Chicken and Veggie Cakes: for your winter appetite

jogalong-stroller-iana-1400

Image by Iana Knak

Chicken and Veggie Cakes: for your winter appetite

When the temperature goes down, our appetites go up, right? It feels like we constantly need something to chew. This happens because in order to maintain our bodies’ temperatures consistently, we burn more energy faster and consequently our systems crave more fuel. But this doesn’t mean we should start eating everything in sight. Otherwise, we risk not fitting into our summer clothing when the sun becomes stronger in six months.

The word to keep in mind: equilibrium.

Look for warm foods; these both satiate our hunger and make us feel full longer. Choose whole grains, seeds, steamed vegetables, legumes, squashes, sweet potatoes, nuts, roasted meat…you could warm up a banana with some cinnamon powder…all of these foods will help you satisfy your winter appetite.

Think about the new season, paying attention to what your body is asking for. Our bodies tell us exactly what we need and nature, even wiser, provides what our bodies require.

I’m happy to share this new recipe I’ve been working on: a chicken and veggie cake, easy to prepare and delicious to eat, perfect for that ravenous winter appetite.

Ingredients

  • ½ medium cauliflower
  • 1 big carrot
  • ½ medium cabbage
  • ½ medium peeled and chopped squash
  • 1 medium tomato
  • 1 small onion
  • 1 large green zucchini
  • 10 Brussels sprouts
  • 1 chicken breast, cooked and shredded
  • 3 whole eggs
  • a dash of extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup of oats

For spices: I used some garlic powder, pepper, rosemary, oregano, Himalayan salt and turmeric.

I always prefer organic products.

Mix everything well together in a crock pot and place it into a preheated oven at 400F/200C. Bake for about 40 minutes. Serve warm with a dash of fresh olive oil on the top.

Serves four.

One portion provides fiber, protein, vitamins, good carbohydrates and, most importantly, satisfaction. Enjoy!

By Iana Knak

Iana is a 34-year-old attorney, runner, and chef-fit. She was born and raised in Brazil, lived in the USA for four years, and is now settled in northern Italy. She loves distance running, especially marathons, because she prefers to encounter the world on foot. Delighted by the variety of ingredients Mother Nature offers us, Iana has turned her kitchen into a cooking lab, and she is happy to share her creations with the JogAlong community.