Quinoa for Breakfast?!

Quinoa.  High in fiber.   Higher in protein. Contains calcium, iron, potassium and zinc.  Has all essential amino acids.  High in vitamin B.  Gluten free.  Easy to make.

So why the heck NOT have it for breakfast!?!

Now you can.  They’re called Quinoa Breakfast Squares and they are hearty, satisfying, and delicious. This is the perfect breakfast for days you wake up craving something warm and comforting.

The recipe makes roughly  8 to 10 servings, so you can freeze what you don’t eat for another time.

With winter upon us, I thought this would be the perfect time to share the quinoa love.

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Soy: Friend or Foe?

Soy is one of those foods whose health benefits is constantly debated. And I have to be honest – as a health coach it is exhausting.

I have read countless articles citing the benefits of soy as well as ones listing the dangers.

But after reading many studies, I’ve noticed an overall consensus:

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Peanut or Almond Butter Bars

These peanut (or almond) butter bars are perfect for the holiday season.

This recipe is beyond delicious and doesn’t have any of the major no-no’s in the ingredients (cough, white flour).   Not only that, it contains old fashioned rolled oats, a great source of fiber, and nut butter, a great source of protein!  Be sure to use brown rice krispy cereal and now your cookin’ with crisco coconut oil!

These bars are also gluten free and can be dairy free if you use dairy free chocolate chips.

Bring this next time you are invited to someone’s house and no doubt they will be asking you for the recipe!  

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White Bean & Kale Soup/Stew

For those of you who don’t know, I have 2 children – Ava, 10 and Jacob, 7.  Jacob actually ENJOYS healthy foods. He loves fruits and vegetables and most of the healthy fare I create. Ava, on the other hand, could never eat a fruit or vegetable again for the rest of her life and not think twice. She doesn’t DISlike them, but doesn’t look forward to them either.

Everytime I try out a new healthy recipe, I have 3 markers to gauge it’s success – Brian (my hubs), Ava & Jake.

Getting the thumbs up from Brian is the easiest. He likes the majority of healthy dishes I serve.

Getting the A-OK from Jacob is tougher, but I can win his approval somewhat easily.

Getting Ava to approve, however, is much more of a challenge. When she says she likes one of my dishes I feel like I’ve won the lottery!

Why am I telling you all of this?

Because I’m about to share a recipe with you that is not only Ava approved, but Ava preferred!

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Quickest Salad Ever

It’s lunch time.  You’re home.  You open the fridge.  Hmmm…leftovers from last night?  Turkey sandwich?  Peanut butter and jelly?  You close the fridge and open the freezer.  Frozen meal?

You open the fridge again.  Yup, the veggies are still there.  (You actually saw them the first time, but dismissed them as a possibility for lunch because the thought of preparing yourself a salad was exhausting.)

But you KNOW that there is nothing healthier than a salad loaded with tons of veggies. But you ALSO know that salads are a pain in the you know what to make!

And here is what I have to say about that:  Take out those veggies!

Lack of time and/or effort will no longer deter you from instilling health at lunchtime.

Make yourself and your body a priority by following my formula for the quickest salad ever! You are worth it, my friend!

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