Category Archives: Healthy Recipe

One Word…..

Honeylicious!! :)

 

 

Get moving with my fav all natural energy booster…..Honey!

Have a  Sweet One! :)

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo  ”…..Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Adelante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

Quick & Easy Salmon Salad

No time to cook? LatelyI haven’t even had time to blog much. Precisly why I grilled 4 salmon filtes last night and mad my YUMMO Salmon Salad. Now I have a go to ultimate healthy & nutritious meal on hand in the fridge that the whole family can enjoy. Add it to your greens or as a sandwich/crackers. I enjoy it alone. Either way its Delish!! No matter what the occasion, party, holiday, tailgating :) Its a must make and fav to anyone who tries it!

Enjoy~ Salmon Salad a la Barbara



  • 4 Salmon Fillets
  • 2 Tbsp Light Mayo
  • 2 Tbsp Pickle Relish
  • 2 finely chopped celery stick
  • 1 red onion finely chopped
  • 1 tomato chopped
  • 2 Tsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 Tsp Dijon grain mustard
  • 1  Tsp lemon juice
  • Dash of Kosher Salt
  • Dash of Garlic powder
  • Dash of Worcestershire sauce~ Thank goodness you can’t hear me say that one :)
  • Dash of Ground Pepper

The Preparation~

  1. Season Salmon fillets w/salt, pepper, & garlic powder and broil or grill until thoroughly cooked~ about 10 minutes or until it looks crispy on top.
  2. Once cooked remove from the oven/grill and let it cool for a few minutes.
  3. Place salmon in a large bowl and flake it with a fork until it falls apart and is ready to mix.
  4. Add all the remaining ingredients and stir well.  Mix thoroughly until everything is nice and blended.
  5. Place in the fridge and chill for a few minutes before serving.

Buen Aprovecho!

Make it a great one! Why not??

Besos y Abrazos….xoxo   “…..Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Adelante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

 

 

‘Tis the Season to Stay Warm

I’m cold  so something nice and warm is calling my name. I think a nice healthy hot home cooked oatmeal, NOT instant baggy style,  is the right breakfast choice for today, sprinkled with a little cinnamon. Yummy!

Oatmeal is so good for you loaded with dietary fiber and a great source of good carbs. Starting your day with a healthy breakfast such as this one will put you on the right path for the rest of your day. Add a nice small side of berries and you are set with the necessary antioxidants to fight off the colds this season brings. Yes, V already has the sniffles so she is loading up on blueberries today! :)

My body calls for warm dishes this time of year and soups are my fav. Today I’m sharing a Butternut Squash recipe I love courtesy of Whole Foods Market.

Staying true to myself and my playing with recipes there are times I’ve enhanced this recipe to give the soup a nice yummy metabolism kick. Simply  add 2tsp chopped fresh ginger & 1 tbsp red curry paste into the carrot, celery, and onion mix! Either way it is absolutely delicioso! :)

Classic Butternut Squash Soup

  • 2 tbsp EVOO
  • 2/3 cup diced carrot
  • 1/2 cup diced celery
  • 2/3 cup diced onion
  • 4 cups cubed butternut squash
  • 1/2 tsp chopped fresh thyme
  • 4 to 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • Sea Salt & ground pepper to taste

Heat EVOO in a large soup pot add carrot, celery, & onion. Cook until veggies have begun to soften and onion turns translucent, about 3-4 minutes.  Add squash and thyme. Stir to combine all and add broth, S&P. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until squash is fork-tender, about 30 minutes. Let the soup cool slightly and puree in batches in a blender.  Makes 6 servings~ 140 calories per serving, 6g total fat, 6g protein, 20g total carbs, 5g dietary fiber, 0mg cholesterol, 180mg sodium. Told you it was great for you! Enjoy! :)

Have a Great One! Get Moving and Make it Yours!

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo  ”….Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Adelante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!” :)

 

Coquito Time!!

And yes Low Fat too!

Its that time of year when I get to make my fav, My Low Fat Coquito! Que Rico! Our rendition of the traditional Egg Nog….but better :) Easy to whip up and not too bad for the waistline.  A win win in my book!

