Healthy Breakfast : MELON SMOOTHIE

This smoothie harnesses the natural sweetness of the Watermelon.

Ingredients

3 cups watermelon chunks

1 small banana, chopped

1 cup ice

1 1/2 cups 0% fat vanilla yogurt

Directions

1. Put watermelon chunks, chopped banana, ice and yogurt in a blender. Blend until desired smoothness.

2. Pour into glasses.

(Serving Size 12 oz)

Calories Per Serving: 158

Healthy Breakfast : APPLE OATMEAL

A delicious and warming breakfast treat

Ingredients

3 cups apple juice

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 1/2 cups quick oats

1/2 cup chopped apple

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup raisins

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

4 tbsp fat free vanilla yogurt

Directions

1. Combine apple juice and cinnamon in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil.

2. Stir in oats, chopped apple, maple syrup and raisins.

3. Reduce heat and cook until most of juice is absorbed, stirring occasionally. Fold in walnuts.

4. Top each bowl with a tablespoon of yogurt.

(Makes 4 Servings)

Calories Per Serving: 271

Healthy Breakfast : WAKE UP SANDWICH

You will want to wake up to this early morning breakfast sandwich.

Ingredients

1/4 cup liquid egg (whites OK too)

2 tbsp  light shredded cheese

2 tbsp  chopped green pepper

1 tbsp sodium reduced ham

Pepper to taste

1/8 tsp Italian seasoning (optional)

1 whole-grain English muffin, toasted

Directions

1. Find a bowl that is about the same size around as an english muffin and dishwasher safe.

2. In the bowl, mix together egg, cheese, pepper, ham, ground pepper and Italian seasoning (if using). Microwave on high for 1 minute. Turn the egg over and microwave for another 30 seconds to 1 minute.

3. Place egg on the toasted English muffin.

(Makes  1 Serving)

Calories Per Serving: 247 

Weight Loss Recipe: Pan Seared Cod With Balsamic Dressing

Lean protein is your diet is essential to weight loss and weight maintenance. Cod is an excellent source of lean protein as it is lower in fat than red meats.

Losing weight isn't about hunger, misery and crash dieting! By learning to make, delicious, easy-to-prepare, nutritious food your body needs and will enjoy – losing weight becomes exciting and energizing.

Instead of high calorie, fatty sources - use spices to provide flavorsome, exciting meals your whole family will enjoy. "Pan Seared Cod With Balsamic Thyme" is another recipe in a range of hunger-fighting, low fat recipes to assist you keep your weight under control. This irresistible, no-hassle meal will help you reach your weight-loss goals - while making mealtime a real treat.

Variety is an essential element of any successful health program. If you get bored with foods, you're much more likely to abandon your program altogether. Experiment with spices to find exciting alternatives, try new recipes and build your repertoire of quick home cooked meals to replace take outs, frozen dinners and snacks. Your body will love you and your family will be delighted.

Ingredients:

• 500g fresh cod fillet (or boneless, skinless chicken breasts)
• 2 teaspoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoon fresh thyme
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Sprinkle fish with salt and freshly ground pepper on both sides. Heat a large skillet for which you have a cover over medium-high heat. When hot, add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, place the fish in the pan, lower the heat to medium and cook for five minutes or until the underside is brown and a curst begins to form.

Carefully turn the fish over, turn the heat down to medium-low and cover the skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes more. Fish is done when it flakes with a fork. Remove fish from skillet and place on a plate. Bring the heat back up to medium-high, add the balsamic vinegar and cook quickly, scraping the pan with a spatula.

Turn off the heat, put the fish back in the skillet and turn over to coat both sides with the reduced vinegar. Sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves and serve immediately.

* Note: fish should cook for about 10 minutes for each inch of thickness. If you use chicken breast instead, it will need a total of about 15 minutes cooking time.

Nutritional Analysis Per Serving:

Calories: 228
Protein: 40 grams
Fat: 6 grams
Carbohydrates: 1 grams

Good Breakfast Ideas

Delicious Banana and Oats Pancakes

Ingredients:

• ½ cup quick-cooking oats, uncooked
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 ½ cups low-fat milk
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 ripe banana, mashed
• ¼ tsp salt
• Vegetable cooking spray

Instructions:

In a mixing bowl, combine oats and milk and set aside for about 10 minutes.
Then add the eggs, vegetable oil and mashed banana to milk mixture and beat well. In a separate large
bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the oat/milk mixture and stir until well
combined.
Use 2 tablespoons of batter for each pancake. Coat a skillet with vegetable spray and drop the batter
into the hot pan. Cook and turn each pancake until both sides are nicely brown.
Serve with maple syrup and vanilla yogurt.