Recipes

Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad

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One of my favorite recipes. Lots of crunch with a tart flavor, this salad is always a hit and makes a great side dish to any meal. Inspired by WellPlated, I made some small modifications to make this dairy free and with my favorite ingredients. Feel free to sub out with your choice of nuts and dried fruit. Enjoy!

SERVINGS: 6 – 8       PREP TIME: 10 minutes     COOK TIME: 8 – 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

FOR THE SALAD:
  • 1 1/2 cups raw walnut halves or raw whole almonds
  • 1 large bunch curly kale (approximately 1 1/4 lbs) stems removed and finely chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 16 oz Brussels sprouts
  • 3/4 cup dried cherries
  • Avocado oil
FOR THE DRESSING:
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice about (1 1/2 medium lemons)
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • salt and ground black pepper

 

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread the nuts into a single layer on parchment paper. Toast in the oven for 8 – 10 minutes, tossing once halfway through. Remove from oven and roughly chop.
2. Meanwhile, place the kale in a large bowl. Lightly sprinkle with the avocado oil and salt . Massage the kale with your hands by grabbing large handfuls a few at a time and squeezing gently until the kale is soft and darker. This will help to soften kale for easier consumption and digestion.
3. Cut the bottom ends off of the Brussel sprouts. Then shred by using a food processor or chopping with a sharp chef’s knife.  Place the shreds in a bowl with the kale, then toss and fluff them with a fork or your fingers.
4. In a small mason jar, shake all dressing ingredients. You can also use a small bowl and whisk all ingredients together.
5. Pour half of the dressing over the salad, then toss to combine. Sprinkle the cherries and chopped nuts over the top, then lightly toss again. Drizzle with remainder of dressing.

Posted in JSC, Nutrition, Recipes, Savory Eats

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Power Green Smoothie

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This is a perfect blend of sweet, creamy, and delicious all while getting the nutrients your body needs.  Rich in antioxidants and vitamins to help to support immune health, aid digestion and provide a natural energy boost, this has been my go to smoothie to break my fast or as a pre or post workout boost. Enjoy!

 

INGREDIENTS:

  • ½ frozen banana
  • ½ cup mixed berries
  • 1 tablespoon peanut butter
  • 1 handful of spinach or kale
  • 1 cup filtered water
  • 1″ slice of fresh ginger
  • 2 scoops vanilla plant protein

 

DIRECTIONS:

Blend all the ingredients and enjoy!

Posted in JSC, Nutrition, Recipes, Smoothies

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Green Pineapple Detox

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We all fall into a rut during the holidays so if you’re looking to reset and start fresh, this great little “detox” drink is everything you need! Reduce inflammation and bloat with naturally hydrating foods like cucumber and pineapple. It’s the perfect feel-good drink that will rejuvenate your body right away. It’s also super refreshing and delicious. Enjoy!

 

INGREDIENTS: 

  • 1 cup pineapple chunks
  • 1 medium green apple
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • ¼ small cucumber
  • ⅔ medium celery stalk
  • ¼ medium lemon
  • 1 inch chunk of ginger
  • 1⁄2 cup water

 

DIRECTIONS:

Blend all the ingredients.

Posted in JSC, Nutrition, Recipes, Smoothies

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Easy Energy Balls (Gluten + Dairy Free)

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Instead of reaching for another protein bar, pop 1 or 2 of these before a workout and you’ll be up for any challenge! Also great as a little pick me up or when craving something sweet, this is a great go-to. All whole ingredients and so easy to whip up.

Inspired by Love and Lemons (one of my favorite recipe blogs), I made a few changes with the ingredients making this my very own decadent energy treat! Feel free to substitute with your choice of nut butter and non dairy milk to make your own energy ball variation.

 

INGREDIENTS:

  • 3/4 cup gluten free rolled oats
  • 1 heaping tablespoon ground flaxseed and 3 tablespoons warm water
  • 4 tablespoons organic Sunflower Seed Butter
  • 1 tablespoon real maple syrup
  • 3 soft Medjool dates, pitted
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/4 cup shredded coconut
  • 1/4 cup chocolate chips

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. In a medium pan, toast the oats over low heat until just browned around the edges.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the flaxseed and warm water and set aside to thicken for about 5 minutes. In a food processor, combine the seed butter, maple syrup, dates, coconut oil, vanilla, cinnamon and salt.
  3. Add the walnuts and pulse until combined. Then add the flaxseed mixture and mix until smooth.
  4. Then add the oats and coconut and pulse until combined. Add the chocolate chips and pulse until chocolate melts and makes the whole mixture gooey. 
  5. Roll the mixture into balls (10 – 12 balls) and chill until firm, at least 30 minutes.
  6. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

Posted in Health & Wellness, JSC, Nutrition, Recipes, Sweet Eats

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Protein Frosting

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Get the same rich and indulgent taste of frosting with this gluten and dairy free option that also packs a protein punch. It does take a little arm strength to whip in the desired texture, although you can use a hand mixer, but trying to earn my sweets so I don’t mind the work.

