Greens: The Powerhouse of Nutrition

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Here are some of my favorite greens-I tend to add one or two different ones every week to add variety to my diet.  Try to buy organic whenever possible!!  

Power Greens: Spinach, Kale, Chard, Carrots

a) Spinach: Spinach is a dark leafy green vegetable and one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet! Because it’s high in fiber and very low in calories, spinach can help you manage type 2 diabetes and is a terrific addition to any weight loss plan. It's also packed with nutrients — it's a good source of antioxidants, including vitamin C, beta carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which help maintain healthy eyes, hair, and skin. Spinach contains very high amounts of potassium and vitamin K, two nutrients that may help preserve bone health. The iron and B vitamins in spinach help maintain strong, healthy hair and a healthy circulatory system.

b) Kale: Kale is a cruciferous and leafy green vegetable from the cabbage family, similar to collard greens. Because it’s a high-quality carb and very low in calories, kale can help you manage type 2 diabetes and is a terrific addition to any weight-loss plan. It's also packed with nutrients: It's a good source of antioxidants, including vitamin C, beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which help maintain healthy eyes, hair, and skin. The calcium and potassium in kale help keep your bones and teeth strong and may prevent PMS symptoms. Kale is also high in the anti-inflammatory antioxidant quercetin, which protects against arthritis and memory loss, as well as riboflavin, a B vitamin that may protect against migraines. In addition, it is a very good source of vitamin K, which may prevent bone fractures.

c) Chard: Swiss chard is a leafy green vegetable that tastes somewhat similar to spinach and can be prepared the same way. It is a good source of antioxidants, including vitamin E, beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which help prevent arthritis and maintain healthy eyes, hair, and skin. Swiss chard also contains magnesium and potassium, minerals involved in managing blood pressure and preventing osteoporosis. In addition, magnesium is also helpful for individuals who experience migraines or PMS. Vitamin K in Swiss chard may prevent bone fractures.

d) Carrots (ok, not a green, but it's in my mix, so I'll share their benefits too) Carrot is one of the most healing foods that provides the finest and highest quality in nutrients, especially from its juice. It is an excellent source of pro-vitamin A, vitamins C, D, E, K, B1 and B6.  It is rich with biotin, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, organic sodium and some trace minerals. Carrot greens/tops CAN be eaten. It is very rich with potassium, calcium, magnesium, vitamin K and protein. Potassium is a key mineral in our body, thus high consumption of it keeps all the organs in our body in tip-top condition. The known phytonutrients in carrots are lutein, lycopene, anti-oxidants alpha, beta and gamma carotenes, zeaxanthin and xanthophyll. You don’t need to remember these fancy names, but just remember that phytonutrients are nature’s marvelous provision for healing of various diseases.

Watercress:

Watercress is a leafy green vegetable with a peppery flavor and is often added to salads or used on top of sandwiches. It is a good source of beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that may prevent and manage arthritis, cataracts, and macular degeneration, as well as maintain healthy hair and skin. Watercress is also a good source of vitamin K, which may prevent bone fractures.

Dandalion: Folk medicine claims the dandelion plant is a powerful healer, used to purify the blood, settle digestion and prevent piles and gall stones, among other maladies. The fact is the greens of the humble dandelion provide 535 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin K, which may be the most important source of any other plant-based food to strengthen bones, but may also play a role in fighting Alzheimer's disease by limiting neuron damage in the brain. Dandelion greens also give the body 112 percent of the daily minimum requirement of vitamin A as an antioxidant carotenoid, which is particularly good for the skin, mucus membranes and vision. A flavonoid called zeaxanthin protects the retina from UV rays, while others, primarily carotene, lutein, and cryptoxanthin, protect the body from lung and mouth cancers.  Dandelion greens are high in fiber, which helps your body shed waste. These greens also contain vitamins C and B6, thiamin, riboflavin, calcium, iron (crucial for generating red blood cells), potassium (to help regulate heart rate and blood pressure), and manganese. Other nutrients present in dandelion greens include folate, magnesium, phosphorus, and copper.

