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30 Quick Meals To Heal You This Month

Make one of these meals each day this month, and you will be a new person… food really is medicine! Scroll down for 30 quick meals to heal you this month. Let’s get cooking and you’ll see how much more energy you will have, how your digestion will improve, how you will sleep better, how your mood will be lifted, and how your health conditions will start to melt away…

Each one of these meals will heal different conditions in your body and each one can be on the table in 30 minutes or less. If you commit to making one meal each day for 30 days, you will be on the road to looking and feeling healthy and youthful.

Do you remember when you used to have the energy to want to do so many things? Remember when your skin was glowing and healthy? Remember what life was like before you had those chronic aches and pains? Let’s bring those days back. Just one meal a day will put you on that track… after that you will want to add in more meals… the possibilities are endless!

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…  So CLICK HERE to be taken directly into my calendar to sign up for your free phone consultation.

creamy mint avocado pasta

1. Creamy Mint Avocado Pasta

When I tell you that this creamy mint avocado pasta sauce is amazing, I really mean it. The avocado makes it creamy. The flavor of the mint can be as strong as you like, or it can just peak through. And, if you make this dish with grain-free pasta, it’s one of the healthiest comfort foods around. It’s like happiness in a bowl — ugh, did I really just say that…?

Mint boosts your immune system and avocado is great for your digestion and your skin.

 

pan seared salmon with bruschetta sauce

2.  Pan Seared Salmon With Bruschetta Sauce

The salmon is seared quickly in a pan.

The simple sauce is made by pulsing the ingredients in a blender very briefly. It’s a cold sauce. And it is the most delicious and refreshing sauce you will ever have.

Oh, and did I mention that the sauce only has 4 ingredients? Yup, it’s like when you eat a great meal in Italy, and everything tastes so simple and fresh. This is just like that. Fresh and simple. Fresh tomatoes. Fresh garlic. Oil. Vinegar. Done.

Salmon is great for your blood, for anemia, and for energy. Tomatoes are great for your digestion.

 

instant pot spring vegetable soup

3. Instant Pot Spring Vegetable Soup

Soup still hits the spot even when the days start to get warm.  This instant pot spring vegetable soup is perfect for those days — it will boost your immune system and make you feel good!

This soup is especially satisfying because it contains buckwheat groats that mimic pasta. Buckwheat helps lower blood pressure and is good for some intestinal issues.

 

paleo beefaroni

4. Paleo Beefaroni

If you liked beefaroni when you were a kid, you will love this healthy grownup Paleo Beefaroni.

Beef is good for swelling or edema in your body and it can be good for bloating too. Tomatoes are good for your digestion.

 

white bean and kale soup

5. White Bean And Kale Soup

This healthy soup really is comforting. And it’s healing. It’s one of those soups that lets you actually feel the energy seeping into your body as you eat it. Really, you can.

White beans give you energy and calm your mind. Kale is filled with vitamins and minerals, including calcium.

paleo pasta carbonara

6. Paleo Pasta Carbonara

This pasta is made from chickpeas. Chickpeas calm the spirit and soothe anxiety and irritability. Green peas are good for your digestion.

 

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vegetable noodle lo mein

7. Vegetable Noodle Lo Mein

The noodles here are made from butternut squash. This squash is good for your heart and your digestion. Shiitake mushrooms help lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

This vegetable noodle lo mein is the perfect recipe to try out your favorite type of veggie noodle. You can even mix it up and use a few different kinds here. This tastes better than Chinese takeout and you won’t feel bloated or tired after you eat!

baked lemon cod

8. Baked Lemon Cod

This Baked Lemon Cod is delicious. And, it’s simple. There’s no sautéing involved. There’s no flipping of delicate fish. There’s no complicated sauce. But it is truly delicious.

Fish is a great thing to eat when you feel like you need more energy. Cod, in particular, is good for your heart. Lemon peels are great to detoxify your body and to smooth your digestion.

 

peanut butter banana oatmeal

9. Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal

Oats are good for your digestion. Walnuts are considered a Chinese herb that treats constipation. Honey gives you energy and quiets coughs.

This recipe is warming, comforting, and can be customized with whatever ingredients you like.

 

shaved brussels sprouts & apple salad

10. Shaved Brussels Sprouts And Apple Salad

I’m kind of a freak about leftover salad. I love almost anything straight out of the fridge as a leftover. Except salad. I just hate it when it goes all wet and limp. Enter this salad… it’s even better leftover the next day. The Brussels sprouts stand up so well to the creamy dressing that there is no ick-factor involved. This makes it perfect to make for a crowd because you can make it way in advance. This is just awesomely easy and convenient.

