A Well Balanced Blog
My Immune-Boosting Corona Crusher Smoothie!
Whip up the Corona Crusher to boost your immune system, flush out toxins, and strengthen your defenses—today and every day!
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Paleo Chicken Enchilada Soup
I crave soup, even if it's blazing hot in the dead of summer. Just crank up the AC and enjoy it, people. Mix that with my love of Tex-Mex (hello, I'm from Texas AND Mexican!) and you have this super easy, super delicious meal.
I created a very basic version that can be fixed up to everyone's personal preferences and dietary needs. The recipe is Whole30 compliant and Paleo as is (with tons of flavor!), but you can add other items such as beans and corn if you want a little extra. And it would still be gluten-free!
Plus, you can go all kinds of crazy with the toppings. This is actually a fabulous soup to serve for a luncheon or get together. Set out a bevy of toppings and let everyone create their favorite dish.
Enjoy, y'all.
Ingredients
- 1 15 oz can organic fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 4 oz can fire roasted green chilies
- 1 onion chopped
- 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb organic chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth or bone broth
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 T cumin
- 1 T chili powder
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp ground pepper
- Optional (but not Paleo or Whole30): pinto beans, black beans, corn
- Toppings of choice: avocado, guacamole, cilantro, cheese, sour cream, tortilla strips, lime
Instructions
- Throw it all in the crockpot and cook on low for 7-8 hours.
- Shred chicken with two forks before serving.
- Top with your favorite things and enjoy!
Advantages of Positive Thinking (And Why We Need It NOW!)
Maintaining a positive mindset has proven health benefits including stress reduction and improved immunity. Get 6 quick ways to help keep a positive mindset despite the chaos in your world.
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Breaking the Mold of Normal Self-Care
Self-care is more than spa days and big bottles of wine… it’s about taking care of what your body and mind need for a happier, healthier, more productive life. Here are actionable ways to start addressing the four pillars of self-care in your life.
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An Intro Into Adrenal Health
It’s time to have a little heart to heart here, friends. I know how easy it is to get caught up in the daily grind. If you have kids, it’s an entire job just to get them out of bed and to school… showered if we’re really feeling like superheroes that day. If they’re...
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8 Ways to Add Movement Into Your Life Daily
Just like a balanced diet, healthy movement each day is the key to overall health and wellness. Get 8 easy ways to sneak movement into your life daily.
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Simple Grain Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
What more do I need to say? They're chocolate chips cookies that are grain free, gluten free, dairy free, and refined sugar free. These babies would be Paleo if I didn't add the chocolate chips ... I say close enough, don't you?
You know how I know these cookies are delicious? Because my super picky, "I refuse to like new things" 7-year-old devoured them. He had his first sleepover with his buddy, Max, and I kept hearing them giggle as they snuck into the kitchen to grab more cookies. How can you get upset about little boys eating healthier cookies???
Let me also point out that these cookies are hearty enough to make ice cream cookie sandwiches. And I know this because I had one for breakfast. Enjoy, y'all!
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond butter (or cashew butter)
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup tapioca flour (or arrowroot)
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp baking soda
- Dash of vanilla
- 1/2-3/4 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except chocolate chips in bowl. Use mixer to combine.
- Stir in chocolate chips. Batter will be super thick!
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes to make batter easier to work with.
- Roll into balls and place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake at 350 for 10-14 minutes until they start to turn golden brown. Mine baked for 12 minutes and made 20 cookies.
Leaky Gut 101
Leaky gut doesn’t sound like it could cause headaches, fatigue, skin rashes and more… but it turns out leaky gut has a lot more influence over our health than just what happens inside our guts. Find out common symptoms, causes and the first steps to healing Leaky Gut here.
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5 Products to Kickstart a Healthier Life
The beginning of a new year sounds like the perfect time to “kickstart” anything, doesn’t it? I mean, I COULD go on a kickstarting soapbox over here (think kickstart new hobbies, a new workout, personal development) but let’s start simple: skincare and beauty...
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Gluten Free Cranberry Almond Cake
When I was a brand spankin' new Air Force wife, we were stationed in a little town in Florida. Another AF spouse and I bonded quickly, and we used to get together at the local bookstore and share recipes over coffee. You know, back when we were young, didn't have kiddos, and actually looked for things to occupy our time. Which is HILARIOUS to me now. Twenty years later, I would give anything to have that kind of free time again! Amy and I shared some of the sweetest times together back then AND I scored a ton of delicious recipes.
But there was this one recipe ... the one that became my ALL. TIME. FAVORITE. Just a ton of butter and flour and sugar and almond extract and cranberries. I had given up on ever having this again until I was working on a cookie recipe and BAM. Instant time travel back to Panama City in 2001. So back to the kitchen I went, and this beauty is now a reality.
And it's kinda perfect for Valentine's Day.
Grain free and gluten free, this cake is the perfect blend of tart and sweet. Since the base of this is a cookie recipe, just know that the batter will be thick! But the moisture from the berries gives it the texture of cake or muffins.
This can be baked in a variety of ways, but my favorite is in a cast-iron skillet. Pull it out of the oven, top it with a big ole scoop of vanilla ice cream, and plunk it on the table. Hand out some spoons and encourage everyone to dig in. Then wait for the moaning to begin. Because yes, it is THAT GOOD.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter, room temp
- 1/2 cup organic sugar, depending on preference
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 1 1/2 cups almond flour
- 2 tablespoons coconut flour
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 - 1 cup frozen cranberries (thawed in water)
Instructions
- Place frozen cranberries in warm water for a few minutes to thaw. Then lay out and dry on paper towels.
- Combine butter and sugar in a bowl. Use mixer to cream together. Add egg and almond extract and mix until smooth.
- Mix in almond flour, coconut flour, salt, and baking soda. Mix together until smooth batter forms.
- Gently fold cranberries into dough. Don’t be concerned with bleeding of cranberry juice into dough — it actually makes the finished product even prettier!
- Grease your pan of choice, and grease it well! Or use parchment paper. I personally have used a 9” round springform pan, a 8x8 square pan, and a cast iron skillet. You could also use a round cake pan! Just make sure the size is comparable and adjust baking time accordingly.
- Press dough into pan. Since the dough is thick, this will take some effort. Just use a spatula to spread it out and press as evenly into pan as possible. It will spread some once it gets in the oven.
- Bake at 350 degrees for about 25-35 minutes. Top will be golden and edges will pull slightly away from sides. Toothpick inserted in center should come out clean. Remove from oven and let cool on cooling rack.
Notes
*Just a note to remember, this cake is a bit crumbly! So if you want pretty slices, make sure to let it cool completely before cutting AND use a super sharp serrated knife. But once you take a bite you won't care what it looks like… because your taste buds will be in heaven.
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