Mediterranean Yummies

Hey Everyone!! I can't believe it's April!! I hope everyone had an amazing Easter Sunday!! One of the best holidays ever, I love Easter because it is a very laid back holiday for me, andddd it's all about Jesus! 

This semester we have learned a lot about the Mediterranean lifestyle (diet)* and how it is the most beneficial diet there is to reduce all kinds of chronic disease, and improve quality of life. Zack and I have decided to take a challenge to follow a Mediterranean lifestyle to see how we feel over a few weeks time, and hopefully continue to stick with it with magnificent changes. We usually stick to a pretty balanced and well-rounded lifestyle, I cook every dinner and we always have a lean source of protein, vegetable and complex carbohydrate. 

*Diet is a word that I use loosely, because you should never "go on a diet", it should be a lifestyle change. Diets, fad or yo-yo, cause you to lose weight rapidly and then you gain it back, usually with more than you lost. Make a healthy lifestyle change- do not do a diet ;) *

What is the Mediterranean Lifestyle? 

Lots of fruits and veggies!!! Red wine, fish, eggs, whole grains, healthy fats such as nuts, seeds, oils. Limited intake of red meat (once per week), no sugary drinks or highly processed junk (RIP oreos)

Recipe for Cucumber Salad & Greek Yogurt Taziki Sauce w/ Airfried pita chips  (Pictured above)

Cucumber Salad

2 cucumbers (peeled and chopped small)

2 medium tomatoes (diced small)

1/4 cup mint leaves, finely chopped

1/2 of a red onion, diced small (can add more if you like onion)

1/2 lemon, squeeze the juice from it

1-2 TBSP Olive oil

dash of salt

-After the cucumbers, onion, tomatoes are all chopped- place all together into a bowl, add lemon juice, mint leaves, salt and olive oil- mix it all together until it is all coated evenly. 

- Place in the refrigerator until ready to serve!

Greek Yogurt Taziki Sauce 

*Recipe makes about 3-4 servings, double if needed*

5 ounces Fat Free Plain Greek Yogurt

1/2 cucumber, peeled and shredded

1/2 lemon, squeeze some juice, not all

dash of pepper and salt

2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped

2 Tbsp dried dill 

-I shredded my cucumber with my peeler, but you can use a grater or veggetti. 

- Mix all ingredients and chill until ready to serve. 

Air Fried Pita Chips

3-4 Pitas, cut into pieces 

cooking spray

salt

Preheat air fryer to 360

Cut pita into triangles or however you would like

Spray with cooking spray, sprinkle with salt

Cook in air fryer for 10 minutes

Eat with Taziki sauce! So yummy!!

Enjoy and have a wonderful week!!

Xox