A Great Mediterranean Sidedish That Makes Even Better Leftovers

Posted by pauldmccann

 

This is one of my favorite side dishes to make, year round.  Chickpeas are the star of the dish and offer plenty of plant based protein, fiber, and includes several B vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc.   In the summer, I try to add more fresh ingredients, and when they become less available, there are plenty of alternatives to use. The best part is, it gets better each day!

Mediterranean Chickpea salad
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A savory, protein packed side dish that can be altered to suit a range of palates. So easy to make, and has so many simple variations, depending on what's in your kitchen. While I put in measurements, all of the ingredients are to taste, preference and availability.
Servings Prep Time
4 people 10-15 minutes
Servings Prep Time
4 people 10-15 minutes
Mediterranean Chickpea salad
Print Recipe
A savory, protein packed side dish that can be altered to suit a range of palates. So easy to make, and has so many simple variations, depending on what's in your kitchen. While I put in measurements, all of the ingredients are to taste, preference and availability.
Servings Prep Time
4 people 10-15 minutes
Servings Prep Time
4 people 10-15 minutes
Ingredients
Servings: people
Recipe Notes

Variations include:

Adding 1/3 C sundried tomatoes in place of fresh tomatoes

Adding 1/2 cup chopped cucumber

Mixing in 3 Tbsp of pesto, in place of oil and lemon juice

Omitting the Feta for a vegan option

Adding 1/3 cup of chopped bell pepper

*As always, use organic whenever possible

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A Great Mediterranean Sidedish That Makes Even Better Leftovers

Posted by Leanne McCann

 

This is one of my favorite side dishes to make, year round.  Chickpeas are the star of the dish and offer plenty of plant based protein, fiber, and includes several B vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc.   In the summer, I try to add more fresh ingredients, and when they become less available, there are plenty of alternatives to use. The best part is, it gets better each day!

Mediterranean Chickpea salad
Print Recipe
A savory, protein packed side dish that can be altered to suit a range of palates. So easy to make, and has so many simple variations, depending on what's in your kitchen. While I put in measurements, all of the ingredients are to taste, preference and availability.
Servings Prep Time
4 people 10-15 minutes
Servings Prep Time
4 people 10-15 minutes
Mediterranean Chickpea salad
Print Recipe
A savory, protein packed side dish that can be altered to suit a range of palates. So easy to make, and has so many simple variations, depending on what's in your kitchen. While I put in measurements, all of the ingredients are to taste, preference and availability.
Servings Prep Time
4 people 10-15 minutes
Servings Prep Time
4 people 10-15 minutes
Ingredients
Servings: people
Recipe Notes

Variations include:

Adding 1/3 C sundried tomatoes in place of fresh tomatoes

Adding 1/2 cup chopped cucumber

Mixing in 3 Tbsp of pesto, in place of oil and lemon juice

Omitting the Feta for a vegan option

Adding 1/3 cup of chopped bell pepper

*As always, use organic whenever possible

Share this Recipe
Powered byWP Ultimate Recipe

 

Garlic, a Medicinal and Culinary, ROCKSTAR

Posted by Leanne McCann

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I’ve decided to spotlight a new herb each month to help you get acquainted with the unique and rich additions these plants can be to your meals, but also how nutritious and healing they are as well.  I decided to start off with my very favorite, the amazing and delicious, garlic.

Garlic (Allium Sativum), is one of the most powerful medicinal herbs that we know of.  If I could choose just one herb as the most potent in health benefits as well as boosting every recipe it’s added to, it would be this one. From it’s anti cancer, bacterial, and fungal properties, to being beneficial in reducing heart disease, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries),  cholesterol and blood pressure, this  herb is truly amazing.  Allicin, garlic’s active ingredient, is also shown to improve immunity, and help stave off colds and flus. Garlic is also highly nutritious.  It’s rich in Manganese, B6, Vitamin C, and Selenium. All of this, packed into a tiny bulb.  Garlic is also close relative of  onions, leeks, chives, and shallots, so some of these same properties can be seen in these foods as well. It’s worth noting that many studies do not show the same results using garlic in pill form.

I’ve provided a  simple recipe for roasted garlic, as an easy way to add more of it to your diet. Use it as a spread on crostini, added in to soups, dips, or any other recipe that can benefit from the sweet caramelized flavor, of roasted garlic.

Roasted Garlic
Print Recipe
Roasting garlic brings out the sweet caramelized flavors of this potent medicinal herb. Wonderful in dips, added to soups and stews, or spread on crostini with some roasted tomato and kalamata olives.
Servings Prep Time
2 people 5 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
45 minutes 10 minutes
Servings Prep Time
2 people 5 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
45 minutes 10 minutes
Roasted Garlic
Print Recipe
Roasting garlic brings out the sweet caramelized flavors of this potent medicinal herb. Wonderful in dips, added to soups and stews, or spread on crostini with some roasted tomato and kalamata olives.
Servings Prep Time
2 people 5 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
45 minutes 10 minutes
Servings Prep Time
2 people 5 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
45 minutes 10 minutes
Ingredients
Servings: people
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375
  2. Take off most of the white peel on the outside of the head of garlic
  3. Cut about 1/4 off the top of the head, to expose the bulbs
  4. Let sit 10 minutes
  5. Drizzle with olive oil (optional)
  6. Wrap the bulb in tinfoil
  7. Place in the oven and roast for 45 minutes
  8. Let Cool
  9. Squeeze the garlic out of the bulbs.
  10. ENJOY!
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Garlic is also a great addition to your kids’ meals, to help boost their immunity as school starts and fall approaches.  Here are some other natural, kid friendly remedies that I often use.

