Is Dulse the Next Superfood?

---

You may start to hear the buzz around the mineral-rich "red seaweed" called Dulse.  It's not new as it's been around as a food and medicine for centuries...but is slowly becoming all the rage in the U.S. because of it's amazing health benefits and superfood qualities.

The whole flake form is said to have a palatable, chewy texture with a smokey, umami flavor that some are comparing to bacon!  Whaaaaa?  If I ever come across it in stores, I'll have to give it a taste and maybe add it to a soup!  Yum.  It also comes in a powder form that you can use as a spice or a replacement for salt.

Dulse contains Vitamin C and the carotenoid antioxidants, like alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin, all of which are known to be great for healthy eyesight, reducing free radical damage in the body and decreasing the risk of some chronic diseases.

Dulse can be a natural way to supplement the diet with iodine. I find it interesting that many are saying that this may be helpful for those with hypothyroidism, a condition that is becoming more and more prevalent in today's world because of low dietary iodine consumption and absorption.  I know so many people personally who suffer with hypothyroidism, so it caught my attention.

Here's what organicfacts.net is saying about dulse...

Some of the most important health benefits of dulse include its ability to improve vision, protect the immune system, build bone health, improve the thyroid gland, increase growth and repair, optimize the gastrointestinal system, lower blood pressure, strengthen the brain and nervous system, and boost circulation.

To read the full article, click HERE

Can adding dulse to your diet make you more healthy....and more BEAUTIFUL??

When I chose the ingredients for my Anti-Aging Drink, I chose them carefully.  Sure, it's easy to see why I chose the collagen and the antioxidants....but did you realize that the Greens Blend that is in it has a very good reason for being there.  It contains DULSE.  That's also the reason I recommend my Anti-Aging Drink in my Beauty Detox Program as an option.

Because seaweed polysaccharides work to detoxify the liver, the cleansing actions they provide naturally help to encourage healthy looking skin.  Pretty cool, huh?

I'm a fan of aging gracefully in a healthy way...and adding dulse to my diet seems like it's doing double duty in HEALTH and BEAUTY!  

You can check out how I'm adding this super-duper superfood into my daily routine by checking out my Anti-Aging Drink recipe HERE and the delicious Greens Blend that has the dulse in it, along with tons of other nutrients, HERE.  

-Photo from Pinterest/Food Matters

P.S.  When you purchase the Greens Blend, you get my entire Beauty Detox program for FREE!!

-Top photo courtesy of Superfoods for Superhealth

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!

Restaurant Style Artichokes - Whole30 Style

I honestly think artichokes might be my favorite food.  They are so satisfying, loaded with antioxidants, and are fun to eat!  

I usually just steam them and eat them plain....dipped in some homemade mayo... easy peasy and delicious.  You can see my blog post How to Make Artichokes where I get into more detail about how to steam them.  This time I made them taste the way you get them in a restaurant, but made sure to keep it healthy.... even Whole30 approved;)

Since writing that post back in 2014, I now have an Instant Pot that has been a game changer for time saver cooking!!!  It used to take me about an hour to cook artichokes and now I get it done in 20 minutes thanks to my Instant Pot pressure cooker....LOVE it.

You will need:

• 2 large artichokes
• Homemade Mayo (click for recipe)
• juice from 1/2 lemon plus extra wedges for serving
• 1/2 tsp crushed garlic (I use Trader Joe's from a jar)
• sea salt and pepper

While you're steaming your artichokes, make your homemade mayo if you haven't already so it's ready for the next step when they are done cooking.

