Showing posts with label your. Show all posts
Showing posts with label your. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Have You Had Your Plant Blood Today
So have you recovered from the gluttonous feast known as Thanksgiving Dinner? Is it just my Hungarian clan or can your family turn a holiday (emphasis on day) into a weekend eat-a-thon too? Lordy! And to think I used to partake in the spree. Yikes, my insides hurt just thinking about all the calories and cholesterol.
While I no longer gorge myself on the traditional T-Day fare, I do partake in foods much richer than Im accustomed to eating — walnuts, pecans, almonds, dates, raw honey. I typically eat very simple meals of fresh fruits, veggies or sea vegetables, and my first meal of the day is always freshly extracted juice.
I noticed a difference in how I felt as soon as I opened my eyes on Friday morning. Heavy. Sluggish. A little bit fuzzy in my thinking. I didnt like it. Crazy to think that I used to feel that way all.the.time. Ick!
When I learned that Sunday was International Juice Feasting Day, I was all, "Count me in!" As I said, my first meal of the day is always a quart of juice, but sometimes I like to give my body a break and juice all my meals. After all, digestion is hard work. A periodic juice fast, or extended feast, is a wonderful practice to adopt.
People from 16 different countries joined Dave the Raw Food Trucker on Sunday for the first International Juice Feasting Day. If you dont know Dave, do yourself a favor and watch some of his YouTube videos. Heres a recent one I particularly love. Daves been juice feasting for 120 days and has dropped over 200 pounds. He has experienced an astounding transformation physically, emotionally and spiritually.
But one neednt juice feast for 120 days to benefit. My friend Kristen Suzanne calls fresh vegetable juice "plant blood" and I think its fitting for something thats loaded with organic water, chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.
A juicer will separate the juice from the fiber, leaving you with only pure organic hydration. Thats water derived from plant sources, folks, and its essential for encouraging and nourishing healthy cells.
By removing the fiber, our digestive systems get a break and that nutrient-rich plant blood can pass directly into our bloodstream and start going to work on a cellular level. Its a terrific way to supercharge your immune system and purge loads of toxins from your body.
On International Juice Feasting Day, I enjoyed a quart of Beetific Elixir and a couple quarts of this Green Lemonade:
1 bunch Romaine
2 stalks celery
1 cucumber
1 handful dulse
2 Gala apples
1 lemon
1 inch fresh ginger root
Would you ever consider doing an extended juice feast like Dave?
While I no longer gorge myself on the traditional T-Day fare, I do partake in foods much richer than Im accustomed to eating — walnuts, pecans, almonds, dates, raw honey. I typically eat very simple meals of fresh fruits, veggies or sea vegetables, and my first meal of the day is always freshly extracted juice.
I noticed a difference in how I felt as soon as I opened my eyes on Friday morning. Heavy. Sluggish. A little bit fuzzy in my thinking. I didnt like it. Crazy to think that I used to feel that way all.the.time. Ick!
When I learned that Sunday was International Juice Feasting Day, I was all, "Count me in!" As I said, my first meal of the day is always a quart of juice, but sometimes I like to give my body a break and juice all my meals. After all, digestion is hard work. A periodic juice fast, or extended feast, is a wonderful practice to adopt.
People from 16 different countries joined Dave the Raw Food Trucker on Sunday for the first International Juice Feasting Day. If you dont know Dave, do yourself a favor and watch some of his YouTube videos. Heres a recent one I particularly love. Daves been juice feasting for 120 days and has dropped over 200 pounds. He has experienced an astounding transformation physically, emotionally and spiritually.
But one neednt juice feast for 120 days to benefit. My friend Kristen Suzanne calls fresh vegetable juice "plant blood" and I think its fitting for something thats loaded with organic water, chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.
A juicer will separate the juice from the fiber, leaving you with only pure organic hydration. Thats water derived from plant sources, folks, and its essential for encouraging and nourishing healthy cells.
By removing the fiber, our digestive systems get a break and that nutrient-rich plant blood can pass directly into our bloodstream and start going to work on a cellular level. Its a terrific way to supercharge your immune system and purge loads of toxins from your body.
On International Juice Feasting Day, I enjoyed a quart of Beetific Elixir and a couple quarts of this Green Lemonade:
2 stalks celery
1 cucumber
1 handful dulse
2 Gala apples
1 lemon
1 inch fresh ginger root
Would you ever consider doing an extended juice feast like Dave?
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Low Sugar or Sugar Free Chocolate Treats for Your Valentine many are Gluten Free
Valentine's Day is almost here, and I've got you covered with some low-sugar or sugar-free chocolate treats.
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I don't think there's any doubt that holidays are more challenging for dieters or people who need to limit sugar than day-to-day eating, and holidays like Valentine's Day that are strongly associated with sugary treats can make even the most steadfast person lose their resolve. Through the years I've tested a lot of low-sugar or sugar-free chocolate treats, but not many of them have been good enough to make it on to the blog. Here's a collection of the chocolate treats that made the cut and many of them are also gluten-free as well. I hope one of these can help you celebrate Valentine's Day without completely abandoning your diet; just click the link under the photo to see each recipe.
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Top 10 Superfoods that can Improve your Life
Foods have different qualities in them. Not all have the same effect on the human body. There are some foods which are rich in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients and thus they are titled as superfoods. Whereas there are many other foods which do not have the same effect and do have nutrients in them but they aren’t as much as the superfoods. These foods have many benefits that it is as if they are packets of energy, and power whichprotect the body against diseases and keep it healthy. There are ten superfoods that can improve your life which are a must to include in your daily life.
The ten superfoods that can improve your life have been discussed in detail below and all the nutritional values of them have been described and the reason to include them in your daily life have also been discussed.
The ten superfoods that can improve your life have been discussed in detail below and all the nutritional values of them have been described and the reason to include them in your daily life have also been discussed.
1.Yogurt:
Yogurt or should I say the alive food containing cultures of “friendly bacteria” has tons of health benefits. These bacteria restore the healthy balance of the digestive system in the body. Just one cup of yogurt contains 50 times more calcium than one cup of milk of the same amount. It is also rich in potassium, riboflavin, magnesium and phosphate.
2.Lentils:
These are among the most nutritional legumes. They contain fiber which lowers cholesterol in the body and lean protein. They are very low in calories and still are rich in nutrients such as magnesium, iron, vitamin B and folate and they contribute towards your heart’s health and also improve the blood circulation of body.
Top 10 Superfoods that can Improve your Life
3.Broccoli:
This vegetable is full of vitamin C, carotenoids, vitamin A and folic acid. They are great for your health as they enhance active functioning of the immune system of the body, it prevent free radicals from damaging your cells, and improve the functioning of the reproductive system. Apart from it is great when it comes to daily supply of vitamin K to the body.
4.Sweet Potatoes:
They are just like starch only they are much more healthier. They are rich in vitamin C, fibers and potassium. They are among those vegetables which have the highest nutritional value. They are low in calories and they are good for the diabetes patients as this maintains the blood sugar level.
5.Wild Salmon:
This is rich in omega 3 fats, vitamin D, C, selenium and mercury. They make your hair, nails and skin stronger and healthier. They reduce the risk of sudden deaths caused by heart attacks.
6.Barley:
This grain contains in it both contents of soluble and insoluble fibers in it. It helps in metabolizing fats and maintains the proper functioning of the digestive system. It contains vitamin E, phytochemicals, niacin and lignans etc.
7.Goji Berries:
They are known as the most dense food on Earth as they have a higher content of vitamin C as compared to oranges, more beta carotene than carrots and higher quantity of iron as compared to steak.
8.Blueberries:
It contains cancer fighting material known as ellagic acid in it. It prevents the growth of any sort of tumors and cancer causing cells. It also prevents the infection causing bacteria from infecting the walls of gut and the urethra.
9.Kale:
It is quite similar to broccoli and brussel sprouts as it is dark green and leafy. It however contains a higher quantity of iron, folate and beta carotene. It has a rich fiber content and therefore is makes sure that the digestive system is working properly at all times.
10.Acai:
It is one of the most powerful food of the world as it contains within it high concentrations of amino acids, fatty acids and antioxidants. It helps in the proper functioning of all sorts of cells by keeping them healthy.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Is Your Family Really Benefiting When You Work at Home
Youve beaten the obstacles and found a way to work at home, whether by finding a job or starting a home business. But is your work getting in the way of time with your family? It may be time to make sure you are finding balance between working at home and your family.
Lets take a look at some easy things you can do to ensure that you are spending time with your family.