Other Favorites:

• Arugula: Arugula (also known as rucola and rocket) is a cruciferous and leafy green vegetable with a peppery taste and is often used in salads. It is a good source of potassium, a mineral involved in managing blood pressure and preventing osteoporosis. Arugula may help boost memory due to phytochemicals — antioxidants found in all cruciferous vegetables. Like other salad greens, arugula is very low in calories, which makes it a great addition to any weight-loss plan.

• Collard Greens: Collard greens are a cruciferous and leafy green vegetable from the cabbage family, similar to kale. They are a good source of beta-carotene, an antioxidant precursor to vitamin A that can help prevent and manage arthritis, cataracts, and macular degeneration, as well as maintain healthy hair and skin. Collard greens are also a very good source of vitamin K, which may prevent bone fractures. In addition, collard greens contain lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that may prevent macular degeneration.

• Endive: Endive is a bitter leafy vegetable that is often used in salads or eaten as a side dish. There are multiple varieties of endive, including Belgian endive, escarole, and curly endive (frisée). Like other greens, endive is very low in calories, which makes it a great addition to any weight-loss plan. Endive is a good source of potassium, a mineral involved in managing blood pressure and preventing osteoporosis. It is also a potent source of vitamin K, which may prevent bone fractures.

• Escarole: Escarole is a leafy green vegetable that can be used in salads or eaten as a side dish. Like other salad greens, escarole is very low in calories, which makes it a great addition to any weight-loss plan. Escarole is a good source of potassium, a mineral involved in managing blood pressure and preventing osteoporosis. It is also a very good source of vitamin K, which may prevent bone fractures. 

• Lettuce: There are various types of lettuce, but all of them are leafy green vegetables and are low in calories, making them a terrific addition to any weight-loss plan. Some types of lettuce, such as romaine, green leaf, red leaf, bibb, and butterhead, are good sources of antioxidants, including beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and quercetin, which help prevent arthritis, cataracts, and macular degeneration, as well as maintain healthy hair and skin. Lettuce is also a good source of potassium, a mineral involved in managing blood pressure and preventing osteoporosis. In addition, all lettuce varieties contain vitamin K, which may prevent bone fractures.

• Mustard Greens: Mustard Greens are a leafy green vegetable that come from the mustard plant and have a pungent, peppery flavor. They are a good source of antioxidants, including vitamin C, beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which help prevent arthritis and maintain healthy eyes, hair, and skin. Mustard greens also contain folate, a B vitamin that may help reduce the risk of heart disease, enhance memory, and improve mood, as well as vitamin K, which may prevent bone fractures.

• Radicchio: Radicchio is a leafy vegetable with a bitter taste. It is often added to salads or braised like cabbage for a side dish. It is a good source of potassium, a mineral involved in managing blood pressure and preventing osteoporosis. Radicchio also contains vitamin E and lutein, antioxidants that help maintain healthy eyes and skin.

• Turnip Greens: Turnip greens are a leafy green vegetable that come from the tops of turnip bulbs and can be added to salads or sautéed and served as a side dish. They are a good source of antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which help prevent arthritis and maintain healthy eyes, hair, and skin. Turnip greens also contain folate, a B vitamin that may help reduce the risk of heart disease, enhance memory, and improve mood.

The 5 WORST protein bar ingredients... Do YOUR bars have these?

The 5 WORST protein bar ingredients... Do YOUR bars have these?

Protein bars...so convenient yet so full of garbage. They hold the promise of being healthy, easy and full of muscle-building protein.

But have you ever taken a few minutes to look at what's actually IN them? 

I think you're going to be in for a shock when you read the TRUTH about the ingredients in some of the most popular protein bars on the market right now.

Let's get right to it:...

#1 - Soy Protein Isolate (SPI)

This is, unfortunately, one of the most prevalent protein sources you'll find in protein bars, especially those marketed to women. This marketing would have you believe that soy is an excellent protein source for women because of the isoflavones found in it. In reality, studies have indicated ?that these soy isoflavones can actually be TOXIC because of how the soy is processed (fermented soy products such as tofu are fine, just fyi). In addition, SPI was actually considered a WASTE product in soy processing until recently, when it was discovered that money could be made by passing it off as a protein source. It's cheap and definitely NOT a high-quality protein. It should be avoided. 

