This post is a little different than most of what I talk about on here. I met a delightful man a couple months ago when I was doing my outpatient nutrition rotation at the Veteran’s Hospital here in Dallas. He was scheduled in for weight loss counseling, and also for discussion for his risk for pre-diabetes. He came in with tons of questions, lots of comments..and best of all- SO eager to learn. It was encouraging to watch him absorb all I was saying to him about the potential health benefits he would gain from simple changes and habits. I also provided him with a link to Chocolate Broccoli for help with recipes for his new found lifestyle change. Since then we have kept in touch. Every week or so he sends me an email updating me on his changes- and he is slowly losing weight and continuing on his path of healthy living. His wife, kids and in-laws have even begun to adopt his habits, too! Here is a little snip from one of the first emails he sent me:

Eating Healthy can be Fun

Did you hear that.. Healthy Eating CAN be FUN?!!??! Told ya.

He also sent me some great recipes that his daughter and daughter-in-law have come up with. I gave this one a try and added a twist or two. They were a hit in my house with a hubby that isn’t too fond of mushrooms, but ate about half of these anyway

Stuffed Mushrooms

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb Turkey Sausage
1/4 cup Panko Crumbs (I used whole wheat bread crumbs)
6 oz Cream Cheese, Fat Free
16 oz (about 25) Baby Bella Mushrooms
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon Chipotle seasoning (or equal parts chili powder)
1/ cup chopped chives

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350. Rub mushrooms with damp towel to remove excess dirt, and remove stems saving 8 of the stems, finely chop stems and set aside. Meanwhile, cook turkey sausage until almost cooked through, add cream cheese, finely chopped mushrooms stems, and minced garlic in a frying pan over medium heat until cheese is melted and meat is cooked through. Drain excess grease. Pour sausage mixture into a bowl and add the breadcrumbs, mixing well. Stuff each of the mushroom caps and place on a cookie sheet and cook for about 15-20 min. until golden brown. Remove from oven and garnish with chives.

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size: 2 stuffed mushrooms

Calories: 93

Fat: 2.7g

Carbohydrates: 5g

Fiber: 0.5g
Protein: 3.7g