I've tried so many different versions of granola over my years of nutritimentation but never felt quite satisfied with the crunch factor. I wasn't going to give up that easy, that's what nutritimentation is all about. It's experimentation, which means it's not always a guaranteed perfect result. Isn't that the fun part though? Life would be no fun if you always knew the outcome, you gotta' be kept on your toes. No matter what kind of granola life throws your way, don't ever give up! In the end, your effort will pay off. This recipe sure did pay off. The crunch factor of this granola can't be beat. Crunchy Coconut Granola ClustersServings: ~ 3 cups 1 1/2 cups of coconut flakes 1 tsp of cinnamon 1/4 tsp of salt ~ 3/4-1 cup of coarsely crushed nuts (I used walnuts, almonds, & pecans) 1 Tbsp of chia seeds 1 Tbsp of flax seeds 1/2 cup of sunflower & pumpkin seed mixture 1/2 cup of dried cranberries cacao nibs (optional) 1 tsp of vanilla extract 1/3 cup of tahini (if the tahini is too thick add 2 Tbsp of coconut oil to loosen) 1/3 cup of brown rice syrup (or honey) Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Parchment or grease a cookie sheet.
In a medium bowl, combine the coconut, cinnamon, salt, nuts, chia & flax seeds, and sunflower & pumpkin seeds and give a good toss. In a separate small bowl, add the tahini, brown rice syrup (or honey), and vanilla extract together, mix well. Pour the tahini mixture over the coconut mixture and fold together until everything is coated and well combined. Spread the granola mixture evenly onto the cookie sheet then place in the oven for 8-10 minutes. Halfway through (about 4-5 minutes), remove from the oven and give a toss to make sure all sides get toasted evenly and to break up a bit. Remove from the oven. Now fold in the dried cranberries and cacao nibs. Let cool on the cookie sheet until it's cool to touch. If needed, break up into small clusters. Store in an air tight container in the fridge.
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Inflammation is that loud neighbor above you who keeps blasting techno beats at 2am (on a MONDAY) or the one who vacuums at 6am (on a SUNDAY)... NOBODY wants that neighbor. Nobody wants to deal with inflammation either and one too many of us do. Inflammation in the body can be something as simple as headaches to as something as complex as cancer. I've struggled with many inflammation symptoms, including digestive issues. If there are two superfoods that have made a HUGE difference in the process of healing, it is turmeric and ginger. They both contain strong anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties. Turmeric and ginger are both very bold on the palette but when combined with sweet tropical flavors like carrot juice, banana, and coconut, your taste buds and the rest of your body will be thanking you. Not to mention the gorgeous color of this smoothie will remind you of a scenic sunset on the beach in the tropics.... Blend together 1 banana, handful of frozen mango, small knob of ginger, few dashes of turmeric, carrot juice ice cubes (or aprox. 1/8 cup of carrot juice & add a few more ice cubes), 2 Tbsp of shredded unsweetened coconut, coconut water (or regular) ice cubes, and water.
I HEART PESTO <3 Pesto on pizza, pesto on sandwiches, pesto on eggs, pesto on everythinggggg! So I saw this nut free/vegan version using avocado - genius! So I decided to add a few of my own twists adding spinach & walnut oil, nutritimentation style. Full of healthy fats and greens, this pesto is a skin-glowing, brain boosting concoction. Avocado Basil Spinach PestoServings: ~4 1 ripe avocado basil leaves (I used the leaves from about 1/2 package) big handful of spinach (about 1/2 cup) 1 Tbsp of freshly squeezed lemon juice 1/4 cup of walnut oil 1/4 tsp of Himalayan salt (or kosher/sea salt) Combine all ingredients in a food processor (or blender) & blend until smooth.
