Tag: omega-3s

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Pecan & Flaxseed Crusted Oven “Fried” Chicken

All-natural, free-range organic chicken is a great source of lean protein for athletes and non-athletes alike. And yes, I had to throw all those caveat adjectives in there because as a conscious consumer poultry can be one nasty business. If you haven’t read the December 2013 Rolling Stone article called “In the Belly of the Beast” on animal cruelty in the meat industry, it’s worth your while but, caution, it’s hard to stomach.

While I love the idea of chicken for its nutrition quality, it’s pretty boring on its own. Unfortunately, fried chicken or heavily sauced chicken wings just plain aren’t good for you and should only be had on rare occasions–i.e. the SuperBowl or when you’re on a road trip and find a hidden gem. One way to get the same flavor satisfaction of fried chicken while cutting several hundred calories is to bake it instead.

My Pecan & Flaxseed Crusted Oven “Fried” Chicken takes this one healthy step farther by removing any gluten from the batter and adding in superfood flaxseeds. Flaxseeds are loaded with brain-boosting omega-3 fatty acids and are also a good source of dietary fiber. Combined with the heart-healthy fats found in pecans, ground flaxseeds significantly amplify the nutrient density of this easy recipe. Serve it over a big green salad with loads of vegetables, a little lemon and olive oil and you’ve got a tasty packed lunch for work or a simple weeknight supper.

Pecan & Flaxseed Crusted Oven “Fried” Chicken

Pecan and Flaxseed Crusted Oven "Fried" Chicken

{makes 4 servings, 3 chicken tenders per person/meal}

What You’ll Need:

  • 12-oz of free-range, hormone-free chicken breast (approximately 2 at 6-oz a piece), cut into 12 one-inch strips [save time: buy pre-cut chicken “tenders” or “strips”]
  • 1/3 cup roasted, unsalted pecan pieces, crushed
  • 1/3 cup ground flaxseed
  • 1/2 cup gluten-free flour of choice (oat is best but spelt, garbanzo bean and others would work)
  • 1 egg, beaten with a splash of water
  • Sea salt & pepper to taste

How to Make It:

  1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
  2. Rinse chicken in water and pat dry with paper towels. Place gluten-free flour in one small bowl, egg mixture in another and crushed pecan pieces with the ground flaxseed and salt and pepper in a third. Create an assembly line by dipping each piece of chicken in flour, egg then pecans and finally laying the prepped poultry to rest on an greased cooling rack set on top of a baking sheet. Make sure to give each piece a little room to breathe–you don’t want them over-lapping.
  3. Bake for approximately 20 minutes (give or take a few depending on the thickness of your chicken and the heat of your oven). Remove and let cool for 10 minutes.

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3 Simple, Healthy Recipes for an Easy Weeknight Dinner

My favorite meals involve simple foods whose delicious flavors speak for themselves. When you select fresh, seasonal produce you don’t need to get fancy with your seasoning and technique in order to make an amazing meal. These three recipes are easy to make and tasty to eat. Each features at least one superfood, including rosemary, Brussels sprouts and salmon.

Rosemary is a flavorful herb often used when cooking chicken and pork. It’s truly a superspice as it has been linked to stimulating the immune system, increasing circulation and improving digestion. These health benefits come from rosemary’s high nutrient density (vitamins A and C, several B vitamins and dietary fiber). Rosemary also contains anti-inflammatory compounds and has been shown to increase the blood flow to the head and brain, which may enhance concentration. 

Brussels sprouts are all the rage (and have been for the past few years) on the foodie scene. Beyond their culinary fame lies an incredible nutrition resume. Brussels sprouts are a cruciferous vegetable, a categorization that puts them in the good company of broccoli and cabbage. This superfood is a prime source of fat-soluble vitamins A, K and E, most of the B complex of vitamins, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, calcium, manganese and selenium.

Salmon is a yummy, fatty fish loaded with potassium, selenium and vitamin B12. More notably, however, it’s an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids which are crucial for healthy brain function. One 3.5 oz serving contains about 230 calories and 25g of protein. The USDA recommends that all men and women over the age of 19 should get at least 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day (or 0.37 grams per pound). This number goes up for more active individuals but the formula provides a good baseline.

 

Onto the recipes…

Simply Roasted Rosemary Potatoes

What You’ll Need:

  • 3 cups small white or fingerling potatoes
  • 1/2 red onion
  • 2-3 Tbs fresh rosemary
  • 3 Tbs olive oil
  • Sea salt and pepper to taste

How to Make Them:

  1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
  2. Wash potatoes and halve lengthwise. Skin onion and cut into big chunks (eighths or even quarters).
  3. In large bowl, combine olive oil, salt, pepper and fresh rosemary (de-stemmed and roughly chopped) with potatoes and red onion. Toss until evenly coated.
  4. Spread into a single layer on a nonstick baking sheet. Roast for 35-40 min or until a fork goes in and out easily, but they aren’t mushy.

