Relax & Reclaim

Tuna salad is considered to be a staple food for warmer weather.  Real simple stuff.  Tuna, mayo vegetables, mix, chill and serve.  Not too complicated.  Well, this recipe is also very simple and just as delicious! 😋  This salad is perfect for a lunch and a great way to add lots of colorful vegetables to your meals.  You'll really impress your family on your next picnic with this dish. It tastes absolutely amazing when you take time to make it. Let's get into it! Ingredients Two large cans of tuna in spring water drained One-half cup of quinoa One-half teaspoon of vegetable stock One cup of cubed and cooked butternut squash Three-quarters cup of peeled sweet potato  One-half large cucumber One half cup of baby spinach One half cup of thawed frozen peas One quarter cup of kidney beans One quarter cup of low-fat feta cheese One half cup of your favorite mayo ( amount depends on your personal preference for taste and texture) A few sprigs of ...

If you thought table grapes were the same all year round, it's time to have a taste test. The year's best crop is fresh from Mexico . From May through July, the finest harvest of green, red and black grapes will begin to hit supermarket shelves. These grapes ' bright color and crisp texture signify the end of winter, when fresh, new harvests begin arriving from the Mexican state of Sonora.  Grapes for wine and brandy have been grown in Sonora since the days of the Spanish missionaries almost four centuries ago.  Out of this tradition, growers in Sonora began growing fresh grapes that are enjoyed across the world. Sonora grapes are coveted for their notably sweet, juicy flavor. With more than 30,000 acres of vineyards, Sonora supplies 300 million pounds of grapes for U.S . consumption. Grapes offer several benefits. Not only are they a handy snack, but they're a unique addition to many summer dishes, including green salads and fruit s...

We've got a few more comments from the contact form to share with you... You guys are no joke!!! 👇 "... tastes..good, but boring .." " Would be better if the dish had some... flavor " " Do you guys even believe in salt??? " And some people are just outright brutal ... " What's the deal with these bland ass recipes?? " With that said, we're introducing twisted recipes ! 👇   1. Quinoa Power Bowl with Avocado and Black Beans 🔥Twist: Southwestern Flair Ingredients : - 1 cup cooked quinoa - 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained - 1 avocado, diced - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 cup corn (fresh or frozen) - 1/2 cup diced red onion - 1/2 cup chopped bell peppers (use a mix of colors) - Juice of 1 lime - 1 tsp cumin - 1 tsp smoked paprika - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh cilantro (optional, but highly recommended) - 1/2 cup crumbled feta or cotija cheese (optional) Instructions : 1. Combine cooked quinoa, black beans, avocado, tomato...

We get comments and questions from you from time to time and (to be honest) we create a lot of our content around what you tell us.  We wanted to share a few excerpts from the comments you sent us on our contact form.  Check 'em out: "... been a while since you've posted anything about how to prepare these recipes in detail. ." " Recipes WITH instructions PLEASE!! " ".. and how about some articles for foodies? " Your wish is our command! 👇 Easy and Delicious Recipes with Your Weight Loss Allies!  🍽️ Ready to whip up some tasty meals using some nutrient-rich ingredients?  Here are a few simple recipes that’ll not only satisfy your cravings but also help you stay on track with your weight loss journey.  Let’s get cooking! 1. Quinoa Salad with Avocado and Black Beans   This refreshing salad is packed with protein, healthy fats, and fiber! Ingredients :  - 1 cup cooked quinoa   - 1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)   - 1 avocado (d...

It's winter season folks! Time to bundle up and get a hearty (and heart-healthy ) meal going to fight off the effects of the cold weather. What better way to do that than with a tasty soup or stew! This sweet potato soup is not only absolutely delicious, but it's also very good for you.  Ginger and sweet potatoes are like the superheroes of the food world, packed with all kinds of good stuff to keep you feeling great. Ginger is a total rockstar with its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant powers. It's like a soothing balm for your tummy, helping with digestion, easing nausea, and even kicking pain to the curb. And then we have sweet potatoes, loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They're like a one-stop shop for all things healthy. Vitamin A for sharp eyes and a strong immune system, fiber for smooth sailing digestion and feeling full. Put these two together and you've got yourself a winning team for a healthy diet. Whether you're looking to boost your immun...

