Vanilla Bean Ricotta with Toasted Coconut

Hey friends!  Thanks for all the well-wishes, I'm definitely still getting over the flu, but thank goodness for such wonderful girls with such delicious recipes!  Today's dessert is no exception.  Miss Kelly from the fabulous blog The Salted Spoon is sharing a yummy Vanilla Bean Ricotta that I'm dying to whip up in my kitchen!  This recipe is just one of MANY of the amazing dishes you'll find on her blog!

So allow me introduce my gorgeous foodie friend, you are just

 going to adore her!!

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I’m Kelly … a self-described foodie, amateur cook and dining out enthusiast. The Salted Spoon features my foodie tales and the modest culinary creations emerging from my kitchen. I love to experiment in the kitchen - repurposing recipes into healthy creations. When I'm not cooking in my own kitchen, my favorite pastime is dining out with my hubs, Dan. Dan is one of the greatest of husbands and biggest cheerleader for my blog. Together, we love to explore new restaurants and then I spill all in my Dine & Dish posts. Dan is my official taster and dining companion. He also laughs with me when my pizza dough turns out like naan - baking at high altitude poses its own unique challenges.

Vanilla Bean Ricotta
Ingredients: *Serves 4
 

15 oz. light ricotta cheese
4 oz. non-fat vanilla yogurt
3 tbs. honey
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 vanilla bean
1 c. fresh strawberries, sliced
3 tbs. shredded coconut

Directions:
 

1. In a medium bowl, mix together ricotta, yogurt, honey and vanilla extract. (Tip: Use a good quality ricotta for a smoother texture compared to the cheaper variety.)
2. Cut vanilla bean lengthwise and use butter knife to scrape seeds from vanilla bean pod. Stir seeds into ricotta mixture until evenly blended.
3. Cover ricotta and chill in refrigerator for 2 hours for flavors to fully develop.
4. Spread coconut on baking sheet and place under broiler for 2-3 minutes, stirring regularly. Watch closely so as not to burn.
5.Spoon ricotta onto chilled individual serving plates, ramekins or martini glasses.
6. Top ricotta with sliced strawberries and garnish with toasted coconut. Serve immediately and enjoy!

A couple of other things you might like to know....I love to entertain. I love salty-crunchy snacks (hence my flavored popcorn feature: Popcorn Friday). And I am happiest when sharing my love for food with the amazing people who support and bless me every day. Oh, I also work. :) I get to work with an awesome company in the world of wellness for older adults. I don't talk much about this on my blog but I have sometimes reference that I get to live and breathe wellness in my work life too - certainly supports my personal healthy lifestyle!

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Sponsor Spotlight!

Hey y'all, thank goodness I have some fabulous ladies to introduce to you today as I have definitely come down with something that feels like the god-awful flu.  Chris just went out of town for work for a few days, so I'm at home in my lonesome hoping to get better soon!  If anyone is interested in being a sponsor, feel free to check out my sponsor page or email me at cook.skinny@gmail.com for more information!

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Ok so you are just going to ADORE Miss Jenna!  She's the super gorgeous writer behind the blog The Life of the Wife and is definitely someone every girl can relate to.  She's a wife, momma, best friend, home cook and fashion extraordinaire!  Between her delicious recipes and adorable outfit posts, Jenna invites you into her amazing little life that is always full of surprises.  So if you need that lil pick-me-up today, head on over to her blog because she's guaranteed to make you smile!

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Laura, the fabulous woman behind the blog Our Reflection, is the mother you hope to be and the friend you wished you had!  She's a full-time working mom of two beautiful daughters, a wife to an amazing husband and just so happens to be a lifestyle photographer {jealous I know} .  A confessed social media addict with a Starbucks obsession, Laura shares her love, life and faith on her amazing blog.  Head on over to check her out, you won't be disappointed!

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Make sure to check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs!

Hope everyone has a wonderful day,

I'm heading back to bed to nurse this cold!

Tropical Tartlets

 Happy Monday friends!

