Low Glycemic Index Smoothie Recipe - Dairy Free and Gluten Free

We love smoothies when it’s hot outside.  They are delicious in the morning for breakfast or as an afternoon snack.  The smoothies I make are low on the Glycemic Index (GI) and full of nutrients.  I follow a simple formula that is based on the smoothies at my favorite vegetarian restaurant in Hilton Head, Delisheee Yo, http://delisheeeyo.com.  If you have picky eaters in your house, this is a great way to get some more vegetables and nutrients in them. 

My formula (2 Servings):

2 Low GI fruits (berries, kiwi, apple, etc), Strawberry and Blueberry is a favorite combination in our house.  Fruits High on the GI are bananas, grapes, melons, etc.  We stay away from these fruits.

2 Tbls Gluten Free Organic Oats

1-2 Tbls Nuts (almonds are a favorite in our house.  Walnuts are good for added Omega-3's)

2 Tsp Chia Seeds (Pack your smoothie full of Omega-3's)

A handful of fresh organic greens, I like arugula because it gives the smoothie a peppery flavor.  Other options are spinach or kale.

1-2 Super Food Powders (spiralina, bee pollen, maca or acai) (Recently we have been using 1-2 tsp of acai powder)

1 Tsp Spice (I use cinnamon and/or turmeric) (For information on Turmeric click HERE)

2 Tsp Flax Oil

Liquid (coconut water, coconut milk or almond milk)

Ice if using fresh fruit (not necessary with frozen fruit)
**Note: I use all organic ingredients**

Blend in a high quality blender until smooth and desired consistency is reached.  Add liquid and ice as needed.

Try serving your delicious smoothie with my favorite eco-friendly stainless steel straws!!

Enjoy and Healthy Regards!!

© THRIVE: Natural Family Living

For more healthy and delicious recipes click below:
"The Best" Smoothie Recipe
Low GI "Chocolate Shake" Smoothie Recipe - Dairy Free
Amazing Almond Butter Smoothie
Low Glycemic Dairy Free Ice Cream

Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets

Healthy Homemade Cereal

Green Green Juice

Buddah Bowl
Healthy, veggie-packed meatballs - gluten and dairy free

Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets

 

These gluten-free chicken nuggets have quickly become one of our favorite meals.  We serve them on salads, with sweet potato fries and with mashed cauliflower.  They are delicious!!  This recipe is loosely based on the one I found at oursmallhours.com.  I switched the flours because I found almond flour works better and tastes better.  I also use fresh garlic, flavor the oil and add the almond milk coating.  This recipe would also be great for chicken fingers!

1 cup almonds for homemade almond flour (directions in the recipe)

1 teaspoon sea salt

½ teaspoon pepper

2 teaspoons onion powder

2 teaspoons paprika

2 cloves minced garlic + 1 clove for flavoring the oil

½ cup almond milk

2-3 boneless organic free-range chicken breasts (one package 1-1.5 ponds)

¾ cup coconut oil

Rinse the chicken and cut into nugget sized pieces.  I cut them into about 1 inch x 1 inch pieces.  In a large bowl mix the first 6 ingredients together.  Pour 1/2 cup of almond milk into a separate small bowl.  Dredge the chicken pieces in the almond milk then coat with the flour mixture.  Meanwhile in a cast-iron skillet heat the coconut oil.  Add one clove of garlic to the heating oil to flavor it.  (This is optional).  I leave the garlic in the oil for a couple of minutes until it is starts to brown.  Remove the garlic clove and add the coated chicken pieces.  Flip once while cooking and remove when golden brown and cooked through.  Place on paper towels to soak up excess oil.  Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.  If you want some more spice and an extra health boost try adding a little Turmeric.  For more information about the benefits of turmeric click HERE.

Homemade Almond Flour: Take a cup of almonds and place into a high quality blender.  Grind on high speed until a flour consistency is reached.  It’s that easy!!

© Courtney Hillis

For more healthy recipes from Thrive click below:
Amazing Almond Butter Smoothie
Low Glycemic, Dairy Free Ice Cream
Healthy Homemade Cereal Recipe
Green Green Juice Recipe
Low GI Smoothie Recipe

Healthy, veggie-packed meatballs - gluten and dairy free

Healthy regards,

THRIVE

Going Green - No Poo

I have joined the "no poo" bandwagon!!!  For those of you who do not know what that is....it does not have to do with BM's.  ;)  No poo refers to the lack of use of traditional shampoo.

Our house is constantly getting "greener."  From cleaning supplies to personal care products to growing our own food, we are always educating ourselves, ridding our lives of chemicals and getting back to the basics.

