Chocolate Nutty Delight

Here's a simple dessert that's satisfying and won't do damage to your hips!

Chocolate Nutty Delight

Ingredients:
1 Tbsp Dark Chocolate Almond Butter
1 Tbsp chopped Walnuts

Preparation:
Sprinkle the walnuts over the spoonful of almond butter and simply enjoy!

 

 

Quinoa Health Benefits: A Protein That's Low In Carbs, Gluten-Free, And Full of Nutrients

Did you know that Quinoa is one of the most protein-rich foods we can eat?  It's a complete protein containing all nine essential amino acids and is packed with nutrition.  According to Medical Daily, quinoa contains magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, lysine, manganese, and iron. This particular combination of nutrients and antioxidant materials translates into helping to prevent both cell damage and cardiovascular disease. Plus the low ratio of carbohydrates to protein helps it regulate blood sugar and for this reason is considered to be good for diabetics.

Most often used as a grain, quinoa in a single cup serving has 5 grams of dietary fiber and 8 grams of protein. This tiny edible seed, which is related to spinach and beetroots, can be cooked, and added to meals where it serves as a main or secondary protein. Most people believe its light, fluffy texture is similar to couscous.

Another benefit of quinoa is that it contains almost twice as much fiber as most other grains. Fiber is most widely known to relieve constipation. It also helps to prevent heart disease by reducing high blood pressure and diabetes. Fiber lowers cholesterol and glucose levels, may lower your risk of developing hemorrhoids and may help you to lose weight as it takes a longer time to chew than does other foods because it makes you feel fuller for longer and is less “energy dense” which means it has fewer calories for the same volume of food.

So serve up a bowl of quinoa with steamed vegetables, garlic and light seasoning and enjoy!

Nutty Fruit Salad

Eating healthy does not have to be complicated.  Simply and quick is best - a no brainer.  Enjoy this for breakfast or treat yourself with a snack.

Nutty Fruit Salad

Ingredients:
1/2 tart granny smith apple (diced)
4 strawberries (sliced)
1/4 cantaloupe (diced)
8 almonds (cocoa roast)
8 cashews
Preparation:
Just mix in a bowl and eat. You can add a dollop of yogurt to coat the ingredients.  I decided to go without today. Enjoy!

Scrambled Eggs w/Spinach & Parmesan

From my foodie friend Velva at tomatoesonthevine-velva.blogspot.com

Scrambled Eggs w/Spinach & Parmesan

Ingredients:
2 large eggs
3 cups baby spinach
1-2 tbsp grated parmesan
1 tsp olive oil

Preparation:
Heat oil in skillet. Add spinach and sauté until tender. Whisk eggs in a bowl and add seasoning. Pour egg over spinach and cook until eggs are almost done. Sprinkle cheese on top. I added onions & bell peppers.

Thanks to my foodie friend Velva at tomatoesonthevine-velva.blogspot.com for the recipe.

P.S. Don't laugh at my plate! I love flowers. Enjoy!

Apples & Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa

Found this delicious breakfast recipe that uses Quinoa!  Pronounced (keen-wah), Quinoa seeds contain essential amino acids like lysine and good quantities of calcium, phosphorus, and iron. It's also a high fiber food that keeps you full longer.  You're going to really love it after you make it.  Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so eat up! 

Recipe from Skinnytaste.com

 

 

Apples & Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa

 

Ingredients:
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 cup dry quinoa, rinsed well
1 1/2 cups water
1 tsp cinnamon + more for sprinkling
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup golden raisins
1 cup warmed fat-free milk for drizzling (non-dairy milk is fine)
1 gala apple, peeled and diced
1/4 cup walnuts, chopped

Preparation

Rinse the quinoa well before cooking to rinse off the saponins which has a slightly bitter flavor. 

Combine quinoa, water, salt, cinnamon and vanilla in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and let cook for 15 minutes until quinoa can be fluffed with a fork.

Divide cooked quinoa between four bowls then stir in apple sauce, raisins, and pour in warmed milk. Top with fresh cut apples and walnuts and a dash of cinnamon
 

Makes 4 servings. You can divide the recipe to make 2 servings

 



Cinnamon Plantains

On my quest to find healthier ways to enjoy good food, I decided to try my luck at plantains.  For me, this is a "guilt-free" way to enjoy a dessert that taste as good as it looks.  I'm sure some of you may have several different ways of using plantains in a meal. Please do share!

 

 

Cinnamon Plantains

Ingredients
2 very ripe sweet plantain (the darker and mushier, the better!)
1 pat of butter
Cinnamon (sprinkle on top)

Preparation:
1. Peel the plantain and slice on the diagonal
2. Heat butter l in a frying pan to medium.
3. When the butter is hot, turn the pan a few times to evenly coat the bottom. Place the plantains on the pan one by one and sprinkle with cinnamon. Cook on low heat for 2 minutes or until the plantains are lightly browned and caramelized.
4. Then flip each one to cook the other side for another 2 minutes, until lightly browned.

Banana Nutmeg Ice Cream

Banana Nutmeg Ice Cream

 

Ingredients

2 frozen bananas

1 cup Silk Almond milk (plain)

1/2 tsp nutmeg

 

Preparation

Using a blender, add all ingredients and blend until smooth.  Consistency should be thick.

 

Note:  You can use 1/2 cup of sliced strawberries or peaches instead of the nutmeg.