Brussels sprouts are an anti-cancerous vegetable and they are also great for weight loss. Apples are good for your heart and your digestion.

 

zoodles with creamy avocado pesto

11. Zoodles With Creamy Avocado Pesto

The avocado makes the pesto so creamy and it’s so easy to make. It’s a really pretty green…  And the noodles are made from zucchini… deliciously creamy and healthy.

Zucchini  calms your mind. Avocados are good for hot flashes and for your heart. Basil calms your mind and boosts your immune system.

 

 

12. Sweet Potato Apple & Swiss Chard Stew

This is a warming and comforting vegan dish… and nobody will miss the meat.

Sweet potatoes are good for your digestive system. They can be good for both constipation and diarrhea. These orange gems also help rid your body of excess water, are good for breast health, help people with diabetes and actually can help ease night blindness.

It really is true that an apple a day is a good thing. Apples help to strengthen your heart. They are also good for your digestion and they can help eliminate mucus when you have a cold.

 

tomato pomegranate salad

13. Tomato Pomegranate Salad

This tomato pomegranate salad is beautiful, simple, delicious, healthy, and easily customizable with the ingredients you have on hand.

Tomatoes are good for your digestive system. Pomegranate seeds nourish the blood. In Chinese medicine, we know that many illnesses and conditions are caused by the body making poor quality blood. Pomegranate seeds are great at helping the body make good quality blood. They are also good to combat diarrhea, anemia and incontinence.

 

sheet pan chicken fajitas

14. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

I used grain-free almond tortillas to wrap up these sheet pan chicken fajitas. And I added turmeric to the spice mix. And lots of scallions. Yup, this is not only delicious, but it’s healing too!

Chicken is a healthy protein to eat when you are feeling weak. Bell peppers can help relieve that bloated feeling in your stomach.

 

buckwheat ramen soup

15. Buckwheat Ramen Soup

Ramen soup is  so delicious, but if you eat grain-free, you can’t have traditional ramen. I used buckwheat ramen noodles in this soup; buckwheat is a seed, not a grain.

Buckwheat helps lower blood pressure and it’s good to stop diarrhea. Ginger is great for your immune system and for your digestion.

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chickpea penne with arugula pesto

16. Chickpea Penne With Arugula Pesto

This recipe is great on 2 different fronts. First, there’s the pesto. OMG — this is sooooooooo good! And, it takes only 5 minutes to make. Next, there’s the beauty and deliciousness of the grain-free pasta made from chickpeas. Well, this is nothing short of genius!

Arugula boosts your libido and cools your body down. Chickpeas calm the spirit.

 

salmon with parsley sauce

17. Salmon With Parsley Sauce

Slow-roasting this fish at a really low temperature keeps it so tender, juicy, and fresh tasting.

Parsley is considered an anti-cancerous herb. And, it freshens your breath! So, if you get a chance to use it for something other than a garnish, I say go for it!

Salmon is great to nourish your blood and can help with asthma.

 

simple poached salmon with yogurt sauce

18. Simple Poached Salmon With Yogurt Sauce

Wild salmon is a great thing to add into your diet to help increase your athletic performance — this fish can help reduce aches and pains in your muscles and joints, and it’s a good source of iron.

Lemons help detoxify your body and they are great for your immune system.

As an added extra benefit, this salmon makes for awesome leftovers.

 

noodles with raw tomato basil sauce

19. Zoodles With Raw Tomato Basil Sauce

Zucchini cools your body off and makes you feel better during those hot days of summer. It helps your body release excess heat and it will make your mind feel more calm.

In Chinese medicine, we use tomatoes to aid in digestion and to help detoxify the body. They are also good to combat excess cholesterol, lessen inflammation and curb asthma. Tomatoes can also quench thirst, and they can help fight some kidney infections. This recipe uses both fresh and sun-dried tomatoes.

 

sprouted grain chicken cutlets

20. Sprouted Grain Chicken Cutlets

This chicken is crispy. The outside layer actually crunches in your mouth, but the chicken itself stays so moist. And, the coating mixture… it’s so easy to make and it contains superfoods to heal your body. Ummmmm…. what are you waiting for? You’ve got to try this one!

This is one of my most popular recipes — make it and see why!  And, make sure you make extra because this chicken is great sliced up on salads or sandwiches too.

