As you know, I’m still in Hong Kong and have been indulging in traditional chinese dishes. Instead of drinking my Vita-mix blended Green Monster shake (kale, ginger, apple & protein), I have been having healthy soups and veggies for breakfast instead. Buk Choy and mushrooms are nutrient rich and contain cancer-fighting compounds that are very popular items on the chinese menu, so I thought that I would showcase a similar like recipe for you to try as well.

Ingredients:

• 3-4 cloves minced garlic
• 1/2 cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 bok choy , chopped
• 5-6 scallions (green onions), sliced
• 1/4 cup vegetable broth
• 2 tsp fresh ginger, minced or grated
• 2 tsp sesame oil

Preparation:

• Saute garlic and mushrooms in sesame oil and soy sauce for a few minutes
• Throw in your buk choy and scallions for a few more minutes
• Pour vegetable broth and ginger on top and lower heat
• Simmer for 10 minutes

As you can see from this recipe, Asian cuisine takes minimal time and provides so much nutrients. I love this dish alone, but feel free to top it over some whole grain rice or even some rice noodles.

Carbs are our bodies main energy source and they are essential for our health. Excess carbs however, can lead to fat storage.

Carbohydrate-packed foods can be addicting leaving you craving more and more. Learning how to substitute low carb items in place of starchy potatoes, pastas and desserts can help stave off cravings and reducing your carb intake to help aid with your weight loss efforts.

Here are a few of my favorite substitutes:

Instead of eating linguine and pasta, try a serving of delicious spaghetti squash. Click here for an easy recipe

Do you love rice but need to cut down? Try substituting regular starchy white rice with cauliflower rice. click here for an easy recipe

If you’re a milk lover and can’t go without it but need to reduce the calories and carbs that it contains, then try substituting it with Almond milk! Almond milk is delicious in your morning coffee and cereal or even plain. The calories and carbs are 50% less of milk. I love adding this to my protein shakes to give it a creamier texture. My choice is Almond Breeze, unsweetened. With only 40 calories per cup, I can treat myself to two!

I love my turkey burgers and I used to love my soft flour-rich buns to go with them, until I found the perfect substitute. Portabello Mushrooms! Season two halves with a little olive oil, salt and pepper then grill to perfection. Use them as your buns and fill them with your juicy burger and toppings! Yummy!

There are endless substitutes for starchy, carb-loaded items and they taste just as good without the guilt. Cutting excess carbs out of your diet will help boost your weight loss efforts and increase your energy.

If you have more great low carb substitutes, please feel free to share with the rest of us!

Men and women do not share similar ideas when it comes to romance. A woman’s idea of romance involves dressing up in a pair of sexy heels and dining on a roof top overlooking the city of Paris.

Just kidding, we’re not that bad but close enough.

Men are truly simple creatures who are satisfied with the smallest things. According to many men’s magazines, a home cooked meal and a night of cuddling on the couch is more romantic and satisfying than a fancy night out. 

Here’s a great recipe that will spark romance for both you and your partner!

Ingredients:

• 1 Yellow onion
• Ground Turkey pack
• Some Mushrooms
• 1 Red Sweet pepper
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup Natural ketchup
• 1/4 cup Honey Mustard
• Salt n Peppa
• 2 Whole grain rolls
• 2 Sweet potatoes

Preparation:

First, turn the oven on 375 degrees to get it warmed up. You’ll need to baking trays. One for the burgers and the other for the sweet potatoes.

BURGERS: Cut up onions, mushrooms, sweet pepper and throw in bowl. Mix in the ground turkey meat, 2 eggs, ketchup, mustard and salt n peppa. Use your hands and mix the concoction until all ingredients are well blended. Create your patties and place them on your baking tray. Make bigger ones for your love, and portion control ones for you. Remember, you’re still on your healthy program!

SWEET POTATO FRIES: No you will not be frying these.. You will be baking them. Cut up your sweet potatoes into your desired strips. Season them and place in the 2nd baking tray.

Place the two trays in the oven, one on top of the other. 15 minutes later, switch the trays from top to bottom and vice versa. Total cooking time should be around 30 minutes, but depending on the thickness of your patties, you may need to watch it.

Hint: If clear juices come out of your burger when you poke them, it means they are ready to go!

Serve the turkey burgers on whole grain rolls and dress them up with lettuce, tomatos and whatever floats your boat. Place a few sweet potato fries on the side and enjoy your romantic evening on the couch.

Ladies! No Chick flicks tonight! Pretend to be cool and enjoy an action-packed thriller instead.

Enjoy your dinner and let me know how it goes!

Love, Ghada

A way to a man’s heart is through many avenues, but the belly is one of the major ones.  

Try my chicken soup recipe and hook your man forever! Results will vary depending on your attitude and outfit that day.

WARNING: This recipe is too easy!

Ingredients:

• 1 Whole Chicken
• 1 yellow onion
• few red potatoes
• few stalks of celery
• a bunch of whole baby bella mushrooms
• a bunch of baby carrots
• a bunch of raw spinach
• cut up a bunch of summer zucchini and squash
• dashes of Italian seasoning

Preparation Instructions:

Clean the chicken, Chop up your ingredients and throw them all in a pot. You may also stuff some of your veggies in the chicken to enhance the meat’s flavor and create more room in the pot.

After all is in place, toss in those seasonings. I love me some Italian seasoning and maybe a low sodium bouillon cube. Feel free to get funky with it after you have attempted the dish a few times.

Pour in some water till it reaches an inch away from the top. Cover and slow cook in low for a few hours.  

Compliment this Chicken Soup with some whole grain rolls and a fresh crisp salad.

I can’t wait to hear how your Chicken Soup turns out!

Coming Soon….

The Nutritional Benefits of Chicken Soup