1. Make time for play. Family activities are a great way to relax away from work. It can be as simple as taking a walk or going to the park, or it could be a full day excursion to a museum, amusement part or beach. You dont have to leave the house, of course. You could play games, make cookies or do other fun activities around the house. The point is to simply have fun as a family and have time to talk to each other.
Lets take a look at some easy things you can do to ensure that you are spending time with your family.
1. Make time for play. Family activities are a great way to relax away from work. It can be as simple as taking a walk or going to the park, or it could be a full day excursion to a museum, amusement part or beach. You dont have to leave the house, of course. You could play games, make cookies or do other fun activities around the house. The point is to simply have fun as a family and have time to talk to each other.
One way to start is to plan a family night. Tell everyone they have to be home on a particular evening each week and do things as a family. Even if you just rent a movie to watch together, its something youre doing together.
If youre married, make sure you plan a regular date night with your spouse. Frequency may depend on how old your children are and how often you can get babysitting, but it is important for your marriage to have time as a couple.
You dont have to spend a lot of money to have fun with your family. Just make time for fun.
2. Be there for your childrens activities. If your children are involved in sports, acting, singing or other activities, make sure you are there for all the games, performances or other important events. It will help your children to know that they are very important to you.
3. Set rules and enforce them. If your children understand when they can interrupt your work you will be able to get more done in less time, giving you more time for your family.
Of course, you need to be consistent. If kids get away with breaking the rules some of the time, they will test the rules often. Consistency will save you time in the long run, even if you arent sure you want to spare the time at a particular moment.
4. Pay attention to what kind of attention each child needs. Every child is different. Some demand attention while others are so quiet its easy to forget that they need you too. Make sure you spend time with each child as an individual.
5. When the kids come home from school, take some time to talk about their day. They will appreciate your interest. You should also make sure they understand their homework and start it at whatever time they do best at finishing it. Some do best starting homework immediately on getting home, while others do better if they can play for a while first. Be aware of your childs needs.
6. If your work is something the children can help with, let them be involved. If not, you can still at least talk to them about what you do. This sets a good example for your children by helping them to know what working is really about.
Its easy to get buried in the needs of your work when you work at home. A little bit of planning can go a long way toward making working at home a wonderful experience for all. Your family is why you decided to work at home, so dont let your time with them get put aside.
Its easy to get buried in the needs of your work when you work at home. A little bit of planning can go a long way toward making working at home a wonderful experience for all. Your family is why you decided to work at home, so dont let your time with them get put aside.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Just Be On Your Mat
photo: shaletannYoga teaches you how to listen to your body.
~ Mariel Hemingway
I have a friend whos been chronicling her first 100-day foray into the Land of Raw Foods on YouTube. Its been a joy to witness the very visible physical and emotional transformation in her as shes fully engaged in a 100% raw, living foods diet. Her public sharing has been a source of inspiration to many whove watched her shed forty excess pounds and emerge a vibrant and vital young woman.
Long about Day 75 a troll showed up in the comments: "Stop fooling everyone into thinking you eat only raw foods. Youre too fat and youre giving the whole raw foods movement a bad name..."
Mr. Troll (read: toe jam, ignoramus, jerk) had much more to say before he was forcibly vaporized from cyberspace, but not before my own hackles went up. You see, I know that berating voice of the troll all too well – its taken up residence in my own head longer than I care to admit.
For years, I had a desire to do yoga. But I never acted upon the desire. Why? Because the voice in my head told me I couldnt possibly do yoga. I do not have a yoga body (translate: very thin, lithe body). I dont look like someone who does yoga is supposed to look. I have boobs. Hips. A belly. Cant wear a unitard or one of those midriff-exposing, little spaghetti-strap numbers.
Despite my size, I do have a very flexible body. I am still able to do the splits. And if I didnt have something resembling a small buddha belly that gets in the way, I could probably still take my right foot and place it upon my left shoulder. Really.
Somewhere around my own Day 75, I discovered Mega Yoga™ – the first yoga program for curvy women – developed by plus-size model Megan Garcia. I got a mat and began the daily practice of hatha yoga in the confines of my own living room. My body loved it! After moving down the insurance charts from "morbidly obese" to "obese" (hey, Im fast approaching just plain ole "overweight" and you can bet were gonna have a party about it!), I kicked that freakin troll to the curb along with a good 85 pounds of fat and declared Im taking a yoga class! Screw the image of the perfect body Im supposed to have. Its all an illusion anyway. Some crazy preconceived notion Ive come up with to prevent me from doing 101 things because of the way I look (and feel).
