Category: Clean Eating Page 13 of 20

Mint Chocolate Brownie Bites {Paleo, Gluten-Free, Vegan, No-Bake}

On December 26, 2014

In Clean Eating, Dairy-Free, Paleo, Recipes, Vegan

From mint chocolate chip ice cream cake for my birthdays every year to Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies, I’ve always loved the combo of chocolate and mint.

Choco Mint Brownie Bites Rolled in Protein-Rich Hemp Seeds

The rich and slightly bitter taste of dark chocolate pairs perfectly with the cool and refreshing hint of mint.

I found this recipe for chocolate mint truffles (AKA brownie bites) about a year ago on one of my favorite websites (MindBodyGreen), and I decided to make it again this year and pass it along to all of you!

trufflebig

Two of the main ingredients in these brownie bites – raw cacao powder and hemp seeds – are super powered super foods.

Hemp seeds are full of heart and brain healthy fats and are an excellent source of protein. That combo makes them great for stabilizing our blood sugar, and when blood sugar is stable, so is our appetite and, ultimately, our weight. I add hemp seeds to smoothies and salad dressings, too. They’re great! (Please note, even though hemp seeds share a similar name to a familiar plant, these hemp seeds will NOT have any impact on drug testing.)

If you’re unsure about hemp seeds, you might want to grow them yourself. That way, you can be sure that they’re safe to eat and you can even grow them organically if you so desire. Hemp is easy to grow, but if you’re not sure where to start, check out these ilgm reviews to see how easily other people have grown their own hemp. It’s also a brilliant plant for fertilizing your soil, so if you’re an avid gardener as well as cook, it’s the perfect plant for you. Just think how much better your tomatoes will grow!

Raw cacao (pronounced ka-KOW) powder comes from the same place cocoa powder does (the cacao plant), BUT it’s not heated like cocoa powder, SO all of its anti-aging, antioxidant, anti-disease nutrients stay intact. Raw cacao powder is the MOST concentrated source of antioxidants AND it enhances the flow of happiness chemicals in our brain like serotonin and dopamine.

You know everything you’ve heard about chocolate being good for you? It’s this stuff they’re talking about. Cacao is health-promoting, mood-boosting chocolate 🙂

These healthy brownie bites come together in about 10 minutes, too, and you don’t even have to cook them. Easy peasy!

Ingredients

1/2 cup raw almonds
1/4 cup raw walnuts
8 Medjool dates (the big soft kind-make sure to remove the pits)
3 tablespoons hemp seeds
1/3 cup raw cacao powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon water

Optional Coating

1/4 cup hemp seeds
2 tablespoons goji berries + 2 tablespoons hemp seeds (Grind up goji berries in a spice grinder and roll the truffles in a combo of goji berries and hemp seeds!)
1/4 cup raw cacao powder
Candy canes made without high fructose corn syrup in your health food store (However, the recipe is NOT paleo if you use these. Try one of the other coating options first!)

**Click here for the full recipe from MindBodyGreen.

Looking for other healthier holiday treat recipes? Check out this post about 20 Holiday Treats to Knock Your Christmas Stockings Off!

Cacao-dusted Choco Mint brownie bites!

My 5 Favorite Healthy Cookbooks…All Gluten-Free {And My Wish List!}

By Rachel Druckenmiller

On December 19, 2014

In Clean Eating, Gluten-Free, Holidays, How To, Products I Use

“The pictures looked so good online. I don’t know why it didn’t turn out that way when I made it!”

Entire articles are dedicated to capturing people’s Pinterest fails when it comes to attempting new recipe creations.

It can be discouraging to put all of the effort into trying something new only to have it end up in the trash. It’s one of the reasons people don’t try new recipes.

“What if it doesn’t turn out right?”

“What if I ruin it?”

“I hate wasting food…and money on food.”

Yes, yes, yes! I’m with you on all three of those. I want my dishes to be tasty and delicious and to feel like buying the ingredients was money well spent.

One of the ways I’ve learned to give myself a better chance of making successful recipes over the years is using cookbooks. What I’ve found is if I like a few of someone’s recipes, I tend to be more confident that other dishes they’ve created will be good, too. And usually, I end up with a yummy meal.

Whether you’ve been cooking for years, are just getting started or are learning a new way to cook based on some health challenges or the way you want to feel, using a cookbook can be a great way to bring some excitement and variety to your kitchen.

Check out a few of my favorite go-to cookbooks when I’m feeling burnt out from Pinterest, am looking for inspiration, or just want to go old school and use an actual book instead of a website. I’ve also given you a list of the top cookbooks on my wish list. Any of these would make great Christmas gifts for yourself or the food lovers in your life!

