Eat For Radiance

Author: Kelli Terpsma | Posted In: Eat | February 2020

It’s no surprise plants grow bigger, more beautiful in fertile, nutrient-rich soil.
The same is true for our bodies, and one of the most obvious places a balanced diet shows up is on the surface. So, whether it’s luscious locks, strong nails or clear skin you’re after, start by eating enough of the following nutrients.
Then, just add water and the rest will take care of itself.

Amino Acids

Health benefits: Rebuild tissues, aid in digestion, and help cells communicate

Where to find them: Meat, leafy-green vegetables, lentils, soybeans and seeds

Omega-3 fatty acids

Health benefits: Necessary in cell membrane construction and energy storage

Where to find them: Fish, eggs, dairy products, nuts, and leafy green vegetables

Iron

Health benefits: Helps deliver oxygen to the body

Where to find it: Meat, lentils, tofu, leafy green vegetables, potatoes and dark chocolate

Vitamin C

Health benefits: Aids in iron absorption and UV protection

Where to find it: Fruits and vegetables

Zinc

Health benefits: Essential in collagen development

Where to find it: Legumes, seafood, nuts and bone broth

Fiber

Health benefits: Can lower blood pressure and promote regular digestion

Where to find it: Lentils, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds, oats and popcorn

Restorative Rainbow Lasagna

Ingredients

12 Lasagna Noodles
1 tbsp. Italian Seasoning
1 tsp. Red Pepper Flakes
15 oz. Ricotta Cheese
1 cup Mozzarella Cheese
1 lb, 8 oz. Jar of Tomato Sauce
3/4 cup Red Lentils
1 1/4 cup Vegetable Stock
1/2 Large White Onion
3 cloves Garlic
1/2 Yellow Bell Pepper, diced
1 Large Carrot, peeled and diced
1 1/2 cup Spinach, chopped
2 cups Mushrooms
1 Chinese Egglpant, diced
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper

Preparation

Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions and keep in a bowl of cold water until the lasagna is ready to be assembled. In a small container, combine the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. This will serve as the seasoning for the various parts of the lasagna. Then, prepare the vegetables as described in the ingredients list. Reserve a quarter cup of tomato sauce and set aside.
In a small pot, bring the vegetable broth to a boil. Then, add the lentils, half a cup of diced onion, and one clove of garlic to the pot. Season with one teaspoon of the seasoning mixture, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the lentils have absorbed all the broth and developed a thick, paste-like texture. Transfer to a small bowl to cool. In a medium-sized saucepan, add the mushrooms to half a tablespoon of olive oil and sauté for six minutes. Add the spinach and one clove of garlic. Cook for two minutes and then transfer to a small bowl.
Return the pan to the stove, season the eggplant with one teaspoon of the seasoning mixture and sauté in one tablespoon of olive oil for about 15 minutes, or until cooked through. By now, the lentils and mushrooms should be fairly cool, and you can proceed by dividing the ricotta cheese in half between them. Mix both until the cheese is well incorporated.
Finally, using the same pan that you used earlier, sauté the bell pepper, carrots and remaining onions in half a tablespoon of olive oil for eight minutes. Add one glove of garlic and cook an additional two minutes before pouring in the jar of tomato sauce. Bring to a boil, season with another teaspoon of the seasoning mixture, salt and pepper to taste, and turn off heat. Note: Be careful not to over-salt your sauce as the cheese will lend a salty flavor to the dish as well.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F, and then coat the bottom of a 12x16 baking dish with the reserved quarter cup of tomato sauce. Layer the bottom of the dish with four overlapping lasagna noodles. On top of the noodles, spread the ricotta and lentil mixture in an even layer and top with half of the tomato, bell pepper, and onion sauce. Layer another four overlapping noodles on top of the sauce and top with the mushroom ricotta cheese mixture. Spread the eggplant on top and layer with the last four noodles. Top the lasagna with the remaining tomato sauce and finish it by sprinkling on an even layer of the mozzarella. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake an additional 10 minutes. Cool for at least 20 minutes before serving.