Green Pea Soup is made from frozen peas and other wholesome ingredients! It’s a creamy & filling soup that’s dairy free & plant-based.
DID YOU KNOW? Green peas are part of the legume family and contain beneficial nutrients and fiber (which feeds the gut flora), BUT they also contain antinutrients.
Antinutrients are substances found in many foods, including legumes and grains, that may interfere with digestion and mineral absorption.
While these generally aren’t a concern for most healthy people, their health effects are still important to keep in mind. They are more likely to impact those who rely on legumes as a staple food, those with IBS or other gut issues, and individuals at risk of malnutrition.
Two antinutrients found in legumes:
PHYTIC ACID: May interfere with the absorption of minerals such as iron, calcium, zinc and magnesium.
LECTINS: Associated with symptoms such as gas and bloating and may interfere with nutrient absorption.
How to help prevent adverse effects from antinutrients in legumes:
LIMIT CONSUMPTION: It’s best to limit consumption of legumes to 3-4 times a week. Also limit the quantity you consume in one sitting since a larger amount is more likely to cause problems (I recommend 1/3 to 1/2 a cup as a max).
PREPARE PROPERLY: Soaking and/or sprouting may be helpful in reducing the amounts of antinutrients in legumes. At the very least soak your legumes for 18-hours before cooking.
COOK THOROUGHLY: Antinutrient levels are higher in raw legumes, which makes them more likely to cause digestive issues. Cooking legumes helps to reduce antinutrients.
In summary, while legumes do contain beneficial nutrients and fiber, they are not as nutrient-dense as other foods—like meats, fish, shellfish, eggs and vegetables—and, as mentioned above, some of the nutrients they contain are not bioavailable due to antinutrients. For this reason and others mentioned above, legumes are not a staple in my diet and I only consume them once in a blue moon.
If you choose to consume legumes, I recommend that you pay attention to how you feel when you consume them. If they don’t energize you or if they cause digestive problems, it’s best to avoid them for a period of time and try reintroducing them at a later date.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Levels of antinutrients tend to be lower in peas than in other legumes, so they are unlikely to cause problems unless you eat them frequently or in excess.
Now that we got all the important stuff out of the way, it’s time to try my Green Pea Soup. It’s absolutely delicious–and a great side dish for the spring & summer.
Green Pea Soup is made from frozen peas and other wholesome ingredients! It's a creamy & filling soup that's dairy free & plant-based. Enjoy during the spring and summer--or anytime of the year!
Sauté onion and garlic in avocado over medium heat until onion is translucent.
Add dill and parsley and sauté for another minute.
Add all remaining ingredients, cover the pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, uncover and reduce the heat to low. Let the soup simmer for 15-minutes.
Transfer the soup to a blender (or use an immersion blender) and blend on high until smooth and creamy.
Transfer to bowls and serve. Store leftovers in a mason jar in the fridge for up to one week.
Notes
Turn your soups into a complete and nutrient-rich meal in one easy step ...Add 2 scoops of collagen powder into your bowl of soup and stir to combine. Collagen is loaded with nutrients that support skin, hair, nails, joints and the gut lining. Boost all your soups and smoothies with this powerful ingredient!
Tiger nut chocolate chip cookies are soft, chewy and so delicious! The perfect cookie recipe for those following a nut free paleo lifestyle or those looking to add more variety and nutrients to their diet.
You might be wondering — “Why tiger nuts, Jen?”
Well, my obsession with tiger nuts started a while back when the BF was having bad gut reactions to nuts.
At that time, most of the treats I made contained some form of nut which were a big NO for him. So, I began searching for a nut replacement that would not only make delicious treats, but also keep his belly happy.
It turns out that tiger nuts, which are small tubers and not actual nuts, are a great alternative since they have a similar taste and texture to nuts. I like to describe them as a cross between an almond and pecan with a hint of honey.
Eventually the BF’s issue with nuts went away, BUT the loads of tiger nuts and tiger nut flour that I bought didn’t!
SO, when life gives you tiger nuts, make tiger nut everything! Right?!
This time around I decided to try a classic treat–THE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE! Turns out that tiger nut flour works well as a base. These cookies turned out soft and chewy, like all chocolate chip cookies should be.
If you’re following a nut free paleo diet (or maybe you just want to add more variety and nutrients to your diet), I highly recommend this recipe.
Here’s what you’ll need for Tiger Nut Chocolate Chip Cookies
Preheat oven to 350F and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
Using a food processor or hand-mixer, mix together coconut oil, coconut sugar, egg and vanilla extract until smooth.
