Sunday, June 30, 2013

Summer Chicken Salad

For those of you not familiar with Kyle's cooking video I thought I would share his chicken salad recipe via our blog... now that summer is kinda here it's time for a refreshing summer chicken salad.


Ingredients:
2 Bone in Organic Antibiotic Free Chicken Breasts, 3 Drumsticks
2 Cups Organic Red Grapes
1 1/4 Cup Organic Broccoli
1/2 Cup Green Onion (chopped)
1/4 Cup Walnut pieces
Mayo (as much or as little as you desire)
Garlic Powder (to taste)
Salt & Pepper (to taste)
Organic Romaine Leaves

Instructions:
Boil your bone in chicken until cooked fully and easily shreddable.
Once your chicken is shredded add all of your ingredients to a large mixing bowl and stir well.
Take your large romaine leaves and scoop your chicken salad on top. 
Roll it up and enjoy!
Pairs nicely with the strawberry salad posted earlier.



Saturday, June 29, 2013

Roasted Red Pepper Walnut Dip

The following recipe I found and thought would make for a nice summer party dip... (recipe courtesy of cupcakesomgblogspot)


Ingredients:
1 Cup Walnuts
1/2 Jar Roasted Red Peppers
2 Tbs Olive Oil
1 Tbs Chives
1 Garlic Clove
Salt & Pepper To Taste

Instructions:
Add your walnuts to a food processor and blend until fine crumb like consistency.
Next add your remaining ingredients and pulse until creamy.
Serve with sliced veggies for a quick and easy party dip.


Saturday, June 22, 2013

Greek Stuffed Peppers

Courtesy of Forks Over Knives... with a slight modification I was able to make this recipe paleo. 



Ingredients:
5 Organic Bell Peppers
1 Large Onion, diced
3 Small Organic Zucchini, diced
3 Organic Carrots, diced
1 Cup Vegetable/Chicken Broth
3 Cups Cauliflower Rice
5 Tbs Tomato Paste
3/4 Cup Parsley, chopped (fresh or dried)
3/4 Cup Dill, chopped (fresh or dried)
1 Lemon, juiced
1/4 tsp Pepper
1/2 tsp Sea Salt
Paleo Marinara Sauce (optional)

Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Cut your peppers and remove the seeds for stuffing.
Place peppers in an oven safe dish and cook upright for 30 minutes.
In a large pan saute your onions, zucchini, and carrots in your broth for 5-6 minutes.
Stir in your rice and tomato paste coating thoroughly.
Next add your parsley, dill, lemon juice, pepper and salt.
Once peppers are ready simply stuff with your veggies and cook for an additional 30-40 minutes.
Serve with marinara sauce or eat alone.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Strawberry Walnut Grilled Chicken Salad Topped With Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette

Tired of the same old same old balsamic and olive oil? Looking to top a fresh fruit summery salad? Of course you are... summer is finally here and what better way to kick start it than with a refreshing, light and delicious summer salad.




Ingredients (dressing recipe from Paleodietlifestyle.com)
1 Cup Fresh Organic Strawberries
1/4 Cup Balsamic Vinegar
1/4 Cup EVOO
1 Tbs Dijon Mustard
1 Clove of Garlic, minced
1/4 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Pepper

Ingredients (salad)
Organic/Anti Biotic Free Chicken Breast(grilled/sliced)
Organic Spring Mix/Baby Spinach mixed
Chopped Walnuts
Fresh Organic Strawberries
Unsweetened Coconut Flakes
Sliced Red Onion
Ground Black Pepper

Instructions: (dressing)
Preheat oven to 425.
Rinse your strawberries and cut off the stems. Line a baking sheet with tin foil, folding the edges up to prevent juices from escaping. Place your strawberries in the oven for 15-20 minutes.
Once your strawberries have cooked add all of you ingredients to a blender. (Be sure to include the strawberry juices that may have escaped during the cooking process). Blend until smooth. Serve cold and keep refrigerated. 

