Wild Salmon with Pesto is the not only super healthy, but real quick and easy to make! All you need is fresh wild salmon, dairy free pesto and 20-minutes. Paleo, low-carb & keto.
DID YOU KNOW? Wild salmon is high in Vitamin D.
On average, wild-caught salmon contains 988 IU of vitamin D per 3.5-ounce or 165% of the RDI. Some studies have found even higher levels in wild salmon — up to 1,300 IU per serving!
Up to 50% of the world’s population may not get enough sun causing many people to be deficient in vitamin D. This is partly because people spend more time indoors, wear sunblock outside and eat a Western diet low in good sources of this vitamin.
Vitamin D deficiency is linked to everything from skin problems to weight gain to autoimmune disease to cancer and heart disease.
This stresses the need for all of us to get plenty of sun exposure, and supplement or eat vitamin D-rich foods, such as wild salmon, on a regular basis.
Pair Wild Salmon with Pesto with one of these healthy sides …
Wild Salmon with Pesto is the not only super healthy, but real quick and easy to make! All you need is fresh wild salmon, dairy free pesto and 20-minutes. Paleo, low-carb & keto.
Do you remember the days when you use to ride your pedal bike out to the local convenience store, pull out couch change from your pockets and go to town on Sour Keys, Fun Dip, Ring Pops, Big Foot – and a giant Freezie if you had enough coin?!?!
If I had to draw “Jen’s Food Plate” (from age 4 to 24), I’m certain 50% of that plate consisted of candy. No doubt about it, I was hooked on the white crystals.
Going back to my little Jen days, I remember Halloween (and the months following) being a VERY stressful time of the year for me. I turned into a top secret agent trying to hide my hard earned candy from my three sugar hungry brothers!
I’d hide out under tables and in closets munching on Mars bars and Skittles, hoping that no one would see me or the killer hiding spots I had for my sack of gold (aka. plastic grocery bag of sugar). AND if my brothers managed to find and tap into my stash, little Jen grew mean and Sour Ball green!
My days of popping Cherry Blasters should have ended in my teens, BUT instead, University was the peak of my sugar addiction! I remember late night candy runs to the 7 Eleven down the street from my dorm. My roommates and I would load up on bags of candy to get us through our late night study sessions.
Then check out this brilliant move I made … during my last years of school, I moved into a condo that had a Tutti Frutti candy store attached to it! Let’s just say, things spiraled down at that point – and it didn’t look as pretty as the spiral on a Lollipop.
You might be wondering what happened after my University days? Well, the muffin top growing out of my jeans was enough for me to kick my 20 + years of sugar addiction. “Jen’s Food Plate” from age 25 onward changed drastically – and so did my health because of it.
Knowing what I know now, I realize that all the refined sugar I was consuming (in combination with other low-quality foods) had a lot to do with issues I was dealing with like acne, psoriasis, messed up and painful periods, mood swings, fatigue, weight gain, and IBS.
I was able to correct many of these issues by cleaning up my diet and steering clear of “foods” that contained refined sugars. I never want to go down the path of sugar addiction again so I do my best to avoid foods that may be a trigger for me.
FAQ ..
Q: Do you miss candy? A: Um, ya! Who wouldn’t?! ?
Q: Was it hard to kick your sugar cravings? A: Yes, but only for the first 2-weeks or so, then I was able to re-engage with society. ?
Q: What do you eat now when you crave candy while binge watching Game of Thrones with your BF? A: SmartSweets!!! ?
That’s right, I eat candy again – and I’m proud of it!
I never thought I’d see the day where I’d be munching on a bag of Gummy Bears or Sweet Fish (my personal favourite) and not feel guilty or shitty for it.
SmartSweets are brilliant – and I highly recommend them if you’re looking for a healthy, sugar free candy to satisfy your sweet tooth.
FRUITY GUMMY BEARS: Soluble fibre from tapioca, gelatin, chicory root fibre, citric acid, malic acid, fruit and vegetable juice (for colour), natural fruit flavour, coconut oil, stevia leaf extract, carnauba wax. GET IT HERE!
