Almond Butter & Banana Slice (Gluten & Grain Free)

Almond Butter & Banana Slice (Gluten & Grain Free)

by | Apr 8, 2019

This Almond Butter & Banana Slice brings me back to my Little Jen days. After a long day of school, I would go to town on peanut butter and banana slapped between Wonder Bread.

Given that my Little Jen days are long gone, I’ve made some healthy modifications to one of my favourite snacks. It still tastes yummy as ever and my body (and waistline!) doesn’t hate me for it.

The kale caraway slice from Live Organic Food is packed with whole food ingredients and nutrients. It’s my go-to when I’m craving something that resembles bread.

Here’s why the kale caraway slice from Live Organic Food is awesome…

  • Gut friendly – gluten & grain free
  • Low carb & high fiber
  • Paleo, vegan & keto friendly
  • Nutrient rich & organic ingredients

You can find Live products online and at many stores in Toronto and around the GTA. I usually get my favourite Live products from Nature’s Emporium and Ambrosia.

Now, give this guilt free, gluten free and grain free snack a try!

What you need for Almond Butter & Banana Slice:

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

Almond Butter & Banana Slice

Almond Butter & Banana Slice 

This Almond Butter & Banana Slice is the perfect gluten and grain free snack for those following a low-carb, paleo or plant-based lifestyle!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Course: Snack
Cuisine: Low-Carb, Paleo, Plant-Based
Servings: 1

Ingredients
 

  • 1 kale caraway slice, from Live Organic Food*
  • 1 tbsp almond butter
  • 1/4 banana, sliced

Instructions
 

  • Spread almond butter onto kale caraway slice and top with sliced banana. OMG yum!

Notes

Get the kale caraway slice from Live Organic Food HERE.
Keyword almond butter, dairy free, gluten free, grain free, healthy snacks, organic
Drew (drink + chew) your smoothie

Drew (drink + chew) your smoothie

by | Apr 3, 2019

Are you hesitant to give smoothies a go because you feel you won’t be completely satisfied with drinking your food–and maybe you just prefer chewing your food?

I completely understand the need for chewing. After all, we’ve been wired to chew food to obtain nutrients and calories which are used to fuel our bodies.

Chewing is important because it stimulates digestive enzymes, which are essential in breaking down food therefore allowing us to process and absorb nutrients. In addition, chewing plays a significant role in oral health.

In my early smoothie days I felt that I was missing an important part of what consuming food is all about – chewing. So, I began to add different crunchy/chewy foods into my smoothie after blending to create a smoothie that I could sip on and chew through at the same time.

Not only has this little hack made smoothies more filling and satisfying for me, but it has also allowed me to add more nutrients into my already nutrient-packed smoothie.

So, before you write-off smoothies completely, I highly recommend trying this …

After blending your smoothie, stir in 1-2 tbsp. of the following:

Check out some of my go-to brands by clicking on the links above.

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Go wild and mix 2 or more of these crunchy and chewy foods into your smoothie.

Even if you’re completely satisfied with the current way you prepare your daily smoothie, I still recommend giving this smoothie hack a try. You might just be pleasantly surprised at how much you enjoy some chew/crunch to your smoothie.

Would love to hear about the crunchy and/or chewy foods you add to your smoothie after blending. Share in the comment section below.

Check out more of my smoothie hacks here.

5 ways to simplify smoothie making

5 ways to simplify smoothie making

by | Feb 27, 2019

In this article you’ll discover ways to simplify smoothie making, so that time will never come in the way of making healthy food choices.

Is lack of time really the reason you can’t turn new, healthy eating habits into permanent ones?

I call bull$#!%.

Making a smoothie is one of the fastest and easiest ways to fuel your body with nutrient-rich foods.

You literally throw all your ingredients in a blender, pour into a cup and voila!

There’s no cooking involved and you can even dodge the washing and chopping if you choose. Cleanup couldn’t be more easy with only a blender and cup to wash.

OK – I get it! As easy as making a smoothie might be, maybe your life and daily schedule are just jam-packed with things like family responsibilities, work, extra-curricular activities, social events, you time, etc.

My goal with this article is to help you simplify smoothie making even more.

I don’t want time to ever be a barrier for you when it comes to making healthy food choices, so check out my tips below.

5 ways to simplify smoothie making

1. CREATE A SMOOTHIE STATION

It can be a hassle to constantly reach under your kitchen cabinet to pull out and set up the blender. I suggest creating a smoothie station.

Keep your blender, smoothie tools and dry ingredients in a corner on the kitchen counter, so everything is ready to go when it’s smoothie making time.

