It sure is amazing to discover a healthy meal to lose weight, and this meal tastes soooo delicious too!
The secret is in the seasonings used that come with many health benefits, and the vegetables which are packed with important vitamins and minerals, along with lots of fiber and plenty of protein.
The seasonings that are used in the first recipe are as follows:
Chili Powder – is said to contain capsaicin which helps to boost your metabolism, increasing your fat burning while building immunity as it contains vitamin C. It also acts as an antioxidant strengthening your immune system which helps to heal injuries and infections… and more.
7 Health Benefits of Chili Powder
Cumin – is said to aid your digestive system, help regulate your glucose, help to lower your cholesterol, and is also rich in many vitamins and minerals.
Top 5 Health Benefits of Cumin
Oregano – is said to help to boost your immune system, aids with your digestive system by reducing bloating, detoxifies your body, and contains many vitamins and minerals that can help strengthen aging bones.
Benefits of Oregano
Cocoa – is said to have the potential to be used for the prevention/treatment of allergies, cancers, oxidative injuries, inflammatory conditions, anxiety, hyperglycemia and insulin resistance.1
Benefits of Cocoa Powder
Garlic – is said to support your heart health, reduce your cholesterol, lower your blood pressure, promote a healthier immune system, and more.
Health Benefits of Garlic
Cayenne or Red Pepper Sauce – is said to improve circulation, increase your metabolism, reduce your appetite, and improve blood sugar levels.
Health Benefits of Cayenne Pepper
Putting these altogether in one recipe and you have one very nutritious first course… and a great way to warm your belly on a cool fall and/or winter evening.
Following is a favourite spice-filled recipe, one that all vegans and meat-eaters alike can enjoy.
Vegetarian Chili
Ingredients
1 diced onion
8 minced garlic cloves
4 tbsp. chili powder
4 tsp. salt
4 tsp. cumin
4 tsp. oregano
4 tsp. cocoa
2 tsp. red pepper sauce
2 14 oz. cans red kidney beans drained
1 14 oz. can black beans drained
1 14 oz. can cannellini beans drained
1 bell pepper (can be red, yellow or orange)
1-3 stalks of celery
6 oz can of diced mushrooms
Instructions
1.) Sauté onions and garlic until onions are translucent then transfer to a large pot.
2.) Add all of the above listed ingredients to the large pot EXCEPT the drained canned beans.
3.) Place the large pot of ingredients on your stove and heat slowly to a boil, then reduce the heat and cover with a lid for about an hour.
4.) Then add your drained canned beans, then turn up the heat bringing contents back to a boil then reduce heat again and cover pot with the lid.
5.) Simmer for several hours, stirring regularly. The longer you cook this, the thicker and richer your chili will become.
Friends swear by this recipe as their favourite and apparently it has even been a hit at many parties. If you do decide to try this out, I hope you will write me a comment below to let me know how well you liked it.
A healthy meal to lose weight, must be topped off by dessert, wouldn’t you agree?
Now for dessert…
Too many times, the sweetest things in life come with a big side order of guilt, right?
Luckily, it does not have to be this way. A very simple substitution can turn a waistline-sabotaging treat into something that not only tastes great but is also good for you.
This one ingredient substitution can:
- help kick start your weight loss goals… and, it is filled with fiber and protein to keep you feeling fuller longer too.
- Support healthier bones and joints with the inclusion of calcium and zinc making you feel stronger, helping to keep you active throughout your day.
- Help you manage your cholesterol and triglyceride (natural fats and oils) levels with help support a healthier heart and perhaps even reduce the risk of a stroke.
- And may even help you maintain healthier blood pressure levels when using a substitute for refined carbohydrate like I will share with you here in the next recipe.2
What better way for you to gain all of these benefits for yourself than in a delicious dessert like the following Brownies recipe.
So, what’s all of the suspense about?
Black beans!
Yup… and this may sound a bit crazy but it is a great way to load your brownies with nutrients without sacrificing flavour. So… the next time your sweet tooth screams for more, try satisfying it with this recipe.
Healthy Brownies
Ingredients
1 15-oz. can of low sodium black beans
2 eggs
¼ cup Melted coconut oil
2 oz. melted bittersweet chocolate (at least 70% cacao)
1 ½ tsp. vanilla extract
1 tbsp. brewed coffee
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
¾ cup coconut sugar
Instructions
1.) Preheat your oven to 325°F.
2.) Line 8” square baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
3.) Open the can of beans and drain and rinse them thoroughly, then set aside.
4.) Blend beans, eggs coconut oil, melted chocolate, vanilla and coffee in a blender.
5.) Whisk together the cocoa powder, baking soda, salt and coconut sugar in a large bowl until no lumps remain.
6.) In the center of the powdered mixture, make a well-like dent in the center and pour the blended bean mixture in, stirring to combine the ingredients well.
7.) Pour fully blended mixture into the baking pan.
8.) Place pan in oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until the brownies spring back a little when touched.
9.) Remove from oven and set aside to cool completely before sprinkling with a small amount of powdered (icing) sugar, then slice and serve.
TIP: You will need to let these brownies cool completely as they will fall apart when cut, so you will need to be patient.
A healthy meal to lose weight that anyone and everyone can enjoy, right?
Next time you have a get-together, try serving this entire meal and see if your family and/or friends can even tell the difference. People are always so shocked when discovering what is in these two recipes and just how healthy they both are to eat.
You can always go back for seconds… guilt free!
Sources
1 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24100674
2 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3465909
