Sunday, May 21, 2017

Perfect Pizza

Here are a few quick and easy recipes.  Last week was busy with end of school year activities so was glad to have healthy options that were either ready or quick to make.  Excited to make healthy Popsicle, fruit salad and summer meals!

 

Almond Flour Pizza Crust


Ingredients:
 2 Eggs
2 cups Almond Flour
3 Tbs  Olive Oil
1/4 tsp Baking soda
1 tsp Garlic Powder
any herbs you would like to add to crust
Note: I doubled the ingredients above to make enough dough for a large pizza

Crust Directions:
Mix all ingredients together & roll out to the size you would like.
Place a little olive oil on the pizza sheet and place crust on top… Cook at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. (Time will change depending on thickness)




I added cooked chicken, tomato sauce, spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, cauliflower and mozzarella cheese.  Bake on 350 for 15-20 min.  

 

As a quick side, I threw broccoli slaw and cauliflower rice in a skillet and sautee with coconut aminos.  I added 4 scrambled eggs and sauteed.  Really yummy

 

 

Coconut Flour Pizza Crust Recipe

Ingredients

  • 4 eggs
  • 2 Tablespoon water
  • 1/4 cup coconut flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/3 cup parmesan cheese (can eliminate if you want dairy free)
  • Preheat oven to 400º

Instructions

  1. Beat eggs and water together
  2. Combine dry ingredients and stir into egg mixture
  3. Liberally oil a 12” pizza pan, or 9x13 baking dish with oil
  4. Scrape pizza batter onto pan and spread evenly
  5. Bake for 10-15 minutes until the edges just begin to brown
  6. Remove from oven and add your pizza toppings
  7. Place back in oven for another 8-10  minutes until cheese is bubbly and slightly toasted on top
  8. Remove from oven and let cool five minutes before cutting.
  9. Enjoy!
 


For the kids, I added cooked chicken, tomato sauce, cauliflower crumbles and cheese.  Bake on 350 for 15-20 min.
 


Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls

Ingredients
  • 4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup coconut aminos
  • 1/4 cup raw honey
  • 1/4 cup mirin
  • 3 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 4 cups cooked rice
  • 2 cups baby carrots, steamed
  • 2 cups baby florets, steamed
Instructions
  1. Spray slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray and place chicken inside.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together chicken broth, coconut aminos, honey, mirin nd garlic. Pour over chicken.
  3. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
  4. While cooking, steam carrots and broccoli and cook the rice  
  5. Shred chicken in slow cooker once cooked.
  6. Pour chicken and sauce over rice and veggies. 

Rosemary Pork Chops and Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
  • extra-virgin olive oil
  • kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 boneless pork chops, 1" thick
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 c. low-sodium chicken stock
  • 1 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary
  • 3 tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into pats

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Toss brussels sprouts with olive oil; season with salt and black pepper. Spread evenly across sheet pan, cut side down. Bake until golden brown about 25 to 30 minutes. Rotate sheet pan if necessary for even browning.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Pat pork chops dry with paper towel and season with salt and pepper. Sear pork for 2 minutes on each side; transfer to a plate and cover with foil to rest.
  3. Reduce skillet to medium heat and sauté garlic until softened, about 3 minutes. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Stir in stock, simmer until slightly reduced, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add rosemary and simmer on low until infused, about 1 minute. Turn off heat and stir in butter to create a creamy sauce. Add pork chops back and pour sauce over top. Cover with lid until pork is warmed through.
  4. Serve pork chops immediately with brussels sprouts.

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Whole30 and New Outlook




I completed Whole30 and really enjoyed it.  I would highly suggest it for anyone.  I love learning about the gut to brain relationship, how certain foods and ingredients impact the body, how my child's behavior is impacted by nutrition, and how each blood type and genetic makeup of an individual plays a role in specific nutritional decisions.  Guys, nutrition is everything... its our fuel, its our energy, its disease prevention, its our medicine.  Educate yourself, get passionate about it, practice making small changes and before you know it your whole family evolves and changes and  you will feel better, have more energy, focus and life improves.  Can you tell I am super passionate about this?  I would love to help you and your family or any loved one makes small changes and ease into a healthier life.

