Snacks

Spicy Fire Crackers

I have  a new love affair! I have know about it for years, but you could say I have been reawakened to its allure and hotness.

Spicy Fire Crackers

Spicy Fire Crackers

What is it? It is Sriracha! While spending some time this Summer in Michigan, I have been enjoying the artisan movement up here for local, small batch, quality food, and I have found a Detroit made fermented artisan sriracha that is addicting. It is made with sugar in the ingredients, but has no preservatives and is clean. I am on vacation and giving myself a slight bit of leeway with a little bit of local Sriracha. Nom Nom Paleo has a DIY recipe for Sriracha sweetened with honey here that I make when I am home.

I miss the spicy chips and crackers of my junkier, processed food days a decade ago………..gosh a decade doesn’t age you too much does it? Well, definitely not when you are eating nutritious food to fuel your body. So, I decided to get into the kitchen on my vacation and make a spicy sriracha cracker that is grain free, real food and Paleo friendly! They are crunchy and spicy reminding me of a firecracker going off in my mouth, but in a very good way!

With almond flour, honey, flax, thyme, olive oil, good sea salt and of course sriracha, the ingredients are pure and snackable and satisfy my crunchy, spicy snack cravings.

Spicy Fire Crackers

Spicy Fire Crackers

Spicy  Fire Crackers

Preheat your oven to 275º degrees.

Set out a parchment lined baking sheet.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups Superfine Almond Flour

1/4 Cup Local Honey

3 Tablespoons Sriracha (Nom Nom’s Paleo friendly recipe is here!)

1 Tablespoons of Olive Oil, Coconut Oil or Duck Fat (melt the coconut oil or duck fat if using this fat)

1 Tablespoon Ground Flax

1/2 Teaspoon Ground Thyme

1/2 Teaspoon Sea Salt

Directions: Put all the ingredients into a bowl, whish with a fork until thoroughly combined. Roll between two pieces of parchment paper to 1/4 inch thickness. Score the crackers into small bite sized squares with a pizza wheel.

Bake for 45 minutes in your oven. Cool completely, then break apart on the scores.

That’s it! A delicious, spicy cracker. Enjoy!

Eat Your Nutrients!

Eat Your Nutrients!

 

Ultimate Grain Free Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

 

Ultimate Grain Free Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

Ultimate Grain Free Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

I don’t know about you, but I need a treat now and then. When I have something decadent, I wan’t it to be something that I have been craving made in a healthier way than I used to eat it. Lately, I have really missed chocolate chip cookies. I added pecans to this recipe, since I am a nut and cookie fan, but you do’t need to add nuts if you are in the nut free cookie camp. I think our household is 50/50 in our preference  to add or not to add nuts.

Ultimate Grain Free Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

Ultimate Grain Free Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

Although this is not a low sugar recipe, I have used honey to sweeten them, which makes them chewy. The chocolate chips are Lily’s Dark Chocolate No Sugar Added Chocolate Chips sweetened with Stevia. I buy them at my local coop, or they can be found here.

Ultimate Grain Free Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

Ultimate Grain Free Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

Ultimate Grain Free Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

Preheat your oven to 325º degrees.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups Superfine Almond Flour

1/2 Cup Almond Butter

1/2 Cup Honey (Clear if Low FodMap)

1 Flax Egg (To make Egg Mix 1 Tablespoon Ground Flax Seed and 3 Tablespoons of Water in a small bowl and let sit 15 minutes)

2 Tablespoons of Coconut Oil, Melted

1/4 Teaspoon of Himalayan Pink Salt or Sea Salt

1/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract

1 Cup Dark Chocolate Chips (I used Lily’s No Sugar Added)

1/2 Cup Raw Pecans (optional)

Directions: Mix together in a medium bowl with a fork the almond butter, honey, vanilla extract, melted coconut oil and flax egg until incorporated. Add the almond flour, salt and baking soda and stir again until fully incorporated. Fold in the chocolate chips and pecans. Scoop onto parchment lined baking sheets with a tablespoon cookie scoop.

