FFTF – Eggplant and “Where does your confidence reside?

Food For Thought Friday – YEAH!

I have found a new yummy dish, inspired by my wanderings around the internet on different foodie sites.  As I’ve mentioned before, I am passionate about being healthy, eating well and staying fit.  It does wonders for me, not just physically, but for my spirit as well.  God made me and caused yummy delicacies to grow on this earth so that we humans could be creative and inventive with the resources He has provided.  And so, here you have it: my fun little experiment with eggplant.  It was soooooo delish, and even my hubby liked it.  There will be no problem in making this savory dish again, because I know he will appreciate it and we both will eat it all up with no problem at all.

Eggplants are loaded with good, healthy stuff.  Not only are they an excellent source of soluble fibre, manganese and potassium, they are also very low in calories and fat.  They are also high in antioxidants and are great for cardiovascular health.

So here you have it:

Stacked Eggplant Pizza Rings – Serves 2

-8 1/4 inch eggplant rounds

-1 egg plus 1 egg white

-panko or bread crumbs (enough to bread the eggplant)

-Canadian bacon or turkey breast (or meat of choice or omit)

-1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

-1/2 cup tomato or pizza sauce

-1 red or yellow pepper sliced (can use green if you want)

-1 small onion sliced

-2 cloves garlic chopped

-1 Tbsp olive oil

-2 tsp salt

-1 tsp demarara (raw) sugar

1. Chop the garlic and slice the peppers and onion.  Caramelize along with the garlic on low heat with the olive oil, salt and sugar.  Put aside.

2.  Place eggs in a bowl and the bread/panko crumbs in another bowl.  Take the eggplant rounds and dip in the egg wash, then cover with the cumbs.  Line a square pan with tin foil, place 4 eggplant rounds on the bottom.  Then place the meat, followed by the cheese, half the mixture of peppers and onion, and tomato/pizza sauce.  Then place the other 4 rounds of breaded eggplant and top with the rest of the sauce, cheese and peppers/onions.

Preheat your over for 5 minutes at 205C (400F), then bake for 1/2 hours.

And there you have it, 2 stacked eggplant pizza rounds each.  You can have together with a nice side salad of mixed greens and a light dressing and you’re set.

Ok, I always like to post a recipe together with some “Food for Thought”, because just as our physical bodies need food for life, our spirit also needs to be fed.  I absolutely love the devotional book by Sarah Young, “Jesus Calling – Enjoying Peace in His Presence” (http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Calling-Enjoying-Peace-Presence/dp/1591451884).  I try to read it everyday in the morning.  God has really used it to bring his word to life in such an intimate and personal way.

Have you learnt to appreciate difficult days?  Do you believe that, together with God you can handle anything?  We, as humans may change like shifting shadows, but God is always the same – today, yesterday, tomorrow, forever.  Our confidence resides in this.  In Him we live and move and have our being.  Our very breath depends on Him.  Do you believe this?  Please leave a comment and let me know.  Or go into my facebook page (button on the right side) and press like and let’s discuss this topic a bit.

Ummmmmm Superfoods Do a Body Goooooood

I looooovvve eating healthy.  It makes me feel so good, and energetic, and happy, and healthy, and….. You get the point.  Anyhow, good food and nutrition are a passion of mine, and that’s why I want to make part of this blog about food, nutrition, exercise and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  I know that when I eat crap, I feel like crap.  Not that I don’t ever eat crap, but it’s all about balance, self control and not being an extremist.

I believe that God gave us good, natural, healthy foods to do our body good.  Hence, if you eat the good that God gave, you reap the benefits.  YEAH!  Ok, I have two recipes for you today.  Below you will find the instructions.

Egg Cups – Steam the spinach. Saute the tomato, onion, green pepper and mushrooms in olive oil. Separate the eggs into a bowl (don’t worry if you get some yolk in there too. I did). Grease or spray your muffin tins (a 12 muffin making pan is good).  Put a little bit of egg white in each one.  Then divide the spinach and sauteed veggies and top them off with the rest of the egg white.  Sprinkle in a little salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you like (I put a splash of pimenta sauce in each one too).  Bake at 180 C (350 F) for about 20 minutes or until done.

Ok, the benefits of egg whites, our first superfood – Each egg white has only about 16 calories, 0 g of fat and a whole whopping 5 grams of protein.  They also contain potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, copper, zinc and iron.  No wonder they’re called a ‘superfood’.

Guacamole – Chop up the onion, tomato, cilantro.  Scoop the avocado meat into a bowl a mush it up, leaving chunks.  Add the onion, tomato and cilantro.  Squeeze 1/2 of a lime (to avoid oxidization of the avocado) and add the salt, pepper, and if desired, a splash of tabasco or pimenta (for the brazilians). Mix it all up and Voila.

Avocados are awesome.  In Brazil, avocados are eaten sweet (it is strange for a Brazilian to think of avocados as a salty or savory food). They have the highest protein content of all fruits and contain no sodium or cholesterol.  75% of their fat is unsaturated (mono & poly) and supply us with necessary fatty acids that our bodies need.  Research has shown that they are good for those that have problems with cholesterol, diabetes and they contain an antioxidant that could help prevent certain types of cancer.  They’re excellent for the eyes and yes, for weightloss.  They are a source of fibre, vitamin E, potassium and B vitamins.

Suggestion for using the two together: Take 3-5 of the egg cups and 1/4 cup of guacamole and enjoy.  I’m telling you, it will satisfy your hunger, stave off cravings and keep you full for a good amount of time.

EAT UP – YUM!

Ok, I would absolutely love to hear what you think.  Also, if you have any suggestions or other special egg and/or avocado recipes, please share them.