Tag Archives: Vegetarian

The Amazing Chia Seed Breakfast

Chia Seed Breakfast

I wasn’t too familiar with Chia Seeds until my nutritionist introduced me to them and their amazing health benefits. Did you know they’re:

Nutritious. Chia seed provides ample calcium and protein to your tissues. The seeds are also rich in boron, which helps the body assimilate and use calcium. The nutrients also support proper brain functioning.

Water loving. The seed can soak up ten times its weight in water. When inside your body, the seeds help you stay hydrated longer, and retain electrolytes in your bodily fluids.

Energy enhancing. The health pioneer Paul Bragg did an experiment an endurance hike with friends. They divided up into a chia-eating group and another group, who ate whatever they wanted. The group eating only chia seeds finished the hike four hours, twenty seven minutes before the others, most of whom didn’t even finish at all.

Slimming and trimming. Yes, the seeds will help you lose weight, for two reasons. The first reason is that they are so filling, you’ll eat less of other foods. The second reason is that they actually bulk up and cleanse your body of old “junk” in your intestines.

Endurance enhancing. Chia seeds are known as the “Indian Running Food”. Also, the ancient Aztec warriors used chia seed during their conquests.

Regenerating. After eating, the nutrients travel to the cells very quickly due to the ease in digestion and assimilation. Use them when you want to build or regenerate healthy body tissue.

 Chia Seed Breakfast

Here is my Amazing Chia Seed Breakfast. It’s so easy!

Boil 1 cup of water and add 2 tbsp of Chia Seeds. Mix well until the consistency resembles a jelly. Pour into a serving bowl and add 1 tbsp of coconut flakes and half a cup of blueberries (and any other berries you like). Enjoy!

Chia Seed Breakfast

Posted in Plate | Also tagged , , , , , Leave a comment

Cuban-Style Roasted Sweet Potatoes

There is so much to love about sweet potatoes. Not only do they taste delicious, but they are extremely good for you. They are high in vitamin B6, a good source of vitamin C, D, iron, magnesium and potassium. They are high in beta carotene, which is the precursor to vitamin A in your body. If that isn’t enough, they are easy to cook and there are so many great recipes out there. Here is one of my favorites. I made it for friends this weekend as a side dish and grilled the leftovers on the BBQ the next day!

 

Sweet Potatoes Cuban-Style Roasted

SERVES 4

Ingredients

3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and quartered (about 3 pounds)
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Fine sea salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 large garlic clove, minced
1.5 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

 

Directions

Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and set aside.

 

Place the sweet potatoes in a medium bowl, toss with 2 tablespoons of the oil, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Spread the potatoes on the prepared baking sheet, and roast until they can be pierced easily with a knife but still offer some resistance, about 30 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes or so.

 

Transfer the potatoes to a large bowl, and toss with garlic, lime juice, parsley, and remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Adjust the seasoning to taste with salt and pepper. Serve warm or at room temperature.

 

A little added bonus: It’s important to have some fat in your sweet potato-containing meals if you want to enjoy the full beta-carotene benefits of this root vegetable. Recent research has shown that a minimum of 3-5 grams of fat per meal significantly increases our uptake of beta-carotene from sweet potatoes. Of course, this minimal amount of fat can be very easy to include, so don’t skimp on the extra virgin olive oil!

 

Sweet Potatoes Cuban-Style Roasted
Posted in Plate | Also tagged , , , , , 1 Comment

Quick and Easy Brussel Sprouts

brussel sprouts

When you want the same old healthy thing, but don’t want it the same old crunchy way, try this quick and easy dish.  Have it as a side dish, or all on its own!

 

Ingredients

1 lb of brussel sprouts

4 plum tomatoes

1/2 red onion

4 cloves of garlic

1/2 cup water

olive oil

salt

pepper

 

Easy Peasy

Turn on broiler to high
Pre-heat cast iron skillet on stove
Cut sprouts in half, dice tomatoes, chop onions, and crush garlic
Spray or brush skillet with olive oil, and add sprouts, tomatoes and onion
Saute until oil & tomato juice is absorbed
Add water and cover until water is absorbed (approx 2 minutes)*
Uncover, stir in garlic.
Spray or brush sprouts with olive oil, and put skillet under broiler until sprouts are toasted brown (approx 3 minutes)
Salt and pepper to taste

 

*for al dente sprouts, add less water

 
photo by jeffrey doornbos

Posted in Plate | Also tagged , , , , , Leave a comment
Back to Top