Let’s hope your New Year’s resolution includes a game plan for a gradual lifestyle change for the better. February is probably the first true challenge of maintaining healthy goals. The football weekends leading to Superbowl are exciting events to spend with friends and family. Such celebratory events have unhealthy nibbles, bites and treats. Who’s winning?

Here’s a new game plan: Instead of eliminating unhealthy traditional snacks for carrot sticks, switch out a few ingredients with healthier options. Nachos are a favorite dish served especially during football events, such as the Superbowl. It’s a versatile dish with meat, gooey cheese, tomato salsa, sour cream and other Tex-Mex ingredients. In this version, the corn chips are multigrain with flax seeds to increase the nutritional value and add a slight nutty taste.

The red bean salsa is a light salad with tomatoes, cilantro and spices. Replace traditional shredded iceberg lettuce with radicchio and arugula. Sharp cheddar is a traditional choice, but experiment with crumbled Mexican Cotija or Greek Feta. Substitute sour cream with thick good quality Greek yogurt or puree an avocado and yogurt for a creamy dollop of taste (recipe below).

This is actually a nacho salad with fresh ingredients, a clean taste and it’s fulfilling thanks to the protein-rich red kidney beans. If you’re not a vegan, try adding shredded chicken lightly tossed with limejuice and cilantro for a substantial meal. Either way, it’s too early in the year to let go of healthy goals. Enjoy a small portion of this nacho salad and share with supportive friends cheering you and their favorite team towards victory.

Sound-Off: How are you maintaining your New Year’s resolutions while attending or hosting upcoming sports events and award shows?

Red Bean Salsa Nachos with Avocado Yogurt

Ingredients

• 1 bag of organic corn tortilla chips (increase the nutritional value by using a multigrain with flax seed flavor)
• Red Kidney Bean Salsa (recipe below)
• Organic grated sharp white cheddar cheese, crumbled Cotija or crumbled Feta Cheese; as needed
• Radicchio; sliced thin
• Arugula; as needed
• Avocado Yogurt (recipe below)
• Thinly sliced scallions

Directions

1. Allow guests to build their own nacho plates using the following ingredients above.
2. Enjoy and be well.

Red Kidney Bean Salsa

Ingredients

• 1-14 oz. canned red kidney beans or black beans; rinse and drained
• 1 poblano or green bell pepper; diced
• 8 to 10 oz. grape tomatoes; cut in half
• 1/8 c. diced red onion
• 1 to 2 garlic cloves; minced
• Sea salt and fresh black pepper; as needed
• Crushed red pepper; as needed/optional
• 1 cup minced fresh cilantro
• 1 tsp. ground chili
• 1/4 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp. smoked paprika
• The juice of one lime
• 1/8-cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar

Direction

• Lightly toss all ingredients in a bowl. Set aside to marinate for at least 1 hour at room temperature.

Avocado Yogurt

Ingredients

• 1 ripe haas avocado; diced
• The juice of one lime
• 1/4-cup unsweetened/plain Greek yogurt
• Sea salt and fresh black pepper; as needed
• A pinch of crushed red pepper; as needed/optional
• 2 to 3 tbsp. olive oil

Direction

1. Place all ingredients except the olive oil in a food processor or blender. Process to puree. Slowly add olive oil while the machine is running. Puree until smooth.

Enjoy and be well.