Salads

Hormone Balancing Salad Dressing

This dressing is a complete hormone balancer. No supplements needed here! I often teach how to make this in my classes but it’s high time I share it here because its such a good recipe to have on hand. I’m obsessed with this dressing because we often only think of dressing when we want to add flavor to a salad. However, this one not only tastes good also does wonders for your hormones! It feels like cheating honestly, in such a good way! The Ingredients in this dressing work to detox the liver, remove bad or fake estrogens from the body and help to build up good hormones. It’s full of healthy fat and fiber along with a little sweetness from the goji berries. I’ve noted beside each ingredient how it helps your body, I’m always looking for new ways to incorporate these ingredients into other dishes, they are that good for you! Ingredients: 2 TBS. Balsamic Vinegar (I use Neopolitan from Olive Oil Taproom) 2 TBS. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (I use Picoult from OOTR) 1 tsp. Chia seeds (removes bad estrogen) 1 tsp. Goji berries (detox the liver) 1 tsp. Maca powder (builds good hormones) ½ tsp. Flax seeds (removes bad estrogen) ½ tsp. sea salt Freshly ground pepper 1 TBS. water if needed for consistency Directions: 1. Place all ingredients in the food processor (except olive oil). 2. As food processor is going add the olive oil in a slow steady stream and blend until well mixed. Can […]

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Freezing and Storing Summer Produce

I just love the flavors of summer produce: tomatoes, basil, bell peppers, hot peppers, cucumber, blackberries, blueberries, peaches and so many more! When I am in the middle of winter I find that I crave those fresh sunny fruits and vegetables and have found a way to have those year round. I buy up as much as I can afford each week and freeze them. It’s way more fresh and cost-effective than buying frozen veggies and fruit at the grocery store. It’s best to buy fruits and vegetables in the summer as they are always less expensive in season. Also, when you freeze them yourself you know exactly where they came from and that nothing was added in the freezing process. As summer sets in, remember that colder weather will come and you will long for these delicious foods. So buy a little extra each week, you’ll be surprised how much it adds up and you can stash away for the winter. Here is my method: Berries: Put berries on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet, make sure they are not touching and freeze. Note: I first freeze them on a cookie sheet to make sure they don’t clump together. Much easier for grabbing just a handful for smoothies etc. Then date, label and move to a quart size bag. I keep adding to the bag each week until full and freeze as many bags as I can over the summer. Use in desserts and smoothies. Peaches: Peel and slice. Place single layer on […]

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Kale and Butternut Squash Salad

I know it doesn’t feel like it yet, but Fall is approaching and that means all the delicious root veggies are coming.  Squash is already beginning to appear at the farmers market. I love to buy up plenty each time I go. It lasts a while when stored in a cool, dry place and I can make it later in the week if I need to. Butternut squash is one of my favorites in the squash family because of its sweetness, especially after roasting. This salad really highlights the squash and the salty, smoky bacon is a great balance. The pumpkin seeds provide the crunch and pomegranate seeds are a really fun burst of flavor with every bite. Goat cheese tops it off with rich and creamy texture and also gives you a bit of a tang. Not only is the salad delicious but it is beautiful to look at. We eat with our eyes first and making beautiful looking food is a part of enjoyment! You could add some shredded chicken to this for a great midweek supper or as a side on the weekend when entertaining family and friends. It will be a hit for sure. This recipe will hold up in the fridge for about 4 days so a great make ahead as well. Give it a try! Ingredients:  1 Large bunch of kale, curly or Tuscan, de-stemmed and chopped 1 Butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cubed 4 Slices thick cut bacon ¼ cup toasted pumpkin seeds ¼ cup […]

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Winter Slaw

I love slaw as a side with almost anything! Its such a good way to get in my veggies, fiber and raw food all in one dish! This slaw is a twist on my original favorite slaw recipe. I changed it up a little with some more winter veggies and added ginger and turmeric to the dressing. I could do another blog post about Turmeric and maybe I will one day but suffice it to say, Turmeric is a very healing spice and brings a warm, comforting flavor to any dish. Enjoy this winter slaw!!     Ingredients: 4 C shredded green cabbage 2 C shredded red cabbage 2 C shredded Tuscan kale 1 C shredded Brussels sprouts ½ C shredded carrot ½ C chopped parsley 1 C toasted pistachios     Dressing: ⅔ C mayo 2 T apple cider vinegar 3 T raw honey ¼ tsp ground ginger ½ tsp ground turmeric salt & pepper to taste     Directions:  1. Mix together all the chopped veggies. 2. Whisk together all the dressing ingredients and pour over top. Mix well! 3. Toast the pistachios on medium heat until fragrant, use a spatula to keep them moving. 4. Add the nuts, give your slaw one last mix, season with a little more salt and pepper and enjoy!          

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My Favorite Cole Slaw

  I know that coleslaw seems more like a summer food but cabbage is still in season right now and coleslaw seems like a perfect side dish to so many of my favorite meals… BBq beef brisket, Carnitas and my most favorite: fish tacos! I love this slaw alongside any hearty and meaty dish or just by itself with a drizzle of sriracha. I don’t make the typical cole slaw. I love lots of flavor so I add lots of different veggies and also on occasion I add some pineapple. Here is my favorite version of an “Island” coleslaw with a simple, nutritious and DELICIOUS dressing.     Ingredients:  ½ head green cabbage, chopped ½ head red cabbage, chopped 3 carrots, grated ½ bunch cilantro, finely chopped 3 green onions, finely chopped 1 jalapeno pepper, minced 1 C finely diced Pineapple (optional) ⅓ C toasted slivered almonds     Dressing:  ⅔ C good quality mayonnaise (I prefer using avocado oil mayo) 2 T apple cider vinegar 3 T raw honey salt & pepper to taste     Directions: 1. Chop all the Veggies and Mix them together 2. Whisk together the dressing 3. Toss salad and enjoy!      

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Broccoli and Raisin Salad with Toasted Almonds

This is probably my favorite salad.  It is definitely my favorite way to eat raw broccoli.  This salad has a great crunch with broccoli, carrots and toasted almonds. then you get a little bit of sweet with the raisins and honey.  It is well balanced and a great way to get raw food into your diet.   Salad ingredients:  1 head of Broccoli, finely chopped 2 carrots, grated 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped 1/2 cup parsley, chopped 1/3 cup Thompson seeded raisins 1/2 cup toasted, slivered almonds   Dressing:  2/3 Cup good quality mayonnaise (I prefer avocado oil mayo) 2 TBS. Raw Apple Cider Vinegar 3 TBS. Raw Honey Salt & Pepper to taste     Directions: 1. Combine all the salad ingredients. 2. Mix the dressing ingredients until well blended. 3. Pour over salad and toss.     This salad keeps up to 5 days in the refrigerator and does a great job of holding it’s “crunchiness”.  This is a super easy but nutrient dense recipe.  Give it a try! Enjoy!  

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