Gluten Free Carrot Pecan Muffins are the perfect homemade treat for the spring & Easter season! They’re soft, moist and filled with flavourful spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. These muffins are made with simple and natural ingredients like almond flour, carrots, eggs, coconut oil, pecans & maple syrup, so you can feel good about enjoying them!
DID YOU KNOW? Carrots are rich in beta carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A. This nutrient promotes good vision and is important for growth, development, and immune function.
However, beta-carotene is a fat soluble nutrient that needs to be coated in fat for greatest absorption. In addition, the absorption rate is better (up to 6.5-fold) if the carrots are cooked vs. raw.
Lastly, opt for whole carrots vs. baby carrots. Baby carrots are misshapen mature carrots that have been shaved down to a smaller more uniform size. The outer part that’s thrown away is much more nutritious than the inner core. The greatest concentration of nutrients is in the skin and the tissue right below it. When you remove the outer portion of the carrots, you also remove on-third of its phytonutrients.
So, to get the most health benefits from carrots, buy them whole then cook (sauté, steam, bake) them in a high-quality fat like avocado oil, coconut oil or olive oil.
Boost your beta-carotene intake by adding carrots to your homemade healthy treats. Try these yummy Carrot Pecan Muffins. They’re perfect for the Easter and Spring season!
What you need for Gluten Free Carrot Pecan Muffins:
Gluten Free Carrot Pecan Muffins are the perfect homemade treat for the spring & Easter season! They're soft, moist and filled with flavourful spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. These muffins are made with simple and natural ingredients like almond flour, carrots, eggs, coconut oil, pecans & maple syrup, so you can feel good about enjoying them!
1cupfinely shredded carrots, I used a food processor for this
1/2cupchopped pecans
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350F and place liners in muffin tray.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk almond flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda and salt.
Mix in eggs, oil, and maple syrup.
Stir in the shredded carrots and chopped pecans.
Distribute batter evenly in the muffin tray.
Bake for 20 minutes. Let cool before removing from tin. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or store in the freezer for longer.
Notes
TIME SAVER TIP: Use a food processor for steps 2 & 3, if you have one.
Mediterranean Tuna Salad is the perfect quick and healthy lunch recipe! It’s super easy to prepare with just 6 simple ingredients needed and zero cooking time. This delicious salad recipe is paleo, low-carb, keto and can be made AIP by substituting tomatoes for cucumbers, olives or avocado.
DID YOU KNOW? Tuna fish is right up there with other healthy types of fish, such as salmon, when it comes to nutrition — it packs a good amount of protein and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
Tuna’s high protein content makes it an excellent addition to a weight loss diet since it can help reduce your appetite, prevent cravings and keep you feeling fuller for longer.
In addition, protein makes up the foundation of your hair, skin, nails and muscles; is crucial for the synthesis of certain enzymes and hormones; and is used for the growth and repair of tissues.
So, including more tuna fish in your diet can help provide your body with the protein that you need.
Lastly, tuna is rich in omega-3 fatty acids (a.k.a. fish oil), which may be able to alleviate inflammation and reduce the risk of disease. Fish oil has potent anti-inflammatory properties, and multiple studies have shown that it could be therapeutic for autoimmune conditions like Crohn’s disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.
NOTE: Stick to wild types of tuna that are caught using the Pacific troll or pole and line methods. Also, avoid Atlantic bluefin tuna, which may have a negative impact on both the environment and your health because it is over-fished and often farm-raised.
Mediterranean Tuna Salad is the perfect quick and healthy lunch recipe! It's super easy to prepare with just 6 simple ingredients needed and zero cooking time. This delicious salad recipe is paleo, low-carb, keto and can be made AIP by substituting tomatoes for cucumbers, olives or avocado.
6cherry tomatoes, halved, (replace with olives, cucumbers or avocado for AIP version)
2tbspextra virgin olive oil
1tbspbalsamic vinegar
1/2tspdried oregano
Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
In a bowl or container, add greens, tuna, tomatoes, oregano, salt and pepper.
If you're eating right away, drizzle with olive oil and vinegar and toss. If you're taking it to go in a container, drizzle with olive oil and vinegar then shake container right before you eat to coat ingredients.
Notes
Replace tomatoes with olives, cucumbers or avocado for AIP version.
This Paleo Tuna Pizza is absolutely delicious and the perfect recipe for your next pizza night! It’s gluten, grain & dairy free, making it the ideal pizza for anyone following a paleo diet.
Cassava health benefits
DID YOU KNOW? Cassava is high in resistant starch, a type of starch that bypasses digestion and feeds the beneficial bacteria in your gut, which can support digestive health.
There are hundreds of different species of bacteria in your intestine. In fact, the bacteria in your intestine outnumber the body’s cells 10 to 1 — WOW!Science has discovered that the number and type of bacteria can have a profound impact on your health.
Whereas most foods feed only 10% of your cells, fermentable fibers and resistant starches feed the other 90%. Resistant starch not only feeds the friendly bacteria in your intestine, but it MAY bind to & expel “bad” bacteria, having a positive effect on the type of bacteria as well as their number.
