Recipes

Honey-Nut Protein Balls {Dairy, Gluten, Grain Free}

September 20, 2018

Protein balls are something that you can always find in my refrigerator. My husband wouldn’t say that he is much of a “snacker,” however, if there are not any protein balls stored in the fridge – he makes it known!

These Honey-Nut Protein Balls are a delicious, little snack to keep on hand. They’re packed with healthy fats, fiber, and protein to keep you feeling fuller for longer. That’s a big plus with snacks. If they don’t do you any good and give you some sustenance, why are you snacking on them?

Now, I will preface this recipe by saying peanuts are NOT paleo. They’re technically a legume and therefore, not paleo friendly. However, if you tolerate them, feel free to eat them now and then. You can also substitute cashew butter, or any other nut butter, for the peanut butter that is called for. You will still get that “honey-nut” flavor!



Balanced Health

 

Print Recipe
Honey-Nut Protein Balls {Dairy, Gluten, Grain Free}
Prep Time 10 minutes
Passive Time 20 minutes of cooling
Servings
balls
Ingredients
Prep Time 10 minutes
Passive Time 20 minutes of cooling
Servings
balls
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. If using cashews and coconut oil (see recipe notes below), add the cashews and oil to a food processor or high powdered blender and blend until fairly smooth. It's ok if there are some little pieces of cashews remaining.
  2. In a mixing bowl, stir together cashew butter, honey, pea protein, peanut butter, and salt until well combined.
  3. Onto a lined tray, scoop out tablespoon sized balls. I use a melon baller scoop for this step. It makes it so quick and easy!
  4. Freeze for 20 minutes or more or place in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours.
  5. Enjoy! **Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Recipe Notes

*Substitute 1 1/2 cups of creamy cashew butter in for the cashews and coconut oil.

Chinese Chicken & Broccoli Sheet Pan Meal {Whole30, Paleo, and Keto}

September 19, 2018
Course

Is there anyone who ISN’T a fan of quick meals? I know sheet pan meals and one-pot meals are some of my favorites! They’re fairly foolproof, clean-up is way easier, and they free up your time to do other things…like play with your dogs! My two beagles definitely appreciate when I’m available to play or give extra cuddles!

This Chinese Chicken & Broccoli Sheet Pan Meal is perfect for any night of the week or a great meal-prep dish to make for your daily lunches. You can use chicken tenderloins like the recipe calls for or just slice up a few chicken breasts – whatever you have on hand works just fine!

The recipe does call for honey, which isn’t whole30 or keto. However, you could totally leave it out or substitute date paste or pineapple puree for that added sweetness that’s typical of a teriyaki sauce. UP TO YOU!

My favorite part about sheet pan meals, besides the eating, is how easy clean up is! I always line my pan with parchment paper so all I have to do is simply throw it away and my pan is clean. It doesn’t get any better than that!

If you’ve never invested in parchment paper, do yourself a favor and go get some!

Add this easy sheet pan to your next day of meal prep. It’s flavorful and makes it super easy to stay on track with any health goal or lifestyle that you may be following right now!

 

Print Recipe
Chinese Chicken & Broccoli Sheet Pan Meal {Whole30, Paleo, and Keto}
Course Dinner
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
Course Dinner
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl mix together aminos, sesame oil, vinegar, garlic, honey, salt, pepper, ginger and crushed red pepper.
  2. Add the chicken tenders to the bowl with the marinade and toss. Let sit for 20-30 minutes (or more), if desired.
  3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  4. Trim off all of the florets from the broccoli bunches and cut into bite sized pieces. Tip: save the stalks to "rice" up for another meal. I like to add the riced broccoli stalks to cauliflower rice and serve this chicken and broccoli on top.
  5. On a parchment paper lined baking sheet, spread broccoli around the outside edges and drizzle with avocado oil. If desired, add extra salt and pepper to the broccoli florets.
  6. Lay the marinated chicken tenders along the opening middle section of the sheet pan.
  7. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through the center.
  8. While the meal is cooking, pour remaining marinade in a small sauce pan and cook over medium-low heat for 5-8 minutes while whisking continuously. You want to bring this to a simmer (almost boil) to cook out any raw chicken drippings that remain.
  9. If sauce isn't thick enough after cooking, whisk together water and arrowroot to create a slurry. Add this to your sauce and stir over the heat until the sauce has thickened.
  10. When the chicken is finished cooking, remove from the oven.
  11. Optional step: To crisp up the broccoli and slightly brown the chicken, cook the sheet pan under the broiler on high for 3-4 minutes. Keep a watch on it - you do not want to forget about it!
  12. Pour the thickened sauce over the chicken tenders. Top with more crushed red peppers and sesame seeds, if desired.
  13. Serve alone or on top of steamed cauliflower rice or cauliflower fried rice.

