New Ways to Use Thanksgiving Leftovers

With all the effort that goes into holiday cooking, you probably have enough for leftovers. If you still have some turkey leftin your fridge, check out some of our delicious, healthy recipes - they will stretch your dollars after all the holiday spending. With only about 144 calories and less than 2 grams of saturated fat per 3-ounce serving, roasted turkey (or chicken) is a great healthy option. Try these easy, healthy recipes featuring cooked turkey or chicken - they're easy on the cook AND the budget!

Also - for Mettler Center members: check out our website for the latest on special holiday hours and changes around the facility in the month of December!

BBQ Chicken Sandwich
Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Servings: 1

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup shredded cooked chicken
• 1/4 cup shredded carrots
• 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
• 1 small whole-wheat sandwich bun
• 1 leaf romaine lettuce

Directions

1. Combine chicken, carrots and barbecue sauce in a bowl. Spread ranch dressing on the bun. Top with the chicken mixture and lettuce.

Nutritional Facts
324 calories, 7 g fat, 4 g fiber


Sweet Potato Turkey Hash
Prep Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Servings: 6 (1 1/4 cups each)

Ingredients

• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 medium apple, cored and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 cups diced, cooked, skinless turkey or chicken
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Place sweet potatoes in a medium saucepan, cover with lightly salted water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover and cook for 3 minutes. Add apple and cook until everything is just tender, but not mushy, 2 to 3 minutes longer. Drain.
2. Transfer 1 cup of the mixture to a large bowl; mash. Stir in sour cream and lemon juice. Add the remaining unmashed mixture and stir gently to mix. Set aside.
3. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add turkey (or chicken), thyme, salt and pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 2 minutes.
4. Add the reserved sweet potato mixture to the pan; stir to mix. Press on the hash with a wide metal spatula; cook until the bottom is lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Cut the hash into several rough sections; flip and cook until the undersides are browned, about 3 minutes longer. Serve immediately.
   

Nutritional Facts
214 calories, 7 g fat, 2 g fiber


Crispy Turkey Tostadas
Prep Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 (2 tostadas each)

Ingredients

• 1 14-ounce can petite diced tomatoes, preferably with jalapenos
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 3 cups shredded cooked turkey or chicken (12 ounces)
• 8 corn tortillas
• 1 avocado, pitted
• 1/4 cup salsa
• 2 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce
• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Directions

1. Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the over and preheat to 375 degrees.
2. Bring tomatoes and their juice to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and most o the liquid has evaporated, about 15 to 20 minutes. Add turkey or chicken and cook until heated through, about 1 to 2 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, coat tortillas on both sides with cooking spray. Divide the tortillas between 2 large baking sheets. Bake, turning once, until crisped and lightly brown, about 10 minutes.
4. Mash avocado in a bowl. Stir in salsa, sour cream and cilantro until combined.
5. To assemble tostadas, spread each crisped tortilla with some of the avocado mixture. Top with the turkey or chicken mixture, lettuce and cheese.

Nutritional Facts
397 calories, 15 g fat, 8 g fiber

Cream of Turkey and Wild Rice Soup
Prep Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutesServings: 4 (1 1/3 cups each)

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cups sliced mushrooms (about 4 ounces)
• 3/4 cup chopped celery
• 3/4 cup chopped carrots
• 1/4 cup chopped shallots
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup quick-cooking or instant wild rice
• 3 cups shredded cooked chicken or turkey (12 ounces)
• 1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add mushrooms, celery, carrots and shallots and cook, stirring until softened, about 5 minutes. Add flour, salt and pepper and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes more.
2. Add broth and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits. Add rice and reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook until the rice is tender, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in chicken or turkey, sour cream and parsley and cook until heated through, about 2 minutes more.

Nutritional Facts
354 calories, 9 g fat, 3 g fiber

5 Bizarre Weight Loss Tricks That Actually Work

The impending holiday season leaves us all dreading the idea that we may gain a few pounds. However, as long as we remember to keep moderation in mind, there shouldn't be much to worry about! Reality is that if you decide to splurge a few times throughout the season, it will not affect your weight or overall health; just remember to limit it to a few special occasions and continue your workout routine.

This post is originally from Reader's Digest Magazine and provides 5 interesting tricks that can actually help with weight loss. Whether they work or not probably depends on the individual; however, it's always worth a shot - especially at this time of year!

