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, jalapeño peppers (jalapeños, 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
