Bruschetta-Stuffed Mushrooms (Chef Meg's Makeover)

Bruschetta-Stuffed Mushrooms (Chef Meg's Makeover)

Submitted by: CHEF_MEG

All the flavor of bruschetta, in a mushroom! All the flavor of bruschetta, in a mushroom!

Minutes to Prepare: 5

Minutes to Cook: 10

Number of Servings: 2

Ingredients

2 portabella mushrooms (or 6 baby portabella mushrooms)
1 shallot, diced
1/4 C red pepper, diced
1/4 C zucchini, diced
2 C baby spinach, stems removed
1 clove garlic, smashed
2 T flax seed meal
1 T olive oil
1 T balsamic vinegar
1/2 Roma tomato, sliced
SAVE NOW!

1 oz mozzarella cheese
2 t Parmesan cheese, shredded

Directions

Using a spoon, remove the stems and gills from the mushrooms, which are the dark ridges on the underside of the mushroom. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Heat the olive oil in a skillet set over a medium flame. Add the shallot, red pepper, zucchini and saute for 1 minute. Add the cleaned and trimmed spinach and cook until tender, about 2-3 minutes. Spray the bottom of each mushroom with nonstick cooking spray and place on a baking sheet pan. Place in the oven for 1-2 minutes just to heat the mushrooms. Rub each mushroom with the smashed garlic. Sprinkle with the flax seed meal. Divide the vegetable mixture between the two mushrooms, then top with tomato and cheese. Bake for 6 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Drizzle vinegar over cooked mushrooms before serving.

Number of Servings: 2

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user CHEF_MEG.

Fat-Burning Choco-Fruity Smoothie

Fat-Burning Choco-Fruity Smoothie

Does your body tend to store excess fat on your bottom? With ingredients like chitosan and whey protein, that helps your body build lean muscle mass and burn fat, you can kick that butt fat to the curb.         

Added to Recipes on Wed 04/25/2012

Ingredients
1 scoop whey protein
1000 mg of chitosan
1 cup water
4-5 ice cubes
1/2 banana
1 handful of frozen blueberries
1/2 pack milled flaxseed
1 tsp unsweetened cocoa

Directions
Combine ingredients in blender and enjoy!
Dr Oz

Cinnamon Sugar Sweet Potato Fries

Cinnamon Sugar Sweet Potato Fries
Try Joy's unfried alternative to churros!

Ingredients:
• 2 medium sweet potatoes (about 1 pound), peeled
• 1/4 cup whole wheat or oat flour
• 2 tbsp ground flaxseed
• 2 tbsp packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp kosher salt
• 2 egg whites

Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Liberally coat a large cooking sheet with oil spray. The fries will be crispiest if baked directly on the baking sheet, without aluminum foil.
Cut the sweet potatoes length-wise into 1/2 inch thick slices, then cut each slice into 1/2 inch wide strips to form fries.
Combine flour, flaxseed, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in a 1-pound resealable plastic bag. Crumble the ingredients together with your finger tips until they are evenly dispersed. Place the egg whites in a shallow dish and whisk until frothy.
Dip the fries into the egg whites, then tap them on the edge of the dish to drain any excess egg white. Add all fries to the plastic bag, seal and shake vigorously to coat them evenly with the breading mixture.
Delicately remove the fries from the bag and arrange them into a single layer, evenly spaced, on the prepared baking sheet. Mist the fries with oil spray.
Bake for 15 minutes, then turn the fries over and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until crispy and browned. Let the fries cool slightly before serving to allow the coating to harden.

Source: Slim and Scrumptious by Joy Bauer

• Get more recipes featured on The Doctors!

No-Bake Energy Bites

No-Bake Energy Bites (makes 18-20 bites)

1 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup peanut butter (or other nut butter)
1/3 cup honey
1 cup coconut flakes
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla

Mix everything above in a medium bowl until thoroughly incorporated. Let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour. Once chilled, roll into balls and enjoy! Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

**PS. Many of you have been asking about a calorie count on these...if you scroll through the comments section you can read various calorie counts from many of my awesome readers based off of different add-ins and size of the bites :-)

**PPS. Many of you have commented about substitutions and YES! you can substitute almost anything for any of the ingredients to work around food allergies, special diets, etc. Soybutter, almond butter, cashew butter, sun butter, etc all works in place of peanut butter. You can use creamed or liquid honey, or agave nectar or even maltitol syrup in place of the honey. If you do not like or cannot eat coconut try some type of crushed cereal, wheat germ, whole wheat flour, granola, cocoa powder...the possibilities are really endless. If you cannot find ground flaxseed you can buy it whole and grind it yourself in a coffee grinder or magic bullet or you can substitute any other dry ingredient in it's place. Yes, the mini chocolate chips can be regular sized or carob or you can use raisins, cranberries, goji berries, or crushed nuts (almonds, cashews, walnuts, whatev) of some kind.