WOW I think I'm still recovering from such an amazing weekend, but more about that later.  I have such a treat for you today!  Brianne is the super sweet girl behind the blog For the Love of Food and Eating and she has a dessert to share that practically screams Summer!!  Living in New York City with her fiance and crazy adorable pups, Brianne loves all things food and has taught herself to cook after being inspired by chefs such as Rachel Ray.  She started her blog in the hopes of inspiring others to start cooking themselves and lemme tell you, if this recipe doesn't inspire you to jump in the kitchen to cook for your friends then I don't know what will!

So without further ado,
allow me to introduce this fabulous New York City girl herself,
Miss Brianne!  

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My last finger food dessert was pretty popular so I decided to do another cute idea. I love desserts that are portioned already, because sometimes Aunt Sally ignores you when you say "only a small slice" and gives you a serving for 3. Anyway, these are still dessert and should be eaten conservatively. Savour eat bite as you chew to extend the food you are consuming. Another good idea is to not house down the dessert in like three bites, take a bite, take a break, drink some water, take a bite, take a break, maybe even leave some on your plate. You don't have to eliminate dessert from your life even if you are dieting, just moderation.



These are a bit on the lighter side, because instead of using butter I used heart healthy monounsaturated canola oil. I also used non fat yogurt as the filling to simulate a custard-like mouth feel. This was inspired by one of the best desserts I've ever eaten, and it was a lemon custard or pastry filling fruit topped tart from some bakery on Jericho Tpke, it was omg delicious. The last part of the glaze is optional, but really makes it look professional.
 
Besides being easy to make, these are perfect for entertaining because they can be left out at room temperature and look really pretty (like most pastry items). I am not a baker, believe me, you can ask my sister. I made her these chocolate "cookies" for Christmas and omg they were horrid. But even if you don't bake, the simple pie crust formula is pretty fool proof. One key is using ice cold liquid and adding only a little at a time.

 The pie/tart crust is a great beginning for any tart you are making- you can always substitute different fillings and fruit on top!

Pie Crust

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup white flour

1/4 cup canola oil

1/4 cup triple sec (or any other orange liquor)

1/4 cup coconut water

Ice

Pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  In a food processor or mixer, add the flour and salt.  Pulse a couple of times to combine.  Add the oil, pulse to combine.

 In a measuring cup, put the ice, triple sec and coconut water.  (If you don't have or can't find these two ingredients, you can always just use plain water, no big deal).  Slowly add the liquid as you pulse.  It should start to form a dough.  When it looks crumbly, but coming together, pour out on the counter and knead just until it comes together.

Form into a disk shape and wrap with plastic wrap, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Roll it out pretty thin and then using a glass or cutter, cut circles and set aside.  You might have to collect scraps, roll into a ball and then roll out again to fit more circles.  This makes 24 three-inch circles.

After you cut them, depending if you are using mini muffin tins or regular, I rolled them out a little more so they would fill the tin fully.

Prick the bottoms with a fork so that they don't puff up.  Bake for 15 minutes and take out of tin to cool.  Fill with the filling of your choice!

 

Tropical Tartlet Filling

6 kiwis

1/2 pineapple

1 lime, zest + 1 tsp. of juice

1 1/2 cups non-fat plain yogurt (Greek yogurt would be best)

About 24 mint leaves

Apricot jam or preserves

1 Tbsp coconut water (or regular water)

First prep all your fruit, cut into small slices/pieces.  Take a strainer, bowl and paper towels - put the strainer in the bowl and line the strainer with paper towels, pour the yogurt on top of the paper towel (don't worry it will come off cleanly later) to drain.  Set in the fridge for about 1 hour (at least), you need it really thick.





When the cups are ready, take the yogurt out and put into a bowl, stir in lime zest and juice.  Stir to combine.  (If this is too tangy for you, you can always add a sprinkle of sugar, but the sweet fruit will help balance it out.)

In a small pot, add 1/4 cup of apricot jam and the water, heat until a thick-like glaze forms.



Fill each cup with about 1 tablespoon of yogurt and top with the fruit.  Brush the glaze on the fruit, top with a mint leaf and enjoy!




Don't those just look SO amazing??  They literally make me want to fix some cocktails, grab my girlfriends and head to the pool for a day in the sun.  I can't wait to try them myself!

Thanks again Brianne for this amazing dessert!  Make sure to head on over to her blog for even more delicious recipes that I know you'll just love!

