Lentil Quinoa Tacos

Hi There!

It's been nice to be back in my kitchen experimenting and trying new recipes and eating them!

Today I have a Lentil Quinoa Taco recipe for ya.
 I can see that I will be putting this filling with lettuce for veggie taco salad or filling in leaves instead of tortillas! I love both Lentils and Quinoa.

Lentils ~

 Heart Health
 They have high levels of folate and magnesium.

Stabilize Blood Sugar
Due to their high fiber content, lentils help in regulating blood sugar by providing steady, slow-burning energy and balancing blood sugar levels.

High in Iron Lentils are loaded with iron and are a great way to replenish the body's iron stores, especially for people who don't eat red meat like vegans and vegetarians.
  
B Vitamins
Lentils are a great source of B vitamins, most notably folate and niacin (B3). B vitamins are important for the healthy functioning of the nervous, digestive, and immune systems.

Lower Cholesterol
Lentils are a great cholesterol lowering food due to their high levels of fiber.

Protein Packed
Protein makes up 26% of the calories in lentils and they have the third highest level of protein than any other plant food. It's no wonder that they're a staple in many parts of the world.

Info from Healthdiaries.com

Quinoa ~

 High quality protein with the nine essential amino acids, the protein balance is similar to milk. At 16.2 to 20 percent protein, it has is more protein than rice (7.5 percent), millet (9.9 percent) or wheat (14 percent).

Great source of riboflavin. Riboflavin has been shown to help reduce the frequency of attacks in migraine sufferers by improving the energy metabolism within the brain and muscle cells.

nca warriors had more

 

 stamina and quicker recovery time by eating these quinoa seeds, making it a truly ancient powerfood.

Antiseptic. The saponins from quinoa are used to promote healing of skin injuries in South America.

Not fattening! Only 172 calories per 1/4 cup dry (24 of the calories from protein and only 12 from sugars, the rest are complex carbohydrates, fiber and healthy fats).

Gluten-free. Since it is not not related to wheat, or even a grain, it is gluten-free.

Alkaline-forming. Although it is not strongly alkaline-forming, it is comparable to wild rice, amaranth, and sprouted grains.

Smart Carb: It is a complex carbohydrate with a low glycemic index, so it won’t spike your blood sugar.

 

Info from care2.com

 

 

Lentil, Quinoa Tacos

1 1/2 cups cooked lentils

1 cup cooked quinoa

1 Tbls taco seasoning

avocado

1 clove minced garlic

1/2 chopped onion

tomato

cilantro

1 lime

1/2 cup sweet organic corn 

1/2 can black beans drained and rinsed

saute your onion in pan until soft add in garlic, saute 1-2 mins add in lentils, quinoa, black beans, & corn, squeeze in juice of lime. add in 1 Tbls of taco seasoning mix and add lid until everything is heated through. 

place in Corn or Flour tortilla and add cilantro, tom and avocado for garnish!

This meal could easily become Vegan if you cook your lentils and quinoa in vegetable broth or even water. I cook mine in chicken broth just because it adds such good flavor!

 

 Enjoy!!

OX Sherice

What's been going on around here...

Hey ~

I know it's been a while since I blogged but I've been dealing with some nasty back pain.

Upon waking up about 2 mos ago after having a cold, my back was really hurting. Like can't move, spasms and a major hitch in my giddy up. I went to the Dr. as most Americans would and their advice was muscle relaxers, Advil and rest, along with some ice and heat. Things I already knew.

Well that sounds great but rest just made it worse in all honesty. After taking the rest of the week off work and suffering through, it started to feel better and back to work I went. In case you aren't aware, my job is cleaning houses for a cleaning company. Very physical. I thought I'd be great at the job because I work out all the time... or should I say I worked out all the time before starting the job.

The back pain has returned. Back pain is something I've had it seems all my life. Be it achy, stiff, sore, spasm, or just pain...

As you can image going from feeling strong, and fit. Better than I've ever felt to feeling miserable and hardly being able to move and not working out has been really tough. I can tell such a HUGE difference in my attitude.

So last week I went to the Chiropractor. Now the Chiro is someone that you love or hate, feel is worth while or just a crock.. In my experience from talking to others.

I feel that they are very valid. If you look at your body as a whole unit. It makes sense that being outta whack or having a Subluxation as it's called when your out of whack and pinching off nerves. Those nerves supply vital nutrients to all your organs.

I think that good health encompasses more than just looking good and working out. It's about your whole body inside and out.

Upon my Chiro appt I found out numerous things...

1. I significant Scoliosis in the base of my spine
2. my Left leg is shorter than my right which is causing my whole "atlas" or skeletal frame to be off
3. my right hip is rotating forward
4. 17 out of my 24 vertebrae are "outta whack"
5. there is virtually no space between the first vertebrae and the second in the base of my neck
6. my left hip is totally compressed, meaning there should be space between your hip joints and there isn't in that one!
7. I have bone spurs on every vertebrae in the mid section of my back. which take 15 yrs to grow before showing up on an x ray
8. I have a high pain tolerance.. which I already knew. It's not always as good as it sounds though!

whew... the good news is that with treatment pretty much everything will get better... If I don't do treatment than in about 10 yrs I will be a hurting unit.. well more than I am now!   

So I have a wonderful Chiropractor that I will be seeing. He has given me a lift to put in my shoe so that my left leg will start to grow again, which will help get my atlas centered and working properly.

I also had to quit my job. As for the Personal training thing.. I'm full speed ahead. My back is already feeling better and in another couple days I will be back to normal and my workouts.

I've had these issues for a long time and I think that right now this is God's way of saying take a break and take the path that you are working so hard for. Which isn't cleaning houses.

For now I'm back to being unemployed and looking for work. I have a few things in the works so keep your fingers crossed!

OX Sherice