Taco Style Bean and Cheese Enchiladas

Once a week we try to have a meat free dinner just to change it up and it is just so good for our bodies :) The flavors are so great in this meal you don't feel like you are missing out! Because you don't roll these enchiladas they come together in a quick minute! You can prep this meal earlier in the day and then pop them in the oven to heat and then eat!

Ingredients:

1 can pinto beans

1 can enchilada sauce

1 can corn

2 cups grated Colby cheese or Mexican blend cheese

1 package (10-6 inch) corn or flour tortillas (low-fat)

sour cream

1. Heat oven to 350. Open enchilada sauce and spoon a little bit in the bottom of an 8x8 or a 9x9. This is a dish that you can make bigger or smaller so get out the amount of tortillas that you want to use. I used 6, but you can use less or more. Drain your beans and corn and put them in a bowl together. Mix about 1/2 can of the enchilada sauce with the beans and corn.

2. Spoon bean mixture into tortillas and top with a bit of cheese. Fold like a taco and place into the baking dish. Continue with each tortilla laying them next to each other, just barley over lapping each other.

3. Pour reaming sauce over the top and sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 25-30, until nice and hot and bubbly. While it is in the oven whip up some Spanish rice and a green salad and you have a yummy Mexican dinner ready to eat!

* top with sour cream, salsa and guacomole too!

* You can make this with black beans or refried beans too.

Thai Peanut Chicken Noodles

Ok people, hold on to your forks, because this is sooo good! I think that Rex was a little nervous when I told him that peanut butter was in it, but he loved it! Throughout dinner I kept hearing mmmmm..... That is always a good sign. This really hit the spot and as always low in fat, calories and a perfect quick meal! Try it!

(It is so hard to capture the deliciousness that is this dish on camera. There is a yummy sauce on it, but you can't really see it, but oh can you taste it! It is all about the sauce!)

Ingredients:

2 3/4 cup uncooked egg noodles ( any pasta will work)

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

1/4 teaspoon ginger

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (I actually didn't put this in, I am not a fan of hot stuff, except my husband:)

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup water

2 cups small broccoli florets

1 1/2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms

1 cup cut-up carrots (skinny)

1 medium bell pepper, cut into skinny bit size strips

2-3 cooked chicken breasts, diced

1/4 chopped dry-roasted peanuts

1. Cook and drain noodles. Spray with butter spray or nonstick spray to keep from sticking and cover to keep warm.

2.In a small bowl, beat peanut butter, ginger, pepper flakes, and 2 tablespoons of the soy sauce with a whisk until blended and smooth. Gradually beat in the remaining soy sauce and water until smooth. Set aside.

3.In a nonstick skillet heat a drizzle of oil over med-high heat. Cook veggies for 4-6 minutes until crisp tender. Add cooked chicken and stir until hot.

4. Reduce heat to medium. Stir peanut mixture into skillet and add noodles. Stir until sauce has coated mixture evenly. Heat until everything is warm and yummy! Plate and sprinkle with peanuts.

* This dinner is packet with veggies, but corn on the cob or a fresh fruit salad would be an excellent side to have with this.

"Ono" cookies

This cookie recipe comes from a friend who is from Hawaii. I don't know what is different about this one than others, maybe the proportions, but it is so good! I am taking you back to your basic delicious chocolate chip cookie, but I altered it a bit. Everyone needs a "go to " cookie recipe, this is it! Most chocolate chip cookies are made with butter or shortening and with in a day or two they aren't as soft and moist. Well, my secret is to cut the butter in half and use applesauce. These cookies will stay moist all week and no one will know the difference! These will be your new favorite and you don't have to feel guilty either!

Ingredients:

1/4 cup soft butter

1/4 cup applesauce

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup nuts

1. Cream your butter, applesauce, and sugars together. Add in your egg and vanilla.

2. Add in the flour, soda, and salt. Next, mix in the chocolate chips and nuts. Bake at 375 for about 9 minutes. You don't want to over bake them. So when they look like they are just beginning to turn light brown around the edges, pull them out! Enjoy them warm, out of the cookie jar, or make yummy ice cream sandwiches!

Creamy & Meaty Pasta with Veggies

I came up with this last week because I wanted to use yummy veggies from my mother-in-law's huge garden. I LOVE creamy pastas, but not fatty ones, so this is a new way to enjoy a yummy one dish, healthy, warm meal. Try it, you will love it! Oh, it's really fast and easy to make too :)

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground turkey

3 cups curly noodles

1 can cream of chicken soup (98% fat free)

1/2 cup beef stock or water

1 cup sliced carrots

1 cup cut green beans

1/2 cup corn

sliced tomatoes

1. Get some water boiling and cook those noodles. While they are cooking, steam the carrots and green beans in microwave or on the stove.

2. In a skillet, cook the ground turkey and season with salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder. When the meat is cooked through, and the soup and water/broth in until smooth and creamy. Now, you can add more water if you like. However you like your sauce. Next add your veggies and stir to combine.

3. Drain your noodles and toss them into. Stir gentley and taste. Add more salt and pepper if needed. I am a fan of pepper.... so I added some more. Next dish into bowls and top with tomatoes....garden fresh if possible!! Enjoy.

* You can serve with corn muffins or berry muffins to complete this meal.

