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Big Red Smoothie: Red kale, cucumber, strawberries, blood oranges, and ginger

2/21/2015

I love eating healthy things that look tasty and are colorful! Like the say, eat the rainbow! And today, I chose red as my inspiration. I need something bright to cheer me up in this drab weather. Check out my new creation, BIG RED Smoothie!.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups red kale
1 large cucumber (or two small Persian cucumbers)
1 1/2 blood oranges
1/2 cup strawberries
1/4 cup cilantro
1 tablespoon of ginger (1/2 piece)
1 cup of coconut water
1 tbsp chia seeds
Serving: One 16oz smoothie

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Superfood Truffles: Cacao, Dates, Coconut, Hemp Seeds, Chia Seeds - The Perfect Valentine's Day Treat!

2/13/2015

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I've been obsessed with Superfood truffles for a while now, I eat them every chance I get! They are so tasty and super good for you, so you can get away with eating more and not feel bad about it! Up until recently, I had never made them myself.

However, this Valentine's Day I was inspired to finally make them, since my staff and I are on this crazy Staff Health Challenge. I needed a great, healthy dessert to share with my staff that passed "the 6 ingredients or less" test. Not only do these truffles pass the test, but they are packed with antioxidants and are very decadent--the perfect Valentines' Day Treat! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

Serving Size: Makes 12-16 truffles

Prep/Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes

1/2 cup raw shelled hemp seeds
1/2 cup shredded raw unsweetened coconut
10 large dates (soaked for an hour to soften in 1/2 cup water)
2 ounces of pure dark chocolate (I used 85 % cacao)
2 Tbsp of raw cacao powder
*dash of Himilayan Pink Sea Salt -optional- I did not use but many people like this ingredient)
additional 2 tbsp. shredded coconut for garnish
additional 2-4 tbsp.for coating and mixing
2 tbsp chia seeds for coating

Directions:

First, soak the dates in a little water (as noted above) so they soften a bit for at least an 1/2 to an hour before hand. This helps the mixing process along.
Drain the dates but keep the soaking water because this will be used. Just drain them over a bowl and save the water in the bowl, remove skin and seeds. You will only need 2 tbsp. of the soaking liquid to keep so you can discard the rest.
Place the dates in your food processor and add the coconut, hemp seeds, cacao powder and dark chocolate. *Note* You will want to pre-chop the chocolate with a knife or just break it with your hands before hand instead of putting the entire ounce in there as a whole block.
Add the 2 tbsp. soaking water from the dates last. Using it last will help everything mix better in the food processor. This will also help soften the truffles faster.
Start your food processor and let it mix everything together until it starts to clump up like dough.The chocolate pieces will still be in chunks like chips, but I find that its tastier with the chunks.
You may need to scrape down the sides if it starts spinning and not mixing well and process again.
Depending on the thickness of the dough you can gradually all more cacao powder to thicken the dough.
Scrape the dough out into a bowl and shape into bite sized truffle balls and place on a cookie sheet covered with wax paper. The truffle balls should be about the size of a lollipop or cake pop.
Place truffles in the fridge for just 8-10 minutes to thicken consistency. This allows the rolling and coating process to go more smoothly. I find I get rounded balls when I do this.
Take the truffles out of the fridge. Roll each truffle in shredded coconut and place on a plate. You can also coat some in chia seeds, or cacao powder. I like to alternate between all three options so I can plate them as trio.
Once you have made all the truffles, place the plate in the fridge to firm up for about 1 hour.
Enjoy!

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Farro and Broccolini Stuffed Squash with Grapefruit, Lime and Dill Dressing

2/8/2015

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This is a new recipe that I just came up with last week when I was on a grapefruit craze. The Farro and Broccolini Salad is super yummy and filling, that makes a great meal on its own. I often eat it this way, especially if I don't have time to roast the squash.

Serves: 4-5 people

Cooking time:
Faro salad = 20 minutes
Roasted Squash = 45 minutes

Ingredients:

2 cups farro
1 cup broccolini, chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
1/2 red onion chopped
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2 acorn squash cut in halves

Dressing:

1/2 grapefruit
1 lime
1 tablespoon olive
1/2 cup dill

Preparation:

Cut acorn squash into halves, scoop out the seeds. Cut a small thin slice of the bottom of each squash. This helps the squash lay flat on the cooking sheet. Season each squash with pinch of salt and pepper and then drizzle generously with olive oil. Bake for 35-45 minutes.
Wash faro in 3 changes of cold water in a bowl, draining in a sieve each time.
Cook faro in a medium pot of boiling salted water (1 tablespoon salt for 2 quarts water), uncovered, until almost tender, about 10 minutes.
Cover farro with a folded kitchen towel or paper towel, then cover with a lid (don't worry if lid doesn't fit tightly) and steam over medium heat until tender, fluffy, and dry, about 10 minutes. Remove pot from heat and remove lid. Let stand, still covered with towel, 5 minutes.
In a large pan, saute onions and garlic. Add broccolini, tomatoes, salt and pepper. Saute for about 5-7 minutes, just long enough to incorporate the spices, do not overcook the vegetables. Set aside.
For the dressing: Mix the lime, olive oil, grapefruit and dill in a blender or food processor until fully incorporated.
In a large bowl, toss the veggie saute, farro with the grapefruit dressing. Set salad aside to stuff the squash.
Remove the squash from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes. Fill each squash with 2-3 spoonfuls of the farro salad. Top with some fresh dill and enjoy!

