White Chicken Chili

This is one of my families favorite dinners. It is a wonderful hearty chili that also has vegetables to add extra nutrition. It cooks up fast and is great for a small group or a big gathering. We really enjoyed it today. I hope you do too.

 Ingredients

3-4 T olive oil
2 C Cooked chopped  chicken (you could also use turkey)
1 C chopped onions
1 whole chopped red pepper seeds removed
3 cloves of garlic minced
1/2 C  chia *optional
4 C water
2 tsp salt
1 tsp cumin
1- 4 oz can of diced green chilies)
1-11oz can white shoe peg corn
juice from 2 limes
2-14 oz drained and rinsed great northern beans
serve with
tortilla chips
grated cheese

Directions

1. In a large pot pour in oil and heat to medium heat. Toss in the chicken and let it start to lightly brown.
2. Then add onions, peppers and garlic, and chia if desired. Continue to let it cook on medium heat. If you need a little more oil then add some. Continue to cook until vegetables are softened and slightly browned. (The browning adds extra flavor)
3. Stir in the water, salt, cumin, chilies, corn and lime juice. Let it come to a boil.
4. Turn down the heat to low and then stir in the beans.
5. Cover and let cook for 30-40 min.
6. Serve in bowls. With chips and cheese if desired.
7. Store leftovers covered in the fridge. Enjoy

Asian Turkey Wraps in Romaine Lettuce (Info. about Romaine Lettuce)

Asian turkey wraps

I made this meal for my daughter Britney's birthday a couple weeks ago. It had a wonderful new flavor combination that we really enjoyed. It was fun to roll it up in the romaine lettuce as well. I have been reading about health benefits of romaine lettuce.  It made a nice light meal. My family loved having the leftovers the next day. It was fun to change things up a little bit. It was a great way to eat more vegetables too.It is easy to get in a rut eating the same fruits and vegetables. It is great when we mix up the fruits and vegetables that we eat and get a variety of nutrients.

Romaine Lettuce

Some of the health benefits of Romaine lettuce are:

1. Vitamin C and beta carotene that can aid in healthy heart, helping to prevent oxidation of cholesterol, which can help in reducing strokes and heart attacks. There is also folic acid which aids in keeping blood vessels healthy.

2. Potassium can help lower blood pressure. Potassium can also help improve your muscle strength if you combine it with strength training.  There is also fiber which is always helpful to improve the functioning of our bodies. It also has phosphorus, calcium and magnesium.

3. It can help in burning fat because of the fiber that is in it. It makes your body work as it digests the lettuce. It also fills you up faster. It is a low calorie food with no fat.

4. So find some fun ways to add it to your families diet. It was fun to learn some more information about romaine. I had no idea it had so many great health benefits. :)

Ingredients:  Asian Turkey wraps
2 C cooked brown rice
1 1/2 lb lean ground turkey
1 T oil (I used grape seed oil)
1 jalapeno pepper seeded chopped fine pieces
3 to 4 garlic cloves minced
2 tsp lime zest
3 T fresh lime juice
5 T fish sauce
2 T honey or brown  sugar
1 can of diced green chili *optional 
1 tsp cornstarch or  1 T ultra gel
1/4 C fresh basil chopped up
4 green onions chopped
head of Romaine lettuce washed and seperated

Directions:

1. In a frying pan pour in the oil brown turkey and break into small pieces.

2. Stir in the chili's, garlic, and the zest. Cook stirring together a couple minutes.

3. In a small a whisk lime juice, fish sauce, honey, rice, and cornstarch or ultra gel. Cook until the it thickens.

4. Then take the skillet off the stove and toss in the basil and green onions. Scoop on to the lettuce and roll the lettuce as desired. Enjoy!


     

Citrus Popcorn (healthy)

Citrus Popcorn

Here is the zest combination we used!

This was a fun popcorn. I love citrus smells and flavors, and colors. I love having a bowl of fresh citrus on my counter. It breaths life into me just looking at it. :) It is probably the influence of my California blood. (I am sure you don't need to be from California to enjoy it.) When I went back to Calififornia a couple weeks ago I saw a lot of lemon trees over flowing with lemons. I wanted to go and pick them and bring them home. I know I took them for granted when I lived there. We did make some fresh lemonade while we were there and it was the best lemonade I have ever had. :) I miss having citrus trees in our yard. It is wonderful I can still enjoy buying them, and taking in the smells, flavors, and colors. :)

We found with this popcorn flavor it is best to add a little bit of zest at a time. You can see how you like it you can always add more.

Ingredients:
4 C popped popcorn (We used the air popper)
2 T coconut Oil (melted)
1 T fresh orange juice
1/2 T fresh lime juice
1/2 T lemon juice
1 T of a combination of lemon, lime, and orange zest
1/4 to 1/2 tsp salt

Directions:
1. In a bowl pour in popcorn. In a separate small bowl stir together the juice and the oil.

2. Toss the coconut mixture onto the the popcorn. Then toss on the zest and the salt. You can add more zest according to your taste preference. Enjoy immediately! It is a great way to bring Spring into your day.