Vegetable Chicken Soup

chicken-vegetable-soup

I was fighting off a cold today and the Boulder weather was unusually cloudy and chilly today. So vegetable soup seemed the answer! This has chicken in it, but you can easily make it vegetarian or add beef instead.

Chicken Vegetable Soup

Ingredients
1 lb or so chopped up chicken thighs
Several cloves of garlic, chopped1 small red onion, chopped
Shiitake mushrooms, sliced
3-4 carrots, sliced
4 stalks celery, chopped
Green beans, chopped
1 medium zucchini, chopped
2-3 tomatoes, chopped
Several leaves dinosaur kale
1 carton chicken broth or vegetable broth
2 cans garbanzos
1 cup white wine
3-4 bay leaves
tsp or so of rosemary
tsp or so basil
smoked paprika
sea salt and black pepper
squeeze of Sriracha sauce
juice of one lemon
2-4 cups water
Extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp butter

Directions
In a large pot, add olive oil and butter, turn pan on medium high. Chop up chicken in chunky pieces. Add garlic, mushrooms, and onion, and cook until chicken is done. Add other vegetables, and cook/saute for a few minutes. Add seasonings. Add broth, wine, lemon juice, garbanzos, and water. Bring to a boil, add lid and cook for an hour or more over low to medium heat with lid on. Serves–a bunch of people, or makes great leftovers! Enjoy!

Venison Steak with Root Vegetables

marks-meal

An easy dinner with summer’s harvest veggies. This is a venison steak, thanks to our friend Mark, but you can buy a delicious grass fed steak too! Add in some local, fresh green beans and some sauteed root veggies (we used potatoes, carrots and squash), with a little pesto on top, and PRESTO! You have a delicious, healthy, low carb fat burning dinner.

Zoodle Artichoke Spaghetti

zoodle-arthichoke-speghetti

Zoodles are the new noodles! Full of nutrition, and LOW CARB! No more fattening, gluten-y pasta. Zoodles are the fat burning version of yumminess. I just got a Veggie/Noodle maker so I thought I’d give it a try. You can buy these gizmos at Target or any local kitchen gadget store. Or online…they aren’t expensive! Or, you can often buy Zoodles at some stores already zoodled! If not, just make some thin sliced zucchini and/or summer (yellow) squash.

Ingredients
Garlic-I used a lot!
Red onion, sliced or chopped
Olive oil
Canned artichokes
Organic red pasta sauce (check for a low sugar or no sugar variety)
Ground beef

Directions
Saute in onions and garlic in pan, set aside. Cook beef in another pan, add artichokes and red sauce and heat on low. Add ZOODLES or zucchini to onions and garlic and saute over high heat stirring the whole time for about 3-5 minutes. Dont over cook. When tender but still firm, remove from heat.
Add salt and ground pepper.
Drain excess water from zoodles, and pile zoodles on plate. Add generous scoop of red meat sauce and enjoy!!

Can be made without meat if desired.

Damn Big Salad!

big-ass-salad

My local healthy grocery store has an amazing little salad bar with organic veggies. I go there almost daily, I mean DAILY for a salad. I try to vary it some, but usually just end up getting a bit of everything–as far as veggies go. I mean, even if you are eating a low carb diet (which I am), veggies are basically free–in terms of carbs and calories (does anyone count those anymore?). AND they are FULL of all kinds of amazing, awesome nutrition, antioxidants, and massive phytochemicals that fight cancer, disease, keep you young and trim your waistline. Go for it!

If you can find a great salad bar near you–and avoid all the gloppy, fattening, sweet, processed foods, load up. I usually get a pile of greens, red onions, red cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, arugula, mushrooms, artichokes, and a little bit of beans or garbanzos. Drizzle with EVOO and a snizzle of apple cider vinegar. Dig in! Sometimes I add a few chunks of roasted chicken or hard boiled egg too.

Dandelion Green Omelet and Sweet Potatoes

gk-eggs-dandelion-greens-sweet-potatoesEver eat Dandelion greens? They are delicious–with a spicy bite a little like arugula, and full of massive amounts of nutrients. Try them this way–in an omelet. Add in a little bit of (raw) goat cheese at the end and enjoy!!

Saute greens in butter until tender, add beaten eggs, cook until almost done, fold in goat cheese and serve with browned sweet potatoes. Your day will start out RIGHT with this breakfast! (toast optional)

Mediterranean Chicken and Veggies

A quick and easy, but fantabulous meal! gk-med-veggies-and-chicken-jpgKeeping a rotisserie chicken on hand is the best way to find a base for an easy and quick lunch or dinner. Try this one from my friend  who is making a wonderful documentary about What to Eat.

