Posts

Fig Almond Smoothie

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , , , /by

Fig season is my favorite season. This Fig Almond Smoothie makes great use of all of the fresh figs around right now.

Fig Almond Smoothie

Late summer and early fall are fig seasons here in New York City. The farmer’s markets have tons of little baskets filled with purple and green figs. The scent is so sweet and they are absolutely gorgeous. As soon as I see them, I have to have them. So, I buy them. I buy way too many of them.

I bring home my fig baskets and I put them in the fridge. And then I try to think of new ways to use them, new recipes to make, and new ingredients to pair them with.

And all of this is not only because I love to create foods using the figs, but also because if I leave them in the fridge, I will eat them all as-is. All of them. In a matter of hours. So, not only do I need to be creative, but I need to be creative rather quickly.

This year, I’ve discovered the wonder of using figs in smoothies. I’ve always been one to put dates in my smoothies as a means to sweeten them, but it wasn’t until recently that I tried using figs this way.  Well I can tell you with certainty that they give this smoothie a great sweetness and an incredible texture. And they are so pretty as a garnish too!

It’s so important to eat seasonally. Eating with the seasons means you are getting the highest level of nutrients from your food at the most affordable prices. Fruits and vegetables that are in season are reasonably priced, provide the most nutrition, and are less-likely to be tampered with in terms of additives and preservatives. Read this article about what’s in season during late summer and then go wild… like I do with figs.

This is a smoothie that vanilla lovers will go crazy for. For some reason, many of my favorite smoothies are chocolate, but this one is now at the top of my favorites list. I just love the taste of the almonds mixed with the figs. There’s no actual vanilla in it, so maybe it’s one of those illusions — one of those we eat with our eyes things — because this tastes very vanilla to me. Whatever the reason, it is so creamy and so clean tasting and so delicious. And, it’s really good for you!

Free healthy digestion ebook

Figs are great for your digestion. For more digestive tips, download my free Healthy Digestion ebook now.

Fig Almond Smoothie

Here are some of the amazing healing ingredients in this Fig Almond Smoothie:

Oat milk is the base of this smoothie. Oats are good for lethargy and anemia, can soothe digestion, and can help strengthen your bones. Oats are also good for reducing cholesterol, so they are a heart healthy choice. This ancient grain can also help reduce some types of swelling in the body and, a little known tidbit: they can be eaten to help stop lactation.

I use cauliflower for breads, crusts, rice, smoothies… everything. It can be used in so many forms… and, it’s really good for you. In Chinese medicine we use it to aid in digestion and help with constipation. One of the things I find most amazing about this cruciferous vegetable is it’s ability to help with age-related memory loss (My menopausal friends will appreciate this benefit!). It contains a healthy amount of Vitamin B, Vitamin K and Omega-3 fatty acids and can help fight cancer and cardiovascular disease. Cauliflower also helps the body with detoxification and with reducing inflammation. So, as far as I’m concerned, the more the merrier.

Collagen actually heals tissue, it helps to heal your intestinal/gut lining.  Some people who suffer from IBS and other common intestinal issues, have been found to have decreased levels of collagen in their bodies; adding collagen has helped heal these conditions. Collagen strengthens bones and muscles, keeps your joints healthy, improves flexibility and concentration, and helps heal your digestive system. It also keeps you looking youthful.

Figs have the highest amount of calcium of any fruit and are a good source of fiber. They are good for anemia, constipation, indigestion and fever, and they are also good at fighting fatigue and boosting memory retention.

In Asian medicine, we use coconut to strengthen the body, reduce swelling, and stop bleeding. Coconut kills viruses, bacteria, and parasites. It’s good for all types of infections and viruses in the body, including the flu, bronchitis, tapeworms, urinary tract infections, and herpes. And perhaps most importantly, it helps you keep your mind sharp and it makes it easier for you to focus.

Cinnamon is one of the best herbs to warm the body. It’s great if you have a cold. If you are nauseous or have diarrhea, go for the cinnamon. It also gives you energy and helps with menstrual pain. Cinnamon is a Chinese herb: “gui zhi” is the cinnamon twig and “rou gui” is the cinnamon bark. Both are warming and are used for a variety of ailments. In the winter I add cinnamon to all sorts of foods. It helps with the common cold, swelling, various menstrual issues and some aches and pains. Be careful with it if you have a fever because it is so warming.

Fig Almond Smoothie

If you make this Fig Almond Smoothie  recipe, please be sure to let me know in the comments below. I love hearing how you like a recipe, and I love to answer your questions! If you make it, be sure to take a photo and tag me and post it on Instagram.

Fig Almond Smoothie
Print
Recipe type: paleo, vegan, vegetarian, grain-free, gluten-free
Cuisine: smoothie, breakfast
Author:
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 1
This Fig Almond Smoothie is a great alternative to all those chocolate and green smoothies we love so much. This smoothie is so creamy and light... you'll love it!
Ingredients
  • 1 cup oat milk (make sure it's gluten-free if you need it to be)
  • ½ cup frozen cauliflower florets
  • 3 ice cubes
  • 1 scoop of collagen
  • 3 figs
  • ½ tsp almond extract
  • small pinch of salt
  • ¼ cup fresh chopped coconut (or can use coconut cream)
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon
Instructions
  1. Combine all ingredients in blender.
  2. Whiz it up until smooth and creamy.
  3. Pour into a pretty glass.
  4. Enjoy!

Fig Almond Smoothie

2 Things To Help You Lose Weight Without Being Hungry

/2 Comments/in /by

Nobody likes being hungry. And when you are on a restrictive diet, your hunger pangs seem to get worse.  Keep reading to learn 2 things to help you lose weight without being hungry.cold cucumber herb soup

You’re all ready to start your new food plan. Today is Day One. You are pumped. You stock your fridge and your pantry with all of the right things. You’ve read up on your plan and you are following an expert’s advice. You made it through breakfast and all is right with the world.

It’s 11:00 am. And you are starving.

Part of this may be because you really are restricting your calories.

Part of this may be in your mind… I mean, let’s face it, as soon as your brain knows you are “dieting”, all you want is the food you shouldn’t be having.

And, part of it may be that you are not moving your body enough.

But, most of your issue is that you are not eating the right things.

Keep reading to learn how not to be hungry when you are trying to lose weight.

I’m on a big customized-recipe-creation kick right now… let me customize a recipe for you that will work for whatever’s going on in your body now… I’m such a geek that I really do get excited about doing this. I’ve got a quick healthy meal with your name on it — and I’ll make sure it’s one that will keep you satisfied.  So CLICK HERE to be taken directly into my calendar to sign up for your free phone consultation.

