Egg Tomato and Scallion Sandwich

Sliced hard boiled eggs, juicy ripe tomatoes, chopped scallions with a touch of mayonnaise, salt and pepper – enjoy this for breakfast or lunch.

With Spring in the air, I thought I'd share this sandwich from the archives which I often make for my older daughter, Karina. It's inexpensive, easy to make and she loves it!

Before I left my previous job in Manhattan, there was a small cafe that served this simple egg sandwich that I was hooked on. It's so simple but the flavors just work with the tomatoes and scallions. Now that I work at home, I make it quite often for myself and my daughter as she often requests it.

Easy Tip: Keep hard boiled eggs in your refrigerator for a quick breakfast on the go, to add to sandwiches or even salads. It only takes a few minutes to boil a few eggs, here's a foolproof way to make perfect hard boiled eggs every time.


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Skinny Mini Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

These mini pumpkin spiced muffins are made light with pumpkin puree and egg whites and loaded with chocolate chips in every bite!

I don't know about you, but I'm so ready for Fall... cozy sweaters, boots and jeans, changing leaves, apple picking and of course pumpkin! Even if it's still warm out, these mini pumpkin muffins will get you in the Fall spirit and they are perfect for breakfast with a Skinny Pumpkin Latte or to put into your kid's lunch box for a healthy, homemade snack.

You can make them in a regular sized muffin tin if you prefer, you should get around 14 larger muffins and the nutritional info should remain the same. And if you want more pumpkin recipes, I have TONS, check out my Skinny Pumpkin Recipes in the Index or follow my Skinny Pumpkin Madness Pinterest Board.

Enjoy!!

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Crock Pot Kid-Friendly Turkey Chili

This one's just for the kiddos (or picky family members)! A mild, kid-friendly chili is made with ground turkey, corn, bell pepper, tomatoes and spices. Top it with your favorite toppings, and serve it with some chips on the side for the perfect, back to school lunch.

My youngest daughter is heading to school next week (Pre-K) and this year she'll be bringing lunch to class for the first time. She doesn't eat sandwiches (neither did my oldest), so I'm going to have to get pretty creative to make sure she's still eating healthy balanced meals. I just ordered this Foogo Stainless steal leak-proof thermos from Amazon, which I also did with my oldest daughter and I'll be filling it with some of her favorite warm meals.

Now I love me some chili, and I'm super excited for the colder weather to make some of my faves like Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili, Turkey White Bean Pumpkin Chili, and Turkey Chili Taco Soup, but for my little one who doesn't like beans... or spicy food, this recipe is perfect (it's also gluten-free). It's super easy to make, I did it in the crock pot, but you can also simmer it on the stove. It makes 5 adult size servings, and you can easily double the recipes and freeze it for future freezer-friendly meals.

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Banana Split Bars

The heart-healthy power bars have all the ingredients one might have on a banana split: made with quinoa, rolled oats, dried cherries, nuts and honey plus antioxidants from the cinnamon and chocolate – and they taste good too!

I got a copy of the Power Hungry: The Ultimate Energy Bar Cookbook and couldn't decide which recipe I wanted to make first, they all look so good. Such a fun book, I asked them if they wanted to give some away to my fans and they said YES! So, three lucky winners will have a chance to win this cookbook, with loads of recipes for protein bars, granola bars, endurance bars, and even knock-offs of many store bought bars like Luna bars, Clif bars, and Kind bars to name a few. All the recipes are healthy, easy to make and use all natural ingredients. For a chance to win, visit Skinny Bits and leave a comment there.

These make a great snack, perfect to pack in your lunch bag, or great for powering up a workout or post-workout. While these bars weren't a big hit with my picky 3 year old, I thought these were tasty (I think she'll love the chocolate chip protein cookies). For variations of this, you can make a Maple Blueberry Bar, swapping out the cherries and honey for maple syrup and dried blueberries, or she suggests a Peanut Chocolate Banana Bar omitting the cinnamon and cherries and adding 2/3 cup of dry roasted peanuts in place of the walnuts.

To store, wrap them individually with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months, keeping them airtight. 

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BLT with Avocado

For the bacon lovers in your life! Bacon, lettuce, tomato and avocado on toasted whole grain bread. With summer tomatoes at their peak, this is the best time to enjoy these yummy sandwiches, perfect for lunch or school.

I love a BLT for lunch, if made with center cut bacon and whole grain bread it's lighter than a traditional BLT and a great sandwich to pack for lunch. Swapping the mayo for the avocado adds some healthy fats that you can mash up or leave sliced.

For lettuce I used what I had on hand, which happened to be arugula - use romaine, or whatever you like. If you don't eat pork, of course turkey bacon would work. For picky kids, cater to their taste; if they don't like one of the ingredients, leave it out or swap it for something else.

To make this even lighter, serve open faced and save on calories, carbs and points (6 points vs 8 points). With a light soup on the side like cream of zucchini or creamy cauliflower (you can put the soup in a thermos for lunch on the go) you'll have yourself a satisfying meal.

