Healthy Options in Tex-Mex Restaurants: Entree Edition

Could you eat a jumbo chicken burrito slathered in queso every day?  How about cheese and spinach enchiladas with ranchero sauce?  Me?  Yes and yes.

But we know that eating that way on a consistent basis is not the foundation of a quality diet.  Given that we eat Tex-Mex so much in Texas, it is worth finding qualities staples at our favorite restaurants that keep our diets on track and don't have us eating 1000-calorie meals.

Image via FernandoMexicanCuisine.com

Monday we focused on margaritas.  Tuesday we tackled starters.  Now let's enjoy our entrees. You can eat relatively healthy entrees in Tex-Mex restaurants.  Order fajitas with light cheese and no sour cream or salads without cheese and fried tortilla strips are always a good choice.  Grilled fish tacos are also a nice option.

Always consider splitting an entree.  When you order a guacamole or other healthy appetizer, you have already enjoyed a fair amount of food.  The Tex-Mex portions are typically huge and big enough to share.

Let's dive a bit further with specific menu items at area restaurants:

Image via www.UncleJulios.com

Uncle Julio's 

• Ensalada Grande - delicious with the grilled portobello mushroom and salsa for dressing. 
• Soft Taco Plate - get black beans instead of refried.
• Vegetable Fajitas - ask for no butter.
• Mesquite Grilled Salmon 

Mi Cocina 

• Rico Salad - comes with fajita chicken or steak.  Try the spicy blue cheese dressing on the side or just enjoy salsa with your salad.  
• Tacos al Carbon - typically a good choice at any restaurant.
• Pauley's - sub the beef with chicken and borracho beans in place of refried beans.  
• Tilapia Vera Cruz or Salmon a la Parilla - both quality seafood dishes.
• Quinceañera Salad 

Fernando's 

• Tacos de Pescado - nix the cheese. 
• Pechugo de Pollo - again, nix the cheese, enjoy it with their delicious green salsa.
• Ensalada de Espinaca - enjoy with chicken or shrimp. 
• Jorge - get it with chicken and corn tortillas.
• Carne Asada - nix the sour cream.

Mattito's  - they make it easy with a ❤ next to their "healthier" items.

• Lite Fajitas - these are served with broccoli and cauliflower.  Delicious!
• De Marisco Salad - shrimp, salmon or scallops over a bed of greens.
• Pollo con Salsa Maiz - chicken with a tasty black bean sauce and a healthy serving of veggies.
• Enchiladas de Hongos - sauteed mushroom enchiladas served with a spicy Cascabel sauce, black beans and corn pepper salad.

Rafa's

• Veggie Enchilada Plate - order it with black beans and veggies, top with green tomatillo sauce.
• Pechuga Parilla - nix the cheese and substitute the refried beans for black or whole beans. 
• Veggie-Jitas - ask for black or whole beans instead of refried beans.
• Steve's Steak Tacos 
• Snapper a la Feliz

Blue Goose - I might have tried my very first margarita here...when I was 15....might.

• Chipotle Chicken - order with charra beans instead of refried. 
• Chicken Toluca Salad - nix the jack cheese and bacon. 
• Verde Enchiladas - this is big enough to split.

The Takeaway
Again, go ahead and enjoy quesadillas and nachos, once in a while.  If dining out in Tex-Mex restaurants is something you do a few times a week, make these healthier choices.  Your waistline will thank you.

How to Find Healthy Options at Tex-Mex Restaurants: Appetizers

Patio season is here and in Dallas/Fort Worth that also means the season of Tex-Mex and margaritas has officially arrived.  But if you're not careful, you can blow your calorie wad on frozen margaritas and chips before you even order your food.

The buzz about "The Tequila Diet" got my little pea brain swirling: how did Tex-Mex get so fatteningly wrong?

