Don't Let Boat Season Sabotage Your BOOTY

ARGG!

Summer is near! The sweaters come off and the bikini's come on. Long days turn into endless hours outside, on a boat, the beach, camping or in the yard. And with that comes the beer, wine coolers, bbq and fruit. 

Entering the summer on a diet is difficult but not impossible. Now is the time we can start planning for these summer occasions. Here are a few recipes I think you'll enjoy

Tip: Drink LOTS of water, portion is key just because they have lower calories doesn't mean they have low sugar. Over indulging will never give you the results you want!

Drinks

New Age Bellini: This is perfect for in a cooler on the boat. take 1 bottle of New Age wine, 5 strawberries, 1 orange (peeled and sliced), and a lime. Combine ingredients and let sit for a few hours or overnight. 5oz serving has about 130 calories, 0g fat, 3g carb. 

Iced coffee: Using the coffee maker in your home brew coffee just like normal only double the amount of coffee grounds used. When this extra strong coffee is ready pour it into a pitcher filled with ice! Enjoy!

Light beer: many of these are less than 100 calories. Less filling.

Mojitos:  Blend of rum, sugar, crushed mint, lime, and seltzer. Just 149 calories per drink, the trendy mojito 

Martini: Have your martini shaken, not stirred. A study published in the British Medical Journal reported that shaking a martini doubles its antioxidant properties. Only 150 calories.

Food

Wasabi Soy Almonds: These are delicious and are ALMOST as good as snacking on satisfying chips. 

Edamame: Unshelled with minimal salt(120 calories)

Frozen banana: roll a banana in 1 tbsp dark chocolate chips and tbsp coconut, place in freezer until ready to eat! (150 calories)

Carmel apple: 1 cup apple slices dipped in 2 tbsp caramel topping (160 calories)

Hummus: cut up carrots and celery to dip in hummus, measure out about 1/4c (I like garlic hummus the best) 80 calories

Recipes

Roasted Asparagus

Ingredients/Directions:

Here is a good veggie side for all that like asparagus. Super easy too!! Heat oven to 450, wash your asparagus and lay out on a piece of tinfoil on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with a little EVOO, and then sprinkle sea salt, black pepper and a little garlic powder. Place in oven for 10min or until roasted and cooked. If you have the time you can cut up some whole garlic and place on top which is even better. If you’re feeling bad you can also sprinkle a little dash of parmesan cheese when it comes out of the oven.

Jicama, Tomato and Black Bean Salad

Ingredients:

• 3tbs fresh lime juice
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 cumin
• 3tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1-15oz can black beans drained & rinsed
• 1 small jicama, peeled chopped
• 3tbs Diced red onion
• 1/4c. Chopped cilantro
• Salt and proper to taste

Directions:

Whisk together lime juice garlic and cumin, slowly whisk in olive oil as remaining ingredients and salt/pepper to taste. -Laura Bartlett Barajas

Spinoccoli Muffins 

If you're looking for a new spin on the turkey muffins/meatballs, these came out awesome. Calling them Spinoccoli Muffins (yes, after the famed Uno's Pizzeria Pie).

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Ingredients:

• 1 lb 99% lean turkey, 
• 1 cup of frozen spinach and 
• 1 cup of frozen broccoli cuts defrosted and chopped finely  
• 1 half of a yellow onion diced finely
• 4 garlic cloves smashed and chopped up
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1 tsp each dried basil, parsley, red pepper flakes
• 2 large egg whites 

Directions:

Mix it up with your hands and drop into muffin pan (came out with 11)