Garlic Parmesan Kale Chips
Posted on June 28Ingredients:
- 5 ounces raw kale, washed and dried (about 6 cups) tough stems removed, if desired. Use bagged, chopped kale if desired.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese or more to taste
Instructions:
If you’re using whole kale leaves, chop or slice the kale into about 2-inch pieces. Place the kale in a mixing bowl. Pour the olive oil over, and sprinkle with salt and garlic powder.
Gently toss the kale and massage the salt and garlic powder into the kale. Make sure everything is coated with the oil.
Place the kale into the air fryer basket. Set the temperature to 300 °F and the timer for 9 minutes. Open the air fryer and toss the kale with tongs after about 5 minutes. Check it as it gets close to the finishing point to make sure it’s not overcooked.
Empty the cooked kale chips into the mixing bowl, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and let cool for about 2 minutes.
Watermelon Summer Cooler for CKD
Posted on June 22Ingredients
1 cup crushed ice
1 cup seedless watermelon cubes
2 teaspoons lime juice
1 tablespoon sugar or Stevia, Truvia or Monk Fruit
2 small watermelon wedges for garnish
Preparation
Place all ingredients except garnish wedges in a blender and blend for 30 seconds.
Pour into 2 small glasses, garnish with wedges and enjoy!
Helpful Hints
Watermelons vary in sweetness. Adjust by adding more sweetener if needed.
For fluid restricted diets, enjoy a serving of Watermelon Summer Cooler now and freeze one serving for later. Remove from freezer 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
If sugar substitute is used instead of sugar, the carbohydrate is reduced to 6 grams and 26 calories per 6 ounce serving.
Nutrients per serving:
Calories 52
Protein 0 g
Carbohydrates 13 g
Fat 0 g
Sodium 1 mg
Potassium 96 mg
Phosphorus 9 mg
Calcium 6 mg
Fiber 0.3 g
Gluten Free/Low Carb Bread
Posted on June 10I found this at Whole Foods Market in the freezer.
It actually toasts well and can be a part of your low carb and gluten free lifestyle. 
Cucumber Watermelon Salad
Posted on June 08Ingredients
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tbsp granulated Truvia
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup minced fresh parsley
2 medium unpeeled cucumbers, washed, ends removed, sliced lengthwise then sliced crosswise
3 cups watermelon, cut in 1-inch cubes (about 1 pound)
Directions
Combine the lime juice, Truvia and salt in a 2-quart bowl; whisk together. Stir in parsley.
Add cucumbers; toss with a rubber spatula, coating all cucumber pieces. Add watermelon; fold in gently.
Cover, set aside and allow juice from the watermelon to mix with the other juices. Stir gently and let stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving.
Importance of Fiber
Posted on June 03Fiber plays a key role in our health. Many people think it's only for improving bowel movements, but research has taught us that it does so much more! What we GIVE to our gut microbiome is associated with the ability to shift our immune responses, satiety, blood sugar and cholesterol, and even help with mood and behavior.
Are you eating adequate fiber each day? More than 90 percent of women and 97 percent of men do not meet recommended intakes of dietary fiber. Fiber needs can range from 25 grams to 35 grams per day.
Here are some tips for increasing your daily fiber intake, such as:
-Add more whole, plant-based foods, such as vegetables, fruits, and low sugar/high fiber grains
-Learn the fiber content of the foods you consume
-Supplement with psyllium husk as a helpful source of functional fiber
-Incorporate legumes and pulses into your meals
Watermelon ...
Posted on June 01I don’t know about you, but there is nothing better than cutting into a fresh and juicy watermelon!
More than just a delicious and pretty fruit, watermelon is rich in nutrients, is sustainable, and an economical and nutritious treat.
But the following questions come up from many people: Is watermelon really good for me? How do I pick the right watermelon? What else can I do with watermelon besides cutting and eating it?
Natural Wonders of Watermelon
Nutrient-packed. Two cups of watermelon contain 80 calories, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, thiamine, phosphorus.
Natural source of protein: Yup, you read that correctly! One ounce of sprouted, shelled, and dried watermelon seeds delivers 10 grams of protein.
Powerful disease fighter. Watermelon contains higher amounts of lycopene than any other fresh fruit or vegetables. Lycopene is an antioxidant associated with reducing risks for metabolic syndrome, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
Promotes healthy skin. Lycopene and vitamin A, found in watermelon, supports healthy skin. Lycopene may contribute to healthy skin by protecting the skin from sunlight and UV rays. Vitamin A may help build and maintain collagen, and the high water content helps keep skin moisturized.
Immune boosting. Rich in vitamin C, watermelon can help boost immunity against viruses.