  I know writing out all these substitution possibilities seems silly but you will not believe the amount of comments and emails I get every day about "Can I use this instead of this? or "I don't like this ingredient, what can I use instead?" etc. Just remember, if you make any substitutions you may have to play with the quantities of dry to wet a bit to ensure you have a mixture that can be rolled into balls (if you want to eat them in a ball-shape, you don't have to do that either!) It's a really great recipe to play with so please don't worry about adding in a different ingredient if you cannot eat a particular one due to allergies, etc. My motto is always, 'Just try it, you might like it' when it comes to making these. We change it up depending on what is in our pantry and you can too! Oh! And you can also make these vegan and paleo-friendly, it's just a matter of buying the right ingredients, we do it all the time! ENJOY!
http://smashedpeasandcarrots.blogspot.com

Coconut-Raisin Bars

Coconut-Raisin Bars

Posted At : January 2, 2012 12:14 PM

Coconut Raisin Bars

photo by recipe author

Servings: 12
Preparation Time: 15 minutes

• 2 2/3 cup finely shredded coconut
• 1/3 cup almond flour*
• 1 cup flax seed meal
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 1/4 cup Gold Label coconut oil
• 1/4 cup raw honey

Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl. In a small saucepan heat coconut oil and honey and allow them to melt. You don't need it to boil, just warm enough to melt. Pour melted oil/honey into dry mixture and stir to combine. You want a wet sand like consistency. Taste at this point to determine if you want more cinnamon, more honey, etc.

Pour mixture into a parchment paper lined 8X8 pan. Cover with more parchment paper and press the mixture down. Really make sure this is packed solid. Place mixture in the freezer for a couple hours. Once frozen, remove and cut with a heavy knife. Store in the refrigerator. Enjoy!

*You can grind your own almond flour by placing whole almonds in a blender/food processor and blending until you get a fine meal.

Recipe submitted by Esther, Bremerton, WA

Cinnamon Sugar Sweet Potato Fries

Cinnamon Sugar Sweet Potato Fries
Try Joy's unfried alternative to churros!

Ingredients:
• 2 medium sweet potatoes (about 1 pound), peeled
• 1/4 cup whole wheat or oat flour
• 2 tbsp ground flaxseed
• 2 tbsp packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp kosher salt
• 2 egg whites

Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Liberally coat a large cooking sheet with oil spray. The fries will be crispiest if baked directly on the baking sheet, without aluminum foil.

Cut the sweet potatoes length-wise into 1/2 inch thick slices, then cut each slice into 1/2 inch wide strips to form fries.

Combine flour, flaxseed, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt in a 1-pound resealable plastic bag. Crumble the ingredients together with your finger tips until they are evenly dispersed. Place the egg whites in a shallow dish and whisk until frothy.

Dip the fries into the egg whites, then tap them on the edge of the dish to drain any excess egg white. Add all fries to the plastic bag, seal and shake vigorously to coat them evenly with the breading mixture.

Delicately remove the fries from the bag and arrange them into a single layer, evenly spaced, on the prepared baking sheet. Mist the fries with oil spray.

Bake for 15 minutes, then turn the fries over and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until crispy and browned. Let the fries cool slightly before serving to allow the coating to harden.

Source: Slim and Scrumptious by Joy Bauer
• Get more recipes featured on The Doctors!

Flax seed benefits -

So why aren't we using flax seed more? With all the benefits why don't I have it on hand in my home? It's time to get it.