Nourishing Meals: Healthy Gluten-Free Recipes for the Whole Family by Alissa Segersten & Tom Malterre

You know a book has good recipes when you have about 100 Post-it flags sticking out of it of all of the recipes you have made or plan to make. My nutritionist raves about Tom Malterre, the co-author of this cookbook, citing him as one of the best nutrition experts out there. He and his wife, Alissa, have 5 kids and are incredibly knowledgeable about how to eat for health AND make kid-friendly meals and snacks.

Favorite Recipes: Asian Chicken Salad, Apple Cider Baked Beans, Cajun Red Beans and Quinoa, Chipotle Yam Fries, Chana Masala, Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream and Peanut Butter Monster Cookies. I could go on forever! This is hands-down one of our favorites.

The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook by Alissa Segersten & Tom Malterre

In their newest cookbook, Alissa and Tom feature 300 Delicious, Whole Foods Recipes, including Gluten-free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, and Egg-Free Dishes. They don’t just share recipes for everything from smoothies and muffins to dressings, dips and desserts. They also teach some vital information about food sensitivities (we’re not just talkin’ peanuts), digestive health, how to stock your kitchen, and cooking techniques. Not only that, but the photos are stunning!

Favorite Recipes: Banana Almond Pancakes, Apple-Cranberry Oatmeal Muffins, Gingered Carrot Soup, Spiced Citrus Salmon, Superfood Fudge, and Chocolate-Raspberry Hazelnut Tart. Hungry yet?

Clean Food by Terry Walters

Written by a graduate of my health coach training program, Clean Food, was a gift from my mother-in-law when I finished grad school. Chef Mario Batali said:

“Clean Food is the most exciting book based on fresh produce and simple produce I have used in years.”

He’s seen a lot of cookbooks, too! I love how Terry organizes the cookbook by season and promotes the use of whole, fresh ingredients. Also, for anyone who has food sensitivities or allergies to things like dairy and gluten, this cookbook will give you tons of new inspirations and alternatives, and you will not feel deprived or slighted in the least!

Favorite Recipes: Basic Balsamic Vinaigrette, Three-Bean Chili, Roasted Kabocha Squash, Ginger and Pear Crisp, and Banana Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies

Undiet by Meghan Telpner

I’ve spent the past three months boosting my culinary nutrition skills and knowledge and being entertained by Meghan as she has taught me and dozens of other students the keys to culinary nutrition. Her book, Undiet, includes practical tips and guidelines for how to get yourself off the “diet” train so you can enjoy life, eat amazingly delicious and nourishing food, and thrive! Any recipe Meghan puts out there, whether it’s in the CNE program, through her blog, or in this book is a winner. She’s releasing her first full cookbook in October 2015, so stay tuned for when that happens. I will definitely be talking about it!

Favorite Recipes: Yogi Tea, Lemon Lentil Vegetable Soup, Sundried Tomato & Bean Hummus, Life-Affirming Chili, Veggie Rice Wraps with Almond Dipping Sauce, and Almond Power Cookies

The Beauty Detox Foods by Kimberly Snyder

I’m not entirely sure what prompted me to buy this book, but I’m glad I did! I use this book not only for the recipes but also for the guide that it includes to highlight which foods are best for which beauty and body goals. I often give this book to brides-to-be as part of a shower gift to help them beautify their bodies before the big day! Because it’s more of a detox-focused book, it’s not something I use every day, but I have found some staple recipes and have learned a lot about different foods and their beauty benefits, which has made this book worth it for me!

Favorite Recipes: Creamy Dijon–Tahini Dressing, Raw Purple Cabbage Slaw, and Raw Gorilla Taco Wraps

And now for a few cookbooks on MY Wish List 🙂

The Oh She Glows Cookbook: Over 100 Vegan Recipes to Glow from the Inside Out by Angela Liddon

Don’t let the word “vegan” in this title scare you off. You’ll miss out if you do. One of the reasons I like vegan recipes is because they automatically nix dairy products (a trigger food for my history of health issues – and many other people’s as well!) and because they make plants the focal point of the dish. Most of us don’t eat enough plants, even though they are the most nutrient-dense, antioxidant-rich foods out there.

Practical Paleo: A Customized Approach to Health & A Whole-Foods Lifestyle by Danielle Sanfilippo

I’ve heard from multiple people that this book is a must-have for anyone living a dairy-free, gluten-free, grain-free lifestyle. The cookbook includes 30-day meal plans, over 120 easy recipes, and even some handy tear-out guides.Danielle also writes for a paleo blog called Balanced Bites, which is definitely worth checking out!

The Blender Girl by Tess Masters

I’ve heard great things about this book (and the beautiful pictures in it) from one of my favorite people (and head of the CNE program I just finished), Meghan Telpner. She raved about this book, so I plan to get it! I’ve also checked out some recipes on Tess’s blog and love the variety, especially for smoothies. She even has a smoothie app now, too. The app lets you punch in what you feel (happy, sluggish, wired), need (a detox, to lose weight, to chill out), and crave (light and fruity, clean and green, an exotic ride) to find the right smoothie for that day. For great detox and weight loss smoothies, check out this list from Dherbs.