I have had a long battle with shampoo and trying to find one that does not irritate my skin.  I have tried pretty much every organic, sulfate-free product on the market.  While some will start out okay, they eventually start causing my neck, back and scalp to breakout.  I was skeptical when I first heard of the "no poo" movement.  In fact, it took me a few weeks to actually try it.  Well, I must say.....I am hooked!  I love it!  My hair has more volume and is less greasy than ever!  (I have very fine hair).  Plus no more breakouts!  Another bonus...it is much more affordable!

(Picture after my first day No-Poo)

No poo is washing your hair with baking soda and using Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) as your rinse (conditioner/de-tangler).  I pour 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda into a small dish I keep in my shower.  When I get in the shower I add water (about equal parts) to the dish and mix with my finger.  (I make it fresh each time I wash my hair.  It only takes a minute).  Then I lean my head back and pour the mixture over my hair.  I work the gritty mix (the texture takes a little getting used to especially since we are used to super foaming washes) around my scalp and hair and let it sit for a minute or so.  Then I rinse the baking soda mixture from my hair with water.  Next, I pour a little ACV into the same dish, add equal parts water, lean my head back, pour the mixture over my hair from root to tip and rinse.

It takes a few washes to "detox" your hair, but once it is clean the results are amazing!  Give it a try and let me know what you experience.

Check out my other posts in the "Going Green" Series:
Going Green - Homemade Toothpaste
Going Green - Creating a Non-toxic Kitchen - Products I Love
Going Green - Homemade Non-toxic Household Cleaners

Enjoy and healthy regards!

Green Green Juice Recipe

We have been juicing a lot recently, and Emerson LOVES it!  He drinks at least half of our "Green Green Juice" whenever we make it.  I have received several requests for my juice recipe since I posted a picture of Emerson helping me make juice:

While I do not have a set "recipe", I do have a template I typically follow.  This morning's juice was made with our delicious organic farmer's market finds:

I used a bunch of kale, one apple (Fiji or Gala or something of equal sweetness), a quarter of a lemon, a bunch of carrots, a quarter of a cucumber and 2 stalks of celery.  I vary the amount of each vegetable each time based on what we have.  I will also you ginger instead of lemon sometimes.  The ginger gives it a nice spice, but sometimes I accidentally use too much, which makes it too spicy for Emerson.  I will also use organic beets sometimes (but be careful because many beets are GMO).  I also do not always use cucumber.  Sometimes I like to throw in some lettuce (green leaf, red leaf or romaine), too.

Our morning juice:

Recipe: 

1 bunch of organic kale

1 apple (Gala or Fiji or one of equal sweetness)

3-5 carrots depending on size (the more you use the sweeter the juice will taste)

3-5 stalks of celery

Optional add ins: 

Cucumber

Ginger

Lemon

Beets (with greens)

Lettuce (Romaine, red leaf or green leaf)

**All ORGANIC Ingredients**

What's your favorite juice recipe?

I have found that I crave green juice on the days I do not make it.  I also have more energy and a better mood when I drink it.  I feel it gives me more energy than a cup of coffee or tea.  Try serving your delicious Green Green Juice with my favorite eco-friendly stainless steel straws!

For more delicious and healthy recipes click below:  

Amazing Almond Butter Smoothie

Low Glycemic Dairy Free Ice Cream

Homemade Healthy Cereal Recipe 

Gluten Free Dairy Free Chicken Nugget Recipe

Low Glycemic Index Smoothie Recipe (with greens)

Healthy, veggie-packed meatballs - Gluten and Dairy free

Healthy regards,

Courtney

THRIVE: Natural Family Living

Buddah Bowl Recipe

This is a fun recipe inspired by my favorite vegetarian restaurant on HHI, Delisheee Yo.  They serve what they call Buddah Bowls, which is a "changing offering of simple steamed grain."  My addiction to this delicious lunch led me to start creating it at home.  Not only is it healthy, but Emerson loves it.  This is also a great way to use your leftover quinoa or rice from the night before.

Mommy and Baby Buddah Bowls:

(Note: I eyeball my ingredients).  In the picture above I used our leftover quinoa from the previous night and added a dollop of fresh almond butter, a dash of cinnamon, chopped fresh Italian parsley, homemade apple cider vinaigrette (recipe below) and  a selection of fresh veggies.  In this meal I used beets, avocado and green onions.  Feel free to play around with the vegetables and use which ever ones you like.  Some suggestions: carrots, chick peas, sprouts, kale, bell peppers, tomatoes...the list can go on forever.  :)  I think next time I will add a dollop of hummus instead of almond butter.

Apple Cider Vinaigrette:
A dollop of dijon mustard (maybe a tablespoon or so)
A short pour of Apple Cider Vinegar (maybe a few tablespoons)
Chopped fresh Italian parsley (again I simply eyeball it until it looks like enough)
Wisk together the above ingredients while pouring in Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste

You can check out Delisheee Yo's website here: http://delisheeeyo.com/

Enjoy and Healthy Regards!!