Chicken Taco Filling

One of my favorite types of foods to eat while dieting is Mexican.  Heck, it's a favorite even when I'm not dieting!  The bold flavors let me think I'm eating something bad, but if I use lean meats and lay off or cut back on the cheese and sour cream (not difficult for me), it can really be quite healthy.  Especially if I use a low-sodium taco seasoning.

A couple weekends ago, I made what I thought was a large batch of taco meat.  For Joe and I, this would have been considered a large batch and would have left us with plenty of leftovers for later in the week.  I forgot to consider that my eldest nephew was staying for dinner.  Goodness!  Twenty year old boys sure do eat a lot!  Yes, I said "boy".  I'm having a difficult time thinking of him all grown up.  sigh.

Anyway, there was a small amount of taco meat leftover that Joe took for lunch a day or two later.  By the time the weekend rolled around, I was still very much in the mood for tacos, but all out of ground beef or turkey.  I had some boneless chicken breast and decided to make some chicken taco salads for dinner.

I really loved how this turned out and love even more how it fits perfectly with my new Simply Filling lifestyle. While I used some "indulgence" points for the taco shells, these salads would still be great without the shells if you wanted to keep this recipe completely Simply Filling.  Be sure to count points for the oil if you've already used your daily healthy oils.

Chicken Taco Filling
      serves: 6 
      PointsPlus Value: 5 per serving

Ingredients: 

• 1 Tbs. olive oil 
• 1 lb. boneless/skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces 
• 1 smaller vidalia onion, diced.  
• 6-8 mini peppers, sliced into rings (or one large red bell pepper, diced) 
• 1-2 tsp. minced garlic 
• 1 cup frozen corn 
• 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained 
• 1/4 cup taco seasoning (reduced sodium)
• 1/4 cup water, or more as needed (see notes) 

Directions: 

• Cook chicken in hot oil until no longer pink. 
• Add in onions and peppers and cook until tender, stirring often. 
• Stir in the garlic and corn.  Allow to cook until corn is thawed. 
• Pour in the beans, taco seasoning and water.  Stir until fully combined.  
• Allow to cook until heated through.  

Notes:  

• If you find the mixture getting a bit dry during the cooking process, instead of adding oil, add a splash or two of water as needed.  

Double Chocolate Cannoli Skinny Dip

When I was a teen, I loved going to Reading Terminal Market with my Mom.  We'd load up on fresh meats and produce, then we'd have lunch.  We'd always grab dessert before going home, too!  My favorite were the chocolate cannoli from one of the bakery counters!  YUM!

Only once since those trips to the market was I able to find another bakery that sold chocolate cannolis.  In fact, it's rare when I see regular cannoli these days.

After seeing a bunch of recipes for Cannoli Dip all over Pinterest, I knew I wanted to give it a try!  Except, I knew I wanted to make Chocolate Cannoli Dip!  While this dip isn't nearly as decadent as the delicious filling of the cannoli I'd get while out shopping with my Mom, it's still a great treat.  Using fat free ingredients makes this a delicious low PointsPlus Value treat!

Double Chocolate Cannoli Skinny Dip 
          adapted from: Skinny Chocolate Chip Cannoli Dip
          serves 10-20

Ingredients: 

• 7 1/2 oz. Fat Free ricotta cheese 
• 2/3 c. Plain Fat Free Greek Yogurt
• 4 oz. Fat Free whipped topping
• 2 Tbs. Confectioners' Sugar
• 1/2 c. mini chocolate chips (I used slightly less) 
• 6 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder 
• Additional mini chocolate chips for garnish (optional) 

Directions: 

• In a mixing bowl, stir together the ricotta cheese and yogurt.  
• Add the whipped topping and confectioners' sugar and mix by hand until well-combined.  
• Add the mini chocolate chips.  
• Once the above ingredients are combined, mix in the cocoa powder until completely incorporated.  
• Chill for at least an hour before serving. 

Notes: 

• I used slightly less than 1/2 cup. mini chocolate chips, but still counted points for the full 1/2 cup.  
• Once I was finished mixing this together, I transferred it to another bowl for storage in the fridge.  I weighed the completed recipe and came up with 20 oz.  
• PointsPlus Value for 1 oz = 1 point. 
• PointsPlus Value for 2 oz = 3 points.  

