Recipes

Greens and Edamame Salad

I love this salad for the hint of mint, the freshness of the greens and edamame; the blend of flavors is truly lovely. And it is also nutrient-rich, greens and beans are health-promoting superfoods.

The original recipe calls for escarole, a form of endive. Endive tends to be bitter, and it’ not always available so I usually make this salad with a blend of spinach and baby kale, or finely sliced lacinto kale.
Sometimes, to give it color, I add finely sliced raddichio to the green mix.

This salad can become a delicious entrée tossed with whole-wheat pasta (I like penne or elbow pasta for this) or leftover cooked quinoa.

To make it vegan, replace toasted sunflower seeds for the shredded Parmesan.

 

Nutrient-Rich Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Red Bell Pepper

Sweet potatoes are far more nutrient rich and have less calories than white potatoes; one medium spud containes 400% of daily requirment for vitamin A, is rich in vitamins B6 and C, potassium, fiber and beta-carotene.

[su_expanding_quote_web source_site=”Medical News Today” source_url=”http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/281438.php” right_quote=”Consuming foods rich in beta-carotene may reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer, offer protection against asthma and heart disease and delay aging and body degeneration.” short_quote=”Consuming foods rich in beta-carotene may reduce the risk of cancer”]

These mashed potatoes with the additional superfoods red bell pepper and onion, make not only a delicious meal but also boosts our immune system.

Variations:

  • Use 2 leeks, washed well and thinly sliced, instead of onion and bell pepper
  • Instead of red bell pepper, use poblano pepper

Making Breakfast Easy

In just a few minutes, make breakfast the night before, and it’s ready in the morning. If you haven’t tried overnight oats before, this is a great recipe to start with. I love Angela Liddon’s website  Oh She Glows;  although I don’t think I will ever be vegan, I’ve made many recipes from her website. Her cookbook is one of only three I have in my kitchen—that’s how much I use it.

There are innumerous recipes for overnight oats. The more I make them, the more concoctions I come up with depending on fresh and frozen fruits (and nuts) I have on hand.

If you don’t like the texture simply skip the chia seeds. Instead sprinkle a tablespoon or two of ground flaxseeds and mix in right before eating.

Spinach and Pea Salad

This is a quick salad that infuses the body with a  good dosage of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. This can be a foundation on which to add many different ingredients: add some left-over quinoa and a hardboiled egg for a satisfying meal. Use defrosted edamame or lima beans instead of the peas and add a chopped ripe avocado.

Spinach, Grated Broccoli, and Grape Salad

With the current enthusiasm for the health benefits of kale, spinach seems to have been pushed into the background. But it is to has stood the test of time as an incredibly nutritious food. Medical research continues to demonstrate its value.

[su_expanding_quote_without_link source=”SuperFoods Rx: Fourteen Foods that Will Change your Life”full_quote=”In epidemiological studies, it’s been found that the more spinach consumed, the lower the risk of almost every type of cancer…There are a number of different flavonoid compounds in spinach working to prevent different stages of cancer development. Spinach contains two vital antioxidants—glutathione and alpha lipoic acid. The first is the primary antioxidant in all cells where its critically important job is to protect our DNA. It repairs damaged DNA, promotes healthy cell replication, boosts the immune systems and reduces chronic inflammation. Alpha lipoic acid not only boosts glutathione, it helps stabilize blood sugar…Lutein, another powerful antioxidant in spinach, works to enhance the body’s immune system, thus warding off many types of cancers.” short_quote=”In epidemiological studies, it’s been found that the more spinach consumed, the lower the risk of almost every type of cancer…There are a number of different flavonoid compounds in spinach working to prevent different stages of cancer”]

Spinach Orange Salad

Spinach is a powerful super food, as are onions and oranges.

[su_expanding_quote_without_link source=”SuperFoods Rx: Fourteen Foods that Will Change Your Life, Steven Pratt M.D. and Kathy Matthews” full_quote=”Citrus flavonoids are found in the fruit’s tissue, juice, pulp and skin and have been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth, strengthen capillaries, act as anti-inflammatories and they are antiallergenic and antimicrobial. Flavonoid intake is inversely associated with the incidence of heart attack and stroke as well as a host of other ailments. ” short_quote=”Citrus flavonoids found in the fruit’s tissue, juice, pulp and skin and have been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth”]

African Coconut Soup with Chickpeas

I love this nutrient dense soup; it is a comfort soup and is especially delicious in cold weather.

Like all beans, chickpeas (garbanzo) are a super food because of their substantial nutritional content (protein, B vitamins, iron, folate, potassium, magnesium and phytonutrients) and their health benefits.

Chickpeas have been associated with a number of possible health benefits for medical conditions:

  • Brain health: Chickpease have an array of phytonutrients that may help boost memory and enhance brain functioning. They’re a great source of folate and magnesium. Folate has been shown to boost cognitive function, while magnesium boosts learning skills and improve sleep
  • Bone health: The iron, phosphate, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc and vitamin K content present in chickpeas all contribute to building and maintaining bone structure and strength.
  • Heart health: The high fiber, potassium, vitamin C and vitamin B-6 content and significant amounts of fiber, helps lower the total amount of cholesterol in the blood, thereby decreasing the risk of heart disease.
  • Cancer: Chickpeas contain selenium is a mineral that is not present in most fruits and vegetables. Selenium prevents inflammation, plays a role in liver enzyme function, helps detoxify some cancer-causing compounds in the body, and also decreases tumor growth rates.

Addition ingredients that make this so nutrient dense:

Cilantro: A good source of vitamin K and array of minerals linked to healthier brain functioning

Coconut milk: Is rich in medium-chaing triglycerides, which have been shown to improve cognitive performance; it’s a great source of key minerals, vitamins B1 and C tat help maintain energy and boost mood

Kale: Is rich in antioxidant falvonoids, vitamin K which boosts memory, mood-elevating vitamin C and vitamin A which can improve learning skills

Tumeric: Has been shown to boost cognitive function, protects against cardiovascular problems, which can help keep our brains sharp and healthy. It is a good source of iron and brain essential B vitamins.

References:

Katz, R with Edelson, M. (2008). The Healthy Mind Cookbook. Berkely, CA: Ten Speed Press