Sweet Potato Mini Muffins

Gluten free, grain free, paleo, dairy free, peanut free, no added sugar, egg-free, yeast-free

This is a super healthy breakfast or snack option with no added sugar. All of the sweetness comes from the sweet potato and the dates. This is also a great source of fiber from the sweet potato and psyllium husk.

Photo Credit : Michael Theriault & Megan Theriault 

Ingredients: 
1/2 cup roasted sweet potato peeled
1/4 cup pitted dates
1/4 cup coconut milk
1/4th cup chocolate coconut butter – (use plain for Whole30 and sugar detox)
3 tbs coconut oil
2 tbs psyllium husks
6 tbs coconut flour
1.5 teaspoon baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup enjoy life chocolate chips (omit for Whole30 and sugar detox)

Directions:
1- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2- In a pan on medium warm coconut oil, coconut butter, milk, and dates
3- Once warmed thru add to blender or food processor
4- Add sweet potato, psyllium husks, coconut flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon
5- Blend together
6- Stir in chocolate chips
7- Form into 10 balls
8- Bake for 18 minutes (finished when toothpick comes out clean)


Yours in Health & Happiness,

Lisa and Nichole

Thirsty Thursday: Go Green Smoothie

Green smoothies are all the rage in the health food community and there are just about a million variations. However, for those who are new to smoothies this can be overwhelming. So where is a good place to start? We are sharing a basic recipe for a green smoothie that everyone will love and is full of nutrition. It is Lisa’s go to recommendation for people new to the healthy smoothie world. Even kids will approve of this drink and it is an easy way to sneak some greens into their diet.  It’s great for a quick breakfast or a quick energy burst any time of day.
Super Food Ingredients 

Kale
By now we have all heard that kale is a Super food and though it may have been trendy for a while it is a green that is here to stay. And here is why…kale is high in fiber, calcium, probiotics, vitamins and minerals. In fact, 1 cup contains 5 grams of fiber which is more than a serving of oat bran cereal while only having 43 calories.

Almonds
Almonds contain protein, monounsaturated fat, and vitamin E. They help to stabilize blood sugar and help reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Raw almonds are recommended and are generally easier to digest. 1/4 cup of almonds provides over 7 grams of protein, more than one egg.

Blueberries
Blueberries are high in phytonutrients, antioxidants, and help to stabilize blood sugar levels.

Bananas
Bananas are high in potassium and iron.

Yogurt
Yogurt, especially Greek yogurt (unsweetened) contains protein and is high in probiotics, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and b vitamins.



Photo Credit: Michael Theriault and Megan Theriault 


Ingredients:
1 handful of kale
1/2 cup frozen or fresh blueberries
1/2 frozen banana
1 cup unsweetened non diary milk 
1/4 cup of raw almonds or 6 oz of unsweetened Greek yogurt (or both)
3 ice cubes

Directions:

1- Place all ingredients in a blender, blend until smooth and enjoy ( we recommend a high quality blender like the Nutri-bullet or Vitamix to thoroughly liquefy ingredients)

Yours in Health & Happiness,

Lisa and Nichole

Chocolate Chip Almond Cookies

This is a great chocolate chip cookie recipe for the holiday season for anyone following a Paleo or Gluten free diet. These cookies are full of nutrient packed ingredients and no refined sugar or flour. 
 The addition of the flax seed provides extra omega 3’s. 

Paleo, Gluten free, Grain free, Dairy free, Soy free

Photo Credit Megan and Michael Theriault 


Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups almond flour
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon baking soda 
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 tablespoons flax seed (ground) 
1/8th cup coconut oil melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4th cup grade B maple syrup
1 tsp cinnamon


Directions:
1- Preheat oven to 350
2- Combine almond flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and flax seed in a bowl
3- In a separate bowl beat egg with vanilla, and add coconut oil and maple syrup
4- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients combining 
5- Add chocolate chips
6- Using a tablespoon place cookie dough on greased baking sheet
7- Bake for 12 minutes.

8 – Remove from oven and let cool. 

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all of our readers. Enjoy all the good food and time spent with family and friends. We will be back in the New Year with a ton of new projects for our readers so stay tuned to the 2 health nuts in 2015! 