 

buckwheat sweet potato arugula salad

21. Buckwheat Sweet Potato Arugula Salad

Let me tell you, rather immodestly at that, that this salad is incredible. It hit all it’s marks. The buckwheat is chewy. The sweet potatoes are warm and sweet. The tempeh tastes like unexpected little pieces of smoky bacon. The spinach and arugula are refreshing.  The cherries are tart. The dressing is tangy. The pecans are crunchy. Okay, enough praises. But you’ve got to make this!

Buckwheat is a seed, not a grain. It is great to eat if you have diarrhea. It also helps lower blood pressure, stops some types of sweating, and has a good amount of vitamin E, and has antioxidants that can help fight cancer and heart disease.

Arugula boosts the libido and helps cool the body down.

 

roasted turmeric cod

22. Roasted Turmeric Cod

Fish is great to eat if you feel like you need more energy. It’s also helps with diarrhea and hemorrhoids. I used cod for this recipe, but any firm fleshed sturdy white fish would work great. Cod, like many fish varieties, is good for the cardiovascular system; it helps protect against heart attacks and strokes and helps regulate blood pressure.

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.

 

simple fresh vegetable soup

23. Simple Fresh Vegetable Soup

One of the things that I tell my clients is that if you make a big pot of healthy soup at the beginning of the week, you will have no reason to grab unhealthy snacks when you come home famished.

This vegan soup contains lots of fresh vegetables to heal you.

 

paleo chicken pot pie soup

24. Paleo Chicken Pot Pie Soup

I bet you didn’t know that potatoes can relieve some inflammation in your joints are they are good for constipation…

This soup is creamy (but there’s no dairy) and rich and garlicky and healing. It’s just so comforting.

Chicken is a healthy protein to eat if you are feeling weak. It also can lessen the pain of some types of arthritis.

 

szechuan zoodles

25. Szechuan Zoodles

This dish is especially great because the zucchini noodles are mixed with buckwheat noodles, so in the end, this slurpy and spicy pasta dish tastes like real pasta.

Zucchini cools your body off and makes you feel better when you are feeling hot. It helps your body release excess heat and it will make your mind feel more calm.

Buckwheat is great to eat if you have diarrhea. It also helps lower blood pressure, stops some types of sweating, and has a good amount of vitamin E. It also contains antioxidants that can help fight cancer and heart disease.

 

Vietnamese meatball bowls

26. Vietnamese Meatball Bowls

Almost all meatballs are awesome. But these meatballs are extra awesome. They are made with pork and infused with some traditional Vietnamese flavors. They are bit-sized, juicy, mouth watering, amazingly flavorful meatballs.

Pork strengthens the digestive system, helps with constipation, and can moisten a dry cough and other dryness in the body. It’s also good to strengthen your qi and give you energy.

I like to put these meatballs on top of cauliflower rice. Cauliflower contains a healthy amount of vitamin B, vitamin K and Omega-3 fatty acids and can help fight cancer and cardiovascular disease. It also helps the body with detoxification.

 

paleo fettuccine alfredo

27. Paleo Fettuccine Alfredo

This is a grain-free pasta dish made with a dairy-free cream sauce… and it is the most delicious and creamy pasta you can have.

The sauce is made with cauliflower, which helps fight cancer and is good for your digestion.

Garlic is amazing in its antiviral and antibacterial capabilities. Garlic is actually a Chinese herb (Da Suan). It’s used to kill toxins and parasites and also to reduce swelling in the body.

 

roasted lemon shrimp

28. Roasted lemon Shrimp

There’s nothing easier than a sheet pan dinner. And this one is awesome!

Shrimp are high in protein and low in calories, so really, they are a pretty good thing. In Chinese medicine, shrimp are actually recommended as a food to promote longevity because they nourish the kidneys, and in Chinese medicine, the kidneys are the key to life. Shrimp are great to boost libido, lessen some lower back pain and weakness, and they can help new moms with lactation.

Lemon peels contain calcium, potassium and vitamin C. Lemons are good for your stomach, they help detoxify your body, they balance your pH and they act as an antibacterial. If you have a sore throat or a cough, go for lemons to make things better.

 

vegan macaroni and cheese

29. Vegan Macaroni And Cheese

This is comfort food to the max!

I used a grain-free pasta and the creamy cheese sauce is made with potatoes and carrots… yum!

This one will make you smile as you eat it. There’s just something about this that feels so decadent… but the sauce is made from healing veggies.

