
Thanks Bumble Bee for sponsoring this post!
Mind: I know I have been harping on this topic for a little while now, but I needed a little break from blogging, desperately. I started my blog as a distraction from finding a legal job, but I had no idea how much time and energy blogging required (especially when I started to treat blogging as a business). Sure, developing, cooking, and writing about recipes take time. But any food blogger will tell you that creating recipes is just the tip of the iceberg. There’s brand development, blog monetization, website traffic, and the beast that is social media. My daily to-do list is never ending, and I started to feel quite overwhelmed.
The funny thing is that the main reason i decided not to pursue a legal career was because I didn’t want to work excruciatingly long hours. But between my job and blogging, I was falling right into the same trap. That gray patch in my hair, which I usually keep hidden, has doubled in size over the last two years! Clearly, I needed some time to myself to reset and rest. I don’t know about you, but my creative juices do not flow when I feel overworked. If anything, my trip to Alaska reminded me that I need to rest more. Take a break from blogging one weekend a month and have that time to myself or spend it with friends. Let the mind heal.
Body: Ever since I signed up for the Spartan Race, I’ve been so focused on weight lifting that I’ve forgotten about the importance of rest. Just like my mind needing a break, my lower back needed one too. How lame would it be if I worked so hard, only to find out that I throw my back or injure another part of my body the day before the race?!
Another thing I can work on is to be more mindful of how I nourish my body. Like many people, I’m so guilty of eating in front of the computer. I do it ALL DAY LONG, and I hate it because it makes me forget how fortunate I am to have food in front of me. For the next 30 days, I’m going to break this bad habit and challenge myself to eat two meals a day away from the computer. Nourish the body with good food, and be thankful for it!
Soul: There’s nothing like taking a break from blogging to make me ponder about what’s most important to me: my loved ones. Seriously, I would have stopped blogging ages ago if I didn’t have the support of my friends and family. Too often, I turn down dinner or party invitations because I think that scheduling my 30 pins for the next day is more important than spending time with friends. It’s not. Period.
Today, I’m teaming up with Bumble Bee to bring you a Tuna Strongâ„¢ dish to help you nourish your mind, body, and soul: Asian tuna melt nachos!! I’m a big fan of their canned tuna. BIG. It’s a healthy, inexpensive source of protein that I throw into my salads for lunch all the time. We’re talking 13 grams of protein per serving.
But let’s think outside the tuna can, and get a bit creative with these nachos. I started off with a bed of baked homemade tortilla chips that are low in fat. Next, I topped it of with a thin layer of melted cheddar cheese and a no-mayo tuna salad. Remember how I told you that sesame oil is one of my secret weapons in the kitchen? Have you tried it in a tuna salad before?? Taste buds, blown away! We’re always guilty of overindulging at parties, so why not bring a healthy appetizer to your next party? This is 30-minute tuna nachos is a winner for sure.
Most importantly, I want you to make these nachos, and SHARE it with someone! First of all, you won’t be able to finish it all by yourself. Second of all, this is a great dish to get the conversation going about healthy eating.
So take a break from work, nourish your body with these healthy tuna melt nachos, and spend time with your loved ones. Tuna Mind . . . Tuna Body . . . Tuna Soul . . . Tuna Strongâ„¢.
If you want to make your own tortilla chips, like I did, here’s my tutorial:
Asian Tuna Melt Nachos
Ingredients
Tortillas
- 12 6-inch corn tortillas
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- salt
- chili powder, optional
Tuna Melt
- 2 5-ounce (140g) canned albacore tuna in water (I used Bumble Bee)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 to 3 teaspoons fish sauce, or soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons chopped celery
- 2 tablespoons chopped red pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped red onion
- 1 green onion, chopped (green part only)
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- freshly ground pepper
- salt
- 4 ounces (115g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup salsa, optional
- 1/2 cup guacamole, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Brush 2 large baking sheets with olive oil. I used about 1 tablespoon.
- Brush one side of the tortillas with olive oil, making sure to get the edges moistened. Arrange all the oiled tortillas into one stack. Chop the tortillas in half, and chop each half down the middle. Chop each quarter in half so that you get 8 stacks of tortillas.
- Arrange the tortilla pieces on the greased baking sheets in one layer. Sprinkle salt and chili powder (if you’re using it) on the tortilla pieces. Bake for 8 to 12 minutes, or until they’re golden brown.
- Make the tuna salad while the tortillas are baking. Drain the tuna. In a bowl, mix the tuna, sesame oil, fish sauce, celery, red pepper, red onion, green onion, and cilantro. Season with some pepper and additional salt, if necessary.
- When the chips are finished, spread them all out on one baking sheet. Sprinkle cheese on top and bake for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling.
- Pull the chips out of the oven and spread tuna salad on top. Add the salsa and guacamole on top. Serve immediately.
Notes
To learn more about Bumble Bee’s TunaStrongâ„¢ program and more healthy living tips, visit their website.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of Bumble Bee.