Instructions: (salad)
Butterfly your chicken breast and pound with a meat tenderizer so that it cooks evenly. Season your chicken with salt and pepper and place on either a grill or grill pan and cook thoroughly.
Combine all of your salad ingredients into a large salad bowl adding as much or as little of the listed ingredients as desired.
Serve with your hot grilled chicken sliced on top and pair with your strawberry balsamic vinaigrette for a great summer salad.




Saturday, June 15, 2013

"Fried" Honey Banana

When you're craving something sweet and need a quick fix this recipe is perfect... it only takes a few minutes to make and is super tasty. I found this recipe on Pinterest- (Rachel Schultz) originally but it's one that's easy to put your own spin on. I found that by tweaking it just a bit you can make it all yours.



Ingredients:
1 Banana, sliced
1 Tbs Organic Raw Honey
Ground Cinnamon
Chopped Walnuts (optional)
Walnut Oil (or coconut oil)

Instructions:
Lightly drizzle your walnut oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Place your banana slices in a single layer on your heated up skillet and cook on both sides for a few minutes per side.
While your bananas are cooking whisk together your honey and a splash of water.
Serve your bananas with your drizzled honey, sprinkle with cinnamon and top with chopped walnuts.



Wednesday, June 12, 2013

9 Reasons to NEVER Eat Processed Foods Again!!!

I recently pinned this article to my health and wellness board on Pinterest but thought this was a good one to share as well. We all know that processed foods are bad for us, so why is it that we crave them?

It's simple, pure science. Manufacturers of these foods have it down to a science how to trick our minds into not only craving these deadly foods, but overindulging in them as well. How often do you find yourself overeating a paleo meal? I'm thinking the answer is probably never. That's because a paleo meal doesn't involve science. We eat what our bodies can recognize, and what our bodies actually need nutritionally. When you eat foods in their natural state, meaning food that isn't made in a factory, then our mind only recognizes that we are nourishing our bodies.... not that we want more instantly.

Below you will find an article I found to be very interesting... here's the bullets as a recap 

9 Reasons to Never Eat Processed Foods Again
1. Processed Foods Are Highly Addictive
2.Processed Foods Contain Phosphates That Destroy Organs & Bones
3. Fresh Foods Are Actually Cheaper Than Processed (Now this one I don't really agree with)
4. Processed Foods Cause Chronic Inflammation
5. Processed Foods Ruin Digestion
6. Processed Foods Destroy Your Mind
7. Processed Foods Are Loaded With GMO'S
8. Processed Foods Are Loaded With Pesticides

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Thai Basil Beef Lettuce Wraps

Looking to try something different... compliments of Everyday Paleo this recipe definitely fit the bill. Although I had to substitute dried Thai Basil it still turned out really good. (Oh and I will confess I could not find paleo fish sauce even after scowering the shelves of Whole Foods, so I settled on one that was close enough) It appeared that all of the fish sauces I was picking up contained sugar... which I know was being used as a preservative but it still angered me. 


Ingredients:
2 Lbs Grass Fed Beef
1 Lrg Red Bell Pepper, thinly sliced (I bought 2 organic- since organic were smaller than conventional)
1 Med Organic Yellow Onion, thinly sliced
2 Bunches Thai Basil Leaves (I subbed dried Thai Basil)
3 Organic Garlic Cloves, minced
3 Tbs Coconut Aminos
2 tsp Fish Sauce
2 tsp Hot Chili Sauce (I found paleo friendly hot sauce at whole foods- Sriracha is listed but it is NOT paleo)
Juice from 1 Lime
2 tsp Sesame Oil
1 Tbs Coconut Oil
Several Organic Romaine Leaves

Instructions:
In a large skillet heat your coconut oil over medium heat. Add your bell peppers and onions and saute until tender.


Remove the peppers and onions from the pan and set aside.
In the same pan brown your grass fed beef.


While your beef is cooking, whisk together your aminos, fish sauce, lime juice, hot sauce, sesame oil and garlic.
Add your peppers and onions back to the pan with your beef once your meat is cooked, pour your sauce, add your thai basil and stir well.


Scoop your meat into your leaves of lettuce and enjoy!