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Chicken Enchiladas

Written by novagiant on . Posted in Wellness.

Chicken Enchiladas

2 Tablespoons Clearly Organic Olive Oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon Clearly Organic Ground Pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 -28 oz. can Clearly Organic crushed tomatoes
2 teaspoons Clearly Organic Cumin Powder
2 teaspoons Clearly Organic Chili Powder
1 can Clearly Organic Corn, drained
2 small cans diced green chiles
1 1/2 pounds cooked chicken, shredded
About 16 corn tortillas
2 cups enchilada sauce, canned
1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican cheese
1/4 cup cilantro leaves

In a large sauté pan add oil and turn heat to medium high. Add onion and cook for 5 minutes stirring occasionally. Place minced garlic in sauté pan and continuing cooking for 2 minutes. Add canned tomatoes, corn and green chilies. Season mixture with salt, pepper, cumin and chili powder. Bring contents to a boil and stir to combine. Reduce heat to medium and let stew for 8 minutes. Remove pan from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Stir in cooked shredded chicken to tomato mix.
Coat the bottom of a 13×9 baking dish with Clearly Organic cooking spray. Spoon in about 1/4 cup chicken and tomato mix into each corn tortilla. Fold tortilla over filling and place in baking dish with the seam side down. Repeat until pan is full. Top with enchilada sauce and cheese. Bake for 20 minutes in a 350 degree preheated oven. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with cilantro before serving. Also goes well served with sour cream and Clearly Organic Salsa.

The Importance Of Sleep

Written by novagiant on . Posted in Wellness.

One commonly overlooked health tip is the importance of getting a good nights sleep. Recent studies show that more Americans are struggling with chronic sleep loss than ever before. A consistent battle with lack of sleep can lead to health issues such as high blood pressure, a weakened immune system and weight gain. Sleep deprivation can cause irritability, moodiness and impatience. Appetite fluctuations are also common when you lose sleep. Studies show people are more likely to reach for high carbohydrate and sugary foods when they’re over tired.

A few benefits of seven or more hours of sleep can be improved memory retention, elevated mood and motivation, disease prevention and increased cardiovascular health. The importance of sleep for our overall well-being can often be overlooked. It’s never too late to start prioritizing more consistent rest and a good nights sleep.

Can Pasta be Part of a Healthy Meal Plan?

Written by novagiant on . Posted in Wellness.

In recent years carbohydrates have been considered friend and foe. During the fat-free phenomenon in the ninety’s, bread and pasta were commonly promoted healthy choices for any meal. Then fad diets swung the opposite direction recommending more protein and low carbohydrates. Now many people are left to wonder if carbohydrates can be part of a healthy meal plan?

The short answer is, YES! Carbohydrates, like pasta, when enjoyed in the right portion size are part of a well-balanced meal plan. When it comes to pasta there are a few important factors to consider when implementing this wholesome food into a meal. Consider topping a serving of pasta with equal parts vegetables and protein. For example, 1/2 cup cooked whole wheat pasta pairs well with 1 cup of marinara meat sauce. Then serve that hot dish with a 2 cup serving of a green salad for a delightful well-balanced meal. Also, be mindful of pasta sauces that have high caloric concentrations. Here are three great recipes showing healthy ways to enjoy pasta.

Creamy Leeks And Noodles

Healthy Alfredo Sauce

Easy Homemade Marinara Sauce

See the Clearly Organic blog for more healthy recipes.

Homemade Dark Chocolate

Written by novagiant on . Posted in Wellness.

1/2 cup Clearly Organic Coconut Oil
1/2 cup 100% cacao powder
1/4 cup Clearly Organic Raw Honey
1 teaspoon Clearly Organic Pure Vanilla Extract

Slowly melt coconut oil in a small sauce pan over medium low heat. Stir in cacao powder, honey and vanilla. Stir continuously over medium low heat for 2 minutes or until all ingredients are well blended. Pour mixture into candy molds or a parchment lined bread pan to make a chocolate bar. Refrigerate at least one hour or until chocolate becomes solid.

Variations: Add chopped nuts, dried fruit, Clearly Organic Almond Butter, orange zest, Clearly Organic Cinnamon or Clearly Organic Cayenne Pepper to taste. Add variation just before pouring into chocolate mold.

Broccoli and Mushroom Stir Fry

Written by novagiant on . Posted in Wellness.

Broccoli And Mushroom Stir-Fry

3 cups fresh broccoli florets

1 yellow onion, sliced

1 Tablespoon Clearly Organic Olive Oil

1 (8oz) package white button mushrooms, sliced

2 Tablespoons teriyaki sauce

1/4 cup peanut sauce (see Clearly Organic blog for recipe)

1 cup Clearly Organic Basmati Rice

 

Cook 1 cup rice according to package directions. While rice is cooking sauté broccoli and onions in 1 Tablespoon olive oil and 2 Tablespoons teriyaki sauce over medium high heat. Cook for 5 minutes then add sliced mushroom and continue cooking until vegetables have reached desired doneness. Serve sautéed vegetables over a bed of rice then drizzle warm peanut sauce on top.

