out  I have been very busy writing my next book and haven't shared a recipe in a while even though I have been cooking more than ever - creating and recreating.

I have also been searching for recipes on the internets and cookbooks and found so many were filled with unhealthy ingredients.  With a few tweaks though, they could be transformed and that is what led me to this gem.  

So today I am sharing my Bell Pepper Nachos. You will not even miss the corn chips as the peppers are so sweet and delicious. Okay, you might miss them a bit but these will still hit the spot. A great Sunday afternoon snack for the family.

Enjoy.
Susanne


Bell Pepper Loaded Nachos
Serves 6 

6 large red, yellow or orange bell peppers
1 pound ground meat (turkey, beef, lamb)
Taco Seasoning 
¾ cup canned black beans, rinsed and  drained
¾ cup organic, Non-GMO, cooked corn kernels, fresh or canned
¾ diced tomatoes
¼ cup sliced jalapenos (optional)
½ to 1 cup goat cheddar  cheese or Mexican cheese blend

Toppers:

Salsa
Sour Cream
Non-fat Greek Yogurt
Chopped Scallions

Preheat the oven to 375° F.  Prepare a large baking pan with parchment or use a silpat liner.  Set aside.

Remove the stems and seeds from the bell pepper and cut each into quarters. Lay the bell pepper chips in a second layer with their insides facing up.

In a large heated skillet, cook the ground meat, Add the taco seasoning along with about ⅔ cups water.  Add the black beans, corn, and jalapenos, if using. Mix well until well combined and heated through. 

Spoon the meat, bean mixture over the bell pepper pieces. Sprinkle on the cheese and bake for about 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted. 

Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Either place toppings on peppers  or  serve toppings on the side. 

The idea for this challenge at this particular time in our lives came from two places. Firstly, we are all living in strange, uncertain times that are causing us to be in a constant state of cortisol (stress hormone) stimulation. For some this highly felt and observed, for others it is a low level hum and for others life seems totally normal. We are all experiencing this pandemic differently. And we are all handling it differently. But that does not matter. Even if you are not "feeling stressed" the energy in the world has shifted and is effecting us all individually and collectively.

Which brings us to my second reason for implementing this challenge - our immune systems. Our immune systems are not only being challenged by stress but also by everything we consume. Never before has there been a time where we should be taking the best possible care of our health as humanly possible. Now is the time to eat healthy, sleep well, exercise and rest and renew and yet many people are doing the exact opposite.

So I want to present this 14 day challenge as a time to reset.

Each day you will receive a posting, video or written word, asking you to incorporate some changes (for some) into your life. I am planning to give you at least 2 recommendations in each post. Please take what you can from these posts and store the rest for a rainy day. Do what you can!

Please feel free to share this newsletter with friends and family and encourage them to sign up as well. The fee was participating is a donation to the food bank. Please send me an email to register.  

Sole  (pronounced so-lay)

Sole is a solution of water and pink Himalayan sea salt.   It contains all eighty-four essential trace elements your body needs.  Adding a bit of this solution to your drinking water provides you with much needed electrolytes and may help with leg cramps, dry skin, and insomnia.  It is especially useful when you are experiencing symptoms from detoxing or when you have Keto flu.  

Recipe: 

1.  Fill a 16-ounce jar a quarter way full with pink Himilayan sea salt. 
   
2. Fill the jar with filtered water, leaving a bit of space at the top. 
3. Cover tightly with a plastic lid.  Metal will deionize the solution. 
4. Shake the mixture and let it sit on the counter for 24 hours. 
5. It is ready when water is clear and has a layer of undissolved salt on the bottom of the jar.  If there is no salt on the bottom, add a little more salt, shake and leave for another 24 hours.  We want to make sure the solution is fully saturated with salt. 

Each morning, pour 8 ounces of fresh water into a glass and add a small amount of the sole solution.  Start with ¼ teaspoon, stir and taste. You want it to taste like mild salt water. You can go up to 2 tablespoons.  

Use only plastic measuring spoons and lids.  Do not pour into a bottle or slosh the solution around.  You don't want to be drinking salt particles, just the solution.  

You can also add 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar for digestion as well as for taste.  It gives it a sweet and salty flavor. 

We all need to keep our immune systems strong by eating well and making healthy lifestyle choices.  Here is a little helper in case you are feeling you need a boost:  

Immune Boosting Fire Cider 

1 litre of organic apple cider
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 cup organic orange or grapefruit juice
1 tablespoon coconut oil (liquid works best)
2 tablespoons grated ginger
½ teaspoon turmeric,  powder or grated
Pinch of black pepper and salt.
1 tablespoon of cinnamon 
1 tablespoon of garlic (optional: if you are going to be around people)

Add all ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil.  Simmer for 20 to 30 minutes and serve.