Maple Glazed Salmon

During the week, it's hard to find quick dinner options that are healthy AND tasty. My crock-pot is definitely used weekly, but that takes planning ahead of time, which is not something I always do (or have my husband do!) In that case I like something I can cook in less than 30 minutes. Fish can be a great option for that.

Research has shown that the people of Okinawa Japan live the longest and have the highest quality of life. The people of Okinawa generally have more energy, look younger and feel younger than most other regions in the world. So what's their secret? How do they do it? The answer is actually pretty simple. They eat a diet high in Omega-3 fats. Medical research has proven that Omega-3 fats found in fish are critical for human health. The top 4 food sources to get your Omega-3's from are: 1) Wild Caught Pacific Salmon, 2) Grass-fed Bison, Lamb or Venison, 3) Pastured Dairy, and 4) High Quality Fish Oil Supplements. I haven't ventured out and cooked lamb or venison yet, but I do purchase wild-caught salmon and grass-fed bison on a regular basis. Both are easy to find at your local grocery store.

I have several ways I like to cook wild-caught salmon but I recently discovered a simple new way that was delicious and wanted to share it!

Maple Glazed Salmon

-  2-4 wild-caught salmon steaks

-  1/2 cup pure maple syrup

-  2 tbsp soy sauce
-  2-3 tbsp fresh minced ginger
-  2 tbsp butter
-  salt and pepper (to taste)
-  1 bunch green onions diced (optional)
-  sesame seeds (optional) 

Directions

Mix maple syrup, soy sauce and ginger. Pour over fish and marinate for at least 2 hours and up to a day in the refrigerator. Heat oven to 350 degrees. In an oven-safe pan, heat butter and sear salmon on the tops. Flip salmon skin side down and pour any remaining sauce over the tops. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and sesame seeds and cook in oven until done to your taste. I cook it from 5-8 minutes. Remove from oven, cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Garnish with green onions and serve. This dish is nice paired with a side of steamed broccoli and white rice. 

Is it time to eat yet?

Ahh. Food, glorious food. Isn't it amazing that God in all His wonder designed humans to need to eat to survive? That with each bite of food we take, it provides nutrients that are carried throughout our bodies? And in that need to eat to survive, we get to enjoy many different foods that taste incredible? I don't know about you, but I LOVE to eat! There is nothing like a good meal shared with my family, friends or for a special occasion. I like to plan recipes or pick restaurants that I am going to enjoy, not suffer through. 

What's sad, is that joy has been stolen from many of us. We are constantly bombarded by magazine covers, commercials and media images that are unrealstic and not attainable. I have fought that battle trying diet after diet to find it never produces the results I hoped for. I never magically turned into a flawless model and only ended up hungry and miserable. I mean, who wants to eat chicken breast and brocolli while everyone else is eating pizza? Not me! And after years of being on that roller coaster, I have finally been set free! 

That's right! I am not vegan, vegetarian, low carb or paleo. I do not go on juice cleanses, follow a raw diet or make smoothies every morning. I now focus on a balance of REAL FOOD and finding the best quality ingredients I can. I eat foods that I enjoy (including bacon, butter and bread) and do not fret or stress about whether my meals fall into a strict plan. I mean, we only get to eat three times a day, we have to make them count, right?!

With that said, I do care about my health and eating to live. I have an amazing husband, daughter and three stepsons that I'd like to care for as long as I can. Cancer also runs in my family and research has shown that diet can be directly related to this disease. So am I going to eat processed, corn syrup laden, deep fried foods for every meal? Of course not! Besides, fast food, frozen food and processed packaged foods are not near as tasty and satisfying as making the food yourself. Plus, when you make it yourself, you know what was put in it and don't have to question the list of chemicals listed (or not) on your food label. 

So I strive to eat a variety of ALL foods including fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, grains, healthy fats and meats and try to avoid fast food and processed foods. Am I perfect with it? No. I try to eat real food 75% of the time, and the other 25% of the time I give myself grace and don't stress about it. During the week I try to cook all my meals at home but come the weekend, I eat out and indulge in whatever I feel like and am not sorry one bit. And so far, this has been the best path for me!

Are you ready for a recipe? I thought so! Here's a family favorite!

Bonita's Stuffed Bell Peppers

1 lb ground beef

6 green bell peppers

1 cup cooked rice (I use white)

1/3 cup chopped onion

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

1 (16 oz) can rotel tomatoes

salt and pepper

garlic powder

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Boil a large pot of water. Cut the tops of the peppers and remove the seeds. Cook peppers in boiling water for 5-8 minutes or until slightly tender. Remove peppers from water and set aside. 

2. Saute beef and onions in a separate skillet until beef is browned. Drain off fat and season with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Stir in rotel, one can tomato sauce, rice and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer for 15 minutes and remove from heat.

3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Stuff each pepper with the beef mixture and place each pepper open side up in a casserole dish. Pour second can of tomato sauce over the peppers. Top liberally with grated cheese.

4. Bake covered for 25 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted.

 ENJOY!