Monday, December 5, 2011

Two Healthy Recipes for Very Busy Times

Thanks to Rachael Breneman, my daughter-in-law, for sending these quick and easy recipes!   With all the sugar and fat laden foods before us at this time of the year,  more than ever we need to eat healthy foods on a regular basis.  These two recipes for quinoa and smoothies are a good start!

Quinoa
Here is a yummy quinoa recipe.  I like it warmed up or cold and have even eaten it for breakfast.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/quinoa-and-black-beans/detail.aspx
 
Original Recipe 
Yield: 10 servings
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
  • 3/4 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup frozen corn kernels
  • 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantr0
  1. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onion and garlic, and saute until lightly browned.
  2. Mix quinoa into the saucepan and cover with vegetable broth. Season with cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes,
  3. Stir frozen corn into the saucepan, and continue to simmer about 5 minutes until heated through. Mix in the black beans and cilantro.
Note: Other beans may be substituted.


Smoothies
Also I've been enjoying smoothies lately - a great way to get raw greens!  Really hits the spot when I'm craving something sweet.  No specific recipe but here are the ingredients I use:

Frozen blueberries and or strawberries
water and or unsweetened almond milk
sometimes ice cubes
vanilla (no corn syrup added)
stevia
flax seed meal
a couple handfuls of baby spinach or kale
(sometimes wheat grass or spirulina powder)
You could also add some nuts or nut butter.
 
Smoothies are quick and easy to eat. I like them because I don't have to sit down at the table to eat it like I would a salad but I'm getting just as many greens.  You can really experiment to your liking.