Recipe: Confetti Quesadillas
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First, I want to apologize for my lack of posting recently. Things have gotten a little crazy around here with end of the semester (and graduation!) approaching.
With that out of the way, I have a new recipe for y'all! These quesadillas are a great way to use leftover meat and is also vegetarian friendly. Also, it can be used as a "make your own" night and easy if you are serving a crowd with a mix of vegetarians and meat eaters. I made my own corn tortillas using masa harina, a corn flour specifically for tortilla making. You can find it at many grocery stores in the international, health food, or specialty food isles. They are simple to make and the taste is superior to anything you can buy pre-made. You can find the recipe on the package.
Confetti Quesadillas
serves 2
Ingredients
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
4 oz white button mushrooms, diced
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 medium red bell pepper, diced
1/2 medium green bell pepper, diced
12 4-inch corn tortillas
3/4 cup organic white cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2-3/4 cup cooked chicken, diced
1/2-3/4 cup black beans
Directions
1. Heat oil in a medium pan over medium heat. Add onions and cook until translucent, 3-5 minutes.
2. Add garlic to pan and cook for 1 minute.
3. Add mushrooms, cumin, chilli powder, salt, and pepper to pan. Stir to incorporate spices and cook until mushrooms have released their liquid and darken, about 5 minutes.
4. Add red and green bell peppers to pan and cooks until softened, 5-8 minutes.
5. Remove vegetable mixture from heat and set aside.
6. Assemble quesadillas in the following manner. Lay one tortilla on a flat surface. Sprinkle on one tablespoon of cheese. Then, add 2 tablesppons of veggie mixture, 1 tablespoon of chicken, and 1 tablespoon of beans. Top with another tablespoon of cheese and another tortilla. For a vegetarian option, omit the chicken and increase beans to 2 tablespoons.
7. Cook quesadillas in a medium pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side. Serve with salsa and guacamole on the side.
First, let me start by saying that I can't believe this the last post of the 
Putting something on a skewer instantly makes it seem fancier. Plus, it can trick you into eating less because the food takes up so much more room on the plate. If you don't have skewers or it isn't warm enough to grill, you can also cook the shrimp in a pan on the stove-top (that's what I did). Shrimp are a great lean protein option and they take on other flavors quickly so no marinating is required. A simple toss will do.
Ok y'all, this is possibly the best thing I've come up with to-date. The burgers are moist and flavorful and the avocado-yogurt sauce brightens it up and adds a creaminess without being too heavy. This is going to be a go-to dinner for me from now on and I hope it will be for you too! It's not just something you make for the vegetarian in your life. You'll be fighting them to get your hands on one.
It's a common misconception that it's hard for vegetarians to get the protein they need. The truth is, if you're eating a variety of foods including nuts, seeds, dairy, eggs, legumes, and grains, this usually 
Lemon-Herb Roasted Chicken
The quality of the food you eat can make a huge difference in your health. This is especially true when it comes to animal products. The methods used to produce dairy products and meat are far from being natural processes and this trickles down to us when we ingest these foods. For example, conventional beef is raised in crowded feet lots where they are fed corn, rather than the grass they are designed to eat. This causes changes in the environment of their digestive tract which allows for the growth of potentially harmful microorganisms, such as E. coli, which would normally not be present. Also, the fatty acid content of the meat is much different from its grass-fed counterparts. In addition, these animals are pumped with antibiotics to fight off diseases that wouldn't be a major concern if the animals weren't raised in such deplorable conditions. The antibiotics also serve a second purpose of boosting growth. It's unknown how this works, but it's effective, so we do it anyway. Then some growth hormones are thrown in for good measure. This is why it is so important to be a picky eater when it comes to your meat and dairy. Choose organic in the grocery store and go the extra mile to seek out local producers who you can talk to directly. They will often use practices that go even farther than the federal organic standards and you'll also be supporting your neighbors and local economy while forging new relationships that help build your community. To find a local producer in your area and start a conversation about the way they raise their food, go to eatwild.com or visit your local farmers market.
Because protein is so important to our health, there seems to be a lot of concern with getting enough. Well, I'm here to tell you that, if you have enough food to eat and you're getting the variety you should, this won't be a problem. Now, I'm not saying that getting adequate protein is not an issue for some people. Lots of people around the world are struggling with this right now because of lack of access to food or a lack of resources to purchase food. It is a real problem that I do not want to minimize. But, for those of us who have an adequate diet, getting enough protein is usually not a concern.
So how much protein do we need? Well, we're gonna have to do a little math. For the average, healthy adult, the standard is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram body weight per day. For example, if someone weighs 150 lbs, you divide that by 2.2 to convert to kilograms. This comes out to 68.18 kg. Then, multiply this number by 0.8 to get 54.5 grams of protein per day. That's not a lot. What does that look like in real food? 4 oz lean meat has approximately 28 grams alone (and most meat-eaters eat a much larger portion). A cup of black beans has 15 grams and a cup of milk has 8g. Add in two slices of whole wheat bread (about 3 grams of protein each), and we're at 57 grams of protein total.
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Making a grain salad is a versatile method for preparing and serving your favorite whole grains. They can include fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs, beans, and meats and can be served hot or cold. Also, you can use them as your main dish or a side and they work great as leftovers because the flavors meld together even more while it hangs out in fridge. I came up with this recipe as my last hurrah for winter, incorporating some of my favorite cold weather veggies. Enjoy!
Believe it or not, popcorn is a whole grain. However, it gets a lot of flack because it’s usually covered with too much salt and butter. It’s a situation we see quite often, where the food itself is not unhealthy, but the preparation method or toppings take it to a bad place. As with any food, the best way to eat popcorn is to start as close to the raw ingredient as possible so you know what’s going into it. I prepare my popcorn using an air popper. If you don’t have one, they are quite affordable. Mine cost me about $20 and if you eat popcorn often, you will save money in the long run because you will only be paying for the unpopped kernels rather than all of the processing and packaging that goes into microwave varieties. Plus you only need a small amount of kernels (about 2 tablespoons) for a hefty serving. Then, you can add your own toppings like your favorite herbs and spices or grated parmesan. Here’s to healthy snacking!
We hear lots of talk about variety when it comes to our fruits and veggies. When you're eating a variety of foods you're likely to have a more balanced diet that provides all of the vitamins and minerals you need. I think we should extend this philosophy to the grains we eat as well. Most of us eat only a few grains including wheat, corn, and oats. However, there are so many different grains out there, such as kamut, farro, quinoa, and teff, and they are becoming more readily available all the time. These are often referred to as ancient grains because they have been around for thousands of years and have not been subjected to the industrial breeding that the more predominant grains have. This means that they have varied flavor, texture, and nutrient profiles, which can also help to make your meals more interesting. If you'd like a little background on the origin and flavor properties of some of these grains, be sure to check out 
Using whole grain flours in your cooking isn't as difficult as many people think. I have found, in most cases, that you can simply substitute in the whole grain version with great results! When it comes to wheat flour, use regular whole wheat flour in heartier products like bread and biscuits. If you're making a more delicate food, like waffles, cookies, or a cake, opt for whole wheat pastry flour. It's made from a softer wheat variety, giving the flour a softer texture. Also, be sure to store your flour in the refrigerator or freezer to keep it from spoiling, because whole grain flours are not as shelf stable as refined flours.
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