We’re thrilled to introduce Anne Imsick on the blog today who is sharing two healthy and inexpensive recipes that the whole family with love! For a little back story, Anne and I actually work together. As I’ve come to know her better she has become like my own personal dietitian. I love her food advice because 1) she loves great tasting food, and 2) she is a frugal shopper. On a “poor-college-student” budget I felt like it is almost impossible to eat healthy, but Anne provides some great tips on how to eat healthier while cutting some of the costs. She is so inspiring that we’ve asked her to share some of her healthy, money-saving tips on the blog.
Hi! I’m Anne, and I’m excited to share will you some simple healthy recipes and money saving tips. We don’t have children, but we definitely understand the concept of saving money when it comes to grocery shopping! My main stores are Costco & Trader Joe’s.
For my main entree, I am presenting TWO different recipes that utilize the same ingredient list. I’m all about mixing it up without having to buy more ingredients. The two entrees featured are: Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup & Easy Chicken Nachos! Both are packed with veggies, protein, and the thing every kid loves…. CHEESE. If you are dairy-intolerant, try Daiya brand (carried by Costco) which comes in various shredded flavors.
Recipe #1:
Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup (recipe adapted from food.com)::
– 1 (16 oz) can black beans
– 1 (16 oz) can niblet corn
– 1 (11 oz) can Rotel tomatoes & chilies (I add 1-2 cans depending on how much I want to stretch the soup)
– 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
– 1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies
– 1 (1 1/4 oz) envelope taco seasoning mix
– 1 (1 oz) envelope Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix
– 1 lb shredded chicken (COOKED)
NOTE: I buy pre-packaged Rotisserie meat already pulled off the bone from Costco. It comes in a huge, vacuum-sealed package right by the actual Rotisserie chickens. It’s ready to eat! It has been a game changer in our household.
DO NOT DRAIN CANS! Simply add every ingredient listed above to your slow cooker EXCEPT for your cooked chicken. That’s right — just dump it all in, stir, and leave it alone! Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours. You will add your cooked chicken during the last hour of slow cooking so it doesn’t get soggy.
Garnish each bowl of soup with the following ingredients as desired:
– Crushed black corn tortilla chips (Trader Joe’s)
– Shredded cheese
– Fage Greek yogurt — YOUR NEW SOUR CREAM! Jam packed with protein & it lasts a really long time. Costco sells a massive tub of it.
– Salsa — green or red!
– Avocado slices
Recipe #2:
Easy Chicken Nachos
This is more of a free-for-all, decorate your nachos as you please. Use the ingredients listed above as you like. I buy a few extra cans of the beans & corn to use for the nachos.
Typically I use:
– black corn tortilla chips
– Rotisserie chicken from Costco
– cooked black beans
– cooked corn
– Salsa
– Fage Greek yogurt
– Salsa
– Shredded cheese
– Avocado slice
Warm your cooked chicken in the microwave. Set aside. Then warm your tortilla chips on a large plate (microwave or oven) & set aside; each person usually will eat 10-15 chips. Set out your toppings buffet-style & you’re done! Each person will grab a plate & fix their nachos as they please.
And lastly, what’s a meal without dessert? Here is an easy recipe that is sure to fulfill your cravings while still providing you with plenty of protein!
– 2 oz. dark chocolate
– 1 Tbsp extra virgin coconut oil
– 1/4 cup shredded unsweet coconut
– 1/2 cup sliced almonds
– 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
1. Line a baking sheet or large plate with parchment paper or wax paper. Combine coconut, almonds, & walnuts in a bowl.
2. Melt together the chocolate & coconut oil in the microwave (on medium) in a glass bowl.
3. Stir nuts into chocolate mixture.
4. Drop spoonfuls onto baking sheet while still warm; refrigerate until set.
5. DEVOUR!
Anne holds a B.S. in dietetics from Texas A&M University. She loves Jesus, her family and friends, running, yoga, exploring Oregon, playing piano, and cooking easy, healthy, and affordable meals.
~SARA
Linked To:
When I think of easy snack ideas I like to think of it in terms of “what will fill up my hungry family?” and these snacks are definitely easy and filling! I like to make an easy “smorgasbord” of color & options. Lately my fave snack has consisted of making a plate of these 4 things, all of which I purchased at Costco:
