Healthy Turkey Breast

Many turkey recipes call for additional ingredients like mustard, garlic, glazes, brown sugar, corn bread etc. that just add calories to the turkey. Sticking to oil, salt and pepper is the perfect low-calorie and clean recipe to prepare a healthy turkey for Thanksgiving.

Ingredients
Yield: 6 servings 
1 whole all-white meat turkey breast, 6 1/2 to 7 pounds
4 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Place the turkey breast, skin side up, on a rack in a roasting pan.

In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper and olive oil to make a paste. Loosen the skin from the meat gently with your fingers and spread half of the paste directly on the meat. Once you are finished, spread the remaining paste evenly on the skin. It is important to only use salt, pepper and olive oil in the paste and no additional ingredients.

Roast the turkey for 1 3/4 to 2 hours, until the skin is golden brown. When the turkey is done, cover with foil and allow it to rest at room temperature for approximately 15 minutes.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potatoes are high in beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin B6 and vitamin C, fiber, thiamine, niacin, potassium and copper, as well as a good source of protein, calcium, vitamin E. Try this low-calorie and nutrient-rich recipe for a delicious healthy option.

Ingredients
Yield: 6 servings
2 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes (about 3 large), scrubbed
1/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans
Freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons light butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 large eggs, lightly beaten with a fork

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Put the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet and pierce each one 2 or 3 times with a fork. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes or until tender. Set aside to cool. Turn the oven down to 350 degrees F. Scoop the sweet potato out of their skins and into a medium bowl. Discard the skins. Mash the potatoes until smooth. Butter an 8x8 inch casserole and then spread the mashed potatoes into the casserole dish.

Take a second bowl to prepare the casserole topping. Chop ¼ cup of pecans and mix in 3 tablespoons of light butter. From there, add in 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and 2 large eggs, lightly beaten with a fork. Whisk the topping mixture until smooth.

Important to note: do not put any eggs or butter into the actual potatoes, only a small amount in the pecan topping. This keeps this Sweet Potato Casserole low in calories and a healthy option for Thanksgiving this year!

Pour the topping evenly across the sweet potatoes in the casserole dish. You can sprinkle a few extra pecans on top, if desired. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes.

Recipe courtesy of Manning Sumner, Celebrity Trainer, Strength & Conditioning Coach

Celebrity trainer and strength and conditioning coach Manning Sumner was born into fitness, knowing how to throw a football before he could walk. He received a scholarship to play football at Auburn University, lettered three years as a linebacker/fullback, and completed a Degree in Health Promotions. Manning continued his passion for fitness and served as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama and personal trainer to professional and amateur athletes.

Manning launched a top of the line fitness facility Legacy Fit in 2008 in Miami where he personally trained many NFL players  and in 2011 teamed up with Blue Print Basketball and Miami Flexibility to train over 30 NBA players, earning rave reviews from agents and players for his ability to elevate them to their highest level and improve all aspects of their game.

Manning is best known for creating a unique fitness program called, “No Days Off” that provides people with all the tools to change their lives in only 84 days. Trusted by hundreds of top celebrities, NFL, and NBA athletes, Manning Sumner’s no nonsense approach to fitness success helps people reach their fitness goals, boost their energy levels and give them a renewed lease on life.