Tone and Tighten

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Healthy Fried Cinnamon Apples Skillet [No Sugar]

Warm cooked apples with cinnamon make a super easy and healthy treat. These fried cinnamon apples are the perfect clean-eating dessert. Satisfy your sweet tooth without ruining your diet- these simple skillet apples contain no added sugar but provide tons of flavor and satisfaction. 

Healthy Fried Cinnamon Skillet Apples

Keep reading for the recipe and nutrition facts below. 

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Craving a delicious dessert but don’t want to ruin your diet?

Cinnamon skillet apples are the perfect treat– warm cooked apples that are super easy, tasty, and not full of sugar and fat. Your sweet tooth will be completely satisfied with this good-for-you dessert.

It tastes like a delicious warm apple pie but so much faster and so much healthier.  

Use your favorite kind of apple for this easy 15-minute dessert recipe. When it’s done add your favorite toppings- vanilla yogurt, granola, crushed graham crackers, whipped cream, or a small scoop of ice cream for a more decadent dessert. 

Get the recipe below. Hope you enjoy.

 

ARE COOKED APPLES HEALTHY? 

Apples are a good source of fiber, making them a heart-healthy choice for your day. Apples also provide vitamin C, potassium, and some smaller amounts of B vitamins and some antioxidants. 

Cooking lowers the nutritional value of an apple because heat destroys some of the nutrients, but cooked apples are still a healthy choice. 

When cooking apples, vitamin C and some B vitamins can leech into cooking water. The good news is that you aren’t discarding any cooking water with this recipe, so the nutrient loss is minimal.

The best way to maximize the nutritional value of an apple is to cook it for the least amount of time. This recipe is a great choice because the apples are cooked in a skillet for a short amount of time, helping preserve more of the nutrients.

Some types of nutrients found in fruits and vegetables are also enhanced by cooking. It’s best to eat a variety of fresh, frozen, canned, cooked, and dried produce for the most nutrients in your diet. 

CAN APPLES HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT? 

Apples are a healthy food and a great choice when your goal is to lose weight. Apples are beneficial to include in your diet because they are low in calories and high in nutrients.

They are also a good source of fiber- which helps you to feel full and reduces your appetite and food cravings. Foods higher in fiber help you to eat less calories overall which helps with weight loss. 

Apples also provide many nutrients, help control blood sugar, and are a great and easy snack to help you lose weight. 

WHAT IS THE HEALTHIEST APPLE? 

There are hundreds of varieties of apples each with different sizes, tastes, textures, and colors. The different types of apples are pretty similarly nutritionally as well. Depending on the size, apples are usually less than 100 calories each and provide many nutrients.

Apples are a good source of fiber and water and also contain vitamin C, potassium, and some B vitamins, which are all important for an overall healthy, balanced diet. 

As far as choosing the healthiest apple, including any fruit or vegetable in your diet is beneficial. Choose your apples based on personal preference. If you like tart apples choose Pink Lady or Granny Smith, if you prefer sweet choose Fuji, or if you like a crisp apple choose a Gala. 

The recommendation is to get 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Overall, including more fruits and vegetables into your diet is a healthy choice- including any type of apples. 

 

Trying to cut sugar out of your diet?
You can still enjoy desserts!

In 2016, I removed refined sugar from my diet and found ways to bake with natural sweeteners.
My friends and family had NO idea these yummy treats were made without sugar!
Get your copy of SUGAR-FREE DESSERTS HERE.

 

Tips for making this recipe:

  • These are a little bit of a more dry skillet apple. If you would like a thicker sauce with them, add in 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with the water during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking
  • For more flavor you can also add in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, a dash of nutmeg, and dash of ginger.
  • If you want these to be sweeter, you could sprinkle a little coconut sugar or drizzle pure honey on top
  • These apples are delicious stirred into a bowl of oatmeal or eaten as a side dish. 
  • If you hate peeling apples, this apple peeler is a life saver.

 

Print
Healthy Skillet Cinnamon Apples
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 6
 
Ingredients
  • 4 Apples (your favorite variety- I love Fuji and Granny Smith apples)
  • 1 Tablespoon butter
  • Cinnamon to taste (approximately 1 tsp; more or less depending on taste)
  • 1-2 cups water (as needed)
Instructions
  1. Peel your apples and slice into wedges (if desired, you can leave the peels on).
  2. Heat large skillet on stove top to medium heat. Add in butter and let it melt in the hot pan.
  3. Place apples in hot skillet and sprinkle generously with cinnamon.
  4. Slowly add ½ cup water to skillet and mix apples and cinnamon thoroughly.
  5. Continue to add ½ cup water every 2-3 minutes as it evaporates off the griddle. You want to keep them moist.
  6. Stir apples every 1-2 minutes until desired doneness is achieved (it will take approximately 10 minutes for them to be tender).
  7. If desired, serve with Greek yogurt, whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or granola.

