Quick and Easy Please
Posted: June 19, 2012 Filed under: Least Amount of Ingredients Recipes | Tags: beans, blog, Brown Rice, healthy food, low sodium, medical conditions, quick and easy meals, Rice, Vegetable broth, Vegetables 2 Comments »As you know, I believe that a healthy diet can solve (or at least significantly help) numerous medical conditions, but unfortunately not all of them (dangit). I’ve recently been dealing with some medical issues that are taking up a large portion of my time. With that said, I’ve had to scale back a little on blogging. :/
I’ve decided to shift my Vitamin De blog a bit and focus (even more) on healthy, quick and easy meals. At first, I thought this would only interest other’s that are going through illnesses, but then I realized it applies to anyone that just doesn’t have the time to make elaborate meals.
I need your help! I don’t have a lot of energy (right now) to spend all day in the kitchen so my main priority is to make my breakfast green smoothie. I’ve gone a few days without and it just made me feel worse. I’ll be looking for lunch and dinner recipes that have the least amount of ingredients possible or any other efficient kitchen tips.
Example:
Vegetables: I will be buying packaged or pre-cut whenever possible/affordable.
Beans: I will be using low sodium canned beans (rinsed in cold water) instead of soaking dried one’s.
Rice: I’ll be using Microwavable Minute Ready to Serve Brown Rice single servings instead of making a full pot.
Vegetable broth: I’ll be using low sodium broth instead of making my own (even though Wendy’s recipe is awesome).
Your help will be much appreciated!
*I will definitely post to my blog when I can and I will continue to share information that I come across on www.facebook.com/devitamin
*When possible, I’m going to try to post my medical journey and some stories I’ve written in the past. You can find this information at www.de-light12.com. In the upper right hand corner of that page, you will find the “about me” section and also, the link to follow my blog via e-mail. Come hang out with me!
Thanks for your patience and understanding. I’m convinced we can be healthy without spending all day in the kitchen! Let’s do it!
-Vitamin De
Yes, Chili in the Summer…
Posted: June 12, 2012 Filed under: Crock-pot | Tags: Chili, chili powder, Crock-pot, garlic cloves, kidney beans, Paprika, Sea salt, Slow-cooker, Sweet Potato, tomato 1 Comment »Some think of “slow cooker” aka “crock-pot” cooking as a winter kind of thing, but I’d have to disagree. Who doesn’t want to throw a bunch of ingredients in a container and have dinner ready in 6-8 hours? Plus, you don’t have to heat up the house by turning on the oven. Efficient? I’d say so.
Below is a Chili recipe but it’s slightly different and “lighter” tasting because of the sweet potatoes that are used.
Sweet Potato Chili
Ingredients
2 big sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2 inch chunks
2 big garlic cloves, minced
1 (15 ounce) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 green or red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 (14.5 ounce) diced tomatoes (I used Hunts Diced No Salt Added, Basil, Garlic and Oregano)
1-tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon smoked (or regular) paprika
½ teaspoon sea salt
1 and ½ cups of water
Directions
Use a 5-6 quart slow cooker. Peel and chunk the sweet potatoes and add to the pot. Follow with the peppers, can of tomatoes, the beans, garlic and seasonings. Pour in the water. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Such great flavor and so healthy for you!
Recipe from crockpot365.blogspot.co.uk
*I’ve revised it.
Wanted: Mega Dose of Green Smoothie
Posted: June 7, 2012 Filed under: Smoothies and Drinks | Tags: breakfast smoothies, Green Smoothie, travel, vacation 6 Comments »I’m fairly certain that my breakfast (green) smoothie saves my life everyday. As most of you know, I was visiting my daughter in South Korea for (give or take) 12 days and in that time; I didn’t make the proper arrangements to prepare my morning drink. I didn’t fully feel the effects until a couple of days before I left and I have been paying for it since I arrived home. I feel like I’ve literally been hit by a double-decker bus and I barely have enough oomph to open up a dark chocolate bar. I’m not worried because I know as soon as I’m back on the “smoothie”; I’ll be bursting with energy again.
My friend Dee whom I’ve known forever and is the reason, I have to spell my name “De” instead of “Dee” wrote me yesterday asking me how I prepare my smoothies for the week. Below is my response…
On Sunday, we make breakfast smoothies for Monday through Friday. We store Monday and Tuesdays in the fridge and Wednesday through Friday in the freezer. You have to get the freezer-stored smoothies out the evening before and of course, shake well.
We use these containers…
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rubbermaid-MixerMate-2-Qt-Bottle/16408619
If you decide you want to start drinking breakfast smoothies, the links below will help you get started. It will honestly be the best decision you ever make. Dramatic? I think not. :)
http://devitamin.com/2012/02/05/my-breakfast-smoothie/
http://devitamin.com/2011/10/23/the-green-light/
Okay, it’s almost 8:00 am here in England, which means it’s time to drink my breakfast. Catch you later!
As I stated on my face-book page: Mr. Manatee and I discussing the importance of a plant-based diet. He resides in an aquarium in Seoul Korea.