And the final nail in the soy coffin: GMO. A very high percentage of the soy grown in the United States is from genetically modified organisms (GMO). They don't currently have to be labeled as such but if you're buying any sort of processed food, chances are very good you're getting a GMO-sourced product.

#2 - High Fructose Corn Syrup

This is an easy one to figure out...the adverse health effects of it are well documented (contrary to what the commercials from the Corn Growers Association claim - those are truly among the most annoying commercials in existence, trying to make people who question corn syrup look stupid). It's one of the WORST things you can eat and yet there are still bars that use it as a primary ingredient.

#3 - Fractionated Palm Kernel Oil

Palm kernel oil is a cheap, unhealthy fat. Unlike plain palm oil, palm kernel oil can't be obtained organically. Instead, the oil must be extracted from the pit with a gasoline-like hydrocarbon solvent. The fractioned form is the most processed...if you see that in the ingredients, you should definitely avoid it.

#4 - Sugar Alcohols

This includes ingredients like Maltitol Syrup, Xylitol, Sorbitol, Lactitol, Mannitol, and Erythritol. Sugar alcohols are included in bars for sweetness...especially in bars that are "carb controlled." Sugar alcohols don't impact blood sugar as much as regular sugar because they're not well absorbed in the digestive tract...and when things aren't well absorbed in the digestive tract, things happen (if you know what I mean). 

In small amounts, sugar alcohols aren't a big problem, but if you start getting into the double digits of grams of sugar alcohol (and many low-carb bars are in the 20 gram range), THEN you can start to see unpleasant digestive issues.

#5 - Artificial Sweeteners

I won't get into the whole debate about whether artificial sweeteners are bad for you or not and what they turn into in your body, etc. Personally, I'm of the mindset that if it's created by science, chances are good your body won't recognize it and won't be able to metabolize it into something actually good for you. Therefore, I try and stay away from artificial sweeteners as much as I possibly can. I find the actual natural flavor of real food to be pretty good. :)

In Summary...

Those are the top 5 worst protein bar ingredients...and you will actually find bars that contain ALL of these ingredients in them.

The main problem I have with the vast majority of protein bars today is that at their most base level, they're deceptive. The bars are put forward as convenient, healthy alternatives to food for "on the go" people. Yet when you take a close look at the ingredients, they're actually WORSE for you than most candy bars.

Obviously money is the biggest factor...companies that use high-quality ingredients in their bars have to charge more for them in order to stay in business. Hence the brick-like slop sold in bar form that you'll find in the grocery store aisles today.

A New Breed of Protein Bar...Raw and Natural

Yep, that's right! A protein bar made from raw, natural ingredients that's actually GOOD for you. You can eat them when you're running around, on the go. They're convenient and healthy.

They taste EXTREMELY good and the quality of the ingredients is outstanding. For example, here's what you'll find in the Raspberry Hazelnut bars (which are one of my favorite flavors): Organic dates, pea protein, hemp protein, rice protein, almond butter, hazelnuts, coconut nectar, dried raspberries, raw cacao, coconut oil, stevia, & water.

GREAT ingredients...GREAT taste...we order these bars all the time now and love them.

Click here to order your bars now...

Benefits of Soaking Nuts/Seeds & Sprouting! Made Easy!

If you've started reading raw cookbooks, you've probably noticed that soaking nuts and seeds is a pretty common practice!

The main reason soaking nuts and seeds is so important is because they contain enzyme inhibitors.

The purpose of these enzyme inhibitors is to protect the nut or seed until it has what it needs for growing.

Nature allowed the inhibitors and toxic substances to be easily removed when the conditions (enough rain and sun) were met.

In nature, when it rains the nut gets enough moisture so it can germinate and produce a plant. The plant then continues to grow with the sunlight.

By soaking nuts and seeds, you release these toxic enzyme inhibitors AND increase the life and vitality contained within them!

The Benefits of Soaking Nuts and Seeds

• Enzyme inhibitors get neutralized.


• The amount of vitamins your body can absorb increases.


