Simple Dinner

 

Simple Dinner:

Green Leafy salad drizzled with Apple Cider Vinegar and Extra Virgin Olive Oil;

Quinoa topped with Black Beans, Sauteed Sweet Potato and a dollop of Greek Yogurt.

Simple, yet packed with goodness!

Green leafy salad - No need to explain. We all need more greens in our lives. EAT YOUR GREENS!

Quinoa contains more protein than any other “grain”.  It's considered a 'complete protein' source among plant foods. It contains a balanced set of all nine essential amino acids for humans. It's a good source of dietary fiber and phosphorus and is high in magnesium and iron.  Quinoa is also a gluten free food (meaning it does not contain wheat) so it is considered to be easily digested.

***A complete protein (or whole protein) is a source of protein that contains an adequate proportion of all nine of the essential amino acids necessary for the dietary needs of humans or other animals

Black Beans- BEANS, BEANS....THEY'RE GOOD FOR YOUR HEART! Low in fat and have no cholesterol. Their fiber promotes good digestive health and healthy blood sugar levels. They also have plant protein, iron, B vitamins, potassium and antioxidants to support cellular health. 

You can add beans to just about any dish. It's a main food staple in my household. I always keep my pantry stocked with dry beans and canned beans for quick meals. I prefer dry beans which require soaking over night (and requires meal planning ahead of time).

Sweet Potato - Another main food staple in my household. SP's are loaded with carotenoids, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. I make an awesome vegetarian chili with huge chunks of yummy SP's. We also eat SP Boats (a.k.a Baked Potato) with a scoop of Greek Yogurt. I've been reading that women who eat fruit and vegetable carotenoids protect themselves from breast and ovarian cancer. I'll eat to that!

Carotenoids represent one of the most widespread groups of naturally occurring pigments. These compounds are largely responsible for the red, yellow, and orange color of fruits and vegetables, and are also found in many dark green vegetables. 

Greek Yogurt - Mmmmm... It's smooth, rich and has a thick consistency. Part of what makes Greek yogurt different than regular yogurt is that it is strained to remove the whey. When whey is removed, so is water, which creates a thicker, more substantial yogurt product. ♥