Taco Salad

My husband is a big fan of Mexican food, so I thought I would try this simple recipe when I came across it during my weekly meal planning session.  I enjoy finding ways to incorporate my daily veggie intake other than my typical dinner salad.  This dish is not only delicious, but EXTREMELY filling!

Ingredients:

*1 lb of Ground beef or turkey (I used 93% lean because my hubby isn't a big fan of ground
*Taco Seasoning (I used the 21 Day Fix Southwest Seasoning-Recipe to be posted below)
*Various veggies (I used onion, tomato, and orange pepper)
*Avocado for guacamole-(recipe will be posted below)

This is such an easy recipe, which I appreciate because I am not the best cook; however, I am trying different recipes each week since I tend to make the same things over and over again.  I like consistency in my meal plan, but I need to be considerate of my family.  

Step 1: Brown you meat.

Step 2: Prepare other veggies.

As the meat was browning, I used my food chopper to prepare the onions and orange peppers.  I also cut up some tomato. 

Step 3: Once meat has been browned, add onions and seasoning.

Smoky Southwest Seasoning Recipe- I make larger amounts of this seasoning and keep it for future recipes.

1 tbsp Chili Powder

2 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground coriander

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp paprika

1 tsp sea salt

I just used enough seasoning to coat the meat and give it a nice flavor.  You can use as much or as little as you would like.  

Step 4: Make guacamole while meat mixture is continuing to cook/stay warm.

I used 1avocado and added 1/4 teaspoon of each of the ingredients: garlic powder, onion powder, and lime juice.

Step 5- Assemble salad.

You can choose to put the ingredients over lettuce and/or spinach, eat in a bowl, or add to a whole wheat or corn tortilla.  I needed to get my veggies in for the day, so I chose the lettuce route. My husband chose to eat his in a bowl.

For all you 21 Day Fix people out there, I counted it as 3 green (romaine lettuce, spinach, onions, pepper, and tomato), one red of the meat, and one blue of guacamole.  

I recall I couldn't quite eat it all because it is so filling! 

Happy eating!!!

Mini Tortilla Pizzas-Husband and Kid Approved

I will be there first to admit that cooking isn't my favorite activity to do each day; however, as I committed to living a healthier lifestyle in November, I knew it was a necessity.  Eating foods that are full of preservatives and unnatural ingredients won't allow me to feel my best.  Those foods make me feel sluggish and actually confuse my brain into thinking I am still hungry when in fact I am not at all.  So, I have made it a goal recently to try a new recipe each week in order to change it up for myself and my family.  In this world of technology, it is quite easy to find numerous recipes.  I for one enjoy simple. I like making traditional meals like sloppy joe's and chili and use whole, healthy ingredients.  I thank one of my challengers for posting this recipe in my general health and fitness group I run via Facebook.

Mini Tortilla Pizzas

Ingredients

* Whole Wheat Tortillas

* Pizza Sauce

* Shredded Cheese

*  Toppings

*Cupcake tin

1.  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and get out your cupcake tin. 

2.  Take 3 whole wheat tortillas and a can to create the small pizza crust.  When applying a good amount of pressure, the excess tortilla broke off pretty easily. 

I ended up getting 5 mini pizza crusts out of one tortilla. I saved the excess to give to my daughters. 

3.  Place tortillas into cupcake tin- lightly- do not press in- keep it toward the top

4.  Add pizza sauce- I used a tsp. in the 4 veggie pizzas I made for myself but followed the original recipe of 1 Tbsp. to the others with pepperoni. I simply used Ragu because the amount used was so minimal; however, there are organic, cleaner options you can find. 

My oldest daughter helping add sauce to the pizzas.

5.  Add cheese- I used shredded mozzarella.  I filled a blue 21 Day Fix container.  I only used a little more than half for my 4 mini pizzas.  The rest was put on my nightly salad. :)

6. Add toppings- This is where you can get creative.  I didn't want to use pepperoni; although, I think I will try it with turkey pepperoni.  I opted for veggies, and they were amazing.  I used red pepper, onion, and spinach.  I filled a green Fix container with my veggies.
7.  I cooked for 10 minutes. Check to see when cheese melts. 

Toppings being added-4 had my veggies on them

It is important to find meals that my family enjoys, and it becomes easier and easier when people share recipes they have tried.  

Simply take a fork to lift the pizza out of the tin.

Our youngest enjoying her pizza!

Those following The 21 Day Fix Meal Plan ( like me): 

1 yellow for tortilla- 4 pizzas

1 blue for cheese

1 green for veggie toppings

Enjoy this simple, yet healthy and satisfying meal! It went really well with a salad of romaine lettuce and spinach.  Eating healthy is quite enjoyable especially when one sees the affects of those healthy choices.