I know all about the Mind-Body Connection. How you feel physically, determines how you feel mentally. How you feel mentally, determines how you feel physically. But my internal radar is waaaaaay off kilter. Whacked. Off the Richter scale.
So. I quelled the inner demons and signed up. Eight weeks. Yoga. With other people in the room.
photo: myyogaonline.com
I had totally prepared myself beforehand for the fact that I would most likely be the largest person in the room. My mantra the whole time I was driving there: Just be on your mat.
What I was NOT prepared for were the mirrors. Mirrors. Everywhere. What cruel and unusual punishment is this? Oh, the horror.
Panic. Breathe. Just be on your mat.
I stayed. I didnt go running out of the room.
Mountain pose. Upward Salute. Standing Forward Bend. Lunge. Plank. Staff. Upward Facing Dog. Downward Facing Dog. Lunge. Standing Forward Bend. Upward Salute. Mountain. Put them all together and you get a Sun Salutation. Flow through this sequence six times and you sweat like a pig. Not so pretty. BUT, I gotta tell you, it sure feels good. My body really likes this stuff.
The more Im able to practice and just be on my mat without the harsh self-judgments, the deeper and more intimate connection I have with my own body. Ninety whole minutes free from my mind wandering, planning, scheming, wishing, dreaming. Theres a Sanskrit term, Samadhi, that essentially means an ecstatic state of expanded awareness and complete freedom from suffering. A diet of raw, living foods and yoga is going to be my path toward experiencing Samadhi. I just know it.
Maya doesnt have a yoga body either. But that doesnt stop her.
Do you have a troll that takes up residence in your head? What does it say you cant do?
Whats Your Body Telling You
Im still processing and digesting the wealth of information I received from participating in Kevin Giannis remarkable Rawkathon event. Listening to interviews with 14 world-renowned health experts in seven days is a lot to absorb.
One of the folks who particularly resonated with me was raw food coach Karen Knowler from the UK. She spoke about what it means to truly live a healthy balanced life, how to safely transition to a raw foods diet, and put an end to emotional eating.
Karens energy and enthusiasm is contagious and by the time she was through speaking, I was vibrating. This will often happen to me when I hear Truth. Ever have that experience, where deep inside you feel an inner "Yes!" after you hear or read something? Ironically, Karen shared a story on the Rawkathon about a time when her own body informed her that she had just made a very important decision. As a follow-up, Karen has written a wonderful article that further illustrates her increased perception and intuition since living a raw foods lifestyle. Take it away Karen...
Your Body of Truth
On Rawkathon last week I shared how since being raw my somewhat psychic perception has increased.
I shared the story of how, the night I agreed to take over the running of The Fresh Network back in early 1998, I had such strong tingles all over my body — literally like pins and needles from head to toe — it was the most incredible feeling, I had to lay down just to take it all in.
Since then, I have discovered that my body has a far greater, or at least clearer capacity for truth than often my mind or emotions, and even though I already love my body and what it is capable of, just this week two separate events have once again reminded me just how invaluable my body is — not just for walking my truth, but for feeling my truth.
Allow me to explain...
Have you ever had that feeling where you felt something wasnt quite as it seemed? Perhaps your mind was trying to convince you it was a good idea or a certain person was trustworthy, but something else was telling you no? Chances are you may have put it down to a purely emotional response, but if you started to inquire more closely I think you would discover that the feeling you had was much deeper than that, as in cellular.
I have had this on two occasions this week and boy, am I grateful. If I had pursued the two things in question then I know I would have created a whole lot of problems for myself further down the line. I am grateful for my bodys ability to translate "truth" to me so consistently and clearly.
On both occasions, when I was entirely honest with myself, my body was saying a very obvious "NO," but my head was busy trying to argue the other way, basically trying to tell me that it would all be okay — but it wasnt.
So many times in life we value what our mind says more than our body. Time and time again I have learned this is not the way it should be. Our soul communicates directly with our body, our body is the vehicle through which we feel truth, our mind is not capable of this — our minds job is to be the servant of the body and soul, to be informed by them as to what to do and then figure out how to do it. So often we put the cart before the horse and think our way through life, which very often leads to decisions we regret and circumstances that dont support our true self.