Or, if you want to start with a weight loss plan that will actually work for your specific needs, sign up for my One Week Food Boot Camp. We’ll chat. We’ll examine what your lifestyle is like now. And we’ll come up with a new plan to get you on track — I’ll even create an ebook just for you and your wonderfully unique needs.

And, if you want to go it alone, just keep reading and you’ll learn some great ways to manage your weight without feeling so deprived.

Why Only These 2 Things?

I could sit here and give you lists and lists of things to help you with your diet. That’s easy for me to do. But, I’m sure you’ve seen and/or tried a lot of them before. I have helped countless people manage their weight. And we don’t count calories. I’m happy to help you too, but beyond these two basic principles — these 2 things to help you lose weight without being hungry — it’s so much easier to lose that weight if you are treated like the wonderfully unique individual that you are.

I have learned through my Chinese medicine training and my western nutrition knowledge, that what works for one person doesn’t work for another. I spend many of my days creating food lifestyles and meal plans for people and a large percentage of those clients are interested in losing weight. I create different plans for each person. After chatting via Skype, FaceTime, or phone, I use my Chinese medicine diagnostic skills and my chef’s training to create a program that truly works for each specific client. And every plan is different.

The food is different for each person. The supplements are different. And, the preparation required is different. I am well aware that not everyone loves to be in her kitchen as much as I do…

BUT, these 2 principles remain constant. So I’m laying them out here for you. It’s a great starting place.

For my women friends out there: you are not crazy… it really is harder for women to lose weight than for men to shed a few pounds. So, if you are on a program with your male significant other, don’t feel like you are doing something wrong just because he has dropped 10 pounds and you are only down 2… This is one reason why I use different superfoods and supplements for each person… let’s even the playing field!

Let’s get you eating the right foods to make it easier for you to attain your goals. And, by the way, if you eat the right foods, there’s never a need to count calories. Really! Eat the correct fats, proteins, and fiber, and your body will thank you by managing your weight correctly. The human body is an amazing thing if you treat it will the respect it deserves.

At the bottom of this article, I’ve included some recipes to help you out. Recipes that are simple and have great ingredients to help you on your weight loss journey.

download free ebook now

Download your free copy of my Radiant Skin Ebook now!

Follow These 2 Basic Principles And You Won’t Be Hungry

1. Eat Healthy Fats

Let’s get this out of the way up front. Fat does not make you fat. Sugar makes you fat. Even if eating fat goes against everything you’ve ever learned about dieting to lose weight, I want you to eat healthy fats. Healthy fats will keep you full. They will make your skin glow, feed your brain, elevate your mood, and they will keep your digestion running correctly. All of these benefits will help you manage your weight.

It’s really important that you do not eat anything labeled “low fat” or “non-fat”. These foods are heavily processed, and they will actually cause your body to gain weight.

One of the easiest things you can do, is to drizzle extra-virgin olive oil on everything.

I know, olive oil has calories…

But, it also has the things your body needs, especially as you are restricting your food intake.

If you have vegetables, salad, or protein, drizzle some good quality extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil on top of your food.

For more about healthy oils, read this article.

Other healthy fats that you should be eating now include: coconut, avocado, whole eggs, wild salmon, and raw nuts. Yes, you can eat all of these things and still lose weight. BUT, you must exercise portion control. A portion of raw nuts would be about 7 nuts if you are having them as a snack. I prefer to incorporate nuts into my meals. They make great salad dressings and are a great thickener for smoothies. A portion of avocado, is a half of an avocado. Two eggs is plenty… you get the picture.

2.  Eat Nothing Processed Or Artificial

Processed foods force your body to put on weight. Chemicals force your body to add weight. Artificial anything should be avoided, not only while you are trying to manage your weight, but always.

One of the things I see most often with my clients is that they think that if something is labeled “sugar free” or “diet” that it will help with weight loss.

WRONG!!! 100% wrong.

Artificial sweeteners trigger the sweet sensation in your brain, causing you to crave more and more sweets. Not only are you triggering the need for more traditionally sweet foods, but you are at the same time causing your brain to tell your body that it needs things that don’t just taste sweet but that turn into sugar inside your body — like bread. And pasta.

Same goes for any junk food.  Don’t eat it.

Believe it or not, eating these things just makes you hungry. And it makes you want more. And more…

Same goes for most protein bars. Even those bars that appear  healthy often contain lots of sugars or grains. Just stay away.

Shop the outer edges of your supermarket. Buy produce, meat, fish, and fresh foods. Stay away from the aisles filled with packaged foods.

I know this can be difficult, but after a week or so, you won’t crave these foods anymore and it will get easier and easier to drop your unwanted weight.

At the bottom of this post, you’ll see a recipe for some healthy popsicles — that’s what you can have for dessert!

download free ebook now

Download your free copy of my Radiant Skin Ebook now!

Recipes To Help You Lose Weight

If you make this any of these recipes that make use of the 2 things to help you lose weight without being hungry, please be sure to let me know in the comments below. I love hearing how you like a recipe, and I love to answer your questions! If you make it, be sure to take a photo and tag me and post it on Instagram.

It’s my hope that you will enjoy these recipes and the way they make you feel so much that you will move onto eating this way more and more often. I’d love to help you out, so CLICK HERE to be taken directly into my calendar to sign up for your free phone consultation.

And, be sure to click on the individual recipes for more health information about each ingredient used.

1. Coconut Blood Orange Ice Pops

blackberry kombucha ice pops

These popsicles can be made with any pure organic fruit juice that makes you smile. They will satisfy your sweet tooth and will keep you full because of the healthy fat — coconut milk.

2. Seafood Salad With Garlic And Oil

the healthy cooking oils you should be using

This delicious and beautiful seafood salad can be made in advance and kept in your fridge. It has healthy fat and healthy lean protein. Feel free to customize this with whatever seafood makes you happy.

3.  Salmon With Parsley Sauce

salmon with parsley sauce

Salmon is your friend. Make sure it’s wild and not farmed. Eat about 5 ounces and you will feel satisfied and happy.

4. Instant Pot Spring Vegetable Soup

instant pot spring vegetable soup

Keeping a healthy and hearty pot of soup in your fridge makes it so much easier to manage your weight. It gives you something to eat when you don’t have the will power to wait until you cook something good for you. This soup contains buckwheat, which is a seed and not a grain, and tons of fresh veggies. It’s the perfect soup to keep on hand.

5. Espresso Chocolate Chip Smoothie

espresso chocolate chip smoothie

This smoothie has a little nut butter in it for fat. And it tastes sweet, but all of that sweetness comes from dates. This one’s awesome!

