Must-Try: Banana Berry Cheesecake Greek Yogurt and Quinoa Parfait

It’s summer time! And with summertime, comes a healthy treat!

Our favorite?  The NY Melrose Family‘s Banana Berry Cheesecake Greek Yogurt and Quinoa Parfait.

Imagine layers of naturally sweetened banana cheesecake yogurt, fresh berries, and nutty quinoa, and you’ve envisioned this yummy snack.

Notably, this snack is packed with fruit, whole grains, and tons of protein. Therefore, you can feel good about having a parfait for breakfast, or spoil yourself after a hard work out with one as well!

Jenny Melrose states: “I was able to make the Banana Berry Cheesecake Greek Yogurt & Quinoa Parfaits with no added sugar because my banana was looking pretty gnarly, which also means it was naturally super sweet. Mushed up and mixed with some light cream cheese and plain Greek yogurt, it makes a fabulous banana cheesecake-flavored yogurt that I love to use as the base for parfaits.”

Thus, here’s the healthy recipe that you’ve been waiting for!

Yum! What a great snack to eat after a Pilates workout!

Ingredients

• 2 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature (I used light cream cheese)
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• one very ripe banana, mashed
• honey, stevia, or another sweetener, to taste, if needed
• ½ cup cooked and cooled quinoa, prepared as per package instructions
• 1 cup berries, chopped if they are large (I used a mixture of raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries)
• additional berries for garnish, if desired

Want the instructions to this fabulous recipe? Check it out here! Exclusively on NY Melrose Family’s blog! (Feel free to share with friends!)

We hope you enjoyed this recipe! Sincerely, Wear Me Out!

Must-Try: Chicken/Turkey Salad with Cranberries and Pecans

If you have leftover chicken or turkey lying around, why not make a healthy salad (while you’re at it!)?

Monica from The Yummy Life, adapted her favorite chicken salad recipe from Ina Garten by swapping out most of the mayo with Greek yogurt to dial down the calories and increase the nutrition.

Hence, she made her own recipe and it’s delicious!

“A hint of honey balances the tartness of the yogurt. Cranberries and pecans are added for some flavor and crunch. Fresh tarragon is my favorite herb to add to chicken salad,” she says.

Ingredients

• 4 cups chopped, cooked chicken or turkey breast*
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans
• 1/2 cup diced celery
• 1/2 cup low-fat Greek yogurt**
• 1/4 cup light mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1-1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon leaves (or 1-1/2 teaspoons dried)

Directions

In large bowl, stir together all ingredients until well combined. Serve in a sandwich or on top of a bed of lettuce. Put a dollop on crackers for an easy appetizer.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

• Use as a sandwich filling with lettuce.
• Serve a scoop over a bed of lettuce or mixed greens.
• Add a small dollop to crackers for a quick appetizer.

EASY VARIATIONS:

• Plain chicken salad — omit the cranberries and pecans
• Swap out the fruit — in place of the cranberries, try grapes or apples
• Swap out the nuts — in place of pecans, try sliced almonds, walnuts or pine nuts

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION per 2/3 cup serving: 226 calories, 10.2g fat, 8.8g carbs, 1.1g fiber, 6.1g sugars, 25.6g protein; Weight Watchers PointsPlus: 6
Want to see the full post from The Yummy Life? Click here!

Make it Now: The Almond Berry Banana Yogurt Smoothie

We tried this, and we love it! If you haven’t tasted this Almond Berry Banana Yogurt Smoothie before, we can guarantee that we’ll make your taste buds fall in love with this healthy concoction! Not only is his smoothie delicious, but it has fiber and protein which makes it perfect for a pre- or post-workout snack.

Ingredients

6 large strawberries
1 sliced banana
1 cup blueberries
6 ounces plain Greek yogurt
1 cup skim milk
1/4 cup almonds

Want to read the directions on how to make this smoothie? Click here!

While you are making this smoothie, lounge around the house and prepare this smoothie in the kitchen in Wear Me Out Clothing’s Striped Tye Dye Throwover. You can wear this throwover pre- or post-workout  and still look great. The v-neck is flattering on any body type while the dolman sleeves adds a bit of flare. This throwover is nice and long so it will cover your booty completely!  Want to dress up your workout wear a bit? Then throw this top over your bra top or workout tank on your way in and out of the gym.

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