Paleo Pumpkin Ginger Dip - Happy Anniversary to Me!

This is a really delicious and easy low carb dip!

Its 7 years today since I retired from Ukrainian dancing. Wow - its been a busy 7 years......new house,  hubby changed careers, 3 kids, one job promotion, first van (which I love),  lost my dad, lost my health (and my mind for a while), and gained my health back. 

Dancing was a huge part of my life - my passion for the first 30 years.  So a good day to step back and reflect............and be thankful for all the blessings I have right now and all the good times I had dancing. So I'm having a party with some old dancing girls and a couple gents to celebrate - I made some awesome friendships through my years dancing and I really miss seeing everyone. I haven't been the best at keeping in touch - like I said, its been a busy 7 years and I was pregnant or nursing a lot of it.  

Yep - that's me, MamaChanty before I became a mama. I so wish I knew then what I know now about nutrition - I would have danced circles around myself. I had no idea about protein for muscle recovery - I thought 7-11 Slurpees and 5 cent candies did that. I blame Lisa!

Well I have to feed them something and I want it to be something clean but still taste good. So among other things I decided to make a pumpkin dip. I originally tried to make it with NO sugar but hubby said I couldn't serve it like that - I may have less of a sweet tooth now a days but other people expect a bit of sweetness in dessert-like dips. So I compromised with a bit of honey - adjust to your own taste. And I am serving these with store-bought organic ginger snaps. Yes- they have wheat in them but I won't be eating them and its the only wheat item on the menu so I'm okay with it. But I know there is a ginger snap recipe in the Wheat Belly Cookbook so next time I will make it with those. I just don't have time today for any more baking after yesterdays baking marathon.

So I'll be having a toast tonight to good friends, good times and good health! What were you doing 7 years ago????? I was on stage with a 64 piece orchestra doing the performance of my life and getting seriously injured. Oh the memories!

Paleo Pumpkin Ginger Dip

6 oz Cream Cheese

1 1/4 cup pure pumpkin puree

1/2 cup canned full fat coconut milk

3/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp Liquid Stevia

1 Tbsp honey

Combine all ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Blend with a hand mixer on medium speed for about 3 minutes until full combined and soft peeks start to form. Refrigerate and serve chilled. 

This is a nice dip to make for a party because you can make it the day before and free up the day of to cleaning up after your kids repeatedly so the house looks decent when guests arrive.

Paleo Dark Chocolate Zucchini Bread made with Almond Flour

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Today was baking and grocery shopping day! Small problem with that is I had no idea, until last night, that it was a PD day so my Kindergartener didn't have school. Totally and completely slipped past my radar - I won't be able to get away with that next year when I'm back at work or she'll be coming to work with me. So I had an extra kid shopping and baking - slowed things down a bit but I still got lots done. The house just got a lot messier. Man do I hate doing all the dishes that come along with baking - how old do kids have to be before they can actually do dishes (without causing water damage in the process)?

I've always been more of a cook than a baker. But once you give up sugar and processed foods (i.e. Betty Crooker cake mixes and icing) you have to start doing a bit more of it if you want a treat once in a while and something for the kids to snack on. I actually think I am enjoying baking more than I used to. Guilt used to be my baking companion - watching me add sugar, corn syrup, butter, oil.  But now that my ingredients are healthier I don't feel as much guilt. I'm actually excited for my kids to like it versus already planning how I'm going to hide it from them.........and me.

My 5 year-old really enjoyed this bread.........she was begging for more. Success. It is very low in sugar, wheat-free and it has zucchini in it. And the almond flour gives it some protein. If you like this you will also love my banana bread recipe..........its awesome (I also made two loaves of that today - seriously I washed a lot of dishes). 

Paleo Dark Chocolate Zucchini Bread

by MamaChanty

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Keywords: bake bread gluten-free low-carb paleo wheat belly almond flour chocolate zucchini

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Ingredients (1 loaf)

• 2 cups blanched almond flour (almond meal should work too)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 Tbsp 100% organic cocoa
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup agave nectar
• 1/2 cup finely shredded zucchini, packed tight (about 1 small/medium zucchini with skin on)
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (preferably over 70% cacao)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease a loaf pan (I used butter on a glass pan and it didn't stick at all).

Combine almond flour, cinnamon, cocoa and baking soda.

In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and then add the water, vanilla, agave and shredded zucchini - mixing thoroughly.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients until just combined.

Fold in chocolate chips or place on top and then just gently push/fold in so they are covered.

Bake for 45 minutes or until knife comes out clean in the center.

Voila...........

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Organic, Grass-fed, Pastured, Free Range, Hormone-free, Antibiotic-free Meat in Winnipeg?