SOUR GUMMY BEARS: Soluble fibre from tapioca, chicory root fiber, gelatin, lactic acid, citric acid, rice flour, malic acid, fumaric acid, natural fruit flavor, fruit and vegetable juice (for color), coconut oil, stevia, carnauba wax. GET IT HERE!
SWEET FISH: Soluble fibre from tapioca, pectin, natural fruit flavor, citric acid, malic acid, carrageenan, fruity and vegetable juice (for color), coconut oil, stevia leaf extract, carnauba wax. GET IT HERE!
SOUR BLAST BUDDIES: Soluble fibre from tapioca, lactic acid, pectin, chicory root fiber, rice flour, fumaric acid, malic acid, citric acid, fruity and vegetable juice (for color), natural fruit flavor, coconut oil, carrageenan, spirulina extract (for color), stevia leaf extract, carnauba wax. GET IT HERE!
This easy Dairy Free Pesto is the perfect complement to so many dishes! It’s quick to make and adds a ton of flavour to vegetables, meat, fish & even eggs! Plant-based, paleo, low-carb & keto. AIP version provided (see recipe notes).
Is your herb garden bursting with the amazing aroma of fresh basil? Or maybe you’re like me and just adore the smell and taste of this beautiful herb?
Summer is the perfect time to create fresh and flavourful pesto sauce since you can easily find fresh basil in the grocery stores, at farmer’s markets and in your own backyard if you’re the green thumb type!
From time to time I make a batch of pesto and store it in a small mason jar in my fridge. This makes it super easy to add fresh flavour to almost all my dishes throughout the week. You can also store your pesto in the freezer for longer (ice cubes trays are great for this).
Pesto goes great with a variety of whole foods including:
DID YOU KNOW? Traditionally, basil has been used to help reduce bloating and water retention, stomach cramps, acid reflux, and even to kill stomach worms or parasites. In addition, basil can help restore the body’s proper pH by balancing acid levels. Healthy bacteria can flourish in the gut when acid levels are balanced which leads to better digestion and a stronger immune system.
This easy Dairy Free Pesto is the perfect complement to so many dishes! It's quick to make and adds a ton of flavour to vegetables, meat, fish & even eggs! Plant-based, paleo, low-carb & keto. See AIP version in recipe notes.
Pulse basil, pine nuts and garlic in food processor. Scrape sides if needed.
Slowly stream in olive oil as the food processor is running on low. Scrape sides occasionally.
Stir in sea salt and black pepper after processing.
Use right away or store in an air-tight jar in the fridge. Use within a week or store in the freezer for up to a month (ice cube trays are great for this).
Notes
For AIP version, omit pine nuts and black pepper and add 1 tbsp nutritional yeast.
This refreshing Strawberry Pineapple Smoothie is the perfect summer time drink for when you’re chilling on the porch or kickin’ it poolside! It’s not only delicious, but packed with antioxidants and vitamins–and sweetened with Mother Nature’s candy. Only 3 simple ingredients needed to make this AIP, paleo and plant-based friendly cold drink!
DID YOU KNOW? Pineapples contain a group of digestive enzymes known as bromelain.
Bromelain is a mixture of proteolytic enzymes which work together to help your digestive system break down and absorb proteins from the foods you eat.
These enzymes can be especially helpful for people with pancreatic insufficiency, a condition in which the pancreas cannot make enough digestive enzymes.
Additionally, bromelain from pineapple can help relieve stomach aches, heartburn and diarrhea, according to some research.
This refreshing Strawberry Pineapple Smoothie is the perfect summer time drink for when you're chilling on the porch or kickin' it poolside! It's not only delicious, but packed with antioxidants and vitamins--and sweetened with Mother Nature's candy. Only 3 simple ingredients needed to make this AIP, paleo and plant-based friendly cold drink!
3 Ways Gelatin Can Support Gut Health and Digestion
1. Aids in gut repair. Gelatin is beneficial for preventing intestinal damage and repairing the lining of the digestive tract, thereby preventing “leaky gut”. The gut lining is one of the body’s most important lines of defense, since it keeps food particles, bacteria and yeast inside the digestive system (where they belong) and prevents them from entering the bloodstream, which triggers inflammation.
