Feeling spicy?

Oh mexican, how I adore you, let me count the ways.....or the calories, eeek! Did you know that going out for mexican can have you racking upwards to 2000 calories or more, in one sitting! Oh yes! But mexican food does not have to be out of your B-FIT4U lifestlyle. If you break the ingredients down, beans, cheese, lean meats, tortillas, tomatoes, avocadoes, veggies, mexican is healthy! It's just when they fry your entree and then cover it in more cheese and sour cream then you need in your lifetime, that's when the problem arrives. Not to mention if your eating more than a serving of those chips as you wait for your meal. So what is a B-fitter to do? Well, of course you can ask for the cheese and sour cream on the side, order entrees that are fresh and not fried, and choose lean meat choices like fish and chicken, and ask for a doggie bag for half your plate (restaurant portions are waaay more than a serving) AND when that chip bowl arrives, take a handful onto your plate, and no more. You can also get your mexican fix at home and enjoy this delicious authentic cuisin more often with this easy peeeezy DELICIOUS tortilla soup! Full of fresh veggies and those mexican spices you crave, it's heaven in a bowl! Arriba!!

DID YOU KNOW? Spicy food has been proven to boost your metabolism sending it in overdrive and helping you to boost more fat and calories, for a limited amount of time. PASS THE JALAPENOS, please!

Tomato Tortilla Soup (Ellie Krieger)

• 2 (6-inch) corn tortillas
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon canola oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 small onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
• 1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped (2 if you like it extra spicy!)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 (14.5-ounce) cans no salt added diced tomatoes. with juice
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• PS. ADD some cooked chicken for an extra boost of protein, (pre-made rotisserie chicken at the grocery store will save you time and money!)

 

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Brush both sides of each tortilla with oil, using 1 tablespoon of the oil. Cut the tortillas in half, then cut each half into 1/4-inch wide strips. Arrange the strips on a baking sheet, sprinkle with the salt, and bake until crisp and golden, about 12 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.

Heat the remaining 1 teaspoons of oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft and translucent. Add the garlic, jalapeno, cumin, and oregano and cook for 1 minute more. Add the broth and tomatoes, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 10 minutes. Stir in lime juice.

Remove the pan from the heat and puree with an immersion blender or in 2 batches in a regular blender until the soup lightens in color but chunks of tomato remain, about 30 seconds. Serve the soup topped with the tortilla strips, a dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkle of cilantro.

Calories 270; Total Fat 10g (Sat Fat 2g, Mono Fat 3.5g, Poly Fat 2g); Protein 9g; Carb 36g; Fiber 4g; Cholesterol 8mg; Sodium 335mg
Excellent Source of: Vitamin A, Vitamin C
Good Source of: Fiber, Niacin, Phosphorus, Iron, Vitamin K, Protein

 

What motivates you?

So as I slowly got out of bed this morning, into the morning rush, realizing that yet again I seem to be "slothing" around, with a million excuses for laziness rambling around in my head..(must be the winter colder temps, it's still dark out when the alarm goes off, I just don't have enough time in the day to get everything done and I'm staying up too late, I deserve some extra zzzz's,. etc) I realized I need some motivation! How about you? I mean, I'm up each day with a good stretch, I get my exercise quota in, and I'm eating much better now that the holiday leftovers have left the building, ha ha BUT my exercise plan has gone stale, I'm bored, time for a CHANGE! So I thought I would share with you my tips, that I use, when I want to get my groooooooove back; when everything else seems to be telling me to go back to bed!

1. Don't like to exercise? You're not alone! ~Exercise is essential to keep your body and mind healthy! So instead of saying, "I need to drop X amount of pounds" and feeling like "Wow that will take forever!!" Start with small goals each week. Like "this week I will exercise 4 days at this time of day, for this long" Small goals bring big resutls, and you're more likely to stick to the plan!

