Fit Blogger We Love: Danica’s Daily

January 19, 2012 at 4:08 pm
By Karla Walsh

Whether she’s enjoying a dish at a local restaurant whipping up a crowd-pleasing, nutritious meal at home, Danica has a passion for all things food. She believes in and follows the Weight Watchers principle of “all things in moderation” and chronicles her culinary adventures on Danica’s Daily. Besides sharing her daily eats and tasty, nutritious recipes on her personal blog, Danica connects others seeking a healthier lifestyle on her other site Friends For Weight Loss.

We asked the avid cook and wellness community-builder about what keeps her happy, motivated and moving in the gym.

I’m happiest when I am: Living life to the fullest! Whether it is traveling and experiencing new things or being in the “zone” balancing my healthy lifestyle with treats.

My fave fit snack: Mock lemon meringue pie, which is 0% Greek yogurt drizzled with lemon curd and topped with crushed cinnamon graham crackers!

My biggest indulgence: Reese’s Easter Eggs. They have the perfect ratio of chocolate to peanut butter and I totally plan my day around fitting them in my day every year!

Most embarrassing song I’ll admit I work out to: “Tik Tok” by Ke$ha

My “I Did It” moment: When I realized I could actually wrap my towel around my body and when I was at a weight that I put on my license years ago!

Keep reading to snag Danica’s portion-controlled light lasagna recipe.

Low-Fat Lasagna

• 1 1/2 cups veggie marinara sauce, jarred or homemade
• 3 ounces fresh spinach, minced
• 1/2 cup carrots, minced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 cup fat-free ricotta cheese
• 1 egg white
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Dashes of sea salt, black pepper and crushed red pepper flakes
• 8 ounces low-fat mozzarella cheese
• 1 ounce parmesan, grated
• 24 small square wonton wrappers
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place a 12 cup standard muffin tin on a cookie sheet and spray each cup with nonstick spray. Set it aside.
2. In a medium bowl, combine spinach through crushed red pepper flakes. Mix well then stir in 1/3 cup of the mozzarella. Set aside.
3. Start layering your lasagna cupcakes. Begin with a wonton wrapper and press it into the bottom of each muffin tin.  Sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese mix and mozzarella cheese. Then, top with a little marinara sauce. Use around 1-2 teaspoons of all the ingredients depending on your personal preference, smoothing the surfaces with the back of a spoon after each addition. Repeat layers ending with marinara sauce. Top with reserved Parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
4. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until edges are brown. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. To remove use a knife to loosen the edges then pop each lasagna out.
5. Garnish with basil, if desired, and serve.

Nutrition information per serving (one cup): 100 calories, 3 g fat, 2 points+ on Weight Watchers

Do you have a favorite fit blogger you want us to highlight? Leave a comment below or email blog@fitnessmagazine.com

5 Responses to “Fit Blogger We Love: Danica’s Daily”

1. January 19, 2012 at 4:44 pm, by Janetha @ meals & moves

   I love Danica! She has the healthiest recipes and she is SO SWEET in person!

2. January 20, 2012 at 1:13 am, by Danica, The Race Car Driver!

   [...] Fitness Magazine Featured Me today as Fit Blogger They LOVE ~ SO FUN!!! [...]

3. January 20, 2012 at 5:28 am, by Gail H.

   Danica’s site is just fabulous!She’s like a dear friend, and she is doing this weightloss journey along with all of us!

4. January 20, 2012 at 8:12 am, by Leslie

   Danica rocks! I read her blog everyday and have made so many of her recipes!

5. January 20, 2012 at 9:59 am, by Von

   I go to Danica’s blog everyday. She is so relatable. She’s like my bestie in my head.