Two Ingredient Berry Dessert

During cold days and nights the only thing I want to drink or eat is something warm.  I wanted to share one of our go-to wintertime nightly desserts!  This was also a hit at our Christmas Party and people couldn’t believe how simple it was! It's the perfect dish to bring to any party or your weekend brunch dates.

What makes it so simple? Frozen fruit and coconut oil are all you need!  

Put a tablespoon of coconut oil in your skillet and fill the rest with frozen fruit.  I used the organic mixed berries from Kroger, but you can get them at any local grocery store.  

Set the stove to low/medium heat and let the berries and coconut oil simmer.  Make sure you mix the berries occasionally because some of the fruit at the top stays cold unless you stir.  

Once everything is nice and warm/steamy (usually takes about 5 to 7 min), pour all the contents (and the juices too!) in a bowl and enjoy!  It will warm you up, give you a healthy 'dessert', and curb your sweet tooth!

Use any frozen fruit- my personal favorites are berries, cherries and mangos (not all mixed together).  You can drizzle with honey if you want it sweeter.  Try topping it with cocoa, coconut flakes or pecans too!  It is also really tasty drizzled over Greek yogurt. 

This is a great option for those on Candida Clear detox too!

It’s simple, tasty and takes no more than 5 minutes to make.  Plus, you get your coconut oil in.   A win win win!  Enjoy!

Food Sensitivity Testing

One of our services at the office for established patients is food sensitivity testing. Through muscle testing, we test around 100 foods ranging from different nuts, meats, fruits/veggies, as well as a large amount of known food sensitivities in autoimmune patients. If you haven’t had it done yet, we highly recommend it because eating foods that you are sensitive to creates inflammation in the body. Inflammation results in pain, fatigue, bloating and, honestly, many of the symptoms that people have. We have seen joint issues, pain and swelling go away, skin clear up, people lose weight, more normalized energy just by eliminating foods they were sensitive too!

We DO NOT do this the first 1 to 3 visits because  patients are usually so inflamed and full of toxins when they first come in. Through my experience if we do it right away patients typically have a large list of foods they are sensitive too. They leave feeling overwhelmed and stressed out which creates more inflammation and problems. After patients have been on guided and specific support at the office (like a cleanse/detox, digestive healing supplements, etc.) they aren’t as inflamed and reactive to so many foods. So after a few visits, the food sensitivity testing doesn’t leave patients with a huge list of foods that they are reactive too!

If you have any questions at all or are an existing patient and want to schedule a visit please feel free to contact our office at 615-656- 3558!

Struggling with Breakfast? Check out these recipes!

I'm sure you've heard it before, but breakfast IS the most important meal of the day. We say that for a reason- it gives your body energy/fuel/gasoline to start the day. Think - what if you started your day with just a 40% charged phone? It would die earlier in the day compared to getting 100% charged, like you do with getting a breakfast. Not only does it help with energy through out the day, but jump starts your metabolism and helps with focus and prevents sugar crashes at 10 am where you want something sugary or another coffee because you are actually tired from not giving your body the fuel it needs.

There are a couple main things I look for with a breakfast - protein and fat. Your goal is 30 grams of protein as well as a good amount of healthy fats (like avocados and coconut oil). The fats and proteins are crucial for balancing blood sugar levels and marinating energy. They don’t give you a quick hit of energy like sugar but instead sustained energy throughout the morning.

PS- If you are a breakfast bar person look at the ingredients. 9 times out of 10 they are full of sugars, have very little protein and full of processed junk. Try some of the ideas below! Remember you need protein and a good healthy fat.

Ideas
Eggs, omelets, etc. Load them up with veggies! Do a side of bacon or sausage- turkey is good too! (Look in ingredients and watch out for preservatives like nitrates, -ites that they sneak in there.)

Plantain pancakes with side of protein like bacon/sausage. You can make big batch and store the extras in the freezer and quickly heat up on days you don’t want to make. Plus they are kid approved!  Top with almond/nut butter when they are warm so it melts. Delicious!!

