All posts filed under: healthy eating

Food: Dinner Tonight – Personalized Pizza

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I have a weakness for pizza and could very well eat a personal size one a day – with a variety of toppings. My current favorite pizza places in San Francisco being here for a get-together traditional pizza experience, here for a quick bite to eat at the mall, and here, and here when we venture out of San Francisco and do not have the time to search for a local Yelp reviewed five-star restaurant. The trouble with Pizza is that since I have cut down or eliminated as much as possible, carbs from my diet, I try to minimize the consumption to once a month or twice and maybe three times, but only on a cold and rainy day. 🙂 So when I found this recipe here, I felt the need to  switch-it-up to fit all of my dietary restrictions and I am forcing the family to follow along. INGREDIENTS 1/2 pound pizza dough, homemade or store-bought {I switched to cauliflower ready-made dough} 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil  1 yellow onion, thinly sliced kosher salt and pepper 3 tablespoons crème fraîche …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Shrimp Cobb Salad

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San Francisco’s Indian summer temps are in full swing this week. Which mean, we can shift our meals to salads, rather than the hearty comfort food we crave during our cold summer months.  Last night, while ordering Chicken cobb salad at one of my favorite restaurants, I realized, I wanted the same thing for dinner tonight – except I aim to swap out the chicken for shrimp, with a few ingredients I am switching up not because of keto, but rather a seasonal thing. This recipe is fine the way it is: INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 1/2 pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined 2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder 1 teaspoon ground cumin Kosher salt 6 cups fresh greens, such as romaine 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1 peach or nectarine, thinly sliced   {since peach is out of season, try adding tart green apples} 4 ounces feta cheese crumbled 1 avocado, sliced 6 strips crispy bacon, crumbled 4 hard boiled eggs, sliced JALAPEÑO CORN VINAIGRETTE 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil juice of 2 limes 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon honey  {omit not really necessary} 1 jalapeño, seeded if desired 1/4 cup fresh cilantro 1 pinch kosher salt 1/2 cup fresh corn …

Food: A New Take on Broccoli Cheddar Soup

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Whatever this year’s Indian summer is in San Francisco; it seems to last only from noon to four in the afternoon. The rest of the time its been crispy, windy and chilly outdoors and indoors to the point I was actually freezing last night, and needed to bundle up while reading, before turning in for the night. This very chilly morning, I decided it was time to craft soup for dinner  or adjust a few existing recipes to fit my dietary need. So on my hunt for soup recipes, I came across this perfect  one to kick-start the soup season. INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons butter 1 small sweet onion, diced 1 carrot, diced 1/4 cup all-purpose flour  (omit for my Keto diet) 2 cups whole milk  (I will use 1 cup coconut milk instead and one can of pure coconut cream ) 2 cups low sodium veggie or chicken broth 1 12 ounce pumpkin beer  (This is going to be my cheat, but you can remove it if you wish) 3-4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, plus more for serving 2 bay leaves 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon cayenne, or …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Roasted Chicken and Burrata

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Here’s what’s happening this week – I have family in town. Which means, there is no deciding or organizing any meal at home. Everything is decided last minute and meals are consumed at any number of wonderful eateries around the city-San Francisco.  Except tonight – where I am left on my own and the meal I prepare will be a healthier variation to the mostly overly salty meals I’ve been having each night since last Thursday.   By the way, this is also the explanation for my lack of posts. I will be on track next week for sure. So, here’s what I’ll be switching up to take my dietary needs into consideration ORIGINAL INGREDIENTS – RECIPE 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (skin on or off, I prefer skin off)  – {sticking to chicken breast, not a fan of thighs} 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons fresh chopped thyme, plus more for serving 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper kosher salt and pepper 1/4 cup all-purpose flour   {Not adding any flour} 4 …

Food: Dinner Tonight: Coconut Curry Noodles or Chicken

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I do love coconut curry or around this time of year, butternut squash curry I normally order from my favorite eatery in the city here, and here.  So, here’s whats happened. I assumed we were finally getting our warmer temperatures in the city, but it turns out, we’ve had nothing but cold windy days, overcast, and definitely the feel of Autumn in the air.  Which of course has me craving soups of sorts – and so this recipe for tonight’s dinner: INGREDIENTS 8 ounces rice noodles  {or I’ll add boiled chicken pieces instead of the rice noodles for my diet} 2 tablespoons coconut oil 1 sweet onion, diced 2 zucchini, or summer squash, diced 2 ears sweet corn kernels, removed from the cob 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated 2-3 tablespoons Thai red curry paste 1 14 ounce can full fat coconut milk 1 tablespoon fish sauce (soy sauce for vegan option)   {not a fan of fish sauce so that will be omitted} 2 teaspoons honey   {not necessary, but it’s all up to you} juice and zest from 1/2 a lime 1/4 cup fresh cilantro OR basil, roughly chopped (use you personal favorite) sliced …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Chipotle, Lime Chicken and Fries

