Author Archives for Sandra Shields, Healthy Food and Wellness Blogger, Health Coach, Balanced Living, Clean Beauty Consultant

About Sandra Shields, Healthy Food and Wellness Blogger, Health Coach, Balanced Living, Clean Beauty Consultant

Hello! I am Sam. I am a foodie, baker and a Health Coach who likes being in the kitchen making food. My recipes are all gluten free and there are recipes for different food intolerances as well. If you are looking to incorporate healthier eating habits and live a more balanced life, I hope to inspire you. I have had an obsession with baking since I was ten! I started this blog to share recipes I was making for myself after finding out I had gluten sensitivity and other food intolerances which I have mostly healed, but will always be sensitive to gluten. I went to school for Health Coaching as a second career at Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Nutrient dense food gives the body the best fuel and building blocks to be vibrant, healthy, prevent disease, and maintain great energy as well as heal. I am excited to share delicious food recipes, tips, baking and treats too!

Merry Cherry Chocolate Fudge

Fudge with health benefits? What’s that you say? Well hey, I have a fudge recipe that tastes decadent and fudgy, and it has benefits other than expanding your waistline over the holidays. I tested it on my kids, and they gave me the thumbs up as well. Bet you want to have a piece don’t you? Read on for the benefits.

merry-cherry-fudge-gluten-and-dairy-free

For the fudge I used raw cacao powder, a whole cup of it! Raw Cacao is rich in magnesium, calcium, sulfur, zinc, iron, copper, potassium and manganese. It also contains polyphenols, B vitamins, protein, fiber, and essential heart healthy fat. Keep reading if you care about the benefits of Coconut Butter. 🙂

merry-cherry-fudge-paleo

I used creamy coconut butter, which is rich in immune boosting lauric acid and is said to destroy harmful bacteria, viruses and funguses, but very importantly, it is yummy enough to eat by the spoonful right out of the jar! It also is thought to boost metabolism because of it’s short chain fatty acids. Coconut butter is made from the meat of the coconut.

The recipe also includes raw, local honey which wards off infections (they use honey on bandages in wound clinics to kill infections. That’s how powerful it is.) The pollen in raw honey also helps with seasonal allergies, if it is local to where you live. It is an unrefined, natural sweetener as well.

I used freeze dried cherries for the fudge. Freeze drying concentrates the antioxidants. Just two tablespoons of freeze dried cherries contains the antioxidants of a whole cup of fresh ones, plus they work really well in the fudge. Yah!

Are you ready for the recipe?

merry-cherry-fudge-dairy-free

Merry Cherry Chocolate Fudge

Ingredients:

2 Cups of Coconut Butter (here is my favorite)

1 Cup of Raw Cacao Powder (like this gluten free brand)

3/4 Cup of Raw Local Honey

1/2 Cup of Coconut Milk (full fat, no additives)

1/4 Cup of Freeze Dried Cherries (this kind is what I use)

1 1/2 Teaspoons of Pure Vanilla Extract

1/8 Teaspoon of Sea Salt

Directions: Line an 8″ square pan with parchment paper. Set aside.

Place the freeze dried cherries in a sealed quart zip lock bag, and roll over with a rolling pin until the cherries are finely crushed. Set aside.

In a large bowl with a hand held mixer, mix together the softened coconut butter (Place the glass jar with the lid off for about 30 seconds in the microwave, and it will soften nicely so it is easily spooned.) Raw Cacao Powder, Honey, Coconut Milk, Vanilla and Sea Salt. Mix until smooth starting out slowly so you don’t fling cocoa powder all over the place.

Scoop the fudge into the parchment lined pan and smooth with a rubber spatula, reaching the sides of the pan and spreading it evenly.

Sprinkle with the crushed cherries and lightly pan down into the top of the fudge.

Put the pan in the freezer for one hour. Remove the pan from the freezer, and remove the parchment. On a cutting board with a large, sharp knife. Cut the fudge into 1 1/2″ inch squares. Store in the refrigerator or freezer for a firmer fudge. You can also store the fudge at room temperature if you like a softer fudge.

Happy Holidays!

Merry Cherry Chocolate Fudge Dairy Free, Paleo

Eat Your Nutrients!