Bake for 11 – 12 minutes in the preheated oven until golden brown. Cool completely on the cookie sheets.

Makes 24 Cookies

*Low FodMap Serving Size 1 Cookie, Moderate FodMap Serving Size 2 Cookies

See this article on Is Chocolate Low FodMap?

Ultimate Grain Free Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

Ultimate Grain Free Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

These cookies are absolutely delicious, ultimate and classic!

The Ultimate Grain Free Chocolate Chip Cookie - Grain Free, Paleo

Eat Your Nutrients!

Eat Your Nutrients!

Good Morning Gorgeous Smoothie Bowl!

Good Morning Gorgeous! Smoothie Bowl

Good Morning Gorgeous!!! Yes, you are a gorgeous person! Today I have a fantastic new Smoothie Bowl Recipe to share with you that will help make your insides gorgeous too, and when we are gorgeous on the inside, it naturally makes us glow outward! Wouldn’t you agree?  This smoothie is a nourishing breakfast bowl full of only real food, fiber, protein, and you are getting in a serving of greens all in an easily assimilated, highly digestible way! I am a big fan of smoothies in the morning, because our digestive system has been resting as we sleep. It is an optimal time to put a blended meal in our bodies to quickly absorb the nutrients and keep us energized throughout the morning, with just the right amount of calories. This smoothie has low sugar berries, banana and a few slices of mango. The flax helps keep you regular, the seed butter adds healthy fat and protein, and the sliced almonds add crunch!
Here is the recipe. I highly recommend you give this a try! It is such a beautiful way to start your day. The colors nourish your soul (we eat with our eyes too!) and the food nourishes your body. Make a commitment today to do this for yourself!

Have a nourishing week!

Good Morning Gorgeous Smoothie Bowl!

Good Morning Gorgeous Smoothie Bowl!

Good Morning Gorgeous Smoothie Bowl

Ingredients:
1/2 Cup Fresh Raspberries
1/2 Cup Fresh Strawberries
1/2 Cup Fresh Blueberries
1 Ripe Banana
1 Cup Packed Baby Spinach
1 Tablespoon Sunflower Seed Butter or Tahini
2 Teaspoons Ground Flax Seed
1/2 Cup Crushed Ice
1/4 Cup Cold Water
2 Teaspoons of Sliced Almonds
Sliced Mango for the top

Directions: Place all the ingredients into a blender except the Sliced Almonds and Mango and reserving some each of the Raspberries, Strawberries and Blueberries to scatter on the top. Blend on high until smooth. Pour into a bowl (or bowl mug). I am a fan of Affirmation Bowl Mugs like this one.  Scatter with reserved berries, a few slices of mango, and sliced almonds.
Sit down and savor this highly nourishing breakfast. It is a wonderful way to care for your body that will be your home while on this planet!

You can find out more about my Health Coaching on my Website: sandrashieldshealthcoach.com and sign up for my free monthly Health Coaching newsletter (different from my blog newsletter) for tips on creating healthy habits that will last a lifetime!

Have a Gorgeous Week!

Good Morning Gorgeous Smoothie Bowl! Get your day Kickstarted and your Skin Glowing with this Delicious Gluten and Dairy Free bowl of goodness! #smoothiebowl

Eat Your Nutrients!

Eat Your Nutrients!

Dill and Chive Grain Free Crackers

Dill and Chive Grain Free Crackers

The crunch of walnut pieces and the flavor of dill and chives makes this a perfect cracker for snacking. I especially like dill in summer, and it is so good in these crackers! It reminds me of working in the garden as a child and smelling the fresh dill on the breeze and feeling the warm sun on my body. These crackers are a fantastic addition to an appetizer spread, and I also like to mound a bunch of dinner leftovers on them for a quick snack. Who doesn’t love a quick, healthy snack? Prepared in advance, these will keep in the freezer for a month.

