Sweet T and a Honey B
Food, Fitness, and the Adventures That Make Life Sweet

Sweet and Savory Salad Ideas

After a weekend filled with corned beef sandwiches, lucky charms puppy chow (who knew that was a thing!?), and a few green beers to celebrate my favorite holiday, Sunday evening brought desperation for something that was going to NOT make me feel like all I wanted to do was sleep. I allowed myself to enjoy some junk food this weekend but in all honesty – I definitely felt it as the weekend came to a close. My body was begging me for some nutrients so my husband and I chose to put together our own salad bar filled with our favorite toppings for Sunday night dinner. I feel like if you add the ‘bar’ aspect to any meal it instantly makes it more fun! We enjoyed shopping for our fixings and came home to assemble our bowls before sitting down to watch a movie. 

It’s no surprise as to what our individual salads looked like – Bryan always chooses a sweeter salad and my choices are definitely on the savory side. He enjoys fresh and dried fruit, nuts, a more tart cheese, and vinaigrette dressings when it comes to his favorite salads and mine are always chocked full of veggies, usually a protein like chicken or turkey pepperoni pieces, avocado (naturally), and creamier yogurt based dressings. We love chopping up everything at once and picking and choosing what to put on top. It’s a HUGE misconception that the only way to eat healthy is to eat salads – but it sure is an easy way to make sure you’re getting you’re getting your fruits and/or veggies, especially after a weekend of not-so-good food choices. The bonus is that recently we’ve found ways to make our salads bowls more interesting than just by adding the typical cucumbers, carrots, or croutons. Some of our recent go-tos include mini turkey pepperonis, Cheese Crisps by Fresh Gourmet (These are incredible because they have that crunch that you might like in your salads but since it’s simply baked cheese, there’s no carbs involved) , salsa, beans, different colored roasted peppers, or chopped apples.

Our ‘At Home Salad Bar’ also made for great leftovers for the next day’s lunches. We packed lunches at the same time we assembled our dinner and it was great getting to sit down knowing that lunches were already made – and we had very little clean-up (HUGE win in my book). 

I would be lying if I said I didn’t take a bite or two of Bryan’s salad. They were both SO good. Our bowls definitely left our tummies feeling full and my body was absolutely thanking me for giving it something that was NATURALLY colored green 😉 

Here are a couple salad ideas for you to try at home whether you are a sweet or savory type person!

Sweet Waldorf Chicken Salad

  • 1 cup chopped romaine lettuce
  • 3 oz shredded grilled chicken
  • 2 tbs dried cranberries (reduced sugar)
  • 2 tbs chopped walnuts or pecans
  • 1/2 chopped granny-smith apple
  • 1/2 cup green grapes (cut in half)
  • 2 tbs blue cheese crumbles
  • 2 tbs vinaigrette of your choice

Assemble all ingredients/toppings and enjoy!

 

Savory Roasted Veggie Salad

  • 1 cup chopped romaine lettuce
  • 3 oz shredded grilled chicken or lean ground beef
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1/2 sliced red pepper
  • 1/2 sliced yellow pepper
  • 1/2 cup matchstick carrots
  • 1/2 avocado, diced
  • 1/2 cup diced cucumber
  • 2 tbs asiago or romano cheese crisps from Fresh Gourmet
  • 2 tbs blue cheese yogurt dressing from Bolthouse Farms (FAVORITE!)

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over low-medium heat and add peppers and carrots to skillet. Cook for approx 5 minutes or until veggies become soft. Top romaine lettuce with cooked chicken or ground beef, cooked vegetables, and remaining toppings. Enjoy!

 

Breakfast Tacos

Among the list of about ten million things I miss about my Dad, his cooking is definitely a top contender. Dad was probably one of the best cooks I have and will ever meet in my life and I don’t think I will ever taste anything like his Puerco con Chile Verde (Pork with an amazing verde sauce) or Puchero (A pork stew with lots of vegetables and my favorite part..hominy!). Everything he made was delicious, but if I’m being 100% honest, my favorite was the breakfasts. To this day, Chorizo Con Huevos (chorizo sausage with scrambled eggs) is still my favorite meal.

The dishes he made didn’t have to be elaborate. He could take the simplest thing and turn it in to something amazing. He would often whip up a bunch of scrambled eggs, mash up some black beans, and serve with warm corn tortillas. There is something still so comforting about throwing this meal together and it makes me think of him every time. This was the inspiration for the breakfast tacos I made for dinner last week. What’s even better is that black beans are packed with proteins and good fats and if you add some veggies and extra egg whites, this can be a very friendly and energizing meal. 

This is kind of a pseudo recipe- more just like a couple of my favorite things thrown together. Great for weekend mornings, but even better at dinnertime when you’re having that ‘breakfast for dinner’ craving. C’mon, we all have it. I decided to keep it really simple but you could also serve these with your favorite salsa, sour cream, or even a little plain greek yogurt. I never eat my tacos with anything other than corn tortillas, but you could substitute for flour if you like. 