For a low-carb BLT you might also like my BLT Lettuce wraps! Try them with avocado too!

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Cute School Lunch Ideas for Kids

Coming up with healthy lunch ideas for young kids can be quite challenging, but here's an idea children can't resist... put their favorite food on a stick!

Trust me, it works. There is something about mini skewers that are so appealing to kids (and adults). Don't you love food on a stick!? Wouldn't your kids love to open their lunch boxes to find all their favorite foods on a stick!

My toddler isn't big on sandwiches yet, but if I give her all the elements from a sandwich and place them on a stick her face lights up and she happily eats it. In fact while photographing the food for this post, both of my kids stood by and waited for me to finish so they could eat it.

Use the foods they like, cut them into fun shapes and put it on a stick!

For teens skewers would work fine, but for younger kids I would use coffee stirrers, popsicle sticks, toothpicks or even mini straws. Here are some ideas that both my toddler and teen loved. I pack an ice pack in the lunch box so the food stays cool.

Mini Caprese Skewers

Grape tomatoes and mini mozzarella balls layered on a stick. If you cut the tomatoes in half diagonally they look like small hearts. For older kids add basil in between the tomatoes and pack a small container of balsamic vinaigrette.

Mini Shrimp, Tomato and Cucumber Skewers

My toddler recently discovered she loves shrimp. These mini skewers are made with all her favorite foods. Use a cookie cutter for the cucumbers and you won't have to even peel them! If you want to make these for adults, add some feta cheese and olives and turn them into cute Greek Salad Skewers! Buttermilk Ranch Dressing is perfect for dipping.

Mini Ham, Cheese and Tomato Skewers

It's almost like a chef's salad on a stick. You could use turkey and whatever cheese your children enjoy. Pack a roll or some crackers on the side.


Mini Fruit Kabobs  

Layer seasonal fruit on a stick and I'm sure they'll eat it. Choose fruit that doesn't brown easily such as berries and grapes. Yogurt makes the perfect fruit dip.

I would love to hear your ideas, what would you put on a stick for your kids? 

"Thank you GLAD for bringing us this post. Learn how to make your kids’ summer daze into school days by clicking here to find Mom Made recipes and tips from GLAD."

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Warning: this smells incredible while it slow cooks all day!

Pulled pork is one of those dishes you can serve all year round. It's perfect for pot lucks or large gatherings because you can feed a crowd without slaving in the kitchen. I came up with this leaner version using boneless pork tenderloin and homemade BBQ sauce which gave me complete control of what was added.

I'm not a fan of pulled pork that is swimming in sauce, so I use just enough to flavor the pork along with the reserved juices of the pork and serve the extra sauce on the side. I found these delicious whole wheat potato rolls, only 100 calories/2 points plus by Martin's. and made a simple slaw with a little vinegar, salt and a touch of olive oil and it was a perfect meal.

I used the smallest loin I could find since I was making this for my family. Depending on the size of your pork loin, you will have to alter how much BBQ sauce to add. Keep in mind the pork shrinks after it is cooked, so you will want to weigh it cooked. I basically added 2 tablespoons of BBQ sauce for every 3 ounces of cooked pork along with some of the reserved juices from the pork. (If your kids don't like BBQ sauce, set some of the pork on the side for them before adding it back to the crock pot)

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Rainbow Fruit Skewers with Yogurt Fruit Dip

A healthy snack or dessert for kids and adults alike!

Who doesn't like rainbows, they have a way of bringing out my inner child and making me smile. The pot at the end of this rainbow is quite a treasure, a simple dip made from Greek yogurt and honey, yum!

Serve them at parties, picnics, breakfast or as an after dinner treat. Use whatever fruit is in season anytime of the year!

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Petite Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Loaves

Valentine's Day is here before you know it, so if chocolate is something you crave, why not make it healthier with these petite loaves made with love... by you!

Whole wheat mini banana bread made with ripe bananas and chocolate chips are sure to leave a smile on anyone's face.

These make 8 large muffins in comparison to using a normal sized muffin tin which gives you 12-13. If you don't have these Petite Loaf Pans you can use one large 8 x 5-inch loaf instead, cooking time will be closer to 50-60 minutes or use a regular sized muffin tin, baking them for about 25 minutes.

Because they are so large the nutritional info is a little higher, so I have also provided the nutritional info for regular sized muffins. Perhaps these cute silicone heart shaped muffin tins?

If you prefer nuts to chocolate in your banana bread see my banana nut bread recipe, hope you enjoy!!


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Meatball and Spaghetti Soup

What can be more kid friendly than a bowl of soup with spaghetti and meatballs! Lean turkey meatballs are cooked in a light tomato broth with cut up spaghetti. This is a one pot meal my whole family loves and leftovers are great for lunch.

This is a recipe from the archives that has been greatly overlooked. I finally got a chance to re-photograph this one, something I wanted to do for a while because it's very popular in my home and I'm sure it will be popular in yours. A delicious quick family-friendly meal for under $10!


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Autumn Apple and Grape Medley

Sweet, crunchy apples and grapes in a sweet creamy sauce topped with crushed walnuts and brown sugar for a spectacular light fall dessert.