Tex-Mex Breakfast Skillet

September 18, 2018

Skillets like this one are my favorites to meal prep for the week. They are so simple to cook up, you can use just about whatever ingredients that you have on hand, you can have them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, AND they’re delicious!

I’m a big fan of spices and flavor! There is no skimping in that department in my kitchen. This Tex-Mex Breakfast Skillet is packed with flavors of cumin, chili peppers, and charred veggies. You just can’t go wrong!

It’s the best when you have this meal prepped and all you have to do in the morning is reheat it. It’s so much better than other convenient, quick breakfasts out there. Plus, this one is good for you and will fuel you throughout your day!

If you want to take it to the next level, top this skillet with a fried egg! YUM!

Balanced Health

 

Print Recipe
Tex-Mex Breakfast Skillet
Course anytime, Breakfast
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings
servings
Ingredients
Course anytime, Breakfast
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings
servings
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. In a large pan over medium heat, saute onions in avocado oil for 2-3 minutes until they've started to soften.
  2. This step is totally optional! While the onion cooks, char the bell pepper under the broiler for extra flavor. Slice the pepper in half, longways, remove the seeds and place on a sheet pan under the broiler for a few minutes or until desired charred amount of skin.
  3. Chop the bell pepper (charred or not) and add to the softened onions.
  4. Add in sweet potatoes and butternut squash. Stir together and cook for 5 minutes.
  5. Add in the breakfast sausage and break it up as it begins to brown.
  6. Add in all of the seasonings, as well as the nutritional yeast, if desired.
  7. Continue to stir the veggies and break up the sausage until it's almost completely browned.
  8. Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes or until the squash and sweet potatoes are soft.
  9. If desired, stir in a handful of chopped cilantro and 5-6 green onions.
  10. Enjoy immediately, as is, or top with a fried egg!
  11. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for quick breakfasts throughout the week!
Recipe Notes

* If you're sticking to keto and want to eliminate extra carbs, you can substitute 10 more oz of butternut squash for the sweet potatoes.

Pumpkin Gelato {Dairy-Free}

September 17, 2018
Course

It’s almost FALLLLLL!!!

 

Enter in: ALL THINGS PUMPKIN!!!

I’m definitely every bit of that stereotypical fall-lover. Give me all of that cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, caramel, and pumpkin goodness and I am one happy girl!

Honestly, I don’t even need a specific time of year to put me in the mood for those things, but I’ll take the opportunity now to give you one of my favorite recipes – Pumpkin Gelato! It’s extra creamy and rich like a gelato should be, but so easy to make!

This treat is not only free of any type of dairy, but it’s also made with only honey and coconut sugar to sweeten it. Feel free to adjust the sweetness to your liking. It won’t hurt the recipe a bit!

Another plus to this recipe is the fact that you only need a blender to make it – that mean’s no ice cream machine! I don’t know about you, but personally, when I think homemade ice cream, I’m never thinking of a mixture you mix, cook, and add to a machine to churn. That’s just not my thing. I want to simply mix up some stuff, pour it in a pan, freeze it, and scoop my little heart out. Now, THAT is my thing!

This recipe couldn’t be simpler, and it’s one that you won’t feel guilty about indulging in this season.

Balanced Health

 

Print Recipe
Pumpkin Gelato {Dairy-Free}
Course Dessert
Prep Time 5 minutes
Passive Time 2-3 hours of freezing
Servings
servings
Ingredients
Course Dessert
Prep Time 5 minutes
Passive Time 2-3 hours of freezing
Servings
servings
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. In a high powdered blender or food processor, combine all ingredients until smooth.
  2. Pour gelato mixture into a lined loaf pan.
  3. Freeze for 2-3 hours or until firm.*
  4. If you freeze this overnight, remove from the freezer 15-20 minutes before serving to soften.
Recipe Notes

* If you're too impatient, don't freeze it, and eat it like a smoothie! However, freezing it helps to balance out the sweetness. (Anyone else feel like melted ice creams taste sweeter than their frozen counterparts, or is that just me?)