When I first talk to people about a Whole Food Plant Based diet, one of the first comments they make is that they can't eat just lettuce. Most people really have no idea....
There are so many new dishes to be made! Let's take the powerful, protein-packed bean for example--there are so many varieties to choose from...there's kidney, white, black, navy, great northern, cannelli, small red, lentils, split pea, chickpea, black-eyed peas, pinto, etc. They are extremely versatile, you can throw them in anything for a powerful punch of protein. I personally put them in soups, stews, with greens, pasta, mix them with rice, sprinkle them over salads, put them in a stir-fry, or just put them in a skillet with onions and garlic, add some corn and salsa...instant lunch or dinner. Unlike meat that comes packaged with saturated fat, artery clogging cholesterol, antibiotics and hormones, beans come with antioxidants, phytochemicals, B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, copper, zinc and best of all, fiber. How much cholesterol are in beans?? ZERO CHOLESTEROL.
The benefits of beans may surprise you:
What can be more convenient than beans? Make a big batch and freeze them in ziplock bags, or, have beans ready to go in cans (just make sure you drain them and rinse well to remove some of the sodium they are packed with). There is nothing more packed with nutrition, comes with all the above benefits and are DIRT CHEAP.
Instead of burgers made with ground beef or turkey, (remember, meat comes packaged with saturated fats, artery-clogging cholesterol, antibiotics, hormones, etc), try this recipe:
BLACK BEAN BURGERS
6 15 oz cans black beans, drained and rinsed (or use your own)
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
3 green onions, chopped
2 carrots, grated
1 t garlic powder
1 t onion powder
1 t chili powder
2 t ground cumin
1/2 c salsa
*Instead of using the oven, put the burgers on the grill--you may want to put foil down first making them easier to flip.
There are so many recipes out there for different kinds of bean burgers. Just type in 'recipes for bean burgers' and you will have more choices than you can imagine! There are hundreds of salad dishes or side dishes to serve with these burgers...again just look on-line--try a few!
So, really, there is no reason not to eat really delicious food AND really HEALTHY food this summer. It's just a matter of switching things up.....
There are so many new dishes to be made! Let's take the powerful, protein-packed bean for example--there are so many varieties to choose from...there's kidney, white, black, navy, great northern, cannelli, small red, lentils, split pea, chickpea, black-eyed peas, pinto, etc. They are extremely versatile, you can throw them in anything for a powerful punch of protein. I personally put them in soups, stews, with greens, pasta, mix them with rice, sprinkle them over salads, put them in a stir-fry, or just put them in a skillet with onions and garlic, add some corn and salsa...instant lunch or dinner. Unlike meat that comes packaged with saturated fat, artery clogging cholesterol, antibiotics and hormones, beans come with antioxidants, phytochemicals, B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, copper, zinc and best of all, fiber. How much cholesterol are in beans?? ZERO CHOLESTEROL.
The benefits of beans may surprise you:
- Absorbs fat during digestion
- Reduces swelling in arteries
- Decreases the risk of diabetes
- Decreases the risk of heart disease
- Decreases the risk of cancers, especially colon
- Ease symptoms of menopause
- Improve bone health
- Improve prostate health
- Ward off migraines
- Improves arthritis pain
- Prevents macular degeneration
- Prevents cataracts
- Mops up cholesterol
What can be more convenient than beans? Make a big batch and freeze them in ziplock bags, or, have beans ready to go in cans (just make sure you drain them and rinse well to remove some of the sodium they are packed with). There is nothing more packed with nutrition, comes with all the above benefits and are DIRT CHEAP.
Instead of burgers made with ground beef or turkey, (remember, meat comes packaged with saturated fats, artery-clogging cholesterol, antibiotics, hormones, etc), try this recipe:
BLACK BEAN BURGERS
6 15 oz cans black beans, drained and rinsed (or use your own)
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
3 green onions, chopped
2 carrots, grated
1 t garlic powder
1 t onion powder
1 t chili powder
2 t ground cumin
1/2 c salsa
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees*. Put beans in a large bowl. Add remaining ingredients, stirring to combine. Mash mixture well, using a potato masher or your hands.
- Form patties and place on a baking sheet.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for about 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes until tops are crispy.
- Serve on a whole-wheat bun with your favorite burger toppings.
*Instead of using the oven, put the burgers on the grill--you may want to put foil down first making them easier to flip.
There are so many recipes out there for different kinds of bean burgers. Just type in 'recipes for bean burgers' and you will have more choices than you can imagine! There are hundreds of salad dishes or side dishes to serve with these burgers...again just look on-line--try a few!
So, really, there is no reason not to eat really delicious food AND really HEALTHY food this summer. It's just a matter of switching things up.....
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