Showing posts with label coconut milk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coconut milk. Show all posts

Friday, May 18, 2012

Mint Chip Gelato and MATCHA BENEFITS

This is a special testimony from a client dealing the depression and anxiety:

As "the skinny girl" my entire life it was a medical condition and the medications necessary for me to take for the rest of my life that packed on more than 50 lbs. in a very short amount of time at the age of 37 that led me places I had never been before. Although the medication was making me feel better, it was a different story when I looked in the mirror. I had never tried to be thin, i just naturally was, and it's not like I wanted to weight 102 lbs on my 5'4" frame, I always had a dream weight of 120. Something my doctor laughed at when I asked him how to keep some of my baby weight after I delivered my first baby, after all, being pregnant was the first time I actually got over 100#, something that had been a goal of mine since I was about 16. I know, poor thin girl ... however, I was about to learn how body image affects so many aspects of a persons being, something I had never even considered. 20 days after starting my medication and I had already gained 27 lbs. I was so shocked every time I looked in the mirror, I still expected to find my former self and seeing my friends visible reactions although they tried to be encouraging. I kept having to purchase larger and larger clothes and eventually peaked at plus 54 pounds. I had tried to "eat better", you know, yogurt, fruit, vegetables, but in all honesty I am a bona fide, all out sweet tooth, always have been. Nothing seemed to help. My doctor and I decided to switch my medication to see if the side effects would alter. Hard to say if it worked, I didn't change anything else, although eating my way across Australia on vacation did non add any weight. I took that as a good sign. Then I ventured back into the work force and was more mobile and managed to lose a bit of weight, about 10 lbs. But I still felt terrible, emotionally, physically, had the 3:00 "I'm so tired I could sleep the rest of the day" thing going on.

I had a couple of friends who started working with a nutritionist who were altering their lifestyles, but it sounded like an impossible plan, no sugar!! No gluten?? How could I live without dessert and bread, my life line? I happened to overhear a session my friend was having with this nutritionist and honestly, it sounded do-able. You could substitute healthy versions of sweeteners, not give them up completely. Might work. There were ways to make/buy breads that I could eat, who knew? I decided to buy the book and check into it. What I learned changed my life. I decided to go "all in". I scheduled a consultation with Maria (said nutritionist) attended her Healthy Metabolism Class and attend her grocery store shopping excursion. I could do this, no, I will do this. My family was in shock. I don't think they gave me a chance, no sweets, no way. But I was determined. I did not eat one thing that wasn't on Maria's approved/recommended list. It definitely didn't happen over night, but little by little, week by week I was losing weight. My clothes were starting to hang, people were taking notice. My goal ... 120 pounds! Ironic right? My goal when thin and chubby was always 120!  I honestly don't know where I found the strength to do it, except by following Maria. Her constant encouragement and knowledge educated me in an area I didn't even know I needed to learn, after all prior to medication I could eat whatever I wanted. I no longer had the 3:00 afternoon energy dip, and generally had a better outlook on life. I'm not saying it was completely easy, there were challenges ... what to order if we went out to eat? I eventually did reach my goal and I owe it all to this book and it's author, Maria Emmerich. Thank you Maria
  -Jennifer Norman

This recipe is in honor of Jennifer! She loves my ice cream!

Baskin Robbin's Mint Chip Ice Cream Ingredients: cream, nonfat milk, sugar, corn syrup, semi-sweet chocolate chips [sugar, chocolate liquor, chocolate liquor processed with alkali, milkfat, cocoa butter, soya lecithin (added as an emulsifier)], whey powder, emulsifier/stabilizer blend (cellulose gum, mono and diglycerides, guar gum, carrageenan, polysorbate 80), natural flavor, artificial color (blue 1, yellow 5).



No thank you! Food dye is what makes this ice cream green! The most common food that American's eat isn't even a food...it is food dye! Americans consume five times as much food dye as they did 30 years ago, according to the Food and Drug Administration. But the trend in other countries may be turning. British arms of General Mills, Kellogg, Kraft, Mars, and McDonald's, for example, use few or no dyes. In Europe, their "FDA" is requiring any food item with dye have a WARNING on them! "May have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children."

