1/3/2022
Happy Tuesday, loves!
Such a fun day back in the kitchen yesterday. For those of you who have already dug in, hope you are enjoying your food! Would love any and all feedback, including requests for next week's menu which I am working on as we speak. I am always up for recommendations.
Okay, so here's my pillow talk for this week's menu:
The whole concept behind this week's menu was to fill you with as much plant variety as possible. Remember - plants include grains, nuts, nut butters, fruits, vegetables, seeds, etc. The more variety you eat, the more diverse your gut micro-biome is and ideally, the healthier your gut - which means a healthier, happier YOU! I eat meat and I love it. But from time to time, I feel like I need a little "cleanse" and I try to limit meat and dairy, and add in more plants. I ALWAYS feel better when I do and especially after periods of indulgent eating ;-) So I figured you all may be in a similar sushi boat.
JUST BEET IT: As some of you already may know, lentils are one of my favorite foods. Packed with protein, good carbs, tons of fiber, plus loaded with iron and other vital nutrients - add some of these to any meal and you don't be missing out! Beets are another favorite being anti-inflammatory and a great source of folate. Add in some walnuts for good healthy fat (plus more protein), and quinoa for your grain (more protein too!), over my all-time faves, arugula. This meal is probably my favorite salad this week. We made the dressing with fresh ginger root - ginger is great for your immune system and I highly recommend keeping it in the kitchen as a staple for a variety for a variety of foods and medicinal aids. Might be yummy for breakfast with an egg on top too...
BIG FAT GREEK SALAD: I threw this one in because greek salads are my favorite salads, but also because this is just a super light but fulfilling meal. Need to beef it up a bit? Add some grilled chicken OR chickpeas for some protein? Also, this dressing is packed with great "cleansing and detox" herbs, plus lemon juice which is not only a great source of Vitamin C, but also. an expectorant! Personally, I'm a big fan of throwing some cocojune yogurt over this salad and using the dressing for a dip for pita bread (I have a really great gluten-free option if anyone wants to know!).
LETS SQUASH 2021: While I love a good salad, I still believe that cooked seasonal veggies are key to supporting our bodies during "the big sleep" a.k.a. Winter. A little easier to digest for most of us too. Apples are another nutritional powerhouse that are often overlooked. Another way to get more plant variety into your diet is to switch up the "usual". So for most the usual is probably white or brown rice - how about wild rice? Or black rice? Try the "weird" food and see what happens. Often, your taste buds will be pleasantly surprised.
I CARROT LIVE WITHOUT YOU: Carrots, ginger, coconut milk, warming spices, Probably one of the best things you could put into your belly during this time of year.Try it for breakfast! But also, what if you did something crazy and threw it over some pasta or used it for some dip with sourdough bread?
MISO HUNGRY: Miso paste is a fabulous source of fermented food, then add in lemon and ginger and this broth is a one-stop-shop for immune supporting foods. Sip it first thing in the morning or anytime throughout the day. Add in ramen noodles, or other veggies. Maybe some rice or quinoa? Or pass it on as a gift to a loved one who isn't feeling their best at the moment.
CHAI THESE MORNING OATS: Oats, quinoa, and my very favorite winter blend of warming spices. A great meal for any time of the day. Add in some nuts or seeds or even some almond or cashew butter for added flavor and protein/fat boost. Can totally be eaten cold, but if you want to heat it up just add some plant based milk or water to help thin it out. Maybe throw in a little ghee too, why the heck not? In keeping with the idea of a "cleanse", I did not use any sweetener but mix in a little honey, honeycomb, or maple syrup and it might sweeten the deal just the perfect amount. No guilt in a little natural sweetener - in fact, some really great health benefits, especially with honey. I threw in some goji berries for good measure too.
CHICKPEA SALAD: Another great detox salad - can eat it as is, heat it up, throw in a tortilla, eat with tortilla chips (been loving the siete dip chips BTW), or toss it over some greens. Any way you want it, this one is light and refreshing!