Root Beer Pork Chops

Yea, I thought the same thing. Root Beer and Pork? So I gave it a shot and it was surprisingly good. They complement each other very well. If you head on over to Weekly Meal Deal you can find the full recipe and details.

Hint: If you are a frequent target shopper you can snag Hormel Pork Chops for 3.49lb this week and Pepsi Product 12 Packs are Buy 3 Get 1 Diet Pepsi Free. This should save you some $$ when buying the stuff you need for this meal.

-Mr Crafty

Green Tea: Reasons Why You Should Consume It Daily

Tea is one craze that is taking the nation by storm. Medical science has found many beneficial health effects from daily consumption of tea. This is particularly because teas are rich in antioxidants. For those who don't know, An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start little chain reactions that damage cells. Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions by removing free radical intermediates, and inhibit other oxidation reactions. You know how when metal rusts, oxidation occurs? It's much like this principle where cells are being oxidized like metal and begin to deteriorate like rust. So in plain, tea has this stuff in it and it's really good for you.

Here are nine reasons to start consuming green tea or continue drinking it if you’re already hooked.

1. Green tea is a superb fat fighter. Its active ingredient, EGCG, increases the rate at which fat is burned in your body.

2. It targets belly fat. Research at Tufts University indicates that EGCG in green tea, like other catechins, activate fat-burning genes in the abdomen to speed weight loss by 77 percent.

3. Green tea keeps energy stable by balancing blood sugar levels. EGCG improves insulin use in the body to prevent blood sugar spikes and crashes that can result in fatigue, irritability, and cravings for unhealthy foods.

4. Research shows it may be helpful against lung cancer. In an April 2010 study published in Cancer Prevention Research, EGCG was found to suppress lung cancer cell growth.

5. Green tea may halt colorectal cancer. In numerous other studies, EGCG appears to inhibit colorectal cancers.

6. In research, it appears to cause prostate cancer cells to commit suicide. A March 2010 study in Cancer Science indicated that EGCG aids the body by causing prostate cancer cells to commit suicide.

7. Green tea may prevent skin damage and wrinkling. EGCG appears to be 200 times more powerful than vitamin E at destroying skin-damaging free radicals. Free radicals react with healthy cells in the body, causing damage, so lessening their numbers may help reduce wrinkling and other signs of aging.

8. It contains a potent antioxidant that kills free radicals. Because it is a potent antioxidant green tea can positively impact a lot more than skin cells. Free radicals are increasingly linked to many serious chronic illnesses like arthritis, diabetes, and cancer.

9. Green tea tastes awesome. If you’re not crazy about the flavor, mix it up with another tea. Try it cold or hot. Add some of the natural herb stevia to sweeten it if you want a sweeter drink. I wasn’t crazy about green tea the first few times I tried it, but now I love it with a fresh squeeze of lemon and a few drops of stevia over ice -- et voila! Green tea lemonade. Yummmm.

Reap those rewards
Add one or two teaspoons of green tea leaves to a cup of boiling water, preferably in a tea strainer. Let steep for five minutes. Pour over ice if you prefer a cold beverage. Most experts recommend three cups a day. And, don’t worry, green tea contains a lot less caffeine than coffee or black tea.

Here's to your health, a cup at a time

-Mr. Crafty

Banana Split French Toast

Ok, I've been posting alot of healthier foods to slim down your waistline after recovering from the holidays. But everyone needs indulgence, and I mean complete indulgence, once in a while. That's a golden rule of dieting, don't deprive yourself. You need to splurge every once in a while to keep your system in check. So why not splurge on a breakfast item that will burn up many of your daily calories? I recently found a recipe that crosses french toast and a banana split all on one plate! Sounds too good to be true huh? Well it isn't. So grab yourself all the fixins for plain old french toast, and I’ll show you how to transform it into this party of a breakfast in two shakes of a clown’s nose.

Banana Split French Toast

• 1 very ripe banana
• 2 eggs
• 6 slices Texas Toast
• Simply Chocolate Syrup (see below)
• 1 cup whipped cream
• sprinkles
• maraschino cherries

Heat a griddle or skillet pan to medium heat. In a blender, puree the eggs and banana together. Pour into a shallow baking dish. Dip both sides of the Texas Toast into the banana puree and grill until golden brown. Serve drizzled with Simple Chocolate Syrup and a dollop of whipping cream. Top with maraschino cherries & sprinkles.

Simple Chocolate Syrup

• 2 cups sugar
• 2/3 cup water
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons butter

In a small pot, stir together all ingredients over medium heat until sugar has dissolved. Serve warm over Banana Split French Toast.