Mexican food, at its core, is pretty healthy.  A Mexican diet is full of beautiful produce, seafood and quality meats. Sure there is corn and fried chips but you can forgo them.  I was married in Mexico and actually lost weight the week I was there while enjoying wonderful food from authentic Mexican chefs.  Here is a sampling of what we enjoyed:

Steak, halibut and vegetables

Grilled shrimp with mango salsa

Salad with parmesan crisp

Ceviche 

Tex-Mex takes some liberties with cheese and fried items but I am fully convinced that you CAN find healthy Tex-Mex options and avoid a 1200 calorie meal at MOST restaurants if you look and ask nicely.

Let's start with starters 
I get it.  The fried tortilla chips come on the table and before you even order a drink, you have eaten a basket. You don't even want to know how many calories and fat that are in a basket of chips.

Corn Tortillas
Order non-fried corn tortillas to go along with your salsa and use that as your "starter".  If you really MUST have chips, take five (it's a nice simple number - that's the only reason I picked it) and break the chips in half.  Dunk each one in the salsa and savor it.  Eat slowly and you will enjoy the experience even more.

Guacamole
I order guacamole just about every time I eat Tex-Mex.  It's a wonderful starter.  I usually have that along with tortilla soup or a salad at most restaurants.  With your guacamole, employ the same corn tortilla strategy but tear your warm corn tortillas into quarters.  Top each quarter with some guacamole and salsa.  It's a delicious starter.

Want something even more calorie friendly?  Ask for a sliced tomato and enjoy that with your guacamole.  It's better than you think.

Seafood
Try ceviche.   Fernando's and Mi Cocina both offer great these amazing appetizers.  Mi Cocina's ceviche is a fresh, delicious blend of citrus juices, shrimp, avocado, mango and jicama.  YUM!

Another great starter is the shrimp appetizer so many restaurants serve.  Pepe & Mito's has a nice shrimp cocktail while La Calle Doce makes a delicious shrimp campechana.

Soups
Don't like seafood?  Soups are an outstanding option.  A cup of tortilla soup WITHOUT the cheese and tortilla strips is a great starter.  Matt's Rancho Martinez has a veggie laden tortilla soup that has big chunks of carrots and cauliflower.

The Takeaway
There is no problem indulging in nachos, quesadillas and queso occasionally.  As often as we eat Tex-Mex in Dallas/Fort Worth, it's not smart to indulge that way meal after meal.  Making the produce, seafood and lean meats the bulk of your Tex-Mex diet will help keep your weight in check while enjoying the patio, margaritas and people watching.

Wednesday we'll focus on Tex-Mex entrees.

The Tequila Diet? Really? Maybe.

Oh my.  This could be the diet that is custom made for patio-craving, Tex-Mex fans across the country, particularly in Dallas/Fort Worth.

Patron Silver

A new study has found that agavins, the natural sugar found in the agave plant (the plant that produces tequila) can aid in weight loss and help fight diabetes.

Researchers fed mice a standard diet but added agavins to their water.  The mice that consumed the agavin-laden water ate less and had lower overall blood glucose levels.  The study suggests that regular consumption of agavins, say in a sweetener, could help people battling diabetes and assist in weight loss.

There's no agavin sweetener (these sugars are different from agave syrup), so we'll just have to stick with tequila for now which isn't a bad way to indulge in alcohol.  Why?  Because if you're not doing teenage-style tequila shots, you can't slam it.  Tequila is a sipping cocktail.

A Healthier Margarita
Margaritas can be a full-on fat pill when you drink the syrupy sweet sugar bombs.  Additionally, those pre-made low-cal margaritas, sorry SkinnyGirl fans, are just terrible.  Any time I drink them, I have the worst hangovers.

Make an all-natural margarita, using good tequila, and you will never drink from a pre-made mix again.  All you need is three ingredients:

• 1.5 oz tequila
• 2 tsp agave nectar 
• 1 oz lime juice (approx 1/2 of a lime) 

Mix the ingredients by swirling or stirring, to dissolve the agave nectar.  Add enough ice to your favorite margarita glass.  Serve with a salted rim, if desired, and a lime wedge. 

Clothes That Work Both In AND Out of the Gym

You know my struggle to avoid looking like a sloth at the gym.  Designers are taking note.