 

10 Best Foods And Herbs To Boost Memory And Concentration

/3 Comments/in /by

Are you forgetful? Is it hard to concentrate? Do you need help focusing? This list of the 10 best foods and herbs to boost memory and concentration will make your life so much easier!

10 best foods and herbs to boost memory and concentration

Eating the correct foods and herbs will help you with memory, concentration, and focus. We all have trouble focusing sometimes. And, how frustrating is it when you forget what you were just about to say, or when you walk into a room to get something but you forget what that something is? Ugh… I just hate when that happens. But, and this is a big but (no pun intended…), when you add the correct combination of foods and herbs into your daily routine, your brain starts to perform at its highest level. Like when you were younger. Or like before you had kids. Remember when you could sit and focus on one task before moving onto another one?

If any of the above scenarios resonates with you, then this list of the 10 best foods and herbs to boost memory and concentration is for you.

First, let me tell you that I use my brain all the time. I laugh when people call me a professional student, but it’s kind of true. I went to college and got a degree in Journalism. Three years later, I went to law school. After practicing law for about 15 years, I went to cooking school. Then, several years after that, I went back to school for my Masters degree in Oriental medicine and a license in acupuncture. And now, I’m combining everything into what I’m so passionate about: food as medicine. So, yeah, I’m kinda sorta a professional student and I’m always studying, reading, and learning.

Each time I went back to school, it became harder and harder to hold the information in my brain. Exams seemed to be getting more difficult and it took me longer to study than it used to.

But, hey, I was studying Chinese herbs and eastern nutrition… hmmm…. a lightbulb went off. Physician, heal thyself!

So, when I tell you that these 10 foods and herbs to boost memory and concentration are the ones you should use, I know from where I speak.

download free ebook now

Download your free copy of my Radiant Skin Ebook now!

I always relish the chance to test everything I learn out on myself before I recommend these things to my clients. And this was an awesome opportunity for that honor. After years of testing (literally — see what I did there?) I came up with this list. My status as an “A-student” did not suffer, and just this past week, I got a call from one of my favorite clients who told me she has been incorporating what she called the “Smart Ten” into her diet for 3 weeks, and already she’s noticing a huge difference.

I just LOVE this kind of success!

Food is brain medicine!

10 best foods and herbs to boost memory and concentration

Here’s The List Of The 10 Best Foods And Herbs To Boost Memory And Concentration:

1.  Collagen

Collagen strengthens bones and muscles, keeps your joints healthy, improves flexibility and mental concentration, keeps your digestive system running smoothly, and helps keep you looking and feeling youthful. I put collagen in my coffee, tea, and smoothies. You can use this daily… yup, every day.

2.  Huang Qi (Astragalus)

Huang Qi is a Chinese herb. It’s like magic; it builds qi/gives you energy… you can really feel it working while you are eating. Like many herbs, huang qi is an adaptogen. This means it works with your whole body; it helps your whole body deal with stress and it works exactly as your body needs it to at the time you are taking it. It works especially well for your brain’s neuron health.  My family makes fun of my excitement for herbs, but they also are happy to reap the rewards when they eat my herb-infused foods, so think about tossing in some herbs the next time you boil a pot of something…

3.  Coconut

In Chinese medicine, we use coconut to strengthen the body, reduce swelling, and stop bleeding. Coconut kills viruses, bacteria, and parasites. It’s good for all types of infections and viruses in the body, including the flu, bronchitis, tapeworms, urinary tract infections, and herpes. And perhaps most importantly, it helps you keep your mind sharp and it makes it easier for you to focus.

4.  Long Yan Rou (Longan Fruit)

Long Yan You is a Chinese herb that strengthens your qi and blood. This means it gives you energy when your body is weak. This fruit is a little bit like a lychee. It’s particularly good at remedying forgetfulness and at calming the mind. The fruit is most often sold dried and is a little sweet and a little smoky tasting. It can be eaten raw or cooked. I used to love to sit with a bag of longan fruit next to me when I was driving for a long distance — it just seemed to wake me up and perk up my brain just the right amount.

5.  Egg Yolks

Eggs are nature’s perfect food — they come in a perfect container and are so nutritious. I truly wish people would stop splitting them up and eating just the whites. I am a big proponent of eating the whole egg. So many of the nutrients and the taste are in the yolk; I’ll never understand separating nature’s perfect food.  The yolks contain vitamins A, D, E, and K, and they protect the health of our neurotransmitters. They also contain choline which can help keep your brain in tip-top shape.  All of these benefits are associated with the yolks, not the whites! Eggs sometimes get a bad rap because of cholesterol, but it’s been shown that in 70% of people, eggs do not raise cholesterol, so don’t assume they are bad for you. Buy organic eggs and you are really doing the right thing.

Here’s more info on the incredible egg: Everyone Loves Eggs And You Should Too.

download free ebook now

Download your free copy of my Radiant Skin Ebook now!

6.  Bone Broth

Bone broth is filled with bone marrow and essential fatty acids — these things promote optimal brain health. It also contains glycine, which is an amino acid that helps with memory, concentration, stress, and focus.  You can make your own bone broth, but you don’t have to anymore. Bone broth is now available in tons of markets. It’s sold in boxes just like chicken or vegetable broth. The glucosamine in bone broth can reduce inflammation and strengthen the bones. It’s also great for your skin, hair, and nails. This is a great thing to use for a quick soup base, or to just sip on during the day. Sometimes I’ll have a hot cup of bone broth first thing in the morning for a quick healing pick me up.

7.  Beets

Beets are SO good for you. I try to find ways to fit them into my meals as much as possible. Really… many times a week. Beets nourish blood and tonify the heart. They help with blood flow to the brain and recent research has shown that they may help fight against dementia.  Athletes are starting to drink beet juice as a form of endurance therapy. They are anti-carcinogenic, good for anemia, and they can relieve constipation. I also think it’s a great idea to eat them raw sometimes because their amazing goodness is even more pumped up this way.

8.  Blueberries

Blueberries are filled with antioxidants and have been shown to help fight  Alzheimers Disease and dementia, as well as cancer, diabetes, heart attacks and strokes. In some circles, they are known as “longevity berries.”  They help improve memory and also protect brain tissue.

9.  Royal Jelly

Royal jelly is a combination of bee pollen and honey. It contains a huge amount of acetylcholine, which helps with concentration and focus.  This bee product has been shown to have good results in Alzheimer’s patients. Aside from brain health, royal jelly will also boost your immune system. I like to take a spoonful of royal jelly with a little bit of bee pollen sprinkled on top… here’s to my brain health!

