healthy food – Wellness and Well-Drinks

Paleo Gluten-Free Apple Fritter Bites

Fall is my favorite season, and I am so glad that it is finally here. From the color changing leaves to the seasonal holidays, I love all things fall! As a recipe creator it is even easier to create yummy foods when you love all the different flavors. From apple cinnamon to pumpkin nutmeg to rosemary and thyme; this is where my taste buds want to live!

To begin my wonderful fall recipe series, I wanted to take advantage of the delicious apples a family friend brought over, fresh from her tree! They are Macintosh, so they are a perfect balance of sweet and crisp. I couldn’t wait to use cinnamon as a pairing flavor to the perfect apples, but I knew I wanted to be a little bit more creative than an easy apple muffin.

I woke up this morning craving donuts with my coffee. When I would get donuts in the past, I would always get a glazed old-fashioned and an apple fritter. I love the sweet and fruity surprises that apple fritters brought, and that’s when it hit me. I should make an Emilee friendly apple fritter. Aka Paleo, gluten-free, no refined sugar, (and mainly dairy-free)…Thus my creation!

I didn’t want these to be overly sweet or overly heavy. Instead, I wanted an apple fritter that I could use as my morning carb so I would be less tempted to make a breakfast quesadilla (I got addicted and my body deserves better lol). So, I chose to make apple fritter donut holes so I could eat 2 or 3 and be satisfied while also having a properly portioned amount. I also didn’t want to have to try to figure out yeast or anything like that because I am not ready for that kind of commitment. But these little babes turned out amazing! I had no idea that on the first try I would get something so perfectly yummy and my craving satisfied. Not to mention, I now got to have donut holes with breakfast for the next 4 days without ruining my dietary needs. It’s overall a win win.

Paleo Gluten-Free Apple Fritter Bites

I was able to make about 16 2-inch Apple Fritter Bites from this recipe. I probably should have doubled it because my family ate a fair amount as well! And mind you, my family usually questions what I make (but then they try it and are in love!)

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups of finely chopped apples (Granny Smith or Macintosh work best!)
1 1/4 cup almond flour
1 1/4 cup coconut flour
2 whole eggs
1/4 cup all-natural honey
2 tablespoons almond milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon liquid coconut oil mixed with 1 tablespoon cinnamon (optional)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 °F. Then, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine almond flour, coconut flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking powder.
Next, add the eggs, vanilla extract, honey, and almond milk. Be sure to mix this well so all the ingredients are fully combined.
Carefully fold your apples into the mix and try to get them evenly dispersed in the batter.
Using an ice cream scoop or spoon, take about 2 tablespoons of batter and roll it into a ball. Place the balls on the lined baking sheet about an inch apart from each other (they should not expand!)
This step is optional, but helps bring moisture into the donuts. Melt 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and mix in cinnamon. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat each donut with the coconut cinnamon mix.
Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until the tops are golden brown.
Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes to cool down. Another optional tip: drizzle a tablespoon of honey across the top.
Enjoy while wrapped in a cozy knit blanket, smelling a fall scented candle, and while sipping a pumpkin spice latte (;

Kale and Lemon Immune Boosting Soup

I have a confession...I love soup. I love making it, I love eating it, and I love how many vitamins I can shove into one bowl. My family has been feeling sick on and off and I work with children/families, so I am exposed to a lot of germs. I need as many vitamins as I can get! Sometimes I make enough soup to share and freeze leftovers, but lately I’ve been making a fresh bowl of soup daily. It does not have to be complicated or simmer for a lengthy time to be delicious, especially when it’s a vegan soup! Meat tends to need more time in the pot, but herbs and veggies breakdown a lot easier. I also do not always need complex, flavor-building soup. Sometimes you need something simple, quick, and easy! I like to use as fresh of ingredients as possible, but if you prefer dried herbs or pastes, use what is best for you! Now, let’s talk about the benefits from this recipe!

Kale: this low calorie, non-fat, fiber rich, leafy green helps aid digestion, and helps promote iron absorption (hello vitamins B and C!) It is also a great source of vitamins K, A, B1, B2, B3, B6, and E. All the nutrients, and a great alternative to spinach or collard greens. If you are an avid reader on my blog, you know that I eat around 3-4 cups of kale a day, so I am personally a huge fan.

Garlic/Onions: Ah, the Allium family. Garlic, shallots, chives, leeks, onions..oh my! I love the flavors of all alliums, but garlic and onions are by far used most in my daily life. They help with cold and flu relief, as well as provide great anti-inflammatory benefits due to the vitamin C and manganese content. While you can get heartburn from both of these ingredients (my grandmother could not stand garlic), when eaten in moderation, you should be okay. I typically do not have side effects, so I eat a lot of garlic! Again, modify for yourself.

