Greek Yogurt Mania.

Im so done with non-dairy shenanigans!

I love cheese, I love REAL milk and I LOVE LOVE Yogurt.

Now, given that im mildly lactose intolerant my choices in the dairy arena are somewhat limited and annoying. Especially when milk and cream cheese are concerned.

Yet I refuse to dismiss dairy products altogether. Theres so much goodness found in GOOD dairy sources.

I have been taking probiotics for a good while now, they have most definitely helped and have reconfigured my whole stomach. Allowing me to digest dairy much better without feeling like im pumping myself with chemicals to fix an internal problem.

So now im ready to take on some dairy. Letting some of the goodness into my body.

Only one thing was on my mind - YOGURT.

Yes, nearly all natural yogurt is good for you and your stomach. Here is a little list of benefits :

• Yogurt is easier to digest than milk. ( Less or no gas, bloating and running to the loo )
  
• Yogurt contributes to colon health. ( In time I could totally depend on yogurt for the good bacteria in my stomach and not probiotic pills )
• Yogurt can boost immunity.
• Yogurt aids healing after intestinal infections.
• Yogurt is a rich source of calcium. ( duh )
• Yogurt is an excellent source of protein. ( YES YES YES )

So yeah, yogurt is pretty great. But not all yogurts are made the same.

When shopping for yogurt, look at the ingredients list and the nutritional panel. Always.

The best yogurt will contains only live and active cultures and milk. - Opt for Organic yogurt if you can. Avoid yogurt that says "heat treated after culturing" on the label. This means that the yogurt was pasteurized after the healthful organisms were added, which dilutes the health benefits of the yogurt.

My super star choice when it comes to yogurt is GREEK YOGURT.

Why Greek yogurt?

• Texture - It is rich and thick. Part of what makes Greek yogurt different than regular yogurt is that it is strained to remove the whey, giving it a thicker consistency.
  
• Versatility - Greek yogurt can be used for both savory and sweet dishes.
• More Protein - Has more protein than the average American yogurt, Greek yogurt is a protein bomb. ( Holla! )
• Easier to Digest - Greek yogurt contains less carbs than regular yogurt and therefore less lactose. ( HOLLA! )

There you have it. Another superfood.

If you're lactose intolerant and want to try dairy again I suggest 2 things. Buy quality probiotics and after about 1-3 months start introducing dairy products.

I tend to head for whole or low-fat Greek yogurt. Remember, try to eat the rawest form of dairy - head for whole fat not half fat/no fat if you can - not only will you have less digestion issues, but the complex/delicate proteins and nutrients found in whole fat products ( which are SO SO good for you - even for weight management ) get lost during heavy pasteurization.

Stick to whole foods in your balanced diet!

The Quinoa Beast Salad.

I cooked something! I made my friends taste it! They liked it! Blogging ensues.

The benefits & attributes of the Quinoa Beast Salad ;

1. Its extremely filling.
   
2. Its a great all-round/anytime meal.
3. Provides essential vitamins, amino acids and nutrients from raw natural sources.
   
4. Its PACKED with quality protein. ( incase you missed that - its PACKED )
5. Its ridiculously good for you.

The recipe is infinitely customizable, giving you a wide range of option as far as adding or subtracting ingredients to suit your tastes.

The ingredients list.

1 can of Garbanzo Beans ( Chickpeas )
Half cup of Organic Quinoa
1 cup of Organic Chicken Stock
Quarter pound of Sliced Crimini Mushrooms
Half cup or Raw Pumpkin seeds
3 or 4 Cloves of roasted garlic - thinly sliced
2 tbsp Black Sesame seeds
2/3 tsp Cayenne Pepper
2 tbsp olive oil ( cold pressed if possible )
1/3 tsp Sea Salt
1/3 tsp Garlic Powder

Its really rather simple to cook :

Cook the quinoa in the chicken stock for about 7-10 minutes.

Pan grill the sliced Mushrooms with a tsp of olive oil.

In a big bowl add all ingredients other than the mushrooms & quinoa. Mix.

When quinoa and Muchrooms are done - Mix with other ingredients.

Aaaand you're DONE. This mix usually lasts me about a week if I have a small cup of it as a snack or mini meal everyday.

Try adding other legumes like kidney beans... or substituting/adding broccoli with the mushrooms. Dont be afraid to add this to a soup!... or mashed potatoes! or.. or... OR make it into a great chip dip by grinding/blending it together!... im NOT going to be cheesy and say 'the possibilities are endless!!'

See? told you it was simple.