Southwestern Beans

This is a recipe that I created for the times that I make burritos and I want more then just the basics. I have used this recipe for simple bean burritos with or without meat, as well as breakfast burritos. It is VERY easy, tasty, and good for you!

Southwestern Beans

One Way:
1 can of beans (black, red kidney, etc.)
1/2 can of enchilada sauce
2 Tbls of sour cream OR cream cheese OR plain yogurt (optional)

Mix and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and serve in a tortilla.

Another Way:
1 can of beans (black, red kidney, etc.)
1 small can of spicy vegetable juice (V8)
2 tsp taco seasoning
2 tsp Grill Mates Chipotle Seasoning
2 Tbls of sour cream OR cream cheese OR plain yogurt (optional)
1 small can of sliced olives (optional)
1 small can of green chilies (optional)

Mix and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and serve in a tortilla.

Artichoke Heart Pasta

My husband made a heavenly Artichoke Hearts Pasta tonight. The smell and rainbow of colors made our mouths water in anticipation. Tasting it was definitely not a let down. This is a great meal idea for anyone who has left-over pasta noodles and is tired of the traditional marinara sauce and pasta.

Made with a base of Artichoke Heart Marinade Oil and Olive Oil, this pasta is smooth and has a subtle yet fresh taste to it. Pasta lovers won't be disappointed with this recipe!

The following are the ingredients for this pasta dish. I will not give exact measurements for everything because this is the type of recipe that you make "to taste."

Artichoke Heart Pasta

Artichoke Hearts (diced, at least 6 ounces, include the sauce in the recipe)
Yellow Bell Peppers
Red Bell Peppers
Zucchini
Olive Oil (at least 3 Tablespoons)
Garlic (pressed)
Red Onions
Garlic Salt
Rosemary
Lemon Pepper
Lemon Juice
Salt
Crushed Red Peppers

Saute' the above ingredients together

Combine the below ingredients with the sauteed ingredients and cook until warmed.
Olives (sliced)
Diced Tomatoes
Pasta

Meat Options:
Chicken
Bacon

Southwestern Cream Sauce

I created the wonderful spicy and zest filled sauce to top our taco salad. It was quick and Delicious!!

Southwestern Cream Sauce

6 ounce can Evaporated Milk
1/2 cup Newman's Own Southwestern Dressing
1/2 cup chunky salsa

Mix together until smooth (or not)
Heat to just under boiling (or not)
Serve over taco salad or any southwestern style meal that you desire.

Why "Newman's Own"

Newman's Own is a name brand of All Natural dressings that isn't filled with all of the dangerous additives that other brands feel that they need to add to their dressings. Love this brand!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Fiber Bars

These Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars taste WAY too good to be good for you! We made these delicious treats to welcome in the Fall season. They surely did the trick!! They taste just as sweet and deliciously spicy as they smell.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Fiber Bars

1 2/3 cups sugar
1 cup olive oil
4 eggs (try to find the eggs with Omega 3's)
16-ounce can pure pumpkin
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup bran flour (OR powdered Original flavored Fiber One cereal OR Soy flour)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2-1 cup dark chocolate chips (try to use the darkest chocolate you can find)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. spray a 10 x 15 x 1 inch pan with cooking spray.
Mix sugar, oil, eggs and pumpkin until smooth.
Combine flours and spice in separate bowl
Combine mixtures
Mix until smooth
Stir in chocolate chips
Spread batter onto pan
Bake for 25-30 minutes
Serves approximately 15 bars

This recipe is full of protein, fiber, and Omega 3 fatty acids. It does have sugar in it. However, when you add fiber to recipes with sugar it counteracts the ill effects of sugar somewhat.

Can Chocolate Be Good For The Body?

According the renowned medical doctor and pioneer of nutritional medicine, Doctor Andrew Weil, good dark chocolate (with at least 70 percent cocoa) really is a healthy treat you could consider... Chocolate is a source of polyphenols, the same kinds of antioxidants found in red wine and green tea. The fat it contains is mostly stearic acid, which doesn't raise cholesterol levels. And the flavonoids in dark chocolate are good for the heart - they reduce the stickiness of platelets, inhibiting blood clotting and reducing the danger of coronary artery blockages..."

Garden Style Southwestern Chili

Garden Style Southwestern Chili

I won't give exact measurements on every ingredient because of the varying sizes that this meal could be prepared in.

Stewed Tomatoes with their broth (you can use canned, bottled, or fresh tomatoes)
1 can tomato paste
Canned Green Chili Enchilada Sauce
Salsa (to taste)
Taco Seasoning (to taste)
Garlic Clove (pressed)
Onion (chopped)
Meat (I use Chicken or Beef)
Colored Peppers (green, red, yellow, orange, etc.)
Corn (canned or fresh off the cob)
Finely chopped crookneck and/or Zucchini Squash
Hand full of Spinach chopped
Black Beans (with juice, if canned)
Kidney Beans (drained)
Chili Beans
Brown Rice (cooked)

This recipe turns out so tasty! We love to make it into burritos or a chip dip. As the cold weather sets in it will be a nice warm treat in a bread bowl!

Why Beans?

According to The World's Healthiest Foods Website "Black beans are a very good source of cholesterol-lowering fiber, as are most other legumes. In addition to lowering cholesterol, black beans' high fiber content prevents blood sugar levels from rising too rapidly after a meal, making these beans an especially good choice for individuals with diabetes, insulin resistance or hypoglycemia. When combined with whole grains such as brown rice, black beans provide virtually fat-free high quality protein. You may already be familiar with beans' fiber and protein, but this is far from all black beans have to offer.

When researchers analyzed different types of beans, they found that, the darker the bean's seed coat, the higher its level of antioxidant activity. Gram for gram, black beans were found to have the most antioxidant activity, followed in descending order by red, brown, yellow, and white beans."