 

I still think of my Dad everyday, especially when I pair the egg + black bean combo. I am thankful he passed his love for cooking down to me. I only wish I was AS good at it as he was 😉

What recipe or combination comes to your mind when you think of your childhood?

I hope you enjoy this combination as much as I do!

Black Bean Breakfast Tacos – Makes 4 tacos, 2 per serving

Ingredients:

  • 4 eggs + 2 egg whites
  • 1 15 oz can black beans
  • 1 large red pepper, cut in to strips
  • 1 large avocado
  • 4 corn tortillas (or flour)
  • 1 tsp chipotle chili powder
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • a couple pinches of sea salt to top

Directions:

  1. Heat olive in a skillet over medium heat, add peppers and chipotle chili powder. Cook until peppers just begin to blacken. 
  2. In a small pot, heat black beans and mash with a potato/bean masher until thick
  3. Whisk eggs and egg whites in a small bowl and scramble over low to medium heat
  4. Slice avocado in to small strips
  5. If you have a gas stove, heat each tortilla directly on the stove plates for 5-10 seconds on each side until tortillas just begin to brown. If you have an electric stove (or are afraid to pick up the tortillas with your hands on the gas stove =P ), lightly dampen each tortilla, wrap in a paper towel, and heat in the microwave for ten seconds.
  6. Assemble each taco with 1/4 cup black beans, 1/4 of the scrambled eggs, a few slices of red pepper, avocado, and top each with a pinch of sea salt. Add your own favorite taco toppings

Enjoy!! <3

Overnight Oats

It’s Sunday which means extra couch time, catching up on some a lot of laundry, and planning our meals for the week. Am I the only one that enjoys spending the morning with a cup of coffee, a couple of cookbooks, Pinterest recipes, and my grocery list? Admittedly, I enjoy our weekly Mariano’s trip gathering everything we need for the week – though it might be because I start the each trip with a visit to the smoothie bar. 

I’ve noticed I spend most of my coffee/grocery list time thinking of easy to grab, WW Point-friendly, and creative breakfasts to eat during the week. You can only eat so many Cheerios before you start to get a little bored. I wrote about some delicious breakfast sandwiches here but sometimes I find myself craving something a little more sweet than savory. When it comes to sweet breakfast choices that leave you feeling full, overnight oats are at the top of the list. I have no idea why it took me so long to make these a staple in my house, considering that there are a million different ways to cater them to your taste. 

My new favorite OO’s recipe comes from Ashlyn from ‘A Dancer’s Plate’. Her recipe for Chunky Monkey Overnight Oats tastes like a healthier but just as tasty version of the famous Ben and Jerry’s flavor. The only way I can describe these oats and give them justice is a cross between ice cream and a parfait. The banana + peanut butter + coconut + chocolate combo is like eating dessert for breakfast with zero guilt. I swear I had these every morning for a week straight. You can find this very simple recipe and find more of Ashlyn’s delicious ideas here.

The best thing about Overnight Oats is how little preparation – if any – they take. Mix up a few ingredients, pop your container in the fridge, and add whatever flavors/toppings/proteins you’re feeling the next morning. This is what makes them so simple to customize. Ashlyn’s idea for Chunky Monkey OO’s gave me the idea to start playing around with other flavors that I like. A few ingredients I had on hand gave me the idea to replicate my favorite dessert – chocolate covered strawberries. 

 

After a little unsweetened cocoa powder, some Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut Butter, and a few dark chocolate chips, these OO’s were absolutely decadent. Top with some strawberries and they are ready to go. I always make sure to pack OO’s in a small mason jar or plastic container so I can throw in my bag and take to the office. You can find my recipe for the Chocolate Covered Strawberry OO’s below, but it’s so simple to experiment with your favorite flavors. All you need is your oats and dairy or non-dairy milk base to sit overnight. If you decide to add anything in powder form (cocoa, protein, collagen, etc.), flax, or seeds mix those in the night before as well. Yogurt, butter/nut spreads, fruits, and toppings can be mixed in the next morning. 

What other flavors do you enjoy?

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Overnight Oats

*Yields 2 servings – 9 WW Smart Points per Serving

1 cup quick oats

1 cup unsweetened almond milk

2 tbs unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup vanilla greek yogurt

2 tbs Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut Butter

1 packet Stevia

2 tbs dark chocolate chips

1/2 cup sliced strawberries

 

-Combine oats, almond milk, and cocoa powder in a small container. Refrigerate overnight.

-Mix in greek yogurt, chocolate hazelnut butter, and Stevia in the morning.

-Top with chocolate chips and strawberries. Enjoy!

 

 

Cheeseburger Wraps

Ahhh Friday, you are a most welcome friend. I hope that everyone is looking forward to the weekend ahead and that we can finally get more than 3 minutes of some sunshine around here. I’ve been longingly staring at my white jeans and open toed booties in my closet for a couple of weeks now and it’s only February. At this point I’ll take any weather that doesn’t require my coat big enough for an Alaskan winter. 

EDIT: Watching the morning weather forecast and looks like more rain and clouds for the weekend. Be right back, putting those new booties away. 

