Awesome Korean Chicken with Cucumbers

This is one of my all-time favorite recipes. It's a total crowd pleaser and the ingredients are super simple and light. I love making this for dinner then keeping extras on hand as an energizing lunch that pumps me up for the rest of the day.

Cucmbers: Cucumbers are packed with nutrients and vitamins including Vitamins C & A, Potassium, Folate, Manganese, Fiber & Magnesium. They help keep your skin looking radient. How so? Vitamin C & caffeic acid help soothe skin irritations and reduce swelling. On top of this, cucumbers contain silica which is a necessary component for healthy connective tissue.

More so, cucumbers are a natural diuretic. Point blank, that means they help you eliminate toxins through urination. I dont care if you think that's gross- free radicals and toxins are gross and are going to build up in your body no matter how healthy a lifestyle you lead. Your liver works hard to process and eliminate these, so help your body out and try the below recipe.


Korean Chicken with Cucumbers:

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (I like thinly sliced)
1/2 cup soy sauce
4 tablespoons dark sesame oil
2 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
2 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 garlic cloves thinly sliced
Cooking spray (for pan)
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
4 teaspoons sesame seeds, toasted

Whisk soy sauce and next five ingredients together in a bowl. Place the chicken inside a heavy duty plastic bag then pour half the soy mixture over, making sure to coat the chicken, and seal bag.

Refrigerate and let marinate for the next 30 mins (or longer for a bigger flavor punch). While chicken marinates cut cucumbers into thin slices and pour 1/2 the remaining marinade over these (You'll save the other half to pour over the chicken once it's cooked, if desired.)

After 30 mins, take chicken out and saute till desired degree of doneness. Place cooked chicken and cucumbers on a plate and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds and enjoy!

Source: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=42

Healthy Holiday Side Dish: Asparagus

I just came across this link and can't wait to try out the below asparagus recipe! Holiday parties are always filled with heavy, calorie-laden foods: Delicious, yes, but figure-friendly? No. sometimes it's nice to have a lighter alternative to offer guests. Whip up the below recipe for your next holiday dinner party and you won't be sorry!

Asparagus is low in calories, high in fiber, and full of nutrients! The high fiber content means it will keep you regular and the high content of soluble fiber means asparagus can help lower blood cholesterol levels. The potassium in asparagus helps to lower blood pressure & the folate in asparagus is heart healthy and an essential nutrient for pregnant women. Asparagus also contains Vitamins A & C which help prevent free radical damage to your skin.
Low cal, heart healthy, nutrient rich, & skin healthy! How could you not want to make this dish :)

Lemon Asparagus
1 1/4 lbs thin asparagus, trimmed
2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp bread crumbs
6 lemon wedges

1 Preheat oven to 425°F. On baking sheet (with sides), combine asparagus and olive oil, then roll in bread crumbs and salt to taste. Place asparagus in single layer on baking sheet. Squeeze lemon on top.

2 Bake asparagus for 8 to 10 minutes, or until tender (time will vary depending on the thickness of the spears). Season with pepper to taste.

Makes 8 servings. Per serving: 30 cal, 1.5 g fat (0 g sat), 3 g carbs, 10 mg sodium, 2 g fiber, 2 g protein