Quinoa Protein Bars

There are times when we have cravings for less-than-healthy snacks. Our Quinoa Protein Bars are a great way to satisfy a craving while maintaining a healthy diet.  This delectable snack uses quinoa and dark chocolate, as well as other superfoods,, to create a tasty treat that is a perfect snack before and after workouts or when that afternoon craving for something sweet hits.  And for anyone on a gluten free diet, healthy quinoa foods are like hitting the jackpot!

Quinoa is one of the best superfoods you can eat.  Superfoods are natural, unprocessed foods that are low in calories and high in nutrients.  They help the body fight disease and provide it with what it needs to be in excellent health.  There is no pill on the market that can help the body quite as well as superfoods.

To create a little variety with the  bars or accommodate any food allergies, SunButter and pumpkin seeds are great alternatives to use in place of peanut butter and almonds.  As for the dates, they keep the bars moist without providing a distinct flavor and give them that “softer” texture.  And best of all, for a little variety add the chocolate chips directly to the mixture instead of melting them and drizzling on top.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup quinoa, pre-rinsed
• 2/3 cup water
• 16 whole (pitted) dates, no sugar added
• 1/2 cup raw almonds with skin
• 1/3 cup natural crunchy peanut butter (almond butter is an option) or try sunbutter (gluten-free)
• 1/4 cup Dark Chocolate chips,
• 
  

Directions

TIP: Make this recipe into 20 Quinoa Protein Bites at about 1" each, and you've got a snack that's under 100 calories!

NOTE: The fats in our Quinoa Protein Bars are healthy fats primarily from the almonds. The calories are mostly from the dates, which is one of nature's sweetest foods. You will find only natural, unrefined sugars in this recipe which contains 4 superfoods--Quinoa, dates, almonds and dark chocolate.

Add quinoa and water to a small sauce, cover and bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer and cook approximately 15 minutes or until all water has been absorbed. Cool to room temperature and refrigerate at least 2 hours...overnight will work.

Using a food processor or high powered blender, add dates and pulse until they form a ball. Remove dates and place in a medium mixing bowl. Add almonds to the food processor and pulse until finely minced. Be careful not to turn the almonds into mill. Add dates, almonds, peanut butter and cold quinoa to the food processor and pulse until ingredients are well combined. Return ingredients to the mixing bowl, shape into 6 - 2" x 1" bars, about 1" thickness. Place on a dish, refrigerate until chocolate is set.

In a small saucepan, add chocolate chips and honey...melt over low heat or in a double-boiler. Evenly spread a thin layer of chocolate over the top of each protein bar, return to the refrigerator and allow chocolate to harden. Bars can be stored in an airtight container for several days.

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Embrace Change!

Have you ever taken a leap of faith and truly not known if it was going to be a good or bad decision?

We are in the process of putting our city home up for sale and taking our family out to the country! This is an exciting thought, but I’ll be honest, something has me a little nervous.

With the potential move, our kids will be transferring schools and that’s what I'm most worried about. I'm not sure if they'll adjust well or have trouble making friends. The thought of them struggling with the move is what has me on eggshells. I don't want to make a decision that would impact them in a negative way. As a mom, the one thing we never stop worrying about is the well-being of our kiddos.

After doing a pros and cons list, I finally figured out the issue I have. It doesn’t have anything to do with schooling or city versus farm life. It has everything to do with CHANGE. We are creatures of habit and I think change is something most everyone has struggled with at some point. We could probably talk ourselves out of something that could be a huge blessing in our lives, just because we are scared to take the chance.

That got me thinking. If we all spent our whole lives, not taking risks, what fun would it be?  We wouldn’t know what opportunity lies ahead if we just walked with our heads down, not looking for it!

Today, I am saying to myself, NO MORE worrying! Embrace change because you never know what is on the other side of that door! You just have to jump and hope that you're going to fly!

Chicken and Black Bean Soup

This soup is ready almost as soon as you open the can!

Ingredients

 It can be made with or without the chicken.

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 onion, finely diced

• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped

• 1 teaspoon each paprika (ideally smoked) and chili powder

• 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce

• Juice of half an orange

• 4 15-ounce cans black beans, drained

• 3 cups chicken broth or water

• salt

• for garnish: greek yogurt, diced avocado, chopped white onion, lime wedges, and toasted pepitas (green pumpkin seeds)

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a soup pot and sauté the onion over medium heat until it's

translucent, around 5 minutes.

2. Add the garlic and the spices and sauté another half a minute, until the pot is

fragrant, then add the chicken, tomato sauce and orange juice and bring to a

simmer.

3. Add the beans and broth or water, along with salt to taste, and bring back to a boil, then turn the heat to low and simmer 15 minutes.

4. Use a potato masher or hand blender to puree some of the soup, then taste for

salt and add more broth or water if the soup is too thick.

5. Serve with the garnishes and green salad.

Spaghetti Squash

Clean Eating Spaghetti Squash

Ingredients:

-1 spaghetti squash

-1 can organic spaghetti sauce

-1 package turkey or chicken sausage links (I get mine at Trader Joe's and make sure they are All Natural and preservative free)

This is the sauce I use!

Directions:

Cut the squash in quarters and take out seeds. Fill a baking dish with a little water and place the squash inside with a lid. I microwave mine for about 10 minutes. Then shred the squash into a dish. Heat sauce and place on top of squash. Then add grilled chicken or turkey sausage on top. Super easy and quick meal! 

Enjoy!!! 

Body Beast Turkey Chili

A Classic Chili Taste, but a healthier version!

Ingredients:

-1 Teaspoon olive oil

-1 1/2 pounds lean ground turkey meat

-1 medium white onion, chopped

-1 medium green bell pepper (optional)

-3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped

-1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

-1 tablespoon chili powder

-1/2 teaspoon sea salt (I used Pink Himalayan salt)

-1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

-1 (15oz) can tomato sauce (no-sugar/salt added)

-1 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

*I used these spices*

Directions:

1. Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add turkey, onion, bell pepper, and garlic.

2. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or until turkey is no longer pink.

3. Add cumin, chili powder, salt, and cayenne pepper; stir and cook for 1 minute. 

4. Stir in kidney beans and tomato sauce; bring to a boil.

5. Reduce heat to low and gently simmer, stirring occasionally for 15 to 20 minutes or until thickened.

6. Serve warm and sprinkled with parsley.

Enjoy!!!