Today’s Snack: Nutty Maple Granola

granolaGranola is one of those things you can have for breakfast, lunch, snacks, dessert… basically any time of day. It can be eaten as is (think trail mix), or added as a topping to yogurt, cereal, or even ice cream.

This nutty maple granola recipe combines a few of my favorite things like coconut, maple syrup, hemp hearts and hazelnuts, and a handful of this granola is loaded with antioxidants, protein, good fats and fiber. This recipe also includes cacao nibs. Cacao nibs are cacao beans that have been roasted, separated from their husks, and broken into smaller pieces. Cacao nibs have a chocolatey taste, but they’re not quite as sweet as chocolate and they are high in magnesium, fiber, and antioxidants. Continue reading “Today’s Snack: Nutty Maple Granola”

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Dinner Tonight: Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

sweet-potatoesStuffed peppers are delicious, but if you want to try something different, stuffed sweet potatoes may become your new favorite. This recipe combines three superfoods – lentils, sweet potatoes and kale – to make this hearty and heart-healthy dish, loaded with fiber and all sorts of nutrients.

Lentils have a wide spectrum of essential amino acids and are a good protein source. They are rich in folic acid, iron, phosphorus and copper. Sweet potatoes are loaded with vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium and fiber. Not to be outdone, kale is is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as fiber, calcium and iron.

In keeping with our theme this month of heart-healthy recipes, this is a great one to try. Continue reading “Dinner Tonight: Stuffed Sweet Potatoes”

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Fiber May Help Lower Risk of Breast Cancer

fiber-rich-foodsAn ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This famous saying certainly seems to be the case in a new study published in Pediatrics that shows that teenage girls who eat a fiber-rich diet may have a considerably lower risk of developing breast cancer later in life.

In the study, 4,4000 women were asked about their dietary history during their teenage years. Researchers found that those woman who ate a high-fiber diet had a 24% lower risk of breast cancer before menopause, compared with women who ate low levels of fiber. For the women on the high-fiber diet, the lifetime risk of developing breast cancer was also cut by 16%.

One of the reasons behind fiber intake and reduced breast cancer is that dietary fibers may reduce circulating estrogen levels. Continue reading “Fiber May Help Lower Risk of Breast Cancer”

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Dinner Tonight: Zucchini Pancakes

zucchini-pancakesIn our family, the pancake is not just a breakfast food. Maybe it’s because we top them with local maple syrup, but pancakes are always a hit in this house. This is why I also try to make them as nutritionally dense as possible… from beet pancakes to pumpkin pancakes, there are a lot of delicious additions you can make to regular pancake batter. Get creative!

Zucchini is one of my favorites things to add to pancakes. It is a light-tasting vegetable that belongs in the squash family and is a late summer crop. Luckily, we have had a mild fall, so there are still some lingering in local gardens.

Zucchini has a range of nutrients including vitamins B6 and C, potassium and manganese, and with a medium-size zucchini containing only 30 calories, it is great for those who need to watch their calorie intake.

This recipe combines grated zucchini with ricotta for a high-protein meal that can be enjoyed any time of day. Continue reading “Dinner Tonight: Zucchini Pancakes”

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3 Reasons to Try Chia Seeds

chiaOnce known for a catchy tune and a popular commercial product, chia is making a comeback… but as a superfood. Chia seeds come from a flowering plant in the mint family called Salvia hispanica and is native to central and southern Mexico and Guatemala. Chia seeds were considered a staple food of the Aztec cultures, who would say that one small serving was all a man needed to run for a day. Chia is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, protein, antioxidants, and both soluble and insoluble fiber. Here are three other reasons to try this nutty-flavored seed.

1. Balance sugar levels: Studies have shown chia to be of benefit in controlling type 2 diabetes. As a high source of fiber, it helps regulate blood sugar and insulin release by slowing digestion and therefore preventing the sugar “spikes” that are common after meals. Continue reading “3 Reasons to Try Chia Seeds”

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