Ginger: I’ve been a fan of ginger for quite sometime now. I love ginger tea, ginger chews, and fresh ginger in soup. Ginger is typically known for its relation to relieving stomach pain. Whether it be motion sickness, nausea, morning sickness, or just an upset stomach, ginger is a great option to try! It is also known to help relieve cold and flu symptoms, as well as help reduce inflammation.

Lemon: Fresh lemon juice has so many great benefits. Again, a great source of vitamin C (do you see the theme here?), but lemon juice also promotes weight loss, aids digestion, and can help promote hydration. When making soup, add your lemon juice in when serving. Just like with all vegetables and fruit, it is best to consume them in the rawest form possible (if safe) so you can really get the nutrients than can be cooked out.

Kale and Lemon Immune Boosting Soup Recipe

I made a single serving for this soup, so feel free to double, triple, or make as much as you want! It’s easy to digest, low calorie, non-fat, vegan, gluten-free, and filled with immune boosting goodness!

Ingredients

1/2 yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup ginger, chopped in large pieces
2 cups water
1 1/2 cups kale, chopped
1/2 fresh lemon, juiced
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Pour water into a medium sauce pan. Add onions, garlic, and ginger. Bring to a boil and continue to let it boil for 5 minutes. Turn down the heat to medium low for 10-15 minutes covered.
Remove ginger if you do not want to eat it in your soup. Personally, I do remove it at this point, but if you want to consume the pieces, go for it! Remember to remove the skin before cooking if eating.
Add your kale. Let the kale cook for about 5 minutes.
Pour your soup into a bowl. Pour lemon juice into the soup and give it a stir. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Enjoy and try to keep the germs away!

Spaghetti Squash with Protein Sauce

I have an obsession with squash, but more importantly spaghetti squash. I am gluten-free, and as much as I love gluten-free pasta options, I still hate how many carbs are in a single cup. My parents used to serve us spaghetti squash as a treat when we were kids, and all three of us would gobble it up. In college, I rediscovered how cheap and easy it was to have a squash fill you up and be just as tasty as actual spaghetti. You can replace spaghetti squash in any of your favorite pasta dishes, or simply enjoy with olive oil and seasoning. There are virtually endless possible ways to consume this yummy squash.

Even if you aren’t gluten-free or on a low carb diet, this is an easy way to get a ton of vitamins in your diet. Spaghetti squash is high in fiber, vitamin B, potassium, and omega-3 fats. It also contains the essential minerals calcium, iron, phosphorus, and zinc. With all the benefits, spaghetti squash can help aid in weight loss, lower cholesterol, and help regulate your blood sugar. Who knew you could replace regular spaghetti with something so nutritious!?

For this recipe, I decided to make a meat sauce with ground turkey, garlic, olive oil, and fresh tomato and basil. I’m sure a meat substitute, such as lentils, would work fine (I was a vegetarian once, I get it!) or even without the meat substance at all. This is how I chose to fuel my body, and I have no regrets!

Spaghetti Squash with Protein Sauce Recipe

This recipe includes how to prepare a whole spaghetti squash, so there will be enough for leftovers. I made enough sauce for a single serving, but feel free to double or triple it to serve your whole family! Sorry, I do single girl servings!

Ingredients

1 Spaghetti Squash
1 Tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

For the sauce:

1/2 a cup ground turkey
1 roma tomato, diced
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
For spice, you could add crushed red peppers, but I didn’t have any on hand!

Directions

Start by cooking the spaghetti squash. To do this, preheat your oven to 450 ℉. Pierce your squash with a fork so it can steam. Put your squash on a foil lined baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes. This allows the squash to soften making it easier to cut. Cut the squash in half (I cut mine long ways, but the choice is yours) and remove all seeds. Evenly distribute olive oil and seasoning on the squash. Place the halves back on the baking sheet with the inside facing down. This helps the squash steam and not burn. Cook for about 10-15 more minutes. Take out of the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before trying to touch. With a fork, carefully scrape your squash and create long strings. Boom. Spaghetti in squash form.
For the sauce, start by cooking your protein. I put the ground turkey in a skillet on medium high heat with a drizzle of olive oil, flavored with salt and pepper, and occasionally stirred until it was fully cooked.
Next, turn down the heat down to medium. Add your tomato and garlic to your protein. Cook and stir until the tomatoes have softened.
Slowly incorporate the basil and 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the rest of the sauce.
In a bowl, portion yourself a serving of spaghetti squash (I eat about 1 1/2 cups at a time) and add your sauce on top. Top with salt and pepper for added taste.
Enjoy!

