Category: Paleo Page 5 of 13

Easy Apple Sandwiches {Nut-Free, Paleo}

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On August 17, 2015

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

If you’ve been following me on FacebookĀ and Instagram, you’ve probably caught on to the fact my go to ingredient at the moment isĀ sunflower seed butter.

It’s the closest thing to peanut butter in terms of taste and texture and is school-friendly, since it’s peanut and tree-nut free.

As I’ve been preparing for theĀ Yummy Snacks for Healthy Kids workshop in Baltimore on September 16th, two things I’ve been doing intentionally are making sure I have some allergy-friendly options AND recipesĀ that kids can help make, too.

My friend and mother of three kiddos, Missy, told me that one of the keys to getting kids to eat food is to let them be a part of the process. All of the recipes I will make (including this one!) are recipes that kids can help prepare, too.

I saw lots of examples of this snack on Pinterest but wanted to make it nut-free and school-friendly and put my own spin on it.

Whether you leave it as a solo slice (pizza-style) or put two apple rings together (sandwich-style), this snackĀ is easy to make and super versatile.

It could be made with nut butter instead of sunflower seed butter, and the possibilities for toppings (or fillings) are endless!

IMG_1276 apple sandwich apples slices blueberriesapple coconut sunbutter
Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup sunflower seed butter
  • 4 teaspoons hemp seeds
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 apple, cored and sliced
  • Topping ideas: Blueberries, shredded coconut, Enjoy Life chocolate chips, chopped nuts, raisins, goji berries, etc.

Directions

  1. Combine sunflower butter, hemp seeds, and cinnamon in a small bowl.
  2. Remove core from apple and cut apple into 1/2 inch discs.
  3. Spread sunflower butter on each apple slice and put toppings on oneĀ slice. Make an apple “sandwich” by pressing the remaining slice on top.Ā Repeat until the apple is gone! šŸ™‚

If you haven’t already, make sure you sign up for the Yummy Snacks for Healthy Kids Workshop on September 16th!

Back-to-School Sunbutter Spread {Nut-Free, Paleo}

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On August 15, 2015

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

Now that I’m back from vacation and through the craziest part of the summer, I’ve been spending some time back inĀ my happy place…my kitchen.

I’m gearing up to teach a cooking class in September called Yummy Snacks for Healthy, Happy Kids at the Institute for Integrative Health (click this link to register!)Ā and have been doing lots of recipe testing and experimenting.

My friend, Lindsay, contacted me because she found out that her son’s kindergarten is completely peanut-free.

Like most kids, he loves PB&J, so she was looking for another option.

MeetĀ sunflower seed butter AKA sunbutter :)

IMG_0739Just like its peanut and tree-nut cousins, sunflower seed butter is made by grinding up sunflower seeds until they’re smooth and creamy.

It tastes WAY more like peanut butter than almond butter does, so if you’re not a huge fan of almond butter, give sunflower seed butter a shot!

I decided to upgrade the basic sunbutter, as it’s commonly called, by adding in some hemp seeds and cinnamon.

Let’s take a look at each ingredient in this quick, easy, and tasty recipe.

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These little guys don’t get enough love, but they should! Here’s why…

  • GoodĀ source of magnesium to calm ourĀ nerves, muscles and blood vessels
  • Anti-inflammatory, containing heart healthy fats and vitamins
  • The detoxifying and cancer preventive mineral selenium
  • Rich in compounds called phytosterols that promote healthy cholesterol levels

You can find sunflower seed butter at Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Wegmans, MOMs Organic Market, most Giants, The Fresh Market, and any natural food store. It’s also sold online at Amazon and Thrive Market.

Hemp Seeds

In case itā€™s crossing your mind, theseĀ hemp seeds wonā€™t give you the ā€œhighā€ youā€™re thinking of, but they DO have lots of other benefits. Theyā€™re a great source of plant-based protein, high in healthy fats that naturally balance hormones and promote heart health, and rich in Ā fiber to keep us feeling full and satisfied.

For more benefits of hemp seeds, click here.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a naturally sweet tasting spice thatĀ helps us regulate our blood sugar, which is key for sustained energy. Check out the top 10 proven health benefits of this super spice from the folks over at Authority Nutrition.

