Saturday, April 2, 2011

Taquitos and FACTS ON DEPRESSION

Saturday, April 2, 2011

About 60% of clients that I see are taking a prescription drug for depression or anxiety. Could our food supply be affecting our brain health? I KNOW so! It is not your fault for these low moods. We just need to start eating quality "food" rather than fill our stomach with "substance."

Certain foods make us feel better by boosting brain neurotransmitter levels such as serotonin and dopamine, and some foods make us feel terrible, one of which is trans fats. Trans fatty acids lead to biological changes that are linked not only to heart disease, but also to depression. Trans fats have a HUGE impact on LDL (bad) cholesterol which blocks blood flow to the brain. In the brain, substances secreted by inflammation interferes with neurotransmitters that affect mood. To read more, check out my book: Secrets to Controlling Your Weight Cravings and Mood.

So if you have these frozen mini tacos in your freezer, it may be time to make some changes.

Ingredients: Filling: Cooked beef in broth (beef, beef broth, salt), beef, water, pasteurized process cheddar cheese (cheddar cheese [milk, culture, salt enzymes], water, sodium phosphate, milkfat, sodium hexametaphosphate, salt, color added, [annatto and apocarotenal] if colored), textured wheat protein (wheat gluten, wheat flour, phosphate, caramel, antioxidants), textured vegetable protein (soy flour, caramel color), tomato paste, contains 2% or less of: gelatin, jalapeƱo peppers (jalapeƱos, salt, acetic acid, calcium chloride), hydrolyzed corn gluten, soy protein and wheat gluten, cheddar cheese flavoring (milk, whey, corn syrup, sugar, salt, cheese culture, sodium phosphate, enzymes), flavorings, modified food starch, salt, guar gum, chili powder (chili pepper, salt, spices, garlic powder), vinegar, disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate. Tortilla: Corn flour (corn masa flour, trace of lime), water, salt, modified food starch. Tortilla may be sealed with modified food starch and/or water. Fried in partially hydrogenated soybean oil.



Try this recipe instead:

TORTILLA:
1/3 cup blanched almond flour
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup unflavored whey protein
1 tsp Celtic sea salt
Water (just enough to hold together)

In a medium bowl, mix all the dry ingredients. Slowly add water, just enough to hold the dough together. On greased parchment paper, roll out dough into a thin rectangle. Cut into 2 x 5 inch rectangles. Set aside to fill meat with.

BEEF FILLING:
1 (3.3 pound) grass fed beef roast (you will have extra)
*You could also use CHICKEN
1 tsp Celtic sea salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
1 TBS coconut oil
5 cups beef broth
1 onion quartered
3 garlic cloves

In a bowl mix together salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin and oregano. Rub mixture all over beef roast to coat. In a large pan heat oil. Brown roast on all sides, about 6 minutes per side. Place in a slow cooker. Add onion and garlic. Pour in water and beef broth. Cover and cook for 8 hours. Remove from slow cooker and shred. Use to fill tortillas.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease baking sheet. To assemble, spoon 2 tablespoons of meat mixture into tortilla and roll closed. Place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat until all are rolled.

Bake for 15 -20 minutes or until ends start to brown. Remove and sprinkle cheese on top. Turn oven setting to broil and broil for 2-3 minutes or until cheese melts. Remove from oven. Top with shredded lettuce and guacamole if desired. Serve with salsa for dipping.

This will make a lot of meat so you will have leftover meat. Idea: Make my Beef Stroganoff for tomorrow!

NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per serving: 5 mini TAQUITOS)
El Charrito Taquitos = 380 calories, 42 carbs, 4g fiber
"Healthified" Taquitos = 257 calories, 1.9 carbs, trace fiber

17 comments:

  1. these are fantastic!!! and the extra whey for protein is so clever!!

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  2. Hi Maria! I was wondering if we could use coconut flour instead? I don't have almond flour lol

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  3. No. Coconut flour and almond flour are totally different.

    I will post converting flours on my blog post tomorrow.

    Happy baking!

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  4. Any tips on rolling out the dough? When I tried to roll it our, the dough would stick and break apart. I tried putting oil on the rolling pin and using water also.

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    Replies
    1. I usually roll our between two pieces of wax paper sprayed with oil. :)

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    2. I figured out the problem with the dough. I added too much water. Would it still work if I reduced the cheese?

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    3. I would do a little more cheese and a little more almond flour.

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  5. Thank you and we love, love, love your books, blog, and everything, I have struggled with my son since birth, he is now 6, with his diet. I knew a lot of what you teach already, but you have shown me so much more. I am working through your recipes one at a time to help him with his congestion, breathing, and coughing. I tell everyone about you!

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  6. How could I modify the tortilla recipe to make it dairy-free? I assume the Parmesan acts as a binder here, so leaving it out isn't an option. Is there something I could substitute?

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    Replies
    1. The protein powder act more as the binder so you could try it and adjust as needed with the batter. :)

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  7. Hi, I have a question. Can I use any unflavored protein powered, like a RAW plant protein?

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I am a fan of this one. :)
      http://astore.amazon.com/marisnutran05-20/detail/B002QXZVWQ

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    2. Thanks! I had some plant protein and just got done using left over roast for these and the dough broke apart and didn't roll. I just kind of smooched it all together LOL. I am loving your blog! We just went grain and sugar free and I was having a heck of a time trying to find things my 10 yr old son would like, so I'm crossing my fingers trying out a lot of your recipes!

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    3. We just got done with them and while my husband and daughter liked it, my son said it was OKAY with salsa and I didn't like it. I am wondering if my protein just has too weird of a taste for me. I see a lot of your recipes call for a protein powder, is there something else to substitute?

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    4. Different protein powders taste different. I have had others tell me they tried a different protein powder (than the Jay Robb) and didn't like the taste at all. That is one of the reasons I promote Jay Robb. :)

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    5. Thanks! I'll have to check that one out then because I am excited to try lots of recipes, but not after using the kind I got lol

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