Beet Mash (AIP, Low-Carb, Paleo)

Beet Mash (AIP, Low-Carb, Paleo)

Beet Mash is the perfect side to your next meal! It’s high in fibre, low in carbs and bursting rich and creamy flavours. This mash recipe is great if you’re following an AIP, low-carb, plant-based or paleo diet.

DID YOU KNOW? Beets are an excellent source of disease-fighting phytonutrients called betalains which have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Betalains are also responsible for providing beets with their vibrant color. Studies show that these potent pigments may help protect against the development of certain types of cancer and disease.

Try my Beet Mash recipe below. It’s versatile and can be enjoyed warm or cold …

  • Use as a side to your meat or fish dishes.
  • Enjoy topped with fried eggs.
  • Use as a dip or spread for crackers, sliced veggies or wraps.
  • Mix with canned wild fish for a quick and healthy meal.

Looking for more ways to add beets to your diet? Try this Beet & Blueberry Smoothie!

Beet Mash

What you need for Beet Mash:

Looking for more healthy sides for your next meal? You’ll love these …

Beet Mash

Beet Mash

Beet Mash is the perfect side to your next meal! It's high in fibre, low in carbs and bursting rich and creamy flavours. This mash recipe is great if you're following an AIP, low-carb, plant-based or paleo diet.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Low-Carb, Paleo, Plant-Based
Servings: 3

Equipment

  • Blender

Ingredients
 

  • 2 cups peeled & sliced red beets, or 10 oz bag frozen beets
  • 1 head cauliflower, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, skin on
  • 1/2 cup full fat coconut milk, more if needed
  • 1 tsp dried rosemary
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil
  • Sea salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • Coat vegetables and skin-on garlic in oil, rosemary and salt. Place on a pan and bake at 350F for 40 minutes.
  • Remove skin from garlic and put in a food processor or blender along with cooked veggies and coconut milk. Process/blend until a smooth mash is formed. Add more coconut milk if needed.
  • Use right away or store in fridge for use during the week.
Keyword beets, cauliflower, coconut milk, mash, side dish, vegetables

 

Healthy Cheese Board (Gluten Free, Keto)

Healthy Cheese Board (Gluten Free, Keto)

Whether you’re looking for a healthy appetizer board for your next dinner party or you just need some snacks to pair with a bottle of wine – this Healthy Cheese Board is the perfect option.

Let’s talk about dairy …

There’s no question that dairy doesn’t work for everyone. Some people are allergic to or intolerant of the proteins in dairy, while others are highly sensitive to lactose, the sugar in dairy.

According to Chris Kresser, Functional Medicine Doctor, why dairy benefits some people and causes problems for others boils down to the health of the gut.

“If someone has compromised intestinal permeability, or “leaky gut”, it’s more likely that their immune system will respond to potentially allergenic components in milk such as alpha- and beta-casein, casomorphin and butyrophillin.

This is especially true for people who are gluten intolerant, because it has been shown that milk proteins commonly cross-react with gluten. Put another way, if you react to gluten, it’s more likely that you’ll also react to milk.

Along these same lines, people with small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) – which is one of the major causes of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – may be more likely to react to milk because the bacteria in their small intestine aggressively ferments lactose, the sugar in milk, causing gas, bloating and other G.I. symptoms.” Read more HERE.

If you’re not sure where you stand with dairy, the best approach is to remove it for 30 days and then reintroduce and see what happens. Elimination/reintroduction is still the gold-standard for determining sensitivity to a particular food.

If you are lactose intolerant, there’s good news … You may be able to enjoy some dairy since many types of cheese naturally have very low or non-measurable amounts of lactose.

Soft cheeses tend to have more lactose than hard cheeses. In addition, as cheese ages, it loses even more moisture, therefore the longer a cheese has been aged, the less lactose will remain in the final product.