 

 

 

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Check out some more of my healthy recipes:

Make-Ahead Shredded Chicken (Freezer Meal)

Grilled Chicken Protein Bowls

Baked Blueberry Oatmeal Protein Cups

Healthy Honey Banana Muffins -No refined sugar

 

Want to get in better shape but don’t know where to start?
I’ve got your solution!

Our “Back To Basics” ebook is a 6-week workout plan designed specifically for beginners to help you burn calories, lose weight, and tone muscle – all from the comfort of your own home. There’s no equipment required, each workout is completely unique, and best of all – there’s video instruction for every single workout.

CLICK HERE to learn more about “Back To Basics“

 

 

 

Healthy Chicken Avocado Salad Sandwiches [Low Carb]

If you love chicken salad and you love avocados, then you are going to be crazy about these chicken avocado salad sandwiches. Introducing the healthy version of chicken salad sandwiches– made with avocado and Greek yogurt. With low carb and high protein, this chicken avocado salad will keep you feeling full and energized for your day. 

 

Healthy Chicken Avocado Salad Sandwiches [Low Carb]

 

Keep reading to find the recipe and nutrition facts. 

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If you love chicken salad sandwiches, this is the perfect healthy alternative.

Chicken salad sandwiches are great to make for easy and tasty meals, especially in the summer. 

Usually chicken salads are full of mayonnaise, but this salad is made creamy with a mashed avocado and a little bit of Greek yogurt.

Perfectly creamy and perfectly healthy. If you love chicken salad and avocados, you’re going to love it. You don’t have to sacrifice flavor when you are eating healthy. 

Get the recipe below. 

 

HOW TO PICK THE BEST AVOCADO

How can you tell if an avocado is ripe?

Ripe avocados are a dark green or black color with a few spots of green, although some types of avocados are still green when ripe so you need to pay attention to touch as well as color.

To choose the best one, squeeze the avocados gently. A ripe avocado will start to feel soft and tender, but not overly mushy. If it feels firm or hard, don’t plan on using it for a few more days because it isn’t ripe yet. The harder it is the longer it will take to ripen. You can also examine the stem and see if the area is green (ripe) or brown (over-ripe).

It can be tricky, but as you learn these tips you can easily find an avocado that will be ready when you need it.

 

HOW TO SPEED UP THE RIPENING PROCESS FOR AN AVOCADO

Avocados can be so unpredictable. They seem hard as a rock in the morning and over-ripe by dinner time. They never seem perfectly ripe when you are ready to use them. 

When you are at the store or farmer’s market, buy avocados that are in differing stages of the ripening process- some harder, some softer. That way they will ripen at different rates and you don’t have to eat them all on the same day. 

To speed up the ripening process, store avocados in a paper bag at room temperature. Add a banana or apple and it will ripen even faster, between 2-4 days. Put ripe avocados in the refrigerator as soon as you buy them, or as soon as you notice they are becoming ripe. This helps to prevent them from going bad before you eat them. 

If you cut open an avocado too soon and it isn’t ripe yet, you can still let it ripen and prevent it from browning. Cut the avocado in half and squeeze fresh lemon or lime juice on both sides, leave the pit inside, put the halves back together, and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until it is ready. 

 

HOW TO SERVE THIS AVOCADO CHICKEN SALAD:

  • Serve this on whole wheat bread, sandwich thins, wraps, pita bread, a croissant, crackers, tortilla chips, lettuce wraps, sliced cucumbers, or even dig in with a spoon. 
  • You can add romaine lettuce, tomatoes, sprouts, diced celery, shredded kale, or even diced jalapenos or some hot sauce for a little bit of heat. 
  • Make this simple recipe even easier by using rotisserie chicken or this Make Ahead Shredded Chicken recipe.

