Showing posts with label snacks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label snacks. Show all posts

Friday, March 20, 2026

You Rock Joy Bauer

All photos and recipes courtesy of Joy Bauer
Nowadays, I must snack more mindfully because I don’t want to weigh 300 pounds. To a certain extent, I’ve always been a healthy eater, never fasting and never starving myself with unhealthy, unbalanced diets, but when I was younger, I could get away with eating more calories. Not anymore. Yet, one thing remains the same: I will not starve myself!

Today I was very impressed watching nutritionist, Joy Bauer (whose recipes I often like), prepare 3 snacks on The Today Show. She lightened up tasty treats you could make for family or party guests, using healthy ingredients with a good dose of protein. I’ll post Joy’s recipes below, i.e., on my electronic recipe box (with a link back to her) so Savvy Shoppers and savvy eaters (including me) can for sure find them time and again. (I never know what will disappear from the internet):

In general, I don’t like chicken on my pizza, but this recipe is really barbecue chicken on pizza crust. I'll use a combination of mozzarella and extra-sharp cheddar. Joy’s original recipe follows:

Barbecue Chicken Pizza -recipe #1


INGREDIENTS

Dough

¼ cup whole wheat flour, white-whole wheat flour, or 1:1 gluten-free flour½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
Pinch kosher salt
¼ cup nonfat Greek yogurt

Toppings:

2 tablespoons BBQ sauce**
¼ cup packed shredded chicken mixed with 1 to 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
A few thin slices of red onion
2 to 4 tablespoon 2% shredded sharp cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
Optional chopped cilantro and hot sauce for garnish

INGREDIENT DETAILS TO KNOW 
*Pour off liquid before measuring**For gluten-free, choose a gluten-free brand of BBQ sauce.

INSTRUCTIONS
 

    1) Preheat oven to 450º degrees. Mist a baking sheet with oil spray and set aside.
    2) In a small bowl, add the flour, baking powder, and seasonings. Mix to combine everything. Add the yogurt and stir until you have a crumbled mixture.
    3) Using your hands, press and fold the flour into the yogurt until all of the pieces come together to form an elastic dough. While at first the dough will be fussy and crumbly, after about a minute of pressing and folding it will come together. Form one ball about the size of a baseball.
    4) Place the ball on the prepared baking sheet and flatten with your palm. Roll it out into a thin circle using a rolling pin or a soup can until it has about a 7-inch diameter. Your shape can be somewhat artisanal or you can make it perfectly circular by pinching the outside perimeters with your fingers.
    5) Place in oven on the middle rack for 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and add the BBQ sauce on the crust and spread it out evenly. Add the saucy chicken, red onion slices, and sprinkle on the cheese.
    6) Place back in the oven for another 5 to 8 minutes until the cheese is melty and the crust is crispy and browned around the edges. Garnish with optional chopped cilantro.
Mini Corn Dog Muffins - recipe #2



INGREDIENTS

1 cup white whole-wheat flour, or all-purpose flour*
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1½ teaspoons kosher salt1 (15-ounce) can sweet corn, drained (or 1½ cups frozen
corn, thawed)
3 tablespoons butter, melted
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup nonfat or low-fat vanilla yogurt
¼ cup honey
2 tablespoons milk or water
8 pre-cooked chicken or turkey sausages, each cut into 5 pieces (about 40 pieces total)

Optional Toppings and Dips: Honey, hot honey, ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce

INGREDIENT DETAILS TO KNOW

* For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of the white whole-wheat flour.If you’re making these gluten-free, double-check that your sausage brand is gluten-free too.


INSTRUCTIONS


1) Preheat the oven and prep the pans. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly coat two mini muffin tins with nonstick cooking spray.

2) Mix the dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.

3) Add the wet ingredients. Add the corn, melted butter, eggs, yogurt, honey, and milk or water. Stir until everything is combined and the batter is smooth. Be careful not to overmix—the batter should be thick and scoopable.

