I’m always being asked on what I eat, what brands I prefer and suggestions for healthy delicious recipes. Since I’m a foodie, I have a few rules about what I keep stocked in my kitchen.

My food items MUST be healthy, figure-friendly and DELICIOUS! (according to my palette of course )

Check out some of my recent favorites!!!!

Joseph’s Middle East Lavash Bread

Joseph’s provides you with a healthy, reduced carb, high protein Lavash bread, now containing flax! These Lavash have no cholesterol and contain three healthy ingredients: Flax, Oat Bran and Whole Wheat which may help protect your heart, while losing weight. Each serving of this Lavash (half of each large bread), contains 3 grams of fiber and just 4 net carbs!

I LOVE this wrap! I can have it for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

KING OSCAR SARDINES

If you haven’t read my post on the health benefits of sardines, then click here. Unlike other brands that taste fishy and gross, this Mediterranean style can of sardines is beyond delicious! It has black olives, heart healthy olive oil, garlic and oregano…  You can find this at your local grocery store, but I suggest going on AMAZON.com and buying a case to save a few dollars.

Canned Pumpkin Puree

You can always find this in the bakery aisle in any grocery store, and you’ll always find a few cans in my pantry

Pumpkin is full of beta-carotene that’s amazing for giving your skin an all-year glow.

This creamy puree is also low in calories, carbs and sugars.

I love making pumpkin oatmeal, pumpkin pudding and even pumpkin smoothies!

Check out my pumpkin protein pie by clicking here

Maple Grove Sugar Free Salad Dressing

Salad is such a staple in my diet, but without a little bit of yummy dressing, it can be hard to take down.

Maple Grove makes a bunch of sugar free products and dressing that are not only diabetic friendly, but also figure friendly!

They’re all low in fat, carbs and calories. My favorite ones so far are the Italian Balsamic and Raspberry.

When your salad tastes so good, it makes you want to eat it all the time!

JELL-O!!! Sugar Free JELL-O

This is my fake dessert gift to myself at the end of the night if I’m craving something sweet.

10 calories… ZERO carbs… ZERO sugar and 1 gram of protein. I love JELL-O!

ok ok … one more!!!!

Snookie’s favorite nut! PISTACHIOS

Almost 90% of the fat found in pistachios is the healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fats. Good fats can help keep you full and shed that unwanted belly fat that can lead to heart disease and other complications.

Personally, eating pistachios is a fun and yummy experience. Its packed with fiber, potassium and other goodies. After I measure my portion, I grab my handful of nuts and take a timeout on the couch. I have to open each little guy perfectly and get the nut out. If it’s sealed closed, it becomes a game to somehow break it open. If it gets stressful, then I just replace it with another one from the bag lol.. Mmmmm

Now that I shared a few of my favorite recent foods, I want to hear some of yours

What’s in your kitchen!!!!

Men and women do not share similar ideas when it comes to romance. A woman’s idea of romance involves dressing up in a pair of sexy heels and dining on a roof top overlooking the city of Paris.

Just kidding, we’re not that bad but close enough.

Men are truly simple creatures who are satisfied with the smallest things. According to many men’s magazines, a home cooked meal and a night of cuddling on the couch is more romantic and satisfying than a fancy night out. 

Here’s a great recipe that will spark romance for both you and your partner!

Ingredients:

• 1 Yellow onion
• Ground Turkey pack
• Some Mushrooms
• 1 Red Sweet pepper
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup Natural ketchup
• 1/4 cup Honey Mustard
• Salt n Peppa
• 2 Whole grain rolls
• 2 Sweet potatoes

Preparation:

First, turn the oven on 375 degrees to get it warmed up. You’ll need to baking trays. One for the burgers and the other for the sweet potatoes.

BURGERS: Cut up onions, mushrooms, sweet pepper and throw in bowl. Mix in the ground turkey meat, 2 eggs, ketchup, mustard and salt n peppa. Use your hands and mix the concoction until all ingredients are well blended. Create your patties and place them on your baking tray. Make bigger ones for your love, and portion control ones for you. Remember, you’re still on your healthy program!

SWEET POTATO FRIES: No you will not be frying these.. You will be baking them. Cut up your sweet potatoes into your desired strips. Season them and place in the 2nd baking tray.

Place the two trays in the oven, one on top of the other. 15 minutes later, switch the trays from top to bottom and vice versa. Total cooking time should be around 30 minutes, but depending on the thickness of your patties, you may need to watch it.

Hint: If clear juices come out of your burger when you poke them, it means they are ready to go!

Serve the turkey burgers on whole grain rolls and dress them up with lettuce, tomatos and whatever floats your boat. Place a few sweet potato fries on the side and enjoy your romantic evening on the couch.

Ladies! No Chick flicks tonight! Pretend to be cool and enjoy an action-packed thriller instead.

Enjoy your dinner and let me know how it goes!

Love, Ghada

 This concoction won the award for
 ‘BEST RECIPE IN THE WORLD!”

 Chef Gordon Ramsey tested and approved!

Just kidding! But this is one of my top recipes that seems to be popular among my friends and family. I honestly just made it up by combining some of my favorite ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 1 package of lean ground turkey
• 1 or 2 Yellow onions
• 1 can of Black beans
• 1 fat Eggplant
• 1/2 cup of lemon Juice
• 2 cans of low sodium chicken broth
• As much Broccoli as your belly desires
• 2 table spoons of Tahini
• Salt n Peppa

Preparation:

You will need 2 cooking wares, a frying pan/ wok and a cooking pot.

First we’re going to prepare the veggies.

• Chop up your eggplant and broccoli and place them in the pot.
• Pour the 2 cans of chicken broth on top along with the black beans and let the concoction simmer until the veggies are cooked.

Next! We’re going to prep the meat

• Saute the onions in the frying pan using a little bit of olive oil. (Yes, I forgot to mention that in the ingredients… but go along with it)
• When the onions turn brown, thrown in your ground turkey and Salt n Peppa and scramble for a few minutes until fully brown.

Third. Completing the dish

• After your turkey is brown, dump it in the pot along with the veggie concoction.
• Add 2 table spoons of Tahini and 1/2 a cup of lemon juice and let it simmer and cook. You’ll notice that your broth will turn thicker and creamier.
• When the meat is fully cooked, your dish is ready to be served!

Compliment this dish with a side of whole wheat penne pasta or a whole grain roll.

Love,

Ghada

DISCLAIMER I am not a chef, but I love to cook.

People always ask me “aren’t you bored eating the same thing everyday?” My answer is no, because there are endless options of delicious foods and snacks to choose from.

Here are just a few of my favorite snacks! (Notice how my snacks are well balanced, filled with protein, carbs & fat).

1. FAGE Total 0% Greek Yogurt & frozen blue berries. This is my dessert! Zero fat and packed with protein, FAGE Yogurt is unbelievably thick and creamy. Mix it with a cup of frozen blue berries and never crave ice cream again.