2. PREP FRESH PRODUCE AHEAD OF TIME

On the weekend, decide what fruits and greens you plan to use in your smoothie for the upcoming week. Wash, chop, and separate equal portions into bags, containers or glass jars and store in the refrigerator or freezer.

This makes the ‘grab and throw’ method come to life. Just grab your portion and throw it in the blender along with your dry ingredients.

3. GO FROZEN

Using frozen fruits and greens is probably the BEST way to save you time. Taking trips to the grocery store every few days to get fresh produce can be time-consuming. Then, you still need to wash and chop your produce before it’s ready for blending.

I recommend buying frozen fruits and greens in bulk and stocking up your freezer with them. It’s a great way to ensure you always have ingredients on hand.

Also, you don’t have to worry about wasting money on produce that ends up going bad. I personally create all my smoothies using frozen produce and wouldn’t do it any other way.

4. MAKE YOUR SMOOTHIE HOURS BEFORE DRINKING IT

What if you could make your smoothie hours before consuming it? Might this make smoothies more suitable to your daily schedule?

The trick here is to make your smoothie the extra thick way–using avocado and only 1/2 – 3/4 cup water. This will help hold your smoothie together without it separating. Store in a mason jar or cup with lid and keep cold until you consume it. If refrigeration isn’t an option, use a small cooler bag with an ice pack.

If I have a busy day ahead and know there’s going to be no time for lunch or dinner prep, I double my morning smoothie and take the extra to go. This saves me from making poor choices later in the day when there’s limited time, healthy food options and willpower.

5. REPLACE FRESH OR FROZEN PRODUCE WITH A GREENS POWDER

I feel for you if you’re just super strapped for time and find what should be quick and easy, not quick and easy enough. So, in my mission to help busy people feel great through simple and natural approaches, I decided to provide a modified way of preparing your smoothie that is even more time-friendly than my original smoothie formula.

Greens Powder Smoothie

1 tbsp PaleoGreens powder
1 scoop PurePaleo Protein powder
1/2 avocado or 1 tbsp coconut oil
1 cup water
A few ice cubes (optional)

Blend for 30-60 sec and enjoy!

Easy Green Smoothie with Protein

Now how’s that for simple?! Basically, you’ll be replacing fresh or frozen produce with 1 tbsp of PaleoGreens (or other greens powder of choice) that will provide you with a combination of powerful and antioxidant rich vegetables and fruits.

I know there are many greens powders on the market, so you can learn more about why I choose to use this particular one, here.

PaleoGreens unflavoured Canada

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you found these tips helpful. Reach out in the comments section below if you need additional guidance or support.

How to winterize your smoothie: From cold to room temperature

How to winterize your smoothie: From cold to room temperature

by | Jan 30, 2019

Do you find yourself drinking your smoothie with your shoulders up to your ears, teeth chattering, lips turning blue — all while you have a mini heater blasting at you and a blanket thrown over your shoulders?

I get it – a cold smoothie on a chilly fall or winter day can be uncomfortable to drink and may not be very appealing, unless your body runs hot all year round.

Well, my body tends to run more cold than hot, so I came up with some simple smoothie hacks that allow me to enjoy my daily smoothie during the cold months–without icicles forming from my nose!

Check them out below …

How to winterize your smoothie: From cold to room temperature

HACK #1

If you are using frozen veggies and/or fruit, add ½-1 cup hot or boiling water instead of room temperature or cold water.

This hot trick will help balance the temperature of your smoothie so it’s closer to room temperature. You may have to play around with the amount of hot water you add to get your desired temperature, but it’ll be smooth smoothieing (yep, I made up that word) once you figure it out.

HACK #2

Use fresh veggies and fruit instead of frozen.

This one isn’t rocket science. Frozen produce will make your smoothie cold, so you can always switch to fresh produce during the colder months to create a smoothie that is room temperature.

If you prefer the simplicity of using frozen produce or know that using fresh produce is not realistic given your busy schedule, then I highly recommend trying Hack #1.

Orange Almond Cookies (Plant-Based, Paleo)

Orange Almond Cookies (Plant-Based, Paleo)

by | Jan 14, 2019

Orange Almond Cookies are soft, chewy and a delicious variation on a classic Italian almond cookie. Made with just 5 simple & clean ingredients. These cookies are free from refined sugar and artificial sweeteners, gluten, grains & eggs.

When it comes to gluten free baking, almond flour recipes are hard to beat. This low-carb flour is an ideal option for people with IBS or following a paleo diet.

It offers all the flavor and texture of traditional baked goods, but without the grains that can cause bloating and other GI symptoms.

