All posts tagged: eating well

Food: Grilled Sweet Potato, Baked Beans and Cilantro Yogurt Drizzle

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I’ve indulged sweet potatoes for about ten years now. I mean to say, in addition to eating them every Thanksgiving supper. I used to simply order them as fries and just nipple while enjoying a cocktail with friends. And then I grew up and began to experiment with different recipes. So with that bit of nonessential  intro – I give you the following recipe I think is a meal in itself: INGREDIENTS  2 large sweet potatoes 2 tablespoons of sunflower oil (or any neutral high-heat oil) 1 red onion, diced 2 cloves of garlic, minced 1 can of black beans, drained 1 cup of (your favorite) bbq sauce (store bought, or homemade) 6oz of plain greek yogurt (coconut yogurt to make this dairy-free) 2 tablespoons of minced shallots ¼ teaspoon of salt 1 tablespoon of lemon juice ½ cup of cilantro leaves (plus more for garnish)

Food: Tonight’s Dinner – Thai Basil Noodles

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Here’s a craving I’ve had for a few days, so…I am heading to Trader Joe’s after work for this recipe’s ingredients: Ingredients 1/3 cup Simple Truth Tahini sesame seed paste 2 tablespoons honey juice and zest of 1 lime 2 tablespoons fish sauce 1 clove garlic, minced or grated 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated 1 (8 ounce box) rice noodles 4 cups baby kale, finely chopped 1 (16 ounce bag) frozen shelled edamame, thawed 3 carrots, shredded or chopped 2 bell peppers (red, yellow and or orange), sliced thin 1 cup fresh or frozen mango, chopped into chunks 2 stalks lemongrass, finely chopped 4 green onions chopped 3/4 cup fresh basil, and cilantro sliced fresno peppers, sesame seeds and roasted cashews, for topping

Food: I Call It Eating Light and Airy

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The past couple of months while on the road, I’ve done some damage to my digestive system. Meaning to say, that I’ve made bad choices – in terms of eating. But the truth of the matter is that I was helping a friend re-locate from north California to Southern California and because of the madness, we’ve ordered in mostly. Or eaten at not-so-ideal chain fast food places. So, I am currently trying to detox my system from all the salt, and butter and just plain crap. And eating very light and airy I call it because of the fluff more so than the substance in the selections I’m making.  This is what I mean:

Food: Korean BBQ, Honey, Garlic Shrimp

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Weekend is almost here and as I continue to dog sit for a friend  out in the country, I decided to have an outdoor dinner party Saturday night for a couple of friends who are kind enough to come up and keep me coming over the weekend.  I got my bug spray, and all the lighting for an outdoor dinner and wine or two or three. Here’s what I am thinking:

healthy eats: lentil, yogurt and prosciutto

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Some night, well mostly Friday nights, I prefer an array of appetizer-sort eats  paired with a bottle of my favorite cab, than a full meal. It’s my way of winding down. I pick a film or two on Netflix, organize the appetizers and uncork the bottle…and I have to tell you I couldn’t ask for a better evening. Here’s a recipe of one appetizer I have put together way before finding it online. Except, I keep the yogurt in a separate bowl, drizzle it with olive oil and mint, the prosciutto on a platter with olives and cheese, and the lentil I buy pre-cooked, and shrink-wrapped from Trader Joe, seasoning it exactly as it says here. It’s funny how great chefs think alike. 🙂 How do you wind down? What is your favorite fun appetizer recipe?   {source credit}  

healthy suggestions i live by for years

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There are lots of articles, ads, and more about eating healthy or what to eat and not. Some even contradict one product over the other, worrying us into sleepless nights and added stress over our eating habits. I grew up on Mediterranean food and indulged just fine the things naturally available each season, maintaining my weight. It was when I arrived in the US and ate processed food that I gained weight and was among the millions in this country labelled as overweight.  I put an end to it years ago, returning to eating just as did when I was younger, and avoiding processed food at all cost. The changes I made require commitment and time, since I prepare all my foods at home and seldom eat out and when I do, I go for the lighter meals, salads mostly or salmon, to avoid from developing bad habits again, throwing me off. Couple of interesting articles I came across recently which I have proven to work for me: {click here for source article} {click here for source article} …