My delicious Cannellini bean dip  that uses the above roasted garlic recipe, is an easy way to taste the great flavor that’s brought out when you roast your garlic. You may also like this Broccolini with Garlic recipe, for a side dish that bursts with flavor.

What are your favorite ways to incorporate garlic into your meals?

Seize Every Moment!

 

PB and Yay!

Posted by Leanne McCann

 

I had a variation of this on my recent trip to Maine, and was in LOVE!  It seems so simple, chocolate and peanut butter, but I never really thought about it for a smoothie.  The day we ordered this, the girls and I did not do so well with our sharing skills.  The one year old and the three year old made it clear, that just one, was not enough.  This smoothie is filled with goods fats to use as fuel, protein, and a big dose of antioxidants, thanks to the cacao (or cocoa powder).  Kale, spinach, or green powder make it into every smoothie I make.  They’re tasteless in a smoothie like this, and the abundance of vitamins and minerals, make them food gold.  Vary it up according to your preferences, or what you have on hand, and try to make extra, so you don’t have to share!

Peanut Butter and Yay!
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Servings
1
Servings
1
Peanut Butter and Yay!
Print Recipe
Servings
1
Servings
1
Ingredients
Servings:
Instructions
  1. Blend it all together, adding more milk or water as necessary. Add an additional tsp of honey, if you prefer it to be sweeter.
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Princess Farro and Peas (Just 3 Ingredients!)

Posted by Leanne McCann

“Every princess needs her protein”, and that’s all I needed to say.  My girls (and us adults) love eating this plant based, protein rich dish, and ask for it regularly. Farro is a middle eastern grain,  rich in protein, fiber, iron, and some calcium.  Peas also provide protein and fiber, but additionally contain Vitamin A and C, calcium, and iron. What’s not to love? With just 3 ingredients (4 if you add parmesan), this is a quick, easy, and very inexpensive side dish. Many times, I’ll use this as the main part of my meal, and fill in the sides with roasted or stir fried veggies.

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Natural Remedies Perfect for Heading Back to School

Posted by Leanne McCann

As we round the corner to another school year,we are aware of so many mixed emotions, schedule changes, and a myriad of unforeseen setbacks . These natural herbal and homeopathic remedies are suitable for kids of all ages (herbal is for age 1+), and are pediatrician approved!

 

The onslaught of GERMS!!

You know that the first week or two that your child goes back to school, the Herbs For Kidschances of them getting sick are practically inevitable.  Suggested by my daughters pediatrician, this herbal remedy helps to boost your child’s immune system naturally, at the first sign of illness.  I generally give my girls the remedy a couple of days before schools starts, and through the first week.

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Yes, you can milk a nut. The best alternative milks to try

Posted by Leanne McCann

The word is out that dairy may not in fact, be part of a healthy diet.  Some say it’s fine, as long as it’s organic, but let’s talk about some reasons to ditch the breast milk (cows, not nursing mommies) .

It’s well known that dairy is mucus forming in the body.  It causes a buildup throughout the digestive system that exacerbates respiratory issues, as well as causing difficulty in the assimilation of nutrients in the large intestine.

Beyond that, we are all lactose intolerant, essentially.  Our bodies stop making lactase at 5 years old (when we should be done breast feeding).  Some people have a more allergenic response to dairy, but the truth is, none of us are making the enzyme needed to properly break it down in our bodies.

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The GMO debate. Why is it so confusing?

Posted by Leanne McCann

 

organic tomato         skulltomato

 

This post is inspired by my husband, who loves to debate.  Since this topic goes back and forth in my home, maybe it does in yours as well.  I’ll go over what GMOs are, why some people think they are going to feed the world…, why I think they’re wrong, and how the food industry is sneaking them into your food.

First off, lets discuss what Genetically Modified Organism actually means. To put it simply, it is injecting plants and animals with alternate DNA to change its genetic makeup through biotechnology (genetic engineering). Most often, the genetic modifications involve resistance to pesticides and herbicides,  growing crops to be  larger in size, or making it resistant to typical diseases or issues of a particular crop. Doesn’t sound all bad, does it?

The case FOR GMOs

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The best juicer to fit your lifestyle

Posted by pauldmccann

So you’ve read a few articles or diets that espouse the healing benefits of juicing; weight loss, detoxification, massive intake of high quality nutrients, an end to disease, inflammation, et al. and you want to see what it’s all about. By the way, if you’re not sure yet,  watch Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead.  It’s an eye opening documentary for those that still aren’t convinced.

The good

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While you are getting a concentrated amount of nutrients that has no fiber to slow it down, and the cell walls have already been broken down for your body to easily assimilate these nutrients  (I ‘m a fan of smoothies as well, because of this same breakdown of the plant food cell wall. You can read more here).   We have yet to understand the synergistic benefits of the combinations of different vitamins and minerals in each and every fruit, vegetable and herb out there.  It is so much better to get your nutrition from food than it is from a synthetic vitamin or supplement.    Juicing as well as blending, are great ways to add easy to absorb vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, probiotics and enzymes into your diet.

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