Cauliflower and Chickpea Rice Bowl - A Simple Turmeric Recipe

How important is eating healthy? Well for most people, it is often the most important decision we make for our health, and it is crucial to living a balanced, long, and healthy life. A nutritious diet is a huge part of living a healthy lifestyle, and the basis for a well functioning body. Just as a car won’t run without water, gas, or oil, your body needs quite a few things to operate well, and the food you eat is one of the biggest ones!

To truly eat healthily, and keep the body in its optimal condition, one must go beyond just eating an apple a day, and refraining from boxes of cookies and bags of chips. Every element that you put into your body could help or harm you, now and in the long run. Be conscious of what you consume, and learn to make your meals beneficial for your whole body. Although reaching for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is fast and easy, this simple turmeric recipe just takes a little prep, is full of health benefits, and will make you feel better all day.

Health Benefits In This Chickpea Turmeric Cauliflower Rice Bowl

The ingredients list alone is a great reason to enjoy this simple turmeric recipe. It is packed with lots of good quality food that offer health benefits in each bite. Filled with turmeric, cauliflower, chickpeas, and black pepper, your taste buds and body will surely thank you. But that is not the only reason to enjoy it.

For sufferers of chronic illnesses such as adrenal fatigue, proper nutrition a necessity for preventing further damage to the adrenal glands and other body systems. Eating a healthy diet ensures you have everything you need to prevent dysfunction and nourishes every living cell in your body.

However, knowing exactly what to eat can be difficult. Good nutrition, along with rest and exercise, is one of the key factors in the prevention of illness, recovery from illness, longevity, and optimal living.

Let’s explore the ingredients list a bit deeper.

Benefits of Turmeric

For thousands of years, turmeric, or what is also called Curcuma longa, has been used in India. It has now become one of the most well-known, most commonly used Ayurvedic spices in the world. The health benefits of turmeric are being studied at a phenomenal pace for a number of different conditions, the greatest being in the prevention and management of a wide variety of cancers.

• Studies have shown that curcumin is responsible for the death of cancer cells in medulloblastoma, pediatric brain tumors, and glioblastomas, an aggressive type of brain tumor that is found to be resistant to treatment through chemo and radiation. In addition, turmeric has been found to prevent metastasis, or the spread of the disease from its original site to other parts of the body, enhance the effects of chemo by making cancer cells more susceptible to the treatment, and protect the healthy cells from the damage that can be done during therapy.
• Testing has been done on curcumin and found that it correlates to slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis.
• Curcumin is also a powerful tool used for weight loss and fighting obesity. It helps to reduce leptin and insulin resistance, activates fat burning systems, and reverses hyperglycemia.
• The main ingredient of this simple turmeric recipe can also be used as a form of natural pain relief and has been suggested to work just as well as ibuprofen. Several studies have indicated that curcumin also has strong anti-inflammatory agents. It has even been found to be better at reducing swelling in patients with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis over the NSAID known as Diclofenac. This makes curcumin a tremendous natural relief option for many chronic conditions such as Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome, a stress-induced illness that wreaks havoc, pain, and inflammation on the body and all its systems.

Turmeric usually does not cause significant side effects. However, some people can experience stomach upset, nausea, dizziness, or diarrhea when taking it in large quantities. Although it is very often used by pregnant women when consumed with food, taking additional capsules by mouth could not be safe. Due to its strength, using turmeric in high concentrations should be done with caution and could result in aggravating gallbladder problems, coagulation issues, increasing blood sugar in people with diabetes, increasing hormone sensitivity, lowering testosterone levels, and preventing the absorption of iron. It is always a good idea to consult with a doctor about any dietary changes prior to beginning any new health regimens.

Cauliflower Rice

Whether you are trying to sneak some veggies into you or your kid's diet, planning to eliminate grains and extra calories, or just want a bit of variety in your meal planning, cauliflower rice is a great addition to this simple turmeric recipe. It is delicious, easy to make, and diabetic-friendly. Cauliflower has an abundance of nutrients and contains unique plant compounds that can aid in reducing the risk of several diseases. In fact, it contains many of the essential nutrients your body needs to function.

• This vegetable contains a high percentage of the daily fiber your body needs, aiding in digestive health and feeding the good bacteria in your gut.
• Cauliflower also contains a nutrient that most people have tested deficient in: choline. This component is vital to the proper functioning of the body and preventing disease. It is critical for brain development, cognitive function, and heart health, among other benefits.
• Cauliflower also provides antioxidants, a crucial element in fighting free radicals and oxidative stress.

