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healthy

Paleo S’mores Cookies

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Anyone else feel like it can’t truly be summer until you’ve eaten a s’more? They are such an iconic food. I’ve not found an American who has never eaten a s’more! Even my 4-year-old, who doesn’t know what M&M’s are, knows what a s’more is!

Finding a healthy alternative to this timeless classic can be tricky. Especially when you cut out dairy, grains, and processed sugar. Is it even possible?!

I’m here to say, YES! It’s not your traditional s’more, and honestly, I do miss the crunch of a graham cracker a bit, but these are chewy and gooey, just like the inside of a good s’more should be. These are dairy and grain-free, however, I wasn’t able to find a way to make them nut-free. Almond flour is just so versatile.

I supposed the honey could be subbed for another type of sweetener, but I really like the honey flavor as it reminds me of graham crackers.

 

What’s your favorite iconic summer food? Let me know in the comments below!

Print Recipe

Paleo S'mores Cookies

The perfect summer cook out cookie
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time12 mins
Course: Appetizer, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: Dairy-free, Gluten Free, Paleo
Keyword: Cookies, Dairyfree, Gluten Free, grainfree, Paleo
Servings: 18

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 Cup Almond Flour
  • 3/4 Cup Tapioca Starch can sub arrowroot
  • 3 Tbsp Coconut Flour
  • 1 Tsp Baking Powder
  • 2 Tbsp Coconut Sugar
  • 1 Tbsp Grass Fed Gelatin
  • 2 Large Eggs
  • 1/2 Cup Coconut Milk
  • 1/4 Cup Raw Honey
  • Chocolate Chips
  • Mini Marshmallows I use Dandies Brand

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 350 and line baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking sheet
  • Add your dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl and mix
  • Next, add your wet ingredients and stir until a smooth batter forms
  • Fold in Marshmallows and Chocolate Chips
  • Use a spoon to drop heaping tablespoon fulls of cookie dough about an inch apart on the cookie sheet. The cookies will rise and spread out some, but not significantly
  • Bake for approx. 12 minutes, or until the tops become golden brown and the marshmallows begin to swell and roast on the cookies
  • Remove from oven and allow to sit on a baking sheet for another 2-3 minutes before placing on a cooling rack
  • Enjoy warm!
Creamy Salmon Veggie Noodle Casserole – Keto, Paleo, Dairy Free, Grain Free

Creamy Salmon Veggie Noodle Casserole – Keto, Paleo, Dairy Free, Grain Free

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I LOVE casseroles. I love them because they can be made ahead of time, or when I’m in a hurry. And while they do take a while to bake, the prep and execution are easy.

I also love having things that don’t need to thaw or chop – aka chicken or beef because you should know I always forget to thaw my butcher box chicken until 4:50, and we don’t own a microwave. And while this recipe can be reasonably labor-intensive if you don’t have anything prepped already, if you do have premade, it is a breeze!

Having things prepped ahead of time like the spaghetti squash and bacon will save you time and make this a dump meal. I have a recipe here for my instant pot, spaghetti squash recipe. This recipe is by far the easiest way I have found to cook spaghetti squash. I make this once a week to have on hand for meals or lunches for Addie and me.

I also like to cook my bacon on a baking sheet in the oven to save time and save the mess that cooking bacon on a stove creates. This is one of the very few times I will use aluminum foil, mainly because it makes the whole process, including clean up, super easy!

After cooking my bacon, I like to pour the fat into my casserole dish instead of greasing it with something else, like cooking spray. I would only do this with good quality bacon. I only buy organic nitrite and nitrate-free bacon (because migraines are the worst), and I also look for sugar-free. Butcher box has great bacon, as well as Jones brand, which I find at our local Walmart. That is also where I find my frozen zucchini noodles. By all means, you could use fresh or make your own, but I like to have frozen on hand because they don’t spoil as fast.

If you do use frozen, make sure to thaw and squeeze out excess water, or your casserole can turn out a bit runny.

Along with that, it does help to sprinkle a little arrowroot starch over your salmon to absorb some of the liquid that is inevitable in this recipe. I suppose you could use cornstarch. I haven’t tried it as we don’t consume corn products. But the purpose is the same, so I imagine it would be a similar result.