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Sponsor Spotlight!

Hey y'all!  Well I'm leaving today for Charlottesville for some good times and lots of wine drinking with friends, so I thought I'd share some fabulous ladies with you guys while I'm gone!  Don't forget, I'm still accepting sponsors so feel free to check out my sponsor page if you're interested or shoot me an email at cook.skinny@gmail.com.  I'd love to have you!

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 Allow me to introduce Ms. Kelly from the blog Kelly's Kitchen!  Based in Chicago, Kelly loves to cook, primarily focusing on healthy dishes with lots of grains, vegetables and organically raised meats, as well as a devoted runner.  She recently just finished the Disney Princess Half Marathon and will be my go-to-girl for all things running related to get my booty out on the pavement!  Oh and did I mention?  She's also involved in The Food Matters Project which is a fun way to try out all sorts of new recipes, which you KNOW I love!  So head on over and check out Kelly and her super fab blog to find out what you're missing!

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You are just going to LOVE this next blog!  Written by two gorgeous sisters, LeeAnne and Kimberly, Girl in the Green Apron shares all things healthy and delicious, using only organic and local ingredients.  Lemme tell you, they're recipes are to DIE for!  I mean just look at this 7 Layer Mexican Dip or even these delicious Veggie Breakfast Tacos....yummmm.  And want to know something even more exciting??  Kimberly JUST had her first baby!!  Congratulations ladies on your beautiful new addition to the family.  So head on over friends to see how wonderful these sisters are for yourselves!

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Make sure to check these lovely ladies out!
Well it's about that time
for me to hit the road to Charlottesville,
deuces!

 

Asian Lettuce Cups

P.F. Changs anyone????

I don't know about you, but the Asian lettuce cups from my faaaaavorite restaurant P.F. Changs are one of my most guilty obsessions.  And really, should they even be considered guilty??  I mean lettuce is a great substitute for bread or tortillas and I used very little oil.  I chose to use fat-free lean ground turkey instead of chicken and low sodium soy sauce.  I was floored at how amazing this was!!

Feel free to saute some chopped shiitake mushrooms and add them to the mix.  Chris and I are not mushroom fans at all so I just left them out completely, but I'm sure most people would love them in this!

The preparation does take a bit of chopping, but all in all this dish is super easy to make and a guaranteed hit amongst your friends.  Screw dining out or ordering take out, make these as appetizers and serve with my Spicy Thai Peanut Noodles and you've got yourself one amazing dinner!  Ok so Asian and Thai are a bit different from each other, but I'm sure they'd compliment each other well....and they both taste freakin' good!

Just don't forget the Sake.

I know you're thinking those lettuce leaves in my pictures look HUGE.  Well yeah that's because they are.  Unfortunately in my super rushed trip to the store, they didn't have any Boston lettuce leaves so I just grabbed one big head of lettuce.  Big mistake, but hey it still tasted really good, just made them very difficult to eat.  Either way, I can't WAIT to make these again!!

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Servings: 6

Serving Size: 2 lettuce cups with 1/4 cup turkey mixture each

Calories: 182

Fat: 7.5 g

Carbs: 9.7 g

Fiber: 0.6 g

Protein: 19.1 g

Old Points: 4.1 pts

Points+: 5 pts

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Here are your ingredients:

Recipe adapted from Runs With Spatulas and Cooking Light 

1 1/4 lb. fat-free ground turkey

1 Tbsp vegetable oil

1 clove garlic, minced

1/8 tsp. ground ginger

2/3 cup thinly sliced green onions (about 4)

1 (8 oz) can sliced water chestnuts, drained and coarsely chopped

12 Boston lettuce leaves

3 Tbsp hoisin sauce

2 Tbsp lower-sodium soy sauce (green top)

1 Tbsp rice vinegar

2 tsp. roasted red chili paste

1/8 tsp. salt

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Add turkey, garlic and ginger to the pan and cook for about 6 minutes or until turkey is browned.  Stir to crumble.  Combine turkey mixture, onions and chopped water chestnuts in a large bowl, stirring well, and set aside.