Here’s a list of cheese types that are aged for long periods of time and are likely to have very small or non-measurable levels of lactose:

  • Cheddar (aged 12+ months)
  • Swiss (ages 14+ months
  • Gouda (aged 18+ months)
  • Parmigiano-Reggiano (aged 12 to 24 months)
  • Grana Padano (aged 12 to 20 months)
  • Mimolette (aged 22 months)
  • Romano (aged 3 to 4 years)

Give this fresh and delicious cheese board a try. Feel free to select cheeses that work well for your body.

Healthy Cheese Board

What you need for this healthy cheese board

3 cheeses of your choice
Grapes, green
Cucumber, sliced
Walnuts & almonds, raw or dry-roasted
Olives, green
Bosc pear, sliced

INSTRUCTIONS:

Grab a glass of wine and let your inner artist have fun with laying out these foods on a wood board or large platter. Don’t forget to brag about your food art when company arrives.

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Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies (Gluten, Grain & Dairy Free)

Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies (Gluten, Grain & Dairy Free)

Want healthy chocolate chip cookies in your life? Look no further than these soft and chewy Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies! They’re gluten, grain and dairy free + perfect for those living a paleo lifestyle.

This Paleo Baking Flour from Bob’s Red Mill makes kick@$$ chocolate chip cookies! No hype or fluff here, it’s the honest truth. I’ve shared these cookies with adults + kids and the response is always the same… they absolutely love them! Yes, that’s right–kids love these cookies too!

Paleo Baking Flour is a unique blend of nut flours and root starches. The ingredients are clean and simple … almond flour, arrowroot starch, organic coconut flour and tapioca flour.

My cookie tasters always say, if I didn’t tell them these cookies were free of everything that is normally in chocolate chip cookies, they would have no idea. Some may say that these cookies taste even better than traditional chocolate chip cookies, BUT I’ll let you decide for yourself 😉

Give these chewy chocolate chip cookies a try … you won’t regret it!

Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies

What you need for Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies

Paleo Baking Flour
Coconut palm sugar
Refined coconut oil
Egg
Vanilla extract
Baking soda
Sea salt
Dark chocolate chips

Want more healthy cookie recipes? You’re going to love these …

 

Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies

Paleo Chocolate Chips Cookies

Want healthy chocolate chip cookies in your life? Look no further than these soft and chewy Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies! They're gluten, grain and dairy free + perfect for those living a paleo lifestyle. Paleo Baking Flour from Bob's Red Mill makes kick@$$ chocolate chip cookies!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Course: Snack/Treat
Cuisine: Gluten Free, Grain Free, Paleo
Servings: 15 cookies

Ingredients
 

  • 1 1/4 cups Paleo Baking Flour, Bob's Red Mill*
  • 1/2 cup coconut palm sugar
  • 1/3 cup refined coconut oil, solid
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350F and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Using a food processor or hand-mixer, mix together coconut oil and coconut sugar until smooth.
  • Add egg and vanilla extract and mix.
  • Add in flour, baking soda and salt and continue to mix until smooth batter is formed.
  • Fold in chocolate chips with a spatula.
  • Scoop onto baking sheet, about 2 tbsp or 1 ice cream scoop per cookie. Leave as is (do not flatten). Cookies will expand during baking so leave enough room around each cookie.
  • Bake at 350F for 12-minutes or until edges are golden. Let cool on baking sheet.

Notes

* Paleo Baking Flour (Bob's Red Mill)
Keyword chocolate chip cookies, coconut oil, cookies, eggplant, paleo cookies, paleo flour
Turmeric Golden Milk (AIP, Paleo, Plant-Based)

Turmeric Golden Milk (AIP, Paleo, Plant-Based)

This creamy and easy Turmeric Golden Milk is incredibly healthy, and so delicious! Golden milk is a traditional Indian drink that has its roots in Ayurveda. Made with coconut milk, powerful spices like turmeric, ginger and cinnamon, and naturally sweetened.

DID YOU KNOW? There are over 12,500 peer-reviewed articles published on the benefits of turmeric, in particular one of its powerful compounds, curcumin.

Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant, making it great for both weight loss and IBS.

Unfortunately, the curcumin content of turmeric is not that high, so if you want to experience the full effects of this powerful compound, you need to take a supplement that contains high amounts of curcumin.