I love to top a heaping tablespoon of Protein Frosting to a bowl of frozen mixed fruit (cherries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries) with crushed nuts, seeds, coconut flakes and a sprinkle of Paleonola granola – making this one of my favorite desserts! Enjoy!

 

INGREDIENTS:

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

Mix all ingredients vigorously in a bowl. If too dry, slowly add more oat milk. Enjoy!

Posted in JSC, Nutrition, Recipes, Sweet Eats

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Banana Walnut Bread (Dairy-Free)

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As much as I love cookies and cakes, the one thing that I find much harder to resist are sweet breads – namely zucchini, pumpkin, carrot, and most of all banana bread! My mom came upon this super simple banana bread recipe from Dr. Weil and I had to try it out with modifications, of course.

The original recipe called for whole wheat flour and canola oil. I prefer gluten free desserts and avoid canola oil altogether. Found it very challenging to find the right ingredients when baking to get the same consistency, texture and taste. After a few attempts, I found spelt flour and avocado oil as substitutes that gave a similar texture and taste. I used semi ripe bananas and raw honey for a sweetness that wasn’t too overpowering. Overall making a delicious banana walnut bread that satisfied my sweet tooth.

Check it out and let me know what you think. Enjoy…in moderation! 😉

 

SERVINGS: 8 – 10 slices           PREP TIME: 10 minutes         READY TO ENJOY: 40 minutes

 

INGREDIENTS:

  • 3 semi ripe bananas
  • 1/2 cup raw honey
  • 1 1/2 cups spelt flour (I love Bob’s Red Mill Organic Spelt Flour)
  • 3/4 raw organic walnuts, roughly chopped
  • 3 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

 

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Pre-heat oven to 350°F.
  2. Lightly oil loaf pan.
  3. Mash bananas and mix with honey, oil, and vanilla extract.
  4. Stir in spelt flour, baking soda, salt, and walnuts.
  5. Spoon into loaf pan, spreading evenly and flat.
  6. Top with handful of walnuts.
  7. Bake for 35 minutes or until center is set.
  8. Remove from oven. Cool for 10 minutes. Lightly carve around loaf with butter knife to separate from pan. Flip loaf over to gently remove. Voila and enjoy!!

Posted in JSC, Recipes, Sweet Eats

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Cacao Hazelnut Cashew Butter (Gluten + Dairy Free)

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Not a day goes by that I don’t have nut butter. My go-to is almond butter (Once Again is a fave). Every now and then I will splurge on Artisana’s raw nut butters and special blended farmer’s market butters. But once I made my own, there wasn’t anything quite like it at the markets anymore.

Feel free to switch up the nuts and seeds to make up your own unique combo. Some great add ins: sunflower seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, vanilla extract, and coconut butter. Fair warning, this is a pretty messy process. I chose to roast raw nuts for a robust and fresh flavor but also made the process messier and tad bit more labor intensive. Should you buy roasted nuts, make sure they are dry roasted and without any oil or other ingredients. Some like to refrigerate nut butters (to preserve for up to 3 weeks) but I prefer mine in room temperature.

SERVINGS: 16 oz jar         PREP TIME: 15 minutes     READY TO ENJOY: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 cups raw hazelnuts
  • 1 cup raw cashews
  • 3 Tbs cacao powder (Navitas is my fave)

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Pre-heat oven to 350F.
  2. On a sheet pan, spread nuts evenly and roast for 8-12 minutes. Be sure to check every minute or so after 8 minutes as they can burn pretty quickly.
  3. Make sure to remove hazelnut skin by rubbing in clean dry dish towel (this part is pretty messy). Removing most of the skin is best (not all will come off).
  4. Place nuts in food processor (or blender). Add cacao powder and blend/mix. Texture will change from mealy to gritty to creamy and smooth but it will take some time. Be patient and stir mixture every now.
  5. Scoop out and transfer from blender/processor into jar. Enjoy!

Posted in Recipes, Sweet Eats

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Crispy Crab Cake (Gluten + Dairy Free)

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If crab cakes are on the restaurant menu, 90% of the time I will order them. They are just my fave. So I thought…why not make them at home? I always assumed they would be difficult to make and would never come out as half as good as the restaurant version. I was wrong!  I tried this recipe my sister-in-law found, made some tweaks of my own…and they are DELICIOUS! I get to control the ingredients so they’re absolutely healthier than what you would get at a restaurant. Win win! Give it a try!

SERVINGS: 6 – 8       PREP TIME: 10 minutes     COOK TIME: 10 – 12 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Pre-heat oven to 200°F.
  2. Crush crackers and place in a small bowl. I prefer to grind in food processor for finer crumbs.
  3. In large mixing bowl, whip egg, mayo, ghee, and seasoning.
  4. Stir in lump crab to mixture. Then add half of the crackers and chopped onions and cilantro.
  5. Using your hands, scoop a small handful of mixture and mold into semi flat rounded shape. Dip cake into the crackers (cover them generously) and place on parchment paper on baking sheet pan.
  6. With remainder of crackers, lightly sprinkle on top of each crab cake.
  7. Turn oven to broil once mixture is ready. Broil for 6 minutes. Turn tray 180 degrees and check every 2 minutes til desired browning.
  8. Remove, let sit to cool, and ENJOY!

Posted in Recipes, Savory Eats

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Frozen Berry – Coconut Yogurt Bark (Gluten + Dairy Free)

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This is a great summer treat that satisfies any sweet tooth. Prep time is nothing but the wait does take longer than you would like…but oh so worth the wait. Feel free to switch out with your favorite berries and nuts. For larger nuts (almonds, cashews, hazelnuts), chop those up a bit more before mixing.

SERVINGS: 4         PREP TIME: 10 MINUTES         COOK TIME: 12 HOURS (no cooking required!)

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 cups plain coconut yogurt (my fave is CocoYo)
  • 1/4 cup + 1 Tbs raw honey or real maple syrup
  • 2 tspn vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup diced strawberries
  • 1/2 cup blueberries
  • 1/2 cup toasted pistachios

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Place aluminum foil on a baking sheet. Make sure you have enough space in the freezer to place the sheet. If not then separate into 2 smaller plates or pans.
  2. Whisk yogurt, 1/4 cup honey/syrup, and vanilla extract in a bowl.
  3. Pour mixture onto the baking sheet and spread evenly into a 1/2 inch thick layer. Make sure to not touch the edges of sheet or pan.
  4. In a small bowl, mix the berries, pistachios, and 1 Tbs of honey/syrup. Scatter this mixture of the yogurt.
  5. Place in freezer, uncovered, for minimum 12 hours.
  6. Gently pick up bark to remove from foil and cut up into medium size pieces. Bark should easily break when folded too if you want more uneven chunks.
  7. Serve immediately or freeze the rest to enjoy later.

Posted in Recipes, Sweet Eats

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Mini Cocoa Matcha Cake (Gluten + Dairy Free)

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If you are craving a sweet treat but don’t feel like spending time baking or getting a store bought cake, then this is the recipe for you. This is instant dessert gratification in less than 5 minutes. I was so surprised how spongey and light this was that I felt zero guilt indulging it. I hope you will too!

SERVINGS: 1      PREP TIME: 3 MINUTES    COOK TIME: 90 SECONDS

INGREDIENTS:

  • 3 Tbs almond flour
  • 1 tspn matcha
  • 1 Tbs cacao powder (my fave is from Navitas)
  • 1 Tbs coconut or avocado oil
  • 1 1/2 Tbs real maple syrup
  • 1/4 tspn vanilla extract
  • 1/8 tspn baking soda
  • 1/8 salt
  • 1 large egg
  • sliced strawberries (or your fave berries)
  • coconut flakes, to garnish

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. In measuring cup, combine almond flour, matcha, cacao powder, baking soda and salt. Mix well.
  2. Add maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla extract and egg and whisk all ingredients together until smooth.
  3. Lightly brush 6oz mug with coconut oil the pour mixture in.
  4. Place mug in the center of your microwave and cook for 90 seconds. Insert toothpick in the center. If clean when removed, then it’s ready.
  5. With a butter knife or mini spatula, gently separate cake from the mug. Slowly flip mug onto plate to remove cake.
  6. Place right side up, garnish with coconut flakes and strawberries.
  7. Voila and enjoy! 🙂

Posted in Recipes, Sweet Eats

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