5 Ways To Stick With Your Health Goals

Written by novagiant on . Posted in Wellness.

After the holiday season of eating, drinking and merriment many fitness centers see a rise in gym membership and attendance. However, regardless of this enthusiasm statistics show that gym attendance is typically back to its regular numbers by mid-February. No matter what your New Years health and wellness goals involve here are a few simple tips to stick with your good intentions.

  1. Write down your goal. Putting pen to paper helps many people make a more specific, measurable and achievable goal.
  2. Ask for help. Don’t be afraid to ask how to use a new machine, a piece of lifting equipment or the proper technique for a particular exercise.
  3. Make a schedule. To accomplish any goal you have to manage your time wisely. Pick a time of day that is sustainable for focusing on your goals.
  4. Diversify your wellness routine. Goals are about results and there are multiple ways to get results. Experiment with new exercises and foods to achieve your goal
  5. Find accountability. To stay on track schedule a time with a personal trainer of fitness coach. Find a workout buddy or use a digital fitness tracker to give you honest feedback.

A bonus tip that’s always well received is Reward Yourself. No one has to be told twice to cut themselves a little slack. Treat yourself to a little relaxation on your day off from working out or plan a fun event to look forward to celebrating your accomplishments.

Natural Protein Smoothies

Written by novagiant on . Posted in Wellness.

A Clearly Organic customer Kathleen W. wrote in and asked about making an everyday smoothie with extra protein. This is a great question that has multiple answers. There are lots of fun ways to implement a smoothie routine with a wide variety of natural organic foods. Adding protein-based foods to a smoothie helps slow down the digestion process of your meal making you feel full longer. It also helps add thickness and flavor to a fruit or vegetable smoothie.

Here are six natural foods that add protein to a smoothie:
• Flax Seeds
• Nut butters
• Oats
• Chia Seeds
• Plain Yogurt
• Quinoa

Each of these protein-based foods can also be found in an organic variety if desired.

Healthy Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Written by novagiant on . Posted in Wellness.

What makes a dip healthy can depend on what you serve it with, this spinach and artichoke dip goes great with sliced sweet peppers, broccoli and zucchini.

1 – 8 oz. package Clearly Organic Cream Cheese, softened
3/4 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon Clearly Organic Ground Pepper
1 teaspoon Clearly Organic Onion Powder
1 – 14 oz. can quartered artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 – 10 oz. package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 Tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
6 grape tomatoes, quartered, for garnish on top

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large mixing bowl stir together softened cream cheese, yogurt, garlic, salt, pepper and onion powder. It also works well to use an electric hand mixer to evenly distribute ingredients. Then using a spatula to stir, add artichoke hearts, well drained spinach and mozzarella cheese. Add contents to a small baking dish. About 1 1/2 quart. Top with Parmesan cheese and sliced grape tomatoes. Bake until cheese is browned and sides are bubbly. 20-25 minutes.

New Food Trends For A New Year

Written by novagiant on . Posted in Wellness.

Like most “trendy” items food trends may come and go but some are worth pursuing and implementing into your routine. Luckily healthcare professionals agree that food habits are cycling back to more wholesome natural ingredients. In fact, many of the food trends for 2019 include plant-based products and unique ways to add more Omega-3s to your meal plan.

Organic, dairy free and gluten free products are more readily available on store shelves. I do believe this health trend is here to stay. With the uptick in allergies and intolerances, the market demands a wide variety of products that are lifestyle specific. In the end some classic food principals remain the same. Our bodies require a balanced diet of vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and fruit. While analyzing the food trends of 2019 keep these core values in mind.

Eat What You Love

Written by novagiant on . Posted in Wellness.

Around the holidays everyone is thinking about their favorite festive traditions. Many family traditions involve special recipes and bountiful meal times. Making it challenging to eat healthy this time of year. Grandmas recipes are not typically low calorie, but at the same time, it’s comforting to enjoy some family favorite foods once a year. Therefore, the holidays are a great time to focus on portion control. Eat what you want, just don’t overdo it. Some general principals to follow when you are enjoying a festive family meal.

*Skip the seconds. Enjoy one plate of your favorite foods and resist the urge to fill up again. One plate is typically all it takes to be satisfied.

*Focus on the healthy nutritious foods that you love. Try not to go down a mental list of vegetables that you hate, or the foods you are allergic and intolerant to. Simply enjoy the fruits, vegetables and grains that make you happy.

*Don’t be afraid to bring a healthy dish to a holiday party. Most friends and family members appreciate a well made healthy recipe, so don’t be shy about bringing your new favorite healthy appetizer or side dish