Peggy's Taco Soup

A co-worker/friend of mine has been a big encourager of my eating healthier at school (where I work). This is a very important part of staying healthy. If you don't have the support, I have found that you can fall off the "bandwagon" easier. Peggy brought me a sample of this soup to work today and it was delicious.

Weight Watcher points: 4 (1 cup)

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef (she used venison...if not use something lean or turkey burger is just as good)
1 can Rotel tomatoes with green chiles
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can diced tomoatoes with sweet onions
1 can diced green chiles
1 can black beans
1 can corn
1 can kidney beans
1 pkg low sodium taco seasoning

Directions:
Brown meat and drain.
Add all ingredients together in crock pot and cook all day on low.
You may serve with cheese and tortilla chips. (I did not and it was just as good!!)

Thank you Peggy! Keep the healthy recipes coming!! Mmmm- great lunch!

Southern "BBQ" Chicken

You know those nights when you just need your comfort foods...this was one of those nights... Enjoy!

Chicken:

Use low sodium/low fructose ketchup, worcestire sauce, and garlic for your BBQ sauce. Season to taste. I have played around with it and the family loves it!! Marinate the chicken overnight for more tender results. Grill or put in oven for 40 minutes on 350. (depends on if you use tenderloins or breasts for the time)


String Beans:

Steam in pot for 30-45 minutes with low sodium chicken broth, garlic, and salt/pepper to taste.


Corn:

Steam salt/pepper (no butter for us) for 6 minutes.


Mmmmm!!! 

Mexican Fiesta!

My family wanted mexican...how do you give mexican without the cheese dip, tortillas, and sour cream that make you feel awful for eating this way afterwards? Here is what I did:

Riley: she loves quesadillas (cheese inside tortilla) and pasta salad!

Pasta Salad: I used gluten free pasta (can also prefer whole wheat depending on your diet). We try to keep her away from wheat so we prefer this type. I add oil and vinegar, garlic (real or powder), italian seasoning and goat cheese (crumbled)...she loved it!!! I was nervous she would notice the differences. However, she asked for seconds. That was her favorite!!

Quesadillas: I used whole wheat tortilla shells (I'm looking for something with rice but it is hard to find) and wrapped goat cheese up inside. She was a big fan (and also dipped it in low sodium and no fructose ketchup)

* Children love ketchup and ranch dressing....I have played around with alternatives and come up with some new ideas...I'll post in a separate blog!

Jordan and I had taco salads: We used the same taco seasoning you use when you make tacos from a kit. However, we used deer meat (it is more lean!!!), lettuce, goat cheese, whole wheat multi-grain chips (I hear the blue chips are good as well) and homeade salsa. (jalepenos for the husband). The picture shows my plate (notice the portion size). We are still working with my husband on the portion sizes, but I used a dessert plate if that helps to know how much you should be eating (without seconds). This was a great meal and finding the little alternatives did not leave anyone in my family "not full" or unsatisfied. I would definitely do this again...

Any other mexican recipes out there for low carb, low calorie, low fat???? I love avocados!!!

Eating Out...

It's been a while since I posted a new recipe. I have been doing some cooking. However, there have been times that we have had to eat out. Since starting this new phase in my life, this is probably the hardest challenge for me. It is hard to live a busy, fast paced life, feed your family, and at the same time eat HEALTHY!! However, here are a few things my family and I try to do when eating out...

- order fruit instead of fries if available
- stay away from the soft drinks, juices, and milk (water or if necessary unsweetened tea and bring stevia in your purse to sweeten it up a little)
- order grilled instead of fried
- everything is processed (even the salads in my opinion) so most importantly don't stuff yourself with this MESS...just get a little to hold you over before you can eat something worthwhile...

*If anyone has any other suggestions that working moms, busy families, etc. can use when we MUST eat out or "on the run" please post... I'm all ears!!

Grilled Portabello Mushrooms

For lunch today, we decided to go out on the grill and make the portabello mushrooms. It was the easiest thing to do...

All we did was cleaned and peeled the mushrooms. Then, we marinated them for about 30 minutes in soy sauce (low sodium), garlic powder, salt and pepper. Jordan grilled it for 4 minutes on one side and 4 minutes on the other (medium heat).

It tasted great!!

"No Noodle" Vegetable Lasagna

Today I had a craving for italian food. I knew a vegetable lasagna would be better for me. However, instead of noodles, I heard eggplant would be a better choice.

Ingredients:
1 large eggplant (peeled, sliced into 1/4 inch noodle-like strips)
cooking spray
salt and pepper
1 onion (chopped)
2 cloves garlic
1 large squash
1 large zuchinni
1 16 oz. package sliced mushrooms
2 tbsp. italian seasoning
1 can of tomato sauce (or use...fresh tomatoes or sugar free tomato sauce in jar)
3 cups shredded lowfat mozerella cheese

Preheat oven to 425. Spray cookie sheet and place eggplant strips on top. Season with salt and pepper. Bake for 5 minutes on each side. Lower oven temperature to 375. In a large pot, combine onions, garlic, tomato sauce, zuchinni, squash, mushrooms, and italian seasoning. Cook on low for 10 minutes. In a baking dish, spray, and layer: eggplant, sauce, half of cheese amount...repeat. Bake in the oven covered for 1 hour. Uncover and bake an additional 5-10 minutes to allow cheese to brown. Enjoy!

New and Improved Mashed "Potatoes"

This morning, I was talking with a fellow teacher about my plan to eat and cook healthier for my family and told her about my meal last night. She came up with an alternative to sneak to my husband and daughter instead of the mashed potatoes. Instead, I can make mashed cauliflower. Here is the recipe she gave me. Thanks Peggy!

1 head of cauliflower (cut in smal peices)
1 cup of chicken broth (low sodium)
Garlic powder, salt, pepper (to taste)
2 tbsp. butter (I can't believe it's not butter)

Steam the cauliflower. Combine other ingredients in bowl. Blend well. TADA!!! Don't tell and see if they realize what you've done...

My picture of this recipe will be coming soon with another main dish...