Posts Tagged ‘#refinedsugarfree’

Energy Boosting Almond Butter Cups

img_9944

img_9942Hello again and happy mid-November already!!

I cannot believe how fast time flies , and I know that’s something we all say, but I feel like the last year has been on fast forward. That must mean I’m having fun right??!

The truth is I am having a great year of fun and learning. There have been some downs, I try and turn them into an opportunity for growth (sometimes I have to REALLY try;), and a lot of ups! I have been in a wonderful supportive relationship for just over a year now with someone I have known since high school (thank you Tugo), as well as going back to school to fulfill another dream of mine, to become a Personal Trainer. YAY.

On the topic of learning I have also been researching more nutrition and going back to dig deeper into the info from my schooling in that area. I have been working to fine tune what really works for me right now, what I can do for my clients and what I want to do for people when I am finished adding the physical aspect to my credentials 🙂 One thing that has img_9904shaped this part of my journey is learning that I have Osteoarthritis in my hands…WHAT?!! I’m only in my early 30’s!!!! It is not normally a younger person’s ailment, however, I have been working in the beauty industry as a trades person doing nails, waxing etc for 15 years and have put a lot of repetitive stress on the joints and tendons in my rather small hands/wrists. This has been a hard pill to swallow as I love being part of this industry and it has supported me well for my adult life so far. Not to mention a new reality living with painful flair ups and restrictions on hobbies I enjoy.

Enter my schooling in wellness!! I am so grateful that I started following my passion for fitness and nutrition in the last 5 years and it is really helping me to find the best natural ways to heal myself and share those with others. So far I have been able to keep most of my pain and inflammation down with exercise, physio, TURMERIC (love) and other anti inflammatory foods as well as recently adopting a more Ketogenic/Paleo way of eating with little to no grains/sugar in it. The emphasis is on fueling your body with healthy fats and having low carbohydrates (turn into inflammation causing sugars) and moderate protein.

So far I am loving the results, and I am having a lot less issues with swelling in my joints as well as in my stomach. I also like that the protein is moderate, as I tend to have digestive difficulties when I overload on protein as I have experienced in the past like so many others do when trying to be lean and build muscle. The fats keep me full and happy and are really helping me balance out my hormones :):):)

I am a firm believer in individuality when it comes to nutrition. Not every way of eating is right for everyone so do your research and if you don’t feel healthy when eating a certain way..look at changing it. As well, I don’t put red tape on any foods (unless intolerant) 100% of the time, I allow myself freedom to enjoy family dinners that are “off my plan” once in awhile because I think some variety is good for you and stressing out about RULES isn’t 😉 80/20% I say!

Lastly, I personally feel I need to make a statement that this way of eating in my opinion should involve consciousness about sustainability and humane practices when choosing what animal products to eat, so I have linked two articles on these topics from Paleo Leap.

Links:

Affordable GrassFed

Paleo Sustainable

These Fat Bombs are full of healthy fats, energy, and can be hormone balancing (maca root) …they are great on the go, or for a healthy treat and are grain and sugar free!

Energy Boosting Almond Butter Cups

Recipe adapted from Pinterest…No link to the original ?

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 C Crunchy or smooth almond butter
  • 1/2 C Coconut oil
  •  4 Tbsp unsalted butter ( I go for grass-fed organic when I use dairy or meat) or cacao butter for a dairy free option
  •  1 Tbsp Organic cacao powder
  •  2 tsp Gelatinized maca root powder ( gelatinized maca is more bioavailable and is easier on the stomach) Caution with maca if high blood pressure or pregnant/breastfeeding
  •  Organic liquid stevia to taste ( I use 4 drops)
  • Pinch of Himalayan or Grey sea salt if you have thyroid issues and are concerned about possible fluoride traces in Himalayan pink salt

Directions

Melt butter and coconut oil in a double boiler (or fill the bottom of a pot and put another pot inside it to create your own double boiler), let cool slightly by removing from heat as soon as its melted. Add in almond butter stir until blended, then the rest of the ingredients and mix thoroughly.Pour mixture into molds or lined muffin tin and freeze at least 15-20 mins …devour one before it melts in your hand! MMmm.

Notes:

Keep these cold or they will melt!

This made me 9 in the muffin tin …depends on how much you pour into each …they are rich and I found they were plenty satisfying at that size 😉

XO Dalyce YOUR Holistic Lifestylist

Clean & Creamy Caesar Dressing – Vegan Optional

image  Happy sweet 16 friends…

2016 is officially underway and this is my first blog post of the new year, and although healthy and fitting for New Years resolution time… I am thinking the next post will have nothing to do with salad, as this appears to be my 3rd installment in a row on the subject :/

This recipe wasn’t even meant to be added here, but after posting a pic of the delicious roast chicken and Caesar dinner my Mom and I enjoyed last Sunday, a girlfriend asked if the recipe was on the blog…. being the die hard people pleaser, I just had to add it 🙂

This recipe is a clean and crisp version of the classic dressing and I am adding vegan substitute options as well…Enjoy! XOimage

Clean & Creamy Caesar Dressing (Vegan Optional)

Ingredients:

  •  1 Ripe avocado
  • Juice 1/2 lemon
  • 1 Tbsp Raw apple cider vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2-3 Minced garlic cloves
  • 2 Tbsp Extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1/4 Sea salt or pink Himalayan salt
  • Ground pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup water to thin out
  • Optional: 2 teaspoons anchovy paste
  • 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan or 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast for vegan

Method:

Add all ingredients to your food processor (or good blender in a pinch) and blend until smooth. Scrape sides with spatula and blend once more. Pour over fave healthy salad ingredients and….yum!

image

Slimming New Year Salad with Cashew Hummus

image

Hello again friends, and probably for the last time in 2015!

