Saturday Secrets - Chicken Fajitas

Chicken Fajitas

(Makes 4 servings, 2 fajitas each) 

1 tsp.               chili powder

½ tsp.              sea salt or Himalayan salt

½ tsp.              ground cumin

¼ tsp.              garlic powder

2 tsp.               olive oil, divided use

4 (5-6 oz.)       raw chicken breasts, boneless & skinless, cut into ½ inch strips

1                      medium red or green bell pepper cut into strips

1                      medium onion, thinly sliced

1 Tbsp.            fresh lime juice

8                      large romaine or butter lettuce leaves

½                     medium avocado, thinly sliced

1 cup               fresh salsa (no sugar added)

                        lime wedges for garnish

1.  Combine chili powder, salt, cumin, garlic powder & 1 tsp. oil in a large zip lock bag.
2. Add chicken, bell pepper & onion and mix gently to coat.
3. Heat remaining 1 tsp. oil in large nonstick skillet over medium high heat.
4. Empty contents of bag into skillet; cook, stirring frequently for 5-6 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
5. Remove from heat and add lime juice.
6. Evenly top lettuce leaves with chicken mixture, avocado & salsa.
7. Garnish with lime wedges.

Secret Tip:  Substitute non-fat yogurt for sour cream.  Tastes just as yummy and a much healthier option!   

Friday Faves 2/12

In honor of Valentines Day, my Friday faves are all about my sweet tooth!

I've truly have learned to LOVE💗 dark chocolate and these are a couple of my favorites.

All Ghirardelli blends I've tried are yummy but the sea salt and almond and the Cabernet  are off the charts! If you love wine and chocolate grab a glass of cab and the Cabernet bar. Pure heaven! 

I also love Lindt chocolate, specifically the orange. (There is also chili and several other flavors that are yummy.) It finishes with an amazingly intense orange flavor! 

I saved the best for last, Alter Eco dark chocolate with quinoa. I know quinoa may seem odd but if you love a Nestle crunch, this will be your new best friend! 

Cheers my friends! Happy & healthy Valentines Day! ❤️

Sweets for Your Sweetie

Valentines Day is right around the corner!  If you are planning on having or giving some of your favorite chocolates, you might want to check this out.

According to Oxygen Magazine, candy is one of the TOP gifts on Valentines Day (as if we did not know that already.)  If you plan on indulging, this is what you will need to do to burn it off!

6 Dove dark chocolate hearts (220 calories) - 30 minutes of elliptical trainer
4 Godiva chocolate covered strawberries (160 calories) - 20 minute of circuit training
24 Conversation hearts (120 calories) - 30 minutes of pingpong
3 Russell Stover chocolates (250 calories) - 40 minutes of downhill skiing
10 Valentines gummy bears (90 calories) - 20 minutes of line dancing
9 Hershey's Hugs (210 calories) - 60 minutes of walking (3 mph)
1 heart-shaped York Peppermint Pattie (480 calories) - 90 minutes of intense skiing
28 Valentine's M&Ms (142 calories) - 15 minutes of jump rope!


Indulge in moderation and be sure to choose wisely!  Check out my blog yesterday on dark chocolate.  Its an amazing alternative!

Happy Valentines Day 💗

Valentines Day - a day where approximately one billion cards are exchanged! (85% purchased by women.) Where did this holiday and these traditions come from? That was a lingering question I had.

It seems Valentines Day, as relating to romance, dates back to the Middle Ages. In France & England, it was believed that February 14th was the beginning of the birds mating system, which added to the idea of a day of romance.

Written valentines didn't appear until about 1400 and by the middle of the 1800s it became common to exchange tokens of love and handwritten notes.  But how did we go from tokens of affection and handwritten notes to $100 flowers and chocolate??  A question for another day.

I love the thought of small gifts and hand written notes.  Not so big on $100 flowers or tons of sugary candy that shoot your blood sugar through the roof! (And especially not for our children.)

If your sweetheart LOVES chocolate (as most of us do), why not opt for a healthier version this year?  Dark Chocolate! (Dark Chocolate has a higher cocoa content, preferably 65% or more.) If you need a few health reasons to give this a try, below are just a few of the potential health benefits:

1. Dark Chocolate is very nutritious!  (It has fiber and is loaded with minerals.)
2. It is an excellent source of antioxidants.
3. It may lower blood pressure.
4. Dark chocolate may lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.
5. And last but not least, it may improve your brain function.

Although dark chocolate was something I had to learn to love, I personally have some (a square or two) regularly.  Give it a try for the one you love this year!  And Happy Valentines Week everyone!