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, I recommend using a cookie or ice cream scooper. Leave as is (do not flatten). Cookies will expand during baking so leave enough room around each cookie.
Bake at 350F for 10-12-minutes or until edges are golden. Let cool on baking sheet.
Paleo “Spaghetti” alla Vodka is a spin on a classic Italian penne alla vodka dish. Spaghetti squash is the perfect gluten free & low-carb base for this dish– and coconut milk, tomato, bacon & vodka come together to make a delicious dairy free sauce to go with it!
Penne alla vodka is traditionally made with penne pasta, vodka, heavy cream, crushed tomatoes, onions, and bacon or pancetta.
This dish became very popular in Italy and in the US around the 1980s, but the origin of the Penne alla Vodka recipe has been disputed between Italy and the United States: both claim the creation of this recipe.
According to The Ultimate Pasta Cookbook, penne alla vodka was invented in the 70s at Dante, a restaurant in Bologna, Italy.
The Williams Sonoma Essentials of Italian cookbook states that it was invented in the 1980s by a Roman chef for a vodka company that wanted to popularize its product in Italy.
To support the creation of this dish in the United States, we have two tales: Luigi Franzese, the Italian American chef of Orsini Restaurant in New York and James Doty, a graduate of Columbia University.
As you can see, it’s not clear whether or not Penne alla Vodka is an authentic Italian recipe. BUT based on the ingredients, the technique, and the mark it left on Italian cuisine, the answer should be yes!
Since this dish is liked by many (including me), I decided to put a gluten & dairy free spin on it so those with dietary restrictions can enjoy these amazing flavours of Italy (or the US).
This recipe is also great for those following a low-carb, keto or paleo diet.
"Spaghetti" alla Vodka is a spin on a classic Italian penne alla vodka dish. Spaghetti squash is the perfect gluten free & low-carb base for this dish-- and coconut milk, tomato, bacon & vodka come together to make a delicious dairy free sauce to go with it!
Cut spaghetti squash lengthwise and remove seeds with spoon.
Bake at 400F 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.
Use a fork to scrape out the strands of squash.
For the vodka sauce:
Finely slice the shallot or onion and place in large frying pan with olive oil. Sauté for 2-minutes over medium heat.
Slice bacon into small chunks and add it to the pan. Cook over low heat until the bacon becomes slightly crispy.
Raise the heat to medium-high and pour in vodka. Let the alcohol evaporate. This may take a few minutes.
When alcohol is completely evaporated, add tomato passata. Season with salt, stir and cook for 8-10 minutes over medium-high heat without a lid, stirring occasionally.
When the sauce is cooked, add the coconut milk and cook until you get a fairly thick and creamy vodka sauce. Turn off the heat and let it rest.
You can add spaghetti squash strands into the pan with vodka sauce and coat OR place spaghetti squash strands into a bowl and top with vodka sauce.
Notes
Time your spaghetti squash so that it’s done cooking around the same time as your sauce, so your noodles don’t cool.
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’.
Chang’s Spicy Chicken is crispy tender pan-fried chicken coated in a delicious & spicy sauce. This gluten & soy free Chang’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!
This recipe is not only super yummy, but it’s also fun to create! So, gather your family or significant other and plan a date night in the kitchen where you can have some fun creating the most delicious Asian-inspired recipe you’ll ever taste!
Enjoy on its own, with a side of steamed veggies or on top of cauliflower “rice”.
When making Asian-inspired dishes (like this one), I coat my chicken in arrowroot powder and then fry in heat stable avocado oil. This creates a crispy coating on the chicken that absorbs sauce and tastes delicious!
Want more healthy Asian-inspired recipes? You’re going to love these …
Chang's Spicy Chicken is crispy tender pan-fried chicken coated in a delicious & spicy sauce. This gluten & soy free Chang'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!
Cut chicken into 1-inch cubes and place in a large bowl with arrowroot flour, salt & pepper. Toss until chicken is coated. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients (or use a blender to combine ingredients). Set aside.
Cover the bottom of a large frying pan with avocado oil and heat until it begins to sizzle. Add coated chicken cubes to the 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.
Once all chicken is browned, add back into the hot skillet. Whisk sauce once more & pour into the skillet with chicken. Add 3/4 of the green onions (save the rest for garnish) & cook, stirring until sauce thickens & chicken is well-coated.
Top with remaining green onions and enjoy on its own, with steamed veggies or on top of cauliflower "rice"!
Keyword arrowroot flour, asian food, avocado oil, chicken, coconut aminos, grain free, healthy asian recipe, healthy dinner
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.
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.