The New Year is fast approaching and this is the first spare moment I have had to write…let alone make a healthy dish that isn’t just chicken tossed on lettuce.

I am sure you can all relate to the chaos that is Christmas time and what that can do to your routine. I had all these fabulous pictures in my head of me organizing my time to blog, along with working extra hours, making/buying gifts, wrapping said gifts, hitting the gym and socializing…

Apparently I thought I was super woman as well :/

Of course the usual instead happened. I worked more, socialized more, crammed in gifts and promptly picked up on of my client’s colds which halted my workouts and led to more comfort food than I’d care to admit!

NOT TO WORRY.

If my training as a coach has taught me anything, we ALL have slip ups…and always will. The main difference between people who bounce back and those who continue down that path is…don’t waste time wallowing. Get up, dust off your ego and get back at it! No crazy diet or slaving at the gym only to burn out in 2 weeks. Just start today with one whole day of healthy eating. Take your daily treats from 5 down to one then ditch them from there. Get back at a 20 minute workout that will leave you feeling empowered..not dying or too sore to workout the next day! Baby steps back and you will be there in no time, and actually want to stick with it.

For more help in this department…Try this tasty twist on the dreaded weight loss staple we call salad and while enjoying that, you can head over to my article on 5 Steps To Stay Motivated.

Slimming New Year Salad with Cashew Hummus

Salad

  • 1 Romain heart sliced thin
  • 1/4 Purple cabbage head diced in ribbons
  • 1/4 cup Pomegranate aerials or the seeds from 1/2 the fruit
  • 1/4 Avocado cubed
  • 1/2 Cucumber chopped
  • Top with fresh chives, a dollop of cashew hummus and sprinkle of chia seeds

Cashew Hummus

  • 1 cup raw cashews
  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • 1/3 cup lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/8-1/4 teaspoon cayenne
  • water

1. Soak cashews in a bowl of filtered water for at least three hours or overnight . Drain and rinse, then drain well and place in food processor.

2. Add remaining ingredients to food processor and puree until completely blended. The texture will be thick. Add water, 1/4 cup at a time, until desired thickness. When left thicker, this makes an excellent dip or spread too. Add your fave herbs for a different taste.

Christmas Orange Salad with Coconut Cream Dressing

imageTis the season friends …well, almost!

I know its only November, but with how early the stores start playing Christmas music and putting up holiday decorations, no matter how annoying it may be to some…you cant help but start thinking festive a little in advance.

With that in mind, I love Christmas and almost equally, I love Christmas oranges (aka.Mandarin/Tangerine oranges). They are delicious and much easier to peel and eat on the go compared to the regular orange varieties, however, it is unlike me to leave well enough alone, so I decided to create a tasty winter salad with them and top it off with a dairy free creamy coconut milk dressing…yum!

Salad may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of wintry foods, but after all those heavy and starchy comfort foods…it may be just what your body needs to de-puff and boost immunity in the season of people getting sick.

Christmas oranges pack a big punch of vitamin C, fiber, vitamin A and several times the amount of flavonoid anti-oxidants compared to regular oranges. So stay regular, and well with these delicious tangerine spheres of goodness!

P.S. This recipe is also excellent topped with baked chicken

Christmas Orange Salad with Coconut Cream Dressing

Ingredients:

  • 1 Bunch Romain lettuce
  • 1/2 Cucumber sliced and quartered
  • 1/4 Cup organic walnuts
  • 1/2 Pomegranate of aerials
  • 1 Christmas (Mandarin) orange peeled

Dressing:

  • 1 can full fat coconut milk (if you are dairy friendly and want easy…use organic plain yogurt)
  • 1 Tbsp Raw honey
  • Fresh grated lemon zest

Directions:

Place your can of coconut milk in the fridge overnight so the creamy thick part rises to the top, leaving the water below. Scoop the coconut cream off the top of the can and add it to a large bowl, leaving the coconut water within the can or add in a small amount to make your dressing thinner (you can use the leftover in smoothies). Add in your room temperature honey and lemon zest and whisk. Place your dressing in the fridge to set for 30 mins. If using yogurt, just add the honey and lemon to 1 cup of yogurt, mix and use desired amount. Wash and prepare veggies and fruit, top with dressing and walnuts and eat up!!

Dalyce – Your Holistic Lifestylist XO

1 2