“…Barbara por Atras” Low Fat Coquito~

  • 1 12 oz can Fat Free Evaporated Milk
  • 1 14oz Fat Free Condensed Milk
  • 15oz Coconut Milk (buy the carton fresh in the dairy section of your market, its better for you than canned)
  • 1/2 cup of Egg Beater
  • 1/4 tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • 1 cup Dark Rum

Blend all together & process for about 3 minutes or until it gets frothy. Serve with a little cinnamon sprinkled on top. Store in the fridge & Enjoy!  Like my dad would say “Pascua!!”

Have a Fabulous one! Get Moving & Make it Great!

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo   “….Barbara por Atras, por Adelante, y Siempre por Adentro!”

 

 

Low Fat Pumpkin Pie!

Shhhhh no one has to know and no one will be able to tell.  Two things I LOVE to do when cooking.  Once your family or guests are enjoying every last morsel of your heavenly delicious dish, THEN you tell them what was in it.

Whether its added veggies in a pasta sauce for the kids or honey instead of sugar in pumpkin pie, thinking outside the box and using alternative ingredients to traditional dishes is the key to healthier recipes. Its not necessary to change tradition, however it is necessary to enhance them so that we may be able to enjoy la fiesta for years to come!

My Low Fat Pumpkin Pie~


Ingredients~

  • Low Fat Unbaked 9-inch Organic Pie Crust
  • 1 can 100% Pure Pumpkin (15 oz)
  • 1/2 cup of Pure Honey
  • 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Ground Ginger
  • 1/4 tsp Ground Nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp Ground Cloves
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 can 2% Evaporated Milk (12 fl oz)

Directions~

  1. Mix cinnamon, salt, ginger, nutmeg and cloves in a small bowl.
  2. Beat eggs in a large bowl.
  3. Stir in pumpkin & spice mixture.
  4. Add evaporated milk & honey and blend well.
  5. Pour into pie shell
  6. Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 50 minutes or until knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Remove from the oven and allow cooling for at least 2 hours.
  8. Serve or refrigerate….Enjoy!

Have a Healthy & Fit Fabulous Day!

Besos y Abrzos….xoxo   “…..Barbara por Atras, por Adelante, y Siempre por Adentro!”

 

Pie & Wine……

Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don’t know everything,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge
because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you’re tired and weary,
because it means you’ve made a difference.

During this month of gratitude, & season of reflection I will be sharing with you all the things I am thankful for.  Although my family is without a doubt what I am most thankful for,  I feel the need to start with two things that often keep me going…..

Pie & Wine…..and yes its Low Fat! :)

As some of you may know I have had a recent case of what I thought was wine allergy. Well, after a visit to an allergist and a game of trial and error, it appears the grapes are not all to blame.  A component in the wine, which I think is a preservative, is the cause of my sinus congestion.  After trying better wines and different regions, I am once again able to enjoy my vino!

Have a Wonderful Day filled with Fun, Fitness, Food, y Familia! :)

Besos y Abrazos…xoxo  ”….Barbara por Atras, por Adelante, y Siempre por Adentro!

 

 

Things I Learned….

 

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience” ~Eleanor Roosevlet


I can’t believe this week is over! October is soon coming to a close, Mother Nature has blown some cold wind upon us, and before you know it we will be toasting to a Happy & Healthy New Year! Wow, cliche or not, time is flying by!

With that said, I thought I’d blog today about the things I learned this week. I like looking at each day as a learning experience and am the first to tell you that although I may know much about certain things, I love the fact that I still have so much more to learn….keeps me young at heart :)

I started my week filled with allergy frustration. Realizing that staying away from wine wasn’t alleviating my congestion & recognizing that it may be a component of something else, I bit the bullet and made an appointment to see an allergist. Meanwhile I will take an Allegra-D daily on an empty stomach. Yes, empty stomach is the key! Didn’t read that fine line before. “Read” (key word/lesson) directions even when you “think” you know what to do :)

I learned that as much as I am influencing my kids to eat healthy & stay away from junk food, there is a time in the year where you just have to bite the bullet and give in. Yes, we are upon that time of year. My home is filled with Halloween goodies~ cupcakes & candy! Now its up to me to stay away from it all…..live by example B :)  We have a few weeks to break from it all before Thanksgiving & Christmas…oh boy!

