Need to find a healthy alternative that gives you energy for a workout? Something to give you that midweek pick-me-up? Well UCAN is just the product YOU need to give you that extra long-lasting burst of energy for whatever it is YOU are tackling. UCAN’s SuperStarch® formula delivers a slow and steady release of glucose into the bloodstream, which maximizes your potential!

Get Ready For Summer

Looking to be more zen as you approach this summer? With this Simple Asian Inspired Salad you will find your "CHI" and be leaving the table relaxed, with a smile on your face. Perfect for a day hanging at the beach condo, or even right before a workout!

No doubt all of us have had a difficult time dealing with months of COVID stress and seclusion, and most recently dealing with the realities of our country’s racial tensions.  
 
I see this as an opportune time in our country to accept one another, our differences, and similarities. By sharing, supporting, and loving thy neighbor, we bring good “chi” which in traditional Chinese culture, is believed to be a vital force forming part of any living entity.
 
I feel blessed as to be Chef Ambassador,  part of a diversified family of Fullei Fresh employees who not only respect each other for who we are, but to have the honor of sharing nourishing thoughts, feelings, prayers, and sprouts with all of you.

​
A New Beginning
 
With summer at our doorstep, this is also a wonderful time to bring positive chi to our bodies by diversifying our dishes with new farm fresh vegetables, seasonings, preparation methods and of course delicious Fullei Fresh sprouts. By visiting and supporting your local farmers in Homestead and the Redlands, and our multicultural Asian, Caribbean, and Latin markets, you will not only support our local small business communities but find an entire world of new flavors, inspiring you to wake up your body to all the possibilities with just a few simple ingredients.
 
For example, this month I introduce you to nopales, rich in calcium, magnesium and vitamin C, a common ingredient in numerous Mexican dishes.  The “steak” for vegetarians.
​
Seapoint Farms frozen organic riced edamame is a delicious high protein, high fiber, high calcium and uber high potassium alternative to the trendy cauliflower rice and worth the purchase if you are looking for additional protein in your diet. As for sprouts, I cannot think of a better accompaniment and infusion to this month’s tortillas and salad than Fullei Fresh Alfalfa/Clover sprouts. Mild and delicious in any dish, a high protein, high fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, B vitamins and vitamin K boost to anyone’s daily diet.

Summer Recipes

These mix and match recipes can be prepared and consumed together, with fresh garden Alfalfa Clover Sprouted Salad mix, with chilled gazpacho or pureed squash or fruit soup, eaten as leftovers or as snacks.

Grilled Nopales with Riced Edamame Succotash
   - Serves 2

Grilled Nopales

Ingredients:

• 2 Farm Fresh Nopales
• Salt and pepper to taste

 
Method:
I prefer the natural taste of nopales, salt and pepper to taste, grilled just until softened and browned about 5-8 minutes on smokeless indoor grill.

You can marinade 1st for 1 hour with one of the following options, remove from marinade and grill:

Go Asian with:

• 1/8 cup rice wine vinegar
• 2 Tbls low sodium soy or tamari sauce
• 1 Tbls. minced lemongrass
• 1 tsp minced fresh chili
• 1 tsp minced chives

 
Go Mexican with:

• 1 Tbls olive oil
• 2 Roasted garlic cloves minced.
•  ¼ cup yellow onion chopped small.      
• Chili pepper or 1 fresh aji rojo pepper minced.

Riced Edamame Succotash

Ingredients:

• 1 cup frozen organic “riced” Edamame
• ½ cup organic sweet corn frozen
• 1 fresh aji rojo chili minced (optional)
• 2 Tbls chopped fresh cilantro ‘salt and pepper to taste.

 
 
 
Method:

1. Grill edamame and corn on smokeless griddle pan for 5-8 minutes until browned.
2. Add chili if desired and grill 1-2 more minutes.
3. Season with salt and pepper, add fresh cilantro before serving.

Wheatgrass Infused Alfalfa Clover Sprouted Tortillas
    - Creates four 5“ tortillas

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Pan white corn meal.
• 1 ¼ cup hot water
• 1/8 cup wheatgrass juice
• ¼ cup Fullei Fresh alfalfa clover sprouts

 
Method:

1. Blend cornmeal with hot water, add wheatgrass juice.
2. Add Fullei Fresh alfalfa/clover sprouts and blend.
3. Divide tortilla dough, use tortilla press to flatten with rolling pin between 2 parchment or wax sheets of paper.
4. Grill on smokeless griddle until brown on both sides, about 8-10 minutes.

