Avocado Salad

Avacado Salad

Avocado Salad

Avocados do not get enough credit. It is a powerful superfood that is high in potassium and has a lot of antioxidants. It is also considered “good-fat”

Here is an easy Avocado Salad recipe that is both easy and quick to make.

Hass Avocado
Shredded pickled beets
Diced red onion
Diced papaya 
Cilantro
Green olives
Salt and pepper to taste 
 
This quick and easy dish can be made as a healthy breakfast, a side dish or even a snack. You can add as few or as many of the ingredients as you like. I cut my avocado in half, removed the seed and spooned out the entire halves and placed them on a plate. I then topped my avocado with some diced red onion, cubed papaya, about 2 spoonfuls of the shredded pickled beets, a couple green olives and sprinkled the cilantro on top. 

Salt and pepper can be added to taste.
One Skillet Breakfast Hash

One-Skillet Breakfast Hash

One Skillet Breakfast Hash

Looking for a yummy breakfast recipe that is family friendly? Here is a one skillet breakfast hash that is quick and easy to make. I remember when I was a child and we would have breakfast for dinner. It seemed unprecedented and scandalous to eat a meal outside of that meal’s designated hour. This breakfast hash can quickly go from breakfast to dinner. You can add vegetarian meat replacements or actual meat such as bacon. Enjoy!

6 russet potato – scrubbed and cut in chunks (I left the skins on)
1 orange bell pepper -cut in chunks
1 green bell pepper – cut in chunks
1 red jalapeno – diced 
4 garlic cloves – crushed 
1 white onion  – cut in chunks
Green scallion 
Granulated garlic powder 
Granulated onion powder 
Adobo seasoning 
Olive oil 
 
Preheat oven to 550°.
 
Place skillet on medium high heat on the stovetop and put enough oil to slightly cover the bottom of the pan. Once oil is hot add in your potatos. Let the potatos cook by themselves for about 5 minutes making sure to turn them occasionally. After 5 minutes add in all your remaining ingredients and seasonings I sprinkle enough seasoning to make sure all pieces are covered and then put the entire skillet in the oven. Let bake for approx. 20 minutes, stirring on occasion. Hash is done when a fork can go easily through a potato. Sprinkle with green scallion last and enjoy!
One Skillet Breakfast Hash
Spinach Stuffed Chicken

Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast

Spinach Stuffed Chicken

Random Fact: Did you know that 65 billion Chickens are consumed every year, making chicken one of the most popular meats consumed. Chicken breast is one of the most healthiest meats you can eat. It is low in fat and high in protein. Stuffing chicken breast is one way to make the dryer side of the chicken, moist and flavorful. Here is an easy Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast that is quick to make that the whole family will love. 

Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe
 
Stuffed Chicken Breast Ingredients:
 
chicken breasts 
1 cup of chopped spinach 
100 grams of cream cheese 
Dash of cayenne or paprika 
A little pepper 
A little garlic powder 
Dash of Italian seasoning 
A little bit of chicken Bouillon 
 
Instructions:
 
Cream cheese & spinach mixture 
•In a bowl, add the cream cheese 
•Add garlic powder 
•Add the spinach 
 
Mix together  
 
Pre heat the oven to 350°F 
 
Chicken Breast 
•With the knife Make a pocket in the chicken breast
•Stuff the chicken breast with the spinach & cream cheese mixture 
•Use a few toothpicks to secure the chicken breast 
 
Make sure you seared chicken on both side
 
Baking 
•Get a baking tray. Place the chicken breasts 1 by 1 in the baking tray.
 
•Bake for 30 minutes uncovered (make sure the thermometer reads 165 degrees).
 
Let the chicken sit about 5 minutes & removed the tooth picks before serving. 
 

You can switch out ingredients to make it low carb or even take the recipe from a stuffed spinach recipe to jalapeño stuffed chicken or artichoke. Pair with a side salad and grain to make it a complete meal. Quinoa (for low carb) or your choice of rice.

Coconut Milk Quinoa

Coconut Milk Quinoa

Coconut Milk Quinoa

Quinoa, pronounced KEEN-wah, is a seed grain. It is commonly used in place of rice since it is a lighter carbohydrate. It also has more protein and fiber than white rice. It can be used in place of rice (dinner/lunch) and grain (breakfast) meals. 

Coconut Milk Quinoa

 
Ingredients 
1 cup of quinoa
1 cup of coconut milk (I use the vanilla flavored coconut milk)
Coconut sugar to taste 
Almonds
Blueberries 
 
In a medium pot bring coconut milk and quinoa to a boil.
 