For foods that have very little protein add in Vital Proteins Collagen (2 scoops for 20 grams). It is tasteless (not kidding) and you won’t even know you added it in

Bowl of quinoa or oatmeal topped with walnuts, pecans, almond butter, etc. Sweeten with a little honey or real maple syrup. Stir in collagen for protein.

Quinoa tip- make a large batch and store in the fridge. Then when you want to eat it quickly you can warm up on skillet or eat cold with some almond milk. This saves you A LOT of time by not having to wait 30 minutes to make it.

Plain Greek Yogurt with berries, walnuts/pecans, honey/maple syrup, etc. Add in collagen for even more protein. Get the plain and sweeten yourself- the flavored ones have SO SO SO much sugar.

Smoothies- MAKE SURE they have protein in them and aren’t just full of fruit and milk

• Add a green in like spinach or kale
• Add almond butter, nut butters for protein or collagen- blends very easily and tasteless
• Keep banana limited to ½ because it is very sugary- it is great for hiding flavors
• Add avocado to make it more creamy! It is an amazing fat plus it is virtually tasteless
• Add a TBS of coconut oil! It’s a great way to get coconut oil in!

We have great protein powders at the office that taste great and are not full of junk. You can easily hit your 30 grams of protein with any of them. Please look at your ingredients closely when purchasing any protein powders… they can be full of junk!

Almond Flour Bread

• Top with an egg, turkey for more protein
• Warm up bread and top with coconut oil so it will melt. So delicious!

Breakfast hash with eggs scrambled with quinoa
Muffins
There are great paleo recipes online as well as ‘egg’ muffins that are super simple to make!

Sausage and Gravy Recipe- super simple! (And the gravy is only 2 ingredients and 1 of them is water!)

Even chocolate pudding is a good idea! I would add some collagen too or have a side of eggs or other meat to give you more protein.

AND somedays… Breakfast just doesn’t have to look like breakfast!!!

Sometimes I will eat 1/2 pound of deli turkey (again watch for preservatives) on my drive to work and lately been throwing frozen stir fry veggies on the skillet first thing in the morning with coconut oil and eating that. Remember breakfast doesn’t always have to look like it!

I am sure there are a million other ideas but here is just a place to start. If you do have other ideas or tips comment below and let us know what you are doing!

Cocoa Chili

Whoa, what a whirlwind the past week has been!  Here's a quick and easy chili to make for dinner this week, for those days that you really don't feel like cooking! You may even have all these ingredients at home already!  This cocoa chili is great for anyone on Candida Clear, or eating paleo or Whole30!  The cocoa gives it a nice little twist and rich flavor. Don’t worry, it doesn’t taste like chocolate!

Ingredients
1 medium onion chopped
Garlic- 2 cloves minced
3 TBS cocoa powder (unsweetened)
3 TBS chili powder
1 lb ground beef
3 TBS tomato paste
3 cans diced tomatoes

Directions
Sautée garlic and onions in coconut oil for 3 to 5 minutes.
Add in tomato paste, cocoa powder and chili powder.  Stir for 1 to 2 minutes.
Add in ground beef and cook for 5 minutes.  (Not all of the beef will cook and that's okay. The rest will be cooked when you bring the soup to a boil.)
Add in diced tomatoes and bring to a boil.  Then simmer for 15 minutes.

You can either enjoy right away after it cools down or put in a crockpot on low after it has boiled. I think the longer it cooks the better tasting it is!  

Cholesterol Myth

Did you know only 25% of your cholesterol comes from diet and 75% is made by your body? Cholesterol is made in the liver, digestive system and skin. If you lower your intake of cholesterol, your body actually has to kick into overdrive to make more. It has a set point and, no matter if you eat it or not, your body will make sure it gets to that level. If you stop eating it or lower your consumption, your body has to work overtime and gets stressed trying to make up for your lack of intake. Give your body a break and DO NOT avoid foods that contain cholesterol, like protein and eggs, but obviously skip the fast food fried crap.

Fat and cholesterol are NOT the problem. Sugars are the problem.

