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Dairy Free Creamy Sausage And Greens Soup

This Dairy Free Creamy Sausage And Greens Soup is so cozy and comforting and flavorful…

dairy free creamy sausage and greens soup

It’s finally turning into spring here on the North Fork. Finally. At least it feels that way on some days. Yesterday we were unwrapping the outdoor furniture and sitting in the sun. And we were grilling and drinking cold beer. Today it’s wet and cold and windy. So, while yesterday was a grilling today, today is a soup day. And it’s a creamy, cozy kind of a soup day that feels like it may even need hot chocolate to complete the warmth theme.

Honestly, since we bought The Harvest Inn, I cook a lot more breakfast foods than I do other foods. Well, we are a bed and breakfast, so I guess that makes sense. I wonder if there’s any way to create a breakfast soup… hmmmmm definitely food for thought. I’ll have to decide whether that’s just too weird. But if there are breakfast pizzas and breakfast tacos, why not soup…?

Admittedly, I’m a huge soup fan. Almost any soup is a good soup in my book. Okay, that’s a lie. I hate a runny, tasteless soup… but who doesn’t? This is the opposite of a thin flavorless soup. It is so creamy. And you get so much flavor from the sausage. You can use whatever type of sausage you like here. Like spice? Grab some chorizo or spicy Italian sausage. If you want a flavored chicken sausage, go for it. Have it your way.

I’m also a sucker for anything that’s both creamy and dairy free. Bring on all the dairy-free cream sauces… as long as they don’t taste dairy free. I’m also a huge fan of loading up my soups with dark greens. Gimme all the greens. Well, you get the picture… I love this soup for lots of reasons.

We all need to thank Nisha at Rainbow Plant Life because she came up with  he original recipe for this amazing soup.

If you’re looking for another hearty, healthy, creamy soup, try my recipe for Grain Free Creamy Lemon Rice Soup.

dairy free creamy sausage and greens soup

Here are some of the great healing ingredients in this soup:

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. 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.

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….

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 helps 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.

Leeks are known as “grass from the sun”. They are especially beneficial when the whether is still warm but starting to turn cold, or still cold and starting to turn warm (Spring and Fall). They are great for the liver and at helping the body relieve itself of toxins. Leeks are also good at helping constipation; they help the body rid itself of toxins in the digestive tract.

It is true that spinach contains iron, but it’s this vegetable’s lesser-known qualities that really hold my admiration. Spinach contains a substance that helps eliminate prostate cancer. It’s also great for your bones and also for memory loss. Diabetic patients may find that eating spinach helps combat excessive thirst and can even be good for night blindness. Spinach can inhibit the body’s ability to absorb calcium, so calcium-rich foods should be avoided when eating this leafy green.

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-healthy choice. I use cashews in cream sauces and faux cream soups.

dairy free creamy sausage and greens soup

 

Dairy Free Creamy Sausage And Greens Soup
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Recipe type: paleo, dairy free, grain free, gluten free
Cuisine: soup
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
This Dairy Free Creamy Sausage And Greens Soup is cozy, warming, and so easy to make.
Ingredients
  • 2 leeks, thinly sliced and cleaned well
  • salt and pepper
  • 7 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 3 link sausages, casings removed (any kind you like)
  • 2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ¼ tsp dried red pepper flakes (or to taste)
  • 6 cups chicken bone broth
  • 1 cup raw cashews
  • 20 oz cauliflower florets (I used frozen)
  • 2 cups fresh spinach (use more if it will fit in your pot) (Feel free to substitute and dark leafy green)
Instructions
  1. Heat oil over medium heat in soup pot.
  2. Add leeks, seasoned with a little salt, and saute until softened a bit.
  3. Stir in garlic cloves, thyme, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Sauce for 1 minute.
  4. In a small skillet, cook the sausage until browned, breaking up with a wooden spoon. Set aside.
  5. Add bone broth, cashews, and cauliflower to the leek mixture. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Bring to a slight boil, then lower the heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until the cauliflower is soft.
  7. Transfer the leek mixture to your blender and blend until smooth. This may have to be done in 2 batches. Note: remove the lid from the blender and cover with a clean dish towel, making sure to hold the towel tightly to act as a lid, so the steam can escape and you don't burn yourself.
  8. Pour the soup back into the pot and stir in the cooked sausage and the spinach. Heat over low heat and stir until the soup is hot and the spinach is wilted.
  9. Ladle into bowls and enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 

Grain-Free Creamy Lemon Rice Soup

This Grain-Free Creamy Lemon Rice Soup is an amazingly cozy soup. It’s got it all — lemony zing, a creamy texture, and healing ingredients. This is perfect for a cold autumn or winter day.
creamy lemon rice soup

My name is Stacey and I’m a soup addict. I could eat soup all day everyday, all year round. Sometimes I like a thinner brothy soup, other times I like a creamy cozy soup. This one falls into the latter category — this Grain-Free Creamy Lemon Rice Soup is thick, velvety, comforting, and hearty.

