Tag Archives: Berries

Raspberry, Blackberry, Mango Smoothie

Raspberry Blackberry Mango Smoothie

Are you ready for a super delicious, berry infused, smoothie to jump start your day?

This smoothie has your daily allowance of selenium with the addition of just two Brazil nuts! Brazil nuts are a rich source of selenium. Selenium is one of the nutrients that helps regulate thyroid function, as well as boost immunity, and so much more. LearnĀ  moreĀ here from Dr. Axe on the benefits of selenium. Other good food sources of selenium are liver, eggs, grass fed beef, yellowfin tuna, cooked halibut, sardines, turkey, and spinach.

The berries in this smoothie are fantastic sources of Vitamin C, Magnesium and Fiber. Mango is great for the skin and digestion, as well as a good source of Vitamin C and Fiber. I added almond butter for healthy fat and some protein, and ground flax. There is an option to add in Grass Fed Collagen (I have it every day in my smoothies no matter what kind I make for my hair, skin, nails and gut health. It is tasteless, and also is a source of protein.) The lime juice gives the smoothie an extra zip like a sweet tart, and coconut water is very hydrating. I just love the flavor and color of this health promoting smoothie!

Raspberry, Blackberry, Mango Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 Cup of Coconut Water

1/2 Cup of Frozen Raspberries

1/2 Cup of Frozen Blackberries

1/2 Cup of Fresh or Frozen Mango

2 Brazil Nuts (I use this gluten free brand)

1 Tablespoon of Almond Butter

1 Rounded Tablespoon of Grass Fed Collagen (optional)

1 Tablespoon of Lime Juice

1 Rounded Teaspoon of Ground Flax

1/2 Cup of Crushed Ice

Directions:

Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and add a straw. Enjoy!

Sam

 

 

 

 

Strawberry Pecan Pie – Grain Free, Dairy Free

You know what I love about February besides having three of my daughter’s birthdays in this month and Valentine’s Day? I start seeing good strawberries in the store again! I also find people are starved for color, and February is full of red and pink and hearts. This Strawberry Granola Dessert is just right!

Strawberry Pecan Granola Tart

Strawberry Pecan Pie

The crust for the pie is a coconut pecan crust that is grain free. It rolls really well and blind bakes beautifully. The pecans and coconut in the recipe with a touch of honey makes it very tasty!

There is a jammy berry bursting filling that has berries cooked down to intensify the strawberry flavor naturally, and fresh strawberries stirred in afterwards, along with some coconut butter to add creaminess.

The granola on the top of this pie adds a crunchiness that is fun to eat and delicious with the creamy filling. It is crunchy and airy with the freeze dried strawberries, toasted coconut flakes and crunchy chopped pecans. The granola topping stands alone in my opinion, so make extra to snack on!

Strawberry Pecan Granola Tart with Coconut Pecan Crust

Strawberry Pecan Pie with Coconut Pecan Crust

 

Strawberry Pecan Granola Tarts

Strawberry Pecan Pie

 

Strawberry Pecan Pie (makes two smaller or one full pie sized)

Coconut Pecan Crust

For the crust: Preheat your oven to 350Āŗ degrees F.

In a food processor with a blade attachment add the following ingredients:

1/4 Cup of Coconut Flour

1/3 Cup of Pecan Halves

1/4 Cup of Coconut Butter (I could eat this brand right out of the jar)

1/4 Cup of Coconut Flakes (unsweetened, shredded)

1 Egg

2 Tablespoons of Honey

1/8 Teaspoon of Sea Salt

Pulse all the ingredients in the food processor until it forms a ball. Grease your pan of choice. This is either a full sized pie pan, or like the ones I used which hold 2 Cups each.

Roll out the crust between two pieces of parchment paper or plastic wrap with a rolling pin. If you have two pans, divide the crust in half, one for each pan. Take off the top layer of parchment after rolling the crust out, and carefully transfer it to the pans. It will probably need some patching, so use your fingers to form the crust to your liking. Don’t panic. šŸ™‚

Bake for ten minutes, or until the crust is golden brown on the edges. Remove it from the oven and cool. Now let’s make the filling!

Coconut Pecan Pie Crust

Coconut Pecan Pie Crust

Filling

1 Lb. of Fresh Strawberries for making the jam filling

1 Cup of Fresh Strawberries for stirring in

1/4 Cup of Coconut Butter

3 Tablespoons of Honey

1 Tablespoon of Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice

a Pinch of Sea Salt

In a heavy medium saucepan over medium high heat, cook the ingredients. When the jammy filling comes to a simmer, mash the berries using a potato masher to break up the berries. Continue cooking for five to ten minutes at a high simmer until the mixture thickens,stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and fold in one cup ofĀ fresh diced strawberries. Set aside to cool.

Strawberry Granola Topping

This is an easy peasy granola, and you are going to love it!

1/4 Cup of Pecan Halves

1/4 Cup of Freeze Dried Strawberries (my favorite here)

1/4 Cup of Dang Lightly Salted, Toasted Coconut Flakes (they are amazing straight out of the bag…here. Easy to find in grocery stores too)

Directions: Break up the strawberries and coconut flakes with your hands or a knife. Coarsely chop the pecans. Mix them all together in a bowl.

Simple Strawberry Granola Ingredients

Simple Strawberry Granola Ingredients

Assemble!

Pour the Jammy Strawberry filling into the cooled pie crust, and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the delicious, crunchy Strawberry Granola Topping on top. Be artistic! Refrigerate for four hours before serving.

