Hello friends,
Last week I boiled up an extraordinary amount of chick peas and have been sprinkling them in salads ever since. This morning I had a craving for something a little different and threw together this concoction before work:
2c chick peas
1c chopped raw cauliflower
1c chopped raw carrots
1/4c chopped raw onion
1 clove minced garlic
balsamic vinaigrette:
1/4c olive oil
3tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/8tsp or pinch dried basil
1/8tsp or pinch dried oregano
1/8tsp or pinch salt
1/8tsp or pinch pepper
This entire recipe is a little calorie heavy in terms of the garbanzo beans and the olive oil, but each one cup serving is only about 264 calories and packs a serious nutrition punch!
The power and goodness of carrots – Carrots have many important vitamins and minerals. They are rich in antioxidants Beta Carotene, Alpha Carotene, Phytochemicals and Glutathione, Calcium and Potassium, and vitamins A, B1, B2, C, and E, which are also considered antioxidants, protecting as well as nourishing the skin. They contain a form of calcium easily absorbed by the body. Finally they also contain Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorous. and Sulphur – better than a wonder drug!!
Fresh cauliflower is excellent source of vitamin C; 100 g provides about 48.2 mg or 80% of daily recommended value. Vitamin-C is a proven antioxidant helps fight against harmful free radicals, boosts immunity and prevent from infections and cancers. It contains good amounts of many essential B-complex group of vitamins such as folates, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and thiamin (vitamin B1), niacin (B3) as well as vitamin K. These vitamins are essential in the sense that body requires them from external sources to replenish and required for fat, protein and carbohydrates metabolism.
Chickpeas are quite low on the glycemic index, meaning they won’t raise blood sugar significantly. They’re also an excellent source of vegetarian protein – almost a complete protein, in fact. And the very important component of protein called tryptophan, needed for the happy hormone serotonin and the sleep hormone melatonin, is found in abundance in chickpeas. These legumes are also quite mineral rich, containing calcium levels comparable to dairy products, high manganese, phosphorous, magnesium, iron and zinc.
Add in the antioxidant properties of onion and garlic, the healthy vitamin-escorting fats we get out of the EVOO and multiply that by the fact that our bodies actually USE energy to process this deliciousness and you have got a seriously healthy snack.
And Imma go eat mine, right now. :)
GirlEatsBike 