Make-Ahead Paleo: Healthy Gluten-, Grain- & Dairy-Free Recipes Ready When & Where You Are by Tammy Credicott

I was not familiar with this book, but a classmate from the Culinary Nutrition program I just finished suggested it as one of her “go to” cookbooks, so I thought I would add it to my list! Bill and I meal plan most weeks (as often as we can!) to make it easier and more affordable to eat the way we do – fresh, whole, unprocessed. Just this past week, we thawed out a vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie we had made in October and enjoyed it again for a few lunches this week. It saves so much time to have meals made ahead of time.

How to Cook Everything: Completely Revised 10^th Anniversary Edition by Mark Bittman

As the title says, use this book as a guide to learn every basic (and not so basic) cooking technique you could ever imagine. Bittman explains in simple, how to steps with lots of pictures and has even given a really great TED Talk about food. I gave this book to one of my best friends, who doesn’t feel confident in her cooking skills, as part of her wedding gift this year.

What are some of YOUR favorite cookbooks? Feel free to comment below!

No-Bake Orange Cranberry Breakfast Bites {Paleo, Vegan, Gluten-Free}

By Rachel Druckenmiller

On December 15, 2014

In Clean Eating, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Holidays, Nourish, Paleo, Paleo, Products I Use, Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian

I was inspired to make these when I was making a batch of healthy donut holes for a presentation last week.

Mmm delicious!

I had some dried cranberries left over from another recipe for a grain-free apple tart that I made recently, and I had one or two oranges in my fridge.

Oranges and cranberries go well together, especially with a hint of ginger, so I did a little experimenting and ended up with these little hunks of yumminess!

These are a quick and easy option for a grab-and-go breakfast, pre or post workout snack, afternoon snack, or even dessert, just like last week’s Paleo Pecan Pie Poppers!

These could also be called “Energy Bites” because of the combination of healthy fats and protein from the nuts and almond butter, fiber from the dates, and blood-sugar stabilizing cinnamon. The orange zest is also energizing and adds a little something special.

They are SO GOOD! There’s just enough orange flavor from the zest, and it pairs nicely with the tartness from the cranberries and mild bite from the ginger.

These little treats are addictive. You’ve been warned 🙂

Yield: 16-18 Bites

Ingredients

1/2 cup raw almonds
1/2 cup raw walnuts
1 cup Medjool dates, pitted
1/4 cup dried cranberries (Try to use cranberries sweetened with apple juice instead of sugar)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon orange zest (Use a microplane or other fine grater to grate the skin of the orange…AKA the “zest”) OR 3 drops therapeutic grade Wild Orange essential oil
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup raw almond butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional: shredded, unsweetened coconut

Directions

In the food processor fitted with the “s” blade, grind the almonds and walnuts until finely ground.
Add the dates, cranberries, spices, orange zest and salt and grind until blended.
Add the almond butter and vanilla extract and process again until completely mixed.
Form into balls about 1 inch in diameter, and, if you like coconut, roll in shredded coconut.

Paleo Pecan Pie Poppers {Vegan, Gluten-Free}

By Rachel Druckenmiller

On December 10, 2014

In Clean Eating, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Nourish, Paleo, Paleo, Vegan, Vegetarian

Today’s post is brought to you by the letter “P.” 🙂

This recipe is great as a fueling pre or post workout snack or as a quick energy boost when you hit a morning or afternoon slump.

The SECRET to all-day energy is eating foods that contain a combo of healthy fats + protein + fiber, and these pecan pie poppers have all three!

They also make a yummy dessert.

Caramel-ly, chewy dates + smooth and subtly salty almond butter + crunchy pecan = deeeelicious!

These poppers are super simple to make and require no cooking or fancy equipment. Just a knife, a bowl, and a spoon.

I made these at my inflammation-busting, energy-boosting cooking class last week, and everyone raved about them! One of my friends liked them so much that we packed extras for her to take to work as snacks.

Keep these on hand for a sweet, crunchy, and energizing on the go snack or sweet treat!

Ingredients

12 Medjool dates
¼ cup almond butter
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon 100% pure maple syrup (optional – adds a touch more sweetness & moisture if your almond butter is on the dry side)
pinch fine grain sea salt
12 pecans

Directions

Slice down the middle of each date on one side and remove pit.
Stir almond butter, cinnamon, vanilla extract, maple syrup and sea salt together in a bowl.
Using a spoon or knife, stuff each date with approximately 1 teaspoon of almond butter.
Stuff 1 pecan into almond butter mixture in each date as shown in the picture above.

Then…stuff the whole thing in your face 🙂 Enjoy!