So where does raw food fit in to all of this?
There are many great things to eating raw, as we all know, but one of them is that it cleans us up on all the levels. Yes, it starts physical, but it does extend to the emotional, mental and spiritual. Raw food equals a raw experience of life — which means that the more you clean up your diet and the more raw you go, whatever is going on for us, both positive and not-so, we feel it oh-so much more clearly.
While sometimes we may feel this is a curse, especially when life gets tough, ultimately it is a real blessing. So long as we can take action on turning things around, then we dont need to stay stuck in negative raw emotions, but can transform them into glowing positives. Thus, when we have something that potentially may lead to a negative experience, we are able to detect it before it happens — not that this cant happen when youre not raw, but it is so much more obvious on raw that the gift of this ability becomes so much more obvious.
So, the next time you feel unsure about something, tune into your body and ask "What is my energy doing when I think of this situation or person? Does my energy close up or sink down, or does it rise up or expand?" Just by asking this question, so long as you are open and honest about what you are feeling inside, you will have your answer, and yes the mind may well try to argue, but as time goes by youll learn to trust the ultimate source of truth, and thats where heaven and earth connect — in your cells, or, as I prefer to call them, our spiritual satellites — how cute is that?! © 2008 Karen Knowler
Karen Knowler, The Raw Food Coach publishes "Successfully Raw," a free weekly eZine for raw food lovers everywhere.
One of the folks who particularly resonated with me was raw food coach Karen Knowler from the UK. She spoke about what it means to truly live a healthy balanced life, how to safely transition to a raw foods diet, and put an end to emotional eating.
Karens energy and enthusiasm is contagious and by the time she was through speaking, I was vibrating. This will often happen to me when I hear Truth. Ever have that experience, where deep inside you feel an inner "Yes!" after you hear or read something? Ironically, Karen shared a story on the Rawkathon about a time when her own body informed her that she had just made a very important decision. As a follow-up, Karen has written a wonderful article that further illustrates her increased perception and intuition since living a raw foods lifestyle. Take it away Karen...
Your Body of Truth
On Rawkathon last week I shared how since being raw my somewhat psychic perception has increased.
I shared the story of how, the night I agreed to take over the running of The Fresh Network back in early 1998, I had such strong tingles all over my body — literally like pins and needles from head to toe — it was the most incredible feeling, I had to lay down just to take it all in.
Since then, I have discovered that my body has a far greater, or at least clearer capacity for truth than often my mind or emotions, and even though I already love my body and what it is capable of, just this week two separate events have once again reminded me just how invaluable my body is — not just for walking my truth, but for feeling my truth.
Allow me to explain...
Have you ever had that feeling where you felt something wasnt quite as it seemed? Perhaps your mind was trying to convince you it was a good idea or a certain person was trustworthy, but something else was telling you no? Chances are you may have put it down to a purely emotional response, but if you started to inquire more closely I think you would discover that the feeling you had was much deeper than that, as in cellular.
I have had this on two occasions this week and boy, am I grateful. If I had pursued the two things in question then I know I would have created a whole lot of problems for myself further down the line. I am grateful for my bodys ability to translate "truth" to me so consistently and clearly.
On both occasions, when I was entirely honest with myself, my body was saying a very obvious "NO," but my head was busy trying to argue the other way, basically trying to tell me that it would all be okay — but it wasnt.
So many times in life we value what our mind says more than our body. Time and time again I have learned this is not the way it should be. Our soul communicates directly with our body, our body is the vehicle through which we feel truth, our mind is not capable of this — our minds job is to be the servant of the body and soul, to be informed by them as to what to do and then figure out how to do it. So often we put the cart before the horse and think our way through life, which very often leads to decisions we regret and circumstances that dont support our true self.
So where does raw food fit in to all of this?
There are many great things to eating raw, as we all know, but one of them is that it cleans us up on all the levels. Yes, it starts physical, but it does extend to the emotional, mental and spiritual. Raw food equals a raw experience of life — which means that the more you clean up your diet and the more raw you go, whatever is going on for us, both positive and not-so, we feel it oh-so much more clearly.