Ever felt like your energy tank is running on fumes while your weight loss goals are playing hide-and-seek? ( Spoiler: they're winning .) Here's the good news: you don't need to subsist on celery sticks and self-loathing.  The secret to firing up your metabolism and helping your body burn fat more effectively might already be sitting in your kitchen—or at least hanging out at your local grocery store. By adding the right foods into your daily meals, you can supercharge your metabolism and enable your body to burn fat more effectively. In this guide, we’ll share eight nutrient-rich foods that will effortlessly support your weight loss efforts.  Are you ready? Let's go! Whole Grains: The Good Carbs (Yes, They Exist!) Plot twist: Not all carbs are the enemy! In fact, whole grains are the overachievers of the carb world.  They provide sustained energy, keep you feeling satisfied, and thanks to their fiber content, they actually make your body work harder during digestion...

Winter is coming (yeah, we know it's already here, but we just wanted a cool intro) Sound familiar? No, we're not talking about a tagline from a well-known  television series based on an equally well-known sword and sorcery novel, silly... We're actually talking about wintery weather conditions. You know, snow, ice, sleet.  All the stuff we love about winter 🙄  Anyway, we all love the heartwarming, belly-filling, satisfaction that you can get from a hearty, rustic-style stew or soup. 😋  Well, if that's what you're looking for than you're going to absolutely love this recipe we've got for you.  After you eat this amazing dish, leave a comment below on how good it was and if you served it to your family or friends.  Just remember to make enough because everyone is going to want seconds! 🍲 Simple Homemade Chicken Stew 2 cups of chicken or vegetable stock 2 cans of low sodium cream of mushroom soup 3-4 carrots peeled and sliced or julienned 1...

Holiday desserts that won’t leave you in a cookie-induced coma?  It’s a Christmas miracle—and we’ve got the recipes to prove it. “A fruitcake you’ll actually want to eat—yes, it’s legal now.” Dessert Lineup 1. Cranberry-Orange Loaf, but Zen Swap: olive oil instead of butter Add: chia seeds for moisture Sweeten with honey + fresh-squeezed orange Good for breakfast or dessert cranberry orange loaf 2. Hot Cocoa That Won’t Knock You Into a 3PM Coma Swap: unsweetened cacao + black strap molasses or maple Add-in: collagen or protein powder for staying power Top with: coconut whip, cinnamon, or a good mood a healthier hot cocoa 3. Fruitcake… But the Redeemed Version Swap: dried figs, apricots, cranberries (instead of neon candied stuff) Use: almond flour + a bit of oat flour Add: chopped walnuts + brandy soak (optional but festive) a fruitcake you'll want to eat Tips: “How to add holiday spices without turning your kitchen into a scented candle factory.” These desserts are our...

It's name is derived from the Greek word "pepon"... Certain Native American tribes called them "isquotm"... They are related to both squash and cucumbers.... They have been used both for food and medicine ... They contain potassium, lutein and Vitamins A, C, and B-6.... You know them as pumpkins... pumpkin patch It has been said that we  don't do enough recipe articles.  That, (to be honest with you) kinda hurts. 🤕  So, the team decided to gather these great ideas from each other and friends and family. When all was said and done, we had no choice other than to share them with you.  Do us a favor, pass this along. Share this with someone you know via social media, e-mail, or our personal favorite, word of mouth. 📣  The Great Pumpkin Paradigm So you've carved up your pumpkin & you've made a ton of pumpkin pies with it.  You even fed the left over pumpkin shell to your local wildlife (deers love it!), but you still have a ...

