Why Popeye Ate Spinach

If you want to maintain your muscles, emphasize fruits and vegetables - not protein - in your diet. According to a 2008 study at Tuft's University, that's because produce is a good source of potassium. Our bodies convert protein and cereal grains, both heavily represented in the North American diet, into acid residues. This triggers the breakdown of muscle to produce ammonia, which removes the excess acid. Potassium-rich diets are alkaline - the opposite of acidic - and buffer acids without sacrificing muscle.

Gluten-Free Vegetarian: Quinoa, Mango and Black Bean Salad

Quinoa, Mango and Black Bean Salad

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Gluten-free Vegetarian: Sweet Potato, Black Bean, Quinoa Chili

1 sweet potato, diced
2 tomatoes, diced
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 to 1 onion, diced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 lime
1 cup quinoa, rinsed
1 avocado
vegetable broth
chili powder, 1-2 tsp
cumin, 1/2 tsp
oregano, 1 tsp
salt and pepper, to taste
cayenne powder, dash for heat
cilantro, for garnish

In a stock pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook 4-5 minutes. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and a little salt and pepper. Add enough vegetable stock to fill stock pot to about 2 inches. Then add tomatoes, quinoa, and black beans. Bring to low simmer for 15 minutes to allow stock to become well flavored. Add sweet potato and simmer 10-15 minutes more, or until sweet potato is soft. Add juice of 1 lime (depending on your preference). Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve alone or over rice. Add chopped cilantro and fresh avocado slices to top as garnishes. Serves 4.

Quick nutrition assessment:
Sweet potatoes are rich in Vitamin A, which may prevent autoimmune disease. Protein sources: black beans, quinoa, avocado. In addition to being a good source of protein, quinoa is rich in many nutrients, such as B vitamins which are important for combating stress and fatigue. Garlic and onion are great for minimizing inflammation. And cilantro is detoxifying.

Gluten-free Vegetarian

I love the Food Network. But I wish one of my food heroes - Bobbie Flay, Rachel Ray, Ina Garten, or Giada de Laurentiis - would cook gluten-free vegetarian recipes. So now I am on a mission to fill the void and start gathering the most delicious and nutritious recipes around.

And so it begins.

Mulligatawny Soup Recipe with Jasmine Rice
from http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon Thai Kitchen Green or Red Curry Paste, or GF curry powder, to taste
1 medium red onion, peeled, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
6 medium carrots, peeled and diced
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 medium apples, peeled, cored and diced
1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced
1 quart light vegetable broth
1 cup coconut milk
Juice from 1 or 2 medium limes, as needed
1 teaspoon raw organic agave nectar or organic raw sugar
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
1 14-oz. can chick peas, rinsed and drained
Finely diced red onion, apple, or chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

You'll also need:

1 pot of cooked jasmine rice

Heat the olive oil over medium high heat in a medium size soup pot. Add the curry paste and stir briefly to season the oil. Add in the onion, garlic, carrots, celery, apples and sweet potato; stir and cook until softened, about 7 minutes.

Stir in the vegetable broth. Bring to a high simmer and then cover the pot; reduce the heat and simmer the soup, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, about 20 to 30 minutes.

Add the coconut milk, a squeeze of lime juice and a touch of agave or raw sugar. Stir with love. Taste for seasoning adjustments. Could it use more lime to tart it up a bit? A little salt and pepper?

Adjust the seasonings to your liking. Heat through gently; don't boil.

Puree the soup with a handheld immersion blender (you could also puree in small batches, covered tightly, in a blender or a food processor; hold the lid on, though as hot soup sputters and expands when it is blended). Return the puree to the soup pot.

Stir in the drained chick peas. Heat through on low heat until serving.

Note: If you prefer a little more texture, you can also puree only half the soup- or mash it lightly with a potato masher until you have the consistency you desire. Then add the chick peas and warm through.

Serve the mulligatawny with a garnish of diced red onion, apple or cilantro. Offer a side of hot cooked jasmine rice.

Add a spoonful of rice to the soup as you eat it. Delicious!

Serves 4.

Read more: http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2010/01/mulligatawny-soup-with-jasmine-rice.html#ixzz0k4G8qSkk