Mediterranean Veggies with Rotisserie Chicken

Ingredients
Eggplant
Red onion
Red pepper
Green pepper
Zucchini
Fava beans
Olive oil
2-4 cloves garlic
Sea salt and fresh pepper
Oregano and/or basil
Grated Parmigiana Reggiano

Directions
In a big frying pan, heat the olive oil, and saute the onion and garlic till tender. Add other veggies and saute until tender. Add chopped chicken and heat for a couple minutes. Add oregano or basil if desired, serve topped with Parmigiana Reggiano (optional).

Seared Tuna with Micro Greens and Spinach With Balsamic Dressing

A simple lunch using whatever greens you have on hand–micro greens are delicious and bursting with nutrition. Can often be found at your farmer’s market or health food store. If you cannot find them, pick up some sprouted seeds–radish, sunflower, etc.

Add in some leftover seared tuna and viola! A lunch better than what you would find in a restaurant! microgreens-spinach-seared-tuna-balsamicmicrogreens-spinach-seared-tuna-balsamic

Zucchini and Tomatoes with Basil

Zucchini, Tomato and Corn Dish

When zucchini and tomatoes are in season, nothing compares to the delicate nutty taste of fresh picked zucchini and the sweet juicy tang of tomatoes. Finding both of these locally grown means that these vegetables are at their peak of flavor and nutrition. Tomatoes are full of lycopene and other powerful antioxidants, as well as vitamin A and C. Zucchini is an excellent source of manganese, vitamin C, magnesiu, vitamin A, fiber, potassium, folate, copper riboflaviin and phosphorus.

Basil is also a powerful superfood and contains flavonoids anv volatile oils which are uniquely health protecting. Basil actually provides protection against dangerous bacteria which can cause food poisoning including: listeria, staph, E.coli, and more.

Ingredients
1lb or so of fresh small zucchini, sliced thinly
2-3 firm medium to small tomatoes, (Roma tomatoes are good), chopped
2 Tbsp extra irgin olive oil
2-4 cloves of garlic crushed and minced
handful of fresh basil chopped
sea salt
fresh ground pepper
1-2 Tbsp grass fed butter
A couple of thin slices of prosciutto or cooked bacon

Directions
Add olive oil, zucchini, and garlic to a pan over medium heat and cook for a couple minutes until zucchini is beginning to be tender. Add tomatoes, seasoning and just heat through–30 seconds or so. Add bacon and basil and toss. This is also AMAZING added to scrambled eggs!

Serves 4

Health Reset Detox Diet


Let’s finish out this detox by adding in some great, healthy, fat burning meals. It’s time to get out those skinny jeans and boots.
Choose one per day from each category–recipe links are highlighted. Enjoy!

breakfast

Green Smoothie (Have at least two days in a row for best results)
Scrambled Egg veggie burrito in gluten free wrap
Veggie Omelet with eggplant, onion, zucchini, tomato
Scrambled egg wrapped in canadian bacon or natural ham wrap
Avocado gluten free toast with poached egg on top
Paleo Quiche

lunch
Rotisserie chicken with Mediterranean Vegetables
Lunch salad with mixed nuts
Zucchini and Tomatoes with basil
Quinoa tabuli salad with rotisserie chicken

Any veggie salad with chicken, boiled eggs or tuna added. Use olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dressing.

dinner

Zoodle artichoke spaghetti with grass fed beef or chopped chicken sausage
Baked rotisserie chicken (can be store bought), sauteed green beans with butter, smashed cauliflower
Grass fed beef chili, tossed salad with citrus dressing
Chicken or fish foil packets with zucchini, onion and tomato
Greek Avogolemono Soup (lemon chicken soup) with sauteed Rapini or broccolini

Lettuce wrap tacos with guacamole–Make your own tacos and wrap with lettuce

snacks
Avocado with sriracha sauce, handful nuts

Raw cheese and cut up veggies

half sliced apple with nut butter

Beef or turkey jerky and cut up veggies

Rolled up natural deli meat with avocado slices

1-2 Boiled eggs

dessert

Optional!
Dark chocolate and almonds

Easy apple crisp

Baked apple with chopped almonds and cinnamon

Fresh fruit with handful of nuts

Paleo pumpkin pudding

Dairy free pralines and cream ‘ice cream’

shopping_list
Produce

1-2 bunches parsley
1 red, 1 yellow pepper
1-2 cucumbers
container of baby kale
6-8 apples
eggplant
2 red onions
2-4 zucchini
2 tomatoes
3 avocados
fresh mint/fresh oregano
green beans for two dinners
head of cauliflower
broccolini or rapini
2 leeks
bunch of carrots
4 lemons/1 orange
garlic
small thumb of ginger root

Meat, Fish, Poultry

2 lb ground beef (for two dinners)
1 lb ground turkey (one dinner)
natural ham or canadian bacon
1 whole oven cooked rotisserie chicken (for dinner and leftovers)
chicken breasts (for dinner and some leftovers)

Misc.

