Cranberry Lime Cream Smoothie

As the weather is starting to warm up in Minneapolis all I have been thinking about is SMOOTHIES! And what better type of smoothie than a HOT PINK one?  This Cranberry Lime Cream Smoothie is not only the prettiest shade of pink but it’s filled with lots of healthy goodness. Cranberries are typically overlooked unless it’s fall and Thanksgiving is approaching.  However, they are a nutrition powerhouse and should not be forgotten the remainder of the year.  Adding cranberries into your diet is a good thing and one of the easiest ways to do it is to toss them into your smoothies.  They add a bit of tang and vibrant, beautiful color you won’t be able to get enough of.  You can’t always find fresh cranberries so every Thanksgiving I buy a few extra bags and throw them in the freezer for later use.  In addition to cranberries this smoothie contains coconut milk and lime (blend the entire lime, skin removed, for extra fiber).  A perfect combo! Lovely Ingredients For Vibrant Heath: Cranberries are filled with antioxidants, Vitamin C, E and K, copper, manganese, pathothenic acid and high levels of phytonutrients. Limes are exploding with flavonoids and Vitamin C. Bananas are filled with fiber and are a great source of potassium which is an essential mineral that helps to maintain normal blood pressure and heart function. Coconut Milk contains lauric acid which is a medium-chain fatty acid (ever hear of MCT’s?) that is readily available to the body to use for energy. Hope you love this tangy, delicious smoothie as much as I do.  Enjoy! Print Cranberry Lime Cream Smoothie Author: Katie at WHOLELOVELYLIFE.COM Recipe type: Smoothies + Drinks + Juices Prep time:  5 mins Total time:  5 mins Serves: 2 servings   Paleo, Autoimmune Protocol, Vegan, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Grain Free, Nightshade Free, Pescatarian, Vegetarian, Refined Sugar Free Ingredients 2 banana 1 can full fat coconut milk 1 lime (peel removed) ½ cup frozen cranberries If you need added sweetness you can add 1 Tbsp maple syrup, honey or a date. Instructions Peel lime and add to blender along with banana’s, coconut milk, cranberries and optional sweetener. Blend well and serve. Notes Use organic whenever possible! 3.5.3226  

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“Healthier” Strawberry Margarita with 1915 Organic Cold Press Juice

Did someone say MARGARITA? I just did!  It’s still pretty chilly in Minneapolis but my mind is on spring and warmer weather so I of course have been craving a margarita.  If I’m going to have a mixed drink it’s going to be a margarita.  But not just any old margarita.  It needs to be made from real, fresh, wholesome ingredients.  I’m talking about fresh squeezed lime juice, whole fruit and no refined sugar. When 1915 Organic sent me their delish cold press organic juices the first thing that came to mind was using one as a base for a healthier margarita.  I know I have never posted an adult beverage recipe before but even though I work to eat a healthy, nutrient dense diet there is certainly room for treats like this!  I used their Coconut Water, Strawberry, Pear, Apple, Lemon juice to create this “Healthier” Strawberry Margarita.  What I love about using cold press juice as a base in mixed drinks is you don’t need to add any additional sweeter.  This juice is just sweet enough!  Conventional margaritas are loaded with sugar and who needs that.  Just think of this as a margarita smoothie! Lovely Ingredients make a healthier version of this classic drink: Coconut water is naturally sweet and filled with micronutrients and electrolytes. Strawberries add vibrant color due to their antioxidants and are a great source of Vitamin C. Pear is packed with phytonutrients and fiber. Apple is filled with antioxidants and a soluble fiber called pectin. Lemon is amazing for so many reasons and is very alkalizing to the body. Lime is filled with flavonoids and Vitamin C. Hope you enjoy this healthier margarita as much as I do.  Enjoy! Print Strawberry Margarita with 1915 Bold House Author: Katie at WHOLELOVELYLIFE.COM Recipe type: Smoothies + Drinks + Juices Prep time:  15 mins Total time:  15 mins Serves: 2-4   Refined Sugar Free, Gluten Free, Grain Free, Dairy Free, Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Nightshade Free Ingredients 1 bottle 1915 Organic Coconut, Strawberry, Pear, Apple, Lemon Juice 1 lime juiced 2 oz organic tequila 1.5 oz Cointreau or orange liquor Maldon or other sea salt for rim 6 whole strawberries + extra for garnish Instructions Wash strawberries and remove green top. Juice lime and pour in blender along with 1915 Organic juice, strawberries, tequila and Cointreau. Add in 1-2 cups of ice and blend on high until fully mixed. Can add more or less ice to achieve…

