Dijon Vinaigrette

One of my favorite foods EVER is a good ol salad.

 I really could eat one every day. So many options you can't get bored. However the thing with salads is, you can ruin the nutritional value by using high fat, high calorie processed dressing. Most of the time when you order a salad out in a restaurant you will be getting a salad higher in fat and calories than if you ordered a hamburger! It's crazy. You need to have an arsenal of home made dressing recipes on hand for each of your moods. 

This one is a great versatile dressing for any kind of salad. Add this to a great pasta salad, or drizzled over sautéed or steamed veggies! It's a PERFECT addition!

MMMMMMMM I am getting hungry!

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 TBS Red Wine Vinegar
• 3 TBS Fresh Lemon Juice
• 2.5 TBS Dijon Mustard
• 2 Cloves of chopped garlic
• 1/4 tsp of Pink Himalayan Salt
• 1/4 tsp of Black Pepper
• 5 TBS Exta-Virgin Olive Oil
  

DIRECTIONS:

 Mix Vinegar, Lemon Juice, Mustard, Garlic, Salt and Pepper in a small bowl; whisk.

Slowly add oil while whisking; Mixing well.

You can store left over dressing in an air tight container in the refrigerator. 

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The Cure All Elixir

It's that time of year... 

EVERYONE is sick around us. My poor son is getting sick every other week at preschool. I need to do everything possible to keep myself healthy. This elixir is the CURE ALL! As soon as you start feeling down, make this. Make a big batch and sip it all day.  It may taste a little harsh at first but you start to enjoy it and your body wants it. It is incredibley amazing for your body. 3 SUPER ingredients to kick the bug out of your body!

Ginger-
Everyone know about gingers digestive benefits. Helps sooth an upset stomach and gas. We have always been given a ginerale when we are nausous to help. However modern research has revealed that ginger possesses numerous therapeutic properties including antioxidant effects, an ability to inhibit the formation of inflammatory compounds, and direct anti-inflammatory effects.

Garlic-

Besides fighting off vampires, Garlic is extremleey helpful with Cardiovascular Benefits, Anti-Inflammatory Benefits Across Body Systems, Antibacterial and Antiviral Benefits, as well as Cancer Prevention and Iron Metabolism. PHEW!

Limes-

A lime has similar if not the same benefits as Lemon. Which we all adore. So why not use some lime! They have Phytonutrients with Antioxidant and Antibiotic Effects, Support Optimal Health and Protection against Rheumatoid Arthritis. 

Im telling you, this elixir is a win win. We should be drinking a shot a day even when we are not sick! Here is how to make this Cure All!

Ingredients:

• 1 piece of ginger about the size of your hand. Skinned as much as possible and cubed. (About 1.5 cups)
• 2 Heads of Garlic- Peeled and chopped (about 15 cloves)
• 3 Limes cut into large cubes skin on
• 12 cups of water
• Honey to taste

Directions:

• In a large pot, add Water, Ginger, Garlic, and Limes. Bring to a boil. Simmer for 45- 60 minutes. (The longer the better but the less you will have.) This will boil down to about 4 cups.

•  Strain out all ingredients and pour liquid only into a jug. Add honey to taste. Without the honey it will be very hot and spicey. The honey tones it down. Drink warm small shots all day long. As much as you can. Store unused in regerator. Warm each shot before you drink it. 

You will start feeling better within the hour I'm telling you! It will give you a little energy and spunk while you are feeling down. 

Enjoy and stay healthy my friends.

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Amazing Garlic Hummus

Honestly, why would you buy this when making it yourself takes about 5 minutes and tastes 100% better than ANY store bought brand? Really! 

Like I always say.... Make YOUR OWN!

Use this recipe as a guide and add or omit to YOUR taste. I LOVE THIS basic recipe! My 5 yr old LOVES this! YOU WILL LOVE THIS!

Ingredients:

• 1-15 oz can organic Garbanzo beans
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1/4 tsp Pink Himalayan salt 
• Dash of paprika
• 2 tbs or more lemon juice
• 1/4 cup tahini
• 1 1/2 tbs olive oil 
• 1/2 tsp sesame oil

Directions:

Place all ingredients into your food processor and blend until you have the consistency you desire. I like it around 4-5 minutes.

You can make this extra creamy by adding a tiny more tahini, lemon and or oil. I make it less garlicky by omitting garlic all together or using half the amount I gave in recipe above. It's ALL up to you! Roast a red bell pepper, add it! Roast the garlic instead of raw garlic! OMG SO GOOD roasted!! Add different spices like lemon pepper and some fresh chunky Feta Cheese with sun dried tomatoes on top. I'll have to post that recipe next! It's whatever you like. This is the simplest recipe. This is the base. Try this first then make it your own! 

