Awesome Foods

Posted on October 26, 2021 | Awesome Foods

Caffeine, why it’s good for you.

Here are The Top benefits of caffeine.

(from high quality coffee beans, green tea, black tea & cacao)

The benefits of coffee are so huge, I gave coffee beans their own page CLICK HERE for “why coffee is awesome”

#1 Increases your ability to burn body fat ( when you are active)

Increases the human body’s levels of adiponectin ( your hormone that moves belly fat from your belly to be more easily burned off when you are active). Adiponectin also works as an appetite suppressant. Less hunger = less noshing.
People who drink more coffee and caffeinated teas have higher levels of adiponectin and lower levels of inflammatory biomarkers. Scientists at Stanford concluded in 2019 that caffeine is able to defend against age related inflammation.
Caffeine increases a body’s metabolic rate from 3-11% (The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition). Caused by an increase in the burning of fat
Scientific Reports Journal. Scientists from School of Medicine at University of Nottingham discovered that coffee increases the activity of brown adipose tissue “brown fat” . Brown fat is more metabolically active ( it burns more fat). The brown tint to the tissue’s cells is due to these cells having more densely packed mitochondria!

Next up in benefits with coffee and tea is the

#2 Polyphenols!

coffee has the most polyphenols

What are Polyphenols? Naturally occurring compounds in plants that protect against pathogens and radiation (disease causing pollutants and sun damage) .

When you ingest polyphenols your colon utlizes most of it to protect your body from free radicals ( anti cancer) and create more friendly bacteria in your gut (better digestion and brain health)

#3 Green Tea has L Theanine & Catechins!

Catechins = Antioxidants in green tea that increases the rate at which body fat gets burned for fuel ( speeds up fat burning when you move)

L- Theanine – Green Tea contains Theanine. The Amino Acid that increases activity of GABA (your brains neurotransmitter which reduces anxiety and helps you feel calm and centered. L Theanine Icreases Alpha brina waves, enhances focus and creativity.

Black tea and green tea come from the same plant. What makes black tea different is the fermentation. TO make black tea , the leaves are rolled and then exposed to air to trigger fermentation. This reaction causes the leaves to turn dark brown and allows flavors to heighten and intensify.

Black tea also helps the body burn fat for fuel ( thermogenic)

#4 Black Tea Lowers Cortisol/ Reduces Stress

“Black Tea has been proven to reduce stress levels . Study published in peer related journal psychopharmacology, found that drinking 4 cups of black tea each day for 6 weeks directly lowered cortisol levels. ( From Eat Smater pp.195 by Shawn Stephenson)”

So there you have it, four big ass reasons to keep caffeine in your lifestyle. Just make sure and consume the highest quality caffeine. (BEST matcha, coffee beans, chocolate, black tea..)

Posted on July 28, 2021 | Awesome Foods

Easy Tikka Masala

From Danielle Walker’s Against All Grains Cookboook
2.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (raw), cut into 2- inch cubes
3 cups tomato puree
1/2 medium yellow onion chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
2.5 tbsp garam masala
2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Place the chicken, tomato puree, onion, garlic , garam masala, salt, ginger, paprika and cayenne in the slow cooker. Toss to coat the chicken
Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.

** make ahead tip: place the contents in a resealable bag or airtight container. refrigerate for 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months, defrost overnight in a fridge and simply do step 2 🙂

You need to add a widget, row, or prebuilt layout before you’ll see anything here. 🙂

Posted on July 28, 2021 | Awesome Foods

Crockpot it up!

Summer may seem like a weird time for crock pot recipes, but really it’s the perfect set up. You spend very little time in the kitchen and you don’t use your stove/oven. Win, win!

The best part is you cook once, with very little time of your own then you have a great meal for 2 people for 2-3 meals. I often cook one recipe and have it for 3 dinners (Sat, Mon & Wed.. my longest days) I can reheat it and have a kick ass dinner ready in just 4 mins.