10.  Kelp

Kelp noodles are all the rage now. I love them. You can buy a package in the refrigerated section of many markets now. All you do is rinse them in cold water, drain them, and then add your favorite sauce — I like a nice thick spicy curry sauce with mine. Kelp is a vegetable from the sea. It contains a lot of great minerals, including iodine; many people are iodine deficient these days. We need iodine for proper thyroid function, weigh control, brain health, and organ function. Kelp also contains fucose, which is an essential sugar that helps with memory.

 

So, What Should You Do Next?

This Paleo Blueberry Cobbler is brain-healthy and delicious!  Keep scrolling for more ways to use this list of the 10 best foods and herbs to boost memory and concentration…

10 best foods and herbs to boost memory and concentration

There are lots of recipes that optimally use the brain boosting foods in this list. But, the easiest way for me to help you get your memory, concentration, and focus in top shape, is if you join me in a free phone consultation. We can chat about exactly what your unique issues are, and I will suggest some great fixes for you. So, CLICK HERE to be taken directly to my calendar and pick your time slot now… really, I can’t wait to meet you!

This recipe for Beet Sweet Potato Soup has beets to feel the blood in your brain, and you can add Chinese herbs to the soup while it’s cooking for extra brain-boosting power.

beet sweet potato soup

Espresso Chocolate Chip Smoothie

/3 Comments/in , , , , , , , , , , , /by

This delicious espresso chocolate chip smoothie will give you energy, balance your hormones, and make you smile!
espresso chocolate chip smoothie

When I start out to make a smoothie — which I do many times a week — I almost always stop, close my eyes, breathe deeply, and really notice what kind of flavor combination my mouth wants and what kinds of superfoods and healing ingredients my body needs. Yes, I’m aware that I turn the business of smoothie making into an oddly serious affair, but hey, it works for me. And today, this espresso chocolate chip smoothie is what I wanted and needed.

Every Saturday and Sunday morning, we take our two huge dogs to Central Park for coffee and croissants. We get coffee. The dogs get croissants. We sit by the lake and people watch. It’s awesome. And then we come home and have breakfast. One of the reasons it’s not so hard for us to sit there and watch the dogs eat while we just have coffee, is that we know when we get home we can have a smoothie like this.

Today, we sat on our bench at the lake. The weather was just perfect. There was a slight breeze and the scent of coffee and wet dogs in the air… haha that’s really true. We watched the remote control boats, the hundreds of dogs running around, and we just sat. It’s kind of meditative for us.

Then we walked back home. Now, I’m really ready for something good.

For me, some types of smoothies seem to work best for breakfast.

And, some are more for an afternoon pick-me-up.

And some work anytime.

This espresso chocolate chip smoothie is more of a breakfast smoothie for me, but I did serve it to Steve in the afternoon and that was perfect for him… so, this is an anytime smoothie.

One of my favorite things about this recipe is that you don’t have to actually brew coffee for it. I’ve made smoothies with coffee before, and I brew hot coffee, then either stick it in the freezer so it will cool or add ice and hope it doesn’t get too watered down. It works, and I’ve never really minded the process…

But now, I’ve found espresso coconut water (see recipe below for details) that actually tastes like coffee, so all I have to do is use the espresso coconut water as a base. Easy-peasy.

And, if you’re in the mood for a fruity smoothie treat, try my recipe for Pink Pitaya Mango Smoothie Bowl.

espresso chocolate chip smoothie

I’m on a big customized-recipe-creation kick right now… let me customize a smoothie recipe for you that will work for whatever’s going on in your body now… I’m such a geek that I really do get excited about doing this. So CLICK HERE to be taken directly into my calendar to sign up for your free phone consultation.

espresso chocolate chip smoothie

Here are some of the awesome healing ingredients in this espresso chocolate chip smoothie recipe:

In Chinese medicine, we use coconut to strengthen the body, reduce swelling, and stop bleeding. Coconut kills viruses, bacteria, and parasites. It’s good for all types of infections and viruses in the body, including the flu, bronchitis, tapeworms, urinary tract infections, and herpes. And perhaps most importantly, it helps you keep your mind sharp and it makes it easier for you to focus. I used espresso coconut water for this recipe, and I added coconut butter.

I use cauliflower for breads, crusts, rice… everything. One of my favorite uses is in smoothies — when used frozen, it’s a great thickening agent that really has no taste, so it’s a perfect base for whatever you are adding into your smoothies. Cauliflower can be used in so many forms… and, it’s really good for you. In Chinese medicine we use it to aid in digestion and help with constipation. One of the things I find most amazing about this cruciferous vegetable is it’s ability to help with age-related memory loss (my menopausal friends will appreciate this benefit!), and weight loss. It contains a healthy amount of Vitamin B, Vitamin K and Omega-3 fatty acids and can help fight cancer and cardiovascular disease. Cauliflower also helps the body with detoxification and with reducing inflammation.

Raw cacao is a superfood. It is packed with magnesium, iron, zinc and other minerals. Not only is it packed with health benefits, but it actually has properties that help the body absorb nutrients better and it’s filled with antioxidants. Cacao can actually be translated as “food of the gods”… Raw cacao can help lower blood pressure, promote healthy heart function, improve digestion, and may even help increase the libido. This recipe makes use of raw cacao powder and raw cacao nibs.

Sunflower seeds help lower blood pressure and can relieve headaches and dizziness. In Eastern medicine we recommend eating sunflower seeds if a person is troubled by certain severe intestinal symptoms like dysentery, or intestinal worms or certain parasites. These seeds also contain calcium and magnesium and have anti-aging properties. In Chinese medicine they are often prescribed to get rid of rashes. I use sunflower seed butter in this recipe.

Maca Root is one of the superfoods I take every day. It has many healthy benefits including increasing libido, helping menopausal symptoms, relieving menstrual cramps, regulating hormones, and increasing energy.

Dates are rich in potassium, dietary fiber and tannins. Fiber is good for your gut and tannins help the body fight inflammation and infection. Dates are also rich in vitamin A and iron. The most amazing thing about dates is that they can be used to replace sugar in almost anything. I stopped using sweetened protein powders in my smoothies and now I use unsweetened ones but I add a few dates.

espresso chocolate chip smoothie

If you make this Espresso Chocolate Chip Smoothie, please be sure to let me know in the comments below. I love hearing how you like a recipe, and I love to answer your questions! If you make it, be sure to take a photo and tag me and post it on Instagram.

