Remember to Give Thanks

Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks, celebrating with friends and family, and EATING! And there is usually a lot of eating at that. In the American culture, and many other cultures, food is part of every celebration. I urge you to keep it part of the celebration, but to readjust your focus away from food being the center of the celebration. When gathered on Thursday, think about what the holiday really means to you. Engage in conversations instead of engaging in the appetizers. Put your fork down, breathe, give thanks, and pick it back up. Catch up with your cousin before going back for seconds, and maybe, just maybe, the break will allow your stomach to catch up and realize you don't need the second helping. Help with the dishes instead of helping "clean-up" the sweets table. Finish your meal with a reflection on all that you have to give thanks about and you will feel satisfied - just give yourself the chance.

Join Melissa at Whole Foods in Rockville!!

Come watch Melissa cook at Whole Foods to learn how to detox after the holidays!!!

Where: Whole Foods in Rockville, MD
Address: 1649 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852
When: Tuesday, January 13th at 6:30 p.m.

Here is what we will be cooking tonight:

Roasted Arctic Char

2 lb. fresh arctic char
¼ c orange juice
2 t. thyme
2 T extra virgin olive oil
1 T brown sugar
1 T smoked paprika
1 t. grated orange peel
½ t. sea salt

Preparation:
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Mix orange juice, EVOO and 1 t. thyme in small bowl. Place char in large glass dish. Add marinade, turning fish to coat well. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes or longer for extra flavor. Mix sugar, paprika, orange peel, the remaining thyme, and sea salt in small bowl. Remove char from marinade. Place on greased foil lined in baking pan. Discard any remaining marinade. Rub top of char evenly with dry mixture. Roast char 10-12 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Makes 8 servings.


Fragrant Quinoa

2 c quinoa
2 T olive oil
2 cloves garlic
4 c low-sodium chicken stock

Preparation:
Soak quinoa in warm water for at least 12 hours Rinse quinoa in a fine-mesh siene and drain. Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly to avoid burning the garlic. Add the quinoa and cook, stirring until the grains are separate and golden. Stir in chicken stock, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until liquid is absorbed, 12-15 minutes. Fluff with a fork.


Hearty Winter Salad

2 cups greens: spinach, romaine, mixed greens
1 can 365 black beans
½ clove garlic
½ small onion
1 bell pepper, color of choice
1 fresh or canned tomato
3 T extra virgin olive oil
3 T balsamic vinegar
1 T fresh dill
1 T fresh pepper
1 fresh or canned jalapeños


Preparation:
Rinse greens and allow to dry. Peel and chop fresh garlic and onion. In medium-size saucepan, heat 1 T of EVOO over medium heat. When oil is hot, add garlic and onions and sauté app. 2-3 minutes. Add drained black beans and sauté 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. In large salad bowl, add lettuce. Toss EVOO, balsamic and fresh dill. Remove beans from heat and pour over greens. Add chopped peppers and tomatoes. Garnish with jalapenos to taste.


Almond Cream with Strawberries

2 c strawberries, rinsed
¼ c slivered almonds
1 c Skyr Icelandic yogurt
1 T honey
¼ t almond extract
Mint leaves for garnish

Preparation:
Toast almonds in a small dry skillet over low-medium heat, stirring constantly, until golden and fragrant, 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool. Hull strawberries, slice and divide among 4 serving dessert plates. Mix Skyr, honey and almond extract until smooth. Spoon over berries and sprinkle with toasted almonds. Serves four.

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

Reader Recipe of the Month- Oxygen Magazine

This recipe will help you enjoy the flavor of pumpkin without having to eat it in pie form!

1 cup water
½ cup canned pure pumpkin- Good source of potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and powerful antioxidants. Pumpkin also has anti-inflammatory properties.
½ cup old-fashioned oatmeal- A heart healthy, high fiber grain. Note: Gluten free varieties are available!
1 tbsp cinnamon- Great for blood sugar control!
1 tsp pumpkin pie seasoning- Adds lots of flavor with no sugar or calories.
2 tbsp Stevia, an herbal sweetener that will not raise your blood sugars. It actually can help control them!

1. In a small pot, bring water to boil.
2. Stir in pumpkin and remove from heat; turn to low.
3. Stir in oats and put pot back on burner, gradually increasing heat to medium low – reduce heat if it begins to bubble or splatter.
4. Cook for 7 minutes until oats are cooked and fluffy.
5. Stir in cinnamon, pumpkin pie seasoning and Stevia.

If you are in a hurry, you can also microwave the oats for 90 seconds – 2 minutes.

For more great recipes, check out Oxygen Magazine's website at http://www.oxygenmag.com/main.php?page=7&id=658.