Dill and Chive Grain Free Crackers

Dill and Chive Grain Free Crackers

Dill and Chive Grain Free Crackers

Ingredients:

1 Cup Superfine Almond Flour**

1/2 Cup Raw Walnuts, Chopped into Medium Pieces

2 Flax Eggs (see instructions below)

2 Tablespoons Fresh Dill, Minced (can substitute 2 Teaspoons of Dried Dill)

2 Tablespoons Fresh Chives, Minced (can substitute 2 Teaspoons of Dried Chives)

1 Teaspoon Honey

1/4 Teaspoon Pink Himalayan Salt or Sea Salt**

* Making an egg substitute with ground Flax Seed is easy! Take one Tablespoon of ground Flax Seed and whisk it with 3 Tablespoons of water in a small bowl and let sit for 15 minutes until it becomes a gel like consistency. In this recipe I have used two Flax Eggs, so you would take 2 Tablespoons of Ground Flax Seed and 6 Tablespoons of water, whisk it all together and let sit for 15 minutes while you prepare the rest of the cracker ingredients.

**See In My Pantry for Product Resources

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325º degrees, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, add your almond flour, dill, chives and salt. After your flax eggs are ready, whisk in the honey. Then, add the liquid to the flour mixture and whisk with a fork until well combined. Add in the chopped walnuts last, and incorporate into the dough.

Place the dough between two sheets of parchment and roll out with a rolling pin to 1/4″ inch thickness. Remove the top parchment sheet used for rolling, and put the rolled cracker dough with the bottom parchment on the cookie sheet. Place in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown and crunchy. Keep a close eye on them the last five minutes to prevent over browning. Cool on a wire rack, and then break them into whatever sized pieces you like!

These are delicious served with my Roasted Eggplant and Red Pepper Tapenade Recipe or Dairy Free Fresh Basil Pesto. If you would like more appetizer ideas, go to Kelly Bejelly’s post on her blog, A Girl Worth Saving, and check out her 35 Paleo Appetizers post here!

Dill and Chive Grain Free Crackers

Dill and Chive Grain Free Crackers

Eat Your Nutrients!

Eat Your Nutrients!

Tropical Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream

It’s Mother’s Day weekend! If my Mama lived closer, I would make her this delicious Tropical Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream for dessert, because it is absolutely delicious, and also because it has nutrient rich ingredients that will make her skin glow and benefit her body!

Tropical Matcha Ice Cream

Tropical Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream

I have to admit, I am passionate about Matcha. I started drinking it years ago because of the rich green tea flavor! I love the taste, and the health benefits were an added bonus! Matcha is packed full of antioxidants, and even though it contains caffeine, it calms and relaxes the body while it energizes. It contains high levels of chlorophyll, vitamin C, selenium, chromium, zinc and magnesium. If that wasn’t enough, there are EGCG’s in Matcha that lower blood sugar and cholesterol. Matcha detoxifies, increases metabolism, boosts memory and concentration, and is disease and cancer preventative. Wow! Who doesn’t want all that?

Tropical Matcha Ice Cream

Okay, so that is one of the ingredients in this creamy, tropical ice cream. I also added pineapple, mango, lemon juice (Vitamins A and C), and avocado which all beautify your skin! There is coconut milk and coconut oil for healthy fat (along with the avocado). The avocado adds extra creaminess with a neutral flavor, and finally natural honey. So, let’s eat ice cream in a very healthy way!

Tropical Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream

Ingredients:

2 Cups of Fresh Cubed Pineapple

1 Ripe Mango

1 Can Full Fat Coconut Milk (No additives for SCD Diet)

1/2 Cup Good Honey (clear if eating SCD Low FodMap)

1/2 Ripe Avocado

2 Tablespoons of Matcha Green Tea Powder

1 Tablespoon Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice

1 Tablespoon Melted Coconut Oil

Directions:

1. In a blender, blend all the ingredients.

2. Refrigerate Ice Cream Mix for at least 4 hours or overnight.

3. Churn in an ice cream maker. I love this one.

Serve!