This casserole is rich in healthy omegas, lots of protein. It is low carb, keto, paleo, whole 30, dairy-free,  IT TICS ALL THE BOXES. And it’s so filling. One plate will fill you up and keep you full.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family does. The day I made this, I put it in the oven and set the timer, and went upstairs to nurse Shirley. I had Nathan get it out of the oven for me, and he had to restrain himself from digging in before I got my pictures.

After I got downstairs and took the photos I needed to share with you, he ate five plates. Not because it’s not filling, but because he is a bottomless pit and loved it that much. I will say he skipped dinner that night.

Even Addie will eat it from time to time, though she is a hard one to sell on fish of any kind. I don’t push it too much, but I do keep trying. She used to hate beef and pork too, and now she’ll eat those without any hesitation. Moral of the story, keep trying to get your kids to eat foods that they say they do not like. Keep putting it on their plates(in small amounts) and have them try it. You never know when their tastebuds may change.

If you make this, let me know in the comments! I hope you enjoy it as much as our family does!

Print Recipe

Keto Salmon Zoodle Casserole -Paleo, Keto, GF, DF, Whole 30

This savory dump and bake casserole is every busy mom's dream. It's easy to make, and full of healthy fats and proteins.
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time35 mins
Rest Time5 mins
Course: Dinner, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Ketogenic, Paleo
Keyword: Casserole, Dairyfree, Gluten Free, grainfree, Healthy, keto, Paleo, Quick
Servings: 8
Calories: 256kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 cans Salmon
  • 1-2 Cups Zoodles I use pre-made zoodles, but you could make your own with a spiralizer. Just make sure to squeeze out excess water.
  • 3 Cups Spinach tightly packed
  • 4 Cups Spaghetti Squash cooked

Sauce

  • 1 +1/4 cup Full Fat Coconut Milk
  • 1 + 1/2 Tbsp Yellow Mustard Omit for AIP
  • 2 Tbsp coconut aminos
  • 2 Tbsp Nutritional Yeast plus more for topping
  • 3/4 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 3/4 tsp Dill
  • 1 tsp dried Parsley
  • 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Chives
  • 2 tsp sea salt plus more to taste

Topping

  • 4-5 slices Bacon cooked and diced
  • 1 tsp Nutritional Yeast
  • 2 Tbsp Plantain Chips crushed

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375
  • Grease your casserole dish. I like to use the leftover bacon grease from cooking the bacon
  • Drain and rinse the salmon and spread along the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle with your arrowroot powder. This helps absorb some of the liquid that will accumulate from the veggies.
  • Next, add the spinach, spaghetti squash, and then zoodles
  • Next, mix together the sauce ingredients and pour over the layers of casserole
  • Sprinkle bacon, crushed plantain chips, and nutritional yeast over the casserole
  • Bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes until it becomes crispy on top and bubbly around the edges
  • Remove from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes.
Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash

Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash

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Spaghetti squash. I love it, and I hate it. It always takes so much effort to cook…

UNTIL NOW! I introduce to you, the easiest instant pot spaghetti squash recipe ever!

No more cutting into a hard uncooked squash to scrape out seeds and roast in an oven for what feels like forever. This recipe only calls for 12-15 jabs of a knife into the flesh of the squash before putting the entire thing, along with a cup of water, into your instant pot for 18 minutes or so minutes(depending on the size of your squash). You can see from the above picture; my squash was just shy of 3 1/2 lbs.

I like to cook a squash every week and use the noodles for different recipes throughout the week, or for lunches for Addie and I. While spaghetti squash is low carb, it does not lack in flavor and versatility. I use it for my morning n’oatmeal sometimes, and I use it in casseroles like my, Salmon Veggie Noodle Casserole, I eat it plain with some sea salt and coconut oil.

Spaghetti squash is low in calories but high in fiber, vitamin C, manganese, and vitamin B6. It, like many other winter squash and veggies, is high in beta-carotene. This, along with vitamin C, makes it an antioxidant powerhouse in its respective way, and a valuable part of your winter diet.

