TURKEY CHILI - GLUTEN FREE AND PALEO

Turkey Chili makes a great winter dish. Its not only full of protein from the turkey and the kidney beans but tomatoes have a lot of antioxidants and are a rich source of vitamins A and C - great for anyone suffering from heart disease, diabetes and cancer. I found this recipe originally on all recipes.com.  I made it at home because I was looking for something hearty and low fat to eat for dinner and thought I would pass it on. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:

1.5 TSP of Olive Oil
1 LB of Ground Turkey
1 Large Yellow Onion (chopped)
2 Cups of Water
1 Can of Crushed Tomatoes (28 Oz Can)
1 Can of Kidney Beans - drained and rinsed (16 Oz Can
2 Cloves of Garlic (chopped finely)
2 TBSP of Chili Powder
1/2 TSP of Paprika
1/2 TSP of Dried Oregano
1/2 TSP Ground Cayenne Pepper
1/2 TSP Ground Cumin
Salt and Pepper (as desired)

DIRECTIONS:

Heat the olive oil in a pot on the stove on medium heat. Place turkey in the pot and cook until it is evenly brown (about 4-5 minutes)

Stir in Onion and let that continue to cook until the onion becomes soft and tender.

Add water to pot before adding in the rest of the ingredients! Bring to a boil then reduce heat and cover. Let simmer for 30 minutes till sauce is thickened. If sauce hasn't thickened enough remove cover and continue to let simmer until it is.

I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can! Happy cooking!!!

TOMATO, CUCUMBER & FETA SALAD WITH A TWIST - VEGETARIAN

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Salads are great if you are trying to lose weight. This is a extended take on a Greek Salad but with a much less complicated dressing. Its super easy to make and can be customized however you like however this salad allows you to get a vast amount of healthy minerals and nutrients you body needs to be provided while dieting.  Enjoy!!

Yields 2 Salad Servings

INGREDIENTS:

Salad
2 Vine Ripe Tomato (chopped) - anti inflammatory properties
1/2 An English Cucumber (chopped) - hydrate
1/2 a Cup of Feta (Chopped) - optional - calcium
1/4 Cup of Red Onion (Chopped Finely) - calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese and vitamins C
Hand full of Fresh Basil (chopped roughly) - High in vitamin K - essential to building strong bones and preventing heart disease
1/2 an Avocado (chopped) - good fats and oils
1/4-1/2 a Cup of berries (I used blackberries and blue berries) - antioxidants
1-2 TBSP of Hemp hearts - protein, fatty acids, iron and vitamin E
1 TBSP of Pine Nuts (Garnish) - protein and oils

Dressing
2-3 TBSP of Olive Oil
1-2 TBSP of Balsamic Vinegar
Salt and Pepper (as desired)

DIRECTIONS

Place all ingredients for the salad in a bowl, mix dressing ingredients in a cup and drizzle on top of your salad. Serve.

I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can! Happy cooking!!!

KALE AND PINEAPPLE GREEN SMOOTHIE - ANTI-ANGIOGENESIS

I call this my anti-angiogenesis drink because it's full of great nutrients that help your body fight cancer and stop it from growing or metastasizing in your body. I designed this drink after watching Dr. William Li's Ted Talk on his discovery of anti-angiogenesis foods that help your body stop cancer cells from metastasizing and therefor helping you beat cancer. He calls it "eating to starve cancer". I will post the video below the recipe for you to see!! ENJOY

INGREDIENTS

2-3 Cups of Kale (steams removed and chopped)
1 Whole Cucumber (chopped)
3 Branches of Celery (chopped)
1 Lemon (peeled and chopped)
1/3 Of A Pineapple (chopped)
1 TSP of Spirulina Powder
A handful of Mint
 

DIRECTIONS:

Throw everything into a blender till it is liquefied and serve.

I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can! Happy cooking!!!

BEEF ROAST WITH ROOT VEGETABLES

Roast beef is a great option if you are having dinner parties because its easy to prepare and let go while you prep everything else. It also feeds a large number of people

Feeds 10 people

INGREDIENTS:

2 Large Sweet Potatoes (Wash and Roughly Chopped)
3 Yukon Potatoes (Wash and Roughly Chopped)
1.5 lbs of Small Potatoes (Just Wash)
3-4 TBSP of Olive Oil
1 TBSP Canola Oil
2 x 3-4lbs Beef Roasts
Salt and Pepper (as desired)
1.5 lbs Mini Carrots
3 Heads of Garlic (Cut in half horizontally so the cloves are exposed on both sides - see photo)
Fresh Thyme

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Throw your potatoes into a roasting pan. Drizzle Olive oil,  salt and pepper on top and mix around so they are evenly coated.

Throw the roasting pan in the oven for 10 minutes to get the potatoes started

Get a large frying pan and add in your canola oil. Salt and pepper you meat and sear all sides on the stove top at medium to high heat. Sear until the sides are browned (apx 1-2 minutes per side).

Take the roasting pan out of the oven and add in your carrots. If you have a rack that is included with the pan put that on top of the vegetables before continuing otherwise just continue without it.

Make a bed of garlic and thyme on top of the vegetables and place the roast beef on top, fat side up.

Place roasting pan back in the oven for an additional 50 minutes - you can use a meat thermometer if you have one to get the desired meat temperature.

Once done take the roasting pan out of the oven, set meat aside and let rest for 10-15 minutes minimum so that the juice stays in the meat when you cut into it later.

While your meat is resting - if your vegetables are not fully cooked you can put the vegetables back in the oven on broil at 450 to get them nice and crispy.

I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can! Happy cooking!!!

MUSHROOMS ON TOAST

Mushrooms are a great source of Vitamin D and Iron! They are also low in calories which is great if you are watching your weight! I really like mushrooms on toast its not only delicious but a great way to boost your immune system if you are feeling run down. Mushrooms also can boost your metabolism because they have Vitamin B which is vital for turning food (carbohydrates) into fuel (glucose), which the body needs/burns to produce energy. Not to mention they taste good! Enjoy!!!

Yields 2 Pieces of Mushrooms on Toast

INGREDIENTS:

4 Cups of Mushrooms (I used a mix of Shiitake (remember to take the stems off) and Oyster mushrooms)
1-2 TBSP of Olive Oil
1/4 Cup of Fresh Sage - chopped
1/4 Cup of Fresh Thyme - chopped
2 Cloves of Garlic - minced or pressed
Salt and Pepper - as desired
Bread (Gluten free or Vegan Crackers can be used too)
 

DIRECTIONS:

Olive oil the pan and let it heat up on medium heat. Throw in your mushrooms and let that saute. The water will come out of the mushrooms.

Once the water comes out it will start to evaporate. When the water is nearly gone, throw in your garlic, sage, thyme and salt and pepper. The mushrooms will start to absorb the flavors at this point.

Continue to cook for another 10-15 minutes on medium heat. As they start to get golden brown you can reduce the heat.

Put you bread in the toaster and do your thing.

Spread the mushrooms on the toast and drizzle some of the juices from the pan on top and enjoy!

I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can! Happy cooking!!!