• Gluten breaks down so digestion is much easier.


• Phytic acid, which inhibits the absorption of vital minerals, is reduced.

Soaking times vary with the nut. Generally the more dense the nut, the longer the soaking time. Ideally, soaking should be done at room temperature.

Below is a soaking and sprouting chart. 

Soaking and Sprouting Times

Nut / Seed	Dry Amount	Soak Time	Sprout Time	Sprout Length	Yield
Alfalfa Seed	3 Tbsp	12 Hours	3-5 Days	1-2 Inches	4 Cups
Almonds	3 Cups	8-12 Hours	1-3 Days	1/8 Inch	4 Cups
Amaranth	1 Cup	3-5 Hours	2-3 Days	1/4 Inch	3 Cups
Barley, Hulless	1 Cup	6 Hours	12-24 Hours	1/4 Inch	2 Cups
Broccoli Seed	2 Tbsp	8 Hours	3-4 Days	1-2 Inches	2 Cups
Buckwheat, Hulled	1 Cup	6 Hours	1-2 Days	1/8-1/2 Inch	2 Cups
Cabbage Seed	1 Tbsp	4-6 Hours	4-5 Days	1-2 Inches	1 1/2 Cups
Cashews	3 Cups	2-3 Hours			4 Cups
Clover	3 Tbsp	5 Hours	4-6 Days	1-2 Inches	4 Cups
Fenugreek	4 Tbsp	6 Hours	2-5 Days	1-2 Inches	3 Cups
Flax Seeds	1 Cup	6 Hours			2 Cups
Garbanzo Beans (Chick Pea)	1 Cup	12-48 Hours	2-4 Days	1/2-1 Inch	4 Cups
Kale Seed	4 Tbsp	4-6 Hours	4-6 Days	3/4-1 Inch	3-4 Cups
Lentil	3/4 Cup	8 Hours	2-3 Days	1/2-1 Inch	4 Cups
Millet	1 Cup	5 Hours	12 Hours	1/16 Inch	3 Cups
Mung Beans	1/3 Cup	8 Hours	4-5 Days	1/4-3 Inches	4 Cups
Mustard Seed	3 Tbsp	5 Hours	3-5 Days	1/2-1 1/2 Inches	3 Cups
Oats, Hulled	1 Cup	8 Hours	1-2 Days	1/8 Inch	1 Cup
Onion Seed	1 Tbsp	4-6 Hours	4-5 Days	1-2 Inches	1 1/2-2 Cups
Pea	1 Cup	8 Hours	2-3 Days	1/2-1 Inch	3 Cups
Pinto Bean	1 Cup	12 Hours	3-4 Days	1/2-1 Inch	3-4 Cups
Pumpkin	1 Cup	6 Hours	1-2 Days	1/8 Inch	2 Cups
Quinoa	1 Cup	3-4 Hours	2-3 Days	1/2 Inch	3 Cups
Radish	3 Tbsp	6 Hours	3-5 Days	3/4-2 Inches	4 Cups
Rye	1 Cup	6-8 Hours	2-3 Days	1/2-3/4 Inch	3 Cups
Sesame Seed, Hulled	1 Cup	8 Hours			1 1/2 Cups
Sesame Seed, Unhulled	1 Cup	4-6 Hours	1-2 Days	1/8 Inch	1 Cup
Spelt	1 Cup	6 Hours	1-2 Days	1/4 Inch	3 Cups
Sunflower, Hulled	1 Cup	6-8 Hours	1 Day	1/4-1/2 Inch	2 Cups
Teff	1 Cup	3-4 Hours	1-2 Days	1/8 Inch	3 Cups
Walnuts	3 Cups	4 Hours			4 Cups
Wheat	1 Cup	8-10 Hours	2-3 Days	1/4-3/4 Inch	3 Cups
Wild Rice	1 Cup	12 Hours	2-3 Days	Rice Splits	3 Cups

Soaking Nuts and Seeds

1. Gather your raw, organic nuts or seeds.


2. Rinse them in purified or distilled water.


3. Place them in a glass or stainless steel bowl.


4. Cover with twice as much water as the nuts or seeds. (1 cup of nuts to 2 cups of water).


5. Cover the bowl with something breathable like a cloth towel.


6. Drain and rinse the nuts or seeds every 3 or 4 hours.

The soak water will contain the enzyme inhibitors which is very acidic to the body so make sure to rinse your nuts and seeds well.