Cholesterol is the fire truck that responds to the fire aka inflammation in the body. If your cholesterol is high it means you have a lot of inflammation and fires going on which means you need a lot of fire trucks. Blaming cholesterol for issues is like blaming the fire trucks for coming to respond to the fire. As a society we are so misinformed and blaming the wrong issue. We need to stop blaming the fire trucks (aka cholesterol) and start searching for the fires (inflammation in the body).

PS - You need cholesterol to make both sex and adrenal hormones. If you have hormonal issues or concerns, you need to eat the building blocks that make them. It is crucial! Proteins and eggs are very, very, very important. Avoiding foods with cholesterol and expecting hormonal issues to resolve is like trying to build a house without a foundation. It is not going to work!

Let's stop blaming the firetruck for the fire.  Cholesterol is our friend!

Coconut Oil Pulling

Sore throat got you down? Here is a simple trick to help!

Coconut oil pulling can do wonders during the cold/flu season. Coconut oil is anti-bacterial, fungal and viral which is why it is super important to get it internally (eat it, cook with it, put it in smoothies, or put a TBS to melt in your coffee or tea). If I wake up with a sore throat I will do this simple trick and say goodbye to my sore throat!

To do coconut oil pulling all you need to do is put a tsp or more in your mouth and swish around like mouthwash for 5 to 20 minutes. Yep, 20 minutes may seem like a lot but you get used to it. (DO NOT swallow it. It is pulling toxins and gross bacteria out.)

At first it may seem strange, but once the coconut oil melts in your mouth it’s no big deal.  It will be solid when you first put it in your mouth and then it warms up to your body temperature and starts to turn to liquid. I personally would wake up and walk into my kitchen first thing and scoop a TBS coconut oil and start swishing around during my morning routine which took about 10 to 15 minutes. You want to do it for AT LEAST 5 minutes and can go up to 20 minutes.

Once you have done that make sure to SPIT OIL INTO A TRASHCAN. This is super important because if you spit it in the sink, the coconut oil will turn solid when cold and clog up your sink. So, spit into a trashcan and then immediately rinse your mouth out with hot water with a dash of sea salt or apple cider vinegar.

Swish around and then you can spit that into the sink. Brush your teeth after and you are done! Not only will your sore throat feel better, but your teeth feel squeaky clean. A lot of people do this daily to whiten their teeth. Coconut oil is amazing people!

Optional- add a drop or 2 of melaleuca/tea tree essential oil to the coconut oil before you start the coconut oil pull. Tea tree has great antimicrobial properties that are amazing for when you are sick!

Guilt Free Hot Cocoa

It seems like fall weather is here to stay, so it's time for some warm, cozy drinks!  One of my personal favorites and one of the classics is hot chocolate!  Hot chocolate carries so many fond memories for most people, I think.  The only thing - it's not that healthy for us.  Have no fear though!  A healthy version is easy to make and you can get rid of that instant hot chocolate powder that is made up of all sorts of crazy unnatural, processed junk.  Get ready to get cozy with this simple, healthy hot chocolate!

Ingredients
3 Cups unsweetened Almond Milk
My personal favorite is Whole Foods organic unsweetened almond milk. It seems much creamier and richer than all the other brands I have tried. They are usually available in 2 packs which saves a little money. 

2 TBS Cocoa or Cacao powder
The difference between the 2 is that cacao powder is considered raw - meaning it is subjected to low amounts of heat which does not ‘cook’ any of the antioxidants away aka cold pressed.  Cocoa on the other hand has been processed in heat.  Cacao is very high in antioxidants and is considered a super food for this reason.  Cocoa does not have as many antioxidants due to the heating process.  With this being said, you are heating up your hot chocolate so the cacao does not remain in its raw state.  So there really is no benefit to using the cacao over the cocoa in this recipe.  If you were making a cold drink or not heating or cooking with it, cacao would be a much better option.

2 TBS Honey, Xylitol, or Pure 100% Maple Syrup (Aunt Jemima doesn't count!!)
For anyone using xylitol (people on Candida Clear) it may need a little bit more.  Just do a little taste test to try it out first.
1/4 TBS of Cinnamon

Over medium heat mix the almond milk and cocoa/cacao powder. Let it heat up, but not boil. I probably kept mine on the stove for 10 min total and stirred occasional. After it's nice and warm take it off the burner and let it sit. Add in your cinnamon and sweetener (xylitol, honey, or maple syrup) at this time and stir. The clumps of cocoa will continue to dissolve the longer it warms up. 

