Low-Calorie Dessert Recipe: Meringue -Topped Strawberries & Rhubarb

Poaching brings out the flavorful strawberry and rhubarb juices with minimal effort. An airy meringue on top of the poached fruit is a healthy (and gorgeous) stand-in for a heavier whipped-cream or ice cream topping.

Makes: 6 servings

Active Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

NUTRITION PROFILE

INGREDIENTS

FRUIT

·         1 pound fresh or frozen (not thawed) rhubarb, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

·         1/2 cup sugar

·         1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, (optional)

·         2 cups (1 pint) fresh or frozen (not thawed) strawberries, hulled and halved or quartered, if larger

MERINGUE

·         3 large egg whites, at room temperature, or equivalent dried egg whites (see Ingredient Note)

·         1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

·         1/3 cup sugar

PREPARATION

1.     Preheat oven to 350°F.

2.     Stir rhubarb, sugar and ginger (if using) in a medium bowl. Divide the mixture evenly among six 8-ounce ramekins (see Variation). Place the ramekins on a baking sheet and cover tightly with foil. Bake until the rhubarb is softened, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and remove the foil.

3.     Carefully tuck strawberries between the chunks of rhubarb. (Do not stir or the rhubarb will break apart.)

4.     Beat egg whites and cream of tartar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar and continue mixing until the egg whites are glossy and hold peaks. Spoon beaten egg whites over each portion of fruit. Use a thin spatula to spread the meringue into decorative peaks.

5.     Return the ramekins to the oven and bake until the meringue is lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Let cool for at least 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. Variation: This dish can be made in a deep-dish pie pan instead of individual ramekins; the recipe and timing are the same.

TIPS & NOTES

·         Make Ahead Tip: Equipment: Six 8-ounce ramekins

·         Ingredient Note: Dried egg whites are pasteurized—a wise choice when making meringue toppings that may not reach 160°F (the temperature at which eggs are considered "safe"). You'll find them in the baking or natural-foods section of most supermarkets. Reconstitute according to package directions.

NUTRITION

Per serving: 148 calories; 0 g fat ( 0 g sat ); 0 mg cholesterol; 35 g carbohydrates; 3 g protein; 2 g fiber; 31 mg sodium; 340 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (60% daily value).

Carbohydrate Servings: 2

Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1 other carbohydrate

And you do exercises in the morning?

Waist best excercise

7 Exercises to Get the Perfect Butt

From Nicki Minaj to Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez and Jessica Biel, the star backsides take many different shapes and sizes. 

Not surprisingly, this is the area my clients tend to focus on most. It’s one part you really can't fake. Sure, you can wear those ridiculous padded underwear, but the truth is you're probably not fooling anyone but yourself – especially in a bikini. 

A toned backside truly anchors your physique, and can make the difference between jeans fitting … and jeans REALLY fitting. 

The key to toning your butt can be broken down into three muscle groups. 

First, and most obviously, you need to train your gluteus muscles.  The "glutes" enable us to extend at the hip and are active when your thighs moves away from the front of your upper body.

Great glute exercises

1. Skater Lunge

2. Walking Lunge

Harley demonstrates a walking lunge

COURTESY HARLEY PASTERNAK

3. Single Leg Squat 

Harley demonstrates a single leg squat

COURTESY HARLEY PASTERNAK

The second area to focus on is your hamstrings.  The hams originate from your "butt bones" (ischial tuberosity), thus, tie in with the glute muscles. Working on the hamstrings and helps shape and tone the bottom of the butt.

Work your hams

4. Stiff leg dead-lifts 

Harley demonstrates a dead-lift

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5. Hamstring ball curl

Harley demonstrates hamstring ball curl

COURTESY HARLEY PASTERNAK

The final muscle group to consider, is your lower back (spinal erectors).  These muscles tie in to the top of your butt region and help us extend our back, otherwise know as "arching your back." Strengthening the lower back helps develop that sexy curve everyone wants from your back to your bum.

Back exercises

6. Superman

Harley demonstrates superman

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7. Bridge

Harley demonstrates a bridge

COURTESY HARLEY PASTERNAK

Adding in three sets of 20 reps each into your routine should do the trick. 

Morning Exercise