Healthy Recipes

Gluten-Free Breakfast

admin — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 14:57:37 +0000

One gluten-free breakfast, coming right up! Whether you have an allergy, or a preferred diet, being gluten-free can be extremely difficult. Try out these delicious recipes that will start your day off right!

Cinnamon Toast Morning Muffins

Ingredients

2 cups + 2 tbsp oat flour (homemade from rolled oats) — traditional wheat flour can also be used

1 tbsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp vanilla bean powder (or 1/2 tsp vanilla extract)

11oz silken tofu (organic + non-GMO)

1/2 cup melted vegan butter (Earth Balance)

1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar

1 shot freshly brewed espresso

1 cup coconut sugar

Topping

1 tbsp cinnamon sugar mix

2 tsp vegan butter (for greasing muffin tin)

Not only are these muffins warm and fluffy, they are vegan too! Did we mention they are topped with cinnamon sugar? They only take 30 minutes to make, are 221 calories, and make up to 12 servings.

Gluten-Free Orange Scones

1 3/4 cups gluten-free flour + 1/4 more for sprinkling
1/4 cup coconut palm sugar
2 tsp baking powder
zest from 1 orange
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup cold butter, cubed

1/4 cup cold 0% fat greek yogurt
2 large eggs
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup dried cranberries (unsweetened preferred)
1/3 cup white chocolate chips, melted-for glaze (optional)

Who doesn’t love a delicious scone in the morning? This gluten-free recipe is made from scratch, but only has a prep time of about 20 minutes. Serve scones cool or warm, according to your preference.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies Pancakes

1/2 cup (40 g) old fashioned oats

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1 ripe banana, peeled

1/4 cup (60 ml) milk (any kind – e.g. almond, cashew, oat)

2 dates, pitted

2-3 tbsp dark chocolate chips, plus more for topping (vegan, if required)

Coconut oil, for frying (or vegetable)

What could be better than chocolate chip pancakes? How about gluten-free chocolate chip cookie pancakes! Simply combine everything in a food processor and fry until golden brown. Serve warm with your left over chocolate chips.

Neighbors Emergency Center has multiple centers opening in Texas. Be sure to check out our Facebook Page for neighborly news and updates.

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Cooking with Kale

admin — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 08:00:02 +0000

A new craze in the world of health and fitness is Kale. It is one of the healthiest vegetables you can eat and is packed full of essentials for your body. Just one serving of kale provides a day’s worth of vitamin C, two days’ worth of vitamin A, and seven times the recommended daily amount of vitamin K. It’s also full of vital minerals and healthy fatty acids. To top it off, it has the slim count of 30 calories per serving! Although there are a plethora of amazing benefits, many find a downfall in Kale’s intense texture and bitter flavor. However, with these recipes from Health magazine you can find some tasty ideas for incorporating the superfood of kale into your diet.

Whole-Wheat Pasta with Kale and Roast Chicken is a simple, yet delicious dish that pulls in a dose of Kale. This delicious recipe is seasoned simply with black paper, salt and coriander. For extra body use your choice of either chickpeas or white beans. The kale is pureed, so if you have not yet acquired a taste for kale, the dish will not be overpowering.

Bring kale into your morning. This recipe for Braised Kale Fittata is full of healthy goodies you are sure to love. It incorporates your choice of cheese, Gruyere, or Parmesan, as well as a hearty helping of oregano. The kale is paired with cherry tomatoes to give every bite a rich burst of flavor. This recipe makes four helpings so feel free to share, or store it for another morning.

If you love the organic taste of kale, this recipe is for you. This Roasted Squash and Kale Salad is a pleasant mixture of bold flavors. The base of the salad consists of butternut squash, lightly roasted, and uses cucumbers and onions for a nice crunch. The homemade dressing blends together soy sauce, fresh lime juice, sesame oil, ginger and creamy peanut butter for an irresistible vinaigrette.

