Easy Taco Salad

taco_salad_v02

 

When I was growing up, we used to have taco salad dinners all the time. I made a healthier paleo version for dinner that my finace really loved. Instead of a salad dressing, I prefer to eat it with guacamole. Whole foods makes it fresh everyday, which makes weeknight dinner much easier. I think this is definitely a repeat.

Easy Taco Salad
 
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Ingredients
  • 4 tbsp chili powder (Frontiers)
  • 2 red bell peppes
  • 2 yellow bell peppers
  • 2 orange bell peppers
  • 3 yellow onions
  • 1 package of romaine hearts
  • 2 tbsp fresh cilantro
  • 1 tsp sea salt (to taste)
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 lb grass-fed ground beef
Instructions
  1. Chop bell peppers and onions, set aside.
  2. Brown ground beef in large dutch oven with coconut oil.
  3. Add chili powder to ground beef.
  4. Then, add onions and bell peppers to ground beef.
  5. Reduce to low and cover dutch oven, stir occasionally.
  6. When ready to serve, stir in fresh cilantro, save some to garnish.
  7. Chop romaine hearts and add to plate, then add dutch oven mixture on top.
  8. (Optional) Eat with guacamole, my salad dressing of choice. Salsa would work too.
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 3

Almond Waffles with Blackberry and Orange Syrup

Almond Waffles with a Blackberry and Orange Syrup | Healing and Eating

 

This was my first time attempting a berry syrup and I’m thrilled with the results. It was a little difficult to thicken the syrup when it was simmering, but as it cooled it got much thicker. I can think of a million different desserts that would taste good with this, and I definitely plan on experimenting with different flavors. Although, I think I hit a home run with this one. Blackberries are a little sour and with all the honey I added, this syrup definitely has a sweet and sour vibe that I love.

Almond Waffles with Blackberry and Orange Syrup
 
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Serves: 8 waffles
Ingredients
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • ¼ tsp himalayan sea salt
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • ¼ cup of honey
  • 3 cups of frozen blackberries
  • ¼ cup of water
  • ¼ cup of orange juice from 2 cara cara oranges
  • ¼ cup of honey (creamed wildflower honey)
Instructions
  1. Combine blackberries, water, and orange juice in sauce pan. Let it simmer until berries are defrosted.
  2. Transfer sauce pan mixture to Vitamix and blend on low (1) setting. Add mixture back to saucepan.
  3. When mixture comes to a simmer, add in honey.
  4. Then with a sifter add tapioca flour slowly, using a whisk. It clumps together if added too fast.
  5. Continue to simmer to get syrup to thicken up. Set it aside and turn off heat to get it to thicken up more.
  6. Mix the rest of the wet ingredients in one bowl and the rest of the dry ingredients in another.
  7. Then combine bowls with a whisk or hand blender.
  8. Follow waffle iron directions, as they have different varieties and settings.
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 2

Asian Orange and Pomegranate Seed Salad

Asian Orange Pomegrante Salad | Healing and Eating

 Since it’s orange season out here in LA, I thought I would showcase them in salad. These are organic and local cara cara navel oranges. I mixed them with some pomegranate seeds that I bought frozen in bulk at Costco. I also added in some thinly sliced red onions, because I love them and they are super healthy.

Asian Orange and Pomegranate Seed Salad
 
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Ingredients
  • 4 cara cara navel oranges
  • ¼ thinly sliced red onion
  • ¼ cup of pomegranate seeds
  • 2 tbsp of rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp of sesame seeds
Instructions
  1. Defrost pomegranate seeds if frozen.
  2. To slice oranges, chop of top and bottom, then slice of peel. With a small paring knife, slice out the sections of the orange.
  3. Thinly slice red onion
  4. Drizzle with rice wine vinegar
  5. Sprinkle with sesame seeds
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1

Dragon Dictate for Mac Update

So I finally got around to installing Dragon on my Mac. For those of you who are unaware, Dragon is a popular software application for those with disabilities, because it helps them create a more ergonomic work station. I was worried about space, so I needed to do some spring cleaning on my computer before I got around to installing it. Then, when I finally tried to install it, I had to upgrade my Mac to the newest operating system – Mavericks. Can I just say that I think Mavericks is terrible name because it reminds me politics, and I do not associate good things to politics. So far I have not been impressed. The scrolling is really annoying, so it’s a good idea to make your scroll bar permanently visible. To do this, go to System Preferences > General, then under “Show scroll bars:” select “Always”
Anyway, after I upgraded the operating system some of my software wasn’t compatible, so I had to fix those problems. When  I finally got my favorite applications working, I then proceeded with installing Dragon. The installation process was a bit lengthy, and I got a little confused about when I should speak into the iphone speaker vs. my usb headset, but it worked out in the end. I also registered my product, just in case, and I believe they have IT support if you continue to struggle. Once I got used to speaking normally into the headset, calibrating my voice for my profile was a breeze. I haven’t used the application that much, since I need to go through the manual, but I believe once I know how to use the program I will be happy with it. I will post another update once I have used it for a while and let you guys know if it helps me alleviate some of my nerve pain.

Healthy Outing at Santa Monica Boardwalk

I love getting some sunshine and exercise at the Santa Monica Boardwalk. The food sold on the boardwalk is pretty pricey and usually unhealthy, so I normally pack a granola bar in my purse just in case I get hungry. Natural Balance Foods sent me a box to taste test and right now I love the cocoa mint and gingerbread Nākd Fruit And Nut Bars. All the bars are gluten-free and vegan, plus no sugar is added, except for dates. Since fruit and nuts are acceptable on the paleo diet, these bars are paleo friendly as well, plus if you’re a chocoholic like I am, you can order a box that contains only different chocolate flavored bars. You can also check out their Natural Balance Protein Bars if you want something with a bit more crunch to it.

I took this picture when I was there with Instagram. My profile name is @healingandeating if you would like to follow me. I would love to connect with everyone!

How to Live Without a Microwave

 

I’m not going to go into a long thing about why microwaves are bad for you. I’ve been without one for over a year and this is how I manage…easily.

1. What about microwavable dinners?

I don’t buy microwavable meals, they are full of processed chemicals, expensive, and overly salty anyway. If you like prepared food, try making a ton of leftovers over the weekend for the week. If you don’t want to cook check out the salad and sushi bar instead.

2. How do you heat your food when you are not at home?

That’s easy, you bring food that doesn’t need to be heated such as salads, granola bars, veggies and dips, sushi, pasta salads, sandwiches, hard boiled eggs, pizza, and asian leftovers all taste good cold, just to name a few. Yes, all these food can be made paleo, but it will definitely take some cooking skills.

3. How do you heat your food at home?

I normally heat it over a small nonstick skillet or pan. There is usually one dish to clean, but that’s not much. I also put foil over a cookie sheet and heat up the food for 10 minutes in the oven. Then there is no cleanup when you toss away the foil. If you have the space, you can always invest in a toaster oven, but if you have an oven then a toaster oven seems redundant.

4. How do you make popcorn?

You just add a little olive oil to a skillet and throw in the kernals. Make sure the lid is on and watch it pop. We’ve tried it with coconut oil, and it doesn’t work. If you’re paleo, popcorn is technically a whole grain and you shouldn’t be eating it anyway.

6.  How do you defrost food?

Food defrosts best in the fridge, although it takes some time. You can also leave it out on the counter, or if you are in a rush, run hot water over it.

7. What about heating beverages?

This too can be done over the stove or look into getting an electric kettle. I would avoid this gadget unless you are tea obsessed and usually away from kitchen.

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