In addition, curcumin is poorly absorbed during digestion, so many different supplement formulations have been created to improve its bioavailability.

Curcum-Evail is my go to curcumin supplement. It’s a highly bioavailable and absorbable formulation containing a unique combination of three health-promoting compounds known as “curcuminoids,” which are derived from turmeric root.

In order to get the most benefit from consuming turmeric (and to increase absorption of curcumin), consume with healthy fats like coconut and/or black pepper.

I used coconut milk and added black pepper to this recipe, so you can get the most out of your golden milk!

What you need for Turmeric Golden Milk:

  • Coconut milk
  • Honey, maple syrup or coconut sugar
  • Ground turmeric
  • Ground ceylon cinnamon
  • Ground ginger
  • Black pepper (omit for AIP version)

BOOST your golden milk with anti-aging collagen! Just add 1-2 scoops of Whole Body Collagen.

Looking for more healthy hot beverages? You’re going to love these:

Turmeric Golden Milk (AIP, Paleo, Plant-Based)

Turmeric Golden Milk

This creamy and easy Turmeric Golden Milk is incredibly healthy, and so delicious! Golden milk is a traditional Indian drink that has its roots in Ayurveda. Made with coconut milk, powerful spices like turmeric, ginger and cinnamon, and naturally sweetened. 
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Course: Hot Drinks
Cuisine: AIP, Keto, Low-Carb, Paleo, Plant-Based
Servings: 1

Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk, use full fat or light canned coconut milk for a creamy drink
  • 1 tsp honey, maple syrup or coconut sugar
  • 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1/4 tsp ground ceylon cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp ground ginger
  • Pinch of black pepper, omit for AIP version

Instructions
 

  • Add all ingredients into a small saucepan.
  • Whisk to combine and warm on stovetop over medium heat. Heat until hot to the touch but not boiling.
  • Pour into a mug and enjoy!

Notes

  • Use full fat or light canned coconut milk for a creamy drink.
  • Omit black pepper for AIP version
  • BOOST your golden milk with anti-aging collagen! Just add 1-2 scoops of Whole Body Collagen.
Keyword coconut milk, dairy free, ginger, gluten free, grain free, soy free, turmeric
Paleo General Tso’s Chicken (Gluten & Soy Free)

Paleo General Tso’s Chicken (Gluten & Soy Free)

Paleo General Tso’s Chicken is crispy tender pan-fried chicken coated in a delicious sauce. This gluten & soy free General Tso’s Chicken recipe is a healthier take on the classic takeout dish. It uses whole food, high-quality ingredients, PLUS heat stable oil for frying. A true guilt-free pleasure for those living a healthy lifestyle!

I honestly thought my days of general tso’s chicken were long gone until the BF and I attempted this mind-blowing recipe.

Even though this recipe takes about an hour of prep (with two people in the kitchen), we made it twice within the last month because it’s just so damn good. Plus, we’re both big foodies and excited to spend time in the kitchen if it means good food in our bellies.

As a matter of fact, if we had to describe our perfect date night it would probably go something like this …

We’d start with a trip to the grocery store and load up on some healthy ingredients for a dish that we want to create that night. I’d probably take 10-minutes to find the freshest chicken with the latest expiry date while he gives me the “Are you for real?” look.

From there, we’d head back home and decide who’s doing what in the kitchen and set clear boundaries because according to some people (I won’t mention any names), boundaries are very important in a kitchen.

After making a mess and crossing all boundaries that were set, we’d chow down our creation and then discuss whether the dish is blog worthy over a glass of wine or two (OK fine, the entire bottle!). Oh, wait! Before all of that happens, I would spend another 10-minutes taking 50 photos of the same dish in hopes that one of them will turn out good for my blog.

AND that’s how our perfect date night would unfold – and usually does.

So, grab your significant other or friend and plan a date night in the kitchen where you can have some fun creating the most delicious general tso’s chicken you’ll ever taste!

