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Happy 2016! 

I’m so excited to kick off January with a fresh start because a new year always inspires change. But this year instead of making resolutions, I’m focusing my attention on simple solutions. Why? Well, I want to keep things easy.

Everyone knows the hardest part of New Year’s resolutions is keeping them, especially when it comes to sticking to a diet. So I’ve incorporated four healthier food swaps in my menus to stay fit:

• Pack meals with vegetables
• Substitute sugar with fruit
• Use good carbs and good fats
• Select high protein and high fiber ingredients

But there is more to the story. At a recent doctor’s visit, I informed my doctor that I was gaining weight and always hungry. My doctor checked me out and issued a series of tests. I received a clean bill of health and the test results came back normal. So, I assumed my increased appetite was due to hormones or age.

During the same week, Konnect PR sent me samples of Jovial einkorn products to try and review for my blog. As I sampled the Jovial products, I noticed a difference in my appetite. I finally felt satisfied without feeling bloated or heavy. Jovial’s einkorn pasta, crackers, and cookies curtailed my hunger and caused me to eat less. I never heard of einkorn products until now, but it was like a God sent answer.

Einkorn is the only wheat that has never been hybridized. Because of this, it is usually very well tolerated by the gluten sensitive. The gluten in einkorn lacks the high molecular weight proteins that many people can’t digest. For those sensitive to modern wheat, einkorn is a delicious alternative (but einkorn is not suitable for those with Celiac Disease). Einkorn contains roughly 30% more protein than modern wheat and more protein than any other grain while having 15% less starch, translating to fewer carbohydrates. This increase in protein will leave you feeling more sustained and less bloated after eating einkorn.

So for this recipe, I’m using Jovial® 100% Organic Einkorn traditional pasta Penne Rigate to show you how to lighten up this year.

Now let’s get started![/text_output][vc_row_inner padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px”][vc_column_inner fade_animation_offset=”45px” width=”1/1″][text_output]

[x_custom_headline type=”left” level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″]Italian Superfood Pasta[/x_custom_headline]

PREP TIME: 10 mins
COOK TIME: 30 mins
TOTAL TIME: 40 mins

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Author: Taste and See Life

Recipe type: Entree

Cuisine: Italian

Serves: 4-6

INGREDIENTS

• 12 oz. box Jovial® 100% Organic Einkorn Penne Rigate
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup chopped ham
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon butter
• ½ lemon, squeezed for juice
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 cup arugula, chopped
• 1 cup spinach, chopped
• ¼ cup shaved Romano cheese
• Salt to taste

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INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add 1.5 liter water in an electric kettle and bring to boil. (Learned this from my British friends.)
2. Add the boiling water to large pot with a package of the uncooked pasta and a dash of olive oil to keep pasta from sticking together. Cook on high heat about 13 minutes and stir frequently.
3. While the pasta is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat.
4. Sauté the chopped ham, red pepper flakes, and garlic in the skillet.
5. Add the lemon juice and butter to the skillet to create a light sauce.
6. Drain the cooked pasta and transfer the pasta to a mixing bowl.
7. Coat the pasta with the lemon butter mixture.
8. Toss in the arugula, spinach, and tomatoes.
9. Garnish with Romano cheese.

Notes:

This is a superfood pasta dish that doesn’t use a heavy sauce to weigh you down. You can add a variety of vegetables like mushrooms, bell pepper, or asparagus. For my gluten-free friends, Jovial has a brown rice pasta line too.

Make it a Meal

Use the ingredients from your main entrée to make a side green salad. Just toss the following into a salad bowl:

• 2 – 3 cups spinach
• 1 sliced pear
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• Balsamic vinegar and olive oil
• Salt and Pepper to taste

For a starter or for a healthy snack, try an Italian dip made from Cannellini beans. Drain a can of Cannellini beans and place the beans in a food processor. Add juice from ½ a lemon, 1 garlic clove, 2 tablespoons of olive oil and salt to taste. Blend until smooth and transfer the mixture to a dip bowl. Sprinkle with paprika and serve with fresh veggies and crackers.

Now it’s Your Turn!

By choosing healthier ingredients, you can still enjoy your favorite dishes! I turned a traditionally heavy pasta carbonara dish into an eggless pasta carbonara superfood entrée by incorporating a few food swaps to my recipe. By substituting egg with lemon juice, replacing heavy cream with a tablespoon of butter, and using a high protein pasta like Jovial Einkorn pasta, I lightened up my meal and packed it with colorful veggies. The arugula, spinach, and tomatoes turned up the flavors in this Italian superfood pasta dish.

Taste and see for yourself, and try a few food swaps of your own.

Don’t forget to give Jovial products a try and let me know what you think!

Happy New Year,

Michelle

What food swaps do you do to lighten up your meals?  

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