BUT, The green color of this ice cream comes from one powerful antioxidant...Matcha Powder. Matcha powder are the leaves of green tea! The health benefits of matcha powder exceed those of drinking green tea because when you consume matcha you ingest the whole leaf, not just the brewed water. Antioxidants are one of biggest the buzz words in nutrition; they are naturally occurring chemical compounds that prevent aging and chronic diseases. Most people's minds go to blueberries or fruits when they hear antioxidants, but I'm here to tell you that fruits don't even come close to the benefits of matcha! Tufts University discovered that matcha has an amazing 20 times more antioxidants than blueberries! Not only that, but it is also great for:

1. ACNE: If you’re looking for a free acne home remedy then you cannot beat matcha. Matcha powder has been shown to be as effective as a 4% solution of benzoyl peroxide without doing damage. It also rejuvenates dying skin cells; when exposed to the leaves of green tea, the old cells found in the upper layers of the epidermis appear to start dividing again. They make DNA and produce more energy and they are reactivated. So consuming matcha powder helps cleanse your system from the inside, but you can also rub the teabags over your skin to cure your acne fast without the detrimental side effects of prescription medications which have been found to increase depression and suicide.
2. ENERGY and ENDURANCE: In the past, researchers thought the energy boost from green tea was from the caffeine in matcha, but they found that it was actually the combination of matcha's natural properties. It has been proven to increase physical endurance by 24%. This is most likely because of the natural rise in dopamine (things like aspertame are an excito-toxin which raises dopamine, but not without a cost...it over excites dopamine stores and causes depression; which is why you get addicted to diet soda). To read more on dopamine, check out my book: Secrets to Controlling Your Weight Cravings and Mood.

3. WEIGHT LOSS: Matcha boosts metabolism and burns fat. It has been found to help burn 4 times more calories! Just by drinking/consuming macha! Even cooler, is that is it doesn't raise blood pressure or heart rate like other scary weight loss products.

4. COLON HEALTH: The green color in matcha comes from chlorophyll; which is a powerful detoxifier and cleanser from the inside out. Chlorophyll eliminates metals and chemicals found in the liver and fat cells.

5. HORMONAL HEALTH: Green tea actually helps LOWER unhealthy estrogen, when black tea can raise it! High unhealthy estrogen leads to severe PMS, inability to lose belly fat, and more severe issues such as fibroids.

6. DIABETES: Green tea has polyphenols and fiber which help control blood sugar levels.

7. CALM ANXIETY: Even though it has caffeine, it also has the amino acid l-theanine, which promotes a state of relaxation and well-being by acting upon the brains functioning. Excess stress increases beta waves, causing an agitated state, where l-theanine creates alpha waves, leading  to a state of relaxed alertness; this naturally increases dopamine without over-exciting them. L-Theanine is found in all tea, BUT matcha has 5 times more than black teas and other green teas. L-Theanine also helps learning and memory.

8. CANCER: Matcha also has a special, unique antioxidant called catechins, which are only found in green tea leaves. The main 'super power' of catechin epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) is that it is a potent cancer-fighter. The catechins basically counteract the damage done by free radicals that form in our bodies due to chemicals, metals, UV rays, pollution, and radiation, which causes DNA and cellular damage.

*NOTE: If you consume alcohol and have a diet with trans-fat and sugar, you can eat all the matcha powder you want and it won't reverse the damage. These benefits are best felt with an addition to a "healthified" way of eating. 



"HEALTHIFIED" GELATO
1 cup organic heavy cream (or 2 cups for a creamier ice cream)
2 cups unsweetened almond milk
2 TBS matcha powder (green tea powder)
1 cup Swerve (or Just Like Sugar) *keeps ice cream soft
1 tsp stevia glycerite
1 tsp mint extract (or 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves...I used chocolate mint leaves)
1/2 tsp Celtic sea salt (keeps it soft)
OPTIONAL: Nature's Hollow Xylitol Honey and toasted almonds OR ChocoPerfection bar, chopped

In a large blender, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. Freeze mixture in ice cream maker, following the manufacturer's instructions. When the ice cream has finished churning, it will be relatively soft. Store the ice cream in an airtight plastic container in the freezer. Allow to freeze for at least 2-3 hours before serving. Top with Nature's Hollow Honey (no substitutes) and toasted almonds or chocoperfection chips, if desired. Makes 6 servings (8 servings if you add 1 extra cup of cream).

NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per 1/2 cup serving)
Baskin Robbin's Gelato = 280 calories, 19g fat, 4g protein, 25 carbs, 1g fiber
"Healthified" Gelato = 82 calories, 8g fat, 1g protein, 4.4g carbs, 3.2g fiber (1.2 effective carbs)
"Healthified" Ice Cream (2 cups cream) = 114 calories, 11.8g fat, 1g protein, 4.5g carbs, 3.2g fiber (1.3 effective carbs)


Saturday, May 12, 2012

Dairy Free Frozen Yogurt

When I was a teenager, I mistakenly ate fat free frozen yogurt for a dessert thinking it was a safe "diet" food. NOPE, it isn't. One of the most famous frozen yogurt chains ingredients for vanilla yogurt powder is: Pure Crystalline Fructose, Dextrose, Maltodextrin, Non-fat Milk, Yogurt Powder, Micro-encapsulated Probiotic (Lactobacillus Sporogenes)

Not good! The first 3 ingredients = sugar, followed by processed cow's milk. Maltodextrin, in particular, has a glycemic index of 110 (sugar is only 57).  Not only is it made from GMO corn, it also increases blood sugar. The scary thing is, since it technically isn't a sugar (in the chemical world), it doesn't have to be listed as a sugar. SO things like Ensure or Pedia-Sure will claim 0 grams of sugar...sure, but the maltodexterin will increase blood sugar even higher than sugar would. To read more on this, check out the chapter on Alternative Sweeteners in Secrets to a Healthy Metabolism. 