IMG_0742 IMG_0507

Servings: 2

Ingredients*

  • 1/4 cup sunflower seed butter
  • 4 teaspoons shelled hemp seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (add more to taste)

Note: If your sunflower seed butter is salt-free and sugar-free, add a pinch of fine grain sea salt and 1 teaspoon of maple syrup for a touch of sweetness.

Directions

Stir all ingredients in a bowl with a spoon until combined. Use as a spread or dipĀ for celery, apples, pears, Mary’s Gone Crackers pretzel sticks or sandwiches. It’s versatile and delicious!Ā Make a double or quadruple batchĀ to have on hand throughout the week.

The next post will cover another fun way to use this dip, so stay tuned!

**Remember, if you want one of the 30 slots for the Yummy Snacks for Healthy, Happy Kids workshop, click here to register and get more info!**

I’d love to hear from you! What was YOUR favorite snack at school when you were a kid?

Anti-Inflammatory Berry Blast GBOMBS Smoothie {Paleo, Vegan}

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On July 21, 2015

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

I’ve been preparing for a client presentation today all about one of my favorite topics in nutrition – GBOMBS.

I’ve written about them before, but I love the acronym because it’s an easy way to remember some of the most nutrient-packed, disease-fighting, health-boosting foods on the planet, according to Dr. Joel Fuhrman:

  • Greens
  • Beans
  • Onions
  • Mushrooms
  • Berries
  • Seeds (+ Nuts)

One of the easiest ways to pack in a bunch of GBOMBS at once is in a smoothie šŸ™‚

Smoothies are also an easy way to “upgrade” our diet, adding in lots of nutrients that keep our bodyĀ clean, energized, and feeling awesome.

My husband, Bill, and I have them for breakfast almost everyĀ morning. We change them up, so we are getting a variety of nutrients from different fruits, vegetables and super foods.

Today’sĀ smoothie has a lot going for it, including beingĀ anti-inflammatory and detoxifying.

According to Dr. Mark Hyman and other functional medicine doctors and nutritionists, inflammation and toxicity are the two reasons most of us are sick and holding on to extra weight, so we want to load up on foods that help us reduce them, and this smoothie does the trick!

Check out the amazingĀ health benefits of three of theĀ key ingredients in thisĀ smoothie:

Supercharged berries

GBOMBSĀ berries

Berries

Blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries.

No matter which berries you pick, they are one of the best foods you can eat because they’re low in sugar, and their high antioxidant power helps protect our heart and contains potent anti-cancer compounds.

For these reasons and more (they taste amazing!), berriesĀ are considered one ofĀ Dr. Fuhrman’s GBOMBS foods.

A curly bunch of kale!

A curly bunch of kale!

Greens {Kale}

This superstarĀ veggie is another GBOMBS food, so it’s also loaded with anti-cancer and anti-fat storage benefits.

Leafy green veggies are the most nutrient-rich foods we can eat. That’s our goal – to get the most nutrients we can in every calorie we eat or drink. It’s one of theĀ secrets to optimal health.

Read more about kale’s amazing health benefits here.

flax

Flaxseed

Yet another GBOMBS food, flaxseed isĀ known for itsĀ anti-inflammatory properties and keeps our brain and arteries healthy due to itsĀ Omega-3 fatty acid content.

Flaxseed is also loaded with fiber, which helps regulate blood sugar (a key to staying energized!), keep us feeling full, and promote healthy digestion (keep things moving).

Make sure you grind the seeds before eating them, as it is tough for your teeth to break down the wholeĀ seeds and release all of their health benefits. My blender does a good job of this, but a coffee grinder will work, too.Ā 

Click here for more ideas to add flaxseed into your daily diet!

smoothiepic

Ingredients (ideally organic)

  • 1.5 cups unsweetened (or homemade) almond milk
  • 2Ā cups greens, loosely packed (baby kale, kale (remove stem), spinach, etc.)
  • 1 cup frozen berries (I used black raspberries in mine but any will do)
  • 1/2 frozen banana (peel it first)
  • 1 tablespoonĀ almond butter
  • 1 tablespoon flaxseed / ground flaxseed
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Optional to make it more filling: scoop of your favorite protein powder (I want to try this oneĀ and have been pretty happy with this one)

Directions

Put all ingredients in a blender in the order listed above for about 60 seconds, until you reach a smooth consistency.Ā If you don’t have a high-powered blender, blend the greens and liquid FIRST and then add the rest of the ingredients.

