Mon. Jan 28th

White Bean Cheddar Nachos with Avocado & Homemade Salsa

Daily Tidbit:  It is hard to be motivated to cook a full meal for just myself after the kiddos go to sleep and when the hubby is away on a business trip, so I have resorted to Nachos multiple times this week for this reason.  It is just too easy, too quick and too yummy not to.  And there are easy tricks to make it Healthier than your standard Nacho fair:  

-using less cheese and/or lower fat/ part skim cheeses
-using lower sodium or baked chips
-using beans instead of meat
-throwing in some fresh avocado for extra nutrients and good fats
-adding other Veggies like Corn, Olives, or diced Bell Peppers

Tonight I didn't have any fresh or jarred Salsa on hand so I had to improvise and make some myself using only a few items and it worked out great!  The trick is stocking your pantry with things like flavored Fire Roasted diced Tomatoes and Chili Peppers (the super short and easy recipe is below).  

Here are some things to keep in mind next time you are shopping for Healthier Tortilla chips:

http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/wholegrain-tortilla-chips-good-you-3551.html 

 

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Oatmeal with Walnuts & Flaxseed

Breakfast: Oatmeal with Walnuts & Flaxseed

1/2 cup Plain uncooked Oatmeal, microwaved with

1 cup Fat Free Milk & topped with

1/2 tsp Pure Ground Cinnamon

2 tbsp plain chopped Walnuts

1/2 tbsp roasted Flaxseed

5 oz Orange Juice

Regular Coffee, splash Fat Free Milk 

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Vegetarian Sweet Potato Chili

Lunch: Vegetarian Sweet Potato Chili

1.5 cups Vegetarian Sweet Potato Chili (recipe below)

topped with freshly grated Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Decaf Coffee, splash Fat Free Milk 

 

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Snack:  1/4 cup lightly salted, dry roasted Peanuts, Fat Free Milk
 
 

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White Bean Cheddar Nachos with Avocado & Homemade Salsa

Dinner:  Nachos
White Corn Tortilla Chips toasted with Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese & Part Skim Mozzarella Cheese
topped with Homemade Salsa (recipe below) mixed with 1/2 cup White Beans (drained/ rinsed) & 1/2 Avocado
Red Wine

 

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Gala Apple

Dessert: 1 Gala Apple, Water

 

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RECIPES:

 

Vegetarian Sweet Potato Chili Recipe:

Put Dutch Oven on Stove on Medium Heat.  Add 1 tbsp Canola Oil and 1/2 large Onion, diced, and saute 5 minutes.  Add 1 Red Bell Pepper, diced, and saute another couple minutes.  Then add 1 tbsp Cumin, 1/2 tsp Chili Powder & 1 tsp crushed Garlic.  Saute until fragrant - 1-2 minutes. 

 

Then add the following items:

1 large can Whole Tomatoes in juice 

1 can Pinto Beans (drained/ rinsed) 

2 cans Black Beans (drained/ rinsed) 

4 oz can Roasted Green Chilis 

1 cup No Salt Added canned Corn 

1 large Sweet Potato (first microwave until soft, then skin and chop into bite sized pieces) 

1 cup Water
 

Stir everything together then heat to boiling, reduce heat, partially cover and simmer for 30 minutes.  Serve plain, or with shredded Cheddar Cheese. 

 

 

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Quickie Homemade Salsa Recipe:

 

Heat Pan on stove with 1 tsp Canola oil and 1/2 Onion, diced.  Saute 4-5 minutes, then add 1 can of Fire Roasted diced Tomatoes with Green Chilis & 4oz can of Fire Roasted Green Chilis.  Bring to boil, then lower heat and simmer 5 minutes.  Serve with Beans!

 

 

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