Spicy Mushroom Rice w/ Parsley

Hi and welcome back to Ria Lives Well!

Almost everyone knows that physical health has a direct relation to mental health. The way we eat, and whether our lives are active or sedentary is the difference between a happy state of mind, or one drowned in despair. It almost goes without saying, but for my sake and for those who live jam packed lives, it’s worth saying again.

The last thing I want to do when I come home from school/work is prepare a meal. Chips and dip seems like a better alternative. But it should not be an alternative. Lately, I’ve lost control of my body and it’s directly affecting my well being. My endorphins aren’t pumping from exercise; my brain isn’t strengthening from blueberries–and I feel like shit.

Simple dinners such as this spicy mushroom rice are important recipes for those straddled with work. It gives you the opportunity to eat right without sacrificing time. Think you’re too exhausted to prep this vegan dinner? Think again. It took me less than 30 minutes to prepare. And did I mention it was damn tasty.

Spicy Mushroom Rice w/ Parsley

Inspired by: Nigel Slater



1/2 cup rice 1 1/2 cups water 1/2 tablespoon all purpose seasoning 1 spicy red pepper {chopped} 6-7 cremeni (sp?) mushrooms {chopped} 1/2 cup Gardein chicken strips handful of fresh parsley 1 garlic gloved, minced dash of coriander, salt and pepper {to taste} Olive oil {1 teaspoon or so}

Directions:

Heat 1 1/2 cups of water to boiling. Add rice and AP seasoning. Lower to simmer. Cook until the rice absorbs the water {y’all know how to make rice}. Salt and pepper your rice to taste. Now prep your veggies. Heat olive oil in a skillet, then add your red pepper. Cook until a few strips start to brown {sorry guys, I didn’t time it :/}. Add garlic and cook for a few minutes. Add mushrooms and cook for a few more minutes. Now add your chicken strips {I’m so bad with timing; I just cooked until everything was “tenderized”}. Remove from heat. Add a handful of parsley and mix it into the veggies.

Mi Amor! So tasty, so simple. And…what’s that word that left my vocabulary about a month ago? Oh yeah: healthy!

Prep work.

Now things are coming together.

Give this dish a try. It doesn’t take much effort or expense, and the outcome is mouthwatering.

So remember: hectic lifestyle be damned. You need good food and exercise in your life like a hummingbird needs lupines. Aside from a hectic schedule, if you’re having a rough day, take solace in a few things that make you happy. Trust me, it will keep you sane–it sure keeps me sane.

And do you remember my recent post on Herbolution’s organic facial cleanser? Another love of my life.

Well, Herbolution was kind enough to do a quick RLW interview–thanks, guys :). The information they shared was great. I particularly loved their beauty advice. One that stuck with me was:

“Twice a week, use a facial mask for deep cleansing.”

Facial mask? You mean the green or brown stuff that hardens on your face? The paste that housewives from the 60’s made vogue? Never tried it, but after researching the benefits, I’m all over facial masks.

~Live Well!