Fresh is best! 

Once you have made the batch AND had your fresh share, place 2 TBS in individual containers and place in the fridge as servings to go! You are ready to go for snacks the entire week! All in 5 minutes!

Let me know how you like it!

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Tomato, Basil and Garlic Angel Hair Pasta

I truly believe you shouldn't eliminate ANY food you LOVE completely unless you have to. What kind of world would that be? And you will probably blow it big time by doing so. Everything in moderation is the key to a healthy happy life in my opinion.

Pasta is one of those dishes! Twice a month is a great goal for my family. A nice yummy comforting side dish. Nothing beats fresh REAL pasta but there are some great gluten free brands out there. One of my favorite brands is Tinkyada Gluten Free Brown Rice Pasta.

On those busy nights at home, when you need to make a quick meal, THIS is the go to pasta recipe. So quick and easy! So fresh and delicious! Kid friendly if you omit the garlic. My son LOVES this! 

YUMMY YUMMY IN MY TUMMY!

Ingredients:

Makes 2 servings. I wing this recipe each time with the amounts, so play with it and make it taste to your liking! Adding more or less, of the ingredients.

• 1/4 box of Angel Hair pasta
• Half a box of Cherry Tomatoes-Halved
• 1 Garlic clove- Chopped
• 2 Tbs Extra Virgen Olive Oil
• 2 Tbs Grass Fed-Butter
• 5 leaves of Fresh Basil - chopped
• Garlic Salt to taste

Directions:

• Cook Pasta per directions.
• Add Olive Oil,1 tbs of Grass-Fed Butter, Tomatoes and 3/4 of the Fresh chopped Basil to sauté pan. Saute on medium/low for about 4 minutes. If it seems like you are frying the Tomatoes and Basil add a dash more oil and butter. You are sautéing not frying them. 
• Add chopped garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Or until tomatoes are tender and sweet. *Do not over cook the garlic. Burning the garlic will ruin the flavor. 
• Add the remaining Tbs of Grass-Fed Butter to drained, warm pasta with the warm Tomato, Basil and oil mixture. Add salt to taste. Serve immediately.

Light, Fresh, Delish and full of Healthy Fats!

*Make sure you use Organic ingredients and Grass-Fed Butter for health benefits. All butter is not created equal. :) KerryGold is a great butter. You can find it at Trader Joes or Whole Foods. 

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Guacamole

Hello addiction! 
This is BY FAR, the best Guacamole you will have on this side of the border! 

SO DELISH! 

It's worth the minimal work. Better than ANY store bought guac you can find. And there are some great ones out there. But this.... This is something special! 

Fresh, Spicy, Tart, Salty. YUMMY! 

Buy Organic Ingredients when possible. It's worth your health! No more excuses. And here it is!

Ingredients:

•  3 small ripe avocados diced 
•   juice of 1.5 limes
•  1 cup of cherry tomatoes diced in half and squeezed of excess liquid 
•   ¼ cup red onion diced 
•   handful of cilantro diced 
•   pink Himalayan salt to taste
•   Garlic Salt to taste
•   Pepper to taste 
•   1 garlic clove minced 
•   1 jalapeño or serrano pepper diced with seeds removed 

I like to use my food processor and chop the tomatoes, jalapeño, cilantro, garlic and red onion. Be careful not to OVER chop it. You're not looking for mush. Keep it chunky. Once diced and mixed, add the avocado to food processor or add avocado and chopped ingredients from food processor into a bowl and mash with a fork, adding lime juice, salt and pepper to taste. 

THE BEST GUAC EVER!
AM I RIGHT?

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Creamy Garlic Dressing

This amazing Dressing comes straight from "The Ultimate Reset" program. A  21 Day Cleanse that is amazing. I haven't met anyone who didn't like this dressing yet. You wont walk away reeking of garlic. But you will walk away with a happy mouth and belly!

Ingredients
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
3 to 5 cloves crushed garlic
3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp. Himalayan salt
½ tsp. Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp. unfiltered honey or raw agave nectar

Directions
Place all ingredients in blender and blend on medium high for 30 seconds or until well mixed. Store excess in airtight container in refrigerator. If dressing solidifies when cold, let sit at room temperature until liquid, then stir. Makes 8 to 10 servings.

Nutrition
110 calories
11 g fat
1.5 g saturated fat
0 mg cholesterol
150 mg sodium
2 g carbohydrate
0 g fiber
0 g protein
12 mg potassium

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