Tropical Matcha Ice Cream

Tropical Matcha  Green Tea Ice Cream

Eat Your Nutrients!

Eat Your Nutrients!

 

Grain Free Cherry Berry Granola Bars

Granola Bars have been a long time favorite around our house, and today I have a grain free version for you! My girls have given me the thumbs up on them.

Grain Free Cherry Berry Granola Bars

 

There is so much to love about granola bars. They stay fresh for several days, so you can make a big batch and wrap them individually for a quick snack, breakfast or a grab and go when you are heading out! Because, hey, the weather is getting so nice, who wants to spend a lot of time in the kitchen on a bright sunny day, or you have ball practice, a yoga class or workout to get to at the gym, or it is your day to……?

I really like the tahini in the recipe. I have noticed since consuming more nut and seed butters in the last six months, my hair is growing thicker and faster, and who doesn’t want that? Read this for information on 10 Superfoods to Prevent Hair Loss.

I added optional chocolate chips in the recipe. Note: If you use chocolate, they are not SCD approved. I have recently tried a mini dark chocolate chip that is sweetened with Stevia by Lily’s or use your favorite dark chocolate.

Grain Free Cherry Berry Granola Bars

Ingredients:

1 Cup Raw Pecans

1 Cup Raw Walnuts

1/2 Cup Dried Dates, pitted & coarsely chopped

1/2 Cup Coconut Flour

1/2 Cup Superfine Almond Flour

2/3 Cup Honey

1/2 Cup Tahini

3 Tablespoons Coconut Oil

1/2 Cup Dried Cranberries (no sugar added)

1/2 Cup Dried Blueberries (no sugar added)

1/2 Cup Mini Dark Chocolate Chips (optional, omit for SCD)

2 Teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract

1/4 Teaspoon Himalayan Pink Salt or Sea Salt

(see In My Pantry here for product brands I use)

Directions: Preheat your oven 350º degrees. Line a square 8″ x 8″ baking pan with a sheet of parchment paper.

Using a Food Processor with a blade attachment, add the pecans, walnuts, coconut flour, almond flour, chopped dates and salt. Pulse in the processor until you have coarse pieces of nuts. Melt the coconut oil in the microwave (takes about 20 seconds), and add the melted coconut oil, honey, vanilla and tahini to the food processor and pulse until evenly combined but the mixture still contains chunks. Add the dried berries and chocolate chips if using.

Granola Bar Mix

Granola Bar Mix

Pulse until evenly distributed. Transfer the dough to your parchment lined pan, and using a piece of plastic wrap to prevent it sticking to your hands, press the dough evenly into the pan.

Bake for 30 minutes in your preheated oven.

Remove from the oven and cool completely. After the bars have cooled, lift them easily from the pan using the edges of the parchment.

With a sharp knife on a cutting board. Cut the bars into 15 rectangles.

Enjoy!

Eat Your Nutrients!

Eat Your Nutrients!

 

 

Blueberry Crumb Loaf

blueberry crumb loaf with type 2

It’s a great day to make a blueberry crumb loaf! The birds are screaming here this morning. They are so happy about the Spring weather! Everything is so green, and the buds on my Thundercloud Plum trees are swelling and turning pink. We have several of the trees lining the driveway. The smell of the blooms is heavenly! It reminds me of sweet tarts.

Thundercloud Plum Tree Blossoms

Thundercloud Plum Tree Blossoms

Thundercloud Plum Tree Close to Blooming

Thundercloud Plum Tree Close to Blooming

I planted blueberry bushes three years ago, and this year I think I will get a good crop of them. Blueberry bushes are ornamental also, so I incorporated them in my front garden.

I grew up with my father always having a large garden, and my mother would can and preserve the summer’s bounty, which we would enjoy year round. So, this year I have decided to get back to my roots and grow more of my own food. I started a raised bed garden and so far have planted baby lettuces, which are sprouting already.