Meanwhile in a small bowl, whisk together hoisin, soy sauce, rice vinegar and roasted red chili paste and drizzle over the turkey mixture.  Toss to coat completely.  Add about 1/4 cup turkey mixture to each lettuce leaf, serve and enjoy!

Click here for a printable version of this recipe

I'm so excited because tomorrow I leave for Charlottesville with about 16 of my friends for a LONG weekend full of concerts, wine tasting, grilling out and lots and LOTS of Kan Jam.  If you don't know what that is...look it up immediately.  We'll be taking a limo to see Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean {loooove them} on Friday night and then Saturday the girls will be heading out to all the wineries while the boys go to the UVA lacrosse game.

I can hardly wait and I'm excited to finally break out my new cowboy boots and fun sundresses.  Bring on Spring!!!

  

Sponsor Spotlight!

Hello dahhhlings!  Soo today is THE day!  I finally find out if I won the Skinny Mama cooking contest!  Just to refresh your memory, winner receives $500 as well as a $500 spa package!  Weeee my fingers have been crossed for weeks!  Like I said, I have a very generous giveaway planned if I win considering I wouldn't have even been a finalist if not for all you amazing readers!  Anyway, time to introduce you all to two of my favorite ladies!  Remember, if you are interested in sponsoring Eat Yourself Skinny, I've love for you to check out my sponsor page!  I accept new sponsors any time throughout the month and have a few spots left! 

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Jin is the super fit and fabulous writer behind the blog Jin Fitness and lemme tell you...she sure is inspiring!  Sharing workout tips, healthy recipes and showing off her own personal style, Jin's blog really has something for everyone and has become one of my personal favs!  I mean how could you not love recipes such as this or the latest workout gear so you can look super fab while getting your run on?  I know...LOVE.  So head on over and check out her blog, I can guarantee you'll make a great new friend in the process! 

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Meet Johanna, the absolute sweetheart behind the blog Me and My Sweets!  A gorgeous Swedish girl, born and raised, Johanna not only shares classic recipes from her childhood, but she draws inspiration from dishes all over the world!  She may have a sweet tooth, but still maintains a healthy lifestyle and shows us that the key to eating sweets is all in moderation.  Don't you just love her??  Baking may be her primary passion, but traveling is one of them as well and she just so happens to be moving to London today!  So follow along with Miss Johanna on her journey as she shares all her culinary adventures and delicious sweets along the way! 

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Thanks for checking these ladies out, I know you'll just adore them like I do!  Hope everyone is having a great week so far.  Sorry again for the lack of recipes, sometimes life just seems to take over, but I promise to have some new ones very, very soon!!
 

St. Patty's Day Picks!

Wow what a weekend!  Hope everyone had as much fun as I did, and what gorgeous weather we had too!  Well since I didn't have time to share with y'all what I made for St. Patty's Day weekend {just so you know I made green cake pops and they were delish} I thought I'd pick out some of my favorite holiday treats that I've seen floating around the blogosphere.  Enjoy!

Shamrock Macarons with Baileys Ganache

By The Raspberri Cupcakes

  

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

By The Family Kitchen

Honey Dew, Cucumber, Mint Mojito

By Thyme

Shamrock Cake Balls

By Bakerella

Shamrock Shakes
By Smells Like Home

Don't those all look amazing?
I really want to rewind the weekend again just so I can go ahead
and make all of these!

And on another exciting note, I find out TOMORROW if I wont the Saucy Mama cooking contest you all helped me become a finalist in!!!  Fingers {and toes} are double crossed!!  Thanks again everyone for all your votes!!

 

Sponsor Spotlight!

Ohh Friday how I just LOVE you!  Especially since St. Patty's Day is tomorrow and I've already made some yummy delicious cake pops for my friend's party.  Lemme tell you, I made the entire batch without once licking my fingers or tasting it...and if you've ever made cake pops you know how hard that is!  But bikini season is right around the corner and I'm doing my best to cut out all sweets...I will however enjoy the holiday tomorrow.  That being said, I have some fabulous ladies to introduce to y'all!  I've had the pleasure of getting to know each of these gorgeous girls and I couldn't be happier to support them!  If you are interested in sponsoring Eat Yourself Skinny, please check out my sponsor page, I'd love to have you!