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The weather has finally turned for the better in the city – with warm days and SUNSHINE throughout the city and not just downtown. I love this time of the year, when the mornings are crispy cold-ish and the days although shorter are sunny and hot. The only challenge is while other parts of the world are turning to comfort food, or soups to wards off the colder temperatures, we in the city are aiming to cool down by eating all things summer. So I am naturally pretty conscious on how best to proceed with my weekly meal plan, and I think this one will do just fine to half-Keto for me and the original recipe for the family. INGREDIENTS 1 pound boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, chopped 1 tablespoon honey (cut out for hardcore Keto) 1 teaspoon cumin 2 limes 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated kosher salt and pepper 2 sweet potatoes, cut into matchsticks  (I can cut this portion out for Keto, but I may just cheat today)  2 avocados, lightly mashed 3 heads romaine lettuce …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Grilled Zucchini all around

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So excited to report that I found yet another recipe that I can keep as is for the FAM, and also add my own twist to make it Keto-friendly for me. Here’s what I am thinking: ORIGINAL INGREDIENTS 1 cup dry orzo pasta    ***instead I will use ground chicken sausage – remove skin and saute with a touch of butter – or lots of butter – I usually use Ghee or Grass-fed 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon fresh chopped oregano 1 clove garlic, minced or grated kosher salt and pepper 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes 1 cup cubed feta cheese   ***or Parmesan if you aren’t a fan of feta 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved 3 zucchini or yellow summer squash, halved  *** sticking to only green zucchini for the calorie count and carbs kosher salt and pepper 1/4 cup basil pesto   {MORE} And because this variation is delicious, I am making it for the entire family rather than the orzo pasta option for them. {image and recipe source}

Food: Dinner Tonight – Spinach and Artichoke Melt – Two Ways

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Sorry to keep opening most of my food posts with this – but in my household there is me following Keto, and others who don’t really want to (yet), so I have to be mindful when announcing our dinner menu. Although really, I seldom announce it, I just make it – one meal, two ways so no one feels left out. This morning I searched for a cheesy, gooey recipe since the crazy cold weather in San Francisco is making me crave comfort foods – and this is what I came across to tweak a portion for my dietary needs: INGREDIENTS 1 tablespoon butter 1 clove garlic minced or grated 1 tablespoon flour  * I usually omit the flour – no need for it really, the cheese is enough thickening ingredient.  1/2 cup milk (I used 2% but whatever you have will be fine)   * I replaced with almond milk or coconut milk for entire meal 1 ounce cream cheese 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese 1/2 cup greek yogurt I used 0% 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach thawed, about 5 ounces 1 (8 ounce) jar grilled artichoke hearts or …

Food: Dinner Tonight- Korean Beef

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A simple meal is always welcomed in my household. Meaning where I don’t spend hours standing over the stove cooking on a weekday after a long day at work. But the fact, I enjoy fresh ingredients and home-made meals, inspires me to look for the easy in all recipes I find online that the family can enjoy and I can tweak it for my dietary needs. Like this one: INGREDIENTS 3/4 cup low sodium soy sauce (remove for Strict Keto – I normally use Gluten free soy sauce for the taste) 1/4 cup honey (remove for strict Keto followers) 1-2 tablespoons Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 1 inch fresh ginger, grated 2 cloves garlic, grated 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil, plus more for serving 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, sesame oil, or peanut oil 3 bell peppers, sliced 1 zucchini, chopped 1 1/2 pounds skirt or flank steak, thinly slice against the grain 4 green onions, chopped 1/2 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped {more} No rice for me – or if I absolutely am craving …

Food: Dinner Tonight- Thai Steak Sandwich

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I love steak sandwich and will actually search for the option on any menu while dining out. But tonight, I wanted to do something different with the skirt steak that’s been thawing out in my refrigerator. Now as I have mentioned many times, I Keto my way through life now, with the option to have one cheat day here and there. Meaning to say, that this recipe is too good for me to leave out anything, so if you are curious then see below how it is I am cheating: INGREDIENTS 2 pounds skirt steak 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/3 cup honey (cheat) 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce or tamari   (cheat)  4 cloves garlic, minced or grated 1 inch fresh ginger, grated 1 tablespoon chili paste 1 toasted baguette, halved and cut into 4-6 pieces (cheat) gingered tahini or mayo, for spreading (optional) MANGO BASIL SALAD 1/3 cup sesame oil juice from 2 limes 1 tablespoon fish sauce 2 green onions, chopped 1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 1 mango, sliced or chopped (cheat) 2 carrots, shredded (cheat) 2 persian cucumbers, sliced 2 jalapeños, sliced 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, chopped  (cheat)   **If you want to maintain the Keto alternative …