HOT coffee

Dr. Oz said, "Cayenne Pepper has capsaicin in it which is a metabolism booster."  Since I already had in in my spice cabinet...I decided to try it, just to see.  Well...it works!  I started sprinkling it in my coffee around Thanksgiving.  I love to add spices like, ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon to add a holiday kick.  I just added cayenne pepper too!  I DO have more energy- I haven't been napping with the kids in the afternoon, I'm doing better at keeping my house clean, and I have had energy to take on cleaning projects like organizing my closet and deep-cleaning the fridge.  WOW!! 

I wouldn't pass this info on if it were costly to try or required huge efforts.  It is a spice that has many health benefits, very inexpensive, has multiple uses in the kitchen, and takes very little effort to sprinkle on your food or in your coffee.

I do like spicy foods, so having in my coffee is easy for me.  It takes so very little to effect your metabolism, that it basically just makes my coffee seem hotter, temperature hotter, not that spicy.  I say, give it a try, why not?  

Goat Cheese Spring Salad

Spring Salad Mix, dried cranberries or fresh strawberries, a sprinkle of goat cheese and toasted walnuts...yum.

Tilapia Tacos

We have some sort of fish at least once a week.  Last week I broiled a double batch of tilapia filets and the next night...dinner was easy!

I used 2-4 tilapia filets (leftovers work great), added a bit of cumin and chili powder to season.  Warmed a few taco shells to make them nice and crispy. Then I stuffed them with the fish, shredded cheese, and ready-to-eat bagged salad mix (perfect b/c it's already got some of the other good stuff like cabbage shreds).  I topped the tacos with some green roasted salsa verde and fat-free sour cream or yogurt!!  Easy and yummy !!

Garden Pico

I absolutely LOVE to make pico.  I make it every week.  It is so healthy, yummy and all natural.  I love that you can just change up the ingredients to whatever you have on hand or to your personal taste preferences!!

6 tomatoes
1-2 green bell peppers
1/2 large red onion (or more)
1 jalepeno pepper
juice of 1 lime
2 cloves garlic
cilantro to taste
optional: 1 Tbs Accent, fresh ground pepper, pinch sea salt, 1 Tbs olive oil, 2 Tbs. white vinegar

Sometimes I just dice everything up by hand and go for more rustic salsa, and sometimes I put it all in my mini chopper and pulse to a finer salsa...either way...YUM !!  Taylor literally eats it with a spoon!!!  OR you can serve with baked whole grain tortilla chips  OR I make my own chips by using whole wheat tortillas, lightly rub with olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt, and broil in oven until blistered and crispy, break into pieces and dip !!

Good 4 You -White Chicken Chili

1 or 2 Lbs. cooked & cubed chicken breast (I cut it up and cooked it in my crockpot for 30 mins on high with the oil)
1-2 Tbs oil
Packet of McCormick chicken chili seasoning
1 ½ cups chicken broth
1 or 2 cans great northern beans with liquid
1 can white or yellow corn
2 small cans green chilis –optional


To the cooked chicken, add seasoning mix and broth. Then add beans, corn, and green chilis, keep on low in crockpot for 2-4 hours…OR stovetop for just 20 mins…top with lowfat shredded cheese, lite sour cream, and chopped green onions…serve with baked corn tortilla chips !  YUM!