No-Bake Berry Cheesecake from SHAPE

I recently ran across this lighter take on cheesecake in a recent issue of Shape Magazine. 

If you're craving dessert but don't want too big of a splurge, at 139 calories each, these no-bake cheesecakes are an awesome option.  I think the lemon zest is the perfect finishing touch in this recipe.  

Ingredients:

For crust-

1 c. graham crackers, crumbled

1/3 c. sliced almonds, toasted

4 tsp. canola oil

For cheesecake-

8 oz. Neufchatel cheese, softened

1 c. nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt

1/2 tsp. lemon zest

2 Tbsp. sugar

1. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
2. In a food processor, pulse together graham crackers, almonds, and canola oil until finely ground.  
3. Divide evenly among prepared cups and press down firmly.
4. Wipe out food processor and add Neufchatel cheese, Greek yogurt, lemon zest, and sugar; process until smooth.
5. Divide among muffin cups, smooth the top of each cheesecake, and freeze for 3 hours.  
6. Before serving, remove paper liners from cheesecakes and let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes.  
7. Top with mixed berries, pressing gently to adhere.

 

For another healthy option, swap stevia for the sugar.  After freezing the cheesecakes for 3 hours, I also found them to need slightly more than 20 minutes to thaw.  I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do!  Til next time! -M 

Skinnytaste's Santa Fe Turkey Stuffed Peppers

YES.  These Santa Fe Turkey Stuffed Peppers are as awesome as they look.  They were a little more work intensive than I prefer for during the week, but they were a great weekend treat.  Be sure to check out Skinnytaste for other healthy and delicious recipes!  

My biggest complaint about ground turkey is its general blandness.  But, it's easy to fix it up and substitute it as a healthy alternative into all kinds of recipes.  I omitted the hot pepper because my taste buds are wimps. So, next time, I will add some taco seasoning for a little extra flavor. 

Let me know if you give this recipe a try!  Til next time! -M

Easy Greek Orzo Salad - Fit Men Cook

A few posts ago, I shared this awesome video of easy cold lunch ideas from Fit Men Cook.  Recently, I tried out the Greek Orzo Salad recipe from the video and it was awesome!

Here's how you make it:

• 1 cup uncooked, raw orzo
• 1/2 cup cucumber, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 cup cherry (or roma) tomatoes, chopped
• 1/3 cup Kalamata olives, chopped
• 1/3 cup chopped parsley
• 1 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/3 cup feta (optional)
• juice from 1 lemon
• sea salt & pepper to taste

1. Cook orzo according to the instructions given and once cooked, allow it to cool.
2. Mix together all of the ingredients and season to taste with salt n peppa.  

I made the rookie mistake of forgetting the feta cheese.  But, this recipe could not be tastier or easier!  Hope you enjoy it!  Til next time! -M

Best Pre & Post Workout Eats

(Photo Cred: Shape Magazine)

Check out this article from Shape Magazine on the best foods to eat pre and post workout!

PaleOMG's Tequila Cilantro Lime Chicken

One of my favorite sites for healthy recipes is PaleOMG.  Juli posts a plethora of healthy recipes with BEAutiful pictures (see above).  I can't wait to give this recipe a try because it is a combination of 4 of my favorite things: Tequila, Cilantro, Lime, & Chicken.  

Get the recipe here: http://paleomg.com/tequila-cilantro-lime-chicken/