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Grapefruit Greens Smoothie Recipe: Kale, Pineapple, Grapefruit, Fennel and Ginger

2/8/2015

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Last weekend I had a huge craving for grapefruit and made a bunch of grapefruit inspired recipes! I played around in the kitchen and came up with a Grapefruit Greens Smoothie (recipe below) and a Farro and Broccolini salad with lime, grapefruit and dill dressing. Both are super freshening and very hearty. The citrus flavor of the grapefruit compliments the pineapple and fennel (my new favorite veggie) really well. Hope you like them as much as I do! Enjoy.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups of kale
1 large cucumber (or two small persian cucumbers)
1/2 cup of pineapple (two large slices)
1/2 of grapefruit
1/2 cup of cilantro
1/4 cup fennel
1/2 of a lime
1 tablespoon of ginger (1/2 piece)
1 cup of coconut water
1 tbsp of chia seeds

Nutrition Tracker

kale- super powerful leafy green, high in vitamin K and vitamin A; great for your liver and metabolism

cucumber-low-calorie vegetable with great cooling properties (great way to beat the heat and calm inflammation in the skin; good source of potassium and vitamin K

cilantro-a great low-calorie herb rich in vitamin C and beta carotene; high source of minerals like potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, and magnesium

pineapple-great source of antioxidants anti-inflammatory, high in vitamin C and B

grapefruit- high in vitamin A & C, and rich in dietary insoluble fiber pectin, which has been shown to reduce blood cholesterol levels; great for digestion

fennel-known for its richness of flavonoid anti-oxidants, minerals, including folic acid and electrolytes; nice anise and licorice flavor

ginger-great anti-inflammatory herb, good for digestion and nausea; packed with minerals like potassium, manganese, copper, and magnesium.

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Chai-Maca Superfood Smoothie: Banana, Cacao, Maca, Avocado with Clove and Cardamom

2/4/2015

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What is Maca and Why Is It Good For Me?

Maca powder is a great superfood that is getting a lot of attention right now. Maca is root that is native to Andes Mountains and used by the Incas and Purivians. It has been highly regarded for centuries as a magical herb, known to help boost immunity, fertility and libido, and many more things. And the best thing is that it has a chocolate-malty flavor, which is nice and adds a great kick to your smoothies. Try my "Chai-Maca" smoothie recipe. It's my interpretation of what a chai smoothie should be-full of spicy, chocolatey goodness and it's great for you! Enjoy!

Chai-Maca Superfood Smoothie Recipe:

Ingredients:

1/2 of a banana
1/4 of an avocado
1/2 cup of kale or spinach (some recipes, skip greens, but believe with every smoothie you make should add some kind of green, its as shame not to squeeze it in!)
2 tablespoon of maca powder (I like the Maca Magic brand)
1 1/2 cup of almond milk (can also substitute with coconut milk)
1/2 to 1 teaspoon cinnamon (to taste)
1/2 teaspoon clove (or 2 whole cloves)
1 teaspoon cardamom
1 tablespoon raw cacao powder
Serving: One 16oz smoothie

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Big Red Smoothie: Red kale, cucumber, strawberries, blood oranges, and ginger

Superfood Truffles: Cacao, Dates, Coconut, Hemp Seeds, Chia Seeds - The Perfect Valentine's Day Treat!

Farro and Broccolini Stuffed Squash with Grapefruit, Lime and Dill Dressing

Grapefruit Greens Smoothie Recipe: Kale, Pineapple, Grapefruit, Fennel and Ginger

Nutrition Tracker

Chai-Maca Superfood Smoothie: Banana, Cacao, Maca, Avocado with Clove and Cardamom

About Me

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Big Red Smoothie: Red kale, cucumber, strawberries, blood oranges, and ginger

Superfood Truffles: Cacao, Dates, Coconut, Hemp Seeds, Chia Seeds - The Perfect Valentine's Day Treat!

Farro and Broccolini Stuffed Squash with Grapefruit, Lime and Dill Dressing

Grapefruit Greens Smoothie Recipe: Kale, Pineapple, Grapefruit, Fennel and Ginger

*Nutrition Tracker*

Chai-Maca Superfood Smoothie: Banana, Cacao, Maca, Avocado with Clove and Cardamom

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Categories

Nutrition Tracker

About Me

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