*As your taste buds adjust to like naturally sweet foods, you may find that adding a pitted Medjool date or a teaspoon of honey sweetens up this recipe a bit, but the berries, banana, and cinnamon are enough for me!

Mint Chocolate Chip Bliss Balls {Paleo, Vegan}

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On July 6, 2015

In Anti-Inflammatory, Clean Eating, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, My Story, Paleo, Products I Use, Recipes, Savor, Vegan, Vegetarian

Whenever I think of my birthday, I rememberĀ the mint chocolate chip ice cream cake I had EVERY YEAR growing up.Ā I looked forward to it as much as the presents.

From theĀ creamy, minty ice cream that instantly coatedĀ and cooled myĀ tongue to the chocolate crunchies layer in the middle of the ice cream bliss, thatĀ cake was the BEST.

Since removing dairy from my dietĀ a few years ago once I learned how it was triggering health issues, I’ve had to find other ways to recreate a similar experience.

Hence these little mint chocolatey bliss balls šŸ™‚

Mint Chocolate Chip Bliss BallsMint Choco Balls Aerial

They’re a serious upgrade to my Carvel cake and are full of superfoods like raw cacao powder, cacao nibs and hemp seeds. Check out just a few of the awesome benefits of these foods:

Raw Cacao Powder & Nibs: This is chocolate at its best…raw. When we hear people talk about chocolate being good for us, THIS is the stuff they’re talking about. In its raw form (cacao), chocolate is packed with anti-aging and disease-fighting antioxidants along with mood-boosting and anti-inflammatory compounds. It’s a food we can enjoy every day. Lots of my sweet treat recipes are made with raw cacao, so check them out!

Hemp Seeds: Don’t worry – in case it’s crossing your mind – theseĀ hemp seeds won’t give you the “high” you’re thinking of, but they DO have lots of other benefits. They’re a great source of plant-based protein, high in healthy fats that naturally balance hormones and promote heart health, and rich in soluble and insoluble fiber to keep us feeling full and satisfied. For more benefits of hemp seeds, click here.

So, not only are these ingredients really good for us, but these bliss balls taste aaaamazing!

You should have seen my husband Bill’s face the first time he bit into one of these. He was in heaven! šŸ™‚

Mint Choco Chip Bday Balls

Yields: 16-18 balls

Ingredients

  • 2 cups raw walnuts
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
  • 1/2 cup hemp seeds, divided
  • 1/2 cup raw cacao powder
  • 1 1/2 cups Medjool dates, pitted (about 15 dates)
  • 5 drops therapeutic grade peppermint essential oil (a little goes a long way!…or 1/2 tsp peppermint extract)
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or vanilla powder
  • 2 tablespoons raw cacao nibs

Directions

  1. Combine walnuts, 1/4 cup hemp seeds, cacao powder and sea salt in a food processor and process until finely ground, about 15-20 seconds.
  2. Add dates, peppermint oil and vanilla and process until combined.
  3. Add raw cacao nibs and pulse a few more times until everything is incorporated. Then, remove dough from the food processor and roll it intoĀ one big dough ball.
  4. Pinch off one chunk at a time to make 1-inch fudge balls. Roll balls in hemp seeds and store in the fridge, so they can firm up. After that, you can leave them in the fridge or freezer.

Enjoy šŸ™‚

mint balls

Cherry Dark Chocolate Chip Almond Butter Cookies {Gluten-Free, Paleo}

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On July 2, 2015

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

You’re in for a real treat today.

My husband, Bill, works at a summer sports camp for middle schoolers, and he brought some of these cookies to share with his co-counselors. One of them said,

“I don’t even really like cookies, but these are good!”

I’m not so sure about people who “don’t like cookies,” but I’ll take the compliment!

I’ve always loved cookies, and my first memories are of my mom’s chocolate chip cookies brought to you by none other than Nestle Tollhouse. I could do some damage on that bowl of batter…and I swear the raw eggs never made me sick šŸ™‚

There aren’t many things more awesome than licking a bowl of cookie dough batter when you’re a kid, right?

Today’s cookies aren’t quite the same, and I didn’t eat the batter, BUT they really hit the spot when I’m looking for an upgraded sweet treat.

IMG_9705

They’re soft, slightly tartĀ and chewy from the dried cherries, a little crunchy from the toasted almonds and (of course!) chocolatey.

The base?