Espresso Chocolate Chip Smoothie
Print
Recipe type: smoothie, breakfast, snack, blender
Cuisine: paleo, vegan, vegetarian
Author:
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 1-2
This delicious smoothie will give you energy, balance your hormones, and make you smile!
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Put all ingredients, except cacao nibs, into your blender.
  2. Whiz it up.
  3. Pour into glasses.
  4. Top with cacao nibs.
  5. Enjoy!

espresso chocolate chip smoothie

Blueberry Orange Chia Pudding

/3 Comments/in , , , , , , , , , , , /by

Make-ahead breakfasts are awesome. Imagine opening your fridge and having blueberry orange chia pudding waiting for you in the morning… it will make you smile.
blueberry orange chia pudding

I’m like a pusher when it comes to chia pudding. I make everyone try it. And, most of them end up loving it. I’m not going to lie though… there are still a few souls I’m trying to win over, but I’m not giving up. I’ve been developing chia puddings in tons of different flavors. And, this blueberry orange chia pudding recipe won over someone who I never thought would ever eat chia pudding. I just love it when stuff like this happens!

I was hosting my book club at my apartment one night. And, I, not surprisingly, used this as an event to test out recipes on unsuspecting people. I made 8 cute little jars of this chia pudding and had them at the ready in my fridge. When book club was over and everyone was gone, I opened the fridge and realized that I had never served the chia puddings — I had intended them to be parting gifts.

Ugh. I cannot even tell you how often I leave food in the fridge and forget to serve it.

That’s why I should never be allowed to drink even one glass of wine while I’m entertaining… nah… that’s not going to happen…

Anyway, I still had all of these lovely blueberry orange chia pudding jars.

The next night I had a few friends over before a meeting we needed to attend. I passed out a few jars. One friend looked at it and at me like I was crazy and said she would take her jar with her to the meeting. I knew this meant she would probably throw it out when I wasn’t looking. Then, I saw her taste it. And a little while into the meeting, the jar was empty. To me, that was a great compliment.

That was 2 jars down.

Confession: I ate the rest of them myself. All of them. Over the next week. Okay, maybe I gave one away. Ugh. Sometimes I can be such a pig…

And, here’s my most popular chia pudding recipe: Birthday Cake Chia Pudding.

blueberry orange chia pudding

I’m on a big customized-recipe-creation kick right now… let me customize a recipe for you that will work for whatever’s going on in your body now… I’m such a geek that I really do get excited about doing this. So CLICK HERE to be taken directly into my calendar to sign up for your free phone consultation.

blueberry orange chia pudding

Here are some of the awesome healing ingredients in this blueberry orange chia pudding recipe:

Chia seeds are ancient seeds that got their name from the Mayan word for “strength”. These tiny seeds have the unique ability to turn liquid into a gel-like substance when making puddings and they are great added to smoothies and shakes. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids,and fiber. And, because they are so high in antioxidants, they help keep your skin looking younger. They help optimize both your digestive system and your cardiovascular system.

In Asian medicine, we use coconut to strengthen the body, reduce swelling, and stop bleeding. Coconut kills viruses, bacteria, and parasites. It’s good for all types of infections and viruses in the body, including the flu, bronchitis, tapeworms, urinary tract infections, and herpes. And perhaps most importantly, it helps you keep your mind sharp and it makes it easier for you to focus. I like to use full-fat canned coconut milk for this chia pudding.

Pure maple syrup contains antioxidants that help reduce inflammation in the body (think inflammatory bowel syndrome or heart disease). It also contains zinc, calcium, and magnesium. It’s much lower on the glycemic scale than traditional sugar. Whenever possible, use a darker (grade B) syrup because the nutritional composition is better than that of lighter syrups.

Maca Root is one of the superfoods I take every day. It has many healthy benefits including increasing libido, helping menopausal symptoms, relieving menstrual cramps, regulating hormones, and increasing energy.

Baobab is a superfood that is a powder made from an African fruit. This amazing superfood has tons of vitamin C to boost your immune system and it’s great for energy. Sometimes I put some in my water bottle to keep my hydrated throughout the day. It’s easy to put a scoop in anything for a pick-me-up.

Blueberries are filled with antioxidants and have been shown to help fight cancer, diabetes, heart attacks and strokes. In some circles, they are known as “longevity berries.”

Oranges will help boost your levels of vitamins A, B and C. In Chinese medicine, oranges have been used for many years to help coughs, colds and anorexia. Lately, oranges have been widely touted for their ability to help heal colon cancer. I peel my oranges and lay the rinds in the sun to dry, and save them for tea or for cooking because the orange rinds are an actual Chinese herb. I dry out the peels of oranges, tangerines, clementines… whatever I have. Dried tangerine peel, or “chen pi”, as it’s known in Chinese medicine, is one of the greatest and most easily accessible herbs around. It’s especially good for digestive issues like abdominal discomfort, distention, fullness, bloating, belching, and nausea. It’s also great if you have a cough with a heavy or stuffy chest.

blueberry orange chia pudding

If you make this blueberry orange chia pudding, please be sure to let me know in the comments below. I love hearing how you like a recipe, and I love to answer your questions! If you make it, be sure to take a photo and tag me and post it on Instagram.

Blueberry Orange Chia Pudding
Print
Recipe type: make-ahead, superfoods, chia seeds
Cuisine: breakfast, pudding, parfait
Author:
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 8
Make this recipe the night before and when you open your fridge in the morning it will be waiting for you... this will make you smile.
Ingredients
  • 2 cans full-fat coconut milk
  • 4 tsp vanilla extract
  • ⅔ cup pure maple syrup
  • ½ cup plus 1Tbs chia seeds
  • 4 tsp maca root powder (optional)
  • 1 tsp baobab powder (optional)
  • 1 pint blueberries
  • flesh or ½ a large orange
  • zest of half a large orange, to sprinkle on top
Instructions
  1. In a large mason jar with a lid, or a large container with a lid, shake up the coconut milk, vanilla, maple syrup, chia seeds, maca root, and baobab.
  2. Shake, shake, shake... until it's all combined really well.
  3. Put the blueberries and the orange flesh in a blender. If you need a some liquid to get it to move, you can add a few Tbs of orange juice.
  4. Whiz it up shortly until broken down and combined, but not so much that it's watery.
  5. Divide the blueberry mixture among the bottoms of several small jars with lids (I used 8 really small mason jars).
  6. Pour the chia seed mixture evenly on top of the blueberry mixture.
  7. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
  8. Enjoy!

blueberry orange chia pudding collage

Pineapple Protein Smoothie Bowl

/2 Comments/in , , , , , , , , , /by

pineapple protein smoothie bowl

The first time I made this pineapple protein smoothie bowl it was a bright summer day.  Ah, I remember it well — shining sun, warm breeze, still daylight when it was time for dinner…  Today, it’s much different.  It’s cold and dreary. And raining. And it’s dark at 4:30. And everyone around me has a cold and a sore throat. I mean, there are tissues everywhere… yuk.