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Blueberry Avocado Spinach Salad

Love, love, love blueberries! Especially when it’s the dead of winter and spring is still a bit too far out of reach.  There’s something about fresh berries that remind me of warm, sunny days.  You know those days that feel like they go on forever and you just chill in your backyard and enjoy the gorgeous weather?  You with me?  This salad will have you thinking of sunshine, relaxation, and happiness. Blueberries add the perfect touch of tang to both sweet and savory dishes and are the shining star of this Blueberry Avocado Spinach Salad.  Not only do they add a pretty touch but the flavor they and crunch they lend to this salad can’t be beaten. This salad is filled with crunchy veggies and topped with a wonderful blueberry vinaigrette.  Yes, I just said blueberry vinaigrette!  I mean how delish does that sound? Lovely Ingredients For Lovely Health: Blueberries are one of the highest antioxidant foods in the world so getting them into your diet any way you can is a great thing! Cucumbers are crispy, cool, flush toxins, hydrate your body and scream summer! Red Onion is either your thing or it’s not.  Leave it out if it’s not but it’s great for fighting free radicals in the body and looks downright pretty in this salad. Raw Walnuts don’t just accidentally happen to look like the human brain.  They contain neuroprotective compounds, such as vitamin E, folate, melatonin, and omega-3 fatty acids.  Spinach need I say more!  Rich in an array of nutrients and minerals.  You can never have too much spinach in your diet. Avocado is last but not least.  Filled with potassium, heart-healthy fats and fiber. Hope you love this salad as much as I do.  Enjoy! Print Blueberry Spinach Salad Author: Katie at WHOLELOVELYLIFE.COM Recipe type: Salads + Sides Prep time:  20 mins Total time:  20 mins Serves: 4-6 servings   Paleo, Whole 30, Autoimmune Protocol, Bone Broth Diet, Grain Free, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegan, Vegetarian, Nightshade Free, Refined Sugar Free, Pescatarian Ingredients 8-10 cups spinach ½ cup + ¼ cup (for vinaigrette) blueberries 2 small avocados or 1 small avocado 4 mini cucumbers or 1 small cucumber ¼ medium size red onion ¼ cup olive oil 2 Tbsp champagne vinegar ½ tsp sea salt ⅓ cup raw walnuts (omit for Autoimmune Protocol) ⅛ tsp black pepper (omit for Autoimmune Protocol) Instructions Place spinach and ½ cup blueberries…

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Southwest Turkey Meatballs with Mango Salsa

I have been following The Bone Broth Diet the last week and have been loving it.  Getting more bone broth in my diet has been a goal of mine forever and this diet is helping me stick to it.  I also have dropped 5lbs which makes me super happy.  I am still about 20lbs heavier than my pre pregnancy weight and even though I eat clean and live a healthy lifestyle I have found it almost impossible to drop the last bit of weight from when I had my son 4 years ago.  I am also noticing a big difference in my nails which I attribute to the bone broth.  Even though Vital Proteins Collagen is part of my morning lemon water routine I think my daily bone both consumption is making all the difference! I have been using a lot of the recipes from The Bone Broth Diet book but have also be creating some of my own including these Southwest Turkey Meatballs with Mango Salsa.  You can have one small serving of fruit per day on this plan and typically I have berries with my breakfast but once in awhile I will include a tiny bit with my dinner instead.  These meatballs are also super tasty all by themselves if you want to ditch the salsa.  They are also wonderful on top of a bed of greens.  And, major bonus!  If you don’t tolerate eggs these would be perfect as they are egg free.  I have found organic ground turkey sticks together much better than other ground meats so you don’t need any eggs.  Please let me know if the comments if you try these and what you think.  Enjoy! Simple Mango Salsa Print Southwest Turkey Meatballs with Mango Salsa Author: Katie at WHOLELOVELYLIFE.COM Recipe type: Entree Prep time:  20 mins Cook time:  25 mins Total time:  45 mins Serves: 16 meatballs   Paleo, Whole 30, Gluten Free, Grain Free, 21 Day Sugar Detox, Dairy Free, Refined Sugar Free Ingredients 1 lb ground turkey 1 red pepper finely chopped ¼ red onion finely chopped 1 fresno or jalapeno pepper finely chopped ½ tsp turmeric ½ tsp chili powder 1 tsp sea salt 1 tsp cumin Instructions Finely chop red pepper, fresno or jalapeno pepper (be sure to remove seeds) and red onion. Place in a bowl. Add turmeric, chili powder, sea salt and cumin. Stir to coat veggies. Add ground turkey and mix with hands…

