Happy National Potato Lover’s Day! As Chinese New Year officially begins, let’s start off the year right by focusing on the goal of Tablespoons and Teaspoons!

As previously mentioned in the Sunday Game Plan and commemoration of National Potato Lover’s Day, let’s begin the first Meatless Monday post with a recipe that was made from a previous Sunday Game Plan, which has been addicting.  The awesome part of this dish is it consists of only five (5) ingredients, all of which have health benefits.  But today we will focus on Yam and its history and health benefits.

Sweet Potato is one of the oldest vegetables that originated in Central America and Peru at around 750 B.C. It became widespread when Christopher Columbus brought back the crop to Europe.  Sweet potato is sometimes referred to as yams despite their physical differences for marketing purposes by Louisiana farmers.

In addition, coincidentally it’s African American History Month, George Washington Carver demonstrated how the sweet potato is useful economically and nutritionally.

Health Benefits of Sweet Potato Consumption

• High source of Vitamin A – helps with fertility, lactation, vision, slows age related degeneration
• Beta-carotine – may help reduce prostate and colon cancer, maintain healthy immune system
• Contains antioxidants, which can have an anti-inflammatory effect
• Regulates blood sugar
• Contains batatins and batatosides, which are anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties
• Contains vitamin B5, B6, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, and, due to their orange color, are high in carotenoids
• High fiber – prevent constipation & help with the digestive tract
• Low glycemic index

Here’s the first Meatless Monday Recipe – Total Cost: Less than $10, 4/5 items can be part of the pantry and used for other recipes:

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Honey and Cinnamon (adapted from Tyler Florence’s recipe)

1 sweet potato = 103 calories

1 tablespoon olive oil = 120 calories

2 teaspoons cinnamon = 12 calories

2 tablespoons honey = 129 calories

Black pepper

Peel and slice sweet potato.  

Preheat oven at 375 degrees.  Line baking sheet with aluminum foil.  In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients until seasoned.  Lay seasoned sweet potato slices in a single layer on the foiled baking sheet. 

Roast potatoes in the oven for 30 minutes and remove potatoes from the oven.  Serve.