The Healthy Triple Decker With Oscar Meyer Selects!

Hi everybody! It's been a while since I have shared one of my favorite healthy recipes, so I am happy to be teaming up with Oscar Meyer Selects Natural to bring you a recipe that puts a spin on the classic turkey club triple decker sandwich.

The triple decker is always my go-to when we go to any diners in the area, so being able to make it in my own home- is extremely important to me. It's also important that I use healthy food options that fit into my balanced diet. Oscar Mayer Selects Natural is made with no artificial ingredients, and is minimally processed. Selects Natural has no artificial preservatives (the back side of each package lists the ingredients used to preserve quality), no artificial flavors, no artificial colors, no gluten and no by-products.

Choosing quality ingredients is important for me because I like to keep everything in my diet, healthy and nutritious. Since we are making a healthier version of this sandwich, I have subbed out some ingredients that will make this sandwich not only tasty, but also good for you. 

Turkey is one of my favorite lean protein options, and it's extremely low in fat, which I love.I think people assume that cold cuts are all bad, and that's not the case. Oscar Mayer Selects Natural is the perfect choice for anyone looking for quality cold cuts that have no artificial ingredients and delicious taste. I sometimes eat turkey as a snack with a little bit of hummus, it's perfect and filling for any time of the day. 

For this particular recipe,

What you'll need:

-3 Slices of Pumpernickel Bread

-Oscar Mayer Selects Natural Slow Roasted Turkey Breast 

(about 2 slices per slice of bread)

-3 Slices of Turkey Bacon

-2 Tablespoons Light Mayo

-Kale Leaves 

-Salt & Pepper to taste 

First you'll want to toast your bread slices. While the bread is toasting you'll want to cook up your turkey bacon, to your desired crispiness. I like mine extra crispy, so I over cooked it for this recipe. The crunchier- the better!

Next add mayo to your bread, and layer your bottom slice with turkey, kale, and turkey bacon. You will do the same for all three layers, and when you're ready, slice them into perfect triangles, and you are ready to go. It's a very simple recipe- with a very sophisticated flavor.

You can learn more about Selects Natural and all the Oscar Mayer products on OscarMayer.com, Facebook at Facebook.com/OscarMayer, Twitter at @OscarMayer and on Tumblr at OscarMayer.Tumblr.com.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

My AmaZING Latte & Cappuccino Recipes!

What’s your favorite thing about mornings? Mine is definitely the coffee! Today I am sharing two of my favorite recipes with you guys. I am going to be sharing how I make my cappuccinos and lattes from home- with a good coffee machine, anything is possible!

Mornings are generally difficult for most people, but they really don’t need to be. I think something that has helped me a lot is definitely waking up earlier, and giving myself more time to get ready and really “wake up.” I love waking up early and having time to eat breakfast and drink my coffee outside (when it’s warm at least!) Mornings don’t have to be miserable, and if you start giving yourself a little more time, you can actually start to love them too! Trust me, I never thought I would be saying this, but I am.

Coffee can make or break your day- so you gotta make sure you get it just right. Today I am teaming up with Born Sweet® Zing™ Zero Calorie Stevia Sweetener to show you how I make the perfect latte and cappuccino! It’s awesome to enjoy the sweetening experience of Zing™ Stevia Sweetener. It is made with only real ingredients – nothing artificial, it has the perfect sweetness found in the stevia plant. I always keep my diet extremely clean, so this is the perfect addition to my morning routine. Zing is perfect to sprinkle into your coffee, teas, smoothies, over fruit and other favorite foods and beverages.

Can’t forget the Zing!

First, you may be wondering what the difference is between a latte and a cappuccino. A latte is made with espresso, milk foam and steamed milk. A cappuccino is very similar but has more foamed milk, than steamed milk.

I also personally suggest getting a good coffee machine. I have discussed this in the past, but a good coffee machine truly makes all the difference. I use a Jura at home, and it’s been a huge life changer!

Here’s how I make my favorite morning beverages:

Latte- First, steam the milk. Heat your milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Let the milk bubble around the edges, but don’t boil it. Remove the pan from heat and place aside. Next you’ll need to whip the milk with a mixer (I use the Froth Pro) this will provide great froth for your latte.

Now brew your coffee. Make sure you brew for an espresso. If you’re using a coffeemaker use two tablespoons of coffee per 5 ounces of water. Once the coffee is done, pour the steamed milk over the espresso, and add ice (if you wish).

To perfect your latte, add 1-2 packets of Zing™ Zero Calorie Stevia Sweetener for a perfect sweet taste.

Cappuccino-First steam the milk. Heat 1 cup of milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Allow the milk to bubble around the edges but don’t let it boil. Remove the milk and set aside. Whip the milk with an electric mixer. (Again- I use the Froth Pro) until the milk thickens. Do this until you get the desired amount of froth.Make your coffee. Measure 2 tablespoons for every 5 ounces of water. You can use a french press or an automatic drip coffeemaker.