*Affiliate Link – I receive a small commission when you purchase products I recommend through my Amazon links. I use these products myself and never recommend anything I haven’t tried and use regularly. The small commission helps me keep my blog up, so if you have enjoyed my posts and recipes, I appreciate your support. You don’t pay any extra for your products. Thank you.🙂

Orange Tarragon Chicken with Caramelized Pears

Tarragon imparts sweetness to sauteed pears. This chicken dish comes together quickly and tastes elegant.

orange-tarragon-chicken-and-caramelized-pears-plated

I received a fruit and nut gift basket this week as a gift, and it included organic pears which are delicious just plain when perfectly ripe…..so good! When you slice and cook them in some olive oil and add onions, they are divine, soft, savory and sweet. Then add some juicy chicken thighs, and you have a fantastic main dish!

Orange Tarragon Chicken with Caramelized Pears

Preheat oven 375º degrees.

Ingredients:

8 boneless chicken thighs

1 Ripe Pear, cored and sliced (it doesn’t need to be really ripe, but soft)

1 Yellow Onion, diced

Zest and Juice of Two Oranges

3 Tablespoons of Olive Oil

2 1/2 Teaspoons of Tarragon

1 1/2 Teaspoons of Herbamare Sea Salt Seasoning (this kind)

Directions: In a large oven proof skillet, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and heat over medium high heat until warm. Add the pears and onion to the olive oil in the skillet, then sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of Herbamare and 1 teaspoon of tarragon. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes stirring occasionally until the pears and onion are soft and starting to caramelize.

pears-onion-tarragon-in-olive-oil

Meanwhile, cut each boneless chicken thigh into quarters and sprinkle with the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons of tarragon and 1 teaspoon of Herbamare seasoning salt.

Remove the caramelized pear and onion from the pan and set aside. Add the last tablespoon of olive oil, and then the seasoned chicken. Sprinkle the orange zest onto the chicken. Sautee for 4 minutes then flip the chicken and cook for 4 more minutes. Add the orange juice to the pan and cook for 1 minute to reduce the juice. Stir in the pear and onion mixture. Place the pan in the oven for ten minutes.

Remove from the oven and serve and enjoy!

orange-tarragon-chicken-and-caramelized-pears

Eat Your Nutrients!

Honey Cherry Macaroons

I am a fan of macaroons and cherries, so I thought, why not come up with a cherry macaroon? They are a perfect two bite cookie with a toasted outside and a moist, chewy interior. The way to get a tart cherry flavor and have these macaroons work is to use crushed, freeze dried cherries. The ingredients are simple and clean with no refined sugar. These cookies should definitely go on your holiday tray! They also make a very pretty packaged gift!

festive-cherry-macaroons

Cherry Macaroons

Ingredients:

5 oz. (1 1/2 Cup) of Unsweetened Finely Shredded Coconut (I like this kind)

1/2 Cup of Coconut Cream (also know as coconut butter, here’s my favorite)

1/3 Cup of Freeze Dried Cherries (this kind)

1/3 Cup of Good Honey (I use local)

2 Tablespoons of Coconut Milk (full fat)

2 Egg Whites

1/4 Teaspoon of Sea Salt (I am a big fan of Himalayan Pink for it’s minerals)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325º degrees.

In a clean dry bowl, beat the egg whites and salt on high with a hand-held electric mixer until you have medium-firm peaks. Set aside.

egg-whites-medium-peaks

Put the cherries in a ziplock bag and crush them finely with a rolling pin. In a medium bowl, combined the shredded coconut and crushed cherries.

Coconut and Crushed Cherries

Add the honey, coconut cream (softened in the microwave), vanilla extract and coconut milk. Beat with a hand mixer until thoroughly creamed.

Carefully fold in the egg whites. Now, scoop with a tablespoon cookie scoop onto two parchment lined cookie sheets.

cherry-macaroon-dough

Bake in your preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the outside is a pretty golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool.

macaroons-with-cherries-paleo

Makes 20 Macaroons. They will keep at room temperature for a week or more.

Eat Your Nutrients!

