Healthy choice

Strawberry Flax seed Smoothie

Get your sip on, Healthy choice, vegan, Vegetarian 7 Responses »

Feb 222013

Strawberry Flaxseed smoothie

This is going to be a short and sweet post about Flax seeds. I use them regularly and the most common way for me to use them is either in my oatmeal or in a smoothie. I don’t find them very appetizing in any other form, so I just stay with my two choices of their use. This strawberry flax seed smoothie can be made with frozen strawberries as well.

This is one of the most ancient plants known to humans and there is some evidence that flax cultivation may have started somewhere during the Neolithic Era. In addition to flax seeds supporting digestive health, cardiovascular health, antioxidant benefits etc, it also has many other interesting uses dating back to about 3000 BC. More information on Flax at WHF

And some of the following bloggers will also have delicious recipes for you to try out with flax seeds as this our Power Food of the week with the 38 power foods blogging group. Do visit Jeanette at jeanetteshealthyliving ; Martha at Simply Nourished Living ; Mireya at Myhealthyeatinghabits ; Alyce at More time at the table ; Minnie at thelady8home.com , Casey at Sweetsav .

Strawberry Flaxseed Smoothie

Ingredients

1/2 C strawberries
1/2 Banana
2 tbs ground flax seeds
1/2 C almond milk

Instructions

Mix all the ingredients in a blender.
Add in honey if you need to, but usually the banana makes it sweet enough.
Drink up a healthy breakfast.

http://www.spiceroots.com/2013/02/strawberry-flax-seed-smoothie/

Bhavna Kalra liked this post

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Banana Walnut Figs Smoothie

Get your sip on, Healthy choice 3 Responses »

Feb 132013

We have been in an almond milk making spree. Home made almond milk really tastes good. Since we do not like to use it in the chai we make, we tend to eat it with cereals, in a chocolate milk shake or in smoothies.

On any given day, smoothies are my preferred breakfast because they hardly take any time to make, are delicious and nutritious and so easy to just take along for a mid morning boost of energy at work.

This Banana walnut fig smoothie is my absolute favorite smoothie. I have been making this for about 16 years now and the discovery of the recipe was accidental, And back then it was called a Banana milk shake.

I found it in one of the Sunday newspapers in the recipe section and it intrigued me. The recipe said I needed lemon juice with the milk and bananas and walnuts. Milk and lemon juice together was unthinkable. I kept thinking if my grandfather learns about the escapade , he will get me tested for all sorts of bodily dysfunctions. But I prevailed and held on to the wild side of me, which always gets me in trouble. Thankfully not this time.

The addition of the lemon juice was the best thing I discovered. So I decided that grandpa doesn’t have to know what went into it. The dried figs came in much later with the significant other being really fond of them. The addition of figs paid off too and this smoothie just is our go to smoothie!

Banana Walnut Figs Smoothie

Prep Time: 1 minute

Total Time: 2 minutes

Banana Walnut Figs Smoothie

Ingredients

1 dried fig, chopped
2 tbs chopped walnuts
1/2 a banana
1/2 C almond milk
1/2 tsp lemon juice

Instructions

Peel the banana ( of course you would do that without me telling you )
Put everything in the blender
Blend until smooth
Pour, sip and feel the bliss.

http://www.spiceroots.com/2013/02/banana-walnut-figs-smoothie/

Dee Borges, Samta Narvekar, Badri Muthukrishnan liked this post

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Black Bean & Cucumber Salsa

Appetizers, Beans, Healthy choice, Mexican, vegan, Vegetarian 5 Responses »

Feb 062013

Colorful, zesty and full of flavors, black bean & cucumber salsa is my go to salsa. A few months ago I cooked a Mexican themed dinner for my friends. I made the black bean & cucumber salsa to go with chips. While one of my friends gave us all a facial, (Yes, we do that kind of stuff ! ) we sipped wine and ate salsa.

My friend Tina loved this salsa instantly. She wasn’t a fan of the hotter one I made with mangoes, but this she loved! She has recreated this in her kitchen a few times since and so have I. It’s quick if you use canned beans, it’s super easy and is very flavorful. Salsa making should be fun and this sure is!

There is really no recipe for it, just mix in a few things and Voilà! Serve it with grilled fish or chicken for a complete meal or have it by itself for an appetizing salad or make this into a dip for the baked tortilla cups.

Black Bean & Cucumber Salsa

Ingredients

1 can black beans
1 cup chopped English cucumber
1/4 C diced tomato
1/4 C finely chopped shallots
3 tbs lemon juice
1 Tbs chopped cilantro
1 tsp olive oil
salt to taste
1/2 tsp finely chopped jalapeno/ Thai chili
1/4 tsp ground cumin

Instructions

Drain the beans and give them a quick rinse.
Then let drain again.
Take a medium sized bowl, add in all the ingredients. Carefully mix once or twice.
Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour to let the flavors come together.

http://www.spiceroots.com/2013/02/black-bean-cucumber-salsa/

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Green Peas Salad

Appetizers, Healthy choice, Non vegetarian, Salads 12 Responses »

Jan 132013

The Green peas are a legume and so a very good source of protein. A cup of raw green peas packs 30% of an adults daily fiber requirement and about half the supply of the good old Vitamin C. In addition to that they are also a good source of vitamin K which you know is great for your bone function.

I don’t think I have ever looked at peas with more reverence than I do now. I do tend to put them in most of my quick fix dishes as they don’t really need much cooking. But until now, I just thought they were just a convenient food that tasted good too. Not any more. the power food blog group changed how I think about food.