The perfect cappuccino is 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk and 1/3 foam. I like to use unsweetened french vanilla syrup and 1-2 packets of Zing™ Zero Calorie Stevia Sweetener depending on how sweet you like your drink.

Would you guys like to try a sample of Zing™ Zero Calorie Stevia Sweetener for yourself ? Go here to request a sample, and it’s yours free!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

The Perfect Picnic With Izze!

Now that Summer is coming to an end I am enjoying the last few weeks we do have by spending most of my time outside.  Although it's been really hot in New Jersey, around dinner time the weather cools off enough just to be able to enjoy sitting outside. I love having picnics in the park and this Summer we really tried to do just that, whenever we found the free moment. I can't believe Summer is almost over, and I feel like it just started!

 When planning a picnic, I always make sure to include the essentials. Since we still want to make sure we stay hydrated and healthy, we always keep water with us.  Some other essentials include cheese, some delicious salami, and of course fresh fruit.

IZZE Sparkling water has become my new go-to drink this summer. It's delicious with true to fruit flavors including raspberry watermelon, mandarin lime and blackberry pear. It's triple filtered mountain spring water and the fruit flavors are organic, which makes me feel great about what I am putting into my body.

Although the Summer is coming to its conclusion, we can still enjoy the remaining days by stocking up on good food and drinks, and of course, great company!

Have you guys done anything fun this Summer? If so I would love to hear about it!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Healthy Living Recipes: Mediterranean Pasta Salad

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Barilla®, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #OnePotPasta http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Spring and summer are the perfect seasons for pasta salad! I love pairing a good pasta salad with some chicken or steak at a BBQ. I also love having it in the fridge as a little snack during the day. Since my family is Greek I try to add a mediterranean twist to everything! I basically picked my top favorite things and added them to this salad. 

Today I teamed up with Barilla Pronto pasta to bring you a quick and easy mediterranean pasta salad.  This is my first experience using their Pronto line, and I picked my box up at Shoprite. They also have spaghetti, penne, elbows and linguini. (Right now you can buy any FOUR (4) Barilla® Pronto™ pasta products for $5.00 or $1.25 each available until 5/16/15 while supplies last.) I picked the rotini for this specific recipe because I love the spirals for a pasta salad. Since I love meal prepping, this is perfect for those of you who are on the go, or like to plan their meals for the week. This pasta tastes the best, the longer it sits! The flavors really soak up in the pasta once its made, and the italian flavors really come out! 

What you'll need:

• Barilla Pronto - Rotini
• Olive Oil
• Italian Salami
• Feta Cheese 
• Cucumber
• Tomatoes
• Diced Olives 
• Pepper & Salt

This pasta is amazing! Not only do you not have to wait for it to boil, but you also don't have to drain the water. It's awesome, and saves so much time. Here's how I made my pasta salad, and I hope you enjoy it!

Instructions:

1. Cook the barilla pronto pasta according to the box, and once it's finished put into a bowl and pour over your olive oil. Use as much or as little as you'd like, it's all about personal preference.

2. Chop your ingredients on the side and add your feta crumbles and then place in the refrigerator for approximately 4-6 hours. (The longer the better)

3. Serve cold. 

Asian Cashew Chicken Salad

Usually the words fast food and healthy don't go together. What if I told you that there was a way you could get both? I've always been a huge fan of Wendy's and when they introduced their core salads I knew I had to try them. What is important to me is feeling good about what I am eating and making sure that I give myself time to work out every week. Constantly being on the go makes it very difficult sometimes to find healthy menu items if you decide to eat out.        

This is the Asian Cashew Chicken Salad from Wendy's.  It's a twist on your typical Asian salad with yummy edamame, red peppers, roasted cashews and grilled chicken breast with a light spicy vinaigrette. The chicken was so tender and flavorful, I couldn't believe it was a simple to-go salad. It really tasted like I was eating out somewhere fancy. The cool thing about Wendy's is that they have fresh salads, not "premade" sit in the freezer salads. The lettuce isn't frozen and chopped up, it's cut daily with fresh vegetables in that restaurant. If you want to see the full process watch their "Romaine Lettuce Journey" video here.

I know how important good food is when you're trying to maintain a healthy diet, and I always make sure I have a list of a few places in my mind to go when I want something healthy after my workout. I am so excited to be able to add Wendy's to this list and try a few of their other salads next. My diet is high in protein and fats, but also low in carbs and this salad is perfect for that. The chicken and cashews provide the perfect amount of protein and healthy fat while the rest of the salad is low in carbohydrates.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own. Thank you for supporting companies that support Little Tree!

               

Recipes : Raspberry Stout Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Anyone who knows me knows that I love raspberry flavored everything. It's my favorite kind of cheesecake, my favorite filling in chocolate, and now it's become my favorite flavor stout! I am so excited to team up with DuClaw to share this easy & delicious recipe with you today. It's perfect for Valentine's Day, or any day really, and the cookies taste delicious! For this recipe I used their Naked Fish chocolate raspberry stout.

