Tag Archives: antioxidants

Tasty Tuesdays: Quinoa Soup with Avocado and Cilantro

28 Feb

Enjoy Healthy Soup!

Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) is a great alternative to using noodles in soup that is abundant in anti-oxidants.  Quinoa is a great vegan source of protein and it is a complete protein, meaning it includes all 9 essential amino acids. Quinoa is also a gluten-free grain, which is a great choice if you have an intolerance or allergy to gluten, as discussed in a previous post.  Quinoa has other health benefits, it is high in magnesium, which can help reduce migraine headaches, improve cardiovascular health because it helps relax blood vessels and lower the risk for type 2 diabetes.  It is also a great source of fiber, which helps reduce the risk of high blood pressure and prevents gallstones.  With all these great benefits, quinoa is an overlooked grain that adds to your health! I also added, avocado, cilantro and turmeric, which all have anti-inflammatory properties. I always recommend using organic ingredients to steer clear from food with harmful pesticides.  Enjoy!

PREPARATIONS: 5 MINUTES

COOK TIME: 10-15 MINUTES

2-3 SERVINGS

RECIPE

1 cup of quinoa

1 avocado

Vegetable or Chicken Broth (To save time you can use Whole Foods Market organic low sodium broth, when you have more time you can make a homemade broth.)

Cilantro

Sea Salt

Pepper

Turmeric

  1. Rinse Quinoa and place 1 cup of quinoa in a medium saucepan with 2 cups of filtered water.  Bring to a boil and then turn to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes (depending on stove.)  When it is ready, it will look fluffy with all the remaining water cooked off.
  2. Heat up soup broth in a separate pan.
  3. Cut up 1 avocado
  4. Chop a bunch of cilantro.
  5. Depending on how you like your soup, spoon quinoa into bowl and place desired amount of broth over it.  Mix in the avocado and Cilantro.
  6. Add turmeric, salt and pepper to taste!
  7. Enjoy!

Tasty Tuesdays: Popeye’s Special

21 Feb

All the ingredients in the Vitamix Container

Ready to Drink and Enjoy!

Popeye’s Special is loaded with spinach, which is rich in phytonutrients such as carotenoids and flavonoids, both which which have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer  benefits. It also has an immense amount of antioxidants vitamin A, Vitamin K and Vitamin C and E  to neutralize any free radicals that can damage healthy cells and strengthen your immune system and regulate hormones. Mangos and Spinach, are  both known to be rich in iron, which is responsible for carrying oxygen to the blood cells. Mangos are also known to have enzymes that can help to relieve indigestion problems. I always recommend using organic ingredients to steer clear from fruits with pesticides.  For this recipe I used the Vitamix Blender, it has so many capabilities (purée, blend, dice, chop, make hot soups, chop nuts etc.), it blows away anything else I have ever used.  That’s one less piece of equipment you’ll need, it saves counter space and money! Enjoy!

PREPARATION: 5 MINUTES

PROCESSING TIME: 1 MINUTES

YIELDS: 3 CUPS

RECIPE

1 medium apple

1/2 cup of strawberries

1 cup of fresh spinach leaves

3/4 cup of mango

3/4 cup of banana

1/4 cup ice

  1. Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
  2. Select Variable 1.
  3. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
  4. Blend for 1 1/2 minutes, using the tamper to press ingredients into the blades.
  5. DRINK AND ENJOY!

Tasty Tuesdays: Coconut Ice Cream Sundae

14 Feb

Happy Valentines Day! No matter who you are celebrating with, love yourself enough to enjoy a healthy treat!  Try an organic coconut ice cream sundae topped with organic chocolate syrup and organic fresh berries!

Organic Coconut Ice Cream

Coconut Bliss ice cream is organic, vegan and dairy/soy/gluten free.  It has only a few ingredients and you know what they are! You can go to their website to find a store near you.  I get mine at the local Whole Foods Market.  They have several flavors, but here are a few examples.

