My kids are very picky eaters. They won’t eat tomatoes (except spaghetti sauce and ketchup) or beans…unless I hide them in the food. This chili recipe uses pureed tomatoes and black beans which not only makes it edible by my kids, but it makes it thick and yummy.

This recipe is healthy and tastes great. Its adapted from the Chili recipe in the Abs Diet by David Zinczenko.

1 pound ground turkey or lean beef

1 sm onion chopped

2 cloves garlic minced

2 cans  (14 oz each) diced tomatos

2 cans (15 oz each) black beans rinsed and drained

2 cans (14 oz each) whole-kernel corn

1/2 cup water (you can add more depending on your desired thickness)

Spices:

2 tbsp  all-purpose whole wheat flour

1 tbsp ground flaxseed

1 tbsp chili powder (or more to taste)

1/4 tsp red pepper (cayenne) (or more to taste)

1 tsp ground cumin

In a large pot, brown the ground meat until done and drain. Add onion and garlic to the pan and cook until soft.  Puree the tomatoes and black beans together. Add the bean/tomato mixture and all the other ingrediants to the meat and onions.

Makes 8 servings (4 can be frozen for a later meal)

A great option is to serve the chili over brown rice.

Since getting the book, I made chocolate granola bars with spinach (its the blueberry bars in the book, but I used chocolate), added squash to macs and cheese, and tonight included cauliflower and sweet potato in homemade chicken and rice soup. And they ate it and liked it! Better yet, I didn’t have to bug them about eating their veggies.

I do include regular veggies as a side and make them eat them. But I don’t have to worry about the one bite they take because I know they are getting other veggies covertly.

The planning and having ready-made puree is a hassle. I don’t like planning or hassles. My solution has been to use baby food. Its already pureed and ready to ad. Plus the small (level 1) size jars are just the right amount for most meals.

Another good book is The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids’ Favorite Meals by Missy Chase Lapine that uses the same hide-the-veggies strategy. She offers some great recipes and few more puree ideas.

Hi again. Mike here with another Lean-Body Secrets Ezine.

Today, I have one of my never before released delicious Lean-Body desserts or snacks that always helps to satisfy my sweet tooth while at the same time getting TONS of quality nutrition.

It’s my own special version of a healthy peanut-butter-fudge! If you don’t like nuts or peanut butter, you can simply leave out those ingredients and make a chocolate-only version. Pay attention, because there are specific ingredients that make this a LOT healthier for you than typical fudge.

I will say that this dessert / snack is not low-calorie per se, but it is loaded with quality healthy fats, some protein, LOTS of antioxidants, and is relatively low in sugar, while also containing a decent dose of fiber. Overall, it’s a great snack that helps curb your appetite, fuel your muscles, loads you up on protective antioxidants, and quells that sweet tooth that often makes you overeat on refined sweets.

Geary’s Lean-Body Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge

• 3/4 cup organic coconut milk (not the watered down “light” version which just replaces some of the healthy coconut fat with water)
• 1 bar (3-5 oz. bar works well) of quality extra dark chocolate (look for at least 70-75% cocoa content on the label)
• 4-5 tablespoons of peanut butter or your favorite nut butter (almond butter, cashew butter, macadamia butter, etc)
• 3/4 cup raisins (optional)
• 1/2 cup whole almonds (optional)
• 2 Tbsp raw wheat germ
• 2 Tbsp rice bran (usually only available at health food stores)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• A little stevia powder to sweeten

Start by adding the coconut milk (cans of organic coconut milk are available at most health food stores and possibly even your grocery store) and vanilla extract to a small saucepan on very low heat. Break up the extra dark chocolate bar into chunks and add into pot. Add the nut butter and the stevia, and continuously stir until it all melts together into a smooth mixture.

Then add the raisins, almonds, wheat germ, and rice bran and stir until fully blended. Spoon/pour the fudge mixture onto some waxed paper in a dish and place in the fridge until it cools and solidifies together. Place in a closed container or cover with foil in fridge to prevent it from drying out.

Enjoy small squares for dessert and for small snacks throughout the day. This is about as good as it gets for a healthy yet delicious treat!

5 Tips to Flat Abs