My Healthy, Happy Kiddos






Here are the recipes I have been using pretty consistently and loving:

Almond Crusted Rosemary Chicken


Ingredients
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenders for the kids
  • 1 cup raw almonds
  • 4 sprigs of fresh rosemary, stems removed
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil or coconut oil
  • 1 medium shallot, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup all purpose flour or almond flour or coconut flour ( I used Coconut Flour)
  • 4 large eggs, beaten
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees with the oven rack in the middle. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Set aside.
  2. In a food processor, chop the almonds and rosemary until they resemble course crumbs. Set aside.
  3. Heat a medium size skillet over medium heat. Melt the butter or coconut oil, then cook the shallot until it begins to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the rosemary almond mixture, and salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown. About 5-10 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer to a plate.
  4. Set up your dredging station. Have 1 plate with the all purpose flour, another plate with the beaten eggs, and the 3rd plate with the toasted rosemary almond mixture. Dredge the chicken in the flour, then in the egg, then in the rosemary almond mixture. Press well to adhere the rosemary almond mixture to the chicken. Transfer the chicken to the parchment lined baking sheet, and repeat with the remaining chicken.
  5. Bake the chicken in the oven until the internal temperature is 165 degrees, about 25 minutes. Serve warm.



Roasted Veggies

Any veggies you want.. I put in a zip lock bag, add a few Tbs of coconut or avocado oil, salt and pepper.  Mix well, move to cookie sheet and bake on 375 for 15-25 min. So easy and I eat them with eggs for breakfast and with meat for dinner. 



 

Roasted Pork with Apples and Potatoes 

Ingredients
  • 2 1/2 pound pork roast
  • olive oil, salt and pepper
  • 2-4 apples, quartered (I used small gala, so I used 4 apples but if you use a larger apple like pink lady or granny smith, I would only use 2)
  • 2 sweet potatoes, cut into wedges
  • 1 sweet onion, sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • olive oil ( about 1/4 cup) enough to coat
Instructions
  1. Preheat broiler to 500.
  2. Rub pork with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Place on sheet tray and broil for 15 minutes, flipping half way through cooking time (to get nice color on meat).
  4. Meanwhile, chop apples, sweet potatoes and onions. Toss in oil and spices.
  5. Arrange on sheet tray around pork roast.
  6. Turn oven to down 450, and roast for 20-30 minutes,until apples and sweet potatoes are tender and meat reaches 140 degrees..
  7. Serve sliced pork with sweet potatoes, apples, onions and a simple salad.

 

Hamburgers with Sweet Potato Bun

Ingredients
  • 1 fat sweet potato
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • 1/2 TBS Coconut Oil
Instructions
  1. Peel the sweet potato. Cut the potato into 1/4-1/2 inch rounds.
  2. The middle of the sweet potato is best for being used as "buns" as that is where they are widest.
  3. Drizzle some olive oil on them and sprinkle on salt and pepper. Toss to coat.
  4. Heat a skillet on medium heat. Add 1/2 TBS coconut oil.
  5. Once the oil melts add the sweet potato rounds. These cook fast! About 3-4 minutes on the first side and only 2-3 on the second.
  6. Serve as you would a hamburger bun :)



 

 No Grain Energy Bites


Ingredients
  • 2 cups assorted raw nuts (I used 1 cup raw cashews + 1/2 cup raw pecans + 1/2 cup raw almonds)
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 4 cups  unsweetened coconut flakes*
  • 1 1/2 cups almond butter
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1 cup hulled raw seeds (a combination of hemp, chia, and/or flax seeds)
  • 4 ounces miniature chocolate chips or cocoa nibs 

Instructions

  1. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade, place the raw nuts, salt, and about half of the coconut flakes. Pulse the mixture until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs (3 or 4 times).
  2. In a large, microwave-safe bowl, place the almond butter and honey. Microwave the peanut butter and honey mixture on 60% power for 30 seconds to loosen the mixture and make it easier to combine with the dry ingredients, and then mix to combine. To the almondbutter and honey mixture, add the nut and coconut mixture, the seeds and the remaining coconut, and mix until well-combined. Allow the mixture to cool for at least 10 minutes, and then add the miniature chocolate chips. Mix until the chips are evenly distributed throughout. If you add the chips when the mixture is hot, the chips will all melt.
  3. Scoop the mixture by the heaping tablespoon onto the prepared baking sheet . You should have about 40 portions. Roll each portion tightly into a ball between your palms. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator to chill until firm. Serve chilled.

