Alfredo (Low Fat/Low Carb Version)

I am not afraid of a little fat in my food.  Although, tonight, when I was craving fettuccine Alfredo,  I wasn't craving the high fat kind.  So I scoured my favorite recipe books and combined a few recipes to create this low(er) fat low carb version of my favorite high fat/high carb delicious-ness.  I was so excited about how it turned out.  Truly amazing.  Very simple.  I think it took me less than 10 minutes to whip up the entire dinner - including cooking the shirataki noodles.  (Although I did add chicken to mine -see photo-which was pre-cooked.)  How can I ever go back tot he old way after that????  

I served mine with Shiratake Noodles (also called Miracle Noodles), which I got at Woodman's for $1.75 a bag.  I've also found them at Whole Foods.  You could also serve this with riced cauliflower.  To do this, steam your cauliflower until tender, then put through a food processor with a cheese grater blade.  It will come out looking like rice.

Alfredo Sauce (lower fat version)
4 oz. cream cheese, cut into cubes
1 C. cottage cheese
1 TB butter
1/2 C. milk
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 C. Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Put the cream cheese and cottage cheese into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.  Over medium/low heat, melt butter in a sauce pan then add the cottage cheese mixture and milk and stir until blended.  Turn heat down to low.  Add the garlic powder and Parmesan cheese.  Then add salt and pepper to taste.  If the mixture gets too thick, add more milk.  Serve immediately.

For information about how to cook Shirataki Noodles, click HERE.

Sugar Free High Protein Coffee Creamer

According to WEBMD.com:

A growing body of research shows that coffee drinkers, compared to nondrinkers, are:

     *  Less likely to have type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and dementia
     *  Have fewer cases of certain cancers, heart rhythm problems, and strokes 

“There is certainly much more good news than bad news, in terms of coffee and health,” says Frank Hu, MD, MPH, PhD, nutrition and epidemiology professor at the Harvard School of Public Health.

This is good news for me, as I  L.O.V.E. coffee.  However, I like it best with flavor.  My favorite is flavored creamer, or "doctored up" coffee from Starbucks or Bigby Coffee, etc.  However, in this economy, who can afford a $4.00 cup of coffee every day?

So I created my own flavored creamer.  The great thing about this is it's loaded with protein but is sugar free.  Who needs Starbucks?  By the way, Starbucks will add a scoop of whey protein powder to any coffee drink for another .50 cents.  If you can afford a $4.50 cup of coffee, it's totally worth it!

Home-Made Flavored Coffee Creamer

1 scoop whey protein powder (I use vanilla, but you can use any flavor that you want.) 
8 oz. milk (whipping cream is best)
1 packet truvia, to taste
**Side note:  GNC offers many flavors of whey protein, including Carmel, cookies and cream, strawberry, and much more!

Blend ingredients with a shake mixer or blender (I use a Magic Bullet-Like shake mixer) until smooth and free of lumps.  Store in fridge till ready to pour into coffee.  Shake before serving.

Enjoy!