Almond butter.Ā 

No refined flour or sugar here! But that doesn’t mean they don’t taste amazing.

Since they’re not make with any flour, they’re a bit sticky, so you’ll notice they stick together a bit if you stack them…but that’s all the more reason to grab two instead of one šŸ˜‰

cherry choco chip cookies

Cherry Dark Chocolate Chip Almond Butter Cookies ~ Rachel's Nourishing Kitchen

Almond Butter Cherry Chocolate Chip Bite

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup slivered almond, toasted and chopped
  • 1 cup almond butter
  • 1/3 cup 100% pure Grade B maple syrup
  • 1 egg (free-range, cage-free preferred)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon bakingĀ soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2/3 cup shredded coconut
  • 1/2 cup dried cherries, chopped
  • 1/2 cup Enjoy Life dark chocolate chips

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicon baking mats.
  2. Lightly toast slivered almonds in the toaster oven or on a small skillet until golden and crunchy;Ā then, coarsely chop and set aside.
  3. Meanwhile, stir together almond butter, maple syrup, egg, vanilla, salt, baking soda and baking powder until evenly combined.
  4. Stir inĀ coconut, dried cherries, chocolate chips and slivered almonds.
  5. Scoop with a cookie scoop onto cookie sheets. Bake 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned.Ā Cool on a wire rack…or eat immediately!

54 Healthy Summer Cookout Recipes {Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free}

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On June 23, 2015

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

It’s that time of year again.

SUMMER.

As a summer babyĀ who got married to a summer baby in the summer, this time of year is something I look forward to because of all of the celebrating that happens.

Like many of you, I’m also invited to lots of picnics and cookouts and always make sure to bring a yummy dish with me.

In my last post, I shared my top 10 tips to upgrade your summer cookout spread, and today I’m going to be breaking it down and giving you LOTS of recipe optionsĀ for each course. My goal is inspire you to actually make one of them instead of sending them to the Pinterest black hole šŸ™‚

Rest assured, most of these recipes have been taste-tested by my husband, friends, family and co-workers. Some are newbies I haven’t madeĀ yet but am excited to try.

If the recipe links to a post within myĀ site, you’ll know that it’s gluten-free, dairy-free, free of refined sugar and that I’ve made it and have gotten two thumbs up! šŸ™‚

mains

OurĀ FAVORITE veggie burgers are from Hilary’s Eat Well. Bill eats them every week. If you opt for beef hot dogs or burgers, make sure they are grass-fed and don’t contain any nitrites or nitrates (it will say on the package!). Applegate Organics is a great option to try for hot dogs.Ā For chicken, buy “pasture-raised” and for seafood, look for “wild caught.” After all, we ultimately eat what the animals eat, andĀ we don’t want to be eating hormones, antibiotics or pesticides!

sides and salads

Well Plated’s Red, White & Blue Quinoa Salad

dips spreads

desserts

IMG_9609

If you have any cookout-friendly recipes you’d like to share, feel free to post them below!

Easy Tangy Apple Cider Vinaigrette

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On June 11, 2015

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

I used to HATE salads.

Okay, maybe “hate” is too strong of a word.

But I didn’t like them for aĀ long time. I didn’t eat saladsĀ until I was just about forced to as a freshman in college (because I was too picky to eat anything but cereal and pasta!).

I started slowly by eating some basic raw vegetables like lettuce, carrots and celery, but it took time to build up to adding in all the creative things I now toss into my salads (everything from lentils and sprouts to pumpkin seeds and broccoli!).

I don’t know if it was a texture thing or what, but for the first year or so that I ate salads, I didn’t use salad dressing.Ā It wasn’t for health reasons either. I was just grossed out by the idea of a gloppy dressing being all over my raw veggies.

I started with squeezing some lemon juice on top. Gradually, I worked my way up to where I am now, making homemade dressings.

I haven’t looked back since!Ā It’s just so stinkin’ simple to make your own salad dressings!

ACV Vinaigrette

You basically just need oil/fat + vinegar/acid (citrus) + herbs + optional sweetener and other flavorings. Not only that, but you avoid all of the unnecessary added ingredients that extend the shelf life and flavor of the store-boughtĀ stuff (i.e., sugar, soybean oil, xanthanĀ gum, potassium sorbate, etc.).

If you do get store-boughtĀ dressings, please please please look for as fewĀ ingredients as possible and do not buy Fat Free or Lite dressings!

