Page 7 - ROOT - May-June-2024

From the Kitchen: ORZO SALAD

INGREDIENTS: DIRECTIONS:
• 1 lb. orzo Cook and cool the orzo according to the
• 1 cup fresh mint directions on the box.
• 1 cup fresh basil To make the pesto, combine the mint,
• ½ cup sunflower seeds, toasted basil, sunflower seeds, garlic cloves, red
• 2 garlic cloves pepper flakes, lemon juice, lemon zest, and
salt in a food processor. While the mixture
• 1 tsp. red pepper flakes
is blending, slowly pour in the olive oil to
• Juice and zest from 1 lemon
create a chunky mixture, approximately
• ½ tsp. kosher salt 2 minutes.
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil Add the orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, and red
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes onions to the mixture and combine.
• 1 small red onion, sliced Garnish with the parmesan cheese and
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, shaved serve cold.
Recipe created by Keith Long,
Director of Culinary Innovation,
Nutrition Information, 8 oz. portion: Brock & Company, Inc.
Calories 410, Total Fat 20g, Saturated Fat 3.5g,
Unsaturated Fat 16.5g, Cholesterol <5mg,
Sodium 240mg, Carbohydrates 49g,
Fiber 5g, Sugar 4g, Protein 11g

FOCUS ON WELLNESS:

CAFFEINE AWARENESS

As much as we may love the boost we get from Drinking a lot of caffeine every day can create
caffeine drinks, it isn’t always the best for us. dependency. When you try to break the caffeine
Caffeine increases brain functions, like mood, habit, you can experience withdrawal symptoms
reaction time, attention, learning, and general like fatigue, crankiness, sweating, muscle pain,
mental function, because it is a stimulant. It can headache, and anxiety. Gradually decreasing
be pretty helpful in making you more focused, your caffeine intake rather than going cold
but consuming too much of the chemical can turkey will alleviate these withdrawal symptoms.
cause physical and mental problems. Coffee isn’t the only source of caffeine.
Caffeine can instill anxiety and cause sleep issues. Mushroom coffee, all kinds of teas (green and
Too much of it can also lead to dehydration, black), matcha, chai, yerba mate, and kombucha
headaches, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, irritability, all have caffeine. If you can’t completely cut out
and sleeplessness. Research recommends adults these drinks, you can drink less per day.
consume no more than 400mg of caffeine each Source:
day. Because the stimulant affects everyone https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/
differently, your limit may be lower. healthyliving/caffeine