Celebrate a healthy Cinco de Mayo with these recipes

Avacado

May is finally here! You know what that means: Time to break out the shorts, whip up a margarita and welcome the warm weather with a Cinco de Mayo party! But loading up on deep-fried tortilla chips and drinks with salt rims can leave you bloated, and that’s no way to celebrate. However, you can get your guacamole fix without worrying about the calorie count. Check out the recipes below to party in style – guilt-free – this Cinco de Mayo:

Low-cal frozen margaritas

Who thought it was a good idea to make 500-calorie frozen margaritas? Health Magazine found a way to have your marg and enjoy it too with a low-calorie version. Toss a dozen ice cubes into a blender with three tablespoons of sugar and 1 1/2 tablespoons of an orange liqueur. You’ll also need 1/4 cup tequila and 1/2 cup fresh lime juice. Want to make a strawberry margarita? Switch out the ice cubes for frozen berries and line the glass with a sugar substitute like stevia, instead of salt.

Low-cal margaritas can still be delicious. Make these for your Cinco de Mayo.Low-cal margaritas can still be delicious. Make these for your Cinco de Mayo.

Tasty guacamole

We love avocados all year round, but we especially love them when they are the base for guacamole. In addition to a rich taste, you’ll also get a dose of good-for-you fats that will keep your skin smooth and hair silky. What could be better? The secret to fabulous guac, according to food blog SkinnyTaste, is to not fully mash the avocados. Cut three medium avocados and use a fork to mash them slightly. Then add 1/3 cup red onion, one tablespoon cilantro and garlic, respectively. Squeeze lime juice over the guac and top with salt and pepper – and you’re ready to serve. Ditch greasy tortilla chips for baked plantain chips: Slice unripe plantains and place in an oven heated to 400 degrees for 15 minutes.

Texas caviar

This colorful dip gives you your daily veggie fix with a tang from the apple cider vinegar. Dice one small white onion and mix with a can of black-eyed peas and black beans. You can roast two ears of corn to add a smoky flavor – or you can add two cans of sweet white corn along with 1 cup of chopped red peppers. In a separate bowl, make your dressing. You’ll need four tablespoons of olive oil, two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, a dash of salt and lime juice. Mix everything together and serve alongside fresh zucchini and squash slices. This Texas caviar gets tastier and more flavorful the longer you let it sit, making it the perfect recipe to make the night before the party starts. It will also stay good in the fridge – if there is anything left over!

You can get friends and family involved in making these recipes, with plenty of taste testing, of course. Serve these dishes knowing you’re getting fresh ingredients that will keep you feeling full and help you look your best. Time to celebrate!