Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili

This recipe is similar to a taco soup, regular chili, or my crock pot chicken black bean salsa soup but a bit different and I liked the differences!  Great flavors and so simple!  Plus, you could alter and add more/less veggies, more/no beans, and any toppings you like.

1 can Organic kidney beans, rinsed
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 cups favorite Organic Salsa (I am currently enjoying Publix Greenwise Organic Salsa-medium)
2-4 carrots, peeled and diced (the original recipe called for corn but I enjoyed the carrots)
1 can diced organic tomatoes
1 packet taco seasoning (or make your own, I used Simply Organic brand)
1 Tbsp Chili Powder
1 Tbsp Cumin
1 tsp dried Oregano
1 tsp Sea Salt
1/2 tsp Ground Pepper
3 frozen chicken breasts (you could do more or less and use fresh if you wanted)

Toppings ideas:  Shredded raw organic cheese, cilantro, diced avocado, tortilla chips, onions, etc.

Add all ingredients except chicken to crock pot and stir until well combined.  Place the chicken breast on top and cook on high for 6 hrs, or cook on low for 10 hrs.  About 30 minutes  before serving, remove chicken breast and shred, then place back in crock pot and stir well and let sit on warm until ready to serve.  This is perfect for football nights or just cook Fall/Winter evening meals and is great left over as well!  

Slow Cooker Applesauce

I have never tried making my own applesauce, so decided to give it a try!

8 medium apples (I used a mixture of granny smith and pink lady)
1/3 cup water
2 tsp. lemon juice
1 cinnamon stick
1 Tbsp raw honey

Slow cook on high for 4 hours, them mash or blend.  Refrigerate leftovers!

Cilantro Lime Dressing

I love salads but tend to fall into ruts and just use the same old dressing every time (Bragg's vinaigrette is a current fave).  So, this is a simple dressing that is full of healthy fats and you can make a mexi-salad!

1 ripe avocado
1/4 cup olive oil
2 T lime juice
Fresh cilantro, diced
Sprinkle of cuming
Sprinkle of garlic powder
Sprinkle of sea salt

Blend together and add more/less olive oil depending on desired thickness.  I tossed this on a salad with romaine, shredded carrots, cucumbers, pea pods, and a few tortilla chips for crunch!

Taco Cabbage Casserole

I have not given up the blog, just took a break while we packed and moved across the country!  Now, we are in FL again and loving the warmth!  This taco cabbage is just a variation on tacos, which I love!

1 lb ground beef
2 carrots, shredded
1 package organic, msg-free taco seasoning (or make your own)
salsa, preferably organic but your choice of type
1 head cabbage, diced
*serve in ezekial or brown rice tortillas or just plain in a bowl topped with organic, raw cheese!

Brown the beef, add carrots towards the end.  Add a few spoonfuls of salsa and your taco seasoning with water.  Let simmer to a boil, then add the cabbage for the last few minutes while moving temp. down to med-low.  (basically just adding cabbage and carrots adds some nutrition and a fun crunch)

Cilantro Lime Chicken

This is not much of a recipe but it is yummy!  I grilled this chicken and served it on Udi's gluten-free buns (my daughters wanted it by itself) and then had fresh veggies and hummus on the side!

Juice of 2 limes
1-2 tsp. cumin
1 Tbsp. honey
Handful fresh cilantro, diced
3 chicken breasts

Place all the marinate ingredients in a large ziploc bag and add chicken and toss!  Allow to marinade for 10-15 minutes then grill until done!  This is light and refreshing!

Zucchini Bread

So, many of you saw that was doing Whole 30, well, I had to give it up for a few reasons but I have still been doing mostly paleo when I can so grain-free and refined sugar-free.  This Zucchini bread was moist and tasty!

1.5 cups almond flour/meal (I get mine for only $3.99/bag at trader joes)
1.5 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1-2 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup grated zucchini
3 eggs
1/3 cup unsweet applesauce (the original recipe called for one mashed, ripe banana but I was out so I tried this and it was great)
3-4 Tbsp. raw honey
1 Tbsp.melted coconut oil (I am sure olive oil or butter would work as well)

1.  Mix together all wet ingredients using a hand mixer until frothy and well mixed.
2.  Add in dry ingredients and blend until well combined (my batter was fairly thin).
3.  Pour into loaf pan (I did 3 mini-loaves this this and added good life chocolate chips to one loaf for a treat).
4.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.  Enjoy!

Turkey Stuffed Squash and Peppers

I am not a big squash fan or a pepper fan but I do love to try new things and eating grain-free is always a healthy option so here's a new one.  My daughters and I liked it a lot, but my husband LOVED it and said I can make it every week!  I actually think next time I might try peppers for hubby and buy some giant mushrooms to stuff for me!

Acorn Squash-halved and seeded
2 peppers (hubby said yellow was awesome)
1 lb ground turkey
3 large carrots, shredded in the food processor
1 cup mushrooms, diced
1 apple, cored and diced in tiny pieces
1 egg
"breadcrumbs"
-1/2 cup almond meal
-1/4 cup golden flaxseed meal
-1 tsp. garlic (either fresh diced, powder, or I used dried)
-1/2 tsp. onion powder
-1/2 tsp. Thyme
-1/2 tsp. Oregano
-1 tsp. sea salt
-1/2 tsp. ground pepper
-1/2 tsp. ground sage
(all approximate)
optional: Parmesan (I did not use)

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place the cut, seeded squash face down in 1/4 inch water in large baking dish.  Bake for about 40 minutes or until slightly soft.
2.  While the squash is baking, brown ground turkey, mushrooms, and shredded carrots in a large saucepan until browned and veggies are well cooked.  You can season this if you like, but the breadcrumb mixture adds lots of flavors.
3.  When the meat/veggies are almost done, add the diced apples for the last 3-5 minutes.  When done, remove from heat.  Cut open the tops of 2 peppers during this time as well (they do not need to precook.
4.  Add the "breadcrumbs" mixture into the pan as well as 1 egg and mix thoroughly.
5.  Once the squash are done, flip right side up and dump water our of pan.  Fill center of each squash with meat/breadcrumbs mixture, then using leftover...
6.  Fill the two peppers with the mixture as well.  Place all face up in a baking dish and bake for an additional 20-30 minutes or until brown and slightly crispy on top.
Enjoy!

Another way to make this, same inside, stuffing portabella mushrooms and green peppers!