WINTER BLISS BOWL

Winter is coming. Brace yourselves!

Just kidding, it’s still 80 degrees here. But still, the holidays are coming. One of the reasons people tend to get the flu and gain weight around this time of year is that they turn to hot comfort foods as the weather cools. Not to mention the marathon of holiday feasts we lovingly prepare for eachother. This increase in warm bowls of steamy goodness correlates to a direct decrease in fresh, raw, nutrient-dense fruits and veggie consumption. While it’s natural and beneficial to adjust your food choices with the seasons, things can get out of hand- we’ve all been there!

This winter bliss bowl is just the thing to get you the cold-fighting nutrients your immune system craves, while filling that void in your soul that demands potatoes and biscuits and gravy. It comes together in less than 30 minutes, so it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a Thanksgiving side dish. One serving is about 500 hearty calories, 12 grams of protein, and 9 grams of fiber.

Winter Bliss Bowl

makes 2 servings

1 small yam, chopped into little 1/4″ chunks

1 tbs olive oil

a pinch of salt, pepper, paprika, nutmeg, and cinnamon (tiny pinch)

4 big kale leaves, stemmed and julienned (about 3 cups)

2 dates, chopped

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 cup cooked tricolor quinoa

1/2 cup pine nuts

2 green onions, thinly sliced

4 tbs balsamic vinegar

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Toss the chopped yam, 1 tbs olive oil and spices on a baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes or until fork tender. Set aside to cool while you chop everything else.

Combine the kale, dates, garlic, quinoa, pine nuts, and green onions, and baked yam in a big bowl and toss well. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and toss one more time.