So, I did what I love to do — try to make everything and everyone better with food. That means making dishes with turmeric and ginger and some of my awesome Chinese and Ayurvedic supplements.  But honestly, I was starting to have a hard time making the sickies eat so much soup.  I figured if I went in the opposite direction, maybe it would work.  I took my original recipe for this smoothie bowl and I added some magic.

And, by magic I mean ginger and camu camu powder. These are ingredients that I love to put in my shakes and they worked healing wonders in this beautiful smoothie bowl. The products I used were new ones (and because I like full-disclosure, I will tell you that I received these 2 ingredients free in exchange for my opinion on them) and I loved them.  Anthony’s Goods thought I might like some of their organic products. I offered to try the ginger and the camu camu — so I’m here to tell you that both are awesome.  I can’t wait to try more because sometimes it’s challenging to find all of these supplements in organic versions.  See the ingredients below for a full description of why camu camu and ginger are so good this time of year!

I just love food that lets you be creative. Okay, if I’m being completely honest, I think you can be creative with any food. Yes, any food! I had a cooking instructor who used to say: “It’s not rocket science; it’s only food,” and I agree completely. I mean, what’s the worst that happens — something isn’t completely delicious? Well, anyway, the point I was trying to make is that one of the great things about smoothie bowls is that they beg for creativity. So, you should make them exactly as you like them.

There’s something about the taste of a fresh pineapple that just screams summer. I’ve been on a real fruit kick lately, so instead of my usual chocolate-based smoothies in the morning, I’ve been gravitating towards fruit-based concoctions. So, this smoothie bowl is made with lots of fresh pineapple and is topped with lots of luscious fruit and berries… Sometimes when I make it it’s a little thicker than others, so if your seems thin for a bowl, then just pop it in the freezer while you get your toppings together (or, you always have the option of putting it in a glass).

When I make my chocolate smoothies for breakfast, I generally put a bunch of protein in it to keep me full until lunch. For some reason, when I use fruit, I don’t think along the same lines. So, with this smoothie bowl, I made a conscious effort to create something that was more filling than a bowl of fruit, and it worked out deliciously. I made extra for my daughter, who decided she wasn’t in a smoothie-kind-of-mood and wanted eggs instead, but I stored the extra in the fridge and happily ate it the next morning.

This amazing pineapple protein smoothie bowl is so easily customizable to your personal taste. The second day I had it, I topped it with handfuls of pecans and toasted coconut… this was awesome!

For another awesome smoothie bowl recipe, try my Cherry Berry Smoothie Bowl.

pineapple protein smoothie bowl
pineapple protein smoothie bowl

These are some of the great ingredients I put in my smoothie bowl:

Pineapple is great for your digestion and it can help stop diarrhea. It’s especially good in the summer because it fights against heatstroke.

Ginger is  a chinese herb (Gan Jiang) that warms the body. It’s especially good during cold weather and also during seasonal changes. So, when it’s winter or when winter is trying to turn into spring, and we (those of us on the east coast) get some of these cold, raw, damp days, ginger will make you feel better and will help boost your immune system. Old folklore shows that ginger was rubbed on scalps to stop baldness. And, in some circles, a ginger paste is still rubbed on arthritic joints to stop pain (don’t try this at home unless you are diagnosed with a cold-condition by an acupuncturist).

Camu Camu is a plant-based powder that has the ability to boost your immune system and balance your mood. It has a large amount of vitamin C, can reduce inflammation, and can help improve mental clarity.

I love to add bananas to smoothie bowls; they offer a great natural sweetness and a nice creamy texture. Bananas are good for your intestines (an old Asian remedy was to eat a banana every day to relieve hemorrhoids) and your lungs, and they even help relieve the effects of overindulging in alcohol.

Turmeric is actually a Chinese herb (Jiang Huang). It is great for reducing inflammation throughout the body. If you suffer from aches and pains in your joints, try turmeric. It can help relieve menstrual pain and some other abdominal pains but, if you are pregnant, ask your doctor before you eat too much turmeric.

Research shows that pumpkin seeds may reduce blood sugar and increase bone density. And, because they are rich in iron, they are good if you are tired or have anemia. In Asian medicine, pumpkin seeds are sometimes used to get rid of intestinal parasites and to decrease inflammation in the body. I buy pumpkin seed protein in powder form because it’s a great easy way to add protein to my shakes and smoothies without adding any extra sugar. (See the recipe below for where to buy it.)

Peaches moisten the body; they can alleviate a dry cough, help with dry mouth, and can be good if you are experiencing constipation. There is a Chinese herb that is made from the peach kernel (Tao Ren). This herb is great for constipation and some menstrual problems. Isn’t it great when something so delicious is also so healthy?

Bee pollen is considered one of the most nutritious substances you can put in your body. It is higher in protein than anything animal-based and it contains an amazing amount of amino acids. It’s good for your energy, your skin, your breathing and your allergies. Add a spoonful to whatever you can. I know there are differing opinions as to whether bee pollen is vegan; so if you would prefer to leave it out, that’s just fine.

Raspberries are an anti-aging fruit. They are great for men who are experiencing frequent urination and for men and women with vision issues. They have anti-cancer and anti-inflammation properties. In Chinese medicine, raspberries are an herb called Fu Pen Zi. This Chinese herb is prescribed for impotence, premature ejaculation, poor vision, and frequent urination. Raspberries are great for you, but if you are experiencing difficulty urinating, that’s when this berry should be avoided.

