Lunchbox Friendly Mongolian Beef

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

Last night I made a good sized batch of Mongolian Beef (actually Venison). If you are a hunting family, or someone who has not really LOVED wild game in the past, this is the recipe for you! I've made this for family and friends in the past, which no complaints, only praise. 

I've modified the original recipe I had, which lets be honest has WAY too much sugar in it. For those who have to watch your sugar intake (everyone), I've created a version that doesn't significantly spike your blood sugar. 

Here is my recipe for PCOS Friendly Mongolian Beef

Can We Talk Seaweed?

Seaweed is one of those foods you either love or you hate, I've decided. I grew up eating seaweed, lots of seaweed. With a Korean Grandmother, Keem (those flat, roasted sheets of seaweed) were a staple. She would buy large bags and roast them in the oven with toasted sesame seed oil and salt. My siblings, cousins and I would sit at the table drooling and waiting for the hot, crunchy, salty snacks. I remember being THAT KID in school.....again the childhood lunchroom scene from "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" comes to mind. I was the kid bring Rice, Kim Chi and Keem for lunch, it was worth the haggling, as it was so good!

It makes me so happy to see the little packages of seaweed snacks lining the shelves these days. I'm not THAT KID anymore...I was a trendsetter, cool before it was cool.

This is not the only way to enjoy seaweed, and there are many reasons why we should. 
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Benefits of Seaweed

Seaweeds are nutritional powerhouses, a true superfood.

They provide significant trace minerals to the diet that are hard to find anywhere else. In history sea salt was traded throughout the globe. It was an essential commodity. Of course it was partially because of its ability to cure and preserve foods, but little did humans know then, sea salts had microscopic algae (seaweed) particles that provided a hard to find, but essential element to our diet...IODINE.  Iodine is missing in almost every other food source, exceptions being Fish, and Milk. Iodine is a critical mineral for our Thyroid and Hormones. 

It is also a host to many other essential nutrients...More Vitamin C than an orange, Vitamin A, B's, K, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Magnesium, Iron, up to 70% protein, and the richest source of vegetarian calcium. Not to mention its high levels of polysaccharides (which decrease the risk of degenerative diseases, regulate blood sugar, improves liver function, regulates neurotransmitters in the brain, and so much more).

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Seaweeds are used to increase the Yin, or cooling/fluid aspect of the body, nourish the Kidneys, and purify the blood.

​How to Eat Seaweed

With the plethora of seaweed snacks popping up on the market, that is one easy way to enjoy seaweeds. Other way are:

• Seaweed Salads (like today's lunch)
• Add dried Wakame to soups
• Sprinkle seaweed flakes on stir fries
• Kelp Noodles (I use these instead of Vermicelli in my Jap Chae recipe.)

Main Lunch:

• PCOS Friendly Mongolian Beef (Venison): I would love to hear everyone's feedback on this one if you get around to trying it.
• Seaweed Salad
• Pomegranate Seeds

Snack Time:

• Annie's Cheddar Crackers: M1's Pick
• Kind Bar