Healthy Fiesta and Happy Cinco De Mayo

Healthy Fiesta!

Happy Cinco De Mayo!

I grew up in New Mexico and I am proud to say I am of Hispanic heritage. (Blonde, eyes from the Irish/Scotch side) My grandmother, Alicia Bearta Romero, an immigrant of Spain, instilled in my mom a love of cooking authentic hispanic foods. To my delight and to my shagrin, the foods I love most are not necessarily healthy. I have found that with some effort, they can be, but the food I grew up eating was delicious- with no regard for fat, calories, or nutrition. My mom used to pull dried red chilies off of a ristra and make homemade chili sauce. In New Mexico, we pick, roast, and eat green chili as a side dish- in a bowl with salt and garlic. We put it on everything- including hamburgers! I grew up eating authentic tamales, enchiladas, Pasole,  and more. Truthfully- sometimes I just throw caution to the wind and enjoy! 

Sometimes, there is no substitute for recreating my childhood favorites, However, I almost always choose updated plant-based healthier versions of my childhood favorites. I  have worked up some very nice healthy recipes.  This favorite of mine is delicious and very reasonable in terms of calories, macronutrients, and miconutrients.

This chip/ mango salsa /beans recipe weighs in with the following nutrition:

Total Calories: 334

Protein: 14 grams

Fat: 4 

Here is how that shakes out:

Black beans: 1/2 cup 114 calories/protein 8 grams

1/2 mango: 60 calories/protein 2 grams

Tortillas cut and baked 

(NOTE brand: 365 organic from Whole Foods) Ingredients: corn, water, lime They are SO fresh and authentic, you will never even miss the oil!

140 calories for 3 tortillas - I cut into 8 pieces each tortilla for a total of 24 chips

3 grams protein/2 grams fat (from the corn)

Plants: onion, red pepper, cilantro, dark leafy greens - Is there a number low enough? Seriously? I don't even count calories in plants like this. They are delicious, nutritious, and totally good for us. Just eat and enjoy!

So this delicious Cinco De Mayo healthy favorite at 334 calories is a no-guilt celebration.

Below some cooking pics and a warning....because there is no oil, these chips bake VERY rapidly. Sadly, I burned my first batch :(

Bake time is super fast! Don't turn your back on these treasures!

More on black beans. I used canned because I was in a hurry!

ww.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/HHFS_BEANS_BLACK_110020aug2012.pdf

Mago Salsa is easy and delicious and made to suite your specific tastes: I use 1/2 mango, diced red onion, red pepper, and cilantro. I add fresh lime and pepper. That is it. Encouraging you to experiment and create your own version. I have tried many others with tomato, Jicama, and Jalepenos. All delicious.


Happy Cinco De Mayo!

In Health and Heritage,
Lisa