Add These to Your Veggies for Extra Energy

Green beans, broccoli, squash . . . eke out a little extra get-through-the-day energy from them with this topper: toasted sesame seeds.

These nutty little seeds are loaded with magnesium -- a mineral that cells need in order to convert food to energy, according to Dr. Maoshing Ni, author of Second Spring. Add the seeds to bread, cookie, and muffin batters, too, for extra magnesium and a delicate crunch.

Don't Go Too Low
According to Dr. Ni, many Americans simply fail to get enough magnesium in their diets. So he advocates making magnesium-rich foods like sesame seeds a regular ingredient in meals to boost your intake of this mineral. Other magnesium-rich items that should make more appearances: whole grains, dark leafy greens, pumpkin seeds, cashews, and brazil nuts. Or, if you're not the nuts-and-seeds type, take a supplement instead. Use this online tool to look up how much magnesium you need.

Bountiful Benefits
Besides helping your body turn food into energy, magnesium helps strengthen your bones and keeps your heart, nerves, muscles, and immune system functioning well. Ready to open sesame? Here are a few recipes that can help get you started in adding sesame flair to sides, breads, and desserts:

• Sides: Make your sides sing of sesame with these recipes for Sesame Green Beans, Sesame Carrots, Sesame Asparagus, and New England Apple-Nut Stuffing.
• Bread: Pretty up your holiday table with homemade sesame-sprinkled baked goods like Whole-Wheat Braid and Seeded Multigrain Boule.
• Dessert: Give your cookies a shot of flavorful sesame with these tahini-based Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Don't have time to cook? Spread a piece of toast with store-bought tahini paste (it's made from sesame seeds) and drizzle with honey for a quick and delicious snack.

Watch this video for another energy-boosting tip from the YOU Docs.