-Mr. Crafty

New Year Food Find #4: Punkin Muffins

Though Thanksgiving is done and over with thank god, I still love the flavors that surface during that time. Apples, cinnamon, spices, and cookies are just to name a few scents filling the air. But who honestly can forget pumpkin. I am a freak over pumpkin anything. It's such a good earthy flavor to work with when baking and cooking. Alot of the dishes that have pumpkin in it may first seem like a healthier choice but in reality it's not. Pumpkin pie, Pumpkin cheesecake, and pumpkin bread pudding are just as bad as their counterparts. It is the pumpkin muffin that really calls my name come holiday season. They are so horrible for you but so good. I wanted to find a way to eat my seasonal pumpkin muffins without turning into one myself!!! So I found this recipe to ease my hunger pangs. Enjoy!!!!

HG's Punkin' Muffins


Ingredients:
Muffins
1 cup Fiber One Original bran cereal
1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener (granulated)
1/4 cup brown sugar (not packed)
1 tbsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp. salt
One 15-oz. can pure pumpkin
1 cup club soda
1/2 cup fat-free liquid egg substitute (like Egg Beaters Original)
1/4 cup sugar-free pancake syrup
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup raisins, chopped

Icing
1/4 cup Cool Whip Free, thawed
3 tbsp. fat-free cream cheese, room temperature
1 tbsp. Splenda No Calorie Sweetener (granulated)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 10 cups of a 12-cup muffin pan with baking cups and/or spray with nonstick spray. Set aside.

Using a blender or food processor, grind cereal to a breadcrumb-like consistency. Transfer crumbs to a large bowl.
 Add flour, Splenda, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Mix well and set aside.

In another bowl, combine pumpkin, soda, egg substitute, syrup, and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly. Add mixture to the large bowl and stir until blended to form the batter.

Slowly sprinkle and stir chopped raisins into the batter. Evenly distribute batter among the 10 prepared cups of your muffin pan. (Batter may be piled high... This is OK!)

Bake in the oven until muffins are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of one comes out mostly clean, about 30 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Meanwhile, combine all icing ingredients in a small microwave-safe bowl. Mix until smooth and blended. (Refrigerate icing if you don't plan to serve muffins right away.)

Remove cooled muffins from the pan. Just before serving, warm icing in the microwave for a few seconds and drizzle it onto the muffins (or simply spread it on evenly). Enjoy!

MAKES 10 SERVINGS

These baby's save over 300 calories a serving!!! The ones I make are usually without the icing (as the photo shows). Also, you can try different variations for the club soda using other types of soda. To save the calories make it diet. I once used vanilla cream diet soda in the mix and it turned out wonderful!!!!



-Mr Crafty

New Year's Food Find #3: Black Bean Burgers

Imagine sinking your teeth into a fully loaded juicy hamburger. Now picture sinking your teeth into a piece of fat shaped into a hamburger with about 10tbsp of salt, sugar, and more fat on top. Doesn't sound appetizing huh. Unfortunately many burger joints deliver this to their customers with a side of fried something and a cup of sugar water. People in America are addicted to fast food and burgers fall into this category. But honestly, who can resist a really good burger prepared in just the right way? Even though the temptation is strong, many people people turn away a good burger for the sake of the calories. Here's where my New Year Food Find #3 comes into play. Black beans are mashed and shaped into patties resulting in a tasty meal that has just about the same amount of protein of a burger and 75% less calories. The best thing about this recipe is it's versatility. I've prepared this in so many different ways from Sunday. The way the recipe below approaches it is from southwestern style cooking. Enjoy!

Black Bean Veggie Burgers

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 green bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces
• 1/2 onion, cut into wedges
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon Thai chili sauce or hot sauce
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs

Directions

1. If grilling, preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil a sheet of aluminum foil. If baking, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and lightly oil a baking sheet.
2. In a medium bowl, mash black beans with a fork until thick and pasty.
3. In a food processor, finely chop bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Then stir into mashed beans.
4. In a small bowl, stir together egg, chili powder, cumin, and chili sauce.
5. Stir the egg mixture into the mashed beans. Mix in bread crumbs until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Divide mixture into four patties.
6. If grilling, place patties on foil, and grill about 8 minutes on each side. If baking, place patties on baking sheet, and bake about 10 minutes on each side.

-Mr. Crafty

New Year's Food Find #2: Brownies

Ok so we've all stuffed ourselves of some form of baked good this holiday season and now it's time to wise up. So I'd like to introduce you to the second food find in My New Year's Food Finds series; Brownies. These brownies are about half the calories, only two ingredients, and cheaper to make. I'm sure I got your attention by now. Read below for the full recipe and details.

Diet Soda Brownies

Ingredients
1 Box Brownie Mix

1/2 Can Diet Cola


Directions
Substitute the eggs, oil and water normally used in brownies for half a can of your favorite diet cola . -Mix with the contents of store bought brownie mix. -Make sure not to add anything to the mixture beside the half can of cola. -Grease baking pan, poor in mixture and bake according to box. Number of Servings: 12



**Tip**
You can use a box of Low Fat/Low Sugar Mix as well as an extra healthy benefit.






Enjoy
-Mr. Crafty