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Simple Mango Salsa

One of my favorite salsa’s is Simple Mango Salsa!  I love that it is nightshade free which makes it perfect for those following the Autoimmune Protocol or other special diet.  It is also amazing topped on literally anything or can even be nibbled on by itself.  I have been making this salsa for forever and thought it was about time to finally put the recipe on the blog.  It’s so easy to make and will keep in the fridge for 4-5 days so you can make a batch on Sunday and enjoy it all week.  Let me know your favorite way to eat this yummy salsa.  Enjoy! Some recipes this would be an amazing compliment too. Southwest Turkey Meatballs with Mango Salsa Coconut Crusted Chicken Strips Pulled Pork Plantain Tortilla Tacos Sweet + Tangy Pork Lettuce Wraps Pineapple Bun Burger With Peach Salsa Print Simple Mango Salsa Author: Katie at WHOLELOVELYLIFE@.COM Recipe type: Condiments + Sauces Prep time:  15 mins Total time:  15 mins Serves: 4-6 servings   Paleo, Autoimmune Protocol, Whole 30, Gluten Free, Grain Free, 21 Day Sugar Detox, Dairy Free, Vegan, Vegetarian, Refined Sugar Free, Nightshade Free Ingredients 2 mangos handful of cilantro finely chopped ¼ cup red onion finely chopped juice from 1 lime ¼ tsp sea salt Instructions Finely dice two mangos and place in a bowl. Chop onion and cilantro and place in the same bowl. Juice one lime and pour over mango, onion and cilantro. Sprinkle with sea salt, mix well and serve. Notes Use organic as much as possible! 3.5.3226  

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The Bone Broth Diet + (Printable Shopping Lists and Meal Plans)

Happy 2017! Every January I like to do a reboot and this year I thought about doing a Whole 30 or the 21 Day Sugar Detox but I heard Dr. Kellyann Petrucci on the Model Health Show recently talking about her book the Bone Broth Diet I knew immediately I wanted to try it.  Since embarking on the Paleo and Autoimmune Protocol lifestyle almost 3 years ago bone broth has always been one thing I was missing.  So, I feel like doing this diet will get me into the bone broth groove and show me just how amazing this liquid gold really is.  I do have to come right out and admit I won’t be making my own bone broth.  I know homemade broth is the way to go but I know to follow this plan I need to make it as easy on myself as possible.  For some reason, I have some crazy mental thing about making it at home.  I have made it in the past and the whole process sort of turns me off.  There is just some weird yuck factor I can’t get over.  Anyone else?  My long term goal is to start making it weekly on my own but you have to start somewhere right!  Since there are a number of great brands in the market producing grass-fed, clean broths with minimal ingredients I feel ok about it.  The brand I am using for fasting days and daily snacks is Epic.  I love that it comes in a glass jar so can be transported just about everywhere.  For this working Mom, it could not be more perfect.  Two other brands I like are Pacific Food Organic Bone Broth (not grass-fed) and Kettle & Fire (grass-fed).  Both are great and affordable options.  If you are using a store-bought broth you can easily enhance it with herbs, spices, and flavors to keep things interesting.  I would love to hear what brands you have tried and love so please leave your comments below. I will link to the book below but if you are curious here is a bit more information about the plan.  The Bone Broth Diet is not all that different from the Paleo lifestyle however, no sugar is allowed except from a minimal amount of fruit.  The 21-day plan includes a bone broth fast twice per week and clean eating the rest of the week.  I am a huge advocate of fasting…

