Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Chicken Club "Sandwich"

By:  Maria


There's nothing like a delicious Club or BLTA(avocado) sandwich.  For those of us that steer clear of refined flour products, the downside is the bread that comes with the sandwich.  No worries!
This sandwich is packed with hearty nutrients but devoid of the gut inflammatory properties associated with bread.
If you take a close look at the photo, you will see that it's not bread that is holding the sandwich together, but a delicious, nutrient-filled chicken breast!
This sandwich was so filling, I didn't eat another bite until 6 hours later!

Ingredients

1 cooked chicken breast (1/4-1/3 of the top cut off)*
1 tbsp mayo (I have also used pesto instead of mayo for added flavor!)
2 slices bacon, cooked
A handful of arugula or spinach
Half a tomato, thinly sliced
1 avocado, peeled and sliced
 
Butterfly the chicken breast (cut lengthwise through it so it can be opened up like a book). 
Spread the mayo on the inside. Add the rest of the ingredients, and "close" the chicken breast. Smile as you revel in deliciousness!
 
*You can bake a chicken breast easy in the oven: brush chicken breast with olive oil or clarified butter and bake in a 350 degree oven for 40-45 minutes.  For convenience and/or quicker meals, you can purchase a cooked chicken breast in the deli section of a quality grocery store.
 

Monday, November 28, 2011

Fructose Content in Fruit

By:  Maria

A frequent question I hear is; "Which fruit is better?".
It's a loaded question and the answer is quite complex when given the many variables that are attached to that question. 
Typically, that question is followed by my questions like; "Are you trying to lose weight...Are you an athlete concerned with performance and/or recovery....Are you dealing with a health issue...?"

Making a decision based on overall health, regardless of current goals/priorities seems a reasonable approach when deciding which fruit is "best".

Fruit should have a positive impact on our health by 1.) Minimizing fructose and 2.) Minimize sugar.

Below is a chart that plots fruit in terms of their fructose/sugar percentages.  If we keep our fruit choices 1.) Seasonal and 2.) Low in fructose, you will be minimizing sugar loads and getting the most out of nutritional values.


Fructose content of selected fruits



Resources:

Friday, November 25, 2011

Turkey Leftovers


Have plenty of turkey leftovers and not sure what to do with it?  Here's a quick and easy recipe that will work well for any meal.

Apple and Turkey Salad

2 cups leftover turkey, diced
2 cups celery, diced
2 cups apple, diced
1/4 cup grapes, halved (optional)
1/4 cup chopped nut of choice (if you roast them first, it will heighten the flavor of the nut!)
Extra virgin olive oil
Balsamic vinegar (coconut vinegar works well also!)
Sea salt/pepper to taste
Leafy greens

In a large bowl, mix together turkey, celery, apple, grapes and nuts.  Drizzle with olive oil and a splash of balsamic.  Season with salt/pepper.  Dump on a bed of leafy greens.  Eat.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Pumpkin Bread with Pumpkin Pie Frosting

By:  Maria


Thanksgiving wouldn't be the same without some kind of pumpkin treat.  Everyone typically makes pumpkin pie and it's delicious no matter how you make it.  I like to do things slightly different, yet equally delectable. 
Pumpkin bread with some creamy frosting.  I will let you in on a little secret that most of my guests will never know:
These are gluten/dairy/refined sugar-free!
Brilliant.

1 cup almond flour (you can grind up raw almonds in your food processor!)
¼ teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon cloves
½ cup pumpkin (roasting your own is delicious, but purchasing in a can is A-ok - as long as it only contains pumpkin!)
2 tablespoons organic raw honey
2 tablespoons maple syrup
3 eggs

In a food processor combine almond flour, salt, baking soda and spices
Add pumpkin, honey, maple syrup and eggs and pulse for 2 minutes
Scoop batter into a small loaf pan
Bake at 350° for 35-45 minutes
Cool for 1 hour
Serve with pumpkin pie frosting (optional)

Pumpkin Pie Frosting
4 tblsp organic butter or clarified butter
2 tblsp organic raw honey
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Put all ingredients in bowl, whisk until all ingredients are combined. Spread on cooled pumpkin bread! Enjoy!