Chickpeas and Hummus

One of the tastiest aspects of this simple turmeric recipe comes from the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern parts of the world. Also known as garbanzo beans, these little guys are packed with nutrients. Like other legumes, such as beans, peas, and lentils, chickpeas are high in fiber and protein and contain several key vitamins and minerals such as iron, phosphate, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc and vitamin k. All of which contribute to maintaining and building strong bones. Not only that, but it’s also heart-healthy too! The high fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B-6 content all support your cardiovascular system.

Black Pepper

As if you needed any more reasons try this simple turmeric recipe, even the spice you are using to accent it comes with health benefits. Research has found evidence that consuming black pepper with curcumin increases its bioavailability. A match made in heaven. Black pepper, along with turmeric, is one of the world's most widely used and traded spices.

• Black pepper works well for weight loss by increasing your metabolism and aiding in good digestion.
• It has antibacterial properties, as well as assists with viral cold prevention. Black pepper offers relief from coughs, sinus congestion, and earaches, and it helps with asthma.
• Black pepper, along with turmeric and cauliflower, is also a very good anti-inflammatory agent.
• It is also a good source of nutrients such as manganese, copper, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, iron, potassium, riboflavin, vitamin C, K, and B6.

Nutritious and Simple Turmeric Recipe

This simple turmeric recipe is vegan, gluten, grain, and soy-free, and it offers more nutrients than the average person consumes in a day. This type of nutrition helps you feel more energized, focused, and happier overall. Eating clean, healthy foods over the long-term can and will change your life.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Makes two servings

Ingredients:

• Baby spinach or another type of preferred greens

Cauliflower Rice Ingredients:

• 1 tsp oil
• 1/2 diced onion
• pinch of salt
• 1 tsp turmeric
• dash of cayenne
• 1 small head of cauliflower, grated
• dash of lemon or lime juice

Spiced Chickpeas and Carrots Ingredients:

• 1/2 tsp oil
• 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp cayenne
• 1 tsp coriander
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• pinch salt
• 3/4 cup sliced carrots
• 2 tbsp water
• lemon or line juice to taste

Hummus Ingredients:

• 1 can chickpeas drained reserving liquid
• 1 tbsp tahini
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 cloves roasted or minced garlic
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Optional:

• tomatoes
• cucumber
• pita

Cauliflower Rice Instructions:

1. Process the cauliflower in a food processor for a few seconds. It can also be grated.
2. Heat 1 tsp oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the onion, add and a pinch of salt then saute until they are translucent.
3. Mix in 1 tsp of turmeric and a dash of cayenne.
4. Add the grated cauliflower to the pan, cover, and cook for 4 to 6 minutes.
5. Add a dash of lemon or lime and then fluff the mixture as you would fluff rice.
6. Cover the pan until the next portion of the recipe is completed.

Spiced Chickpeas and Carrots Instructions:

1. Heat ½ tsp oil in a pan over medium heat. Add in 1 of the cans of chickpeas, 1 tsp ground cumin, ¼ tsp cayenne, 1 tsp coriander, ½ tsp paprika, ½ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
2. Mix and cook for one minute.
3. Add ¾ cup sliced carrots and 2 tbsp of water, cover, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes.
4. Add lemon or lime to taste.

Hummus and Sauce Instructions:

1. In a blender or food processor, mix together the drained can of chickpeas, 1 tbsp tahini, ¼ tsp salt, 2 cloves roasted or minced garlic, 2 tsp olive oil, ½ tsp cumin, ¼ tsp paprika, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and ¼ tsp black pepper until the chickpeas reach a smooth consistency.
2. Taste and adjust the salt and lemon if needed.
3. Add another ¼ tsp black pepper.
4. Split the batch in half, and add the reserved water from the can of chickpeas to make one batch a thinner consistency for the sauce.

 To Assemble:

1. Add your chosen layer of greens on the bottom of the bowl.
2. Add the spiced chickpeas, turmeric cauliflower rice, and black pepper hummus on top of the greens.
3. Drizzle the thinned hummus on top.
4. Optional: add chopped veggies like tomatoes and cucumbers to the combo and serve with some warmed pita.
5. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information for One Serving

614 Calories, 19g Fat, 2g Saturated Fat, 0 Unsaturated Fat, 0 Trans Fat, Cholesterol 0, Carbohydrates 89 g, Fiber 25 g, Protein 28 g, Sugar 16 g, Sodium 695 mg

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