Victoria Stratton
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Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

10/14/2019

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As the days get shorter and the colder months set in, I always crave something a little heartier in the morning. This quinoa breakfast bowl was a staple in my diet before "bowls" were even a thing.

I discovered this yummy concoction during a trip to Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in western Massachusetts. A long-weekend, solo getaway I used to treat myself to every year, even when I was broke and sharing a "dorm room" with 7 other women. The "Kripalu glow" was hard-earned and worth every penny. If you haven't been to Kripalu, I highly recommend it, along with this delicious, nutritious breakfast recipe. Enjoy!
Ingredients for a single serving:
2/3 cup cooked quinoa
1/3 cup coconut-milk yogurt (or any low-sugar yogurt of your choice)
1 tablespoon sunflower seeds
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons raisins
2 tablespoons shredded coconut

In a small bowl, add the quinoa and then dollop the yogurt on top. Sprinkle with remaining ingredients and enjoy.

Tips
- I cook a big batch of quinoa on Sunday to have on hand for the week.
- Store sunflower seeds, nuts and coconut in the refrigerator to keep fresh longer. (I keep mine in large mason jars for no-spill, easy access, as well.)
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Egg & Avocado Toast

8/5/2019

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This is another go-to for me. It's easy peasy (especially if you prep the eggs ahead to have on hand during the week) and chock full of nutrients and healthy fats. On mornings you have some extra time and your feeling a little fancy, try subbing the hard-boiled egg with a poached egg... yummy goodness. If you're trying to cut down on protein, which I often do, try subbing the egg with slices of tomato, also delicious.

INGREDIENTS
Makes one serving.

1 slice sprouted grain bread (I go for Ezekiel sesame)
1/2 avocado
1 hard-boiled egg, sliced
salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS
Toast the bread and then layer on the avocado, mashing slightly. Top with the sliced egg and sprinkle with salt and pepper, to taste. And voila, enjoy!
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Homemade EVOO Italian Dressing

6/27/2019

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This version of the classic and ever-popular Italian dressing is made healthier (and IMO much tastier!) by using extra-virgin olive oil instead of vegetable oil. Olive oil has many more health benefits and is less processed than vegetable oil, it also has a higher smoke point so it's safer to cook with.

I use this both on salads and to marinate chicken, and I find it adds so much more flavor than any store-bough version I've tried, and it's super easy!

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon garlic sea salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon parsley
1/4 teaspoon pepper

DIRECTIONS

Combine all ingredients in a mason jar, cover tightly with a lid, and shake vigorously until well blended and emulsified.
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Herb-Crusted Chicken Breast with Roasted Garlic

5/9/2019

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This is one of my favorite recipes from Dr. Mark Hyman's book, The Blood Sugar Solution 10-Day Detox Diet. It's super easy and literally covered in tons of healing herbs and spices, which pack huge flavor without a bunch of extra calories. This meal quickly became part of the regular rotation in our household. Serve it with a big green salad or steamed veggies.
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INGREDIENTS
Serves 4

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 heads garlic, tops cut off
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
   (4-6 ounces each)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
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freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
optional: 1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
1/4 cup macadamia nuts or cashews, crushed

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 375 degree Fahrenheit. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over the heads of garlic and roast in the oven for 30 to 40 minutes.

While the garlic is roasting, place each chicken breast in a plastic bag and pound firmly with a meat cleaver to flatten slightly. Mix the herbs, salt, and pepper and the nuts in a small bowl and place the mixture on a flat plate. Brush each breast with a thin layer of Dijon mustard and coat each side with the herb mix.

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Saute the breasts with the smooth, rounded side down for 3 to 4 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and turn over the breasts, cooking for another 3 minutes, until cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside.

Squeeze the roasted garlic out of the skin, dividing evenly on top of the chicken breasts, and serve.

TIPS
- I often use dried herbs instead of the fresh ones this recipe calls for, and I find the recipe just as tasty.
- I've made this recipe with and without the Dijon, nuts, and roasted garlic, and, again, find it just as tasty.
- Often, I will make a batch on Sunday or Monday to have on hand during the week - I'll slice a piece and add to a salad for lunch or reheat and enjoy with a green veggie for a quick dinner.
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Poached Eggs Over Asparagus

4/19/2019

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This recipe is from Lisa Bryan of Downshiftology, one of my favorite YouTube channels. She makes tons of great, healthy food and includes the kind of simple details novice cookers like me need. She also has a bunch of fantastic meal prep videos. I can't wait to try my hand at making my own gluten-free cassava flour tortillas, she makes it look so easy! 

The only changes I make to this recipe are eliminating the prosciutto and the parmesan. While they are okay to indulge in now and then, I think this dish is delicious (and healthier) without them and worth having more than every now and then!

I also love this dish because I get a hefty serving of nutrient-dense, yet low calorie, green veggies to start my day.  
INGREDIENTS
Makes 2 servings.