Why??

The vitamins in leafy green vegetables are bestĀ absorbed in the presence of fatĀ (they’re fat-soluble), so we need to eat fat with them. Plus, when companiesĀ take fat out of dressings, they add in cheap, refined oils, sugar and other stuff.

No bueno šŸ™‚

Today’s vinaigrette dressing is one of the simplest to make but is full of great flavor!

It’s aĀ little lighter than my FAVORITE dressing (the tahini-based kale salad dressing), so it’s perfect with a fresh, crisp salad on these warmer days we’ve been having lately. Try it out and let meĀ know what you think!

Tangy ACV

 

Easy Tangy Apple Cider Vinaigrette

This simple salad dressing is versatile and can be used on any salad. Raw apple cider vinegar is particularly beneficial for digestion!

  • 1/2 cup raw apple cider vinegar (with "The Mother")
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon raw honey
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme
  • 1 cup olive oil (extra virgin)

  1. Put all ingredients in a blender until combined OR put everything in a mason jar and shake until combined. Use about 2 tablespoons with a big bowl of your favorite salad fixins’!

*The fresh thyme adds an extra pop of flavor but the dressing will still taste good without it!

Sweet Potato & Egg Casserole {Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Paleo}

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On June 6, 2015

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

I’m a big fan of smoothiesĀ for breakfast, but sometimes I want to change things up and have something warm.

Plus, my husband really loves eggs, so we try to get creative with how we prepare them.

You can use any combo of vegetables you want (onions, peppers, mushrooms, broccoli, etc.), so this is a super versatile dish. It’s also a great way to easily get in several servings of vegetables. Vegetables are some of the most nourishing foods we can eat and are my top beauty-boosting, anti-aging foods.

Plus, I will eat just about anything made with sweet potatoes šŸ™‚ They are one of my favoriteĀ foods!

Try this dish for any meal – breakfast, lunch, dinner or brunch. It’s a great, crowd-pleasing casserole!

eggs banner egg casserole

Yield: 12-16 servings

Ingredients (*Organic as often as possible)

  • 2 medium, sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced thin
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil, ghee (clarified butter), or extra virgin olive oil (We use coconut oil for high heat cooking because it’s more stable when heated than olive oil.)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 red pepper, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups kale or spinach, chopped
  • 12 cage-free, pastured eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease aĀ 9×13 baking dish. (We use coconut oil or ghee (clarified butter)).
  2. Place the sweet potato rounds on the bottom of the baking dish, covering the bottom completely. You may need to make a double layer, depending on how many slices you have.
  3. Saute onions, red pepper and garlic in oil in a saute pan over medium heat until softened. Add kale or spinach and saute until wilted but still bright green.
  4. Spread sauteed vegetables evenly on top of sweet potato slices.
  5. Whisk eggs in a bowl with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes and pourĀ eggs over vegetables.
  6. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes or until eggs are set. Cut into squares and serve.

Rosemary Apple Chicken Skillet {Gluten-Free, Paleo}

By

On June 2, 2015

In Clean Eating, Dairy-Free, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Paleo, Recipes, Tips & Tricks

WeĀ JUST made the decision to renovate our kitchenĀ and dining room (YAY!) but don’tĀ want to use our small space as an excuse not to have peopleĀ over for dinner.

We were trying out aĀ new chicken recipeĀ for our friends Brian and Kara and also prepared some of our go-to staple dishes like this super simple asparagusĀ and thisĀ creamy roasted garlic cauliflower mash.

We devoured it and couldn’t get overĀ how tender and flavorful the chicken was!

Cutting the chicken into cutletsĀ makes it cook faster and more evenly on the stove than keeping the chicken breasts whole, so I included a picture of how we did that below.

The key to this recipe is giving it about 30 minutes to marinate in the fridge, which you can totally do while you’re preparing the rest of the meal.

This willĀ become a new family favorite! It’s one of the tastiest dishes we’ve ever made…and so simple!

Ingredients

  • 2 largeĀ boneless, skinless organic chicken breasts, cut in half to form 4 thin chicken cutlets (see pics below)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, minced
  • Juice from 1 lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
  • 1/2Ā teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 apples, cored and thinly sliced

Directions

  1. Combine garlic, rosemary, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper in a large plastic bag and add theĀ chicken. Massage, so the marinade evenly covers the chicken, and thenĀ put the bag in theĀ fridge forĀ about 30 minutes, so the chicken can marinate (longer if you have the time!).