Paleo General Tso's Chicken

What you need for Paleo General Tso’s Chicken

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Paleo General Tso's Chicken

Paleo General Tso's Chicken

Paleo General Tso's Chicken is crispy tender pan-fried chicken coated in a delicious sauce. This gluten & soy free General Tso's Chicken recipe is a healthier take on the classic takeout dish. It uses whole food, high-quality ingredients, PLUS heat stable oil for frying. A true guilt-free pleasure for those living a healthy lifestyle!
Total Time: 45 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Chinese, Low-Carb, Paleo
Servings: 3

Ingredients
 

  • 1.5 lbs chicken breasts or thighs, cut into small chunks
  • 1 head cauliflower
  • 1/4 cup arrowroot starch/flour
  • 1 red/yellow/orange pepper, sliced into small sticks
  • 1/2 yellow onion, sliced
  • Avocado oil
  • Sea salt & pepper
  • 1 green onion, chopped (optional garnish)

General Tso's Sauce

  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 2 tbsp Frank's RedHot, or Siracha
  • 1 tbsp ground ginger
  • 2 dates , or 1 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1/4 cup coconut aminos
  • 2 tbsp. water

Instructions
 

  • Chop cauliflower into chunks, put in food processor and process into rice like consistency. Place on baking sheet, add 2 tbsp. avocado oil and sea salt then mix. Bake at 400F for 30-minutes while prepping other ingredients.
  • Cover the bottom of a large frying pan with avocado oil and heat until it begins to sizzle.
  • While oil is heating, combine arrowroot flour, salt and pepper in a shallow bowl and mix. Add chicken chunks and coat. Remove the chicken, shaking off extra flour and add to hot oil. You may need to do this in two batches if your frying pan is not big enough.
  • Cook each batch for about 10 minutes, turning mid-way through, until all sides are golden. Set chicken aside.
  • Add red pepper and onion to a large pot with 1 tbsp avocado oil and cook for 5-minutes or until tender.
  • While veggies cook, blend all sauce ingredients until smooth.
  • Add chicken and sauce to pot with red pepper and onion. Turn to low heat and mix to coat chicken with sauce for 1-2 minutes.
  • Top cauliflower "rice" with general tso's chicken, garnish with green onion and enjoy!
Keyword asian, cauliflower rice, chicken, Chinese, coconut aminos, grain free, healthy dinner, soy free
Roasted Brussels Sprouts (AIP, Keto, Paleo)

Roasted Brussels Sprouts (AIP, Keto, Paleo)

Roasted Brussels Sprouts are the perfect side to your next meal! They’re easy to make, delicious and super healthy. This recipe is keto, paleo, plant-based & AIP friendly!

DID YOU KNOW? In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Brussels sprouts are used to improve digestive health.

Just one cup of cooked Brussels sprouts provides four grams of fiber, which numerous studies show is important for digestive function.

Fiber helps to support digestive health by encouraging regular bowel movements, preventing constipation or diarrhea, and detoxifying the body by pulling toxins and waste out of the gut.

In addition, Brussels sprouts contain glucosinolates and sulforaphane. Glucosinolates can help protect the lining of the digestive tract and stomach therefore reducing the chances of developing leaky gut or other digestive disorders. Sulforaphane facilitates in the body’s detoxification process and can help prevent bacterial overgrowth from occurring in the gut.

According to TCM, it’s recommended that cruciferous veggies (like Brussels sprouts) be cooked to enhance digestion and to nourish the spleen, which can become taxed if bombarded with too many raw or cooling foods.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

What you need for Roasted Brussels Sprouts

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Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Brussels Sprouts are the perfect side to your next meal! They're easy to make, delicious and super healthy. This recipe is keto, paleo, plant-based & AIP friendly!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: AIP, Keto, Low-Carb, Paleo, Plant-Based
Servings: 3

Ingredients
 

  • 2 lbs Brussels sprouts, halved
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400F.
  • Toss Brussels sprouts in avocado oil, salt and pepper and spread on baking dish.
  • Cook for 30-minutes, tossing them mid-way through.
  • Once cooked, transfer to serving dish and mix in 1 tsp apple cider vinegar.
Keyword fall, greens, side dish, vegetables, winter