 

lemon pesto fish fillets

30. Lemon Pesto Fish Filets

This recipe is so easy, and you can use any thin white fish that you like.

Fish is great to eat if you feel like you need more energy. It’s also helps with diarrhea and hemorrhoids. I used cod for this recipe, but almost any fish would be delicious with this preparation and creamy mustard sauce. Cod, like many fish varieties, is good for the cardiovascular system; it helps protect against heart attacks and strokes and can help regulate blood pressure. It’s also very low in calories… so have a nice big piece!

Lemon peels contain calcium, potassium and vitamin C. Lemons are good for your stomach, they help detoxify your body, they balance your pH and they act as an antibacterial. If you have a sore throat or a cough, go for lemons to make things better. Lemons are great for quenching your thirst, and, in China, many years ago, hypertension was treated by drinking tea made from lemon peels.

 

If you make this any of these 30 quick meals to heal you this month, 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 meals 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 Little Known Health Benefits Of Avocados

Avocados are everywhere these days. Not only are they delicious and versatile, but read on and you will learn 5 little known health benefits of avocados. Then, keep scrolling down for some awesome unique healing recipes featuring this ever-so-popular ingredient… it’s not just for guacamole anymore…
top 5 reasons to eat avocados

Avocados are one of my favorite foods, both for their health benefits and because they taste great. They are the epitome of a superfood. In Chinese medicine, some practitioners recommend avocados to raise the sperm count. I like them because they are good for anemia, dry skin, palpitations, constipation, and hot flashes due to menopause… and some other things that we don’t often associate with avocado — like managing stress…

Did you know that avocados are fruits, not vegetables? They are. And, this fruit can actually lower your bad cholesterol.

One of my favorite things to do is to take a half of an avocado, inside the skin, drizzle hot sauce on top, and then eat it with a spoon — no muss no fuss. Oh, and then I rub the inside of the skin on my face — more on that later.

Avocado toast is huge right now. You can’t call up your Instagram feed without seeing tons of variations of these beautiful toasts all over.  And then there’s guacamole. That’s timeless, and  even more popular now with the ever-wonderful Taco Tuesday hype. I use guacamole as a condiment in place of mayonnaise — it’s especially good mixed into potato salads…

But, since avocados really are so healing, it makes sense to add them into your meal rotation on the regular. And, really, how much avocado toast can you eat? (Okay, maybe quite a lot…. haha.)

Stick with me and you’ll be making pasta sauces out of avocado. Your desserts will have hidden avocado in them. Smoothies… yup, they are great vehicles for hidden avocados. And, you need to start topping your soups, chilis, and stews with cubed avocado. If you start with a healthy chili or soup and then add the heart healthy fat of the avocado to it, there’ll be no stopping you.

I realize as I’m typing this article, that I’m focusing on the deliciousness of avocado as a food. But, really, the important take-away from this article is that avocado can truly heal some of your health conditions. So, read on…

Why Should You Listen To Me?

My passion is helping you heal yourself with food and herbs. It’s truly my calling. When I was studying for my Masters Degree in Oriental Medicine, I knew that all of these amazing tenets of Eastern Medicine could be applied to food and used as everyday healing agents for so many people. I knew that if I combined what I was learning about the properties of food and herbs with what I already knew from my chef’s training, it would be life-changing.

And it is. My training in both Eastern and Western medicine, combined with my obsession with food and cooking, has given me a unique skillset that has helped so many people. And I want to help you. Nothing aggravates me more than knowing that these tools exist but that so many of you have not been taught them.

Everyone should know how to heal themselves with food and herbs. This should not be a secret.

If you eat the right foods for your unique body and circumstances, you can heal yourself. All you need is the correct information. And I’m here to give it to you.

Food really is medicine!

And, when there are everyday foods that are so easy to fit into your everyday life, why wouldn’t you start there? Avocados are awesome. Let’s get started…

Here Are 5 Little Known Health Benefits Of Avocados

1. Avocados Balance Hormones

In Chinese medicine, avocados are prescribed to fertility patients. They help balance estrogen and progesterone levels and they also increase sperm count. I often tell my menopausal clients to start eating more avocados because they can be really helpful to reduce hot flashes.

When I studied Chinese medicine, I learned how important it is to eat foods that build up the quality of your blood. A major key to health is good quality blood and this is often achieved by eating red foods. That’s why I’m always pushing beets, pomegranate seeds, and black cherry juice. But, avocados — lusciously green as they are — also help build up your blood. How awesome is that? If your blood is healthy, your hormones can be much more easily balanced.

