In my house, hummus does not last long. In fact, it is hard to share. It's my go to for a quick snack, and more often than not becomes the center of dinner. While there are many store bought brands that have some tasty flavor combinations, homemade is always best. One batch gives twice the amount for half the price and it lacks any preservatives you may find on the shelf.
While I was living in San Diego, I fell in love with delicious, savory Thai curry. A vegetarian/vegan Thai restaurant there, Plumeria, had me sold (literally) on its red curry. Now, this is a big deal coming from someone who was certain that she despised any and all things coconut.
Growing up, my sister and I were vegetarians, which means we learned how to cook meals together that we could both enjoy. This sisterly bonding usually meant that we were about to indulge in a whole lot of carbs. A sodium-filled box of rice or pasta mix accompanied by a frozen vegetable, such as fake cheese sauce-drenched broccoli, was a typical go-to meal for us. So, claiming that we were cooks may be a bit of an exaggeration, but the end result was always fabulously tasty nonetheless (and rather unhealthy).
It may be strange to my veggie-loving self, but, apparently, some people aren’t too fond of the goods that are good for you. Some people grew up not wanting anything to do with the stuff, and continue to be less than enthused by fruits and/or vegetables, even into adulthood. If you’re one of these people, I’m happy to share a few ways to incorporate more fruits and veggies into your meals that just might convert you into a plant-based food fanatic.
I’ve always loved to bake. During summertime, I’d bake nearly every day, out of sheer boredom. The problem was that once my older brother and sister had moved out of the house, there weren’t many people left to devour all of the tasty treats. So, I had to come up with a solution because I cannot watch things go to waste, and the calories were bound to catch up with me sooner or later; I mean I was pretty active, but definitely not that active.
Who doesn’t love chicken pot pie? Creamy, hearty chicken soup wrapped up in a warm flaky crust…it sounds dreamy, but it’s actually a nutritional nightmare! Not only are there far too many carbs and calories in the crust, but the soup itself is often filled with heavy fats and noodles that make weight gain easy.
Here, I have a lightened up recipe for chicken pot pie soup that gives you the same flavors and comfort of chicken pot pie, while keeping you on track with your fitness and fat loss goals. Enjoy this warming recipe on a chilly day!
What's better than a hot breakfast? Even though I usually reach for fruit in the morning, I've gotten in the habit of considering the veggie route for my morning fuel. Veggies provide a slower energy release than fruit, which, depending on your morning activities could be a good or bad thing. If you know you're going to have a more relaxing morning, veggies are perfect for that slow burn. A veggie-fied breakfast is also good for those looking to reduce their intake of sugar.
What spices do you use in your cooking?
Whether you're showcasing a single spice or embracing many flavors in a harmonious blend, spices do wonders for our tastebuds and our dosha. Each spice has different effects, but all are full of health benefits. In the case of turmeric, its pungent nature can balance out the doshas, but careful, too much can aggravate pitta and vata.
Every so often my standard morning oatmeal recipe starts to feel boring and bland; I crave something warm and satisfying, but decidedly not made from oats. Enter breakfast quinoa!
As spring starts peeking around the corner, you might notice all the beautiful fiddlehead ferns starting to arise. They are lovely for looking at and even better for eating. The wild plants are known as "fiddleheads" because they resemble the neck of a fiddle. These gorgeous greens are said to have several health benefits. They are high in fiber, potassium, and magnesium as well as vitamins C and A. But how do you consume them?