mrsphatandnaptural

Let The Snack Battle Begin

It’s Super Bowl Sunday! No one will admit it but to most Americans, this is a holiday. Just as the CME (people who only go to church on Christmas Mother’s Day & Easter) make it to Sunday service, as does all of America become football fans! We all sit around and watch what is kinda like a modern gladiator war. Don’t get me wrong I was raised by a single Father with brothers and mostly male cousins, so football season was like the “ Holy” season in my house. Yes the Super Bowl was the high holiday!

With all the SuperBowl Parties, Football pools, betting, and wagers that will be placed, the real battle Snack Battle 2015occurs in the kitchen. The Super Bowl snacks are just as important as who’s player or where you gonna watch it at. Well, to some of us. 🙂 We will consume more of certain snacks on this one day than the rest of the year combined.

So why is this a battle? Some of us have just committed to fitness challenges, weight loss goals, and healthy lifestyle changes. See my point? But have no fear there is always another way. You could just call it your cheat day, or opt to start over tomorrow. But why? Isn’t that what we always do? As Dr Phil would say “How’s that working out for you?” Honestly it’s not. Why not honor your commitment to yourself and make another choice? To get something different we have to do something different.

Americans will consume 1.25 billion wings this weekend. This is as important to the Super Bowl Party as the ball is to the game. Believe it or not it’s also one of the fattiest snacks on the table. But, you can’t have a Super Bowl Party with out wings. Try this healthy alternative!

Guilt Free Buffalo Wings.

Mrsphatandnaptural snack battlePlace 3 pounds chicken wings in a large pot and fill with water, covering wings by about 2 inches. Bring to a boil, then continue to boil for 10 minutes. Drain. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine 1⁄4 cup Hot sauce , 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, and 3 tablespoons low-sodium chicken broth. I am going to split mine in half and do half in hot sauce and toss half in fat free Ranch Dressing.

Transfer wings to a broiler pan and broil, 5 to 6 inches from the flame, until the skin begins to blister and brown (5–6 minutes). Turn wings over and broil 4 to 5 minutes more. Transfer wings to a baking sheet, drizzle with the reserve sauce or serve on the side.

You won’t even miss the fat! Next up the Potato Skins. Yeah so there’s no way to make this on healthy so, Mrsphatandnaptural snack battlewe just have to change it. Try this

Twice baked sweet potatoes
Ingredients
• 2 medium sweet potatoes (8 to 10 ounces each)
• 3 ounces Turkey bacon, diced
• 2 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream
• 3 teaspoons chopped fresh chives
• 2 tablespoons shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
Preparation
Pierce potatoes with a fork, and arrange on paper towels. Microwave on high 8 minutes or in the oven for about and hour; turn potatoes over after halfway through. Cut each potato in half lengthwise, and scoop out the pulp, leaving 1/4-inch-thick shells. Mash pulp with 3 ounces Turkey bacon, 2 tablespoons sour cream, and 2 teaspoons chives in a bowl. Spoon mixture into shells. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons cheese over tops of potatoes. Microwave on high 2 minutes, and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon chives.

Mrsphatandnaptural snack battleFor the Main Dish, “Just Have A Salad” in my PhatGirl on the first date voice, lol! Not just any salad my son calls it the “kitchen sink”! Meaning everything in it but the kitchen sink. It’s a 7 Layer Salad that I found in a Weight Watchers cook book years ago. I have one of those families that if you tell them it’s “diet” they won’t try it. So I didn’t tell them for years 🙂 but they love it. My sister in law even makes it when she hosts, which happens to be most if the time these days! Muwah thanks Mama!

Ingredients

1 jar of salsa
1 head iceberg lettuce, shredded
1 red Or sweet onion, sliced
1 tub of low fat sour cream
1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained
2 large tomatoes, chopped
8 oz shredded Cheddar cheese
You can layer this salad how ever you see fit. I like to mix the sour cream and salsa together on top in lieu of salad dressing, but some of my friends like it separate and they add more salad dressing of their choice. Too each is own, but the idea is not to add dressing. I never realized how disjointed that sounds ” too each is own” I grew up hearing it, but when you write it, it looks weird. If you don’t know it means, each person has their own choices to live with.

Any-who, This is a great lower calorie low fat alternative to Taco salad. All the different layers of flavors will replace the need for empty calories. I know, I know, calories taste so good though. 🙂

What about the dip? You can go with a Mango Salsa or maybe a jar one, they are a still a lighter Mrsphatandnaptural snack battlealternative to the creamy ones. I’m going to try the Broccomole I know it sounds weird right? But I’m going to give it a shot!
Broccomole
Ingredients
• 3 cups chopped broccoli
• 1 jalapeno, chopped, seeds removed
• 2 tbs green onion
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 2 ounces fat free cream cheese (or silken tofu, goat cheese, sour cream, cashew cream, something creamy)
• 1/4 tsp chili powder
• 1 tbs cilantro
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder

Instructions
Cook the broccoli in lightly salted water until very soft Overcook the broccoli in comparison to the al dente cooking that most recipes recommend.
Drain broccoli very well.
Transfer to a food processor. Add the remaining ingredients and process until smooth, add additional olive oil for smoother texture.

Keep in mind if you have the will power to limit your intake you can always just make mini versions of your favorite dish, like mini Mac & cheese cups, or sliders, but for me I always feel like I eat more because they are so small 🙂 Just know this is a battle worth fighting. One more note if you are not the host, why not call and ask if you can bring a few dishes of your own. Victory is yours you just have to come prepared. So whether you are voting for a team or just going to be apart of the festivities, don’t sabotage your chances at winning. So put your game face on and let’s get cooking!

Good Luck, see ya Phatty!

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