Yours in Health & Happiness,

Lisa and Nichole

Mixed Nut Chocolate Peppermint Cookies


The holidays are full of over indulgences and unhealthy food. However, there are ways to make our favorite holiday treats healthier to allow you to still indulge without the guilt. This recipe is a grain free, refined sugar free take on thin mint cookies.  

Dairy free, Gluten free, Grain free, Paleo 


Photo credit: Michael & Megan Theriault 
Ingredients:
  • 1 cup of homemade ground nut butter ( We used raw mixed nuts and ground in the Vitamix but you can use any pre made nut butter)
  • 1/2 cup coconut sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda 
  • 1 teaspoon peppermint extract or 5 drops Young Living peppermint essential oil found here
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees 
Grind enough nuts to make one cup of nut butter
Combine cocoa  and baking soda in separate bowl
Beat egg in bowl
Add vanilla and coconut sugar
Add in nut butter and stir to combine
Add the cocoa and baking soda mix to wet ingredients half at a time
Once dough is formed roll into 1 in balls
Place dough on greased cookie sheet and press down with fork 
Bake for ten minutes

Enjoy!

Yours in Health & Happiness,

Lisa and Nichole

Blood Pressure Lowering Tea

Hibiscus tea is a traditional remedy for lowering blood pressure. In one study, drinking hibiscus tea for just 12 days reduced systolic pressure by an average 11.7 percent and diastolic pressure by 10.7 percent.  Lavender essential oil is an adaptogen which means it can assist the body when adapting to stress or imbalances. Lavender can be used for a variety of different things but it is great for calming down the body and nervous system which will help lower blood pressure. This is a great relaxing combination to enjoy any time of day.

*(This statement has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.) 

Photo credit Michael and Megan Theriault 

Ingredients:
1 hibiscus tea bag
3 drops of lavender essential oil (only Young Living essential oil can be safely ingested we do not recommend making this with any other brand essential oil) 
1 cup boiling water
1 tbs raw honey

Directions:
1- Boil tea water
2- Steep the tea bag and add additional ingredients 


Yours in Health & Happiness,

Lisa and Nichole

Pear Arugula Salad


The ingredients of this salad work perfectly in combination with each other. This is a great fall or winter salad as a healthy side salad. Arugula is one of our favorite salad greens and is full of Vitamin A, C, & K as well as copper and iron. 

Photo Credit Michael Theriault & Megan Theriault 



Ingredients:
2 cups arugula 
2 tbs pecans (or any nut you have on hand)
3 tbs gorgonzola cheese
1/2 pear 
1 tbs balsamic vinegar 
2 tbs extra virgin olive oil

Directions:
1- Place arugula in bowl 
2- Toast nuts in a dry skillet until they start to turn brown
3- Add nuts and cheese to arugula
4- Slice 1/2 pear in thin slices and put on arugula
5- In separate bowl combine vinegar and olive oil, stir to combine

6- Pour over salad mix until all salad is covered 


Yours in Health & Happiness,

Lisa and Nichole

Thirsty Thursday: Golden Milk

This new drink on our menu is a fun healthy way to enjoy a glass of milk. We are always trying to think of ways to sneak in more super foods, herbs and spices into our diets and this drink does the trick. 

The rockstar in this drink is the turmeric. Turmeric is full of amazing health benefits and is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Health Benefits include the reduction of joint pain, digestive aid, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, cancer killing, anti-depressent, liver detox, wound healing, and blood sugar balance.
The next health boosting herb in this milk is ginger.  Ginger is great for stomach discomfort, reduces inflammation, improves asthma, increases blood circulation, and boosts the immune system. It also relieves stress, helps prevent and reduce cough and cold, and helps aid in weight loss. 
Cinnamon is a great spice to add in to your daily diet. Cinnamon can lower cholesterol, help balance blood sugar levels, protect against heart disease, help reduce pain and inflammation, and increase immunity.
Who new drinking a nice cup of warm milk could have so many health benefits… Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1.5 cups unsweetened almond milk
1 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tbs grade B maple syrup

Directions:
Place all ingredients in a pot and heat to desired temperature stirring constantly.

Yours in Health & Happiness,
Lisa and Nichole

Thirsty Thursday: Peppermint Mocha

Tis the season for sugar filled holiday drinks! We have a healthy version of a peppermint mocha that won’t leave you broke or feeling guilty. We need all the help we can get with all the temptations around us during the holiday season. 



