Meet our winner Leaha as she shares her low fat tips & winning recipe!
1. What is your secret in creating flavorful, low fat dishes? “I stay away from using heavy cream & cheese that is high in fat. I also enjoy red wine vinegar and mixing it with fresh spices and adding a little vegetable oil for salad dressing instead of creamy ranch dressing or anything with cheese or high fat oils in them.”
2. How did you make this pasta “classically thin” ?“I use low fat feta cheese and the dressing is made with light vinegar and fresh spices.”
3. What is your favorite low fat dish? “My favorite low fat dish would probably be the Orzo pasta, and my veggie lasagna.”
Check out the winning recipe for our “Classically Thin” recipe contest.
Leaha’s Greek Orzo Pasta salad
One bag Orzo pasta (Trader Joes brand)
3 color bell peppers (I use one green, red and yellow) finely chopped
One container fresh basil (Trader Joes) finely chopped
One bunch Parsley finely chopped
Two tablespoons of Greek seasoning.
One vine ripe tomato finely chopped (optional)
One jar Kalamata olives- 8oz jar Trader Joes brand (optional can be made without)
One 8oz package feta cheese low fat (Trader Joes)
1 cup red wine vinegar
1cup vegetable oil
Cook Orzo pasta according to instructions. Add about 1 tablespoon olive oil to the water and a little salt. Then add the pasta.
When pasta is done run cold water over it until it cools completely. Add to a large bowl and set aside.
Finely chop the basil and Parsley and set aside.
Finely chop the bell peppers set aside.
Finely chop the tomato and set aside.
Drain the Olives set aside.
Mix the vinegar, oil and Greek seasoning together- I put it in a cup with a lid and shake it well.
Add all the veggies and olives to the pasta. Then add the vinegar and oil mix. Then add the basil and parsley. Mix well. Then last add the feta cheese crumble it to your preferred amount into the pasta and mix well. Season to taste with a little salt and pepper.
NOTE: I have a husband who does not like chunks of tomatoes or olives so most of the time I make it without and add those to my own plate later;)
Thanks for sharing Leaha and congratulations!
You’re not just the queen of butter, you’re the queen of love.
Paula Deen: Photo by Dr. Billy Ingram/Getty Images
I felt nervous, excited and at one point in time, I felt like I wanted to cry tears of joy! It had been quite some time since my heart had raced that quickly, especially over some celebrity. I knew she was in the building and the line for her book signing was growing longer by the minute.
MFM Interview with Adriana Schlarb
I was on my way to pick up one of her latest books with hopes that I could meet her during the signing. On my way, a reporter had pulled me aside for an interview on women’s blogs (thanks to my sister). I knew this was a great opportunity to get the word out about MissFitMama and was excited since this was my first official interview. The woman was kind and sincere and I tried so hard to focus on what she was saying, but then time stopped. I heard the echo of a voice I had become all too familiar with on the Food Network. It was the woman I had been waiting for. Paula Deen was a good 50 feet away from me now.
Paula Deen at the Women's Conference in Long Beach, CA
My mother had secured us a spot at the back of the auditorium behind some rope and after I answered my last question, I made a b line for it. She was just as beautiful as she was on tv. Her laugh and personality was larger than life. I had missed the first few minutes of her speech and came in at a point where she began to talk about her early days as the “Bag Lady”. She had started her business with determination, hard work, a passion for cooking and only $200.00.
The Deen Brothers at the Women's Conference
Later she discussed the love of her life, her now husband Michael. She talked about faith, responsibility and her will be independent and self reliant. Here, I will share on of her many pearls of wisdom. “Ladies, never be with a man because you have to, be with a man because you want to”. In other words, take responsibility for yourself (financially and otherwise) and when you’re independent, happy and healthy, love will be that much more fulfilling.
We may be separated by generations,culture & state lines, but our common ground is our love of good food and the life that happens in between meals. I was 22 when I lost my father, and Paula was 26 when she became an orphan. Like Paula, I struggled terribly through school (as my poor mother can attest to). I had dreams of becoming a famous actress or singer. She wanted to become a model. I was called a late bloomer, but as Paula reminded me during her speech, she was in her 40’s when she decided to take life by the reigns. She said, “It was June 19th… I never forget it”. Thank God she did. So, in honor of Paula Deen, I will share The Serenity Prayer that she shared with us. I love you Paula!
