Tag Archives: February

Winter Health Tips to Fight the Blues!

You Are Beautiful

Welcome February! What are you looking forward to this month? This is the time of year people can become starved for color and suffer from SAD. Try adding a splash of color to your wardrobe each day to boost feel good vibes. A positive thought before your feet even hit the floor in the morning can make a big difference in how your day goes, and it is cumulative! So, the more you put this into practice, the bigger the benefits, because you are literally rewiring your brain.

Deep breathing for a few minutes when you are feeling stressed, by breathing in four, holding for four and exhaling for 8 lowers stress. Try doing ten rounds of this with your eyes closed. It only takes a couple minutes, and finally getting outdoors into the fresh air, especially on sunny days, even for 15 minutes, promotes sleep, raises vitamin D levels, and boosts well being. Feeling happy and relaxed makes you radiate beauty!

Sandra Shields, Certified Health Coach

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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 350º 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. 🙂

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 of 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!

 

 

 

 

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