I'm linking this recipe to the following blog carnivals and linky parties: 

• Tasty Tuesday Link Party
• Making a Home Homaking Linky
• Work It Wednesday
• Homemaking Party
• Full Plate Thursday
• Think Tank Thursday

What Makes Me Smile #2

It was a little more challenging to find things that made me happy this week.  Some stress and depression tried to force it's way in a few times.  But I was determined to find some happy moments.  Here's what made me smile for week 2.

• Trips to the pet store.  It's been a while since our once-super-spoiled-puppy got a special treat from the pet store so one night last week we stopped at a local pet store to let Grace pick out something special for her.  While there, we couldn't help but take a peek in the windows to see what kinds of puppies were available.  I know, I know.  There's a huge controversy over pet store vs. rescue, but seeing those adorable little pups running around and playing just really made me feel all warm and fuzzy!  I wished I could bring them all home with us!  Especially one little sassy pup that would have run circles around our Remmy girl!  We were laughing so much at the sweet little thing that I forgot to snap a picture, but I did manage to take one of this cute dog pile!  

• New Friends.  Grace and I had a nice visit with some new friends this week.  I enjoyed talking to another grown up while Grace ran and played in the yard with her new friends!  

• Kite Flying.  Grace did a great job of getting her kite up in the air all on her own earlier this week!  Once she got it flying, I helped her with letting out some string to get it flying a little higher!  

• My daughter, the mini personal trainer.  Earlier this week, Grace and I set up the Wii and did some exercising together.  It was too warm to play outside (I don't do well in the heat) so the Wii is the perfect indoor activity for us, with the AC running at full blast!  Boy, this kid is tough.  She kept both of us going for a while until I showed her that she was able to do some of the things on her own.  After we were finished exercising, I was so happy to see her grab a box of raisins instead of cookies or chips for her after-workout snack!  

• Trips to the Thrift Shop.  I love when the three of us go to the thrift shop together and I love even more that Grace is usually the one that suggests the outing.  This time, we all found something we wanted to purchase and I was even lucky enough to find a couple of thing that had 1/2 price stickers!  

What makes you smile?  I'd love to hear the things that help you keep daily stress from ruining your day/week!  Please share in the comments!


Linking this post to:

• List It Tuesday

Enchilada Casserole with Black Beans and Quinoa

Since I've begun eating healthier, I've been really trying to add new foods to the mix.  One reason is that I'd like to get over my fear of trying new foods.  I always worry I'm not going to like something and either waste the money spent on it or be forced to eat whatever it is I didn't like.  

A couple of weeks ago, I purchased my first box of Quinoa and we loved it.  I can't even remember how I served it the first time.  But this how I prepared it the second time!  This recipe was a hit.  I can't wait to make it again!  

Enchilada Casserole with Black Beans and Quinoa
          adapted from:  Two Peas and their Pod

PointsPlus Value 7 per serving 
Serves: 8 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup uncooked Quinoa 
• water 
• 1 medium Vidalia Onion, diced 
• 2 heaping tsp. minced garlic
• 1 orange bell pepper, diced 
• 1 poblano pepper, diced 
• 1 cup frozen corn 
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 Tbs. chili powder 
• 2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed (or pre-cooked dry beans) 
• 1-2 cans red enchilada sauce (or homemade) 
• Mexican Cheese 
• jarred jalapeno slices 
• sour cream (optional)

Directions: 

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
• Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.  
• Prepare quinoa according to instructions on package.  Set aside. 
• In a small amount of water, saute onion and peppers until tender. 
• Add corn and garlic.  Stirring often, allow to cook until corn is thawed.  
• Stir in the cumin and chili powder.  When fully combined, stir in the black beans.  
• Remove from heat.  
• Add the enchilada sauce to the quinoa, then pour the quinoa mixture into the pan with the vegetables and beans.  Stir in a couple handfuls of cheese. 
• Pour casserole ingredients into baking dish that's been sprayed with cooking oil. 
• Top with more cheese if you like. Then sprinkle with some jalapeno slices.  
• Cover with foil and bake  for 20 minutes.  Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes.  

