How to make healthy lunches with rice?

There are two essential activities you have to adopt to have a healthy lifestyle: exercise and follow a nutritious diet plan.

Generally, people who want to be healthier tend to go to the extreme with these two actions. They sign up for the gym and try to go the entire week. They also go on restrictive diets that forbid certain types of food.

It may work, but it may not turn out very well. This is the result of most situations.

Taking a few steps towards a healthy way of living  

Having a good lifestyle can mean making changes to your current lifestyle. A new diet plan and including physical activities are challenging. They do not have to be done all at once.

The best plan is to go easy on them to prevent repetitive failures. Making a few changes each time guarantees you will adopt a new perspective on your eating habits and exercise routine.

For starting exercises, try to walk to the store, use the stairs instead of the elevator, or create a 30-minute aerobics routine at home.

The starting point in changing food habits is not as complicated as it may seem. You do not have to go on a diet at first. You can make a few variations in how you cook some ingredients.

Helpful products in your kitchen  

There are good ingredients to start in your pantry and fridge. They will help you to begin with a healthier regime.

Vegetables, fruits, grains, beans, and pasta are products you have in your kitchen. The key to making them work for you is to combine them correctly and to cook with healthy methods.

Rice healthy benefits  

The regular rice you buy all the time will be your best ally. Check mahatmarice.com/products/jasmine-white-rice/ to discover the benefits of your regular rice and how to cook it in varied ways.

Rice is a superstar ingredient you can count on when starting changes in your daily meals.

It is incredibly healthy when you learn to combine it with other good ingredients. You will have endless options to achieve your goal.

This is a humble grain with plenty of minerals and vitamins which help to boost your immune system. In addition, it is free of gluten, fat, cholesterol, and sodium.

Another positive point is that eating rice has a satiating effect that will make you feel fuller for longer, helping with the weight loss process.

2 easy and nutritious lunches with rice  

Rice cannot do all the work. It has to be cooked with healthier methods like steaming, baking, and grilling.

Furthermore, rice has to be paired with beneficial components like fresh vegetables, fruits, beans, lean meats, nuts, and seeds.

The following are some incredible ways of cooking rice healthier.

Cauliflower rice  

 Ingredients: 

• 1 cup of jasmine rice.
• 2 cups of water.
• 2 divided and blanched heads of broccoli.
• 1 cup of fresh basil.
• 1/2 cup of extra-virgin olive oil.
• 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan.
• 1/4 cup of raw almonds.
• 1 clove of garlic.
• 1 teaspoon of Kosher salt.
• 2 additional tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil.
• 8 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs.
• Ground black pepper to taste.
• Crushed red pepper flakes for garnish.

 Preparation: 

1. In a saucepan, pour water, rice, and salt. Cook it until boiling, then reduce the heat.
2. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Let it stand.
3. Blend half the broccoli, basil, extra-virgin olive oil, Parmesan cheese, almonds, garlic, and salt in a food processor.
4. Season the chicken thighs with Kosher salt and ground black pepper. Reserve.
5. In a skillet, add the 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil. Heat it at medium temperature.
6. Add seasoned chicken thighs and cook for 12 minutes. Set aside.
7. Add the cooked rice to the skillet and coat it with the chicken oil and juices.
8. Return the chicken to the skillet, the broccoli mixture, and the remaining broccoli.
9. Cook for 5 minutes.
10. Serve with crushed red pepper flakes at the top.

Turkey and Rice Vegetable Soup  

 Ingredients: 

• 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil.
• 2 cups of ground turkey.
• 1 minced garlic clove.
• 1 cup of chopped red onion.
• 1/2 cup of chopped carrots.
• Kosher salt to taste.
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste.
• 1 chopped yellow bell pepper.
• 1/4 cup of dry white wine.
• 3 cups of chicken stock.
• 1 cup of cooked white rice.
• 1 cup of chopped parsley.

 Preparation: 

1. In a saucepan, pour extra-virgin oil and heat.
2. Add garlic, red onion, carrots, salt, and black pepper. Stir and sauté for 2 minutes.
3. Incorporate bell pepper, white wine, and chicken stock
4. Boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Add cooked rice and parsley. Mix very well.
6. Serve warm with extra parsley at the top.