Monday, September 22, 2014

Quinoa Lentil Pilaf

YUM!  One of my very favorite recipes from the Ultimate Reset, and one I make on a regular basis.  This is a great dish to have on it's own, or to use as a side for lean protein. 

Quinoa is a complete protein, which means that it contains all the amino acids necessary for our nutritional needs. Complete proteins are rare in the plant world, making Quinoa an excellent food for vegetarians and vegans, or for anyone looking for a healthy protein source. It's also high in iron and calcium, and is a good source of manganese, magnesium and copper, as well as fiber.

Quinoa is also naturally gluten-free, making it an excellent food for celiac patients or other people following a gluten-free diet: that's ME! And, another fun fact, although cooked like a grain, Quinoa is actually a seed. Interesting!

I hope you enjoy the recipe as much as I do!

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

Ingredients
  • 1½ tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ medium carrot, diced
  • ½ medium stalk celery, diced
  • ¼ medium onion, diced
  • ¼ medium red bell pepper, diced
  • ¼ tsp. ground smoked paprika
  • 1 dash ground cumin
  • ¼ tsp. ground turmeric
  • ¾ cup cooked quinoa 
  • ¼ cup cooked lentils 
  • 1½ tsp. grated lemon peel
  • 1½ tsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh parsley

Directions
  1. Heat oil in medium sauce pan over medium-high heat. Add carrot, celery, onion, bell pepper, paprika, cumin, and turmeric; cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes, or until tender.
  2. Add quinoa, lentils, zest, lemon juice, and parsley to cooked vegetables; heat over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, or until heated through.
  3. Fluff with a fork and serve.

Nutrition
  • Calories: 341
  • Total Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
  • Sodium: 56 mg
  • Carbohydrate: 51 g
  • Fiber: 13 g
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Protein: 13 g

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Mint Chocolate Chip Shakeology




The past few weeks here in Orange County, CA have been (almost) unbearably HOT!  We're talking unusually hot for our area.

Yesterday I was craving more than just my regular Shakeology - I needed something cooler.  Something that would cool me from the inside out, but something that was still healthy.  Enter my MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP SHAKEOLOGY recipe!


Enjoy!

Thursday, August 28, 2014