Zucchini Pizza Casserole

This is a great way to use up all that yummy zucchini! It has all the flavors of pizza in a low carb casserole dish and it is absolutely delicious! It's super easy to make and has quickly become a family favorite!

The bottom layer is a baked zucchini crust made with shredded zucchini, three types of cheeses and eggs. Then it's topped with a mixture of lean ground beef and marinara sauce. You can also use Italian diced tomatoes instead of marinara sauce if your prefer. This would be a great option if you want some texture from the chunks of tomatoes! Finish it off with a sprinkle of cheese and your favorite toppings! I used chopped sweet red bell peppers and jalapenos! Use your choice of three approved Greens! This casserole dish is so versatile!

This would also make a great freezer meal! I like to limit myself to only one casserole type dish or a dish with lots of cheese to only once or twice a week as a  personal preference so this is great for freezing leftovers! Portion out the casserole into six servings. The easiest way to do this is to cut the casserole in half lengthwise and then cut across into thirds. If you prefer, you can weigh your portions so that the portions are similar. Place the servings you would like to freeze into individual freezer safe containers. Let cool completely, label, and freeze up to 3 to 4 months. When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warm. Enjoy this rich decadent casserole dish!

Zucchini Pizza Casserole

Slightly adapted from Taste of Home

Ingredients:

4 cups shredded zucchini (8 Greens)

2 eggs (⅔ Lean)

½ cup fresh grated parmesan cheese (8 Condiments)

1 ⅓ cup reduced fat mozzarella cheese, divided (1 ⅓ Lean)

1 cup reduced fat cheddar cheese, divided (1 Lean)

1 ½ lbs 90 to 94% lean ground beef ~ 18 ounces cooked (3 Leans)

½ cup chopped onions (8 Condiments)

1 tsp minced garlic (1 Condiment)

1 ¾ cups Rao's marinara sauce (7 Greens) *

1 ½ cups chopped bell peppers (3 Greens)

1 ounce pickled jalapenos ~optional (1 Optional Snack)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Place shredded zucchini on a clean kitchen towel. Let it sit for 30 min and then squeeze out moisture. Combine zucchini, eggs, parmesan cheese, ⅔ cup mozzarella cheese, and ½ cup cheddar cheese in a large bowl. Press mixture into a greased 9 x 13 inch or 3 quart baking dish. Bake for about 25 min.

In a large skillet, cook ground beef, onions, and garlic over medium heat until meat is done. Drain liquid. Stir in marinara sauce. Pour the mixture over baked zucchini crust. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and top with chopped peppers and jalapenos, if desired. Bake an additional 20 minute or until heated through.

Makes 6 Servings

Each serving provides:

1 Lean, 3 Greens, 3 Condiments and ⅙ Optional Snack

Guidelines for choosing a tomato sauce (¼ cup serving):

less than 50 calories
less than 5 g carbohydrates
less than 200 mg sodium
less than 3 g of fat

Or use 2 (14.5 oz) cans of Italian diced tomatoes (7 Greens) ~ choose a brand that is less than 5 g of carbs per ½ cup serving. Great Value is a great brand to use. For a smoother sauce, blend until desired consistency.

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M&S Deli Range From Vadasz

*I was sent these items as a PR sample. All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own*

I am personally OBSESSED with anything pickled, especially pickled gherkins. 

If left unattended, I could honest devour a whole jar in one sitting! They are very versatile and can add so much flavour to a burger. 

M&S is introducing a range of award-winning pickles and ferments from Vadasz- the first range of chilled super condiments to be launched in the UK.  

Each is designed to elevate any meal or snack with delicious savoury flavour and a satisfying crunch, while being rich in beneficial probiotics.

They offer anti-inflammatory and immune boosting properties, at a time when awareness is growing regarding the link between gut health and overall wellness. 

Vadasz Garlic and Dill Pickles use a traditional cold brine process, keeping them unpasteurised and retaining their crunchiness and fresh flavour.

They are absolutely delicious, and it is refreshing to have such a crunchy pickle. 

The pickles are perfect for my fried pickles recipe:

Red Onion Fresh Pickles: this bright mix of cold brined red onion, fennel, and black pepper is a feast for the eyes on any plate

Perfect as any side, in salads, or even in a burger. 

Try them in a BBQ Jackfruit Tacco! Simple cook some jackfruit with BBQ sauce, add to warmed taco shells and top with sliced avocado, red cabbage, radish, the Vadasz red onion pickle and drizzle lime.

