Food Prep for Program Development Class
We all have interactions with the world where energy can be cranked up and we loose our centers and become ungrounded. This also happens when processing a lot of academia info., as my fellow classmates and I do every Thurs. night from 6-8:30 in our Community Practice and Program Development Course. It is super important in times where we are feeling less than grounded to figure out some good strategies to come back to our cores. One thing that really helps is eating a diet full of alkaline foods. Ideally, our diets should consist of 70-80% alkaline foods. The opposites of alkaline foods are acidic foods such as caffeine, alcohol and processed sugars to name a few (I know, all of our favorites). Alkaline foods are pretty straight forward, they produce alkaline environments in our tummies. So, no stomachaches or heartburn. If you are anything like me and hold stress in your stomach, alkaline foods are your best friends.
So, every Thurs. before Program Development I like to eat a dinner with lots of alkaline foods for a few reasons: high energy class and my head is usually spinning afterwards, in a good way, but spinning nonetheless, lots of information processing and sustainability, I don’t want my blood sugar to crash half way through class. This information applies to a lot of other areas in life, too. On to the food:
My favorite super alkaline meal is Sweet Potato and Guacamole Nori Wraps:
*To assembly the wraps you will need to prep some things first
Roasted Sweet Potato
1 Sweet Potato cut into slices
3 Tbsp Olive Oil
1/2 Tbsp Cumin
1/2 Tbsp Coriander
1 Tsp Chile Powder
Preheat oven to 425. Mix olive oil, cumin, coriander, chile powder together in a bowl. Coat all sweet potato slices with mixture. Place onto a foiled lined (makes clean up easier) baking sheet and cook for 30 min. Make sure you flip all potato slices over half way through.
Quick Guac
1 Avocado
2 Tbsp Red Onion finely diced
Few drops of lime/lemon juice
Mash the avocado with a fork. Add the onion and sprinkle with a few drops of lime juice. Guacamole is super simple, but I think people are intimidated. This version is easy and the simplicity is just enough to mix with the other flavors of the wrap. Usually I add garlic and tomato to my more “fancy” guac.
Sweet Potato and Avocado Nori Wraps:
Sheets of nori (sushi wrappers) toasted over a stove top burner until bright green (brings out the flavor)
Sweet Potatos
Quick Guac
Cooked Quinoa (complete plant protein) or brown rice
How to assemble: Lay your nori flat on a counter. Spread your quinoa on the right side, followed by guacamole and then sweet potatoes. Wrap the nori up like a burrito, when you come to sealing it, have some cold water available and wet the seal with water. Cut into bite size pieces or just enjoy, as is. You can also dip in soy sauce or some Braggs.
This is absolutely one of my favorite creations. The sweet potato and avocado are great sources of alkaline foods plus B-12 from the sweet potato that helps fight stress and I know we in the Social Work program can use all the stress busters possible! Plus, the healthy fat from the avocado really helps keep you full and focused for the full 2 1/2 hour class. You also get your sea greens in for the day. It is really a win-win situation and a gift to my classmates. We have to look after each other as classes pick-up to avoid freak outs.
For the rest of you non-social workers enjoy the love, too. This recipe is a sure win no matter what the situation. Go forth and remain grounded all!
*Special note: When I was done with class tonight, I had a beautiful loaf of zucchini bread waiting for me from my friend C. Thank you so much, C, it was sooo tasty! Safe travels and I will be sending you my love in DC!
Categories: General