Kale Chips

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Looking for a crispy snack, but not willing to crack open that bag of Tostitos? Then kale chips are perfect for you (and seem to be the latest rave). Since kale is a dark leafy green, it’s a great source of fiber, iron, and antioxidants. Oh, and did I forget to mention that it has zero grams of fat?

So whip yourself up a batch of these. It’s easy.

Preparation

  1. Tear leaves off one bunch of kale and separate into 2 chip-sized pieces 
  2. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil and top with 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt or any other spice. Toss in bowl
  3. Heat oven to 300°F and lay kale on baking sheet
  4. Cook for about 30-35 minutes, check at 5 minute intervals

(Photo belongs to www.allrecipes.com)

Strawberry and Banana Breakfast Wrap

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photo-22As much as I’d like to make crepes, I just don’t have the time on a hectic weekday morning. So, a perfect substitution for this thin pancake would be a small white or wheat flour wrap. Just looking at the picture above makes me crave this breakfast wrap even more. Along with thinly sliced strawberries and bananas, I included some almond butter and a drizzle of honey. To make it even more appetizing, I warmed the flour wrap on a standard pan while preparing the fruit. This quick meal was the perfect way to start my morning. It’s a perfect combination of crunchy and sweet!

  • 4 sliced strawberries
  • Half a banana, thinly cut
  • 2 tablespoons almond butter
  • 1 teaspoon honey

I Like Eggs

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ImageScratch that, I LOVE eggs. They’re a great source of protein that can be whipped up in no time. And the best part is, you can practically put in any kind of vegetable for extra nutrients.  I made this omelette using the egg whites from two eggs, but only one yolk. To make things more interesting I added sauteed red cabbage and spinach leaves. Unlike green cabbage, red cabbage is known for being an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Although it hasn’t fully determined, the phytonutrients found within the red cabbage are assumed to help protect against disease. The best part about this quick and light meal is that I remained full for quite some time.

HOW TO saute red cabbage

  1. Slice 1 cup of shredded red cabbage 
  2. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of lemon juice over red cabbage before cooking
  3. Heat 5 tablespoons of vegetable broth in skillet. Add cabbage when broth begins to steam for no more than 5 minutes

Green Apple and Veggie Hummus Wrap

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The Granny Smith apple added the perfect amount of sweetness to this wonderful little wrap!

  • Whole Tortilla
  • Original Hummus
  • Spinach leaves 
  • Shredded carrots 
  • Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced  

(The amount of each ingredient you’d like to use is completely up to you!)

Preparation 

  1. Warm up tortilla in the microwave for 30 seconds to prevent breaking 
  2. Spread couple tablespoons of hummus on tortilla
  3. Shred carrots in food processor and sprinkle on top of hummus
  4. Evenly place apple slices on tortilla 
  5. Top with spinach leaves and roll tortilla like a burrito 

Colorful Salad on the Go

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Meals that are filled with color really excite me. Truth is, we all have the ability to create impressive looking salads from the comfort of our own kitchen, rather than wasting money at a restaurant. I packed this salad for lunch today, and the amount of comments I received was shocking. And guess what? It only took me five minutes to throw together.

Along with the mixed greens, sprouts, carrots, tomatoes, and cheddar cheese, I plopped in some pine nuts for extra nutrition and protein. Not only was it delightful and filling, but preparing colorful meals ensures that what you’re consuming is both well-balanced and nutrient-dense, which are two key factors in being a vegetarian.

Asparagus Gruyere Tart

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ImageThis tart has to be my all time favorite appetizer. Seriously. When combined, plump asparagus, Gruyere cheese, and puff pastry really know how to please my taste buds. I could literally eat this everyday. Thank you Martha Stewart!

  • 1 sheet frozen puff pastry
  • 2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese
  • 1 1/2 pounds thick asparagus
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Flour working surface before rolling puff pastry into 16″x10″ rectangle
  2. Cook puff pastry until crisp and golden brown – 15 minutes
  3. Remove puff pastry from oven and sprinkle with Gruyere cheese
  4. Alternate tops and bottoms of asparagus when arranging on top of puff pastry. Trim ends if needed to fit
  5. Brush with oil and season with salt and pepper sparingly
  6. Cook for 20 – 25 minutes

Meatless Mondays

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Many people find themselves interested in vegetarianism, but are unwilling to give up meat completely. If this happens to be you, I suggest partaking in the trend of Meatless Mondays! Cutting back on meat once a week will positively effect your health and the environment at the same time. According to www.meatlessmondays.com, the water used to produce 1 Ib of beef is equivalent to 60 showers, while the amount of fuel wasted is akin to driving a car for 32 miles. If you’re still not surprised by those facts, 1,800 to 2,500 gallons of water go into a mere pound of beef as well. To me it seems that most of our environmental problems would dissipate if everyone became vegetarian. With meat being one of the most expensive products in the grocery store, I’m sure the amount of money spent on food for your meatless meal would be less. Who doesn’t enjoy saving money? However, making smart decisions when it comes to meat-alternatives is extremely important. Meatless Mondays is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and begin a healthier lifestyle.

Hemp Protein Powders

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I know I’ve stressed the importance of protein in earlier posts already, but I’d just like to mention the benefits of using hemp protein powders. Well all experience times in the day where our bodies need a little boost. With hemp being a powerhouse in terms of nutrition, I’ve become greatly fond of Manitoba Harvest’s protein powders. Unlike soy beans, the proteins found in hemp are more similar to those in the human body, causing them to digest faster. It also includes the perfect amounts of fiber, fatty acids, and amino acids. Although I personally enjoy accompanying the hemp powder with a cup of rice or almond milk, it can be mixed with practically any other liquid. Its green color may seem a little offsetting at first, but I’m sure you’ll quickly begin to appreciate the wonderful taste it has to offer!

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