    Bill cutting the chicken into thinner, faster-cooking cutlets!

    Bill cutting the chicken into thinner, faster-cooking cutlets!

  2. Heat a large saute pan over medium heat and dump contents of marinade bag onto pan, along with apple slices.
  3. SauteĀ for 5-7 minutes, tossing apples butĀ leaving chicken on one side to brown.Ā Then, flip chicken pieces to the other side and cook 5-7 more minutes or until done.

San Diego: A Healthy Foodie’s Paradise & Top 10 Places to Eat

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On May 31, 2015

In Clean Eating, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Healthy Dining, My Story, Paleo, Tips & Tricks, Vegan, Vegetarian

Eating healthy and traveling can be a challenge, but in San Diego, it is almost effortless.

With juice and smoothie bars popping up on every corner and a commitment to serving sustainable, local, fresh and nourishing cuisine, San Diego is a healthy foodie’s dream.

(Especially for someone like me who is always looking for tasty dairy-free and gluten-free options!)

My husband Bill and I recently made our first trip to California and had an amazing time exploring the relaxing and beautiful coast and eating lots of delicious and energizing food.

hello san diego san diego pics

I have to give a shout out to my friend, Janna, who was kind enough to take the time to send me a few of the recommendations below. Bill and I did some exploring on our own, too, and came across some awesome food that we wish we could have brought home with us.

Check out my top picks below for places to try the next time you’re in sunny San Diego! I will give you more details about the vibe, what we ate, and what you have to try if you go there. Here is the short list (in no particular order).

  • Vitality Tap
  • Cafe21
  • Peace Pies
  • Georges at the Cove
  • Juice Crafters
  • Hillcrest Farmers Market
  • Plumeria
  • Burger Lounge
  • Jimbos Naturally!
  • SOL CAL Cafe – HAS SINCE CLOSED

Vitality Tap

650 1st Avenue, San Diego; 619-237-7625; www.vitalitytap.com

vitality tap

The Vibe: If you do not know what to look for, you could easily miss this place. It is inside of a nutrition store. They had a list of dozens of superfood boosters, including chlorella, goji berries, lucuma powder, and chaga mushrooms that you could add to any smoothie. Which reminds me, I have been doing a lot of research about chaga mushrooms recently, as one of my friends told me that she uses them to boost her immune system. You can read more about the therapeutic potential of chaga mushrooms here: https://www.chagainsight.com. Vitality Tap also encouraged us to post a review on Yelp to get a free detox shot. Free? Sign me up šŸ™‚

What We Ate

  • Green Ingredient Smoothie (I was warned this was a pretty “intense” smoothie, due to the lack of sweetness, but I was ready for it). With a blend of greens, mango, lime, lemon, hemp seed, cucumber and spirulina, I knew it was an anti-inflammatory, detoxifying concoction that my body would love. Remember, medicine doesn’t always taste good, but people take it anyway šŸ˜‰ This is true when food is medicine, too!
  • Flexin’ Smoothie (This was Bill’s favorite)
  • Avocado Bliss Smoothie
  • Undressed Greens Juice
  • All Day Energy Shot
  • Detox Shot

Cafe21

802 5th Avenue, San Diego; 619-795-0721, www.cafe-21.com

cafe21

The Vibe: Farm-to-table restaurant in the heart of the Gaslamp district that sources its food from local farmers and distributors and is committed to crafting creative, seasonal, and delicious dishes and drinks. There is a Mediterranean vibe that I loved about this place, but their menu is eclectic and offers something for everyone. The chef was accommodating and creative when it came to my dairy and gluten-sensitivities, and any dish our servers recommended was a winner. We liked it so much that we went for dinner and brunch. It was the best thing ever to come from Tennis Lessons San Diego and sit down and eat lunch at this place.

What We Ate

Dinner

  • Lentil, Cauliflower & Chicken Soup
  • Avocado, Mushroom & Eggplant Fries with Mediterranean-inspired Red Pepper Dip & Avocado Mousse (They made it dairy-free and gluten-free for me!)
  • Sangria-Marinated Short Ribs (Bill had these and they melted off the bone)
  • Black-Eyed Peas, Mushrooms, Tomatoes, Onions & Peppers with Spaghetti Squash

Brunch

  • Garden & Vegetable Omelet Skillet with a Strawberry & Mixed Greens Side Salad
  • Mango Sweetie Hot Tea (you have to try their homemade teas!)