Almond flour recipes can also add valuable benefits to your goodies, like protein, trace minerals, and vitamins.

So, if you’re looking for a great almond flour recipe to try, I highly recommend this recipe. These cookies are not only super easy to whip up (only 5 ingredients needed!), but they’re also the perfect combination of healthy and delicious!

RECIPE NOTE: Orange is a great compliment to almond and makes these cookies extra flavourful, BUT if you prefer plain almond cookies, feel free to omit the orange zest.

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What you need for this recipe:

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

Orange Almond Cookies

Orange Almond Cookies

Orange Almond Cookies are soft, chewy and a delicious variation on a classic Italian almond cookie. Made with just 5 simple & clean ingredients. These cookies are free from refined sugar and artificial sweeteners, gluten, grains & eggs.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Course: Snack/Treat
Cuisine: Italian, Paleo, Plant-Based
Servings: 25 cookies

Ingredients
 

  • 2 cups almond flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup, or honey
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 25-30 raw almonds, to top cookies

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350F and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Combine almond flour and baking powder in a bowl and whisk together.
  • Add maple syrup/honey, vanilla extract and orange zest to bowl and combine ingredients using a spoon until a sticky dough forms and holds together (add some juice from the orange if batter is too crumbly).
  • Scoop batter with a teaspoon and roll into a ball. Place on baking sheet (leave 1-2 inches of space between balls).
  • Press an almond into the top of each ball until a cookie shape is formed. For a chewy cookie, don’t flatten the dough too much.
  • Bake at 350F for 12-minutes or until edges start to brown. Let cool on baking sheet. Once cooled, store cookies in airtight container.

Notes

If you prefer plain almond cookies, feel free to omit the orange zest.
Keyword almond flour, dairy free, Egg free, gluten free, grain free, healthy italian recipes, honey, Italian cookies, maple syrup, orange
Beef Salad (AIP, Keto, Paleo)

Beef Salad (AIP, Keto, Paleo)

by | Jan 10, 2019

This Beef Salad is the perfect go to dish during the busy work week! It’s super quick and simple to prepare, and it’s loaded with heart healthy omega 3’s from grass-fed beef, plus packed with antioxidants from dark leafy greens. The simple flavours of garlic, lemon and basil come together to make this salad absolutely delicious. Warning! This dish is shockingly filling for a salad.

DID YOU KNOW? Grass-fed beef contains significantly higher levels of omega-3s (between 2 and 5 times more) than grain-fed beef.

Omega-3s play an important role in your health and can help with:

  • Symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome
  • Inflammation
  • Autoimmune Diseases
  • Prevention of Cancer
  • Fatty Liver
  • Bone and Joint Health
  • Depression, Anxiety & Mental Disorders
  • Eye Health
  • Risk Factors for Heart Disease
  • ADHD in Children
  • Age-Related Mental Decline
  • Menstrual Pain

You can find grass-fed beef at grocery stores like Nature’s Emporium, Ambrosia and Whole Foods. I also suggest checking your local grocery stores for grass-fed beef.

If you’re looking to shop online, I highly recommend Wild Meadows Farm or Brooker’s Natural Meats. They offer great prices on quality meats.

Always look for 100% grass-fed beef. Organic is NOT the same as grass-fed.

Beef Salad (AIP, Paleo, Keto)

What you need for Beef Salad:

  • Ground beef
  • Lemon
  • Garlic
  • Dried basil
  • Salad greens
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Sea salt & black pepper

Want more quick & healthy dinner recipes? You’re going to love these …

The Big Beef Salad AIP Paleo

Beef Salad

This Beef Salad is the perfect go to dish during the busy work week! It's super quick and simple to prepare, and it's loaded with heart healthy omega 3's from grass-fed beef, plus packed with antioxidants from dark leafy greens. The simple flavours of garlic, lemon and basil come together to make this salad absolutely delicious. Warning! This dish is shockingly filling for a salad.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Salad
Cuisine: AIP, Keto, Low-Carb, Paleo
Servings: 2

Ingredients
 

  • 1 lb grass-fed ground beef
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 1-2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 8 cups salad greens
  • 4-5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Add ground beef and lemon juice to pan. Break a part meat as you cook over medium heat.
  • When beef is 3/4 of the way done, add garlic, basil, salt & pepper. Continue cooking until meat is browned.
  • In a large bowl, dress salad greens with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and sea salt. Toss salad and place onto a dish.
  • Add cooked ground beef onto the salad and enjoy!
Keyword antioxidants, dairy free, extra virgin olive oil, gluten free, grass fed beef, omega 3, quick meals, Salad