In addition, resistant starch has also been studied to for its ability to contribute to better metabolic health and reduce the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. This is due to its potential to improve blood sugar control, in addition to its role in promoting fullness and reducing appetite.
NOTE: Products made from cassava, such as flour, do contain resistant starch, but the levels are lower than in cassava root that has been cooked and then cooled in its whole form.
The best cassava flour pizza crust
This cassava flour pizza crust was created by Otto’s Naturals, one of the leading suppliers of cassava flour. You can get the original recipe here or check out the recipe below.
The texture and taste truly resembles regular pizza crust. The BF and I have been super excited to come up with different toppings for this awesome crust. We created this Paleo Tuna Pizza Mediterranean Style this past weekend and absolutely loved it! Let us know what you think in the comments section below 🙂
This paleo tuna pizza is absolutely delicious and the perfect recipe for your next pizza night! It's gluten, grain & dairy free, making it the ideal pizza for anyone following a paleo diet. The texture and taste of cassava flour pizza crust truly resembles regular pizza crust, so you won't be disappointed by yet another gluten free pizza.
1cupcassava flour, I recommend Otto's cassava flour
1tbspcoconut flour
5tbsparrowroot flour
1tspsalt
1tspgarlic powder, optional
1egg
¼cupavocado oil
Toppings
114-ounce can plum tomatoes, drained and crushed
1can wild skipjack tuna, drained
2clovesgarlic, minced
1tspfresh thyme, chopped
1tspfresh rosemary, chopped
1tbspcapers, drained
½red pepper, sliced thin
Hot red pepper flakes, to taste
Sea salt, to taste
2tbspextra virgin olive oil
Instructions
Prepare yeast mix: In a small bowl, add warm water and honey. Mix to dissolve. Sprinkle yeast in. Mix to dissolve. Set aside for 5-10 minutes to activate. It will get foamy on top.
Mix dry ingredients in large mixing bowl to combine.
Lightly whisk eggs and olive oil together in a small bowl.
Add egg mixture and activated yeast to the dry ingredients.
Mix to form a dough ball. Transfer ball to an oiled bowl, cover with dish towel and set aside in a warm place (70-80 F is ideal) to rise for 1 hour. It will not double in size, but it will rise a little.
Once dough has risen, preheat oven to 550 F. Preheat pizza stone, baking sheet or metal pan.
Place the dough on parchment paper. Place a piece of parchment paper over the dough (if necessary) and shape dough with your hands by pushing down (on top of parchment, so it doesn’t stick) and roll with rolling pin. Flatten your pizza about 1/8-1/4 inch thin. Roll the crust thick or thin (to your liking) by shaping with your fingers and rolling the edges. Use extra cassava flour if dough is sticking. NOTE: Split the dough in half before rolling it out to make two smaller pizzas.
Season tomatoes with half the garlic and sea salt then spread over the rolled out dough.
Break up the tuna in a bowl then add 1 tbsp olive oil, remaining garlic and thyme & rosemary. Combine ingredients then spread over the tomatoes. Add hot pepper flakes, capers, and strips of red pepper. Drizzle 1 tbsp olive oil over the entire pizza.
Lift the whole piece of parchment paper with pizza on top and transfer to the preheated baking sheet.
Bake in the oven for 8-12 minutes until dough is firm and slightly golden, pulling out halfway and removing parchment paper. For a crispier golden crust, allow a few more minutes. Allow more time if cooking at lower temperature.
Picadillo (pee-cah-DEE-yo) is an Latin American dish that combines ground or finely chopped beef, vegetables, olives and dried fruit. It’s easy to make and there are so many ways to enjoy this flavourful dish, including with tostones!
Depending on the region and personal customs, picadillo serves as a main dish, often accompanied by rice and beans, or as a filling for empanadas, chiles rellenos, tamales, tacos, stuffed potatoes and more.
Since tostones have been a hot menu item for me lately, I decided to pair this dish with these delicious golden bites on the side. Tostones not only make this dish hearty, but they also do a great job of soaking up the sauce! A great complement to this dish, if I do say so myself 🙂 Find my recipe for Tostones here.
Here are a few other healthy ways to enjoy picadillo:
Picadillo (pee-cah-DEE-yo) is an Latin American dish that combines ground or finely chopped beef, vegetables, olives and dried fruit. It’s easy to make and there are so many ways to enjoy this flavourful dish, including with tostones!
1/8cupdates, pitted & sliced (omit for Keto/Low-Carb version)
Instructions
In a pot, heat avocado oil over medium-high then brown meat. Set meat aside in a bowl.
Reduce heat to medium and add onions and peppers. Sauté until onions are slightly caramelized. Add garlic and cook for a minute.
Add paprika, cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt and black pepper--stir for a minute until spices become fragrant. Add chicken stock and stir, scrapping off brown-bits at the bottom of the pot. Add in the browned beef, bay leaf, olives and dates. Mix to combine ingredients.
Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover with a lid and cook for 1-hour. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
When the picadillo is 20-minutes from being ready, prepare the tostones (get the recipe here) OR other choice of side.
Serve picadillo in a shallow bowl and place tostones around.