2. Avocados Help Balance Stress And Boost Your Mood

Balancing stress and balancing hormones go hand in hand. Often, when you are feeling really stressed, it’s because your hormones are out of balance. Same goes for mood. The monounsaturated fats found in avocados have been shown to help with depression. Avocados are rich in Vitamin B and many times anxiety occurs because of a B deficiency. This in itself is reason enough to amp up your avocado intake!

3. Avocados Will Keep Your Skin Looking Youthful

I mean this in the most basic way. One of the best things you can do for your skin is to eat an avocado and then flip the skin inside-out and rub the inside of the skin onto your face. Yes, you won’t look pretty for a few minutes. And, haha, I once did a video demonstrating this and I looked like a green fool but my skin is in awesome shape… The oleic acid in your new green face mask will reduce inflammation and your skin will be refreshed and happy.

While using the avocado topically really is awesome, eating avocados are great for your skin also. The monounsaturated fats and vitamins help your skin, hair, and nails stay healthy, youthful, and hydrated.

4.  Avocados Can Help With Weight Loss

By now almost everyone has heard the mantra that fat doesn’t make you fat. Right? If you eat the right kinds of healthy fats, your body will thank you. You will feel full longer, you will feel healthier, and you will find it much easier to manage your weight without feeling like you are famished. Avocado has the right kind of healthy fat. And, as an added bonus, these green gems have been shown to help with your sugar addiction… talk about an awesome ingredient!

5.  Avocados Can HelpFight Cancer

There are lots of cancer fighting foods available. In fact, I wrote a whole blog article about it. Very recent research has been showing that avocados need to be added to this growing list of anti-cancerous foods. The phytochemical in avocados can help prevent the growth of cancer cells in the body. Because they are rich in cancer-fighting carotenoids they should now be a part of every chemo-protective diet.

download free ebook now
Download your free copy of my Radiant Skin Ebook now!

I’m Here To Help You

If you eat the right foods and herbs for your unique body and circumstances, you can heal yourself. All you need is the correct information. And I’m here to give it to you. So, read on and you’ll find some great simple recipes to help you add more avocados to your diet. And, if you want to learn more about healing whatever your specific concerns are, I’d love to help you create a healthy lifestyle plan specifically for your unique needs, so sign up for a free phone consultation and we can chat about it.

Really, it’s just a matter of thinking outside of the box. Place some avocados on your counter. Right there where you can easily see them. Every time you make yourself something to eat, look at those avocados and think about how you can incorporate them into whatever you are making. As you’ll see below, they even make great desserts.

I like to take this approach with whatever healing ingredient I’m focused on for the week. Last week I kept my fresh mint on my kitchen counter and on the top shelf of my refrigerator — in glasses of water, like aromatic bouquets. This made it easy for me to imagine using healing mint (Bo He in Chinese herbal medicine) in things I normally wouldn’t have thought to use it in.

Some Deliciously Simple Ways To Add More Avocado To Your Diet

1. Zoodles With Creamy Avocado Pesto

zoodles with creamy avocado pesto

This creamy avocado pesto sauce can be used on any type of veggie noodle or grain-free pasta of your choice. You can also add tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh herbs… so many things… so do what makes you happy.

2.  Creamy Vegan Chocolate Mousse

creamy vegan chocolate mousse

I know making desserts out of avocado can sound weird. But you need to try this. The chocolate taste comes through and the avocado is just there to create a creamy texture.

3.  Creamy Mint Avocado Pasta

creamy mint avocado pasta

Mint and avocado together are an incredibly healing duo — and this pasta is delicious!

If you make any of these avocado recipes, 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.

 

 

 

Cold Cucumber Herb Soup

This Cold Cucumber Herb Soup is filled with healing superfoods and greens. Make a pitcher and keep it in the fridge for the hot summer days ahead! Read more

Creamy Mint Avocado Pasta

Avocados are good for hot flashes!
creamy mint avocado pasta

I’m going to be honest: most of my life I was not a big mint fan. I could never understand how people liked mint chocolate chip ice cream so much — to me, the mint ruined the deliciousness of the chocolate chip. Mint tea?… ewww…. And, I would always choose any other candy over the pretty red and white candy canes of winter. Funny how things change. And boy have they ever! Mint is awesome! And it’s recipes like this creamy mint avocado pasta that make me wonder what was wrong with me all of those years ago…

When I first started studying Chinese medicine and I fell so in love with all of the herbs, Mint (Bo He) quickly became a go-to healing herb for me. It is amazing in it’s abilities to fight colds, boost the immune system, and settle your stomach. But, it wasn’t until I started experimenting by adding mint to my recipes, that a true love affair bloomed.