Happy February!

Dishing it Up! Strawberry Pecan Granola Tart

Dishing it Up! Strawberry Pecan Pie (smaller version)

strawberry pecan pie - grain free, dairy free

Eat Your Nutrients!

Eat Your Nutrients!

 

 

 

 

Summer Peach and Berry Fruit Salad

Peach and Berry Summer Fruit Salad

Peach and Berry Summer Fruit Salad

Hello Lovely People!!! One of the things so fantastic about this Summer Peach and Berry Fruit Salad is, it is just naturally gorgeous! You don’t have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen, it is no cook, and it is nutrient rich. The nutrients, polyphenols and variety of natural from nature color pigments in the fruit feeds your skin, which is out in the sun more in the Summertime.

Peach and Berry Summer Fruit Salad

Summer Peach and Berry Fruit Salad

I know you all want your skin to glow! Am I right? Glowing skin just screams “healthy”. It is far lovelier than any makeup, although I like and use makeup.

Peach and Berry Summer Fruit Salad

Peach and Berry Summer Fruit Salad

I’ll admit I am really careful about balancing my nutrition. I have worked hard on my gut health over the last three years so I can really absorb the nutrients I eat. I have learned to listen to my body and be intuitive about what it may need. The needs of our bodies changes based on many factors including the time of year, our age, exposure to toxins, activity levels, stress, sleep, illness, and our environment.

Food isĀ your most basic formĀ of self care. One thing I rarely compromise on with myself is, I don’t eat junk. If I am having a treat, the food is real food ingredients. If you adopt this way of eating, if you aren’t already, you will get feedback as your body changes. We really are what we eat. People will comment on how obvious it is that you take care of yourself, and ask you your secret.

Next week I will share a new chocolate chip cookie recipe with you made from real food. All the recipes you will find on my blog are real food recipes. So check out the recipe index.

Peach and Berry Summer Fruit Salad

Summer Peach and Berry Fruit Salad

Summer Peach and Berry Fruit Salad

Ingredients:

5 Organic Juicy Ripe Peaches (pitted, peeled and sliced)

6 oz. of Organic Blackberries

2 Cups Organic Strawberries (halved)

1/4 Cup Sliced Almonds

1 Organic Lime (Zest and Juice)

2 Tablespoons Dry White Wine (Optional, I used Sauvignon Blanc)

2 Teaspoons of Good Quality Honey

1/2 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

Directions: Whisk together the Lime Juice, Honey, Lime Zest, Vanilla and White Wine if using. Pour over the bowl of prepared fruit and gently fold. Refrigerate 2 hours and up to 24 hours. Right before serving, sprinkle with sliced almonds.

Serve chilled and enjoy! Have a fabulous weekend!

Eat Your Nutrients!

Eat Your Nutrients!

 

 

Blackberry Phyto Blast Salad with Blueberry Berrylicious Dressing

Are you ready for a delicious, phytonutrient loaded salad? This one has fruits, nuts, pomegranate seeds and living butter lettuce to give you a blast of them! It also is candy for the eyes, and it is well know we eat with all of our senses! Phytonutrients are so unbelievably important for our bodies, our cells, and for cancer prevention. A variety in the diet boosts their effectiveness and creates nutrient synergy. They give our bodies the tools it needs to enable it to heal and maintain vitality. Greens, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, green tea…….there are plenty to choose from, and variety is possible no matter if you are eating Paleo, SCD, Vegetarian, Mediterranean, or just seeking nutrients, you get the idea. Here is a handy chart of some of the most common foods containing phytonutrients to get you started, but there are thousands and more being discovered. If you would like additional informationĀ about phytonutrients, hereĀ is an article from Gaiam Life and one from Dr. Fuhrman entitled Nutrient Density and Phytochemical-rich foods.

Phyto Blast Salad with Blueberry Dressing

Blackberry Phyto Blast Salad with Blueberry Berrylicious Dressing

The Blueberry Berrylicious Salad Dressing gets its fat from nuts and seeds.

Berrylicious Salad Dressing

Berrylicious Salad Dressing

Blackberry Phyto Blast Salad with Blueberry Berrylicious Dressing

Ingredients for Salad:

2 Heads of Living Butter Lettuce

1 Cup of Fresh Orange Segments, halved or 1 can of Native Forest Mandarin Oranges in their own juice

1 Pint Fresh Organic Blackberries

1/4 Cup Pomagranite Seeds

1/2 Cup Raw Pecans

1/2 Cup Raw Walnut Halves

Directions: Tear the butter lettuce into bite sized pieces and scatter berries, fruit, pomegranate seeds and nuts on top.

Blueberry Berrylicious Salad Dressing

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups Fresh or Frozen Blueberries (if frozen defrost them in the microwave)

1/4 Cup Pine Nuts

2 Tablespoons Tahini (pure no sugar added)

1/4 Cup Fresh Lemon Juice (2 lemons)

2 Tablespoons Dried Currants

1/4 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

1/2 Teaspoon Black Pepper

1/4 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

Directions: Place all the dressing ingredients in a high speed blender, and blend until smooth. This dressing thickens when refrigerated, so when using for a second day, zap for a few seconds in the microwave or let it come to room temperature for looser consistency. It is rich in nutrients and good fat.

*If you are beginning a Low FodMap diet, I recommend you substitute the blackberries for raspberries, strawberries or blueberries. You still get your phyto blast of berries!

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