Dinner Tonight

Dinner Tonight

Healthy Cooking for a Healthy Texas

Lightened Up Carrot Cake Bars

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Carrot cake just feels right for a spring gathering!

Need help measuring? Refer back to one of our earlier posts about Measuring Basics 

 

Lightened Carrot Cake Bars
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Servings Prep Time
16 20 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Servings Prep Time
16 20 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Lightened Carrot Cake Bars
Votes: 0
Rating: 0
You:
Rate this recipe!
Print Recipe
Add to Shopping List
This recipe is in your Shopping List
Servings Prep Time
16 20 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Servings Prep Time
16 20 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes
Ingredients
Carrot Cake Bars
Fluffy Cream Cheese Frosting
Servings:
Units:
Instructions
Bars
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9x9x2-inch baking pan with foil, extending foil over the edges of the pan. Lightly coat foil with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Add shredded carrot, 1/2 cup of the nuts, the eggs, oil, and milk
  4. Stir just until combined. Spread mixture evenly in the prepared pan.
  5. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool bars in pan on a wire rack.
  6. Using the edges of the foil, lift the uncut bars out of the pan.
  7. Spread top evenly with Fluffy Cream Cheese Frosting. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup nuts. Cut into 20 bars.
Fluffy Cream Cheese Frosting
  1. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.
  2. Beat in yogurt until smooth. Fold thawed whipped topping into cream cheese mixture.
Recipe Notes

Lightened Carrot Cake Bars Nutrition Facts Serving size (58g) servings per container 16 Amount per serving Calories 150 % Daily Value Total Fat 8 g 10 % Saturated Fat 1 g 5 % Trans Fat 0 g Cholesterol 5 mg 2 % Sodium 135 mg 6 % Total Carbohydrate 16 g 6 % Dietary Fiber 1 g 4 % Total Sugars 8 g Added Sugars 6 g 12 % Protein 4 g Vitamin D 0 % Calcium 6 % Iron 6 % Potassium 2 %

 

Source: Better Homes and Gardens Diabetic Living Online

Celebrating Sensibly

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There are celebrations and holidays year-round and Dinner Tonight wants to help you plan your festivities while keeping healthy living in mind. Celebrating in a healthy manner can be hard (especially with tempting treats surrounding you).

When it comes to celebrating sensibly, moderation is key. One of the easiest ways to help control portions is to start using a smaller plate. Choose a plate that is 9 inches. Most plates that are used in restaurants and even the ones at our homes are 11-12 inches. The more space we have on our plates the more foods we fill it with. To help with portion control, use the plate method.

My Plate. Choose MyPlate.govThe plate method is a concept that helps controls portions without using measuring cups. First, fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables. Second, divide the other half into half and use one section for grains/starches and one for protein. To make this a complete meal, add a dairy source like low-fat milk or yogurt. The plate method can help you make good choices whether you are at a family gathering, an office party, or a buffet at a celebration.

When it comes to dessert, being mindful is key. Desserts can fit within a healthy meal plan, but it is all about how often you consume them and the portion size. A good goal may be to try is only to have desserts twice a week. If you must have something sweet to end your day choose ½ cup of fruit with two tablespoons of whip cream or share a dessert with a family member or friend. Or try another strategy such as the 3-bite rule. Take three small bites of dessert and then stop.

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Personalize Your Meal Plan

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Building a personalized eating plan that is sustainable and meet nutritional needs is key to your health and success. A nutritious meal plan should not have extreme limitations on foods, have you eating less than 1200 calories per day or consuming only liquids. All foods can fit within a healthy diet, but portion size and quality of foods is important. Strive to eat fruits and vegetables everyday, limit processed foods and move your body. To help you start eating right follow these 5 steps. [Read more…] about Personalize Your Meal Plan

Keeping a Healthy Pantry

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Keeping an organized and stocked pantry will save time, money and make menu planning easier but its important to take care of your pantry! Check out our top tips below for keeping a safe and healthy pantry and from Chelsey in our short video!

  1. Use the first in/first out method – After grocery shopping if you find that you purchased an item you already had, place it behind the item in your pantry. This helps you use items that are closer to their expiration date, sooner.
  2. Keep items in their original packaging – original packaging has lots important information such as name, expiration date, nutritional information, serving size and instructions!
  3. Reseal your items before returning to the pantry.
  4. Keep your food items at least 6 inches above ground level – this helps keep food away from potential contamination.
  5. Store chemicals and cleaning items away from your foods. Separate cabinets or locations is ideal.
  6. Shop your pantry first before heading to the grocery store!

 

 

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Help Wanted: Menu Planning

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Cooking nutritious meals for your family may seem like a daunting task but with menu planning and time management you CAN do it.

Menu planning does not have to complicated. What it does need to be is realistic for you and your family.

Start with these tips:

  1. Write down some of your favorite meals and ask for input from family members. If you can’t think of any ideas, look for recipe ideas on the Dinner Tonight website, Pinterest, or recipe magazines.
  2. Plan a week’s worth of meals at a time. Don’t forget to include side dishes (which can be as simple as a frozen bag of veggies).
  3. Find Balance. If you have veggies, dairy, and protein at one meal, include fruit and grains in the next to cover all 5 food groups.
  4. Vary protein foods. Choose a variety of protein foods throughout the week. If you have chicken one day, try seafood, beans, lean meat, or eggs other days.
  5. Designate meals for each day. If you know that Wednesday nights are hectic with after school activities, make that night grab-and-go style. For example, you could make turkey wraps with low-fat cheese and spinach, carrot sticks, and use Greek yogurt as a dessert.
  6. Take a quick inventory of your pantry and fridge then go grocery shopping based on your menu. Remember to make a list.
  7. Love your leftovers. Prepare enough of a dish to eat multiple times during the week. Making leftovers part of your plan can save money and time.

Try menu planning this month. To get you started, here are a few favorite recipes from the Dinner Tonight archive to give you a one-week menu.  Practicing menu planning can lead us down the path of healthy living.  Let us know what you use to menu plan and share your helpful tips.  Enjoy!

Monday- Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Tuesday- Black Bean Rice Salad

Wednesday- Pork Street Tacos (use leftovers from Monday)

Thursday- Oriental Lettuce Wraps

Friday- Family Night Out

Saturday- BBQ Pepper Steak (prepare extra steak)

Sunday- Roast Beef and Blue Cheese Salad (use leftover steak from the day before)

 

Source:

Learn more about MyPlate, MyWins tips here 

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