Cook Up Some Easy Greens

After scouring different recipe sites and Food Network shows for ideas, I tried out the following easy technique and I love it!! read more Cook Up Some Easy Greens

Laurel’s Easy Greens
*Add 2-3 tbsp. olive oil to a saute pan on medium heat.
*Chop up 2 large (or 3 small) garlic cloves and add to the pan.
*Allow the garlic to cook/soften for about 1 min. (do not burn).
*Add 3-4 big handfuls of chopped up greens to the pan with 1/2 cup water or vegetable stock.
*Cover with a lid and cook for 3-4 min.
*Remove the lid, stir, and cook for 1 min. to allow some liquid to evaporate.
*Season with salt and pepper.

As you know, greens are one of the healthiest foods we can put in our bodies. They are oozing with cancer-fighting, age-defying, life-saving goodness. Here’s a few past posts I’ve written on greens and their amazing benefits:
More Leafy Greens For Ya

Sweet Fall Root Vegetables

Last week marked the official start of the fall season, and it’s a great time of year to take advantage of the sweetness that root vegetables have to offer. One of my favorite foods in season this fall/winter is butternut squash. They are versatile, have tons of flavor, and are a comforting choice any time of the day. When you cook root vegetables (for ex., carrots, squashes, sweet potatoes, turnips, and rutabagas), they become soft and sweet. Therefore, read more at: Sweet Fall Root Vegetables

Here’s a fall salad recipe that’s bursting with flavor. It’s a little savory and a little sweet. My favorite flavor combination.

Butternut Squash & Pecan Salad

(makes a big family size portion)

Salad ingredients:
1 butternut squash
1 cup toasted pecans
Baby arugula (4-5 big handfuls)
5 fresh sage leaves, chopped up
1 tsp dried sage
Olive oil
Honey
Salt & black pepper

Dressing ingredients:
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp. honey
Black pepper

Ease Allergies with Folate

 

I heard about an interesting new study when I was reading the latest issue of Fitness Magazine this week. A small “Food Fix” bulletin noted that the more folate (also known as folic acid or vitamin B9) you eat, the less chance you have of getting allergy and asthma symptoms from things like mold, pet dander, and dust mites. (Fitness, Jan 2010, p. 106) ...read more on Ease Allergies with Folate

Scientists will need to conduct more studies in order to make specific recommendations for folate supplements, but it doesn’t hurt to increase your intake of folate-rich foods. Try some of these:

 

• Asparagus
• Leafy greens (spinach, turnip greens, mustard greens, romaine, etc.)
• Chickpeas
• Broccoli
• Tomatoes
• Butternut squash
• Asparagus
• Lentils
• Cauliflower