1 dozen Eggs (add another dozen if making paleo quiche)
grass fed butter
2 cans beans for chili (black, pinto or kidney)
2 cans chopped tomatoes or tomato sauce for chili
1 large container of organic chicken broth
dark chocolate
1-2 cans or boxes of pumpkin
2 can full fat coconut milk
extra virgin olive oil
beef or turkey jerky
cumin and chili powder
cinnamon, nutmeg
1 can mild green chilis
slow cooking rolled oats
vanilla
maple syrup
pecans

Thai Turkey Meatballs with Red Curry Sauce

christins thai meatballsAn awesome recipe that my talented daughter Christin created. It’s amazing!!

Meatballs
2 lbs ground turkey
1 cup zucchini, shredded & liquid squeezed out
1 tbsp fish sauce
1/2 medium red onion grated
3 garlic cloves, microplaned or finely chopped
1 tsp red curry paste (can buy in asian section in grocery store)
2 tbsp canned coconut milk
1 tsp hot pepper flakes
Olive oil, or coconut oil for pan

Sauce
Remainder of can of coconut milk
3 tbsp tomato paste
1 1/2 tsp red curry paste
1 tsp fish sauce
2 tbsp ginger, finely chopped
1/8 tsp hot pepper chili flakes, or to taste
Juice of 1 lime, plus zest of half

Directions
Mix the turkey, zucchini, fish sauce, onion, garlic, red onion, coconut milk, and hot pepper flakes together in a bowl. (I found it easiest to use my hands.)

Roll the mixture into roughly 1 inch size balls (around the size of a ping pong ball) and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
In a large skillet, put the olive oil or coconut oil and heat to medium. Begin placing the meat balls around the pan, be careful not to overcrowd. (I had to do a couple batches.) Brown on all sides.
In a separate dish, mix the ingredients for the sauce. When all the meatballs are finished browning, place them all back into the pan and pour the sauce. Let simmer on medium low for about 20 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through. Serves 4-6, or makes great leftovers!

 

Delicious Home-made Kale Chips with Tahini Dressing

kale chipsThese chips are delicious!! Better make a double batch, because they shrink when cooked and they go FAST!

A few good things about kale…

Kale can provide you with some special cholesterol-lowering benefits if you will cook it by steaming. The fiber-related components in kale do a better job of binding together with bile acids in your digestive tract when they’ve been steamed. When this binding process takes place, it’s easier for bile acids to be excreted, and the result is a lowering of your cholesterol levels. Raw kale still has cholesterol-lowering ability—just not as much.

Kale’s risk-lowering benefits for cancer have recently been extended to at least five different types of cancer. These types include cancer of the bladder, breast, colon, ovary, and prostate. Isothiocyanates (ITCs) made from glucosinolates in kale play a primary role in achieving these risk-lowering benefits.

Kale is now recognized as providing comprehensive support for the body’s detoxification system. New research has shown that the ITCs made from kale’s glucosinolates can help regulate detox at a genetic level.

Researchers can now identify over 45 different flavonoids in kale. With kaempferol and quercetin heading the list, kale’s flavonoids combine both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits in way that gives kale a leading dietary role with respect to avoidance of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress.

Also…

Kale is high in Vitamin C. This is very helpful for your immune system, your metabolism and your hydration.

Kale is high in calcium. Per calorie, kale has more calcium than milk, which aids in preventing bone loss, preventing osteoporosis and maintaining a healthy metabolism. Vitamin C is also helpful to maintain cartilage and joint flexibility

Kale is a great detox food. Kale is filled with fiber and sulfur, both great for detoxifying your body and keeping your liver healthy.

Ingredients
1 large bunch of kale, inner ribs removed
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 tablespoons tahini
1 teaspoon nutritional yeast
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F (or plug in your dehydrator). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.

Wash and thoroughly dry the kale, then remove the leaves from the tough inner stem. Slice or rip into large pieces. Remember- they’ll shrink as they dehydrate so don’t go too small. Place in a large bowl.

In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients. Pour over the kale and coat each leaf thoroughly. It’s messy, but the best way to do this is with your hands.

Spread the chips in a single layer on the baking sheet or in the dehydrator. The dehydrator should take approximately 8 hours. The oven will take up to an hour (start checking on them after 30 minutes. They’re ready when the seasonings are completely dry and the kale is crispy.