I get A LOT of questions about yogurt…even the plain Greek yogurt has too much sugar for me.  Instead of yogurt for your protein smoothie or an addition to the “Healthified” Granola…try this. It has less calories than yogurt or skim milk, and only 3 grams of sugar (versus 9 for plain yogurt...yogurt is high in lactose, which we slowly lose the enzyme after childhood to break this down..."lactose intolerance"). It also has 10 live and active cultures for good bacteria. Feeding your body delicious fermented foods and drinks is a great way to boost your brain-body connection. Did you know that the health of your intestines affects your moods, behavior and brain health?

Our moods are directly correlated to the intestinal flora of our gut...the nervous system actually come from the gut to the brain (in the pasted they thought it was the other way). The first thing I recommend for my clients who are dealing with depression or low moods is a quality bifido bacteria. To read more on how to beat depression without the side effects of prescription drugs, check out Secrets to Controlling Your Weight Cravings and Mood.

Check out the nutritional analysis compared to regular yogurt! WOW!

Yoplait Yogurt = 175 calories, 35 carbs, 28 sugar, 0 fiber (more sugar than a KIT KAT!)
Plain Greek Yogurt = 120 calories, 17 carbs, 10 sugar, 1 fiber
Coconut Milk KEFIR = 70 calories, 6 carbs, 3 sugar, 3 fiber



This reminded my 'test tasters' more of a Lemon Ice. It is tangy, like plain yogurt is...so just an FYI.

"HEALTHIFIED" FROZEN YOGURT
3 cups unsweetened Coconut Kefir
3 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 cup Swerve (to keep it soft, erythritol will make it hard)
1 tsp stevia glycerite
1 tsp vanilla extract or other extract (click HERE to find)
1/2 tsp Celtic sea salt (to keep it from hardening)

Mix together the yogurt, sweeteners, extract and salt. Stir until it is well combined. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Freeze in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Makes about 1 quart (1 liter). Makes 3 servings. I topped my frozen yogurt with "healthified" Blueberry Morning cereal!

NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per 1 cup serving)
Traditional Frozen Yogurt = 221 calories, 6.3g fat, 5g protein, 38g carbs, 0.5g fiber
Store Bought Fat Free Frozen Yogurt = 164 calories, 0.6g fat, 5g protein, 35g carbs, 0g fiber
"Healthified" Frozen Yogurt = 70 calories, 6g fat, 1g protein, 6g carbs, 3g fiber

A kid-friendly option would be to put the frozen yogurt into push pop molds. Click HERE to find.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Peppermint Patties


The first 3 ingredients in a York Peppermint Patty is sugar, corn syrup and sugar again! Try this instead...

6 TBS coconut oil
1/3 cup coconut milk (full fat)
1.5 tsp mint extract, divided
1/3 cup Just Like Sugar (or erythritol)
1/2 tsp stevia glycerite
1 TBS coconut flour
2 (2 ounce) ChocoPerfection Bars, chopped
2 TBS vanilla almond milk
1/4 tsp Celtic sea salt

Line small muffin pan with pieces of muffin liners. In a medium bowl, mix together the coconut oil, 1/3 cup coconut milk, sweetener coconut flour, 1 tsp mint and salt. Add mix until you make a paste.

Place the mixture into the prepared muffin pan. Place in freezer until frozen. Melt chocolate, 2 TBS almond milk, and 1/2 tsp mint and stir until smooth. Dip cooled/frozen coconut mixtures into chocolate, return to wax paper, and place in freezer to set. Enjoy! NOTE: They melt fast so I recommend keeping them in the freezer. Makes 12 servings.

NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per serving)
Traditional Peppermint Patty = 165 calories, 3g fat, 0g protein, 33 carbs, 0.9g fiber
"Healthified" Peppermint Patty = 99 calories, 9g fat, 0.3g protein, 3 carbs, 2.4g fiber

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Almond Joy Donuts




To see the recipe, check out the new cookbook: Low Carbing Among Friends at http://amongfriends.us/order.php


NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per donut)
Traditional Chocolate Covered Cake Donut = 327 calories, 33.2 carbs, 1.3g fiber
"Healthified" Cake Donut = 217 calories, 7.4 carbs, 4.2g fiber