---

Sprouting Nuts and Seeds

1. Follow the process above for soaking nuts and seeds.


2. Place the soaked and rinsed nuts or seeds in a sprouting jar. You can get this online or at a health food store.


3. Cover the jar with screening, cheesecloth, or sprouting lids.


4. Put the jar face down, at an angle in a low light place. A dish rack or a high rimmed bowl works well because it allows the excess water to drain out.


5. Rinse every 8 hours. To rinse: Fill jar with water. Shake vigorously. Drain. Repeat 2-3 times.

Make sure you drain the jar well. Seeds
that sit in water can spoil the whole jar!

6. Once sprouting begins, place in a sun lit area. Don't place in direct sunlight though. Continue to rinse every 8 hours.


7. Let the sprouts grow for the suggested number of days.

After the final rinse, let the sprouts dry completely! They should be dry to the touch. This is very important! Refrigerated produce dies quickly.

The sprouts can then be stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 weeks. 

Jan 24th--NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER DAY!

Interesting peanut facts, nutrition, buying tips, & healthy recipe.

What you need to know:

1. Americans consume 700 million pounds of peanut butter annually, about three pounds per person!

2. Peanuts are technically legumes (like beans), not a nut at all!!  

3. One acre of peanuts will make 30,000 peanut butter sandwiches.

4. Peanuts are a new world food, probably originating in Brazil and working their way up to Mexico. The Aztecs mashed them into a paste as early as 500 years ago.

5. 75% of homes in the US have a peanut butter jar.

6. 60% of the peanuts in the US are grown in Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. Half are used for peanut butter.

7. Peanuts are rich in monounsaturated fats, which help reduce the risk of heart disease.

8. Peanut butter is also a good source of vitamins B3 and E, magnesium, folate, and dietary fiber.

9.  Though peanut butter has many health benefits, it's HIGH in calories and fats, so always MEASURE! 

10.  Ave serving, 2 TBS has about 200 calories 

What to buy at supermarket:

Look for peanut butter with no hydrogenated oils (AKA trans fat) or sugar. The ideal ingredient list should just one – peanuts, maybe two since most have added salt.  Organic & natural (the ones you have to stir) are BEST! 

Healthy Recipe Idea--

Peanut Butter Fudge Protein Bars:  [no bake, sugar free, high protein, GF]

(makes 10 bars)

    128g (1/2 cup) Natural Peanut Butter (no sugar/salt/oil added)
    1 cup + 2 tbs Unsweetened Almond Milk
    10 packets Truvia* (or sweetener of choice)
    40 drops stevia extract
    1/8 tsp Salt
    96g (1 cup) Old Fashioned Rolled Oats, blended to a flour (GF if you like)
    168g (a little less than 3.5 scoops) Genesis Pure Complete Protein Powder 

*If you don't have stevia drops, add 6-8 more packets of Truvia.
**Do not use whey protein powder in this recipe, it will be gooey and will not solidify unless you freeze it.

Directions:
1.  Line an 8" brownie pan with wax paper or parchment paper both ways and set aside.
2.  In a medium-sized stand mixer bowl, add the peanut butter and almond milk and stir (don't use a whisk attachment.  If you feel like getting an arm workout, skip the stand mixer and use a spoon and your arm!).
3.  While the mixer is stirring, add the Truvia, stevia and salt.  Still mixing, add the oat flour.  Once the oat flour has fully mixed in, add the protein powder.  Mix until all the protein powder is incorporated.
4.  Take the bowl off the stand mixer and fold the mixture with a rubber spatula to form a giant PB dough ball.  Dump into the prepared pan and flatten with the spatula (or if you're fancy, a pastry roller).  Cover and refrigerate overnight.
5.  The next day, slice into bars and store in the fridge.  If you are the on-the-go type, wrap each bar in parchment paper and tape to close, that way you can easily grab them out of the fridge.