Wheatgrass Pulp Infused Mint Yogurt Cheese

Ingredients:

• 1 cup 0% Greek yogurt (or Almond, Cashew, Coconut yogurt if vegan)
• 2 Tbls. Wheatgrass pulp- shredded finely.
• ½ tsp Fresh mint
• Salt and pepper to taste

 
Method:

1. Place yogurt in strainer over bowl for 24 hours.
2. Remove curds, top portion from strainer, mix with wheatgrass pulp until blended.
3. Season with fresh mint leaves, salt, and pepper to taste.

 
This can be used as a dip for fresh crudité. Yogurt can be seasoned with garlic and/or onion powders or fresh herbs and sprouts of your choice.

Use these Affiliate Codes to receive discounts when buying ingredients:
Fullei Fresh - FOODFITNESS1
Farmer Jones Farm - LISADORFMAN
Joi - LISADORFMAN

​Why I Love Sprouts?

​My love for sprouts started more than 40 years ago, when I became a vegetarian as a teenager, a lifelong competitive athlete participating in high school team sports and moving onto individual sports as an adult. From becoming a professional runner & triathlete blessed to represent the United States on Team USA at the World Duathlon Long Distance Championships to competing in 35 marathons; including 4 Boston Marathons and a Miami Marathon 1st place finish, the Ironman Triathlon and hundreds of races worldwide.

I’ve learned that my performance and longevity in sports is dependent on fueling my body with a plant-based diet rich in protein, vitamins and minerals and that’s where sprouts take the center stage.

​Why Sprouts Rock!

Sprouts are one of the most nutritious vegetable sources of protein, antioxidants like vitamins C and E, minerals like magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc and the electrolyte potassium. Which are all critical for fortifying the body to combat the stress of exercise, environment and everyday life.

Sprouts are also a great source of fiber, the carbohydrate that helps to keep our gut fit & running each day. The more variety in the diet, the better opportunity there is to get the freshest source of even more of the compounds you find in veggies per serving, help the microflora of your gut to flourish with rich healthy bacteria and build your body in ways that you will experience for yourself whether you play sports or play with your kids.

​How I Will Help You Grow to Love Sprouts

Even if you are one of those sprout doubters, perhaps you never tried sprouts, have children who are not vegetable eaters, I will show you strategies for hiding the sprouts in recipes like smoothies, soups, hummus, muffins, biscuits, sauces and even desserts.
 
Each month, I will translate my love for sprout nutrition into delicious plant-based recipes, dishes chock full of farm fresh vegetables, lean clean sources of protein, animal and vegan options, along with dietary information for those adhering to special diets whether for health, lifecycle or sport performance. You’ll get the recipes and even a video to show you how to make the foods at home.

​Black sapote aka Diospyros nigra, is a tropical fruit native to eastern Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America from the species of persimmon. Known as black persimmon, chocolate-fruit and chocolate pudding-fruit.

​Black sapote is a tomato-like fruit with a thin and firm rind. The fruit has 2 to 10 seeds that are dark red-brown colored. Ripened black sapote has a greenish-yellow skin that is raw, inedible; pulp dark brown in color & custard-like.

Rich in antioxidants, electrolytes & in just 1 cup: 142 calories, 2.6 g protein, 0.8 g fat, 34 g carbohydrate, 15 grams fiber, 360 mg potassium, 22 mg Vitamin C & 420 IU Vitamin A.

Try Lisa's Delicious Vegan, Gluten Free Black Sapote Bread

Celebrating St. Patty’s Day!
Join the Irish Global Greening Initiative, Eat Green (Pancakes ) Every Day of the Year!

National Nutrition Month (NNM) is an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND,) the largest group of nutrition professionals, Registered Dietitians (RD) and Diet Technicians Registered (DTR) in the country.This year’s theme, Personalize Your Plate is all about fitting a variety of nutritious foods and beverages into a mindful dining setting, where can enjoy your meals with the ones you love.