Paleo Clam Chowder

I love Clam Chowder. I mean, I really love it.

Now that the weather is starting to cool off and it’s beginning to feel a bit like Fall here in California, I decided to try this healthier Paleo Clam Chowder version that is dairy-free - and doesn’t even have potatoes in it.

To be honest, I didn’t have high hopes because I like GOOD Clam Chowder. How could this possibly live up to the real deal? I live near Spud Point in Bodega Bay which is pretty much perfection when it comes to chowder.

Well, from my first taste of this…. IMPRESSED. Super impressed. My husband even ate two bowls.

I decided to add it here to my blog since this will now be a staple in my house from now on and you simply need to know how to make it for your family too.

Ingredients

• 2 cups raw cashews, soaked in water for 4 hours

• 4 slices bacon, chopped (I use Pedersen Farms sugar-free bacon)

• 1 cup chopped yellow onion

• 1/2 cup chopped celery

• 1 cup peeled cubed celery root, or celeriac

• 4 cups water

• 16 ounces bottled clam juice (I used Bar Harbor brand)

• 1 sprig fresh thyme

• 1 bay leaf, whole

• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (more to taste if wanted)

• 3 6.5-ounce cans minced or chopped clams, drained and rinsed (I used Bar Harbor brand)

Method

1. Place the bacon in a Dutch oven or deep stockpot (I used my 5.5 quart Le Creuset and it was a perfect size) and cook over medium high heat until most of the fat has rendered, about 2-3 minutes after the pot heats up.

2. Stir in the onions, celery, and celery root and sauté for 10 minutes, or until vegetables are cooked but still firm.

3. Add the water, clam juice, thyme, bay leaf, and salt. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

4. Remove 2 cups of soup (mostly liquid) from the pot and place in a blender.

5. Drain and rinse the cashews, then add them to the blender and blend for 30 seconds, until smooth.

6. Return the cream mixture to the pot and stir to incorporate.

7. Stir in the clams and simmer for 5 minutes, until the clams are warm. Remove from the heat and allow the soup to thicken for 5-10 minutes before serving.

8. Salt and pepper to taste.

9. Garnish with a few shakes of hot sauce of choice like we did if you want!

Enjoy! This healthy Clam Chowder will pass for the original! Let me know if you try this in the comments! I’d love to know if you love it too!

This recipe is from the Cookbook Against All Grain - delectable paleo recipes to eat well & feel great - by Danielle Walker. This is just a tease of the delicious recipes in there so grab yours!

Chimichurri Sauce

Chimichurri sauce is a fresh, green condiment from Argentina that is great on everything from steak, eggs, veggies...even french fries.

The first few times I made this awesome sauce, I tried recipes that were prepared in a food processor. What this did was emulsify the oil and made a more creamy sauce. While this tasted great, I was after the more traditional, chunky sauce that showcased all the fresh ingredients...a more olive oil looking sauce.

After a few attempts that tasted too vinegar-y, this was the winner. My family LOVED it. It's really simple and I hope you love it too.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 whole shallot, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon kosher or large flake salt
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
• 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Get the first 4 ingredients ready first and combine the red wine vinegar, garlic, shallot, and salt and allow this to sit  and marinate while you get your other ingredients ready, about 10 minutes.

Add the parsley and cilantro to the first 4 ingredients in a bowl and then whisk in the olive oil last with fork. Salt to taste and add the red pepper flakes if you want a little kick. If you happen to have a large mortar and pestle, crush and grind all the ingredients a bit to really combine...if not, no biggie, just mix well.

I store this in a mason jar in the fridge and spoon it onto anything and everything! Just shake it up before using as it will separate. I usually try to use it up within a week. It makes about a cup and a half of sauce.

Enjoy and let me know if your family loves this fresh sauce as much as mine does!

Note:  People either like cilantro or they don't. If you don't you can use all parsley and visa versa...all cilantro. If you like both, try it the way I've written it as it's the perfect mix in my opinion. And yes....fresh herbs are a must with this one.

How do I use Chimichurri?

The day I make it I usually put it on tri-tip...because that is usually what inspires me to make it!

The next day I'll usually make a big romaine salad and dress it with ranch or caesar dressing. I then chop up some leftover tri-tip and put it on top and drizzle Chimichurri on top of the steak. This makes an easy and DELICIOUS salad. My husband loves it too!

The third day we had a burger + fry night and I made these Chimichurri + Gorgonzona Sweet Potato Fries which were to die for... and that finished off the Chimichurri Sauce in 3 days for 2 or 3 people.

This sauce is excellent on everything though! Tell me how you use it in the comments. Great on eggs, veggies, shrimp, steak, fries and more!

My Favorite Healthy Green Smoothie

When people ask me if I'm a fan of smoothies, my response is always the same.  "It depends."

