Healthy Replenishment Meal

Here's a favourite autumn dish that packs plenty of quality protein and healthy carbohydrates for days when you're craving a warm and replenishing meal. It's equally good for preparing your body for vigorous activity the next day, or to help replace glycogen and electrolyte stores after a physically demanding day.

Sweet potatoes are rich in a number of micronutrients, the most prominent of which are vitamin C and beta-carotene; both are powerful antioxidants that can decrease your risk of developing diabetes and colon cancer.

If you eat enough healthy fats, your body can convert some of the beta-carotene found in sweet potatoes into vitamin A, which supports optimal immune system strength, a healthy digestive tract lining, optimal vision, and healthy skin.

Sweet potatoes are also abundant in manganese, copper, dietary fiber, vitamin B6, potassium, and iron.

Tomatoes are also rich in naturally occurring vitamin C and carotenoids. They're also abundant in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that can help neutralize excess free radicals throughout your body.

Chickpeas - sometimes called garbanzo beans - provide substantial amounts of folate, manganese, tryptophan, copper, iron, and of course, healthy protein.

Makes about 4 servings

Ingredients:

2 small sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 can of chickpeas, well rinsed
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 medium size tomatoes, chopped
1 green onion (scallion)
Sea salt
Extra-virgin olive oil

Directions:

1. Steam sweet potato cubes for 15 minutes or until just tender.

2. In a large sauce pan, heat 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add cooked sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and tomatoes and cook over low to medium heat for 12 minutes.

3. Season with sea salt to taste, then serve over a bed of your favourite grain or on its own. If you have some chopped green onion on hand, garnish just before serving. Ripe avocado slices also add a nice contrasting, creamy texture to this dish. Enjoy!

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Sweet Potatoes and Chickpeas Recipe