Simply reheat on the stove top then serve it over raw spinach, chard or kale with goat cheese, walnut and avocado.

Here are 2 crock pot recipes that I use super often in the summer. CLICK on each below and enjoy!

Chicken Tikka Masala

Ropa Vieja

Serve these up instead of using your outside grill. Two carcinogenic compounds (HCA’s + PAH’s) are formed with open flames and dry air.

** Pro Tip! Double the recipe – If you don’t have 2 crockpots- put the raw ingredients in a large freezer ziplock bag- simply freeze it until you are ready to cook again. Take it out of the freezer on a busy work morning, let it cook for up to 9 hours on low (no need to be home) and whallah, you’re set!

Posted on July 17, 2021 | Awesome Foods

Ropa Vieja!

Slow cooker recipes are perfect for summertime dinners. Your kitchen doesn’t get hot AND it’s a much better for your body than grilling

Next time you have guests over for a summer dinner, try this Ropa Vieja It’s great with a cucumber and goat cheese salad! enjoy!

Recipe from Danielle Walker’s Against All Grains

2lbs flank steak, cut into 6 pieces
2 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and sliced
1 yellow onion, sliced
2 jalapenos, seeded and sliced
2 cloves garlic, sliced
1 (18-ounce ) can diced tomatoes
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp dried oregano leaves
2 tsp ground cumin
1 bay leaf
2.5 tsp pink himalayan sea salt
1/4 cup green olives

Place all of the ingredients except the olives in a slow cooker, with the beef on the bottom.

Cover and cook, undisturbed for 7 hours. Add the olives and cook an additional hour

Once done, shred the meat with 2 forks and return to the sauce before serving.

**pro tip – double this and have extra for 2 extra evenings for you and yours. (put ingredients in an aritight container, keep in fridge and put it in the slow cooker) – cook it for your friends and the next day or a couple later- simply toss in the crockpot to make more.

I often do this and simply reheat in a pan quickly for a busy night dinner. I add about 1.5 cup spinach to the Ropa Vieja 1 min before it’s done to get in more veg then Add some gluten free toast, with avocado (my fav is Food for Life, seed muffins) .

Whallah! Enjoy:)

Posted on June 29, 2021 | Awesome Foods

Cool Chocolate Treats & S’mores!

CLICK HERE for my ChocoAvo pudding. RECIPE It’s my go to comfort treat & my friends love it in the summer.. rich & cold!

BELOW are the fixin’s for Healthy Smores!

Don’t worry they are still totally delicious + less sugar hangover.

HONEY MAMA’s are hands down my favorite chocolate bar.

This is super delicious, VERY satiating (you don’t need much to be satisfied) and feels indulgent.

I buy a couple of these for friends when life gets rough OR when they are coming over to enjoy with coffee.

These are also great as the chocolate part of your smores, they are softer than a hard chocolate bar AND have way better ingredients.

They are refined sugar free and dairy free CLICK HERE for their product site CLICK HERE for amazon order link

I will be putting these with the most healthy graham crackers & marshmallows I can find

KINNICKKINNICK – gluten free, dairy free no refined sugar

For the mallows- I go with DANDIES …I gotta be honest – NO marshmallows are healthy.. they are sugar! But I indulge a couple times a year with these. They have less additives and are made in a dedicated vegan facility. Both should be at your local CO-OP or check Amazon:)

Enjoy your 4th of July!

Posted on June 26, 2021 | Awesome Foods

2 quick tricks to keep cool

Watch the video below for 2 quick tools that cool down your body temp.

Fun part is I show you how you can still indulge a little:) Heck, it’s summer and you’re human!

Review!

1. Eat Foods that get your body to produce MORE nitric oxide (check out THIS VIDEO LESSON to learn exaclty what foods produce LESS Nitric Oxide)

2. Breathe in and out through your nose. This will make your blood vessels relax and widen which will help your blood flow & respiration. This also COOLS your body down

CLICK HERE for my video lesson on exact breath patterns and the science behind why exactly inhaling through your nose produces ore Nitric Oxide.