You Have to Trythe Avocado, Mushroom & Eggplant Fries. Our minds were blown (hence Bills face in the pic above)!

Also, if you sign up for their newsletter, they’ll send you special deals, including a free meal on your birthday!

Peace Pies

4230 Voltaire Street, San Diego; 619-223-2880; www.peacepies.com

peace pies

The Vibe: I was super excited to check out this place when I saw their menu online. It is a Bohemian cafĆ© with a locally sourced menu of raw, vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free dishes. I’m pretty sure we went to Peace Pies three times for some combination of lunch/dinner/dessert. We loved it!

What We Ate

  • Magical Mango Curry Wrap with Kale Chips
  • Mediterranean Sampler
  • Voltaire Street Tacos
  • Majestic Mediterranean Wrap
  • Banana Chocolate Coffee Pie
  • Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwich
  • Stuffed Date with Maca Cashew Butter

You Have to TryMango Curry Wrap & Kale Chips (yum x100)…and the Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwich!

Georges at the Cove

1250 Prospect Street, La Jolla; 858-454-4244, www.georgesatthecove.com

georges

The Vibe: Talk about a view. Wow. Not only was our rooftop table overlooking the Pacific picture perfect, but so was our meal. The sea was absolutely stunning and we found out from some locals that you can take a kayak tour of the sea caves in La Jolla, San Diego which will have to try next time we visit. After multiple people recommended we check out Georges, we knew we had to make it part of our trip.

What We Ate

  • Scallop Ceviche
  • Seared Yellowtail with Asparagus, Mushrooms and Red Pepper Puree
  • Fresh Fish Tacos (Bill ate tacos every day :))

You Have to TryScallop Ceviche. My co-worker, Gina, turned us on to this appetizer. She told us we absolutely had to have it, and we’re so glad we took her advice! Light, crisp and refreshing, it was a perfect start to our West Coast lunch on a breezy afternoon.

Juice Crafters

Multiple Locations; 935 Silverado Street, La Jolla; www.juicecrafters.com

juicecrafters

The Vibe: We stumbled upon this place when we were wandering around La Jolla and looking for something hydrating and energy-boosting before dinner. Juice Crafters is a family-owned cold-pressed juice and powerhouse smoothie bar whose approach is to “live well and be well.” That’s my kind of place!

What We Drank

  • Green Juice Plus

You Have to TryAnything on the menu! We only stopped by for something to hydrate us before dinner, but all of their smoothies looked good, especially the Chunky Monkey Smoothie they were advertising outside that day.

Hillcrest Farmer’s Market

3960 Normal Street, San Diego, www.hillcrestfarmersmarket.com

hillcresthillcrest2

The Vibe: Held Sundays from 9:00 a.m. ā€“ 2:00 p.m., this was our favorite of the three farmer’s markets we checked out while in San Diego. There are over 175 vendors there, so give yourself some time to explore. Take a look out all the awesome eats below!

What We Ate:

  1. Taste of Africa ā€“ This was one of our favorite meals of the whole trip…and the cheapest. For $11, each of us ordered a bowl served with jasmine rice and vegetables topped with rich and creamy (and dairy-free!) curried lentils and chopped and sautĆ©ed collard greens. Bill ordered the jerk chicken instead of the lentils, and both of us took our first bite, looked at each other and made “the face” we make whenever we’ve just tasted a little bite of heaven.
  2. Green Fix ā€“ They sell juices and smoothies that highlight vegetables as the star, unlike many smoothie places that load up on the sweet stuff. They have options that accommodate a wide range of taste preferences with varying levels of sweetness, so if you’re gungho, try a jug of the “Raw” version.
  3. Asana Foods ā€“ They have lots of unique paleo options from granola to almond butters and are known for their killer acai bowl. We bought a jar of their cardamom goji berry almond “buddah”. They ship, too, so we can order online here.
  4. Happy Pantry ā€“ Best sauerkraut around. Fermented foods like sauerkraut (something I used to hate until about a year ago!) are excellent for our digestive health, skin, and overall immunity. We loved the variety of combinations and ended up with a jar of the Power Krautage. Bill loved the kimchi as well. Definitely check out this place. The people who work there are super friendly, too.
  5. B*tchin’ Bars & Dips ā€“ I’m not one to swear on this site, but that’s the name of the company! Their paleo-friendly bars, and gluten and dairy-free dips are OUT OF THIS WORLD. They’re made with almonds instead of beans, so people who have trouble with beans might want to try out this as an alternative. My favorites were the Pesto and Bombay curry flavors, but they are all amazing! You can’t help but laugh as the guys taking your order tell you to “have a b*tchin’ day.” Here’s to not taking life too seriously šŸ™‚