First of all, wow - there is a whole world of meat options out there that I had no idea about 6 months ago. Frankly, I had no idea that I should even think about getting anything other than the standard meat products at all the major grocery stores. I thought I was buying premium meat by shopping at Safeway instead of Giant Tiger. Yes - I am that cheap.

But the more I wade into this clean eating business the more I learn and the more I learn the more I realize I need to change. But its hard to teach an old dog new tricks, I have been thinking about this for months but couldn't ever seem to get myself to actually follow-through and do something about it. But today I finally did it...........I ordered grass fed beef and pastured pork and chicken through a group of local farmers. All of it organic, hormone and antibiotic free. Yes - I am proud of myself.

I ordered from Harvest Moon - a local Winnipeg group of farmers. 

So why did I go and do that?

If you are following my blog you will know that I'm on a low-carb diet because of my blood sugar problems. And because I am fighting a case of adrenal fatigue I need to have protein regularly. What it comes down to is that because most vegetarian sources of protein are not low-carb I end up eating a fair amount of meat. So - if its one of the staples of my diet I better make sure I'm putting some quality fuel into my body. If you don't eat a lot of meat it might not be as big of an issue for you - organic produce might be where you want to spend your shopping budget.

In Canada, conventional beef may be given growth hormones and conventional beef, pork and poultry may be given antibiotics. Because of concerns over the toxicity of growth hormones in the body and the general antibiotic resistance us humans are developing, I have decided to try and limit my exposure to these by choosing hormone and antibiotic free beef and antibiotic free pork and chicken when I can. It is not widely available in the major grocery stores and where it is available, at some major retailers and health food stores, it is quite expensive. I noticed Super Store just started carrying a "free" brand of beef and pork - good for them for providing us consumers with an accessible option. But its quite expensive and given how much we go through in a month I needed to find a more affordable alternative.

And I still wanted grass fed beef. Grass fed beef has a significantly better ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6, is loaded with several other minerals and vitamins and is a great source of linoleic acid, a fat that reduces the risk of cancer, obesity, diabetes and a number of immune disorders as compared to the conventional grain fed beef you will find at the supermarket.

Finally, I am more than happy to support local farmers that are trying to use sustainable farming practices, ethically treat the animals and provide safe organic products. Its good for the economy, the environment and my health.

And I really didn't have to look too hard - there are actually lots of options - you just need a computer, a search engine and the motivation to actually go through with it. And you probably need a freezer to order enough to last for a while since they generally only deliver once a month. Now I just have to wait for my delivery date, meet a truck at some community center to pick up my food and hope it tastes good. And they show up. I'll be sure to provide an update on how it all goes down................

Clean and Wheat-Free Zucchini and Lean Italian Turkey Sausage Frittata

Free-run, antibiotic free eggs, lean Italian turkey sausage, zucchini - low carb, quick and wheat-free. A great week day meal when you are short on time.

I can't believe it took me 36 years to discover Fritatta's. They are so simple to make, use basic ingredients and can easily be made clean. They don't have wheat in them (yay) and if you struggle with wanting toast when you have fried eggs this feels more like a casserole so you won't be tempted to take out the toaster. And how can you not love a dish that is full of protein, low in carbs and can basically be made with any kind of meat, veggie and cheese combination. And it works for breakfast, lunch or supper. And most kids will eat it if you include ingredients they like. And.....okay that's enough of a sales pitch.

Did you know zucchini only has about 20 calories per cup. That's crazy. What a way to fill up on nutrient dense food that won't spike your blood sugar or hurt your daily calorie count. I buy baby zucchini. They are also good just as a veggie for dipping or in a raw zucchini salad.

And next time you grill or bbq why not grill some extra sausage and throw it in the freezer so you have it on hand for a frittata during the middle of the week when you are going to get home from work and need dinner on the table pronto. That's what I did so when I was running low on time and ideas -  I quickly whipped this up and it was GOOD. If this is going to be a weekday meal you could also get your zucchini, onions and cheese prepped the night before so you could literally have this in the oven within 5 minutes of getting home from work. This recipe would also be great with some sun-dried tomatoes and/or Parmesan cheese if you really want to get crazy!

Awesome served with a salad or fresh veggies.

I make it in a pie plate which works fine - just make sure you grease the pan well so the time you save cooking isn't spent scrubbing.

Wheat-free Zucchini and Italian Sausage Frittata

3 small zucchini, washed and grated with peel on (I used my cheese grater) - about 2 1/2 cups
6 eggs, well beaten
1/4 cup unsweetened milk of choice
1 green onion, chopped
2 small lean Italian turkey sausages, previously cooked (I grilled mine, froze and thawed just for this)
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp fine sea salt
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, grated

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together except the cheese. Pour mixture into a well greased (with coconut, olive oil or butter) 8 inch pie plate. Top with cheese. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. The egg in the middle should be set. Let stand for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Yum.

