Stuffed Pasta Shells Bowl by Amy’s Kitchen

Need a yummy and healthy dinner, but don’t feel like cooking? You are in luck!

Nutrition

The Stuffed Pasta Shells Bowl is made with Organic Pasta Shells and Vegetables, such as Broccoli, Spinach, Onions and delicious Tomato puree. This dish comes out to be 73% Organic- the more the better! For those with allergies, this dish is Corn-Free,Tree Nut-Free, Soy-Free, and Certified Kosher.

This dish is high in protein (19 grams), Vitamin A (40% DV), Vitamin C (40% DV), Calcium (40% DV), and Iron (15% DV), and is low in Sugar, and has Zero Trans Fats.

Taste

The Stuffed pasta Shells Bowl tastes delicious- no question about it. You will probably feel like you are eating Lasagna at a high-end restaurant, without all the bad stuff that you just don’t need to put into your body.

I personally can’t go out and buy store bought lasagnas (my stomach just can’t handle them), so finding the Stuffed Pasta Shells Bowls from Amy’s Kitchen has been an amazing find for me. I am sure you will enjoy them as well!

Serving: 1 Bowl (3 Jumbo Stuffed Pasta Shells)

Calories: 310

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Crunches…not for everyone?

Do crunches really make you have a flat stomach? Well, it depends.

Let’s be Honest…

If you have a lot of excess fat in your stomach area, I would say no, and I don’t recommend doing crunches- at least not just yet. What happens when you do crunches is that your stomach muscles get bigger. Think back to those guys at the gym who do weight training. Are they getting bigger or smaller in the area that they are working out and lifting muscles for? Same works with your stomach, so with those stomach muscles getting bigger, your stomach tends to stick out more.

The good news is…

So how do you get the excess fat away so you can see your sexy abs that you know are there somewhere? Cardiovascular exercise. Do cardio on a regular basis, such as running, swimming, elliptical, stairs, yoga, kick boxing, dancing, etc. Cardio is going to burn calories, get your heart pumping, and your body sweating. Even if you aren’t feeling the burn in your abs, that doesn’t mean that you won’t be losing fat around your middle. And no, this won’t happen overnight. It is something you will need to do on a regular basis, not just a one time thing.

Fat covers your muscle’s definition, so without the excess fat, muscle definition will come easier. For those who already don’t have a lot of fat in the middle area, crunches might just be a good thing for you to see some more definition and muscle tone in that area.

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Tags: abs, bigger muscles, crunches, fat, Fitness, flat stomach, Healthy, muscle definition, muscles, regular basis, tones, Weight Loss, weight training

Hashed Browns (Organic) by Alexia

Taste Test

These are comparable to the good ‘ol fashioned home-made version you might have been lucky enough to grow up with.

Guilt Free

Not only is this the best frozen hashed browns I have ever had, and lucky for you and me, it is USDA Organic, fat free, gluten free, and fairly low in calories. Let’s just say, you don’t need to hesitate about buying these when looking for convenience and taste, and this is something that will go great with your chicken and apple sausages, eggs, and home made orange juice. Hey, I believe there is a way to not only eat healthy (or at least healthier than the average Joe), but also enjoy some great taste all at the same time.

Preparation

This is pretty quick to make, just brown it on a frying pan or skillet. If you cook this with butter on the pan, just know you will be adding calories to this dish, so be careful with how much you add. A Great alternative to butter, is to use coconut oil, which is a safe oil when heated and cooking your foods.

Serving: 3 oz (about a 1/2 cup)
Calories: 80

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Tags: Breakfast, fat free, gluten free, low calorie, Organic, potato, tastes good, Vegetable, veggie

Health Benefits of Agave Nectar

Agave Nectar is a wonderful Sugar Replacement!

Agave Nectar

Blue Agave Nectar is the most common species of Agave plants. If you buy Agave Nectar, chances are they are from the Blue Agave plants.

The two most common types of Agave nectar is either “Light”, “Amber”, or “Dark”.

The Light Agave Nectar has less heating and a more thorough filtration process, which makes a more mild and neutral flavored product. The Dark Agave Nectar is filtered less, and what’s left in the syrup allows for it to have a stronger taste to it, comparable to maple syrup.

The Darker the Agave Nectar, the less processed it is said to be. For me personally, I would rather have a product in its most raw and natural form.

Health Benefits

Agave Nectar has a low glycemic index. This allows for sweetness without the side effects of Sugar, such as an unhealthy blood sugar spike more commonly known as a “Sugar Rush”. This makes for Agave Nectar to be a much healthier alternative to processed sugars and artificial sweeteners, and can be used for those who are diabetic, or just trying to be healthier.

GLYCEMIC VALUES
Organic Agave Nectar 27
Fructose (fruit sugar) 32
Lactose (milk sugar) 65
Honey 83
High fructose corn syrup 89
Sucrose (sugar) 92
Glucose 137
Glucose tablets 146
Maltodextrin 150
Maltose 150

Source: BlueAgaveNectar.com

Agave plants have Saponins, which has anti-inflammatory, immune system-boosting properties, even anti-microbial capability. Agave plants also have Fructans in it, which is believed to help lower cholesterol. Agave plants also have Inulin, which is a carbohydrate that many scientists believe helps with weight loss.

Agave Nectar has also been proven to help with intestinal bacteria. Modern technology has confirmed that when using salt with Agave Nectar, it increases the anti-microbial property of the plant, which was originally used by the Aztecs for dressing wounds and using as a balm for skin infections.

So as you are trying to be healthier, find ways to add Agave Nectar in to your day-to-day diet. You will reap the many health benefits, and it will be a much better substitute for sugar or artificial sweeteners.

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Tags: agave syrup, ageve nectar, amber, Anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, blue agave nectar, dark, Fructans, glycemic index, Healing, Healthy, immune system, inulin, light, Lose Weight, low glycemic, salt, saponins, Skinny, sugar replacement, sweetness, Weight Loss

Gluten-Free Chicken Strips

This is one of those easy recipes for dinner that the entire family will enjoy!

Ingredients:

1/4 cup Brown Rice Flour

1 teaspoon Chicken Seasoning

1 1/4 cups crushed Corn Flakes 

1/2 cup Coconut Oil, melted

8-10 frozen Chicken Tenderloins (strips)

Instructions:

Step 1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Step 2) Combine flour, seasoning, and crushed corn flakes in a shallow dish.

Step 3) Place melted coconut oil in a separate bowl.

Step 4) One at a time, dip pieces of chicken in coconut oil, then coat both sides of the chicken with flour and corn flake mixture.

Step 5) Place on Cookie Sheet.

Step 6) Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes, or until Chicken is fully cooked.

Side Notes:

I use Coconut Oil rather than Butter because of the wonderful health benefits of Coconut Oil. I use the Simply Organic® Chicken Seasoning, but you can use whichever one you have on-hand.  Also, when I buy the Corn Flakes, I get them from Nature’s Path and I buy the one that is “Fruit Juice Sweetened”, since no sugar is added.

As the name of the recipe implies, this dish is Gluten-Free and Wheat-Free and 100% delicious! Enjoy!

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Tags: brown rice flour, chicken, Chicken Seasoning, coconut oil, dinner, easy recipe, Food, gluten free, Healthy, lunch, Organic, Recipe, USDA Organic, wheat free