After indulging in many tasty treats during the Superbowl Weekend, it was time to get back on track this week. We were surprised to see how fast we were forced to get back on track as 2am Monday rolled around and hubs discovered he had food poisoning. Let me tell you- Gatorade, bananas, and chicken soup are a blessing. By Tuesday night he was feeling back to normal and Wednesday I wanted to make one of our favorite dinners to celebrate the fact he could eat more than just that trusty can of Campbell’s. 

We don’t eat a lot of red meat but once in a while I think it’s important to get your iron fix and this recipe is a simple way to do it. There are very few ingredients and you can add whatever burger toppings you like! It’s WW friendly and uses Flatout Flatbreads for the wraps. They are only 2 WW points and 90 calories! I still have a hard time figuring out how bread that tastes this good doesn’t pack the extra carbs. We go through quite a few packages of these each month and use them for wraps, deli sandwiches, egg paninis, pizzas,  and in this case- Cheeseburger Wraps. 

The only thing I have to say about these wraps is that they taste EXACTLY like you were indulging in your favorite restaurant Cheeseburger. We often make a couple batches of these to keep for the week and they can easily be frozen. You can even make a bunch of these, cut them in half, and serve as mini burgers for a crowd appetizer. Serve with additional ketchup, mustard, chopped onions, etc. 

*Note: Each wrap is 8 WW Smart Points

Flatout Cheeseburger Wraps
Serves 4
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. -1 lb lean ground beef
  2. -1 tsp hamburger seasoning
  3. -1/2 cup mild shredded cheddar cheese
  4. -2 Laughing Cow Wedges - Swiss
  5. -2 tbs ketchup
  6. -1 tbs mustard
  7. -4 Flatout Flatbreads (any kind)
  8. -Any burger fillings you like! Diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, onions, and avocado would all be delicious!
Instructions
  1. -Fully cook ground beef
  2. -Transfer ground beef to a large bowl and mix with hamburger seasoning, shredded cheese, laughing cow wedges, ketchup, and mustard
  3. -Spoon 1/4 of the ground beef mixture (and any additional toppings) on to a Flatout and roll in to a wrap, tucking in ends as you go
  4. -Place four wraps in a skillet over medium heat and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until each side begins to turn golden brown.
  5. -Enjoy!
Sweet T and a Honey B https://www.sweettandahoneyb.com/

 

Happy Weekend’ing! 😉

Spicy Sweet Potato Oven Fries

The beautiful weather (for January) in Chicago this past weekend brought many people outside running, walking, grilling, or playing at the park. I could also sense the hope that in just over a week, that silly groundhog won’t see it’s shadow. I’m sure we all wouldn’t mind an early spring. Along with the warmer weather, I developed a taste for one of my favorite summer meals; Turkey Burgers, Sweet Potato Fries, and Fruit. This meal is a staple in our home during the summer months because it’s filling but not heavy and weight watcher friendly. We also love making our own sweet potato fries because there are endless ways to season them. Though, after finding this recipe, I don’t know that I would season them any other way.

Perhaps one of my favorite birthday gifts this year was a new Weight Watchers Family Meals cookbook from my husband. This book is filled with 250 recipes that range from theme night and entertaining meals to easy-to-follow weeknight meals that don’t take much time. This recipe combines a little Chipotle Chili Powder and a little sugar to make the perfectly seasoned snack that you won’t feel guilty going back to the kitchen for a couple more 😉 

Nothing better than a handsome husband helping with dinner 🙂 

 A couple of my other favorite recipes I have tried from the new Weight Watchers Family Meals cookbook are the Fettuccine with Chicken Sausage and Artichokes and the Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders. Even if you aren’t on Weight Watchers, these recipes are perfect for someone looking to control portion sizes but still eat what you want! There is a recipe for Mexican Sloppy Joes using English Muffins that I am dying to try. If you’d like a copy of your own cookbook, you can find the link to purchase one below 🙂 

Spicy Sweet Potato Oven Fries
Serves 4
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
25 min
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
25 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 pound (2 large) uncooked sweet potato(es), cut into 4-inch long X 1/2-inch-thick fries
  2. cooking spray
  3. 2 tsp olive oil
  4. 1 tsp chili powder, chipotle variety
  5. 1 tsp ground turmeric
  6. 1⁄2 tsp table salt, or to taste
  7. 1⁄2 tsp sugar
Instructions
  1. Soak cut potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes or up to an hour; drain.
  2. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  3. Coat a nonstick cookie sheet with cooking spray. Arrange fries on prepared pan, packed tightly together; drizzle with oil and turn potatoes until fries are well-coated with oil.
  4. In a small bowl, combine chili powder, turmeric, salt and sugar. Sprinkle half of spice mixture over fries; flip fries and sprinkle with remaining spices. Turn fries over several times to make sure spice mixture is evenly distributed.
  5. Spread fries out and bake, turning once or twice during baking.Yields 1/2 of potato per serving.
Adapted from Weight Watchers Family Meals Cookbook
Adapted from Weight Watchers Family Meals Cookbook
Sweet T and a Honey B https://www.sweettandahoneyb.com/