Chai-Spiced Yogi Tea: How to Make It Yourself (SO EASY!)

By Rachel Druckenmiller

On December 5, 2014

In Anti-Inflammatory, Clean Eating, Dairy-Free, Detoxifying, Gluten-Free, Holidays, Paleo, Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian

I love tea.

There’s something calming and comforting about wrapping your hands around a warm cup of herbal tea, especially chai tea.

I used to get chai tea and chai tea lattes from Starbucks this time of year, but my recipe assignment last week for the culinary nutrition program I’m taking gave me a chance to make it myself!

All I can say is WOW.

I had never made my own tea before, but this recipe is definitely a game changer, AND it was super EASY!

First of all, the recipe makes 8 cups of tea, which is enough for at least half of a week for me. Here are a few more reasons to try this recipe for yourself at home:

The spices in this recipe and the ginger are cleansing, healing, comforting, and warming to the body – perfect for this time of year! For more information about the incredible health benefits of the spices in this tea, click here.
Cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves simmering on the stove smells AMAZING.
It’s cheaper than buying tea by the box!

If you’d like, you can also add in your favorite non-dairy milk, but I just drank it as is. Deeelicious!

I’ve already made it twice in two weeks and will be serving it t0 everyone attending my cooking class tonight.

Ingredients (8 cups)

8 cups water
6 cinnamon sticks
2 tablespoons cardamom seeds (pop them out of the pods for stronger flavor (that’s what I recommend) or use whole pods for a milder flavor)
2 tablespoons whole cloves
2 inches fresh ginger root (sliced)
1/4 cup raw honey
almond milk as desired

Here’s the full recipe from the awesome Meghan Telpner! Just make sure you strain it with a fine mesh strainer as shown above after simmering everything. We don’t want to be eating cinnamon sticks 🙂

*Helpful Hint: I buy my spices in the individual jars at MOMs Organic Market; you can also find them at Roots Market and other natural food stores. It’s MUCH cheaper than buying an entire jar of something when you only need 1 or 2 tablespoons or a few sticks. You can also order spices online, but a natural food store near you should have fresh spices in bulk if your grocery store doesn’t.

My Husband Faces His Fears…And Celebrates with This No-Bake Peanut Butter Cup Pie {Vegan, Gluten-Free}

By Rachel Druckenmiller

On November 30, 2014

In Clean Eating, Connect, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Inspiration, My Story, Savor, Vegan, Vegetarian

Sometimes we experience moments in our lives that are so profound, so impactful that we can’t help but be affected by them.

I experienced one of those moments today.

My husband, Bill, faced some of his biggest fears today as he humbly yet commandingly held the attention of a room full of people, sharing his story of growth through community over the past 6 years.

When our pastor and friend, Ryan, called Bill 3 weeks ago to ask if he would share his story at church, he stepped up to the challenge, despite his fears and reservations.

Like many people, Bill has had a lifelong fear of public speaking. And like most men, he wasn’t exactly jumping at the opportunity to share his thoughts and feelings with a room of over 100 people. When Bill was first asked, he panicked and decided he needed some proper training, so he spent the following twenty minutes googling public speaking courses. He found some good ones, but they were all UK based (Here’s some great public speaking courses to attend in London if these are of interest to you!). However, I managed to calm him down and he came round to the idea of no training and just practicing with me instead.

Being emotionally vulnerable isn’t something our culture encourages men to do, and those who do put their fragile egos at risk.

Bill opened up by highlighting the irony of how he can easily speak in front of a room of elementary school students in his job as a phys ed teacher, where conversations typically consist of debates over who did what, who likes whom or who has to go to the bathroom.

Speaking in front of a group of peers is an entirely different ballgame.

He shared how he used to be terrified of speaking in public. He would intentionally sit on the outskirts of a room full of people in our small group, sometimes dozing off as a result of the heat in the room, hoping to go unnoticed and not be asked to contribute to the discussion.

He talked about how he grew in his understanding of what it really means to be a man in a guys’ group he was a part of through our church as he studied the book The Way of the Wild Heart.

He got choked up as he shared how he felt years of emotional burdens lifted as he and the guys in that group shared their stories and struggles with each other.

He opened up about the impact of a retreat we went on last September on our ability to communicate more effectively and lovingly as a couple.

In Rhinebeck, New York for the Getting the Love You Want couples retreat

Sometimes what we are so afraid to share with other people is the very thing that will connect us to them, the very thing they are so frightened to unveil themselves.

Sometimes it just takes one person with the courage to be vulnerable.

I’m so proud of my husband for being that person.

I’m proud of the man Bill has become and the leader he is in our relationship, in his job, and in our church.

I’m proud of the example he sets for what it means to be a humble, teachable, gracious, forgiving, kind, caring and loving man.

