No-Bake Pumpkin Seed Protein Balls are the perfect healthy mid-day snack or quick pre/post workout fuel. They’re soft, chewy and very satisfying given that they’re loaded with good fats and protein. These no-bake balls are super easy to make and can be stored in the fridge or freezer, so you’ll always have a healthy snack ready to pop or take with you when you’re running out the door!
5 reasons why you should eat pumpkin seeds
1. High in magnesium
1/4 cup of pumpkin seeds contains nearly half of the recommended daily amount of magnesium. This important mineral is vital for many physiological functions, including proper bowel function – yet an estimated 80 percent of Americans are deficient in magnesium!
2. Restful sleep
Pumpkin seeds are high in tryptophan, which is needed for serotonin and melatonin (the “sleep hormone”) production. Both of these hormones help promote a restful night’s sleep.
3. Post-menopause symptom relief
Pumpkin seeds are rich in natural phytoestrogens which can help reduce hot flashes, headaches, joint pains and other menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women.
4. Healthy hormones
Pumpkin seeds can help naturally increase your estrogen while also providing fiber to support healthy estrogen metabolism. It’s an excellent way to create a healthy level of estrogen without leading to excess levels, also known as estrogen dominance.
5. High in antioxidants
Pumpkin seed may help fight the growth and spread of cancer cells due to their high antioxidant content. Diets rich in pumpkin seeds have been linked to a lower risk of several types of cancer, including breast, stomach, lung and colorectal cancer.
Add more pumpkin seeds to your diet with this simple no-bake protein ball recipe!
These protein balls are great for a healthy mid-day snack or quick pre/post workout fuel.
Make a batch and store them in the fridge or freezer, so you’ll always have a healthy snack ready to pop or take with you when you’re running out the door.
No-Bake Pumpkin Seed Protein Balls are the perfect healthy mid-day snack or quick pre/post workout fuel. They’re soft, chewy and very satisfying given that they’re loaded with good fats and protein. These no-bake balls are super easy to make and can be stored in the fridge or freezer, so you'll always have a healthy snack ready to pop or take with you when you're running out the door!
3/4cupPurePaleo Protein Powder, vanilla, or PurePea Protein - vegan version
1tbspraw coconut oil
2tbspsprouted pumpkin seeds, or raw
2tbsptoasted coconut chips or shredded coconut, unsweetened
1/4tspsea salt
Instructions
Put pumpkin seeds and coconut chips into food processor and process into a fine crumble. Set crumble aside on a plate.
Add pumpkin seed butter, protein powder, coconut oil, vanilla extract and sea salt into the food processor and combine ingredients. Use a spatula to scrape sides if needed. Mixture should be dense and smooth so it can be pressed together. If it's too wet, add more protein powder. If it's too dry, add more coconut oil (1 tsp at a time).
Using a teaspoon, scoop mixture and form into small balls. If balls are too sticky to form, place mixture into the freezer for 10-minutes then remove and form balls.
Roll balls into the pumpkin seed and coconut crumble then place them in large shallow glass container, so they are not touching one another.
Store protein balls in the fridge or freezer for a frozen treat. Once the balls have firmed up, feel free to stack them in a smaller container.
Burgers with Portobello “Buns” are the perfect healthy & low-carb food that can be enjoyed all year round! These burgers are also keto & paleo–and can be made AIP friendly with a couple modifications.
Fire up the BBQ or bust out the stove top pan for these juicy Burgers with Portobello “Buns”! They’re the perfect low-carb, keto & paleo burger!
Serve these burger patties open-faced or sandwich them between two portobello “buns”. Grab onto these delicious burgers with your hands or enjoy them with a fork and knife.
Dress up your burger with your favourite condiments and toppings OR give my easy smoked paprika mayo a try (see this easy recipe below).
If you’re looking for an AIP friendly burger omit the yellow mustard inside the burger patty and avoid the smoked paprika mayo topping.
Enjoy these delicious burgers with any of these healthy sides …
Burgers with Portobello "Buns" are the perfect healthy & low-carb food that can be enjoyed all year round! These juicy burgers are also keto & paleo--and can be made AIP friendly with a couple modifications.
4-8portobello mushrooms, depending on whether you want open-faced or sandwiched burgers
1tbsp.avocado oil
Sea salt & black pepper, to taste
Easy Smoked Paprika Mayo
3tbsp.avocado oil mayo, I use Chosen Foods
1/2tsp.smoked paprika
Instructions
Burger Patties
Add carrot, onion, garlic, yellow mustard, sea salt and black pepper into a food processor and process until ingredients are finely chopped.