Enhance sports performance. Naturally rich in carbohydrates, watermelon gives a pre-workout energy boost. Also, the potassium in watermelon can help with water balance and muscle cramps.
Reduce muscle soreness. Watermelon is a natural source of L-citrulline, an amino acid associated with improved vascular function through increased L-arginine bioavailability and nitric oxide synthesis. One small study found a positive association between watermelon juice and reduced muscle soreness 24 hours after exercise.
Hydrating. At 92% water content, watermelon is a delicious way to hydrate.
Sustainable. 100% of watermelon is usable and compostable, making it easy to keep out of landfills and reduce carbon emissions.
High Value. Watermelon delivers a powerful bang for your buck; depending on the size, one watermelon can serve one to three dozen people!
Watermelon 101: More Tips on Finding & Serving the Perfect Watermelon
Look it over. Choose a watermelon that is firm and free of bruises and soft spots.
Lift it. The watermelon should feel heavy for its size.
Turn it over. There should be a creamy yellow spot on the underside of the watermelon, showing it sat on the ground and ripened in the sun.
Besides cutting and eating, how else can I serve watermelon?
A few unconventional ways to serve watermelon include:
Pair with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, feta, mint, and a balsamic vinaigrette for a refreshing salad.
Dehydrate and turn fresh fruit into watermelon jerky.
Toss watermelon seeds with a bit of olive oil, sea salt; roast, and enjoy as a tasty snack.
Pickle, stir fry or ferment the rind.
Is Intermittent Fasting a Good Fit?
Posted on May 26Use the following information as a starting point to decide whether intermittent fasting (IF) may work for you.
Positive indicators. IF may be a good fit for you if you want to...
- improve body awareness and hunger/fullness cues
-explore life without strong food attachments
-work toward the potential health benefits of the practice
-enhance an existing health-supportive lifestyle
Contraindications. IF is not meant for those who are...
-younger than 23 or older than 75
-pregnant or breastfeeding
-diagnosed with advanced type 1 diabetes
-struggling with a chronic sleep disorder
-challenged with an eating disorder or trying to counteract poor eating habits
-predisposed to taking practices, including healthy ones, to an unhealthy extreme
Salmon with Blueberry Sauce
Posted on May 254 (5–6 oz) salmon fillets
2 t olive oil
2 shallots, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 t minced fresh ginger
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
3 t balsamic vinegar
2 t honey
2 t fresh thyme
2 t lemon zest
1/4 t cinnamon
1/4 t salt
1/4 t black pepper
2 T chopped fresh chives
Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Place salmon on a greased or parchment paper–lined baking sheet and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 15–18 minutes or until fish is just barely cooked through in the centre.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots, garlic and ginger to pan and heat 2 minutes. Place blueberries, thyme, honey, lemon zest, cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of vinegar, salt and pepper to the pan. Bring to boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Stir in the remaining 2 teaspoons of vinegar.
Serve salmon topped with blueberry sauce and garnished with chives.
Protein in Food ...
Posted on May 19Are you worried you are not getting enough protein?
Let's break down how easy it can be to get in adequate protein.
If you need 80 grams of protein per day, what does that look like?
Breakfast: 2 eggs = 12 grams
Lunch: 4 oz chicken = 28 grams
Dinner 6 oz salmon = 39 grams
This totals 79 grams and remember you are also getting protein from vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, beans, lentils, etc....
Air Fryer Fish Sticks
Posted on May 17Ingredients:
1 pound cod fillets (approximately 3 fillets)
¼ cup coarse-ground cornmeal
2 tablespoons (spelt or almond) flour
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon dried basil
⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
⅛ teaspoon onion powder
Black pepper, to taste
⅓ cup (2%, flax or almond) milk
2 tablespoons melted butter
cooking oil spray (non-aerosol)
lemon wedges (optional)
Instructions:
Mist an air fryer tray with the cooking spray.
Cut cod fillets into 12 even pieces. I started with 3 fillets and cut them width-wise into 4 pieces each. (Note: if you cut your fish differently than I did, you may need more or less breading).
Mix the cornmeal, flour, Parmesan, basil, garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper in a medium-sized bowl. Put the milk in a separate bowl.
Bread your fish sticks by dipping them first in the milk and then in the cornmeal breading mixture. Place the breaded fish sticks in a single layer on the air fryer tray. You should have just enough breading to completely cover the fish sticks.
Drizzle the melted butter over the fish sticks.
Air fryer directions: Put the tray with the fish sticks on the top rack in your air fryer oven. Air fry for 7 minutes at 400°F. Then carefully flip the fish sticks, put the baking tray back on the top rack, and air fry for an additional 7 minutes at 400°F.
To make a tartar sauce for dipping, combine 6 tablespoons of mayonnaise with 3 tablespoons of finely chopped pickles.