Earlier this week, Lululemon announced it's "Function, Meet Fashion" line which offers fashion solutions for our busy lives.  It recognizes that we "don't have time for a wardrobe that keeps forcing you to change".  While I couldn't wear some of these clothes to work, they are perfect for running errands, lunch after a workout and cocktails.

The Here to There Tank top ($58.00) is particularly chic.  It's great for yoga, barre class or pilates and beyond.

Here To There Tank, front view/image via Lululemon.com

Here To There Tank/image via Lululemon 

The tank top is paired with the Here To There Short in blue ($54.00).  It also comes in black.  Adorable. Interestingly, the size 4's in both the tank and shorts are already sold out on Lululemon.com.  Those Lulu lovers are tiny!

Here are a few more looks that offer style and function both in and out of the gym.

Athleta
Athleta is a fashion forward fitnesswear line with a tad higher price point but worth it.  Their clothes are definitely dual-purpose.  They offer free shipping over $50.

Athleta Mix and Mingle Skirt, $59.99

This Athleta skirt is a wonderful versatile option in a breathable "Teelicious" fabric.  It comes in a variety of colors ranging from basic black to an on-trend radiant orchid.  You can wear this on a powerwalk or over yoga shorts after a workout.

Athleta Orinda Top, $44.99

There are some incredibly stylish tops you can pair with the skirt, like this Orinda long sleeve top by Athleta in teaberry. 

Athleta Second Chance Cami, $24.99

If you're looking for something more revealing, how about Athleta's Second Chance Cami Support top in fuschia.  I love so much of what they do.  They design clothes with the modern, fit and busy woman in mind.

Target
Target is bringing it for Spring, too.  They also offer free shipping with a $50 minimum purchase.

C9 by Champion Fit and Flare Tank Top, $19.99

How cute is this C9 by Champion Fit and Flare Tank Top?  It comes in a range of pretty Spring colors and is only $19.99!

C9 by Champion Long Sleeve Yoga T-Shirt, $24.99

You can throw this long sleeve yoga t-shirt over it for some warmth.

C9 by Champion Everyday Fitted Pant, $18.68

Wear the whole look with some sleek black fitted pants like these and I think you're in great shape for almost any casual setting.

Get the Goodies Featured in This Post

The Dallas Cowboys TwitterView with Gavin Escobar and Jeff Heath

Like any rookies, Gavin Escobar and Jeff Heath had quite the learning curve their first season in the NFL with the Cowboys last year.  Find out what that was AND why Heath could have a future as a TV producer in our Dallas Cowboys TwitterView.

Have a question for a player you would like to see featured in an upcoming Cowboys TwitterView?  Leave a note in the comments section.

This particular story was shot at iFly in Frisco after our first-ever attempt at indoor skydiving.  Read my review of iFly here.

What to Wear to a Mavs Game, St. Patrick's Day Edition

The Mavericks are fresh off a big win over Oklahoma City Sunday night.  YES, the Thunder was without three starters, including Russell Westbrook.  I don't care.  Dallas ended an 11-game losing streak to Kevin Durant and company but there's no time to revel in that victory.  The Mavs are back at the AAC Monday to host the Celtics which presents.....a fashion conundrum.

Dallas Mavericks Women's Solid Slim Fit V-Neck T-Shirt

Think about it: It's St. Patricks Day.  The day we are supposed to wear green.  The Celtics are THE team that was founded on the luck of the Irish!  When you think of them, you envision their green uniforms, the clover and leprechaun.

So what should the St. Patrick's Day-loving Mavs fan wear to a game like this one?  My daughter and I are actually going to the game.  I think this is a great night to break out a Mavericks t-shirt.  The good thing is that there are cute options for even the most sartorial Mavs fan.

Dallas Mavericks T-Shirt Options

Any of those t-shirts would pair well with skinny jeans like these from Rich and Skinny and a cute black blazer like this one from Asos (it's only $53!).

