Braised Beef with Coconut Risotto

1 grass fed beef stew meat, cut into 2 inch pieces and dried with towelSalt and freshly ground black pepperCoconut oil, for searing2 slices nitrate free bacon, chopped1 onion, chopped (divided)1 tsp ginger, chopped3/4 cup organic Tamari sauce (soy sauce)4 cups beef stock2 to 3 TBS butter, plus 1 TBS6 cups cauliflower, "riced"1/2 cups chicken broth1/2 cup coconut milk1 tomato, diced2 sprigs mint, chopped2...

Open-Faced Provolone Chicken "Sandwich"

2 portobello mushrooms, stems removed and chopped2 chicken breasts2 TBS tamari sauce (or soy sauce)2 TBS plus 1 tsp macadamia nut oil, divided1 garlic clove, minced2 slices provolone cheese1/4 tsp pepper2 tsp chopped fresh chivesDIPPING SAUCE: Click HERE.Heat oven to 400° F. Lightly grease medium baking dish; place mushroom caps in dish, gill-side down. Place chicken in shallow dish. Combine Tamari...

Caramel Cream Puffs

These are a fun dessert to serve when you are in a pinch! I made the puffs a week ahead of time and kept in the freezer. I also made the caramel a few days ahead. All I had to do was whip some fresh cream fill the puffs and top with caramel.3 eggs, separated3 oz cream cheese1/2 cup vanilla egg white or whey protein1/8 tsp cream of tartar ½ tsp stevia glyceritePreheat oven to 300 degrees F. In a bowl,...

Chocolate Sesame Whole Wheat Wreath Bread

I simply love giving the Daring baker challenges a purely chocolate make over. The 2010 December Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Penny of Sweet Sadie’s Baking. She chose to challenge Daring Bakers’ to make Stollen. She adapted a friend’s family recipe and combined it with information from friends, techniques from Peter Reinhart’s book.........and Martha Stewart’s demonstration.The concluding...

Boston Cream Cheesecake

Happy Birthday to my husband Craig! AND Merry Christmas to everyone else:) Yep, Craig's birthday is on Christmas day. He LOVES cheesecake so I thought I would make him a yummy cake...not that we need another dessert, but this one is oh, so good!For cake:3/4 stick butter, cut into 1-inch pieces and softened1 1/2 cups blanched almond flour1 tsp baking powder1/2 tsp baking soda1/2 tsp Celtic sea salt3/4...

Gingerbread Cookies and WHY WHEY

This is from my book Secrets to a Healthy Metabolism.Top 10 reasons to consume WHEY:1. Boost Immune System – Whey protein includes high levels of the amino acid cysteine, which produces glutathione, a potent antioxidant that maintains immune health. One of the first indications in patients with autoimmune diseases is a decrease in glutathione levels. Many studies have proven adding whey protein to...

Breakfast HOT POCKET

Does the word "corn syrup solids" or "partially hydrogenated soybean oil" make your mouth water? How about fake butter mixed with tiny metal particles (nickel oxide) or plastic imitation cheese? Do you know what distilled monoglycerides or what L-Cysteine hydrochloride is? Well, if you've been enjoying Hot Pockets...that is what you are filling your body with! The poster photo is a diagram of all...

Chicken Lo Mein and WHY TAMARI SAUCE

You may look at the ingredients and see "Tamari" sauce and say "What?"!!! So what is it? and why ORGANIC?Monsanto Co., the world’s largest seed producer, has developed the first-generation Roundup Ready soybean (and corn) seeds...they actually spray Roundup all over the plants as they grow! The corn and soybeans don't die from the Roundup but what ramifications does this have for our health? Do you...

Mini Pretzels

Did you know pretzels are higher on the glycemic index than jelly beans? Yep, they raise your insulin A LOT! Traditional pretzels are made from refined white flour (refined carbs), and cause a rapid rise in blood-glucose levels, leading to excessive insulin production and a sudden drop in blood sugar. The longer-term health effects of eating high-GI foods include obesity and other symptoms, known...

Creme de Pirouline

These piroulines are also known as cigarettes russes. Crispy rolled wafers with chocolate. My brother loves these. I can't wait for him to try some without trans fats.STORE-BRAND Pirouline Ingredients (BOLD = Trans-fats): Wheat Flour, Sugar, Vegetable Oil (Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Peanut Oil, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil), Reduced Fat Cocoa Powder, Soy Flour, Malt, Rice Flour, Cornstarch, Whey...

Yorkshire Pudding

Yorkshire pudding is known as 'pockets.' It is a traditional Christmas dish that originated in Yorkshire, England. Yorkshire pudding is usually served with beef.3/4 cup unflavored whey protein1/2 tsp Celtic sea salt3 eggs, separated3/4 cup unflavored almond milk1/2 cup pan drippings from roast prime rib of beefPreheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Sift together the whey and salt in a bowl. In another...

Almond Thumbprint Cookies with Fruit Preserves

With holiday treats stocked in stores,I keep an eye out for new and easy cookie ideas during this time of the year.I happen to see this thumb print cookie tray in the store,with not so attractive or should I say complicated ingredient list.I just needed the recipe to experiment with my own healthier additions,which I thankfully could Google it up.I mix Almond flour(fine ground raw almonds is equally...

Eggnog and ALCOHOL Facts

Successful weight loss is all about oxidizing or burning, more calories than you eat. The primary problem with all alcohol is that the calories add up so quickly. At seven calories per gram, alcohol is a very calorically dense liquid that does nothing good for our body, no matter what you read in magazines…your risk of heart disease is NOT going to go down if you drink alcohol. I really hate those...