 

Nutrition facts for Avocado Chicken Salad:

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
Calories: 255
Total Fat: 13.2 g
Saturated Fat: 2.4 g
Cholesterol: 74 mg
Sodium: 104 mg
Carbohydrates: 6.3 g
Fiber: 3.5 g
Sugar: 1.6 g
Protein: 27.6 g

Print
Healthy Chicken Avocado Salad Sandwiches
Prep time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 4
 
Ingredients
  • 3 cups cooked and shredded chicken
  • 1 ripe avocado
  • 2-3 Tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 Tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 Tablespoon finely diced red onion
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried dill
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh chopped cilantro
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
  1. In a small bowl, mash avocado.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together shredded chicken, mashed avocado, plain Greek yogurt, and lime juice. Depending on how you like your salad, you can add more Greek yogurt if you feel like it's too dry.
  3. Add diced red onion, garlic powder, dried dill, and cilantro to the bowl; stir to combine (I used a large wooden spoon). Add in salt and pepper and then adjust the seasonings as needed.
  4. Enjoy!
  5. If you have leftovers, store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days (the avocado may cause a slight discoloration, but it will still taste great!).

Adapted from Healthy Liv

 

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Love avocados? Try some of my other delicious avocado recipes on Tone and Tighten:

Grilled Chicken Avocado Wraps

Blueberry Avocado Green Smoothie Recipe

Ham, Egg, and Avocado Breakfast Burrito Recipe

Avocado and Egg White Scramble Recipe

 

 

Also be sure to check out my YouTube channel for some great workouts:

 

Want to get in shape, but don’t know where to start?

Check out my new 8 Week Beginners Workout Guide.

A complete at-home plan to help you reach your fitness goals! 8 weeks of workouts, tips, and recipes.
Click here for all the details.

 

Cookies and Cream Protein Balls Recipe

Healthy, delicious, easy, and only takes 5 minutes to make. Make this Cookies and Cream protein balls recipe for a great protein boost after a tough exercise. A great post-workout snack or when you need something healthy on the go. 

 

Cookies and Cream Protein Balls Recipe

 

Keep reading below for the protein ball recipe plus more healthy tips for your protein intake. 

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If you are anything like me, you are always on the lookout for ways to sneak more protein into your diet. Increasing your protein intake is a good way to feel full longer (and thereby decrease excessive eating/snacking and cravings).  

Your body is also better at utilizing protein as an energy source which results in decreased “storage” (i.e. fat cells and “problem areas”).

I’m always looking for quick, easy, and delicious ways to consume more protein in my day – and this one is absolutely my favorite go-to.

Today I have teamed up with BodyTech and Vitamin Shoppe to bring you these “Cookies And Cream Protein Balls“. They literally take less than 5 minutes to prepare and provide you with 5 grams of protein per ball.

Trust me – this one will become a standard at your house! …

Read More »

Healthy Double Chocolate Cookies [made with Kodiak Cakes]

Double Chocolate Cookies and the word “healthy” aren’t exactly what you would think would go together, but these soft chewy cookies will prove you wrong. Made with a base of Dark Chocolate Kodiak Cakes mix and lots of whole food ingredients and no refined sugar, these healthy double chocolate cookies will quickly become a new favorite!

Healthy Double Chocolate Cookies [made with Kodiak Cakes]

 

Keep reading for this delicious chocolate cookie recipe made with Kodiak Cakes. 

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Subscribe to Tone-and-Tighten.com and get our FREE “7-Day Workout and Healthy Menu Plan” delivered daily right to your inbox. CLICK HERE to get it.

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When I stopped eating refined sugar, I started finding dessert recipes that I could make that would still fulfill my sweet tooth, but not completely wreck my diet or the progress that I had made when it came to giving up sugar.

This recipe has become a staple in our home (along with our other Chocolate Chip Kodiak Cake Cookies) – we love to make a big batch of cookies and then keep them in the freezer so we can pull one out when the craving hits.

Satisfy your chocolate craving with something healthy. You might even find that you prefer these healthy chocolate cookies more than regular chocolate cookies- plus they are better for you with less added sugar, fat, and calories.

I know you’ll enjoy these cookies- they are the perfect treat when you want something sweet and satisfying. 

 

ARE HOMEMADE COOKIES HEALTHIER FOR YOU THAN STORE BOUGHT? 

No cookies are going to be considered a “health” food but homemade cookies are certainly better than ones you buy at the store. Homemade cookies are generally better for you because they are lower in fat and sugar than bakery or packaged cookies. 

When you make cookies at home you can better control what is going in them, plus you can use better quality ingredients that you feel good about. It also helps give you an idea of how much sugar, fat, and calories you’ll be consuming when you are the one making your cookies. 