I'm usually pretty sad when summer comes to an end, but for some reason this year I feel different. I can't wait to go apple picking, pumpkin picking and all those wonderful things you can do in the fall! This dessert is the perfect end of summer treat; it's light and crisp, requires no cooking and is absolutely addicting!

You can easily double this recipe for a large party or halve it for less servings.

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Chocolate Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins with Glaze

Any chocolate lovers out there? These double chocolate muffins made with bananas, chocolate chips and cocoa powder are moist and choco-licious! If you like the thought of eating chocolate for breakfast, then this is for you!

There are many chocolate lovers in my house, and these muffins disappeared quickly. I added a glaze on top for presentation, I like how it contrasts over the dark chocolate, but for the flavor you don't even need it; either way the points remain the same. This recipe makes 12 large muffins, you could probably even get 14 if you fill the muffin tins 3/4 full. Mini muffins would make a great back to school snack for the little ones, they won't even know there's fruit in them! Leftovers can be refrigerated or frozen to last longer.
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Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Avocado and Tomato

An open faced sandwich on Ciabatta bread with mashed avocado, sliced tomatoes and grilled chicken. A perfect way to use up leftover chicken.

Avocado is a wonderful healthy option in place of mayonnaise and it adds such great flavor. Yesterday I mentioned how good tasting bread is crucial for me in the sandwich making process, and Ciabatta is another fat free option I love to use. Although it's usually fat free, always double check the labels.

I made this an opened open-faced for the photo, then realized once I started eating it that it's easier to eat if it's closed and it's also more portable for lunch on the run. I'll leave that up to you!

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Easiest Pasta and Broccoli Recipe

This is one the easiest pasta dishes I make for my family, I make it at least twice a month when I need a quick meal and they all devour it. With just a few ingredients and only one pot, this recipe will put dinner on the table in 15 minutes.

I'm really not sure why I haven't posted this sooner, this is the recipe my daughter wants to learn how to make when she is away at college. In fact, as I was photographing this today, she was standing right next to me with a plate and bowl in hand.

A few quick tips for making this perfect every time. Don't overcook the pasta, there is nothing worse than mushy pasta. Reserve some of the pasta water before draining, you'll add some of it back in after without having to add too much oil. And most importantly, use good cheese! I like Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano Reggiano, don't buy the cheap stuff, it just isn't the same. If you like a little spice, add some crushed red pepper flakes.

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Low Fat Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread

A super moist zucchini bread loaded with chocolate chips in every bite. I used a whole wheat blend and lots of apple sauce and the results were moist and delicious.

It took a few tries to get this one perfect, but it was so worth it in the end. Everyone loved this from my one year old to my husband who couldn't get enough of it. Give this a try, I'm sure you'll agree, a perfect way to get your kids to eat zucchini!

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Low Fat Chewy Granola Bars with Pecans Raisins and Chocolate

Moist and Chewy low fat granola bars loaded with chocolate chips, raisins and pecans in every bite. Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

You're probably wondering why I am posting so many baked recipes in this heat but I am having some work done to my house and it's really hard to cook around here this week. I made these last week knowing things would be chaotic around here... you are going to love these!!!

I cut them in long bars like the granola bars you buy in the store, but it's actually a lot easier to cut them in squares which is how I will make them in the future.

If you are a regular on my site, you might notice the similarities to my chewy chocolate chip oatmeal cookies! I used that recipe as a base and made some modifications to create this as a bar. I knew they would work out great and they disappeared quickly in my house as you can see by the photo, they almost left me nothing to photograph!

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Turkey Chili Taco Soup

On those rare occasions I don't bring leftovers for lunch at work, I always buy the Turkey Chili Soup from Fresh and Co. It's light and healthy and one cup always fills me up.

Now I know I have quite a few chili recipes on my site, but this one is perfect when you need a quick meal. Courtesy of my friend Julia, of Julia's Healthy Italian Cooking. If you've been following me for a while, you'll know some of her recipes, Filetto di Pomodoro, Balsamic Chicken with Roasted Vegetables, Pasta con Sarde are just a few of her recipes featured here on Skinnytaste. She's an amazing cook, a working mother of four, and always cooks her family quick healthy meals made from scratch. This soup is a super easy to make and is ready in less than 20 minutes.

For a thinner soup add more broth, or you can leave the broth out and you have yourself a bowl of chili. Don't you love recipes that can be so versatile?

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Skinny Sloppy Joes

If you don't like getting your hands dirty, then this is not for you! I didn't grow up eating traditional sloppy joes as a kid, the closest thing that came to a Sloppy Joe in my house was picadillo on a roll (which is quite good by the way) so when I got a recipe request for a low fat Sloppy Joe, I had to do some research.

I found Rachel Ray's Sloppy Joe recipe that was rated 5 stars with rave reviews, so I knew this was a great place to start. I used lean beef and added more veggies to make this lower in fat. Serve it on crusty whole wheat rolls or low point buns (extra points). Enjoy your sandwich and have plenty of napkins on hand!

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