SHRIMP AND AVOCADO PASTA SALAD

With crisp vegetables, avocado and sweet shrimp, this cool pasta salad is a meal in itself.

Makes: 8 servings

INGREDIENTS

1- 16oz package wheat penne pasta

1 pound of sauteed shrimp (16-20 count), peeled and deveined  

1/2 cup shredded cheddar

1 avocado, peeled and diced

1 cup Organic Fat Free Plain Yogurt

Juice of 2 lemons

1/2 Nature Sweet Tomatoes

1 cucumber, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch-thick half moons

1 cup green beans, blanched and chilled

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper

Salt and pepper to taste (or 1 Pack Goya Vegetable Seasoning)

2 Scallion onions stalks

DIRECTIONS

Cook pasta according to package instructions. Rinse pasta under cold water and drain. In a large bowl gently toss together pasta, shrimp, cheddar cheese, avocado, yogurt, scallion onions, lemon juice, tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, crushed red pepper, and salt and pepper to taste. Serve chilled.

THE AMAZING AVOCADO

The health benefits of avocado include weight management, protection from cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, treating osteoarthritis and enhancing the absorption of nutrients for the body.  It also reduces the risk of cancer, liver damage and Vitamin K deficiency-related bleeding. Avocado helps in keeping eyes healthy and protecting the skin from signs of aging and the harmful effects of UV rays. It also helps in maintaining blood sugar levels and has antioxidant properties. It even helps to increase circulation, boost cognitive abilities, and build stronger bones! 

 

Avocado has a high fatty acid content but contains extremely low levels of cholesterol. Many people tend to stop eating avocado due to its high calorie content, thinking that it may add to their weight.  However, the amount of calories is very small when compared to butter, and other high calorie dietary items. Also, much of the fat content comes from unique sources, like phytosterols, which are beneficial for a number of reasons. 

Learn More On Eating Healthy With Dr. Ezzy @

Royal Healing Natural Health Center

BANANA PECAN PANCAKES

Take the Challenge and Eat a Healthy 

Breakfast Everyday of the Week!!!

***These easy, great-tasting pancakes are wonderful topped with pecans, bananas and warm maple syrup.***

makes: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

2/3 cup Stonyfield Organic Low Fat (1%) Milk

2 tablespoons melted butter

1 egg

3/4 cup Stonyfield Organic Low Fat Banilla Yogurt

1 1/3 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

5 tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup mashed ripe bananas

1/2 cup chopped pecans, plus more for garnish

1 large banana, sliced

2 tbsp ground Flaxseed

DIRECTIONS

In a large bowl, mix together milk, butter, egg, and yogurt until smooth. In a separate bowl, sift in flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Add dry mixture to wet mixture while stirring. Batter may be lumpy. Add vanilla, flaxeed and fold in mashed bananas and pecans. Preheat griddle to medium heat and coat with cooking spray. Use 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake and cook for approximately 2-3 minutes. Flip once bubbles form and cook for 1-2 minutes on the second side. Serve topped with maple syrup, banana slices and pecans. Makes 12-15, 5-inch pancakes.

Royal Healing Natural Health Center

COCONUT CRUST SPINACH PIZZA RECIPE

Coconut has many health benefits and even aids in weight loss and helps to stimulate the metabolism! In addition, low glycemic index measures how fast available carbohydrates in food raise blood sugar levels.  Coconut fiber slows down the release of glucose, therefore requiring less insulin to utilize the glucose and transport it into the cell where it is converted into energy.  Coconut also assists in relieving stress on the pancreas and enzyme systems of the body, in turn, reducing the risks associated with Diabetes. 

FOOD AS MEDICINE

Total Time: 25-30 minutes 

Serves: 4-6 Servings

INGREDIENTS:

¼ cup + 2 tbsp coconut flour

¼ C coconut oil

3 eggs

1 tsp honey

1 tsp baking powder

¼ tsp sea salt

2 medium tomatoes

4 cups chopped fresh spinach

1 cup cheese

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Line a pizza sheet with parchment paper

Mix together the wet ingredients in one bowl and the dry ingredients in another

Combine the wet and dry ingredients

Roll batter onto parchment paper until about ½-3/4 in thick

Bake for 20 minutes

Take the crust out and top with favorite ingredients.

Spread sauce (Tomato, Pesto, or Alfredo) over dough to within 1 in. of edges. Thinly slice or chop tomatoes; top pizza with spinach, tomatoes and cheese.

Place back in oven to bake for another 2-3 minutes or just until the cheese has melted.

Experience the full benefit of coconut and spinach while satisfying your cravings with this delicious coconut crust spinach pizza recipe!

Royal Healing Natural Health Center

Dr. Ezenwanyi Ahaghotu

832-913-5022

SPINACH-STUFFED MUSHROOMS

Makes: 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

• 20 medium mushrooms
• 1/4 cup chopped shallots, scallions or onion
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Garlic Essence Marinade
• 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
• 2 cups chopped fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup Plain Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt
• ¼ cup wheat bread crumbs (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Wash the mushrooms and carefully remove the stems without breaking the caps. Finely chop the stems. 
2. Combine the shallots, garlic, marinade and vinegar in a small skillet or saucepan and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the chopped mushroom stems and soy sauce and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 5 minutes, until the mushrooms soften and release their juices. 
3. Add the spinach and cook, continuing to stir, until it is wilted and the liquid in the pan is absorbed. Remove from the heat and let cool for a few minutes, then stir in the yogurt. 
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Sprinkle wheat bread crumbs as topping layer (optional) 
6. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Stuff the spinach filling into the mushroom caps. 
7. Place the mushrooms in a baking pan and bake for 20 minutes, until tender. 
8. Remove from the oven and let sit for a few minutes for the filling to set before serving. Yields 20 mushrooms.

The Amazing Healing Power of Mushroom

• Mushrooms are one of the highest antioxidant foods on the market.  Studies in both humans and animals indicate that mushrooms stimulate the immune system.  
• Mushrooms are particularly high in one unique antioxidant called ergothioneine. Ergothioneine is very effective in providing protection from free radicals as well as boosting the immune system.   Ergothioneine has a specific protein transporter in the blood it must very important to cardiovascular health.   A serve of mushrooms provides about a quarter of an adult’s requirements of selenium, an essential antioxidant mineral.   
• Mushrooms themselves provide you with lean proteins since they have no cholesterol or fat and are very low carbohydrates. The fiber and certain enzymes in mushrooms also help lower cholesterol levels. 
• Mushrooms are very effective in preventing breast and prostate cancer due to the significant presence of Beta-Glucans and conjugated Linoleic Acid, which both have anti-carcinogenic effects. 
• Vitamin D is a relatively rare vitamin to find in vegetables, and in fact, edible forms in general are not particularly common. 
• Would you believe me if I said that a completely lean protein diet is ideal for losing fat and building muscle mass? Well, believe it or not, it’s true.  Most fats are burnt to digest proteins found in our food, more so when the protein is accompanied by a very low carbohydrate count, no fat or cholesterol, and a good amount of fiber.

 FOOD AS MEDICINE...NEVER FAILS!

Royal Healing Natural Health Center