Immune Boosting Herbal Broth

Winter; the season for soup…and a ton of germs. I honestly don’t like winter as much as I do other seasons simply because of how sick everyone gets. This year, the flu epidemic has been extreme and I am doing my best to avoid catching the bug. I take my vitamins, eat my nutritious food, wash my hands, get enough sleep, but there is always more that I can do. So, I did research about healing herbs.

Herbs such as rosemary, sage, oregano, and thyme are known for their immune boosting powers. Garlic and onions are also great antibacterial herbs that can be added to any dish. So, after realizing how powerful this combination is, I decided to make my own broth, or stock as some may say.

I spiced mine up with fresh cracked peppercorn, but feel free to add any additional spices or flavors. This broth is light, flavorful, and powerful. It can be used to make a variety of soups with root vegetables, chicken, kale, or even just consumed on its own. Guilt-free, gluten-free, vegan, all natural goodness.

Immune Boosting Herbal Broth

This recipe yields about 14 cups. Use a hearty handful of each herb. For a stronger broth, use less water.

Ingredients

1 onion chopped, I used yellow onion, but the choice is yours
1 head of garlic, cloves finely chopped
Fresh rosemary
Fresh sage
Fresh oregano
Fresh thyme
2 tablespoons cracked black peppercorn

Directions

Always, always wash your herbs to ensure all dirt and debris is removed.
In a large stock pot, add herbs, garlic, onion, and pepper. Pour in 14 cups of water.
Bring the mixture to a boil, and reduce to a simmer. On a low heat, cook, covered, for about 45 minutes-1 hour.
Using a spoon, remove leftover large solids and discard. Cool the broth and store in containers. I used 2-3 cup containers and portioned some for the refrigerator and some for the freezer. Refrigerate for up to a week, or freeze for up to 3-4 months.
Enjoy!

Lean Green Machine Salad

I love greens; yes I am serious. I have never had a problem eating my vegetables or finding new ways to consume them. With that being said, I am sure there are many of image1-2 you out there who have a hard time with eating vegetables, especially greens. An old coworker of mine hated vegetables so much she only ate them when mixed in smoothies. This only makes me want to create recipes so everyone can try to get their greens in and actually enjoy it! I challenge all of you, lovers or haters, to try this salad out and let me know what you think! I also challenge you to enjoy this salad with an inspiring book, ice water, and if you are lucky like I was, a beautiful blue sky and sunshine. Daily vitamins include Vitamin D!

Lean Green Machine Salad Recipe

This recipe yields about 2 servings. I’m a single gal and like to make enough for 2 meals, but feel free to consume it all at once. No judgment here, just greens.

Ingredients

1 chicken breast
4 tablespoons of your favorite spicy seasonings (I am using RawSpiceBar’s Shichimi Togarashi spice mix. This includes spices such as black peppercorns, red chili flakes, ginger, white poppy seeds, and black sesame seeds.)
1 cup broccoli, chopped
1 cup snow peas
3 cups romaine or butter lettuce, chopped
3 cups kale leaves, chopped
1/2 cup green onions, chopped

Dressing

1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon sea salt
1 tablespoon pepper
2 tablespoons fresh garlic, minced

Directions

Always marinade your chicken. That is a rule to live by. To do this with spices, start by putting your chicken breast in a ziplock bag. Then add about a tablespoon of olive oil and rub on the chicken until it is coated. Repeat this with your spices, and really take the time to rub those spices in. Zip up your bag and place it in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes. You will not be disappointed with how much more flavor your chicken will have.
Cook your chicken on a non-stick skillet on medium high heat for about 5 minutes on each side, depending on your stove and pans. Let your chicken rest for 2 minutes before dicing and place in the fridge to cool.
Take your broccoli and snow peas and put them in a microwavable bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of water and put in the microwave to steam. I put a small plate on top of my bowl to ensure the steaming process will happen quicker, but this is up to you. Steam your vegetables for about 2 minutes so they still have a crunch. Drain and store in the fridge to cool.
In a large bowl, combine lettuce and kale. I used butter lettuce because I like how sweet it is compared to the bitterness of the kale. I highly recommend butter lettuce to those who are not huge lettuce fans. It is softer and has less of a “green” flavor while still having plenty of vitamins. For an added crunch and flavor, I also combined green onions to my salad base. The more greens, the better!
To make a simple homemade dressing, combine lemon juice, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, pepper, and garlic in a jar or container with a lid. With the lid on, shake the dressing vigorously for 15 seconds. Boom, simple, yet delicious, salad dressing. The acid from the lemon will also give a boost of flavor to the bitter kale. Always balance vegetable flavors for a better dining experience.
Pour about half of your dressing over your salad base and mix well. Store leftover dressing in the refrigerator to use in another recipe. Top your salad with your chilled chicken, broccoli, and snow peas. Serve with an extra lemon half if you want added flavor.
Enjoy!

Notes:

Click here to learn more about RawSpiceBar!