Category Archives: healthy is affordable

What is the hype around quinoa, amaranth and lentils?

Everywhere I go I see quinoa all around and hear  how good it is. What is it the hype about? First of all, when you search quinoa there is a proliferation of bloggers discussing it and not a lot of what I would call “research” on it.  I wanted to understand how this could be good for you?!

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Mediterranean white bean and kale soup

This soup is low in saturated fat and cholesterol.  It is a great source of dietary fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals (thiamin, riboflavin, folate, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6, calcium, potassium, copper and manganese).  The base of the soup is a vegetable broth, so this is vegan and gluten free as well. You can make the broth the night before leaving the vegetables and then reheating the next day and removing the vegetables. Soaking the vegetables overnight will deepen the broth flavor.  Start soaking the beans overnight until you need them in the afternoon the next day. Continue reading Mediterranean white bean and kale soup

Make ahead, kale and quinoa Salad

I would categorize kale as a super food.  Kale and members of the Brassica family, are  rich in many minerals and vitamins. It has  anti-viral nutrients, rich with  anti-oxidants such as  polyphenolic flavonoid, vitamins A,B-6, C, K, and minerals.  Scientists have found that these foods  can help support and lower the risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, inflammation and oxidative stress. Continue reading Make ahead, kale and quinoa Salad

Mediterranean Black Bean and Chourico (Chorizo) Soup

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This is a simple portuguese soup to make on a cold snowy day or as my mom would do, when she needed a cleanse.  Sounds like she was ahead of her time with what is now known as soup diets!  After researching the benefits of beans and kale, her cleansing feeling makes complete sense.  I have replaced red beans with black beans, as they provide way more nutrients. Black beans provides a punch of  phytonutrients such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, which help prevent disease. It has a  high protein – plus – fiber content; 1 cup of black beans give you 15 gram of fiber and protein! Black beans also support healthy digestive track. The soluble fiber has also been found to reduce heart attacks! This is a superfood, if you ask me. Continue reading Mediterranean Black Bean and Chourico (Chorizo) Soup