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Dark Cherry Coconut Antioxidant Smoothie

My mornings typically start with a smoothie for breakfast. I change up the ingredients everyday but this is one of my favorites. It’s full of antioxidants, healthy fats, and protein. I hate it when I have a smoothie and then an hour later I’m starving. This one isn’t like that, it keeps me feeling fuller much longer and gives me lots of energy. 

Dark Cherry Coconut Antioxidant Smoothie

There are quite a few components in this smoothie but they all work together to give you a rich, smooth, delicious flavor. One of my favorite things about this particular recipe is the antioxidants it contains. First, you have the dark cherries. Not only do cherries taste absolutely wonderful they are incredibly healthy. Cherries contain powerful antioxidants like anthocyanins and cyanidin. Sweet cherries also contain a small amount of quercetin, which is among the most potent in terms of antioxidant activity and a wide range of other health-promoting properties (mercola.com).

Cherry Antioxidant Smoothie

Golden Paste

I love to keep a container of golden paste in the refrigerator at all times. I usually make it about once every 2 weeks. I use it in a variety of recipes including all my smoothies. It’s so easy to make, you can find a recipe here. Combining the turmeric, black pepper, and coconut oil together allows the ingredients to work together so that they can be better absorbed by your body. Our bodies have a tough time absorbing turmeric alone but by adding a little black pepper it boosts the bioavailability by 2000%. You may be asking, why do I need turmeric anyway? Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. It is an anti-inflammatory and a powerful antioxidant, boasting a wide range of benefits. 

Coconut water is a good source of antioxidants, potassium, magnesium, copper, and cytokinins — it always makes a good addition to any smoothie.

Coconut oil and almond butter provide healthy fats and the collagen peptides are a wonderful source of nutrient-dense protein.

I like to add a little Vitamin C powder to my smoothies, especially in the winter and spring months when everyone seems to be passing around sicknesses. It definitely bumps up the immune system and keeps me from getting colds when everyone else seems to have them.

Dark Cherry Coconut Smoothie
A dairy free, gluten free smoothie that is rich in antioxidants and flavor and will keep you energized all morning long!
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Ingredients
  1. 1/2 frozen banana
  2. 1/2 cup frozen dark cherries
  3. 1 tbsp coconut oil
  4. 1 scoop of collagen peptides (or protein powder of choice)
  5. 1 tbsp almond butter
  6. 1 tsp golden paste
  7. 1/4 tsp vitamin C powder (optional)
  8. 1/3 cup coconut water
  9. 3/4 cup of water
Instructions
  1. Add all the ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth! Enjoy!!
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How to Naturally Sweeten Your Cold Brew Coffee

It is possible to sweeten your coffee without using dairy, sugar, and gross additives. This is better than any creamer that I have ever used and if you would have asked me a year ago if I would be saying this I would not believe you. I loved french vanilla creamer so much you would have thought I had stock in the company. Your coffee will be deliciously sweet and you will be healthier for it. These ingredients also happen to be Paleo, and Vegan! 

Cold Brew Coffee

These 3 ingredients have changed the way I drink coffee. 

Dates: 

Dates have become my best friend, especially during this elimination diet where I have taken away alot of the foods I usually eat. Dates are naturally sweet and really help with the digestive process. They are a good source of vitamins and minerals and also give you a boost of energy. They contain essential minerals such as calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. They also contain thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, vitamin A, and vitamin K. So basically nature’s candy is a powerhouse! 

So as you can imagine dates offer alot of health benefits. I’ll list just a few of them below.

strengthen your bones

relieve constipation

they are a great supplement for people who suffer from anemia

help to relieve seasonal allergies

a great energy booster because of the natural sugar they contain

reduce levels of LDL cholesterol

Coconut Oil:

Over the last 6 months or so I have come to love coconut oil. I probably go through a jar every week or so. I always buy organic unrefined. If you are going to be consuming alot of something you want to make sure it is of high quality. My practitioner told me I need to be consuming at least 2 tbsp of coconut oil each day. After reading some of the incredible health benefits you might want to as well.

More than 90% of coconut oil consists of saturated fat. Most of them are medium chain triglycerides, which has been shown to have many health benefits.  It is important to note that not all saturated fat behaves the same in the body. Due to its high lauric acid content it is actually beneficial to the body. Lauric acid makes up 40% of the total. Lauric acid is helpful in dealing with viruses and diseases. It can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. It can help boost your metabolism and thyroid function. It has also been shown to help reduce candida and yeast in the body.

