About
GreenLiteBites is all about my adventures in cooking low fat, high fiber, whole foods for my family (and sometimes just me). I strive to limit sugar and avoid processed flours while including as many fruits and veggies as possible.
I’ve been posting “food ideas” on my weight loss blog for some time now. The ideas started out very vague, really being, just, well, ideas! Slowly I became more detailed (and obsessed) about measuring ingredients, calculating nutritional information and taking photographs. Food was taking over my blog!
So I decided to expand. My plan for GreenLiteBites is to post all my food related posts, recipes I have tested a few times, photographed and calculated the nutritional information for, plus my food finds and produce picks. Sometimes I will know what I’m talking about and sometimes I’ll be asking you questions. Overall this blog is my experiences with FOOD!
Why don’t you just write a cookbook?
Good Question! Well, for one, I am a complete amateur in the kitchen and behind the camera BUT I live on the web! See, in my “real life” job I teach web development at a local community college. So I decided to use the medium I know to share my ideas. It’s just easier for me.
One day, maybe, I’ll take the leap to the printed book world but until then you are stuck with me on the good old information super highway.
How do you come up with your ideas?
I’m not sure. It’s probably a combination of family tradition, what I see on the Foodnetwork and read in cookbooks. I’m an experimenter. I try to stock my pantry with lots of good healthy stuff and then just see what I can come up with. It is really a creative outlet for me (as is the site and photos.)
Who are ‘the Toddler’ and ‘the Husband’?
Well I guess it’s pretty self explanatory but I’ll give you a bit of background.
The Husband: I am married to the world’s pickiest eater. For years, the only vegetables he would eat were corn and broccoli. If it were up to him, macaroni & cheese, burgers and chips would be his staples. Sometimes he likes what I make, sometimes he doesn’t and sometimes I don’t even bother. :~)
The Toddler: I had the toddler in 2005. Well, he was “the baby” back then. He was my ultimate inspiration and motivation to change my life and eating habits. The toddler eats and tries just about anything I make, although he is starting to say “I don’t like it” more and more!
How do you calculate the Nutritional Information for you recipes?
I use a combination of websites, nutritiondata.com, fitday.com, and sometimes sparkpeople.com. I measure everything on my handy dandy electronic scale and tally up the totals. It’s really not that hard, just time consuming.
and tally up the totals. It’s really not that hard, just time consuming. 
Hey Roni! I check your other site every day for recipes, hints and advice, and just wanted to say congrats on getting the food blog going, it looks great, and I love the layout and colors!!!!
Roni, I love your new web site congratulations on a job well done and good luck with this new enterprise.
Love MOM
Hi! I love this new site. I’ve followed your weight watchen blog religiously since a friend turned me on to it. Congrats on all your accomplishments. You’re inspirational! And I LOVE your recipes!
I have to lean towards the hubby’s side… I think my wife and you could debate about which one of us is the pickiest eater. (I eat only corn on the cob and plain salads.)
With this being said though I have been trying to eat better in the last few years and I am really looking forward to reading more about the recipes you have up here. I recently bought that book on hiding vegetables in food and hoping this will be a good way to help me start in on the veggie path.
Congrats on everything Roni, you are really a great inspiration!
Hi, just wanted to offer my 2 cents. With the toddler not liking things. I noticed that if anyone at the table says they don’t like something, neither does my daughter. Normally she’ll eat anything you put in front of her, no questions asked. I don’t know if anyone in your house will say that in front of the toddler, but you might try not saying those words, and see if he says “I don’t like it”.
By the way your sites and recipes are ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!!!! I check your site everyday! I’m addicted…
Thanks for the recipes…
Hi Roni- I have been totally enjoying both of your sites, and I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you putting yourself out there for us. I love reading your weight watchen blog, and have gotten in the habit of checking it daily! Your recipes are really good, and I love the way you write, it sounds like you are talking, not writing, and we readers feel like we have gotten to know you.
Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that there are a ton of people who read but never comment, (including me, until now). You have a lot of fans, and you are doing a GREAT job!
Roni,
I’ve been using a new product, PB2, that you might be interested in. PB2 is powdered peanut butter, 54 calories in a 2 TB serving and 74% less fat than regular PB.