I’m proud to be his wife.

Sometimes I wonder how I got so lucky.

I wanted to celebrate him and what this milestone means, so we grabbed brunch at one of our favorite places – Atwater’s – and I gave him a card letting him know how proud of him I am.

When we got home, I served him this pie. Bill and I both love the combo of peanut butter and chocolate, so we had eyed up this recipe before. I thought today would be the perfect day to make it for him.

If you like peanut butter and chocolate, you need to know about this pie. Talk about an indulgence! It’s chocolately, peanut buttery (trust me, it’s a word), and decadent.

Tempted to try it? Click here for the recipe**! I used cacao powder (not cocoa powder) because it has more health benefits! Click here to learn more about why CACAO is better than COCOA.

**I added 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the filling. For the crust I ground up 1.5 cups of whole almonds in my food processor until it was a fine consistency because I didn’t have any almond meal. Then, I just added the other crust ingredients to the food processor to combine them before pressing it into the bottom of the pie plate.

Pecan-Crusted Sweet Potato Casserole {Paleo, Vegan}

By Rachel Druckenmiller

On November 26, 2014

In Clean Eating, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Holidays, Paleo, Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian

From butternut squash soup and roasted Brussels sprouts to pumpkin spiced anything to comforting chilis and stews, I LOVE fall food!

We had a Thanksgiving lunch at work this past week, and one of the dishes was a sweet potato casserole topped with pecans. That’s what inspired me to create this dish.

I’m a big fan of sweet potatoes and pecans, especially since both are so nourishing and fueling to our bodies.

Sweet potatoes have lots of health benefits. They are…

Loaded with heart healthy potassium and fill-you-up fiber
Rich in vitamins A, C, and E, which promote skin and hair health
Immune-boosting because of the combo of Vitamin C & beta-carotene
Anti-inflammatory (When we’re inflamed, we hold on to weight and are more likely to develop chronic disease)

And, the most unscientific benefit…

They are REALLY DELICIOUS 🙂

Mashed sweet potatoes + pecans = sweet, creamy, crunchy and satisfying…comfort food at its finest.

You don’t even need any super fancy gadgets to make this Pecan-Crusted Sweet Potato Casserole, just a basic hand mixer.

Pecan-Coated Sweet Potato Casserole

This dish is one of our family favorites at Thanksgiving or anytime you want to highlight the flavors, colors and textures of fall.

Filling

4 large sweet potatoes
1 cup full-fat coconut milk (unsweetened)
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
Pinch nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon fine grain sea salt

Topping

1 cup pecans (chopped)
3/4 cup almond flour or almond meal
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3-4 tablespoons coconut oil (solid, so it crumbles)
1/2 tablespoon pure maple syrup
Pinch sea salt

Preheat oven to 400F.
Poke holes in the sweet potatoes with a fork and place on a parchment or foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for 1 hour, or until fork tender. Allow to cool slightly then peel the skin off the sweet potatoes.
Reduce oven temperature to 350F.
Place the sweet potato pulp, coconut milk, maple syrup, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, ginger, nutmeg, and sea salt in a bowl and beat with an electric mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer, until thoroughly combined and fluffy. Taste and adjust sweetness/spices if needed.
Grease an 8×8 baking dish with coconut oil (or grass-fed butter or ghee) and pour sweet potato mixture into the dish.
In a separate bowl combine the pecans, almond meal/flour, coconut oil, maple syrup, cinnamon and sea salt with your hands until it comes together as a crumble.
Sprinkle pecan mixture on top of sweet potatoes and bake for 18-20 minutes or until the topping is lightly browned. Serve warm.

If you prefer to steam the potatoes instead of roasting them, use this method.

Do you have a favorite sweet potato recipe?

Feel free to share it below! I love hearing from you 🙂

Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes: Gluten Free, Dairy-Free, Paleo

By Rachel Druckenmiller

On November 24, 2014

In Clean Eating, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Holidays, Nourish, Recipes

Happy Thanksgiving, friends! It’s my favorite food holiday and a wonderful time to reflect on what matters most and what we value and appreciate.

I have a lot to be thankful for, including all of YOU who have been SO supportive of me and my continued work on this blogging adventure.

I am SUPER excited to spend most of the day in the kitchen Thursday preparing yummy and nourishing food for my family. I love them and want them to be well!

I love how colorful the Thanksgiving plate can be, how amazing our house smells as everything is cooking and all of the flavors are coming together, and taking the time to reflect on what matters most to me.

Here are a few of the recipes I’ve shared on the blog before (and some I haven’t!) that would be perfect for your Thanksgiving dinner 🙂 Just as a little reminder, all of these recipes are dairy-free and gluten-free, so just about anyone can enjoy them!

Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad with Walnuts

People often ask where I look for recipes when I’m trying to come up with ideas. Here are a few of the blogs I will be getting inspirations from this Thanksgiving. Check out the recipes and let me know if you end up trying out any of them!