Neighbors Emergency Center supports your start to a healthier lifestyle. With a 24 Hour Emergency Room in Houston, we can treat you quickly and effectively you can get back to doing what you love. NEC now has a Beaumont Emergency Center and El Paso Emergency Center both providing 24 hour emergency care by board certified ER physicians. We know you’re time is important, so we will treat you quickly and effectively so you can get back to doing what you love. If you are looking for a quality emergency room with little to no wait time, come to Neighbors Emergency Center.

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Spice Up Your Life

admin — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 08:00:02 +0000

True or false—spicy foods can boost your metabolism? The answer, believe it or not: true. Spicy foods have natural chemicals that can, in fact, give your metabolism a kick start. Adding ingredients like chopped red or green chili peppers when cooking your meals can make a difference. The effect is short term, but if you eat spicy foods often, these benefits can quickly add up.

According to studies reviewed by The New York Times, an average spicy dish, like a delicious bowl of chili, can temporarily increase your metabolism 8 percent over a person’s normal rate. So, what are you waiting for? Here are some delicious recipes from Eating Well that incorporate just the right amount of spice into your meals.

Add a spicy topping to your chicken. Try this recipe for Chicken Breast with Green Chile-Almond Cream Sauce. The cream will give your meal an excellent texture, and the fresh New Mexican green chiles, a fantastic flavor. At only 194 calories per serving this dish is as spicy as it is nutritious.

Who doesn’t love a hearty bowl of chili? Boost your metabolism with this Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili. With fresh helpings of cilantro, lime juice, and garlic, this dish is sure to catch your attention. Not to mention the smoky ground chipotle that gives the chili an extra punch of spice.

Great combinations make for excellent meals. Bring together fresh poblanos, steak, and scallions for these amazing Poblano & Steak Skirt Fajitas. These fajitas will brighten up your dinner with an incredible mixture of spices. Don’t be afraid to add on some hot sauce for an extra fiery bite.

Bring the spice to your dessert as well. Although the mixture may seem unlikely this recipe for Red Chile-Spiked Mousse will blow you away. The chile compliments the chocolate to perfection giving this light airy mousse a warm taste.

Now that you’ve been given the tools to spice up your life go for it! Neighbors supports your start to a healthier lifestyle. Neighbors Emergency Center offers 24 hour emergency care in Houston and Austin 365 days a year, and our board certified emergency physicians can treat all medical emergencies. We know you’re time is important, so we will treat you quickly and effectively so you can get back to doing what you love. If you are looking for a quality emergency room with little to no wait time, come to Neighbors Emergency Center.

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Summer Slow Cooker Recipes

admin — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 08:00:22 +0000

You probably know how amazing slow cookers are for making delicious, hassle-free meals, but most people associate using slow cookers only in the fall and winter. You shouldn’t pack up your slow cooker or crock pot just because it’s hot outside. There are a lot of summer-friendly meals you can make when the temperatures are nearing 100 degrees.

Crockpot Granola

Granola is a great choice for breakfast as long as it’s not too high in sugar. Unfortunately, many commercially-made granola is extremely high in sugar, making in an unhealthy breakfast option. The solution? Make your own at home in a Crockpot, of course.

With ingredients like old-fashioned rolled oats, applesauce, and honey, this recipe is simple and nutritious.

Slow Cooker German Potato Salad

What’s summer without a barbecue or cook-out? And what’s a cook-out without that perennial staple, potato salad? If you have offered to bring the potato salad, take a look at this recipe. If you don’t like creamy potato salads, this one is right up your alley.

It’s lighter and healthier than mayonnaise-based potato salads. Also, since it doesn’t contain mayonnaise, you can leave it out at room temperature without the fear of giving your guests food poisoning. If you happen to eat someone else’s mayonnaise-based potato salad that was left out for too long, and you experience severe food poisoning, come to your nearest Houston and Austin ERs for 24 hour emergency care.

Slow Cooker Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

Slow cookers are great for busy people because you can just throw in your ingredients, go to work, and when you get home, you have a delicious meal ready to eat. This recipe is perfect for those busy weeknights.

