Superfood of the Week: Edamame

Edamame, that mildly sweet and oh-so pop-able snack also known as soybeans is a protein-packed powerhouse. And although you may most frequently see it tableside at your local Japanese restaurant, they're good for way more than that. A mere half-cup of these legumes will provide a whopping 9 grams of fiber, 11 grams of protein plus a hefty dose of antioxidants, all for just 120 calories. It should come as no surprise, then, that edamame's been a staple of the Asian diet for many years now. Try one of these delicious recipes to enjoy the slimming superpowers of soy.

Edamame Hummus: Give your traditional chickpea hummus a protein boost with this fun twist on the Mediterranean classic. The white beans and fresh parsley add great flavor to this smooth and creamy dip, too. Serve with whole-grain pita chips or carrots for extra crunch.Nutty Pasta with Edamame Pesto: This delicious dish requires minimal effort but tastes like it's from a fancy restaurant -- seriously. The pesto is a unique combination of fresh mint, roasted almonds, olive oil and edamame that pairs perfectly with fiber packed whole-wheat pasta. Feel free to use fresh basil if you don't have mint on hand. Bonus: Try the leftovers chilled for lunch the next day!Edamame Lo Mein: Forget the unhealthy takeout version and go for this healthier twist on the yummy Asian classic, complete with whole-wheat noodles, peppers, carrots and (you guessed it) lots of edamame. With all that protein, you don't even have to add chicken or shrimp.

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Superfood the Week: Broccoli

Hey, did you guys know that one cup of raw broccoli provides over a hundred percent of your daily value of vitamin K and cancer-fighting vitamin C? In fact, broccoli's unique antioxidant and anti-inflammatory powers are actually proven to aid in the prevention of cancer. As another added bonus, this versatile veggie is packed to the brim with soluble fiber to combat cholesterol. What's not to love? Here are three creative ways to boost your broccoli intake.

Garden Style Lasagna: This healthy lasagna from Cooking Light is quite the crowd pleaser and loaded with summer veggies like zucchini, squash, carrot and broccoli, too. Low-fat cottage cheese and part-skim mozzarella make this recipe taste indulgent without all the guilt of traditional heavy lasagna. Did we mention it has fewer than 300 calories per serving? Win!Broccoli Salad with Almond Chile Dressing: Give your taste buds a treat with this unique Whole Foods recipe. It dresses up boring old broccoli with a flavorful sauce made from creamy almond butter, ginger, sweet dates and chili peppers. Serve with grilled chicken or tofu for a complete meal.
Broccoli Cheddar Burgers: Broccoli inside a burger? Yep, you heard right! Joy Bauer, RD, sure knows how to sneak those veggies in these delicious, lean turkey burgers. They're perfect for springtime grilling, lightened up with egg whites and a package of frozen broccoli for a fiber boost. Serve them on whole-wheat buns with lettuce and tomato for a serious veggie kick!

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Superfood of the Week: Almond Butter

You may have noticed that the once rather sparse peanut butter section at your grocery store is now overflowing with about a hundred kinds of deliciously thick and creamy alternative nut butters. From its sweet and nutty flavor to its superb nutritional profile, it's official: almond butter is our favorite. It's like peanut butter's trendy and tasty best friend. Did I mention how versatile it is? The sweetness of raw almond butter is the perfect partner for whole-grain toast in the a.m. or whipped into a stir-fry at night. And get this -- recent studies show that dieters who chomped on almonds daily shed 62 percent more weight and more than half the fat than those who didn't. I bet that'll get you on the almond butter train! Try it out with one of these three satisfying recipes.

Almond Butter Rice Krispie Treats: Hold up -- a healthy Rice Krispie treat? Oh yeah. This fantastic Whole Foods recipe is as chewy and decadent as the original without that sugary, buttery price tag of the original that'd weigh you down. What more could you ask for in an afternoon treat? With it's short ingredient list, this recipe is bound to become one of your new staples.

Tofu, Veggie and Almond Butter Stir-Fry: This wonderfully unique Asian-inspired recipe from Whole Living is just what you need to spice up your dinner routine. This well-rounded meal is loaded with energy-boosting vitamins from the veggies like bok choy, bell peppers and broccoli plus a serious protein punch from the tofu. Douse all that deliciousness in a thick and creamy almond butter sauce and holy yum!

