Easy Dinner Idea: Pizza Stuffed Mushrooms

These low carb, protein-packed Pizza Stuffed Mushrooms will satisfy your pizza craving without carby crusty. Your non-bariatric surgery friends and family will love these too. Hello?! Gooey, warm and melty cheese, what's not to love?!

Shelly's Pizza Stuffed Mushrooms

12 Large Mushrooms
1 cup Ricotta Cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan, grated
1 teaspoon Oregano
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
a few twists of Black Pepper to taste
1/4 cup Tomato Sauce
1/4 cup Mozarella, shredded
1/8 cup mini Pepperoni Slices (*optional)

Clean and carefully remove the stem from each mushroom cap (save for soup) place in a lightly oiled baking pan in a 350 oven for 15 minutes. Remove for oven and carefully (hot) empty mushroom juices that have expelled from the mushrooms. Set mushrooms aside while you make the filling. Blend ricotta, parmesan, and seasonings together till well combined.

Fill each partially cooked mushroom cap with ricotta filling mixture. Top with a tablespoon of tomato sauce, shredded mozzarella, and optional mini pepperoni or another topping of your choice (sliced black olives and cooked crumbled sausage are great too.) Bake for additional 15 minutes.

Perfect just as they are or with a little green salad or on top of zucchini noodles for lunch or dinner. They reheat in the microwave well too... and I may have done that for breakfast the next day. Shhh, don't tell anyone.

Hope you enjoy them.

Summer Night Dinner Idea: Tidbit Party

It's been super hot and muggy here the past few weeks. Hot is normal for my neck of the woods but muggy is not. Usually, the breeze kicks up in the afternoon and temperatures drop pretty quickly... like 30-40 degree drop from daytime temps. It hasn't been doing that but finally, last night felt a little different... a beautiful cool breeze kicked up. More please Mother Nature. I'm so done with summer. I want to cook some casseroles and wear sweaters.

I guess my favorite thing about cooler nights being back is being able to have more "Tidbit Parties" for dinner... that's what we call platters with cheese, cold cuts, olives, grilled or raw veggies, etc. I was just watching a Real Housewives episode (mindless guilty pleasure) and a kid called his Mom's cheese and veggie platter "Organized Food" which I thought was cute. Whatever you call it... I call it part of a perfect evening... starry skies, good conversation, lots of laughs and CHEESE! Some of my favorite pics of past Tidbit Parties...

It's actually all perfect meal for us bariatric surgery post-ops... low carb, protein-packed, moderate fat... and your non-op family and friends will love it too.

Protein Pudding Pops

Hot Summer Afternoons = Icy Cold Treats. We're in for another bout of triple-digit heat here in my corner of the world. Ugggh. These Pudding Pops are delicious and protein-packed life-savers that really help me stay on track in the summer. Who needs Häagen-Dazs?

These are great for newly post-bariatric surgery post-ops too. I had surgery in the summer and so I remember how hard it was in those first few weeks finding approved icy cold treat items. These should be approved on most early post-op plans. Yay! As always: confirm with your dietitian.

How to make the pops: Just blend together 1 cup of the milk of your choice, 1/4 cup Premier Protein 100% Whey Protein Powder (I used Vanilla Milkshake flavor, 30 grams of protein per serving) and 1 Tablespoon Instant Pudding Powder, dry (your favorite flavor, I used Sugar Free Butterscotch) and pour into popsicle molds.

I found mine at the dollar store but they have some great ones online too. If you don't have molds or want to buy them, those little paper cups you use in the bathroom and popsicle sticks work great too.

Freeze several hours or overnight. Warm sides a bit to unmold easily. ⁣Enjoy and while dreaming of cooler days.

Register for the Your Weight Matters National Convention

If you are searching for a great way to stay on track with your health and weight I highly recommend attending #YWM2019 the Your Weight Matters National Convention. Trust me on this... it will be a life-changing and awesome experience that will energize or reaffirm your commitment to your journey with weight. The education is of the highest caliber, the nation’s leading experts (the scientists putting out all the latest studies) break down all the confusing, conflicting messages (free of scams and BS) to give you practical knowledge you can take home.

The Obesity Action Coalition hosts the convention each year and it floats around the country but where ever it is each year treat yourself and go. This year it's in Tampa, Florida which is actually the hometown of the Obesity Action Coalition so you can be sure it will be extra special.

August 1-3
Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina
700 S. Florida Ave.
Tampa, FL 33602

Here’s what you can expect at YWM2019:

Science-based education presented experts in the field.
Connections and support in a like-minded community of others.
EXPO Hall with 30+ vendors offering products, services, samples!
Fun special events and activities. We do a fun theme party each year.
Learn about how to get involved or active in advocacy and #OACAction opportunities.

View the 2019 Program Agenda.
REGISTER (get in on early bird pricing before 5/31)

You will get that great education but even better it will inspire and motivate you for the year.

Hope to see you there!