16 asparagus spears
1 Tbsp olive oil
1-2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 lemon, juiced and zested
4 eggs
salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

Separately, heat the oil in a large saute pan on medium heat. Add the minced garlic, lemon juice and zest, and asparagus spears. Saute and use tongs to move the asparagus around until they are cooked through, approximately 3-5 minutes.

Once the pot of water has come to a boil, reduce the heat to low and ensure that no bubbles are breaking the surface. Add each egg to a ramekin, then gently add to the pot of water. Cook each egg for 3 minutes. Then remove the egg with a slotted spoon and dab any excess water on a paper towel.

To assemble, add half the asparagus spears to each plate and top each with two poached eggs. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
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Chicken & Vegetable Soup

1/15/2019

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There's nothing quite as comforting as a warm bowl of homemade chicken soup, especially on a cold winter day. This version swaps out the noodles for some nutrient-packed greens, but it's so yummy and delicious you won't even notice. If you are very active or your goal is to only maintain your weight, you may choose to add some gluten-free pasta or brown rice (just watch portion sizes), but if your goal is to lose weight, stick with this lighter version that's just as satisfying.

INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 lbs skinless, boneless chicken breasts
6 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into bite-size pieces
8 stalks celery, diced
2 quarts reduced-sodium chicken stock
sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
2 cups kale or spinach
1 cup chopped fresh parsley

DIRECTIONS
Heat the oil in a 4- to 5-quart thick-bottom soup pot over medium heat. Place chicken in the pot and cook until edges are opaque, 6-10 minutes, depending on thickness. Turn the chicken over, cover the pot, reduce heat to medium-low and cook for another 6-10 minutes, until cooked through. Remove and set aside. 

Add the vegetables (except the kale or spinach) to the pot and cook for 4-5 minutes. While the vegetables are cooking, cut chicken (or shred) into bite-size pieces. 

Add the chicken and chicken stock to the pot, bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 45 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. 

Season with salt and pepper. Add the kale or spinach, and allow them to wilt. Add the parsley and serve.
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Breakfast Does the Body (and the Mind) Good!

8/22/2016

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Research shows that breakfast eaters tend to have better diets, consume less overall calories, and have more energy throughout the day. It also boosts concentration and memory.

Aim for:  Foods high in fiber and low in saturated fat.

One of my all-time favorites: quinoa with raisins, walnuts, seeds, coconut and a dollop of coconut-milk yogurt. I make a big batch of quinoa on Sunday and I'm good to go for the week!

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4 Minutes. 4 Exercises. No Excuses. IV

12/16/2015

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It's holiday season and the time-crunch is on, so if you're having trouble squeezing in your workout have no fear - try this quickie 4-minute workout. You'll build muscle, improve your cardiovascular fitness and torch fat and calories! Enjoy! #workoutwednesday

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4 Minutes. 4 Exercises. No Excuses. V

12/9/2015

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It's Workout Wednesday and time to mix it up again. This workout takes only 4 minutes so there is no excuse not to workout today! If you have more time and energy, do this routine 2-5 times through for a super mega calorie burn. Here's what you need to know...

Perform each exercise for 20 seconds, rest for 10 seconds before moving on to the next one. Perform each exercise twice.

TIPS: Keep your core engaged with every exercise, pay attention to proper form, breathe! And always, always listen to your body. Maybe you can only do a few reps with proper form today and that's ok, stick with it and you'll be stronger, leaner and doing more reps in no time! ;) 

#workoutwednesday #tryityoull like it #doubledareyou #get it done


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The Magic of Touch

11/18/2015

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We need 4 hugs a day for survival, 8 for maintenance and 12 for growth, according to psychotherapist Virginia Satir... and science agrees. Research shows that a loving touch lowers blood pressure, relieves anxiety, reduces stress, strengthens our immune system, helps us bond with others, and boosts our physical and emotional health.

So why not give it a try? I did...

I learned this years ago and had myself a little experiment. My family and I were not huggers but, one day as I arrived for my usual Sunday visit, I told them about
reading this 4 hugs for maintenance thing and wanted to give it a try. So we did. It was a little awkward at first, especially as an adult hugging my adult brothers, aunts and grandparents for "no special reason," but it stuck. Now, when I go home for a visit and forget to hug someone - even my very manly, 38-year-old, 6'2" brother - I get a "hey, where's my hug!?" These days, we all hug to say hello as well as bid farewell - that's 2 hugs per person, really adding them up! Not to mention how incredibly priceless each and every one of those hugs has become now that my grandfather has passed; I'm so grateful I took the opportunity when I did. When I picture him now, I see him with a big smile and arms wide open, waiting for his hug. <3 

Your turn. Hug someone today, hug everyone. Hold your honey's hand. Rub your child's back. Place your hand on your friend's arm as you talk with them. Get a massage. Give a massage. Not only is it wonderful for your health and theirs, but who couldn't use a little reconnecting in this disconnected world.

Let me know how it goes!


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