2. Promotes enzymes and stomach acid that break down food. When you don’t produce enough enzymes/stomach acid, you can experience common digestive problems like heartburn, gas, bloating, indigestion, diarrhea, etc. Older people often experience more digestive problems because their stomach acid decreases during the aging process and is worsened by increased stress levels. Gelatin can improve your ability to produce stomach acid and enzymes that are needed for proper digestion and nutrient absorption.
3. Improves bloating and constipation. Gelatin is capable of absorbing water and fluids, which helps prevent fluid retention and stomach bloat while improving constipation.
Jello is a great and easy way to add gelatin to your diet. Give my Lemon Raspberry Jello recipe a try. It’s healthy jello for adults and kids!
Lemon Raspberry Jello
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup frozen raspberries
3/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup grass-fed gelatin
3 tbsp. honey
4-5 drops lemon essential oil (food-grade) or 1 tsp. lemon zest
Get 24% off all Young Living essential oils (including food-grade oils) here.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Add raspberries and citrus juice to blender and blend until pureed.
2. Add puree into a saucepan along with gelatin and honey and whisk together. It will be a thick paste to start.
3. Turn heat to low and continue whisking ingredients (5-10 minutes) until mixture becomes thin.
4. Whisk in lemon essential oil or lemon zest towards the end.
5. Pour mixture into a glass dish or into molds. Place in the fridge for 1-hour to set.
6. Remove from molds or cut into squares and enjoy!
Chicken Burgers with Cilantro Aioli & Zoodles is a tasty dinner recipe that you’ll want to make time and time again! These golden burgers are easy to make and taste like chicken nuggets, but they’re way healthier for you. Gluten, grain & dairy free + low-carb, keto & paleo. AIP version provided.
I never thought I’d see the day where a chicken burger would find its way to the top of my list of favourite dishes, but the day has come.
I didn’t think much of these sticky patties as I cursed at them while struggling to roll them into balls. BUT after just one bite of this golden burger with cilantro aioli, I thought I was eating a chicken nugget! The combination of flavours was bang on – and for all the cilantro haters out there, you could hardly even taste it.
I had a big bag of organic zucchini from Costco in my fridge, so I got a little creative and made some tasty zoodles as a base for the chicken burgers. It turned out to be a great complement to the burgers.
Now check out this awesome keto & paleo friendly recipe. It may just make it to the top of your list of fav foods too!
What you need for Chicken Burgers with Cilantro Aioli & Zoodles:
Chicken Burgers with Cilantro Aioli & Zoodles is a tasty dinner recipe that you'll want to make time and time again! These golden burgers are easy to make and taste like chicken nuggets, but they're way healthier for you. Gluten, grain & dairy free + low-carb, keto & paleo. AIP version provided.
Add mayo and cilantro into a small bowl and mix together. Set aside in fridge until ready to serve.
Burger Patties
Add all burger patty ingredients into a bowl and combine using your hands.
Form 4 large burger patties. Once you've flatted the patty, press your finger into the center to form an indent in the patty (this will help cook the center of the burger).
Cover bottom of frying pan with avocado oil and set temperature to medium-high.
Add burgers to pan when oil is hot and cook over medium heat, flipping occasionally. Burgers should get golden as they cook. Cooking time will vary based on the thickness of the burger (~10-15 minutes).
Zoodles
Spiralize zucchini and set aside in a bowl.
While burger patties are cooking, use a separate pan and sauté garlic in olive oil until fragrant (medium heat).
Add in zucchini noodles and toss using tongs to coat noodles in oil.
Add salt and pepper and continue to toss. Cook for 5-minutes then transfer to plates.
Add chicken burgers on top of zoodles, top with cilantro aioli (or other toppings of choice) and enjoy!
Notes
For AIP version: Omit cumin in burger patties and the cilantro aioli topping. Instead top burger patties with AIP friendly burger toppings like sliced avocado (or guacamole), pickles, onions, etc.
My mission is to help women heal their gut, lose weight and feel great through simple and delicious smoothies, whole food nutrition & healthy lifestyle habits.
