Better for you Chick- fil-a Banana pudding milkshake :)

1 1/2 cups of slow churned light vanilla ice cream (Edy's or Giant brand)
1/4 cup fat free milk
1/2 small banana or 1/4 small banana
3 crushed reduced fat Nilla wafers
1/8 tsp. banana extract
whipped cream on top (optional) 

Blend all ingredients together except for the Nilla wafers until desired thickness. Stir in the crushed cookies. Add whipped cream on top if you'd like. Enjoy! :)

This is a small sized milkshake and the calories added up to around 380-400 cals. The Chick-fil-A version is a whopping 780 cals for a SMALL!! So while this isn't something to have every night , it is a nice special treat to have once in a while for around half the cals! :)

Chocolate chip cookie "cheesecake" bars

This is delish!! The best thing about it is how fast and EASY it is to make! I have made this a few times and it is almost embarrassing to give the recipe bc there is so little effort involved. ;) 

Chocolate- Chip Cookie "Cheesecake" Bars

You will need:
1 large cookie dough roll (the really big one) ;) - or- 2 reg. sized rolls will work too
1 8 oz. pkg of red fat cream cheese
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup sugar or spenda blend :)

1. Cut the cookie dough roll in half while still in the package.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, egg, vanilla and sugar.
3. In a 13x9 dish press one half of the cookie dough all over the bottom of the dish (you can slice into cookie sized circles and lay all over the pan and press to spread/cover the pan)
4. Pour the cream cheese mix on top of the cookie.
5. Do the same thing with the other half of the cookie. This time you might want to cut into discs and lay all over the top bc you won't be able to press. It will bake together if you have spaces so no worries! :)
6. Bake in a preheated 35o degree oven for  around 40 minutes.
7. Let cool in pan for around 30 minutes. Then cut into squares. Store in the refrigerator.

Spicy Red Curry with Chicken

This is so good! My friend Jen told me about this recipe and I am hooked! :)  You can add or delete items you don't prefer. It has a little kick to it but not too much. It's a great weeknight meal because it comes together in around 15 minutes! 

You will need...

1. 1 can of coconut milk (NOT the lite kind)
2. 1 small can of red curry (found in your asian section)
3. 1 red pepper (cut into long thin strips)
4. 1 yellow pepper (cut into strips)
5. boneless, skinless chicken cut into bite sized pieces (1 lb.)
6. cilantro (around 1/4 cup chopped)
7.1/ 2 bag (around 2 1/2 cups)  Frozen green beans ( I used Trader Joe's) 
8. sliced green onions


1. Heat a skillet with a little EVOO.
2. Then, add the chicken and cook with a little salt and pepper until done (remove from pan)
3. In the same pan saute the peppers  and onions until slightly tender but still crisp!
4. In a separate bowl, combine the coconut milk (shake the can first) and the red curry until combined.
5. Pour the red curry and coconut milk mix. into the pan with the peppers and onions.
6. Cook, stirring occasionally until a little thicker (maybe 5 minutes or so)
7. Add chicken- stir to combine and then sprinkle with cilantro
8. Serve over Basmati white or brown rice ! :)

Good for you creamy tortellini and prosciutto

Tortellini with Prosciutto and peas (WW recipe)

1 package whole wheat cheese tortellini (1/2 lb)
1 cup frozen peas
1/4 lb chopped thinly sliced prosciutto (from the deli)
1 Cup  fat - free Milk
 chopped mushrooms (opt)


2 T all purpose flour
1/2 cup grated parm cheese
1 /2 t pepper

1. Boil pasta according to package directions
2. Add peas during last 3 minutes of boiling
3. In separate pan cook the prosciutto until slightly browned
4. Remove from pan.
5.dissolve the flour into the milk by whisking together in a small bowl
6. add to the same pan that the proscuitto was in- stir constantly until thickened (around 5 minutes or less)
7. Remove from heat and add parm cheese and pepper. Add the prosciutto and the pasta and peas- toss to coat. Add mushrooms here if you'd like.  Enjoy ! :)

Mel's Chicken Parmesean

Chicken Parmesean

Ingredients:
4 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
your favorite homemade or store bought spaghetti sauce
1/3-1/2 Cup powdered parm. cheese
 2 Cups Shredded mozzarella cheese (reg or red fat)
2 beaten eggs
1/3 cup breadcrumbs

 Oven 350 degrees

1.Pound the chicken breasts one at a time with a mallet in between wax paper or plastic wrap to keep from splattering. 
2. mix parm cheese and breadcrumbs in a shallow bowl or plate
3. crack 2 eggs and beat in a shallow bowl.
4. dip each chicken breast in the egg and then dredge it in the parm mix. (set each breast on a plate once you have dredged it in the parm mix. )
5. Fry chicken 2 pieces at a time (don't crowd your pan) until crispy (around 4 minutes per side ish)
6. Once chicken is fried move it to the 13x9 pan (lightly grease your pan and pour a little sauce on the pan as well)
7. So by now you should have a greased pan, little sauce on the pan then top with the fried chicken pieces. Now, pour a little more sauce on top of the chicken (as much or as little as you like)- Then sprinkle the mozzarella cheese on top of the chicken.
8. Bake in a 350 degree oven for around 25-30 minutes or until bubbly :)