All you need are some frozen chicken breasts, barbecue sauce, pineapple slices, and hoagie buns. It couldn’t be easier!

Hopefully now you don’t think you can only use your slow cooker during the cooler months, and you will try these no-hassle, delicious recipes during the summer.

Neighbors Emergency Center offers 24 hour emergency care in Houston and Austin 365 days a year, and our board certified emergency physicians can treat all medical emergencies. We know you’re time is important, so we will treat you quickly and effectively so you can get back to doing what you love. If you are looking for a quality emergency room with little to no wait time, come to Neighbors Emergency Center.

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Delicious Recipes for Eating Clean

admin — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 08:00:18 +0000

If you aren’t familiar with the term clean eating, you may think it sounds very restrictive. You may think it means you can’t eat anything fun or anything that tastes good. You might have visions of people eating a lot of dry salads. While clean eating does mean cutting out processed foods and artificial ingredients, you can still eat delicious, flavorful meals. Take a look at these recipes if you are considering a clean diet or need to add some more interesting recipes to your repertoire. If you are experiencing severe symptoms from any medical condition, stop by your nearest Houston and Austin ERs for 24 hour emergency care.

Everyday Oatmeal with Amaranth, Coconut, and Maple Sauteed Apples

This recipe may sound too fancy to make for breakfast, especially on busy, frantic mornings, but you could actually make it the night before at heat it up the next day. Amaranth is a grain that is high in protein, meaning it will keep you fuller longer.

The natural sugars from the coconut, apples and maple syrup give it just the right amount of sweetness, and it won’t send your blood sugar soaring only to plummet soon afterwards. This clean breakfast will leave you feeling full and satisfied until lunchtime.

Zucchini Boats

Not only are these fun to eat, they are healthy and delicious! All you have to do is cut a zucchini and half and carve out the insides. Next, fill it with brown rice, lentils, herbs, nuts, and dry fruit. The brown rice is full of nutrients like vitamin B6 and magnesium.

The lentils have lots of fiber, and the nuts have healthy fats that are good for your heart. This dish is perfect for lunch or a light dinner.

Black Bean Plantain Veggie Burgers

Eating clean sometimes means eating less meat. If you can’t find organic, grass fed beef, you should skip the beef patty and try this delicious veggie burger. Black beans are full of protein and fiber, so you won’t have to worry about feeling full.

Plantains add sweetness and the chipotle powder adds a hint of heat. You can also bake some plantains to put on the side. This is the perfect dish for a healthy, weeknight dinner.

If you are thinking about starting a clean eating program, these recipes are a great place to start. you can still eat healthy and have it be delicious too!

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Delicious Berry Recipes

admin — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 07:40:59 +0000

Summer is when most berries are in season, so it’s the perfect time to use them as much as you can. Not only are berries delicious, but they are good to eat to stay hydrated. They also make you feel fuller so you eat less, which may help you lose weight. Berries have also been shown to increase mental acuity, reduce the risk for Parkinson’s disease, and lower blood pressure. Go to your local farmer’s market to find the freshest berries and start making these recipes. If you are experiencing severe symptoms from any medical condition, stop by your nearest Houston and Austin ERs for 24 hour emergency care.

Blueberry Baked Oatmeal

Oatmeal is one of the best breakfasts you can eat in the morning. Oats are full of protein and fiber and blueberries have a high concentration of antioxidants. It’s also been called a superfood, which means they have been shown to reduce incidences of cancer and heart disease.

This recipe couldn’t be easier, and you will have plenty leftover for multiple breakfast meals throughout the week.

Arugula, Berry & Goat Cheese Salad

This salad is perfect for a hot, summer day when you don’t want to eat something heavy. It not only contains blueberries, but raspberries and blackberries, which are also full of antioxidants and high in vitamin C. When you eat this salad, you are getting triple the amount of antioxidants!

Make this salad for a delicious and nutritious lunch to eat at work.

Strawberry Orange Sorbet

Light desserts like sorbet are great for warm, summer nights. With only four ingredients, this Strawberry Orange Sorbet is easy and nutritious. Strawberries are also high in antioxidants and can protect against cancer, aging, and inflammation.