Try a 'caprese' style omelet stacking fresh tomato with the pesto with a spinach omelet topped with more pesto & hemp seeds. What else would I do with leftover chickpeas from dinner than make brownies? Not just plain old chocolate brownies, oh no, no no - these are a much better flour-less, "blonde" version with peanut butter and chocolate chips. I'm starting to think that chickpeas are the secret to getting that perfect soft, gooey, melt in your mouth texture because these blondies are exactly that: PERFECT. Flour-less Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip BlondiesServings: 12 square blondies 1/2 can of cooked chickpeas (about 3/4 cup) 1 cup of oats 1/2 cup of peanut butter (or almond butter) 1/4 cup of pure maple syrup 2 tsp of pure vanilla extract 1/4 tsp of salt 1/4 tsp of baking soda 1/4 tsp of baking powder 1/3 cup of chocolate chips Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Parchment or grease a small brownie pan.
In a food processor, add all ingredients (except the chocolate chips) and process until a smooth batter forms. Spread batter into brownie pan and bake for 20-25 minutes (more on the 20 minutes side if you want them to be soft and goeey). Let cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes then cut into squares and serve warm or let cool completely and store in an air tight container. You'll hear me talk a lot about watching Food Network, because it's really all I do. I always credit my addiction to it for my ability to cook, it's like a culinary encyclopedia unfolding right in front of your eyes. While watching, I found myself drooling over fried crepes I saw on the T.V in front of me and thought "I need that, NOW." Into the kitchen it was and out came this masterpiece. The best part? These crepes are made with coconut flour which is full of fiber and no added sugar. Yes, they still also taste incredible, let's call it a decadent miracle. Crispy "Fried" Banana CrepesServings: 2 (10in.) crepes Crepes: 2 organic eggs 2 Tbsp of coconut oil (melted) 1/3 cup of homemade almond (or coconut) milk 1/4 tsp of pure vanilla extract 2 Tbsp of coconut flour 1/8 tsp of salt Few small dashes of cinnamon Dash of nutmeg More coconut oil (for pan) Filling: 1/2 banana chopped (for each - so 1 banana total) + cinnamon + 1/2 tsp of coconut oil (for each - so 1 tsp total) *Feel free to add some chopped nuts, cacao nibs, shredded coconut, or switch up the fillings! Almond Butter 'Syrup': 2 Tbsp of almond butter mixed with 1 Tbsp of organic macadamia oil Topping: 1/2 banana chopped (for each - so 1 banana total) + 1 Tbsp of coconut oil (for each - so 2 Tbsp total) + cinnamon Heat a 10inch non-stick skillet with coconut oil over medium heat.
Meanwhile, prepare your filling. In a small bowl, toss the banana, coconut oil, and cinnamon together. Also, prep your almond butter syrup. In a separate small bowl, mix the almond butter and macadamia oil, set aside. Combine your crepe ingredients in a small bowl and mix until your batter forms (it should be more runny than normal pancake batter). Now, I did this whole crepe cooking process a little differently.....flipping a crepe can be a pain in the you know what and it can be hard to get it to roll up and stay shut sooo.... Pour 1/2 your batter into the skillet and swirl around until it coats the whole pan. Let your crepe start to cook for 2-3 minutes becoming bubbly and crisp around the edges. Remove from the heat and let sit for another 1-2 min. Place your crepe back over med heat, place the filling in the middle of the crepe then fold the crepe in half (just like cooking an omelet). Press down with a spatula then fold over in half again. You should have a nice burrito type roll - no flipping, rolling B.S. Carefully remove the crepe from the skillet and place it on a plate. Prepare your topping by placing banana, coconut oil, and cinnamon in the skillet and caramelizing the bananas on both sides. Remove and set aside. Place a generous amount of coconut oil in the skillet and turn the heat up to med high. Let the oil heat and place your crepe back in the pan and "fry" until golden brown & crispy on both sides. Who's guilty of eating almost all of the cookie dough before actually making the cookies? I AM. It's just so good. I just can't stop. I've seen a few versions of this psych-anyone-out cookie dough but I'll admit, I was a doubter - it was too good to be true! With this version, you will prove ALL of the doubters wrong, it will fool anybody. Filled with protein and healthy fats, pop one of these babies pre-workout, post-workout, or really anytime of the day for a power kick in the tush.