Plumeria

4661 Park Boulevard, San Diego; 619-269-9989; www.myplumeria.com

plumeria

The Vibe: Described by Janna as her “favorite Thai restaurant in all of California,” we knew we had to check it out. On our last night in San Diego, we ventured to Hillcrest to check out this vegetarian restaurant. You don’t have to be a vegetarian to enjoy the food there though, so don’t let that stop you.

What We Ate

  • Spearmint Tea, Spicy Ginger Tea
  • Zen Soup
  • Ginger, Tofu & Vegetable Stir Fry
  • 5-Spice Duck Stir-Fry

You Have to TryZen Soup (one of the most delicious, flavor-packed dishes I’ve ever tried!)

Burger Lounge

Multiple Locations; Coronado Island, www.burgerlounge.com

burger lounge

The Vibe: Before we left for San Diego, we asked people about “must-see” places, and almost everyone suggested Coronado Island. We spent the morning at the beach and wandering around the island and worked up an appetite. We were debating doing one of the famed San Diego whale watching trips but just ran out of time, which was gutting! When we saw the line in front of Burger Lounge and the signs for 100% grass-fed beef, we were sold. If only other fast casual chains would get on board with having higher integrity, quality ingredients that taste delicious like Burger Lounge. I’m hopeful it will happen the more we ask for it!

What We Ate

  • Turkey Burger on a Fresh Vegetable Salad with Basil Dressing
  • The Lounge Burger (100% Grass-fed Beef Burger)

You Have to Try…Turkey Burger with Basil Dressing (YUM!) The best turkey burger I’ve ever had. Period.

Jimbos Naturally!

4S Commons Town Center, 10511 Commons Drive, San Diego, www.jimbos.com

jimbo

The Vibe & The Eats: Okay, so it’s not technically a restaurant, but I’m a sucker for cool grocery stores. I went to this place about every other day during the trip for drinks, snacks, immune booster packs (the time change wasn’t loving me), and even toiletries I had forgotten to bring.

It’s always nice to have a trusted grocery store to go to when you’re staying in a new place.

SOL CAL CafĆ© – I just learned that this place has closed, unfortunately!

Check out Cafe Gratitude instead!

910 J Street, San Diego; 619-255-2927, www.solcal.com

solcal cafe

The Vibe: With a tagline of “Healthy. Happy. Yummy,” I knew this place was for me šŸ™‚ They serve cleanse-focused juices, smoothies, elixirs and modern vegetarian eats in a cheerful, contemporary setting. One morning we ran there for breakfast and walked home. The free cucumber water was refreshing and thirst-quenching after our run.

What We Ate

  • Lively Liver Elixir (detoxifying combo of dandelion, burdock root, red clover and cinnamon)
  • Happy Greens Juice
  • Om Sweet Om Smoothie
  • Lean Green Smoothie
  • Kelp Pesto Noodles with Mushrooms & Sundried Tomatoes
  • Waffle with Berries & Cream. Deliciously dairy-free and gluten-free, Bill had these for morning one day. Don’t they look amazing?! He cleaned his plate.

We could have eaten every meal there for breakfast, lunch and dinner for two weeks and eaten something different every time. I would love to go back and try the Cacao Oatmeal, Loaded Baked Sweet Potato, and the Sol Kale Salad.

And last but not least, here are a few honorable mentions worth checking out!

Honorable Mentions

Seasons 52 (Focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients)

Cafe Gratitude (I have heard great things!)

Puesto (Bills favorite taco place. Amazing guac and yummy tacos)

BarleyMash (Not exactly known for their healthy food, but their baby kale salad with lemon vinaigrette and chicken on top was deeeelish!)

So, that’s my list! We went to a few other places, too, but those were my top 10. Have you been to San Diego? What are your favorite healthy places to eat? Feel free to leave a comment below! šŸ™‚

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