Home from College... Back to the relaxed, simple life...
And back to a full kitchen of natural, fresh produce and exotic spices. Thank you Jesus.
Now that you and I are out of the dining hall, it is time to graduate to big kid recipes! I am talking funky, fabulous, new and CRAZY dishes that are easy and delicious-- And as always nutritious!
So let's start your summer off right with a bright and cheery side dish!
Do you like sunshine?
Smiling?
Pretty colors?
Well my joyful friend, you will LOVE ...
Rainbow Ginger-Lime Couscous!
Not only is it as pretty as a Crayola 64 Pack, but it is power-packed with nutritious goodness!
Not getting enough fiber? Lacking fresh veggies in your diet? FORGET ABOUT IT and just make this OK?
What You Need
- A box of couscous
- a small can of green chiles
- 2 TB fresh ginger
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 2 TB honey
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
All measurements to your liking of...
- craisens
- cilantro
- carrots
- celery
1. Cook your couscous according to the box! (so easy.. You put it in hot water.. and wait... DUH)
2. In the food processor combine green chiles, ginger, tumeric, honey, lime juice and olive oil.... And give her a good BZZZZZZZZZ!
3. Combine finely chopped celery, carrots, cilantro, and craisens into the couscous... So many "c" words...
4. Pour in the ginger lime dressing and fold it all together!
5.
Feel the colorful bliss from the inside out... Like the young lady below. I took this picture by the way.
Rainbows continued...
When it comes to healthy eating... Just remember to EAT THE RAINBOW! Here are some fun facts about what the color of your food means.
These colors are all naturally occurring of course! So don't think that rainbow sherbet, or skittles are covering your nutritional needs!
Red
-tomatos, strawberries, red peppers, cherries...
Rosy-hued fruits and vegetables offer a payload of an important antioxidant called lycopene, which is associated with health benefits like protecting the skin from sun damage and decreasing the risk of heart disease and certain forms of cancer.
Orange
-cantaloupe, oranges, carrots, sweet potato
The vaunted vitamin C monster has critical phytonutrients known to lower blood pressure and contain strong anti-inflammatory properties. Juice is fine, but the real fruit is even better.
The secret, though, is that the orange's most powerful healing properties are found in the peel. Use a zester to grate the peel over bowls of yogurt or salads or directly into smoothies.
Yellow
- Bananas, yellow peppers, corn,
Yellow foods are close relatives to orange foods, and, likewise, they are rich in carotenoids. Studies show yellow foods can decrease the likelihood for such diseases as lung cancer and arthritis, but since youngsters have more important things to worry about, you're better off selling yellow foods on their superpowers—jumping higher and playing harder!
Research shows that yellow foods help decrease inflammation in the joints, ensuring a springy step in kids for years to come. Studies also show they may improve the functioning of the respiratory system, making beating their classmates in dodgeball and relay races just that much easier.
Green
- spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, zucchini
Not just potent vitamin vessels capable of strengthening bones, muscles and brains, green foods are also among the most abundant sources of an antioxidant tag team that, among other things, promotes healthy vision.
Blue, Indigo and Purple
-eggplant, blueberries, blackberries, purple cabbage
Blue, indigo and purple foods get their colors from the presence of a unique set of antioxidants called flavonoids. In general, flavonoids are known to improve cardiovascular health and prevent short-term memory loss—but the deeply pigmented ones in blue and purple foods go even further.
Researchers at Tufts University have found that blueberries may make brain cells respond better to incoming messages and might even spur the growth of new nerve cells, providing a new meaning to "smart eating."