Let it sit for a couple minutes and stir occasionally. Enjoy!!
 

Soy Sauce Replacement

A lot of us integrate soy in our diets with soy milk, soy sauce, tofu, etc.  Did you know that soy isn't great for you?  It is something I have most people avoid.  

Soy is a phytoestrogen meaning it mimics the estrogen in our bodies.  Since there are SO many phytoestrogens and xenoestrogens (these mimic estrogen too- things like pesticides, plastics, etc.) out there that our bodies are constantly getting bombarded by, it is best to be aware and limit your exposure.  There are some great alternatives to your favorite products that contain soy.  If you are drinking soy milk please ditch it and try something like almond milk or coconut milk.  Also, never give any infants formula with soy or soy milk!

For soy sauce there is this great thing called coconut aminos!  We love it at my house.  It's a great soy sauce alternative and, honestly, I think it tastes better.

You can get this at Whole Foods, possibly Kroger, your local health food store and online stores like Thrive. It really tastes great on anything!

Try it on our Quinoa Fried Rice or Easy Asian Stir Fry recipes!

Guilt Free Sausage and Gravy

We live in the south and Southern food is always a weakness, but not always the healthiest.  Here's my take on a healthy sausage and gravy!

This is quite possibly one of my favorite recipes for 2 reasons:
1. It tastes AMAZING and is so easy to make.
2. Sausage and gravy is such a classic Southern food that I thought would be hard to duplicate, let alone with only 3 ingredients.  

I have made it multiple times for people and they can never believe it tastes so good. I have even been told it tastes better than regular gravy! Plus, you don’t get the bloating that comes along with eating regular gravy.

Ingredients
1 1/2 cup raw cashews
2 cups water
1 pound of sausage (make sure it has no preservatives in it- nitrates, nitrites, sulfites, sulfates)

Soak your cashews in warm water the night before.  I just took a mason jar and filled it with my cashews and covered them with warm water to sit overnight.  In the morning, drain the water out and put the cashews in a blender or food processor.  

Put 2 cups of fresh water in with the cashews. Blend until creamy.  It took about 30 seconds in my food processor, but just make sure it is ALL blended. It shouldn’t be grainy at all.

Cook your sausage on medium heat.  When done drain excess grease.  Then put pan back on low-medium to medium heat and add your ‘cashew gravy’. Stir until warm.  You can also add more water at this time to thin it out, your call!

Add pepper or any other seasonings you want.  Try it and feel free to be skeptical like I was, but I can guarantee you won’t be let down.  Add it to your breakfast, lunch, or dinner menu!

Natural Ways to Fight the Flu

I post and update this blog every year because I get A LOT of questions about the flu shot this time of year- "should I do it?"  "What are the risks?" "It's free to get it- why not?" 

Some people feel pressured into getting it by their medical doctor, employer, insurance company, family member, etc.  Others are fearful of the flu or getting sick.

I am not going to get into whether you should or shouldn't.  I will just tell you what I choose to do during flu season! 
1) Skip getting the flu shot
2) Have supplements on hand in case I do get sick
3) Eat 3 TBS of coconut oil a day and try to do a daily coconut oil pull
4) Eat lots of fruits and veggies

First, you need to understand that if you get sick and let your body fight it off, your immune system actually gets stronger.  That means the next time you get exposed to a bacteria or virus it will be stronger and more equipped to fight!  

Secondly, if you keep supplements on hand and eat good foods (plenty of fruits, veggies and protein) you will get vitamins and minerals that are fuel for your immune system.

Lastly, our trusty friend coconut oil is antibacterial, viral and fungal.  It helps to kill off invaders that would get you sick and it helps to boost up your immune system!

