a healthy balance

Washing all 5 lbs of strawberries from Costco so I’ll have something healthy for snacks and dessert all week! 

Just ate some celery with grapes on a whim… The refreshing flavors as crispness go great together. The grapes give celery sticks a boost in taste. I would prefer this over “ants on a log” because fresh fruit is healthier than dried ones and it doesn’t need any peanut butter or spread. Combining celery with grapes prevents me from eating way too many grapes and encourages me to have more celery!

Everyone, this was so amazing but I just ate my last avocado so can’t make it again to take my own picture. BUT, just so you can get a head start and try it out for yourself (if you haven’t all ready), I found a picture =) : 

Brown Rice and Avocado

1. 1/2 cup cooked brown rice 
2. 1/2 Hass avocado, cut and cubed
3. Season with sea salt and pepper to taste 

So easy and yet so tasty. Life is good. 

Simply Cooked tops this with a Vietnamese sauce with red pepper, ginger, fish sauce, and lime which sounds awesome and I’m definitely going to make it when I get another avocado…but if you want to keep this vegetarian and vegan, stick in the salt&pepper! 

Happy healthy eating  <3

My first time cooking eggplant!

I don’t really like eggplant but it’s so healthy that I am trying to acquire the taste. It’s skin has the phytonutrient, nasunin, which protects brain cell membranes! Also it’s fleshy and tastes like a starchy vegetable yet only has 20 calories per cup. This was the easiest way I found to prepare eggplant: 

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F 
• Brush sides with olive oil
• Season with salt and pepper 
• Bake for ~20 minutes or until tops are brown
• Season with lemon juice when done 

Baking or roasting vegetables is so simple, quick, and keeps your recipes clean =) Anyone else like eggplant and want to share a recipe? 

Easy eggs with tomato, green onion, avocado, salt & pepper. Paired with wheatberry and soy milk…tea and an orange. A complete breakfast for me has protein, fiber, vitamin C, and calcium.

I just can’t resist the pre-cut vegetables at Trader Joe’s…especially when they actually look somewhat fresh. They are perfect for quick lunches and a busy week. 

What I’m going to prepare: 

• Baked Mushrooms & Parmesan 
• Steamed Butternut squash as a carb/starch for lunch 
• Steamed green beans 
• Lentils & Quinoa 
• Baby carrots and hummus for snacks!

But extra brownie points for those of you who only buy fresh, un-packaged produce. I’m like half & half…I mean come on Costco has some awesome prepared veggies! And I’d pay $2.50 for pre-cut butternut squash than risk chopping off a finger trying to split a whole one. 

Looking for a fast, filling, flavorful way to start your day? Swap your bowl of oatmeal and brown sugar for a protein-packed, savory bowl of oatmeal, eggs, and spinach! This is modified from a recipe from Women’s Health Magazine Dec 2011. I used grated Parmesan instead of a slice of Swiss cheese

Directions:

• Mix oats and water
• Microwave for 1 minute 
• add spinach, stir
• Microwave for another 30 seconds (spinach should be wilted now) 
• Spray pan with cooking spray & fry one egg 
• Top oatmeal+spinach with egg, Parmesan cheese, & black pepper

Why I love this recipe:

• Fast <3333
• Flavorful without salt 
• 10 g of protein
• 5-6g of fiber 
• VEGETABLES for breakfast!! 
• Curbs sugar cravings for rest of the day 
• Warm breakfast for chilly mornings 

You can use oatmeal as an alternative for any grains. I eat oatmeal instead of rice porridge sometimes. (Rice porridge is big in Vietnamese cuisine.) 

I know it sounds weird to have spinach in your oatmeal, but give it a try! 

Happy December!

~Geri

Holiday party! Love the vegetable platter =] easy way to get 5-a-day! Stay away from crackers, cheeses, and salami meat to keep healthy.

Sweet Baby Bell Peppers

Have you tried these yet?! They are crunchy, sweet, and of course delicious! I like to eat them as plain and fresh as possible because spreads and sauces will overwhelm their flavor. One serving of bell peppers has more Vitamin C than an orange! I have a bag at work today =) This should be helpful this winter when the flu is going around >.< 

Just had a Japanese Cucumber Salad and 1/2 grapefruit as starters for dinner! I loved the simple rice vinegar dressing. 

I LOVE when Fage or Chobani are on sale for $1! :D better than any lame Black Friday deal! I emailed my friend to let her know. 

So proud of the green beans and carrots I helped prepare! Although I think I’m a decent cook, my mom only lets me do the simplest things for big occasions. For example, I can start the vegetables, heat the bread, stir things…lol. I wanted to prove my skill! Oh well…