10 Healthy Recipes For Your Cinco de Mayo Celebration

There are many authentic Mexican dishes that have become staples for Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the U.S. From homemade chips and antioxidant-rich salsas to mezcal- and tequila-inspired cocktails, making your own, healthier Cinco de Mayo food traditions with these flavor-packed (and mostly vegetarian) recipes is simple. For inspo, we also include three low-sugar and low-calorie margarita recipes for a little conscious indulgence. Salud! Read on for our take on traditional Mexican-American inspired Cinco de Mayo recipes with a healthy twist. Your Healthy Cinco de Mayo Menu Baked Homemade Tortilla Chips (Image: Healthy Nibbles And Bits) Store-bought chips can be full of highly-refined oils and sodium. Create your own healthier version by making tortilla chips at home. These chips are baked, not fried and use heart-healthy olive oil. Top these baked chips sparingly with sea salt to minimize sodium content. Spicy Guacamole (Image: Rick Bayless) No celebration of Mexican food could be complete without guacamole. Guacamole’s main ingredient–avocados–are full of nutrients, fiber and antioxidants. Add in some onions and peppers to give your guacamole a flavorful kick, alongside anti-inflammatory benefits. This authentic recipe contains avocados, green chiles, garlic and onions. Instead of the standard cilantro, chef Rick Bayless (who has traveled extensively across Mexico to school himself on its authentic cuisine), suggests other Mexican herbs such as pipisa or papalo., Avocado and Mango Salsa This avocado and mango salsa is part guacamole, part salsa and fully delicious. Avocados are a great source of potassium and rich in folate, a B vitamin necessary for proper brain function and healthy pregnancy. Mangoes are brimming with vitamins A and C. Combine them for a simple yet deliciously nutritious treat for your Cinco de Mayo celebration. Mexican Ceviche (Image: My Latina Table) Ceviche is a light and refreshing dish often served along the coasts of Mexico. Containing fish, citrus fruits, fresh vegetables and spices, Mexican ceviche is full of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Keep in mind that ceviche is not cooked, so it is imperative to purchase high-quality fish and be aware of the risks of eating raw fish (though ceviche does contain a high amount of citric acid that decreases risk). Vegetable-Stuffed Tamales (Image: In Mama Maggies Kitchen) Tamales are a traditional Mexican dish made of masa stuffed with various toppings. Though making them can be a bit labor-intensive, their flavor makes it so worth it. You can stuff tamales with almost anything, but we love veggie-stuffed tamales for obvious reasons. These mushroom-stuffed tamales are slightly smoky, delicious and full of healthy ingredients. Healthy Mexican Frittata with Pico de Gallo If you want to celebrate Cinco de Mayo all day, try this frittata that features Mexican flavors. Frittatas are a delicious way to pack your breakfast full of veggies. We also love fresh, organic eggs due to their protein and nutrient content (vitamin D and choline!). Flavored with herbs and Mexican spices, this dish will start your day in the fiesta spirit. Tacos! Everybody loves tacos! Create your own delicious versions with a homemade spice blend. Packaged spices often contain added sugars and preservatives, while fresh blends full of fragrant and healthy spices are so easy to make. This spice blend contains chili powder, cumin and oregano, which all have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Low-Sugar Cinco de Mayo Libations Margaritas have become synonymous with Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the U.S. and for good reason! Americans love its mix of sweet, sour, salty and boozy flavor. But margaritas need to be done right, not laden with sugary mixes and bastardized recipes from chain restaurants, which are often full of artificial flavors, preservatives and high fructose corn syrup. Here are some low-calorie, low-sugar margarita recipes crafted with care to keep your Cinco de Mayo celebration on the healthy side. Tequila (or mezcal) is strong, so if you’re like us, just one of these tasty margaritas will do the trick. Keep in mind that all alcohol is diuretic, so make sure to drink a glass of water (or two) after your margarita. Grapefruit Jalape​​ño Margarita This tasty margarita might be low in sugar but it’s high in flavor and fun. Fresh grapefruit provides a sweet, yet tangy kick alongside vitamin C and antioxidants. Jalape​​ños contain a substance called capsaicin, which not only gives peppers their spice, but also provides anti-inflammatory properties. Light and Spicy Margarita This margarita is simple, yet delightful. It contains fresh lime juice, a little kick by way of fresh jalapeños and a subtle sweetness from just a touch of agave. This recipe requires that you infuse the tequila overnight, so make sure to plan ahead. Blackberry-Thyme Margarita This made-from-scratch margarita will elevate your Cinco de Mayo party with fruity effervescence. It contains fresh herbs, antioxidant-rich blackberries and sparkling water—a sophisticated twist on a seasonal favorite. Looking for more Cinco de Mayo-inspired recipes? Check out our Cinco de Mayo Food Traditions: Your Healthier Menu Straight From Puebla (Images: Shutterstock)

