Zesty Lime Chicken Tacos with Black Bean Salsa

I am so excited to be posting a few recipes on Maria’s Kitchen that are low in fat and healthy for you.  I know I will not be as entertaining as Maria but I hope you like the recipes.  It seems that each year I make a resolution to loose weight and eat less.  But this year I think I found what I was looking for-something I can always do.

Back in December when I was out Christmas shopping I happened upon this great book called Champions Body for Life .  It was on sale for a good price so I quickly looked it over then bought it.

During Christmas vacation I read the book and loved what it had to say. Plus the pictures and stories are so motivating.  I thought okay, I’m going to try this after the holidays are over and I can think more clearly.

In a nut shell here’s what the book covers.
1.   Know your reasons for changing (chap. 2)
2.  Write them down (chap. 3)
3.  Get started (chap. 4)
4.  Eat a balanced diet six times a day
5.  Drink plenty of water
6.  Enjoy a free day- indulge in the foods you crave
7.  Workout 42-46 min. 3 times a week of weight training
8.  Workout 20 min. 3 times a week of cardio

I am officially starting the Body for Challenge which is a 12 week program.  I will turn in a challenge entry to Body for Life at the end of my 12 weeks.  They choose champions for the year and reward them with money ($25,000) and prizes.  I thought that by entering it will make me more accountable plus blogging about it also ups it for me too.

I am going to spare you all of my before picture right now mostly because I’m utterly horrified by them.  But at the end I will post the before (eeeekk) and after photos.

If you want to learn more about the program then buy the book or go online here.

I have experimented with the diet and exercises this past week before my official start date.  What I love about it is I’m hardly ever hungry.  Another plus for me is there is no calorie counting, fat count, carb. count etc.  It’s just good food with very little fat and sugar.  Go check it out and you’ll see what I mean.

Here is a recipe that I made myself that is low in fat and high on flavor.

Zesty Lime Chicken Tacos with Black Bean Salsa

Marinade

1 to 1 ½ pound of chicken (I used chicken tenders)
5 T Canola oil divided
1 bunch of cilantro
3 or 4 garlic cloves
Cumin to taste
1 tsp.  Montreal steak seasoning
1 limeDirections:
Put all these ingredients in bowl with chicken.   Juice one half of lime, 2 garlic cloves pressed, 2 T. canola oil, ½ bunch of cilantro chopped, 1 tsp. steak seasoning (don’t leave this out), sprinkling of cumin.

Put chicken in a bowl or a Ziploc bag to marinate.  You may cut up chicken ahead of time or marinate it whole.  Let marinate for 1 to 2 hours or longer.

Black Bean Salsa

1 can of black beans rinsed
1 cup of frozen corn rinsed not thawed
½ of green bell pepper chopped
½ of red bell pepper chopped
1 jalapeno seeded and chopped
½ cup of green onion tops chopped
½ bunch of cilantro chopped
2 garlic cloves pressed
½ of lime juiced
3 T. of canola oil
2 to 3 T. of white vinegar
Sprinkle of cumin optional

Directions:
Combine all ingredients together in medium size bowl, cover and refrigerate 1-2 hours.

When done marinating the chicken get large skillet and spray with Pam turn heat to med-high and cook all the chicken until cooked through.

When chicken is done.  Take taco size corn tortilla or whole wheat or flour.  The corn and wheat are better for you, I used corn for mine.  Spray each side of the tortillas with cooking spray.  Heat a small skillet on med-high and cook the tortilla so they are browned a little but still soft.  Then fill with chicken and salsa and low fat cheese.  Enjoy!

Tip: for little ones they may not like all the onions, peppers and lime juice  in the salsa so add everything but those take a few spoons out for them then add the rest of ingredients.

My kids like it the way it is though.

What healthy programs are you a part of this year?  I would love to know!