Leftovers = New Creation.... Amazing breakfast!!

On my previous posting I offered a simple and healthy recipe for CALABACITAS with QUINOA. I might be speaking for myself, but most recipes leave you with quite a bit of leftovers when you are cooking for one or two people... I personally enjoy leftovers reheated the next day, but I know many who just don't like them!

As an ode to all my single friends.... here are a couple very quick and easy breakfast ideas to recreate the CALABACITAS into a fresh light easy breakfast... I promise this is FAST!

Simply reheat (about 1 cup) of calabacitas in a skillet for about 3-4 minutes.... throw in 2 whole eggs (salt and pepper to taste).... and voila!! ... You have a Veggie Breakfast scramble! (Add more of the ingredients, depending on what you have left and how many servings you need).

From Food and Recipes

Serving Options:
You can eat this plain or tucked into a Sprouted Wheat Tortilla (I recommend the Ezekiel brand), Makes a great wrap and it is very healthy!

You can also substitute 3 egg whites for the whole eggs for an even lower calorie/high protein/low cholesterol version!

This can also work as an omelette, however, that might take a bit longer to make, and I promised this was FAST!

Garnishing with some cheese or fresh salsa livens up this meal!

Who said that making a fresh breakfast would be too complicated? You will have a dish in hand before the coffee has finished brewing!!

Enjoy!!

Elle :)

Another Easy and Healthy Meal

For those of you who have requested more recipes... I am taking into consideration a few prime factors... It’s summer... many of us crave fresh ingredients... we want quick meals that won’t require being over a hot stove for a long time... healthy, in an effort to stay on track with our fitness routines... and by all means delicious... because, really? What is the point of eating something if it doesn’t taste good, right?

So staying on the same page with a recipe that I recently posted for a healthy breakfast wrap; this is the dinner version of that! It is great for all you vegetarians out there... but for those of you who want something a bit heartier you can certainly add some grilled or roasted chicken as well! Personally, I love this for its nutritious value and has been a crowd pleaser each time I have served it up for friends.

From Healthy Dinner

Ingredients:

1 serving of canned Trader Joe’s Organic Pinto beans (A can is about 2 1/2 servings)
1 Sprouted wheat tortilla (I prefer Food for Life – Ezequiel 4:9 brand)
1 tbsp. of cheese (any kind you have handy)
1/2 an avocado
5 slices of tomato
1 handful of mixed greens or baby spinach
A Hot Sauce
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Heat the beans in a medium sauce pan for about 5 mins (I dispose of 1/2 the water so that they are not too watery); mashing with a potato masher... until they come to a boil. (Mashing the beans really gives the illusion they are refried… but because we are not frying them... they are still healthy!).

Warm the tortilla, about 30 seconds on each side... be careful, as overheating may cause the tortilla to get dry and tough. Line the middle with cheese (I love goat cheese because it gives the dish a “bite” of sorts, but any shredded white cheese works). Spoon the beans over the cheese so that the heat from the beans causes the cheese to melt. Season with hot sauce, to taste. Line the tomatoes and avocado wedges alongside the beans; season with salt and pepper. Top with the greens and sprinkle with a good serving of extra virgin olive oil and then sprinkle again with some fresh pepper. Fold over and cut in half.

Serves 1

Of course, you can throw in other favorites if you wish. Sometimes I mix black beans with the pinto and that makes for a delicious fusion!! Another note... I choose to use canned beans, as I don’t normally cook a family portion pot of beans because they spoil quickly. I have found that using canned organic beans, is the next best thing to homemade; however, if you have the homemade beans, more power to you!

Remember... there are no rules here... the thing to keep in mind is fresh ingredients and keeping everything healthy!

This wrap is a great alternative to fast food! Ironically it is fast, meaning it does not take long in the kitchen at all, and you can prepare it in minutes. It is healthy and costs a lot less per serving, whether you are cooking for just yourself or the entire family! Even though I said this is the dinner version of the healthy breakfast wrap, it is actually great for both lunch or dinner... and most importantly... it is flavorful and very satisfying!!

I am a true stand for your well-being and I salute you all for choosing the healthier alternatives!

Bon appetit, my friends!


Elle

Quick and Nutritious Breakfast

Breakfast in 10! Quick, Healthy and Delicious!

So… for all of you out there requesting healthy recipes…. I am sharing one of my favorite “throw together” recipes for breakfast!! This is great for breakfast, brunch… or just anytime that you feel like something with a bit of protein and healthy grains!

I love the fusion of flavors here… a very California dish, if you will. This is the equivalent of a great breakfast wrap… and a much healthier alternative to a burrito.

From Healthy Breakfast

Here are the ingredients you need:

2 Eggs (you can substitute 3 egg whites for a low-fat version)
1 Sprouted Wheat Tortilla (Food for Life – EZEQUIEL 4:9 brand is preferred)
2 tbsp. of Trader Joe’s Habanero Lime Salsa
1/2 of a fresh avocado (or 1 small avocado)
5 slices of Roma Tomato
1 tbsp. Grapeseed Oil
Sea Salt
Fresh Pepper

Directions

In a small skillet heat the oil (medium heat) and drop in the eggs or egg whites and scramble… cook for about 2 minutes and stir in the salsa.

Warm the tortilla lightly (I say this because Sprouted Wheat tortillas will burn quickly and if over heated they have the tendency of becoming dry and dense). Place the tortilla on a plate and neatly line up the avocado (sliced) and the tomato…light salt and pepper to taste. Add the cooked eggs and additional salsa if desired.

Fold over and cut in half.

Serves 1


SIDE NOTES

SPROUTED WHEAT: Using a sprouted wheat tortilla is the healthiest alternative to any other “tortilla” or “wrap”. The sprouted wheat is a live food, thereby, giving you the true benefit of a wheat germ. It is a “good” carb, if you will… great brain food!! It is also great for digestion and very satisfying! (I will talk about the benefits of Sprouted Wheat products on a future post… stay tuned!)

SALSA: The salsa can be replaced by any salsa you may have on hand. This TJ’s variety is simply very flavorful and nothing like the store bought varietes out there! (Sorry, but Pace Picante is not really salsa… and just the same as the New York City counterparts… that’s all marketing!) LOL … If you have homemade salsa… more power to you! I use homemade when I have it on hand (BTW, I will soon post a homemade Garden Salsa recipe for your enjoyment!)

GRAPESEED OIL: This is one of the few oils that is the healthiest to cook with, as it keeps its nutritional value even in heat. (of this… I will also share a separate post about the oils we have in our pantries, the difference in nutritional value and taste… stay tuned!)

So on a closing note… enjoy your breakfast wrap… this has become one of my quick, “on the go” breakfasts, and a favorite amongst friends!

I toast to your health! Enjoy!

Elle :)