Burger night does not have to be given up when you are trying to live a healthy lifestyle, but it also doesn't have to be super greasy & fatty either! It also can be a quick & easy treat meal if you use my favorite kitchen appliance--the crockpot. Here is how I do my double decker burger nights at home--

INGREDIENTS:
​- 1 pound (1 pack with 4 burgers) of lean turkey burger patties
​-cheese of your choice (I usually go with cheddar, manchego, or gouda)
​-burger buns (whole wheat is the best option but picture is with white)
​-toppings of your choice, I usually go with all or some of the following:

• ​sliced tomatoes
• sliced avocado
• pickles
• ketchup
• mustard

RECIPE:

1. ​​Season turkey patties as you would like and place in crockpot (do not overlap)
2. Cook on low for 3.5-4 hours or high for 6.5-7 hours (NO OIL USED= less fat & grease!)
3. Toast buns and place 2 patties, toppings, and cheese and DONE! Double decker cheeseburger done the cleaner & healthier way!

​SIDES:
​​I always switch up my sides but I usually like to get a side salad in with either:

• ​baked sweet potato fries (homemade) or store bought (see picture below)
• baked or fried plantains
• balsamic tomato & mozzarella salad

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I don't know anyone who doesn't take comfort in a warm bowl of some mac & cheese but let's face it, Krafts mac&cheese is NOT going to help you reach your goals. Buuutttt, I'm not asking you give up your cheesy treat-- just change it up a little bit with this homemade option that is healthier and yes, more delicious!  This bowl of mac is made with REAL low-fat cheese, NO extra sodium, NO preservatives, and a more than a serving of your veggies for the day.  So go ahead, enjoy your treat--guilt free! Thanks mom for the recipe :)

INGREDIENTS:
​​(Based on 1.5 box of elbow noodles... I usually make 2-2.5 boxes at a time so I have extra for some meal prep and leftovers)

• ​​2 cups Unsweetened Almond or Cashew milk
• 3 tablespoons of light "I can't believe its not butter" or light Olivio (both found in butter section)
• 1 bag of broccoli florets
• 1 fresh tomato, diced or 1 can of diced tomatoes (I usually chop a fresh tomato unless I'm short on time)
• 1.5 boxes of whole wheat elbow noodles
• 1 block of light or reduced fat yellow cheddar cheese (although you won't be using the entire block for the recipe)
• 1 block of light or reduced fact white cheddar
• Bread Crumbs

​RECIPE:

1. ​​Boil elbows as instructed on box
2. Steam broccoli
3. Chop broccoli & tomatoes into small pieces
4. Chop 3/4 of both blocks of cheese into small cubes (so it is easier to melt)
5. On medium heat- mix milk, butter choice, and cheese chunks until all cheese is melted and mixed
6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
7. Mix elbows, tomatoes, broccoli, and cheese mix together and transfer to baking pan
8. Sprinkle bread crumbs on top and bake for 22 minutes

​I like to serve mine with some grilled chicken or grilled turkey so that I also get a good source of lean protein.  I recommend doing the same so that you have a balanced meal.

This is the perfect meal to make when you are staying in on a weekend night and watching movies (or if you just are craving nachos)! Making your own tortilla chips is a much healthier option than a bag of Tostitos because it has significantly less oil, sodium, and preservatives. And, I think they taste even better too :)

INGREDIENTS: (feel free to add or subtract any ingredients, have fun with it!)

• ​1-1.5 lbs of ground chicken or ground turkey
• 1 can of fiesta corn
• 1 can of black beans
• Frozen mixed peppers (if short on time) or 1-3 peppers of your choice diced
• 1 bag of whole wheat tortillas
• 1 bag of low-fat or skim shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tomato
• guacamole, salsa, or original Greek yogurt (a great sub for sour cream) for dipping

RECIPE:

1. ​​In crockpot- add ground meat of choice with seasoning, 1/2-1 can of black beans, 1/2-1 can of corn & some frozen or fresh mixed peppers
2. Cook on high for 3-3.5 hours or low for 6-6.5 hours

AFTER CROCKPOT IS DONE--

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees & layer a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray oil (you may need more than 1 baking sheet)
2. ​Lay 4-6 tortillas on top of one another and cut into triangles/wedges (you should cut it so that it makes 4-6 triangles)
3. Peel apart tortillas from one another and place on baking sheet (try not to place wedges on top of each other)
4. Bake for 8-12 minutes or until golden and firm to touch
5. Dice tomatoes into small squares
6. In some sort of baking dish- place one layer of chips, add some of crockpot mix on top (you don't want to overdo it so that you won't be able to pick up the chip easily or make it soggy), sprinkle some diced tomatoes, add mozzarella cheese, REPEAT layers (I usually have 3 layers)
7. Bake in oven for 5-6 min (or until cheese melts)

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