Vegetarian & Vegan Protein Sources

Protein Sources: Eggs

One large egg (about 50 grams) provides 6 grams of protein. Eggs are versatile and can be prepared in a variety of ways. A veggie omelet will boost up the nutrition level and can provide you with an additional tasty source of protein. Consider a mushroom and spinach omelet for an extra boost of colorful flavor and protein.

Protein Sources: Dairy

Yogurt

One cup (8 ounces) of plain low fat yogurt provides you with approximately 13 grams of protein. Don't forget, the dairy in yogurt is a great source for calcium - about 45% calcium.

Cottage Cheese

One cup (8 ounces) of plain low fat cottage cheese provides you with approximately 27 grams of protein. Add a variety of seeds for an additional punch of protein.

Milk

One cup (8 ounces) of whole milk has about 8 grams of protein.

Protein Sources: Fish

Fish

Three ounces of Atlantic Salmon has approximately 19 grams of protein.

Shellfish

100 grams of bay and sea scallops will provide you with approximately with 23 grams of protein.

Protein Sources: Legumes, Hummus and Sprouts

Legumes

Legumes include a variety of beans as well as peas. Beans are an excellent source of fiber, B vitamins, iron and calcium. Legumes that are a great protein source include:

• peas
• lentils
• kidney beans
• garbanzo beans
• soy beans
• navy beans
• black beans
• chickpeas

Hummus

Hummus is a paste made from chickpeas. One cup of homemade humus contains 12 g of protein.

Sprouts

Sprouts are grown from legumes and are a decent source of protein.

• Alfalfa sprouts: 1 cup has 1 gram of protein.
• Mung sprouts: 1 cup has 2 grams of protein.
• Lentil sprouts: 1 cup has 7 grams of protein.
• Kidney sprouts: 1 cup has 8 grams of protein.

Protein Source: Soy and Edamame

One cup of dry roasted soy nuts has 68 grams of protein.

One cup of soybean, curd cheese has 28 grams of protein.

Edamame

A 3.5 ounce serving of edamame provides 11 grams of protein.

Protein Source: Tofu

Tofu is made with bean curd and soy. Tofu is versatile and can be prepared in a variety of ways.

• 3 ounces of tofu contains 9 grams of protein.

Protein Source: Vegetables

Dried Tomatoes

A 1/4 cup serving of sun-dried tomatoes provides 2 grams protein.

Mushrooms

A 1/2 cup of cooked mushrooms has 2 grams protein.

Spinach

A 1/2 cup of cooked spinach contains 3 grams of protein.

Broccoli

A 1/2 cup of broccoli provides you with 2 grams of protein.

Brussels Sprouts

A 1/2 cup of brussels sprouts provides you with 2 grams of protein.

Corn

A 1/2 cup of sweet yellow corn will give you 3 grams of protein.

Artichokes

A medium artichoke contains 4 grams of protein.

Protein Source: Nuts, Spreads and Seeds

Protein: Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are an amazing source of protein. They are great as a snack or as a salad topper. You can even add them to your oatmeal, granola or smoothies. Although nuts and seeds can be high in fat they are not usually the dangerous heart clogging animal fats found in beef.

Butters and Spreads

• 2 Tablespoons of peanut butter provides you with 8 grams of protein.
• 2 Tablespoons of Nutella® contains 3 grams of protein.

Measurements and protein grams for nuts and seeds

Food Item	Measurement	Protein Grams
Flax seeds	1 Tablespoon	4 grams
Hemp seeds	1 Tablespoon	6 grams
Pumpkin seeds	1 oz.	3 grams
Sunflower seeds	1 oz.	3 grams
Almonds	1 oz.	3 grams
Cashews	1 oz.	2 grams
Peanuts	1 oz.	3 grams
Pine Nuts	1 oz.	2 grams
Pistachios	1 oz.	3 grams
Walnuts	1 oz.	3 grams

Another List: Shows the amount of protein in various vegan foods and also the number of grams of protein per 100 calories. To meet protein recommendations, the typical adult male vegan needs only 2.5 to 2.9 grams of protein per 100 calories and the typical adult female vegan needs only 2.1 to 2.4 grams of protein per 100 calories. These recommendations can be easily met from vegan sources.

