Once upon a time I had a college roommate who believed she could will herself skinny, simply by the power of positive thinking.*
Ah, dare to dream!
She insisted she never gained weight from the horrible college food we all ate, simply because she told herself she wouldn’t. I mean, she was thin, and never worked out a single day during the semester we lived together, but me thinks her svelte figure had more to do with her 20 year old metabolism than anything else.
I mean, in the real world, calories count. The 57th tortilla chip you eat at the Mexican restaurant counts. The cheese oozing out of your enchiladas counts. The margarita as big as your head definitely counts!
I got to thinking about my former college roomie because Cinco de Mayo is coming up this weekend and, never one to turn down a reason to celebrate, I know I’ll be devouring some yummy, Mexican-inspired eats. The only problem is, I go tooootally overboard when I eat Mexican food. (See 57th tortilla chip, cheese enchiladas, and bowling ball-sized margarita above!)
Knowing that some of you are in the same boat, I rounded up a few healthy, south-of-the-border recipes to try this Saturday, on what I’m dubbing – Shrinko de Mayo. May we all “shrink” a little this weekend due to making healthy eating choices, and not by pretending that calories don’t count!
PS Don’t miss the Skinny Sunrise cocktail recipe at the end of the post. I kind of want to put it in a camelbak it’s so good!
Green Chili Chicken Enchilada Casserole with Quick Pico de Gallo
Homemade Chipotle Burrito Bowl
Vegetarian Enchiladas (Husband approved!)
Speaking of drinks, skip the crazy-caloric margarita this weekend for a Skinny Sunrise cocktail, which only has 145 calories!
Fresh squeezed orange juice, 100% pineapple juice, homemade strawberry simple syrup, and rum (or tequila, or vodka!) are shaken with ice, then poured into a glass and topped with fizzy club soda.
I can’t even begin to describe how sweet & refreshing this cocktail is - and it’s only 145 calories!
Start by making the Strawberry Simple Syrup. This literally could not be easier and takes like, 4 minutes.
Simply combine 1/2 cup each water and sugar into a small saucepan with 3 large strawberries.
Bring the mixture to a boil, smashing the strawberries while it heats up.
Let the syrup boil continuously for 30 seconds, then remove it from the heat and let it cool.
Pour the syrup into a food processor or blender…
Then let ‘er rip! That is to say, process until smooth. 
Strain out the seeds, then pour into a jar or container with a tight fitting lid.
You know I used a mason jar. 
Stash in the fridge to cool completely.
When you’re ready to par-tay, grab the rest of your ingredients, including rum (again, vodka or tequila would be boss in here, I only had rum on hand) club soda, 100% pineapple juice, and an orange, half of which you’ll need to juice.
Shake the strawberry syrup, pineapple juice, orange juice, and rum with ice, then pour into a glass and top with club soda. I am telling you – grab your shades because you will feel like you are on the beaches of Cancun when you sip these babies!
Skinny Sunrise Cocktail
Serves 1
Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons (1oz) rum (could use any other type of liquor)
1 Tablespoon (.5oz) strawberry simple syrup
3 Tablespoons (1.5oz) orange juice (about 1/2 navel orange)
3 Tablespoons (1.5oz) pineapple juice
1/4 cup (2oz) club soda
ice
For the strawberry simple syrup (makes ~1 cup syrup):
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
3 large strawberries
Directions:
- For the strawberry simple syrup: Combine sugar, water, and strawberries into a small saucepan over high heat. Mash strawberries as the mixture comes to a boil. Boil for 30 seconds, then turn off the heat and allow syrup to cool completely. Transfer syrup to a food processor or blender, process until smooth, then strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove the strawberry seeds (optional.) Chill in the fridge.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add rum, strawberry simple syrup, orange juice, and pineapple juice. Shake until very cold. Pour into a glass, including the ice, then top with club soda.
My original intent was to layer the pink strawberry syrup, followed by the orange juice, pineapple juice, then club soda – to mimic a sunrise – but, yeah, juices don’t layer very well.
It all tastes the same goin’ down anyways!
Have a healthy, tasty, Shrinko de Mayo everyone! 
*I 100% believe in the power of prayer and positive thinking, but not that calories don’t count just because you don’t want them to!
so excited to use some of these! we’re celebrating in atlantic city this weekend, and i’m DYING for some festive, but healthy, eats
thanks!