Simply Roasted Sriracha-Maple Brussels Sprouts

What You’ll Need:

  • 3 cups Brussels sprouts
  • 1/2 red onion
  • 2 whole scallions
  • 2 Tbs Sriracha
  • 1 Tbs real maple syrup
  • 3 Tbs olive oil
  • Sea salt and pepper to taste

How to Make Them:

  1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
  2. Trim and halve Brussels sprouts. Skin onion and cut into big chunks (eighths or even quarters)–hopefully you already did this when you prepped the potatoes.
  3. In a large bowl, combine scallions (thinly sliced), Sriracha, maple syrup, olive oil and salt and pepper. Mix. Add Brussels sprouts and onions and toss until evenly coated.
  4. Spread into a single layer on a nonstick baking sheet. Roast for 35-40 min or until the Brussels sprout leaves turn a dark golden brown (almost burnt but not quite) and are easily pierced with a fork.

 

Simply Baked Apple Pecan Butter Salmon

What You’ll Need:

  • 12-oz thickly cut, fresh wild-caught salmon
  • 1 Tbs olive oil
  • 2 Tbs apple pecan butter (plain apple butter or a homemade jam would work as well)
  • Juice of 1/2 fresh lemon
  • Sea salt and pepper to taste

How to Make It:

  1. Preheat oven to 450 F.
  2. Place the salmon in an oven-safe pan, skin side down.
  3. Rub with olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt and pepper, spread a thin layer of apple pecan butter on top and squeeze the juice of half a lemon on top.
  4. Bake for 15-20 min (time will vary depending on thickness), then remove from heat and let sit for 5 min before serving.

 

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Homemade Hemp Milk Hot Cocoa

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According to last month’s issue of Outside Magazine, among the many alternatives to cow’s milk, hemp milk tops the charts as the best dairy-free, plant-based alternative. Hemp milk is loaded with heart-healthy omega-3s, athletic performance-enhancing magnesium, disease-fighting beta-carotene, and brain-boosting iron. It’s also the only non-dairy alternative that can be considered a complete protein as it has all 9 essential amino acids. The runners’ up are almond, soy and coconut milk, which each have their own pros and cons. In my humble opinion, if you can get down with the sometimes slightly bitter taste of hemp milk then that is where it’s at, nutritionally speaking.

Lucky for you I have here a homemade hemp milk recipe, naturally sweetened with dates and made more palatable by a touch of vanilla extract (bye-bye bitter). As a holiday bonus, I’ve also included a recipe for Homemade Hemp Milk Hot Cocoa, featuring my new favorite low-glycemic index sugar alternative–raw coconut sugar–which I gushed over in my post on Pumpkin Power Cookies earlier this month.

Homemade Hemp Milk

Homemade Hemp Milk

What You’ll Need:

  • 1 cup hemp seeds
  • 4 cups water
  • 2 medjool dates
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How to Make It:
  1. Add all ingredients to a powerful blender and mix on high until smooth.
  2. Optional: strain mixture with cheesecloth to remove any clumps if you want your homemade batches to be smooth not pulpy like the store-bought kind.

Hemp Milk Hot Cocoa

Homemade Hemp Milk Hot Cocoa

What You’ll Need:

  • 2 cups homemade or store-bought vanilla hemp milk
  • 2 tbs (heaping) raw cacao powder
  • 2 tbs raw coconut sugar
  • 1 tbs coconut oil
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground cardamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/8 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/8 tsp ground cayenne

How to Make It:

  1. Heat hemp milk over medium heat to just under a boil.
  2. Remove from stove and add heated hemp milk with all the other ingredients to your blender and blend for a minute, or until smooth.

Serve hot with a side of my Pumpkin Power Cookies or Sweetly Salted Nut Butter Power Cookies for a healthy and festive afternoon snack.

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Cherry-Goji Overnight Oats

With all the buzz overnight oats have been getting these days, I felt obliged to give them a whirl. I also wanted to use this as an opportunity to test out how my gut would react to a little Greek yogurt. It’s been nearly two years since I’ve had any dairy but the health benefits of Greek yogurt in particular have left me constantly lusting for its low-cal, high-protein, calcium-and-B Vitamins-packed goodness. I’m happy to report that it did not upset my stomach in the least–must be all those gut-friendly probiotics in there, which not only help regulate digestion but also strengthen your immune system.

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While Greek yogurt was the most exciting ingredient for me, the real spotlight ought to be shined on the oats. According to the FDA, all that soluble fiber found in oats lowers LDL cholesterol (aka the bad kind). The antioxidants found in the goji berries, dried cherries and oats themselves have anti-inflammatory properties, making them an excellent choice for athletic, active folks like you and me. Muscle soreness, see ya later! 