Almond Butter and Jelly Smoothie: Your morning is about to get a whole lot tastier with this healthy twist on the timeless PB&J sandwich. Forget the bread and kick-start your day with a naturally sweetened, creamy, nutty smoothie. Simply combine 1 cup of frozen red grapes, 1/2 of an overripe banana, 2 tbsp almond butter, a cup of milk and a dash of vanilla in a blender. Blend until smooth!

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Superfood of the Week: Sweet Potatoes

From sweet tater fries to sweet potato burritos, you're sure to find trendy superfood sweet potatoes popping up on restaurant menus -- and in home kitchens(!) -- everywhere. And it's no surprise: In addition to adding texture, nutrition, flavor and a pop of color to any dish, one medium sweet potato has a mere 105 calories and four grams of filling fiber. Plus, one of these spuds provides a whopping 400% of your daily value of Vitamin A to boost your eye health and immunity. Now that's a nutritional powerhouse. Here are four fab sweet potato recipes to jumpstart your week.

Whole-Wheat Sweet Potato Pancakes: With hearty whole-wheat flour and yummy spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, this all-star Food Network recipe is perfect for a lazy weekend morning brunch. Unlike the traditional white-flour pancakes, these healthy whole-wheat hotcakes are loaded with fiber to curb your mid-afternoon hunger pangs. Enjoy them with a drizzle of pure maple syrup and a sprinkling of toasted pecans for added texture.Sweet Tater Black Bean Burgers: It's time to take your veggie burger to another level. This recipe is the king of healthy bean burgers, bursting at the seams with superfoods like sweet potato, quinoa, oats and sunflower seeds. Layer it up with creamy avocado, roasted red peppers or juicy tomatoes-- and place on a toasted whole-wheat bun. This meal wouldn't be complete without--you guessed it...sweet potato fries.Sweet Potato Pie Smoothie: This guilt-free, creamy smoothie tastes like indulgent sweet potato pie in a glass. The best part is that you can totally "cheat" and use canned sweet potato puree for this one (or just whiz up some leftover cooked sweet potato in the blender to make your own). Simply combine in a blender one cup of sweet potato puree, one overripe frozen banana, 1 cup of skim milk, 1 tsp of vanilla extract and 1 tsp of pumpkin pie spice. Blend until smooth and top with a dash of cinnamon and a few walnuts. Roasted Sweet Potato and Black Bean Salad: This super satisfying meatless meal spotlights sweet potatoes and black beans, a nutrient-rich pairing. The zesty lime dressing perfectly complements the fresh flavors of the bell peppers, scallions, tomatoes and mint.

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Superfood of the Week: Wild Salmon

Touted for its high Omega-3 content, it's no wonder that the American Heart Association recommends we all treat ourselves salmon at least twice per week. These powerful polyunsaturated fats are the healthy kind of the "f word" that are famed for helping to lower both your bad cholesterol and your risk of developing heart disease. But the good news doesn't end there -- did you know wild salmon has slimming superpowers, too, helping your bod burn fat and fight flab. Just make sure to go with the Wild kind of salmon, which is higher in Omega-3s, more sustainable and void of possible contaminants and toxins. Get your dose of deliciousness with these four sensational salmon recipes.

Almond Crusted Salmon with Caramelized Onions and Basil: This simple recipe from Whole Foods Market is loaded with tasty flavors from the fresh basil, sweet caramelized onions and fresh-out-of-the-oven almond topping. Instead of using traditional breadcrumbs, this nutty salmon is "breaded" with almond meal (crushed blanched almonds, which adds an additional boost of healthy fats. Smoked Salmon Salad Nicoise: If you're a lox lover, this refreshing spin on the classic Nicoise is made for you. Loaded with potassium-rich potatoes, crisp green beans and a delicious dressing (made with reduced-fat sour cream), this salad from Eating Well has really got it all.
Creamy Farfalle with Salmon and Peas: This dish may look super indulgent, but have no fear -- low-fat milk and just a touch of Neufchatel cheese deliver all that creamy goodness without a scary-high fat content. And get this: The peas and pasta provide a whopping 40 percent of your daily value of folate. Garnish with lime zest and fresh dill for extra flair. Salmon Burgers with Goat Cheese and Spinach: These burgers (from my intern, Alexis!) are a real party-pleaser. Feel free to sub feta or shredded cheddar if you're not a fan of goat cheese. This recipe really rocks because it uses convenient canned wild salmon, which is a much cheaper and longer-lasting alternative to buying it fresh. Just don't forget to remove the bones. What's your favorite wild salmon recipe? Tweet me @sarahjaneRD or @SELFmagazine or find me on SELF's Facebook Page!

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