Healthy & Gluten-Free Recipes from The Detoxinista

I love so many of her recipes and try out at least one of them every couple of weeks. I’m excited to try out her Clean Green Bean Casserole (cut back on the sodium – it’s a LOT!), No-Bake Pumpkin Pie Tarts, and Grain-Free Stuffing, but she highlights a full list of 10 of her favorites here, so be sure to check it out!

Grain-Free Thanksgiving from Against All Grain

I made a recipe for a dense, moist (everyone’s favorite word, right??) pumpkin bread that I saw blogger and author, Danielle Walker, post on Facebook and brought it to my church for our annual Thanksgiving dinner tonight. SO worth it!

Not only that, but Danielle is offering a completely grain-free Thanksgiving recipe ebook for sale on her website for less than $5! Many people who have digestive challenges feel better when they at least temporarily eliminate grains from their diet.

Against All Grain’s Pumpkin Bread (Nut-Free, Grain-Free & Dairy-Free!)

Nourishing Meals by Tom Malterre

What caught my eye was this mouth-watering picture of an Apple Cider & Herb Brined Turkey. This Wild Rice Stuffing recipe with apples, cranberries, and sage looks (and sound tasty), too, so I may try it!

I also happen to think the two Nourishing Meals cookbooks are FANTASTIC, and I highly recommend them.

Our Paleo Thanksgiving by realfoodwithdana

I’ve been following Dana’s work on Instagram for the past few years and have gotten to meet her in person at the Natural Products Expo East several times. She focuses on paleo recipes (no beans, grains, dairy, refined sugar or processed foods), and she is fun and funny, too. If you’re not already following her on instagram, you can do that here.

In this post, she shares over 50 paleo-friendly, mouthwatering Thanksgiving recipes that you will definitely want to check out to upgrade your menu.

Nomtastic Thanksgiving Recipesfrom nomnompaleo

I love the playful vibe of this blog and appreciate how simple and fun their approach is. Their Roasted Garlic Autumn Root Vegetable Mash, Brussels Sprouts Chips (um, yes, please!!) and Cran-Cherry Sauce are all on my list of menu possibilities.

Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes from oh she glows

Angela posts amazing recipes (and beautiful photos). I made my own version of a sweet potato casserole tonight but think this one looks pretty awesome, too! This Gooey Pumpkin Spice Latte Chocolate Pudding Cake sounds as incredible as the pictures look and may be worth trying.

And now for a little gravy on top…

For whatever reason, I’ve never been a fan of gravy, but I know it’s most people’s favorite thing about the meal, so here is a recipe for a gluten-free gravy and another for a vegan mushroom gravy recipe to check out! Both have good reviews. Bon Appetit also wrote a simple post about how to make gluten-free gravy, and you can check it out here.

What’s YOUR favorite Thanksgiving dish? Feel free to leave a comment below 🙂

Zucchini Pasta with Cauli-fredo Sauce!

By Rachel Druckenmiller

On November 18, 2014

In Anti-Inflammatory, Clean Eating, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Paleo, Products I Use, Recipes, Tips & Tricks, Vegan, Vegetarian

The past two weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind.

I haven’t felt quite like myself because I’ve been stretching myself too thin.

All of the projects I’ve been working on have been amazing opportunities, but when I said, “yes” to them separately about 2-3 months ago, I didn’t realize they would ALL end up happening within the same week in November.

I have SO much I want to write about and a ton of new recipes to share, but a few wise friends and family members have suggested that I s-l-o-w d-o-w-n a bit and take a moment to breathe amidst this craziness.

That’s why you may notice fewer blog posts until things calm down and my schedule gets back to normal in the next 2 weeks or so.

One of the things I’m working on is a series of posts about “My Favorite Things,” where I’ll share my favorite gadgets, stocking stuffers and cookbooks, just in time for holiday shopping 🙂

I’m also working with a web designer to do some pretty cool things to this blog over the next few months, and I’m really excited to see what happens with that!

I can’t write this post without mentioning that my husband has been nothing short of a saint over the past few weeks in particular, and I’m so incredibly grateful for his support, encouragement and patience. I am very, very blessed.

Although I’ve felt stretched and stressed lately, I’ve gotten to do some really fun and exciting things…many of which were milestones that I couldn’t have imagined happening a year ago!

I trained the staff of a local restaurant to understand the differences among some current dietary trends and types (like paleo, vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan)
I facilitated a documentary movie night at my church where a group of about 20 of us watched Food, Inc. and enjoyed some healthy snacks, including my favorite caramel apple dip and this kickin’ buffalo hummus
I taught my FIRST full cooking class in my friend’s kitchen for a party at her house. I showed the group how to make my favorite kale salad, caulifredo zucchini noodles (recipe below!) and hazelnut truffles.