I learned that although I knew we had a big issue with health care in our country, its much bigger than many know. I also learned that our education system really needs some major revamping! Actually no new news there.

I learned that although sometimes I feel as if I am fighting an uphill battle preaching to people the importance & value of living a healthy life for themselves and their family, it is something that I will continue to do. Why? Because, I firmly believe that is what I was put on this earth to do.

Often I miss my days at Jaguar LandRover, my corporate days. And have said before how leaving that world was one the hardest decisions I had to do in my life.  Last night driving home feeling energized from the days events, I realized & learned something extremely valuable for my being that helped me accept that decision once again. One of the questions asked yesterday to the panel at the AHA Summit by the wonderful Maria Hinojosa, was what drove our emotional heart. I answered what drove me, which was my children and their future as leaders and individuals. Mostly because I strongly believe that what we fuel our bodies with are detrimental not only to the well-being of our bodies but to development of our minds/brains, body/self image etc.  But what I didn’t say was what tugs my emotional heart. My family in general.

My emotional heart is tugged by the loss of my dad to a massive heart attack. The fact that I never met my grandfathers due to them passing early in life due to heart related illnesses. The sad unfortunate reality that both my in-laws were taken from us way to soon after losing their battle with cancer.  So, what really drives my emotional heart is the reality that If I don’t preach the grave importance of living a healthy life to my kids, my husband, my mom, my sister, my niece, nephews, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, cousins, aunts, friends….everyone, well then I would be doing a huge disservice to them, those who left us too soon, & the world as a whole.

I once read this quote, “Those who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, usually do” and didn’t think much of it. Today I learned that I am one of those people. I love what I do, and I love educating & motivating people to embrace healthy living as a way of life. One by one, day by day. We will get there….

One more thing I learned, well I knew it already, but its nice to see again. Love & support from family & friends is priceless AND my kids think I ROCK! :)

Have a fabulous weekend all!

Get MOVING & make some smart health & fitness choices for yourself & your family!

Besos y Abrazos….xoxo  ”…..Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Adelante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

PS Almost forgot! As much as I LOVE my Christian Louboutin shoes/boots, I learned one valuable lesson that Michael will be very happy to hear! Steve Maddens knock off’s are much more comfortable and only $89 bucks on Zappos! :)

Comfort Food Weather aka Autumn!

The Autumn chill is in the air and for me that brings on specific food cravings. Bowls of oatmeal and soup to keep my bones warm.  Thoughts of pumpkin and butternut squash…Yum!

There is no reason why we should fall off our healthy lifestyle because our bathing suits are tucked away for a while.  Yes, jeans and sweaters, along with long coats will be adorning our beautiful bodies.  Cuddling up in front of the fireplace sipping warm hot chocolate :) I am a winter baby so I know how great that sounds…..I LOVE the cold months!

Now my question? Do you really want to go through that stress of “having to lose the pounds” for bathing suit season AGAIN next year?!?!?  Why? Why not just continue to eat your healthy fruits and veggies? I know, there are plenty of days where a cold salad on a cold day is not appetizing. Which is precisely why I am making Sauteed Spinach and Kale Chips to go along with my Grilled Salmon & Oven Baked Sweet Potato as we speak.

I made my grocery list on Sunday evening to get myself ready for the week and on it were all the necessary ingredients I needed to make myself a large pot of Butternut Squash soup. I like to cook a large amount to enjoy a serving that day, and to also freeze for those days I don’t have time to cook.

Stay true to yourself and stay on the right track. Make healthy clean living your priority, no matter what season it is. Don’t wait for “that day” to say ugh, I have to “diet”   Allow your “diet” to be the right one everyday of your life! Balance & moderation will lead to true joy, health,  & happiness…..

Have a Great one & Get moving! :)

Besos y Abrazos….xoxo  ”…..Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Adelante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

PS. HOT Alert!  Subscribe to my blog today!! I will be posting yummy bone warming recipes later on this week and you don’t want to miss a thing! :)

 

 

Low Fat Flan~ Yes Indeed!

I had the pleasure of sharing my Low Fat Flan recipe with my friends over at SpanglishBaby during Flan Week in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. What better way than to offer a different flan recipe each day created by the Latina Bloggers….Absolutely Delisioso! :)

My contribution to Flan Week at SpanglishBaby Enjoy!