The supplements I always have on hand:
1) Immuplex- Take 6 per day when sick (Mainly for Viruses)
2) Silver Shield- take 3 to 6 TBS when sick (Works on bacterias and viruses) 
3) Elderberry Defense- Take 6 to 9 per day when sick- This also has vitamin D in it which is crucial for your immune system (Mainly Viruses) and notoriously low during the fall and winter months due to lack of sunshine exposure.
4) Congaplex- Take 6 per day when sick (Mainly for Bacteria; Great for sinus issues)

OTHER:
-Herbal Throat Spray- Perfect for sore throats
-High Potency Garlic- Antibacterial, fungal- great for sinuses and congestion
-Astragalus- Antiviral, but overall immune support (GREAT if you had MONO in the past)
-Olive Leaf Extract- Antibacterial, viral and fungal- It has been working great this year
-Thymex- Overall immune support 

What I Take Daily for Prevention:
-Usually 3 Astragalus and 3 Immuplex (I’ll switch between Immuplex and Congaplex) 
-If I feel something coming on I use my arsenal above

Standard Process is carried by health care practitioners only. We carry it at our office, or if you are not local, click here to find the closest practitioner to you. Do not order on Amazon - first it’s illegal for us to sell Standard Process on there and people who do have the prices double or triple what you would find in our offices.

If these do not help, let us know and we have many other great supplements!  These are not the end all be all, but they can REALLY help during the cold/flu season.  With good nutrition and preventative supplements (and the right ones when you do get sick), you have a great foundation.  If you have any questions or these don't seem to help - call us!  We can get you in the same day for a sick visit and figure out the exact supplement you need to be on!

ALSO- This is my personal flu fighting remedy.  I never pressure any patients or make anyone feel bad for their choices.  I want to help you find a course of action that best suits you!  Learn other options no matter what they are, educate yourself and then choose what is best for you!

**Quick note on coconut oil pulling: Take 1 spoonful of coconut oil and swish around in your mouth like you would mouthwash.  You can start with a small amount if you are new and work up to 1 TBS. The goal is to do this for 15 minutes, but again if you are new start with 5 minutes. I have been adding in 1 or 2 drops of melaleuca (aka tea tree oil) for more antibacterial effects. DO NOT swallow the coconut oil- it is pulling out bad bacteria and toxins!

After you have swished it around in your mouth spit it into a TRASH CAN! This is very important because the coconut oil will get hard when its cold and clog up your drain. After spitting out the coconut oil, rinse your mouth with hot water with a little apple cider vinegar or 1 tbs of salt (this can be spit into a sink). Once you are done with that brush your teeth and you are good to go! Your teeth will feel squeaky clean and sore throat should be gone or drastically decreased.

If you want to read more into the flu shot read this blog post by Lindsay Bentley.  Or The Pill Profit.  They are great posts!

Paleo Tomato Soup

There are so many tomato soup recipes out there, so I figured I would try my hand at one of them.  It was super easy to make, very tasty and completely dairy free!

Ingredients
1 Onion, chopped
1 TBS Coconut Oil
1 TBS Olive Oil
1/2 cup fresh Basil
1-2 tsp Sea Salt and Pepper
3 Garlic Cloves, minced
3 cups of Chicken Stock
5 Tomatoes- Vine (I used 4 large tomatoes)
6 oz Tomato Paste

Instructions
Cut tomatoes into quarter slices and toss with olive oil (I did melted coconut oil), sea salt and pepper.
Roast tomatoes on a baking sheet for 30 minutes on 350 degrees
With about 5 minutes to go on the tomatoes melt 1 TBS of coconut oil over medium heat in a large soup pan
Saute onion and garlic (until onion is translucent)
Add in your roasted tomatoes and saute for 1 more minute
Add in 3 cups of chicken stock, the basil (I ripped mine into smaller pieces first), and the tomato paste. 
Stir until tomato paste is dissolved into the broth
Bring to a low boil, then reduce heat to low and cover pot
Let covered pot simmer for about 30 minutes
Pour soup into a food processor or blender and mix up until nice and smooth

Last but not least... Enjoy! (And even top with your fresh basil... so tasty!)

Recipe from Primal Palate.