If you make healthier choices with ingredients and types of cookies, you can feel better about consuming homemade cookies. No matter what type of cookie you are eating, keep your serving size appropriate and you’ll be fine. 

These Kodiak Cakes double chocolate cookies are the perfect guilt-free choice when you need something sweet.

 

WHAT ARE HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES TO EATING TREATS?

Sometimes you just need a treat. If you find yourself reaching for the candy bars multiple times per day, it’s time to try a better option such as these healthier double chocolate chip cookies made with Kodiak Cakes. 

When the sweet cravings hit, there are plenty of healthy choices that won’t break your diet. Better options that will satisfy your sweet tooth could be fruit, dried fruit, yogurt, trail mix, smoothies, fruit popsicles, fruit-infused water, or an appropriate portion of a sweet treat. You don’t need to deprive yourself, learn to eat mindfully and enjoy a sweet treat when you need one. 

Choose foods that have good-for-you ingredients too. This double chocolate chip cookie recipe will be one of your go-tos when you need a dessert.

Give this recipe a try- it’s healthier than many other treats. These cookies aren’t made with butter and refined sugar like other cookie recipes- instead you will use coconut oil, pumpkin puree, honey, plus Kodiak Cakes for a delicious chocolate cookie with great texture, amazing taste, and improved nutrition. 

 

WHAT MAKES THESE CHOCOLATE COOKIES HEALTHIER THAN OTHER RECIPES?

I feel justified in calling these a healthier cookie with all the healthier ingredient swaps that have been made. Instead of bleached all-purpose flour, my base is Kodiak Cakes. This post is not sponsored, but this is such a great product that I use all the time – and not just for pancakes (but they do make delicious Cinnamon Vanilla Protein Pancakes!).

Instead of refined sugar, honey is used as the sweetener in these cookies. I prefer using local raw honey, but any honey will do. You can even buy it in bulk at a great price.

I know that honey is not really a “health food”, but when it comes to baking, it’s my sweetener go-to.

I like honey because it’s a little sweeter than sugar, so you can get away with using less. I also like that it goes through less processing overall compared to sugar and it does contain trace minerals and nutrients.

 

The chocolate chips that I use in this recipe are the Enjoy Life chocolate chips. I know that these do have some sugar in them, but I am a believer in moderation. And you can’t have chocolate cookies without chocolate chips!

The reason that I love this brand is because there are all real ingredients – no corn syrup (which is really hard to find in chocolate chips). They are also dairy-free and gluten-free, which is awesome if you have those dietary restrictions.

I hope you enjoy these healthy double chocolate cookies.

 

Print
Healthy Double Chocolate Cookies [made with Kodiak Cakes]
Author: 
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 24
 
Ingredients
  • 2 cups Kodiak Power Cakes Dark Chocolate Mix
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Dash of cinnamon
  • 1 egg
  • 2 Tablespoons pumpkin puree
  • ⅓ cup honey
  • ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup Enjoy Life mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together Kodiak Power Cakes Mix, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. In another bowl, mix together egg, pumpkin, honey, coconut oil, and vanilla.
  3. Mix the wet and dry ingredients together and fold in the chocolate chips.
  4. Scoop by heaping tablespoonfuls onto cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes.

 

 

Looking for more healthier dessert recipes? Look no further:

Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies with Kodiak Cakes

Peanut Butter Protein Balls

Healthier Zucchini Brownies; No Refined Sugar

Healthier Berry Crisp; No Refined Sugar

 

Plus check out my ebook: 55 Clean Eating Sugar-Free Desserts

If you are wanting to cut refined sugar out of your diet, you can still have your dessert. Here are my favorite desserts that do not use refined sugar in the ingredients.

With these 55 yummy desserts (including cookies, cakes, frozen treats, and more), your sweet tooth will be happy and your diet will stay on track. Click HERE to learn more. 

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Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Make a healthy and delicious dinner in an instant. This Instant Pot Tomato Basil Soup is made with canned tomatoes and simple ingredients for the perfect dish in a hurry. It’s quick to make, easy to clean up, delicious, filling, and perfectly creamy.

Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

 

Keep reading for the recipe.

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Subscribe to Tone-and-Tighten.com and get our FREE “7-Day Workout and Healthy Menu Plan” delivered daily right to your inbox. CLICK HERE to get it.

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An Instant Pot is the best kitchen accessory to own because it helps you make dinners that are so fast and easy, plus you don’t have to stand at the stove the whole time you’re making a meal.

Just fill the Instant Pot with ingredients, press start, and come back a little bit later to delicious food. 

