Zero Calorie Apple Chips

The whole idea behind Zero Calories: These foods actually take more energy to digest than they deliver to your body.Because of their surprising lack of calories, These foods can essentially be consumed in unlimited quantities without you gaining weight. Today I am bringing you a great snack for you to have on hand for anytime you have a sweet craving. 

You can use your favorite kind of apple. I use granny smith because it tastes like those sweet tart chewy candies my kids used to eat. If you prefer just sweet, I would go with your favorite sweet apple. 

Zero Calorie Apple Chips

2 large granny smith apples
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp stevia (I like the truvia brand)
zero calorie baking spray (just a touch)

Preheat oven to 200 degrees.

Thinly slice apples crosswise with a mandoline or sharp knife, as thin as you can. Arrange apple slices in a single layer baking sheet, and spray with canola oil cooking spray.
Sprinkle Cinnamon and stevia evenly over apple slices.

Bake in the top and bottom third of the oven until apples are dry and crisp, about 2 - 2.5 hours. 
OR...

Use a Mastrad chip maker. You don't need the baking spray for that and it is so easy and fast! Just place your apple slices on the silicone chip maker and sprinkle with stevia and cinnamon. Microwave on high for 3.5 minutes. Easy peasy!

Zero Calorie Shaved Asparagus Salad

 

According to eatingwell.com; Eating asparagus may help protect against and fight certain forms of cancer, such as bone, breast, colon, larynx and lung cancers. Asparagus is a very good source of fiber, folate, vitamins A, C, E and K, as well as chromium, a trace mineral that enhances the ability of insulin to transport glucose from the bloodstream into cells. It is also packed with antioxidants, ranking among the top fruits and vegetables for its ability to neutralize cell-damaging free radicals. This, according to preliminary research, may help slow the aging process.

Asparagus is also a zero calorie food. Meaning it takes more energy to burn than the calories it provides. So this salad is something you can eat all day long if you wish. We were surprised how much we loved it and it will now be a regular dish in our home. 

Zero Calorie Shaved Asparagus Salad 
12 ounces asparagus, trimmed
2 tablespoons braggs amino acids
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Sea salt and freshly ground black, to taste
1 cup of your favorite lettuce

Shave asparagus into long thin strands using a vegetable peeler or mandolin. Soak the strands in a large bowl of ice water for one hour. Drain well and dry with paper towels.

To make the dressing combine braggs amino acid, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste in a small bowl. Whisk until blended. Pour the dressing over the asparagus and toss well. Arrange over a bed of lettuce. Serve immediately

Zero Calorie Crust-less Apple Pie

When I first found out Apples were a "free food" meaning of course that it takes more energy to digest the apple, than the calories it provides, I was so excited. Adding cinnamon to the list... pure bliss! With all the Zero Calorie Stevia products out there... I have the recipe for you! This is apple pie at its best. No, you don't get the flaky buttery crust, but you get all the flavor with zero calorie results. This is my go-to recipe when I have a sweet tooth. Enjoy!

Zero Calorie Crust-less Apple Pie
This recipe serves one. Simply double for 2 and so on. 

1 Granny Smith Apple
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 packets Stevia (I prefer Truvia brand)

Peel and thinly slice your apple. Quarter slices.
Add Apple, Cinnamon, and Stevia to a skillet.

Cook on medium high heat until desired doneness. I prefer al-dente but if you like mushy, cook until they are mushy. 

Dig in! Eat all you want!

Zero Calorie Angry Cabbage

 

Cabbage has unique cancer preventive properties with respect to bladder cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer. It's also a good source of Vitamin C, Fiber, and Potassium.. Cabbage also has the fewest calories and least fat of any vegetable. It takes your body more energy to digest this dish than the calories it provides. So it is a Zero calorie meal.

If you love spicy, this dish is for you. My husband LOVES this dish and begs for me to make it. Fine with me! He actually loves it both served hot and cold so I make extra and put it in an air tight container for him to take to work. A very healthy zero calorie salad. Enjoy!

Zero Calorie Angry Cabbage

adapted from Curry and Comfort

2 TBSP braggs amino acids

1/2  head of cabbage shredded

1/2 sweet onion sliced

1/2 cinnamon stick

1/2 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp curry powder

1/2 tsp mustard seeds

1 bay leaf

1 serrano chili sliced

1 red pepper, sliced

1/2 tsp of ground turmeric

1 Tbs of red chili paste

Sea Salt to taste

Spray a skillet with zero calorie cooking spray. 