Double Chocolate Banana Muffins are delicious & bursting with rich chocolate flavour! These healthy paleo muffins are free of gluten & dairy and packed with all the good stuff, including quality protein and healthy fats. Even better, they’re naturally sweetened with ripe bananas, so they’ll keep you on track with your health and weight loss goals.
If you love my Chocolate Chunk Banana Muffins then I’m about to make your palate explode with this spin on one of my most popular recipes to date!
I’ve upped the flavour on these muffins by adding more rich chocolate flavour plus an optional crumble that can be used on top.
These muffins are a great breakfast option on days when you’re running out the door. They also make for a delicious healthy snack or treat.
Let me know your thoughts on this recipe. I hope you enjoy them as much as my boyfriend does 🙂
TIP: Make a batch and store them in the freezer. Simply grab one whenever you need quick fuel…They thaw out within 10-15 minutes. If you plan to eat the batch within a week, they can be stored in the fridge.
What you need for Double Chocolate Banana Muffins
Eggs*
Coconut oil
Bananas
Honey or maple syrup (optional) Coconut flour Almond flour Cacao or cocoa powder
Baking powder
Dark chocolate chips
*Do you have an allergy or intolerance to eggs? Use one of the egg substitutes in the recipe notes below.
Want more delicious & wholesome muffin recipes? Then you’ve got to try these …
Double Chocolate Banana Muffins are delicious & bursting with rich chocolate flavour! These healthy paleo muffins are free of gluten & dairy and packed with all the good stuff, including quality protein and healthy fats. Even better, they’re naturally sweetened with ripe bananas and only a tiny amount of extra sweetener, so they’ll keep you on track with your health and weight loss goals.
Beat eggs in bowl, mash bananas with a fork on a plate, then add all wet ingredients together and mix thoroughly.
Mix all dry ingredients in a separate bowl then add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and continue to mix until a thick smooth batter is formed. (Note: Steps 2 & 3 can be done using a food processor to make things easier.)
Add chocolate chips to batter and mix in with a spatula.
Optional step for toppings: Add walnuts and coconut chips to food processor and pulse until a crumble is formed. If you don't have a food processor, put ingredients in a bag and crush with the bottom of a mug or can. Mix in dark chocolate chips.
Fill muffin tins 3/4 of the way with batter. Add toppings (optional).
Bake for 18-20 minutes. Let cool before removing from tin.
Notes
Substitute with 4 flax eggs or 4 chia eggs for egg free version ...
1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water (whisk until gelatinous and creamy) = 1 egg
1 tbsp chia seeds + 3 tbsp water (Stir and allow to rest for 15 minutes) = 1 egg
Steps 2 & 3 can be done using a food processor to make things easier.
Sausage & Butternut Squash Skillet makes for a wonderful dinner during the fall and winter. The combination of warming spices, butternut squash and sweet Italian sausage creates a recipe that’s heartwarming and healthy–not to mention, low-carb and paleo too!
DID YOU KNOW? Butternut squash has over four times the recommended daily value of vitamin A and over half the recommended intake of vitamin C in just one serving!
Vitamin A has the ability to fight diseases like cancer and autoimmune disorders, it can also help prevent the common cold and other infections. Part of how it protects against such a large number of infections and diseases is because vitamin A reduces inflammation, which is at the root of most diseases.
Inflammation is generally caused by an overactive immune system that attacks more than it should. Vitamin A helps to keep your immune system in balance therefore reducing inflammation.
In addition, butternut squash contains high amounts of vitamin C, anothercommon immune system booster that not only helps prevent and treat colds, but also lessens or inhibits the development of more serious conditions from common infections.
Consider adding more butternut squash to your diet to help boost vitamin A & C. Try this yummy Sausage & Butternut Squash skillet.
What you need for Sausage & Butternut Squash Skillet
Sweet Italian sausage (find pastured pork sausage here)
Butternut squash
Chicken broth
Onion
Garlic
Fresh sage
Fennel seed
Ground cloves or ground allspice
Crushed red pepper
Ground nutmeg
Avocado oil
Sea salt & black pepper
Want more wholesome squash recipes? You’re going to love these …
Sausage & Butternut Squash Skillet makes for a wonderful dinner during the fall and winter. The combination of warming spices, butternut squash and sweet Italian sausage creates a recipe that's heartwarming and healthy--not to mention, low-carb and paleo too!
1 1/2poundsbutternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes*
1largeonion, chopped
4clovesgarlic, sliced
1tsp.crushed red pepper
1/4tsp.ground nutmeg
1/2cuporganic chicken broth
Sea salt, to taste
Ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
In a medium bowl, mix sausage, finely chopped sage, fennel seed, cloves/all spice and ground black pepper.
In a large skillet with a lid, heat oil over medium-high. Add the sausage mixture and cook, breaking into large pieces until browned.
Add the squash, onion, garlic, crushed red pepper, nutmeg and coarsely chopped sage; season with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften, 2 to 3 minutes.
Add broth and cover. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the squash is tender, 18 to 20 minutes.
Notes
* TIME SAVER: You can find containers of peeled and cubed butternut squash at most grocery stores.
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.
