What I’m Loving This Week...

...Costco. It is my friend. And NO, I don’t go there all the time, just often enough to keep stocked up on the essentials. You know, diapers, nuts, toothpaste (yeah pretty much anything that you want in super duper bulk) Although I have to say I am using it less and less with my coupon-ing. That is another story all together however! My fab find of the week, and for pretty much under 10 smackers is Kirkland brand’s Organic Tortilla Chips and Santa Barbara’s Mango Salsa with Peach. Not only are they only $5 or so each, but they come in a mondo super big size... the kind that I justify buying because I have 4 kids now but secretly it is just for me, all just for me! Muahahaha! And if that creepy laugh didn’t frighten you, I know this won’t either... check the stats. It’s all right there.

Nutrition Facts

Santa Barbara - Mango Salsa With Peach

1. Servings:  2 Tbsp 1 Tbsp 1 container (90 tbsp ea.)

Calories	25	Sodium	110 mg
Total Fat	0 g	Potassium	0 mg
Saturated	0 g	Total Carbs	5 g
Polyunsaturated	0 g	Dietary Fiber	0 g
Monounsaturated	0 g	Sugars	4 g
Trans	0 g	Protein	0 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Vitamin A	2%	Calcium	0%
Vitamin C	8%	Iron	0%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie need

Nutrition Facts   each  grams  kg  lb.  mg  oz.  Kirkland Signature Organic Tortilla Chips
Calories 140 Calories from Fat  60
% Daily Value
Total Fat 7g	11%
Saturated Fat 0.5g	2%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 120mg	5%
Total Carbohydrate 16g	5%
Dietary Fiber 2g	8%
Sugars 0g
Protein 2g	4%
Vitamin A (IU) 0	0%
Vitamin C 0mg	0%
Calcium 20mg	2%
Iron 0.36mg	2%

Seriously, how many foods out there can YOU eat that are only 25 delicious calories? Next time you’re hungry, reach for some yummy salsa to stave off starvation. Forget the chips even and eat it by the spoonful, I do! It is oh so good, and might I add makes some super fast meals in a pinch (check out the recipe for Kale Wraps).

Happy Eating!

Don’t let the Goat Cheese get Ya...

     That’s right! Don’t let it intimidate you either! At approx. half the calories and fat for just the regular goat cheese too (try 80 calories and 5 g fat per 1 oz. vs. 80 FAT calories and 9-10 g fat per 1 oz. of oh so yummy cheddar cheese) this is quite a delicious treat to add flavor variety to all sorts of dishes. Today’s special? Farmer’s Market tomatoes served up Caprese style. At least that was what they called it in the restaurant, so I will make my version the with the same name too. Ultimate fav about this one? Not only is it so rediculously easy, but a major crowd pleaser, can double as just a side dish vs. appetizer, AND it tastes GREAT too.  Check out the bottom for another quick summer lovin’ but no oven “dish” perfect from those extra summer peaches you may not know what to do with too...


     Tomato and Goat Cheese Caprese

1 large heirloom tomato
2-3 sprigs basil, torn
1-2 tbsp goat cheese crumbles
5-8 pitted Kalamata olives
olive oil, balsamic vinegar and salt and pepper for drizzling

Slice the tomatoes and arrange on a platter, sprinkle torn basil, goat cheese crumbles, and olives. Drizzle olive oil, vinegar and salt and pepper and POOF, you are DONE!

     Grilled Peaches

2-4 peaches sliced in half and pitted
olive oil
balsamic vinegar if desired

Rub the peaches in oil, grill on a hot BBQ for 3-5 min. per side (make sure not to char ;o)
Serve with an extra splash of balsamic if desired.
PERFECT for a BBQ dinner one night, or as dessert with a little beat of cheese or cream to end an oh so good meal.