Catherine says
Dear Lisa, I love this idea. Sounds like such a delicious way to serve up tuna. My family would love this spread. Pinning for later. xo, Catherine
Lisa says
Thank you so much, Catherine!!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
I completely understand! It is so important to take breaks from any kind of work. Alaska sounds like the perfect way to enjoy a break. I want to visit so bad because I hear that it is beautiful. And puffins! So much fun! These nachos will be on my menu soon. I love any excuse to eat nachos and these look perfect.
Lisa says
First of all, I’m so glad to know another blogger who understands! Also, you definitely need to visit Alaska! I think you would love seeing the wildlife there!!
nadia says
Wow! This looks perfect Lisa! So much fancier than the nachos you get at restaurants! 😀
Lisa says
Thanks, Nadia!
rachel@ Athletic Avocado says
you can’t go wrong with nachos, especially healthier and tastier nachos like these, no fake cheese sauce in these!
Lisa says
Yes!! Thanks, Rachel!
Carla says
Love tuna melts but never thought to go Asian style with nachos!
Lisa says
I had no clue what I was thinking when I first made these nachos, but I was pleasantly surprised that the flavors worked!
Julie | This Gal Cooks says
I’m so happy you had a wonderful time on your trip, Lisa! Haha, I can’t say that I’d ever even try reindeer sausage – there are certain things that I don’t want to ever eat. But hooray for your bravery! 🙂
Now these nachos, I’d totally eat these nachos right up. They look GOOD!
Lisa says
Haha, yea, I took a bite, and immediately thought, “should I be eating this?” I have a feeling it’s going to be one of those once if a lifetime kind of things for me to eat.
Izzy says
That is so nice that you took a break and went on a vacation! I so know what you mean, I had no idea how much work would go into blogging when I started and as much as I love it, I feel so overwhelmed pretty much everyday, haha! The rewarding parts make it worth it though!
These nachos are so creative and look amazing! Nachos are one of my weaknesses and I love the tuna melt twist you put on them 🙂
Lisa says
Izzy, you’re so right. The rewarding parts of blogging do keep me going! So glad you understand, too!
Sarah | Broma Bakery says
So glad you’re taking time to yourself. Blogging is a hard business, and one that easily wears you down. You take that break, then come back energized and ready to kill it! XO
Lisa says
Thank you so much for your encouraging words, Sarah!
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating says
Oooh, this is a very clever way to do nachos! I love it! Glad you got to get a little rest and relaxation!
Lisa says
Thanks, Kelly!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
beautifully written and thoughtful post, Lisa. . . I hear you on feeling overwhelmed and resting . . that is something I struggle with everyday. . I am going to take a week off, or at least a few days at the end of August .. it just needs to happen. so glad you enjoyed Alaska and reindeer sausage?! Whoa. . how was it? and ok, these nachos are AMAZING! A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! and I love tuna. Winning!!!
Lisa says
Thanks, Alice!!! Seriously, I don’t know how you balance taking care of the family and the blog. And YES, do take rest! If anything, taking time off for me rejuvenated my creative juices. The reindeer sausage just tasted like run-of-the-mill stuff that I would find in the supermarket. But after taking a bite, the idea of eating reindeer meat just freaked me out a little, so I gave it a pass!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
Never seen tuna flavoured nachos before but this sure looks delicious!
Lisa says
Thank you so much, Thalia!
Caitlin says
This is such a good reminder, for bloggers and non-bloggers. I’m still in the beginning stages of exploring blogging on top of my full time job and I’ve already noticed the amount of time it takes. I absolutely love it so far and have to take steps back and make sure my priorities are where they need to be. It’s so easy for me to stay in front of a screen 12 hours a day and losing out on life isn’t worth it sometimes.
And of course, it goes without saying that those nachos look soooo delicious! I have a feeling this will be on my menu next time friends come over!
Lisa says
Caitlin, thank you so much for your comment! Yes, balancing blogging and a full-time job is difficult. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve decided to skip exercise or spending time with loved ones on the weekends because of blogging. And you’re right, it’s so easy to just get stuck in front of your computer screen!! That part of my life can use some serious improvement, but I’m working on it!
Sarah @ SnixyKitchen says
Oh do I feel your “mind” reflections right now, Lisa! I just sorta up and disappeared from blogland for 2.5 weeks and it’s felt nice to recharge! These nachos sounds oh-so-addicting and I love the vibrant colors!
Lisa says
Maybe we just need another day of laying around eating macarons in our yoga pants again…I’m so glad you feel refreshed though!! And, I need to snag one of those popsicles from you!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
I’m so glad you had a great time on your trip to Alaska and that you took a blogging break! I love that you read a book too 🙂 I told myself I needed to try to find time to enjoy reading leisurely again. Love love love these nachos! They look absolutely mouthwatering!
Lace says
Chips in the oven and the tuna mixture smells AMAZING.
Lisa Lin says
Thank you for trying the recipe, Lace!
martochka says
It was a perfect lunch. so refreshing. so affordable. thank you!