4) Fill the muffin cups. Spoon about 1 heaping tablespoon of batter into each mini muffin cup. Press one sausage piece into the center of each cup, gently pushing it down so the batter rises around it and partially covers the sides.

5) Bake and serve. Bake for 14 to 16 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden and the cornbread is set. Let the muffins cool in the pan for a few minutes, then carefully remove them. Serve warm with honey, hot honey, ketchup, mustard, or BBQ sauce.

Caramelized Onion Dip - recipe #3

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons olive oil
3 medium onions, thinly sliced (~6 cups worth)
1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1 cup lite sour cream, or nonfat or 2% Greek yogurt
½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

INGREDIENT DETAILS TO KNOW 

*You can use nonfat or 2% plain Greek yogurt or light sour cream. Pour off any liquid that may have settled on top of the container before measuring. You can also half the sour cream or yogurt with light mayo.

INSTRUCTIONS

1) Add the oil to a large skillet and warm over medium heat. Add the onions with ½ tsp salt. Allow them to cook, stirring often, for about 60 minutes, until they’re nicely browned and fragrant. If the onions start to burn, lower the heat to low. 

2) Also, if the onions become too dry at any point, add a tablespoon of water to the pan. The onions will reduce in size to yield about 1 cup when they’re caramelized.

3) When the onions are done cooking, let them slightly cool. Lay them on a cutting board and chop into tiny pieces. Alternatively, you can use a pair of kitchen scissors and snip them into small pieces right in the skillet.

4) In a mixing bowl, blend the sour cream, remaining salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix in the onions. Taste and season with extra salt, pepper and minced herbs. 

5) Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. If it becomes thicker than you’d like, simply mix in a few extra tablespoons of yogurt or sour cream.

NOTES

• Caramelizing such a large amount of onions in one pan will take some time, about 60 minutes over medium heat. While a smaller amount of onions (just one or two) will caramelize more quickly, you’ll need this full amount for the addictive, onion-y flavor. Trust me on this. Use the largest and widest skillet you have on hand. Once your onions get started, I suggest putting on some great music and multitasking while they cook; you can dance, tend to other food items that need prepping, or catch up on a juicy episode of whatever you’re currently watching. You’ll need to stir them occasionally, so don’t stray too far from the kitchen!

• You can opt to caramelize the onions ahead of time and store in an air-tight container for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to 3 months.

• I use 3 medium yellow onions (~6 cups worth of slices), which will cook all the way down to just about 1 cup, if you can believe. You can use any onion but I recommend using yellow or sweet onions.

• If using nonfat Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, 2 tablespoons provide about 35 calories, 2g fat, and 2g protein.

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Even as a teenager, I skipped dips as empty calories, empty nutrition. With Joy’s low-fat, protein-dense onion dip using Greek yogurt, I get to experience what I missed! If you make all 3 snacks for a gathering, you’ve got meat, whole grains, and vegetables. Pour a glass of wine and add strawberries and blueberries for dessert. That’s a complete meal in my book! Hat’s off to Joy Bauer!👏

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Wednesday, January 14, 2026

2 Mediterranean Diet Recipes From Facebook

When I happened upon these two recipes on Facebook, they made my mouth water! I’m sharing them for several reasons: I plan to make them. My blog is my recipe keeper! They’re quick and easy to prepare with simple ingredients, and most of all they’re healthy and filling. I also appreciate that the FB page I’m pulling them from is transparent, not making it difficult to find the recipes. I dislike having to provide my email or click off the page to get recipes. This page seems to just want to share recipes, so check it out for healthy meal ideas!
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Says page administrator Emily Smith: "Craving pizza but sticking to keto? Try these cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Quesadillas for a deliciously guilt-free treat!”

Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Quesadilla (Made it. Like✅)

*What you need*

- 2 large low‑carb tortillas (or regular flour tortillas)

- ½ cup shredded mozzarella (or a blend of mozzarella & cheddar)

- 10‑12 pepperoni slices

- 2 Tbsp pizza sauce (sugar‑free) – optional

- A pinch of Italian seasoning  optional

*How to make it*

1. Heat a non‑stick skillet over medium heat.

2. Lay one tortilla flat, spread the sauce (if using), then sprinkle the cheese, pepperoni, and a dash of Italian seasoning.