In a bowl, combine ground beef with ingredients from food processor.
Form 4-5 burger patties using your hands. Once you've flatted the meat, press your finger into the center to form an indent in your patty (this will help cook the inside of the burger).
Cook burgers on stove top over medium heat, flipping occasionally. Cooking time will vary based on the thickness of the burger (~ 15 minutes). You can also cook your burgers on the BBQ.
Portobello Mushrooms
While burgers are cooking, remove stems from portobello mushrooms and place in a large stove top pan with oil.
Cover and cook over medium heat, flipping occasionally. Water from mushrooms should release into pan, preventing the mushrooms from burning. If there is not enough liquid, add a splash of white wine, lemon juice or water.
Once mushrooms have cooked for 10-minutes, remove lid and let any remaining juices cook off. Season with sea salt and black pepper.
Place cooked burger patties on top of portobello mushrooms, top with smoked paprika mayo (or other condiments/toppings) and close off with another portobello mushroom or leave it open-faced.
Smoked Paprika Mayo (optional)
Add mayo and smoked paprika into a small bowl and mix until ingredients are blended well.
Notes
If you're cooking the burger patties on the BBQ, feel free to cook the portobello mushrooms on the BBQ too.Need an AIP friendly burger? Omit the yellow mustard inside the burger patty and avoid the smoked paprika mayo topping.
Nutty “NOatmeal” with Blueberries is the perfect way to start your day! This grain free oatmeal is made from nuts, seeds, eggs, banana & warming spices, making it low-carb, keto & paleo. This breakfast dish will leaving you feeling satisfied and energized!
Relationship FAQ …
Q: “When did you know that your boyfriend was a keeper?”
A: “When he made me “NOatmeal” :)”
That’s right, my man makes me “NOatmeal” — and a mean latte to go with it!
I’m uncertain if it’s the act of him preparing ME breakfast (in his butt accentuating track pants) that melts my insides OR if it’s simply that his grain free oatmeal is so damn good. Whatever it is, I die and go to heaven almost every Sunday morning.
You might be wondering – “What the heck is “NOatmeal”?”
Basically, it’s oatmeal with no oats. So if you’re following a grain free, paleo, low-carb or keto diet, this recipe would be a great alternative for you.
What you need for this Nutty “NOatmeal” with Blueberries …
Nutty "NOatmeal" with Blueberries is the perfect way to start your day! This grain free oatmeal is made from nuts, seeds, eggs, banana & warming spices, making it low-carb, keto & paleo. This breakfast dish will leaving you feeling satisfied and energized!
1/4cupunsweetened coconut or almond milk, (omit if soaking nuts & seeds overnight)
1banana
1tbspalmond butter
1/2cupblueberries
Instructions
Soak nuts and seeds in a jar of water overnight. Drain and rinse thoroughly before use.
Put nuts & seeds and spices into food processor and process until everything is roughly ground.
Add eggs, banana, almond butter (and nut milk, if you didn't soak the nuts & seeds) to the food processor and continue to process until everything combines.
Add mixture into a small saucepan and turn heat to medium-low heat.
Cook until the mixture thickens (~5-minutes), stirring regularly so "NOatmeal" doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.
Transfer to a small bowl, top with fresh blueberries and enjoy!
Notes
*Soak nuts and seeds in a jar of water overnight to help make them easier to digest. Drain and rinse thoroughly before use. If you do not soak the nuts and seeds, you will need to use 1/4 cup nut milk in the recipe.
Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding is an easy and delicious way to add chia seeds to your diet! Naturally sweetened with maple syrup & bursting with the rich flavour of chocolate. This wholesome recipe makes for a great snack or dessert, especially when a chocolate craving hits!
3 ways chia seeds can support your digestive health …
1. Loaded with fiber! Chia seeds contain 11 grams of fiber per ounce, which will give you 44% of your fiber needs for the day.
2. Promotes regular bowel movements and prevents constipation. Because of their high fiber content, chia seeds help increase stool frequency which can be beneficial if you suffer from constipation.
3. Prebiotic for good gut bacteria. The fiber in chia seeds act as fuel for your beneficial gut bacteria, which are not only essential for good digestive health, but for overall health too.
Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding is an easy and delicious way to add chia seeds to your diet! Naturally sweetened with maple syrup & bursting with the rich flavour of chocolate. This rich & wholesome recipe makes for a great snack or dessert, especially when a chocolate craving hits!
Whisk all ingredients in a bowl until well combined.
