Pink salt

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?)

Strawberry Cheesecake Bars {Vegan, Gluten/Grain Free}

August 23, 2018

Breakfast…dessert…snack…you name it, these bars are it. They’re so good, but so addicting! Beware – they’re probably going to disappear FAST!

These bars are packed with protein, healthy fats, and a sugar level that you can control completely! That’s the best part about making desserts and snacks at home, you CONTROL things like sugar. So often, foods (snacks, in particular) have an unnecessary added amount of sugar.

NO THANKS!

These bars are a snack or treat that you can feel good about eating or feeding your kiddos! You won’t miss any of those processed sugars, grains, or dairy – promise!

Print Recipe
Strawberry Cheesecake Bars
Cook Time 15 minutes
Passive Time 1-2 hours of cooling
Servings
bars
Ingredients
Cheesecake filling
Strawberry filling
Cook Time 15 minutes
Passive Time 1-2 hours of cooling
Servings
bars
Ingredients
Cheesecake filling
Strawberry filling
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients for sugar cookie crust.
  3. Press dough into a baking dish or bread pan. You can use whatever kind of pan you have on hand though! I like to use the loaf pan. This way, I have enough crust to press it up against the sides to create almost a "U" shape in the pan.
  4. Bake crust for 13-15 minutes until slightly golden on top.
  5. For the cheesecake filling, blend all of the ingredients in a high powdered blender or food processor until completely smooth.
  6. Once the crust has cooked and cooled, add the cheesecake filling to the middle section.
  7. Spread strawberry jam across the middle of the bars and swirl around the cheesecake filling, if desired.
  8. Chill for 1-2 hours until firm.
  9. Slice and devour!
Recipe Notes

*If you can't find canned coconut CREAM, you can use a can of coconut milk. Simply scrape the thick, white cream off the top of the opened can of coconut milk. Save the liquid for smoothies!

** recipe for 3-ingredient Strawberry Jam

Hatch Green Chile Chicken Salad {Paleo, Keto, Whole30}

August 15, 2018

Any excuse to make food that is Mexican-inspired, I am down for! I recently purchased a huge bag of fresh hatch green chiles and have been finding different ways to use them beside your typical enchiladas, casseroles, or sauces.

                 

If you don’t have access to fresh hatch green chiles, you could use the canned variety in this recipe. It won’t have as fresh of a taste, but it will still be delicious, nonetheless!

Try this Hatch Green Chile Chicken Salad on a sandwich, with some crackers, on it’s own, or in a wrap like I usually do!

Feel free to use more or less jalapenos in the recipe to adjust to your heat level. We like things on the spicy side, so I tend to go heavier on the jalaps.

In this recipe, I use Primal Kitchen’s Egg-free Mayo, due to my husband’s new egg intolerance. I was super surprised to find that it tastes so much like regular mayo! If you have an egg sensitivity, definitely check this variety of their mayo out!

Balanced Health

          

Balanced Health

 

Print Recipe
Hatch Green Chile Chicken Salad {Paleo, Keto, Whole30}
Prep Time 5 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
Prep Time 5 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Rough chop green chiles and blend in a food processor until minced or almost smooth.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine green chiles, mayo, and seasonings.
  3. Add in the onions, jalapenos, and shredded chicken. Stir to combine.
  4. Serve immediately on a sandwich or in a wrap or refrigerate until ready to eat. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes

*Sub 1/4 cup of canned green chiles

Sausage Peppered Gravy {Dairy, Gluten, & Grain Free}

August 14, 2018

3 ingredients…plus water, a few seasonings, and some biscuits and you’ll have one of my favorite meals!

When someone says “comfort food,” sausage gravy and biscuits is one of the first things that comes to my mind. To some of my friends, my mom is still remembered for making them her biscuits n’ gravy. Thankfully, she passed on the knowledge! However, I’ve had to take all of those skills and recipes from her and learn to adapt to the clean-eating lifestyle, which generally, does not include much dairy, gluten, or grains – common things found in comfort foods.

Thankfully, this recipe fits all of those criteria and doesn’t disappoint in the slightest.

Cashews are used in this particular recipe and they offer a creamy, slighty nutty sauce that, when combined with the sausage is deeeelicious! I’ve used both coconut and almond milk in a sausage gravy recipe before and it did the trick when I was craving this kind of dish, however, the cashews definitely win when it comes to my favorite.