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Mmmm, comfort food... We also made meatball sandwiches (using protein buns). 2 pounds grass fed ground beef2 cloves garlic, minced2 eggs1 cup freshly grated Romano cheese1 1/2 TBS Italian seasoning Celtic sea salt and ground black pepper to taste2 cups mushrooms, finely chopped1 cup beef brothPreheat oven to 375 degrees F. Combine beef, garlic, eggs, cheese, seasoning, salt and pepper in a large bowl....

Thin Mint Cookies and DEPRESSION

About 60% of clients that I see are taking a prescription drug for depression or anxiety. Could our food supply be affecting our brain health? I KNOW so! It is not your fault for these low moods. We just need to start eating quality "food" rather than fill our stomach with "substance."Certain foods make us feel better by boosting brain neurotransmitter levels such as serotonin and dopamine, and some...

Fudge Ecstasies

If you are craving a chocolate Christmas cookie...watch out! These are addicting! 3/4 cup ChocoPerfection Chocolate, chopped2 squares of unsweetened chocolate2 TBS butter or coconut oil1/4 cup peanut flour1/4 tsp aluminum free baking powder2 eggs1/3 cup erythritol or xylitol1/2 tsp stevia glycerite1 tsp vanilla1 cup chopped nutsPreheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the...

Captivating Cranberry Recipes and Cranberry Upma

Unlike most berries ,cranberries are very lightly sweet but really tart,that makes it a better addition in savory dishes cause making a dessert would mean adding a lot more sugar to balance the tartness.Not that I haven't tried it in a Sweet recipe,some of my favorites are :Cranberry Apple pie ,Cranberry Creme brulee ,Chocolate Cake with Cranberries and Pomegranates,Cranberry preserves,Berry Green...

Creamy Pumpkin "Risotto"

4 cups cauliflower, chopped into "rice"1/4 cup chicken broth1 cup diced onion1 cup thinly sliced mushrooms1/2 cup canned pumpkin1/2 cup unsweetened unflavored almond milk1 tsp chopped garlic1/4 tsp Celtic sea salt1/8 tsp black pepper, or more to taste2 wedges The Laughing Cow Creamy Swiss cheese4 tsp Parmesan cheeseOPTIONAL: pumpkin seedsPlace cauliflower in a food processor, and blend until small...

Secrets to Controlling Your Weight, Cravings and Mood

NEW BOOK!Secrets to Controlling Your Weight, Cravings and MoodBefore my passion for nutrition came along, I had a passion for donuts. I was an athlete and thought I could get away with eating what I wanted, as long as I worked out. NOT TRUE. Even though I ate enough calories, I was starving myself, specifically, I was starving my brain. My stomach was filled with “substance” but my brain kept telling...

Eggnog

Who doesn't love the taste of eggnog at Christmas time? Here is a way to really cut the calories and sugar!1 egg nog tea bag1 cup vanilla almond milk1/4 tsp nutmeg2 tsp Truvia (or a drop of stevia glycerite)In a saucepan, warm the almond milk, nutmeg and sweetener until hot. Place the tea bag in a tea cup. Slowly add the almond milk into the cup and let steep for 3 minutes. Enjoy!NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON...

Flour-less Chocolate Torte

My tip is to make this in a pie or cake pan (lined with parchment paper and greased well) and under-bake it just a touch. Let it cool and cut into individual servings to store in the freezer for 'portion control'. When a craving strikes, take your little piece of heaven out and warm in the oven or microwave for about 20 seconds just until 'gooey and melty' top with a dollop of cream cheese frosting!...oh...

Eggnog French Toast

This bread is VERY tasty on it's own. When you are making it, make sure to whip the whites A LOT; most people under whip them. Also make sure to keep the whites high when folding the yolk mixture in. The "dough" should fill the whole bread pan.EGGNOG BREAD:4 eggs, separated1 cup vanilla whey4 TBS Truvia (or a few drops of stevia glycerite)1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk1 tsp nutmegSeparate...

Teddy Grahams

Are you feeding your kids Teddy Grahams? They are filled with trans-fat, maltodexterine, sugar and soy products. Ingredients: UNBLEACHED ENRICHED FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE [VITAMIN B1], RIBOFLAVIN [VITAMIN B2], FOLIC ACID), SUGAR, GRAHAM FLOUR (WHOLE GRAIN WHEAT FLOUR), SOYBEAN OIL AND/OR PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED COTTONSEED OIL, DEXTROSE, HONEY, MALTODEXTRIN, CALCIUM...

Roasted Pumpkin Farro Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Farro(pronounced FAHR-oh)is one the oldest grains,originally found in Middle East and now grown mainly in Italy.Pearled Farro is incredibly easy to prepare.It is a good source of Protein and Iron.In the following recipe I use left over pumpkin puree from a roasted pumpkin and use it while cooking the farro for added nutrition of pumpkins.Stuffed in mildly spicy Poblanos,this is one remarkably delicious...

Christmas Cookie Cut Outs

1/4 cup butter or coconut oil1 egg1/2 cup Truvia (or erythritol and 1 tsp stevia glycerite)1 cup blanched almond flour3/4 cup vanilla whey/egg white protein1/2 tsp Celtic sea salt1/2 tsp baking soda1/2 tsp cinnamonIn a large bowl cream the butter, egg and sweetener together until very smooth.Then add the egg and mix until well combined. Sift the baking soda, cinnamon, salt and whey into the almond...