Notes: 

• I used just one can of enchilada sauce since that's what I had on hand.  Two might be better if you're looking for the casserole to be a little more saucy.  Still, was great using just one.  
• Next time, I plan on using a can of diced chilies and mixing them into the quinoa mixture just like I do when I make a pan of enchiladas.  
• I didn't measure the cheese.  I rarely measure cheese.  Instead, I add a handful or two when preparing a recipe.  I tend to go light on cheese, so adjust to your liking.  
• If you aren't a quinoa fan, substitute cooked brown or white rice or even some cauliflower "rice" would work well in this dish.  

The recipe has been linked to the following blog carnivals and linky parties:

• Tasty Tuesday Link Party
• Making a Home Homemaking Linky
• Real Food Wednesday
• Work It Wednesday
• Homemaking Party
• Full Plate Thursday
• Think Tank Thursday

What Makes Me Smile #1

I tend to be a Negative Nelly about my life.  I'm great about putting a positive spin on things when friends vent to me about their bad days, but when it comes to my life, I only see the bad things.  In an attempt to change this aspect of my personality, I want to journal some things that make me smile each week.  Hoping that when I look back, I'll see just how many things I have to be grateful for and smile about in my life.

Last week, I had a lot to smile about!

• Visiting with old friends:  I've said this before and I'll probably say it many times more, I love Facebook!  It has connected me with so many people that I've lost touch with over the years.  Just a few months ago, I "found" a friend on Facebook that I haven't seen or heard from, in over 25 years! Her family moved away a year or two after we became friends.  We tried staying in touch via snail mail for a while, but that didn't last very long.  After a few emails back and forth, she told me she'd be visiting family in PA.  She and her mom stopped by for lunch and a nice visit earlier this week!  I loved seeing them and chatting while enjoying a picnic lunch!  

• Grace's Dance Class:  We signed Grace up for a summer dance program.  Six, 45 minute classes.  I was concerned that she wouldn't participate since we've attended 2 birthday parties this summer that included dancing as a group and both times she shyly stood there, frozen, while the other kids danced around her.  This week, was her third class.  I had the chance to peek into the room and saw that she was indeed participating with the rest of the class!  She has not shown Joe or myself any of her new dance moves!  

• Regal Summer Movie:  Can't beat $1 movie days!  Especially when they are spent with people we love!  In the past, we've attempted taking Grace to the movies before on full price days.  Both times, she was disruptive and we've left the theater soon after the movie started.  So, we've been reluctant to try again (at close to $50 for the three of us after tickets and snacks).  At a buck a ticket, I decided to give it another try.  She loved the experience and sat through the entire movie!  

• Family Fun Time:  We took Grace for her first game of mini golf.  I hadn't played since I was a kid and I'm guess it was just as long for Joe, too!  It was a fun time!  Grace had a blast!  She played not only her game, but "helped" Joe and I both finish our games.  We'll have to work on the rules with her so we can go with other kids that most likely won't want her "help"!  

• My Girly Girl:  Grace decided the other day that she wanted to wear a dress.  Just as we were about to walk out the door, she ran to her dress up box and put on a tiara over top of the hair bow she was already wearing!  She received lots of smiles and compliments while the little princess was out and about for the day!  

• Chatting online with old friends:  Grace was being unusually cooperative and mellow one afternoon, so I had a chance to chat online with a classmate from elementary school days.  Although, some of our topics were sad, it was so nice chatting with her about our lives.  

• Another Family Fun Day:  One of my girlfriends from high school and her kids came over for dinner, dessert and a campfire.  Her girls are older, but Grace just adores them!  I love that she saw them drinking water at dinner and she got up from her chair and went to the fridge to grab not a juice box, but a mini bottle of water for herself!  We enjoyed a delicious dinner (yes, I'm patting myself on the back) and a very decadent dessert!  Followed by S'more by the firepit.  Though, that didn't last long since the mosquitoes were pretty bad!  

Sorry, no photos this time around.  I'll try to make a point to take some happy photos during the weeks ahead.  

Hope you have lots to smile about this week!  

Linking this post to:

• List It Tuesday