12 ounces dry sea scallops, cut into ½-inch pieces, or dry bay scallops

4 teaspoons reduced-sodium tamari, or soy sauce, divided

4 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons canola oil, divided

1½ cups quinoa, rinsed well

2 teaspoons grated or minced garlic

3 cups water

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup trimmed and diagonally sliced snow peas, ( ½ inch thick)

1/3 cup rice vinegar

1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

1 cup thinly sliced scallions

1/3 cup finely diced red bell pepper

¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

Toss scallops with 2 teaspoons tamari in a medium bowl. Set aside. Place a large, high-sided skillet with a tight-fitting lid over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon canola oil and quinoa. Cook, stirring constantly, until the quinoa begins to color, 6 to 8 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Add water and salt and bring to a boil. Stir once, cover and cook over medium heat until the water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. (Do not stir.) Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Stir in snow peas, cover and let stand for 5 minutes more.

Meanwhile, whisk 3 tablespoons canola oil, the remaining 2 teaspoons tamari, vinegar and sesame oil in a large bowl. Add the quinoa and snow peas, scallions and bell pepper; toss to combine.

Remove the scallops from the marinade and pat dry. Heat a large skillet over medium-high until hot enough to evaporate a drop of water upon contact. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons canola oil and cook the scallops, turning once, until golden and just firm, about 2 minutes. Gently stir the scallops into the quinoa salad. Serve garnished with cilantro, if desired.

For more information on North Carolina insurance coverage, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.

Both sweet and salty, this yummy Thanksgiving side-dish is easy to prep and won’t cost you valuable time and stove-top space while you are busy with other things.  In addition, this dish adds beautiful color and is a hearty addition to any Thanksgiving meal.

Thanksgiving is a time to pause and give thanks for the many blessings we enjoy and NC Health Plans wishes you a very happy Thanksgiving day!  For more information on North Carolina insurance coverage, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.

This over the top strawberry cake boasts a fluffy whipped frosting made with marscapone cheese, sugar, whipping cream, and vanilla and almond extracts.  You will need 2 16 oz. containers of fresh strawberries and a little bit of time, but this cake will be well worth the effort.  Both rich and delicious, it’s not overly heavy as the fresh strawberries give it the light touch of spring and though I won’t try to convince you it’s healthy, here’s an interesting thought to keep in mind.

According to WebMD and Kevin Hall, PhD, a physiologist at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), “On a day to day basis, you can vary your food intake by plus or minus 600 calories a day and still have a stable body weight, as long as your long-term average (calorie intake) is not creeping up or down.”  That means a slice (or two) of Mother’s Day Dream Cake won’t make a difference in you overall weight, but it could make your mom’s day.

An absolutely gorgeous tribute to the mom you love best, this cake is sure to delight both moms and kids alike, not to mention a few dads out there.  If you have a mom who could use a little extra appreciation this Mother’s Day, try baking this Strawberry Dream Cake.

For more information on North Carolina insurance coverage, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.

It’s also incredibly easy to make and can be thrown together on a busy school night and served up with a salad in about 30 minutes.  Although it does call for some canned food, like black beans and tomato soup, it also incorporates fresh or frozen kernel corn, fresh cilantro, and green onions.  This dish is perfect over a bed of rice or quinoa and if your family likes avocado, a fresh slice of avocado on top adds flavor, color and a healthy dose of good fat.

This spring, keep it simple.  If your family loves Mexican food like mine does, skip the chips and make chicken!  You’ll be pleasantly surprised how satisfying this dish really is and if you are like me, it will quickly become one of your favorite go-to recipes.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina and NC Health Plans encourages you to eat healthy this spring and make a balanced diet part of your everyday preventive care maintenance.  For more information on North Carolina insurance coverage, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.

Walnuts:  Walnuts are one of nature’s secret stress relievers. On top of a salad these add a little extra crunch or you can eat them dipped in peanut butter for a satisfying snack.

Asparagus:  If you find yourself in need of a mood swing this spring, try drizzling a mixture of butter, soy sauce and balsamic vinegar over the top of some fresh asparagus spears and bake them for 12 minutes at 400 degrees.  We think you will love this delicious way to improve your mood.

Spinach:  This green-leafy vegetable is delicious in salads and also sauteed in olive olive oil.  Adding fresh spinach to quiche or scrambled eggs will not only add color and texture to your plate, but will also help you start your day off right.

Artichokes:  Try boiling these magnesium-filled veggies until tender, then dip the leaves in your favorite salad dressing.  However you cook artichokes, they are a delicious and low-calorie way to help energize your day.