Fun, Healthy Recipes to Enjoy on St. Patty’s Day

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! Everyone’s Irish today, right?! Even if you don’t have a drop of Irish in your blood, this holiday is always a fun one to celebrate just because. One of the best things about any holiday is, of course, the food. Because, what would a celebration be without the “eat, drink and be merry” part?  If you’re searching for a list of healthy, but also fun and delicious recipes to help you celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day this year, we’ve pulled a few together that we think you’ll love.  Shamrock Shake Smoothie What would St. Patty’s Day be without the Shamrock Shake? Here’s a healthy spin on the classic Shamrock Shake, filled with nutritious veggies, packed with antioxidants, and of course, green for celebratory purposes.  You can always add some green powder for an even bigger boost. Oh, and the minty fresh after taste will have you wanting to make this even after we’re done celebrating St. Patrick.  Green Tea Yogurt If you want to keep everything green today, we suggest starting the day off with some green tea yogurt. What’s fun about this recipe? There are only 3 ingredients, and it’s an easy, healthy way to get an energy boost any day of the year. Frosty Coconut Mint Green Tea Mocktail This non-alcoholic refreshment is gluten-free, vegan, and paleo, with just a few simple ingredients that’ll leave you feeling hydrated and festive at the same time. It’s a super-fun Saint Patrick’s Day beverage the kids can enjoy too. Leprechaun Hats If you want to make a simple, but adorable and fun snack for everyone in your home, these little leprechaun bites are just the thing. With just a few, healthy ingredients, these bite-sized snacks are perfect for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Happy St. Patty’s Day snacking. St. Patrick’s Day Party Appetizer  Who isn’t looking for the end of the rainbow on St. Patty’s Day? Well, this iconic St. Patrick’s Day party platter will help you find it. If you want to make this recipe even healthier, try one of these 7 delicious healthy dips and enjoy your veggies with one of these fun dips.  Healthier Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage + Veggies Who doesn’t love the traditional Irish meal—corned beef and cabbage? If you want to make this classic Saint Patrick’s Day dinner recipe just a little healthier and lower in sodium (without losing out on taste) this version checks off all the boxes. This recipe calls for clarified butter or ghee instead of butter.  St. Patrick’s Day Fruit Salad Fruit salad makes a great snack, appetizer, or even dessert. This version uses every type of green fruit you can imagine, making it the perfect fruit platter for your St. Patty’s day celebration.  Vegan Spinach Pancakes Get your greens and your party on this Saint Patrick’s Day with this fun, delicious, and healthy version of the traditional pancake. Sweeten it slightly for a savory breakfast taste, or keep it unsweetened and use the pancakes to make a festive sandwich, instead. It’s up to you. Ok, so who’s getting this party started, STAT? Eat, drink, and be merry! photo credit: shutterstock

The Essential Healthy Cookout Menu

Google “cookout menu” and chances are you’ll get a million (or at least close to it) recipes for creamy pasta salads, sugary baked beans, mile high pies, and of course dozens of ways to make hot dogs gourmet. These dishes have become synonymous with summer bbqs. Unfortunately, they aren’t doing anything to help America’s waistlines. So, this summer, I’m challenging you to think outside the bun and make your next cookout menu a healthy one. After all, traditional unhealthy foods are novel every Memorial Day, but by the 4th of July, aren’t  you sick of filling your paper plate with globs of things that make you feel crappy? I’m sharing some of my fave recipes to set yourself up for success all summer long. Treat your guests to something different – yummy food AND leaving your summer soiree feeling happy and healthy. Cookout Menu – Starters: Don’t waste your time with chips, pretzels or other nutrient poor bowls of crunch. Make a gorgeous crudités plate, filled with veggies you may normally overlook: jicama, fennel, radishes, green beans and endive leaves are perfection on a smokin’ hot day. Just whip up an awesome dip to go with them and you’ll feel so good about not having greasy fingers while munching. Cucumber Feta Greek Yogurt Dip Hollow out a pepper and use it as the bowl to fill with this Greek yogurt dip. In lieu of crudités or packaged fried chips, make your own chips by slicing soft tortillas (look for 5 grams of fiber or more on the package – I’m a fan of Food for Life Organic Ezekial) into chip size triangles and tossing them on the BBQ for a few seconds on each side. Grilled Prosciutto Wrapped Jalapeños Grilled jalapeños stuffed with goat cheese and sun dried tomatoes wrapped in extra lean and delicate prosciutto will give that whole you’ve just completed culinary school look. Full of appetite suppressing capsaicin and protein, these one up a pig in a blanket any day! Cookout Menu – Main course: I’m not anti-bread, but truth be told, eating the bun of a burger or hot dog just isn’t something I’ll ever encourage. Buns tend to be nutrient poor and way over processed, so really, why waste time with them? I like to focus on the smoky barbecue flavor of the steak, chicken, fish or burger that normally goes inside. Just skip the bun and go the fork and knife direction, but I know that’s a little anti-barbecue, as it requires a seat and a table to be most effective. Do it anyway. I’ll join you on the grass. Or, you can try putting your grilled eats into a cabbage leaf or sturdy lettuce leaf and chow down – this idea came from one of my favorite Korean dishes bulgogi: Keri’s Beef Bulgogi Just a reminder – avoid charring meat as it is grilled over a hot barbecue. Don’t eat blackened or burned animal protein, including beef, pork, chicken or fish – we know that charred meats contain heterocyclic amines – compounds that are known to cause cancer. Cookout Menu – Dessert: Just because you’re praying for sun to wear your new polka dot bikini doesn’t mean you have to skip dessert altogether. You just need to take your focus off the tray of brownies and look to cleaner options that didn’t require the word “bake.” Brush some peaches, pineapple and plums with a little bit of honey and a sprinkle of nutmeg. Toss them on the grill for 3 – 8 minutes, depending on how hot the grill is and serve on a stick or with a spoonful of sorbet or vanilla bean ice cream and fresh mint.   Happy and healthy bbq! I hope your cookout menu sets the tone for how you’ll enjoy your summer – living your most Nutritious Life, always.