The process of planning out and prepping for a cooking demo is intense, and I have a new appreciation for anyone who has their own cooking show and what goes into making that happen.

Phew! It’s definitely a lot of work…but I LOVED having the opportunity to teach the group through hands on cooking.

The most rewarding part of the whole experience was hearing people say things like, “Oh my gosh, this is amazing!” and “I’m shocked by how good that tastes.”

It’s so fun to see people get excited about eating nourishing food!

We got to play with my NEW favorite kitchen toy (a Paderno Spiralizer) during the demo as we made our own zucchini noodles in seconds. I’ve included a video below for how to use it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbLHyAY_KRI&feature=youtu.be

Zucchini noodles are a great alternative to pasta because they don’t spike our blood sugar or contain gluten like most pasta. You’ll be AMAZED at how similar the texture is to pasta…you can still twirl it on your fork, too! The spiralizer is something you’ll want to add to your wish list.

We topped the zucchini noodles with this creamy cauliflower alfredo sauce. It’s a variation of a recipe I shared earlier this year, but I made some tweaks to improve it! I think you’ll love it.

Enjoy!

Ingredients

4 zucchini, spiralized using this awesome gadget! (You could also sub in your favorite gluten-free pasta of choice – we like the Tinkyada brown rice pasta)
2 teaspoons coconut oil

Caulifredo Sauce

3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon coconut oil, ghee/clarified butter or grass-fed butter
1 head cauliflower, chopped into florets (here’s how to break apart a head of cauliflower in seconds!)
1 cup water
1 teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon onion powder
1 generous pinch of pepper, to taste
juice from 1/2 lemon (about 1.5 tablespoons)

Directions

Sauté the minced garlic in coconut oil or butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Allow to cook for a few minutes, until the garlic is tender and fragrant but not browned.
Add the 1 cup of water to the saucepan, along with the cauliflower florets, and bring the water to a boil. (The water will not cover the cauliflower, but that’s okay.) Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot for 12-15 minutes or until the cauliflower is fork-tender and very soft.
Transfer the entire contents of the saucepan into a blender or food processor, and season with salt and pepper. Add in lemon juice and onion powder. Process until very smooth and creamy, with a texture similar to traditional cream sauce. (Always be careful when blending hot liquids– the steam pressure can blow the lid off your blender!).
Season with additional salt and pepper, if desired, and serve hot. If it seems thick, add more water. If it seems dry, add a liberal drizzle of olive oil.
Place spiralized zucchini in a medium-sized frying pan greased with coconut oil, and stir for 3-4 minutes or until zucchini takes on a cooked pasta texture, sort of wilted and soft. Be careful not to overcook.
Transfer zucchini noodles (AKA “zoodles”) to a plate or bowl and pour sauce on top. Sprinkle this 3-ingredient paleo parmesan cheeze on top and start eating!

Rainbow Super Food Kale Salad {Paleo}

By Rachel Druckenmiller

On November 12, 2014

In Anti-Inflammatory, Clean Eating, Dairy-Free, Detoxifying, GBOMBS, Gluten-Free, My Story, Vegetarian

Today’s post is inspired by Skittles.

Whenever I hear the phrase, “Taste the Rainbow,” I always think of Skittles.

They were one of my favorite candies as a kid, especially the purple and red ones!

Not so fun when you reach a wet hand into a bag of Skittles after an hour of swimming at the pool in the summer though… 🙂

Okay, so this post isn’t exactly about Skittles, but this recipe and the chewy bite size candies do have one thing in common…

They are both very colorful…and look like a rainbow!

I taught a group of a dozen coworkers how to make this kale salad last week and they LOVED it!

In fact, there wasn’t any left for me by the end of the demo – which is a good sign! Here’s what one of my coworkers said about the salad:

“I have a new appreciation for kale. I never eat it but the salad today was so good. I also want to start making my own dressings and that was fabulous.”

See what I mean?? You have to try this salad!

So, what inspired this recipe?

I’m currently going through a certification program to become a Culinary Nutrition Expert, and one of our assignments has been to focus on a particular health condition and come up with recipes and meal plans that would help someone with that issue.

I chose inflammation.

If you’ve ever had any kind of “itis” (dermatitis, laryngitis, bronchitis, colitis, rhinitis, gastritis, arthritis, thyroiditis, etc.), you’ve dealt with inflammation.

Our body is really smart, and it’s naturally designed to protect us from harm.

At its most basic level, inflammation is the body’s response to an attack from a “foreign invader,” such as an injury, infection, bacteria, or virus. It’s designed to help us fight the bad guys, so we can stay healthy.

We want our body to respond with inflammation temporarily when we do something like sprain our ankle or scrape our knee. Inflammation brings a rush of blood, nutrients and fighter white blood cells to the area to start the repair and healing process.