How to Steam Artichokes in an Instant Pot:

1. Wash your artichokes and trim the stem.
2. Cut the tops off using a sharp serrated knife.
3. Put 1 cup of water in the bottom of the Instant Pot.
4. Place the steaming rack in the bottom and place the artichokes inside.
5. Lock the lid and ensure the vent is set to "sealing" not "venting".
6. Use the "Steam" button and set the timer for 20 mins on high pressure.
7. Once it comes up to temperature, it will start counting down the minutes.
8. When done, you can let it vent on it's own, or using a pot holder to protect yourself, vent it manually by moving the vent to "venting".  Careful not to let the escaped steam burn you.
9. Once it stops steaming, the pressure is released and you can open the lid and remove the artichokes.

Here's how mine look after I open the lid...

Ok, now for the fun part...making them "restaurant style"

Slice your artichokes into two halves.  Put them cut side up on a rack on a baking sheet lined with foil.  (I use a cooling rack and it works great.) Using a knife and spoon, scoop out the center fuzz and purple leaves to clean them.  This will make them super easy to eat when done.

Turn your oven to "Broil".

Whisk a couple large spoonfuls of homemade mayo, juice from half a lemon, and 1/2 tsp crushed garlic (I use the jar version of garlic for this, works great) until smooth.  You want a consistency that's easy to paint on the artichokes.

Using a kitchen brush, paint the artichokes all over liberally with the mayo mixture, top and bottom.  pour a little extra right in the cup that you created by scooping out the inside.  This will be soooooo tasty after broiling!!!  Mmmmmmm.

Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper, and place under the broiler on the center oven rack.  

Watch them closely and in about 6 minutes they will be golden brown.  Remove from oven when done do your liking;)

I served these as an appetizer like you'd order in a restaurant... with lemon wedges and additional sauce for dipping.  That baked on center section where the mayo mixture settled was SO delicious!!!  You could also serve these delicious beauties as a side dish!  Enjoy....and let me know what you think of these in the comments!

My Anti-Aging Drink

We all wish we could find the Fountain of Youth, right?  I've always taken pretty good care of myself.  That...mixed with good genes, has kept me looking more youthful than I actually am.  I'm all about anti-aging because I believe in aging gracefully and don't plan to have cosmetic surgery anytime soon.  ...by that I mean ever.

I'm a "healthy food first....supplement as needed" kind of gal, but there is a drink that I concocted myself as my insurance for healthy skin and anti-aging that I drink every day.  It's my own Fountain of Youth that I drink to combat aging and ensure my skin stays as youthful looking as possible.  

Whenever people hear my actual age, which is 44 by the way, they are usually surprised and I want to keep it that way.  I know what supplements I need to keep my skin looking young and combat those pesky signs of aging.  I learned a lot about this when I became Nutritious Life Certified.  I know that some of the ingredients that can help me keep my youthful appearance, my body doesn't make, so I need to get them from outside sources.  This drink ensures I get them every day!  I'm a stickler about ingredients though....so it took some research to find reputable sources.  I found the best resources for each of these ingredients for you.  I've done the research so you don't have to.  Just drink up and know you're getting quality with no sugar, chemicals or additives.

These are my "fountain of youth" must-have ingredients and why they're important:

1. Antioxidants:  By now you probably know that antioxidants are important for anti-aging because they fight free radicals in our bodies.  It was important to me to find a supplement with a very high ORAC value with healthy ingredients with no added chemicals or sugar.
2. Minerals:  Americans are deficient in minerals due to our soils being depleted.  We need minerals.  Vitamins cannot work properly without them and they are absolutely vital to maintain our mental and physical well being.  They help keep the blood and tissue fluids alkaline, help transport nutrients to cells, and help prevent bone loss.  Since the body cannot manufacture minerals, they must come from our diet.  It was important to me to find a source that I trusted, without any chemicals, added junk, or sugar.  I did my research and found an excellent source from 100% sea vegetables (versus minerals derived from rocks) that tastes amazing without anything artificial.
3. Collagen:  This is all the rage, with good reason.  Collagen is kinda the key to the "fountain of youth" that promotes youthful looking skin, healthy hair and strong nails .  It also supports bone health, healthy joints, and can help maintain weight.  The one I found even promotes healthy immune, digestive, and central nervous systems.  It was important to me to find a high quality grass-fed, non-GMO, pure source.  The one I found is all of those things and completely tasteless.
4. Greens:  This is where it can get tricky, because when you start looking for a truly healthy greens blend...you usually lose good taste.  I found organic raw greens that are grown in glacial soil and cut at peak harvest before the jointing stage, so you get the best quality greens. They are raw, so they retain more nutrients than cooked greens. This formula I found adds a certified organic blend of reishi, maitake, and shitake mushrooms to provide a vegetarian source of iron and B vitamins, and also a great source of phytonutrients and antioxidants.  It also contains Dulse, which is the new hot superfood!  What's the best part?  It tastes amazing, so it leaves you smiling...rather than gagging.  This has a delicious-yet-subtle berry flavor, silky smooth texture, and leaves no "grassy" aftertaste. 
5. Lemon Juice:  Drinking fresh squeezed lemon juice brings a healthy glow to the skin.  Lemon juice benefits the enzyme functions in your body, stimulating the liver and flushing out toxins.  It's great for detox, digestion, and the Vitamin C, which our bodies don't produce on our own so we have to get it from outside sources.  Vitamin C helps the body produce it's own collagen.  Great news all around....we need collagen to combat those wrinkles ladies!  Lemon juice is simply FAB for aging and health.

---

Here's how to make my Anti-Aging Drink

Ingredients:

• 16 oz water
• 1 scoop Collagen Peptides
• 1 scoop Greens Blend
• 1 scoop Minerals & Antioxidants
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• a couple of ice cubes - if you like it chilled a bit, I do ;)

Place all ingredients in a Blender Bottle or "shaker" with a blender ball and shake well.  Perfect for mornings on the go, or you can pour into a pretty glass and enjoy leisurely.  I recommend using a good quality Blender Bottle with a metal blender ball.  I like this one.  They work better and will last longer.

Note:  Yes, you must use the exact ingredients in my recipe for it to taste good....and ensure it's non-GMO, chemical-free, sugar-free, gluten-free, preservative-free, and soy-free.

---

By the look of this dark green drink, it may scare some of you who have tried healthy greens drinks in the past.... because you may recall the nasty taste you had to choke down.  I sure had.  Nasty tasting drinks don't last long.  I get it.  No matter how good it is for you, in time it will sit on the shelf and collect dust because it's, well...it doesn't taste good.

I've got great news for you!  This combination tastes SO good.  I actually look forward to it because it tastes so delicious.

I hope you give it a try and enjoy!  Let me know!  Here's to aging gracefully.

Here's what people are saying about my anti-aging drink recipe:  'Hey Shannon!  I received the products a few days ago and have been using them to make that green drink you posted on Instagram - it is SOO good and I love that it is filled with so many healthy things! I have also noticed an improvement in my skin tone - my mother in law complimented me on it! Thanks so much for sharing your recipe and these products on instagram ;)'  -Erin

P.S.  When you purchase the ingredients for my Anti-Aging Drink... I'll give you my entire BEAUTY DETOX Program for FREE!

6 Steps to Choosing a Healthy Protein Powder

---

Does choosing a Protein Powder for you and your family make your head spin?  You're not alone.

It's time to turn our beloved protein powder around guys and start reading those ingredients.  What you see might surprise you.  I'm going to help you through it by giving you 6 steps to choosing a healthy protein powder... Here we go.

I love a good smoothie after a workout because it's super easy, and gives me a protein boost following a workout to help my muscles recover.  I also love having it around for a healthy mid-day snack.  Protein powders are everywhere these days.  It's no wonder you stand there in the aisle of the store or vitamin shop and don't know what's the best choice.  I'm going to help you out so you can make a better decision...

There are many things to consider when choosing a protein powder.  I'm going to tell you what's important to me when I look for a good protein supplement because some of these things you may know about but some of these important things may surprise you...

