The Picnic Basket

Hey BooBoo, what's in the pic-a-nic basket? 

Ummm...uh....??? Out of ideas? That's ok, here is a list of goodies to choose from when you are in a hurry...

ROMANTIC PICNIC FOR 2: 

(These can all be vegan, gluten free, dairy free)

• Wine/grape juice and cheeses (these can be vegan) with a cracker or other gluten free toasted tid bit to spread cheese on.
• Roasted cherry tomatoes, can tuna/salmon and your favorite bread or tiny roll or hollowed out cucumber or avocado
• Wraps made from lettuce or other veggies filled with chicken salad or slaw
• Fruit and Nuts with a bubbly flavored water
• Beans & More Beans with a spritz of olive oil & red wine vinegar or flavored vinegars ( Good way to end a date if it lasts too long...tee hee)
• Melon or asparagus wrapped with prosciutto

3's COMPANY PICNIC:

(People you know well? if not bring more choices)

• salads are a hit- fresh peas, chick peas, peppers & onions
• cubed tomatoes, onions, cucumber and parsley, sea salt, lemon juice olive oil
• tabouli salad, quinoa salad
• 3-5 bean with a dash of lemon and olive oil
• mushrooms, fresh red peppers cubed, olive oil & vinegar
• cucumbers sliced with chives and sour cream (organic)
• water melon, grapes, strawberries
• applesauce with cinnamon & honey 
• orange slices
• chicken/turkey cubes, walnuts and mayo salad on fresh leaf lettuce

4 AND MORE PICNIC:

• A whole cold chicken, sliced grass fed beef, hard boiled eggs, turkey breast sliced, veggie/bean burgers already cooked
• rolls, wraps or lettuce leaves
• olives, pickles, raw veggies cut up
• kale chips in a mason jar
• dried fruits like figs or dates, banana chips
• several beverage choices- teas, sparkling waters, lemon or lime slices frozen in ice cubes, stored in a zip bag
• finger sandwiches (Nutbutter & honey) for little kids
• fresh fruit centered desserts
• apples diced with raisins, walnuts and a touch of mayo (waldorf)
• dressing assortment
• slaws, relishes, condiments

Always remember you will need zip bags to divide up the food to take home and put it back in the cooler right after you eat if it requires refrigeration. (Mayo, dairy, eggs, meats) Happy pic-nic-ing!! No fires in the forest saves the trees:)

Happy is Healthy!

Serving Just One Is Still Fun!

Blueberry Muffins for One

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp coconut flour
• 1 tbsp almond flour
• 1 tbsp oat flour (omit for paleo version)*
• 2 tbsp granulated sweetener of choice (we use coconut sugar, adjust to taste)
• 1/2 tsp aluminium free baking powder
• Pinch cinnamon
• 1 large egg (can sub for 1 large egg white or 1 flax egg)
• 1 tbsp mashed banana/pumpkin/mashed starchy vegetable e.g. sweet potato
• 1 tbsp + dairy free milk of choice**
• 2-3 tbsp fresh or frozen blueberries
  

Recipe:

Pour batter into an oven safe mug or cup and bake at 350F (180C) for 12 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. 

Notes
* If you omit the oat flour for almond, you'll need a dash more dairy free milk.
** Depending on the starch you use and the brand of coconut flour, you will most likely need more than 1 tablespoon - adjust accordingly.

Paleo Egg-In-The-Hole

PALEO EGG-IN-THE-HOLE

Yield: Yields 6 Egg-in-the-Holes

NF based on 1 of 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

• 2 acorn squash
• 6 whole eggs
• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 5-6 pitted dates
• 8 walnut halves
• Fresh parsley to garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375F
2. Slice squashes crosswise in order to get at least 3 slices with complete holes per squash*. Your good slices should be about 3/4" inch thick.
3. Remove the seeds and place the slices on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper and bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
4. While the squash is in the oven, place walnuts and dates on a cutting board and chop them simultaneously until their texture resembles that of coarse sand.
5. Take the squash out of the oven and drizzle each slice with a little bit of olive oil.
6. Crack an egg directly in the center of each slice, sprinkle eggs with a little bit of salt and pepper and sprinkle date/walnut crumble over the entire surface of the squash slices and eggs
7. Return to the oven for 8-10 minutes or until the eggs are done to your liking
8. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
9. Drizzle with maple syrup if desired.

S

S

Spicy {Slow Cooker} Sweet Potato and Chicken Stew

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours

Total Time: 8 hours, 10 minutes

Yield: 6 servings

Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe

Ingredients:

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite sized pieces

1 large sweet potato or yam, peeled and chunked

1 yellow onion, diced

1 red pepper, seeds removed and diced

1 large zucchini, chopped

2 large carrots, peeled and chopped

5 cloves garlic, smashed and minced

1 tablespoon curry powder

1/2 tablespoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (more or less to your liking)

3 cups low sodium chicken broth

2 tablespoons corn starch

1/2 cup fat free half & half or light coconut milk

salt to taste

Directions

1.            Pull out the slow cooker (duh).

2.            Throw all the vegetables (including garlic) and the chicken into the slow cooker.

3.            Sprinkle the spices over everything and toss with a wooden spoon to mix.

4.            Pour the chicken broth over everything.

5.            Set your slow cooker to high heat (for 4 hours) or low (8 hours).

6.            In the last half hour of cooking, mix the cornstarch with a few tablespoons of the broth from the crockpot in a small bowl and pour the mixture back into the stew. Let cook for another 20 minutes to half hour to thicken, on low heat.

7.            Right before serving, stir in the half and half or coconut milk. This will give the broth a velvety texture!

