Just~One~Donna

Shrimp Pesto Alfredo is a decadent, low-carb, dinner option perfect for when you are wanting a special dinner. You don't have to be following a low-carb eating plan to love this dish. Shrimp Pesto Alfredo Shrimp Pesto Alfredo is low carb as long as you swap out the pasta for a low carb option.  Your favorite spiralized vegetables will make a smart choice. For those of you who love traditional Alfredo dishes, serve the Shrimp Pesto Alfredo over your favorite pasta.

Today, the morning chill made me think how nice it would be to have something warm and tasty to accompany my coffee. The apples in the fridge reminded me of my favorite apple breakfast and snack cake. This apple cake is so easy to pull together, I knew I would be able to have a warm piece within an hour. Apple Breakfast and Snack Cake Apple Breakfast and Snack Cake This apple cake has been in my life very long time.  I had it for the first time when I was a fourth-grade student teacher.  My supervising teacher brought the cake in as a treat for the other fourth grade teachers.  I remember it took all of my self-control not to eat multiple pieces of the cake.  Instead, I asked for the recipe and made myself a whole one to eat! No need to worry.  This apple cake has the added benefit of being relatively healthy as far as baked goods go. One serving (when you cut the cake into nine pieces) has less than 200 calories.  It is so chock-...

It never fails that in January, after the holidays and during the height of the dreary days of winter, I begin having thoughts of healthier eating. It could be those extra pounds that were added from all the holiday goodies or it could be the head cold that always seems to appear in early January. Whatever the reason, one of the first things I think about changing is adding more fruits and vegetables to my diet. Smoothies help me do that. A 250 Calorie Blueberry and Mixed Fruit Smoothie  This post contains affiliate links that pay me when you make a purchase. Blueberry and Mixed Fruit Smoothie One of the great things about making smoothies in winter is that frozen fruit and smoothies are a match made in heaven.  It's helpful there is so much delicious frozen fruit available at reasonable prices in grocery stores today.  Visit the frozen fruit section of your grocery store and let your mind wander through all the possible combinations of fruits you can imagine....

This low carb egg salad (7.6 grams of carbs) is a tasty lunch for those days when you are getting yourself back on track.  I'm no stranger to indulgences.  You'll find many recipes posted here for sinfully decadent recipes that I eat and enjoy.  The problem is those sinful indulgences creep up on me in many not so enjoyable ways.  Most obviously my waistline widens and the scale starts inching up into territories no one likes to admit. Can you relate?  Less obviously our health starts to suffer.  To keep that from happening we need to get back on track. When I'm really cracking down on myself, I switch to low carb eating.  This low carb egg salad is a go-to lunch for me.  It satisfies my hunger and stays with me through the afternoon.  There is a lot of crunch in this egg salad that I find satisfying.  I've also kicked up the flavor with the addition of chopped onions and minced jalapeno pepper.  Adjust the amounts of tho...

Good kale recipes can be hard to find.  This simple, yet tasty kale recipe, is perfect for a weeknight dinner and winter is the perfect time of year for kale.  This dark green, healthy vegetable packs lots of vitamins into one serving.  It is easy to prepare and looks attractive on your plate. Simple, Healthy Kale I recently served this simple, healthy kale side dish to balance out the heavy richness of a pot roast dinner. The kale was just the right accompaniment.  This recipe is written for two servings, but you can easily double it. Buy crisp, deep green bunches of kale in the produce section of your grocery store.  If you are in a hurry you can buy the packaged kale, but you will save money buying it by the bunch.  Preparing the kale is quick. Just hold the leaf of the kale by the stem in one hand and pull the leaf portion from the stem with the other.  It will only take a minute or two.  Discard the stems or use them to make a v...

Have you gotten into the smoothie habit?  A couple of months ago I started drinking smoothies as a meal replacement once a day for four or five days a week.  Some days it is a breakfast smoothie.  Other days it might be a lunch smoothie.  Occasionally I replace dinner with a smoothie.  I  have three basic recipes I rely upon, each with approximately 300 calories, or less.  Each has a very different flavor profile, so I choose the one that suits my mood and taste buds that day. A Raspberry Banana Smoothie for Breakfast or Lunch This post contains affiliate links that compensate me for your purchase. My Raspberry Banana Smoothie I've researched smoothie recipes on the Internet looking for flavorful and healthy options.  There are many, many smoothie recipes online you can try.  You'll want to be careful, though, because it is easy to pack too many calories into a smoothie and that defeats the purpose of introducing sm...

