5 Must Haves: For a Healthy, Hungry Gal

Meet Tracy. This girl is totally fit -- like enviably lean, yet totally toned -- and eats like it's nobodies business. Unfair, right? Well it's because she eats lots of healthy foods, drinks and treats! I met Tracy a few years ago, bonding over our love of the fabulous Hungry Girl, Lisa Lillien Tracy took to me a few exercise classes, baked me some Hungry Girl treats, and well, I was hooked. Did I mention she's also the sweetest gal in the universe?

IMHO, if you want an authority on healthy eating, it needs to be from someone who likes to eat, and not in those mini-mouse portions. Tracy eats to fuel herself and get energy; she loves to work out, and is constantly after her 19-month old cutie son, Ty, and also works part-time, too. Wheh! I'm tired. Tracy learned about healthy eating, cooking and recipes from her mom, who not only is an excellent cook but is fabulously fit as well.

Here are Tracy's 5 must haves, in her words, for a healthy, hungry gal!

Membership to Costco

It may seem like a strange recommendation, but Costco is my favorite place to grocery shop. It's chock-full of healthy items sure to stave off a hungry appetite! They carry fresh fish, tons of fresh fruits and vegetables, Fage greek yogurt, chocolate chip vitatops, Flat Out wraps, Veggie Straws (my son’s favorite), frozen organic blueberries, strawberries and broccoli – the list goes on! I use all these ingredients for my new favorite lunch:
- Sauté baby spinach leaves (found in the refrigerated section of Costco) in an omelet pan with Pam and salt
- Slice up Roma tomatoes
- Place spinach and then tomatoes onto Flat Out wrap
- Place sliced turkey (or grilled chicken or any other meat you like) over the vegetable
- Sprinkle with feta cheese and roll into wrap
- Serve with veggie chips and some vegetables and dip; LOVE it!
TAGG note: Flat Out wraps are now also available in most grocery stores; just check by the deli section.

Magic Bullet

I love smoothies and so does my son. Using this is SO much easier than taking out the big bulky blender... and then cleaning it. There are so many Magic Bullet-type products on the market – I recently purchased a Bella Cucina Rocket Blender for half the price of the Magic Bullet (currently on sale for $29.99 at Amazon). To make smoothies, I use Unsweetened Vanilla Almond milk... I'm a huge fan! I also LOVE pumpkin. Its great for you and tastes awesome mixed into all kinds of things like yogurt and oatmeal. 

The following recipe makes a great snack: 3/4 cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze, a few packets of Splenda to taste, few tablespoons canned pumpkin, ice... throw it all into the magic bullet and voila!

Jelly Roll baking sheet

This is a kitchen staple; it can be used to make a wide variety of healthy and delicious side dishes. I use mine daily to make everything from roasted broccoli or green beans to baked potato fries. Below are some VERY simple recipes using the jelly roll pan:

Baked potato fries: Preheat oven to 425. Cover pan with aluminum foil. Spray with Pam. Slice potato into thin slices (less than a ¼ inch thick but it depends how thick or thin you want your fries). Sprinkle liberally with any kind of salt you like (Lowry’s, garlic salt, sea salt, etc.). Cook  about 20 minutes. I check on them while they are baking after about 15 minutes and then every few after just t make sure they don’t burn.

Roasted broccoli (or brussel sprouts or green beans) – Preheat oven to 425. Cover pan with aluminum foil. Spray with Pam. Wash the vegetables and cut the broccoli into bite size pieces or take the stems off the green beans or cut the tops off the sprouts. Arrange vegetables on the foil and pour on a bit of olive oil (or spray vegetables with Pam if you are out of olive oil!). Sprinkle liberally with garlic salt. Using your hands,  be sure vegetables are coated and spread across the pan. Bake for about 20 minutes, checking until they are cooked to how you like them. My husband prefers his string beans on the slightly burnt side!

Good Omelet pan

I love omelets.. they're an absolute staple in my diet. They are easy to make, filling and I can throw anything in to make a meal.  I often throw together an omelet for lunch with egg whites, spinach, feta and some toast and tomatoes on the side. If you have egg beaters on hand and a bag of spinach, bread and tomatoes you can make a really easy meal for any time of day! I recently purchased some Calpholon omelet pans and am loving them!



Keurig Coffee Maker

I have a 19-month old son who is partial to extremely early wake-ups, I like to work out (a lot!) and I also work part-time from home.  Needless to say, caffeine plays a large role in my life! The Keurig coffee maker is great because its quick, easy and allows you to make a different type of coffee with every cup. You can also make tea, hot chocolate, or just a cup of hot water.
TAGG note: having a cup of coffee is fine for you, some studies even promote it. Just be aware of filling up one of those monster to-go cups; you're really drinking closer to 5 or 6 cups a day! The Keurig is an excellent way to limit your coffee intake... while getting instant gratification from the 60-second fill! Love.