Hamilton Beach Egg Bite Maker: Copycat Starbucks Egg Bites

Those of you who have been around this blog a while know that I have quite a collection of "egg bite" recipes. I think at last count there are at least 40 variations on the blog. Some of my favorites are the egg foo young, cheeseburger, pizza bites. I bake them 24 at a time in mini muffin tins and heat them up in a toaster oven or microwave throughout the week for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I have even made them for parties as an appetizer to rave reviews and cleared platters. Baking them gives them a toasty, yummy edge that I love but 24 at a time is a commitment so when I saw this little gadget: the Hamilton Beach Electric Egg Bites Maker I thought I would give it a whirl. I liked the single-serving idea and that this would give me an option for a different texture. These "egg bites" are more like the Starbucks sous vide bites, sort of like little soufflés. 

The gadget works sort of like a double boiler, with a lower well you add water to and a top tray with two small non-stick wells to hold your egg mixture (look for the max fill-line inside the wells.) There isn’t an on/off button, you just add the water and your egg mixture and plug it in when you are ready. There is a green light that turns on when it’s plugged in. It turns off when the egg bites are ready which is basically when the water in the bottom well is evaporated and the "Egg Bites" are done. Let them cool a bit and then pop them out onto a plate. 

Verdict: Delicious. I was impressed. It's a great protein-packed breakfast option, softer than my traditional egg bites so even better for those early bariatric surgery post-ops, and pretty darn close to the Starbucks version for lovers of those pricey little suckers (around $4.45 for 2) so if you do love the Bux version this machine pays for itself pretty quickly.

The instruction manual comes with a few basic recipes but like my baked versions the possibilities are endless and you can really customize your egg bites — adding cooked meats, cheeses, and veggies. They would be a great place to use up dinner leftovers. I had a tiny bit of egg mixture leftover probably because I added a few too many pieces of cooked sausage, feta cheese crumbles, and roasted red pepper that took up a little more space (old Archimedes' principle at play) so it may take a little experimenting to get the perfect recipe. 

I am looking forward to several taste tests. Yum! 

If you have one of these gadgets or get one let me know what recipe creations you come up with. Oh, by the way, the machine comes in this sunny yellow (which sort of reminded me of an egg) or a pretty teal too. 

Tips for attending the first ever #YWM2020Virtual (or any virtual event)

While we are unable to connect in person this year, we can thankfully still share all the education, information, and support of Obesity Action Coalition's Annual Your Weight Matters YWM event. VIRTUALLY. Virtual conferences have been rising in popularity for the past few years, but with COVID-19, it's become a great way to still gather our community and introduce new folks to the Obesity Action Coalition and all it has to offer. We are so excited! With the financial commitment removed (the event series is FREE) and reduced time and travel commitment, the "doors" have been opened to many people that may have been unable in the past to attend, which is AWESOME! 

Here's the best part (ok maybe it's my best part) you can attend surrounded by your fur babies, with a bottomless refill of coffee (hotel coffee is $$$) and never change out of your pajamas! 

Here are a few tips to make attending the first-ever #YWM2020Virtual (or any virtual event) a great experience.

Most events will have an ability to check your connections (speaker-test, camera or mic test if applicable) utilize it to be sure you don't miss any of the event making settings adjustments as it's beginning. Not to worry, it's a super, user-friendly system and they'll be technical support the day of the events so if you do have an issue the OAC staff will be there to talk you through.

Get comfortable. I joked about staying in your PJ's but really that is a benefit to going virtual... no need for business attire or heels. Favorite t-shirt with the salsa stain on it? Wear it. Super soft sweatpants with more holes than a block of Swiss cheese. Wear them. Pants, no pants? We'll never know.

Get ready to watch. Grab something to drink and a healthy snack. Make it a goal to get through your water before the break. One of my favorite snacks is cucumber slices and a dip of some sort (homemade hummus or a Greek yogurt Dip) crunchy, hydrating and yummy.  

Utilize the chat feature (most virtual platforms have them) to ask questions of the speakers during the events. There are no "dumb questions" if you want to know chances are many others do too. If the speakers can't answer during the allotted time many will continue to answer beyond their sessions. This is your chance to chat with world-renowned speakers and cut through the noise about health, weight, weight loss, nutrition, fitness, emotional health, and well-being. Read more about the program.

Utilize the official event hashtag. Our hashtag is #YWM2020Virtual and we've already started talking online using it but it will blow up during, between, and after the event. These are your people. Follow those you see using the hashtag. Introduce yourself to fellow attendees and speakers: "Hey, I'm attending #YWM2020Virtual too!" "Hi, I enjoyed your presentation at #YWM2020Virtual." 

