Zucchini Noodles
Testimony of the Day
“Hi Maria! I want to thank you so much for helping me! Here are photos of before and after eating your way of soy free, gluten free, and eating locally and real food. The picture doesn’t show all the gastrointestinal, pain and general icky feelings that disappeared as well! I can’t thank you enough.”
To get started on your “after” photo, click HERE!
GABA
GABA is the primary neurotransmitter in the temporal lobe, the area of the brain that governs perception, attention, speech and motions. Low levels of this chemical have been linked to psychological symptoms such as insecurity, excessive worrying, fear of new experiences, poor concentration and lack of impulse control. But as GABA shortfalls are corrected, we can regain calmness, dependability and objectivity.
GABA deficiency displays as anxiousness, nervousness, irritability, restlessness, allergies, blurred vision, clammy hands, butterflies in the stomach, dizziness, IBS, constipation, neuropathy, fibromyalgia, headache, insomnia, trembling or shaking, tinnitus, manic depression, and mood disorders. You don’t need all of these issues to be deficient in GABA.
To read more on how to increase GABA through foods and supplements, check out my book: Secrets to Controlling Your Weight Cravings and Mood.
If you would like to get off anxiety or depression medication and start with natural supplements, click HERE to get started.
Eating foods high in fiber increases glutamic acid/glutamate which forms glutamine, an amino involved in the production of GABA. Cooking destroys amino acids so eat as many raw foods as possible, such as the zucchini in this recipe.
4 TBS coconut oil OR macadamia nut oil, divided
5 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
3 oz thinly sliced prosciutto or ham
8 large eggs
1 large zucchini, into “noodles”
1 lb asparagus, cleaned and trimmed
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Peel and cut zucchini into noodles using THIS tool: Joyce Chen Spiral Slicer. Set aside. Heat 2 TBS oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic; stir 30 seconds. Add prosciutto strips; cook until slightly crisp. Remove from heat and set aside.
Heat 1 tsp oil in each of 2 skillets over medium heat. Crack 4 eggs into each skillet. Cook on 1 side until eggs begin to set, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover; set aside.
Add sliced asparagus to a pot of boiling water; cook until noodles are cooked through and asparagus is just tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain asparagus, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid.
Add zucchini noodles and asparagus to prosciutto mixture in skillet. Cook over medium heat until heated through, tossing and adding reserved cooking liquid by 1/4 cupfuls to moisten.
Remove skillet from heat. Add grated Parmesan cheese and remaining 1 TBS plus 1 tsp macadamia nut oil and toss to coat. Divide among 8 plates. Top each serving with 1 egg and cheese shavings. Serve immediately. Makes 8 servings.
NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per serving)
Traditional Noodle Dish = 261 calories, 12.3 carbs, 1.6 g fiber, 16.2 g protein
“Healthified” Noodle Dish = 215 calories, 3.9 carbs, 1.2 g fiber, 15 g protein
My suggestion is to only serve the sauce on the noodles you will eat that night. The leftover noodles and sauce get a little soggy, so reserve both separate. I recently found a NEW Zucchini cutter that is easier to use! Click HERE to find it:)
Hi Maria, I’m not sure how familiar you are with Aspergers, but my daughter has recently been diagnosed with it. It seems like a lot of the supplements you recommend would be helpful for her, but I’m curious if you know if they are available for children. She is 7 and not a pill taker so I’m just curious if you’ve seen some of these helpful supplements in chewable forms. Thanks so much!
I work with autism a lot! Gluten and dairy free is very important as well as supplements. Even for age 7. 🙂
Thank you so much! We are just getting started on the gluten and dairy free. I know every case is different, but are there any supplements you’d recommend for any child with autism to get us started? I read somewhere they are often deficient in magnesium and zinc. So start there? Or should I be looking at 5-HTP, GABA, etc.? I am going to get your Healthy Eating Book for Kids as well so maybe that will help us get started. We are a little overwhelmed with all the information we are finding!
You are welcome. My Kids book definitely has lots of great recipes and tips too. 🙂
http://www.amazon.com/The-Art-Healthy-Eating-Kids/dp/0988512432/ref=sr_1_3?m=A51JBC26TWGDE&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1358960052&sr=1-3
As for supplements, I usually do a health assessment with my clients to know exactly what to take. But in general you could try a high dose fish oil 1000mg 4 times a day. 400mg mag glycinate at bedtime. 750mg GABA bedtime and another 750mg in am on empty stomach if still
anxious in am. Also probiotics for sure. 🙂
http://astore.amazon.com/marisnutran05-20?node=17&page=2
Thank you–I really appreciate your advice. I am sure we will be contacting you in the future to do a health assessment, but in the meantime…looks like I will be doing some shopping in your store to get us started!
Hi Maria! What if I do not have the noodle maker. Can I do it by hand? I would love to try this recepie. Thanks.
You could shave it into thin strips like linguine with a peeler or cheese grater. 🙂
I bought a julienne vegetable peeler for less than $10, it works like a charm.
Excellent! Thanks 🙂
How can me know or tell if anxiety (I suffer from moderate to severe GAD) is because of our diet or because of emotional issues? Is there a way to know? I am determined to find a way to cure my anxiety. It´s like hell living this way. And my other question is: If anxiety and depression are related to our diet, how long before we can see results of our anxiety and depression starting to go away when we change our diets? This is why I do a lot of research about diets and health. Doctors only give you drugs to keep you numb but never dig in to find out what is the real cause.
Thanks again for taking the time to respond 🙂
I think much of anxiety is linked to diet. On the other post you made I suggested supplements (fish oil, GABA, bifido bacteria, progesterone) then it might be a zinc deficiency. 🙂
Thanks for your reply Maria. I have started with the magnesium and this weekend I will be getting the rest of my supplements. My “carb flu” is gone and I´m starting to feel a lot more energy. I can go 5 to 6 hours with out eating! Before I had to eat every 3 hours. I´m so excited with my new lifestyle! Your are such a wonderful human being helping other with their health. Blessings to you and your family;)