For this week’s power food blog group, I chose to feature this twist on the pea salad. Quick ,Easy, Delicious!

38 Power Foods blog group focuses on one ingredient each week taking inspiration from the book ; Power Foods: 150 Delicious Recipes with the 38 Healthiest Ingredients from the editors of the whole living magazine. Each week we all come up with recipes, stories, articles to encourage eating nourishing food.

Jeanette at jeanetteshealthyliving ; Martha at Simply Nourished Living ; Mireya at Myhealthyeatinghabits ; Alyce at More time at the table ; Casey at My Sweet and Savory; Minnie at TheLady8Home

Green Pea Salad

Ingredients

2 C Garden Peas (shelled)
1 thai green chilli
2 perfectly boiled eggs
3 tbs finely chopped onions
1/2 tsp roasted cumin powder
2 tbs no fat sour cream/ yogurt
salt

Instructions

Steam the peas for about 3 minutes . I used fresh peas from the pods. If you are using frozen peas, simply defrost them in cold running water and steam for a couple of minutes or so.
while the peas are steaming, finely chop the thai green chilli and coarsely chop the eggs.
In a bowl , put the peas in and mix some salt, the cumin powder, onion, the chilli, the yogurt/ sour cream.
Add in the eggs.. mix.
If you have a fresh sprig of mint in your herb garden, put that on for effect!
Serve cold - as a salad or with some bread crisps as an appetizer

http://www.spiceroots.com/2013/01/green-peas-salad/

Reposted on Jan 14, 2013.

Quinoa Pulav – 38 power foods

From Around the world, Healthy choice, Vegetarian 4 Responses »

Dec 072012

The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has officially declared that the year 2013 be recognized as “The International Year of the Quinoa.” Proposed by the government of Bolivia and receiving strong support from many Central and South American countries, quinoa has now been singled out by the FAO as a food with “high nutritive value,” impressive biodiversity, and an important role to play in the achievement of food security worldwide. – Source WHF

Some of the health benefits of Quinoa and why it is a power food:-

Even though it is eaten as a grain, it is not a grain and unlike other grains, it is a complete protein containing all nine essential amino acids. Quinoa contains fiber.Which as you know helps prevent heart disease by reducing high blood pressure and diabetes. Fiber lowers cholesterol and glucose levels. It is also rich in magnesium which is important for, body temperature regulation, detoxification, energy production, and the formation of healthy bones and teeth. Source Mindbodygreen

For this week’s power food blog group, I chose to feature this everyday one pot quinoa dish that I make for my working lunch. I use whichever vegetables i have on hand and get a pot of quinoa pulav going. Quick Easy Delicious!

Jeanette at jeanetteshealthyliving ; Martha at Simply Nourished Living ; Mireya at Myhealthyeatinghabits ; Alyce at More time at the table ; Casey at My Sweet and Savory; Minnie at TheLady8Home

Quinoa Pulav – 38 power foods

Ingredients

1 C quinoa rinsed well
2 C vegetable stock/water
1 C mixed vegetables chopped
1 dry red chilli, deseeded
1/4 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp ginger and garlic paste
1/2 tsp oil
salt if needed

Instructions

In a medium pot, add in the oil and heat it up.
Add the ginger garlic paste and cook until fragrant, add in turmeric and the red chilli and mix in
Add in the mixed vegetables - today I used peas, finely diced potato and bell pepper
saute for a minute
Add in the rinsed quinoa
Add in the stock/water
bring to a boil
Cover , reduce heat to low and cook covered for 10 - 15 minutes
Switch off heat, fluff with a fork, cover and let it rest for about 5 minutes before eating

http://www.spiceroots.com/2012/12/quinoa-pulav-38-power-foods/

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Kiwi Mulberry Pomegranate Mixed Fruit Chaat

Healthy choice, Original Creations 17 Responses »

Oct 192012

It has been a very busy month. The tween turned into a ~~teen~~ tornado. And we have been busy redoing the room from a baby pink and lavender to a royal turquoise and lilac. The furniture is more teenager like and so are the room accessories. She is excited and so am I. I had thought it would be a daunting experience because I wouldn’t be ready. But it has turned to be a great joy. A whole new person is emerging right in front of my eyes and I suddenly have a new friend, interesting and refreshing take on the world, and just an adorably good girl. ( well mostly)

My life has a fresh new perspective because of this young new person. I am eternally thankful and grateful to have her in my life. We have the regular broody teen moments, but I think we will survive!

For today’s Power foods blog group we had the Kiwi. It is one of my daughter’s favorite fruits. She loves things that are a little tangy. I came up with the idea of healthy, filling Kiwi Mulberry Pomegranate Mixed Fruit Chaat for her and me to spend a Friday morning eating and just going over the plans for the first sleepover party in her new room! She is Excited.. Me ? well you know how it is!

Kiwis have an abundance of vitamins and minerals and provide a wide array of nutrition benefits. It is naturally fat free as well. They help in increased iron absorption, have been known to boost the immune system and have phytonutrients that help the body protect against some cancers. It a great thing to eat if you are pregnant as it provides 10% of the required daily folic acid.

Jeanette at jeanetteshealthyliving ; Martha at Simply Nourished Living ; Mireya at Myhealthyeatinghabits ; Alyce at More time at the table ; Casey at My Sweet and Savory; Minnie at TheLady8Home

These amazing women have been powering through the power foods week after week and I always look forward to their posts. I learn a lot from them and have learned a lot about my food on this journey.

Kiwi Mulberry Pomegranate Mixed Fruit Chaat

Ingredients