Mediterranean Diet Inspiration

"The groundwork for all happiness is good health."- Leigh Hunt

Breakfast:

• 6 oz. Greek yogurt with ½ cup strawberries, 2 tbs pomegranate seeds, and 1 tsp. honey

Love starting the morning with these beautiful colors 

Nom nom nom

• 1 slice whole-grain toast with half mashed avocado

Lunch:

• Spinach with Garbanzo Beans and crusty bread 
• What you need:
• 2 cloves minced garlic 
• 1/4 onion diced
• 2 cups spinach 
• 1/2 can of garbanzo beans 
• 1 cup kale
• 1/4 cup shredded carrots
• How to make:
• Heat olive oil 
• Cook the garlic and onion for about 5 minutes

• Stir in the spinach and garbanzo beans

• Mix in the kale and carrots. Lightly mash the beans and cook until everything is thoroughly heated.

Dinner:

• Mediterranean Shrimp and Pasta 
• What you need:
• 2 tsp olive oil 
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 2 cups chopped plum tomatoes 
• 1/4 cup sliced basil
• 1/3 cup kalamata olives 
• spinach linguine 
• 1/4 cup mozzarella 
• How to make:
• Cook pasta

Spinach linguine is healthier than the flour based traditional noodles

• Heat olive oil and saute garlic for 30 seconds

• Add in shrimp saute 1 minute 

• Add in tomato, olives, and basil, simmer 3 minutes

• Add in shrimp, tomato, olives, and basil to the pasta and top with cheese

It's basically the same thing as being in Greece... 

Cheers X

Chicken & Avocado Spaghetti with Garlic Bread

"Everything you see, I owe to spaghetti"- Sophia Loren 

Growing up in California, I was exposed to some of the freshest produce around, especially avocados. My mom and most of my closest friends were all avocado addicts, but something about them freaked me out... I think they were too green with an odd creamy texture that just threw me. However, during my freshman year of college a friend of mine forced me to eat an avocado. Since then I have become the biggest advocate of avocados. I'm always looking for new ways to incorporate avocados into my diet (smoothies, grilled cheese, etc.) because they are so ridiculously good for you. 

 A couple months ago, I came across a recipe for an avocado pasta that I had to try. With a few minor tweaks and additions avocado pasta is now one of my favorite recipes. You all need to try this, you won't be disappointed. 

And honestly, what Italian inspired meal is complete without garlic bread? 

Avocado Spaghetti:

What You Need: 

• 1/2 pound spaghetti 
• 1.5 ripe avocados 
• 1 spoonful of lemon juice 
• 1 spoonful of lime juice
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil 
• 2 tablespoon of pesto
• 1/4 cup Italian cheese blend
• red pepper flakes for seasoning
• chicken breast 

How to Make:

• Cook your spaghetti until done
• Cook your chicken on medium heat seasoned with garlic and lemon 
• Blend the peeled avocado with the olive oil, garlic, lemon/lime juice, and pesto until smooth

 

• Coat the spaghetti with the avocado mixture and season to taste with cheese and red pepper flakes

Garlic Bread

What You Need:

• French or Italian loaf of bread cut horizontally 
• 1/4 cup of butter
• 4 cloves of diced garlic
• 2 tbsp of parsley
• 1/4 cup of italian cheese blend (I use fontina, parmesan, and mozzarella) 

How to Make:

• soften your butter and mix in the garlic and parsley
• cover your bread in the butter mixture

• preheat your oven to 350 degrees
• cook the bread in the oven for 10 minutes
• sprinkle the cheese over the bread and cook for another 5 minutes (wait for the cheese to start to bubble and the edges of the bread to darken)

• Let it cool, cut it up, and serve 

Enjoy!

Cheers X