Spiced Chicken with Wild Rice & Veggies Bowl (GF)

One of my best pieces of advice for those who are busy but want to eat healthy or for people who want to lose weight, is to prepare your meals ahead of time. I make my meals for the week on Monday nights. 

This is what I came up with for this week. This spiced, sweet, and crunchy little bowl contains turmeric and cumin spiced chicken, wild rice, broccolini, sweet potatoes, carrots, pea shoots, and pomegranate seeds. It is quite a great combination of foods. You can also make it vegan or vegetarian by substituting tofu or chickpeas for the chicken.

Spiced Chicken with Wild Rice & Veggies Bowl

Adapted from: Love and Lemons

Ingredients:

1 lb of chicken breast or tenders, cubed (preferably free-range; omit if vegan/vegetarian & use chickpeas)

1 cup wild rice

2 sweet potatoes, cubed

1 cup carrots, shredded

2 cups broccolini, roughly chopped

1 cup pomegranate arils

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp turmeric

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

2 tbsp of gomacio or sesame seeds

2-3 tbsp olive oil

salt & pepper to taste

soy sauce or coconut aminos

pea shoots

Instructions:

1. Cook wild rice as instructed on the package.
2. While rice is cooking, dice chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook in large skillet over medium-high heat in 2 tbsp of olive oil.
3. After about 5 minutes, add cumin, turmeric, and cayenne pepper.
4. Cook chicken all the way through and remove from skillet with slotted spoon. Add cubed sweet potatoes and cook until tender. (You may have to add 1 more tbsp of olive oil.)
5. Add broccolini and carrots to skillet, season with salt, pepper, & sesame seeds and cook until tender.
6. When all ingredients are cooked, add all cooked ingredients to a large bowl with a handful pomegranate and pea shoots. You might want to add soy sauce or coconut aminos to your rice. 
7. Enjoy!!

Salmon Tacos with Mango Salsa

This recipe is delicious and healthy.

So, why wouldn't you try it?? It's easy too, so skip that excuse as well.

Wild Caught Salmon is full of Omega-3s, which help reduce inflammation (the basis of every disease and illness), promotes brain function, and assists cell production.

Salmon Tacos with Mango Salsa Recipe
Adapted from: Alison Needham

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pound salmon filet with skin on
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon cumin
corn tortillas
1 avocado, sliced
feta cheese, optional

Salsa:
1 mango, skinned and cut into small dice
1/2 cup diced red onion
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
handful chopped cilantro
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
1/2 juice lime
pinch salt

Directions:

1. Pat the salmon dry. Combine the chili powder, sugar, salt and cumin in a small bowl and sprinkle over the surface of the flesh-side of the salmon. Set aside.
2. Prepare the salsa. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Taste for seasoning, cover and refrigerate.
3. Spray the grill with cooking spray and light a medium-hot flame. To test heat on a charcoal or gas grill, hold your hand about 5 inches over the flame. You should only be able to keep it there for 3-4 seconds.**
4. Place salmon skin side down on the grill, cover and cook for about 5 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish (cook fish about 10 minutes per inch of thickness). Flip salmon over, peel off the skin and cook for 3 minutes more, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove from heat and place it pink flesh up on a plate. (The underside of the skin will be an unattractive gray color).
5. Place the corn tortillas on the grill for a few seconds a side to warm up. Flake fish and divide evenly between the tortillas. Top with mango salsa, sliced avocado, and feta cheese. Serve immediately with lime wedges.

**You can also prepare the Salmon in a pan on the stove. Cook as stated above over Medium Heat with olive oil in pan.

Enjoy!

Sesame Avocado Spring Rolls

I was feeling in the mood for something new, something fresh, something healthy and packed with vegetables, and then I stumbled upon these delicious spring rolls! Sesame crusted avocado and cabbage spring rolls?!? Yes, please.

I had never made spring rolls before, but they are quite simple. I can't wait to try my own rendition of these. Naturally Ella does a brilliant job of combining a simple, tasty treat. I would recommend not using as much lime juice, a half a lime will do. If you want this recipe to be more healthy, just skip the pan-frying of the avocado and just roll it in the sesame seeds. They shouldn't have a problem sticking. These would also be great with chicken or pork strips. Oh! Another added bonus is that they are Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free, Soy Free, and Vegan.

Sesame Crusted Avocado Spring Rolls

Adapted from: Naturally Ella

1/2 head red cabbage

1 carrot, shredded through grater

Juice from 1/2 lime

1 tbsp honey

2 ripe avocados

1/4 cup sesame seeds

1 tbsp sesame oil (olive works too)

6-8 spring roll wrappers

1/4 cup cilantro

Soy Sauce or Coconut Aminos*

1. Shred cabbage and carrot and toss with lime juice and honey. Set aside.

2. Slice avocado in half, remove pit, and slice down the middle length-wise. Remove skin, and slice into 1/2 inch slices.

3. Roll slices in sesame seeds until covered.

4. Heat oil over medium-high heat and place avocado in skillet. Cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes on each side.

5. Fill bowl with hot water to dip the spring roll paper in (a bowl that is wide enough to submerge the entire paper in works best).

6. Soak rice paper for 10-15 seconds (not too soft, just pliable), and place on cutting board or counter.

7. Place a small handful of the cabbage-carrot mixture in the center of the spring roll, and top with avocado and a sprinkle of cilantro.

8. Roll the spring roll by tucking one side over the food in the middle, fold in the sides, and continue rolling. You can roll them pretty tightly. It's surprising that they are tough to break.

9. Slice in half and serve with soy sauce or coconut aminos.

* Coconut Aminos are a great substitute for soy sauce for those of you who might be allergic to soy, like I am, or for those who are avoiding high-sodium foods. It looks and tastes exactly the same and is much better for you. You should be able to find it in Whole Foods, Earth Fare, or something similar. 

Enjoy!!