When you add nutritional rockstar chia seeds into the mix you’re getting a higher concentration of omega-3 fatty acids than salmon. Omega-3s have been linked to health benefits related to conditions including cancer, IBS, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. One tablespoon contains 18% of your RDA for calcium, tons of fiber and potassium and 4 g of protein. What can I say? Good things come in small packages.

Finally, I can’t let you get to the recipe without a quick reminder of how great maca powder is. If you haven’t hopped on the bandwagon yet, it’s time. Maca is rich in B-vitamins and minerals like calcium, zinc and iron, all of which are essential to proper muscle and energy metabolism function. Ladies suffering from PMS or menopause, this should be your go-to for holistic health. And let’s not leave out the men. Maca powder is said to increase testosterone, boosting your libido and endurance…The list of benefits goes on and on. For more ways to incorporate this Peruvian delight, check out my Top Five Greenies post for some go-to smoothies that’ll jumpstart your morning.

Cherry-Goji Overnight Oats

What You’ll Need:

  • 1 cup gluten-free rolled oats
  • 6 oz nonfat Greek yogurt
  • 8 oz unsweetened vanilla hemp milk
  • 2 tbs raw honey
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 3 tsp maca powder
  • 3 tbs chia seeds
  • 1/4 cup goji berries
  • 1/4 cup tart dried cherries (unsulphured)

How to Make Them:

  1. Mix all ingredients together in an airtight container and refrigerate overnight.
  2. Enjoy with your tea or coffee the next morning!

Makes 4 servings and will keep in the fridge for up to a week.

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Picnic in the Park: Two Healthy Brunch Salads to Share

We like to brunch here in Washington, DC. Whether you live in Eastern Market, Mt. Pleasant or anywhere in between you’ve got at least a dozen solid options any given Saturday/Sunday. While I’m all for brunch, it makes it way too easy to blow your healthy eating habits—especially after your third (or was it fifth?) bottomless mimosa. And when it becomes more of a ritual than a splurge it can have a negative ripple effect on your overall diet. If you’re a habitual bruncher, why not try a picnic lunch in your favorite city park? When you’re the chef you have control over the menu and can ensure it’s bettering your wellness goals rather than bulldozing them.

Last weekend I went to one of my favorite District parks with three of my favorite people. My friend Jeanine is an amazing cook and is all about healthy eating and fitness. We divvied up the dishes and came up with a delicious gluten-free, dairy-free  menu that seemed to please not only us wellness wackos but the men in our lives too. You know you’re doing nutritious the delicious way when your self-proclaimed meathead mates are going back for thirds. J took the lead on the heartier fare with crustless, dairy-free baby quiche and potato pancakes. They were both so light and super tasty. Perfect for a steamy summer morning.

Perhaps not surprisingly, I decided to tackle the fruits and veggies. Dressing up a fruit or veggie salad is all about the quality of the ingredients. To give these simple salads a little boost I went to Whole Foods and picked up ripe, organic and mostly in-season fruits and veggies. The watermelon and heirloom tomatoes (both packed with lycopene as discussed in my Gazpacho post and Active Life DC Watermelon Popsicle article) were calling my name as soon as I walked through those sliding doors. Everything else followed suit.

I like to add a little je ne sais quoi to my recipes—you know, a taste that pleasantly lingers on the palette and makes you immediately ask for the recipe. The wow factor on my Favorite Fruits Salad is in the Ginger Lime Dressing and chia seeds. The acidic bite of fresh lime combined with ginger’s subtle spice and agave’s earthy sweetness bring continuity to the diversity of fruits I selected. And I’m all for texture, so the chia seeds add not only heart-healthy omega-3s but a nice crunch. When it came down to veggie selection time I wanted the tomatoes to steal the show so I balanced them with creamy, ripe avocados (which increase HDL cholesterol and lower the bad LDL kind) and organic basil leaves. After adding a drizzle of delicious Le Roux’s fig balsamic vinegar and a couple cranks of ground sea salt and black pepper, the minimalist in me screamed stop! In both dishes, the beauty of whole, real foods speaks for itself. It doesn’t take much doing when you let the food dictate the menu.

Favorite Fruits Salad with Ginger Lime Dressing

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What You’ll Need:

  • 1/4  watermelon, cubed
  • 1/2 fresh pineapple, cubed
  • 1 kiwi, diced,
  • 1 ripe mango, diced
  • 1 white peach, diced
  • 1/2 pint blueberries
  • 2 tbs mint, cut into ribbons
  • 1 tbs chia seeds

For the Ginger Lime Dressing:

  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1 tbs agave
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger, grater

How to Make It:

  1. Chop all your fruits and mix together in a big bowl (feel free to substitute ingredients for your favorites or what’s in season).
  2. In a separate smaller bowl, mixing together the ingredients for your dressing until combined.
  3. Pour dressing over fruit, sprinkle in chia seeds and mint, and toss to combine.
  4. Chill, serve and enjoy!