Instant Pot Chuck Roast

Instant Chuck (in the Instant Pot)

An Instant Pot is an incredibly fast way to cook when you are busy and don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen. Making a pot roast takes time in the oven, about three to four hours to get it fork tender, but with an instant pot you can be ready to eat in about an hour. That is total cooking time, not total time you have to be in the kitchen. Once you get it going, you can walk away. Love it!

I added plenty of vegetable sides to make a healthy dinner. The bed of cabbage soaked up all the juices, and we had carrots and broccoli as well. You choose! 🙂

Instant Pot Chuck Roast

Ingredients:

3 lb. Chuck Roast (cubed into 1 1/2″ chunks)

1 Cup of Broth

1/2 Cup of Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice

1/2 Cup of Coconut Aminos here

2 Leeks, Sliced into rounds

3 Tablespoons of Umami Blend (recipe here)

2 Tablespoons of Honey

1 Tablespoon of Minced Fresh Ginger

cutting-chuck-roast-for-instant-pot

Directions: Cube the Chuck after you have seasoned both sides with Umami Herb Blend. Put the Beef into the instant pot. Whisk together the orange juice, coconut aminos, broth, honey and ginger. Pour over the beef and add the leeks. Place the top on your instant pot and seal the steam valve at the top. Press the Meat/Stew selection, and you are done. The chuck will cook for 35 minutes, then do a cool down. Release the steam valve, and after the steam is released, remove the top and that’s it! You have a delicious, fork tender roast in a third of the time!

chuck-roast-instant-pot

instant-pot-with-chuck-roast

chuck-roast-and-leeks-in-instant-pot

instant-pot-chuck-roast

Eat Your Nutrients!

Umami Herb Blend

umami-herb-blend

Here is a versatile seasoning you can make yourself that is delicious with meat or vegetables! The truffle salt takes the blend over the top in my opinion. 🙂

I mix it in my mortar and pestle (here).

Umami Herb Blend

1 Tablespoon of Truffle Salt (here)

1 Tablespoon of Dried Basil

1 Tablespoon of Dried Parsley

2 Teaspoons of Dried Oregano

1 Teaspoon of Dried Onion Powder

1 Teaspoon of Dried Garlic Powder

Directions: Place the ingredients in a mortar and pestle, and grind. Alternatively, you can use a coffee grinder.

It is ready to use and season with ease while you are in the kitchen.

Grain Free Popovers Three Ways

Popovers go great with saucy winter meals, because they soak up juices! They are also great for breakfast, or stuffed with sandwich ingredients. I love their airy, fluffy texture. So today I came up with three more variations (Pecorino, Garlic and Onion, or Plain) you can make in addition to my original recipe for Italian Bacon Popovers which you can find here.

Grain Free Popovers Three Ways!

I was thrilled to discover recently that I am doing well with some kinds of dairy, so I added a dairy version of the popovers….Sheep milk cheese! Did you know that the delicious Italian Pecorino cheese is made from sheep’s milk? It is a well known delicious hard cheese that you grate, and I added it to one of my popover recipes with yum-yum results! If you aren’t partaking in dairy, no worries there are plain ones that are very versatile and classic, or try the garlic and onion and also the Italian Bacon ones on the blog which are dairy free as well!

Grain Free Popovers

Grain Free Popovers Three Ways!

Grain Free Popovers Three Ways

Ingredients for Popovers:

4 Eggs

1/2 Cup of Coconut Milk

2 Tablespoons of Coconut Flour

1 Teaspoon of Sea Salt

(1/4 Teaspoon each of Garlic Powder and Onion Powder for Garlic and Onion)

(1/2 Cup of Grated Pecorino Cheese for Pecorino Cheese Popovers)

Olive Oil for Cups

Directions: Preheat your oven 400º degrees. Using a muffin pan or popover pan here, pour 1/2 teaspoon of oil into the bottom of each cup. Each batch makes six popovers, so put oil in six cups. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, coconut milk, coconut flour, and sea salt. Add in the variation you would like. Scoop with a muffin scoop into the cups you have added the olive oil to. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown. They will sink some naturally as you remove them from the oven. I carefully remove them from the pan by running a knife around the edges and gently scooping them out with a spoon. You will have some residue left in the pan.

