Health and Nutrition

Sloppy Joes…Veggie Style!

Lentil Sloppy Joes

It’s BBQ time! The summer is a time for cookouts and friends getting together to share a nice meal. If your diet is a plant based diet it can be even more challenging! It is hard to find something to eat in the middle of all the hamburgers, hot dogs, and meat cuts. Sometimes the good old veggie burger is just not as appealing.

I created this recipe one evening when my youngest was begging for a hamburger! It was one of those days that I just didn’t have time or all the ingredients to make a veggie burger, so I decided to make my veggie meatball patties into a  “hamburger”. In the middle of cooking the lentils I decided to transform the “patty” into Sloppy Joes. The new recipe was a great success and it has now become a staple in our house.

I chose lentils in this recipe because not only do they look like ground beef, but they have a hearty flavor. Lentils are also very high in protein and are a great addition to any plant based diet. About 30% of the calories from lentils are attributed to its protein content. Lentils are also rich in soluble fibers that are beneficial in lowering cholesterol and heart health.

If you are looking for a healthier version of this childhood favorite, I believe you found it. This recipe is not only delicious and very close in taste to its original counterpart, it is easy and quick to make! It was my go to recipe today after a day at the pool.

Ingredients:

1 cup of green lentils (1 copo de lentilha)

3-4 cups of water to cook the lentils (3-4 copos de agua para cozir a lentilha)

1 cup of marinara sauce (1 copo de molho de tomate)

1 Tbs of tomato paste (1 colher de sopa de pasta de tomate)

1 Tbs of apple vinegar (1 colher de sopa de vinagre de cidra)

1 Tbs of liquid aminos or low sodium soy sauce (1 colher de sopa de molho de soja)

1 Tbs of molasses (1 colher de sopa de melaco)

1 tsp of cumin ( 1 colher de cha de cominho)

1 tsp of dry mustard (1 colher de cha de mostarda em po)

1/2 tsp of garlic powder (1/2 colher de cha de alho em po)

1 tsp of salt (1 colher se cha de sal)

1/2 tsp of black pepper (1/2 colher de cha de pimenta do reino)

1 pinch of cayenne or more if you prefer spicy ( pimenta vermelha a gosto)

Cook the Lentils in medium heat for about 30 minutes. The lentils should absorb most of the water, but if it looks too watery after they are cooked, remove some of the water. Lower the heat and add all the remaining ingredients. Let it simmer for another 15-20 minutes. Serve it on a bun with your favorite toppings! I suggest pickles, coleslaw, and sweet potato fries.

Cozinhe a lentilha em fogo medio  por 30 minutos. Se ainda restar muita agua, retire um pouco da agua antes de adicionar os ingredientes restantes. Adicione o resto dos ingredientes e deixe cozinhar em fogo baixo por 15-20 minutos. Sirva com um pao de hamburger. Sugestao de servir com pickles, e salada de repolho, e batata doce frita.

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Health and Nutrition

Mango Bliss Smoothie

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I just had a lovely weekend away visiting family! The loveliest part of it was that I got to try all these new beers that were native of the Milwaukee area. They were really good, but definitely left me feeling a little bloated. Now back in the South Carolina heat, I was in desperate need for a breakfast that helped me cool down and detox from the weekend indulgence.

My mango shake was just what I needed! This smoothie has mostly a mango flavor, but it can definitely become a version of a “mango pina colada”, if you substitute the almond milk for coconut milk. If you add protein powder to it, it could also be a meal substitute for those days that you are pressed for time. I don’t add any sweetener to it, it is great as is! It is a great smoothie to try now that  mangoes are in season.

Why is this smoothie detoxifying and cooling? The Aloe Vera juice is a great detoxifying and cooling agent. The cardamon, my key ingredient, also detoxifies, aids in digestion,is an antioxidant, lowers blood pressure, and has anti blood clotting properties. The cinnamon is my always present ingredient, as is a wonderful natural blood sugar stabilizer. Turmeric and pineapple have wonderful anti inflammatory qualities. This smoothie is going to remove lots of toxins from your body!

mangobliss

So let’s get to the recipe!

