Strawberry Banana Spinach Smoothie

Spring is in the air, or should be at least. All the updates on Fb from around the country keep telling me that it is. People are grilling, and drinking fruit smoothies as the weather gets warmer. Portland has yet to warm up. The only signs of spring are the birds, and the slow bloom of our cherry blossom trees, and tulips. Of course it is still cold, and we are prepared for the cooler weather and rain until early July, which then we will join the rest of the country in summer weather, and the joys of warm summer grilling parties next to the pool. 

When my friend posted a similar recipe, "Green Monster Spinach Smoothie" that she made, it only reminded how much I loved the warmer weather, and sipping on smoothies. Immediately, I sliced and froze my bananas. This recipe is packed full of nutrients, and could serve as a meal. I tweaked a few ingredients, to make it more Paleo friendly, and added strawberries, and a hint of cocoa. 

Every ingredient in this recipe, is a power food, and good for you. It was a great afternoon treat for my girls too. All three, drank it up and have been begging for more. Perhaps, breakfast tomorrow will be served with an egg, and this tasty treat!

Ingredients:

• 1 sliced frozen banana
• 1 cup of sliced Strawberries
• 1 tablespoon of Almond Butter
• 1/2 cup of Plain 0% Greek Yogurt
• 1 cup of Coconut milk, unsweetened
• 5 cups of baby spinach
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 1/2 tablespoon of 100% pure Maple Syrup
• 1 heaping spoon of Cocoa Powder

Directions:
In a blender combine all ingredients, and puree until desired consistency.


Serve and Enjoy!

Obesity in Animals and Infants, not just an American thing anymore

Tonight we ran across an article talking about the obesity epidemic we face as a society, and the role that our ecological system plays in this problem. Here was my husband's thoughts that I found quite interesting! Which I feel about sums it up, and I quote;

"I don't think any one thing is the actual cause of why people and
animals are getting sick "fatter". I think numerous contributing
factors are what is causing the problems. For example


1. Pollution is a major problem that is destroying our ecosystem. The
same ecosystem that provides a closed loop cycle in the production of
our air, water, food, environment. Issues created in a closed loop
system turn into compounding issues in all parts of it.


2. Genetically modified seeds. This has been shown numerous times that
it destroys the environment as well as the animals "humans included"
internal organs.


3. Current farming methods have removed a vast majority of the
nutrients in the soil. It can take up to 25 years using the
Hugelkultur Raised Beds method to increase the vitality of soil to
where it needs to be. Newer farming methods such as permaculture,
aquaponics, landraces, food forests, etc. can provide over 1 million
pounds of food from just 3 acres and can help heal a natural closed
loop system like our ecosystem.


4. A move away from natural foods. As we have seen the cost for a
family to get natural foods such as grass feed meats, birds "chicken,
turkey" that are free range and only eat bugs is cost prohibitive for
most people. So the move to food for both people and animals that are
not made by nature in the real world is having dire consequences
beyond what most people can fathom.


5. Fitness. The most financially important phrase in fitness and
health is "to keep them confused".  I see people buying into
mis-information that is un-healthy and counter productive to the way
our muscle, skeletal, and internal systems actually need. Also a move
to people working in doors at desks is not natural and bad for you as
we have seen in recent studies.


6. Health system. Our current system frequently causes more harm than
good and renders many people in effect lifelong patients.


7. Life improvements. When I look at some improvements that we as a
society has created in the past 100 years it looks like some key
inventions actually do more harm then good. Nike running shoes for
example. Staying up late and getting little sleep due to technology.


8. Stress. Humans have always had to live with stress, however in our
natural environment those stresses were only present a few times a
week. We were more in tune with our surroundings and had more control
of our lives. Our current society has created a almost endless and
constant supply of stress of which most of it is actually false.
Stress has been shown to contribute to weight gain. I wonder if the
animals that were living in cages experience the same type of constant
stresses."

Here is the link to the article. 

http://www.zerohedge.com/contributed/2012-12-19/animals-and-6-month-old-infants-are-getting-fatter-…-which-mean-it’s-somethin


http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2012/03/the-real-cause-of-the-global-obesity-epidemic.html

Gluten Free Taco Salad

Confession, I have been craving Taco Salad like crazy lately. Being on a Paleo type diet, we try really hard to be constantly mindful of what we put into our mouths. I do not eat fried corn tortilla shells, nor really chips. With that said, even Mark Sisson says he recommends the 80/20 method.

So here is my cheat that I share with you guys today. It is still gluten free, and corn free.

Make this salad…. but at the last minute add Cheddar Nut thins, and continue to cook for a minute or so.

Click here for Recipe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 head of Lettuce
• 1/2 Avocado
• 3 green onions
• 12 ounces of Grass fed Organic, ground beef
• 2 Organic Roma tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons of fresh salsa
• 1 teaspoon of cumin
• 3 teaspoons of Chili powder
• 1 clove of garlic
• A pinch of Sea salt, and black, and red pepper

Directions:
In a skillet brown beef, thoroughly. As you are cooking the meat, add all the spices listed above. When ground beef is 1/2 cooked add in green onion and then when meat is almost done, add in Cheddar nut thins, salsa, and tomatoes. Stir well. 


