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Jan 8, 2016

"superfoods 24/7" + giveaway



What better time to review a cookbook about superfoods than now, at the beginning of the year when all good resolutions come about? “There is a real superfood buzz in the air right now,” Jessica Nadel observes in Superfoods 24/7 (Amazon, B&N), and she is quite the expert at this new trend. However, eating foods that are high in minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and dietary fiber, should not be a bandwagon we jump on, but at the forefront of our everyday eating habits.

That is why Jessica, of the Cupcakes and Kale site and the author of Greens 24/7 (Amazon, B&N), wrote this inspiring book. Superfoods can range from the new upstarts, like chia seeds, matcha, lucuma, to superfoods that you are already eating, but perhaps not in enough quantities, such as broccoli, kale, apples and mangos.

And here comes Jessica, providing us with recipes that are easy to prepare and are whole-foods, not to mention delicious. The recipes range from breakfasts, soups and salads, to small bites, sides, entrees and desserts – it’s all here, for every meal of every day. Once you see how easy it is to incorporate wonderful nutrition into your diet - very deliciously, to boot - you will find yourself feeling and being in a state of better-ness.

I decided to check out Jessica’s book by preparing a few recipes for myself, and I found everything pretty simple to prepare and very tasty.

First I made the Raw Brownie Truffles because who can really beat chocolate as a snack – and it was a component of the breakfast I wanted to make. The truffles were quite delicious and truly easy to make.




Then I went on to top her quick and simple Quinoa Porridge with the Brownie Crumbles and it was so yummy.




After that I tried the Spicy Spinach Coconut Noodles. I loved this dish; it was spicy and coconut-y and very flavorful. Hard to believe it has more than just a few superfoods in it! On top of that, I think the entire dish was ready in about 20 minutes at the most.



Overall, the book is very nice. It has full-color photography via Jackie Sobon and is printed on high-quality paper. The index even includes recipes searchable by a particular superfoood.

This book makes a fantastic New Year addition to your cookbook shelf but, you will find yourself actually using it throughout the year, long after other resolutions have faded and have been forgotten. This is like giving a gift of health to yourself!


Let’s sweeten the superfoods pot – I’m hosting a giveaway for the book! Check out the recipe below for Sunflower Seed and Sprout Pad Thai from Superfoods 24/7, and the enter to win the book, courtesy of The Experiment

To enter to win, just leave a comment about your thoughts regarding superfoods or what superfood you'd like to try the most. For a second chance to win, follow me on Facebook, Twitter or via RSS Feed (via a Reader) and leave a SECOND comment. All the cute buttons for following are available on the top right of this blog, just below the photos of my books. Contest is open to US and Canada addresses and will end January 18 at midnight. Good luck!

Photo by Jackie Sobon






SUNFLOWER SEED AND SPROUT PAD THAI

A duo of sunflower seeds and sprouts provides bursts of linoleic acid (an essential fatty acid) and amino acids, including tryptophan—most commonly associate with turkey and post-holiday feast relaxation. This option is certainly more exciting, fresh, and flavorful.

Serves 4, gluten-free 

Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 15 mins

14 oz (400 g) flat rice noodles 
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 large carrot, julienned
1 cup (100 g) snow peas
½ cup (70 g) toasted sunflower seeds
3 green onions, thinly sliced
2 cups (170 g) sunflower sprouts
½ cup (10 g) fresh cilantro, chopped, to serve
lime wedges, to serve

For the Sauce:
1/4 cup (60 ml) lime juice
1/4 cup (60 ml) gluten-free tamari
1/4 (60 ml) water
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1-2 teaspoons chili sauce, such as Sriracha


1. Prepare the noodles according to the package directions and set aside. 

2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the ginger, garlic, carrots, and snow peas, and cook, stirring continuously, for 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.

3. Return the skillet to medium-high heat and add the sauce ingredients, whisking to combine. Return the vegetables to the pan, with the noodles, sunflower seeds, and green onions, and stir to mix together and coat in the sauce. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, fold in the sunflower sprouts, and serve topped with cilantro and lime wedges. 