1 mango cut in cubes  (1 manga em cubos)

1/2 cup of pineapple chunks (1/2 xicara de abacaxi em cubos)

12 oz of unsweetened almond milk (coconut milk for the pina colada version) (400 ml de leite de amendoa ou coco)

Handful of coconut flakes (1/4 xicara de coco ralado)

2 Tbs of Aloe Vera juice (2 colheres de sopa de suco de aloe vera)

A large pinch of cinnamon, turmeric, and cardamon. (Um pouco de canela, acafrao, e cardamomo)

1 scoop of protein powder (optional)

Put all the ingredients in a blender, blend it for a couple of minutes and enjoy!

Coloque todos os ingredientes no liquidificador e aproveite!

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Health and Nutrition

Avocado Sandwich

avocado sandwich   Looking to mix up your summer or pool side meals? The avocado sandwich is an easy and nutritious sandwich that can be prepared in minutes! This sandwich also travels very well, so you can enjoy it at a picnic or a day at the pool. The smooth cooling quality of the avocado is very refreshing on a hot day.  We have also taken this sandwich in one of our very long car rides, not messy at all! I try to incorporate avocado in our diet on a daily basis, so this is a great change from the usual guacamole or smoothie. I really love avocados! Growing up in Brazil avocado was a fruit that was always enjoyed sweet. It also had a bad reputation for being fatty and something that should be avoided.  Moving to the states opened up my eyes for a whole new way of looking at avocados. I now love avocados not only in my smoothies, but also in all kinds of savory dishes. I top it on salads, soups, make wraps, with eggs, and this lovely sandwich! So why do I love avocados so much? Avocado’s bad reputation stems from its high amount of fat, however the fats found in this awesome superfood are healthy fats that are actually beneficial for you.  The good fats found in avocado help lower the risk of heart disease, and have super anti-inflammatory properties. Avocados also help with the absorption of carotenoid antioxidants, help regulate blood sugar, has anti cancer properties, and aids in cardiovascular health. Here is how you make it: 2 slices of your favorite whole grain bread (2 fatias de pao integral) 1 avocado (1 abacate) Juice of 1 lemon (suco de 1 limao) 1 can of chickpeas ( 1 copo de grao de bico cozido) 2 Tbs of hemp seeds (2 colheres de sopa de sementes de cachamo) Optional Spinach (espinafre) Salt and pepper (sal e pimenta a gosto) Toast the bread. Meanwhile, smash the chickpeas with a fork. Add the avocado, lemon juice, hemp seeds, salt and pepper and mix. Spoon it into the bread, top with spinach, and serve. Quick and easy! Toste o pão. Enquanto isso, a esmagar o grão de bico com um garfo. Adicione o abacate, suco de limão, sementes , sal e pimenta e misture. Coloque a mistura no pao , cubra com espinafre e sirva. Rápido e fácil!

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Health and Nutrition

Veggie Gyros

BlissBalanceHealth_LogoToday is the last day of school for my kids. I can now see the days of sun, pool, and the beach. Anytime I spend the day lounging around , the last thing I want to do is spend hours making dinner. Over the years I have found a few shortcuts, one of them being the “pita or naan” bread.

I use naan for last minute pizzas, wraps, open face sandwiches, and gyros as I did in today’s recipe. I like to serve it with sweet potatoes fries, but you can serve it with a side salad, soup, regular fries, or any other side that you would prefer.

If one of these nights you find that you only have 15 minutes to get dinner on the table, this recipe is exactly what you need.

At blissbalancehealth.com we teach Ayurveda Lifestyle. This is a lighter dinner, cooked with fresh beautiful and colorful vegetables, keeping in line with the teachings of Ayurveda. Ayurveda suggests that we eat our heaviest meal at lunch time when our metabolism is at its highest peak. Ayurveda also suggests that we eat fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season, preferably organic when possible.

