Foolproof Pesto Every Time!

Happy Labor Day!

Pesto is one of my favorite sauces. Is that what pesto is? A sauce? Well anyway…whatever it is, it’s delicious and can go from topping gluten free toast, to spicing up your egg breakfast, to being a great dip for your beef kabobs. And while most store bought pesto has dairy and varies greatly in flavor from brand to brand, I’m going to show you how to make the most delicious pesto every time - at home - dairy free - and it’s EASY!

Basil is the primary ingredient and flavor that makes pesto so delicious. Did you know that basil is also anti-inflammatory, boosts your immune system and is an antioxidant too?! So this is the perfect recipe to whip up as we find ourselves at the beginning of cold and flu season!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup organic cashews (roasted and salted adds more flavor)

• 1 large bunch of organic basil (approximately 2 cups of leaves)

• The juice of one 1 organic lemon

• 1/4 cup olive oil (to begin with)

• 4-6 garlic cloves chopped

• Pinch of sea salt

Directions:

1. Rinse the basil and cut off the stems

2. Add all ingredients to a food processor and blend

3. Observe the texture and add oil as needed until it is spreadable but not creamy

4. Taste and add garlic and salt as needed. This really adjusts to your personal flavor profile and helps make the pesto as strong and flavorful or as mild as you prefer.

Enjoy! Because the seasonings are so simple and so personalized in measurements, you can make this pesto the exact right flavor every single time!

Change it up:

• Use any nut you like or, do what I did the other day and use up 2-3 different nuts you happen to have in your pantry. The flavor profile may change slightly, but really any nut blend will work as the base. Usually store bought pesto includes pine nuts.

• Use cilantro instead of basil for an different flavor and added detoxification
  

p.s. we love to make some gluten free pasta with pesto as the sauce! What’s your favorite way to use pesto?

Find more fun information about basil here:

12 Benefits of Basil - Dr. Axe

What is Basil Good for?

My milkshake's better than yours

Hey hey Diva friends! 

ok, ok, stop.... get it out of your system and just sing it now "My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard...d*** straight, it's better than yours."....WHEW! Ok. Don't feel bad, it was totally going through my head while I was making this post ;) Now back to business....My milkshake IS better than yours and I’m going to tell you something that no one else will.

You deserve a milkshake.

You deserve a milkshake that isn’t going to send you onto a blood sugar roller coaster and mess with your healthy gut flora. You deserve this milkshake. A perfect treat on a day when you want a nourishing clean energy boost.

Raw cacao is beneficial in so many ways. Not only does it contain phenylethylamine which helps boost happy hormones, it’s also loaded with magnesium. A large percentage of the population is deficient in magnesium but it’s important for healthy digestion and a relaxed nervous system, so drink up!

Ingredients

Serves 1

• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon raw cacao powder
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 frozen banana
• 1 tablespoon of raw honey or stevia

Directions

1. Add all the ingredients to a blender. Blend until smooth.

When you’re gut health is off kilter it’s important not to overload your body with refined sugar. That’s where recipes like these come in. You can’t just flip a switch and never want a milkshake again, so it becomes about creating healthy substitutions to unhealthy foods.

Sugar feeds bad bacteria, fungus, and yeast in your gut and promotes digestive distress and hormonal issues. The more you can swap it out for healthy recipes like this the faster you’ll be on track to feeling amazingly energized and balanced.

If you’re seriously interested in getting healthy, restoring your digestion and boosting your energy then check out my new comprehensive program Get Gutsy With Me,

In the program you get a ton of delicious satisfying recipes that you can enjoy without guilt, and that will help rebuild your intestinal flora.

Or join me on my Facebook page Stop dieting and Live your Life! where I’ll be sharing more information, tips and recipes to help you live a happier, healthier life, along with a Holiday Survival guide packed with tips and recipes for free this Holiday Season!!

p.s. up the cinnamon for some fall flavor or replace it with 1 drop of peppermint essential oil for a Christmas twist on this delicious treat.

Comment below - what's your favorite holiday treat?

Easy "Cheesy" Broccoli Soup!

Hi there friends, if you don't know by now, I am all about fast and easy when it comes to food. While I expect my food to be high quality in both taste and nutrition, I don't want to slave away in the kitchen. That being said I came across this recipe, tweaked it, and wanted to share it with you!

This soup is dairy free, but somehow still tastes delicious, creamy and cheesy! The original recipe is from The Spunky Coconut and her cookbook Easy Paleo Meals!

Ingredients:

• 1-2 heads of broccoli 
• 4oz of mushrooms sliced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups roasted and salted cashews
• 1TBS  grass-fed butter
• 1 onion chopped
• Fresh garlic chopped - 3cloves ( or to taste)
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• 1-2 tsp turmeric
• himalayan sea salt
• squirt of brown mustard
• dash of lemon juice

Directions:

1. Cut the broccoli into florets and steam unit desired texture
2. Meanwhile, blend the chicken broth, cashews, turmeric, mustard and lemon juice together until creamy. This is your "cheese" sauce! Add extra spices if desired.
3. Heat up a skillet and melt the butter. Add the onions, mushrooms, fresh garlic and simmer until onions are translucent.
4. Pour the "cheese" sauce into the skillet. Add the cooked broccoli. Add garlic powder, onion powder, and himalayan sea salt to taste.
5. Heat through and Enjoy!

Make this your own! Throw in extra veggies, or even some shredded chicken! Post below if you try this - I'd love to hear about it! :)