VARIATION: If sunflower sprouts aren’t available, try using mung bean sprouts instead. Broccoli florets are another nice vegetable option instead of—or in addition to—the snow peas. 

Calories (per serving): 461
Protein: 10.7 g
Total fat: 10.0 g
Saturated fat: 3.4 g
Carbohydrates: 82.5 g
Dietary fiber: 4.4 g
Sugars: 4.8 g
Vitamins: A


Credit line: Recipe from Superfoods 24/7: More than 100 Easy and Inspired Recipes to Enjoy the World’s Most Nutritious Foods at Every Meal, Every Day © Quantum Publishing, 2015. Reprinted by permission of the publisher, The Experiment. Available wherever books are sold. theexperimentpublishing.com 




30 comments:

  1. I love superfoods and always have for their nutrients and because they're delicious, but I resent the price markups that happen when we start calling them superfoods. It doesn't stop me from eating them though. jackydlt at gmail

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  2. I certainly aim to get as much nutrient dense foods into my diet as possible, but I really think calling them "superfoods" is only a fad designed to "promote" certain items over others.

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  3. I love all foods! I discovered yacon slices lately and have been putting quinoa, chia, and hemp in everything I can!

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  4. I would love to win this book! I would be interested in incorporating more superfoods into my diet.

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  5. Looking forward to trying lucuma & matcha. And like Sarahhhhhh says Quinoa is love!

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  6. My thoughts on superfoods is that sometimes marketers will take advantage of that term so be careful and do your research first to see WHY the food is good. Twitter @alikesthis

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  7. I'm also following you on Twitter! (I'm @alikesthis)

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  8. I love superfoods like chia seeds and hemp. I want to try maca powder next!

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  9. I am wanting to try more of the superfoods for sure. Those brownie truffles look amazing!

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  10. I get your newsfeed and liked you on facebook

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  11. I'ma big fan of hemp seeds. We vegans need to make sure we get our omega-3's!

    gaia at cinci dot rr dot com

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  12. I follow you on Facebook and Twitter.

    gaia at cinci dot rr dot com

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  13. I like kale and apples, but have not found a way that I like chia

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  14. Karen Goodwin Delaney likes Zsu's Vegan Pantry on Facebook

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  15. I have bags of so-called superfoods but am actually happier to know that just plain produce is super as well!

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  16. I haven't had too many of the unusual superfoods. I do put chia seeds in my smoothies, but it is still new for me. I am surprised that mangos, apples, and broccoli are considered superfoods.

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  17. I like adding hemp hearts to smoothies and oatmeal. Blueberries are also delicious in oatmeal!

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  18. I also follow you on Facebook and Twitter. =)

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  19. I like trying to add a variety of superfoods to different meals like salads and soups. Very easy to do!

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  20. I also follow you on both Twitter and Facebook. =)

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  21. I love quinoa. And I'm keen to try lucuma. pepitajobo at icloud d o t com

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    1. I received your signature. I'll keep it private and consider this comment your second entry. Thank you!

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  22. I feel that superfoods are the real foods of today. They should be the main source of everyone's diet and more people should be willing to give them a try!

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  23. I love superfoods because I think they're great for you and good to be in your everyday diet. My favorites would have to be chia seeds, kale and maca powder.

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  24. I went to make the pad Thai but I'm stumped when it says to add the sauce ingredients? I don't see any ingredients for a sauce. What am I missing?

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    1. Oh, no! I see the error. Give me a minute and I'll figure out the problem.

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    2. I went to check and the publisher accidentally missed those ingredients. Luckily, I have the book and if you give me a few minutes, I'll add those ingredients. Nice catch!

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    3. All fixed. Hope I did it in time for you. Enjoy it.

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Thanks for your comment! I'll check if it's spam and post if it is not. I appreciate your time and effort for commenting! ~ Zsu