Crazy Good Quesadillas

Unfortunately, there are many evenings when my husband is unable to be present for dinner. On such occasions, it is unlikely that I will have the energy to take on the work involved in preparing a complex dinner menu, only to be the sole server, dish washer, and parent afterward. Nights like this call for something light and healthy with little clean up. 

While I will take the 'easier' way out of these partner-less situations, I never skimp on quality. Valuable ingredients coupled with creativity make quick, nutritious, last minute meals simple.

My favorite stand-by quick meal is quesadillas. Typically, my children request spinach and cheese quesadillas. I actually keep the 4 ingredients required for this simple meal on hand at all times; whole grain tortillas (corn in our house), extra virgin olive oil, fresh organic spinach, and a block of cheddar or mozzarella cheese.

Served with a bowl of berries, spinach quesadillas are kid friendly and well rounded. However, such a simple meal lacks a certain adult appeal. Serving myself this dish alongside my children's, left me feeling a little.....childish. So I decided to add a few grown up elements to the mix, leading to 'Crazy Good Quesadillas.'


Here's what you need:
Whole Grain Tortillas
Olive Oil
Pepper Jack Cheese
Organic Tomato
Re fried BLACK beans (Amy's Organic are my favorite because they're already seasoned.)
If your black beans are unseasoned, add some garlic, onion, and basil.




Oil the griddle, layer tortilla, cheese, tomato (diced works best), cheese, spread beans on the inside of top tortilla. Cook for about 5 mins. on high, flip and cook for another 5 mins.  Move to cutting board and cut into halves or quarters (a pizza cutter works well here).

Serve with a simple veggie like a whole baked sweet potato topped with apple butter, honey, or sea salt and paprika.Or fresh organic spinach with this homemade honey balsamic vinaigrette: 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons honey, 1/2 cup olive oil, salt and ground black pepper to taste.

Keep in mind that this Mexican inspired dish is not for weak taste buds. It is hearty, and packs a powerful flavor. 

Yummy Yogurt

A healthy meal plan will include several small meals throughout the day, which will aid in weight loss and blood sugar maintenance. Plan to eat a well rounded (protein + carb + good fat) meal every 2-3 hours.

This is a quick and easy, high protein and well rounded snack/meal. Complete with good fat (walnuts), valuable carbs (apple), and lean protein (yogurt).

1/4 c. organic plain low fat yogurt
3/4 c. organic vanilla low fat yogurt
1 green apple cubed
handful of small walnut pieces

Food Prude Facts:
Organic, Low Fat Yogurt is high in protein and good bacteria (probiotics) which are essential to a healthy gut, calcium, B vitamins, potassium, and magnesium and low in fat, sugar and calories. (Best when plain and vanilla are mixed, so you get the sweet flavor of vanilla, but with a reduced sugar content!)

Apples are known as a cleansing food, great source of fiber, antioxidants, flavonoids and vitamin C. Green apples are higher in C than red. Apples are best raw and unpeeled, cooking them destroys 70% of their disease fighting flavonoids which are contained in and near the skin.

Walnuts are a good fat, high in Omega 3, which works to lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and raise HDL (good cholesterol). Walnuts, in particular, have significantly higher amounts of omega 3 fatty acids as compared to other nuts. They are also high in fiber, B vitamins, magnesium and antioxidants such as vitamin E.