Eating: Eggplant Parmesan

I LOVE eggplant and the fact that it's about 20 calories and 3 grams of fiber per cup makes it that much better! Eggplant is delicious grilled, fried, sautéd, baked, however you make it... I'll probably eat it. Last night I made Eggplant Parmesan and although I don't have a recipe for you I do have a few swaps that I think make it healthier. Come to think of it I never looked at a recipe for this meal I  just kinda made it.

1. I do fry the eggplant in coconut oil because of all of its healing qualities. Its has a great mild taste and makes your kitchen smell like a vacation. 

2. Instead of breadcrumbs  I use Fiber One {yes, the cereal} and at 60 calories and 14 Grams of Fiber per serving you'll be happy to make the switch. I take the cereal and put it in my food processor until it looks like... well crumbs. {I also use this on chicken but that's another time}

3. In place of marinara sauce that can have far too many calories and fat I use canned tomatoes. {I get petite diced} Did you know tomatoes are one of the few fruits foods that don't loose nutrients in the preservation process and at about 30 calories and 1.5 grams of fiber per serving why not. {sometimes I put in the food processor when I don't want it chunky}

4. Lastly I use cheese with part skim milk and only do a top layer to cut back on calories.

Hope you enjoyed these tips and would love to hear what you swap out to make your meals healthier.

Pumpkin Seed Dried Cherry Trail Mix

I don't know about you but I am always on the go. Most of the time I cant stop to eat so I made this trail mix as a snack to have with me. I've been trying to eat healthier snacks because that's when I cheat the most and this trail mix hit the spot.

I used this recipe and not only was it super easy to make its delicious {in a singing voice} and ridiculously addicting. Even my husband enjoys it {minus the cherries} and he's anti-health food, or so he thinks. I've been switching out ingredients little by little and he's finding things to be more delicious than before.

It was also my first time using Grade B Maple Syrup and let me say its like caramel. YUM!!!

What have you been making or trying lately?

Weekend Recap

images from target & my iphone

This weekend started with prayers for Japan, an i Pad 2, surprise visit from my mother in law (who resides in Jersey) and ended with me getting carried away with a handful of Go International dresses from Target {only a few of the ones I purchased shown} and homemade Jamaican food that included oxtail, rice and peas and fresh carrot juice. {made with carrots, eggnog, Guinness & spices}

How was your weekend.. did you do anything exciting and which was your favorite dress from the collection?