"Power Rice"

I really enjoy reading a lot about the healing components of food.  It stands to reason that if certain foods make you sick, then there are certain foods that can make you feel terrific and give life to your body... instead of draining you of energy leaving you with that middle of the day "draggy" feeling.  I created this recipe with the purpose of it being filling and also that each ingredient would benefit some part of our bodies.  It was quite fun and I hope to do it again.  It was so good...I even gave it to my husband for lunch cold...he said it gave him energy.  Mission Accomplished!

Before I start....if you want a vegan adaptation, use vegetable stock instead of chicken broth.  If you are gluten free take out the wheat germ.

Here's what you'll need:

4-6 cups of brown rice (really depends how much you like), cooked
1 can of organic black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup of olive oil
1/4 cup of dried cranberries
1 cup of fresh spinach of 1/2 cup of frozen, thawed with water squeezed out
1 onion sliced or diced
2 carrots sliced
1 green pepper sliced or diced
2 heaping tablespoons of garlic
1 tsp. of kosher salt
1 tsp. of fresh ground pepper
1/4-1/2 tsp. of cayenne pepper, depends how spicy you like your food
1 Tab. dried or 2 Tab. fresh parsley
1/4 cup of raw wheat germ
1/2 cup of organic chicken broth

 Begin by heating olive oil in large skillet over med-high heat.

Toss in the carrots and Onions and cook until onions start to get translucent, stirring occasionally.

Toss in the green pepper and garlic and cook for about 2-3 minutes more.

Toss in the Cranberries and spinach and cook for about a minute more.

Next, throw in the beans, parsley, salt, pepper and Cayenne

Toss in the wheat germ and stir it around...If that seems gross...you won't even know its there

Stir around for a couple of mintues to let flavors blend.

Toss in the rice and 1/2 cup of chicken broth...stir it around for about 4-5 minutes.

Put in on your plate with a sprinkle of fresh ground pepper and enjoy!

This recipe is versatile...add whatever veggies you have on hand or whatever you love.

I think broccoli or red peppers would be a wonderful addition.

If your interested, here is the breakdown of each ingredient and what it benefits.

Olive Oil-liver and kidneys

Spinach-intestines, pancreas, liver, lymph, blood

Cranberries-kidneys

Cayenne-blood (anti-inflammatory as well)

Parsley-lymph, kidneys

Olive Oil-blood, liver, kidneys

Carrots-lymph

Wheat Germ-blood

Brown rice-intestines

Green Pepper-kidneys

Garlic-lymph, liver,kidneys, pancreas

Onion-kidneys

Black Beans-blood and intestines

*Salt, pepper and chicken broth added for flavor but also have benefits.