Clean Eating Weight Loss Meal Plan 55

Breakfast

 Erin Baker's Breakfast Cookie Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk

These are all-natural, freshly-baked vegan cookies with a whopping 18 grams of whole grains per serving. They make a fantastic breakfast or snack.

Try them at Erin Baker's Breakfast Cookies.

Mid Morning Snack

Vacuum Fried Vegetables

Unlike traditional frying, vacuum frying fries foods at low temperature and high pressure to maintain more nutrients and taste. And these fried okra and sweet potatoes tasted awesome!

   
Lunch

Scrambled Eggs Topped with Natural Colby Jack Cheese, Prosciutto-Wrapped Mozzarella, and a Side of Berries and Cucumbers

Afternoon Snack

Whole Roasted Chestnuts (at this link)

Yum! Nothing like wholesome, scrumptious roasted chestnuts in the fall.

Dinner

Shrimp and Snow Pea Stir Fry (from here)

This easy healthy recipe was delicious and nutritious. The plump shrimp mixed well with sweet and crunchy snow peas. I think you'll enjoy this.

Find recipe at Clean Eating Dinner Recipe.

I hope you enjoyed today's Clean Eating Weight Loss Meal Plan.

See you next time.

Also, visit www.cleaneatingrecipesblog.com for more clean eating ideas.

Pumpkin Seed Brittle – Break Some Off This Halloween

This pumpkin seed brittle recipe was a lot easier to make than film. The procedure for nut brittle, or in this case, seed brittle, is very simple, but there are points in the recipe when you have to move fast, which is unfortunate when you have to move a camera and set up shots. 

Even with these challenges, it came out just fine, and I’m only complaining as a way to build confidence. Once your sugar mixture has turned a nice caramel color, you have to immediately turn off the heat, add your baking soda (be careful), then your nuts or seeds (be careful), and hastily mix until combined. As the concoction cools it hardens quickly, so transfer into your pan and press as soon as you can (be careful).

After that, you can relax, unless you are scoring yours into shapes. No pressure, but you only have about two minutes to make your marks. After the brittle is cool, simply break it up, and you’ll be enjoying a crispy, delicious, and very seasonally appropriate treat.

Regarding the salt: you can add it right into the mix like I did, or sprinkle it over the top surface before the brittle is completely cool. That does look kind of cool, but either way, it’s critical, and should not be omitted.

I can’t help you with the tricks, but at least you have one more idea for a treat now. I hope you give this pumpkin seed brittle recipe a try soon. Enjoy!

Makes enough Pumpkin Seed Brittle for 12 witches or 8 zombies:

2 cups white sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

2 tablespoons water
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 cups raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)

1 1/2 teaspoons coarse sea salt (3/4 to 1 tsp if using fine salt)

Clean Eating Weight Loss Meal Plan 54

Breakfast

Greek Yogurt Cream Cheese and Fruits Over Whole Wheat Toast (get recipe here)

You can use any type of fruits you want, but because it was fig season, I used fresh California figs, and then topped them with blueberries. The combination was delicious!

If you haven't tried Greek yogurt cream cheese, you must. Not only does it taste like regular cream cheese, it contains less calorie and extra protein. Plus, for a lactose-intolerant person like myself, Greek yogurt cream cheese is easier on the digestive system.

This breakfast was a success. Not only did I like it, my family liked it too.

Please find recipe at Clean Eating Breakfast.

Mid Morning Snack

Trader Joe's Roasted and Salted Whole Cashews

These were awesome! I love nuts for clean eating, and cashews are especially good. They are filling, fun to eat, and naturally sweet. Next time you're hungry, grab a handful of cashews instead of a candy bar.

 

Lunch

Pepper Jack Chicken Sandwich (get recipe here)

I don't care for spicy food, but the smokey, potent flavor of pepper jack agrees with me. I loved this sandwich because it was wholesome with chicken and whole wheat bread, but also consisted the flavorful kick of natural pepper jack cheese.

It was also an easy recipe to make, and therefore a great idea for clean eating lunch.

Get recipe at Clean Eating Sandwich.

Afternoon Snack

Apple-Peanut Butter-Raisin Stack (recipe here)

Awesome, awesome clean eating snack!

Not only was this packed with nutrition, it was sweet, crunchy and creamy. Loved the flavor and texture. I hope you try it.

Get recipe at Clean Eating Snack.

Dinner

Honey Mustard Pork Slices (recipe at this location)

I love stir fry, especially with new and fresh flavors.

Though honey mustard is an unorthodox flavor to use in stir fry, but with a hint of soy sauce, this Asian dish received a tangy twist, and turned out rather tasty.

I definitely recommend it. Get the recipe at Clean Eating Dinner.

Thanks again for visiting.

For more clean and healthy recipes and ideas, visit www.bestcleaneatingrecipes.com.

 Have a nice day.

Crostini Dijonnaise – Mustard-Infused Toasts for Extra Special Spreads

If you’re going to serve your pate or rillettes with toasted bread and mustard anyway, why not save a step, and just make mustard-flavored crostini? That’s the question I asked myself while making the potted duck spread we just posted, and this was the answer. 

For a first attempt I was very happy with the results. These had the same crispy crunch of traditional crostini, but also offered a fairly noticeable, mustardy zing.

I’m looking forward to trying some variations using hot mustard powder, maybe mixed into a little olive oil. Speaking of oil, my only criticism is that these needed a little more fat. Next time I’ll use a little more of the butter spread, and/or drizzle in some olive oil to insure we don’t have any dry spots.

