Many people believe that in order to eat healthy you have to eat tasteless and boring foods. This may be true if you fall into one of these two categories below.

1.  You’re lazy!

2. Your intelligence stops at punching numbers on a microwave (microwavable foods), or dialing numbers on a telephone (take-out).

Its amazing to witness how people attempt to live just eating plain chicken, steamed vegetables, and an occasional sweet potato here and there.  This may last for a few days until you fall off the “healthy” food wagon.  I’m not the most savvy person around a kitchen, and I definitely have my fair share of healthy take-out options on speed dial, but I have enough common sense to plan ahead and schedule my alternative healthy meals in advance.   Try eating bland, boring foods for at least 5 days and tell me how “high-on-life” you feel.  It SUCKS, trust me!

A few weeks ago my colleague Michelle Marie Diaz  shared some of her Chicken Apple Chili leftovers.  To be honest, it was a bittersweet experience.  It was absolutely delicious, but at the same time it left me a little bitter because there wasn’t enough for a second serving.  Michelle is a phenomenal cook and always finds ways to make food both healthy and delicious.  Thankfully she gave me the recipe and encouraged me to share it with all of you.  So if you’re struggling with trying to find a few new healthy food options, here is one you and your family will most definitely enjoy.

 Chicken Apple Chili (8 Servings)

Ingredients:

2 lbs chicken breast cut in chunks

4 tsp chili powder

2 tsp cumin

S & P to taste

2 red apples, diced

1 onion, chopped

2 cups low sodium chicken stock plus more for cooking

2 15-ounce cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup part-skim shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions:

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat stock and add chicken, chili powder and cumin.  Season with salt & pepper.   Cook until chicken is browned and transfer to a bowl.  In the same pot, add more stock and add apples, onions and cook until softened, add the chicken back in.  Add the chicken stock, beans and simmer for a few minutes.  Add the cheese and stir to combine.

Michelle is also conducting a 4-week instructional cooking class starting Thursday, September 1st.  The class will be held in the kitchen at the Billy Beck III Personal Training & Performance Center.  If you live in South Florida and want to attend, check out the flyer below for more details.