Choose one from each category, recipe links are highlighted. Enjoy!

breakfast

  • Quinoa scramble with bacon
  • Ham or smoked turkey wraps with avocado, asparagus and tomato
  • Sweet potato hash with veggies and bacon
  • Chicken apple sausage (can get from Trader Joe’s and WF), sweet potato and veggie stir fry
  • Paleo Muffins w/nut butter sunflower butter and berries
  • Fresh berries with almonds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts and unsweetened coconut
  • Coconut flour pancakes ‘Egg McMuffin’ with eggs and Canadian ham

lunch

  • Monster salad with boiled egg, meat or tuna. Olive oil and balsamic dressing
  • Cucumber, tomato, and onion salad with tuna or chicken, olive oil and lemon juice
  • Chopped veggies, quinoa or brown rice, chicken breast
  • Deviled eggs on a bed of arugula or baby power greens
  • Pea guacamole with hard boiled eggs, and veggies for dipping
  • Tuna salad on lettuce leaves
  • Leftovers from dinner

dinner

snacks

  • Coconut flour pancake with almond butter, apple or strawberry
  • 1/2 cup strawberries, handful of raw almonds, cashews, walnuts, etc
  • 1/2 serving fruit, 4 slices of raw cheese
  • Greek yogurt, almonds, berries (be sure yogurt has no added sugar and has LIVE cultures)
  • Tuna on cucumber slices
  • Pea Guacamole on veggie slices
  • Celery with nut butter

dessert

Optional!

  • 4 small squares extra dark chocolate, berries
  • 4 squares dark chocolate dipped in nut butter
  • Chocolate avocado pudding
  • Hot herb tea with stevia, almonds, strawberries, balsamic vinegar and touch of maple syrup
  • 2 chocolate chip cookies

shopping_list
Produce

3-4 avocados
jicama
arugula/baby greens
2 cucumbers
2-3 red bell peppers
small zucchini
celery
2 red onions
cilantro
parsley
lemons
asparagus
4-6 tomatoes
4-5 new red potatoes
4-5 sweet potatoes
Meat
Chicken breasts or thighs
Steak–tri tip, flank, ribeye, etc.
grass fed ground beef
apple chicken sausage
natural deli turkey
Misc
quinoa
ground flax seeds
dried cranberries
raw honey
nuts–almonds, walnuts, cashews, pistachios, etc
coconut flour
tuna
1 small can or jar of artichokes
greek yogurt, plain
raw cheese
black beans
frozen baby peas

Meal Plan 5


Choose one per day from each category–recipe links are highlighted. Enjoy!

breakfast
Paleo pancakes with blueberries or peaches
(Use canned pumpkin or ripe bananas)

Scrambled egg veggie burrito in Nori wrap

Fresh fruit (peaches, berries, etc) and 3 pieces of natural bacon or ham

Smoothie–cucumber, kale, blueberries, flax or almond milk, vanilla, cinnamon, protein powder

1 apple with 2 Tbsp of nut butter

Veggie and sweet potato stir fry–use bacon, egg and/or sausage, and (cooked or leftover from dinner) sweet potato, and any veggies

lunch

Tuna, egg or chicken salad wrap with lettuce or Nori

Monster salad of mixed veggies with cooked chicken breast chopped up, olive oil and lemon juice, fresh herbs

Leftover salmon salad

Deli natural meat rolls full of veggies and avocado

Leftover Thai lettuce wraps from dinnerdinner

Salmon Salad on a bed of arugula red, black or white quinoa with 1 Tbsp butter

Grilled halibut, salmon, tuna, or your choice of wildcaught fish with lemon, large serving of garlic broccolini with 1 tbsp grass fed butter (brown garlic in pan with butter, add veggies and cook)

Lettuce wraps with ground beef or turkey

Grass fed ground beef or bison with sugar free, natural spaghetti sauce and black bean or gluten free pasta-or use spaghetti squash

Grilled chicken breasts, sea salt pepper and Italian seasoning, grilled asparagus with butter and lemon, cauliflower mashed potatoes

Thai turkey meatballs with red curry sauce and steamed fresh green beans

Grass fed burgers on grill, served with avocado and bacon on lettuce leaves with tomato

snacks

Kale chips with tahini dressing

Raw cheese and cut up veggies or half sliced apple

1/4 cup Nuts and fresh blueberries

Beef or turkey jerky and cut up veggies

4 Rolled up natural deli meat with avocado slices

1-2 Boiled eggs

dessert

Optional!
Dark chocolate with fresh berries

Herb tea with stevia

Fresh fruit with handful of nuts

Bowl of fresh berries with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar
and 1 tsp maple syrup

Paleo blackberry tart

shopping_list
Produce

asparagus
bunch of large leaf kale
1-2 containers of blueberries
1-2 containers of blackberries (for tart)
2-3 peaches
2 bananas
2 lemons, 2 limes
baby arugula or other salad greens
1 cucumber
cilantro
veggies for breakfast and thai lettuce wraps and salads: red, yellow or green pepper, onions, mushrooms
2 medium zucchini
1 large ripe tomato
2 apples
broccoli or broccolini
bunch of carrots
2 avocados
1 head leaf lettuce for wraps
1 small fennel bulb
2 red onions
garlic
small thumb of ginger root
spaghetti squash for spaghetti or black bean pasta

Meat, Fish, Poultry

1 lb ground beef
3 lb ground turkey
natural bacon, ham or sausage
natural turkey deli meat
halibut, salmon, tuna or other wild caught fish to grill

Misc.

