All posts filed under: healthy cooking

Food: Dinner Tonight – Shrimp Cobb Salad

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I am presently what  is referred to as – the salad bowl of Calfornia. Otherwise knows as California’s central coast. The place where all the beautiful farming takes place. I love being here because it is the best getaway for this city girl, tired of the steel, stone and glass all around, and too much construction throughout the city of San Francisco. Which I am not certain if it’s to beautify it or add to the chaos. I’ve lived in the city all my life, and watched it grow into something, I am not sure I appreciate as much as the simpleness the city once was. Sure I live in the outer sunset, which is a bit quitter than downtown, but still, the city is growing in a direction I am having trouble with truly appreciating the older I get. With that said, I make a conscious effort to escape to the countryside, whether east of the city, or south, I take a drive or a flight to somewhere surrounded by farms, where downtown consists …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Zucchini and Cheese Lasagna

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Okay, so here’s a solid recipe to a favorite dish of mine – spicy Italian sausage, veggie (in this case zucchini,  or eggplant that I love, and all sorts of cheese). As you well know, I am always searching for variations to the simplest of ingredients making up a fun recipe and this one works – because in my household, we are divided – 1 Keto (me) and the rest not so much. So, this is what I do to make two dishes out of one recipe: INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 pound ground spicy Italian sausage 1 small sweet onion, diced 4 medium heirloom tomatoes (or regular), roughly chopped 2 cups cherry tomatoes 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves 1 tablespoon fresh chopped oregano kosher salt and pepper 1/2 cup red wine  (cut out for hardcore Keto followers) 1/4 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped, plus more for serving 6-8 no boil lasagna noodles (replace with sliced Halloumi cheese or just cut out the noodles altogether)  3 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/8 inch slices 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese 1 cup fresh mozzarella cheese, torn 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese {more}

Food: Dinner Tonight – Ginger, Honey Salmon

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After a week of eating just about anything in site, it’s time to settle into my kitchen and make a home cooked meal like this easy variation for the same old salmon – my favorite. INGREDIENTS 1 (2 pound) wild caught, skin on salmon zest of 1 lemon 1 inch fresh ginger, grated 1 clove garlic, grated black pepper 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce 2 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon chili paste NECTARINE, CORN, AND AVOCADO SALSA 1 nectarine, chopped 1 ear grilled corn, kernels removed 1 avocado, diced 1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped juice of 1/2 a lemon juice of 1/2 a lime 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped {more}

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}

Just A Cake – You Might Say

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I stay away from desserts as much as possible – but when one click leads you to a healthy baking recipe such as this gorgeous take on a cake, you share, you bake, and you indulge: INGREDIENTS: For the cake: 2 cups blanched almond flour ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder ½ tsp baking soda ½ tsp Himalayan pink salt 2 eggs 2/3 cup maple syrup 1/3 cup water 1 Tbsp vanilla For the vegan chocolate ganache: 4 oz unsweetened baking chocolate 4 Tbsp coconut oil 4 Tbsp maple syrup ½ cup almond butter ¼ cup almond milk or coconut milk {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: Lemon Cake The Healthy Way

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Whether you’re aim is to be gluten free, have embraced the Paleo or Keto lifestyle or welcome vegan, this recipe for lemon cake is one to keep handy for when craving sweets: RECIPE ¼ cup coconut flour ¼ teaspoon Himalayan pink salt ¼ teaspoon baking soda ¼ cup coconut oil ¼ cup maple syrup 3 tablespoons psyllium husk + 6 tablespoons water 1 lemon, zested and juiced 1 tablespoon poppy seeds {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}