All posts filed under: Food

Food: Summer After Dinner Treat

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I get it – some parts of the bay area as well as cities around the world – the weather is warming up. Not so much in San Francisco – as you may or not know – we experience winter-like weather during the summer months here and actually the locals wear coats, and ankle boots and sometimes even woolly scarves. Not exaggerating. But if you happen to be in a much warmer climate and crave a dessert now and again – the healthier version that is – consider this refreshing recipe: INGREDIENTS: 12 oz mixed frozen organic berries 1 Tbsp lucuma 1 Tbsp cold-pressed sunflower lecithin powder (hexane-free) 2 Tbsp hemp seeds 1 Tbsp goji berries 4 dropperfuls Dragon Herbs goji & schizandra drops ½ tsp pearl powder 1 tsp tremella powder 1 Tbsp grass-fed ghee 1 Tbsp C-8 caprylic acid MCT oil 1 dropperful liquid stevia DIRECTIONS: Blend all ingredients on high while strongly pounding with the VitaMix plunger until smooth. Enjoy! {more}

Food: Father’s Day Breakfast

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There is nothing more heart-warming than to have the kids help you make  Father’s Day breakfast – like this American traditional beauty: INGREDIENTS MAPLE CANDIED BACON 1/2 pound thick cut bacon use peppered bacon if possible 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 salt + pepper BUTTERMILK RICOTTA PANCAKES 2 eggs whites separated from the yolks 3/4 cup buttermilk 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 1 cup white whole wheat or whole wheat pastry flour or all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon baking soda pinch of salt butter for serving pure maple syrup for serving SPINACH AND SUN-DRIED TOMATO GOAT CHEESE SCRAMBLED EGGS 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil 8 ounces fresh spinach {more}

Food: Dinner Tonight – Korean BBQ stuffed Bell Peppers

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I indulged past my Keto diet plan while away for the past two weeks, telling myself while scuffing down food that I was going to regret it when I returned home. The only saving grace for me was that I walked it off so the outcome of my cheating wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. The only trouble is – now I am having a tough time getting back on that wagon. Baby steps I say to convince myself. Here’s a recipe I found, which should get me back on track Meat & Peppers 1 pound ground beef 2 medium bell Peppers, sliced in half 2 stalks green onion, sliced thin 2 teaspoons minced garlic 2 teaspoons minced ginger Salt and pepper to taste 8 large eggs Korean BBQ Sauce 1/3 cup sugar-free apricot preserves, like Polaner’s brand 1 ½ tablespoons rice wine vinegar 1 tablespoon Reduced Sugar Ketchup 1 tablespoon chili paste 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or coconut aminos) {more}

Food: Dinner Tonight – Garlic Shrimp with Honey Drizzle

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Although I am following a no-carb no sugar diet, I have to consider the family when preparing dinner – Meaning to clarify – a dish where I can leave out the carbs and enjoy the key parts of the meal to feed my dietary needs. Like this amazing recipe I found here: In this case I simply eat the shrimp and avocado, and pass up on the rice, beans and just maybe have two slices of the plantain or maybe not (I need to be good) INGREDIENTS 1 pound raw tail on shrimp 1/4 cup olive oil 2 tablespoons honey 4-6 cloves garlic finely minced or grated (I like using around 4) 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger 2 jalapenos seeded + chopped 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (use less for less heat maybe 1/4-1/2 teaspoon) 1 teaspoon cumin 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped 4 tablespoons butter 1/4 cup canned coconut milk 2 tablespoons fresh basil chopped + more fore serving kosher salt + pepper steamed white rice + black beans + sliced avocado for serving FRIED PLANTAINS 4 inch yellow plantains sliced into 1/2 rounds oil for frying flaky sea salt {more}

Food: Dinner Tonight – Salmon, Dill and Lemon

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Just to remind, I am following a very strict diet of eliminating carbs and sugar. So, finding creative ways to make dinner is hard. Especially for a family with different dietary needs. This recipe is close to one I already follow when baking salmon – except that is has the option to add the potatoes and a dill yogurt for dipping. In my case, I will leave out the potatoes, and replace the regular yogurt sauce with coconut yogurt. INGREDIENTS 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated 2 lemons 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill 2 teaspoons smoked paprika 2 small potatoes, very thinly sliced using a mandolin 4 6-8 ounce salmon fillets, skinned kosher salt and pepper fresh arugula and basil, for serving 1 cup plain greek yogurt DILL YOGURT 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill juice of 1 lemon 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes {more}  

