Yummy Cold Busting Salad

By: Thursday, November 10, 2022 Diet and Foods, Healthy Cooking, Healthy Eating, Nutrition, Recipes , , , , Permalink 0

Yummy Cold-Busting Salad

I finally broke down and got my first cold of the season last week, and though it thankfully only lasted two days, my poor hubby caught it and has been suffering for a good 4+ days. In an attempt to make him something comforting and immunity boosting, while making use of the relatively meager contents of our fridge, I concocted the following super healthy dinner salad for him. Low and behold, today he’s on the mend!  This recipe is a perfect example of how we can use food as medicine.  There are more essential vitamins, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients in this salad than you could ever dream of getting from a supplement, and being in whole food form, the delivery system to the parts of your body that need it are much more efficient.

This delicious salad features:

  • Kale, which is full of SUPER high in vitamins C, A, and K, as well as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory flavanoids which boost immunity and the body’s natural detoxification.
  • Fennel, which is loaded with vitamin C, and immunity-boosting phytonutrients, including anethol, which has major anti-inflammatory qualities.  Plus fennel has antimicrobial qualities, which are perfect for beating colds!!
  • Orange or grapefruit, whose unique citrus flavanones combine with the super high levels of vitamin C which produce extraordinary antioxidant and immune-supportive results.  Plus, the zest ensures that you get the amazing benefits of herperidin, an incredibly anti-inflammatory flavanone that is only found in the peel and white pith of the citrus fruit.
  • Garlic, which is an anti-inflammatory, ant-bacterial, and anti-viral superstar, and is one of the best foods to eat when you’re sick. It’s also very high in selenium, B vitamins, and helps your body to metabolize iron!
  • Flaxseed oil, which is rich in omega 3 fatty acids, which are very anti-inflammatory, and is also high in thiamin and manganese.
  • Raw apple cider vinegar, a true wonder tonic that helps your body beat just about anything.  It’s loaded with potassium, which helps cure sinusitis and runny nose symptoms; and it has massive antibacterial and anti fungal properties, which are obviously hugely beneficial for beating a cold!
  • Raw honey is phenomenal for when you’re feeling sick, thinning mucous, soothing sore throats, and boasting anti-viral and anti-bacterial effects!
  • Himalayan salt, which supports respiratory health and clears up congestion, is a strong natural antihistamine, eliminates persistent dry coughs, and provides your body with all the necessary trace minerals it needs to heal and be healthy!

Grain-Free Cherry Crisp (paleo, vegan)

By: Monday, July 31, 2017 Healthy Eating, Recipes , , , Permalink 0

Grain-Free Cherry Crisp | The Organic Beauty Blog

Ahhhhh cherries…. These little puppies are so good (and good for you!) that they don’t last long in our house (check out my recent post on all the amazing health benefits of berries here).  But after a few weeks of traveling and insanity, I found a bag of forgotten, nearly-past-their-prime cherries in a dark corner of my fridge, and knew I had to get them into our bellies right quick.

Enter: the trusty crisp!  Crisps and crumbles are such a quick, easy, and healthy dessert, but one I typically reserve for fall/winter… Apple crisps, pear crumbles, something about these humble desserts just elicit images of cozy evenings by the fire in the colder months.

But with summer upon us and berry season in full swing, I thought, why not make a summery version of this favorite, in a perfect size just for two?

I opted for a grain-free cherry crisp as opposed to a crumble since it’s easier to omit oats (which are more of a fall/winter grain) in favor of nut flour.  And instead of cinnamon (which is a warming, cold weather spice), I used cardamom (a cooling, digestion-boosting summer spice), which lends a different flavor profile to the dessert, and complements the cherries beautifully. The whole thing ends up being totally grain-free and the use of maple syrup as a sweetener makes it paleo as well.  It’s pretty much the perfect healthy dessert!

Enjoy!

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Spinach Fennel Salad with Blackberries

By: Monday, July 31, 2017 Healthy Eating, Recipes , , , , Permalink 0

Spinach Fennel Salad with Blackberries | The Organic Beauty Blog

Adding berries (and fruit in general) to my salads is one of my favorite ways to punch up my dinners, take advantage of summer’s most potent and healthy foods, and reduce sugar cravings.  Check out all the amazing benefits of eating berries this time of year here.

Pretty much any salad can benefit from the addition of some yummy seasonal berries, and this one is no exception.  This salad is detoxifying, slimming, and loaded with powerful antioxidants and beautifying ingredients.  Plus, the delicious natural sweetness of the berries and the dressing mean you’re not going to be craving dessert!

Feel free to sub in any berry you love, though I think blackberries work best in this particular recipe.

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Flourless Banana Pancakes

By: Thursday, May 25, 2017 Healthy Baby, Healthy Cooking, Healthy Eating, Recipes , , , , Permalink 0

Flourless Banana Pancakes | The Organic Beauty Blog

We’ve been these eating flourless banana pancakes for years now, but since having a baby, these delicious, protein-packed puppies have become a weekly mainstay in our house.  They take just a few minutes to make, so they’re just as perfect for busy mornings as they are for long weekend breakfasts.  With just three ingredients, these pancakes are the epitome of clean, easy cooking.  Plus, no added sugar or flour makes them paleo, gluten-free, etc. etc. etc. — pretty much great for any diet.  And they’re a great alternative to the sugary, refined carbs of traditional pancakes.

Though I used to make a more complicated version (see my Flourless Blueberry Coconut Pancakes), now, we just opt for a pared down version.  I make little silver-dollar sized pancakes for my toddler and regular sized pancakes for us.

The key to getting them to puff up is using a super hot pan — I use my trusty cast iron.

Enjoy!

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Peanut Butter Healthy French Toast

By: Friday, October 28, 2016 Healthy Baby, Healthy Cooking, Healthy Eating, Healthy Home, Nutrition, Recipes , , , Permalink 0

Peanut Butter Healthy French Toast

French toast is one of my favorite comfort foods, so I’ve been determined to make it healthier, especially before I get little M obsessed with it too.

The best and easiest way to make healthy french toast is changing the kind of bread you use.  I like to use sprouted, whole grain bread instead of the typical crappy white bread, which instantly makes it a healthier, fibrous breakfast, instead of a high glycemic sugar bomb for the body.

The other healthy modifications include omitting sugar or maple syrup, and using peanut butter and fruit instead!  Peanut butter is naturally sweet, and makes this yummy french toast even higher in protein, which is great.  If you need even more sweetness in the batter, you can mash up a banana and mix it in, but I personally find that the peanut butter plus some added berries when serving makes the french toast sweet enough, and I can feel good about serving it to my toddler.