Summer is just around the corner…
You know what that means: DIET TIME!
Here are 2 easy, healthy, and refreshing ways to help shed the pounds (with proper exercise, of course)
Lemon and Parsley infused water
We all know water intake is one of the key steps in better overall health and it is just as important in losing weight. Fruit and herb infused water is a great alternative if you are like myself and cannot seem to drink it as often as one should. I recommend purchasing organic lemons and parsley to avoid pesticides since they will be submerged in the water for an unknown amount of time. Lemons are an age-old reliable source of Vitamin C and antioxidants and have been found to aid in water retention and regulating the pH balance of our bodies as well.
Tip: Slice the lemons and thread the parsley through the pulp. This helps to keep the parsley in place. For best results, let it sit overnight for the lemons to work its magic.
Other popular water infusion recipes include Lemon and cucumber, orange, cranberry, and rosemary, and strawberry and basil. The possibilities are endless so get creative! Also, help the environment by reusing your glassware, such as the Starbucks iced-coffee bottle.
Ingredients:
1 organic red bell pepper 1 half cup of organic baby spinach 2 eggs ¼ cup of cook quinoa 1 slice of lean deli turkey dash of cayenne pepper dash of ground black pepper
– Slice bell peppers into rings (one ring per egg). The ring should be about half an inch thick.
– Preheat pan with extra virgin olive oil (or any oil of your preference). Once the pan has gained enough heat, place bell pepper rings onto the pan.
– Crack the eggs carefully into the ring of the bell peppers. It’s normal for some of the egg whites to seep out from underneath. You can fix this later.
– For runny or sunny side up eggs, cook until the egg whites are ready. For well-done eggs, break the yolk.
-As the egg is cooking inside the bell pepper ring, gently sprinkle the quinoa, turkey strips, and spinach on top. Then, top it off with cayenne pepper and ground black pepper to your liking.
– ALMOST DONE! With a non-scratching utensil (I used wooden chopsticks), gently strip away the excess egg whites that seeped through the bottom of the bell pepper ring. With a spatula, carefully transfer onto a plate and voilà! Place the leftover spinach and quinoa on the side as a small salad and enjoy!
(You can substitute liquid egg whites for regular eggs if you are watching your cholesterol level and/or simply do not like the yolk.)
-Elina (EHY)
Editor’s Note: National Paella Day. Today is National Paella Day and all La Tasca locations are serving complimentary paella during Happy Hour from 5-7 at the bar. They are also featuring 25% off all made-to-order paellas from open to close.
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