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Why I’m Not Officially Setting Goals In 2017

Welcome to 2017!  I don’t know about you but I am super excited to start the new year.  2016 was a year filled will amazing things but there is something about starting fresh and the possibilities of what lies ahead for the next 365 days. I won’t be posting my goals for the year because I don’t want to get overly focused on accomplishing specific things.  Instead, I want to be open and receptive to anything and everything.  I guess you could sort of call it a goal but this year I simply just want to live.  Live in the moment without thinking about the past or the future.  Enjoy each and every second to the fullest and have full faith in all that happens.  Accept, instead of fight.  If you have been following my blog for awhile now you know that I have spent the last few years working towards healing from both ankylosing spondylitis and iritis.  I have put in so much effort (researching non stop, following a sorts of diets, working with a handful of alternative practitioners, tons of different supplements and the list could go on and on) and what I have learned recently after working with a wellness coach who focuses on mind body healing is that when your focus on trying to heal is too great you won’t heal.  Sounds nutty doesn’t it?  But, it is so true and in the last few months I have stopped trying to heal and low and behold what has happened?  The small amount of AS symptoms I was still having as well as my irtis have diminished.  I still have had a few iritis flares but they have been minimal at best.  The mind body connection was my missing link.  Don’t get me wrong I still believe diet is EVERYTHING!  However, if the mind is not as clean as the diet, healing will be hindered.  I will leave a link at the bottom of this entry to the person’s website I have been working with in case you are interested in checking it out.  All I know is this is yet another blessing in disguise of suffering from AS and iritis.  My learning around the mind body connection has done more to enrich my life then I ever expected.  This year will be filled with continued learning and I could not be more excited! So, how am…

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Lemon Thyme Apple Crisp

Any other bloggers ever have a post ready to go and then totally forget to post it?  That is what happened with this recipe that I  meant to post in the fall after we went apple picking but for some reason I never finished it.  I’m kind of glad I forgot because this Lemon Thyme Apple Crisp would be perfect to serve for a New Years Day brunch or dessert.  If you can’t get your hands on lemon thyme you can just leave it out.  You will hardly miss it.  Lemon thyme is one of my favorite herbs so I am always looking for things to add it too and it turned out to be a great complement to this crisp.  I used Otto’s Cassava Flour which is one of my favorite paleo flours to work with but if you are ok with grains you can always use gluten free flour.  I have not tried this recipe with almond or coconut flour so I would be cautious about subbing amounts exactly as shown. Everyone in my house except for our corgi Luna and I are feeling a bit under the weather so we won’t be going out to our planned festivities tonight or tomorrow.  Instead we are staying in.  New Years Eve is one of my favorite nights of the year but I’m ok with missing it this year.  I am just happy and blessed to have some great guys to spend it with.  Not sure we will make it to midnight but we will try!  Whatever you are up to tonight and tomorrow Happy New Year!  I have a feeling 2017 is going to be another amazing year.  Enjoy! Print Lemon Thyme Apple Crisp Author: Katie at WHOLELOVELYLIFE.COM Recipe type: Treats + Snacks Prep time:  20 mins Cook time:  60 mins Total time:  1 hour 20 mins Serves: 8-10 servings   Paleo, Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy Free, Grain Free, Gluten Free, Refined Sugar Free Ingredients 5 large or 7 medium apples peeled and sliced. 1 cup coconut sugar 1 cup cassava flour ½ cup coconut oil, palm shortening or grass fed butter juice from ½ lemon ¼ tsp sea salt ½ tsp ceylon cinnamon 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 Tbsp maple syrup 4 sprigs of lemon thyme (leaves removed) + more for garnish. Instructions Peel and thinly slice apples. Place in a bowl. In a small bowl add lemon juice, maple syrup, cinnamon,…

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Coconut Flour Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