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Ok so you are just going to adore Miss Lindsey and her beautiful family!  She's the creator behind the fabulous blog Pillow Thoughts and it has seriously become one of my daily reads!  Born and raised in the south, Lindsey shares everything from her life to fashion tips/tricks to her "mommy must-haves," drawing her inspiration from all things pretty!  Her blog seriously has something for everyone and I know you'll just make the sweetest friend in the process!  Go check her out and become a follower immediately!

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Michelle is one of the most talented food bloggers I know!  Her blog The Healthy Bites has become my go-to site for inspiration on delicious guilt-free dishes that aren't only easy to make, but are completely drool-worthy as well!  A small town girl with big dreams, Michelle shares amazing recipes from sweet to savory to everything in between!  Her main focus is helping others realize that eating healthy doesn't have to be hard, a few substitutions and you're on your way to success!  And I couldn't agree with her more.  So follow her on her journey and make sure and get to know the the lovely Michelle!  

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So there you have it folks, two amazing ladies with some incredible blogs!  Hope everyone has a super fun weekend, I can't wait to see all the green desserts and shamrock shirts!  Here's us last year, SO much fun!!

Oh and if you're looking for a semi-healthy dessert, check out my delicious Skinny Shamrock Shake, one of my first recipes ever!

Cheers!

Herb Crusted Pork Chops

Whoever said running was easy is a damn liar!

Seriously I commend you devoted runners who are out every day running 10 plus miles like it's nothin but a thang....

Bite me.

As you know I signed up for about 3 races, completely motivated and ready to get my bootay in shape, and lemme tell you....

I. am. struggggggggling.

I mean look, I'm not out of shape!  I'll kick an elliptical's ass any day of the week or even kill a spin class or two, but running?  We seem to have a love/hate relationship these days and really...I am trying.  Then of course there is my boyfriend who hasn't ran in years, decides last week he wants to start and without hesitation or struggle, runs a 3 miler!

WTF?!

Yes I'm just convinced it's not my thing, BUT I'm always up for a challenge and I'm bound and determined to make running my bitch.  Unfortunately the 5k I was signed up for last weekend was cancelled due to thunderstorms so I was off the hook completely devastated of course.

Wink.

My next race is a 15k on April 22nd and this one I'm terrrrified about, BUT I am training and I WILL be prepared!  In the meantime, I've been eating super healthy and have just been loading up on tons of fruits and veggies, smoothies in the morning and tons of greens throughout the day.  I haven't been able to cut chicken or fish from my diet, but I have cut out bread and pasta.

I know...HUGE sacrifice.

But I feel amazing and that's all that matters!  As someone had asked before, I'll give y'all a post soon sharing my daily meal plan as well as my current workout regime.  Everyone is different, but this works for me!

Oh yeah, and I made you some yummy pork chops.

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Servings: 4

Serving Size: 1 boneless pork chop

Calories: 210

Fat: 9.4 g

Carbs: 5.1 g

Fiber: 0.3 g

Protein: 24.5 g

Old Points: 4.9 pts

Points+: 5 pts

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Here are your ingredients:

Recipe adapted from Cooking Light

4 boneless pork chops, fat trimmed

2 Tbsp Dijon mustard

1/2 cup whole wheat Panko breadcrumbs

1 Tbsp fresh thyme, chopped

1 Tbsp fresh parsley, minced

1/8 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. ground black pepper

1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.  Rub mustard evenly over pork chops.  Combine panko, thyme, parsley, salt and pepper in a large bowl and dredge pork chops in panko mixture.

Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat.  Add oil to pan and swirl to coat.  Add pork chops, saute for 2 minutes or until golden brown.  Turn pork over and place skillet in oven for about 8 minutes or until pork reaches 145 degrees in the center.  Enjoy!


Click here for a printable version of this recipe

You could always choose to make this recipe by using a pork tenderloin and slicing it into medallions.  That should yield about two medallions per serving and would feed more people.  I chose to be cost-effective and just pick up a tiny package of boneless pork chops since I was feeding just two of us.  You can't go wrong either way!  Just make sure to trim off all the fat and you've got yourself a delicious piece of lean meat for your meal!

Enjoy friends!