*cheese and plain popovers are low fodmap

Eat Your Nutrients!

Easy Coconut Milk Whipped Cream Five Ways!

Whipped Cream is one of the great pleasure of life! Gosh, I have missed my coffee shop beverages with all that delicious whip on top after going dairy free! Just before Thanksgiving, I finally purchased my own professional whipped cream dispenser, and I am so glad I did. I have been enjoying whip on my Matcha Latte’s I make at home, and Coffee, and also whipped topping for dessert on Thanksgiving. I am having a blast with it! Look at the gorgeous ways you can use it! You can also use a hand held mixer to make this whipped cream. Make sure your coconut milk is very cold.

chocolate-cherry-coconut-milk-whipped-cream

So, I have five variations of whip to share with you today, and it is super easy! Here’s how!

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Directions to make Coconut Milk Whipped Cream:

Refrigerate a can of full fat coconut milk for a minimum of four hours so it is nice and chilled. This is the brand I recommend. Pour the coconut milk into a bowl with a pour spout, and whisk it until it is creamy and blended well. (If you are making it with a hand held mixer, scoop of the coconut cream and reserve the coconut water in the bottom for another use.) Add it to your Stainless Steel Whipped Cream Dispenser. You can get it here for a good price. You will also need the cartridges to charge your dispenser here. Screw the top onto the dispenser, and add the decorator tip. Charge it as directed with one charger. You will hear the air dispelling into the whipped cream in the can. Now shake it up. I found shaking it thoroughly and more than you think you need yields the best whip, so I shake my can up and down about 50 times. It’s a good arm workout too. 🙂

It’s ready to use. The five variations are easy and delightful! Another super fun thing to do is give company a choice of what variation they want to have because it is not incorporated into the whip itself.

Cacao Dusted Whip!

Sprinkle with a dusting of cinnamon
Sprinkle with a dusting of raw cacao (substitute carob powder for AIP Paleo)
Sprinkle with freeze dried Just Cherries. They are freeze dried and so crush beautifully. (here)
Chocolate Cherry Whip! Sprinkle on a dusting of raw cacao and some crushed cherries!
Whip it up with plain whip! Equally delicious.

If you would like your whipped cream sweetened, add in two tablespoons of organic powdered sugar and beat first with an electric mixer before pouring it into the dispenser.

Let me know what your favorite way to have your whip is! Share with me in the comments below, and also, has this inspired you to try different whip flavors of your own?

cocao-dusted-coconut-milk-whipped-cream

Oven Chuck Roast with Vegetables

Hungry for a delicious pot of tender chuck roast with loads of warming vegetables? I have a recipe that will warm you up body and soul. 🙂 There is plenty of juices and tender loads of nutritious vegetables.

Oven Chuck Roast with Vegetables

This was perfect last night after spending a few hours outside stringing holiday lights. I love being outdoors in the winter months in the brisk air. Most of the time I am moving my body a little more than I was yesterday. Yes, there were lights that didn’t work, and lights where half the string worked. Thankfully we had plenty to spare, and had strings that were working well! What happens, I wonder, to the lights that were working fine when you put them in the box and the next year are not functioning? It has been an ongoing mystery that people write about and include in movies, because many can relate.

Oven Chuck Roast with Vegetables

I have included Fennel, Onions, Carrots, Swiss Chard, Zucchini and Yellow Beans in this Roast along with a splash of fresh squeezed orange juice and savory Rosemary and Thyme. I think you will love it! No dried out roast here!

Oven Chuck Roast with Vegetables in Pot from the Oven

Oven Chuck Roast with Vegetables

Ingredients:

1 Three Pound Chuck Roast

1 Fennel Bulb (diced)

1 Yellow Onion (diced) (substitute green scallions if Low FodMap)

5 Carrots (peeled and coarsely chopped)

1 Bunch of Swiss Chard (stems stripped and coarsely chopped)

3 Zucchini (about 2 cups halved lengthwise and sliced)

2 Cups of Fresh Yellow or Green Beans

6 Cups of Broth (this is approximate depending on your pot)

1/2 Cup of Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice

2 Tablespoons of Garlic Olive Oil (you may substitute 3 cloves of fresh garlic)

2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil

1 Tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar

2 Teaspoons of Crushed Rosemary

1 Teaspoon of Thyme

1 1/2 Teaspoons of Sea Salt

Directions: Preheat your oven to 350º degrees. You will use a large dutch oven with a lid. Salt your chuck roast all over with 1 1/2 teaspoons of sea salt. In your pan, heat the garlic olive oil over medium high heat just until warm. Add the chuck roast and brown 5 minutes each side. Remove the chuck roast from the pan and set aside. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the pan and add the diced fennel and onion, and sautee for 5 minutes. Stir in Carrots, Green Beans, Orange Juice, Apple Cider Vinegar, Rosemary and Thyme. Add the chuck roast to the top and pour over broth until it reaches the top of the roast. Bring the ingredients to a boil, then cover the pan with a lid and place into your preheated oven for 3 hours. At the end of three hours, remove the pan from the oven and add the Zucchini and Chard, tucking it down around the roast. Lift the roast out of the pan if needed and set it back on top of the vegetables. Bake another hour. Then remove it from the oven and it is ready!

Eat Your Nutrients!

One More Chance on an Instant Pot for Half Price Cyber Monday on Amazon!

I don’t want you to miss this sale if you have been eyeing an Instant Pot. I received mine yesterday from Amazon’s Black Friday sale and made a delicious chicken thigh recipe in it with just 11 minutes cooking time. I just started using it, but already love it! If you haven’t heard of them, they are multi-function. I sauteed my chicken thighs in it last night, then pressure cooked them, took them out and reduced the sauce all in the same pot. They are a rice cooker, yogurt maker, pressure cooker, steamer, slow cooker, warmer and you can use it for sauteing.

Here’s the link to get it for just $68.95 today. They are regularly $119.95.

Happy Cyber Monday!

Sam

Eat Your Nutrients!

Paleo Mandarin Orange Chicken Stir-Fry

Stir-Fry is great, because it is a one dish meal full of vegetables (my favorite) and a savory sauce!

mandarin-orange-chicken-stir-fry

Here is my Paleo version of a Mandarin Chicken Stir-Fry that is super delicious! The chicken is very juicy and tender, because I used my favorite part of the bird, thighs! I had mine as is, no rice needed, but feel free to add some hot jasmine rice if you like. I added a leafy green salad on the side, because I am a leafy greens gal! 🙂

Grab your wok! A large shallow pan will do if you don’t have a wok!

mandarin-orange-chicken

Paleo Mandarin Orange Chicken Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

2 1/2 Pounds of Boneless Chicken Thighs (cut into bite size pieces)

10 oz. of Frozen Baby Asparagus Spears (I used Woodstock brand)

1 Organic Red Bell Pepper (Diced)

5 Green Scallions (green tops only if Low Fodmap) (Thinly sliced)

1 10 oz. Can of Mandarin Oranges (I use Native Forest Here)

1/2 Cup of Coconut Aminos (Here is the brand I use)

2 Tablespoons of Garlic Infused Olive Oil (feel free to use 2 cloves of garlic and regular olive oil)

2 Tablespoons of Honey

1 Tablespoon of Plain Olive Oil

1 Tablespoon of Ginger Juice (I use this kind)

1 1/2 Teaspoons of Sea Salt or Himalayan Pink Salt

1/2 Teaspoon of Black Pepper

Prepping Mandarin Orange Chicken Stir-Fry

Directions:

In a medium bowl whisk together the coconut aminos, honey and ginger juice. Drain the oranges and set aside.

Heat your wok over high heat. Add two tablespoons of Garlic Infused Olive Oil. Add the chicken thighs, and 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Stir-fry until the chicken is almost done. Put the chicken in a bowl, and set aside.

Add one tablespoon of regular olive oil to the wok. Then add the asparagus. Stir-fry for two minutes. Add the red peppers and remaining 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt. Stir-fry two more minutes, then add in the scallions.

Asparagus and Red Peppers

Add the chicken back to the pan, and pour over the sauce. Gently stir in the mandarin oranges. Cover and simmer for five minutes, or until the asparagus is tender.

Mandarin Orange Chicken Stir Fry Gluten Free, Paleo