What other "bizarre tricks" work for you to help with weight loss? Share them with our readers!

5 Bizarre Weight Loss Tricks That Actually Work

1. Sniff a banana, apple or peppermint

You might feel silly, but it can work. When Dr. Alan R. Hirsch of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago tried this with 3,000 volunteers, he found that the more frequently people sniffed, the less hungry they were and the more weight they lost - an average of 30 pounds each. One theory is that sniffing the food tricks the brain into thinking you are actually eating it

2. Hang a mirror opposite your seat at the table

One study found that eating in front of mirrors slashed the amount people ate by nearly one-third. Seems having to look at yourself in the eye reflects back some of your own inner standards and goals, and reminds you of why you are trying to lose weight in the first place.

3. Surround yourself with blue

There is a good reason you won't see many fast-food restaurants decorated in blue. Believe it or not, the color blue functions as an appetite suppressant. So serve up dinner on blue plates, dress in blue while you eat, and cover your table with a blue tablecloth. Conversely, avoid red, yellow and orange in your dining areas. Studies find they encourage eating.

4. Shoot your food

Rather than writing down every morsel you eat, take a picture of it and file the photos on your phone or computer by date. A visual account of your consumption may help you curb your intake. "Snapping photos and then looking back at them can make people stop and think before indulging," nutritionist Joan Salge Blake says. It doesn't need to be a big production - your cell phone will do. Think about it: there you are at the salad bar, making a plate of vegetables. Don't pat yourself on the back quite yet, though. A simple snapshot of your heaping dish may "show your extra helping of cheese or deep-fried croutons," Joan cautions. A visual reminder might be just enough to give you pause next time before you ladle on the blue cheese dressing.

5. Tie yourself up

You could try fitness guru Valerie Orsoni's "Le Petit Secret:" "A number of French women wear a ribbon around their waist and underneath their clothes when they go out for dinner. It keeps them conscious of the tummy, particularly if the ribbon starts to feel tighter as the evening goes on!" If a ribbon isn't your thing, try a belt!

Ways to Encourage Your Kids - and Yourself! - to Eat Breakfast

We've all heard it a million times: breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Yet amongst the chaos of getting ready each day, millions of us skip this vital meal.

What's worse is children of all ages are skipping this meal before they are expected to go to school and be attentive for hours before they eat. Recent studies have shown that eating breakfast may improve cognitive functions related to test grades, school attendance and memory. Teens who eat breakfast tend to weight an average of 5 pounds less than those who skip breakfast. But how can you fit breakfast into your family's busy schedule and get your teen to teat something nutritious? Check out these 8 tips that might just tempt your kids - and even yourself!

Ways to Encourage your Kids - and Yourself! - to Eat Breakfast

1. Figure it out: Find out either by asking or experimenting what your child will eat and how much. It's okay if it's small, as people have different needs and a big breakfast may not settle well with everyone. Just eating something, though, is better than nothing at all.
2. Smooth moves: Try making homemade smoothies with milk, yogurt or soymilk, frozen berries, bananas and ice cubes,. Add a scoop of soy or why protein for added protein. Smoothies are quick, nutritious and can be eaten on the go if needed.
3. An eggcelent idea: Eggs pack a good amount of protein and are also easy to make fried, scrambled, poached or hard-boiled. Pair eggs with whole grain toast.
4. On-the-go: Grab and go with a container of yogurt (aim for low-fat and low-sugar), breakfast bars, dry cereal or pre-made fruit salad.
5. Cerealously: Cereal is another quick option, but be choosy in what you serve, aiming for high fiber (4 grams or more), low sugar (8 grams or less) and less than 7 ingredients total.
6. Dynamic duos: Classic combos like a whole grain bagel and low-fat cream cheese, toast with peanut butter and all-fruit jam, or yogurt and granola offer a nutritious start to the day.
7. Oughta be oats: The wonder food, oatmeal, can be paired with all kinds of delicious toppings. Offer oatmeal with berries, raisins and cinnamon, chopped nuts, a scoop of peanut butter, flaxseed or wheat germ.
8. From the freezer: There are several companies that make nutritious, tasty and whole grain waffles. Pick up a few boxes and offer them for breakfast with eggs, peanut butter or yogurt for protein.

With a little planning and investigation into what your children will eat for breakfast, you can encourage them to eat breakfast for heading to school. They will thank you when they realize how much more energy and attention they have throughout the day!