BEEF TACO BAKE

BEEF TACO BAKE

My granddaughter Malinda Sue gave me this recipe and my grandson David (he lives with me) made it last night…You simply have to make this…It is so simple to make and soooo good to eat…It was even better today…

INGREDIENTS:
2 cans of Ro-Tel tomatoes with green chilies drained (reserve 1/2 cup juice)
1 can refried beans
1 tablespoon hot sauce…(David used 2 tablespoons of Frank's Hot Sauce)
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
12 taco shells
1-1/2 pounds ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning mix
3 green onions chopped

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 475 degrees.
Mix 1 can tomatoes, refried beans, hot sauce and cilantro in a bowl.
Spread evenly over bottom of rectangular baking dish and top with 1 cup cheese.
Cook ground beef in skillet until no longer pink.
Drain off any fat and add taco seasoning.
Fill each taco shell with some cheese and beef.
Place in bean mixture so standing upright.
Once all shells are filled cover pan with foil and bake 10 minutes.
Remove foil and bake another 6 minutes until cheese melts.
Sprinkle with the chopped green onions & serve.

Four Miles Down That Road Again!!

Now that I am in the Tuesday weight challenge, (over on Janene's Blog "Primitive Lifestyle"), I will be posting my weight loss on Tuesdays, instead of Mondays...I will also post some awesome, good for you recipes...so join me on my journey "Down That Road Again."

I don't know how I did it but I lost another 5.5 pounds....Happy about that, but know it has all been a lot of fluid loss...Don't expect such a good outcome next week...This Saturday I am going with my son and 2 granddaughters shopping at the Mall Of America and know that it will be hard to pass up all the goodies there...Please tell me how you would pass everything up....

A friend of mine bought the "Biggest Loser Cookbook" and this is what she said about it: "I got that "Biggest Loser Cookbook" and I have to tell ya--it has totally changed my eating habits---it is budget friendly too and I have lost 7lbs in 3 weeks---it is good whole foods that you have at home and it is one of the best cookbooks EVER if you or anyone are on a road to eating better---HIGHLY recommended!"
So I bought one on Amazon and it should be here soon...Will try some of the recipes and then let you know how they were.....

I am traveling this "Road Again" just for me. I have only to answer to myself, and I am my harshest critic!
I have learn to celebrate myself for every change that I have made. I've realized that small accomplishments mean as much as large ones and should never be ignored. On some days just getting through it with out cheating myself is an accomplishment in and of itself. I allow myself to realize that.
As the weight comes off I am discovering that my self confidence is growing. I have never realized how the weight was affecting not only my body, but my mind. I have spent a lifetime doubting myself, speaking badly to myself and about myself and never allowed myself to realize my full potential.
I can say I will never again be "on a diet." This is going to be a lifelong change and it feels amazing!

Janene here is the recipe I promised you!

General Tao's Chicken:
Serves 4.......4 WW Points
Ingredients
3/4 cup(s) canned chicken broth, reduced-sodium
1 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
1/2 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp peanut oil
2 medium scallion(s), chopped
2 medium garlic clove(s), minced
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, or 1 dried chili pepper, minced
1 pound(s) uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 2-inch pieces
2 cup(s) cooked white rice, kept hot
Instructions
In a medium bowl, whisk together broth, cornstarch, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar and ginger; set aside.
Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add scallions, garlic and pepper and cook 2 minutes. Add chicken and cook until browned all over, about 5 minutes.
Add reserved sauce and simmer until sauce thickens and chicken is cooked through, about 3 minutes.
Serve chicken and sauce over rice.
Yields about 1 cup of chicken and sauce and 1/2 cup of rice per serving.

Cheesy Chili-Mac
Serves 8......5 WW Points
A hearty meal in a bowl. It's full of great stuff like lean beef, pinto beans and chili peppers. Turn leftovers in burritos.

Ingredients
1 spray(s) cooking spray
2/3 pound(s) raw extra lean ground beef
2 medium onion(s), chopped
29 oz canned stewed tomatoes, Mexican-style (undrained)
2 1/2 cup(s) canned tomato juice
4 oz canned green chili peppers, diced, drained
2 tsp chili powder
1 1/2 cup(s) uncooked macaroni, elbow
31 oz canned pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup(s) low-fat shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
Coat a large skillet with cooking spray. Cook ground beef and onion over medium-high heat until meat is browned, about 10 minutes; drain off fat.
Stir in undrained stewed tomatoes including juice, tomato juice, chili peppers and chili powder; bring mixture to a boil.
Stir in macaroni and beans; return to boiling. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until macaroni is tender, about 15 minutes. Spoon chili into bowls and sprinkle with cheese.
Yields about 1 cup of chili and 1 tablespoon of cheese per serving.

Slow-Cooker Shepherd's Pie!!

Slow cookers have made a comeback as a frugal cook's appliance of choice. And for good reason: They offer hands-off cooking, which can free up time for you to do other things while still serving a nutritious meal...

Slow-Cooker Shepherd's Pie

32-ounce bag frozen Tator Tots
1-pound ground beef, browned
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 (14-ounce) cans vegetables such as green beans, mixed vegetables, corn or cream corn
1 (10-3/4 ounce) can cream-of-mushroom soup
1 Tablespoon of dried onions
1/4 cup mild cheddar, shredded

Line the bottom of the slow cooker with the Tator Tots. Combine remaining ingredients, and pour over the Tator Tots...Cook on high for 3 hours, Sprinkle additional shredded cheddar cheese on top: