Mashed Cauliflower vs Mashed Potatoes…

Mashed Cauliflower vs Mashed Potatoes…

Pureed or mashed cauliflower is a great substitute for mashed potatoes. Low in carbs and high in nutrients, this Mashed Cauliflower recipe is a great Thanksgiving recipe for people who cannot (or chose not to) eat potatoes &/or dairy. Try them, I think you will like them!

Ingredients:

Directions:

1. Steam cauliflower until soft but not mushy. Set aside to cool.

2. Heat 2 tsp oil and add minced garlic. Saute for 3 minutes.

3. Add rice milk to heat (do not boil).

4. Pour into blender. Add remaining olive oil and cauliflower and puree until smooth. If puree is too dry or thick, add more oil. Season with salt and pepper.

Turkey Meatballs and Wilted Spinach

Turkey Meatballs and Wilted Spinach

This Turkey Meatballs and Wilted Spinach recipe is an affordable, easy-to-make skillet meal with a few simple ingredients. It is delicious & low carb for those who are trying to keep their carbs low. If you do not have a cast iron skillet, you can use any fry pan that can also be put into the oven.

Serves:

Makes about 4 turkey meatballs and 1 cup of wilted spinach

Approximate macros: 336 calories, 43g protein, 3g carbs, 16g fat

Ingredients:

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375F.

2. Season the turkey with 1 tbsp onion powder, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tbsp cumin and 1/2 tbsp garlic powder. Mix in the seasoning with your hands.

3. Make individual meatballs – usually about four 1.5 oz meatballs per 6 oz turkey.

4. Set the cast iron skillet on the stove stop and place it on medium high heat. Add the coconut oil and the minced garlic.

5. Cook the garlic until it becomes soft slightly brown (a couple of minutes) and then add in the meatballs. Roll the meatballs around the skillet until they are brown on at least 2 sides (about 3 – 5 minutes).

6. Reduce the heat to low. Add 3 cups of raw spinach to the skillet. It likely will not all fit in the skillet, so it will look like a big pile of spinach. This is good.

7. Cover the skillet with foil (or glass lid) and cook for another 3 minutes on the stove top.

8. Then place the entire skillet, with the foil on top, in the oven and bake for 5-7 minutes. Be careful not to overcook the turkey.

9. Remove from the oven and the spinach will be wilted and ready to eat.

10. Add pico de gallo and pine nuts.

11. ENJOY!

5 Top Juicing Recipes for Energy

5 Top Juicing Recipes for Energy

Try one of these 5 juicing recipes for energy-boosting each and every morning will help you naturally fight fatigue throughout your work or school day. They are quick and easy-to-make, so they’re great for drinking in the car on the way to work (or on the way to work-out).

Green Gusto Juice

  • 1 green apple (core/seeds not included)
  • 1 handful of spinach
  • ½ handful of parsley (a few sprigs)
  • ½ handful of kale
  • 2 large celery stalks
  • 1 inch ginger root
  • 1 whole lemon

Purple Power Juice

  • 1 pear
  • 1 beet (leafy top and skin not included)
  • 1 green apple (core/seeds not included)
  • 2 large carrots
  • 1 cup sliced grapefruit (skin not included)
  • 1 ½ cups sliced pineapple (skin not included)
  • 1 inch ginger root

Fruity Fervor Juice

  • 1 orange (skin and seeds not included)
  • 3 green apples (core/seeds not included)
  • 1 ½ cups pineapple (skin not included)
  • 1 cup blueberries (frozen or fresh)
  • 1 handful of spinach

Veggie Vitality Juice

  • 2 large carrots
  • 1 tomato
  • 1 handful of spinach
  • ½ handful of parsley (a few sprigs)
  • 2 large celery stalks

Spicy Stamina Juice

  • 2 ounces wheat grass
  • 4 large carrots
  • 2 green apples
  • 2 large celery stalks
  • ½ handful of parsley (a few sprigs)
  • ½ handful of spinach
  • 1 cucumber
  • 1 diced jalapeno (seeds not included – may substitute green bell pepper for less heat)

Directions:

1. Wash your produce and herbs thoroughly.

2. Then, simply combine the ingredients in a juicer or blender; include the skin and sprouts unless otherwise indicated in the recipe. You can also add a few drops of liquid B12 or powdered probiotics to your juice before blending.

Each of these recipes has as ingredients healthy and delicious fruits and vegetables loaded with phytonutrients that will energize the cells of your body throughout the day. What a great contrast to the caffeine and sugar fixes often used as alternatives!
Do you have delicious juice recipe of your own that tastes good and helps give you energy? If so, please share your recipe in the comments section below. By doing so, you’ll be helping other readers find creative ways to boost their energy levels and improve their health!

Turkey, Zucchini, Quinoa Loaf

Turkey, Zucchini, Quinoa Loaf

Ingredients:

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°

2. Line a large baking sheet with foil and rub with oil (avocado, toasted sesame, coconut, etc).
Mix zucchini, egg, ¼ cup chili sauce, onion, sage, salt, and pepper.

3. Add turkey and quinoa to the above mixture and then mix all together.

4. Shape into 6 oval loaves and place on baking sheets.

5. Top each loaf with some of the remaining ¼ cup chili sauce and mustard.

6. Bake 30-35 minutes with internal temp of 165°. Let stand 5 minutes. Enjoy!!

Breadless Stuffing

Breadless Stuffing

This amazing recipe comes from the Naked Foods Cookbook (page 58-59)

Unlike most stuffing, this one uses lentils as its base rather than breadcrumbs. This neatly solves the main problem with stuffing for those who are gluten-intolerant or are looking to reduce the starchy carbs from their diet. It does take a little work, but it’s flavorful and a great alternative to your usual fare.

For a vegan option, substitute coconut oil for the ghee or butter.

Serves:

Makes 4 to 5 cups

Ingredients:

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. If your kitchen is cool and the ghee is solid, put it in the oven in a heat-resistant mixing bowl to melt while the oven is heating.

2. Coarsely chop the cauliflower and put it in a food processor. Pulse several times to break down the cauliflower into fine pieces (only pulse several times, as you still want some larger chunks).

3. In a mixing bowl, toss cauliflower, onion, garlic cloves, celery, and carrots with ghee, sea salt, pepper, and paprika. Coat well with the oil. Spread mixture out on an oven tray, and roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until cooked through and slightly browned.

4. While cauliflower is roasting, cook the lentils: In a medium saucepan, combine lentils, bay leaf, and water. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, still covered, for 30 to 45 minutes, until lentils are cooked through. If water remains, drain it. Remove bay leaf and discard. Lentils should still hold their shape and not be mushy.

5. When cooked, remove the veggies from the oven. In a large mixing bowl, mix the veggies, cooked lentils, thyme, pecans, and dried fruit. Mix until you reach your desired consistency. Use as you would normal stuffing.

Cranberry Salsa

Cranberry Salsa

This Cranberry Salsa recipe is a great way to include cranberries into your traditional Thanksgiving meal…and have people actually eat & enjoy them!!

Ingredients:

*(or xylitol for healthier version) – the amount depends on your desired tartness or sweetness

Directions:

1. Process cranberries in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Transfer to a medium bowl and add remaining ingredients. Stir well to combine.

2. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

**The salsa is best if made at least 3 hours or up to 1 day in advance to allow flavors to meld. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Pumpkin Puree Soup

Pumpkin Puree Soup

Pumpkin Puree Soup is a high fiber soup that is loaded with antioxidants, vitamin A, beta-carotene, mixed carotenoids, and minerals such as magnesium. Top your soup with roasted pumpkin seeds to add a boost of immune enhancing zinc. It is a perfect Thanksgiving recipe!! But you can serve it warm or chilled, so it’s an easy, healthy recipe throughout the entire year.