Share where you are watching #YWM2020Virtual from or who you are watching with. Snap a photo and post it with the hashtag. Let's see those smiling faces, the people behind the keyboard. Oh and scroll through the hashtag during and between events (just type it in the search box on Twitter or Instagram, etc.) you'll also see quotes and educational gems from the presentations. Share your thoughts. Just be sure to add the hashtag so we can all see and respond.

We have designed the program schedule into a series. I don't know about you but those events that go on all day long are just too much for my attention span and my buttocks to take. We get it, hence the series, to optimize the benefit to you. Now, it still might be a lot to digest or you might have a prior engagement on one of the event days. No worries, there is a paid option that will give you the ability to replay the events (and score some other groovy bonuses too.)

Hope these tips help you have an amazing time. If you haven't registered yet... do it now: ywmconvention.com 

Michelle "Shelly" Vicari

Obesity Action Coalition National Board Chair

It’s Time to Register for #YWM2020VIRTUAL

Every year for the past 7 years people have gathered together from all over the country to get evidence-based strategies for individuals impacted by excess weight and obesity. Real deal education and tools, free from scams and BS from world-renowned experts in their field. The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC)'s Your Weight Matters National Convention is truly an awesome event and I NEVER miss it. For those of you who have had the opportunity to attend it really is an amazing experience and post-pandemic when we are able to travel the country again and hug new friends I highly recommend it. 

While we can't gather in person this year, this July the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) has taken some of the great education and support you'd find at the events and is bringing it to everyone that wants to get a taste of what this OAC event is all about. We've created a FREE (yes, FREE) series of educational events that you can attend all from the comfort and safety of your home with YWM2020Virtual!

If you want to learn more about your health, weight, weight loss, nutrition, fitness, emotional health, and wellness make plans to spend a few days with us in July.

Here are just some of the educational topics and speakers:

• Thinking Differently about Your Weight – by Scott Kahan, MD, MPH

• Why is it So Hard to Lose Weight and Keep it off? – by Kevin Hall, PhD

• Become a Food BOSS: Manage Stress Eating, Beat Food Boredom, and Learn How to Feel in Charge – by Dawn Jackson Blatner, RDN, CSSD, LDN

• Adapting to a Changed World: Adding to Your Mental Health Toolbox – by Paul Davidson, PhD; and Merrill Littleberry, LCSW, LCDC, CCM, CI-CPT

Event Schedule:

Event 1: Saturday, July 11

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm EST/10:00 am – 12:00 pm PST

Event 2: Saturday, July 18

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm EST/10:00 am – 12:00 pm PST

Event 3: Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm EST/10:00 am – 1:00 pm PST

Did I mention... it's FREE!! Register to attend and learn more about the schedule and programming: www.YWMConvention.com

Chat about the event online using the official #YWM2020Virtual hashtag.

Hope to “see you” there!

Shelly

Stay at Home Cooking: Spaghetti Squash Lasagna

As I write this most of the world is under stay at home orders to avoid spreading the coronavirus. We're only going out for essentials like food or medicine but even then I'm going to try and avoid it if possible. I had a pretty good food supply in the freezer and pantry so I've been cooking up some tasty meals so far... we'll see what happens in a couple of weeks it might be another story. I do have a couple of mysterious packages in the back of the freezer it might come to using those. Well... we could have a contest to guess what it is. LOL.

Last night's quarantine kitchen meal was a layered Spaghetti Squash Lasagna type situation. It was delicious and I'm looking forward to lunch leftovers. I'll try and post a few ideas in case people need some inspiration. You can also check out my Pinterest page.

Shelly's Spaghetti Squash Lasagna

1 Spaghetti Squash, cooked
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon Oregano

3/4 to 1 cup Tomato Sauce (I used storebought Rao's Tomato Basil)

1 cup Ricotta Cheese (I used whole milk)
1 Egg, beaten
1/4 cup Parmesan, grated
1 teaspoon Oregano
1 teaspoon Basil
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
a few twists of Black Pepper

1/4 cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded

Half and deseed the spaghetti squash. OVEN: Place open end down on a Pyrex baking dish, pour 1/4 cup of water in dish. Cover with foil. Bake in a 400-degree oven for about 40 minutes or MICROWAVE: Place open end down on a Pyrex baking dish, pour 1/4 cup of water in dish and microwave for 15 minutes or so. You want a fork to insert easily. Allow to cool slightly. Use two forks to shred the flesh of the cooked squash into "spaghetti." Add salt and pepper to taste, 1/2 teaspoon of oregano. Spread evenly in a deep-dish pie plate or casserole dish.