Holy moly that looks delicious! I’ll have to add that to our menu for Saturday!
shrinko-de-mayo, love it! I’m impressed by people who CAN control themselves around Mexican food. And that cocktail…looks amazing.
Me too – one chip and I can’t stop!
I love those little cans of pineapple juice.
Shrinko de Mayo. You are too clever! I don’t comment enough but just wanted to let you know I found your blog back when you started it and I was a new wife learning to cook. I’ve been hooked ever since. Ive read every one of your blogs. Even when I go on vaca and come back my husband knows I need to catch up on my IGE. As weird as it may sound I feel like I can relate to you, I love your recipes, workouts, humor in your posts and i can tell you have a special relationship with Ben. You are a talented writer and photog. I always read and never shared and just wanted to let you know
Thanks!
Now, I think this calls for a skinny sunrise!
You have my mouth watering! I am such a sucker for Mexican. Definitely trying some of these recipes!
That drink looks delish! I don’t drink alcohol but I think all of the components minus the booze would be a great non-alcohol alternative – something I’m always on the lookout for!
Oh, yum. That drink sounds and looks delicious. I’ll have to make it for my boyfriend and I to drink by the pool.
So that story reminds me of the time I was studying abroad in Spain and one of the students in our program had her friend visit us. We were all at the dinner table when this girl wouldn’t eat and got into explaining that her and her mom were on the “sun diet” meaning that they got all the energy they needed from the sun, like a plant would. I’ll spare you the rest of the ridiculous conversation that ensued but seriously, the friggin SUN DIET?! Sorry, but last time I checked humans don’t have chlorophyll!
This is a great collection of your recipes, going to keep coming back to these even when it’s not Cinco de Mayo as we love Mexican food, but not all the calories
Can’t wait to make the virgin version of your Sunrise Cocktail too, and the original once baby #2 is born!
I need that cocktail asap!
Shrinko de mayo! I love it. All of these recipes look fantastic. I love the salscamole idea! And I think I have one of those cocktails with my name on it, waiting to celebrate after finals are over next week.
I don’t like pineapple juice, any suggestions on alternatives??
Getting skinny on a food holiday? Oh the power of positive thinking
Ok, all of these recipes sound so good! Um, one of each, please?! Definitely going to try the sunrise cocktail out. Thanks, thanks!!
I saw your Soda Stream bottle!!
Love my SodaStream machine! Thanks for your reminder to “take it easy” on all the good food this weekend!
Oh glorious Mexican food! You’re speaking my language girl.
Yum this drink looks heavenly! I like that you made your own simple syrup too
I want to try this on Saturday!!
If you made a cookbook I’d buy a copy for myself and everybody I know!! I want to make all of the recipes you posted!!
You are wicked awesome!! So awesome! Great recipes!
Hahahahah shrinko. Real talk, DragonBerry Bacardi would taste magical in this. Just sayyyyinnnn.
Love all these recipes! Move over Mimosa, I’m especially digging the Skinny Sunrise.
Thanks for the healthy recipes! I don’t have the metabolism like your college roommate so this is perfect for me!
Love your ‘words of wisdom’ at the end! I totally agree it was her 20 yr old metabolism! Mine left around 25!
Skinny sunrise, huh? Hmmm…….maybe, sure looks good! Again, your pictures are the best and always tempt me even if I don’t like that particular food!
Have a great weekend and especially, a fantastic Shrinko de Mayo! (cute!)
Thank you so much for posting all these yummy yet skinny Mexican recipes!! I’m so excited to try some of them!
Thank`s for Skinny Sunrise recipe .. i just cant wait this Saturday for to try it..
Do you know if there’s a skinnier way to make simple syrup, say with stevia or Splenda? Not sure if they melt like sugar.
I love the strawberry syrup recipe and the drink looks fabulous!
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Hi Kristin,
Superb article. They look delicious! Can’t wait to try them out this weekend. I’ve been on diet since last month and these recipes are perfect for me. Thanks for the recipes and tempting photos!
Regards,
Jenstine
That might be in your favorI feel like eating an ice-cream.You did fairly well!Why don’t you attend an aerobic class? Are you kidding? You can’t go in no matter who you are.You can’t go in no matter who you are.Did you miss the bus? I found him seated on the bench.I didn’t realize how much this meant to you