All berries are good for you and contain antioxidants. As a general rule, the darker the color, the more antioxidants, making blackberries even better than other berries at fighting cancer and other illnesses. Blackberries also can help relieve intestinal inflammation and diarrhea, and they are good for your skin. And, even more importantly, they taste great…

pineapple protein smoothie bowl

Pineapple Protein Smoothie Bowl
Print
Recipe type: smoothie bowl
Cuisine: smoothie, breakfast, summer
Author:
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 2
A creamy pineapple and banana base is the perfect vehicle for so many healthy and fresh and delicious toppings... best breakfast ever!
Ingredients
  • 1 whole pineapple, cut into chunks
  • 2 frozen bananas (I peel bananas when they turn brown and then store them in the freezer)
  • ½ tsp turmeric (Here's a good one)
  • 2 Tbs pumpkin seed protein powder (I like this one)
  • 1-1/2 tsp camu camu powder (I got mine here)
  • 1 tsp organic ground ginger (I got mine here)
  • Optional toppings:
  • sliced fresh peaches
  • bee pollen granules (I have this one)
  • fresh raspberries
  • fresh black berries
  • organic toasted coconut flakes (I bought some sweetened with coconut sugar)
Instructions
  1. Put the pineapple, frozen bananas, turmeric, and protein powder into your blender. (I used my Vitamix so it was pretty quick...). Blend until smooth.
  2. If you want your smoothie bowl thicker, pour this mixture into bowls and pop them in the freezer while you are readying your topping.
  3. Top with whatever toppings you like.
  4. Enjoy!

pineapple protein smoothie bowl

Berry Fig Yogurt Parfait

/1 Comment/in , , , , , , , , , , /by

Parfaits are fun. And this berry fig yogurt parfait is delicious and energizing!

berry fig yogurt parfait

It’s getting to be the dog-days of summer — but if you’re a dog lover like I am, it’s not a bad thing at all! Yes, I know, nobody likes those ridiculously hot and humid days — the ones where the air is heavy and everything seems to move in slow motion. But summer is awesome! Even when it’s hot! You can go outside with nothing but shorts and a tank. You can walk down the street drinking the hugest iced coffee or smoothie. You can smell that warm, sweet, summery scent of the flowers and trees…

And here, in NYC, where everyone aspires to leave the city in the summer, I am happy as a clam. I’m not crazy though. I don’t turn on my oven much, and I stick to the shady side of the street. And, I eat things like this awesome berry fig yogurt parfait.

I hesitate to even call this parfait a recipe — because really you can make it however you like — but I am including the recipe for how I made this one because it’s so delicious and cooling and refreshing.

By the way, I made my parfait dairy-free by using the most delicious coconut yogurt I’ve ever had. I used Anita’s coconut yogurt — it’s so good, I might even say it’s life-changing!

If you’re feeling really ambitious, here’s my recipe for Homemade Coconut Cinnamon Yogurt.

berry fig yogurt parfait

This parfait is as easy as it is healthy:

In Asian medicine, we use coconut to strengthen the body, reduce swelling, and stop bleeding. Coconut kills viruses, bacteria, and parasites. It’s good for all types of infections and viruses in the body, including the flu, bronchitis, tapeworms, urinary tract infections, and herpes. And perhaps most importantly, it helps you keep your mind sharp and it makes it easier for you to focus.

Figs have the highest amount of calcium of any fruit and are a good source of fiber. They are good for anemia, constipation, indigestion and fever, and they are also good at fighting fatigue and boosting memory retention.

All berries are good for you and contain antioxidants. As a general rule, the darker the color, the more antioxidants, making blackberries even better than other berries at fighting cancer and other illnesses. Blackberries also can help relieve intestinal inflammation and diarrhea, and they are good for your skin. And, even more importantly, they taste great…

Research shows that pumpkin seeds may reduce blood sugar and increase bone density. And, because they are rich in iron, they are good if you are tired or have anemia. In Asian medicine, pumpkin seeds are sometimes used to get rid of intestinal parasites and to decrease inflammation in the body.

Bee pollen is considered one of the most nutritious substances you can put in your body. It is higher in protein than anything animal-based and it contains an amazing amount of amino acids. It’s good for your energy, your skin, your breathing and your allergies. Add a spoonful to whatever you can. I know there are differing opinions as to whether bee pollen is vegan; so if you would prefer to leave it out, that’s just fine.

berry fig yogurt parfait

Berry Fig Yogurt Parfait
Print
Recipe type: breakfast, lunch, snack, dessert
Cuisine: vegan, vegetarian, grain-free
Author:
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 1
This is the perfect summer breakfast, snack, lunch... anytime treat. It takes only a few minutes to prepare and it's healthy and refreshing!
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Place a little bit of each topping in the bottom of a glass or bowl.
  2. Spoon half of the yogurt on top of those toppings.
  3. Add more toppings, then more yogurt, then more toppings.
  4. You are done!
  5. Enjoy!

berry fig yogurt parfait

Orange Banana Smoothie

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , , , , /by

This orange banana smoothie will make you think of summer!

orange banana smoothie

Most mornings I wake up and I’m excited for my green smoothie. I know excited is an odd way to feel about a glass of green slush, but it’s really true. Over the years I’ve perfected them, so they taste great and make me feel even better. I truly love the energy I feel from all of the great ingredients in that big green glass.

But sometimes, I’m just not feeling’ the green. But I still want that energy… that’s how I felt a few days ago. It was a rainy day and I just wanted something that would make me feel like summer was coming. I created this smoothie, and it fit the bill perfectly. I mean, just look at the color of this orange banana smoothie… you can’t not smile and think of summer.

If you have been reading my posts, you probably know that I love to use whole citrus fruits — the peels and all. This smoothie is no exception. I put the entire orange into my Vitamix, and that’s really what sets this shake apart from so many others. Add when you add a few superfoods, the effect is amazing. The taste and the energy and the nutritional punch you get from the this combination of awesome ingredients really cannot be matched.

Here’s another non-green smoothie to try: Apple Cinnamon Smoothie.

orange banana smoothie

Here’s some of the great things that make up this “sunny” smoothie:

Oranges will help boost your levels of vitamins A, B and C. In Chinese medicine oranges have been used for many years to help coughs, colds and anorexia. Lately, oranges have been widely touted for their ability to help heal colon cancer. I peel my oranges and lay the rinds in the sun to dry, and save them for tea or for cooking because the orange rinds are an actual Chinese herb. I dry out the peels of oranges, tangerines, clementines… whatever I have. Dried tangerine peel, or “chen pi” as it’s known in Chinese medicine, is one of the greatest and most easily accessible herbs around. It’s especially good for digestive issues like abdominal discomfort, distention, fullness, bloating, belching, and nausea. It’s also great if you have a cough with a heavy or stuffy chest.

Maca Root is one of the superfoods I take every day. It has many healthy benefits including increasing libido, helping menopausal symptoms, relieving menstrual cramps, regulating hormones, and increasing energy.

I love to add bananas to smoothies; they give it a great natural sweetness and a nice creamy texture. Bananas are good for your intestines (an old Asian remedy was to eat a banana every day to relieve hemorrhoids) and your lungs, and they even help relieve the effects of overindulging in alcohol.

Dates are rich in potassium, dietary fiber and tannins. Fiber is good for your gut and tannins help the body fight inflammation and infection. Dates are also rich in vitamin A and iron. The most amazing thing about dates is that they can be used to replace sugar in almost anything. I stopped using sweetened protein powders in my smoothies and now I use unsweetened ones but I add a few dates.