I grew up in a Cuban household where food, familia, and fiesta were the main ingredients.  My father loved to cook and was frankly great at it. Being that I enjoyed and devoured every meal he created, traditional and non, I blamed the curves that were developing to the home cooking.  It wasn’t until later on in life that I realized I suffered from my own body image issues and did much in my power to erase those curves.  Today I am proud to say I am older and wiser and have made it my life’s mission to find the balance between health & fitness without losing the culture.  Like I often say, lose the fat never the culture.

When my dad passed away almost 8 yrs ago in my own desperation to feel closer to him I hit the kitchen. I never liked to cook and stayed as far away from the stove as I could due to fear that I would never cook as well as he did.  Although I would trade the kitchen to have him back just for one more day, I connect with him through cooking and ask him for tips on what to throw into a dish. I truly believe he guides me.  Today I must admit, I have developed a love to cook that I never imagined would.

The recipes found in my book “….Barbara por Atras” A Latin Woman’s Guide to Fitness are only a few of my favorite Latino dishes transformed to adopt a healthier life.  I like to keep true to my roots by implementing natural herbs and spices, cutting down on the fat, and thinking outside the box. It is with my greatest pleasure that I share with you my rendition of one of our cultures favorite: The Flan. I can assure you, not you nor your guests will ever think it low fat! Buen Aprovecho y Gracias Papi…..

My Low Fat Flan~


Ingredients~

  • 1 egg
  • 1⁄2 bar of fat free cream cheese
  • 4 egg whites
  • 1 cup of sugar
  • 1 can evaporated fat free or 2% milk
  • 1 can fat free condensed milk

Preparation~

  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a small saucepan over low heat add sugar stirring occasionally until it caramelizes. Transfer the caramelized sugar onto a 10-inch baking pan and evenly spread throughout the bottom of the pan.
  3. Place it aside to cool off.
  4. Blend remaining ingredients in a blender until well mixed.
  5. Once sugar is cool add blended mixture into the baking pan. Cover with aluminum foil, place in a “Baño Maria”* and bake for 1 hour or until knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. Once baked remove from oven and  ”Bano Maria”, set aside and let cool.
  6. Place in refrigerator overnight.
  7. The following day remove it from the baking pan by gently removing it from the edges with a knife, place your serving dish on top covering the baking pan and flip.
  8. It’s ready to serve!  A perfect ending to a great meal!

*Baño Maria is when you place one dish into another with water in it. In this case you will fill a pan 1/3 its way with water and place the baking dish inside making sure the water does not spill into it. You are cooking with the heated water and oven.  Don’t ask, I have NO idea who Maria is and what this technique has to do with her bath. Leave it to us Latinos…..

Until next time….Make it a Fun, Fit, Fabulous One! :)

Besos y Abrazos….xoxo  ”…..Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”


A Natural Face Lift?!?! OH Yes!

Michael’s  25yr HS reunion is coming up this weekend, and since I know that the Fall is typically reunion time I thought I’d share a few of my secrets on how to look my best before attending a big event!

I’ve been an avid follower of Dr. Nicholas Perricone for over 6 yrs now.  I regularly wash with his Citrus Facial Wash and take it with me everywhere I go. There will be no overnight stay without it!

What truly caught my attention when I first saw him on an interview yrs back was what he said. He talked about the importance of eating the right foods not only for our health but also for our complexion, skin & hair. Beauty from the inside out. A natural botox and face life as I like to call it.

Everything he suggested we eat to give us that “visibly nutritional face lift” was what I was eating already. However, he pointed out that the reason why these specific  foods are so important for our skin is that they are anti-inflammatories.

I am going to share with you all today the list of some of the foods he & I suggest you eat as well as a video in where he shares his view beautifully.  Believe me, it really works I wouldn’t be saying it if it didn’t :)

Nature’s Botox Anti-Inflammatory Diet~

  • Salmon twice a day
  • Green tea
  • Cantaloupe
  • Blueberries
  • Watercress salad
  • Spring Water

The Video~

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Follow this and you will see a difference….We are what we eat!! :)

Have a great one! Enjoy healthy & clean living :)
Besos y Abrazos….xoxo  ”….Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Alante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”

PS. Special thanks to ExtraTV