This Sausage Peppered Gravy will have you going back for seconds…and thirds! SO BE CAREFUL! 😉

Serve this gravy over a breakfast skillet, chicken cutlets and mashed potatoes, or make a batch of my Easy Vegan (Egg-free) Drop Biscuits for a complete meal!

Print Recipe
Sausage Peppered Gravy {Dairy Free}
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, break up and brown sausage.
  2. While the sausage browns, blend cashews* and water in a high powdered blender or food processor until completely smooth.
  3. Add in 2 tbsp of arrowroot to the mixture and blend for a few more seconds.
  4. Once the sausage has browned, add the cashew sauce, salt, pepper, and sage to the skillet.
  5. Stir and bring the gravy to a simmer.
  6. Cook for 5-10 minutes until gravy has thickened.
  7. If desired, you can add another tablespoon of arrowroot powder to thicken the gravy even more. Simply mix it with 1-2 tbsp of water to create a slurry and add to the gravy.
  8. Serve it over biscuits, potatoes, chicken, or eggs. It's delicious in so many forms!
Recipe Notes

*Soaking cashews for 30 minutes prior will soften them and help the mixture blend faster and easier.

Easy Vegan Drop Biscuits {Gluten & Grain Free}

August 14, 2018

Recently, my husband discovered he was intolerant to eggs. Let me tell ya, we eat A LOT of eggs and that is coming to an end for awhile. This discovery came to our attention through testing that we had done through Balanced Health. We already suspected that he was intolerant to dairy, at least cow’s milk, but eggs just weren’t on our minds! It’s so nice to have some answers and work to eliminate some of his health issues. There were quite a few other things that we discovered through this testing that we never would have guessed! We’re excited to put some things into play and see what comes out of it. I’ll be sharing more details about our experience in a future post.

Balanced Health


Due to this newly discovered egg intolerance, I’m learning to adapt many of recipes to fit into his diet. Most of the baked goods that I make require eggs. There will be lots of experimenting in the near future.

The other night, he requested biscuits and sausage gravy…so I got to work! Surprisingly, he loved the first batch that I made of these and said, “Don’t change a thing!”

These biscuits are moist and perfectly crumbly, but still hold up well like your typical biscuits. They’re made from a mixture of flours and chia seeds, instead of eggs. If you can tolerate eggs, and are not restricted to a vegan diet, you could substitute an egg for the chia seeds and water in this recipe.

These Easy Vegan Drop Biscuits are super simple to make, hence the name, and could pair well with any meal. However, my favorite way to eat biscuits will always be to have them covered in sausage gravy. ALWAYS. Check out my recipe for Sausage Peppered Gravy for a dairy free, paleo take on the classic!



If you’re are interested in getting testing done like we did, you can do so through the link below. We purchased the Full Scan.

https://www.creatingbalancedhealth.com/product/fullscan/?ref=57

Balanced Health

You can receive $20 off any scan by entering “GonePaleo” at checkout. I would highly recommend doing it, if you’re curious at all about how your body is functioning despite having digestion problems or not. Our diet affects so many things in our body, from mood to your skin. If you are having ANY health issues, this test could give you answers or make a great starting point in aiding your health!

The full scan runs your saliva and hair samples (that you send via mail) against 600 factors. It lets you know how different parts of your body are functioning, i.e. your thyroids, liver, blood, digestion, nervous/respiratory system, etc. Such an interesting thing to learn! I will be getting myself tested in the future, as well!

Balanced Health

 

Print Recipe
Easy Vegan Drop Biscuits {Gluten & Grain Free}
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings
biscuits
Ingredients
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings
biscuits
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a small bowl, mix chia seeds and 1/4 cup of the water and let rest for 3-4 minutes.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine remaining dry ingredients - almond and coconut flour, arrowroot, salt, and baking powder.
  4. Once the chia mixture has thickened and turned into a coagulated, gel-like mixture, add vinegar, avocado oil, and remaining 1/2 cup of water and whisk to combine.
  5. Add the wet ingredients to your mixing bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir just enough to combine.
  6. Onto a greased or lined baking sheet, drop approximately 1/3 cup-sized portions evenly onto the sheet.
  7. Bake for 15-17 minutes until slightly golden and cooked through the center.

Creamy Garlic & Herb Dressing {Dairy Free}

August 7, 2018

This dressing couldn’t be anymore simple! It comes together in just a minute and is so tasty!