A few weeks ago, one of my neighbors asked me if I wanted some fresh mint from her garden. Well, duh… of course I did. So I gratefully took a whole bag-full, and made tea and chocolate mint shakes, and this awesome pasta sauce. I probably should have shared the big bowl of it that I made but we ate it all before that ever happened. I guess there’s always next time…

So, when I tell you that this creamy mint avocado pasta sauce is amazing, I really mean it. The avocado makes it creamy. The flavor of the mint can be as strong as you like, or it can just peak through. And, if you make this dish with grain-free pasta, it’s one of the healthiest comfort foods around. It’s like happiness in a bowl — ugh, did I really just say that…?

If you are looking for another great pasta sauce, try my recipe for: Chickpea Penne With Arugula Pesto.

creamy mint avocado pasta

creamy mint avocado pasta

Here are some of the healing ingredients in this creamy mint avocado pasta:

Mint is a Chinese herb called Bo He. It’s one of the best things to fight a cold, sore throat, or fever. It’s also good for some abdominal issues too, like bloating, nausea, and some stomach pains. Mint also helps cool of the body in cases of heatstroke, so stock up in summer!

Avocados are one of my favorite foods, both for their health benefits and because they taste great. In Chinese medicine, some practitioners recommend avocados to raise the sperm count. I like them because they are good for anemia, dry skin, palpitations, constipation, and hot flashes due to menopause.

Hemp seeds are a superfood. They are high in protein, easily digestible, and contain a full complement of amino acids. They contain disease-fighting phytonutrients that are good for your blood, immune system, tissues and skin. Hemp contains a specific fatty acid that acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory. It also helps balance hormones, making it a great choice to fight the symptoms of PMS. This super seed is also good for your liver and your brain.

Garlic is amazing in its antiviral and antibacterial capabilities. Garlic is actually a Chinese herb (Da Suan). It’s used to kill toxins and parasites and also to reduce swelling in the body. It’s what I call a great “A” herb: anesthetic, antibacterial, anti fungal, antioxidant, antiviral, etc…. In this recipe, the garlic is left raw, so it’s effect and taste is magnified… so don’t use as much as you would if you are making a recipe with cooked garlic.

Limes help to regenerate fluids, so they are great to combat any dehydration symptoms that sometimes can accompany alcohol consumption. They also contain a lot of vitamin C and they can actually help energize you.

creamy mint avocado pasta

Creamy Mint Avocado Pasta
Print
Recipe type: pasta, simple, sauce, vegan, vegetarian, paleo
Cuisine: recipe inspired by: Always Order Dessert
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
This pasta sauce is amazing! It's so healthy, and it's raw -- just put the ingredients in your food processor or blender, cook your pasta, and you're ready to go!
Ingredients
  • 2 avocados, diced
  • ½ cup fresh mint leaves
  • ¼ cup hemp seeds (you can buy these)
  • sea salt and black pepper, to taste
  • hot sauce, to taste
  • 1 lge garlic clove, chopped
  • juice of 1-1/2 limes
  • ¼ cup warm water
  • 12-oz pasta of your choice (here's a grain-free one)
  • Vegan parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top (optional)
Instructions
  1. Cook your pasta according to the package directions, making sure it's al dente.
  2. Drain.
  3. Meanwhile, make the sauce by putting all of the remaining ingredients (except Parmesan) into your food processor.
  4. Whiz it up until it's creamy.
  5. Toss the sauce with the pasta.
  6. Sprinkle with Parmesan if you like.
  7. Enjoy!

creamy mint avocado pasta

Vietnamese Meatball Bowls

These Vietnamese Meatball Bowls are deliciously Asian flavored… they will make you smile!

Vietnamese meatball bowls

Almost all meatballs are awesome. But these meatballs are extra awesome. They are made with pork and infused with some traditional Vietnamese flavors. They are bit-sized, juicy, mouth watering, amazingly flavorful meatballs. (I do realize how over the top that sounds, but I’m sticking with it…)

Almost all food tastes better when it’s turned into a “bowl”. If you haven’t yet jumped on the bowl bandwagon, don’t wait even another minute. A “bowl” is a complete meal served in… a bowl! It’s extra special because you get so many great flavors together in one place. And they are so easy to customize to reflect your own particular tastes.