2. Negative Talk~Get out of your head! Negative self-talk will only bring you down! Motivate yourself with a positive mantra like, "I am worth it, I am wonderful, I am beautiful, I am confident" This will help you throughout life, not only in the gym, but with relationships, work and family. Remember, you're worth it!!

3. Get a friend~Not a self-starter? That's ok! Sometimes exercise can seem less grueling with a pal by your side, so make a date with a friend to workout, instead of lunch, you're body will love you for it!

4. Swimsuit Fun~ don't let the winter months be an excuse to pack on the pounds. Take out that swimsuit, those shorts, or sleeveless tank top and hang it up where you can see it. You will eventually be back into those warm weather clothes before you know it, so use them as a motivation to stay on top of your exercise routine and eating healthy.

5. Those Happy Endorphins~sure cupcakes can bring bliss, but just for a moment, then that sugar crash leaves us empty, physically and mentally. BUT exercise, now that is a Happy Snack worth embracing. Exercise does indeed send happy thoughts to our brain, to beat stress, alleviate frustration and boost those feel good endorphins, so don't give up, get moving! (even if for just 20-30 minutes each day!)

Sweet and Salty? Sign me up!

YUM! What am I eating today? A new find I found at the grocery store.....Mariani's HONEYBAR!!
Nuts, crisp rice and honey! Oh yes! Just the perfect little snack to carry on the go with you as you detox those tastebuds from all those cookies, cakes and pies from the Thanksgiving. Did I mention, no preservatives, gluten free and all natural ingredients??!! 160-200 calories per bar, (depending on flavor choice) perfect snack! And look at this ingredient list: peanuts, honey, peanut butter, almond butter, almond and crisp brown rice with a hint of salt, for that sweet and salty factor, of course! Try them today, fit in your jeans tomorrow, and make your tastbuds sing right now!

Try all the flavors of HONEYBARS, sesame, cranberry, granola, trail mix, or original honey!
www.mariani.com

Oh my, is that pie on my thigh??

Have more than your fill over the Thanksgiving holiday? Fearing that with Christmas right around the corner (and all those holiday parties in between) that your healthy eating habits have been tossed out with those Thanksgiving leftovers? Fear not, B-fitters!! One day (or weekend for that matter) does not have to send you into a tailspin of unhealthy eating for the next month! That is a choice, and this is NOT a choice we are going to make, right? Who's with me? Let's make a pact together to save those extra calories for those holiday parties, and in between choice healthy foods that will continue to keep our bodies working at their best! Today is the day you say "goodbye to the pie!" and hello to that beautiful smile you possess in the mirror, the one that shines even brighter when you fuel it with good food!

5 ways to get back on track after the Holiday binge:

1. get off the scale! ~you don't want to go into a panic and start gaining more just because you see a # you don't like; a once a week check to maintain a healthy weight is fine, but don't be a slave to the scale! (go by the feel of your clothes, you know if you've gained a few, cut back on sugar and junk food and watch those pants fit a little more loose)

2. it starts at the grocery store people! ~if it's not in your cart, it's not in your home! fill those shopping bags up with fruit, veggies, lean meats and lowfat dairy and leave the "fun stuff" for those holiday party splurges!

3. give yourself a break!~take a little time each day with a moment to reflect on your blessings, maybe even throw a cup of green tea in there and just breathe! let's face it, holidays can be stressful with family visits, travel, shopping, etc. BUT only stressful if you let it be! so take a minute to yourself, and don't fall into an emotional eating trap!

4. workout!~don't use the holidays as an excuse to forget to move! if you're busy, pair that workout down to 20-30 minutes each day. you know what i say, if you have time to watch a TiVo'd show, you have time to move while you watch it!

5. just say no!~you don't have to say yes to every holiday invite, nor do you have to cook for the entire neighborhood. pair back on your festivities and choose what is most meaningful for you. you don't want the holiday rush to turn into a list that you just check off. you want to enjoy the people in your life and be thankful for them. so choose your activites based on importance. having a party? throw a potluck dinner, then you won't have to do all the work!

Happy Turkey Week from B-FIT4U!

Happy Thanksgiving! Ok, well it's not until Thursday, but we here at B-FIT4U are so excited for this special day of thanks that we are already wishing the world a blessed week of gratitude! We are also taking a week off (see you next monday, november 26 ~for all new ways for you to be healthy during this holiday season!) to enjoy
friends and family, and to thank them for all the beautiful love they bring into our lives! But before we take our little holiday break, here's a list of ways (from our friends at Healthcastle) for you to stick with your healthy lifestyle during this holiday of feasting. AND remember laugh, love, enjoy your family and friends, be thankful and always B-FIT4U!

Healthy Holiday Eating Tips for Thanksgiving

If you are a guest of a Thanksgiving dinner: Don't go to the Thanksgiving dinner hungry: we often eat faster and more when we are hungry - therefore eat a wholesome breakfast and lunch on the day to avoid overeating at dinner time. Thanksgiving dinner is not an all-you-can-eat buffet: Fill your plate half with vegetables, one quarter with a lean meat and the rest with a starch of your choice. Eat slowly and stop when you are full. Turkey - go skinless: choose your 4-oz turkey portion skinless to slash away some fat and cholesterol. Save your appetite for the side dishes and desserts. Side Dishes - watch your portion size: go for smaller portions. This way you can sample all the different foods. Moderation is always the key. Make a conscious choice to limit high fat items: high fat food items can be found in fried and creamy dishes as well as cheese-filled casseroles in a traditional Thanksgiving meal . For instance, mashed potatoes are usually made with butter and milk; green bean casseroles are often prepared with cream of mushroom soup, cheese and milk and topped with fried onions; candied yams are loaded with cream, sugar and marshmallows. If you cannot control the ingredients that go in to a dish, simply limit yourself to a smaller helping size. Again moderation is the key. Drink plenty of water: alcohol and coffee can dehydrate your body. Drink calorie-free water to help fill up your stomach and keep you hydrated. If you are the honorable chef of a Thanksgiving dinner: Substitute high fat ingredients with lower-fat or fat-free ingredients. Learn about the 5 easy steps to recipe substitutions or see table below. Leftover Turkey? Instead of turkey sandwiches, use the leftover turkey to make a pot of soup with fresh chunky vegetables. Experiment with new recipes: we did a search on Google and found numerous delicious yet healthy low-fat contemporary Thanksgiving recipes. Experiment! Healthy Thanksgiving Recipe Substitution Tips Recipe calls for... Substitution 1 whole egg 2 egg whites sour cream low fat plain yogurt or low fat sour cream milk skim or 1% milk ice cream frozen yogurt heavy cream (not for whipping) 1:1 ratio of flour whisked into non fat milk (e.g. 1 cup of flour + 1 cup of non fat milk) whipped cream chilled evaporated skim milk or other low fat whipped products such as Nutriwhip cheese low-fat cheese (please note: non-fat cheese does not melt well if use in cooking or baking) butter light butter cream of mushroom fat-free cream of mushroom

The skinny on MASHED POTATOES!

Go to your neighborhood restaurant and you're sure to get a bowl full of mashed potatoes that are super high in fat and calories. Oh the poor potato, gets such a bad rap in the carb world. But the mashed potato can be just as creamy..... and might I add, dreamy, without the use of high fat dairy products like cream cheese and half and half. What's my go-to product when making my mashed potatoes just as delicious as those restaurant favorites? Buttermilk!! Oh yes, don't let the "butter" part of the equation fool you! Buttermilk is low in fat and can turn your mashed potatoes from OK, to EXCEPTIONAL! Add some parmesan cheese and you have a winner this Thanksgiving, or anytime!

Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes (about 5 cups), diced unpeeled

1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk

1/2 cup skim milk

4 tablespoons grated Parmesan

Salt

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Directions

Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook until tender, about 10 minutes.
While potatoes are cooking place buttermilk and milk into a small saucepan and cook over a very low heat until just warm. Be careful not to boil or milk will curdle.
Drain the potatoes, add the warmed milk and mash together to desired consistency. Stir in cheese and salt. Top with the butter and let it melt.