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
–Reinhold Niebuhr
Congratulations to the “Classically Thin” recipe contest winner Leaha P. from Whittier, CA
Leaha’s recipe for Orzo Pasta Salad was a favorite amongst the judges for it’s simplicity and creativity. Check back soon for a copy of this recipe along with a short interview with our winner! Great job Leaha!
I also want to send out a special thank you to everyone who participated in our very first “Classically Thin” recipe contest. I had so much fun going through all your recipes and am looking forward to more contests in the near future!
Now and Then
Last week I attended open house for our kids which is always kind of a bizarre experience. On one hand, it feels great to be on the other side of things! Now, I’m the parent having conferences with teachers. On the other hand, it’s bittersweet because I begin to reflect on my present age and some of the more awkward moments from my teen years. I am completely different yet still the same.
Junior High and High School was a time of self discovery. While most girls were discovering boys, I was more interested in what was on the lunch menu. I did have a core group of female friends, but all my “male” friends saw me as ” one of the guys”. After all, I did weigh more than most of them. I hated being late to class because that always meant you were forced to squeeze into the least desirable seats near the front. I always preferred to sit near the rear exit because at my heaviest, getting in and out of my chair without causing some commotion was near impossible. Did I mention I was also extremely clumsy and frequently, tripped or stepped on toes or knocked people over with my backpack? Thanks goodness those times are behind me now 
It wasn’t too difficult to squeeze into the front desk of my daughters Home Economics class, but I did (for a moment) panic, wondering whether or not I would actually fit. In many ways, I’m different now because I’m more secure in who I am (even if I haven’t reached my goal weight). However, it was a small reminder that the self image demons I fought in school are still lurking beneath the surface, waiting to bring me down with memories from past failures. My defense; Remembering that I can start over every day. I try not to beat myself up with negativity, but rather encouragement and a plan of action. I make small, attainable daily goals and focus on accomplishing one thing, one day at a time. Its these little victories that really add up to great success in the end or future if you will. Be encouraged! It’s never too late to start over.
Say this to yourself each and every day:
1. I am beautiful right now.
2. I am strong right now.
3. I am worthy of being loved right now.
4. I am worthy of respect right now.
5. I have the power to take control of my own happiness right now.
If you don’t know where to start, check out THIS article as a guide to your first step I would wish you luck, but you don’t need it. All you need is the will to succeed. I believe in you. Now, believe in yourself.
PS) Sorry about the absence of photos. My camera is missing so until I get a replacement, I’ll see what I can do to keep things visual
Thank you for all your delicious submissions!
Thanks to everyone who supported my very first MissFitMama low fat recipe contest! It was a success and I’m looking forward to testing and tasting all these amazing recipes! Good luck to everyone who entered!
Enter for your chance to win this glamorous apron from Carolyn’s Kitchen!!
One afternoon my girlfriend Dawn and I were having a little chat about dancers and their amazing physiques. Dawn (who also happens to be a dancer from Detroit) gave me a very valuable tip. She told me that dancing in heels night after night slimmed her body down into a well defined feminine shape. The tilt of high heels really forces you to use all sorts of muscles in order to keep your balance. So, I decided to experiment and thew on some high heels while I was washing dishes then decided to throw a quick meal together. Although house cleaning and cooking are not always so glamourous, I have to admit that I felt somewhat empowered and quite feminine.
Realistically, I’m in no shape to keep up this type of “regimen” but I did want to explore this concept and felt it was important to feel dare I say “sexy” yet “classy” while in the kitchen. If you read my previous entry, then you’re probably already familiar with Carolyns’s Kitchen. Needless to say, it was her designs that inspired me to have thi. I’ve decided to have my very first “Classically Thin” recipe contest for Miss Fit Mama readers.
Carolyn of Carolyns’s Kitchen was kind enough to offer one lucky MFM reader a chance to win this glamorous, vintage inspired apron valued at $39.95! Read below to see how you can enter to win.
Contest Rules:
Do you have a classic family recipe like “Grandma Thelma’s Mashed Potatoes” or “Uncle Bobby’s Famous Carrot Cake” that you’ve reinvented or “thinned out” to make it figure friendly without sacrificing flavor? Share your creative ideas for a chance to win! To enter, simply send us your recipe via snail mail (postmarked by September 30th) or you can email MFM with a photo of your dish (if possible) along with your recipe. Include a short story about you and and what inspired your “Classically Thin” dish. Winner will be notified via email and will receive the prize along with your photo and recipe to be posted on MissFitMama You’ll be famous! Ok, not really, but you’ll have some serious bragging rights. I’ve included a personal favorite “Classically Thin” recipe that I make for my family. Now get cooking!
