Green Gazpacho (gluten-free, wheat-free)

Spring is here and I was seriously craving gazpacho!  A recipe for Green Gazpacho caught my eye in Fitness Magazine's May 2014 issue.  So, I thought I'd give it a try!  It was so delicious that I wanted to share the recipe with you.  Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

1 celery stalk

1 English cucumber (peeled & chopped)

1 cup thawed frozen spinach

1 garlic clove

1 avocado (pitted & peeled)

1 jalapeño (seeded & chopped)

1/2 cup cilantro leaves

1/2 cup parsley leaves

1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds

2 tbsp lime juice

2 tbsp kosher salt

2 cups water

1/4 cup low fat plain Greek yogurt

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil


DIRECTIONS

1) Pulse celery, cucumber, spinach, garlic, avocado, and jalapeño in a blender to finely chop. Add cilantro, parsley, 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, lime juice, salt, and water. Blend until very smooth (2-3 min) or press the "soup" button on your Blendtec.

2) Divide gazpacho among 4 bowls and dollop with yogurt, sprinkle with pumpkin seeds, and drizzle with oil. 

3) Set in refrigerator for 30 min to chill soup.

Nutrition Facts:

186 cals
8g protein
10g carbs
15g fat
5g fiber
549mg sodium

Key Lime Pie (gluten-free, wheat-free)

Nothing ushers in Spring quite like a key lime pie. However, I didn't want to make something that was filled with artificial garbage so I scoured the Internet for a healthier recipe. I found one worth trying on this website, so I gave it a try! Honestly, I think they used a stock photo for their picture because mine didn't even come close to looking like theirs. However, my friends and I, as well as my 7-year-old daughter, loved the taste! So, as the old Louisiana saying goes, "Don't look at it, just eat it!"  Bon appétit!



















**Please note the recipe doesn't call for Pomegranate juice.  I positioned the bottle in this ingredient grouping by mistake.  However, you can enjoy this delicious Key Lime Pie with a small glass of Pom Wonderful.  :)

Crust Ingredients:

2 cups organic raw mixed nuts

1/4 cup coconut manna

4 large medjool dates, pitted

*Next time I make this crust, I will add some ground organic flaxseed for added omega-3's.


Directions:

Pulse in food processor until it looks like a sticky granola texture. Press into pie mold.

Filling Ingredients:

3 ripe organic avocados, mashed

Juice of 4 organic limes

2 tbsp lime zest

1/2 cup organic Lucuma powder

3/4 cup organic raw honey


Directions:

Mix well. Pour and spread to fill the crust. Freeze for at least an hour to set.

Whipped Topping:

1 cup organic raw cashews, soaked

3 tbsp organic coconut manna

1/4 cup Fage Greek yogurt

1 tsp organic vanilla extract

2 tbsp organic Lucuma powder

2 tbsp organic raw honey

Pinch sea salt


Directions:

Process the cashews. Add them with the rest of the ingredients and whip them up until fluffy. Top the pie and re-freeze.

Set out 10 min prior to serving.

Pineapple Coconut Chia Pudding (low fat, wheat-free, dairy-free, gluten-free)

There are a lot of great chia pudding recipes online. After reading through several of them, I took some notes, came up with my own ideas, and whipped up a batch. It tastes delicious and the best part is it only took me 5 minutes to prepare!

INGREDIENTS

1 13.5oz can Organic Coconut Milk Light

1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon

1 tsp Organic vanilla extract

4 tbsp Organic raw honey (I'm blessed to have an uncle who runs an apiary and gives me free local honey!)

1/3 cup Organic chia seeds

1/4 cup chopped pineapple (chunks shown in picture, be sure to finely chop)

DIRECTIONS

1) In a large mason jar, combine milk, honey, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.

2) Cover and shake vigorously.

3) Add the chia seeds and pineapple.

4) Shake vigorously again.

5) Pour into ramekins.

6) Place in refrigerator for an hour to set-up.

Makes 4 servings.

Nummy Waffles (gluten-free, wheat-free, dairy-free)

My family just loves my homemade Belgian Waffles! I've had many people request my recipe so I decided to share it here on my blog.

For added yumminess, sprinkle Enjoy Life Mini Chocolate Chips into the batter!


INGREDIENTS

2 eggs (organic, cage-free, veg fed)

1 cup Whole Grain Spelt Flour (Berlin Bakery) **for wheat- and gluten-free disregard this flour and instead add an additional cup of the oat flour.

1 cup Organic Whole Grain Oat Flour (Bob's Red Mill Wheat- & Gluten-free)

**For an extra 16g of protein, add 2 tbsp of Shaklee Instant Protein Soy.  Make sure your flour is 2 tbsp less than directed above.

1 3/4 milk (soy, rice, almond, flax)

1/2 cup Organic Virgin Coconut Oil

1 tbsp Organic Cane Sugar (Florida Crystals) *can substitute with Xylitol

4 tsp Baking Powder (Rumford Aluminim-free)

1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon

1/4 tsp Sea Salt (Real Salt)

1/2 tsp Organic Pure Vanilla Extract (Singing Dog)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat waffle iron.