8.            Season with salt to taste and serve with a sprinkling of flat leaf parsley or cilantro.

OH SO...CHEESY ORGANIC CAULIFLOWER BREADSTICKS!

INGREDIENTS

·  4 cups of riced cauliflower (about 1 large head of organic cauliflower)

·  4 eggs

·  2 cups of your favorite cheese

·  3 tsp oregano

·  4 cloves garlic, tsp of minced

·  salt and pepper to taste

·  1 to 2 cups mozzarella cheese (for topping)

DIRECTIONS

1.  Preheat oven to 425 F degrees. Prepare 2 pizza dishes or a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

      2.  Make sure your cauliflower is roughly chopped in florets. Add the florets to your food processor and pulse until cauliflower resembles rice or hand chop or grind.

      3.  Place the cauliflower in a pot with a little water and bring to a quick boil for about 2 minutes. Place the cooled cauliflower in a large bowl and add the 4 eggs, 2 cups of cheese, oregano, garlic and salt and pepper. Mix everything together.

      4.  Separate the mixture in half and place each half onto the prepared baking sheets and shape into either a pizza crust, or a rectangular shape for the breadsticks.

      5.  Bake the crust (no topping yet) for about 25 minutes or until nice and golden. Don't be afraid the crust is not soggy at all. Once golden, sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese and put back in the oven for another 5 minutes or until cheese has melted.

      6.  Slice and serve with your favorite organic marinara sauce

NOTES

I don’t recommend a microwave, it kills so many of the good enzymes in our food. If you have no other method, use it for just long enough to make the riced cauliflower soft.

It's Summer Party Time!!!

Piled High Squash

(Substitute for Potato Skins) Serves 6 (1 squash each or 2 halves)

Ingredients
6 small to medium summer squash or zucchini
Olive oil
1 small sweet onion
1 cup sweet cherry tomatoes, cut into quarters (any color you like)
½ cup fresh cubed mozzarella
6 chopped, canned artichoke hearts
1 cup gluten free breadcrumbs

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Cut each squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds. Brush the squash with olive oil and bake(carved out side down) for 20 minutes, until golden around the edges.

While that is cooking, heat a small frying pan with tablespoon of olive or avocado oil and saute the onion for 10 minutes, until translucent. Remove from the heat.

In a mixing bowl, combine the tomatoes, mozzarella, breadcrumbs, and 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season with salt to taste, adding as much as you think the mixture needs to bring out the flavors of the tomatoes. Add the zucchini-onion mixture and stir together.

Press the filling into each of the zucchini boats. Sprinkle with the Parmesan. Bake 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted, the tomatoes have burst, and the tops of the boats are golden. Let them rest for a couple of minutes, then serve, topped with sour cream, bacon crumbles...well you take it from here and let your imagination take over. Let me know what you came up with so I can try it. Write it in the comment section below.

Sandra's Vegan Chickpea Salad

Ingredients


2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 small red onion finely chopped
1 small red bell pepper, chopped
A few ribs celery & tops, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced or grated 
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper 
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped,crushed from jar
2 tablespoons red or white wine vinegar
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
 Directions

Combine chickpeas with onions, peppers, celery, red pepper flakes in a bowl .

Then in a processor or bullet/ninja add rosemary,garlic salt, pepper, oil and vinegar to combine the ingredients to make the dressing. 

Dress salad by pouring the mixture over the chickpeas and other ingredients in the bowl and tossing from bottom to top with a big spoon. 

This is best if made a day ahead so it can marinate. You can always do what I do, put it in a tupperware like dish and keep tipping it over every time you visit the frig. That way the bottom is on top and the whole salad gets to soak up the goodness of the dressing.

3 health benefits of chickpeas:

Whether you call them chickpeas or garbanzo beans, these little legumes are both tasty and healthy ! One of the oldest cultivated vegetables in the Middle East, chickpeas have been a favorite for hundreds of years ...see why. 

Here are three health benefits of chickpeas:

1. Hunger control: Chickpeas are high in fiber and protein, and they have a low glysemic index. This powerful combination can help control your weight and blood sugar. Enjoying as little as 1/2 cup of chickpeas daily can keep you feeling full longer.

2. Cholesterol reduction: Including 3/4 cup  of chickpeas (handful) in your diet each day can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, which reduces your risk of heart attacks, strokes,hardening of the arteries, dementia and more

3. Versatility: Chickpeas can be used in salads, soups, curries, chili and stews. Or consider roasting them with your favorite savory spices. Chickpea flour (also called garam) is gluten-free, high in protein and can be used to make pakoras, pappadams or pancakes, or can serve as a substitute for eggs in baked goods.

Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Bites with Greek Yogurt Blue Cheese Dip

Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Bites

These little mouth watering gems are good for snacking and for appetizers at any party or gathering. They will surely be a hit!!

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1 cup shredded chicken
• 1/4 cup goat cheese
• 1/4 cup sharp cheddar
• 1/4 cup buffalo sauce
• 1/4 cup Panko
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 2 tablespoons organic flour
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
•  

The Dipping Sauce

• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup blue cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

• In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, blue cheese, garlic powder, dill, parsley, salt and pepper, to taste; set aside in the refrigerator.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil a mini muffin pan or coat with nonstick spray.
• In a large bowl, combine quinoa, chicken, goat cheese, sharp cheddar, buffalo sauce, Panko, egg, flour, salt and pepper, to taste.
• Using a small cookie scoop, scoop the mixture evenly into the muffin tray, about 1 1/2 tablespoons for each.
• Place into oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden and set.
• Serve immediately with dipping sauce.