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.

Undiagnosed Gluten Sensitivity

by Melissa Bosslet, RD, LN

Gluten intolerance and Celiac's Disease is becoming more widespread and mainstream. Although the disease has been documented all the way back to the first century AD, diagnosis and recognition have progressed rapidly, especially in the last few years. The relationship between the protein found in most starches, gluten, and the inflammatory response associated with Celiac's was discovered mid 1960's. Around the same time, the diagnostic process was revolutionized with the invention of the jejunal biopsy apparatus. With this mechanism, observation of damage to the intestinal mucosal layer could be observed.

In more recent days, even as recent as the last few years, the medical world has stepped up the screening process for Celiac's. Because Celiac's is an autoimmune disease, anyone with another autoimmune disease (i.e. Hashimoto's, lupus, diabetes)should be screened, along with anyone else in the family. The DQ8 and DQ2 gene have been recognized as carrying the Celiac gene. Therefore, if a family member has Celiac's, relatives should be screened. Clinics often screen anyone with diagnostic symptoms as well - diarrhea, vitamin deficiency, gas, bloating, depression, and fatigue.

Although only 1% of the population carries the gene for Celiac's, many people are gluten intolerant or gluten sensitive. They do not have an autoimmune reaction to the protein, but a reaction none the less, potentially leading to a damaged immune system, chronic infections and viruses, gastrointestinal discomfort, and extreme fatigue. In both cases, a gluten free diet and restriction of wheat, barley, rye, and some oats is beneficial and the only cure. Intestinal damage and an increase in mortality are often the other option.