of your own home. In fact, it can be a lot of fun to plan the perfect meal, get all the items on your gourmet grocery list and create a night to remember through a delicious meal.


The perfect meal starts with the perfect menu. Use the menu of your favorite restaurant as a guide to plan out your own evening. Of course, you know the structure of a great meal. Generally, an aperitif starts the meal, followed by the hors d'oeuvres (appetizers), the main course, then dessert. It’s customary to have a digestif and/or coffee after dessert, which both closes out the meal and allows your company to mingle without feeling like they’re imposing on their host. Of course, this traditional structure is not set in stone, it’s your meal and you can amend it as you see fit!


If you are planning on having a larger number of people over, an aperitif or hors d'oeuvres can give staggering guests something to linger over while they wait for the rest of the party. Of course, you could be planning a romantic dinner for two, in which case wine or champagne can set the mood. To stimulate your appetite, shoot for wines that are young, crisp, and fresh and shy away from full bodied reds. These are too heavy for the start of the meal. A cocktail could also do the trick, like a gin and tonic or vodka with a mixer. Get creative with some dry white wine, orange juice, lemon juice, Perrier or a vermouth. Just remember to keep it light and refreshing.


Since you’ll most likely be prepping and/or finishing off the meal at the start of the evening, you’ll want to pick quick n’ easy hors d'oeuvres. This way, you’re not cooking a thousand things at once. Try a cheese and jelly combination on some artisan crackers or a baguette from your favorite bakery served with cheese, butter, and chorizo sausage on the side. Creme cheese’s thick, smooth texture compliments a fruity jelly, while brie tastes great with red pepper jelly or a tomato puree. Hors d'oeuvres don’t have to be ornate to be delicious! The key here is to pick fresh and gourmet ingredients. Go to the bakery for bread, sample an array of cheeses, and pay a little bit extra for nice, flat bread crackers.


After all of your guests have arrived and worked up a bit of an appetite, you’ll want to serve a garden fresh salad. The key to any salad is fresh ingredients and the perfect dressing. If you want to scrimp on the budget, try making your own dressing. A typical, basic green salad vinaigrette can be made with mustard, olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. David Leibovitz provides a step-by-step recipe for the perfect French vinaigrette. You can also try making a raspberry vinaigrette, which goes great on a spinach salad with candied walnuts and red onion. Like the hors d’oeuvres, the salad should be a breeze. You can experiment with vinaigrettes ahead of time, and toss your salad moments before serving. Easy!


Deciding on a main course may give you the most trouble. With so many options, how can you possibly pick just one main course? Well, you’ll need to narrow down your options. If you’re having a lot of people over, you will want to have a main course that can cook itself as you host, serve, pour, and mingle. Such entrees include rack of lamb, chicken, or pork. If you’re cooking for two, you can do something a little more complicated, like a steak, seared to perfection over a heavy frying pan. The season could also help you choose your side dishes or main course. Since you’re making a gourmet meal, you’ll want the freshest ingredients available, including fruits and vegetables that are fresh-picked and in their seasonal prime. You can check to see what foods are in season in your region on this seasonal ingredient map. The Food Network provides an archive of seasonal recipes that could help give you some inspiration. Plan your main course around an array of colors and nutrients. A colorful dish appeals to both the taste-buds and the eyes. You can also play with textures and flavors -- crisp with tender, sweet with savory -- you want to present a dish that has a little bit of everything.


Last, but certainly not least, the dessert. You and your guests may be stuffed to the brim, but we always leave a little room for some sugar, don’t we? The great thing about dessert is that it usually can be made ahead of time, then served after dinner. A chocolate tart can be chilled, then served straight out of the fridge. Certain cakes, like carrot cakes for example, taste best at room temperature (e.g. hours after they are actually made). After devouring some sweet treats, finish with a coffee or digestif. In a formal setting, the coffee is usually taken in another room, such as the living room or terrace. When buying coffee beans, go straight to the source: your favorite cafe. Resist the urge to purchase overpriced “gourmet” coffees at your local supermarket. You may be more interested in investing in a classic digestif, like a grappa, whiskey, or fortified wine, instead of an after-dinner coffee. While digestifs are uncommon in the U.S., they’re a great way to allow your guests to wrap up conversation as their stomachs settle.


Et voila! After a fresh opening drink, simple appetizers, a hearty main course, lip-smacking dessert, and a closing coffee, you will feel as content as you ever did after that fancy-schmancy restaurant meal. Yeah, you may have to say goodbye to your favorite Italian restaurant, but I’m sure you’ll find that a homemade, gourmet meal enjoyed with good company is just as sweet.



Thank you for your article, Sean!

**Pop in tomorrow to see just how simple it is to make The Neely's Sweet Potato Souffle the Cookin' Lean way! (Yes, marshmellows included!) It just might be what your Turkey Day menu needs!