I've been looking for recipes with lots and lots of protein lately because, as always, I am struggling with flagging energy. Lack of energy (regardless of what I eat, it seems) is my biggest health complaint, and has been for about the past two years. I know I need to lose weight and exercise more - it's no mystery. But finding the energy to exercise more is kind of a problem! Ya know, it's just a big downward spiral... But I'll get there, I swear!!
So, Katherine from Plant-Based Health (who has become my unwitting health guru) recommended I eat beans for breakfast to get the protein boost that I once got from eating eggs in the morning. I haven't tried it yet - tomorrow with be the first time - but I'm really interested to see how I feel after I eat this beautiful and colorful, high protein salad first thing in the morning!This is a recipe from The Cancer Survivor's Guide: Foods That Help You Fight Back, the book that is used to accompany the nutrition classes taught by The Cancer Project. If you don't already have this book, get it! It's chock full of great information about cancer prevention through diet. And it's the perfect book to help convince a non-believer!
I cut and pasted the recipe directly from the Cancer Project's recipe page, but I found the recipe as-is to be very bland. So, just between you and me, I added a half a bunch of coarsely chopped fresh cilantro, as well as some paprika, garlic powder, Black Gomasio, and lime juice. Enjoy!
1/2 cup low-fat or fat-free Italian salad dressing
1 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 15-ounce can black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
1 10-ounce package frozen lima beans
1 cup frozen corn, thawed completely
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1/2 medium red onion, diced
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- Toss all ingredients together. Serve cold or at room temperature.
- Place leftover bean salad in a covered dish and store in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- Makes 10 servings.
NUTRITION INFO (per serving):
Calories: 183 / Fat: 3g (Saturate Fat: 0.5g, 14.6% Calories from Fat) / Cholesterol: 0mg / Protein: 9.9g / Total Carbohydrates: 31g (Sugar: 2.9g, Fiber: 8g) / Sodium: 539mg / Calcium: 43mg / Iron: 2.7mg / Vitamin C: 36.7mg / Beta Carotene: 311mcg / Vitamin E: 0.8mg