3. Top with the second tortilla.

4. Cook 2‑3 min per side, pressing gently, until the cheese melts and the tortillas are golden‑brown.

5. Slice into wedges and serve with extra sauce for dipping.

Enjoy that melty, pizza‑and‑quesadilla mash‑up in under 10 minutes! 😋Let me know if you want a low‑carb twist.

Recipe #2 --

3 Ingredient Cottage Cheese Pizza

*What you need*

-1 cup of cottage cheese (full fat, small curd)

- 1 large egg

- ½ cup shredded mozzarella (or your favorite cheese)

*How to make it*

1. Pre‑heat oven to 400 °F (200 °C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.

2. Mix cottage cheese and egg until smooth. Spread into a thin circle (about 8‑inch).

3. Top with mozzarella (and any other low-carb toppings you love).

4. Bake 15‑18 min, until the crust is golden and cheese melts.

''Enjoy a protein-packed, low-carb pizza! Let me know if you want topping ideas.

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For questions or topping ideas, go to Emily Smith's FB page, which is linked. I topped the Pepperoni Pizza Quesadilla with chopped onions, green peppers, mushrooms and red pepper flakes. Oooh, how delish!

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Monday, December 22, 2025

Don’t Buy Pricey Shrinking Snacks

My weakness isn’t sweets but savory snacks, namely salty, spicy, greasy snacks. If I choose wisely like French fries, occasionally I can eat them for dinner. On the other hand, potato chips are so light and airy, many of us can consume pounds of them without thinking. SunChips, Nacho Corn Chips and Spicy or Nacho Tortilla Chips are other favorites. 

Nowadays I rarely buy chips because the quantity in a bag shrunk to a point it’s not worth hauling them home anymore. We’re lucky if a $6 bag contains 7 ounces. I mean, it’s enough for me, but what will the rest of my family eat?😛 What we get in a bag for the increased price makes buying chips no longer worth it. Personally, I feel ripped off!

When I was a toddler around 2 - 3 years old I remember my father buying potato chips that came as huge twin bags in a box. You got a lot of crispy potato chips that a family could share. I googled the cost. Over the length of 2 decades (around 1955 - 1975) they sold for 25 cents - 99 cents at A&P. A one-serving bag sold for 5 cents - 25 cents over the years. As I write this blog, I realize it was my Dad who got me hooked on salty snacks at a very tender age, but, I digress!

I want to thank all the major chip manufacturers for helping me kick my habit! The prices at grocers and Target for very small quantities of chips means they are no longer in my cupboards torturing me like a bag of crack would a cocaine addict.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price for a 16-ounce bag of chips in 2014 was $4.27. By the end of 2024, it was $6.32. The price hikes are partially, due to inflation. The researchers must have rounded the quantity up because I never see 16-ounce bags of chips at a supermarket!

When quantities shrunk while prices rise, at some point we, consumers, must say no to stop the insanity! Nowadays we can buy 5 pounds of Russet or Idaho potatoes for the cost of a personal bag of chips!

Instead of chips, I’m bringing home pizza plus am baking french fries brushed with olive oil, or making baked potatoes loaded with extra sharp cheddar cheese, chopped onions, lettuce, beans, and salsa.

Whoever thought that eating bags of chips would one day break the bank! It’s disappointing to say the least!!


Friday, January 19, 2024

My Clean Sweet Snacks List

Food takes a big bite out of a family's budget and why it's one of the subjects I write about on THE SAVVY SHOPPER. We don't have the choice of not eating, and o'man, does food take up a lot of our time from shopping for it, preparing it, and cleaning up after cooking it. We could save so much time and rid ourselves of a repetitive task if only we could stop eating! But regardless of household income, we must eat to live!