Cheesy Rosemary Focaccia

I made this yesterday to go with our salads for dinner and it was soooo good! Good really isn't the right word to describe this yummy bread, it was was better than good, divine even. I got this recipe from Our Best Bites (love you) and altered it a bit adding cheese and a few more spices too. Try it, it will change your life :)

Ingredients:

1 cup warm water

1 tablespoon yeast

1 tablespoon white sugar

1 teaspoon salt, plus more for sprinkling

2 tablespoons butter, divided

2 tablespoons crushed dry rosemary or finely chopped fresh

2 1/4- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese

dried oregano

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Allow to stand for 10 minutes or until bubbly. While the yest is getting bubbly, combine 2 cups of flour, salt, and1 tablespoon rosemary.
2. Add flour mixture to yeast mixture along with 1 tablespoon melted butter. Mix well. (I put it in my stand mixer with the dough hook on, but you can use your hands too) Slowly add remaining flour to make a very soft dough- try to resist the urge to add too much flour. You probably won't use the entire extra 1/2 cup flour. I used only about 1/4 cup more. You want a soft, wet dough.
3. Cover and allow to rise about 1 hour.
4. Lightly flour work area and transfer dough onto the surface. Divide in half ( I didn't and just made one big loaf) and shape each half into a round loaf and place on a greased cookie sheet or pizza stone. Cover and allow to rise another 45 minutes.
5. Heat oven to 375. Sprinkle lightly with salt. Bake for 15-20 minutes of until very lightly golden -brown. Take out of oven and brush with 1 tablespoon melted butter, sprinkle with cheese and dried oregano. Broil for 1-2 minutes. Keep your eye on it....
6. Serve immediately and slice into strips or just rip it off and eat!!

Jerk Chicken Dinner

This is a great dish to make and pop in the oven. You really only have to assemble and let our oven do the rest, perfect for busy nights! It is super healthy, low in fat and has a sweet glaze to cover the dish. The combination of flavors will be a favorite of yours too!

Ingredients:

1 1/4 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

3/4 teaspoon allspice

3/4 teaspoon dried thyme

1/4 teaspoon chili powder

6 chicken breasts

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 large sweet potato, or two medium

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup lime juice

2 teaspoons cornstarch

sliced green onion, optional

Instant rice, brown or white

1. Heat oven to 375. Spray a 2 quart baking dish with cooking spray. In a small bowl, mix salt, pumpkin pie spice, allspice, thyme, and chili powder. Rub mixture on all sides of chicken. In a non-stick skillet heat to med-high and cook chicken for 2-3 minutes per side, until brown.
2. In the baking dish layer sweet potato and beans. Top with browned chicken. In a small bowl, mix honey, lime juice, and cornstarch. Add to skillet. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Pour over chicken, beans, and potatoes.
3. Bake 35-45 minutes, or until potatoes are cooked all the way through and chicken is cooked through. Serve over rice and sprinkle with green onions.

* This dish has 8 grams of fat and 300 calories..... pretty groovy, huh?!

Fudge Nut Bars

These are a great go-to, always good, super yummy, fudgey soft cookie!! You can't go wrong with this one, not my healthiest of desserts, but sometimes you just have to indulge! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 cup butter

2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

3 cups quick oats

Chocolate Mixture:

2 cups chocolate chips

1 can fat free sweetened condensed milk

2 tablespoons butter

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Mix butter, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla. Add in the flour baking soda, salt, and oats. Press 2/3 of the oat mixture into a cookie sheet.

2.Mix all the chocolate mixture ingredients together and microwave for 30 seconds at a time until melted. Spread chocolate over cookie mixture. Dot the remaining cookie dough on top of chocolate. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned.

Breakfast Pizza Sammies

I made this up one morning when I wanted to make Rex a nice hot breakfast. We had loads of pizza toppings left over from pizza the night before so I whipped up an egg and came up with this! Add some potato wedges/hash browns, and fruit, and breakfast or dinner is served! Quick, healthy, and warm in your belly!

(this made one, but you can make as many as you want!)

Ingredients:

Slice(s) of bread

Pizza sauce or pasta sauce

shredded mozzarella cheese

pizza fixings: pepperoni, Canadian bacon, sausage,

veggies, olives... whatever is in the fridge!

Egg(s)

parsley to taste

1. Push your toast down in the toaster and prepare the rest while it is toasting! Cook your egg anyway you like it, scrabbled or over easy.

2. When your toast it done, spread a spoonful of sauce on your bread. Next, sprinkle it with cheese. Top with warmed meats and veggies. ( I just popped my leftovers in the microwave for 10 seconds). Carefully place your egg on top . Sprinkle with chopped parsley and dig in!

* We love breakfast for dinner, so this is going to become a regular around here!

Chocolate Coconut Macaroons

This is a yummy and very very fast cookie to whip up! It has just a few ingredients and a great summer treat because to keep the chocolate cool you keep them in the fridge. A nice cool cookie that is naturally low in fat, what more could you ask for!

Ingredients:

1 package (5 1/3 cups) flaked coconut

2/3 cup sugar

6 tablespoons flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

4 egg whites, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon almond extract

1/2 cup chocolate chips, divided

1. Preheat oven to 325. Toss coconut, sugar, flour, and salt together. Add egg whites and extract. Mix well. Drop by tablespoonfuls, 2 inches apart onto a greased and floured cookie sheet.

2. Bake 18-20 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Immediately remove form baking sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.

3. Melt 1/4 cup chocolate chips in a microwave bowl and dip bottoms of cookies into chocolate. Place on a wax lined cookie sheet. Put 1/4 cup chocolate chips in a zip lock bag and microwave until melted and smooth. Cut the tip of the bag off and squeeze and drizzle over cookies. Put in fridge until chocolate is set. Keep in fridge in a tupperware to stay fresh!