Ridiculously Easy Sausage Pasta Toss

A great way to use up sausage if you don’t feel like firing up the grill.

Ingredients:

8 ounces chicken or turkey sausage (fully cooked kind, such as Aidell’s or Hillshire Farm)
1 eight ounce package of sliced mushrooms
1 cup of chopped canned artichokes (in water, NOT canned/jarred in oil, I use Trader Joes brand)
2 cups fresh baby spinach
¼ cup chopped olives (kalamata or black)
4 ounces whole wheat, 2 cups cooked pasta (penne or fusili works well)
1 tablespoon olive oil
¼ cup chopped fresh basil
¼ to ½ teaspoon crushed garlic (optional)
parmesan cheese (optional for topping)

Directions:

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile slice the sausage into 1/4 inch thick rounds, and brown them in a large pan with the olive oil on medim-high heat for a few minutes. Add the mushrooms and artichokes and heat for another few minutes, then remove from heat until pasta is cooked. Once the pasta is done add it to the pan, plus the spinach, olives, basil and garlic and warm through on medium heat for 2-4 minutes. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese if desired.

Makes about 4 servings

Serving size: ¼ of recipe Calories 230 Protein 12 g Carb 25 g Fiber 3 g Sugars 2 g Fat 9 g saturated fat 2 g Sodium 610 mg

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Baked Carrot Fries

French fries? Forget them and try these for WAAAAAAY more antioxidants and less calories! Super easy to make too :)
Ingredients:

1 pound of carrots
cooking spray (*use a gluten-free brand such as Original PAM if you are on a gluten-free diet)
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Peel the carrots and cut them into strips about in ¼ inch thick and a few inches long. Coat a baking pan with cooking spray and spread the carrots onto it. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake 15 minutes. Flip them over and coat them with a bit more cooking spray, salt and pepper and bake another 15 minutes until lightly browned.

Makes 4 servings:

Serving size: 1/4th of recipe Calories 45 Protein 1 g Carb 11 g Fiber 3 g Sugars 5 g Fat 0 g saturated fat 0 g Sodium 370 mg (sodium based on adding ½ teaspoon of salt to whole recipe)

Fresh Strawberry Cream Cheese

A snappy summer spread!

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons light whipped cream cheese (*use a gluten-free brand such as Trader Joes if you are on a gluten-free diet)
2 tablespoons finely diced fresh ripe strawberries (about 2 medium size berries cut up)
¼ teaspoon of honey (optional)

Directions:

Put the cream cheese in a tiny bowl. Add the berries and mix well until they blend in and start to turn the cream cheese light pink. If you like it sweeter add a tiny drizzle of honey. Spread on toast, a bagel, English muffin or bread of choice.

Makes 1 serving

Serving size: Calories 80 Protein 3 g Carb 7 g Fiber 1 g Sugars 5 g Fat 4.5 g saturated fat 2.5 g Sodium 140 mg

Cucumber Water

A refreshing way to perk up ordinary water without any added calories!

Ingredients:

6-8 cups water
One medium-large cucumber, peeled and sliced into thin rounds
Ice cubes
Lemon or lime wedge (optional)

Directions:

Combine all of the above in a large pitcher, chill and serve

Makes 6-8 servings

Serving size: 1 cup Calories 0 Protein 0 g Carb 0 g Fiber 0 g Sugars 0 g Fat 0 g Saturated fat 0 g Sodium 0 mg