Steam is Clean

Lately it's been smelling like a sauna in my kitchen...

Weird right? It's actually not that weird. It's because I've been using my new Bamboo Steamer for cooking lately, and when this wooden basket heats up with steam, it really does kind of smell like those Bamboo saunas filled with hot air and steam.... minus the sweaty people of course.

Quite honestly, I don't know how I got along without one of these amazing things! They cook both veggies and meat so well, and it doesn't take constant stirring or checking on to make lunch. I can literally toss in my carrots and broccoli, go fold laundry or take a shower for 15 minutes, come back, and lunch is ready!

It's also very healthy for you too. Much healthier than microwaves, sauteing vegetables in oil, or even boiling vegetables in water.

Studies show that microwaving vegetables destroys a high percentage of its nutritional value, as does boiling vegetables in water. The nutrients just drain out of them! You might as well drink that water to get them back...

And of course, adding oil to vegetables adds unnecessary fat, which isn't always a bad thing. But if you're looking for a super-healthy way to get your veggies in, steaming is definitely the way to go!

Here's a great recipe I just had yesterday, and it was easy as pie to make!

Steamed Veggies with Chicken and Quinoa-Rice 

Ingredients:
1/2 cup red quinoa 
1/2 cup brown rice
5 cups water
1 thawed chicken breast
2 cups of chopped vegetables (I used baby carrots, broccoli, red pepper, mushrooms, spinach, and lentil sprouts)
Some seasonings of your choice

Steps to Make:
1. Heat 2 cups of water in a small sauce pan 
2. Pour in quinoa and rice into the water and bring to a boil
3. Reduce heat, and cover with a lid
4. Meanwhile, chop up veggies into large pieces (the larger pieces will allow the vegetables to maintain their nutrients) 
5. Heat another larger sauce pan with 3 cups of water and bring to a boil
6. Place the steamer on top of the boiling pot (if you don't have a steamer, you can use a colander with a lid over it)
7. Place the chicken on the steamer first, followed by the larger veggies, then the smaller ones (if your steamer has two layers, you can put the chicken on the bottom layer and the veggies on the top layer)
8. Allow to steam for 15 minutes, turning the chicken over halfway through
9. Sprinkle chicken and veggies with seasoning
10. Spoon rice and quinoa mixture into a bowl
11. Cut chicken into strips and mix into the same bowl
12. Top with steamed veggies
13. Enjoy!