While sometimes we may feel this is a curse, especially when life gets tough, ultimately it is a real blessing. So long as we can take action on turning things around, then we dont need to stay stuck in negative raw emotions, but can transform them into glowing positives. Thus, when we have something that potentially may lead to a negative experience, we are able to detect it before it happens — not that this cant happen when youre not raw, but it is so much more obvious on raw that the gift of this ability becomes so much more obvious.
So, the next time you feel unsure about something, tune into your body and ask "What is my energy doing when I think of this situation or person? Does my energy close up or sink down, or does it rise up or expand?" Just by asking this question, so long as you are open and honest about what you are feeling inside, you will have your answer, and yes the mind may well try to argue, but as time goes by youll learn to trust the ultimate source of truth, and thats where heaven and earth connect — in your cells, or, as I prefer to call them, our spiritual satellites — how cute is that?! © 2008 Karen Knowler
Karen Knowler, The Raw Food Coach publishes "Successfully Raw," a free weekly eZine for raw food lovers everywhere.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Coconut Chili Lime Corn on the Cob—For Your Vegan Friendly BBQ
Happy 4th of July!
Corn on the cob is a favorite this time of year, especially as a side dish for your 4th of July BBQ. Unfortunately, it is usually drowning in butter. For a healthier and vegan friendly way to serve this popular food, try this easy recipe.
Instead of butter, the fat used in this recipe comes from virgin, expeller pressed, unrefined, organic coconut oil. This type of coconut oil has been extracted by methods that do not use harmful chemicals or high heat and is readily available at Whole Foods, Trader Joes or your local health food store.
There is much debate and even more confusion as to the health benefits of tropical oils. Coconut oil is high in saturated fat but has no cholesterol. Being saturated, it is a stable fat which makes it less likely to form harmful trans-fats when heated. Although there has been much negative press in the past about tropical oils, (much of it sponsored by the American Soybean Association and the Corn Products Company), the places in which coconut and other tropical oils are consumed on a daily basis do not have a high incidence of heart disease. Coconut oil is high in lauric acid, a medium chain fatty acid which the body converts into monolaurin. Monolaurin has antiviral, antibacterial and antiprotozoan properties.
That being said, coconut oil is high in calories and should be eaten in moderation. I get a bit concerned when I see the quantity of coconut oil used in raw food dessert recipes. In a recipe like this, however, a few tablespoons is a good alternative to butter.
***
Coconut Chili Lime Corn on the Cob [serves 4]
4 medium ears of corn, each cut into 4 equal pieces
2 tablespoons virgin, unrefined, organic coconut oil
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice, room temperature
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon Himalayan or sea salt
Gently melt coconut oil (put on low power in microwave for 10 seconds or more). Mix with lime juice and salt. Put all 16 pieces of corn in a large bowl. Pour the lime, coconut mixture over the corn and with your hands, thoroughly coat each piece. Sprinkle the chili powder evenly over the corn and place on a BBQ grill at low heat. Cook on all sides for a total of 10 to 15 minutes.
Per 4 piece serving: 139 calories, 8 g fat, 6.5 g saturated fat, 0 g cholesterol, 3 g protein, 17.6 g carbohydrates and 2 g of fiber.
Easy Black Bean Corn And Quinoa Stuffed Peppers With Enchilada Sauce Vegan And Gluten Free Perfect For Your Super Bowl Buffet
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| Stuffed bell pepper halves are perfect for a casual buffet. Follow Foods For Long Life on FACEBOOK . |
Easy Entertaining
Its football season and friends and family may be gathering around the big screen, especially on super bowl weekend. Heres a simple crowd pleaser that can be made early in the day and baked right before half time.
Diet Friendly
No need to abandon our Vegan, High Fiber Diet. Each stuffed pepper half is less than 200 calories and provides a healthy 7 grams of dietary fiber. Quinoa and beans deliver high quality protein with all of the essential amino acids.
And if you select a gluten free enchilada sauce, such as La Victoria, this dish is completely gluten free!
* * * *
Black Bean, Corn and Quinoa Stuffed Peppers with Enchilada Sauce
Vegan, Gluten Free
Requires a 9" x 13" casserole dish
[makes 8 servings]
1/2 cup dry quinoa
1 cup water
4 large green or red bell peppers
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
15 ounce can (no salt added) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup corn kernels
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
salt to taste
3/4 cups Daiya cheddar style shreds
1 3/4 cups gluten free enchilada sauce, medium spice
Rinse the quinoa in cold water for several minutes. Place in a small saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 15 to 18 minutes or until all of the water is absorbed. Remove from the heat and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Carefully cut the peppers in half vertically. Remove the seeds and rinse. Steam or boil until they begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Remove and drain.