 Heat to medium-high heat and add braggs amino acids into skillet and add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, bay leaf, turmeric , curry powder, cinnamon to fry for 30 seconds without burning.

 Then add the onions and chilies and cook for another minute. 

Add your cabbage.

Stir and cook until a little wilted. 

Add your red chile paste and stir. 

Serve hot or cold!

Zero Calorie Recipe Round-up

I hope you all had a great week and that my posts have helped you with your healthy eating goals. Here are the recipes I brought to you this week for easy access. Eat all you like, they are negative calorie foods!

Zero Calorie Roasted Garlic Chips

Spicy Roasted Bok Choy

Zero Calorie Pickled Green Beans

Zero Calorie Pickled Green Beans

 I went off to the farmers market to get a bunch of good quality green beans to make a healthy zero calorie snack. These are amazing and you can eat all you want because they are a negative calorie food. Perfect for in between meal cravings, because they are crunchy.

You can preserve these. But they don't last long enough in our home. 

1 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar

1/4 cup kosher salt

1 1/2 cup hot water

2 heads fresh dill weed

4 garlic cloves

4 red thai chile pepper

1 1/4 cup fresh green beans, washed and trimmed

Combine the water, salt and vinegar in a large pot, and bring to a boil. When it begins to boil, reduce heat to low and keep at a simmer. Meanwhile pack the jars with dill weed, garlic cloves, thai pepper and green beans into jars. 

Pour the water/vinegar/salt mixture into the packed jars.

Close the airtight jar and store in the fridge. The beans will keep in the refrigerator for two months. If they don't get eaten first. =)

Spicy Roasted Bok Choy

Known as "Chinese Cabbage" Bok Choy contains a high amount of Vitamin A and Vitamin C per 4 oz. serving, so I tend to eat a lot of it during cold and flu season to help me naturally fight off the illnesses going around. It is also packed full of fiber and contains cancer fighting nutrients. The best feature is that it is a zero calorie food. It is great in salads, soups and side dishes.This is one of my favorite ways to make Bok Choy.

Spicy Roasted Bok Choy

adapted from Anja's Food For Thought

4 baby bok choy

2 tablespoon braggs amino acids

4 garlic cloves, sliced

1/2 teaspoon chili flakes 

1/4 cup diced sweet onions 

Salt and Pepper 

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. 

In a small bowl, braggs amino acids, cloves and chili flakes. Set aside. 

Cut bok choy lengthways in halves. Slice up your garlic. Place into a baking dish. Pour the sauce on top.

Bake in the oven at 350 for 15 minutes for al dente, 20 minutes for cooked well. 

Zero Calorie Roasted Garlic Chips

The other night my husband and I went on a date. I got these wonderful lettuce wraps and in them were crispy garlic chips. I knew I was going to have to make them. They make the perfect edible garnish that adds so much flavor and zero calories. I am a garlic lover and I enjoy nibbling on them throughout the day just like I would on nuts or fruit. They are so simple to make. 

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Slice your garlic lengthwise and place on a baking sheet or baking pan leaving a bit of room in between each one. Some of mine were too close and they stuck together.

Place pan in the oven for 15 minutes. Take out the pan and let them cool. Once cooled keep in a ziplock bag or airtight container in the fridge until you are ready to eat them. They are browned and crunchy and quite tasty and the best thing... they are a negative calorie food!!! Enjoy!

Zero Calorie Cucumber Chips and Salsa

It is that time of the day again. Halfway between lunch and dinner and my tummy starts to grumble at me. Since I have a angel and a devil on each shoulder, the devil is telling me to go get some chips. The angel gently reminds me that I can satisfy that hunger with all the flavor and none of the calories. Thank you angel! With Superbowl approaching, you can make a big bowl of this salsa, chop up several cucumbers and enjoy the game the healthy way! 

Once again, you can eat this all day long because by the time you have digested this, it actually takes your body more energy to digest and it becomes a negative calorie food. Enjoy!

Negative Calorie Cucumber Chips and Salsa

2 cucumbers, peeled and sliced diagonally

1/2 sweet onion, diced

3 ripe tomatoes, diced

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

2 garlic cloves minced

1 jalapeno, diced (can add or reduce according to your heat preference)

Salt and pepper to taste

In a small bowl, mix together the onion, tomatoes, cilantro, minced garlic and jalapeno. Stir and add salt and pepper to taste. 

Place your sliced cucumbers on a plate and top with salsa and serve. I garnished my plate with cilantro, but it is not necessary.