Click HERE to check out more fun and flirty aprons by Carolyns’s Kitchen!
Photo Credit: Adriana Schlarb
Here’s an MFM approved Classically Thin recipe for Mac N Cheese!
Ingredients:
2 1/4 Cups macaroni
1 Cup Fat Free Milk
3/4 Cup reduced-fat sharp cheddar
3/4 Cup reduced-fat Monterey Jack
1/3 Cup shredded American cheese
1/3 Cup shredded part-skim mozzzarella cheese
1/2 tsp ground pepper (use white pepper if you can find it)
pinch of seasoning salt
1/4 Cup bread crumbs (optional)
Directions:
1. Cook macaroni as instructed on package. Drain and pour into lightly sprayed 8×8 baking dish. Sprinkle lightly with seasoning salt. Set Aside.
2. While pasta is boiling, combine cheese and milk into a sauce pot and cook over low heat. Stir constantly to prevent scorching. Add a pinch of pepper. Mix until creamy and well combined.
3. Pour sauce over pasta an gently toss until all pasta is coated. Pop into the broiler until ready to serve.
Optional: Sprinkle lightly with breadcrumbs and place into broiler until breadcrumbs are a light golden brown for added crunch.
Note:If you don’t have the money or time to purchase individual blocks of cheese, then use whatever you have on hand. Try about 2 1/2 Cups of a bagged low fat cheese such as Mexican or American Blend.
Turn up the heat with these vintage inspired aprons !
When I think of throwing on an apron, my first thought isn’t ,” wow, I look hot” it’s more along the lines of ,” I am one hot mess!”. I stumbled across Carolyn’s Kitchen while one Twitter and totally fell in love with her collection. Carolyn says, “I wanted to bring back the glamour, sexiness, and cuteness of a bygone innocent era. “I let my imagination run, and originated the embodiment of that 40’s girl in the apron and gloves, living in our ultra modern age.” Click here to learn more about how Carolyn West was inspired by an apron and glove set from Paris!
Every woman should have one of these aprons because the Domestic Goddess inside us needs little reminders here and there that she is beautiful & sexy no matter how tired, how hot or how sweaty she is!
Check back next week for contest rules and details on how you can win this awesome apron (pictured above)!
Just one of those days…
I’m having one of those days. Ladies, you know what I’m talking about. It’s one of the few times I wish (for 7-9 days) I wasn’t a woman! It’s exactly 30 days until my birthday, and I swore at the beginning of this month and that I would try to drop 7-10 lbs as a gift to myself. I went on the “raw food diet” and stuck to it for about 4 hours. I can do fruit for breakfast, but I need my carbs! I’ve been unusally hungy and tired lately, so my will power is at a standstill. This morning I had a bowl of fresh blueberries with grapes and thought I could make it through the “fruit till noon”. 30 minutes later, I scrambled 2 eggs and a piece of toast. Later, I polished off a baby bowl serving of chips and 3 chocolate chip cookies. I’d love to blame everything on PMS, but but I’m still the one shoveling this junk down my throat. Why? It feels and tastes really, really good right now! Needless to say, I have since reduced my goal to 3-5 lbs for obvious reasons. Tomorrow is a new day. I have to be better prepared to handle these “horomonal” cravings. Ladies if you’re out there, let me know what you do to get through your “off” days!
Julie & Julia
Earlier in the week, I had the opportunity of watching this film with my mother in law. It was lovely and we definitely shared some laugh out loud moments! Meryl Streep was graceful and hilarious as always! I highly recommend that you go and see this with your mom, sister, aunt, fellow culinary art students whomever! Plan to have lunch or dinner afterwards. It makes your mouth water! It definitely inspired me to keep going with my blog and to pursue other dreams as well.
Thank you Julia Child for your courage and boldness in a time where women could only dream in small boxes. Thank you Julie Powell for your refreshing honesty and determination reminding us to dream and think outside the proverbial box (or cubical)!
Shape your shape!
Learn how to shape your shape! Every woman’s body type is different, so why not try a work out that’s designed to flatter yours? Check out this really cool guide from Women’s Fitness and add it to your repertoire. Remember, there’s no reason that you shouldn’t feel beautiful just because you’re working out! Check out these threads from Junonia . Photo Credit: Junonia.com