Directions:  
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
First mix the cake mix with the baking soda in a large bowl.
In a separate bowl whisk your eggs, oil, and vanilla extract.
Mix together in the large bowl (it's going to be super sticky-be prepared!).
Once all the dry pockets of the mixture are gone, you are ready to add your stout!
Mix in the stout with your hands, and once you are finished spoon 1 inch balls onto your pan.
(I sprayed my non-stick pan prior, just incase).
Bake for 10 minutes (they will brown faster because of the stout) and let them cool for 3 minutes.

I hope you enjoyed this easy delicious recipe, and let me know if you try it out for yourself! It's the perfect amount of sweetness, and there is a hint of raspberry that makes it even more delicious! To locate where you can purchase DuClaw Naked Fish near you, visit their site locator.

Product and compensation was provided to me by DuClaw Brewing Company, but recipe and thoughts are my own. 
Thank you for supporting companies that help keep Little Tree thriving!

The Perfect Tuna Salad with Bumble Bee Tuna!

When the New Year started I promised myself that I would get back to my healthy routine of clean eating, and cut out everything bad in my diet. New year means new recipes. I am so excited to share this awesome, healthy tuna recipe with you guys. I know when most people think of tuna salad, they think of the traditional mayonnaise based tuna mixture with celery. 

I love healthier meals, and Bumble Bee Tuna  is one of my favorite things to add to a salad. When I first started experimenting in salad making I tried a lot of different things. I finally stumbled upon the perfect salad recipe while messing around in the kitchen. When I realized how rich in flavor, and how healthy this salad was, I knew it was too good to keep to myself. This salad is great for a post workout, but it's also great for energy, and gives you a huge amount of protein in every bite. If you're a huge tuna lover like me, you'll love this salad. If you chop up everything before hand, it's really easy to put this all together. I love Bumble Bee's tuna pouches because they're easy to travel with and perfect for that high protein snack!

I listed what you'll need above, and usually what I do is cut up all of these items before hand, so that way if I am eating this salad on the go, I have everything at my fingertips. With their premium albacore pouch it's super easy to bring this salad as a post gym meal, or for lunch at work. Since the New Year is a great motivation to get back into shape, I am focusing on a higher protein, lower carbohydrate diet. I love that Bumble Bee helps me meet my fitness and macro goals, and it still tastes amazing!

Mix everything together, toss and enjoy! It's simple and easy to stay healthy, especially when Bumble Bee Tuna is involved!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls  and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Chai Lover with TeaBox Express

With the winter months upon us I find myself drinking more and more tea. This month, I tried my luck with chai and as a first timer I must say I am very impressed. Tea Box Express sent me a whopping chai set in my November box and I wasn't sure what to make it of it at first since I have never actually tried chai. I tried it warm, and iced, and although I am usually an "iced" lover, I prefer warm chai. 

The scent of the chai is very aromatic and some of the spices that stick out most are cardamom, cinnamon and black pepper. I love that it's a mix of tea & milk. I never would have thought I would enjoy it, but here I am...LOVING IT. It's working wonders on this cold I have right now, and I can't wait to start feeling better.

My box this month also came with Masala Chai (loose tea) and pumpkin spiced moravian cookies, so delicious! If you haven't heard of TeaBox Express before, you should really check them out. If you're a tea lover you'll love their surprise boxes every month. All you have to do is choose your subscription, and then wait for it to come knockin' on your door! Every month is different with new teas, and new accessories, I can't wait to see what is in store for next month! 

Stay warm friends! xox

Apricot & Brie Grilled Cheese

Hey guys! Happy Thursday. Today I am so excited to team up with I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® and give you my spin on the classic grilled cheese. This sandwich and I have a longstanding history together. One of my favorite breweries in New Jersey (Triumph Brewery in Princeton) used to make this sandwich and keep it on their menu. It was slightly different than how I made it, but the main ingredients were the same. I used to visit this brewery constantly, just because of this sandwich. Unfortunately the grilled cheese was taken off the menu, so I had to figure out a way to make it myself.

Using I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!® brings a whole new flavor into this grilled cheese, and the best part is? It's good for you too! Their new recipe is offered in light, and olive oil varieties too. They use NON-GMO sourced ingredients that are all simple and plant based. If you try it out for yourself, make sure you visit their website (TheNewICB.com) and leave your own personal review. I actually really enjoy making this spin on the classic grilled cheese, and I know you will too!

Here's what you'll need: 

Apricot Spread or Preserves

Brie Cheese

Marble Rye Bread

I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!®

I was lucky enough to have access to a panini press while making this grilled cheese, but any simple stove top pan will do. 

First, you'll want to used the I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spread and butter up your bread! 

Then, spread your apricot preserves on top of the butter spread.

Next, you'll want to cut your cheese up in slices and place it all on top.

Finally, either press, or place into a pan that's coated with non stick spray. 

 Easy peasy right? 

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.