Chop/Dice up lettuce, and slice avocado. In a bowl, toss lettuce, and then top with grass fed beef, top with Cheese and avocado.


Serve and enjoy!!

Easy Lazy Sunday Mexican Salad

Ever feel like you really just do not want to cook anything elaborate, but at the same time you are craving taste, flavor. You would go eat out, but you know that they are going to throw ingredients into that super yummy dish, that are really unhealthy. 
That is how I felt tonight, which is why I have named this dish Easy Lazy Sunday Mexican Salad. This salad is packed full of nutrients, and is fast and easy.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 head of Lettuce
• 1/2 Avocado
• 3 green onions
• 12 ounces of Grass fed Organic, ground beef
• 2 Organic Roma tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons of fresh salsa
• 1 teaspoon of cumin
• 3 teaspoons of Chili powder
• 1 clove of garlic
• A pinch of Sea salt, and black, and red pepper

Directions:
In a skillet brown beef, thoroughly. As you are cooking the meat, add all the spices listed above. When ground beef is 1/2 cooked add in green onion and then once meat is done, add in Salsa, and tomatoes. Stir well. 


Chop/Dice up lettuce, and slice avocado. In a bowl, toss lettuce, and then top with grass fed beef, and avocado.


Serve and enjoy!

Sweet Potato Cinnamon Everything Cookies

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Once upon a time, when we used to eat grains, and thought we were being healthy, Wild Oats Market, had a cookie, called the Everything Cookie! My husband would devour these cookies. Inhaling the cookies, would be a better description of how he would go through them. In the past I have made versions of these cookies with almond flour. My almond flour cookies are amazing, but we have since quit making them, because it was hard for me to digest (thanks to belly issues). I have been dreaming of another alternative to making cookies, that would not require almond flour, or other gluten free flours. 


That was until the other day, when I accidentally blotched, made Health Bent's Paleo Sweet Potato Pancakes.  By not paying attention to exact measurements, and then trying to fix my failure, we eventually evolved the pancakes into even worse pancakes, that I tried to salvage into making muffins. Delicious success, that left me wondering, could I make these into a cookie?


Days later, after scouring the Internet for sweet potato cookies, or bread, or muffins, we found nothing. So back to Health Bent, and previous knowledge of cookie recipes, and voila, probably one of the most healthiest, yummiest, cookies ever made to date!

Ingredients:

• 3 cups potatoes ( about 3 small/medium)
• 1/3 cup coconut flour
• 1/2 to a 1 full cup shredded coconut flakes
• 2 tablespoons coconut milk 
• 1/2 cup of Kettle almond butter ( this is important, different brands will give different consistency)
• 5 eggs
• 2 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1 tsp salt salt 

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Directions:

Peel sweet potatoes and chop. Boil in pot until you can puncture with a fork and it is soft. This  will take around 15 to 20 minutes. Once the sweet potato is cooked thoroughly, transfer to a bowl, immediately add coconut flour, cinnamon, honey, and maple syrup, butter, baking soda, baking powder,  and almond butter. Set aside and let cool for about 15 minutes. For faster results cover and cool in the refrigerator. 

While cooling add eggs, coconut milk, vanilla extract, salt in a separate bowl. Gently whisk until all ingredients are mixed. 


Once sweet potatoes are cooled combine egg and milk mixture mix on high. Add your choice of chocolate chips, raisins, and coconut flakes.


If you are making cookies then on parchment paper, spoon out batter by the tablespoon, and bake for about 15 to 25 minutes in a preheated oven 350.


Bread will take longer. I would advise breaking the batter up into two loaves, as not to make it too thick. Time estimated is around 30 minutes, or until middle runs clear when poked with a tooth pick. 


Serve and Enjoy!

Sweet Potato Pumpkin Bread!

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Irish Carrot Soup

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Carrot soup is one of my favorite soups to make. It can be very versatile, and if made right deliciously satisfying. My girls love carrot soup as well, which I find ironic, seeing that I can't get them to eat a carrot. 

This recipe is a Irish tradition, and is a great St. Patrick's Weekend treat.
Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoon of Kerry Gold Butter
• 3 pounds carrots, sliced
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
• 6 whole cloves
• 5 cups of fresh chicken stock
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon of Raw local Honey
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• fresh parsley, for garnish

Directions:

In a saucepan over medium heat, heat butter and oil. Add carrots, onion, garlic, cloves, and cook until onion is translucent. Add the 4 cups of chicken stock, cover, and simmer until carrots are soft enough to stab with a fork.

Remove cloves from stock and discard. Transfer mixture to a food processor or blender and process in batches until smooth. Stir in heavy whipping, lemon juice and honey. Season to taste with salt and pepper and, if needed, thin with remaining broth.

Serve and enjoy.

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