The post Healthy Night Time Snacks That Are Conducive to Sleep appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Walnuts or Almonds
Both of these nuts are filled with fiber, improving digestion, and antioxidants which reduce inflammation and pain. Walnuts, in particular, contain omega-3 fatty acids which are effective at inducing sleep while there is plant protein as well.
Smoked Salmon on Whole Wheat Crackers
Salmon is rich in both omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, making it effective at inducing sleep while also reducing salt cravings as you head to sleep. Put the salmon on crackers with some cream cheese for a tasty late-night snack.
Yogurt With Granola
Packed with calcium and protein, yogurt is nutritious and tasty, making for an ideal snack before bed. The Vitamin D and tryptophan found in yogurt will boost your heart and immune health while also helping to make you sleepy. The omega-3 in granola will also do well to put you at ease.
The post Healthy Night Time Snacks That Are Conducive to Sleep appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post How Healthy is Instant Oatmeal? appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The Health Benefits
Packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, instant oatmeal provides a nourishing start to your day. It’s a great source of complex carbohydrates that can keep you feeling full and satisfied. So at the outset, the answer to the initial question is that yes, instant oatmeal has plenty of health benefits.
The Other Side of the Coin
However, it’s important to be mindful of the sugar content in some instant oatmeal packets. Some pre-flavored options may contain added sugars and artificial ingredients. To make your oatmeal even healthier, opt for plain or unsweetened varieties and add your own natural sweeteners like fresh fruits or a drizzle of honey.
To sum it up, instant oatmeal can be a nutritious and convenient breakfast choice when you make mindful choices. Look for low-sugar options, personalize it with wholesome toppings, and enjoy the benefits of a warm and nourishing start to your day.
The post How Healthy is Instant Oatmeal? appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post Are You Expecting? Here are the Best Foods to Eat While Pregnant appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Fruits
Enjoy fresh fruits that are high in potassium such as mangos, bananas, and berries. They also provide added water, healthy carbs, and antioxidants.
Salmon
While it’s best to avoid some seafood during pregnancy, due to mercury and other contaminants, salmon, sardines, and anchovies are all excellent choices, high in Omega 3 fatty acids that are essential for your cardiovascular health, and help build the eyes and brain of your baby. Avoid fish that is raw or undercooked, or high in mercury when pregnant.
Dark, Leafy Greens
Dark leafy greens such as kale and spinach will add essential minerals and fiber to your diet. Other benefits include fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, calcium, iron, folate, and potassium. Their fiber content can also help prevent constipation, and studies have linked high fiber intake with reducing the risks of low birth weight.
Lean Meat and Protein
Lean beef, pork, and chicken are needed during pregnancy and in higher amounts. Low levels of iron during early and mid-pregnancy are linked to higher risks of lower birth weights and other complications.
The post Are You Expecting? Here are the Best Foods to Eat While Pregnant appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post Make A Comforting Tomato Soup This Winter appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 tins of whole peeled tomatoes
- 4 cups of vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup of tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt
- Black pepper
- 1/4 cup of heavy cream
- Fresh basil, chopped
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Croutons (optional)
simone (@allosimone)Instructions:
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Pour in whole peeled tomatoes, vegetable broth, and tomato paste. Stir to combine. Add dried basil, dried oregano, dried thyme, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 20-30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Remove the bay leaf from the soup.
- Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. Alternatively, transfer the mixture to a blender in batches and blend until smooth. If desired, stir in heavy cream for added creaminess. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Serve the comforting tomato soup hot, garnished with chopped fresh basil, grated Parmesan cheese, and croutons if desired.
The post Make A Comforting Tomato Soup This Winter appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post Try This Amazing Seasonal Salad appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Ingredients:
- 4 cups mixed salad greens (lettuce, spinach, arugula, etc.)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts or chopped walnuts
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette dressing
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: Grilled chicken, sliced (for added protein)
Instructions:
- In a large salad bowl, combine mixed salad greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, feta cheese, toasted pine nuts, and torn basil leaves.
- If desired, add sliced grilled chicken for a protein boost. Drizzle balsamic vinaigrette dressing over the salad. Toss gently to coat all the ingredients.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately as a refreshing side or a light main course.