This Creamy Tomato Basil Soup is loaded with vegetables and cooks quickly in your Instant Pot. It’s made with canned tomatoes and other ingredients you have in your pantry right now, making it the perfect dish to throw together in a hurry.

This soup is easy to make and clean up, delicious, and loaded with vegetables. And that’s why you have (or should get) an Instant Pot– so dinner will be ready in an instant. 

Hope you enjoy this delicious soup. 

 

What Can You Do With an Instant Pot? 

Really a better question is “what CAN’T you do with an Instant Pot?”  

Okay well actually a few things- an Instant Pot can’t be used to make foods crispy, crunchy, or fried. Also, the texture won’t always be the same in the Instant Pot as with other methods.

An Instant Pot is a programmable electric pressure cooker with 7 different functions. It can be used to slow cook, pressure cook (with multiple settings), steam, make yogurt, cook rice, saute/brown, and warm foods. 

It speeds up cooking and uses less energy than a stove or oven. It’s extremely convenient and quick, you don’t need to plan well in advance for a healthy dinner with an Instant Pot.

If you aren’t sure what an Instant Pot is, check out my post all about them and what they do HERE.

 

Is an Instant Pot the Same Thing as a Pressure Cooker? 

Yes, the Instant Pot is the best kind of pressure cooker you can own. With simple-to-use settings and 7 functions-in-one, it makes cooking faster and more convenient. It’s not the same as your grandmother’s old-fashioned stove-top pressure cooker.

An Instant Pot is safe and user friendly (after you read through the instruction manual to familiarize yourself with the many settings and buttons- a necessary task). In a matter of minutes you can have a healthy dinner on the table. 

I love that I can set up the Instant Pot and basically forget about it. Meals that used to take a long time for me to “babysit” and watch on the stove now take me next to nothing as I can just throw it in the pot, press start, and come back when dinner’s ready. 

Need more Instant Pot meal inspiration? Be sure to check out my top 50 Healthy Instant Pot Recipes.

Here’s the recipe for the best Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Soup, hope you enjoy. 

 

Tips for Making This Soup:

  • If you don’t like chunks of vegetables in your soup, you could use an immersion blender or place the soup in a blender until it’s smooth and creamy.
  • If you don’t have any half and half, you can substitute it with milk (but it won’t be as creamy)
  • You could serve this with croutons, crackers, or some crusty bread

What Instant Pot do I use?

I have the Instant Pot LUX 6 Quart 6-in-1 Programmable Pressure Cooker. It’s basically 6 appliances in 1 – pressure cooker, rice cooker, saute, steamer, cake maker, and warmer.

 

 

Print
Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 6
 
Ingredients
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely diced
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 3 ribs celery, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped (or 1 Tablespoon dried basil)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cup fat-free half and half
  • 1½ cups milk (I used 2%)
  • 1 cup fresh shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Ground pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil and Parmesan cheese for garnish, if desired
Instructions
  1. Turn your Instant Pot to sauté and allow it to warm up for a few minutes. Add the oil to the pot.
  2. Add in the onions and carrots and saute for 3 minutes. Then add in celery and garlic and saute for 1 minute longer.
  3. Carefully add in the chicken broth and tomatoes, then add in the oregano, basil, and bay leaf.
  4. Place the lid on the pot and make sure that the knob on the top is on "sealing". Turn off the "saute" and press the "manual" (or pressure cook) button on your Instant Pot. Set the timer for 5 minutes (it will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure, so be sure to factor that in).
  5. Once it's finished cooking, let it do a 5-10 minute natural release (i.e. don't touch the knob and just let it sit there), then move the knob on top to "venting" to release whatever pressure is left.
  6. Carefully remove the lid and turn the Instant Pot back to back to the saute function.
  7. Slowly pour in the half and half, whisking the entire time you pour and mixing until it's fully incorporated. Let it cook for a few minutes on the saute setting.
  8. Whisk in the milk and the Parmesan cheese, then add salt and pepper to taste.
  9. Ladle into bowls and top with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese.

Recipe adapted from 365 Days of Crockpot

 

Looking for some more healthy recipes for dinner? 

Baked Cajun Chicken and Vegetables Meal Prep

Ground Turkey Taco Chili

Slow Cooker 3 Ingredient Mexican Chicken Recipe

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato and Corn Chowder

 

If you are looking for more family-friendly healthy dinners, be sure to check out my 14-Day Menu Plan for Busy Moms.

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