Salmon:  Whether cooking at home or eating out this spring, try choosing salmon instead of the steak and eat your way to healthier looking skin.

Strawberries:   Great as a snack or used as part of a light and delicious dessert, strawberries are a girl’s (or boy’s)  best friend when it comes to spring skin care.

Eggs:  With just a couple of eggs for breakfast, you are well on your way to a healthier brain and a better memory.

Blueberries:   Good in muffins, desserts, or eaten by the handful, blueberries are a springtime treat that will help you make the most of your memories.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina knows a little prevention goes a long way and the above list of spring foods can add a punch of flavor to your favorite meals while working to give your body the nutrients it needs to feel great and function well. This spring, make food work for you and enjoy the benefits of healthy living.

For more information on North Carolina insurance coverage, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.

Check out this simple recipe from Giada De Laurentiis.

Promoting healthy eating, fitness and a healthy lifestyle is a main focus at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina and as desserts go, this one is at least somewhat healthy.  It involves a fruit and strawberries are full of good nutrition and health benefits.  Strawberries are high in antioxidants and the ones found in this bright red fruit have been proven to fight carcinogens and LDL, the bad kind of cholesterol which often leads to heart disease.  Further, strawberries are high in folic acid which is an important part of every pregnant woman’s diet because it plays a vital role in preventing birth defects.  Folic acid is important for everyone, however, because not having enough of it in your system can lead to dementia, osteoporosis, heart disease and many kinds of cancer.

From everyone here at NC Health plans, we wish you a Happy, Healthy Holiday Season! For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina insurance coverage, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.

All of us at NCHealthPlans would like to wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!  If you are like me, you’re already planning your menu, buying your groceries and preparing to spend all day cooking your family’s favorite holiday dishes.  And, if you are like me, you will likely have more Thanksgiving leftovers than you know what to do with.  Because my family gets bored with leftovers, I am always looking for new and creative ways to make sure I don’t waste what we didn’t eat.

This recipe from California Cookbook called Roast Turkey and Winter Vegetable Chowder is not only a great way to use up all that leftover turkey, it’s also a delicious way to incorporate those hearty winter vegetables into your diet.  In addition, the recipe calls for ingredients you will likely already have around your post-Thanksgiving house, such as celery, onions and potatoes.

Zucchini and Butternut squash are a great addition to this delicious chowder and both are full of vitamins and nutrients that help keep you healthy in the cold winter months.  In fact, there’s almost nothing better to help you stay warm and cozy than a nice big bowl of soup or stew so don’t let those leftovers go to waste!

This winter, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina encourages healthy, wholesome eating as an important part of your preventive care maintenance!  For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina insurance coverage, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents. CLICK HERE to apply online in 8 minutes or less.

Autumn has arrived and with it, an abundance of pumpkins and squash.  Not only are these fruits a beautiful reminder of fall and great for decorating, they are also good for your health.  Although not all pumpkins and gourds are made for eating, many are and they can make a great addition to your autumn diet.  A healthy diet is an important part of maintaining good health, which is why Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina encourages members to be proactive and eat right.  This fall, you can make pumpkins a part of your preventive care maintenance by incorporating them into some of your recipes.

Especially good in soups and stews, pumpkins and squash are rich in antioxidants and vitamins, especially Vitamins A, C and E.  They are also rich in dietary fiber and boast an abundance of carotenes, while still being low in calories. They have zero saturated fat and no cholesterol and are a great part of a low-cholesterol diet in need of some hearty, robust flavors.

Here is a basic guide to some popular pumpkins and squash:

Field Pumpkin:  This is your basic jack-o-lantern pumpkin and although great for Halloween and fall decorating, it’s not really for eating.  As anyone who’s ever carved a pumpkin knows, this one has very stringy flesh which isn’t very appetizing.  The seeds, however, are excellent for roasting and are a great source of fiber and protein.

Spaghetti Squash:  One of my favorites, the flesh of this squash separates into strands so that it can be served like pasta.  With the look and feel of angel-hair, this squash is a healthy, low-calorie, gluten-free substitute for regular spaghetti.  Served with the right sauce, you will hardly know the difference and my kids will gobble this up as easily as any pasta noodles I could serve.

Acorn Squash:  More like a regular yellow squash, the acorn squash has a fibrous, rather bland tasting flesh so it will require lots of seasoning.  This one is great for stews or soups as it soaks up flavors and you can eat the skin, making it an easy addition.  Just cut the squash into bite-size squares and add to your favorite recipes.