If all else fails and you can't find any colors that work, you can always wear Mavs jewelry.  Sure, some of it is cheesy but I found a cute pendant from Kohl's.

Dallas Mavericks Pendant

It's on sale for $140, still pricey for sterling silver but it's the most stylish one I have seen.   Here's a more affordable version for $24.

What You Need to Know About the Mavs/Celtics Game

• The Mavericks have won six of their last seven games against the Celtics, as well as the last three at the American Airlines Center.  
• Dirk Nowitzki plays really well against Boston, averaging 26.5 points per game in 28 starts against the Celtics.  That is his highest scoring average against any opponent. 
• Boston is terrible with a 22-45 record this season, 8-24 on the road.  The Celtics have lost four in a row, including an overtime loss to New Orleans on Sunday. 
• Dallas is 40-27, 21-10 at home.  The Mavericks are currently 7th in the Western Conference, a half-game ahead of Memphis and just a game and a half ahead of 9th place Phoenix.  Meaning with 15 games left in the season, every game counts.  

Get the Looks Featured in This Post

iFly Dallas Indoor Skydiving Review

Have you had the urge to skydive but are too scared to jump out of a perfectly good airplane?  Then iFly Indoor Skydiving might just be your speed.

I had the chance to experience indoor skydiving with Cowboys players Jeff Heath and Gavin Escobar for a story. Shooting the story at iFly in Frisco was actually Jeff's idea and it was a brilliant one.

Candidly, I had no clue what to expect and I thought I might lose my lunch.  Turns out the experience was the most fun four minutes I have had in a long time.

What Exactly is iFly?
The iFly concept delivers true free fall conditions in a huge wind tunnel which is similar to the ones members of military and professional skydivers use for training.

You fly in an enclosed flight chamber which has fans that generate wind speeds in excess of 175 miles per hour and let you experience true weightlessness.
The iFly Dallas Experience 
Before you can fly, you have to go through a thorough, yet simple training session.  None of it is too complicated. Our instructor was engaging and made sure everyone in our training session, which included a child under 10, understood the hand signals and correct body positioning required for our flights.

It shocked me to learn that people as young as three years old can participate.

Jeff Heath, me and Gavin Escobar in "uniform"

Once we gear up in what I must admit are uniforms that do a body no favors, our "class" entered the wind tunnel seating area.  The wind tunnel is quite loud.  You really can't hear anyone if you try to talk.

Jeff Heath flying

Each of us received a flying session with our instructor that lasted about 90 seconds to two minutes.  During the first session, our instructor guided us the entire time.

After everyone flies once, we go again.  Each of us paid for the "high-fly" package which allowed us to fly high up into the tunnel.  In the second go-round we were able to fly unassisted, lying horizontal similar to Superman.

Our photographer, Daniel Royas, flying

We weren't able to do any crazy, acrobatic maneuvers that the flight instructors are capable of performing.  We were just lucky to remain horizontal and not run into the wall.

What It's Like 
In short: it's amazing.  I could not stop smiling the entire time while in flight.  Both Gavin and Jeff thought it was awesome, too.  I never once felt queasy.  It's truly that free feeling of flying with a cool wind blowing in your face. Just spectacular.

The instructor indicated we might be sore the next day because we were using back and abdominal muscles we typically don't engage.  While the flight is a workout, there was no soreness at all.  I felt fine.

The only downside is that the actually flying time is pretty short, roughly less than five minutes. Everyone in my group was a first-timer, so we participated in the First Time Flyer package which included the training session and gear rental. There are also Return Flyer and Experienced Flyer packages.  You can purchase up to one continuous hour of flying time.

The Cost 
Because we were shooting a story, the team at iFly was nice enough to give us a complimentary session.  A First Time Flyer family package for five people (the one we had) is $269.95.  The same package for a single person is $59.95.

I would do this on my own in a heartbeat.  It was the experience of a lifetime that I can't wait to try again.

The Details 
iFly Indoor Skyding is located at 8380 SH 121 in Frisco.  It's right off 121.  You can't miss it.