6 Steps to choosing a Healthy Protein Powder:

1.  UNDERSTAND THAT A PROTEIN SUPPLEMENT IS JUST THAT...A SUPPLEMENT:  You are also eating a healthy diet throughout the day that consists of other protein sources, some carbs, and healthy fats, so this doesn't need need to replace that.  Unless you are a hard core weightlifter, and I mean hard core, you don't need all that, trust me.  I've heard many people say that they want a protein supplement to have SO much protein!  Those really high levels of protein just aren't necessary for most of us.  I used to think the more the better, but after getting Nutritious Life Certified, most of us take too much!  Look for one that's about 15 grams per serving.  

2.  THE SOURCE OF THE PROTEIN IS REALLY IMPORTANT:  Gone are the days of the Whey protein shakes in my opinion.  Whey is dairy.  Dairy doesn't agree with many people and I don't believe it's the healthiest choice.  I've taken dairy out of my family's diet for the most part and we feel a lot better.  From time to time I'll have some high quality grass fed butter or  cheese from a good source... but most whey you will find in protein powders aren't going to be from high quality, grass fed dairy.  This is why I just steer clear of them.  The reason that whey protein powders ARE as popular as they are.... is because they taste good.  The dairy provides a nice creamy, smooth mouth feel that is appealing to most people.  Now you know why they're yummy....but there are better options that are healthier.

Another option as a protein source that people used to think was healthy.... is soy.  Soy is bad for you and you should stay away from it.  Period.  It mimics estrogen in the body and can cause all kinds of problems, including cancer.  It can also cause nutrient absorption problems.

Some protein powders use egg white as the protein source.  I've used them and they actually taste pretty good.  The problem with these can be the price for the amount of servings you get.  This option...and dairy obviously...is not an option for vegans either.  When I started learning even more about seed oils and how they can affect the body, I continued my search because I the egg white protein I was previously using had sunflower seed oil in it....which brings me to my next point in a moment...

I think the best choice for a protein source is a plant based protein.  It works for just about anyone with any lifestyle....paleo to vegan.  Here's the problem with most plant based protein powders:  they taste like chalk.  Yep, they may be a healthier choice, but they don't have that smooth texture and good flavor.  I happened to have found one that actually tastes delicious AND has a creamy, smooth texture.  That brings me to the third thing I look for in a healthy protein powder....

3.  WHAT KIND OF OIL IS BEING USED IN YOUR PROTEIN POWDER?  You might be thinking, Oil... what Oil??  Protein powders have an emulsifier in them in the form of an oil.  Most protein powders use unhealthy seed oils in them.  Even the ones that claim to be healthier contain sunflower oil which is high in Omega 6's which we don't need any more of in our bodies!  This can cause inflammation that leads to all kinds of lifestyle diseases.  What our body does need is Omega 3's.  A healthier option would to be to find a protein powder with Coconut Oil used for the emulsifier and you'll make sure you're getting those healthy Omega 3's.  Coconut Oil also helps with the creamy, silky-smooth mouth feel we love in our smoothies!

4.  WHAT SWEETENERS ARE USED?  This is one of the most important things to look at.  So many of the protein powders out there contain artificial sweeteners that are really unhealthy for you.  There are some that are completely unsweetened, but I've tried them and they just don't taste good.  I like to enjoy my smoothie, not have to choke it down, so I look for one with Stevia, monk fruit or coconut sugar as a sweetener.  The one I use even cuts the stevia amount further by adding a bit of monk fruit... and they use the organic stevia and monk fruit in it's pure, leaf form.  I like that.... not that processed white powdery kind of stevia that leaves an aftertaste.  I'm very sensitive to the stevia taste, and that's why I love this one....no aftertaste;)

5.  WHERE ARE THE INGREDIENTS COMING FROM?  Do you know?  Do you know if they are from another country?  Do you know if they are GMO free and/or organic?  Do you know if they contain grains, gluten or soy?  Those things matter.  The less ingredients the better.  Is your list on your protein powder long? ....or short?  Trust me, short is better and you should understand what every ingredient is and where it came from.  This may sound nit-picky to some, but your health depends on it, so start paying attention to these things.  Once you do, you'll be surprised what you learn.  