The Health Benefits of Flax Seeds!
The National Cancer Institute has identified golden flax seeds as a food product that deserves further study and attention because of its potential cancer fighting properties and many health benefits. According to the U. S. Department of Agriculture, golden flax seeds contain 27 identifiable cancer preventive compounds. Medical sources abound that have published clinical results concluding that golden flax seed can have a positive impact on your overall health.
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute suggests adding flaxseeds, walnuts and canola oil to your daily meal plan to improve overall health. These foods are high in an omega-3 fat called alpha-linolenic acid and appear to lower triglyceride levels. Fatty fish, such as bluefish, salmon, halibut and sardines, also contain omega-3 fats. Including these fish two to three times a week may help keep triglyceride levels stable.
Some of the potential health benefits of flax seeds that have been reported: (Please note these claims have not been evaluated by the FDA. See disclaimer below.**)

What the Experts have to say:

Gandhi once observed, "wherever flax seed becomes a regular food item among people, there will be better health."
Dr. Bob Arnot recommends 25 grams of flaxseed a day (approximately 1/4 cup ground) to protect against the development of breast cancer.**
Dr. Andrew Weil and Omega-3
Country Road Chronicles
Report on Flaxseeds by the Flax Council of Canada Flax a Health and Nutrition Primer

Lowered blood cholesterol levels
Lowered high blood pressure
Increased energy, vitality, and stamina
Increased sense of calmness under stress
Reduced threat of blood clots
Protection against cancers, particularly hormone sensitive cancers such as breast and prostate
Better regulation of blood sugar levels
Eases inflammatory tissue conditions, including arthritis
Alleviation of dry skin, eczema and psoriasis
Enhanced immune system
Increased metabolic rate with a positive impact on weight management
Helps with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Natural laxative
And the list goes on

Try this health tip:

Use the golden flax seeds instead of the oil - although flaxseed oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, it doesn't contain the beneficial lignans and fiber that are removed in the process of making the oil.

Dietary Sources of 1 gram of Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Sources Amount needed Calories

Flaxseed oil 1/2 teaspoon 20
Ground Flaxseed 1-1/2 teaspoon 40
Walnut halves 5 70
Canola Oil 2 teaspoons 80
Soybean Oil 1 tablespoon 120
Wheat germ oil 1 tablespoon 120
Salmon, herring, albacore,
sardine, rainbow trout, eel 2 ounces 100
Other fish contain some
omega 3, but not as much 9 - 12 ounces 300(or more)
Broccoli, cooked 5 cups 220
Spinach, cooked 10 cups 280
Soy nuts 3/4 cup 285
Rice Bran oil 4 tablespoons 480
http://www.greatplainsflax.com/benefits.htm

What's all the Flax about Golden Flax Seeds??
Flax is an oil seed that has been used as a food product for thousands of years. Flax, also known as linseed, is an ancient crop that has its origin traced back to 3,000 B.C. when cultivated by the Babylonians. It has been grown all over the world, with its higher production as a field crop noted in fertile river valleys. Around 650 B.C. Hippocrates wrote about the soothing nature of eating flax to relieve abdominal pains.Civic and religious leaders during these times continued to relay messages about the qualities of flax to use for fibers in weaving and promoting the addition of the harvested seed to their diets. There are two types of flax seed. One type is grown for the seed use and considered an oil seed variety.
The other is grown specifically for fiber production to be utilized in the textile industry. In North America, it is primarily the oil seed varieties which are produced commercially. Much of the world flax production occurs in Canada and the United States. The US production is centered in North and South Dakota. A University research project led to the creation of a new variety of flax seed called Omega. This new variety was created primarily as a food source and has a pleasant nutty flavor and has a much higher level of the beneficial Omega-3 oil. In fact, the composition of the flax seeds (and the related health benefits) can vary significantly between the flax seed varieties. The golden flax seed products sold in health food stores generally originate in Canada and do not contain the same organic composition as the Omega flax seed. All golden flax seed is not alike!

Golden flax seed contains:

Omega-3 oils. Also known as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
Lignans
Fiber, both soluble and insoluble
Each of these components contributes health benefits to regular flax seed users.

Golden Flax is available in a number of forms including whole seeds, flax oils and capsules, and ground flax meal. As whole seeds pass through the body without the shell of the seed breaking down, the healthy contents of the golden flax seed are not absorbed. Flax oil products do not provide the fiber and lignans that are key components of the health benefits of flax. Freshly ground Omega flax seed provides the maximum health benefits associated with both the Omega-3 essential fatty acids, lignans and the fiber in a form that the human body can absorb and process.
More Info from http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/benefits-of-flaxseed?page=3&print=true

Cinnamon buns with Flax

Flax Cinnamon Buns - Nothings better than warm cinnamon buns in the morning.