Does your smoothie have a PURPOSE ...nutritionally?

I think smoothies can be an excellent way to pack a whole lot of nutrition into a quick and easy meal or snack...but it can turn unhealthy quick if you're not careful.

I'm not a fan of smoothies as any kind of "liquid diet".  I don't recommend juice cleanses either.  I believe in chewing real food.  With that said, do I think smoothies can find their way into a healthy lifestyle? 

Absolutely.  

I want to share my favorite Healthy Green Smoothie recipe with you that I make for my husband and I a few times a week.  I also want to talk ingredients with you because these days it's hard to decipher all the "mix in's", supplements and superfoods you may be seeing out there.  What the heck is Matcha anyway? ...or Maca? ...and do I need it??  

Like I said, a smoothie is a great way to get a huge dose of nutrients into your body easily.  This is what I like to use smoothies for.  Adding Nutrition.  Too many people think you need to add fruit to smoothies to make them taste good.  Sure, it might make them taste good, but it also can add a ton of unnecessary sugar.  

Another reason I've taken fruit out of this smoothie... as a Nutrition Coach, I actually recommend eating fruit by itself...or first at a meal.  What?  Why?  When you consume fruit WITH other foods like protein, it can cause bloating.  Fruits tend to move through your body quicker than proteins.  Proteins take longer to digest which is why they keep you satiated longer.  When you consume fruit after protein or with it, it can slow it down and the sugars in the fruit start to ferment... can you say BLOATED?  

I'm going to show you how to make a green smoothie taste creamy and delicious without any fruit or added sugar at all.

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Ingredients: (more detail on ingredients below)

• 1  1/2 cups unsweetened almond or coconut milk (I use Califia Farms brand)
• large handful of baby spinach (about 1 packed cup)
• 1 level scoop of Life's Abundance Vanilla Plant Protein Powder
• 1 tsp Maca Powder
• 1 tsp Matcha Powder
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 3 ice cubes

Instructions:

Add liquid first, then all other ingredients and blend well in a high powered blender.  I have a fancy Vitamix, but I don't use it for this unless I'm making multiple servings at once, it's just too big.  I use a Magic Bullet that I got at Target.  It's the perfect size for a single serving and blends it perfectly with minimal cleanup.  

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I'm not a calorie counter....but for you calorie counters out there, this smoothie above is only 200 calories.  Ahem....ever had a "Peanut Butter Moo'd Smoothie at Jamba Juice?  I have.  Was it tasty?  Yep...BUT a small is 500 calories and a large is almost 1000 calories and 131 g of sugar!!!!!  This is the typical "smoothie" people drink in America!  It's no wonder our waistlines are expanding, right?

All the ingredients I use in my Healthy Green Smoothie have a PURPOSE.  I think that's the key to making a HEALTHIER smoothie.

What are these ingredients...and where to buy them:

Raw Maca Powder:  I get Navitas Naturals brand at Sprouts.  If you can't find it near you, you can get it HERE.  Maca is a potent, anchient Peruvian superfood made from a root.  It's a tan color with a slightly sweet, malty smell and flavor.  It supports energy and vitality naturally without jitters.  As an adaptogen, maca balances hormones and stress levels in the body. It also provides an abundance of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and sterols.  My husband loves the subtle flavor of maca!

Matcha Powder:  You can find matcha green tea powder at any health food store, Whole Foods or Sprouts.  I happen to have the Sprouts brand right now.  Matcha was recently named "trendiest ingredient" by CBS News and Huffington Post because it's everywhere these days... Matcha Latte photos are all over social media these days.  Unlike drinking brewed green tea, you drink the whole leaf plus the taste is twice as much as regular brewed green tea.  Here's a helpful graphic that will help you see just how healthy Matcha powder is!

Life's Abundance Plant Protein:  This is where people usually fall short.  There are a lot of unhealthy protein powders on the market today full of dairy, unhealthy oils as emulsifiers, and artificial sweeteners.  One serving of an unhealthy protein powder can wreak havoc on your whole "healthy" smoothie...and your body!!  Take it from me, I've done the research for you and have found a creamy (not chalky) plant-based protein that is non-GMO, grain-free, dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free, vegan, and has zero sugar added.  It's also made with coconut oil rather than unhealthy sunflower oil that can cause inflammation in the body.  (Vanilla is used in this recipe, but it is also available in delicious chocolate.)  This protein is not sold in stores, but you can get it HERE and anytime through me under my "Nutrition" tab on my menu.  It ships really fast and you'll have it usually in 3 days or less!

Cinnamon:  Yep, even this ingredient has a purpose.  Cinnamon is high in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties.  Cinnamon has been shown to significantly increase sensitivity to the hormone insulin.  This means that it can help with insulin resistance which is the hallmark of serious conditions like metabolic disease and type 2 diabetes.  Cinnamon has a blood sugar lowering effect.  Bet you didn't know what a healthy punch a sprinkle of tasty cinnamon can make!