- Enjoy the burst of flavors and textures in this tasty but simple seasonal salad.
The post Try This Amazing Seasonal Salad appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post Try These Recipes For Healthy Baked Good Alternatives appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Protein Scones
This recipe is low in sugar and offers a healthier alternative to regular scones with the added bonus of extra protein and no added sugar! This recipe can easily be modified or recreated and you can make alternatives such as protein cookies and brownies that you will love.
Strawberry Oat Bars
This recipe is wholesome consisting of few and healthy ingredients such as strawberries, oats, and maple syrup. They are the perfect pick me up when you are craving something sweet. You can easily swap out the oats with chia seeds for added protein, or add blueberries, rasberries, or blackberries to spice up this recipe.
Energy Bites
These energy bites require no baking skills, as they are no bake and are filled with nutritious ingredients such as wholesome nut butters, chia seeds, hemp, and dates. You should keep these stocked in the fridge when you need some quick and delicious energy.
The post Try These Recipes For Healthy Baked Good Alternatives appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post The Most Important Tip For Eating Healthily appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Cleanse Your House
So much of our time is spent at home, and that’s true for most of the hours when we crave junk food. Let’s be real, it’s incredibly easy to just grab that unhealthy food we love so much in those down moments. Sometimes, it can seem downright impossible to avoid it. Therefore, the best option for some people is to simply throw it all in the trash.
It seems obvious, and yet so many aspiring dieters keep plenty of junk food lying around the house. This is hurting you more than you realize. You may think that you’re “practicing self-control”, but you’re actually shooting yourself in the foot by enabling yourself. If you really want to practice self-control, don’t buy unhealthy foods when you’re at the supermarket, and eventually, it’ll seem like second nature to you.
The post The Most Important Tip For Eating Healthily appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post Make This Delicious Air-Fried Hot Honey Salmon appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Ingredients:
- A pound of salmon
- 1 Tablespon of soy sauce
- 1 Table spoon of hot honey or equal parts honey and siracha
- One green onion for garnish
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions:
- Combine your wet ingredients in a bowl
- Cut salmon into cubes and fully coat each piece in the sauce
- Coat the top of the fish with sesame seeds
- Bake in the airfyer at 180c for 15 minutes
- Serve with a bed of white rice and garnish with green onion
The post Make This Delicious Air-Fried Hot Honey Salmon appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post This Super Green Smoothie Will Give You A Big Boost appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Ingredients:
- 1 cup of fresh spinach leaves
- 1/2 a cucumber
- 1 green apple
- 1/2 an avocado
- 1/2 a lemon
- 1-inch piece of ginger
- 1 cup of coconut water or water
- Ice cubes
- Honey or agave syrup to taste
Instructions:
- Place fresh spinach, sliced cucumber, chopped green apple, avocado, peeled ginger, and lemon juice in a blender. Add coconut water or water to the blender to help with the blending process.
- Blend on high speed until the ingredients are well combined and the smoothie reaches your desired consistency. If you prefer a colder smoothie, add ice cubes and blend again until smooth.
- Taste the smoothie and adjust sweetness if necessary by adding honey or agave syrup.
- Pour your smoothie into a glass and savor the invigorating flavors. Feel the big boost of energy and nutrient-packed goodness as you enjoy this refreshing green elixir!
The post This Super Green Smoothie Will Give You A Big Boost appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>The post Try This Vegan Bolognese Recipe That’ll Delight Everyone appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion
- 2 carrots
- 2 celery stalks
- 4 cloves of garlic
- 1 zucchini
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 tin of lentils
- 1 tin of crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- 1 cup of vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup of red wine
- 1 pound of pasta of your choice
Instructions:
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions, diced carrots, and diced celery. Sauté until vegetables are softened.
- Add minced garlic, grated zucchini, and diced red bell pepper. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes. Stir in lentils, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper.
- Pour in vegetable broth and red wine (if using). Simmer for 20-25 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. While the Bolognese simmers, cook the pasta according to package instructions.
- Serve your Bolognese sauce over the cooked pasta. Garnish with fresh basil or vegan Parmesan, if desired.
The post Try This Vegan Bolognese Recipe That’ll Delight Everyone appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.
]]>