Thanks to challenger DietMom for sharing her family’s positive experience with what sounds like an incredibly tasty soup.

I made this wonderful soup for supper tonight, everyone loved it. We even got our picky 3 year old granddaughter to try a couple of bites. Its always a challenge to find something that everyone will like. I am extra happy when it turns out to be something that’s good for them as well.

Thanks to challenger DietMom for sharing her positive experience with this new recipe from Chef Devin. We’ve tried it too, and it’s a new fave!

I made Chef Devin Alexander’s recipe for Penne and asparagus with ricotta cheese from her It’s not Fattening Cookbook tonight. It was so easy to make and very tasty. Only 318 calories for a very satisfying 2 cup portion, you’ve got to try it.

In the spirit of this week’s find a new pasta mini challenge, challenger DietMom tries a leaner baked pasta recipe.

I don’t have a lot of recipes for low calorie pasta dishes, but the sausage rigatoni bake from the biggest loser cookbook is really good. I just multiply it, to make enough for the whole family. They make their own sausage with extra lean ground pork and use whole wheat rigatoni. It still comes up to 427 calories a serving but it is very satisfying and delicious, worth it for a little splurge. I’m looking forward to finding a few more pasta recipes to fit into our diets.

Low-calorie cheeseburger? You wouldn’t think it by looking at that tempting picture, but challenger DietMom replaces beef with venison for a healthy swap!

We had these low calorie cheeseburgers for lunch today. I use lean ground venison for the burger, fat free cheese and 80 calorie whole wheat buns. They are great and I have no trouble getting the whole family to eat one, the guys even eat two and I don’t feel bad about it.

We love the recommendation from challenger DietMom to purposely make leftovers, especially on a meal like this. It means you can save half to freeze for a quick, ready-to-heat dinner later, or package individual servings for healthy lunches throughout the week.

I made Devin Alexander’s Chicken Enchilasagna for supper tonight. How can you go wrong with half lasagna, half enchiladas? Lots of cheesy, gooey goodness. Everyone in our family loves it, make sure you make a double recipe so you can have leftovers.

You’re right DietMom, people generally won’t even notice when you’ve made a few healthier swaps in a really delicious recipe, the way this one sounds!

I was looking for a recipe to make tonight and came across this recipe. I made a few low fat substitutions and now it is a healthy meal. It is surprising how easy it is to make things healthier. My family probably won’t even notice the difference.

1lb chicken breast

2 tbsp olive oil

1 zucchini, thinly sliced

16 turkey pepperoni slices

1 green pepper, julienned

1 onion, sliced

1/2 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp basil

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1 cup halved cherry tomatos

1/2 cup low fat shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cu[ low fat shredded parmesan cheese

In a large bowl, combine first 11 ingredients. Coat four pieces of foil with cooking spray. Place a quarter of chicken mixture in center of each piece. Fold foil around mixture and seal tightly. Grill, covered over medium high heat for aprox. 15 minutes. Carefully open each packet. Sprinkle with tomatos and cheeses. grill 2 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

Another challenger who took on cooking a healthy recipe with cheese, DietMom even surprised herself by finding a new cheese to love!

I never thought I liked Feta Cheese, but when I tried these Bench Press Bell Peppers I loved them! They are in the Biggest Loser Family cookbook, one of the last recipes I tried in the book because I was scared of the cheese, but you have to try them.

2 large green peppers

1lb ground lean turkey breast

3 tbsp minced garlic

2 cups of cooked brown rice

2 large egg whites

1/4 cup chopped fresh mint

3 oz reduced fat feta cheese crumbles

Cut peppers in half, remove stem, cores and seeds. Put in a pot of boiling water for five minutes, then drain.

In a large skillet brown turkey breast, add garlic, cook 3 – 5 minutes. In a bowl mix turkey, rice, egg whites, mint, feta cheese and pinch of salt. Mix well then spoon into each half pepper. place peppers in baking dish. bake for 20 minutes in a pre-heated 375 degree oven for 20 minutes. Biggest Loser adds a 1/4 inch of water to their dish when cooking, but I like marinara sauce with mine, about 1/2 cup. Try them, you will be surprised how good they are, I’m ready to try more foods with feta cheese!

We love when the whole family can get together and enjoy a little guiltless dessert, just like challenger DietMom did!

My grown up and married off children like to come spend an evening at our home once in a while and we were all craving a little something sweet during our family game night. My husband is a diabetic and we like to enjoy our sweets but try to enjoy them in moderation. When I heard Devin talk about her chocolate banana boats in a video earlier in the cook at home challenge I knew I’d love to try them out for our family. We all like them a lot and it was such a unique thing to try for the first time together.

My granddaughter will enjoy making these with me in the future.

See what happens when you try new vegetables? Like challenger DietMom, you find a new favorite food that’s good for you.

My favorite new vegetable would have to be the spaghetti squash. I love it baked and then just add marinara sauce. We also tried it with the lemon caper sauce, I liked but not so much for my husband. Just cut it in half scoop out the seeds bake, cut side down, in 350 degree oven for about an hour. Scrape out with fork pour on sauce and serve. Enjoy

This recipe suggestion from challenger DietMom comes just in time for everyone to start grilling and picnicking again. It’s definitely a healthy side or snack!

The Texas Caviar from the Biggest Loser Family cookbooks is one of our family’s favorites. It makes a great snack served cold with baked chips, but it is also a great side. I heat it up and serve it with Mexican style dishes, It’s got tons of flavor hot or cold. Try it you’ll love it.

!5 oz low salt can black beans

15 oz low salt can of kernel corn

3/4 cup salsa

2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

1 1/2 tsp red wine vinegar

1 tsp cumin

salt, pepper and hot sauce to taste