Eggs
grass fed butter
1-2 cans tuna
2-3 cans sockeye salmon
tahini (sesame butter)
capers
natural mayonnaise
dill weed
nutritional yeast (optional)
Nori wraps
almond, flax or coconut milk
Maple syrup
fish sauce, red curry paste, coconut milk in can

Paleo Cashew Hummus

Cashew nuts in an olive wood bowl and scattered, isolated over white background with reflection.

 

I found this awesome recipe from Whole9 for cashew hummus–no beans, no starch, just healthy satisfying fats and protein. Here’s the base recipe, and I’ve included info on how to make plain, olive, roasted red pepper and sun-dried tomato versions too.

Ingredients
1 cup raw cashews
1/4 cup tahini
1/3 cup lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cumin
1/8-1/4 teaspoon cayenne
water
chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

Directions
Soak cashews in a bowl of water for at least three hours. Drain and rinse a few times, then drain well and place in food processor.

Add remaining ingredients to food processor and puree until well-blended. The texture will be very thick. Add water, 1/4 cup at a time, until desired thickness–add it gradually to get the right consistency.

Sprinkle the top with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

For the variations, keep the base recipe the same and add the following:

Olive:  Add black olives to the mixture before blending. For canned olives, 20-30 is a good number. For fancier cured Greek olives, start with 10-15 and add more to taste.

Roasted Red Pepper: Add 1-2 roasted red peppers and 1/2 teaspoon paptrika to the mixture before blending. To roast peppers, cook on a grill or under the broiler until charred and soft. Place in paper bag for 10 minutes, then peel. Or take the easy route, and buy them in a jar at the store.

Sun-dried Tomato: Add 5-7 sun-dried tomatoes to the mixture before blending.

Chili Rubbed Steak with Radish Salsa

steak with radish salsa kalyn's kitchenphoto courtesy Kalyn Denny, kalynskitchen.com

Chili Rubbed Steak with Radish Salsa

You won’t believe how good this is! Heating up the spices beforehand brings out the full fragrant sweet flavor of these super powered spices and the accompanying radish salsa is a refreshing change.

Radishes are full of nutrition, including vitamin C, folate, potassium, and trace minerals. Eating radishes can lower blood sugar, blood pressure, ease digestion, support healthy liver function, and help to prevent cancer. Radishes are a delicious, spicy, peppery snack too!

Use grass fed beef for all the great benefits of the healthy meat. Grass fed meat contains healthy fats including omega 3 fats that lower inflammation and protect your heart, and CLA which helps to burn fat.  The best cut of meat for this recipe is flank steak. Be sure not to overcook the steak. When it is done, thinly slice it on the diagonal for the most tender bites.

Steak Ingredients
2 lbs grass fed flank or skirt steak
2 tsp cumin powder
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp sugar
¼ cup olive oil
Juice of one freshly squeezed lime

Directions for Steak
In a skillet, add cumin, chili, cinnamon, garlic over medium heat for 20-30 seconds, stirring until spices become very fragrant. Remove from heat immediately—spices burn easily!

In a shallow glass bowl, combine spices with extra virgin olive oil, lime juice and sugar. Add meat, turn to coat both sides, cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.

Heat grill to medium high heat and grill meat for 10-15 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Meat should be brown outside, but pink and juicy inside. Remove from heat and let sit for a few minutes, then slice thinly on diagonal and serve with a generous serving of radish salsa. Serves 4.

Salsa Ingredients
8-10 medium sized radishes, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
½ small red onion, minced
A handful of cilantro, chopped
2-3 Roma tomatoes, chopped
Juice of one lime
Hot pepper flakes
Sea salt

Directions for Salsa
Chop radishes and tomatoes into small pieces, mince cilantro, red onion and garlic, and mix together. Add lime juice and seasonings. Serve with steak.

 

Grapefruit, Arugula and Fennel Salad With Citrus Dressing

This is a delicious refreshing, zesty salad with the sweet tang of fresh grapefruit and citrus, the bite of arugula and a touch of fennel. Arugula, has powerful cancer fighting compounds in it. Arugula contains anti-cancer compounds known as glucosinolates.