You mix 2TB with 1 TB water and it mixes up to a thick cream. I’ve been using it for dipping apples or spreading on whole wheat crackers. Makes a decent PBJ sandwich as well.
Here’s the website:
www.bellplantation.com
There’s a holiday special price - minimum order is 4 jars. I ordered a box and split with a friend.
I bet you could really create some great recipes with this product.
Roni,
I love, love your sites. I visit them both often, I have tried most of your recipe’s, and they are all delish. I wanted to ask you if you have used the FridgeSmart line in Tupperware. It is the best for storing veggie’s, fruits, etc. Everything stays so much fresher, and lasts longer, and it is a great reminder to have in your fridge for re-stocking purposes. If you haven’t used them, I want to send you some as a gift! I owe you at least this, for all your help.
Love,
Holly Ito
Tupperware Consultant/Mom
Figured this was a good spot to post this…
the other day while reading some of the threads on the core ww board, there was a question about sites w/core recipes. someone mentioned your site as a good place to get recipe ideas! congrats!
Thanks everyone!
kja - LOL that’s hysterical! Only because I totally forget about core! Maybe I should add a category for it. I’m such a flex girl!
You’re rockin’, Girlfriend! SO proud of you…here’s to a spectacular 2008 for you and your family and for Green Lite Bites. Woo Hoo! xo
Ann
Roni,
Congrats on your website! I just started WW (5th day) and was feeling a little overwhelmed until I found your site! Now I know that I don’t have to eat the same things day after day. I also feel like I have a new friend. Thanks for the putting it all out there so we can be encouraged!!!!!
Malissa
Hi Roni,
I stumbled onto your website today and wanted to tell you that your recipes look so delicious that I printed off a few of them and plan to try this weekend. Thanks for providing so many options on this website. I am also WW girl who just made lifetime and you have put out many variations for such low points. Wish you nothing but the best and keep those recipes and menus coming.
M
Hey Roni,
Your page is awesome! I especially love all of your pictures. I was wondering what kind of digital camera you have, because it takes really great pics. Anyway, if you have the time I would love to know!
Thanks
Kate -
I use an older (4 year old) Kodak EasyShare. I don’t thinks it’s available anymore. I’m actually thinking of getting a new one soon.
The secret is not using the flash and trying to get good natural light.
Hey there. I am not too sure how I wound up here at your site, but I did, and I like it. I enjoy reading about someone who struggles much as I am now. And I enjoy knowing that the goals are attainable, though the end never comes. I have started blogging myself, and putting into words the recipes I create and use. Thanks for what you put into your site and your recipes….they look superb!
Hi Roni.
I first started WW last year, lost 30 and I’m back to lose another 20-30. I found weightwatchen.com last year and GLB about 2 months ago. I think they are great. I come back for inspiration and ideas.
Thanks for sharing your story and for all the effort you put into your sites.
BTW - “The Toddler” in your video blogs don’t bother me one bit. I too have a toddler at home and know that it is almost impossible to do anything without him participating.
Anywho, I can’t wait to try more of your recipes and I look forward to more video blogs.
Thanks!
-DaMora
Roni,
Suggestion: Add a “Print” button to the recipe pages that will reformat the page, sans ads, etc., so it can be printed on a regular piece of paper.
Keep up the fantastic work.
Dale,
Actually if you print them they should print just fine. Have you tried? I have what’s called a print style sheet, so it’s automatic. Or at least it should be, please let me know!
Roni,
I absolutely love your sites! Congratulations on a job well done, as well as the weight loss! I am a 30ish mom of two boys…one is a very, very picky eater!! Luckily my hubby and other son will eat almost anything I make…within reason. I cant wait to try some of your fabulous recipes on them!! They look scrumptious!! I joined together with a group of women from my church to start a healthy eating/weight loss journey. We got the idea from the “Biggest Loser”. We have 6 teams of two women each and two physical trainers. We weigh in every Tuesday and support one another 100%!! We even have monthly physical challenges. We are always looking for fabulous recipes, so I cant wait to tell them about your sites!! Keep up the great work!! You are an inspiration to us all!! Thank you!
