It's Starting To Look Like Christmas! & Skinnychangas

Hello and Happy Wednesday! Whoa!!!!!! we are officially in the month of December. I guess we can start the official countdown to Christmas now. We got the tree and decorations up. The tree is a bit out of sorts...LOL...I need to go through and tidy it up a bit after the 5 & 7 year old. We let them do the majority of the tree decorations and then I go behind them and just straighten it up a bit :-) It is fun.

Today was a wonderful day. I love days like today. The kind of day where the air is cold and crisp, but the sun is warm. I try to get outside and stand in the sun for 10- 15 minutes a day (at least)or longer if I make it out for a nice long walk or run. There is just something about getting some nice sunshine everyday that will always make you feel better.

I have been thinking about burritos for a few days now so this recipe is one that I have had rolling around in my head. It didn't disappoint! It was a hearty and filling burrito and I think you will enjoy it too. You can use lean ground turkey, chicken, or even just the beans, but in my opinion the beef is what makes this burrito. If you have a Trader Joe's near by it is worth the trip for their black refined beans and their salsa verde! Seriously, good stuff. If you do not have a Trader Joe's nearby and cannot find refried black beans you can simply replace them with regular non fat refried beans that all grocery stores carry. I also love these whole wheat tortillas made by La Tortilla Factory. Take a look at the nutritional info:


Here is what you will want to make your burritos:




Makes 8 burritos
8 large burrito shells
1 lb. or lean ground beef (organic is preferred)
1 can of black refried beans
3 small tomatoes diced
1 jar of salsa verde - you will not use the whole jar
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp dried cilantro *optional
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
very small dash of sea salt

Preheat oven to 350. Brown up your beef and add in all of your seasonings. Cook through and add in your can of beans and stir well to combine. Allow this to cook for a few minutes and add in your chopped tomatoes. You will want to add about 1/3 cup of salsa verde into this meat mixture and stir. Now take your casserole dish and give it a spray with cooking spray (I like Pam olive oil) and place 1 tablespoon of salsa verde a tortilla and 1/3 cup of the meat mixture into the burrito shell and fold up. Place seam side down in the casserole dish. Repeat until all of the shells are stuffed. I had some meat mixture left over and will probably throw this on top of some lettuce with some salsa and make a burrito bowl type of lunch so that the leftovers wont go to waste. Spray the tops of your folded burritos and place them in the oven. You will bake them for 15 minutes and turn them being very careful because they will be hot and bake for an additional 6 minutes. I like mine with some low fat sour cream and a dash of hot sauce, but you can top yours with whatever you prefer.
Place 1 tbls of salsa verde on top of your tortilla

Next you will want 1/3 of a cup of your meat/bean mixture

Be sure you spray the bottom of your casserole dish before placing the burritos inside and also spray the tops - this will make them nice and crisp.

You can top them with whatever you like!


I will "see" all of you later. I am working on some healthy desserts because lets face it, we cannot make it through this month without some dessert! Have a good evening!