Dough:

milk 2% 3/4 cup
egg 1
all-purpose flour 3 cups
ground flax seeds 3/4 cup
granulated sugar 4 tbsp
salt 1/2 tsp
margarine or butter 5 tbsp
fast rising instant yeast 3 tsp

Filling:

margarine or butter 4 tbsp
granulated sugar 1/3 cup
cinnamon 1 tbsp
nutmeg (optional) 1/2 tsp

Icing Sugar Glaze:

powdered sugar 1 cup
milk 2% 2 tbsp
vanilla 1/2 tsp

Measure ingredients for dough and place in bread machine pan as recommended by manufacturer. Select Dough Cycle.
Remove dough from pan and place on floured surface. Cover and let rest 15 minutes.
Roll dough into a rectangle, about 10x15 inches. Spread margarine or butter over dough to within 1 inch of the edges.
Sprinkle sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg (if desired) evenly over dough.
Roll up dough tightly on long side. Press edges to seal and form into a 12 inch long, evenly shaped roll. Cut roll into 1 inch pieces.
Place rolls onto a greased 13x9 inch pan. Cover and let rise until double in volume, about 30 to 45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.
Let cool in pan 10 to 14 minutes. Drizzle with icing sugar glaze. Cut apart and remove from pan.
Yield: 12 servings

2 hour buns

Two-hour Buns - Hmmm.... goes great with the meatloaf.

fast rising instant yeast 2 tbsp
all-purpose flour 8 cups
ground flax seed 3/4 cup
granulated sugar 1/2 cup
eggs 2
salt 1 tsp
lukewarm water 3 cups


In a bowl, mix yeast, 4 cups flour and ground flax.
In a large bowl, beat sugar, eggs and salt. Add water and stir.
Add flour mixture to the liquid and beat until well blended.
Add remaining flour and knead.
Let rise 15 minutes.
Punch down and let rise again 15 minutes.
Punch down and form into buns.
Place on greased baking sheet allowing 2 inches between buns.
Let rise one hour.
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Bake 20 minutes. Remove and cool on a rack.
Yield: 4 dozen 4 inch buns

5 anti Aging Foods

Erase five years off your face!
with these 5 foods

Spinach, Anti Oxidants
If you eat 3 big bowls of spinach you could get the same benefits from = 1/2 Teaspoons of Oregano

Salmon, Omega 3 1lb of salmon you could get the same benefits from = 1 quarter cup of flax seed

Bananas, Vitamin A & C you could eat 128 bananas to get the same benefit of eating = 1/2 cup of sweet potato's

Tuna, selenium (elasticity) 3 oz of tuna is the same as = 1oz of Brazil nut (that's 1 nut)

Carrots have copper to get the same benefits you can eat= 1 package of raisins.

Watch the video -> http://www.thedoctorstv.com/videolib/init/3367

Smoothie recipe from the Dr.'s

Orgasm Smoothie

Are you looking to spice up your sex life? Try a culinary concoction that promises to perfect your orgasm!

1 banana
1 cup blueberries
1 cup rice, almond or non-fatmilk (substitute with juice of your choice if you don't want to use milk)
1 cup ice chips
½ cup peaches
1 tablespoon flaxseed
Dollop of honey
Sprinkle of ginger root (season to taste)
Sprinkle of nutmeg (season to taste)

Blend and enjoy!

Bananas: Contain potassium and B vitamins that convert carbohydrates into energy, boosting endurance and testosterone.

Blueberries: High in soluble fiber, which keeps arteries clear of cholesterol. Improved blood flow and relaxed blood vessels improve a man's erections, especially in older men.

Peaches: High in vitamin C. Men should consume at least 200 milligrams of vitamin C per day to increase the quality and quantity of their sperm.

Flaxseed: Increases testosterone levels and is packed with essential fatty acids, such as Omega-3 and Omega-6, which keeps hormones at optimal levels and sex drive revved.

Ginger root: Stimulates the circulatory system, increasing blood flow to the genitals.

Nutmeg: Stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps you relax.

Honey: Honey is rich in vitamin B, which is needed for testosterone production. The gooey nectar also contains boron, which may increase estrogen levels in women.