Raw Kimchi-  raw Chinese cabbage, carrots, spring onion, sea salt, chilli, ginger and garlic combine in this on-trend Korean-style condiment.

Kimchi is versatile and can be eaten on its own or as a side. 

Importantly, Vadasz Raw Kimchi is live culture, a result of the magical process of lactic acid fermentation, meaning it contains probiotics which are beneficial to the gut and are not found in many existing products that are preserved using vinegar. 

The products in this range have been highly praised, and also won three Great Taste Awards, with the Garlic and Dill Fresh Pickles winning the coveted triple star award.

Each pot weighs 400g and has a Recommended Retail Price (RRP) of £4.50, available in M&S now!

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Chicken Parmesan

 Who doesn't love chicken parmesan? My family and I love this recipe! It did not disappoint! Unlike other chicken parmesan recipes, this one does not use breadcrumbs, which makes it a great low carb option!

The chicken comes out perfect and moist every time! Roasting at a high temperature keeps the chicken delightfully juicy and flavorful!

I placed the chicken on a cup of cooked spaghetti squash (2 Greens). Then spread 1/4 cup of Rao's Marinara Sauce (1 Green) on top of the chicken. To finish it off, I sprinkled mozzarella cheese on top. If you do not want to add mozzarella cheese, increase the amount of chicken. I left the measurements at the end of the recipe! This is a meal the entire family will love!

Chicken Parmesan

Ingredients:
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts * (2 Leaner)

1/2 cup reduced fat parmesan cheese, grated (4 Condiments)
1/4 tsp salt (1 Condiment)

1 tsp dried basil (1/2 Condiment)
1/2 tsp dried oregano (1/2 Condiment)

1/2 tsp paprika (1 Condiment)
1/2 tsp garlic powder (1 Condiment)

1 tbsp butter, melted (2 Healthy Fats)

1 cup reduced fat mozzarella cheese ~ cheese that is 3 to 6 g fat/oz (1 Lean)

3/4 cup Rao's mariana sauce (3 Greens)

3 cups spaghetti squash, cooked (6 Greens)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with non-stick foil.
In a medium sized bowl, combine parmesan cheese, salt, basil, oregano, paprika, and garlic powder. Set aside.
Pound the chicken breasts thin. Toss the chicken with melted butter in another medium sized bowl, coating evenly. Then dredge the chicken in cheese mixture.
Place on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes or until chicken is completely cooked. 

For each serving: 

Place 4 ounces chicken on top of 1 cup (155 g) spaghetti squash, and add 1/4 cup marinara sauce on a plate. Top with 1/3 cup reduced fat mozzarella cheese.

Makes 3 Servings
Each serving provides:
1 Leaner, 3 Greens, 3 Condiments and 1 Healthy Fat

* This tastes just as yummy without the mozzarella cheese added on top! If you would like to omit the mozzarella cheese, use 1 1/2 lbs raw chicken and increase the butter to 1 1/2 tbsp. It will provide 3 servings with each serving providing 6 ounces of lean protein with 1 Health Fat.

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JAM SHORTBREAD BARS

This is the best "cookie" we've tried in a long time, my picky-picky husband is in love with this sweet treat!!! He likes raspberry bars the best, but any jam will work well in this recipe.

The bottom layer is a deliciously sweet and TENDER shortbread cookie crust, then there is a simple layer of your favorite jam, nuts and then more shortbread pieces on top. It couldn't be easier!!! 

CLICK ON THIS PICTURE

3/4 cup butter (room temperature)

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond  extract

1 1/2 cups flour

3/4 cup of your favorite jam (stirred until loose)

3/4 cup of pecans (chopped small) and toasted a little

Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8"x 8" pan with parchment or foil.

If you are using foil, spray it lightly with cooking spray.

CLICK ON THIS PICTURE

Beat the (room temperature) butter, powdered sugar and extracts for about 2 minutes. 

Add the flour and beat until it all comes together. I use a stand mixer, but if you are using a smaller mixer, the dough will look just a little crumbly...but that's OK, it will still work fine.

CLICK ON THIS PICTURE

Remove 1/2 cup of this dough and flatten it out, wrap it in plastic and freeze for 10 minutes. 

Pat the rest of the dough into the foil (or parchment) lined pan, in an even layer. Top with the chopped pecans and press them gently into the dough just a little. Spread the jam evenly over the nut layer.

