0 This Dude is Awesome!

I love how science and research can answer many questions, and I base my nutrition, fitness, and wellness advice on hard data!  Dr Michael Greger, MD, of www.nutritionfacts.org is AWESOME!  Dr Greger concisely and visually convinces his viewers of the often fabulous benefits of whole foods, and also dispels harmful, and often all too common myths about health and nutrition.

Here are Dr Greger's more than 1500 health topics!

Watch some videos and be motivated you to make some changes!  Enjoy!  

And thank you kindly, Dr Greger!

Beans are super-nutritious!

This video explains one more awesome benefit of BEANS!

Check out the awesomeness of dates (a key nutrient in many Laraball recipes!)!

Watch this one and I bet you'll start drinking a glass of water,

first thing in the morning, 

as well as serving one to each of your kiddos!

More on HYDRATION here :)

COMMENTS: What did you learn from one of Dr Greger's videos? There are so many that I still want to watch and learn from!

Detail: This Dude is Awesome!

0 Tater Tots for a Balanced Meal?!

Healthy creamy pasta sauce anyone? ...coming soon!
Best, cheapest, healthiest, easiest refried beans ever! ...coming soon!

AND did you ever think that tater tots could be a well-balanced, delicious, and fun MEAL?!

TATER TOTS (without potatoes!)
Note: potatoes aren't unhealthy, but quinoa and beans are MUCH more NUTRITIONALLY dense!

Chocolate Covered Katie introduced these tots which she found in an awesome cookbook by Julie Morris:

This is what I did:

1. Started cooking 1/2 c quinoa (in 1 1/2 c water, 2:1 ratio) to get 2 cups cooked (1c dry quinoa = 4 c cooked!)
2. Drained, rinsed and mashed a can of white beans (you could reserve some juice in case dough needs moisture)
3. Diced one small onion (about 1/2 c)
4. Added 1/4 c each: sesame seeds, ground flaxseed, and brown rice OR whole wheat flour
5. 1 Tbsp soy sauce (or you could use 1-2 Tbsp miso)
6. Combine quinoa, beans, onion, dry ingredients, and soy sauce.
7. Form into balls, rolls (then sliced for tots!), or patties.
8. You can brown on a pan on the stove or bake in the oven (baking doesn't look as much like usual tater tots).
9. Top with mustard for another health boost!

The way I describe above is a double batch of the original, with a few other slight changes.

You can freeze some for later (though when I make them, I can hardly get them off the pan before they are gobbled up by all!).

Note: this pan is gone now.
I didn't use it much because of the dangers of Teflon.
I got a new pan I'll be sharing soon!

HERE is Julie's book:

Click on book to see in Amazon!

COMMENTS: would you rather see dried beans SIMPLIFIED, or Creamy Avocado Pasta next?

Detail: Tater Tots for a Balanced Meal?!