I thought "what is a girl to do with all these peaches?" - well, good thing for Food Network's Hungry Girl for doing a version of the infamous pineapple 'upside down' cake, I felt inspired. Upside down pineapple cake never enticed me, the thought of canned pineapple and syrup coated cherries somehow turns my taste buds off...buuuutttt the thought of peaches with ginger, cinnamon, and glazed honey...now that's something to be turned on about. Somewhere between a pancake and a frittata, you get the both of best worlds. Ginger Peach Upside Down Oat FrittataSpecial thanks to Boston Organics for the stars of this recipe: farm fresh organic peaches. You can find this full recipe on Boston Organics website. Luckily, making oat frittatas are not the only thing you can do with peaches....you can also make nectarine & ginger homemade iced tea... It's 88 degrees outside, it's muggy, it's hott (yes, here it comes) - "ain't nobody got time for that!" Buuutttt what everyone does have time for: ICED TEA. Thankfully, it's Tuesday and I received my Boston Organics delivery with farm fresh organic nectarines and fair trade English Breakfast tea from the local Equal Exchange Cafe....sweeeeet. There's nothing like an ice cold glass of iced tea on a hot summer day, it will bring you to a white wrap around porch, in a rocking chair, with the wind blowing and green grass growing (even if you are still stuck in a 4 by 4 apartment in the North End of Boston). Well, add some farm fresh nectarines and ginger into the mix and you've got something special. Subtly sweet with a ginger bite, this is THE iced tea. Nectarine & Ginger Homemade Iced TeaServings: ~ 2 2 nectarines - sliced 1 large knob of ginger - cut into a few cubes 3 cups of water 3 organic English Breakfast tea bags optional: sweetener to taste (like honey or stevia) Bring the 3 cups of water to a boil then add in the ginger and nectarines. Lower to medium heat and let simmer for 30-35 minutes for the ginger and nectarines to infuse.
After infusing, bring the water back up to a boil, remove from heat, add the tea bags, cover the pot, and let steep according to package (usually about 5 minutes). Remove the tea bags. Using a fork, begin to mash the peaches to extract the extra juices. Using a mesh strainer, strain the tea mixture into a container (like a mason jar :D). Lastly, use a fork to press the peach ginger mixture down to extract the remaining liquid. *Feel free at this point to add some sweetener to desired taste, however, I find the nectarines give this tea a hint of sweetness already. Let cool & serve over ice! Yet again, homemade food proves it's way better then store bought. This version of almond milk is so creamy and actually tastes like real almonds, can you believe that? :) This version can be transferred into other types of milk like coconut, cashew, macadamia, hazelnut, etc. Homemade Almond MilkServings: ~ 24oz 2 cups of raw almonds 4 cups of water Start by soaking your almonds in a bowl of water overnight. (6 hours will do, I just find it's easier to let them soak overnight) Pour almonds through a strainer and rinse very well! Put almonds and the 4 cups of (new) clean water into your blender & blend on high for 1-2 minutes. Place a cheesecloth (or mesh strainer or nut milk bag) over a wide mouth container. Pour in 1/4-1/2 of the almond milk mixture from the blender (depending on how large the strainer is you are using). Grab all sides to enclose the almond mixture and start to squeeze! Here comes your fresh delicious almond milk! Gently squeeze until all the milk comes out then place the almond meal into a bowl (you can save this to dehydrate and make almond flour for baking!) Repeat the straining until you are done. Store almond milk in a mason jar in the fridge for 3-4 days. Feel free to add in a tsp of vanilla extract, sweetener, cinnamon, or even some raw cacao powder for chocolate milk!