A phased approach to Ayurveda and vegetarianism…

Vegetarianism is not a requirement in Ayurveda, although most of my recipes are vegetarian or vegan. It is simply suggested that we reduce our intake of meat, especially red meat. My suggestion would be to try one to two vegetarian meals a week to see how you feel.

 Veggie Gyros

Ingredients:

1 Tbs of coconut oil ( 1 colher de sopa de oleo de coco)

1 small onion cut into strips ( 1 cebola)

1 cup of carrots cut into strips ( 1 copo de cenoura)

1 zucchini cut into thin strips ( 1 abobrinha)

1 green peppers cut into strips ( 1 pimentao verde)

1 yellow pepper cut into strips ( 1 pimentao amarelo)

1 can of chickpeas ( 1 copo de grao de bico cozido)

1 cup of Cherry tomatoes cut in half ( 2 tomates em cubos)

1/4 of cashews ( 1/4 copo de castanha)

1 cup of spinach ( 1 copo de espinafre)

1 Tbs of liquid aminos or low sodium soy sauce ( 1 colher de sopa de molho de soja)

1/2 tsp of black pepper ( 1/2 colher de cha de pimenta do reino)

1 tsp of oregano ( 1 colher de cha de oregano)

1 tsp of fresh thyme ( 1 colher de cha de tomilho)

1 tsp of fresh rosemary ( 1 colher de cha de alecrim)

Juice of half a lemon ( suco de meio limao)

6 pita or naan breads ( 6 paes gregos)

Directions:

Saute the onion, peppers, carrots, and zucchini until tender. Add the chickpeas and all the spices. Saute for another 2-3 minutes, add the tomato and cashew. Place the spinach on top of the warmed naan bread, top it with the vegetable mixture. Top it with tzatziki sauce if you would like. Roll them up ( foil helps them stay together) and enjoy!

Cozinhe a cebola, pimentao, cenoura, e abobrinha. Depois adicione o grao de bico e as hervas. Cozinhe por mais uns 2-3 minutos, e adicione o tomate e a castanha. Coloque o espinafre no pao e cubra com a verdura cozida e sirva!

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Health and Nutrition

Superfoods Smoothie “Acai berry”

BlissBalanceHealth_LogoAcai (A-sigh-ee) berry is a super food very dear to my heart. I grew up seeing Acai juice (mixed with peanuts and guarana) sold everywhere in my hometown of Fortaleza- Brazil. It was sold mostly as a super energy drink. Guarana is another treasure of Brazil, which I won’t discuss much about, that is used in many energy drinks found worldwide.

I remember getting very excited the first time that I saw Acai advertised here in the states, as a fruit that could do miracles for anyone. I won’t claim that Acai will do miracles, but I will point out some of its benefits, why is good for you, and the reason that it is now considered a superfood. It is a superfood because it is very rich in nutrients that are very beneficial to our well being. Rich in free radicals, it is a very powerful antioxidant. It  contains nutrients that are known to help with inflammation, anti cancer, and lowering of cholesterol. It is also very low in sugar content.

A few of the nutrients in Acai are:

Iron

Magnesium

Calcium

Vitamin A, K, and B complex

Anthocyanin

Healthy fatty acids (omega 6 and omega 9)

Fiber

Acai is not the only component that gave this smoothie its name. Some of the other known superfoods added to this smoothie are blueberries, raspberries, kale, chia, and nuts. I also add Aloe Vera for its cleansing properties. I suggest also adding some protein to it, especially as a post workout drink. I like adding a plant based protein powder, Vega protein powder is my favorite. The protein powder is not essential, you can leave it out if you don’t have any on hand.

I usually have this smoothie with my lunch, but sometimes I have it for breakfast as well. My husband likes to drink it as his dessert after dinner. He usually finishes his exercise routine right before dinner, so the smoothie is also helping him to replenish the nutrients lost during the workout.