Store in a glass container or jar in the fridge. Let sit for a minimum of 1-hr before consuming. The longer you let the chia seeds soak the more delicious this pudding becomes (I like to soak them overnight).
Sprinkle with cacao nibs and enjoy!
Notes
Turn this recipe into a satisfying breakfast by mixing in 1-2 scoops of Whole Body Collagen.
This Quick “Spaghetti” Bolognese is so easy to make and absolutely delicious! All you need is a handful of wholesome ingredients like spaghetti squash, ground beef, tomato passata & garlic. It’s a hearty & quick week night or weekend meal. Gluten & grain free, low-carb and paleo.
One of the dishes I missed most after going gluten & grain free was a nice big bowl of spaghetti. It truly was a heartbreaking moment in my life and it took every ounce of willpower I had to turn down pasta of any kind – especially when Nonna had anything to do with it!
Life got a little easier when I wrapped my head around this thing called a “spaghetti squash” – and eventually I saw the light again once I mastered this pale yellow oval vegetable/fruit!
I’m no longer deprived of one of my favourite childhood dishes – and can eat a giant bowl of this “spaghetti” without feeling “heavy” or bloated. ‘Spaghetti Sunday’ is officially back!
Nutrition facts: Spaghetti squash vs. real spaghetti
Real spaghetti– 43 grams of carbs/cup & 220 calories/cup
Spaghetti squash is a great alternative if;
you want to lose weight (lower carbs & calories + more nutrients = weight loss)
you have IBS or gut issues (since gluten and grains can aggravate symptoms)
you have diabetes (lower carb foods = better blood sugar levels)
you’re following a paleo, keto or low-carb diet
Give this light, satisfying and delicious Quick “Spaghetti” Bolognese recipe a try. It’s a ‘kiss your finger tips then toss them away from your lips’ kind of dish!
This Quick "Spaghetti" Bolognese is so easy to make and absolutely delicious! All you need is a handful of wholesome ingredients like spaghetti squash, ground beef, tomato passata & garlic. It's a hearty & quick week night or weekend meal. Gluten & grain free, low-carb and paleo.
Cut spaghetti squash lengthwise and remove seeds with spoon.
Bake at 400 for 30-40 min (first 10-min bake with flesh down, then turn so skin is down for remaining time). Fork should pierce skin easily when squash is cooked. Note: Cooking time varies depending on the size of the squash. Check regularly to avoid overcooking the squash. You want the noodles to be ‘al dente’. Time your spaghetti squash so that it’s done cooking around the same time as your sauce, so your noodles don’t cool.
Use a fork to scrape out the strands of squash.
Quick Bolognese Sauce
In a sauce pan, briefly sauté garlic and dried basil in olive oil over medium heat. If you are using fresh basil, add basil leaves in after step 2.
Add tomatoes and bring to a light boil for 5 minutes. Add salt to taste.
Bring to medium-low heat and let simmer for 20-minutes.
In a separate pan, cook ground beef over medium heat until lightly browned. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Add tomato sauce into pan with beef and let ingredients cook together over medium-low heat for a few minutes.
Place quick bolognese sauce on top of spaghetti squash and enjoy!
Keyword dairy free, gluten free, grain free, grass fed beef, healthy italian recipes, Italian recipes, spaghetti squash, tomato sauce
This Honey Lemon Ginger Jello is a great healthy snack with gut healing properties. It contains simple and powerful ingredients like gelatin, ginger, lemon & honey. Perfect for those following an AIP, paleo, keto or low-carb lifestyle!
Food and supplements have played an important role in my journey with IBS.
Over the years I have developed a solid list of ‘best foods/supplements for gut support’ that I incorporate into my diet regularly to maintain the health of my gut – and help heal it when needed – so it can function optimally.
Gelatin is on my list of ‘best foods/supplements for gut support’ and here’s why …
Gelatin can improve digestion by enhancing gastric acid secretion which is important in breaking down the food we consume. Without proper digestion, we cannot absorb all the important nutrients we get from food, which can lead to nutrient deficiency in the long term.
In addition, gelatin can help to repair the mucosal lining in the stomach which is often damaged in those suffering from IBS. A damaged gut lining can cause a long list of symptoms and inflammatory reactions.
Homemade jello is a fun and easy way to incorporate gelatin into your diet. Give this Honey Lemon Ginger Jello a try. It’s healthy jello for adults and kids!
This Honey Lemon Ginger Jello is a great healthy snack with gut healing properties. It contains simple and powerful ingredients like gelatin, ginger, lemon & honey. Perfect for those following an AIP, paleo, keto or low-carb lifestyle!
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.