FOOD	AMOUNT	PROTEIN(gm)	PROTEIN(gm/100 cal)
Tempeh	1 cup	41	9.3
Seitan	3 ounces	31	22.1
Soybeans, cooked	1 cup	29	9.6
Lentils, cooked	1 cup	18	7.8
Black beans, cooked	1 cup	15	6.7
Kidney beans, cooked	1 cup	13	6.4
Veggie burger	1 patty	13	13.0
Chickpeas, cooked	1 cup	12	4.2
Veggie baked beans	1 cup	12	5.0
Pinto beans, cooked	1 cup	12	5.7
Black-eyed peas, cooked	1 cup	11	6.2
Tofu, firm	4 ounces	11	11.7
Lima beans, cooked	1 cup	10	5.7
Quinoa, cooked	1 cup	9	3.5
Tofu, regular	4 ounces	9	10.6
Bagel	1 med. (3 oz)	9	3.9
Peas, cooked	1 cup	9	6.4
Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP), cooked	1/2 cup	8	8.4
Peanut butter	2 Tbsp	8	4.3
Veggie dog	1 link	8	13.3
Spaghetti, cooked	1 cup	8	3.7
Almonds	1/4 cup	8	3.7
Soy milk, commercial, plain	1 cup	7	7.0
Soy yogurt, plain	6 ounces	6	4.0
Bulgur, cooked	1 cup	6	3.7
Sunflower seeds	1/4 cup	6	3.3
Whole wheat bread	2 slices	5	3.9
Cashews	1/4 cup	5	2.7
Almond butter	2 Tbsp	5	2.4
Brown rice, cooked	1 cup	5	2.1
Spinach, cooked	1 cup	5	13.0
Broccoli, cooked	1 cup	4	6.8
Potato	1 med. (6 oz)	4	2.7
Sources: USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 18, 2005 and manufacturers' information. The recommendation for protein for adult males vegans is around 56-70 grams per day; for adult female vegans it is around 46-58 grams per day (see text).

Meal Choices

The beauty of the foods listed above is that they can be combined and used in multiple protein rich recipes. Soups, salads, sandwiches and wraps can become wonderful sources of protein. Get creative, stay healthy & enjoy!  :) 

Kohlrabi, WHAT?

Kohlrabi is an amazing vegetable for it's high density of nutrients to it's versatility in recipes!  I like to eat them equally raw or cooked, but before I get into that, let me tell you why they're so good for you!  

Kohlrabi is from the same family of vegetables as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, collard greens and brussels sprouts, and also known as a "German turnip."  They have a mild flavor, somewhat sweet and crunchy when eaten raw.  

Health benefits:

• High in fiber & only 36 calories per cup.
• Great source of vitamin-C; 62 grams per 100 grams, which is approximately 102% of RDA. 
• Like other vegetables from this family, it's high in phytochemicals that are appears to protect against prostate and colon cancers.
• Many B-complex group of vitamins such as niacin, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), thiamin, pantothenic acid etc that acts as co-factors to enzymes during various metabolism inside the body.
• Also contains good levels of minerals, such as; copper, calcium, potassium, manganese, iron, and phosphorus (mainly in the stems.) Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure by countering effects of sodium. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.
• The leaves or tops are similar to turnip greens, are also very nutritious as well!  Lots of  carotenes, vitamin A, vitamin K, minerals, and B-complex group of vitamins.

How to eat them? 

My preferred way is raw, like an apple, but make sure to peel them first, as the outer skin of this vegetable is very tough, and will not soften unless cooked well.  Other ways to eat it raw, is slice them up or shred them into salads or make a cole slaw with them.

Cooked methods, can be roasted, stewed into soups, sauteed when chopped or diced (it's great in stir-fry dishes).   

Here's some resources w/ photos that shows some great ways to use & cook with Kohlrabi!   

Kohlrabi Recipes: How To Cook (PHOTOS)

Discovering Kohlrobi: 

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/09/discovering-kohlrabi-its-a-vegetable/