Spread tomato sauce on top evenly. Mix together remaining ingredients (except Mozzarella) till well combined and spread evenly over the tomato sauce layer. Top with Mozzarella. Place in a 400-degree oven for 30 minutes. I broil the top for about 2 minutes more to get little golden brown cheese spots.

Hope you and everyone you love is healthy and stays that way. Chat soon.

Winter Issue of Weight Matters Magazine

One of the perks of Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) Premium Access Membership is receiving hard copies of the Weight Matters Magazine mailed to your home. It's an awesome publication always jam-packed with great articles about health, weight, nutrition, emotional wellness, stories about real people and OAC community members making a difference. I love it when I open the mailbox and the latest issue has arrived. I highly recommend upgrading to receive the magazine as well as some other great benefits, like early registration for OAC's annual convention (BTW that's open now.)

If you already receive the magazine, turn to page 32 in the Winter issue. I had the privilege of writing the issue's Kids Korner article. For those of you that don't know, Early Childhood Education is my first love and I enjoyed tapping into that part of my world by sharing some fun family activities to combat winter boredom. If you have kiddos in your life, I hope you and your family enjoy the ideas and recipes presented... and if you do... I'd love love love to hear about it!

Oh, and please do me a favor, after you are finished reading your magazine. Drop it off somewhere in your neighborhood (coffee shop, hair salon, doctor's office, some waiting room somewhere in America, etc.) so someone else can benefit from the great information and learn about the OAC. It's one of my favorite, super easy ways to take #OACAction to help further the mission of the OAC.

Learn more.

Homemade Hummus Recipe (Plus Healthy Tips & Variations)

Once you make hummus at home you'll never go back to store-bought. Making hummus is super easy and tastes better than anything store-bought plus you know exactly what's in it, no mysterious, long, chemical-sounding ingredients. Below is my basic healthier hummus recipe and a ton of ways you can change that basic recipe up. Plus low carb dippers ideas and a few suggestions for any leftover hummus you might have. Leftover hummus! What's that? Don't count on it... maybe just make some extra.

Basic Healthier Hummus 

1 (15 oz. can) Chickpeas (aka Cece, Garbanzo Beans), rinsed and drained
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil (you can omit and use more water)
2 Tablespoons Tahini  (Sesame Paste)
juice of 1/2 a Large Lemon
1/4 cup Water
2 cloves of Garlic, peeled
Salt to taste

Blend all ingredients in a mini food processor to desired smoothness. Scraping down sides with a small spatula to make sure everything gets processed. This recipe serves 3-4 people a nice sized dollop. You can double the batch. Lasts several days in the fridge.

Cook notes: I prefer a little texture to my hummus but for super creamy hummus fans microwave the chickpeas for 3 minutes before blending them. Find Tahini in middle eastern markets, kosher food sections, sometimes near peanut butter in regular markets. I buy mine at Trader Joe's it's near the dressings. You can't leave the Tahini out it's what makes hummus, hummus.

Change it up:
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus: Omit Olive Oil and add 1-2 Roasted Red Peppers (jarred)
Black Olive Hummus: Add 6 pitted, Kalamata Olives or a Tablespoon of Olive Tapenade
Roasted Garlic Hummus: Roast the Garlic (instructions) first and add to taste
Pesto Hummus: Omit Olive Oil and add 1 Tablespoon Storebought Pesto Sauce
Cilantro & Cumin Hummus: Add a Tablespoon of fresh Cilantro and a dash of Cumin
Eggplant Hummus: Omit Olive Oil and 1/4 cup of Roasted Eggplant Cubes
Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus: Omit Olive Oil and add 1 Tablespoon Storebought Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Sauce
White Bean Hummus: Swap rinsed and drained Cannelini Beans for Chickpeas
Black Bean Hummus: Swap rinsed and drained Black Beans for Chickpeas

Toppings:
Toasted Crushed Nuts (Pine Nuts or Pistachios are great)
Everything Bagel Spice
Zaatar
Crushed Whisps or Parm Crisps
Crumbled Feta Cheese
Olive Tapenade

Dippers:
Carrots
Celery
Bell peppers
Cucumber
Cherry Tomatoes
Grilled Chicken or Beef Skewers
Cold Cut Roll-ups or Skewers
Grilled Shrimp
Whisps or Parm Crisps

Ways to use leftover hummus... mix it in deviled eggs, jazz up roasted cauliflower, make this award-winning Greek Hummus Rounds appetizer or bump up the protein and make a little leftover go a long way by mixing equal parts of hummus and Greek yogurt together.

Cauliflower Cheese Egg Bites (Trader Joe's Copy Cat Egg Frittata Recipe)

Trader Joe's plays great music... at least my store does. It's usually 80's or 90's songs that I haven't heard in forever but still somehow remember every word to. That's a life mystery right there... why is it I can recall every lyric to a 30-year-old song playing in the store but have trouble remembering things I'm supposed to buy without a shopping list?! True confession: I have actually taken another turn around the store even though I've done my shopping in order to finish a particularly great song all while trying to restrain myself (sometimes unsuccessfully) from breaking out in song.