Hey Turkey!

Thanksgiving can get a bad rap sometimes from dieters. All those tempting treats on one table, right? But really the star of the show is a wonderful source of lean protein! You know who I'm talking about.....THE TURKEY! So before you dive head first into the mashed potatoes, stuffing, cornbread, cranberry sauce, etc. fill that plate up with turkey. And you know there's going to be leftovers, so keep choosing that turkey to add to your soups, salads, or sandwiches to add a power punch of protein to get you through your day.

Not sure where to start when it comes to all those Thanksgiving leftovers? Try this wonderful soup that will keep you deliciously satisfied!

Quick and Comforting ~Turkey Noodle Soup
Ingredients

½ cup diced onion

1 tablespoon butter

6 cups water

2 tablespoons chicken bouillon

1 ½ cups frozen mixed vegetables, thawed OR leftover veggies from Thanksgiving!

10 ounces of leftover turkey from Thanksgiving

1 ½ cups egg noodles

 

Nutritional Information

Calories	230	Fat	2.5g
Protein	20g	Cholesterol	35mg
Carbohydrates	31g	Sodium	1190mg
Fiber	4g	Saturated Fat	1g
Sugars	4g

How SWEET it is, my little potato!

Sweet potatoes! Good for you! Packed with fiber and nutrients that keep your body moving! And at Thanksgiving we glorify it with the sweet potato casserole. BUT that thing is loaded with fat and sugar because of all the extra ingredients. Does this mean we have to pass on the sweet potato? NO! Try this lowfat version of the classic and lose the fat, not the flavor! Bon Appetit!

How sweet it is~Sweet potato casserole

 

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 3 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes (about 5 medium), peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
• Kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon packed dark brown sugar
• 1/3 cup finely chopped pecans

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Mist an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray.

Bring a few inches of water to a boil in a pot with a large steamer basket in place. Put the sweet potatoes in the basket, cover and steam until tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer the potatoes to a bowl and let cool slightly. Add the honey, egg, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, the nutmeg, ginger and 1/2 teaspoon salt; whip with an electric mixer until smooth. Spread the sweet potato mixture in the prepared baking dish.

Mix the brown sugar, pecans and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in a bowl; sprinkle over the potatoes. Bake until hot and beginning to brown around the edges, 40 to 45 minutes.

Per serving: Calories 160; Fat 4 g (Saturated 1 g); Cholesterol 25 mg; Sodium 180 mg; Carbohydrate 31 g; Fiber 3 g; Protein 3 g

Oh I'm so STUFFED!

We're back with our second day of Thanksgiving tips and tricks to keep you on track and still having the best holiday season! Did you know that stuffing can be filled with a surprising amount of calories? But what is Thanksgiving without stuffing??? So we've taken your favorite side dish and portion-controlled it! All the flavor, little fat, and you can keep track of just how much you're eating. And because we're baking it in muffins tins, you get all that crunchy goodness on the outside, with that soft bread center that we all LOVE about stuffing! Enjoy!-FoodieGIRL

Cranberry Stuffing (muffins)
•2 tsp canola oil

•3 celery stalks, finely chopped

•1 medium onion, finely chopped

•2 tsp fresh chopped thyme

•2 tsp fresh chopped sage

•2 tsp fresh chopped rosemary

•1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and chopped

•8 cups unseasoned bread cubes, dried/toasted

•1 cup dried cranberries

•Pinch of salt (optional) and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

•1 large egg, beaten

•2 cups fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth

Preparation:

Coat a 12-cup muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Heat oil on medium heat in a large skillet. Sauté celery, onion and herbs for 5 minutes. Add apples and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
Place bread cubes and dried cranberries in a large mixing bowl. Add sautéed vegetables. Season with a pinch of salt, if desired and some freshly ground black pepper. Add egg followed by broth. Stir everything well.
Spoon stuffing mixture into muffin tin.
Bake for 18-20 minutes, until golden.
Makes 12-15 stuffing muffins,
Per muffin: Calories 138, Calories from Fat 21, Total Fat 2.3g (sat 0.4g), Cholesterol 18mg, Sodium 260mg, Carbohydrate 24.8g, Fiber 2.3g, Protein 4.4g

Let's give THANKS!