For many of us though, inflammation is driven in part by the food we eat (and don’t eat). Most of the Standard American Diet (abbreviated SAD) is full of pro-inflammatory processed, refined foods loaded with chemicals most of us can’t pronounce and would be more likely to find in a lab than a farmer’s market.

If we can reduce inflammation, we set ourselves up to be much better at preventing or delaying disease and even getting to a healthy weight. Dr. Mark Hyman has written extensively about inflammation and how to reduce it. Click here to learn more from him.

The key dietary recommendation to heal or “cool” inflammation is to consume an unrefined, whole food (ideally organic), high fiber, plant-rich diet, which naturally stabilizes our blood sugar (and energy levels!) – another key to keeping inflammation at bay.

When I was creating this recipe, I focused on making it an anti-inflammatory powerhouse, something that your body would love for you to eat…and that would taste amazing.

Crunchy, creamy, sweet, and the slightest bit salty, this salad has all of the flavors and textures we crave and love.

I’m about to get a little nerdy here, but just go with it 🙂

The healing foods in this recipe contain anti-inflammatory compounds like antioxidants, polyphenols, and flavonoids that not only help us reduce inflammation but also boost our immune system, slow the aging process, sustain our energy, and regulate our weight.

Here are just a few reasons why you’ll want to upgrade your diet and add in this super nourishing salad that’s loaded with immune, beauty and energy-boosting ingredients!

Avocado, hemp seeds, tahini, pumpkin seeds, and extra virgin olive oil are excellent sources of anti-inflammatory fats that are not only good for our body but also for our brain (our brain is 60% fat!).
The sulfur-containing compounds in garlic are also anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting.
Leafy green vegetables like dino kale contain flavanoids and antioxidants that reduce inflammation in the body.
Isothiocyanates (eye-so-thio-CYA-nates), sulfur-containing phytochemicals found in red cabbage, regulate the body’s inflammatory response.
Turmeric contains over two dozen anti-inflammatory compounds, the most powerful of which is the antioxidant curcumin, which gives it its bright yellow color.

Ok, now that you’re super stoked about eating anti-inflammatory foods, here’s the recipe! Bring it to your next potluck or holiday party – it’ll be a hit!

Taste the Rainbow Kale Salad

This is my #1 favorite salad of all time and is always a hit at parties and potlucks. Packed with anti-inflammatory ingredients and full of flavor, this salad will turn any kale hater into a fan in no time!

Creamy Lemon Tahini Dressing

3 tablespoons tahini
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon maple syrup (or raw honey)
1 tablespoon tamari ((gluten-free soy sauce))
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
2 garlic cloves (peeled and minced)
1/4 cup olive oil (extra virgin)

Salad

1 bunch kale (dino kale is best)
1 cup purple cabbage (shredded)
1 cup carrots (shredded)
1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1 avocado (diced)
1/4 cup hemp seeds (shelled)
1/4 cup goji berries or dried cranberries

Whisk all dressing ingredients together in a bowl OR place them in a blender for 30 seconds until smooth. Taste and make adjustments to dressing, if necessary. Add a few tablespoons of filtered water to thin it out if needed. I like mine thick.
In a large bowl, place kale greens and add dressing. Massage dressing into kale leaves for about 2 minutes (until volume reduces by about 1/3). Add purple cabbage and toss to coat. Let sit for 15-30 minutes, so the dressing can continue breaking down the kale and cabbage.
When ready to serve, add in shredded carrots, pumpkin seeds, avocado, hemp seeds, and goji berries (if using). Toss to combine.

This salad will stay good for about two days in the refrigerator. The heartiness of the kale greens prevents it from wilting like other salads would.

Double this recipe if you’re bringing it to a party!

You can add in any vegetables you like. Try this salad with some diced bell peppers, chopped broccoli, cooked sweet potato cubes or other vegetables. To make more of a complete meal, add in your favorite animal or plant-based proteins (chicken, salmon, lentils, beans, tempeh). Chickpeas or white cannellini beans would pair well with this salad.

Category: Clean Eating Page 13 of 20

My 5 Favorite Healthy Cookbooks…All Gluten-Free {And My Wish List!}

And now for a few cookbooks on MY Wish List 🙂

What are some of YOUR favorite cookbooks? Feel free to comment below!

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No-Bake Orange Cranberry Breakfast Bites {Paleo, Vegan, Gluten-Free}

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Paleo Pecan Pie Poppers {Vegan, Gluten-Free}

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Chai-Spiced Yogi Tea: How to Make It Yourself (SO EASY!)

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My Husband Faces His Fears…And Celebrates with This No-Bake Peanut Butter Cup Pie {Vegan, Gluten-Free}

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Pecan-Crusted Sweet Potato Casserole {Paleo, Vegan}