Food: Dinner Tonight: Healthy Lasagna Alternative

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With this managed carb and hardly sugar diet (notice how managed and hardly are inserted) because – trying to avoid carbs is pretty difficult when even the best of vegetables are made up of the worst of carbs and the most of sugars. So, sticking to a list of what to do takes lots of discipline and remembering. This lasagna recipe seems like a great plan for dinner tonight because – everyone in the family can enjoy it. Whether on a diet or not, the alternative is a great meal option to  consider: INGREDIENTS 4-6 small spaghetti squash halved lengthwise and seeds scooped out 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 head garlic 1 pound spicy Italian chicken sausage or 1 pound ground chicken or half ground chicken half sausage 4 ounces pancetta finely chopped 1/2 a sweet onion finely chopped 1 bay leaf 1 teaspoon fresh thyme 1/2 teaspoon dried 1 teaspoon fresh sage 1/2 teaspoon dried 1 tablespoon fresh basil 2 teaspoons dried 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes 1 cup water 3 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons flour 1 1/4 cup milk I used 2% 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg 3/4 cup provolone cheese shredded 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese fried sage or fresh basil for garnish {more}

Food: Dinner Tonight – Chipotle Lime Chicken of Sorts

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Since I am being super careful with my carbs and sugar intake, I am  extra aware of how to tweak the meals I find online for our family dinner. So here’s the changes I’ve made to this recipe to work with my diet plan. Omit the honey, and the sweet potatoes, and eat the mango sparingly.  Simple 🙂 INGREDIENTS 1 pound boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, chopped 1 tablespoon honey 1 teaspoon cumin 2 limes 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated kosher salt and pepper 2 sweet potatoes, cut into matchsticks 2 avocados, lightly mashed 3 heads romaine lettuce chopped 1 mango, diced 8 ounces feta, crumbled {more}    

Lifestyle: Eating Healthy – Beef Satay and Peanut Sauce

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  In kicking off week three of my efforts to cut out carbs and sugar, I am finding more recipes to keep me inspired to stay on track.  Like this easy recipe, which technically is a pretty solid alternative for the entire family (less folks with peanut allergies) and with a bowl of sticky rice, the meal turns pretty satisfying even for the pessimist in your efforts to ditch starchy/sugary. Happy Monday   {more}  

Food: No Carb, No Sugar Avocado Smoothie

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I’ve been on this plan since April 2nd and I have to say, I am proud of myself for not falling off the wagon. Meaning, ordering chili fries and beer, or the need to munch through a large bag of skittles just because it is forbidden on this healthy eating plan. I can actually look at rice, or potatoes just to name a few, or sit through a meal with friends eating starchy foods and be okay.  So I guess my body has adjusted – hopefully well into the rest of the year. This morning, after eating two eggs in scramble, or boiled, every morning past, I decided to try this smoothie, even though I had a tough time thinking avocado to be a tasty option in smoothies – but it was fine and a great alternative to the usual eggs and bacon option. Ingredients 1/2 avocado (3-4 oz) 3/4 cup full – fat coconut milk (from a can) 1/4 cup almond milk 1 tsp fresh grated ginger (about 1/2 inch piece) 1/2 tsp turmeric 1 tsp lemon or lime juice (or more to taste) 1 cup crushed ice …

Food: Healthy Nachos Alternative

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Two weeks into this healthy eating plan – no sugar, no carbs – I find myself having a withdrawals here and there, or maybe its my mind playing tricks on me. But today I woke up craving Nachos, knowing very well the typical tortilla chips included in the recipe is not a smart idea when aiming to wean myself off all things carb-heavy. So naturally the first thing on my list today was to find an alternative to the traditional tortilla chips and aim to make the healthier version of one of my favorite meals/snacks/comfort foods for dinner tonight.  I’ll let you know how it goes, unless of course you’ve tried this recipe and can share your experience with us here. Ingredients Fat Head Tortilla Chips 170 g pre-shredded/grated mozzarella 85 g almond meal/flour 2 tbsp cream cheese 1 egg salt to taste 1 tsp cumin powder 1 tsp coriander/cilantro powder pinch chilli powder Nacho Meat Sauce 1 red onion diced 500 g ground/mince beef 400 g tinned/canned tomatoes diced 1/2 tsp chilli powder, or to taste 1 tbsp tomato paste Topping Options guacamole salsa shredded/grated cheese sour cream jalapeños