Hopefully by summer, I will be making this loaf using my own organic blueberries. But today after being outdoors working in the garden, I can’t think of a better afternoon snack than a cup of tea and a slice of warm blueberry crumb loaf!

Here is the recipe!

Blueberry Crumb Loaf

Preheat your oven to 350º degrees and grease an 8″ inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper.

Ingredients for Streusel Topping:

1/4 Cup Toasted Walnuts (Toast them for five minutes in your 350º degree preheated oven)

2 Tablespoons Pecans

2 Tablespoons Finely Shredded Unsweetened Coconut

1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil

2 Tablespoons Honey

1 Tablespoon Cinnamon

1/4 Teaspoon Himalayan Pink Salt or Sea Salt

Ingredients For Bread Batter:

2 Cups of Superfine Almond Flour

2 Tablespoons of Coconut Flour

2 Eggs

1/4 Cup Coconut Oil

2 Tablespoons of Dried Currants

3/4 Cup Organic or Wild Blueberries

2 Tablespoons Honey

2 Teaspoons of Pure Vanilla Extract (like this)

1 Teaspoon Gluten Free Baking Soda

1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon

1/4 Teaspoon Ground Cardamom

1/4 Teaspoon Himalayan Pink Salt or Sea Salt

Directions:

For the Streusel Topping:

Pulse all the streusel ingredients in a food processor until it forms medium crumbs and is even in texture. I use my mini processor for this, but you can use whatever one you choose.

Set aside while you make your bread batter.

To make the bread batter:

In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted coconut oil, honey and vanilla extract. Set aside. In a large bowl whisk together the remaining dry ingredients except the currants and blueberries.

Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, and thoroughly incorporate. With a rubber spatula, fold in the currants and blueberries. Spoon the batter into your prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly. It is thick. Then, sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the loaf.

Bake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. You can tent the loaf with foil the last 15 minutes if you notice the crumb is getting too dark.

Remove from the oven, and cool in the pan for five minutes. Then using the parchment to help you, remove the loaf from the pan and cool on a wire rack.

Serve warm or cooled. Store any leftover bread after the first day in the refrigerator.

Blueberry crumb loaf with type

Eat Your Nutrients!

Eat Your Nutrients!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Paleo Peeps!

paleo peeps 3 with caption

Get-togethers with friends nourishes the soul as well as the body. Food is at the heart of community when you think about it. Most events, parties and time spent in celebration with others involves some type of food, traditions and favorite regional dishes.  It is also seasonal, so in the Fall and Winter we eat more heavy warming food, and in the Spring and Summer our bodies tend crave lighter food. This works perfectly in eating locally. I encourage you to listen to your body. What is it telling you?

My Paleo Peeps is a fun way to serve deviled eggs.  Take them to a get together, or invite some peeps to a picnic to celebrate Spring. Immerse yourself in community with others and nourish your body and soul!

I used local pastured eggs in this recipe. The yolks are yellow and full of nutrition!

Paleo Peeps 2 with text

Although I regularly make homemade clean mayonnaise with my immersion blender, I am in love with Primal Kitchens new Mayo made with avocado oil and completely clean ingredients! It is so good and convenient! I used it in these deviled eggs, or you can make or choose your own favorite brand. Here is my favorite homemade recipe, because it is fail proof. You need an immersion blender, and it is super fast!

paleo peeps 4 with type

 

My Paleo Peeps!

Ingredients:

12 Pastured Eggs (Hard Boiled and Cooled)

1/2 Cup Good Quality Mayo (I used Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil Mayo).

1 Tablespoon Gluten Free Yellow Mustard (garlic free for Low FodMap like this.)

1 Teaspoon Himalayan Pink Salt or Sea Salt

1 Peeled Carrot

24 Currants

1 Sundried Tomato for Wattle

Directions: Slice the eggs in half from tip to bottom. Remove the yolks and mash with the mayonnaise, mustard and salt. Put the egg yolk mixture in a quart size ziplock bag and snip off the end of the bag. Pipe the yolk mixture evenly into the egg halves.