Both strawberries and oranges are also high in vitamin C, so this refreshing dessert is not only packed with flavor, but it’s also healthy.

Make sure to take advantage of berry season this summer with these great recipes. When summer is over, you can still enjoy berries, just buy them frozen. Frozen berries still have a lot of the nutrients that fresh berries have, so you can have berries any time of the year.

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Cooking with Turmeric

admin — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 08:00:50 +0000

Turmeric is a spice that has long been used in Chinese and Indian medicine as an anti-inflammatory, and is thought to treat a variety of conditions from jaundice, toothaches, and chest pain, and inflammatory bowel disease. If you are experiencing severe symptoms from any medical condition, stop by your nearest Houston and Austin ERs for 24 hour emergency care.

The most potent part of turmeric is called curcumin, which gives it it’s yellow or orange pigment. Turmeric has been studied and has similar effects to hydrocortisone and over-the-counter pain relievers. Turmeric can be taken as a supplement, but you can also cook with it. Read on for some delicious recipes.

Southwestern Tofu Scramble

First, when preparing turmeric for cooking, choose organic turmeric when possible. Next, be careful when using turmeric because it can stain. Wear kitchen gloves to prevent it from staining your hands. Most people enjoy scrambled eggs for breakfast,

and if you are a vegetarian, or want to be adventurous, why not try scrambled tofu. Just follow this recipe and then add a pinch of turmeric while cooking. This is a good way to introduce yourself to turmeric.

Creamy Curried Cauliflower Soup

This creamy and fragrant soup will hit the spot for when you need something warm and comforting to eat. The recipe calls for ½ teaspoon of turmeric giving it just the right amount of spice and a beautiful golden color.

This soup is perfect for a simple dinner, and makes enough so you will have leftovers for lunch.

Turmeric-Ginger Tea

At the end of a long day, a warm cup of tea is just what most of us need to destress and unwind. Why not add some anti-inflammatory power to your tea tonight? This recipe calls for ¼ teaspoon of turmeric, which won’t overpower the tea, and honey or maple syrup to give it the right amount of sweetness. This tea is also good to drink if you have a cold or the flu.

If you are looking for a more natural anti-inflammatory, try using turmeric by making one of these recipes. Here’s to your health.

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How to Get More Fiber Into Your Diet

admin — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 08:02:28 +0000

You have probably heard from your doctor, your parents, and the media that you should be eating more fiber, but you may not know why. A high fiber diet can reduce the risk of stroke, heart disease, and hypertension. And as most of us know, a diet high in fiber can keep your bowels running smoothly. The truth is that most of us do not get enough fiber in our diets. Here are some healthy and delicious high fiber recipes that you can make on a regular basis in order to incorporate more fiber into your diet. Stop by your nearest Houston and Austin ERs for 24 hour emergency care no matter what emergency you may have.

Warm Black Bean and Orange Salad

Black beans have 15 grams of fiber per cup, and can be added to most dishes. This salad is great salad to make during the summer, because it’s actually very light and refreshing. There are five grams of fiber per serving in this salad.

The red onions, oranges, and cumin make this salad very flavorful and zesty. Take this salad to work for a delicious, fiber-filled lunch.

Chicken, Black Bean, Avocado & Radish Salad

This salad incorporates black beans and avocados, which are both high in fiber. Raw avocados have 6.7 grams of fiber per half. This is a great salad to have for dinner because it has a great balance of protein, fat, and fiber.

The creamy dressing contains heart-healthy olive oil and the green Tabasco sauce gives it some heat. If you don’t like spicy food, you can just leave it out.

Avocado Pesto Pasta with Peas and Spinach

Almost every ingredient in this pasta dish is packed with fiber. Eating whole wheat pasta is a great way to incorporate fiber into your diet; it has 6.3 grams of fiber per cup, cooked. Peas have 8.8 grams of fiber per cup, cooked.

