Recipe: Zucchini Pizza Bites …

Zucchini Pizza Bites

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 145

Ingredients

2 large zucchini

½ cup low carb pizza or tomato sauce

1 teaspoon oregano

2 cups mozzarella cheese

¼ cup parmesan cheese

pizza toppings as desired

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 450 F. Line a baking pan with foil and set aside.
  2. Slice zucchini ¼” thick and arrange on prepared baking sheet.
  3. Top zucchini slices with pizza sauce, oregano, cheese and your favorite pizza toppings.
  4. Bake 10 minutes, until zucchini is tender and cheese is melted.

Found at easylowcarb.com.

Are ‘cleanses’ good for you? …

By now, you’ve probably heard of the detox/cleanse trend. Generally, a cleanse is when a person severely limits their diets with the goal of ‘resetting’ their body by flushing out unwanted toxins that have built up from eating an unhealthy or in some way unsatisfactory diet. The process is supposed to be a kind of starting over with the body, to give you a clean slate from which to start anew.

This sounds very promising. However, there is no evidence that detoxes actually manage to flush anything out of your systemAccording to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, detox and cleansing programs might actually do more harm than they do good. It’s a good idea to check out that website in particular, as it has a list of reasons you need to be careful about doing a detox.

Detoxes are so appealing in part because they seem like a healthy, quick way to lose a lot of weight. While it’s possible to lose weight on a detox, it is not the healthiest way of doing so. This is because many detoxes and cleanses are extremely low-calorie, and it’s very difficult to get the correct amount of nutrients from such a low-calorie diet.

If you’re looking for a way to lose weight, eating a mostly plant-based diet with lean meats is a good idea. If you’re still interested in doing a detox, make sure your consult with your doctor to make sure you’re making the best decision for your health.

Ted Talk Tuesday: Everything You Know About Addiction is Wrong …

Today’s Ted Talk is called “Everything You Think You Know About Addiction Is Wrong,” by Johann Hari. This talk in particular gives really interesting insight as to the causes of addiction, and how we, as a society, can change our perspective on addicts. Watch the video to find out what the opposite of addiction is–the answer will surprise you.

Watch the video here.

Weekend recipe: Mexican Quinoa Stuffed Sweet Potatoes …

Mexican Quinoa Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 268 calories

Ingredients

2 large sweet potatoes

1 tablespoon olive oil

¼ cup chopped red onion

¼ cup chopped bell pepper

½ cup frozen corn

½ cup cooked quinoa

1 cup canned black beans drained & rinsed

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon cumin

½ teaspoon smoked paprika

sea salt to taste

To garnish:

1 avocado mashed

Tahini

Hot sauce

Chopped cilantro

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Place sweet potatoes on a baking sheet and prick with a fork. Place in the oven and bake for 40 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and pepper and saute until tender, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add corn, quinoa, black beans and spices and cook 2-3 more minutes.
  4. When sweet potatoes are fork tender, remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice in half and place each half on a plate. Top with quinoa mixture, avocado and a drizzle of both tahini and hot sauce. Finish with a sprinkle of cilantro and enjoy!

Recipe from simplyquinoa.com.

What is a ‘superfood?’

If you’re trying to get into wellness, you’ve probably heard the term ‘superfood.’ Personally, I expect anything that has the word ‘super’ in it to wear a cape and go around town solving crimes.

On the offset, it’s important to know that ‘superfood’ isn’t a scientific term, but a term used for marketing specific foods that are particularly nutrient-packed. Even if a food is labeled as a superfood, it’s still important to eat diversely and in moderation. Also, even if there isn’t hype about a particular healthy food, that doesn’t mean it’s any less scientifically super than the superfoods you might see in recipes on Pinterest or Instagram!

This article “What Are Superfoods?” from LiveScience.com provides a really helpful explanation regarding superfoods.

Some foods that are commonly called superfoods include: blueberries, kale, sweet potatoes, beans, nuts, and salmon.

According to the article, “Superfoods are foods—mostly plant-based but also some fish and dairy—that are thought to be nutritionally dense and thus good for one’s health.”

Superfoods tend to be really high in antioxidants, healthy fats, and phytochemicals.

For people who are just getting into wellness, it might be enticing to eat superfoods for every meal. Remember that balance is key in a healthy diet, even when you’re eating nutrient packed food!

As always, consult with your doctor if you have questions about making changes in your diet.