Being Healthier

Chicken Enchiladas

• 1.15 lb chicken breast tenderloins
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 package Taco Seasoning
• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil, divided
• 1 medium shallot, diced
• 1/2 cup sour cream, light
• 1 (8-ounce) can enchilada or verde sauce
• 1 (4.5-ounce) can chopped green chiles
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 7-8 ounces (~2 cups) 2% Milk, Monterey Jack & Colby cheese, shredded
• 12 (8-inch) flour tortillas
• Ideal Toppings: diced tomato, chopped avocado, chopped green onions, sliced ripe olives, chopped cilantro

Preparation

• Place chicken in glass baking dish with chicken broth and seasoning. Mix and bake at 350* F for 25 minutes or until internal temperature holds 165* F for 15 seconds.
  
• While chicken bakes, saute shallot in 1 Tbsp olive oil until translucent. Add “halves” of the next five ingredients (half the can of green chiles, half the sour cream, half the cilantro, half can of enchilada sauce, half the shredded cheese) to the skillet. Stir and let sit on very low heat.

• Chop chicken when fully cooked. Stir in cooked chicken into sauce mixture.
• Oil ( or nonstick spray) an 11x 14 baking dish.
• Spoon chicken mixture evenly into each tortilla, roll, place in greased dish.
• Top with remaining cheese, chiles, enchilada sauce and cilantro.

• Bake at 350° for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown.
• Sprinkle with toppings and serve!

Being Healthier:

I liked using the smaller corn tortillas for this recipe, which are gluten free, not made with any hydrogenated fats, and only ~65 calories each. I also used reduced fat cheese because it was melted into all the other flavors, so you absolutely do not miss the full fat version. When I purchase chicken breasts, I try to get the cage free ( and hormone free) kinds. I just like to know that the animals were allowed to roam around, which is much less stressful than most chicken houses with mass produced birds. I don’t want to eat something that was stressed out and juiced up- You are what you eat, right !? Post Enchiladas, I was forced into making a third round of Banana Bread …

Can’t let bananas go to waste, right?!

Working Out Wednesday

This past weekend I ended up resting on several days and I knew that I needed it! It felt fantastic just to lay by the pool on Saturday and Sunday (alright, on Monday too!). Rest is critical for any fitness seeker because it allows your muscles time to repair, rebuild, and ultimately, become stronger. I had to remind myself on Thursday that I needed the rest during the day and that Salsa Dancing would be plenty of physical activity. It definitely was! Even if it may not seem like it is beneficial, I guarantee your next workout will be even better after your body has had a chance to recoupe!

(6/30) Thursday: Salsa Dancing! I went to the free lessons and ended up dancing for 4 hours! It was so much fun to learn steps to several latin dances.