2. Beat eggs in large bowl with hand beater until fluffy.

3. Beat in flour, milk, oil, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and vanilla, just until smooth.

4. If needed, spray preheated waffle iron with Spectrum Canola non-stick cooking spray or Dean Jacob's Grape Seed Oil spray.

5. Pour mix onto hot waffle iron. Cook until golden brown. Serve hot.

6. Top with Raw Agave (Xagave) or Natural Maple Syrup.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies (wheat-free, dairy-free, gluten-free)

For quick and easy cookies, try this recipe!

1 box King Arthur Gluten Free Cookie Mix
1 egg
2 tbsp water
1 stick organic grass-fed butter (for dairy-free, substitute 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Coconut Oil)
1/2 bag Enjoy Life Chocolate Mega Chunks
1 cup Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Extra Thick Rolled Oats

1) Prepare the cookie mix as indicated on the back of the cookie mix box.

2) Add the chocolate chunks and oatmeal. Stir.

3) Drop 1 tbsp rounds onto a cookie sheet and bake.

Your kids will LOVE them! I promise :)

Organic White Bean, Pumpkin & Chicken Soup (wheat-free, dairy-free, gluten-free)

This soup is extremely delicious and will be a staple in our home this Fall! It's quick and easy to prepare and will be on-the-table in 30 minutes.

2 tbsp organic EVOO
1/2 purple onion, finely chopped
1 (15 oz) can organic pumpkin
3 1/2 cups organic free-range chicken broth (substitute vegetable broth for a vegan/vegetarian recipe)
1 (15 oz) can organic Great Northern beans
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice seasoning
1/2 tsp sea salt
Black pepper to season
2 cups cooked organic free range chicken breasts, cubed (optional)

1) In a large pot, sauté the onions in olive oil over low-medium heat
2) Stir in broth, pumpkin, beans, pumpkin pie spice and salt
3) Simmer for 10 minutes
4) Pour mixture in batches into a blender and process until smooth (If using a Blendtec, you can pour entire contents into the blender and blend for 20 seconds on Speed 1)
5) Pour the soup from the blender back into the pot and reheat on low
6) Add chicken cubes (optional) and serve!

*If you opt not to add the chicken, you can blend 2 tbsp of Shaklee Instant Protein Soy to add 16g protein!

Apple Cinnamon Pancakes (wheat-free, dairy-free, gluten-free)

With the Fall weather in full swing, I thought it would be fun to create a recipe for apple cinnamon pancakes. Boy did they turn out well! They were so yummy I could've eaten four! My family thought they were delicious as well.

The recipe is completely organic with no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or fillers. It's also wheat-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free! The Shaklee Instant Protein Soy also adds 32g of protein to the batch!

1/2 cup organic apple cinnamon sauce
1 1/2 cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten free Pancake mix
2 eggs (free-range, vegetarian fed)
4 tbsp Shaklee Instant Protein Soy (this adds 32g protein and no carbs!)
1 cup organic vanilla soy milk
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp organic vanilla extract


1. Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

2. Heat a large skillet to 350 degrees.

3. Grease the skillet with whatever you like to use.

4. Scoop 1/4 cup of the mix and pour onto the skillet.

Makes 10 delicious pancakes! Top with Xagave or maple syrup for added yumminess :).

Banana Walnut Chocolate Chip Muffins (wheat-free, dairy-free, gluten-free)

These muffins make a great snack and are loaded with fiber.  Be sure to drink at least 8 oz. of water each time you eat one because water is fiber's best friend! :)

3 ripe bananas
1 tsp organic vanilla extract
4 tbsp organic coconut oil
1 cup water
3/4 cup Xagave (raw agave nectar)
1 1/2 cups organic coconut flour
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup Enjoy Life chocolate chips (dairy-free)
1/4 cup raw walnuts, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1. In a medium bowl, mash bananas and add the vanilla, coconut oil, water, and agave.

2. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt, and baking soda.

3. Mix the dry and wet ingredients together. Add the chocolate chips and walnuts.

4. Roll into balls and fill each pocket of a lightly greased muffin pan.

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

Chocolaty Chocolate Chip Pancakes (wheat-free, dairy-free)

On the weekends, I make pancakes for the family. I thought it would be fun to jazz them up a bit by making chocolaty chocolate chip pancakes. Boy were they excited!!!

I used the following ingredients but feel free to substitute with your preferred oil and milk.

2 cups Namaste Waffle & Pancake Mix
2 organic, vegetarian-fed hen eggs
2 tablespoons organic coconut oil (can use olive oil or grape seed oil)
3/4 cup organic soy milk (can use almond milk or rice milk)
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
3 tbsp Shaklee Energizing Soy Protein Creamy Cocoa
1/4 cup Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips

Reserve chips and mix all ingredients with a blender. Stir in the chocolate chips. Pour onto preheated, sprayed griddle.

For added sweetness, top with fresh raspberries and Xagave nectar.

Banana Walnut Chocolate Bread (dairy-free)

This bread is a delicious alternative to the traditional banana nut bread.