Arugula, like the other cruciferous vegetables in its family tree, also has powerful cancer fighting compounds in it. Arugula contains a group of anti-cancer compounds known as glucosinolates. These compounds are highly active antioxidants and they stimulate natural detoxifying enzymes in the body.

Similar to other dark green leafy vegetables, arugula is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium, magnesium and potassium that help lower blood pressure and keep bones healthy. It’s a good source of iron for healthy red blood cells, and contains plenty of other important phytochemicals such as carotenes and chlorophyll, making it an excellent source of antioxidants as well. For milder tasting arugula, buy the baby arugula, or for more pungent flavor, buy the larger, mature leaves.

The thin, shaved slices of fennel are easiest to do on a good mandoline, or you can use a good, sharp chef’s knife to cut very, very thin slices. Variations on this recipe are delicious, too. I made this the first time without the zucchini and added in some delightful, nutty flavored, raw Swiss Gruyere (Whole Foods carries this) cheese and it was incredible!

This is a delicious refreshing, zesty salad with the sweet tang of fresh grapefruit and citrus, the bite of arugula and a touch of fennel.

Ingredients

½ half small bag of baby arugula (about 4 cups) or more, if desired

1 fennel bulb, white part only, sliced very thinly

1 grapefruit, sectioned

3-4 green onions, sliced thinly

 

Dressing

2 T of orange juice (fresh squeezed is best)

Juice of 1 lemon or lime

2 T of red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon of sugar

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

 

Directions

Cut up grapefruit in sections, removing the membrane and saving the juice if possible. Squeeze any extra juice into bowl for salad dressing. Mix up dressing ingredients, and pour over salad right before serving. Serves 4.

A great accompaniment to fish or chicken dishes.

Till next time,

Stay Healthy and Lean!

 

 

Catherine (Cat) Ebeling RN BSN, is a back to basics diet and nutrition specialist. In addition to her advanced degree in nursing from a major medical school, she has spent the last 30 years intensely studying diet, health and nutrition. She also has a book titled “The Fat Burning Kitchen, Your 24 Hour Diet Transformation” that has sold over 60,000 copies worldwide, and has helped thousands of people transform their lives, lose weight and improve their health.

Her mission is to help others prevent disease and live their best life ever.

Nutrition made Easy. Simple.Smart.Nutrition.

Indian Style Beef Kabobs With Cilantro Lime Sauce (great with chicken too)

These Kabobs are absolutely delicious with an interesting spicy (not too spicy) flavor you will love! And…there is a generous portion of Cilantro in it. The health benefits associated with cilantro are extensive. In fact, cilantro is so effective at lowering blood sugar…

These Kabobs are absolutely delicious with an interesting Indians-spicy (not too spicy) flavor you will love!

And…there is a generous portion of Cilantro in it. The health benefits associated with cilantro are extensive. In fact, cilantro is so effective at lowering blood sugar, it is known in some places as the “anti-diabetic plant.”

It is also known for its anti-inflammatory compounds and its cholesterol-lowering ability, as well as its ability to remove toxic metals from the body.  Cilantro is twice as effective as antibiotics against the food-borne bacteria that causes food poisoning, Salmonella.

In addition, cilantro is great for digestion, arthritis, urinary tract infections, and is rich in magnesium, iron and tons of phytonutrients, so use cilantro liberally whenever you can!

There is also curry powder in the marinade, rich in powerful antioxidants and immune enhancing properties. Enjoy!

Ingredients
1 bunch of fresh cilantro (2 cups cilantro leaves)
1 small red onion peeled
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1 small green chili pepper trimmed and halved
1 2 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled
1 ¼ tsp sea salt
4 Tbsp olive oil
3 Tbsp fresh lime juice (juice of one lime)
½ tsp curry powder
1 ½ lb rib-eye steak, cut into 24 one-inch chunks
1 medium onion, peeled
Naan bread or rice flour (gluten-free) tortillas

Directions
Place cilantro, onion, garlic, chili, ginger, lime juice, and salt with 3 tbsp of the olive oil in a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Process until a paste is formed. Transfer to a large bowl.

Put 2-3 tbsp of the paste in a small bowl and set aside for sauce. Stir the curry powder into the rest of the paste, add the meat, coat well. Cover and marinate at room temp for about 30 -60 or more minutes.

Cut the red onion into wedges, separate the wedges and thread beef and onion onto skewers. Brush a grill pan with the oil. Preheat grill.  Grill the kebabs for 8-10 minutes turning the skewers every 2 minutes.

Serve with the cilantro sauce, plain yogurt, and pita or tortillas. Serves 4.

