I just was to start out by saying I love this group so much! The empowering energy and support for others makes me so happy! Any time I am feeling down, I get on this page and just feel the positivity! Thankful for everyone here!

Remember when I asked you all last week what your favorite food was?! I wanted to get the down low on what your favs were, so I could make a blog on healthier options that will help you fit more of the foods you love into your day and stay within your macros.

With that being said, this DOES NOT mean that the foods you love are off limits. I do not believe in restricting or cutting out whole food groups. Everything is okay with moderation!

Some were repeated multiple times, so ill start out with the most popular…PIZZA!

PIZZA

I love love love pizza, but this is one that can pack calories in if you’re not paying attention!

Here are two options, one store bought and one Domino’s option to get your pizza fix and not waste all your macros in one meal –

1. Store bought – CauliPower. This Caulipower Pizza is gluten-free but still SO delicious. The crust is made with cauliflower, which not only contains no gluten, is WAY lower in carbs than a normal pizza but also happens to be a reliable source of vitamins. This frozen cauliflower pizza crust contains lots of calcium, vitamin C and vitamin D, which can help boost your immune health and keep your bones strong! There are a few different styles to pick from, I always go with the three cheese!
2. Dominos Order – Mmmmm who doesn’t love some Dominos from time to time? I know Dominos is my go to once a week for my pizza FIX. So naturally, I had to find a way to make it a bit healthier! Here is how I order my dominos to keep the calories low and nutrients high!
3. Build your own pie
4. Crunchy thin crust
5. Small
6. Light tomato sauce
7. Light cheese
8. *add meat if desired. I personally do not but only out of personal preference. Chicken is your best macro option! Don’t go crazy, one or two meat choices is plenty!
9. Add any veggies desired

EASY AS PIE. GET IT?!

POTATOES, FRIES, ETC.

Alright this can go in so many directions because potatoes are so versatile but ill just name few that I have LOVED!

1. Mashed Cauliflower – These tastes SO SIMILAR to mashed potatoes! You can pretty much by these premade in the frozen section in any supermarket. I found making it from scratch was very time consuming and it is hard to get the texture right.  
2. NEWS FLASH! French fries do not have to be as horrible for you as everyone says. My top recommendation is investing in an air fryer. You can get decent ones for less than $100 and you can use it for SO MANY different things. If you are willing to purchase an air fryer.

*If you do invest in an air fryer I do recommend you making them from scratch, especially sweet potato fries.

MAC N CHEESE

Oh. This is a good one! Honestly, I found this blogger a few years back that calls her self – Chocolate Covered Katie – and I LOVEEEEEEE all her recipes so I am just going to leave this one here for you! I only made 1 adjustment to up the protein and lower the fat on this delicious meal! Sub out the regular pasta for red lentil pasta to get more protein in without sacrificing the flavor and use 2% cheese to lower the total fat content!  

Healthy Mac And Cheese

WINGS

Who doesn’t love some good chicken wings! Wings can easily fit into your macros when done RIGHT! You can still achieve the delicious, crispy texture when baking your wings! Baking these little pieces of heaven will cut so many calories and curb that Buffalo Wild Wings craving! This recipe below is one of the best I have found for baked wings!

Ingredients for about 3-4 people –

CHICKEN WINGS

• 2 pounds chicken wings cut into drumettes and flats (skinless)
• 1/2 tablespoon baking powder (NOT baking soda)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoons garlic powder
• Pinch of cracked pepper

BUFFALO SAUCE:

• 1/4 cup light smart balance melted
• 1/2 cup Frank’s Original Red-Hot Sauce
• 1 tablespoons honey, white sugar or brown sugar (adjust to suit your tastes)

Directions:

1. Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and set a heat-proof wire rack inside.
2. Pat dry chicken wings liberally with paper towels, squeezing out as much moisture as you can. Transfer them to a large bowl.
3. In a small bowl, combine the baking powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper together, whisking well to combine, and sprinkle the mixture over the wings. Toss wings through the baking powder mixture until evenly coated.
4. Arrange on rack, leaving about 1-inch of space between each wing.
5. Bake for 30 minutes; flip and continue to cook until crisp and golden brown, (about 20-30 minutes longer), until golden browned and crispy.
6. While wings are cooking, whisk together hot sauce, butter and sugar. Toss wings through the sauce to evenly coat.
7. Serve wings immediately with fat free blue cheese dressing or yogurt ranch dressing, and celery sticks.

MARGARITA

OK, lets be real. We are women and sometimes a long day calls for a margarita. If you’re anything like me, you HATE marg mix. Its just to sweet! I need something crisp and refreshing that doesn’t have 400 calories per drink cause ain’t no body got time for that!

Alcohol doesn’t have to be something you cut out completely when you live a healthy lifestyle. It just has to be something that we treat ourselves to in moderation!

Ingredients and directions for 1 serving:

• 1 oz tequila
• 3 Tbsp lime juice freshly-squeezed
• 1 Tbsp orange juice freshly-squeezed
• 1 Tbsp water
• 2 teaspoons agave nectar
• ice cubes

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Rim the glass (optional): Slice the center of a lime wedge and rub the wedge around rim of your glass. Pour a layer of salt onto a small plate. Dip the glass into the salt. Tap the glass to remove excess. 
2. Add tequila, lime juice, orange juice, water and agave to a cocktail shaker.
3. Shake vigorously and pour over a glass with ice. Garnish with a lime slice.

*I also love to add the liquid Crystal light drops to switch the flavor up from time to time!

CORN DOGS

This is usually something that comes premade. My suggestion to make this a bit healthier is give the plant-based versions a try. Ya know, fake meat. Field Roast & Morning Star are my favorite.

PASTA

Again, pasta is something we usually buy in a box, so my suggestion would be to buy red lentil pasta to boost up the protein in your meal!

ENJOY ALL THE NOMS!

Thank you for Inspiring & Empowering together!

Lorelle