Butternut Squash:  This one is sure to please even the pickiest eaters.  It’s full of sweet, earthy flavors and is delicious with butter or brown sugar.  You can remove the skin with a vegetable peeler or cut the squash in half and bake it with the skin still on.  Just scoop out the flesh and eat it like a baked potato!

Cheese Pumpkin:  A shorter, rounder version of the field pumpkin, this one gets its name because it looks like a wheel of cheese.  It’s especially sweet and perfect for pumpkin pie.  Because of its shape, the cheese pumpkin also makes a great centerpiece for your fall table.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina supports preventive care, which is why it is always covered at 100%.  In addition to regular check-ups, however, maintaining a healthy diet can make a world of difference to your overall health and well-being.  This fall, add some pumpkin and squash to your diet and enjoy what autumn has to offer!

Before starting any diet or weight loss program, always consult your doctor first and get his/her clearance for physical activity and find out if there are any issues that would affect you beginning a new nutrition or fitness program.

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health insurance coverage, the Marketplace and healthcare gov  to apply for your subsidy, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.  Let us help you navigate through the Health Care Reform changes in accordance with the new regulations of The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama care.

It’s back to school time again and I don’t know about you, but one of the toughest parts is making sure my kids eat a healthy, high-protein breakfast before rushing out the door just after 7 am.  Studies show that children need a good, preferably protein-based breakfast in order to achieve optimum success in school, but as a working mother of four, this can be a challenge.  I need something quick, tasty and easy to prepare as well as something I can make ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze.  This recipe for Egg Muffins from Recipe Girl is my all time favorite for busy school mornings when kids are dragging and may wind up having to eat in the car.

I usually make these muffins the night before and refrigerate them overnight.  My kids heat them up in the microwave and usually eat while trying to find their soccer cleats or the permission slip that needs to be signed.  The good news is these protein filled egg muffins are simple and also delicious.  My children absolutely love them and will often even ask me to put a second (or third) one in their lunch for that day as well.  And with this snack, I never have to worry about receiving a nasty gram from the school chiding me about the nutritional content of my child’s lunchbox.  For me, that’s a serious win.

This recipe calls for sausage, but I often substitute ham or bacon and I sometimes even put bread crumbs on the bottom just to add another layer.  You can add any vegetables your kids like or sneak in the ones they don’t, and if you add enough cheese, they will hardly notice.

Eating well is such an important part of maintaining health and a nutritious breakfast can give your kids the energy they need to start their day off right.  NC Health Plans wishes you a successful back to school and encourages you to teach your kids the importance of preventive care!

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health insurance coverage, the Marketplace and healthcare gov  to apply for your subsidy, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.  Let us help you navigate through the Health Care Reform changes in accordance with the new regulations of The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama care.

In truth, Cinco de Mayo is an historically significant holiday and one that has become increasingly important in the United States over the years.  Californians have consistently celebrated this holiday since 1863, even when the holiday was virtually overlooked in Mexico itself, and Cinco de Mayo celebrations became trendy during the 1940’s during the rise of the Chicano movement.  During the 1980’s, marketers, especially beer companies, jumped on the bandwagon and began promoting the holiday in full force, making it widely popular in major cities throughout the United States.  Celebrations typically emphasize Mexican cuisine, culture, music and drink.

Much like St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo has become a holiday that invites a celebration with friends and family.  Tacos, salsa, corn chips and guacamole are only a few of the tasty treats that make celebrating this Mexican holiday fun for everyone.  We found this recipe for a healthier version of guacamole from People Magazine and we think you will agree that it is not only delicious, but also guilt-free.  With only 73 calories and 4 g. of fat, each 1/4 cup of this guacamole contains 4 g. of protein and 2.5 g. of dietary fiber.  Easy to make and full of good nutrition, Hungry Girl’s Southwest Guiltless Guacamole Dip is sure to be a Cinco de Mayo favorite.

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. mashed avocados (2 small avocados)
• 1 cup fat free plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tsp. lime juice
• 3/4 tsp. chili powder
• 3/4 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
• 2 Tbs. finely chopped cilantro

Directions:

1.  Combine avocado, yogurt, lime juice, garlic powder, chili powder and salt in a small bowl.  Mix until smooth

2.  Stir in black beans, pepper, onion and cilantro

3.  Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve

BCBSNC knows that preventive care is the most important step in ensuring both your physical and mental well-being.  For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health insurance coverage, the Marketplace and healthcare gov  to apply for your subsidy, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.  Let us help you navigate through the Health Care Reform changes in accordance with the new regulations of The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama care.