 

Avocado Tuna Salad


1 whole avocado cubed 1/2 cucumber cubed
1/4 red onion
4 tbs of lemon juice

1/2 cup sliced almond
1 cups sliced grapes 
1 tbs olive oil or avocado oil
Salt & Pepper to your liking


Mix and enjoy





 

Cauliflower Fried Rice

 Ingredients
  • 1 Tbs coconut oil
  • 1 large red bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 cups broccoli chopped (or Brussel sprouts or really any vegetable)
  • 4 medium carrots shredded
  • 10 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 bags  Riced Cauliflower or 3 heads of cauliflower, riced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons black pepper
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons sea salt
  • 1/3 cup coconut aminos
  • 8 eggs whisked & cooked (scrambled)
  • 1/2 cup Raw cashews, chopped for topping 
Instructions

Heat a large saute pan on medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes. Heat up oil, carrots, bell pepper, broccoli. Cook until 2-3 minutes
Add garlic cloves and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add in riced cauliflower. Carefully break down the cauliflower with a wooden spoon or spatula. Cook the rice until it looks soft and tender. This can take anywhere between 5-7 minutes.
Add in the spices until well combined. Stir in coconut aminos, salt and pepper.  Cook on medium-high heat until the cauliflower rice reaches your desired doneness (this took me another 7-10 minutes!)
Carefully stir in the scramble eggs. Stir for about 1 minute until everything has been well combined. Remove from the heat.
This is my favorite side dish with a steak or any meat.  It is quick and easy.  Or I will add chicken to the rice as that is a meal.




 

Thai Pad See Ew (My favorite recipe ever)

Ingredients
  • 10 medium carrots, peeled
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 Tbs coconut oil
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 cups broccoli 
  • 1/2 cup coconut aminos
  • 6 eggs 
Instructions   

  1.  Lay carrots on cutting board and use a vegetable peeler to create thin, wide ribbons.  Peel down to the core of the carrot then flip over and continue peeling
  2. Slice chicken very thin on a diagonal.  Place the oil in a deep saute pan or wok over medium heat to warm.  Add the garlic and chicken and and stir-fry them for 5 minute, until the chicken is white on the outside.
  3. Add the brocoli and coconut aminos and cook for 5 more minutes until the broccoli has softened.  Add the carrot noodles and stir-fry for another 5 minutes.
  4. In a separate pan, crack the eggs into the pan and stir vigorously to scramble .. I like using a a little coconut milk so they aren't dry.  
  5. Add scrambled eggs to stir fry and serve
(I love just like that, but I cooked rice noodles,according to the package, for my husband.  He put the stir fry on top of the noodles) 






Grain Free Apple Muffins

Ingredients
  • 1 1/4 cups  almond flour
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons coconut flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 large eggs
  • 5 tablespoons refined coconut oil, melted
  • 1/3 cup honey (I skip this and still find them sweet)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup coarsely grated Granny Smith apples
  • 1 1/4 cups Granny Smith apple chunks (about 1/4")
Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin pan with 8 muffin liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix together the dry ingredients (almond flour through nutmeg). Set this aside.
  3. In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, oil, honey (optional) and vanilla.
  4. Add the dry mix to the wet and mix just until combined.
  5. Gently fold in the grated apples and then the chopped apples.
  6. Divide the batter evenly among the liners, filling them almost full, and bake for 23-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
  7. Let the muffins cool for 5 minutes in the pan and then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. Store in an air-tight container at room temperature for 1 day or refrigerate for up to 4.