No Bake Coconut Crispy Treats

This is the perfect, healthy alternative to a Rice Krispy Treat.  These take no time to make and are a great dessert for all ages! Plus, they are void of all junk sweeteners and filler ingredients in processed desserts and treats. So, make a big pan of them and feel good about having a healthy treat for your family!

Ingredients:
4 Cups Shredded Coconut
1 Cup Coconut Oil, Melted
1/3 Cup Maple Syrup or Honey
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/4 Teaspoon Sea Salt

Instructions:
Toast coconut in a skillet over low heat.  Once toasted, put in a bowl and mix in maple syrup, vanilla and salt. Lastly, add in melted coconut oil and stir all together.

Pour coconut crispy treats into a 8×8 pan.

Cover the pan with wax paper or parchment paper and press the coconut mix down evenly over the whole pan.

Refrigerate coconut crispy treats for 1 to 2 hours or freeze for 30 minutes.  Once set, they are ready to cut up and enjoy! Keep leftovers in the fridge or freezer.

Optional - drizzle with healthy dark chocolate (3 ingredient homemade recipe here) or add crushed almonds with sea salt on top too!

Recipe adapted from: The Coconut Mama

Hit a wall between 1 & 3? This post is for you.

Do you hit a wall between 1 and 3 pm?  Many people feel like they either need a nap, something sugary or caffeine.  If you are one of those people, don't reach fall for the cravings.  There are easy natural ways to bump up your energy and help you get through that midday slump.

When you hit this wall or feel like you need sugary foods or caffeine during these hours it means your adrenal glands are tired.  Adrenal glands are considered your stress glands. They pump out hormones to keep you going day in and day out.  They fire up with both good and bad stress, so each time there is a stressor it is like asking them to run a marathon.  Then another stressor comes and they have to run again. It's just an endless cycle!

If you had to run a one marathon after another, you eventually couldn't go anymore, but our bodies are amazing and the adrenals keep working day in and out.  They get tired too, though. When the adrenals are overworked, you feel tired.  When things get really bad, severe adrenal fatigue sets in and you feel overwhelmed very easily.  Another symptom people complain of is mid to lower back pain that feels like a deep bruise or ache that never goes away.

You are not destined to feel this way forever- by supporting your adrenal glands it is amazing how much better you can feel. I see this multiple times a day and it still amazes me how much better people feel by adding in the correct support. Many patients come in lifeless and ‘down’ on their first visit and by the second visit you can see their face get brighter, have happier dispositions and just feel better in general. It takes a lot time to rebuild, but getting on the right support can make a HUGE difference.

What can you do?  
Try to avoid stress! That is what most people say, but how realistic is it?  Not very - but you can choose to minimize it.  Do not say yes to everything and everyone - you will wear yourself down. Create boundaries and make time for yourself daily, even if it just 10 minutes a day.

Eat an avocado a day - great hormones and fuel for the adrenals
If you hit a dip in the afternoon, drink hot tea with 1 tbs of coconut oil - this keeps your blood sugar levels stable and doesn't spike them which stresses the adrenal glands even more
Keep your protein intake up - make sure to get 30 grams of protein in for breakfast.  I do it through a smoothie or eat turkey, chicken sausage, etc. with eggs for breakfast. You want to have protein at each meal.
Snack on nuts and seeds
If you are craving sugar - eat some protein first and a glass of water, then wait 15 minutes before indulging.  If you have to indulge try natural sugars like honey and maple syrup in moderation.

You can also support your adrenals through great supplements that we commonly use in the office. These are just a few of the many ones we use. The adrenal glands are part of the endocrine system - so we have to look at everything and not just single out the adrenals!

• Adrenal Support by Nature Sunshine
  • Great to take a bottle when big stressors come up or life throws you a curve ball
• Nervous Fatigue TCM by Nature Sunshine
  • Great for maintenance and protection of the adrenals
• Mineral Chi Tonic by Nature Sunshine
  • Minerals are fuel for adrenals and this also has other great herbs for them too.  Its is a liquid which is easy to mix or take straight (not the best tasting thing but you can do it :)
• Adrenal Desiccated by Standard Process
  • For very severe cases
• Drenamin by Standard Process
  • Whole food based supplement for the adrenals
• Min Tran by Standard Process
  • Relaxing minerals to relax the body and adrenals; Great for when the mind starts racing when you lay down to go to sleep!