AVOCADOS

     And what is not to love about them? If you are not one of those green California mild fruit lovers, then I am determined to find atleast 1 recipe that would appeal to you. After all, according to http://www.allaboutavocados.com/ they are not only loaded with nutrients such as dietary fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin C, magnesium, and folate, they even contain 60% more potassium per ounce than bananas and are high in rich oil content, namely vitamin E. One last important note, if you are on the mediterranean diet... otherwise known as flat belly diet...avocados are a practically a must!
     I found this recipe quite some time ago when I held a healthy baking class for some friends, and quite like it as a fun treat for my kids once in a while. I  much prefer it as a fruit dip though, so get your fresh cut fruit ready, and serve at any get together and I think you will be quite pleasently surprised!




     Chocolate Avocado Pudding

(from http://rawfoodrightnow.blogspot.com)


2 avocados
½ cup raw carob powder (or raw cocoa or raw chocolate powder)
1 cup dates (Medjools ideally)


Blend all ingredients until mixture is smooth and creamy and no lumps. Taste first, Add more avocado if you’d like it richer and/or creamier; add more dates for extra sweetness or add more carob for a stronger chocolate flavor.


Check out http://www.recipezaar.com/Avocado-Pudding-164833 for an addt’l pudding recipe variation

Lotsa Mexican

     In our house, Mexican food is considered anything with beans, rice, tortillas, salsa or a combination thereof. We have a couple of favorites, ones that we have in our minds perfected so I am going to whisper quietly in your ear the secret to good mexican food...Lard! Just kidding no lard, but these are our sort of secret recipes so enjoy.

     Shrimp (or fish) Tacos


Any boxed frozen yummy shrimp or fish (ex. tortilla crusted tilapia, firecracker breaded shrimp)
Corn/wheat/homemade whatever tortillas
Optional canned and rinsed black beans 
1 recipe mango salsa
1 recipe zesty 'slaw
Optional guacamole


Prepare Shrimp/fish according to box. Prepare mango salsa, zesty slaw and/or guacamole. Heat tortillas and serve. The above and below ingredients make enough for about 3 adults so adjust as needed (that is why I have lots of "about" as you can increase amount for more servings or keep the first number for less servings)


     Mango Salsa


1-2 mangos diced
1/4-1/2 jalepeno diced super tiny
1/4-1/2 red pepper diced
about 1 lime partially zested and juiced
1-2 green onions diced


Mix all ingredients and mash some of the mango slightly, then put in the fridge to macerate (let juices combine and flavors work together) for about 30 min.


     Zesty Slaw


1/4-1/2 green cabbage cut thin and fine
bunch of cilantro chopped
a little lime juice
about 2-4 tsp coleslaw dressing, add more or less to your liking
pepper


Mix thoroughly and also chill til ready to serve.


     Our Guacamole


2 avocados (ripe) and mashed
About 1/2 tsp each dried garlic, onion, pepper and heavy dash salt. Drizzle about 1/2 tsp canola oil. Mix well and add some finely chopped tomato if desired






     Mexican Chicken Salads


Any leftover chicken, canned chicken, or 4-5 chicken tenders (or breasts if more needed) cooked in a little oil and butter with pepper, salt, cumin, garlic, and onion to taste
1 can black, pinto, or red beans (we prefer black for these) rinsed and warmed
1 c. or so cooked rice     (optional to prepare the black bean and rice boxed mixes like Zataran's to make this step easier and give better seasonings)
About 3 c. chopped romaine or other preferred lettuce or combo thereof
Bottled salsa
1/2 c. shredded cheddar, canned parmesan depending on preference
Bag of tortilla chips
1 tomato diced
1 recipe lime caesar dressing
extra cilantro to top


Layer beans and rice, lettuce, crushed tortilla chips, chicken, tomato, salsa, cheese, and lime caesar to taste. enjoy! Again, above amount is for about 3 adults, extra for kids burritos etc.


     Lime Caesar Dressing


Any super yummy lowfat bottled caesar dressing (I am all about ease here)
use about half the bottle, mix well with...
1 lime zested and juiced
extra pepper to taste
bunch cilantro finely chopped (reserve extra to throw on top of the salad)