Unsweetened Almond Milk or Coconut Milk:  The key here is to use homemade, or a good quality refrigerated brand such as Calafia Farms.  Steer clear of boxed brands that sit in the unrefrigerated section because they have unhealthy preservatives in them...or added sugar.  Find one that does not have carrageenan in the ingredients.  I love canned coconut milk, but I don't use that as it's too thick for this recipe.

Baby Spinach:  You don't have to use baby spinach, that is just what I get.  It's just harvested a bit earlier and is a bit more tender...so I think it works great in a smoothie.  Spinach is high in niacin and zinc, as well as protein, fiber, vitamins A, C, E and K, thiamin, vitamin B6, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, and manganese.  Abundant flavonoids in spinach act as antioxidants to keep cholesterol from oxidizing and protect your body from free radicals, particularly in the colon. The folate in spinach is good for your healthy cardiovascular system, and magnesium helps lower high blood pressure. Studies also have shown that spinach helps maintain your vigorous brain function, memory and mental clarity.  Packing a big handful of spinach in a smoothie is such a great way to get all it's nutritious goodness in easy and quick!  Too many people don't get enough greens!  Trust me, the tasty vanilla protein powder will actually totally hide any "veggie taste", so kids will even love this!!

Ice:  I like adding a few ice cubes because no one wants a warm smoothie.  Am I right or am I right? :) 

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If you make this just as I describe, it should turn out the perfect consistency, tasty, with a creamy mouth feel.  The secret ingredient is the protein powder that is key for this creamy texture and delicious taste.  If you use another brand, I cannot guarantee taste or texture.

Like this recipe?  Let me...and others... know!  Post your pics on social and tag me!  

Other Blog Posts you might enjoy that you could also use this Plant Protein in:

- 6 Steps to Choosing a Healthy Protein Powder

- Paleo Vanilla Raw Balls

- Healthy, Raw, Protein Cookie Dough

Healthy, Raw, Protein Cookie Dough

Ok, my pal Keri Glassman of Nutritious Life is a girl after my own heart with this recipe....

Ever since I showed this to my husband he's been asking for it....

So today I got some Enjoy Life dairy-free mini chips at Sprouts and I think I'll surprise him this evening with a little healthy treat;)  Here's how you can get your own...check out how easy!

Ingredients

• 1 scoop Life's Abundance Protein Powder
• 1/2 cup almond flour 
• 1/4 cup almond butter 
• 4 tablespoons honey 
• 2 tablespoons dairy-free mini chocolate chips 
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened shredded coconut (optional) 
• Water (as needed) 

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine vanilla protein (can also use chocolate protein), almond flour, almond butter, honey, chocolate chips, and optional coconut.
2. Add water slowly as needed and mix until dough becomes desired consistency.

Wait, what about this to take it a step further!?  You could add some chunks of this to some Coconut Milk "Ice Cream"!  Yum.

Like this?  You'll love my Paleo Vanilla Raw Balls that are also protein-packed!!

Do you have to use this protein powder?  No, you're big boys and girls.  But why do I think you SHOULD?  Check out my blog post "6 Steps to Choosing a Healthy Protein Powder" HERE!

Photo above is from the original post on nutritiouslife.com

Skin Smoothie

This is the creamiest smoothie I've ever had.  In the past, to get a smoothie really really creamy I had to add banana.  I like to make "no fruit" smoothies because smoothies that are loaded with fruit aren't quite as healthy as ones that aren't.  Today I added avocado....and it blows away the banana for the creamy texture!  What's more? ...avocados have even more potassium than bananas and are FULL of those healthy fats that are so good for us!

I'm calling this the "Skin Smoothie" because it's loaded with nutrients, collagen, antioxidants and healthy fatty acids.   Ready to get your glow on?

Ingredients:

• 1 c. unsweetened almond milk (look for carrageenan free --> I like New Barn or Califia Farms brands
• 1 scoop Vanilla Plant Based Protein Powder
• 1 scoop Greens Blend
• 1 scoop Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
• 1/4 very ripe avocado
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon (great source of antioxidants...anti-inflammatory properties...and more!  One of the healthiest spices!!)
• 2 ice cubes

Blend until smooth and incredibly creamy!  I love making "no fruit" smoothies that are ultra healthy....and taste amazing, this one is definitely both.

The nutrients and healthy fats in this smoothie will keep you satisfied for a looooong time.  This would be a great breakfast because it's full of protein too.

Think your protein powder is healthy?  Read my post "6 Steps to Choosing a Healthy Protein Powder" and find out how yours stacks up.  

Like this post?  You might also like my Anti-Aging Drink Recipe!