That aside, I loved the color, and as we head into entertaining season, I think these would make a great addition to your appetizer arsenal, especially when paired with something as extra special as a batch of homemade rillettes (hint, hint). I really hope you give these a try soon. Enjoy!

Ingredients for one baguette:

1 baguette, sliced diagonally

4 tbsp soft butter

2 tbsp Dijon mustard

1 tbsp yellow mustard

salt, freshly ground black pepper, and cayenne to taste

- bake at 350 F. until crisp and golden brown

(Next time I may try to add a few tablespoons of olive oil, and a pinch of mustard powder to the mix)

Clean Eating Weight Loss Meal Plan 53

Before (clean) eating, let's check out today's workout and weight loss motivation video, shall we?

I found it AWESOME!

 "Pain is Temporary" Speech by Eric Thomas

Breakfast

Strawberry Fage Greek Yogurt and Banana

I usually eat plain Greek yogurt by Fage, but have lately started on the brand's fruity choices. They taste just as fantastic, and are just as healthy. With a banana, this Greek yogurt was a great way to start the day.

Mid Morning Snack

Organic Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds

These were delicious, as well as addictive. I had to lock the rest of the bag up to stop from finishing it all. I think you'll love this healthy snack food.

Lunch

Chicken Fajitas

These fajitas were made with organic chicken breast, sizzled on stove top, with chopped onion, peppers and Trader Joe's Taco Seasoning. For wrap, I recommend La Tortilla Factory's Low Carb Tortillas. They were the perfect accomplice to the tasty chicken.

Afternoon Snack

Chocolate Coconut or Cashew Cookie Larabar

All Larabars are delicious, but my favorites are Chocolate Coconut and Cashew Cookie.

In case you've never tried Larabars, they are made with as little ingredients as possible, and consist of only fruits and nuts. Plus, they taste great. Instead of candy bars, you should really switch to Larabars.

Dinner

Herb-Rubbed Broiled Chicken (get recipe here)

I enjoyed this recipe because it was easy, quick and tasty. The chicken breasts were tender after broiling, and the herbs induced mouthwatering flavors.

This was a fantastic protein-filled recipe. You can find it at Clean Eating Dinner.

Hope you enjoyed today's clean eating and weight loss food plan.

Well, at least the food.

Visit www.cleaneatingrecipesblog.com for more clean eating ideas and diet meals.

Have a nice day!

Duck Rillettes – It Only Tastes Like Duck Butter with Extra Butter

Duck rillettes is one of the most amazing culinary magic tricks of all time. Even though most of the spread is made up of fairly lean duck meat, by emulsifying in a little butter, duck fat, and duck gelatin, you’ll swear the final product has the fat content of the finest foie gras torchon. By the way, I miss foie gras torchon.

The key here is to mash the large chunks of cold duck with the warm duck fat and gelatin. As the meat breaks down, the fat cools and turns the whole bowl into creamy duck spread heaven. Pack it in a crock, keep it sealed with a layer of fat, and you have an incredibly tasty snack that will last long into the winter months.

Some chefs prefer to let the duck sit overnight with the rub on, and “potpourri” in, but I skip that step, and instead let the duck cool in it’s own juices after roasting, and then sit overnight in the fridge, to continue developing flavor. Once made, it can be enjoyed right away, but if you can hold off a few days, it will really come into its own. Or eat right away, and in a few days.

I know it’s a little early for edible holiday gift ideas, but keep this one in mind. The only problem is, once you’ve given duck rillettes as a gift, you’ll never give a gift as good. Just a little heads-up. That aside, I really hope you give this preserved duck spread a try soon. Enjoy!

Ingredients for about 3 cups of Duck Rillettes:

1 whole duck (about 4 1/2 pounds)

- For spice rub:

1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt

2 generous teaspoons fresh ground black pepper

2 teaspoons dried thyme

- For the potpourri:

12 cloves garlic

six 1/4-inch slices fresh ginger

3 bay leaves

peel from 1 orange (only orange parts)

1 generous bunch fresh thyme

- Roast duck at 250 F. for about 5-6 hours, or until meat pulls away from the bones

To finish:

cold pulled duck meat

1 tablespoon Armagnac or cognac or other brandy

2 tablespoons soft unsalted butter

2-3 tablespoons warm duck fat (add as needed)

2 tablespoons warm duck stock

2 teaspoons parsley

1 teaspoons chive

1/2 teaspoon orange zest

1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
pinch of cayenne

Clean Eating Weight Loss Meal Plan 52

Breakfast

Fage Greek Yogurt and Fresh Pineapple Slices

Mid Morning Snack

Roasted Chickpeas in Cinnamon Maple Flavor

These all-natural roasted chickpeas are gluten-free and full of fiber and protein. Also, the cinnamon maple flavor tasted fantastic. This is an amazing clean eating snack, and I highly recommend it.

Find it at Clean Eating Snack - Roasted Chick Peas.

Lunch

Pork and Leek Stir Fry Over Organic Quinoa (get recipe for stir fry here)

This stir fry was a wonderful clean eating lunch. It was quick, easy and tasty. Loved the grassy flavor of the leeks and the tenderness of pork slices. I think you'll like this recipe too.

Get it at Clean Eating Lunch Recipe.

 Afternoon Snack

All-Natural Colby Jack Cheese Cubes and Hard-Boiled Eggs

Dinner

Simple Garden Salad with Greek Yogurt Dressing and Grated Goat Cheese

Thanks for visiting.

For more clean eating ideas and recipes, visit www.cleaneatingrecipesblog.com.

See you next time.