Savory Summer Herb-Grilled Vegetables

Summer is a great time to enjoy fresh, locally grown veggies at their peak, just picked. Check out your local farmers’ market for the most flavorful vegetables. Try zucchini, summer squash, sweet onions, red or yellow peppers, and portabella mushrooms.

Summer is a great time to enjoy fresh, locally grown veggies at their peak, just picked. Check out your local farmers’ market for the most flavorful vegetables. You can use a variety of veggies that work well sliced up for grilling. I usually use zucchini, summer squash, sweet onions, red or yellow peppers, and portabella mushrooms. Eggplant is delicious as well.

Ingredients

zucchini, summer squash, red or yellow pepper, eggplant, sweet onion, portabella mushrooms

garlic powder or 2-3 fresh garlic cloves, minced

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, adjust if needed

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar OR

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 Tbsp of chopped fresh herbs such as rosemary, basil, oregano or thyme

juice of 1/2 lime

sea salt and freshly ground pepper or hot pepper flakes

 

Directions

Wash and cut vegetables in thick slices. Zucchini and summer squash may be cut on a slight diagonal to increase size of slices. Portabellas may be left whole or cut in thick slices.

Mix liquid ingredients, herbs, and seasoning in large bowl. Add vegetables and allow to marinate for a few minutes or an hour or two. Reserve marinade for later.

On a medium hot grill, lay vegetables without overlapping. Cook for a few minutes and turn. Be careful not to overcook, you want these to stay slightly firm.

When done, drizzle some of the reserved marinade over the veggies and serve. Enjoy!

Amazing Secrets of Ginger, Asian Steak Salad

Warm Asian steak salad, contains fresh ginger in the dressing. Ginger is one of those incredible superfoods.That’s because ginger contains 12 antioxidant compounds more powerful than vitamin E! And, studies show that ginger soothes the body’s inflammatory response…

The salad in the recipe below, contains fresh ginger in the dressing. I love its fresh, zingy flavor. Ginger is one of those incredible superfoods that does many, many good things for your body, including helping your body burn fat efficiently by speeding up your metabolism. Eating ginger every day can give you a real antioxidant boost.
Ginger contains over 25 different antioxidants, which makes it even more effective at fighting free radicals in many different body systems.
 
Ginger is best known for its ability to reduce nausea and vomiting, as well as motion sickness. In fact ginger is more effective than Dramamine, one of the most common drugs used for motion sickness. And because ginger does not have harmful side effects like many drugs, it is very good for nausea from pregnancy.Studies actually show that just 1 gram of ginger beforesurgery is more effective than the standard anti-nausea medication given for post surgical nausea and vomiting.
Ginger is also a soothing remedy for sore throats from colds and flu because of its antiviral properties. Ginger also helps coughs and is an effective expectorant. Try a tea made with hot water simmered with a few slices of ginger and a small amount of honey and lemon for a soothing tonic when you are sick.Because ginger is such a strong anti-inflammatory, it helps reduce the pain and swelling of arthritis, and muscle aches. Ginger also fights cancer, reduces cholesterol, and prevents blood clots that lead to strokes or heart disease.
 That’s because ginger contains 12 antioxidant compounds more powerful than vitamin E! And, studies show that ginger soothes the body’s inflammatory response and promotes healthy circulation as well. Ginger is an excellent digestive aid as well. It really helps get your digestive system moving. And ginger’s zippy flavor also jump starts your metabolism by making you more energetic and burn more calories. Ginger is amazingly versatile and tastes great in many dishes, cooked or raw.
Enjoy this salad tonight!

Salad Ingredients

3/4 lb grass fed sirloin, skirt or tri-tip steak

Mixed organic greens (romaine, arugula, red leaf, etc.)

10-12 pieces of asparagus, trimmed, cooked slightly and cut in 1 inch pieces

1 sweet red pepper, cut in thin strips

½ seedless cucumber, thinly sliced

3 green onions, thinly sliced

Handful of chopped fresh cilantro

Chopped tomato

Toasted sesame seeds or peanuts

 

Dressing Ingredients

½ cup orange juice

½ Tbsp fresh ginger, minced or grated

½ Tbsp rice wine vinegar

2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced

2 tsp soy sauce 

2 tsp sesame oil

2 tsp honey 

1 tsp extra virgin olive oil

1 dash hot pepper sauce (optional)

 

Directions

Whisk together dressing ingredients. Pour ¼ cup of dressing over steak in a shallow glass dish, turning to coat. Reserve remaining dressing. Grill steak about 3-4 minutes per side (if steak is about 1″ thick). Let steak rest for a few minutes before carving. Slice thinly on the diagonal.

In a serving dish, toss reserved dressing with salad greens, asparagus, red pepper, cucumber, green onions and cilantro. Add steak to top of salad and garnish with sesame seeds or peanuts, and serve. Serves 4.
 