Turmeric is actually a Chinese herb (Jiang Huang). It is great for reducing inflammation throughout the body. If you suffer from aches and pains in your joints, try turmeric. It can help relieve menstrual pain and some other abdominal pains but, if you are pregnant, ask your doctor before you eat too much turmeric.

Bee pollen is considered one of the most nutritious substances you can put in your body. It is higher in protein than anything animal-based and it contains an amazing amount of amino acids. It’s good for your energy, your skin, your breathing and your allergies. Add a spoonful to whatever you can.

Cashews are really a multi-tasking nut. I use them all the time so I say it all the time: Cashews have a lower fat content than most other nuts. Most of the fat in cashews is unsaturated and is made up of oleic acid; this is the same acid that is found in olive oil, making these nuts a heart-healty choice. I know some of you have a problem finding raw nuts sometimes — I’m happy to try to help you locate them if you need shopping suggestions, so just leave a comment and I will try to help. I buy then whenever and wherever I see them. I’m also lucky enough to live near a Whole Foods, so I sometimes buy them from the bulk bins here.

orange banana smoothie

Orange Banana Smoothie
Print
Recipe type: smoothie
Cuisine: breakfast, snack
Author:
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 2-3
This smoothie tastes as bright and sunny as it looks. It will give you a warm feeling and a burst of energy. Just pop everything in the blender and you're good to go!
Ingredients
  • 2 frozen bananas, cut in half
  • 1 whole orange, with the peel, quartered
  • 1-1/2 cups coconut water
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • 1-1/2 tsp maca root powder
  • ¼ cup unsweetened, shredded coconut
  • 3 pitted dates
  • ¼ cup raw cashews
  • 1 Tbs bee pollen granules
Instructions
  1. Place all of the ingredients into a high-speed blender. (I'm not sure how finely the orange peel will grind up in a regular blender, so if you try it, please let me know!)
  2. Whiz it up until it's really smooth.
  3. Garnish with extra coconut flakes or orange slices if that makes you smile.
  4. Enjoy!

orange banana smoothie

Paleo Lemon Cake

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Paleo Lemon Cake! This is so delicious; it’s kind of like a cake grandma used to make, but way healthier!

paleo lemon cake

I’m a chocolate lover. But when I tasted this cake, I thought to myself: hmmmm… I think this might be better than chocolate.

And then, I remembered that it was grain-free. Yup, I actually forgot this is a paleo cake when I tasted it… it’s that good!

If you’ve been following me at all, you may know that I don’t consider myself the best baker. I’m a great cook, but baking… not so much. I’m not much of a measurer or a perfectionist, but with baking when you just wing it or go with the flow, sometimes it’s just a hot mess.

I saw a recipe for lemon bread on a blog called Connie’s Finally Losing It. Connie calls it a bread, and I’m sure hers is perfect and delicious. When I made it, mine didn’t look quite as perfect, and it tastes more like a cake, but OMG, it is just delicious!

And yes, it’s really as good as chocolate. I think part of this is due to the fact that when I made the glaze and poured it over the cake, instead of it sitting prettily on top of the cake, mine soaked into the cake and made it so sweet and lemony, that I can’t imagine doing it any other way.

I put the leftovers in the fridge and we’ve been eating it cold all week. So, put your chocolate bias aside, and try this lemony, sweet, tart, amazing cake!

paleo lemon cake

You should make this cake because it’s delicious. But you should also make it because it’s so good for you:

Lemon peel contains calcium, potassium and vitamin C. Lemons are good for your digestion, they help detoxify your body, they balance your pH, and they act as an antibacterial. They also can soothe a sore throat, lessen a cough, and hydrate the body.

I am a big proponent of eating the whole egg. So many of the nutrients and the taste are in the yolk; I’ll never understand separating nature’s perfect food. Eggs help with many types of dryness in the body. If you have a dry cough or a frog-in-your-throat, try eating some eggs. They have also been shown to help women with various conditions during and after pregnancy.

Honey is an amazing food. It is also a Chinese herb (Feng Mi). Raw honey is honey in its purest form; it has not been filtered, strained or heated above 115 degrees. This means when you eat it, the enzymes, anti-oxidants and nutrients haven’t been disturbed. I use raw honey in my tea, smoothies and in any recipe that calls for honey. Raw honey is solid and may need to be melted before you use it, but this is easy and only takes a minute or two. Honey helps with constipation, some coughs, and some stomach ulcers.

Coconut strengthens the body, reduces swelling, and stops bleeding. It kills viruses, bacteria, and parasites. It’s good for all types of infections and viruses in the body, including the flu, bronchitis, tapeworms, urinary tract infections, and herpes. It’s the coconut flour in this recipe that holds it together, and there is also some coconut oil in this cake.

paleo lemon cake

 

Paleo Lemon Cake
Print
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: recipe adapted from: Connie's Finally LosingIt
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 8-10
This lemon cake is sweet, and tart, and when I ate it, I forgot it was grain-free! It's so healthy and delicious and simple -- it will become your new favorite dessert!
Ingredients
  • 1 Tbs coconut oil to grease a loaf pan
  • For cake:
  • 6 large eggs
  • ¼ cup coconut oil, melted and cooled
  • juice from 2 lemons plus enough almond milk to equal a total of 1 cup liquid
  • zest from 2 lemons
  • ⅓ cup raw honey, melted and cooled slightly
  • ⅔ cup coconut flour
  • 1-1/4 tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp sea salt
  • For glaze:
  • 2 Tbs coconut oil
  • 2 Tbs raw honey
  • 2 Tbs almond milk
  • zest and juice from 1 lemon
  • ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Grease a loaf pan with the coconut oil.
  3. Put all of the cake ingredients into the bowl of a mixer and mix until well combined.
  4. Pour into the loaf pan.
  5. Place on the middle rack of the oven and bake until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown. Mine took 49 minutes. (Please watch the cake carefully, because the original recipe calls for only baking the cake for 32-45 minutes.)
  6. Remove the cake from the oven and let the pan cool on a rack.
  7. When the pan is cool, remove the cake and let it cool completely on the rack, out of the pan.
  8. Make the glaze: put all of the glaze ingredients into a small pot and simmer over low heat until it's all melted together. Turn off heat and let cool slightly
  9. When the cake is completely cool, pour the glaze over the top of the cake. (My glaze was very liquid, but I poured the whole thing over the cake and let it soak in and it was delicious. In the original recipe, the glaze in the picture looks while and thick and pretty... I'm just letting you know that either way it should be delicious!)

 

paleo lemon cake