Holly
Roni,
I just found your sites today and I cannot tell you how happy I am that I did! I am a medical student who is very short on time, money and energy…and I still think I can pull off at least 3/4 of your recipes.
I lost almost 30 pounds a couple years ago and was in great shape. Med school came and knocked me off my feet, workout wise, and really shook up my diet. Now, 35 pounds later I am realizing how miserable I am being out of control with my food choices and relative lack of exercise.
I am hoping that your blogs will keep inspiring me to do better in my daily choices. You would think as a med student and almost-doctor that I would “know better” than to overeat and underexercise. And I do, in my head. But I still feel exhausted at the end of the day like everyone else…so keep the blogs going so I can stay motivated
Thanks!
Hi - was so impressed by this site, I added a link from my own ‘blog’.
After joining up with 4 ‘major sites’, I find this one EXACTLY what I’d have preferred finding; a SUCCESS STORY - a ‘game-plan’, A LOVELY GENEROUS LADY, and nothing ‘popping’ up in my face except GREAT INFORMATION AND INCREDIBLE HELP!
I commend you on making your ‘journey’ something that while you took it, you shared and helped others along the way.
Diane
I was wondering if you would consider making your site phone browser friendly? I was in the grocery store today and remembered something about a Cinnabon cereal that I thought I had seen here, so I came here and went to the search feature but on my Treo there is no button on the screen layout to activate the search. I know more and more sites are offering a “wap” view option. I love your site and could see myself referencing it all the time when grocery shopping.
Thanks for the consideration.
p.s. I just got done chopping up a butternut squash “Roni style”. It WAS much easier than my method, and I came out with no injuries to boot! My “fries” are soaking in water until the time comes for me to make them (some time during the week).
A quick follow up. I love love love roasted butternut squash. Didn’t even know it. Thank you.
I’m not sure if you accept challenges. But here’s what happened…I was in the grocery store and they had these very large white mushrooms on sale (I’m talking big…but not as big as a portobella). I also have a package of Laughing Cow Light French Onion cheese (I love this stuff). And I picked up 93% ground turkey (the 20 ounce package). So I’m envisioning stuffed mushrooms for dinner one night with a salad. I’m envisioning the turkey browned, the laughing cow on top and melted then broiled. I’m envisioning using the stems from the mushrooms in the stuffing mix. Where I come up empty is how to spice the turkey. Because as you are very familiar, it will be very bland without some serious spicing up.
What spices would you recommend? I actually like sausage stuffed mushrooms, so maybe I should be searching out a sausage recipe…
Yummmm this sounds interesting.
You can go really simple I think. Some fresh onion and garlic (or powders if you want). think if you saute some fresh onion, garlic, the mushroom stems, bell peppers, even zucchini with a bit of Salt and peppers you’ll be golden!
Great idea!!
PS Still working on the device testing - its on my to do list!
What a great discovery your site is, its been placed in my FAVORITE links websites! Thankyou for all your great ideas.
I am so excited to have found your site!! I cook with the same philosophy as you and it all adds up to eating healthy and well. Cooking delicious and nutritious meals for my family has become my passion! My boys actually look forward to the new and interesting foods that I introduce to them. The bonus…significant weight loss and I am in the best shape of my life. Thanks for all that you do and please keep up the good work!!!
Hi Roni, I love your website, good job & thanks for all your great ideas. I made the “7 layer mexican casserole” for dinner tonight and my husband & Mom loved it. Thanks& keep up the good work!
I want to leave a comment… What a great idea and I love how you and your littleone (at the time) enteracted and had fun with the watermellon. How sweet that was.
I also enjoyed about how easy to cook the spagetti squase in microwave.
I have become a vegitarian in the last week and a half.
I lost 75 lbs. a year and a half ago, but I ended regaining back 50 lbs. I lost on low carb, but one bad bite and off I went until I gained most of my loss back.
I did get back on low carb and lost 10lbs, but I missed my fruit, so after seeing about what we do to our animals, I decided to read up on vegitarian. And I like it. I’m not the vegan one, but taking it slow.
Anyway I feel your ideas will help me to stay out of a eatting rut… SO>>>>THANKYOU!!!!
Judy