I think I’ve always loved soups. When I was a kid, my favorite soup was wonton soup from the local Chinese restaurant — I would eat that first and sometimes as my only food (with those crispy crunchy fried noodles) instead of all of the other food that was ordered.

As an adult, my tastes have changed… okay, maybe not that much because I would probably still love that wonton soup…

One of my favorite soups and one of my all-time most-requested recipes is my White Bean And Kale Soup. It too is creamy and hearty. So, it makes sense that the creaminess in this lemon rice soup is achieved the same way — with white beans. What you taste in this soup is lemony goodness, but there are blended up beans hidden in here, making for an extra creamy and delicious and nutritious soup.

I like to use bone broth in place of regular broth in all of my soups. Bone broth is so good for so many things, it seems silly not to make this easy switch. I have been using store-bought bone broth lately, but I intend to start making my own again. If you want to make homemade bone broth, try out this recipe from my friend Daniela at Calm Eats.

If you need an even better reason to try this soup, white beans are good at boosting energy and calming the mind. They can help improve your memory and can lower cholesterol. And, they are a great source of protein. So, this soup is a slam dunk.

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There are other foods too that can help you reduce anxiety and stress. Download my free ebook now to learn all about them.

creamy lemon rice soup

Here are some of the great healing ingredients in this Grain-Free Creamy Lemon Rice Soup recipe:

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. (See the recipe below for the awesome ready-made bone broth I used in this soup recipe.) 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.

White beans are good at boosting energy and calming the mind. They can help improve your memory and can lower cholesterol. And, they are a great source of protein.

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; they actually can rid the body of bacteria. (I know I’ve told you this before, but it really is awesome!) Onion is a superhero in the food world!

Celery actually helps stop bleeding — so if you or anyone you know has just had surgery, start adding celery to your dishes! Celery is also great to help lower blood pressure and it’s been known to help with insomnia.

Carrots help strengthen the organs in your body. They also are good for the eyes (this is their claim to fame) and they promote healthy digestion. Many moons ago, people used to make carrot tea to ward off measles and to prevent cancer. Carrots help detoxify the body and in today’s world of Chinese medicine, they are prescribed to ease constipation and tonsillitis.

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….

creamy lemon rice soup

Grain-Free Creamy Lemon Rice Soup
Print
Recipe type: grain-free, gluten-free, nut-free
Cuisine: soup
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
This Grain-Free Creamy Lemon Rice Soup is so rich and delicious. It's the coziest healing soup that's perfect for those cool autumn and winter days.
Ingredients
  • 3 Tbs ghee (or can use unsalted butter)
  • 1 med onion, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, smashed
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 1 15-oz can white beans, undrained
  • 4 cups bone broth, divided
  • 1 cup water
  • juice of 2 small lemons
  • 2 bay leaves
  • ½ cup orzo (I use grain-free chickpea orzo, or if not grain-free can substitute rice)
  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 3 Tbs snipped fresh dill
Instructions
  1. Heat ghee in a large soup pot over med heat.
  2. Add onion, garlic, celery, and carrots. Season with salt and pepper and sauce until the veggies start to soften, about 5 mins.
  3. Stir in the white beans and ½ cup broth, and sauce, stirring, for 2 mins.
  4. Transfer this mixture to a blender and whiz it up until creamy, or use a stick blender until creamy.
  5. Pour the pureed bean mixture back into the pot and stir in 3-1/2 cups broth and 1 cup of water.
  6. Add the lemon juice.
  7. Add bay leaves and salt. Add a generous amount of black pepper.
  8. Let simmer 20 mins.
  9. Add spinach and orzo and cook until the orzo is al dente.
  10. Stir in the parsley and dill.
  11. Ladle into bowls and enjoy!

creamy lemon rice soup

 

 

 

Dairy-Free Creamy Spinach Artichoke Chicken

This Dairy-Free Creamy Spinach Artichoke Chicken dish is the stuff dreams are made of. It is so delicious, so healthy, and will make everyone happy.
dairy free creamy spinach artichoke chicken

My kids used to love spinach artichoke dip when they were little. Every time we would go to a restaurant that had it on the menu, we had to order it. I couldn’t argue too much, because, well, it really is one of the most delicious inventions ever.

Fast forward to our lives today… in my house we eat almost entirely dairy-free. And my kids are still happy to come over for dinner because meals like this are still served here. Meals that are so creamy that nobody would believe there is no cream or cheese in them. This Dairy-Free Creamy Spinach Artichoke Chicken is a winner every time.

I’ve used this basic recipe for chicken, but as I sit here, I’m already imagining how awesome it would be with salmon too. Hmmm… I see a trip to the fish market in my near future…

Of course, you could make this dish will all the dairy. Just use traditional cream cheese instead of the vegan type mentioned in the recipe below and use some good fresh Parmesan too. But… half the fun here is that you will know it’s dairy-free and therefore so much better for your digestion, but that nobody else will ever know. Unless you tell them. And I never do.

Chicken seems to be the protein that most people serve and eat most often. I can’t count how many times I’ve heard people say… I  can’t eat one more piece of chicken… or, I am tired of making the same old chicken for dinner…  Well, I’m here to tell you that nobody will complain about eating chicken when you serve it with this sauce. Try it and you’ll see what I mean.

I realize that dinner planning can be really stressful and frustrating when you aren’t a chef. I have friends that would do just about anything to never have to decide what’s for dinner ever again. Who needs MORE stress in their lives now?????

reduce stress free ebook

As we are talking about stress, I figured I’d put a link here for my free ebook all about what foods to eat to help you reduce stress. You can download it here now.

dairy free creamy spinach artichoke chicken

Here are some of the amazing healing ingredients in this Dairy-Free Creamy Spinach Artichoke Chicken recipe:

Chicken is something I always buy organic. Organic chicken is a great, healthy protein to give you energy, lessen the pain of some types of arthritis, and boost your system when you are particularly weak — like after surgery, childbirth, or illness. Chicken is good for nourishing the blood and it’s a healthy source of protein and vitamin B6.

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….

Artichokes are a good source of vitamins C and K and they also contain a healthy amount of magnesium. The are low in fat and calories but they do have some fiber, so they are a healthy choice. In Chinese medicine, we recommend adding artichokes to the diet to combat sadness, headaches, indigestion, and diarrhea. In olden times, steamed artichokes were sometimes prescribed to combat a yeast infection.

It is true that spinach contains iron, but it’s this vegetable’s lesser-known qualities that really hold my admiration. Spinach contains a substance that helps eliminate prostate cancer. It’s also great for your bones and also for memory loss. Diabetic patients may find that eating spinach helps combat excessive thirst and can even be good for night blindness. Spinach can inhibit the body’s ability to absorb calcium, so calcium-rich foods should be avoided when eating this leafy green.

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.

dairy free creamy spinach artichoke chicken

Dairy-Free Creamy Spinach Artichoke Chicken
5.0 from 1 reviews
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Recipe type: paleo, whole30, dairy free, grain free, gluten free, nut free
Cuisine: chicken, main dish, one pot meal
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
This Dairy-Free Creamy Spinach Artichoke Chicken is delicious and healing. And best of all, everyone will love it and nobody will realize it's dairy free.
Ingredients
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 3 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 7 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 1 14-oz can artichoke hearts, quartered and drained
  • 8 oz dairy-free cream cheese
  • 1 cup chicken bone broth (or can substitute chicken or vegetable stock)
  • 5 cups baby spinach
  • 2 scallions, sliced
  • ⅓ cup vegan parmesan cheese
Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
  2. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat a large oven-proof pan over medium heat and add the oil. When the oil is hot, brown the chicken on both sides, about 10 mins.
  4. Remove the chicken from the pan and add the garlic. Stir for about 30 seconds and then add the cream cheese. Stir, and smash it a bit with a wooden spoon, until it thins out a little, then pour in the broth. Reduce the heat to low and stir for 2 mins.
  5. Add the spinach to the sauce, stirring until it is wilted.
  6. Stir in the scallions, artichokes, and Parmesan.
  7. Place the skillet in the oven and cook just until hot and chicken is cooked through, about 10 mins.

dairy free creamy spinach artichoke chicken

Fresh Vegetable Minestrone Soup

This fresh vegetable minestrone soup is packed with fresh veggies and herbs — it is truly amazingly delicious and healing. It’s like a hug in a bowl… Food really is the best medicine!
fresh vegetable minestrone soup

We are not vegetarians here in my house. I lean that way, but the rest of my family does not. So, oftentimes when I make a vegan or a vegetarian dish, some people — who shall remain nameless — don’t feel like they’ve had a “real” meal. They feel gypped. I, of course, think this is ridiculous, but sometimes it’s just not worth the fight or even an explanation.

And then sometimes I can make a vegetarian dish that’s so hearty, nobody thinks twice about it. That’s this Fresh Vegetable Minestrone Soup. It’s so jam-packed with so many things, nobody will miss the meat.

Vegetable-forward soups are my favorite kind of soups. Don’t get me wrong, I love a meatball soup and my Cheeseburger Soup is a huge favorite in my house.  BUT, they are not my beloved fresh veggie soups.

Some people like creamy, smooth soups. Some people like hearty, chunky soups. I love them all. This Fresh Vegetable Minestrone Soup is of the hearty, chunky variety and it is awesome. It’s a great clean-out-the-fridge soup because really, almost anything you’ve got will taste great in this recipe.

I like to add lots of immune-boosting ingredients to my soups and this one is no exception.  Oregano, scallions, and garlic are present in this recipe. Each one of these ingredients packs a big immune-boosting punch and together they are exceedingly powerful, making it perfect for the cold damp months of winter here in New York. And, because I’m not concerned with keeping this soup completely vegetarian, I like to use bone broth for the base of it — extra healing power!

One of the things I teach my clients is that’s it much easier to stay on track with whatever healthy eating/lifestyle plan you are on, if you always keep a big pot of soup in your fridge. I love to make one soup each week and then I can have something healthy and delicious to eat when I come home ravenous. This soup serves this purpose really well because it makes for great leftovers — I’ve even eaten it cold straight from the fridge. Others in my house will heat it up with some Parmesan cheese on top or with a piece of crusty bread hidden at the bottom of the bowl. Have it your way…

If you are a vegetarian soup fan, you will also love my recipes for White Bean And Kale Soup, Slow Cooker Vegan Split Pea Soup, and Paleo Carrot Soup.

boost your immune system

For more great ways to boost your immune system, download my free ebook: How To Be Healthy When Everyone Else Is Sick.

And, if you want to switch up your minestrone game, take a look at all of the minestrone recipes on Feed Feed — they look awesome!

 

fresh vegetable minestrone soup

Here are some of the amazing healing ingredients in this Fresh Vegetable Minestrone Soup:

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….

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.

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.

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.

Oregano is a powerful antioxidant and it is great at fighting bacteria. It’s also known as an herb that brings joy and happiness to people. I even just bought a bottle of oregano essential oil and I put a drop in our smoothies a few weeks ago when Steve had a cold… it’s powerful stuff!

Potatoes are good at soothing ulcers and neutralizing acid in the stomach and they help relieve constipation. These tubers also can help relieve arthritic inflammation. So, even though sweet potatoes are thought of as the white potato’s more nutrition sister, regular old potatoes can be just what the doctor ordered.

Broccoli has a lot of potassium and is great for brain function; it also has magnesium and calcium to help regulate blood pressure. It’s also good to clear your body of excess heat and it actually can help your vision too. I love foods that make you feel better mentally as well as physically, and broccoli is one of those foods — it can lessen feelings of irritability.

It is true that spinach contains iron, but it’s this vegetable’s lesser-known qualities that really hold my admiration. Spinach contains a substance that helps eliminate prostate cancer. It’s also great for your bones and also for memory loss. Diabetic patients may find that eating spinach helps combat excessive thirst and can even be good for night blindness. Spinach can inhibit the body’s ability to absorb calcium, so calcium-rich foods should be avoided when eating this leafy green.

Parsley has been shown to reduce tumors in the lungs and to neutralize the effects of carcinogens, including cigarette smoke. It is high in vitamins A and C, and is good for your heart. This herb is also a natural breath freshener. So, if you have a chance to use more than a few sprigs as a garnish, go for it.

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.

fresh vegetable minestrone soup

Fresh Vegetable Minestrone Soup
Print
Recipe type: dairy free, gluten free, grain free, nut free, vegetarian option, vegan option
Cuisine: soup
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
This Fresh Vegetable Minestrone Soup is simple, delicious, and healing. It will boost your immune system and keep you healthy!
Ingredients
  • 2 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
  • 6 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 1 leek, cleaned well and sliced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 scallions, sliced (make sure to put the roots into the soup too -- they are a Chinese herb that will help keep colds away)
  • 1 cup tiny potatoes, scrubbed
  • 2 carrots, sliced
  • 1 med zucchini, quartered lengthwise, then sliced
  • 1 14.5-oz can diced tomatoes
  • 2 tsp chopped fresh oregano
  • ⅓ cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tsp toasted onion powder (or substitute any onion powder)
  • 1 qt bone broth or vegetable broth
  • 1-1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1-1/2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1-1/2 cups broccoli florets, roughly chopped
  • ½ cup small-shape grain-free pasta (or pasta of choice)
Instructions
  1. Heat oil in a large soup pot over med heat.
  2. Add garlic, leek, bay leaf, and scallions (with roots). Saute, stirring, 5 min.
  3. Add potatoes and carrots. Cook, stirring, 3 min.
  4. Add zucchini, cook, stirring, 2 min.
  5. Add tomatoes, oregano, parsley, onion powder, broth, and vinegar. Let simmer about 10 mins or until the potatoes are just cooked through.
  6. Bring to a boil and add the pasta, broccoli, and spinach. Reduce heat and let simmer until the pasta is al dente, about 5- to 10-min.

fresh vegetable minestrone soup

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.

 

download free ebook now

Download your free copy of my Radiant Skin Ebook now!

 

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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Download your free copy of my Radiant Skin Ebook now!

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Slow Cooker Vegan Baked Ziti Soup

This slow cooker vegan baked ziti soup is comfort food times two in one healthy bowl: it’s a combination of 2 old favorites: baked ziti and hearty soup!
vegan baked ziti soup

I love to take old fashioned comfort foods and turn them into something that tastes just as good as I remember them tasting when I was a kid, but that actually can heal my body. In my house, these comfort food recipes are usually everyone’s favorites. This slow cooker vegan baked ziti soup is a new creation, but I’m betting it quickly makes it to “favorite status”…

Right now, I think the top rated comfort food recipe is my Cheeseburger Soup. I make this all of the time… I mean, waaaayyyyyyyy too often. But OMG it is sooooo good!  So, I figured I should create a new soup with the same healing yet comforting vibe. Enter: Slow Cooker Vegan Baked Ziti Soup.

We are all creatures of habit.

I guide people out of their comfort zones every day. Because it’s so important. Soooooooo important…

I just love when someone steps outside of their box with me. Let’s face it — it’s so much easier to stay in our comfort zone than step out of it. But, we all know that nothing good comes from stagnation. You’ve got to leap in order to fly… you’ve got to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince… if it doesn’t challenge you it doesn’t change you… blah, blah, blah…

Sometimes, you just need to throw those cliches in the trash and find someone to guide you out of your comfy box.

I remember, in one of my old careers (and yes, I’ve had several…), I got to meet Walter Cronkite. And what this genius said has always stuck with me. He said he loved his job as a newsperson, but that every single night before he went on the air, he had to put his head between his knees because he felt like he was going to vomit. This was because every single night he stepped out of his comfort zone and into the unknown by interviewing people who were unpredictable and never gave expected answers… every single night was different.

What a way to live. And I mean that in a great way. What a way to live!

I’ve made a habit of stepping outside of my comfort zone as much as possible. Maybe not every single day, but yes, every single week.

If you want to step outside of your box, sign up for a free phone consultation with me and we will step together. Let’s chat and figure out how to create awesome changes in your body, your mind and your spirit… I just love this stuff! So, CLICK HERE and you’ll be taken directly to my calendar so you can sign up for a time that’s convenient for you… do it now!

Oh my, that’s quite a tangent I went off on. All because of the phrase “comfort food”.

So, back to this comfort food recipe for slow cooker vegan baked ziti soup. It really is comforting. It really does taste like baked ziti. I made it with lentil pasta, and a really creamy vegan mozzarella cheese and I drizzled some great basil pesto on top. And, of course, I hid some superfoods inside — hemp seeks and Chinese herbs… so healing!

I want to thank Alissa at Connoisseurus Veg because it was her genius recipe for Slow Cooker Vegan Lasagna Soup that was my inspiration for this recipe.

So, make this slow cooker vegan baked ziti soup. Or, try my recipe for Paleo Beefaroni — that’s a great comfort food too.

slow cooker vegan baked ziti soup

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.

slow cooker vegan baked ziti soup

Here are some of the great healing ingredients in this slow cooker vegan baked ziti soup:

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!

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.

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.

Lentils help lower cholesterol, manage blood sugar levels, are high in vitamin B and protein, and have hardly any fat. They are a good source of long-term energy and are very high in fiber. These tiny legumes also help with digestion and they are the perfect protein to eat in the summer because they actually clear the body of excess heat; long ago, cold lentil soup was prescribed for patients with heatstroke or fever.

It is true that spinach contains iron, but it’s this vegetable’s lesser-known qualities that really hold my admiration. Spinach contains a substance that helps eliminate prostate cancer. It’s also great for your bones and also for memory loss. Diabetic patients may find that eating spinach helps combat excessive thirst and can even be good for night blindness. Spinach can inhibit the body’s ability to absorb calcium, so calcium-rich foods should be avoided when eating this leafy green.

Huang Qi is like magic; this Chinese herb builds qi/gives you energy… you can really feel it working while you are eating. 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 trying out some herbs the next time you boil a pot of something…

I added a few sticks of raw Shan Yao. This Chinese herb is actually Chinese Yam, and it’s great for energy.

slow cooker vegan baked ziti soup

If you make this slow cooker vegan baked ziti soup, 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.

Slow Cooker Vegan Baked Ziti Soup
Print
Recipe type: soup, vegan, comfort food, vegetarian, slow cooker
Cuisine: recipe inspired by: Connoisseurus Veg
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 6
This comforting vegan soup is so healing, so delicious, and the slow cooker does all the work!
Ingredients
  • 1 qt vegetable broth
  • 1 med onion, chopped
  • 5 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • ¾ cup dry green lentils
  • 2 Tbs hemp seeds
  • 1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes
  • Optional raw Chinese herbs: Huang Qi, Shan Yao
  • 3 oz baby spinach, roughly chopped
  • 6 oz green lentil penne (or pasta of your choice)
  • ½ cup basil pesto
  • 1 cup vegan ricotta cheese
Instructions
  1. Put the vegetable broth, onion, garlic, oregano, basil, dry lentils, hemp seeds, Chinese herbs, and crushed tomatoes into the slow cooker.
  2. Cook on high for 3-1/2 hours.
  3. Open the cooker and add the spinach and pasta.
  4. Cook on high for 8 minutes (or until the pasta is cooked al dente).
  5. Ladle into bowls.
  6. Top each bowl with a dollop of pesto and a dollop of vegan ricotta cheese.
  7. Enjoy!

slow cooker vegan baked ziti soup

Eating To Ward Off Cancer

Eating to ward off cancer means removing the foods from your diet that cancer cells feed on, while simultaneously adding in the food, herbs, and supplements that cancer cells hate. Read more

Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip

vegan spinach artichoke dip

Spinach artichoke dip is one of those weird things that almost everybody seems to love. I say weird, because even people who don’t love veggies or think they hate artichokes or spinach, seem to dive into a bowl of spinach artichoke dip whenever it’s around. This vegan spinach artichoke dip is no exception. I had people diving into this dip the second it was plopped down on my coffee table.

My kids used to order this dip (the cheesy original version) every time we went to a restaurant that had it. It always came out steaming hot and creamy and it smelled so good! It’s one of those things that I could never eat because of all the dairy. Well, this vegan version finally gives me my turn!

This dip is warm and creamy. It may be vegan, but it tastes so similar to the cheese-laden original, that nobody will know.

I loved this dip with sliced radishes and cucumbers and peppers, but the not-so-health conscious eaters in my crowd scooped up mounds of this dip with chips and pita.

It’s that time of year when we are post-Thanksgiving but pre-Xmas and Hannukah and New Years. So, we all try to eat as healthy as we can for the next few weeks. Right? I mean if we can do okay now, then we can really let loose that last week of the year. So, if this is your plan, slip this vegan spinach artichoke dip into your apps rotation during football games, basketball games, happy hours, whatever… because it sure helps when you are eating something that tastes sinful, but really isn’t.

Okay, enuf selling of this dip. Haha, you’d think I was getting a commission on it or something… but I’m not… I just want you to be happy from healthy food. Wow, that sounds pretty corny, huh?

Anyway, happy everything!

I want to thank Sina at Vegan Heaven for the original recipe for this dish.

Oh, and if you are looking for another healthy dip to try, take a look at my recipe for Beet Hummus.

This is Steve, with that look on his face saying this bowl is all for him and nobody better come near him… haha.. vegan spinach artichoke dip

vegan spinach artichoke dip

Here are some of the awesome healing ingredients in this delicious vegan spinach artichoke dip:

White beans are good at boosting energy and calming the mind. They can help improve your memory and can lower cholesterol. And, they are a great source of protein.

It is true that spinach contains iron, but it’s this vegetable’s lesser-known qualities that really hold my admiration. Spinach contains a substance that helps eliminate prostate cancer. It’s also great for your bones and also for memory loss. Diabetic patients may find that eating spinach helps combat excessive thirst and can even be good for night blindness. Spinach can inhibit the body’s ability to absorb calcium, so calcium-rich foods should be avoided when eating this leafy green.

Artichokes are a good source of vitamins C and K and they also contain a healthy amount of magnesium. The are low in fat and calories but they do have some fiber, so they are a healthy choice. In Chinese medicine, we recommend adding artichokes to the diet to combat sadness, headaches, indigestion, and diarrhea. In olden times, steamed artichokes were sometimes prescribed to combat a yeast infection.

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.

Nutritional yeast gives things a cheese-y taste without using any dairy and it adds amino acids and Vitamin B, iron, zinc, and selenium to your diet. Nutritional yeast is a complete protein and also contains fiber, so it’s a really good thing!

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….

Onions are great for your immune system; they are a natural antihistamine. In the winter, I eat lots and lots of onions… I guess I should feel sorry for the people close to me! 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; they actually can rid the body of bacteria. (I know I’ve told you this before, but it really is awesome!) Onion is a superhero in the food world!

vegan spinach artichoke dip

Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip
Print
Recipe type: appetizer, dip, vegan, vegetarian
Cuisine: recipe adapted from: Vegan Heaven
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 6
This is one of those dips that people just keep eating and eating and nobody knows it's vegan. It's really creamy and delicious... and easy to make! Great for a crowd!
Ingredients
  • juice of 1 lemon
  • ½ cup raw cashews
  • 1 can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 Tbs nutritional yeast
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • sea salt, to taste
  • 3 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 5 oz fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 14-oz can artichoke hearts, drained, roughly chopped
Instructions
  1. Place the lemon juice,cashews, beans and nutritional yeast, and water in a blender.
  2. Blend until smooth and creamy.
  3. Heat oil in a large pan and add the onion.
  4. Saute until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes.
  5. Add the garlic and stir for 1 minute.
  6. Add the spinach, and stir until completely wilted, about 1 or 2 minutes.
  7. Stir in the artichokes.
  8. Stir in the cashew mixture.
  9. Season with salt.
  10. Spoon into a bowl and serve warm with crackers, chips, or fresh veggies.
  11. Enjoy!

vegan spinach artichoke dip

Buckwheat Sweet Potato Arugula Salad

Sweet potatoes are great for your digestive system!

buckwheat sweet potato arugula salad

In my mind, the best salads have 5 components: fresh greens, something chewy and substantial, something sweet, something tangy, and something unexpected. This Buckwheat Sweet Potato Arugula Salad has got ’em all!

When I lived in the suburbs for many years, I would go to the supermarket and stock up for the week. I was always a pretty good planner and I would have some idea of what I would need for the whole week and I would make a list and go buy those very things. That kind of planning was a necessity then. I mean, I had kids, a full-time stressful job, a long commute… it was the only way to get it done.

Oh, how things have changed. Now, I live in the very city I used to spend hours commuting to. I have a small kitchen, and, my kids are out of the house. Now, when I go to the market, I like to buy just what I feel like cooking and eating in that moment. Well, plus whatever unnecessary items catch my eye… This feels like such a luxury to me and I love it!

I very rarely crave salad for dinner. I just don’t think most salads are satisfying enough to be a good dinner. But, one day last week, I was craving salad. But I knew that I wanted some of it to be warm. My fav salad of all times is from an Italian restaurant that puts steaming hot veggies on top of ice cold greens… that’s what I wanted. But, I also wanted it to be vegan and to be filling at the same time. Oh, and I didn’t feel like eating too many beans. Wow, I can really be difficult at times…

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!

And, if you are looking for another great salad, try my recipe for Paleo Vegan Caesar Salad.

buckwheat sweet potato arugula salad

buckwheat sweet potato arugula salad

Here are some great reasons to make this buckwheat sweet potato arugula salad:

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. In olden times, it was common in China to rub mashed sweet potatoes on poison insect bites to remove the toxins. I haven’t tried this, but if you see me looking a tad orange, this will be why…

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 has a good amount of calcium and it also contains vitamins A, C and K. It is rich in potassium and it’s extra beneficial in the summer because it actually cools the body down. This delicious peppery green is also believed to be a libido booster. One of the first things I learned when I started really taking care of my health through proper nutrition, was to substitute dark greens for lighter greens whenever possible. One of the easiest, tastiest, and healthiest switches you can make is to swap out some of your lighter salad greens for peppery, dark arugula.

It is true that spinach contains iron, but it’s this vegetable’s lesser-known qualities that really hold my admiration. Spinach contains a substance that helps eliminate prostate cancer. It’s also great for your bones and also for memory loss. Diabetic patients may find that eating spinach helps combat excessive thirst and can even be good for night blindness. Spinach can inhibit the body’s ability to absorb calcium, so calcium-rich foods should be avoided when eating this leafy green.

In Asian medicine, nuts are known to be good for your brain, heart, skin and reproductive system. Almonds are particularly nutritious. They are a good source of protein and they give you energy. And, they are gluten-free. Almonds will help relieve a cough and asthma and are also good for constipation. Pecans are good for energy and they can also help you get rid of a cough. They are also good to help combat constipation, lower back pain, low libido, and erectile dysfunction.

Cherries are one of the best foods to combat many types of arthritis and joint pain. Also, because cherries help improve circulation, they can be helpful for post-stroke patients. In Chinese medicine, we also believe that cherries help to maintain the body’s “essence” or life-force. I always keep a bottle of organic black cherry juice in the fridge and I often drink a few ounces before bedtime or put a little in my smoothies. I also keep bags of frozen cherries in the freezer. And when fresh cherries are in season, you can always find a big bowl in my kitchen. This recipe uses tart dried cherries — I love them and use them as a substitute for raisins in many recipes.

buckwheat sweet potato arugula salad

Buckwheat Sweet Potato Arugula Salad
Print
Recipe type: salad, buckwheat, sweet potatoes
Cuisine: vegan, vegetarian, salad, side dish, main course
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
This salad has everything you could ever want. It's filling and tangy and sweet and just so delicious! And it has so many healing ingredients!
Ingredients
  • 1 cup raw buckwheat, cooked according to package directions, then drained and rinsed with cold water (you should end up with about 2 cups of cooked buckwheat), and then immediately tossed with 2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium sweet potato (I used a purple one), washed and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 Tbs coconut oil, melted
  • sea salt and black pepper
  • 1-1/2 cups fresh arugula, chopped
  • 1-1/2 cups fresh baby spinach, chopped
  • ⅓ cup pecans, chopped
  • 2 Tbs dried tart cherries
  • 3 oz Facon Bacon tempeh, cut into pieces (or substitute another cooked flavor of tempeh or whatever other meat substitute you like)
  • For the dressing:
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 Tbs balsamic vinegar
  • sea salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tsp coconut sugar
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Spread the sweet potatoes onto the sheet and toss them with the coconut oil and some salt and pepper.
  4. Roast in the oven for about 20 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are done.
  5. Meanwhile, make the dressing by whisking all of the ingredients together. Set aside.
  6. In a large bowl, combine the buckwheat, pecans, arugula, spinach, Facon Bacon, and cherries.
  7. Gently stir in the cooked sweet potatoes.
  8. Add as much dressing as you like and gently toss.
  9. Enjoy!

buckwheat sweet potato arugula salad

Slow Cooker Dairy-Free Grain-Free Vegan Enchiladas

These slow cooker dairy-free grain-free vegan enchiladas are so simple and delicious…

slow cooker paleo vegan enchiladas

I love anything in a wrap of any kind. I don’t know what it is, but things just taste better when they are rolled up. But when I started eating paleo, I sadly left my wraps behind. And I’ve so missed my burritos, tuna wraps, enchiladas, quesadillas… all of that great awesome “wrap-y” food. Enter… almond flour wraps. Yup, it’s these babies that allowed me to make this amazing recipe for slow cooker paleo vegan enchiladas…

If you are like me and find that your body just looks and feels better without any grains in your diet, you can make this recipe and do the happy dance. Yay! Wraps that can be cooked and that are grain free — this is the greatest invention since sliced bread…

I made these on Monday, so I did a really big happy dance, because… and I’m going to tell you this even though I am a little embarrassed to admit this… I love to watch The Bachelor. I ate my enchiladas before The Bachelor came on, so I was doubly happy. I felt full yet healthy and I was ready for my favorite mindless 2 hours of TV. It was an awesome night.

I’ve been using almond flour wraps for awhile now, but I never tried to put them in the slow cooker. Until now. And, OMG, it worked out so much better than I could ever have hoped! I adapted this recipe from Real Simple — they get the credit for the original recipe idea, and it’s just awesome!

These slow cooker paleo vegan enchiladas are stuffed with black beans and spinach and corns and deliciously creamy vegan cheese and turmeric and other great flavors. And, the slow cooker does all of the heavy lifting. All you do is mix the filling in a bowl, roll ‘m up, and off you go.

If you are looking for another great vegan slow cooker recipe, try my Vegan Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers.

slow cooker paleo vegan enchiladas

slow cooker paleo vegan enchiladas

Here are some of the great things these slow cooker paleo vegan enchiladas can do for you:

In Chinese medicine, black foods are known as the best foods to strengthen the body and nourish the blood. We recommend them for many people who suffer from chronic lower back pain, knee pain and infertility. Black beans have the highest amount of antioxidants of any bean, they are high in fiber and are good for the heart.

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.

It is true that spinach contains iron, but it’s this vegetable’s lesser-known qualities that really hold my admiration. Spinach contains a substance that helps eliminate prostate cancer. It’s also great for your bones and also for memory loss. Diabetic patients may find that eating spinach helps combat excessive thirst and can even be good for night blindness. Spinach can inhibit the body’s ability to absorb calcium, so calcium-rich foods should be avoided when eating this leafy green.

Corn is one of the foods that if I can’t find organic, I just won’t eat because the crops are so heavily sprayed and are full of GMOs. As more people are expressing concern about GMOs, it seems to be getting easier to find good corn at the market. Corn actually benefits the gallbladder, is good for hepatitis, heart disease, and hypertension. Cornsilk is a Chinese herb (Yu Mi Xu). It’s often used to reduce edema, help with hepatitis and reduce the symptoms of some painful urinary conditions. If you can’t find organic fresh corn, buy a bag of organic frozen corn!

In Asian medicine, nuts are known to be good for your brain, heart, skin and reproductive system. Almonds are particularly nutritious. They are a good source of protein and they give you energy. And, they are gluten-free. Almonds will help relieve a cough and asthma and are also good for constipation. This recipe uses almond flour tortilla instead of traditional ones.

slow cooker paleo vegan enchiladas

Slow Cooker Dairy Free Grain-Free Vegan Enchiladas
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Recipe type: paleo, vegan, slow cooker, crockpot, Mexican, comfort food
Cuisine: recipe adapted from: Real Simple
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 3
This recipe is simple. And grain-free. And vegan. And comforting. What else could you ask for?
Ingredients
  • 1 15-oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 9 oz fresh spinach, steamed, squeezed dry in a clean dish towel
  • 1-1/4 cups frozen organic corn
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • sea salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • ¼ tsp chipotle chili powder
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • 7-oz sliced vegan American cheese (I used Straight From The Heart brand), divided
  • 2 16-oz jars mild salsa
  • 6 almond flour tortillas
  • sliced radishes, sliced scallions, lime wedges for garnish (optional)
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl, combine the beans, spinach, corn, cumin, salt, pepper, turmeric, chili powder, garlic powder, and ½ the cheese.
  2. Pour one jar of salsa into the bottom of the slow cooker.
  3. Lay the tortillas out on a flat surface and divide the bean mixture among them. Roll them up, and arrange them, seam-side-down, in a single layer on top of the salsa.
  4. If you have any filling left in the bowl, pour it on top of the enchiladas.
  5. Pour the second jar of salsa on top.
  6. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the salsa.
  7. Cook on low or medium heat for 2-1/2 hours, or until the cheese is melted and everything is hot.
  8. Serve with radishes, lime wedges and scallions, if desired. Enjoy!

slow cooker paleo vegan enchiladas