Jalapeno Sausages with Peppers

I usually make this dish with organic chicken and apple sausages, but this time I decided to try the spicy mango and jalapeno sausages, and it was a hit!  In fact, I think David and Devin both preferred the spicy flavor to the sweet.  It is very simple to make, and it goes great with the Chinese Coleslaw recipe I posted from March 20, 2012.  (I made a slightly different version of the coleslaw this time, and added in some zucchini).

CHICKEN SAUSAGE WITH PEPPERS

1 small onion, halved and sliced

1 sweet orange pepper, julienned

1 sweet red pepper, julienned

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

1 1/2 pkgs. (12 oz) organic chicken sausages

In a large skillet, saute onion and peppers in oil for 1 minute.  Stir in sausages and heat through.  Add garlic toward end of cooking time.  Serves 3 to 4 people.  

Mexican Beans and Rice

 This is a super easy, quick to make dinner that tastes delicious!  Pre-cook some short grain brown rice in your rice cooker and leave on the warm setting.  Combine 2 cans of low-sodium, preferably organic, pinto beans (drained and rinsed) with 2 cans of Rotel original diced tomatoes with green chiles in a medium saucepan.  Bring to a boil and let simmer for a few minutes.  Serve the bean mixture over the rice and top with your favorite toppings:  shredded cheese, sour cream or plain yogurt, green onions, etc.  We had this dish last night with my husband's famous homemade guacamole.  The recipe will be listed below.

Devin made his beans and rice into a burrito/taco.  He designed the plate himself!  This is a high protein, meat-free meal that your family will love!  

DAVE'S FAMOUS GUACAMOLE

2 ripe avacados, mashed

1/2 large white onion, diced

2 jalepenos, diced

2 roma tomatoes, diced

1 tsp. lime juice

Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients and serve immediately.  (Best with Tostitos multi-grain tortilla chips.)

Eat Those Greens!

Eating green leafy vegetables is one of the best things you can do for your health.  Now that Spring is here, we can all add more greens to our diets and our bodies will thank us when we do!  

HEALTH BENEFITS:

*  They purify the blood

*  They help prevent cancer

*  They improve circulation

*  They strengthen the immune system

*  They provide us with a feeling of lightness and energy

*  They lift spirits and help with depression

*  They promote healthy intestinal flora

*  They improve liver, gallbladder and kidney function

*  They help eliminate and reduce mucus in the body

If you are looking to protect your heart, eat Romaine lettuce.  One cup of Romaine meets almost your entire daily requirement of Vitamin A, which along with Vitamin C helps prevent high cholesterol.

If you want to lower your risk of breast cancer, eat Watercress.  This green contains a compound that tells the body to starve cancer cells of blood and oxygen.

If you want to reduce inflammation in your body, eat Spinach.  Vitamin K in the leaves of spinach can decrease the kind of inflammation associated with osteoporosis and heart disease.

If you want to strengthen your bones, eat Arugula.  This green has 125 mg of calcium per cup.  It's also low in the mineral oxalate, which can block absorption of calcium.  

If you want to look and feel young, eat Kale.  Kale is high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.  It is also high in antioxidants, which aid in the battle against chronic, age-related diseases.  It is high in carotenoids which help prevent cataracts, and it is high in folate and B6, which can help prevent osteoporosis, heart disease and dementia.

Visit my health coaching website for a basic recipe for preparing greens.

http://linda-barney.healthcoach.integrativenutrition.com/recipes/leafy-greens/basic-blanched-greens