Warming Winter Stew

This quick and easy stew takes minimal little prep time but brings loads of goodness. Since it gets the #fastbeetsapproved seal, you know its loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. 

Its perfect for those days you can't make it to the grocery store or those long home-bound snow days.  Because most of the ingredients can be bought ahead of time and stored in your pantry and freezer, you can make this anytime.  So if you're enjoying the great Snowmageddon 2016, grab a pot and get cooking. 

It holds well with a side of brown rice or quinoa and yet so good just on its own.

Ingredients

• 2 cans of organic, bpa-free chickpeas, drained
• 3 cans of organic, bpa-free diced tomatoes
• 1 can of organic, bpa-free tomato paste
• 4-5 organic carrots with the greens attached (optional if you're snowed in and can't get to a grocery store, but highly recommended)
• 2 bags of frozen organic mixed mushrooms
• 1 bag of frozen organic cauliflower (optional)
• 1-2 cups of butternut squash (optional)
• 2 heaping tablespoons tahini
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 onion, chopped 

Spices:

• 1 teaspoon of cumin
• 1 tablespoon organic turmeric (if you're not using top quality or fresh turmeric, you may not want to use as much as it might be too bitter)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon himalayan salt, adjust to taste

Garnish

• Handful of chopped cilantro
• Chopped Carrot greens
• Chopped fresh tomatoes (optional)
• Juice of one lemon (optional)

Method

1. Add coconut oil to a pot on medium heat.
2. Toast all the spices in the coconut oil for roughly 30 seconds.
3. Sauté the onion in the seasoned oil until almost tender.
4. Add the chickpeas and sauté for 3 minutes.
5. While the chickpeas are sautéing, peel and chop the carrots. 
6. Add the remainder of the ingredients and let boil. 
7. Bring to simmer and let simmer until all the veggies are soft and fully cooked. 
8. Keep simmer until reaches your desired stew like consistency. Aim to keep in on the stove for a minumum of 30 minutes but you can leave it on for up to 2 hours while you attend to other business, like snowball fights. 
9. Taste your creating and adjust the seasonings. It might need more salt, cumin, or tahini. 
10. Wash and chop a few strands of the carrot greens and cilantro.
11. Plate your dish and top with any or all of the garnishes.  

Immunity Broth - The Holiday Edition

Tis the season to not get sick! With the weather outside getting frightful, now's a good time to boost your immune system and stay healthy all season long.  So, let the chestnuts roast on an open fire and have yourself a very merry immunity broth! 

(Drops mic...) Seriously speaking though, with the holiday's in full effect, taking some "me" time and making some healthy meals can really save you from getting run-down.  This super easy immunity broth is definitely a Foolproof Eats you can make in a jiffy with a few ingredients.  The onion, garlic and turnips are supercharged foods to strengthen your body's defenses. So bring on the holiday parties!

NUTRITIONAL LOW DOWN

Turnips: Turnips are one of my favorite immune boosters.  For only 30 calories each, turnips will go to bat for you! Its a wonderful  nutritionally dense food, Turnips are chock full of Vitamin C.  Just 2 turnips provide as your daily recommended  amount of Vitamin C.  [They also contain a plethora of B-vitamins, folate, magnesium, and potassium.]

Onions: Onions have certain phytochemicals that allows vitamin C in your body to work.  So the turnips and onion work hand in hand to boost your immune system.  This onion and turnips in this broth are the perfect marriage to give your immune system an edge. 

Ingredients

• 1.5 onions, chopped  (Add more if you wish)
• 2 cloves garlic, cut in half (Add more if you wish)
• 3 Turnips (or 4!) washed and peeled.
• 1 TBL Dried basil (or your favorite herb)
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1.5 liters of filtered water
• 1/2 half cup of broccoli florets

Method

1. Briefly saute onions in a large pot with the olive oil.  Olive oil can't handle high heat, so saute for only a few minutes and keep heat lower so it won't smoke or burn. 
2. Add dried herbs, a pinch of himalayan salt, and garlic cloves. 
3. Add water and bring to a boil
4. Drop turnips in and allow it to boil until turnips become soft (about 30 mins)
5. When the broth is done, add in the broccoli florets and allow to cook for another 3 minutes.  You don't want the broccoli to get mushy, so 3 minutes is enough time.  
6. Enjoy!

Leftovers

This is great the next day and even if cold! Just add some fresh squeezed lemon juice and a dash of himalayan salt. 

Pinto Bean Crackers

This is so simple and so filling, it'd be crazy not to make it. 

Ingredients

• 1 can pinto beans
• 2 tablespoons marinara sauce
• Two tablespoons of seeds of any kind - I used 1 Tbl pumpkin and 1Tbl chia
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 2 Tablespoons chopped onion

Method

1. Blend
2. Use a spoon to place on parchment paper. Spread it out so its thin. 
3. Bake at 400 degrees until crispy for about 40 minutes. (Every oven is different so take a peek after 30 minutes. You'll want it to be crispy, but not burn)

The Low Down

Although it has the consistency of a cracker, it has the satisfying effect of pinto beans.  Full of fiber, protein, and vitamins and minerals.  This low-glycemic "cracker" will sustain your energy and leave you full for hours! 

These are super great topped with White Bean Balsamic Hummus and work great as appetizers for a dinner party, a mid-day snack, or part of a wholesome meal. 

White Bean Balsamic Hummus

Here's a fun twist on a yummy dip.  Throw these ingredients in the blender and bam!

Ingredients

• One can of organic white beans 
• Two tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• One clove of garlic
• Juice of one lemon
• Three Tablespoons hemp seeds
• Three Tablespoons Poppy seeds
• Two Tablespoons tomato salsa
• Salt to taste

Method

1. Open can. Throw entire contents with the liquid into blender. 
2. Throw all other ingredients into blender or food processor. 
3. Blend. 
4. Eat. 

The Low Down

This nutritional beast of a hummus contains zero added oil.

By using hemp seeds in the mix, you'll get really good for you Omega 3s plus added protein. 

While most recipes ask you to drain and rinse the beans, you don't need to for this recipe, saving you an extra minute or two. The reason being, beans are so nutritious, that even the liquid from inside the can contains really good for you minerals. Since you are using a BPA-free can of organic beans, it'll all good. So keep the liquid and ditch the oil!