Ingredients:

Directions:

1. In a large saucepan, heat 1/4 cup water over medium heat. Add onion and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Don’t let onion dry out.

2. Add remaining water, pumpkin, broth, cinnamon and nutmeg. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

3. Stir in the milk and cook until hot. Don’t boil.

4. Ladle soup into warmed bowls and garnish with black pepper, green onion tops, and pumpkin seeds. Serve immediately.

Healthy Holiday Beverage Recipes

Healthy Holiday Beverage Recipes

The holiday celebrations are in full bloom and we all need to be extra aware of our sugar intake this time of year! Below are some of my favorite, healthy winter/holiday beverage recipes that everyone can enjoy…and not suffer from the sugar highs that are so common this time of year. Happy Holidays!!

Haute Cacao (Hot Cocoa)

  • 16 ounces unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 tablespoon raw cacao
  • 1⁄4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 10-20 drops of chocolate-flavored liquid stevia
  • 2 cinnamon sticks for garnish (optional)
  • Heat all ingredients, except stevia, in a medium pot over medium heat until mixture begins to bubble lightly. Do not bring to a full boil, as almond milk boils over quickly.
    Remove from heat. Add stevia, stir, and serve in large mugs.

Cacao Minty Milk

This minty drink made with raw cacao is delicious hot or cold. Raw cacao is a potent antioxidant, a healthy treat when in its natural state. We recommend that you try this drink without honey or any other form of sugar, and enjoy the rich chocolaty taste.

  • 16 ounces unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 tablespoon of raw cacao
  • 2 fresh mint leaves
  • 10-20 drops of chocolate-flavored liquid stevia
  • Put all ingredients in a blender bowl and blend for 15 seconds.
  • Pour into 2 glasses and add ice if desired.
    (Chocolate Milkshake Option: Follow the above directions and add 1⁄2 cup chocolate coconut milk ice cream and a handful of ice to the blender bowl, and blend for 30 seconds. Add ice as necessary to thicken to desired consistency. Blend until smooth and creamy.)

Eggless Egg Nog

(Recipe from Kris Carr’s cookbook, Crazy Sexy Kitchen)

  • Almond milk (about a cup and a half)
  • 2 dates (pitted)
  • 1 banana
  • 1/2 vanilla bean or 1/2 tsp. alcohol-free vanilla extract
  • Pinch of nutmeg (this is the key here to give it the egg nogy, spicy flavor!)
    Directions: Blend all ingredients and enjoy!

Chai Tea Misto

  • 2 bags Chai tea of your choice (I like green chai tea)
  • 16 ounces unsweetened almond milk (or try using rice or hemp milk)
  • 16 ounces purified water
  • 10- 20 drops cinnamon or vanilla-flavored liquid stevia
  • pinch of cinnamon or 2 cinnamon sticks
  • pinch of nutmeg
  • Boil water
  • In a pot, bring almond milk to a low boil over medium heat. Watch milk carefully and be careful to turn heat off and remove it from the stove immediately when it begins to boil. The milk will quickly boil and overflow.
    In two large mugs pour half water and half milk. Put one tea bag in each mug and steep for 4-5 minutes (depending on desired strength).
  • Add stevia as desired.
  • Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon (or a cinnamon stick) and nutmeg over the top of each mug.

Paleo Almond Flour Pancakes

Paleo Almond Flour Pancakes

These Paleo Almond Flour Pancakes are wonderfully tasting, easy to make, and contain no grains!!

Serves:

Serves 2-4

Ingredients:

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients (batter will be very thick).

2. Drop 1/4 cup of batter onto a lightly-oiled (non-stick) frying pan over medium heat. Flatten/shape the pancakes with the scoop to keep them from being too thick.

3. Cook until bubbles appear on surface & then flip. Cook remaining side.

4. Serve with a 1/2 tablespoon of grassfed butter or ghee. You can add some nut butter, fresh fruit, &/ or organic grade A maple syrup (not if you are following a sugar free diet)