Enjoy!

 

Catherine (Cat) Ebeling RN BSN, is a back to basics diet and nutrition specialist. In addition to her advanced degree in nursing from a major medical school, she has spent the last 30 years intensely studying diet, health and nutrition. She also has a book titled “The Fat Burning Kitchen, Your 24 Hour Diet Transformation” that has sold over 60,000 copies worldwide, and has helped thousands of people transform their lives, lose weight and improve their health.

Her mission is to help others prevent disease and live their best life ever.

Nutrition made Easy. Simple.Smart.Nutrition.

Enjoy this Unique and Tasty Guacamole!

A Really different, refreshing way to eat guacamole. The addition of baby peas adds an unusual, fresh, sweeter taste to the guacamole. And the peas add a little more fiber as well as decreasing the calories in the guacamole.

GREEN PEA & AVOCADO GUACAMOLE

A Really different, refreshing way to eat guacamole. The addition of baby peas adds an unusual, fresh, sweeter taste to the guacamole. And the peas add a little more fiber as well as decreasing the calories in the guacamole. Try it for Cinco De Mayo–it’s sure to become everyone’s favorite!

GREEN PEA GUACAMOLE

8 ounces frozen baby peas

1/2 large or 1 whole small avocado

1 jalapeno pepper (seeded and de-ribbed for less hotness)

1-2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

juice from a half of a lemon or lime,

Sea salt, to taste

fresh ground black pepper

1/4 tsp cumin

2 Tsbs chopped cilantro

1 garlic clove, minced

1 Roma tomato, diced

1/4 cup to 1/2 cup minced red onion

2 Tbsp of plain yogurt or sour cream if desired for a more creamy texture

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and ‘chop’ until combined. Does not need to be well blended, can be chunky. Enjoy with chips or better yet, slice up some cucumber, zucchini, and red and yellow sweet bell peppers for an awesome dip.

Happy Cinco De Mayo everyone!

Catherine (Cat) Ebeling RN BSN,is a back to basics diet and nutrition specialist.
In addition to her advanced degree in nursing from a major medical school, she has spent the last 30 years intensely studying diet, health and nutrition. She also has a book titled “The Fat Burning Kitchen, Your 24 Hour Diet Transformation” that has sold over 60,000 copies worldwide, and has helped thousands of people transform their lives, lose weight and improve their health.
Her mission is to help others prevent disease, lose weight, and live their best life ever.
Nutrition made Easy. Simple.Smart.Nutrition.

The Fat Burning Kitchen will get you started on the path to a healthy diet, weight loss and vibrant health. You will notice a difference in the first 24 hours! Learn about the so-called ‘health’ foods you may be eating that are actually ruining your health, and causing you to gain weight. And find out the best, fat-burning super-powered nutritious foods to eat to lose fat, gain boundless energy, and feel better than you ever have!

Dutch Baby

dutchbaby

A little change from your standard breakfast fare and a show-stopping presentation as well! These are quick and easy to make and always a favorite. I have experimented with grain-free versions, but the best I can do is to use gluten free brown or white rice flour in this, otherwise it just doesn’t rise at all! Lots of eggs ensure plenty of protein, and as long as you don’t drench it with syrup, you are in for a good, low glycemic, fat burning breakfast. A better option is to cover it with smashed up blueberries, strawberries or raspberries. Apples or bananas would be tasty too!

Ingredients (can be modified for size of group*)
4 eggs
1 cup hemp, almond, coconut, etc milk
1 cup brown rice flour
Pinch of sea salt
Vanilla
Cinnamon
Variation: Add 1/3 cup grated cheese, and chopped ham or bacon

Directions
Heat oven to 425 degrees. In a large skillet or other heat proof pan (make sure the handle won’t melt!) add 1/3 cup grass fed butter and set in oven, while mixing up batter.

In a blender, add eggs, and blend for about 30 seconds until light and foamy. Slowly add part of the flour and part of the milk, and blend. Repeat until all ingredients are added. Blend for another 30 seconds. Remove hot pan from oven (butter should be melted) and pour in batter. Replace pan in oven, and cook for 20 minutes, approximately. Dutch baby should be golden brown and puffed up on sides and/or middle. Remove from oven and serve. (This behaves like a souffle, so it may fall pretty quickly when you take it from the oven). Can serve with fresh fruit, a small amount of real maple syrup or hot sauce if using the meat and cheese version.
Serves four.

To make a larger Dutch baby: use 6 eggs, 1 cup and 1/2 milk, 1 and 1/2 cups flour. Use a bigger pan if desired, otherwise it will make a thicker pancake.

To make a smaller one: use 2-3 eggs, 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup flour. I use the same size pan and it just makes a smaller, slightly thinner and crisper pancake.