Portobello Pizzas

I just finished day 4 of the Biggest Loser 30 day jump start meal plan.  I love this diet so far because it's not about depriving yourself of food, it's about eating healthy.  You actually consume about 1500 calories per day, which when you're eating the right kinds of food, really fills you up.  It's not empty calories, it's nutritious food that tastes surprisingly good. 

I made a goal when I started that I would try everything at least once.  I never thought of myself as a picky eater, but a couple of weeks ago my dad called me out on it.  He told me I eat like an eight year old.  I laughed and told him playfully to shut up.  But then I started evaluating the foods I eat and he was right.  I used to be able to eat anything I wanted and it never mattered, but I've discovered as I've gotten older, that this is no longer the case.  I really want to be healthy and set a good example for my kids, so I started this diet to help me lose weight and learn some healthier habits.

So tonight's dinner was portobello pizzas.  Like I said, I told myself I would try everything at least once.  I really think mushrooms are disgusting.  I haven't really had them before, but they are slimy and look kind of gross.  But, I cooked them up and took my first bite and to my surprise they weren't too bad.  Actually they were kind of good.  Maybe my tastebuds are more refined than I thought.

If you're interested in trying these tasty "pizzas" here's the recipe:
You will need:
4 whole portobello mushroom caps (about 5" diameter), stems removed
1/2 cup low-fat marinara sauce
1/2 cup lean turkey Italian sausage, cooked, drained, and crumbled (I used lean smoked turkey sausage because I couldn't find lean turkey Italian sausage)
4 tablespoons shredded fat-free or low-fat mozzarella cheese
2 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Wipe mushrooms clean of any dirt.  Place them on a baking sheet, gill side up.  Spoon sauce over each cap, then sprinkle on the sausage and cheeses.  Place the mushrooms in the oven and bake for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.

Makes 4 servings
Per serving: 97 calories, 10 g protein, 7 g carbohydrates (2 g sugars), 3 g fat (1 g saturated), 22 mg cholesterol, 2 g fiber, 305 mg sodium