Hot out of the oven - doesn't that look good! Yum.

Toxin Tuesdays - 3 Ways to Detox on a Dime when you don't have much Time

I'm pretty strapped for time with three wee ones but I make time for these three detox methods every day - a glass of warm fresh squeezed lemon water, dry brushing with a sisal brush and a hot Epsom bath. 

There are unfortunately toxins everywhere. I'm trying not to get fanatic
about it but I am taking steps to reduce the toxins I am exposing us to as
much as I can. My first focus was reducing the toxins we eat in the form of
wheat (sorry farmers), sugar and processed foods. I'm also working on going
organic and hormone/antibiotic free on the foods we do eat.

As a side project, I'm also reading up on the forms of toxins we get
exposed to other ways - our personal hygiene products, household cleaners,
the air we breathe and the water we drink. I'll slowly incorporate
changes in these areas as time and money allow and as I educate myself. And
we already have a ton of toxins in our body. We can try and kick them out by internal cleansing and detoxification. I've decided Toxin Tuesdays will be the day I will blog about progress I'm making on my side project.

Given I'm eating clean, exercising and I'm not stressed I'm a little miffed
that I'm still experiencing symptoms of adrenal fatigue. If you don't know
what that is - congratulations - I envy you. I had severe adrenal fatigue
(ie. Burn out) two years ago. My symptoms now are mild compared to then but
my anxiety, night sweats and blood sugar swings are sure signs something is
still "stressing" my adrenals.

So I have started a few quick and easy internal cleansing and
detoxification methods to see if that can help. I'm still nursing so a hard
core cleanse isn't in the cards right now (and I'm not sure I would do one
anyway). But I've started these three things because I can fit them in my
day and they are cheap.

1) Lemons. If life gives you lemons make lemonade..... Or if life gives you
adrenal fatigue and/or toxins have the  juice squeezed from half a lemon in
a half cup of warm water when you wake up in the morning.

I do this every morning before I eat or drink anything and then take my
pro-biotics. Why. Fresh squeezed lemon juice is alkalizing to the body
(which is what we want), stimulates bile production and is cleansing for
the kidneys. And who doesn't want clean kidneys. The adrenals sit on the
kidneys - they are friends. So I think I should take care of them. Plus my
high protein diet probably gives my kidneys a bit of a work-out so I'm just
giving back.

Plus they are pretty cheap - about $.30 to $.60 a lemon so a detox for as
little as $.15 a day. And frankly, there is an interior design
motive as well - a bowl of fresh lemons on the counter looks amazing. Am I wrong?





2) Dry brushing. All this entails is brushing the skin with a natural
bristle brush before showering or bathing toward the heart, gently but
vigorously in long firm strokes. I start with my legs, torso, neck, shoulders and end with my arms (from fingers to armpits). It literally takes a couple minutes - I can make time for this. I bought a $4 sisal brush from Walmart. Cheap.

Dry brushing stimulates lymph flow (which is directy related to your immune
and detoxification systems) and it good for skin tone. Hey - and it feels
good, invigorating!

3) Epsom salt bath. I love taking baths so this is no hardship. I am
terrible at relaxing or sitting still EXCEPT my half hour super hot bath
each night. This is another cheap detox (except that my husband says I put
a real drain on our hot water tank). I got 4kg's of Epsom salts at Walmart
for $10. I've also tried apple cider vinegar and plan to try a fresh ginger
bath soon. The epsom bath is a good detox because it contains magnesium to
relax muscles and sulfur to aid in detoxification and it helps increase blood
supply to the skin.

So there are three ways you can quickly and cheaply do a daily
detox......but I gotta run - time for my bath.

Peanut Butter Avocado Frozen Yogurt - I can't believe I made that!

Sometimes I can't believe the things you can make when you give up processed foods. Its not even that hard - its just that you would never have thought of doing it before. I apologize to anyone who stumbles across this that actual knows some proper technique on how to make frozen yogurt. I had 5 minutes, I was dying for some dessert and I noticed an overripe avocado on the counter so I just went for it without "googling" it first. Some day I will find out the proper way, but heck, this was EASY and it was SOOOO good. Keep in mind I haven't had ice-cream for at least 3 months but I loved it and so did hubby. This has next to no carbs and no sugar. Bonus. And of course its wheat-free and gluten-free and full of healthy fats and a bit of protein. Double bonus.