Coconut Milk:

Coconut milk is a wonderful alternative to using dairy. Like coconut oil, coconut milk contains lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid that’s easily absorbed and used by the body for energy. It also improves cholesterol and blood pressure. Coconut milk also provides important minerals needed to maintain blood volume, regulate heart health, and prevent dehydration.  Coconut milk is very filling helping you to feel full and satisfied.

Coffee Sweetener
An easy way to sweeten your coffee that is all natural and healthy. I promise you will not miss the sugar!
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Ingredients
  1. 1-2 Medjool dates (pitted)
  2. 1-2 tbsp coconut oil
  3. 1/3 -1/2 cup of coconut milk
Instructions
  1. Put all the ingredients into a blender along with your cold brew coffee and blend until all the ingredients are combined. I usually blend mine in a Vitamix for 30 seconds. Your cold brew will be frothy and delicious! Enjoy!
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References: Organic Facts, Wellness Mama, Dr. Axe

 

Roasted Japanese Sweet Potato Fries

I have not met a potato that I don’t like in any shape or form. Baked, mashed, fried! They are all delicious! I have given up nightshades as part of my elimination diet and white potatoes fall into that category. Fortunately that does not include sweet potatoes! Lately I have found myself reaching for these beautiful Japanese Sweet Potatoes more and more. 

Japanese Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a good source of fiber. They are also a rich source of vitamin A, C, E, and B-6. The Japanese Sweet Potato looks very different from a traditional sweet potato, they are also more firm and hold up well to baking as fries. 

Japanese Sweet Potato Fries

These fries have the perfect texture. They are crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. These are made with coconut oil and salt and pepper, but cinnamon would be delicious on these or your favorite seasoning.

JIM_3203

Roasted Japanese Sweet Potato Fries
You can have these delicious crispy Japanese Sweet Potatoes on your table in 30 minutes.
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Ingredients
  1. 1 Japanese Sweet Potato
  2. 1 tbsp of melted coconut oil
  3. salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Wash and clean the sweet potato. Slice the potatoes. Put the potatoes in a bowl and pour the coconut oil over them. Salt and pepper. Then place potatoes on a baking sheet and bake for 30 -35 minutes making sure to flip the potatoes every 15 minutes.
Notes
  1. These would also be great with cinnamon or any of your favorite spices.
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Vietnamese Fresh Basil Spring Rolls

These rolls are fresh and loaded with flavor and  veggies! You will not be able to eat just one, I promise! Bonus: these rolls are very healthy and will fit almost any kind of diet. They are gluten free and vegan. This recipe is also great for anyone on an elimination diet.

spring rolls

I know we are in the middle of winter but that doesn’t mean it’s not the perfect time to eat something fresh and light. These rolls are so versatile. I love to use basil in mine, but they would also be great with fresh mint or cilantro. You could switch out the veggies, play around and make it to your particular taste. 

fresh veggies for spring rolls

These came together very quickly. It’s a good idea to have all your veggies chopped up before you get started putting your rolls together. I find it works best to put all your fillings together in the middle of the wrap and then roll it up tight like a burrito. The rice paper is very flexible just make sure you do not get it too soft or it will rip when you try to roll it together, but if you follow the directions according to the package it will work great!

Vietnamese Spring Rolls

Soy is off limits to me but I have found I love Coconut Aminos even more and it is the main ingredient for the sauce to dip these delectable rolls in. 

Vietnamese Fresh Basil Spring Rolls
Yields 10
These rolls are filled with fresh veggies and are perfect as an appetizer or a meal.
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For the Rolls
  1. 2 carrots (shaved with a vegetable peeler)
  2. 2 cucumbers (sliced thinly)
  3. 1 avocado (sliced)
  4. handful of fresh basil
  5. 2 green onion tops
  6. thin rice noodles
  7. 10 Vietnamese spring roll rice wrappers
For the Sauce
  1. 1 tsp of minced garlic
  2. 1 tsp of chopped ginger
  3. 1/3 cup of coconut aminos
  4. 1 green onion top
Instructions
  1. Begin by chopping all the vegetables.
  2. Then cook the rice noodles according to the directions on the package.
  3. When the rice noodles are done get a bowl of warm water to prepare the rice wrappers.
  4. Dip the wrappers into the warm water until they begin to get soft. You want them soft but still a little firm because they will soften up as you are working with them,
  5. Lay the wrapper out flat on a cutting board and put all your veggies, basil and the rice noodles in the middle of the wrapper. Roll them up like you would a burrito. You can fold them ends in or leave them open. Be sure that you do not stack the completed rolls as they will stick together.
  6. To make the sauce you will need a small sauce pan. Combine all the ingredients and gently cook for about 5 minutes and you are done!
Notes
  1. If you have left over rolls you can wrap them each individually in saran wrap and store in the refrigerator up to two days.
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