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| Partially cook the peppers until they begin to soften |
Heat the oil in a medium fry pan and cook the onions on medium low heat until they begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about one minute.
Mix in the cooked quinoa, black beans, corn, cumin, black pepper, salt (if desired), Daiya cheddar style shreds and 1/2 cup of the enchilada sauce. Stir until well combined.
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| Combine the rest of the filling ingredients with cooked onions |
Place 1 cup of the enchilada sauce in the bottom of a 9" x 13" casserole dish.
Fill each half pepper with the filling and place in the casserole dish.
Drizzle the remaining 1/4 cup of enchilada sauce over the peppers.
Cover with foil and bake until hot and bubbly, about 30 minutes.
Remove from the oven and serve.
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| Bake in the oven covered with foil until hot. |
Per serving (8): 195 calories, 5 g total fat, 1 g saturated fat, 90 mg omega-3 and 603 mg omega-6 fatty acids, 0 mg cholesterol, 7.5 g protein, 31 g carbohydrates, 7 g dietary fiber and 540 mg sodium.
For a complete meal, serve with Mango Avocado Salad with Lime Chia Dressing. This salad recipe can serve at least 4 people as a side salad. Double it to serve 8.
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| Mango avocado salad with lime chia dressing |
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Is Weight Loss Your New Years Resolution
How many times have you made your New Years resolution to be about losing weight? Once, twice, maybe three times? How about five, possibly 10? Okay, we get the picture.And how many times has it worked?
I’m guessing if you’re making it yet again for 2015, then chances are it’s not been too successful in the past. Even if the weight has come off initially, you’ve dipped back into old habits, either due to boredom, complacency or fatigue, meaning you end the year in almost exactly the same shape as you started it, only to vow once again to lose weight next January.
That’s the big trouble with new years resolutions in general – they’re doomed to fail. And when it comes to weight loss, this is even more the case perhaps than with any other January goal.
Gyms are at their busiest in January, due to an influx of newbies. Seasoned gym goers know to avoid peak times in January, but if you’re not aware of this, the gym can feel more like being in a tin of sardines than having the luxury of a fitness club membership.
Not only that, but I’ll wager good money you still have plenty of Christmas food sitting around the house. Every time you go to the fridge, the tantalizing aroma of the Christmas cheese selection greets you. Bowls of sweets still adorn every coffee table, mantelpiece and spare gap on the work surfaces and that chocolate Santa eyes you evilly from his perch on the larder, just begging to be eaten.
Also, it’s highly likely you’ve been planning your resolution for weeks, if not months.
And during that time, all you’ve been doing is putting off starting.
Had you made an effort to lose weight, hit the gym and get on a diet plan back in October or November, you’d be going great guns by now. With a little discipline, Christmas would have been enjoyable, but not an all out binge fest, you’d have already made a start in the gym, and would be in much better shape than you are now.
All that being said, you can’t change the past, and a gluttonous December has happened, whether you planned it or not.
The key now is to make sure you stick with your weight loss resolution and achieve your new year goals for the first time ever.
First thing’s first – write down your goal. Not only should you write it down once, you should do in 10 times. Write it on post it notes, on small scraps of paper, and on massive sheets. Use different pens, colours and fonts – go crazy. The more times you write it down, the more likely you are to remember it and have it at the front of your mind all the time.
Done that? Good. Now take every piece of paper and go and put it somewhere you’ll see it at least once a day. The biggest piece can go on your bedroom door or on the inside of your wardrobe. Stick a smaller one on the sun visor in your car, and attach others to the fridge, microwave or your hallway mirror. Now there’s no chance you’ll forget your goals.
By Mike Samuels
Source: http://www.steadyhealth.com/articles/is-weight-loss-your-new-year-s-resolution-a3442.html
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Sticking to your diet while shopping
I was at Westfield in Stratford (UK), shopping yesterday and was worried about how I would stick to my diet. I managed to pack 1 meal, but for the evening I was pleasantly surprised that Tossed had options to perfectly fit my diet.
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Turkey, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes and red onions with a bit of balsamic vinegar.
Where theres a will theres a way people !
Day 7 - 6lbs lost so far...
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