The other day as I was holding back bursting into a rousing rendition of a Duran Duran hit. I spotted this product in the frozen section: Trader Joe's Egg Frittata with Swiss Cheese and Cauliflower. I scanned the protein-packed ingredient list and ooooh cool it looked like something that would work on my plan. I tossed a box in my cart. They were $2.99 for a pack of 2 teacup saucer-sized frittatas. 12 grams of protein and just 5 grams of carbs per frittata. They were super convenient (you just heat in the microwave from frozen) and tasty. Perfect breakfast on-the-go or add a veggie or salad for lunch or dinner.

As I was eating them I thought I really need to try and recreate these...  they are super similar to the Egg Bites I make. I scribbled down the basic ingredient list before I tossed the box out... eggs, onions, cauliflower, swiss cheese, chives and a week later I experimented and came up with this copy cat, knock-off version. They were pretty darn close, super yummy and will be on permanent rotation at my house.

Shelly's Cauliflower Cheese Egg Bites

1 (10 oz.) Frozen Package Riced Cauliflower (I used Birds Eye Steamfresh Cauliflower with Italian Cheese added*)
1 Yellow Onion, diced
5 Eggs, beaten
1/3 cup Shredded Gruyere Cheese (Swiss will work too)
3 Green Onions, diced (I didn't have chives)
1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt
a few twists of Black Pepper

Cook Riced Cauliflower per bag instructions. Empty into a mesh strainer. Set aside to allow to drain and cool. I used Italian Cheese seasoned riced cauliflower *If you use plain I'd add a Tablespoon or 2 of grated Parmesan Cheese. Saute yellow onion till golden. Set aside to cool slightly.

Preheat oven to 350.

Mix all ingredients together. Spoon into a lightly greased (Pam non-stick spray works great for this) mini muffin tin.

Bake for 30 minutes at 350. Let them cool a few moments they pull away and pop right out. Makes 24. Keep in fridge for several days, they reheat great in the microwave or toaster oven... or freeze.

Whether you try the storebought version or my copy cat recipe I hope you enjoy them. Let me know what you think.

Heads Up: Six Factors to Fit Book and Giveaway!

For those of you that read the blog regularly or follow me on my social media pages you know, I have the honor of serving on the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) National Board of Directors. The OAC is a non-profit group dedicated to educating, supporting and advocating for people with obesity. Learn more and become a part of the OAC Community. The work the OAC does is guided by a National Board of Directors made up of people who are affected by obesity or who love or care for people who are affected. The knowledge and passion of the leadership of the OAC leave me in awe and gratefulness that I have had the opportunity to learn from and get to know some amazing people.

One of those amazing people is world-renowned weight management expert, Dr. Robert Kushner. Read more about Dr. Kushner. Many of you know Dr. Kushner and his co-author and wife Nancy Kushner, MSN, RN from OAC's annual Your Weight Matters (YWM) National Convention from his presentations and in the evening as the best dancers on the dance floor. He and his wife Nancy, with the help of another past speaker at YWM, Dawn Jackson Blatner, RDN just published a book I want to let you know about called: Six Factors to Fit. FYI This is not a sponsored post. I just trust this trio implicitly and want to share the book to hopefully help you cut through the diet scams and noise we all face every damn January.

Now you'll find this book in the diet and weight loss section of a bookstore but this is not a diet book. I really think it needs the tagline "the un-diet book" because unlike most diet books that give you generic weight loss advice forcing everyone to conform to a set of behaviors and regimes, Six Factors to Fit starts with helping you identify the barriers to managing weight that are unique to YOU and YOUR LIFE. Listen, if you are like me you have been on a zillion diets and forced yourself to suffer through a few weeks or months of a program only to have real-life throw you off track. Identifying what YOUR real-life barriers are coupled with practical tools to help you with those personal challenges will make a real and lasting difference in your life and ultimately your health and weight.

I highly recommend adding Six Factors to Fit to your reading list. I also encourage you to attend this year's Your Weight Matters Convention. You'll get to meet Dr. Kushner (he's one of the key folks that designs the educational programming for the weekend) and Nancy and if you have read the book I'm sure they'd love to chat with you about it and the impact it's having in your life.

Order a copy.
Try to win a copy of the book over on my Twitter account

Giveaway ends Sunday, January 12th, 11:59 PM Pacific, US Mailing Address Only, Odds of winning dependant on the number of entries. See the tweet for entry details. Good Luck!