Showing posts with label recipe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label recipe. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Wild Woman Wednesday


Wild women wear well!  Why?  Because we take care of ourselves and try to eat right.  Today on the  “Eat This, Not That!” blog posting I received, they had a great article on “10 Foods for a Longer Life” that fits well with our longevity lifestyle goals.  The list includes egg, green tea, garlic, grapefruit, greek yogurt, avocados, quinoa, bell peppers, almonds, and last but not least, swiss chard.  Here’s the link:  http://eatthis.menshealth.com/slideshow/10-foods-longer-life?cm_mmc=ETNTNL-_-1358512-_-07102013-_-FoodsLongerLife-link

An interesting side note about grapefruit – a recent study showed that peole who ate half a grapefruit with each meal lost an average of 3.6 pounds over the course of 12 weeks, some losing as much as 10 pounds.  Love it – live longer and lose weight – there’s a combo I can do!  I admit, since I love grapefruit, this is not a hard choice.

Quinoa is a grain that I’ve started using only in the last year or so.  It has high protein content, substantial fiber, high in iron/potassium/magnesium and is low in fat.  One cup of cooked quinoa is 222 calories.  It’s also gluten-free – check out more info on this great grain HERE.  My friends Chuck and Terri made these amazing quinoa-stuffed peppers that I just wanted to rub in my face, they were THAT good!  I was looking up some information on potassium for my Mom and came across this scrumptious recipe over at The Daily Green for Quinoa Salad with Roasted Asparagus and White Beans.  What a fantastic blend of healthful, live-long foods into a flavorful dish packed with protein and potassium! 

So, wild women, get cooking with with some of these ingredients to stay healthy and strong this summer.  Make a big glass of iced green tea, have your quinoa salad with an appetizer of half a grapefruit, and (as Spock use to say) Live Long and Prosper!  (And be sure to check in tomorrow when we share a mouth-watering recipe on "Tasty Thursday"!!!  You won't want to miss it.

Blessings,

Coach Linda Bush


Photo/Recipe cortesy of vegan cookbook author Robin Robertson
Quinoa Salad with Roasted Asparagus and White Beans

Nutty, flavorful, and loaded with nutrients, quinoa is a delicious grain that shines with the addition of roasted asparagus and a light lemony dressing.


SERVINGS:  4

INGREDIENTS
1 cup quinoa, regular or red, thoroughly rinsed
2 cups water
1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 (16-ounce) can white beans, drained and rinsed
1 roasted red bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch x 2-inch strips
1/2 cup celery, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons minced scallions
Salad greens, to serve
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil, for garnish

PREPARATION
1. Preheat the oven to 425° F.

2. Combine the quinoa with the water in a saucepan and bring to boil. Salt the water, reduce the heat to low, and simmer 10 to 15 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed. Drain well and place in a large bowl. Set aside to cool.

3. Arrange the asparagus on a light oiled baking pan and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Roast until tender, about 10 minutes.


4. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining olive oil, lemon juice, and salt and pepper. Add the white beans, roasted pepper, celery, and scallions, along with the roasted asparagus and cooked quinoa. Toss gently to combine. Serve on salad greens garnished with parsley.

Monday, March 4, 2013

Meals & Movements Monday

Most of us use Mondays as a jump-off point to begin a healthier eating plan, or plan a new workout routine.  It’s my favorite, and that’s what I’m doing personally this week.  With Spring closer (thank God), I want to be sure I’m toned up and in good shape as those sleeveless tops and shorts get pulled out.  Too many times in my life I’ve gotten my Spring/Summer clothes out and wondered how in the world they shrunk so much in storage over the winter!!!  It’s a good time to revisit our eating habits and just tweak here and there to ensure we’re fueling our bodies with the best food and drink possible to be our personal best!

So… each Monday I will be offering you a recipe and/or food tip, and one exercise.  Please note – you are fully responsible for any food or exercise regime you choose for yourself, and ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR before beginning!!!

Please feel free to email or post any of your favorite healthy recipes and exercises as well!  Additionally, while many of you already know this, I am a certified Pilates Reformer instructor at the RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness in Hamilton, NJ, and I teach privately as well.  If you’re interested in training with me, please get in touch by email, text or phone!  Enjoy today’s recipe and exercise, and here’s to a terrific new start for your wellness journey to YOUR BEST YOU EVER!

Blessings,

Coach Linda Bush
www.coachlindabush.com
609-331-9833

TODAY’S RECIPE: (from Food Network’s Trisha Yearwood’s show “Trisha’s Southern Kitchen” -- (adapted from her cookbook “Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen")

WINTER VEGETABLE SOUP (click here for link)
Total Time:  45 minutes (Prep:  15 min., cook 30 minutes)
Servings:  6

Ingredients
Two 14-ounce cans chicken broth
3 red potatoes (about 4 ounces each), peeled and diced into 3/4-inch pieces
One 14-ounce can diced tomatoes
One 10-ounce package frozen lima beans
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
Salt and pepper
One 12-ounce can cream-style corn

Directions
In a medium saucepan, combine the broth with the potatoes, tomatoes, beans and onions, and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat to medium. Cook the soup until the potatoes are tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in the corn and serve. Adjust seasoning as needed.

Nutrition:
Per Serving: Calories: 170; Total Fat: 1 gram; Saturated Fat: 0 grams; Protein: 7 grams; Total carbohydrates: 34 grams; Sugar: 6 grams; Fiber: 5 grams; Cholesterol: 0 milligrams; Sodium: 1162 milligrams

MOVEMENTS:
The plank is an isometric core strength exercise that strengthens your abdominals, back and shoulders.  It can be done anywhere without any additional equipment.  The most common plank is a front plank (also called a hover), where you hold yourself up in a push-up position with the body’s weight borne on forearms, elbows and toes.  You can begin by holding it for 5 seconds, then work your way up to 2-3 minutes.  Remember, check with your doctor first before beginning any exercise program!!!  

Hold your body straight and rigid with your body in a straight line (think of a board, hence, “the plank”).  No sagging – keep your body straight!  Relax your head, look about 5-6” in front of your hands.  You can find a video demonstration at:  http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/plank

I got a kick out of finding out that the current world record for a plank is 1 hour, 20 minutes and 5.01 seconds set by 54 year old George Hood!  Go Boomers!

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