Again there are SO many other supplements we use, but this is just a quick overview.  If the symptoms above sound like you, give us a call and we can help out.  You don't have to live run down or in a constant state of feeling overwhelmed. 

For order instructions on Nature Sunshine click here and for Standard Process visit the office or call 615-656-3558.

Photo Source.

Quinoa Fried Rice

We all crave the comfort of high sodium, bad for you foods, but most of these are packed with preservatives!  Here is a simple and delicious quinoa fried recipe!  The perfect, healthy alternative to take out.

When I first discovered this I made it for 4 days in a row because it tasted so good!  I haven't had Chinese food in years and was so happy to discover this alternative. It’s perfect for anyone, especially those on Candida Clear where you can have quinoa in place of rice!

All you need is quinoa, frozen veggies, a couple eggs and coconut oil! 

Cook your quinoa.  I sometimes will make a large batch and keep it in the fridge until I am ready to warm it up. Then, when I want to make something, I just quickly heat it up in the skillet with coconut oil.

Make your frozen veggies.  I get mine at Costco- great price for how much you get.  They are organic too!

Now put it all together.  In a large skillet (on low/medium heat) put 1 to 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, quinoa, mixed veggies and 1 to 2 eggs.  In a smaller skillet you can use 1 egg and larger skillet 2 eggs.  Once the eggs start to slightly cook mix them around with the quinoa and veggies.  Keep slowly mixing everything until the eggs are pretty well done.  Add in a little bit of sea salt and pepper for a little more flavor. There you have it!  Dinner is ready!

Another option would be to throw in some chicken, shrimp, or steak!

Enjoy!

Gluten Free Almond Flour Bread

This gluten free bread has been a game changer at our house!  Regular bread (even wheat) spikes your blood sugar, contains minimal nutrients and usually contains gluten. Gluten creates inflammation in the body especially to the digestive system and really stresses the thyroid out.

If you are wanting to loose weight, have digestive or suspected or known thyroid issues, drop the store bought bread and pasta (sprouted bread is okay but I believe this recipe is even better). This is a perfect alternative that won’t spike up your blood sugar and contains protein and healthy fats that will leave you more full after eating it versus craving more bread.

Ingredients
2 cups almond flour (Or put almonds in food processor/ninja and blend into flour)
2 TBS coconut flour
¼ cup ground flaxseed (Or put flaxseed into food processor/ninja and pulse till it is ground- doesn’t take much)
½ tsp baking soda
5 eggs
1 ½ TBS honey
1 TBS olive oil
1 TBS apple cider vinegar

Preheat oven to 325. Grease up loaf pan with a lot of coconut oil. Make sure it is completely covered because this bread can stick to the pan pretty easily after its cooked.

First add in all the dry ingredients (almond flour, ground flax, coconut flour, baking soda) and pulse in food processor. Then add in the wet ingredients and pulse to blend into batter.

Pour batter into greased loaf pan.

Bake for 20 minutes. THEN take a piece of foil and place on top of the loaf pan and bake for 10 more minutes or until toothpick comes out clean (it took my oven about 15 to 20 minutes).

Cool your bread for 20 minutes and enjoy!  Keep leftovers in the fridge to make it last longer.

Top with homemade jam or your favorite nut butter! This even makes for great sandwich bread.

Trouble losing weight? Try these tips!

A lot of people come into the practice and one of their top 5 concerns or issues typically has something to do with weight.  95% of the time a Candida issue has something to do with it as well as an underlying thyroid issue, our metabolic control center.  Once these things are taken care of, people notice significant changes in their weight and energy levels as well as mental clarity.

Below are some tips to jump start metabolism!

1) Drink a full glass of water immediately upon waking in the morning.  Set the glass of water on your nightstand and have it ready to drink right when you wake up.  This gets you hydrated right away in the morning and jump starts your metabolism.