One of the pros of cooking it in the instant pot whole is also that the stringy noodles stay a little more al-dente, of which I’m a big fan. I don’t know about you, but I don’t love soggy noodles. Cutting the squash widthwise rather than lengthwise also makes delicate long strings of “noodles as well.

Give this recipe a try and let me know what you think! Just be mindful of the size of your squash and know that you may need to adjust your timing a little.

Print Recipe

Easy Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash

This recipe is easy enough anyone can make it! It will have you eating this tricky squash on the regular.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time18 mins
Course: Dinner, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: American, GlutenFree, Ketogenic, LowCarb, Paleo
Keyword: Gluten Free, keto, Low-Carb, Paleo, Vegan, Veggies

Equipment

  • Instant Pot

Ingredients

  • 1 3.5 lb Spaghetti squash you can use a different sized squash but you'll need to adjust cooking time to accommodate

Instructions

  • Start by rinsing off your squash and removing any stickers or labels that may be on it
  • Next, you will use a sharp knife to carefully pierce the squash about 12-15 times all over. This will help it ventilate and breathe as it's cooking
  • Add a steamer basket or tray inside your instant pot so your squash isn't setting on the bottom of the pan
  • Add 1 cup of water, and your squash to the basket
  • Close the lid and seal the vent on your instant pot
  • Press the PRESSURE COOK button and set time to 18 minutes. Again, note, if your squash is heavier, it may need 2-3 more minutes, or if it's smaller, less time
  • After your instant pot completes the 18 minutes, allow it to depressurize for 10 minutes. It should unlock on its own at this point, but if it does not, you can manually unseal and depressurize the pot
  • Carefully remove your squash and place on a cutting board. Let sit for a few minutes to cool
  • Once your squash has cooled enough to touch, cut widthwise and allow to cool further
  • After your squash is cool enough to touch, you will first want to scrape out the seeds, and then you can peel the skin off or use a large spoon to scrape your noodles out carefully. It should be effortless
  • Store your noodles in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days! Use for stir fry, casseroles, or just a side dish all on its own
Fall Spiced Paleo Granola – Gluten free, grain free, refined sugar free

Fall Spiced Paleo Granola – Gluten free, grain free, refined sugar free

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I love granola. Like I REALLY love it. There’s something about the crunch and sweetness…and oh a good granola is just oh so delicious to me. I think it’s because I secretly have this intense love of cereal with milk. Basic I know. I just love it. But as my diet has changed, my milk of choice has changed, and so has my cereal. I now prefer to make my own granola so I can control exactly what goes into it.

This granola is LOADED with nuts and seeds and packed full of protein and healthy fats to keep you fuller for longer. As we studied the ketogenic diet to understand if it could help our daughters epilepsy, we discovered that while it is nearly impossible to overeat carbs, which mess with your insulin and blood sugar, causing weight gain or retention, brain fog, overall sluggishness, your body has built-in signals to stop you from eating too much protein or fat. Think of it like this….you go to the movies and buy a large bucket of popcorn. You down the whole thing without thinking twice. But if that same bucket was filled with cheese, just cheese, you wouldn’t be able to! And if you did, you would be one sick individual. So the moral of the story is, fill up on protein and healthy fats rather than empty carbs.

And lucky for you, this granola while it does have some carbs, has way more fat and protein. It also has just the right consistency to create these most beautiful granola clusters. I don’t know about you, but I really dislike crumbly granola. It needs to be easy to pick up and snack on.

I hope you enjoy making this as much as I do! It’s so simple, even the tiniest of bakers can help.

