Hello everyone,
Did you know that Mediterranean diet was just named the best for 2019?Every year US News and World Report ranks the best diets for the year ahead. For 2019? The Mediterranean diet took home the top award. To determine the best diets a panel of nutritionists and specialists in diabetes, heart health and weight loss reviewed 41 diets, including the increasingly popular ketogenic, or keto diet, Weight Watchers and Atkins.
Why do we talk about this here? Because the Lenten Chef library of recipes is loaded with a variety of healthy, plant-based recipes that fit perfectly in the described above criteria of the Mediterranean diet. “Fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, grains and a glass of wine”
When a person fills their diet with the kinds of fresh, unprocessed foods, found in the Mediterranean diet, they may lose weight, improve their health and prevent diabetes, according to US News. Since the diet focuses on heart-healthy fats found in olive oil, avocado, and salmon, it also could lower bad cholesterol, a major cause of heart disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.
After weeks of indulgence caused by Christmas Holidays many people resolve to adopt healthier diet starting the beginning of New Year or the end of January (to be more realistic).
Diet question is a very tricky thing that changes every year. New researches come up people change their diet preferences and follow a trend. What is important in this rally for healthy nutrition and weight loss is to remember the core reason why we are dieting at all. I’ll name a fey that are key ones to me and you do your own list.
- Lent (Abstinence from meat, eggs, diary for certain period of time for the purpose of soul and body detox according to Orthodox lent rules)
- To feel better and be healthier
- To look better. To lose weight.
However, all the existing diets in the world and the rules they require can be narrowed to one simple solution. Moderation. Let’s say you can’t live without meat. Don’t torture yourself then, eat it (except the lent period, Wednesdays and Fridays) but not as big steak as you would love to, choose a smaller portion size instead, be moderate. You can’t imagine your life without ice-cream or chocolate? Go ahead and always say “yes” to your favorite chocolate treat but don’t forget to say “no” to a pastry you are just “ok” with. Are you invited to a gourmet party and want to try everything? Go ahead. Have fun! Do not forget to start your next day with a detox smoothie, slide into lentil soup for lunch and finish of your day with a generous bowl of salad. Your heart and soul will be happy savoring all those treats you enjoyed at the party and your body will be savoring healthy food that will help to detonate the treats you indulged the day before.
Be happy. Try new things. Eat everything you crave for. Practice fasting days (Lent) for soul and body detox. Eat. Pray. Love.
If you find yourself in the middle of the overindulgent stage while reading these lines try our Mediterranean platter of puy lentil loaded sweet potato, oranges, and pomegranate. The sweet and savory meal that is going to fill your body with good vibes, your belly with Mediterranean diet style protein and good carbs and your heart with joy. Citrusy, chewy puy lentils, chard sweet potatoes, refreshing oranges and joy releasing pomegranate make this dish a well-deserved fasting dinner staple.
After eating this incredible meal, you will become a pinch happier, I promise!
Bon Appétit!
Mediterranean diet puy lentil loaded sweet potato
Ingredients
- 1 cup french lentils
- 1 3/4 cup water
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 sweet potatoes
- 1 pomegranate
- 1/2 red onion
- 1/2 bunch parsley
- 3 oranges
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients
- Put oven to 350 F. Wash sweet potatoes and pat dry with paper towel. Put on a tray and bake for 30 min or until easily pierced through.
- Meanwhile combine water, freshly squeezed orange juice (from 1 orange) salt and lentils and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 30 min until lentils are tender but not mushy. Drain. While the lentils are cooking peel and slice the onions into thin ribbons (cut in half lengthwise, put the flat part on board as a base and cut lengthwise again trying to make the onion strips as thin as possible). Cover with 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar and 2 tbsp water. Squeeze and let marinate until the lentils get cooked. Wash and chop the parsley. Peel and segment oranges cutting them crosswise into rounds and segment them by following the natural curve of segments with the knife.
- Arrange the dish with love. Put sweet potato in the middle of the plate and cut lengthwise and squeeze to let the flesh out as much as possible. Add dressed lentils, arrange orange rounds in free spots, scatter orange segments and parsley. Cut the pomegranate in half and using spoon drum the seeds out on the salad, letting the juice and seeds land naturally and dress the dish with sweet pomegranate taste. Bon Appétit!
