Celebrating Cinco de Mayo a little early…

Hello friends! Yesterday was doom and gloom in Boston and it made me just want to crawl back under my covers and nap the day away. Unfortunately I have a job and they would probably frown on “napping” as my reason for not going to work. Instead I trucked my butt into work and secretly was glad that if I had to be at work that at least it wasn’t a beautiful day outside that I was missing.

I ended up having a good day and by the time I got home I was feeling festive, but ready to chow down. Fortunately I had some beans in the slow cooker and it turned into a Mexican Fiesta. Early Cinco de Mayo celebration?! Sure, why not?!

Any time I’m feeling a little hungry for tacos or Mexican food I whip up my favorite “Taco” Salad. It is super easy, full of healthy eats, and really filling!

Start with the base. Throw together whatever veggie goodies you like. I typically go with 2 c. of bibb lettuce mix, 1/2 c. chopped peppers, 5 or so grape tomatoes, a few slices of red tomato and 1/4 avocado. Always apply black pepper liberally.

While this looks delish, it isn’t quite there yet. Add 4 oz. ground turkey mixed with 1 tbsp of homemade taco seasoning or premade reduced sodium taco seasoning.

Eh. Alllllmmmmoooost there. Mix together 2 tbsp plain non-fat greek yogurt with 2 tbsp of your favorite salsa. I ran out of regular salsa so I added salsa verde this time. So creamy and a little savory!

Usually this would make the meal and I’d be settled on the couch watching People’s Court at this point. BUT! I thought ahead and put together some refried beans.

Slow Cooker Non-Refried Beans
In the mix (Serves 8, 1/2 cup servings):
-2 cups dry pinto beans
-1/2 onion, diced
-1/2 jalapeno, diced (or several jalapeno slices)
-2 garlic cloves, diced
-2 tsp cumin
-3 tsp salt
-2 tsp pepper
-1 tsp chili powder, optional but great for a little more heat
-8 cups water

*Throw everything in the slow cooker and cook on high for 8 hours. Drain bean mixture, but reserve the liquid. Mash to desired consistency while adding in reserved liquid as needed.

However, if you are running short on time you could always do my K.I.S.S method for non-refried beans. No, these are not authentic, but they taste great and work in a pinch for when you are trying to satisfy a serious refried beans craving.

Lets just put this out there…refried beans DO NOT photograph well. Yes, I have lighting issues in general, but these just look disgusting. Kind of like baby poo? Ugh.  I promise they tasted much better than they looked. I’m trying to cut down on my dairy intake so I skipped the shredded cheese this time and added a sprinkling of nutritional yeast.

All together now…

Glorious. Healthified. Ole!

In addition to this epic combo, I wanted to share some of my other favorite Cinco de Mayo recipes from other bloggers. All of these recipes and tips are sure to quench your thirst or satisfy your taste buds without adding inches to the waistline. You best believe that some of these will be on my plate this weekend!

-Skinny Beergaritas from Eat Yourself Skinny

-Mango Guacamole from Honey, I Shrunk the Gretchen

-Grilled Fajita Tacos from SpaBettie

-Mexican Pizza from Beth’s Journey to Thin

-and some great tips on how to celebrate outside of the house from the Tone It Up girls!

I hope you guys are having a great day! Tonight I am treating myself to some piloxing and a massage. How about that for fun Wednesday night?!

Will you be sipping a margarita at any point this weekend?

Tagged as: beans, Cinco de Mayo, recipes, refried beans, slow cooker, taco salad, turkey