Print Recipe

Fall Spiced Paleo Granola - Grain free, Refined Sugar free, Gluten Free

This fall spied paleo granola is the perfect on the go snack, topping for yogurt, or eaten like cereal with some coconut milk.
Prep Time5 mins
Course: Appetizer, Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Breakfast, Dairyfree, fall, glutenfree, grainfree, granola, Healthy, Paleo, sheetpan, snacks
Servings: 8
Calories: 455kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup almonds roughly chopped
  • 1/4 cup hemp seeds
  • 3 tbsp chia seeds
  • 3 tbsp ground flax seeds
  • 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
  • 3 tbsp sesame seeds
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 tbsp coconut oil melted
  • 1/4 cup raw honey
  • 3/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp cloves
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ginger
  • 1/8 tsp cardamom

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350
  • Mix all of the dry ingredients together in a large bowl
  • Melt the coconut oil
  • Add wet ingredients to dry and mix well to endure everything is covered
  • Place mix on a parchment-covered baking sheet and bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes.You will want to start checking it around 13 mins to prevent any burning.
  • Remove from oven once it is a nice golden brown color - not burnt- and let sit until it cools entirely. This will help create the nice crunchy clusters. It will still be soft as you bring it out. That's okay! Be patient.
  • Enjoy your fall inspired granola!

Notes

You could totally sub out almonds for pecans, or walnuts, or any of the seeds for something different as well. You cannot however sub or lower the amount of honey more than a smidge and get the same result. The honey is what binds it together and creates these delicious granola clusters I love so much. 

If you try this recipe, and like it, please comment below and tell me about it!!

Dry Roasted Ranch Almonds

Dry Roasted Ranch Almonds

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I don’t know about you, but I am a professional snacker. Like if you could get paid for snacking, I would be the CEO.

When I’m breastfeeding, I am hungry all the time and being keto and paleo, I need snacks that won’t kick me out of ketosis, and are good for me…and easy to make and take because I’m a busy mom and I don’t have time for nonsense.

I love flavored almonds, but the store-bought kind are typically filled with junk like maltodextrin and sunflower or canola oil. I’m not about that life. So I set out to make my own.

And *spoiler alert*….THEY ARE SO EASY and YUMMY!

Dry roasting almonds is as simple as putting them on a pan in the oven(while it’s on, of course) and watching and smelling them as they toast. It’s a relatively quick process, and you’ll want to keep watching them because the difference between nicely roasted and burnt can be just a few minutes. Mine usually take about 15 minutes at 350, but my oven is literally older than me(it’s 32 years old. And yes, I have no idea how it is still working), so it’s not always the most reliable with very touchy things like roasting almonds.

And the seasoning. Let. Me. Tell. You. It is so simple and so tasty. Once you realize how simple ranch seasoning is, you’ll be putting it on everything. Like chicken, bacon, popcorn(if you eat it), veggies, EVERYTHING. It’s a staple in our household.

I use avocado oil to coat my almonds in mainly because it’s fairly flavorless and one of my favorite nutrient-dense fats to use, but you could use coconut or olive oil, just know that it may change the taste and may need slightly less or more.

These ranch almonds are just the right snack for waiting in those pick-up lines at school, packing in lunches, or eating while you binge Gilmore Girls and the Office on Netflix. Just me?

Let me know what you think in the comments below! And keep your eyes peeled for future flavor combinations.

Print Recipe

Ranch Seasoned Dry Roasted Almonds

These savory almonds are one of the best snacks to munch on when you're on the run! Or when you're watching Netflix.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Cuisine: American
Keyword: glutenfree, Healthy, keto, lowcarb, Paleo, ranch, snacks

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Raw Almonds
  • Avocado Oil Spray
  • 1/2 tsp Avocado oil you can also use olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp dried chives
  • 1/4 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/8 tsp dried dill
  • 1/8 tsp onion powder
  • 1/8 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp pink Himalayan salt

Instructions

  • First, preheat your oven to 350 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper
  • Next, you will spread out your almonds on the baking sheet and bake for about 10-15 minutes, shaking the pan gently halfway through. Make sure that your almonds are whole. Sliced almonds will roast faster and could burn. You will know they're done when they start to turn a nice warm brown color. Almonds can burn easily, so watch them closely.
  • While they are baking, add your seasonings to a small mixing bowl and stir.
  • Immediately after removing your almonds from the oven, spray them evenly with your avocado oil spray.
  • Next, add your almonds to the bowl with your herbs and spices and mix, making sure they are well coated. Add approx. a 1/2 tsp of additional oil after coating and mix again.
  • Spread the almonds back on the baking sheet to dry.
  • After 10 minutes, use a spoon or spatula to transfer to your jar of choice.
  • Enjoy!!