Take the reserved dough out of the freezer and slice it thinly and arrange randomly over the jam.

Bake 50 minutes at 350°F or until the pieces of cookie dough are light golden brown. Drizzle with vanilla frosting glaze while the bars are still HOT.

For the glaze, I just mix about 2 tablespoons melted butter with 2 cups of powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract and about 2 tablespoons milk. If the glaze seems too thin, add another spoon of powdered sugar. If it seems to thick, add another 1-2 tablespoons of milk...Whisk till smooth and drizzle over the HOT bars. 

When the bars are completely cool, cut them into small pieces (they are very rich) and they freeze well too.

ENJOY !!!

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Kitchen Decorating Do's and Don’ts

When it comes to designing a kitchen, people usually make two mistakes: they either keep things too minimal or they don’t know when to stop. The first usually results in a kitchen that although has all the necessary appliances and furniture looks entirely sterile and stripped of any personality. The latter, however, can easily turn into both physical and mental clutter, can become quite impractical and too complicated and overwhelming to function.

That’s why we’ve decided to put together a list of some of the most common do’s and don’ts when it comes to kitchen design. Of course, keep in mind that your kitchen is your personal haven and the décor should reflect your personality. So, don’t follow these tips to a T but use them to get inspired.

Do go for a somewhat minimalistic approach

The kitchen is the space where you’ll be handling sharp objects, hot substances and heavy dishes. That’s why you should ensure that you have enough space to manage all of those things safely. So, instead over-cluttering your kitchen, you should go for a more minimalistic approach. What this means is that you should keep the majority of your décor on your walls instead of work surfaces. On top of that, make sure you choose the statement piece of your décor carefully. An oversized art piece or a beautiful animal skull decor can work great in such a space. So, keep your counters clutter-free and rely on a statement piece of wall décor to truly give personality to your kitchen.

Don’t go for a design that doesn’t work for your space

Next, the design of your kitchen needs to be coherent with the layout of the space. What this means is that even though you may absolutely love the idea of having a kitchen island, if there’s no room for it, you should let that idea go. Instead, see how much space you have at your disposal and what’s the best way to arrange cabinets and appliances accordingly. Also, keep in mind the kitchen triangle – fridge, stove, sink – when considering the layout and find the best way to achieve this balance in your kitchen.

Do consider upgrades rather than changes

Moreover, when looking to change your kitchen design, you must first determine which parts you are currently dissatisfied with. That’s the easiest way to determine which parts actually need to be worked on. From there, you need to decide how you want to approach the task. For instance, if your kitchen cabinets are the problem, see whether you can simply upgrade them or do you need to replace them altogether. Ideally, you should always try to upgrade and upcycle whenever possible. This way not only will the entire project be more affordable but it will also be significantly eco-friendlier. 

Don’t blindly follow trends

As you already know, trends come and go. Some of them don’t even stick around long enough to become “the thing”. That’s why it’s never a good idea to choose a design simply because it’s currently trendy. Instead, focus on creating something you’ll actually love even if it happens to go out of style. Since you’re designing and decorating a kitchen you’ll be living in – and not something for the latest cover of a design magazine – you should follow your own instincts and preferences. 

  

Do choose practicality

In the end, as we’ve already mentioned, the kitchen can be quite a dangerous place if not designed correctly. That’s why practicality and usability of the space need to be your primary concerns. For instance, if you like the idea of having an area rug on your kitchen floor, make sure that it’s tightly secured to the floor to prevent any trips or falls and similar accidents that could come out of such a situation. Moreover, if you have small children, make sure that all the utility drawers are tightly secured.

These are just some of the most important things to keep in mind when decorating your kitchen. Remember to express your style but keep things practical and

This is a contributed post

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Best Places For Glamping In England

2020 has been a strange old year. My mind is still in March, while in body we are in August already! For many of us, the idea of a summer holiday abroad has been scrapped entirely, with many having had planned holidays cancelled, thanks to COVID-19.

Now that lockdown restrictions have been lifted slightly, we have more freedom to travel and experience a getaway within the UK.

Camping has been one of the things people have turned to post lockdown, due to the open space and ability to Social Distance. 

If you are like me, you appreciate a bit of comfort when you're staying away, Glamping is for you.

What is Glamping?

Glamping is quite literally, camping in style! It is camping, but with amenities and a more luxurious experience than sleeping in a tent! 

Glamping comes in many froms, from pre-erected tents, to yurts, tipis and log cabins. 

I have put together a selection of some of the best places to escape to in the UK, and get to take part in the full glamping experience.

Cuckoo Down Farm Glamping

At Cuckoo Down Farm there are four safari tents and two yurts, set in a peaceful, spacious six acre meadow on their Devon farm.

The Sheaves family has lived and farmed at Cuckoo Down Farm since 1959. John and Becky Sheaves have been running a small glamping campsite since 2008, with help from their children.

The glamping tents here all have their own kitchen and fresh drinking water. They are cosily furnished with double beds, sofa beds, cushions. 

Each kitchen has a bottled gas stove (two rings and a grill) and crockery, glassware and cutlery are all provided. The safari tents have their own hot showers in each tent and the yurts each have their own shower cubicle in our clean and spacious shower barn.

Devon Yurts

Devon yurt Holidays offers you a luxuriously secluded glamping experience where your beds will be ready with crisp cotton linen. Devon Yurts is an award winning glamping site, having won Gold from both Visit Devon and Green Tourism as well as being Silver Winners for South West England Tourism Excellence Awards. 

The yurts are situated in 18 acres of beautiful Devon countryside each with their own private paddock and own fresh water log fired hot tub and ideal for glamping with friends and family. 

 The wood burner, rugs and sheepskins will keep you snug and warm with your own kitchen, BBQ area, belfast sink and loo.

Puddleduck Valley Glamping

Snuggledown is an authentic top quality Mongolian yurt made in Ulan Bator. With a king size bed, two single beds, wood burning stove and all the equipment to make luxury camping both adventurous and easy. 

The yurt has its own recently converted private bathroom near the main house - a 2 minute walk.

We are actually going to stay here in a few weeks time, so keep an eye out for the full review!

Yurt Camping at High Nature 

High Nature is located in the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, 337 square kilometres of protected landscape.

Located just a few minutes walk from some of the most spectacular sandy beaches and coastal walks in England. So whether you want to walk, cycle, surf or simply relax on the beach, it's a perfect location to meet all these needs.

They have just launched a field kitchen using lots of their own grown produce from their polytunnels.

Feather Down glamping site

Guests of all ages will be bound to have a good time and each location offers something different to learn and discover.

To make your stay with Feather Down even more memorable, it is possible to book some extras. For example, you can request a private bunny for your children to cuddle during your glamping holiday. Alternatively, book your own private hot tub for the perfect place to unwind in the evening

Exe Valley Glamping 

Exe Valley Glamping was established by father and son team - Robin & Patrick.

Wanting to diversify their family farm by promoting responsible and sustainable tourism, glamping was an appealing option to both country enthusiasts.

Patrick has over two decades of hospitality experience, and having recently moved his young family back to Devon, he felt it was an opportunity to put his experience into something closer to his heart.

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CHOPPED EGG TRICK

Am I the only person in the world that did not know about this handy trick? Use your pastry cutter to speed-chop boiled eggs...fast and easy!!

Chop them right in the mixing bowl,
6 eggs in just seconds!!

ENJOY !!!

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Greek Pasta Salad Recipe | Slimming Friendly

As I write this the UK is currently in the middle of a heatwave, and all I want to eat is salad!

I love the heat, as long as I can sit absolutely still and not have to move at all!

This is a super east to make Greek style pasta salad, that I originally posted on my TikTik. Scroll down to see that video!

It has lots of traditional Greek flavours and can be kept in the fridge for 3 days. 

I used wholemeal pasta for this dish, but you can use and pasta you like. 

The beauty of this recipe is that you can change the elements you include, add more or less, and change it up to suit your tastes.

If you have any other favourite salad dressings you could also try it out on this dish. 

I really like olives, so added a few extra into this when I made it!

This recipe is vegetarian, and you could switch it up to being vegan by swapping the feta for vegan cheese, or just leaving it out. 

Like the look of this recipe? Check out my other Slimming Friendly Pasta Recipes! Delicious lower-calorie pasta dishes that the whole family will enjoy.

 

Fancy some more recipes?

Like the look of this recipe? I have loads more for you to look through as well! Click the links below for more:

Slimming World Friendly Dinner Recipes

 Slimming World Friendly Breakfast 

Slimming World Friendly Lunch Recipes 

 Slimming Friendly Fakeaways