Make this Sugary Holiday a Little Less Frightening!
*Serve a healthy and filling meal before trick-or-treating begins. Kids will be less likely to binge on candy with a full stomach (same goes for grocery shopping!) Serve a warm, comforting food such as chili, soup, stew before heading out for the evening.
Try this recipe!
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Ingredients: (Organic)
For your chicken-
3-4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2.5lbs worth)
1 tablespoon cumin
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons garlic powder
salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
For your soup-
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 yellow onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 poblano pepper, diced
1 jalapeño, finely diced
1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles (no salt added)
1 (14oz) can fire roasted tomatoes (no salt added)
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Sea salt and pepper, to taste
32 oz chicken stock (low sodium)
Juice of 2 limes
Chopped cilantro, to garnish
Crushed plantain chips, to garnish
Sliced avocado, to garnish
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Place chicken on a parchment lined baking sheet. Pour on some olive oil and then sprinkle with cumin, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and salt and pepper.
3. Bake for 20-30 minutes (depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts). Once your chicken is done baking, use two fork to shred the chicken.
4. While your chicken is baking, get your soup ready. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat then add your minced garlic.
5. Add onions, red bell pepper, jalapeño pepper, and poblano pepper. Mix around to help coat.
6. Once your onions begin to become translucent, pour in your green chiles and diced fire roasted tomatoes, along with the rest of your spices. Mix together.
7. Then add your shredded chicken and chicken stock to the pot.
8. Simmer on low heat for 30 minutes.
9. When your soup has simmered, add in your lime juice and a bit more salt and pepper.
10. Add your soup to a bowl along with avocado, cilantro, and plantain chips.
*To cut down on excessive amounts of candy, limit the number of houses your child visits. Consider reducing the size of the bag your child can use. Once it's full, put it out of reach at home!
*Set a limit on how many treats the kids can enjoy, and always make sure they eat only a small amount along with something healthy-like an apple or nuts. Have them eat the healthy treat first so they will be less hungry for the rest!
*If you are hosting a Halloween party, don't put out a bowl of candy--too tempting! Instead fill decorative trays with other options: fruit leather, string cheese, nuts, roasted pumpkin seeds, protein snack bars, or fruit.
*When trick-or-treaters come knocking, offer them nonfood items such as sparkly pencils, erasers, stickers, toothbrushes, jump ropes, balls, coloring books, crayons, bracelets, frisbees, or etc.
Copyright, 2014, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness LLC, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com. As a holistic nutrition and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.
www.optimumwellnessmn.com