healthy recipe: oats and currant shake

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I am always looking for healthy eating recipes online or magazines or even while checking out a new restaurant in San Francisco. We’ve got a ton of health conscious eateries here now. So, of course I stopped and saved this recipe and made it at home. Clearly an interesting tasty treat, something new, easy to make and different from the norm (being banana, strawberries and pineapple juice). RECIPE  1 cup currants (or plums or strawberries or cherries) 1/2 cup oats 1 cup almond milk 1 tbsp honey 1 tsp lemon juice zest from 1/2 lemon 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp coconut flakes to garnish Place everything except for coconut flakes in a blender and give it a good blend. Garnish with coconut flakes. And when you are done, this is what it should look like {Under no circumstances do I take credit for the photo or the recipe. Please click here for reference}

healthy snack: vacation inspired granola bar recipe

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First day back from any vacation is always the hardest, especially from a relaxing one. (Meaning mostly spent by the poolside or under an umbrella at the beach, sipping cool drinks). The funny thing was, while I wondered what to post on my blog at the start the week after a vacation, I came across the perfect recipe to make the transition and bring a little of the island back with me. Tropical Chewy Granola Bars Makes 12-16 bars Ingredients: 2 Tbsp. chia seeds + 6 Tbsp. water 2 cups / 200g rolled oats (certified gluten-free if possible) ½ cup / 150g raw buckwheat groats 1 cup / 50g coconut flakes ¾ cup / 100g macadamia nuts, chopped 60g / 2 oz. dried banana, chopped (or Medjool dates) 60g / 2 oz. dried mango, chopped ¼ cup / 60ml coconut oil 1/3 cup / 80ml honey (or maple syrup) 1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped (or 1 tsp. extract) 2 very ripe bananas ½ tsp. coarse sea salt Directions: 1. In a small bowl, combine chia …

healthy eating: cauliflower dough pizza

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Can a recipe get any better than this? Cauliflower dough pizza plus your favorite veggies and you have an amazing alternative to  everyone’s favorite meal. No seriously I must be feeling better, because the first thing I craved today was pizza, but not the doughy kind, if you know what I mean. Anyway, I found a healthy recipe here and wanted to share, like I normally do when I am happy about something. Healthy + Gluten Free Pizza with a Cauliflower Crust Prep time 15 mins Cook time 35 mins Total time 50 mins   Author: Eating Bird Food Serves: 8 Ingredients ½ head cauliflower (about 2 cups riced) 1 clove garlic, minced 1 cup part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese 1 egg, beaten 1 teaspoon basil 1 teaspoon oregano   Instructions Pre-heat oven to 400° F. Prep a cookie sheet or pizza stone. You can grease the cookie sheet or use greased aluminum foil. It will stick if you don’t grease it properly. (I used a Pampered Chef baking stone, which doesn’t require any prep if …

healthy recipe: fajita burgers

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As I stated many times before I eat healthy and with that there are many sacrifices I have made in order to stay within the guidlines of eating well.  On occassion, however, I crave the fat, the cheesy, the breads and carbs and when I stumble upon a recipe which gives me the chance to indulge in a healthy way, I jump right on it. Here’s one recipe I absolutely love and have included in my monthly menu planning. Ingredients 1 pound 90%-lean ground beef 3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion 1/4 cup chopped scallions 2 teaspoons minced garlic 1 tablespoon chili powder, preferably New Mexican 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, preferably Mexican 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/3 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise 1 tablespoon lime juice 1 tablespoon chopped chipotle chile in adobo, (see Ingredient Note) 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese 4 French rolls, preferably whole-wheat, split and toasted 2 roasted Anaheim or poblano peppers, (see Tip) 1 cup shredded green cabbage 4 slices tomato …