6.  LET'S TALK PRICE:  This matters because we want to get a healthy option without going broke, right?  I just want to make you aware of ways that some companies may try to trick you into thinking you're getting a better deal than you actually are.  Once you're aware of it, you'll know how to shop smarter.  Look at how many serving there are per container.  I can't tell you how many times I've looked at this and I've caught them trying to be sneaky!  For example, if you have two comparable products with comparable prices, but one seems like the better deal.... look at the servings per container.  One might have 30 servings and will last an entire month, and the other may only have 15 servings!  Not such a great deal anymore now is it!  Just keep your eye on that because that's how they get you!  

So, I've tried many different protein powders over the years and once I considered all of the things I've listed above, I have a new favorite I've been dying to tell my readers and followers about!  Check it out and get yours HERE.  

Let's see how it checks out using my 6 steps above....

1. It's 14 grams of protein per serving, perfect for my supplement amount goal.
2. It's plant protein made from pea, chia, pumpkin, hemp, and quinoa.
3. It has coconut oil in it as the emulsifier...that rocks.
4. It's sweetened with organic stevia and monk fruit...and has no stevia aftertaste because very little is used.
5. It's made in the USA, non-GMO, dairy free, soy free, grain free, gluten free, with nothing artificial what-so-ever.  It has less than 10 ingredients in it...total!!
6. It has 30 servings per container, love that!  Great price for that kind of quality.  

I get asked a lot about what kind of protein powder I use and recommend.  I've never been truly satisfied recommending one until now, so I don't talk about it much.  This new one I found is amazing.  It is hands down the best tasting plant based protein powder I've ever tried.  

Enjoy, and I want to hear what you think once you give it a try!  You won't find this one in stores but you can always find it here on my website under the SHOP menu, along with all the supplements I use and recommend.  If you have any questions, feel free to ask!  Oh, and they have incredibly fast shipping so you'll have it in no time;)

My Favorite Go-To Smoothie Recipe:

• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk
• 1 scoop of Vanilla or Chocolate Life's Abundance Plant Protein Powder
• 1 handful spinach or kale (OR 1 scoop Greens Blend)
• 1 Tbsp coconut oil (this healthy fat will keep you full longer and is good for you) or almond butter
• a handful of frozen berries...or frozen banana (I keep frozen banana pieces in the freezer for convenience)
• generous sprinkle of cinnamon
• a scoop of Collagen (optional - great for skin and joint health)

Blend all ingredients until smooth in a blender.  YUM.  You really can't go wrong, this protein powder is delicious even just blended with water and a few ice cubes!!

Here's another delicious recipe using this protein:  My Paleo Vanilla Raw Balls

View other supplements I recommend...and why I recommend them HERE.

---

Cauliflower Chowder

---

I found this recipe on Pinterest by Paleo Leap and they had me at crumbled bacon on top...YUMMM.

I love Cauliflower soup, but I really loved this one.  The bacon and the fresh dill were a different touch...and all those fresh veggies and spices made it really delicious.  My husband asked for seconds.

You can find the full recipe HERE.

Here's the only thing I did different... I put about 3/4 of the soup into the Vitamix after cooking and pureed it.  I then added it back to the pot and mixed it with the rest of the soup that still had chunks of veggies.  It was a wonderful mix of creamy...but kept it thick with texture like a chowder.  That's just my preference, you can read the full recipe and decide how you'd like it.  (You can see the chunks of veggies better in the pic below,,, thanks to my hubby for being my model.)  Oh, and use sugar-free bacon if you're on the Whole30.  Enjoy!