In my attempts to eat a vegetarian diet I may have strayed away from my goal a little bit. It’s time to get back on track because I don’t feel as good as I do when my diet was clean. When I am sticking to this type of meal plan I like to experiment with different foods. Last night I got home later than usual so I worked out and than was feeling very hungry. My hubby and little man were out of the house so I was in need of a solo dinner.

I went to my local grocery store and picked up some onion, asparagus and sweet baby peppers. I had never tried the sweet baby peppers but I’ve been hearing great things about them. They came in a small pack of red, yellow and orange peppers and I was pleasantly surprised to see a high percentage of Vitamin C. These would be great snacks during cold and flu season! Also, asparagus is one of my favorite veggies and may help our brains to fight cognitive decline as well as rids your body of excess salts. As you may know, the USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute is currently in a clinical research to see if coconut oil may help to prevent or stop Alzheimer’s disease. If incorporating coconut oil and asparagus together you may be helping your cognitive skills and you didn’t even know it! I bought quinoa with added veggies and spices and thought I would make a healthy vegetarian dish.

Ingredients:

Quinoa and Veggies

4.9 oz of uncooked quinoa

3 sweet baby peppers

1 small onion; minced

5 to 6 stalks of asparagus

Kelapo Coconut Oil Spray

1.5 cups of water

1 tablespoon Kelapo Coconut Oil

Garlic Powder; to taste

Chili Powder; to taste

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan spray a thin layer of coconut oil spray on the bottom of the pan. Add the quinoa and water and cook onto medium high heat until all the water has absorbed and the quinoa is white in color.
2. Place a skillet on a medium setting and allow to get hot. Add coconut oil and coat the pan.
3. Add in onion, asparagus and sweet peppers and saute until slightly browned or to your liking.
4. Combine the veggies and the quinoa. Mix in garlic powder and chili powder until well incorporated.

This was a quick and delicious meal that is very healthy for you. Apart from being a vegetarian, and vegan, friendly meal it also contains healthy fats and vitamins. At first I was a bit skeptical about quinoa but after trying it a couple of times I have grown to enjoy it. Have you ever made a food that may be out of your comfort zone? If so, how did it turn out?

-Lani