2) Drink one glass of hot water with ½ lemon daily (or more). This revs up metabolism and gets the liver filtering out toxins that can contribute to weight gain.

3) Stop eating after 6pm.  This gives your body more time to break down food instead of trying to process it during the middle of the night when your metabolism is the slowest.  Set a time to stop eating, even if it is not 6 pm. Sticking to your rule will help keep you from wandering into the kitchen looking for snacks and mindless eating.  Most people eat late at night not because they are hungry, but out of routine!

4) Eat protein at each meal. Ideally you want 30 grams of protein at each meal. You will be amazed at how this little trick can help you feel full longer, lose weight and keep your energy up. Some simple foods to keep a protein filled diet are: almond butter, nuts/seeds, deli meat (make sure it is preservative free… aka nitrates, -ites), chicken, eggs, fish, beef, CLEAN protein powders (we have plenty at the office) and, my favorite, collagen! Collagen has 20 grams of protein per serving. Plus, it is tasteless and can dissolve in cold or warm drinks/food.

Try these easy steps and see how much it can help you!

Healthy Cool Whip

This cool whip is delicious and is only 2 ingredients!  It takes 1 minute to make and taste amazing! All you need is a can of coconut milk (not what you find in the refrigerated aisle).  It can be found at Kroger in the health food section or in the international aisle.  Put a can of coconut milk in the fridge overnight (or at least 8 hours).  This will allow the water and cream to separate which leaves a whipped cream consistency on top and a watery part on the bottom of the can. 

Once refrigerated take the top section out of the can.  You can throw away the bottom watery section.  Next add your sweetener.  I added 1 Tablespoon of honey, but maple syrup or xylitol are other options. You could even add a teaspoon of vanilla to give it a little more flavor too! Mix up and that is it! 

Enjoy! Try dipping your strawberries in it or add it to plantain pancakes! 

Easy, 3 Ingredient Pesto

I made this pesto on a whim because I didn't have pine nuts or olive oil.  I also wanted to stay away from the typical parmesan cheese, so I had to get creative and it worked!

This pesto recipe requires only 3 ingredients: Walnuts, Coconut Oil (Melted), and Basil!

In a food processor, throw in around 4 tbs of melted coconut oil, a large handful of walnuts and a large handful of basil and blend.  That's it!  It's the perfect addition to any meal.

Enjoy!

Easy Asian Stir Fry

This asian inspired stir fry is simple, healthy, and totally yummy!  I love sharing recipes that are easy to make because sometimes life gets too busy to plan out an elaborate dinner.  For this recipe, you only need 4 ingredients! Are you ready!?!

Ingredients
Broccoli slaw (found at Kroger and Trader Joes
1-2 eggs
Coconut Aminos (soy sauce replacement)
Cashews

Place broccoli slaw in skillet with coconut oil and cook on medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes (until veggies start to get soft).  Then add 1 to 2 eggs (1 for small skillet and 1/2 container of broccoli slaw and 2 eggs for entire container of broccoli slaw).  Stir around to mix the egg in.  

Next, add a large handful of cashews.  Let everything cook for another 5 minutes or so (stir around occasionally) which allows the cashews to get warm and slightly toasted.

Put in a bowl and top with Coconut Aminos!  That's it, and it's husband approved!

You can cook chicken to add in or just eat as is.  It is such an easy recipe to customize to your liking.  I hope you like it is as much as I do!

Enjoy!

Oven Baked Carrot Fries

Have your fries and eat them too!  This is guilt free, simple recipe and a great alternative to fries. It's the perfect side for any dinner and a great way to help kids eat their veggies!

Ingredients
Carrots
Coconut Oil
Seasoning of choice (I like to use Borsari)

Peel your carrots and cut into 3 inch pieces.  Then cut in 1/2 lengthwise then in 1/2 lengthwise again to get the width of fries.  Lightly rub coconut oil on the carrot sticks and grease a baking pan with it.  Season the carrots with sea salt and pepper and cook for 20 minutes on 400 degrees.

That's it!  They are very tasty and have a hint of sweetness to them.  Enjoy!