Acai Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 banana

1 cup of almond milk

1 cup of Acai juice

1 handful of blueberries or mixed berries

1 cup of kale

5 almonds

2 Tbs of aloe vera juice

2 Tbs of chia seeds

Dash of cinnammon

1 scoop of vanilla protein powder

Mix it all in a blender and enjoy!

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Health and Nutrition, Uncategorized

Curry! Curry! Curry!

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Curry is something that I am always craving lately! I order it every time I see it on any restaurant’s menu and I also have been experimenting with many versions at home. I have finally changed it up enough times to have created my favorite combination. I do like it with a little bit of heat, so feel free to go easier on the spices if you prefer it less spicy!

This is a vegetarian version, but if you would like, you can add tofu or chicken to yours to make it heartier. I have added chickpeas to my curry for the protein intake, so there is plenty of protein as is! I like to serve it with naan bread and brown rice, but feel free to serve it with your favorite type of rice.

With this recipe, I would like to talk about the Phytochemicals that are found in a plant based diet. Let’s take a look at some that you will find in this recipe.

Flavonoids and Sulfides – are both antioxidants, promote cardiovascular health, and are anti carcinogenic. They are found in the onions, garlic, and broccoli.

Isoflavones– block hormone stimulated cancers and lower cholesterol levels – are found in the chickpeas.

Isothiocyanates – inhibit cancer growth – are found in the broccoli.

Phthalides – lower blood pressure, lowers cholesterol, and also anti cancer. You will find these guys in the carrots.

Terpenoids– antibacterial –  found in the spices.

Now you know some of the good stuff that will be going into your awesome body when you decide to make this delicious meal!

Ingredients:

1 Tbs of coconut oil (1 colher de oleo de coco)

1 onion, diced (1 cebola)

2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced (2 cabecas de alho)

1 Tbs of fresh ginger, thinly sliced (1 colher de gengibre)

2 Tbs of curry powder ( I love Trader Joes it is extra spicy) ( 2 colheres de caril em po)

1 tsp of turmeric (1 colher de cha de curcuma)

1 tsp coriander (1 colher de cha de coriandro)

1 tsp of paprika (1 colher de cha de pimenta)

1 cup of carrots, sliced (1 copo de cenoura)

1 zucchini, big chunks (1 abobrinha)

1 yellow squash, big chuncks (abobora amarela)

1 c o broccolli, cut into small pieces (1 copo de brocolis)

1 c of green beans (1 cope de vagens)

1 can of chickpeas (1 copo de grao de bico cozido)

1 tsp of raw sugar or brown sugar ( 1 colher de cha de acucar mascavo)

1 can of coconut milk ( 1 lata de leite de coco)

Juice of a lemon (suco de 1 limao)

1 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of back pepper (sal e pimenta do reino a gosto)

Red pepper flakes (pimentinha a gosto)

Directions:

In a large wok, melt the coconut oil. Add the onion, garlic, ginger. When the onion is translucent, add the spices. Add the vegetables one at the time , in order. When the vegetables are tender, add the rest of the ingredients. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes and serve!

Refoque todas as verduras com os temperos. Quando estiverem todas cozidas, adicione o leite de coco e o restante dos ingredientes. Deixe no fogo baixo por 5 minutos e sirva com arroz. Aproveite!

 

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Health and Nutrition

Rainbow Quinoa Salad

Last week I posted this family favorite recipe on the website. I am now re-posting the same recipe here because I have decided to keep all my recipes on the blog. Soon I will remove it from http://www.blissbalancehealth.com. I will update the Facebook page letting everyone know when I have posted a new recipe here, or you can just follow the blog to receive updates.

This salad is a staple in our family. I make it at least once a week, sometimes as the star of the meal and sometimes as a side. It is made in Ayurveda style, keeping in mind the six tastes, so it is a really flavorful dish.