The other night I was cooking dinner and while standing at the stove I noticed I was talking to myself, explaining the steps of the recipe I was making.  I immediately smacked myself in the head and ran to get my camera, all the while telling myself that this dinner would make a great blog post.  I Baked Cod with Sauteed Greens tell you this so that you'll understand why the format of this post is different from my usual recipes.  This is a spontaneous post, but the recipe is definitely well thought out and delicious.  You definitely should make it.  Today. This is a perfect recipe for spring.  It is light and healthy, just what we are looking for this time of year.  Additionally, you'll find this is a very easy recipe to pull together with limited time and very few ingredients.  Are you ready to get started?  Since this is a two-part recipe we'll start with the greens. Sauteed Greens Serves 4 Kale 1 large bunch of kale 4 c...

As the weather heats up the insects are literally crawling out of the woodwork.  Oh, how I hate the bugs.  Don't get me wrong, I know that bugs have a purpose in this world and I applaud that.  What I take issue with is bugs infiltrating my personal space.  Do you feel the same?  If you do, you'll appreciate these tips for getting rid of those pesky pests without the use of harmful insecticides. Kill the Ants I do not like ants.  Period.  I tolerate them outside, but I do not like them.  If they dare enter my home it is war! Yes, You Can Get Rid of Ants! A little Borax, some sugar, some water and lots of patience will rid you of these bothersome invaders. How to Kill Ants Kill the Fruit Flies Spring and summer are the seasons for all kinds of wonderful fruits.  If you are like me you return from your grocery shopping trips with beautiful, ripe fruit that you proudly display in your countertop fruit bowl.  A day or two later ...

My Healthy Egg Sandwich Have you started off the new year with a healthier attitude?  One of my favorite healthy breakfasts or lunches is an egg sandwich made with egg whites and a little cheese.  To control the calories from bread I like to use the whole grain sandwich thins that are widely available.  They only add 100 calories. Instead of separating the whites from yolks I bought a carton of egg whites from the grocery store.  I was happy to see the ingredient list on the carton: egg whites.  There were no additives and no preservatives.  Yay! This egg sandwich recipe contains 297 calories and 14 grams of fat, making it a smart option for breakfast or lunch. It is so simple, but tasty enough to feel like a treat. Healthy Egg Sandwich Serves 1 1 teaspoon canola oil 2 egg whites 1 tablespoon chopped onion 1 tablespoon chopped bell pepper 1/2 jalapeno pepper, chopped 1 whole grain sandwich thin salt and pepper to taste Directions ...

Have you had a hectic day and don't feel like cooking dinner?  You can whip up a tasty omelet without too much fuss and bother.  Are you feeling like you indulged too much this weekend?  When I am trying to eat light, vegetable omelets always jump into my mind as a perfect solution.  Omelets make a great choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner.  Today I'm making omelets for dinner.  They'll be filled with spinach, mushrooms and ricotta cheese.  Oh, yeah, Baby!  Since I found out how easy and delicious homemade ricotta cheese is, I've been adding it to everything!  You can use whatever cheese you like, but the homemade ricotta cheese is wonderful in this omelet. Spinach, Mushroom and Ricotta Omelet Serves 2 Omelet Ingredients 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons butter 4 whole eggs and 4 egg whites 1 9 ounce package fresh baby spinach, washed and drained 8 ounces sliced mushrooms 1 large clove g...

I found today's macaroni and cheese recipe on the internet when I was cruising for a healthier version of the traditional baked macaroni and cheese.    The kitchn , an internet food blog, hosted a Best Healthy Casserole contest and today's recipe was one of the winners.  It caught my eye for two reasons.  The first was that it had artichoke hearts as a key ingredient and I LOVE artichoke hearts.  The second thing to catch my eye was the use of silken tofu in the cheese sauce.  I hear you gasping, "Tofu!"  Yes, friends, tofu.  This recipe uses the very soft, creamy "silken" tofu.  I've become a fan of tofu through using it in my Pad Thai recipe . I was curious about using it in a macaroni and cheese recipe. I have made this recipe twice.  The first time I used canned artichoke hearts because I had them on hand.  In my second attempt at this recipe I used frozen artichoke hearts, and I must say I prefer the frozen to th...