It's eggplant season folks and my culinary friend has reminded me about their availability this fall. Most people are kind of apprehensive when it comes to trying out these beautiful cool weather vegetables. I'd like to encourage you to put aside your fears and apprehensions to enjoy this delicious healthy recipe designed to change your mind and fill your belly. Simple Eggplant Extravaganza 2 large, purple eggplants 1 cup of uncooked brown rice 1 medium red onion 2 cloves of garlic 1 tbsp. fresh oregano 2 large tomatoes 3 tsp of kosher salt and black pepper 3 cups of water 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil prep Cook brown rice in 3 cups of water for about 1 hour (or until tender). Set aside after cooking.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut both eggplants in half length wise (peel the skin off if so desired). Using a small spoon or melon baller, scoop out the meat of the eggplant leaving at least 1/2 inch intact. Cube one of the two eggplants, se...

Let’s face it—ditching that morning coffee? Not happening for most of us.  You probably already knew this but, around 90% of Americans start their day with some form of caffeine, whether it's coffee, an energy drink, or a scoop of pre-workout.  The upside? That daily ritual could actually be working with your body, especially if you’re active and mindful about your health. Sure, scientists used to call it “trimethylxanthine” (sounds like something out of a Marvel movie), but luckily “caffeine” stuck.  And when used right, it’s more than just a wake-up call—it can give your workouts a legit boost, help with soreness, and speed up recovery.  Let’s break down what the newest studies are saying—and how to use caffeine in a way your body will thank you for. Black coffee in a cup  Updated Benefits of Caffeine (Backed by Science) 1. Go Longer, Go Harder Caffeine helps delay fatigue by increasing the fatty acids in your bloodstream, which your body...

Summertime is almost here, folks! Time to break out the new summer recipes for your enjoyment! We've got a couple of really good ones for you.  They are delicious and (of course) full of vitamins and necessary nutrients to help you stay on target with your healthy lifestyle goals! As with all our recipes here on Relax and Reclaim , you'll be getting the easiest preparation instructions to make sure that you can duplicate the recipe(s) and (if you like) modify it to your own taste! Try preparing them (or have someone else do it for you) & let everybody know what you think. Comments are always welcome. A Simple Summer Salad 3 cups chicken stock 1 cup wild rice 1 tablespoon of lemon juice 1 tablespoon of lime juice 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil 3  kiwi fruit , peeled and diced 1 cup seedless red or green grapes ,  halved 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts Preparation: Place broth i...

Here's a dish that will surely be appreciated by your family and guests. Pasta Primavera, but with a twist: sunflower kernels! The word primavera has an interesting history as well. Originating from Latin, the word "verano" has a fascinating history. Composed of two parts, "prima" meaning before or early, and "vera" linked to an Indo-European root meaning shine, it originally referred to the period before the Summer or the beginning of sunshine. Interestingly, while "prima" is still used in Italian, "vera" did not make its way into the language. Instead, it found a home in Spanish, where it is used to describe the Summer season.  So next time you're enjoying the warm weather, remember that the word "verano" has roots in ancient languages and a rich cultural history. Anyway try out this easy recipe below and watch as the praises flood in! Sunflower Seed Penne Primavera 12 ounces uncooked pen...

I got these recipes from a friend of mine that just recently switched to a more nutrient-dense diet. She revealed to me that not only are the recipes great for sustained health, but they are also great for fasting.   Since we covered fasting before  here on Relax and Reclaim, I figured it was a good idea to share them with you. After doing a few of these juices, she noted some VERY positive results like weight loss, higher energy, greater stamina and a plethora of other health improvements. So hopefully these recipe s will resonate with you so that you too may benefit the same way my friend did.  Enjoy! Recipe 1: Vegetable Juice Combo 2 Swiss chard leaves 1/2 beetroot 2 or 3 sprigs of watercress 3 carrots 1 celery stalk Wash with filtered or distilled water, cut and put in juicer. Recipe 2: Carrot-Apple Juice 2-3 Green Apples 1 carrot Fresh basil leaves Wash with filtered  or distilled water, cut and put in juicer. Recipe 3: Carrot-Vegetable Juice 1 handful of dan...