When I am creating a dish, I always like to think about what are the ingredients bringing to the table? So let’s take a look at the recipe from an Ayurveda perspective!

Quinoa -it  is the sweet and also the astringent taste. This is where you will find your carbohydrates and protein; a healing and compacting quality. This grain has been called a super-food for its protein content and it’s long history use by the Inca warriors.

Onion, garlic, peppers, cilantro, and spices– bring in the pungent taste. This is where you will find those qualities that will enhance your digestion and detoxify your system.

Zucchini, squash, spinach – this where you will find the bitter taste. The bitter tastes also has detoxifying qualities, helps with gas and bloating , and aids weight loss.

Tomato – represents the sour taste, aiding in digestion and promoting the appetite.

Salt – the salty tastes stimulates digestive juices and makes the other tastes more delicious.

In Ayurveda we want to make our meals balanced with the six tastes, but keeping in mind those tastes that are more beneficial to your mind-body type. So let’s get to the recipe!

Rainbow Quinoa Salad

Rainbow Quinoa Salad

Ingredients:

1 c of quinoa

2 c of vegetable broth

1 Tbs coconut oil

1 onion diced

2 garlic heads chopped

½ of each color of bell peppers (red, yellow, and orange) diced

1 zucchini diced

1 yellow squash diced

2 c of baby spinach

1 Tb of cilantro finely chopped

1 tomato small diced

1 tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp coriander

1 tsp oregano

Red pepper flakes to taste

Directions:

In a small saucepan bring the broth to a boil, add the quinoa and let it simmer in a low temperature for about 15 minutes. Melt the oil in a large pan, add the vegetables in order, one at the time, and sauté in medium heat. Add the spices and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes; add the cooked quinoa to the vegetable mixture. Serve it hot or cold as a side salad. Enjoy!

If you would like to learn more about Ayurveda Lifestyle contact me at armenia@blissbalancehealth.com

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Health and Nutrition

Armenia’s Green Juice

BlissBalanceHealth_LogoI just love green juices! I can feel it going into my body and just taking all the toxins away with it! I especially love to drink it in the morning or after a workout. I make a special point of drinking it after a day of splurging because it helps me  to get back on track. I switch my green juices around depending on my mood or what I am trying to accomplish by drinking it.  This particular recipe is very easy, not a lot of ingredients to find, but still containing a lot of nutrients!

Let’s break them down:

Bananas and apples – your carbs, they are going to give you energy, potassium, flavonoids, vitamin C and B-6, and some good fiber.

Spinach – bitter greens have a wonderful detoxifying effect in your body, promotes regularity, and improves skin and hair health . Spinach also has a good amount of protein, is high in vitamin A and K, calcium, iron, and beta carotene.

Brazil nut – selenium…lots of it! Considered to have a big role in combating cancer, heart health and aging, selenium is a great nutrient to include in your diet. Selenium also supports iodine levels which are important for thyroid health.

Coconut water – this is Mother Nature’s sports drink! It will hydrate you, has more potassium than 4 bananas combined, and very low in calories.

Cinnamon – natural blood sugar stabilizer to balance out the sugar in the fruits.

Turmeric – antioxidant and is  a great natural anti inflammatory!

Cayenne – fights inflammation, especially combined with turmeric. It also stimulates digestion, metabolism, and boosts your immune system.

Ginger – stimulates digestion, appetite and is a great detoxifier!

Now that you know all the good stuff that is in it and why I chose this combination, I can’t wait for you to try! I would love to hear what you thought about it! So here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

1 banana ½ green apple (maca verde)

Armenia's Green Juice

Armenia’s Green Juice

2 cups of spinach (2 copos de espinafre)

1 brazil nut (castanha do Brasil)

2 cups of coconut water ½ lemon (limao)

1 pinch of cinnamon, ginger, cayenne, and turmeric  (canela, gengibre, pimento vermelha e curcuma)

Blend it all and enjoy! Bata tudo no liquidificador e aproveite!

 

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