One of my favorite food bloggers, Lindsay at Pinch Of Yum, posted her awesome recipe for Banh Mi Bowls With Lemongrass Meatballs. I found that recipe so inspiring that I created this recipe for Vietnamese Meatball Bowls.

This bowl has it all. It’s got deliciously moist pork meatballs. The meatballs are on top of spiced cauliflower rice. And crispy pea pods. And a few different kinds of peppers. And fresh aromatic herbs. It’s got so much flavor. And it’s grain-free and dairy-free. It’s paleo and Whole30 friendly. And, it’s easy to make. And it tastes great as leftovers the next day. Is that enough? I’m getting hungry again just writing this.

If you are looking for another great meatball recipe, try my Lamb Meatballs With Herbs And Kale recipe.

Vietnamese meatball bowls
Vietnamese meatball bowls

Here are some of the great ingredients in this Vietnamese Meatball Bowls:

Pork strengthens the digestive system, helps with constipation, and can moisten a dry cough and other dryness in the body. It’s also good to strengthen your qi and give you energy.

Lemongrass is great for lots of digestive issues; it can help with stomach pains and vomiting. It’s also good to include lemongrass in your diet when you have a cold and it’s been known to help people with arthritic joint pain.

Garlic is amazing in its antiviral and antibacterial capabilities. Garlic is actually a Chinese herb (Da Suan). It’s used to kill toxins and parasites and also to reduce swelling in the body. It’s what I call a great “A” herb: anesthetic, antibacterial, anti fungal, antioxidant, antiviral, etc….

I use cauliflower for breads, crusts, rice… 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. 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. So, as far as I’m concerned, the more the merrier.

Scallions, as I tell you often, are one of my favorites. In Chinese medicine, the root of the scallion is a healing herb (Cong Bai). I always keep scallions on hand in my refrigerator so that I can whip up a batch of cold and flu fighting tea (scallion roots and ginger) the second anyone feels that scratchy throat coming on. It helps the body sweat out toxins. Scallions are antiviral and antibacterial; they are good for the common cold and general nasal congestion — just don’t eat too many if you have a fever.

Cilantro is also known as Chinese Parsley. It is good for the common cold, indigestion, and energy flow in the body. An old Chinese remedy for the common cold and even for measles was to drink cilantro and mint tea. Cilantro is one of those herbs you either love or hate; I’m a lover…

Mint is a Chinese herb called Bo He. It’s one of the best things to fight a cold, sore throat, or fever and it’s good for some abdominal pains too.

Vietnamese meatball bowls

Vietnamese Meatball Bowls
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Recipe type: bowl, meatballs, cauliflower rice
Cuisine: Recipe adapted from: Pinch Of Yum
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
Moist and flavorful pork meatballs sit atop spiced cauliflower rice and are surrounded by crisp snow peas and peppers.
Ingredients
  • For meatballs:
  • 1 lb. ground pork
  • 1 Tbs lemongrass paste (or you can buy a jar of sliced lemongrass and mince it up really fine)
  • 6 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 Tbs sriracha
  • 1 Tbs liquid aminos (or substitute soy sauce or fish sauce)
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • For rice:
  • 2 cups cauliflower rice (buy it already riced or place one head of cauliflower florets in your food processor and pulse it just until it's like rice)
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • sea salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 3 scallions, sliced
  • ½ cup vegetable or chicken broth
  • For the bowls:
  • fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped (I like about 2 Tbs for each bowl)
  • fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped (I like about 1 Tbs for each bowl)
  • pappadew peppers, sliced (as many as you like)
  • fresh pea pods or snap peas (as much as you like), briefly sauteed or steamed (they should still be crisp)
  • 1 hot red pepper, sliced (or more if you like things spicy)
  • 2 limes, zested and cut into wedges
  • 1 jar of pickled vegetables (I used pickled ginger carrots, but there are so many awesome varieties available).
Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
  2. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
  3. Combine all of the meatball ingredients in a large bowl. Mush it all together with your hands and form into small balls. Place the balls on the tray, so that they are not touching each other.
  4. Place the tray in the oven and bake 10 minutes. Turn the meatballs over and bake an additional 5 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through.
  5. Place the cauliflower rice in a pot with the turmeric, salt and pepper, and broth. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring often, until the rice is just softened a bit.
  6. Using a slotted spoon, divide the cauliflower rice among the bowls. Top with meatballs and surround with the remaining ingredients.
  7. Enjoy!

Vietnamese meatball bowls

Tomato And Herb Salad With Roasted Lemons

You need roasted lemons in your life! Try this tomato and herb salad with roasted lemons.

tomato and herb salad with roasted lemons

When I was in cooking school we used to roast citrus fruits a lot… lately I’ve been seeing this technique making a comeback in lots of blogs. The one that inspired me most is from Epicurious, so a big thanks to them! And, now that I tried it in this salad, I remember why it’s so good.

If I had to pick one word to describe this salad it would be: “bright”. Because it is. It’s bright in color and it’s bright in flavor.

I made it the other day to have for lunch. The day kind of got away from me (as it often does) and all of a sudden it was time for dinner. So, while I ate this as a salad, I cooked some gnocchi for Steve and tossed them with lots of this salad. And yes, now that’s his new favorite dish: Gnocchi with Tomato And Herb Salad With Roasted Lemons…

When you slice up lemons, sweeten them, add some herbs, and then roast them, the most amazing thing happens… the lemon peels take on the best flavor and texture ever! I know to a lot of people it seems weird to eat the peels of the lemons, but believe me, this recipe will make you a big fan. I like to eat the rinds of citrus fruits whenever I can — I like the taste and the nutritional benefit is awesome. My favorite lemonade recipe includes the peels, so if you want to try another lemon-peel recipe, try my Strawberry Whole-Lemon Lemonade recipe.

In this salad, I’ve used lots of fresh herbs because the really taste great with the tart lemons. I love a dish that begs for lots of fresh herbs… it kind of puts me in my happy place!

tomato and herb salad with roasted lemons

Aside from the delicious brightness of this salad, here’s why you should try it:

Lemon peels contain calcium, potassium and vitamin C. Lemons are good for your stomach, they help detoxify your body, they balance your pH and they act as an antibacterial. If you have a sore throat or a cough, go for lemons to make things better. Lemons are great for quenching your thirst, and, in China, many years ago, hypertension was treated by drinking tea made from lemon peels.

In Chinese medicine, we use tomatoes to aid in digestion and to help detoxify the body. They are also good to combat excess cholesterol, lessen inflammation and curb asthma. Tomatoes can also quench thirst, and they can help fight some kidney infections.

Onions are great for your immune system; they are a natural antihistamine. Recently, I recommended that a patient with bronchitis put sliced raw onions in her socks when she went to sleep… she woke up so much better. (I know I’ve told you this before, but it really is awesome!) Onion is a superhero in the food world!

Cilantro is also known as Chinese Parsley. It is good for the common cold, indigestion, and energy flow in the body. An old Chinese remedy for the common cold and even for measles was to drink cilantro and mint tea. Cilantro is one of those herbs you either love or hate; I’m a lover…

Mint is a Chinese herb called Bo He. It’s one of the best things to fight a cold, sore throat, or fever and it’s good for some abdominal pains too.

tomato and herb salad with roasted lemons

 

Tomato And Herb Salad With Roasted Lemons
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Recipe type: salad
Cuisine: recipe inspired by:Epicurious
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 lemon, halved lengthwise, then thinly sliced and seeds removed
  • 1 Tbs sliced fresh sage leaves
  • 1 tsp coconut sugar
  • 1 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 lb multi-colored grape or cherry tomatoes, cut in half
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 2 Tbs roughly chopped fresh mint leaves
  • 2 Tbs roughly chopped fresh cilantro leaves
  • For dressing:
  • 1 Tbs pomegranate molasses
  • ½ tsp allspice
  • 1 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
  • sea salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F Convection setting, or 350°F regular bake setting.
  2. Boil the lemon slices in a small pot of water for 1 minute.
  3. Drain the lemon slices and toss them in a small bowl with the sage, coconut sugar, and 1 Tbs of oil.
  4. Spread the slices onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and put them in the oven for 15- to 20- minutes or until they start to brown.
  5. Make the dressing by whisking all of the ingredients in a small bowl.
  6. In a large bowl, toss the tomatoes with the onion, mint, and cilantro. Add the lemon slices.
  7. Toss with the dressing.
  8. Serve as a side salad or mix into a hot bowl of gnocchi for a real treat! Enjoy!

 

tomato and herb salad with roasted lemons