Heirloom Tomato, Avocado and Basil Salad with Fig Balsamic

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What You’ll Need:

  • 3 heirloom tomatoes
  • 1 ripe avocado
  • 1/2 cup basil leaves, whole
  • Fig balsamic vinegar (or your favorite flavored vinegar)

How to Make It:

  1. Thinly slice tomatoes crosswise into rounds
  2. Thinly slice avocado crosswise into rounds
  3. Take a platter and create a bed of basil leaves as your base. Layer different colored tomatoes and avocados until the plate is covered
  4. Drizzle with balsamic and garnish with basil chiffonade
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Eggplant and Bulgur Lasagna w/ Nutritional Yeast “Gratin”

A couple months ago, I devised a moderate cleanse meant to reset your eating habits and remind you how good you can feel when you eat clean, simple, real food. At the time one of my readers asked how they could incorporate nutritional yeast into the program. Say what? That was the first I’d heard of such a thing but I’m so grateful she brought it to my attention. Nutritional yeast is a complete protein and an excellent source of  B-complex vitamins, including B-12. It’s naturally low-fat and low-sodium. Best of all, this “Hippie Dust” gives recipes a creamy, nutty and cheesy flavor without sugar, dairy, or gluten. Vegans and the gluten-intolerant rejoice! So if you don’t know, now ya know.

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Knowing how good this stuff is for you, I wanted to come up with a recipe that would be so good it would convince you that something with a name like ‘nutritional yeast’ is actually delicious. Thus, Eggplant and Bulgur Lasagna w/ Nutritional Yeast “Gratin” was born. Okay, so it’s not really lasagna, nor is it topped with a true gratin, but it is a layered, warm, hearty meal with a tasty cheesy topping. Onto the recipe!

For starters, my HOMEMADE TOMATO SAUCE (which can be used in many things):

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What You’ll Need:

  • 1 tbs extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 4 large fresh tomatoes, diced (skin on)
  • 1 tbs tomato paste
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1/2 tsp cane sugar (optional)*
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp allspice
  • 1/4 cup flat leaf parsley, finely chopped

How to Make It:

  1.  Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add your chopped onion (with a pinch of salt) and sauté until tender. Add the garlic and sauté another few minutes until fragrant. Pour in your dry white wine (it should bubble and hiss) and deglaze the bottom of the pan. 
  2. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar and spices. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer for 10-15 min. At the end add your parsley and turn off the heat. (You could also add fresh basil and/or oregano here if you’re a fan).

Now that you have that step out of the way, here’s what you’ll need for the rest of the “lasagna” fixings…

ROASTED EGGPLANT:

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What You’ll Need:

  • 1 large eggplant
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbs olive oil

How to Make It:

  1. Preheat your oven to 450°F.
  2. Cut your eggplant lengthwise into six 1/4″ slices.
  3. Generously salt both sides of each piece and set aside for 10-15 min. This will help remove excess moisture and any bitterness.
  4. Rinse eggplant and pat dry.
  5. Using a nonstick baking sheet, distribute your eggplant in a single layer. Lightly salt and oil the pieces on both sides.
  6. Bake for 1o min, remove and set aside.

MAKING BULGUR:

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What You’ll Need:

  • 1 cup bulgur
  • 2 cups water

How to Make It:

  1. Bring 1 cup of bulgur and 2 cups of water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 10-15 min.
  2. Remove from heat and set aside.

ASSEMBLING THE WHOLE SHEBANG: 

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In a large (9″ x 13″) baking dish, start with a thin layer of tomato sauce. Then add half of your cooked bulgur. Top the bulgur with three slices of roasted eggplant.

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Repeat, ending with whatever is left of your tomato sauce.

Finish with la pièce de résistance, the “Gratin” topping:

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What You’ll Need:

  • 1/2 cup Nutritional Yeast
  • 1/2 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 tsp paprika

How to Make It:

  1. Mix nutritional yeast and breadcrumbs in a bowl with salt and pepper to taste. 
  2. Sprinkle evenly over the top of your lasagna.
  3. Dust the “gratin” with paprika for a bright finishing touch.
  4. Cover the pan with tin foil and place in your oven (pre-heated to 350°F this time) for 30 min. Uncover and cook an additional 10 min. Let cool for at least 10 min before serving.

Top each serving with 2 tbs of fresh, chopped parsley for an added hit of flavor. This will keep in your fridge for up to a week and can also be frozen for up to a month. Enjoy!

*One of my brilliant fellow yogis who shares my passion for finding healthy alternatives to traditional meals suggested the following: “instead of cane sugar just add a whole carrot then remove it when you are done. It add sweetness to the sauce and cuts the acidity of the tomatoes just like sugar.”