Thanksgiving is coming! And if you're going to splurge on some extra calories, this is the day to do it! But with so many wonderful family favorites, crowd pleasers and traditional dishes, how is one to still B-FIT4U? First, throw guilt out the window, you shouldn't feel guilty about food anyway! Thanksgiving is a celebration of family, freedom, and all things good! So don't go feeling bad on such a beautiful day when you could be giving thanks for all the hardwork you have been putting into being the best healthy YOU, you can BE! And secondly, you don't have to overstuff yourself; you're not the turkey! Enjoy yourself and know that the leftovers will still be there for you when you're ready to eat again. And last, not all dishes have to be full of butter and fat. There are so many good recipes out there to add to your Thanksgiving menu this year, that will not only satisfy your hunger, but everyone will be asking you for the recipe! So this week I am filling up your recipe file with delicious Thanksgiving dishes that will be heavy on the crowd pleasing, but not on your belly. 'Cause nobody should have to gobble till they wobble at Thanksgiving! ENJOY!

 

ASPARAGUS AND PARMESAN-EGG CRUMB

Ingredients

• 2 slices whole-wheat bread, crusts removed
• 1 hard-boiled egg
• 3 tablespoons chopped parsley leaves
• 1/2-ounce (1/4 cup) freshly grated Parmesan
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Pinch pepper
• 2 pounds asparagus, washed, ends snapped off

Directions

Pulse the bread in the bowl of a food processor until it becomes fine crumbs. Spray a nonstick skillet with cooking spray and heat pan over medium-high heat until hot. Lower heat to medium, add bread crumbs to the skillet and toast, tossing often, until crumbs are golden brown and toasted, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely.
Grate egg in the medium-sized holes of a box grater or on a medium microplane grater (used for grating chocolate or cheese). Combine the egg, bread crumbs, parsley, cheese, salt, and pepper in a medium-sized bowl and toss to combine.
Steam the asparagus until firm, but tender, about 3 to 4 minutes.
Arrange asparagus on a serving platter and top with Parmesan-Egg Crumb Topping.
(Note: 1 serving = 1/4 pound asparagus, plus 1/4 cup topping)

Hey there Sporty Spice!

So you don't like to exercise, blah blah blah....I get ya. I have heard the excuses; no time, don't like to sweat (that one always makes me giggle), don't know how, don't know what to do, don't like it, don't wanna! Guess what?! None of those excuses are good enough, want to know why?? Because this is not about obtaining the "perfect" body, it's about keeping a healthy heart, body and mind! You need to keep that body moving to ward off obesity, disease, and plain old couch potato syndrome. You know what that is....when you fall asleep sitting up in front of the TV with the remote in your hand and popcorn sprinkled all around you. Not a pretty sight people. So how do you get the motivation to start moving? GET SPORTY!
Wanna shape up, have fun and hang out with friends?? JOIN A TEAM! Yes, remember when you used to play sports as a kid? Remember how much FUN it was? Well, why aren't you having fun as an adult? YES, you can still join a sports team as a grown-up and guess what!?! That is EXERCISE!! Not sure where to start? Check out sportsmonster.net or zogsports.com or a local community website in your area and you'll find tons of recreational teams for volleyball, basketball, tennis, golf, soccer, the list is endless! So get out there and SCORE one for your HEART!

Beauty, from the inside out!