Cook until the quinoa is soft or until the milk and quinoa together has thickened and remove from heat. You can add in about a teaspoon of coconut sugar to taste. For me, the almond milk has enough sweetness but when I make it for friends I add coconut sugar. Next you can top it with your favorite nuts and fresh fruit and enjoy. I added fresh handpicked blueberries and almonds. A quick and super easy breakfast item that taste delicious.
Almonds
Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay
Quinoa
Image by Evita Ochel from Pixabay
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Jasmine Rice and Vegetable Sauté

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Jasmine Rice and Vegetable Sauté

Jasmine Rice is a long grain rice that is named after the Jasmine flower. It is known for its sweet smell and taste. Paired with vegetables, it the perfect complimentary and a satisfying  grain.  

Jasmine Rice and Vegetable Sauté
 
Ingredients
1 cup of Jasmine rice
1 head of cauliflower cut into bit size pieces
1 green squash sliced
1 red bell pepper sliced
Half an onion sliced
Half a pack of mushrooms sliced
1 green scallion for garnish 
 
Seasonings
Apricot preserve 
Hot sauce
Old Bay seasoning
Salt
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Olive oil
 
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil on high heat and add your jasmine rice.
You will need about 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of rice.
Once the jasmine rice is added bring the temperature down to low/medium heat so the rice can continue to cook slowly.
 
In a skillet, heat up some olive oil on medium heat and add your squash first. The squash is done once both sides are brown. Sprinkle with some Old Bay seasoning to taste and remove the squash and place on a separate plate or baking sheet. Next heat up some more oil and add your sliced onion, bell pepper, and mushroom.
 
These can be sauteed together since they have a similar cooking time. Once these are done add some salt, onion powder and garlic powder and add them to the plate with the squash. Lastly in the same skillet add your cauliflower. The cauliflower will need to be covered over medium heat for about 5 minutes to help it soften just a tad. After about 5 minutes remove the lid and let it sauté.
 
Once they start to brown I add in about a spoonful or two of the apricot preserve and about a spoonful or two of hot sauce with some salt. Here, you can adjust your glaze with more or less apricot preserve or hot sauce depending on if you want it more sweet or more spicy. I like mine spicy.
 
Once the cauliflower are all covered with your glaze they can be removed from the heat.
 
To plate, I take my 1/2 measuring cup and pack it with the jasmine rice. This will make the perfect mold and place that in the center of my plate. Next, I took some of the sautéed squash, onion, pepper and mushroom and added that to the top of the rice. Top that with some of the glazed cauliflower.
 
I added fresh chopped green scallion to taste and enjoy.
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Recipe: Breadless Breakfast Frittata Sandwich

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Order Health at Restaurant

How to Order Healthy at Restaurants

Order Health at Restaurant

It is possible to eat healthy and dine out. You will always eat the healthiest at home since, you control the ingredients that go in your food. Eating out is inevitable since it is a cultural norm. So here are tips on how to order healthy at restaurants.

Avoid appetizers

If you are going to a restaurant that has big portions, appetizers are unnecessary. Appetizers are a quick food item that restaurants put out. Quick food are usually prepared unhealthy (fried) and are a great way to add unnecessary calories. Now there are always exceptions. If they have something healthy like a antipasto caprese, then go for it.

Always oil and vinegar.

Stay away from restaurant prepared dressings. They usually have bad fat and a ton of sodium. You can make a healthy ranch at home, but restaurants usually make sauces with cost efficient ingredients. Ask for oil and vinegar.

*Tip- some restaurants pass off regular oil as olive oil. Purchase small bottles of olive oil and vinegar and bring it with you.

Don’t eat the bread.

Bread is made with a ton of sugar. Sugar turns into fat if it is not burned off. Also, white sugar is terrible for you.

Grilled is your friend or raw.

Stick with shrimp, salmon or chicken breast or a piece of steak that doesn’t have much fat. 

Ask for no butter on your vegetables.

A lot of restaurants will automatically put margarine on their vegetables, that’s why it tastes so good. Use your oil, vinegar and pepper.

If you really want desert, ask for whip cream and fruit or a scoop of ice cream.

Salads may not be your best friend.

Cheeses, croutons (bread), bacon, eggs, all add on fats, which turn into empty calories.

If you want drinks, not all wine is bad for you. If you are looking for a low calorie drink vodka, soda is the winner.