Stay cool!

Posted on May 26, 2021 | Awesome Foods

Cacao Balls

This is my favorite snack! I use these often to get through a long workday or right before a workout. Cool thing is they are great as a bedtime snack (when you are too hungry to get to sleep)

Healthy Cacao Balls.

Not only do they taste amazing, they are super great right before a workout when you need some quick fuel.Here’s a quick list of their nutritional benefits:

High in Arginine- Amino acid that helps your body produce more Nitric Oxide for cardio endurance (CLICK HERE for vid and info on this)
High in healthy fats that help your body BURN more fat
Chock full of omega 3’s, magnesium, calcium, iron, protein, potassium and B vitamins – Perfect before a workout
Help you sleep and decrease snack cravings

Decadent (easy/no bake) Cacao Balls
*makes about 25 balls

•1/4 cup hempseed
•1 cup cacao powder
•4 tbsp Spirulina OR 4 tbsp powdered peanut butter PB2
•4 tbsp coconut oil
•6 tbsp raw honey
•2 pinch pink himalayan salt
•1/4cup unsweetened flaked coconut, small flakes

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. You can roll these right away, but it’s pretty messy on the hands. I like using this process:

Put in the fridge for at least one hour ( up to 4 days) Then take out and let stand for an hour. With your clean hands roll into small balls.

I tear up sheets of foil into small sheets and wrap each ball in foil!

Refrigerate enough for 1-2 weeks + Freeze the rest and save up to 5 months

Posted on March 27, 2021 | Awesome Foods

Easy & Delicious Yam and Kale Salad

PCC Yam & Kale Salad

Ingredients

2 pounds unpeeled Jewel or Garnet yams, cut into wedges 1-inch long by 1/2-inch wide
1/4 cup cooking oil, divided
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup whole cloves garlic, peeled
1 yellow onion, sliced
1 bunch green kale, tough stems removed and leaves cut into 1/2-inch strips
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

Directions

Preheat oven to 400° F.

Toss yams with 1 tablespoon oil, salt and pepper. Spread out yams on a baking sheet.

Line a baking dish with foil and place garlic cloves in the center. Drizzle about 1 1/2 teaspoons oil over cloves and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Fold up the foil to create a packet and seal tightly.

Place both the baking sheet of yams and garlic in the oven. Roast yams until golden and tender, 35 to 45 minutes. Roast garlic until soft, 40 to 50 minutes. Allow both to cool.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add sliced onions and cook until caramelized, stirring occasionally, 30 to 40 minutes. Cool.

Increase oven temperature to 450° F.

Lightly coat kale with remaining oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast until soft but lightly browned at the edges, about 3 minutes. Cool.

Combine roasted garlic cloves, vinegar and thyme in a food processor or blender; blend until smooth. Combine dressing, yams, kale and onions in a large bowl; toss to coat.

CLICK here for my Egg Muffin Recipe. Pairs Great with this Yam and Kale Salad

Posted on January 30, 2021 | Awesome Foods

Feb 2021 Newsletter

Every human needs easy ways to stay healthy daily. That’s why I’m serving up the best store bought soups + how to make them into an outstanding meal in no time. Also grab my trick to get your workouts done in just 3 minutes.

It’s all here for you! Just Click below, Take ACTION and then you’ll feel way more awesome! Enjoy!

Soup! it’s comforting after a long day. CLICK HERE to watch how you can totally make soup happen in no time after a long day. Learn the 3 best brands + what to look for on labels AND what to you pair it with to feel totally satisfied.

A Three minute workout that will actually get you to drop inches! Yup this is real, simply CLICK HERE, watch my video on why these short workouts burn calories + DO them! You don’t need any equipment. I did make one with a bell, in case you have one:)

PLEASE leave me a comment below. I want to hear how these are helping you. DO at least one of the videos & let me know how it worked for you. Thank you!