Make this Creamy Garlic & Herb Dressing and use it as a dip for veggies or toss it in a pasta!

Feel free to add fresh herbs, instead of dried, if you have those handy!

Check out the recipe for my Garlic & Herb “Pasta” Salad for a low-carb side dish to pour this dressing over!

Print Recipe
Creamy Garlic & Herb Dressing {Dairy Free}
Servings
Ingredients
Servings
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. In a bowl, whisk all the ingredients together until combined.
  2. Start with 1 tbsp of minced garlic (or 1 tsp of garlic powder) and add more, if desired.
  3. Finally, add more salt, if desired, as well.

Cinnamon Roll Protein Balls {Dairy, Gluten, & Grain Free}

July 13, 2018

These creamy little bits have become a new favorite of mine.

Not only are they delicious, they’re filled with healthy fats and protein, but anti-inflammatory properties, as well!

Cinnamon is one of my favorite flavors and it helps to make things more “dessert-like” when I’m trying to keep the sugar in a recipe low.

These balls are sweetened with only FOUR medjool dates, yet you’ll feel like you’re biting into a creamy, sugary cinnamon roll bite! Except this little bite will be good for you!

Make a batch of these Cinnamon Roll Protein Balls to keep on hand for those sugar cravings that are always bound to hit you throughout the week! They’re delicious and so satisfying!


Print Recipe
Cinnamon Roll Protein Balls {Dairy, Gluten, & Grain Free}
Prep Time 10 minutes
Passive Time 20+ minutes - cooling
Servings
balls
Ingredients
Prep Time 10 minutes
Passive Time 20+ minutes - cooling
Servings
balls
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. In a food processor, blend cashews, coconut butter, and dates until fairly smooth. You can leave it a little chunky, depending on preference.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, add cashew mixture and remaining ingredients. Stir to combine.
  3. If the mixture is too wet, you can add a couple teaspoons of almond flour, as needed. If it's too dry, you can add another teaspoon of melted coconut butter.
  4. Onto a lined baking sheet or plate, scoop out tablespoon sized balls. I use a melon baller scoop for this step - it makes it so easy and fast!
  5. Freeze for 20 minutes or refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
  6. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator/freezer.

Fried Green Tomatoes {Grain & Gluten Free}

July 12, 2018

If you are reading this title and don’t have a clue as to what these are… pay attention and make these!

Green tomatoes are simply unripened tomatoes. They’re much firmer and not as juicy as the red ones, which make them perfect for frying. Any variety will work for this recipe, I had Early Girl on hand, thanks to my mom’s garden this year.

Personally, I’m not even the biggest fan of fresh tomatoes, but the green ones, when battered and fried, I am DEFINITELY a fan! The taste of these Fried Green Tomatoes are fresh and slightly acidic… and the crunch on the outside is so, so good!

With a father, being born and raised in North Carolina, and a mother being able to cook just about anything, regardless of where she was from, these were a staple for dinnertime during the summer months. However, they never made it to the actual dinner table. My poor mom couldn’t fry them fast enough, as we all stood around the stove and ate them as soon as they finished frying…only allowing a few seconds to let them cool. Those seconds seemed like forever!

Do yourself a favor, and go pick some of those green tomatoes off your plants and fry them up!

Sometimes, I add a bit of parmesan cheese to the breading, but it’s not necessary. If you tolerate dairy, it adds a bit more flavor and crunch, but you can definitely do without it and they still turn out delicious!

Next time you’re looking for a new side dish for those summer dinners, make a batch (or 3!) of these Fried Green Tomatoes, you won’t be disappointed, and you’ll also be addicted. Whip up a batch of Southwest Ranch Dressing to dip them in for even more flavor – it’s a personal favorite of mine!