5 Tbsp plain unsweetened high protein Greek yogurt
1 Tbsp organic natural peanut butter (unsweetened) - more if you want more PB flavour
1/2 cup full fat canned coconut milk (I just used the "hardened" stuff not the liquid part)
1 ripe avocado, peeled and chopped
8 drops liquid Stevia
1 1/2 Tbsp 70% dark chocolate chips plus some extra's for topping

Microwave dark chocolate chips until just melted. Usually takes 30 seconds on high. Stir. And then another 20 seconds. Throw all ingredients in a bowl. Using a hand mixer, whip all the ingredients together over medium speed for about 2 to 3 minutes. Should be fully combined and making soft peaks. Put in the freezer for 1 hour - giving it a good stir about half way. We ate it on some banana's and topped with some dark chocolate chips and cacao nibs. OMG - this was good! And filling.

Some clean eats we had this week

We had a good week but it had its challenges - what week doesn't with kids. Baby was teething fiercely. I am grateful and blessed to have 3 healthy kids so I don't like to complain but I really do not understand why my kids suffer so hard with teething over such a prolonged period - they start early (4 months), come in slowly and are extremely painful. It is taking each tooth almost 2 full weeks to come through and medication doesn't seem to even dull the pain.........I mean baby Tylenol. I haven't had to resort to alcohol or meds yet. But baby turned 8 months today and tooth number 6 poked through so we only have 14 more to go - lol. It just makes me sad that we are missing enjoying the baby days because he is hurting so bad - he is such a fun, playful little guy when he isn't teething and I want to enjoy it. So hopefully we are on a break week - he was actually still fussy today even though the tooth was partly through so I hope it just needs a day or two to settle down versus another one making a move already.

Anyway, we had another week of clean eating. It actually gets easier as it becomes our "new normal". At first it is a struggle to think of what to eat but its becoming second nature to make a salad instead of a sandwich. Plus now I have a roster of good tasting snacks to keep us going and on the protein train. One of my main struggle is to keep the nuts/seeds, yogurt and fruit portions in check. Some days I am eating way too many nuts and seeds and not enough veggies. Nuts are full of healthy fats and a good source of protein but like everything moderation is key especially when you are working on improving a very weak digestive system. So I keep having to re-evaluate and make sure I am picking vegetables as my snack/meal whenever I can.

Hope you all had a good week and get some ideas here on some clean food choices you can make for yourself. I missed lots of pictures because of baby fussiness but here are some I got......

Pork and Beef meatballs in mushroom sauce with green beans and mashed cauliflower. The meatball recipe needs some tweaking before it gets a blog post.

Once bitten Twice Shy brownies. Made with coconut flour and dark chocolate. Baba said "why didn't you make a double batch". Good point. These are good........try them.  Kid-friendly even.

Vinegar with food dye, a plate of baking soda and a medicine dropper. What fun! Not a meal, just a way to let me actually make a meal.  And I found some phot editing software to play with. Fun for Mom!

Chia banana almond pancakes. I topped with high Protein Greek blueberry yogurt and blueberries. I am not letting myself have maple syrup. Take that sugar devil.  

Twice baked mashed cauliflower with leftover meatballs. I doctored up the meatballs and they were better the second day - they needed more salt/spices.

Mama's famous impress the in-laws ribs with Greek salad and steamed broccoli  I bought back ribs this time instead of side ribs. I never knew the difference before but I definitely prefer the SIDE RIBS. Plus I think we better slow down on our rib in-take. I thought we only ate them once a month or so but they keep popping up in the week in review so its a little more frequent than it should be.

I went to the MCC thrift store this week. Going to thrift stores gives me joy. Seriously. It must be my cheapness. I found these plates for the kids. They love "compartment" plates and in an effort to de-toxify our environment I'm trying to get away from using so much plastic. They were a hit! I wish all my kids meals looked like this but there were quite a few wheat-full sandwiches, pizza and noodles that i didn't take pictures of. But they did eat a fair amount of veggies and fruit so its all good.

Butter Leaf lettuce topped with Kale salad, rotisserie chicken, onions and Jalapeno  yogurt for lunch. And cranberries because I always need  my hit of sweet.

Apple and Banana Nacho's - I think I had these everyday for either an afternoon or evening snack. I think I might be addicted to these things. I'm not supposed to eat banana's (per my food sensitivities testing and because they have so much sugar) but I sneak them in here and there because they are so good. 

Last nights dessert/evening snack. This was insanely good to someone who gave up sugar and hasn't had ice-cream for months. Recipe to come this week so stay tuned! I snuck in a few more banana's.

So that's it. My sugar addiction was actually not too bad this week. I ate some dark chocolate everyday and some other treats but I didn't feel like it was controlling me. So that's good.

Have a great Sunday and start the week off clean tomorrow. Take a salad to work!