The Healing Power of Silence in a Noisy World
In today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected world, silence is becoming an increasingly rare commodity. Between the constant hum of technology, the chatter of social media, and the demands of our busy lives, noise seems to follow us everywhere. Yet, amid this noise, there’s a profound need for silence. More than just a break from sound, silence holds…
Continue Reading The Healing Power of Silence in a Noisy World
Best Baked Salmon with Tomato Feta Couscous
If you’re looking for a flavorful, nutritious, and easy-to-make dinner, my Best Baked Salmon with Tomato Feta Couscous is the perfect recipe! The tender, flaky salmon pairs beautifully with the bright, tangy flavors of roasted tomatoes and creamy feta cheese. The salmon is served over a bed of fluffy couscous for a beautiful presentation. This…
Continue Reading Best Baked Salmon with Tomato Feta Couscous
The Benefits of Salt Therapy
Salt Therapy, also known as Halotherapy, is an alternative treatment involving breathing air containing tiny salt particles. It is a dry salt therapy that utilizes a halo generator to grind and crush 99.99 Pure Grade Sodium Chloride (salt) into micronized particles. Halotherapy is said to have many health benefits including respiratory health, stress relief, skin…
Miami Mint Smoothie (Protein Packed)
This Miami Mint Smoothie is like a cool breeze on a hot summer day. It is light and refreshing and has 25 grams of vegan protein to help keep you full longer. I found it is also a great way to use up the abundance of mint I have growing in my garden. Why Starting…
9 Benefits of Daily Walking
9 Benefits of Daily Walking I am sharing 9 Benefits of Daily Walking (but I know there are more than 9) to encourage you to add a walk to your daily routine. What is the one fun and simple thing that you can do that can have a powerful impact on your overall health? Take…
Good Morning French Toast Protein Smoothie
French Toast conjures up for me images of lazy Sunday mornings and smiling faces around the kitchen table. So last week while daydreaming about an upcoming brunch, the idea for a French Toast Smoothie popped in my head. I got to work in my kitchen and put together a recipe that has been taste tested…
What to Make for Dinner When You Are in a Hurry
I love when a dish comes together easily and I have all the ingredients that I need on hand. This saves time, money, and keeps you from making some otherwise unhealthy dinner choices. It also helps keeps waste and food spoilage to a minimum because I am using up what I already have in the house. Before the television show Chopped debuted, I had fun in my kitchen seeing how long I could go without returning to the grocery store and creating meals from what I had on hand.
Keep the Essentials on Hand
I keep my pantry stocked with Cannellini Beans, Black Beans, Garbanzo Beans, and Navy Beans. They are an excellent source of protein and high in fiber. We go through a lot of fresh spinach either in our smoothies or sautéed with garlic as a side dish, so I always have a large container in the refrigerator.
Here are a few other ingredients I always have on hand:
- Garlic (see note below about garlic in a jar)
- Onions (keep a bag of frozen onions in the freezer for cooking. Just do not use in place of fresh such as in a salsa)
- Potatoes (try a variety of different types)
- Variety of spices and herbs
- Canned tomatoes (try Fire Roasted if you have not already)
- Lentils
- Pasta (Gluten free or regular)
- Parmesan Cheese (vegan or cow’s milk)
- Organic fresh and frozen vegetables
- Organic Cream of Mushroom soup for those times you need a quick casserole. (my favorite is the Gluten Free from Pacific)
- Vegetable stock
Growing your own fresh herbs such as Basil, Parsley, and Dill is not only convenient but also enhances your dish with flavor and nutrition.
Depending on your families preferences, you could keep additional sources of protein such as tofu and or seitan or keep organic chicken breasts in your freezer.
*A word about Garlic that comes pre-minced in a jar. Please don’t do it. The second you slice or chop garlic, the flavor starts to change. When the cell walls of garlic are broken, it develops a sharp, strong flavor. When the flavor develops and then sits, it becomes unpleasant. Also, to stabilize and preserve the garlic, other ingredients such as Citric acid and phosphoric acid are added. Most brands also pasteurize the garlic by heating it to kill any unwanted microorganisms. This drastically changes the fresh and vibrant flavor of garlic. Researchers report that fresh garlic maintains higher levels of key health ingredients than preserved. If you are in a hurry, even badly chopped garlic better than jarred garlic.
If you are looking for an easy recipe (that happens to have lots of fresh garlic) to make when you are in a hurry, try the Pasta with White Beans, Spinach and Basil recipe below.
Pasta with White Beans, Spinach and Basil
Ingredients
- 1 pound Pasta of your choice Gluten-free or regular
- 3 Tbs Butter Vegan or Cow's Milk
- 3 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Avocado Oil
- 3/4 ctnr Organic Fresh Spinach I use about 3/4 of the large container
- 4 cloves Garlic Chopped
- 2 cans Organic Cannellini beans Rinsed and Drained
- ¼ tsp Nutmeg Freshly ground
- 2 tsp Course Ground Pepper
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese Vegan or cow's milk
- salt For pasta water and to taste
- 1 handful Fresh Basil Cut in ribbons
Instructions
- Add pasta to salted, boiling water and cook until al dente. Note: you will remove a large ladle of the pasta water at the end of the cooking time.
- Place a large skillet with butter, 3 tablespoon of your choice of oil, and the pepper over low heat. Keep on low heat while pasta cooks.
- Once pasta is done, remove one laddle of the cooking water into a bowl and set aside. Drain pasta and quickly add back to pot to retain heat. (do not set back on the burner)
- Turn the heat up on the skillet with the butter and oil to medium high and add garlic and cook for one minute. Add the fresh spinach, season with salt and saute until spinach is cooked.
- Add 1/2 of the reserved pasta water to skillet and add beans. Stir well and let simmer on medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add pasta, Parmesan cheese and remaining pasta water to the skillet. Stir until well combined and cheese melts.
- Serve with Basil Ribbons and grated Parmesan Cheese (optional) sprinkled on top.