Vanilla Island:
Organic Coconut Milk (Organic Coconut, Water, Guar
Gum*), Organic Agave Syrup, Organic Fair Trade Vanilla Extract, Organic
Fair Trade Vanilla Beans.

Mint Galactica:
Organic Coconut Milk (Organic Coconut, Water, Guar
Gum*), Organic Agave Syrup, Organic Fair Trade Dark Chocolate (Organic
Chocolate Liquor, Organic Sugar, Organic Cocoa Powder [processed with
alkali], Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Vanilla Extract), Organic Coconut
Oil, Organic Peppermint Extract, Organic Vanilla Extract.

Dark Chocolate:
Organic Coconut Milk (Organic Coconut, Water, Guar
Gum*), Organic Agave Syrup, Organic Fair Trade Cocoa (processed with
alkali), Organic Vanilla Extract.

Ah!laska Vegan Chocolate Syrup

Ah!laska Chocolate Syrup is organic, vegan and dairy/soy/gluten free.  Add it to your coconut ice cream of choice!  You can buy online or find a store near you.

Ingredients:  Organic Evaporated Cane Juice, Water,Organic Cocoa (Non-Alkaline), XanthanGum (a Natural Fiber Thickener),Organic Vanilla, Citric Acid.

Top Off Your Sundae With Fresh Berries

Top off your coconut ice cream sundae with organic fresh berries to add some antioxidants to your treat!  Try Organic raspberries, strawberries or blackberries and load up with vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Manganese, Fiber and Potassium.

Enjoy and share your love!

Tasty Tuesdays: Basil Lime-Lemonade

7 Feb

All the ingredients in the Vitamix Container

Enjoy a frosty drink!

Basil Lime-Lemonade is loaded with antioxidants vitamin A, Vitamin K and Vitamin C to neutralize any free radicals that can damage healthy cells and strengthen your immune system. The oil in the basil leaf has  anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, so it not only tastes good but will add to your health. I always recommend using organic ingredients to steer clear from fruits with pesticides.  For this recipe I used the Vitamix Blender, it has so many capabilities (purée, blend, dice, chop, make hot soups, chop nuts etc.), it blows away anything else I have ever used.  That’s one less piece of equipment you’ll need, it saves counter space and money! Enjoy!

PREPARATION: 5 MINUTES

PROCESSING TIME: 1 1/2 MINUTES

YIELDS: 5 CUPS

RECIPE

1 lemon, peeled, halved, seeded

1 lime, peeled, halved

1/4 cup of agave or sweetener of choice

1/4 cup fresh basil leaves

2-3 cups of ice cubes

  1. Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
  2. Select Variable 1.
  3. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
  4. Blend for 1 1/2 minutes, using the tamper to press ingredients into the blades.
  5. DRINK AND ENJOY!

Tasty Tuesdays: Jazzed up Juice!

31 Jan

All the ingredients in the Vitamix container

Fresh juice ready to drink!

Jazzed up Juice is loaded with antioxidants, vitamin C and resveratrol, so it not only tastes good but will add to your health. I always recommend using organic ingredients to steer clear from fruits with pesticides.  For this recipe I used the Vitamix Blender, it has so many capabilities (purée, blend, dice, chop, make hot soups, chop nuts etc.), it blows away anything else I have ever used.  That’s one less piece of equipment you’ll need, it saves counter space and money! Enjoy!

PREPARATION: 5 MINUTES

PROCESSING: 1 MINUTE

YIELDS: 4 CUPS

RECIPE

1 cup blueberries

1 cup strawberries

1 cup green grapes

1 medium orange

1/2 cup ice cubes

  1. Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure the lid. (you can make this in any high-speed blender)
  2. Select Variable 1.
  3. Turn the machine on and quickly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
  4. Blend for 1 minute or until desired consistency is reached.
  5. DRINK AND ENJOY!