Did you guys check out my Candy Cane Sugar Cookies?  If you did I hope you loved them!  The base dough from that recipe is just perfect for basic cutout sugar cookies.  These Coconut Flour Cut-Out Sugar Cookies are grain, dairy, nut free and contain half the amount of sugar as other cut-out cookies.  My husbands Grandmother’s sugar cookies are a favorite of his and even though these are not exactly the same he said with a little icing on top they would be perfect.  I will take that as a compliment!  These cookies cut out perfectly and can be topped with anything your heart desires.  So, if icing is your jam go for it!  I have not had much success with making “healthy” icing.  Sometimes you just have to go for the real thing but with upgraded ingredients.  If I was going to make icing for these cookies I would stick to a basic buttercream with grass fed butter and organic powdered cane sugar.  It’s Christmas after all!  If you prefer a simple, not too sweet sugar cookie then I would just sprinkle a little organic cane or coconut sugar on the top.  Enjoy! Print Coconut Flour Cut-Out Sugar Cookies Cuisine: Treats + Snacks Prep time:  30 mins Cook time:  15 mins Total time:  45 mins Serves: 30 or more   Paleo, Vegan, Vegetarian, Grain Free, Gluten Free, Diary Free, Pescatarian, Nightshade Free Ingredients 1½ cup coconut flour 1½ cup tapioca flour + extra for rolling out ½ cup organic coconut or cane sugar + more for sprinkling on top 1 can coconut milk (for coconut cream and coconut water) ¼ cup coconut cream (refrigerate a can of coconut milk and scoop out just the hardened cream) 2 Tbsp coconut water (water from coconut milk can) 3 eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract ½ cup coconut oil melted zest from 1 lemon ½ tsp sea salt ¼ tsp baking soda Instructions In a medium size bowl combine coconut flour, tapioca four, sugar, sea salt and baking soda. Mix well. In a small bowl combine coconut cream, coconut water, vanilla extract, zest from 1 lemon, coconut oil and 3 eggs. Mix well. Combine dry and wet ingredients using a mixer. Dust counter lightly with tapioca flour. Take half the dough and knead slightly with hands to bring it together then role carefully until about ⅛” – ¼” thick. Cut out using your favorite cookie…

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Candy Cane Sugar Cookies (Grain Free, Dairy Free, Refined Sugar Free)

Hope everyone has been enjoying the holiday season.  I feel like we just put up our decorations and it’s already Christmas next weekend!  We finally got around to doing a little Christmas baking this past week.  I love cooking and creating recipes however, baking and I tend to not get along so well.  It takes a number of attempts to get grain free baking right but I am starting to have some success.  These Candy Cane Sugar Cookies were a winner the first try.  Don’t worry I made them again just to be sure.  The base is a simple cut out sugar cookie and they are topped with pieces of organic candy cane.  So simple and so good.  Plus they have half the sugar as normal sugar cookies, are grain, nut and dairy free.  Enjoy! Print Candy Cane Sugar Cookies Author: Katie at WHOLELOVELYLIFE.COM Recipe type: Treats + Snacks Prep time:  15 mins Cook time:  15 mins Total time:  30 mins Serves: 50 cookies   Paleo, Grain Free, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegetarian, Pescatarian Ingredients 1½ cup coconut flour 1½ cup tapioca flour + extra for rolling out ½ cup organic coconut or cane sugar 1 can coconut milk (for coconut cream and coconut water) ¼ cup coconut cream (refrigerate a can of coconut milk and scoop out just the hardened cream) 2 Tbsp coconut water (water from coconut milk can) 3 eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract ½ cup coconut oil melted + extra for brushing top of cookies zest from 1 lemon ½ tsp sea salt ¼ tsp baking soda 2-3 organic candy canes crushed Instructions In a medium size bowl combine coconut flour, tapioca four, sugar, sea salt and baking soda. Mix well. In a small bowl combine coconut cream, coconut water, vanilla extract, zest from 1 lemon, coconut oil and 3 eggs. Mix well. Combine dry and wet ingredients using a mixer. Dust counter lightly with tapioca flour. Take half the dough and knead slightly with hands to bring it together then role carefully until about ⅛” – ¼” thick. Cut out using a round cookie cuter or glass (I used a glass that was 2″D). Lightly brush with melted coconut oil. Crush candy cane in a baggie and top each cookie with a small sprinkle. Lightly press candy cane with hands to ensure it is stuck to cookie. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 min. 3.5.3226  

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