Opening Day!

Football is an American pasttime and one of my favorite times of the year.  Looking back to last year and all the junk food and beer we had things have definitely changed.  I have always loved cooking and baking but what I made was not always the healthiest.  Often times Hooters was the best place to go to watch football.  There is nothing like having wings and beer when watching the game.  Today I woke up of course excited knowing that I would get to watch football all day.  I spent the day considering what to make.  Of course I wanted to do something healthy that I didn't have to feel to guilty about later.  I have a few snack ideas to share with you!

Homemade Chicken Tenders

Here is what to do:
Pre-heat EVOO about 1/4 of the pan  medium to high heat in a large frying pan

3-4 large chicken breasts (cut into strips fat trimmed)
1 cup oats (ground into a flour like consistency)s
1/2 cup of wheat flour
3 egg whites, 2 whole eggs
Salt and Pepper to taste
Paprika

In a shallow dish coat the chicken strips in the egg.  In another shallow dish combine the flour and oats with salt and pepper then coat the chicken strips.  Place chicken in preheated oil and cook until golden brown then turn over.  Place on paper towel to drain the excess grease and sprinkle with Paprika.
Serve with light bbq sauce, teriaki, or mango sauce.

Spinach Artichoke Dip

2 Packages fat free cream cheese
8 oz fat free sour cream
6 oz frozen chopped spinach
1 can artichoke hearts chopped and drained
1 tsp. garlic powder
Parmesean Cheese to garnish

In medium pot melt the cream cheese with the sour cream on low heat stirring constantly to keep from burning.  In small saute pan combine spinach and artichokes and saute.  Once cheese is melted put garlic and add spinach/artichoke mixture.  Stir until combined and sprinkle with parmesean cheese.

This dip goes great with vegetables such as carrots, celery, or cucumber.  If you must tortilla chips

Last but not least you have to enjoy a beer

Large Chilled beer mug
Your favorite LIGHT beer
The juice of one lime
Sprinkle with sea salt
Pour over ice!

The Green Chile

Its that time of year that all of us are familiar with.  Green chile like many is my favorite time of year.  The smell of the roasting green chile is almost intoxicating.  I  love to drive by the store just to smell the chile roasters.  As a child growing up I remember coming home from school and my favorite snack would be a fresh homemade tortilla with fresh green chile.  In fact today I have set aside to do my green chile roasting which means my house will be filled with that yummy smell.  I know there is nothing like fresh green chile warm off the roaster but packaging and freezing green chile can last up to two years.  Many of us myself included didn't realize the health benefits that this chile pod has.  Green chile is filled with nutrients and minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamins A, B, C, niacin, folate, and amino acid.  The vitamin C content of chile has so much vitamin C it has almost a whopping six times the amount of an orange.  Wow that means it is a huge immune booster.  The hotter the chile the more benefits such as speeding up the metabolism, helping with sore throats, and working as a sleep aid.  Green chile is low in fat and calories and high in fiber which aids in proper digestion.  Today I will be making my homemade chile sauce.  A healthy kick eat it combined with pinto beans and low fat cheese on a whole grain flat bread!

The Green Chile Farm
Photo Courtesy of: R. Rivera-Anaya