"Physical beauty is transient, appreciate your inner beauty, for it is eternal "

Beauty radiates from the inside out! So why are you fussing over your thighs this morning? Are they really that important to ruin your day? I think not! BeingFIT4U is about appreciating yourself in all your uniqueness. Embrace the beauty you see in the mirror this morning! And if there is something you want to change, do it because you know it would be to simply make yourself healthier, not taller, shorter, or thinner etc. For your life should not be about obtaining a body you see in a magazine, but making your own self radiate from the inside out with good nutrition. Want your skin to glow? Feed it with good nutrition. And most importantly today, remember that you're already beautiful, it's just time for you to start believing it! And take the time to breathe..................aaah now doesn't that feel better? :)

Let's VEG out!

Did you know that swapping one serving of red meat a day for nuts, whole grains, fish or poultry can lower your mortality risk by 19 percent? Yep! Have a hankering for hamburger? Try that veggie burg instead! Vegetarian cooking isn't about making things taste like meat, "tofurky" anyone? Ick! It's about using the beautiful veggies at your local farmers market, simply as the star of the show!

So whether once a day or once a week, go for the vegetarian option and get creative! Oh and here's a bonus, you may live longer too ;)

Breakfast made SIMPLE!

Don't think you have time for a HOT breakfast in the morning? Excuses be gone! Most of us have a microwave these days, right? So why not use it to scramble those eggs! Yep, make quick breakfast scrambles or egg sandwiches in 2 minutes, with time to spare! Whether you like to use whole eggs, egg beaters or egg whites, simple spray your microwaveable bowl with cooking spray, scramble your eggs with a fork and add your toppings (my favorite, turkey bacon, chopped tomato and chives, sometimes a little feta or cheddar too!) microwave 1 minute and a 1/2, and you have breakfast!! Place onto a toasted piece of your favorite whole grain bread and you have a good for you breakfast that will keep you satisfied for hours!

Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore

I'm feeling Italiano TONIGHT for dinner! So I wanted to share my favorite slow cooker recipe for Chicken Cacciatore! Served over a bed of buttered noodles or your favorite pasta, (or rice if you prefer), it's the perfect comfort meal during the winter months. AND it's comforting without all the fat! So cozy up to a bowl of it and dream about your next trip to Italy! (well, that's what I'm going to do!) MANGIA!


Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore (low in sodium, too!)

• 3 lbs. bone-in chicken thighs, skin removed (you can always you breasts also, or whatever cut of chicken you enjoy most!)
• 14 oz. can diced tomatoes with Italian seasoning
• 6 oz. can tomato paste
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 onion, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 cup dry red wine
• 1 tsp. dried Italian seasoning
• 1/8 tsp. pepper
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 3 Tbsp. water

Preparation:

Place all ingredients except cornstarch and water in 4-5 quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours until chicken is thoroughly cooked and tender. If you want a thicker sauce, combine cornstarch and water in small bowl and mix well. Stir into crockpot; cover and cook on low 15-20 minutes until thickened. Serve with hot cooked pasta, if desired. 6 servings

Calories (chicken only with sauce) 250 calories

COOOOKIES!

Nothing to feel guilty about when eating these cookies! Full of flax seed, wheat germ and lots of other yummy good for you ingredients, enjoy with your favorite cup of herbal tea, it's the perfect balance between sweet and healthy!



Health NUT Oatmeal Cookies

Makes servings USMetricAdjust Recipe (Help)

2/3 cupbutter, softened

1 cupbrown sugar

1egg

1 teaspoonvanilla extract

3/4 teaspoonground nutmeg

1 1/2 cupsrolled oats

1 cupall-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoonbaking powder

1/2 teaspoonbaking soda

1/4 teaspoonsalt

1/2 cupchopped hazelnuts

1/4 cupsunflower seeds

2 tablespoonsflax seeds

1/2 cupwheat germ

1 cup dark chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the vanilla and nutmeg.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, flax seeds and wheat germ and dark chocolate chips;gradually stir into the creamed mixture.
4. Drop by rounded spoonfuls, a couple of inches apart, onto cookie sheet(s).
5. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Calorie count: 1 cookie 100calories