Love In The Kitchen | Body Love Through Nutrition

Happy New Year! It’s the time of year when a lot of people are making new commitments to improve their lives in many different ways.  I know that I’ve personally seen plenty of “lose weight, get fit” commercials and media all around me.  There are a lot of brands and businesses seeking to capitalize off of the “New Year Hype” that everyone is feeling right now.  Here at SBLS the message is still “Embrace your body now. Love yourself always.” I believe that no matter what your personal resolutions are, a healthy and loving relationship with your body and self is a necessary foundation for success.  

In the fall of 2013 I made the decision to take a more active role in my own nutrition.  I believe that embracing holistically healthy nutrition is a large part of loving my body and self.  The substances and foods that we choose to take into our bodies are a result of how we feel about ourselves.  When we have a healthy Body Relationship we make healthy choices as an expression of love for ourselves.  So, last year I started seeking education and information about the best nutritional choices for myself.  In the past I used to LOATHE the idea of finding “healthy” foods.  However, since having a healthier Body Relationship I found myself actually excited to discover new ways to intake healthier nutritional and food substances.  Since, I have been enjoying it so much, I just had to share with you! Yes, I want you to be introduced to the Joy that I am experiencing to see if it appeals to you.  So, I will be sharing my herbal remedies, super food secrets, and healthy recipes with you.  I’d love to hear your feedback if any of them appeal to you. and DEFINITELY share your photos and feedback if you decide to try them.  Let’s experiment in a new form of body love together!

Roasted Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad With Maple Orange Dressing

I know, I know it sounds like it may be a challenging recipe but it actually isn’t hard to make at all.  It’s pretty easy to cook and the results are DEFINITELY worth the wait! This dish has a savory and sweet balance together simultaneously and it’s delicious warm or cold.  the photo above is my own dish from trying it out myself.  However, here is the link to the recipe that I used, just in case you want to try it out: http://sbls.info/1dtuLAS   My only modification was substituting maple sweetener with agave for blood insulin regulation.

Here are some reasons this dish is some good body loving for you: 

• Quinoa is one of the most protein rich foods we can eat
• Quinoa is a complete protein that has all nine essential amino acids
• Quinoa is not a wheat or grain. It is naturally gluten free
• It’s a complex carbohydrate with low glycemic index- it will help keep you more full for longer without spiking blood sugar
• Sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants
• Sweet potatoes have amazing anti inflammatory benefits
• Sweet potatoes may assist with regulating insulin levels in those with type 2 diabetes

Those are just some of the benefits in this tasty dish.  If you are challenged by insulin resistance or diabetes, this is a delicious way to indulge in a healthy way.

Spaghetti Squash Casserole 

Here’s another SUPER easy, vegetarian recipe for you! This one actually surprised me by being more delicious than expected.  My only change to this recipe was to add MORE sun dried tomatoes, because I love them.  The photo above is an actual capture of my dish.  However, I did follow  a recipe found online.  The only thing that the recipe doesn’t tell you is how to cook the spaghetti squash. If you’ve never cooked it before then the easiest thing to do is:

1. Wash and cleanse the spaghetti squash
2. Poke holes all around the squash. (To prevent it from exploding in the oven)
3. Put the entire squash into the oven in a shallow baking pan. Do not add ANYTHING
4. Allow the squash to cook on 375 for about 45 minutes.

After those steps, you can follow this recipe to complete your casserole: http://sbls.info/1dtzSRF  I hope you enjoy!

Overnight No-Cook Refrigerator Oatmeal 

I saved the BEST for last.  I had to share a sweet treat with you! This no-cook oatmeal has a variety of uses.  It can be a morning meal, dessert, or snack for anytime of the day.  The photo above is a pic of my first time making the oatmeal this way.  Usually I cook it, but I found this to be so much easier and even more enjoyable.  The only adjustment I made to this recipe was to use pure coconut milk rather than cow’s milk.  Coconut milk has a lot more nutritional value and I am lactose intolerant.  The website where I found the recipe has LOTS of variations that you can try.  I made the strawberry, chocolate, apple, and orange versions.  I also tried my own variation of strawberry chocolate and mixed fruit (apple, strawberry, orange).  I think the fun is in trying out what tastes best to you.  Here is the link to the page, so you can try it out yourself: http://sbls.info/1dtBYRB

There is definitely more “Love In The Kitchen” coming from SBLS, so be sure to subscribe to the blog and newsletter to stay updated! If you try out any of the recipes, connect with me and let me know.