3 ripe bananas
1 tsp organic vanilla extract
3 tbsp extra virgin organic coconut oil
1/2 cup Xagave (raw agave nectar)
1 1/2 cups organic spelt flour (for gluten-free bread, substitute with gluten-free oat flour)
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup Enjoy Life chocolate chips (dairy-free, gluten-free)
1/2 cup raw walnuts, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1. In a medium bowl, mash bananas and add the vanilla, coconut oil, and agave.

2. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt, and baking soda.

3. Mix the dry and wet ingredients together. Add the chocolate chips and walnuts.

4. Pour into a lightly greased bread pan.

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Blueberry Chia Muffins with Flaxseed (wheat-free, gluten-free)

I thought it would be fun to experiment a little with a blueberry muffin. I cheated by starting with King Arthur's Gluten-Free Muffin Mix and added a bunch of healthy ingredients. They turned out AMAZING!

Ingredients:
1 box King Arthur's Gluten-Free Muffin Mix
6 tbsp organic unsalted butter (melted) OR 6 tbsp organic virgin coconut oil
3 tbsp milled, ground flaxseed
2 tbsp Shaklee Instant Protein Soy
1 cup light vanilla soymilk (instead of cow's milk)
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 tsp chia seeds
1.5 cups blueberries

Follow the instructions on the box.
Add the flaxseed and Instant Protein Soy with the powdered muffin mix.
Add the vanilla extract after the soymilk.
Use a spoon and gently fold in the blueberries and chia seeds.

Organic Oat Flour Biscuits (wheat-free, gluten-free)

Since I just recently learned that I shouldn't consume wheat and certain dairy products, I set out to create healthy biscuits the whole family can enjoy. These were particularly delicious especially if you add homemade strawberry jam.

Recipe:
1 1/4 cup organic oat flour
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp sea salt
2 tbsp Shaklee Instant Protein Soy
1/3 cup vanilla soy milk
2 tbsp butter (from grass-fed cows)
1 egg (from free-range chickens)

Mix all dry ingredients together. Cut in the butter and add the rest of ingredients. Bake at 425 degrees for 12-15 min. Enjoy!

Each biscuit contains:
87 calories
4 grams fat
9 grams carbs
6 grams protein

Chocolate Banana Smoothie

Today's lunch smoothie was so yummy! Even though it's green in color, you'll never taste the spinach!

Ingredients include:

Energizing Soy Protein, Chocolate
Unsweetened Almond Milk
Banana
Spinach
Roasted Almond Butter (optional)
Ice

Cherry Avocado Smoothie

This smoothie is rich in antioxidants and good fat.

2 cups water
1 large kale leaf
1 cup spinach
10 pitted dark cherries
1/2 avocado
3 strawberries

Kale Me for a Date!

This was a fun lunch I made today! It's very simple. Here's the recipe:

1 3/4 cups water
1 xlarge kale leaf
2 pitted all natural dates
1 frozen banana
1 scoop Cinch Chocolate Shake

Summer Splash Smoothie

Today's smoothie is very fruity and delicious! My kids loved the taste of this one. :)

2 cups water
1/2 cup OJ (not from concentrate)
4 strawberries
1 banana
1/2 avocado
2 tbsp milled organic golden flaxseeds
2 cups spinach
1 sprig fresh mint leaf
ice

Homemade Almond Milk

Although I love Silk's Unsweetened Almond Milk, I also like making homemade almond milk on occasion. It's very yummy and nutritious. I highly recommend using a Blendtec for this and follow their directions in the recipe book.

3/4 cup whole, natural almonds
3 3/4 cups purified water (room temp)
3 tsps organic blackstrap molasses
1 1/2 tsp organic vanilla
1/4 tsp sea salt

Caribbean Cooler Smoothie

For an after school snack, I made a green smoothie for my kiddos (and me too!). We named this one Caribbean Cooler because of the ingredients but, if you ask my son, he'll tell you it tastes like mint chocolate chip ice cream!

1 cup OJ (all natural, not from concentrate)
1 cup water
1/4 cup Shaklee French Vanilla Milk Shake
1 avocado
1 banana
2 cups spinach
Freshly squeezed Lemon juice
Ice

For more information on Shaklee's Meal Shake for kids, click here!

Green Protein Smoothie w/ Cinch!

I'm tired this morning. My body craves protein and good carbs!! I ran out of my almond milk last night so I had to use the fat-free milk this morning to make my smoothie.

1 cup fat-free milk
1/2 cup strawberry kefir
2 scoops Cinch Vanilla Shake Mix
1.5 cups spinach
1/8 cup dates
Ice

For nutritional info on Shaklee's Cinch products, click here!

Green Delight Smoothie w/ Cinch!

For supper, I really wanted something light to eat instead of the organic beef stew leftovers. I just didn't feel like eating red meat for dinner so I blended up this delicious smoothie and will enjoy it with my favorite fruit...a red pear!

1/2 cup coconut water
1 cup unsweetened Silk Almond Milk
1 cup water
1/2 cup strawberry kefir
2 scoops Cinch Vanilla Shake Mix
2 kale leaves
2 cups spinach
1 tsp raw agave
Ice

I can only imagine how yummy this would taste with the Cinch Strawberry Shake Mix!

To order Cinch, click here!