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Healthy "Rice" Pudding



I make Cauliflower Rice and Cauliflower Risotto all the time. As I walked through the grocery store, I saw rice pudding...HMMMMM, perfect! I know it sounds weird, but cauliflower sucks up whatever flavor you add to it. I did a little "google" search and adapted this recipe from Low Carb Luxury website...so other people do this too! I'm not crazy:)

1/2 cup finely grated (riced) RAW cauliflower
1/4 cup Just Like Brown Sugar (or erythritol)
1 tsp stevia glycerite
4 oz cream cheese or coconut cream
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup coconut milk (or Heavy Cream)
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Prepare the Cauliflower by placing it in a food processor and pulsing until small, rice-like pieces. Place in a microwave-safe bowl and add 1/4 cup coconut milk with sweetener, extracts, cinnamon. Heat in microwave for 1 1/2 minutes. Let stand for 15 minutes. Beat egg yolks with 1/4 cup of coconut milk; set aside. Pour remainder of coconut milk and almond milk in sauce pan, add cream cheese and cook on medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. Add cauliflower mixture and egg mixture to pan and stir to rethicken. Pour into 4 small ramekins or pudding dishes and refrigerate 1-3 hours. Serve and enjoy! Makes 4 servings.

NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per serving)
STORE Brand = 179 calories, 33 carbs, 1 fiber
"Healthified" = 155 calories, 1.5 carbs, trace fiber

Friday, June 25, 2010

Zucchini Coconut Bread and THYROID Health

Many Americans suffer from symptoms such as cold hands and feet, low body temperature, sensitivity to cold, a feeling of always being chilled, headaches, insomnia, dry skin, puffy eyes, hair loss, brittle nails, joint aches, constipation, mental dullness, fatigue, frequent infections, hoarse voice, ringing in the ears, dizziness, loss of libido, and weight gain, which is sometimes uncontrollable. Approximately 65 percent of the U. S. population is overweight; 30 percent is clinically obese. Research is pointing to the fact that an under active thyroid might be the number one cause of weight problems, especially among women, in the US today.

Many dietary oils can negatively affect thyroid health. We cook with them almost every day and they are plentiful in commercially prepared foods. It is possible they are among the worst offenders when it comes to the thyroid. They are known as vegetable oils or polyunsaturated oils. The most common source of these oils used in commercially prepared foods is the soybean.

Unsaturated oils block thyroid hormone secretion, its movement in the circulatory system, and the response of tissues to the hormone. When the thyroid hormone is deficient, the body is generally exposed to increased levels of estrogen. The thyroid hormone is essential for making the ‘protective hormones’ progesterone and pregnenolone, so these hormones are lowered when anything interferes with the function of the thyroid. The thyroid hormone is required for using and eliminating cholesterol, so cholesterol is likely to be raised by anything which blocks the thyroid function.

Coconut oil, on the other hand, is a saturated fat made up primarily of medium chain fatty acids. Also known as medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), medium chain fatty acids are known to increase metabolism and promote weight loss. Coconut oil can also raise basal body temperatures while increasing metabolism. This is good news for people who suffer with low thyroid function.

So here is my thyroid-supporting zucchini bread:

3/4 cup loosely packed shredded zucchini
6 eggs, separated
1/2 cup coconut milk (or 2 more eggs)
1/2 cup coconut oil (or butter) melted (plus extra from greasing pan)
1/2 cup Just Like Sugar (or 1/4 cup Erythritol and 1 tsp stevia glycerite)
1 tsp pure vanilla
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp Celtic sea salt
3/4 cup coconut flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Unsweetened coconut flakes (optional topping)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x5x3 inch loaf pan with coconut oil or butter. Separate 4 eggs into two bowls. Whip the egg whites until very fluffy. In the other bowl, blend together the 4 egg yolks, zucchini, oil, coconut milk, sweetener, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Then add the other 2 eggs (or 4 if not using coconut milk), one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine coconut flour and baking powder and sift into batter. Blend until there are no lumps. Fold in nuts. Gently fold in the egg whites to the batter. Pour into a greased pan. Top with unsweetened coconut flakes and bake for 60 minute or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool and enjoy! Makes 14 servings.

NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per serving)
Traditional Zucchini Bread = 377 calories, 43 carbs. 2 fiber
“Healthified” Zucchini Bread = 135 calories, 5.2 carbs, 2.3g fiber

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Coconut Strawberry Pops

For those of you who enjoyed the cream cheese pops...here is another version that is "dairy free."



1 cup coconut milk
1 cup sliced strawberries
2 packets Truvia (or a few drops of stevia)

Mix the coconut milk and sweetener together. Slowly add the strawberries (they will probably make the milk red). Place in Popsicle molds and freeze.

Nutritional Info:
Serves 4
Per serving: (using Trader Joe's coconut milk...they only have "lite," otherwise I would have used regular) 49 calories, 4.4 carbs, .7 fiber, trace protein
 

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