Almond Butter Banana Smoothie

Try making this almond butter banana smoothie for your next breakfast or snack option! Bananas serve as an excellent source of potassium and provide plenty of fiber to promote proper digestive health. Not only is almond butter a delicious and healthy nut butter of choice, but it is full of omega-3 fatty acids which help to reduce inflammation throughout the body. Dates are rich in a variety of antioxidants that can help combat several chronic illnesses including heart disease and diabetes. Sprinkle extra cinnamon on top of this smoothie to regulate those blood sugar levels and enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1 frozen banana

• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk

• 2 tbsp almond butter

• 2 dates, pitted

• ½ tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

1) Begin by adding the banana and almond milk to a blender. Blend until the banana is blended well.

2) Add in the almond butter, dates, and cinnamon and blend until smooth. Sprinkle extra cinnamon on top if desired and enjoy!

Sweet Potato Avocado Toast

This sweet potato avocado toast serves as a delicious breakfast, snack, or lunch option! Sweet potatoes are free of cholesterol and rich in beta-carotene. Because they are full of fiber and antioxidants, sweet potatoes promote gut health and reduce inflammation. Coconut oil has many benefits including strengthening the immune system, improving bone health, and promoting weight loss. Avocados are full of healthy monounsaturated fats and are great for heart health. Top with sliced tomato, hard-boiled egg, and/or chia seeds and enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1 large sweet potato, sliced into ¼” slices

• 1 tsp coconut oil, melted

• 1 avocado, mashed

• Optional toppings: sliced tomato, hard-boiled egg, chia seeds

Instructions:

1) Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

2) Coat both sides of sweet potato slices with coconut oil. Place on a baking rack and bake in the oven for 10 minutes, flipping the slices halfway through. Remove from the oven and let rest.

3) Once the sweet potato slices have cooled off, spread on top the mashed avocado. Top with sliced tomato, hard-boiled egg, and/or chia seeds and enjoy!

Rice Crispy Treats

Try making these delicious gluten and dairy-free rice crispy treats for your next dessert option! Brown rice crisp cereal is a healthier alternative to traditional cereal because it is loaded with fiber and contains less sugar. Maple syrup is the preferred sweetener for this recipe as it contains plenty of amino acids and helps aid the immune system! Nut butters are full of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats which help to increase HDL or “good” cholesterol. Drizzle with dairy-free chocolate if desired and enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 3 cups gluten-free brown rice crisp cereal

• ⅓ cup maple syrup

• ⅓ cup nut butter of choice 

• Dairy-free chocolate chips, optional

Instructions:

1) Line an 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.

2) In a small saucepan, add in nut butter and maple syrup and heat on the stove over low-medium heat. Stir occasionally until the mixture begins to bubble.

3) Pour the cereal into a large bowl. Add in the nut butter and maple syrup mixture and stir well until cereal is well coated.

4) Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Melt dairy-free chocolate chips and pour on top of rice crispy treats if desired. Chill in the freezer for up to one hour and enjoy!

Asian Beef Noodles

Try making this Asian beef noodle dish for your next lunch or dinner option! Beef serves as a great source of zinc, iron, and Vitamin B12. White onion is high in Vitamin C and aids in gut health. Garlic helps to regulate blood pressure and promotes bone health. Star anise is a popular Asian cuisine ingredient that is full of antioxidants. As a low-calorie food, serrano pepper is an excellent food for weight loss and a great source of Vitamin A! Water chestnuts are low in calories and full of fiber. Enjoy this dish with chopped green onion and enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. boneless beef chuck roast

• 1 32 oz. container of gluten-free beef broth

• Half of one medium white onion, chopped

• ½ cup water

• 2 tbsp tamari

• 4 garlic cloves, diced

• 1 star anise

• 1 serrano chili pepper, seeded and diced

• 3 oz. gluten-free rice noodles

• 2 cups shredded napa cabbage

• 2 cups shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and diced

• 1 8 oz. can water chestnuts, drained and diced

• 1 tbsp water

• 1 tbsp gluten-free cornstarch

• Chopped green onion for topping, optional

Instructions:

1) Chop the beef into 1-inch pieces. In a Dutch oven, combine the beef, broth, onion, ½ cup of water, tamari, garlic, star anise, and pepper. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat. Let simmer with the lid on for 50 minutes.

2) In the meantime, prepare noodles as directed on the package.

3) Remove the star anise from the broth mixture and discard. Toss in the cabbage, mushrooms, and water chestnuts and stir well. Return to boiling and let simmer for about 5 minutes.

4) In a separate bowl, stir together the tablespoon of water and cornstarch. Add into to the broth mixture. Continue to cook and stir until mixture thickens and bubbles. Top with chopped green onion and enjoy!