As mentioned in the previous post, I've been making a conscious effort to cut back on sugar. In order to satisfy my taste buds, I have to get creative and experiment with other flavor profiles. Eating this porridge was like floating on a cloud, so dreamy. The coconut milk thickened and created this 'creamy' bowl of heaven. The cinnamon and nutmeg added a warmness, while the quinoa, oats, and almond/coconut butter added a nutty flavor profile, all together it was perfection. Fiber filled and protein packed, this porridge bowl will leave you feeling satisfied, enlightened, and will get rid of your mid-morning stomach growling. 'Creamy' Coconut Quinoa & Oat PorridgeServings: 1 bowl 1/4 cup of organic quinoa 1/4 cup of quick oats 1/4 cup of unsweetened organic shredded coconut 1 cup of homemade coconut milk (or store bought) 1/4 cup of water (you can add more later if it needs it) 1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon Few dashes of nutmeg 1/8 tsp of salt 1 Tbsp of almond or coconut butter 1 Tbsp of coconut oil 1/4 tsp of pure vanilla extract *Feel free to top this dreamy bowl with more dreamy and superfood toppings like chia/flax seeds, granola (I topped mine with my coconut granola) and drizzle with some macadamia oil (or maple syrup if you really need sweetener). In a small pot over the stove, combine all ingredients (except toppings), give a quick stir, and bring to a boil.
Lower the heat down to med/low and let simmer until it thickens and quinoa is fully cooked - about 5-10 minutes. Keep stirring occasionally. Pour into a small bowl and finish with your choice of toppings. If there's one thing that can make the hours pass by and make me lose track of time, it's reading cookbooks. Yes, I'm a health nerd and i LOVE it. One of my go-to cookbooks is "I Quit Sugar" by Sarah Wilson, it's pure brilliance. It's any eye opener, that's for sure. We all know the negative effects of sugar: headaches, digestion upset, skin breakouts, and ADDICTION. YES... addiction! When's the last time you could only have one bite of that dessert? Now, don't get me wrong, I have a BIG sweet tooth. But I've also realized that there are so many more flavors to explore out there. I was inspired to create a version of Sarah's Foolproof Fennel Soup and came up with this "soup for dummies" - so simple, yet so flavorful. There's a freshness to this soup that just makes it so lovely. The combination of sweet from the fennel & leek and buttery from the ghee, garlic, & cauliflower makes this an all around crowd pleaser. Five Ingredient Fennel SoupServings: ~ 4 Five simple ingredients: 1 fennel bulb - chopped 1 leek - sliced 1 cup of chopped cauliflower 3 cups of homemade chicken stock (or vegetable) 1 tsp of fennel seed Plus a few pantry staples: 1 cup of water 1 large garlic clove 2 tsp of apple cider vinegar (or white wine) 3 Tbsp of ghee (or butter) salt & pepper to taste Melt the ghee in a large soup pan, add the fennel and leeks, sauté until the fennel starts to become translucent and soft. Add the fennel seeds & apple cider vinegar, give a quick stir and let sauté for another minute. Add the remaining ingredients (garlic, water, stock, & cauliflower) and bring to a boil. Turn down to low/med heat and let simmer for about 30 minutes until cauliflower becomes tender.
Place into a blender (or food processor) and blend until it becomes 'creamy.' Season with salt & pepper. Pour into a bowl, serve nice & hot. Garnish with hemp seeds, flax (or olive) oil, and a dollop of raw almond cashew yogurt. .....then stop & appreciate the beauty of your bowl......and dig in :) |
Welcome!I’m Brittany and this is ME. I’m a health nerd with a sarcastic sense of humor, a smiling/laughter problem, and a niche in the kitchen. I have a passion for fitness and cooking because together they changed my outlook on life. Live for the moment and do what you love: that’s what’s important. I kick a** in Pilates/Barre and the kitchen because it’s what makes me happy, it’s what I’m good at, and I LOVE it. EAT
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