Photo Credit: Michael Theriault & Megan Theriault 



Ingredients:
8oz of coffee
2 tbs coconut cream
1 tbs cocoa powder
2 tbs coconut sugar 
2 drops of peppermint essential oil (or 1/2 tsp peppermint extract )

*can sub carob powder for cocoa powder
*can sub stevia for the coconut sugar to make it a sugar free treat 

Directions:
1- Brew coffee

2- Place hot coffee and additional ingredients in blender and blend until smooth

The Health Nuts will be working on a special Thanksgiving project this weekend that we will be posting before the holiday! Stay tuned you won’t want to miss it. 

If you have any holiday drinks you would like to see on the blog comment below or send us an email we love hearing from you. 

Yours in Health & Happiness

Lisa and Nichole

Nourishing Chicken Soup

Chicken soup may be good for the soul but it is even better as a first line of defense for cold and flu season.  

What makes this chicken soup recipe so nourishing? 

The broth. It is made from the bones of the chicken which release minerals and nutrients into the broth. These nutrients and minerals support the healing of the digestive tract and boost the immune system.  In addition, the broth contains added nutrients from vegetables and herbs for further immune boosting support. The following mineral broth is adapted from the book The Longevity Kitchen, by Rebecca Katz. We recommend this broth to all of our clients. Finding such a perfect broth gave us no reason to re invent the wheel. In fact we have even had the opportunity to skype with the author and discuss how she successfully uses food as medicine!

There are a lot of ingredients so don’t be afraid to shorten the list a little bit if you can’t find them all. You can store and freeze this broth or use it all up for a delicious family meal. It’s perfect for when you or any little one’s in the house are feeling under the weather or just need some hot comfort food.


Magic Mineral Broth

Ingredients:
1 organic chicken carcass 
8 quarts of cold filtered water
1 large bunch fresh flat-leaf parsely
1 bunch of celery, incuding the heart, cut into thirds
12 garlic cloves unpeeled and smashed
2 unpeeled sweet potatoes, cut into chunks
2 unpeeled yellow onions cut into quarters
1 unpeeled yam cut into chunks
6 unpeeled carrots cut into thirds
1 fennel bulb with tops
1 leek, white and green parts cut into thirds
2 bay leaves
1(3-inch) unpeeled fresh ginger cut in half length wise
1 (8 inch) strip kombu
12 black peppercorns
4 juniper or allspice berries
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Directions

* cook chicken and take the meat off leaving the carcass. Set meat aside for the soup.

Rinse all vegetables
Place ingredients in a 12 quart or large stock pot
Add the water, cover, bring to a boil
Turn heat to low and simmer 2-4 hours
Add more water if vegetables go below water line (water evaporates while cooking)
Simmer until you can taste the richness of the vegetables
Strain through a large course mesh sleeve placed over a heat proof container
stir in salt
let cool to room temperature, refrigerate overnight
skim off as much fat off of the top as possible
broth is ready to be used for chicken soup
it may be portioned into airtight containers and to freeze for later use

*This recipe calls for all of the broth for serving a family of 5-6 however you can always make smaller portions.


Chicken Soup Recipe

Ingredients

Magic Mineral Broth
1 bunch of celery chopped
5 large carrots chopped into 1/2 inch circles
1 tbsp ground sage
2 tsp ground turmeric
sea salt and pepper to taste
chicken meat from entire chicken

Optional add ins (everyone has there own classic favorite):
Brown rice
Organic Potatoes
Brown rice pasta

Directions

Place broth in large stock pot
Add in carrots and celery
Bring to a boil and turn heat down to med and cook for approx. 30 min depending on desired tenderness of veggies
Add in chicken meat and optional precooked ad in for the remaining 5 minutes of the 30 min just to heat them up
serve immediately

Enjoy!

Yours in Health & Happiness

Lisa and Nichole

Thirsty Thursday: Hot Cocoa

This is a perfect healthy version of hot cocoa for the cold weather we have been having. If you can’t do cocoa powder you can sub carob for the cocoa. I have been enjoying this a lot lately!


Photo credit: Michael & Megan Theriault


Ingredients
1 cup non diary milk
2 tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tbs coconut sugar


Directions:
1- In small pan warm non dairy milk
2- Whisk in cocoa powder and coconut sugar

3- Bring to simmer and pour into mug 

   Yours in Health & Happiness,


     
                                        Lisa and Nichole