Protein bars are great to keep in the pantry for snacks and quick meals when you have no appetite or don't have time to eat. Sometimes I'll put a protein bar in my bag if an appointment will cause me to miss breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It keeps our blood sugar from plummeting. The problem with protein bars is the ones high in protein and low in sugar and calories can taste chalky and bland. Also, they are not a substitute for real food, i.e. balanced meals, which we should eat 90% - 95% of the time. 

That said, my senior mother will no longer eat her oatmeal in the mornings and overall she's become a very finicky eater, so I supplement her real food with healthy protein bars to ensure she gets sufficient protein, whole grains, and calories. 

1) Clean Protein Bars are the best-tasting protein bars I've found thus far. In addition to their great taste, I like their 15 grains of protein, their 7 grams of fiber from 6.5 grams of whole grains, as well as, their reasonable price at Walmart (which I order online). They are fairly big bars at 190 calories too. While the Clean Protein Bars' simple ingredients are a big plus, at 10 grams of sugar per bar, they are slightly over the margin of what nutritionists recommend. Ideally, protein bars should contain between 5 grams - 8 grams of sugar each, but good luck finding lower-sugar protein bars that taste good enough to eat. 

2) Occasionally I also buy Pure Protein Bars, yet at 20 grams of protein with 1 gram - 2 grams of sugar, they are too dense and chalky tasting to be as satisfying to eat. They don't taste bad, but bars that go over 17 grams of protein nearly always sacrifice texture. We reach for them less often.

With the Clean Protein Bars, I'm ok with the 10 grams of sugar in exchange for relatively high protein, moderate calorie count, and delicious taste. One characteristic to note: The bars fall apart when you eat them, so on the run, take a napkin with you!

3) South Forty Nut Bars - I love everything about this snack except the $3 per bar cost and 260 calories. Both price and calories really add up! Not as high in protein as you'd think, yet they are a nut lover's dream snack made with only a few, simple and clean ingredients. A sometimes treat because we don't love flavorless, monotonous food regardless of how nutritious it is. Perhaps a competitor will figure out how to make nut bars more affordable. Nuts are expensive!

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4) My oatmeal cookies are healthier with less fat and sugar than most, but you do need some sugar to make cookies. They are delicious and a sometimes tasty treat especially if you're trying to get a picky eater to drink a glass of milk. Fast, easy, and cheap to bake from scratch, they contain mainly nutritious ingredients and are a complete protein with egg and nuts.

Makes 20 oatmeal cookies. Just the right amount.

My Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) brown sugar
2 tablespoons golden syrup (or substitute graduated sugar)
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup Oats (either quick or old-fashioned, uncooked work)
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 capful of cider vinegar - Ensures a proper rise.
1/2 teaspoon each of nutmeg and pumpkin spice mix 
I add the extras below: 
1 tablespoon of raisins - Keeps the batch moist for extra days.
2 tablespoons of dark chocolate chips - You can also smash up a dark chocolate bar if you lack the chocolate chips.
2 tablespoons of white chocolate chips (Full disclosure: white chocolate isn't chocolate and has no nutritional value.:)
2 tablespoons of walnuts

Directions:

1) Using a fork, stir together the butter, brown sugar, and golden syrup.

2) Toss in the egg and mix in vanilla.

3) Add the oats, all-purpose flour, and baking soda.

4) Stir in the vinegar, nutmeg, and pumpkin spice.

5) Fold in the extras: raisins, nuts, dark chocolate chips, and white chocolate chips. At this step, I added 2 extra tablespoons of oatmeal to get a drier dough, so eyeball the consistency.

6) Refrigerate for 20 minutes or in the freezer for less time. Cold cookie dough is easier to handle.

7) I used a small cookie scooper to form and drop the dough on a cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray. 

8) Bake at 375 degrees F for about 10 minutes. I like my oatmeal cookies crispy on the outside yet soft and done on the inside. (13 - 14 minutes makes crispy cookies, a 2nd preference.) Remove from the oven and let cool. Enjoy!
 
Moderation is the key to healthy snacks, which ideally should be no more than 200 calories. Try to make the calories in everything you eat, including sweet snacks, count!


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