Now decorate your peeps! Currants for the eyes, slice your carrot into beak shapes and skinny slivers for the feet, and take a small snippet of sundried tomato for the wattle! Refrigerate an hour or more before serving to set the filling.

Paleo peeps 1

Eat Your Nutrients!

Eat Your Nutrients!

Blueberry Blast Smoothie

blueberry blast smoothie

Are you a fan of healthy smoothies like me? I love all the blended nutrition you can get in a smoothie, and how they are so easy to digest. I am especially a fan of really cold ones. The coolness of the smoothie gives me a sense of well being. A warm beverage can do the same thing depending on the season, time of day, if I just worked out or was romping around the yard with Ming and the girls. My favorite smoothies are ones that get their sweetness from whole fruit and no added sugar like this Blueberry Blast Nut Smoothie. It is simple to make and can be enjoyed any time you get a craving. This delicious smoothie takes only minutes to whip together, and contains good fat from Coconut Milk and a Nut Butter of your choice, as well as Blueberries and Melon for Vitamin C, Antioxidants and Phytonutrients. There is the option for add ins for more health benefits!

For more health and wellness tips, you can go to my new Sandra Shields, Certified Health Coach Facebook page here and like it to follow me. I post new content there throughout the week! Thank you to all my followers for your support! I love you guys!

Blueberry Blast Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 Banana

1 Cup Wild Blueberries

1 Cup Honeydew Melon, Chopped

1/2 Cup Coconut or Almond Milk

1 Tablespoon of Nut Butter (Almond, Walnut, Cashew)

1 Cup Crushed Ice

Blend in a blender on high until smooth.

Serves 1 – 2

Optional add ins: Bee Pollen, 2 Tablespoons of Grass Fed Gelatin, 1 Tablespoon Ground Flax

Eat Your Nutrients!

Eat Your Nutrients!

Orange Currant Muffins

This new muffin recipe uses whole peeled oranges in it, which adds a lot of flavor! There are many benefits in eating food in it’s whole form the way nature made it, so I was very excited to come up with this recipe! There is no added sugar. They are sweet and flavorful from the banana, and oranges with an added benefit of carrots in the recipe. This is an ultra moist muffin and is egg free.

Orange Currant Muffins

Orange Currant Muffins

Directions:

Preheat your oven 350º degrees and line muffin pans with 16 natural liners.

Ingredients:

2 Flax Eggs (combine 2 Tablespoons of Ground Flax Seed and 6 tablespoons water, whisk and refrigerate 15 minutes)

1 Cup Very Ripe Banana (sliced and packed) this took 3 medium bananas, but measure

1/2 Cup Coconut Flour

1/2 Cup Superfine Almond Flour

2 Cups Orange Segments (no seeds, peeled)

2 Cups Peeled and Sliced Raw Carrots

1 Tablespoon Ground Cinnamon

2 Teaspoons Baking Soda

1 1/2 Teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract

1 Teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar

1/2 Teaspoon Himalayan Pink Salt or Sea Salt

1/4 Cup Dried Currants for the Tops

Orange Currant Muffins Ready to Go Into the Oven

Orange Currant Muffins Ready to Go Into the Oven

To Make the Muffins: Place all the ingredients except the dried currants in a food processor with a blade attachment. Pulse to start incorporating and chopping larger ingredients, then turn on and process for two minutes until completely blended. Fill each muffin cup almost to the top with a muffin scoop, refer to photo, (you should have 16 muffins) and sprinkle with dried currants, dividing evenly.

The muffins are sweet and moist! It is hard to believe they have no added sugars and are made completely with whole nutritious fruit!

Bake in the oven for 35 minutes. Enjoy!

Eat Your Nutrients!

Eat Your Nutrients!

 

 

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