Print Recipe
Fried Green Tomatoes {Grain & Gluten Free}
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Slice tomatoes thin - 1/8" inch or less, depending on preference. The thinner they are, the quicker they will cook.
  2. In a small bowl, beat the egg.
  3. In a large bowl or shallow plate, combine almond flour, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. If you're choosing to add the cheese, add the parmesan now, otherwise, simply omit it from the recipe.
  4. In a separate bowl or shallow plate, add the arrowroot flour.
  5. Add oil to a skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Allow it to heat for 5 minutes or so.
  6. While the oil is heating up, dredge the tomato slices in the arrowroot, being sure to cover both sides and edges.
  7. After the arrowroot flour, dip the slices in the egg - coating both sides.
  8. After the egg, dip the slices in the almond flour mixture - being sure to evenly coat both sides and the edges.
  9. Place slices in the hot oil. You don't want to overcrowd the pan. I usually cook 7-8 slices at a time, depending on the size of pan. They should sizzle and start to fry immediately. If not, wait, and heat the oil further.
  10. Cook over medium heat for 1 minute and 45 seconds on the first side or until golden brown and crispy.
  11. Flip and cook for another 60-75 seconds or until the second side is golden brown, as well.
  12. Transfer slices to a cooking rack or plate lined with a paper towel to drain the excess oil off.
  13. Repeat steps 6-12 until all of the slices are cooked.
  14. If you want to keep the slices warm (meaning there are not people around to eat them immediately out of the pan!), place them in a 250 degree oven on a baking sheet lined with a rack to keep them warm and crispy until served.

Veggie Enchilada Soup

June 21, 2018

It’s the first day of summer and I’m in total soup mode over here! …what’s new though?

I’m always down for a bowl of soup and some avocado. I’m pretty sure I could live off of just that and be totally ok with it!

Besides a bunch of seasonings that you most likely have in your spice cabinet, this soup only has FOUR ingredients and only takes a little bit of chopping and stirring to bring it all together. It’s so easy and tastes oh-so-cozy.

All of the seasonings make it taste like it’s been simmering away all day long, but in reality, it’s done in less than 20 minutes on the stove.


Print Recipe
Veggie Enchilada Soup
Cuisine keto, low carb, paleo, Whole30
Cook Time 18-20 minutes
Servings
small servings
Ingredients
Cuisine keto, low carb, paleo, Whole30
Cook Time 18-20 minutes
Servings
small servings
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. In a soup pot over medium heat, saute onions, squash, and salt in oil for 8-10 minutes until translucent.
  2. Add broth, tomato sauce, and remaining seasonings and bay leaves to the pot.
  3. Bring the soup to a simmer.
  4. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 10 minutes.
  5. Serve with your favorite toppings!

Instant Pot Cream of Potato Soup

June 21, 2018
Cuisine

Cream of Potato soup…it can’t get any more simple and delicious than that! …except when you make it in the Instant Pot!

This soup cooks in 5 minutes, with the exception of the 5-10 minutes that the pot takes to come to pressure. Either way, IT COOKS QUICK!

You could definitely make this all on your stovetop – the cooking time would just be a bit longer. See the recipe notes below for details.

These are all ingredients that you most likely have on hand, and they all make for a simple, great soup or even a base for a fancier soup! Use your imagination. Throw in some veggies, bacon or chicken, or even some jalapeños for a spicy twist – the possibilities are endless!

I usually keep it simple and top it with some of my Crispy Ranch Potatoes for some extra potato flair!


Print Recipe
Instant Pot Cream of Potato Soup
Cuisine Whole30
Cook Time 5 minutes
Passive Time 5-10 for pot to come to pressure
Servings
small servings
Ingredients
Cuisine Whole30
Cook Time 5 minutes
Passive Time 5-10 for pot to come to pressure
Servings
small servings
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Add potatoes, broth, onion, and seasonings to the instant pot.
  2. Set to 5 min at HP (high pressure).
  3. Once the soup has cooked and the timer goes off, do a QR (quick release) and remove the lid.
  4. Using an immersion blender, blend the soup for 10 seconds or so, just until most of the potatoes are broken up and you're left with very small chunks. You can blend it as little or as much as you like.
  5. Combine arrowroot and water to make a thickening slurry.
  6. Add slurry to the soup and stir until it has thickened. If you do this immediately after doing the QR (it should still be on the "keep warm" setting), your soup will be hot enough for it to thicken. If it isn't, just turn it to the saute mode and allow it to heat up that way.
  7. Finally mix in butter and sour cream to the final mixture and stir to combine.
  8. Simple comfort food is my favorite! Enjoy!
Recipe Notes

For the stovetop version:

  • In a large pot, saute onions in 1 tbsp of oil over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until softened.
  • Add potatoes and cook for another 5 minutes.
  • Add broth and seasonings and bring to a boil.
  • Cover, reduce heat, and cook until the potatoes are soft and fork tender.
  • Add arrowroot slurry to soup and stir until thickened.
  • Stir in butter and sour cream.