The next time you have a craving for pasta, try this dish and automatically increase your fiber intake in a delicious way.

Eating more fiber never tasted so delicious!

Neighbors Emergency Center offers 24 hour care, 365 days a year, and our board certified emergency physicians can treat all medical emergencies. We know you’re time is important, so we will treat you quickly and effectively so you can get back to doing what you love. Our emergency centers are located in the Houston area. If you are looking for a quality emergency room with little to no wait time, come to Neighbors Emergency Center.

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Healthy Summer Cocktails

admin — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 15:01:10 +0000

Summer is the perfect time to kick back and relax with cool, refreshing cocktail. Unfortunately, cocktails usually contain a lot of calories due to sugary mixes that are used to make these drinks. If you are trying to eat healthy or lose weight, you may not want to drink your calories. Luckily, there are healthy alternatives you can use when making your next summer cocktail. Just remember to drink in moderation and that drinking too much alcohol can cause dehydration. If you are experiencing severe dehydration, you can always come to any of our Houston and Austin ERs for 24 hour emergency care.

Rum-Based Drinks

Drinks like daiquiris and mojitos are delicious, but instead of using refined sugar to sweeten these drinks, you can use fresh fruit, simple syrup, and light rum. For your next pool party, try this Strawberry Coconut Daiquiri.

It contains fresh strawberries and only three tablespoons of sugar. You can also try this healthier version of a Classic Mojito. It’s sweetened with honey and only has 153 calories.

Vodka-Based Drinks

Instead of vodka and cranberry juice, try a Seabreeze. It’s made with grapefruit juice and cranberry juice, and to lower the calories, you can use juice with no sugar added instead. The regular version of this cocktail is only 180 calories.

A Vodka Sunset is another healthy cocktail option. Just use sugar-free or no sugar added orange juice and grapefruit juice.

Other Delightful Libations

If you like gin-based cocktails, try this Apple & Gin De-Light. Sweetened with just apple juice and simple syrup, this cocktail is light and refreshing and won’t break your calorie bank. If you are having friends over for Tex-Mex night, try this Skinny Margarita recipe.

By using light agave nectar, it makes this cocktail low in calories and delicious.

The next time you are having a barbecue, dinner party, or just having drinks on the patio at your local watering hole, try one of the healthy summer cocktails.

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Foods to Keep You Hydrated

admin — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 08:00:51 +0000

It’s summer and that means the temperatures are rising and staying hydrated is of the utmost importance. It’s always a good idea to drink a lot of water during the hot summer months, but did you know certain foods can keep you hydrated as well? Take a look at these recipes, and the next time you go to the beach, or you know you will be spending a lot of time outdoors, take these hydrating foods with you.

Healthy Avocado Fruit Salad with Chia Seed Dressing

This salad is full of fruits that are packed with water like grapefruit, pear, orange, mango, and strawberries. The dressing is made from non-fat Greek yogurt, which is 80% water, and the chia seeds are great at helping your body absorb liquid.

Chia seeds absorb 30 times their weight in water. They also help battle dehydration by regulating body fluid levels and retaining electrolytes. Try eating this for breakfast before you spend a long day out in the heat.

Grilled Eggplant & Zucchini Salad with Feta, Chickpeas & Mint

This salad would be great to take to a picnic or barbecue. Eggplant and zucchini are high in water content. Eggplants are 92% water, and zucchinis are 95% water. Grilling them brings out their delicious flavor, and adding feta, chickpeas, and mint create a satisfying dish for a hot summer day.

Fish Tacos with Watermelon Salsa

If you are entertaining outdoors, and the weather is hot and humid, this recipe would be great for such an occasion. Each bite of watermelon is almost 92% water. So you are guaranteed to feel refreshed and hydrated after eating these tacos.

The watermelon also provides a sweet juxtaposition to the savory flavors of the fish and the spices.

Since many summer activities take place outdoors and it’s so important to stay hydrated when the temps get high, in addition to drinking lots of water, try incorporating these water-filled foods into your diet. They are healthy and light and we’ll leave you feeling great.

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