Carrot Soup

Enjoy this hearty and flavorful carrot soup for lunch or dinner! Carrots are known to be rich in antioxidants, Vitamin C, and Vitamin A. They help aid in liver detoxification and boost kidney function as well! Onions improve immunity, help lower blood sugar levels, and help in improving digestion. They are rich in quercetin and chromium, which play an important role in insulin action. Tomatoes help reduce the risk of heart disease, maintain blood sugar balance, and are a great source of vitamins and minerals. Sprinkle on some black pepper and enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp coconut oil

• ½ cup onions, chopped

• 4 large carrots, chopped

• 2 cups tomato puree, canned

• 3 cups vegetable broth

• 2 tbsp coconut aminos

• 2 dashes black pepper

• Sea salt to taste

Instructions:

1) Heat coconut oil in saucepan and cook onion until starts to brown.

2) Add carrots, tomato, and broth and bring to a boil.

3) Simmer until carrots are tender, about 15-20 minutes.

4) Carefully (hot!) use stick blender to blend until smooth.

5) Place in bowls and top with coconut aminos, black pepper, and sea salt to taste. Enjoy!

BBQ Chicken Poppers

Make these BBQ chicken poppers as an appetizer for your next get-together! Chicken is known to be a great source of protein, is low in sodium, and high in B vitamins. It also helps in reducing blood pressure and contains zinc, magnesium and iron! Using arrowroot starch is a great alternative to regular flour, as it is high in vitamins and minerals. It is also gluten-free, grain-free, and paleo friendly! When making this recipe, it’s important to incorporate the right BBQ sauce, which can be tricky. It’s best to opt for a sauce that is low in carbs, sugar, and is paleo friendly. Serve these chicken poppers with your favorite sauce and enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, sliced into chunks

• ⅓ cup arrowroot starch

• ⅓ cup and 2 tbsp melted coconut oil

• 1 ½ tsp sea salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1 cup paleo BBQ sauce

Instructions:

1) Place sliced chicken into a bowl, ⅓ cup of coconut oil into a separate small bowl, and arrowroot starch with salt and pepper in another bowl.

2) Dip chicken in coconut oil, then coat in arrowroot starch. Next, set coated chicken on a dish. Repeat the process until all pieces of chicken are coated.

3) With the remaining 2 tbsp of coconut oil, melt in a large skillet over medium heat and begin to place coated chicken chunks in the skillet to crisp. Turn pieces until each are evenly crisp.

4) Once cooked all the way through, place chicken in a large mixing bowl. Let chicken cool before adding in paleo BBQ sauce. Mix until each piece is coated well. Enjoy!

Slow-Cooked BBQ Pork Chops

This slow-cooked BBQ pork chop recipe is not only tasty but will have your home smelling delicious while cooking in your slow cooker all day. Pork is known to be full of protein as well as low in sodium and fat. It is high in thiamin, vitamin B12, selenium, and zinc! Tomatoes are high in an antioxidant called lycopene, which helps reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease and cancer. Maple syrup is an excellent alternative to refined sugar and a great source of manganese, which is important for bone health. Mustard and onion powder add just the right punch of flavor to this recipe and have powerful anti-microbial properties. If you are looking for a healthy comfort food recipe that cooks itself, you can’t go wrong with this BBQ pork chop recipe!

Ingredients:

• 12 oz pork chops

• 15 oz can tomato sauce

• 1/3 cup maple syrup

• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

• 3/4 cup water

• 2 tsp mustard (ground)

• 3/4 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp of smoked paprika

• 1 tsp of sea salt

Instructions:

1) Place all ingredients (except pork chops) in a medium sized pot and mix well.

2) Cook pot over stove top flame on high heat and bring ingredients to a simmer.

3) Once simmered, lower heat to medium and let cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside 1 cup of the BBQ sauce for this recipe. Let the remaining sauce cool to room temperature and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

4) Cover bottom of slow cooker with some BBQ sauce and place pork chops on top. Cover pork chops with remainder of BBQ sauce.

5) Cook on high for 5-6 hours until pork is cooked through (internal temperature should be at least 170F). Enjoy!

Salmon Salad

This savory salmon salad is packed with protein, fiber, and nutrients needed to get you through the day! Any type of leafy green implemented into this recipe will be sure to provide you with Vitamin A, C, and K. Leafy greens are known to be rich in iron, lower blood pressure, and help with weight loss. Salmon is known to help improve heart health, strengthen bones, and is a great source of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. Adding in avocado will provide you with healthy fats, soluble fiber for digestion, and reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease. Cherry tomatoes are an excellent source of nutrients like Vitamin C and A! Combine all of these fresh ingredients with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and spices and enjoy!

Ingredients:

Makes 2 large salads

• 1 can salmon (wild caught)

• ½ avocado, chopped

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

• ½ tsp Dijon mustard

• 4 cups mixed greens

• 1 dash salt & pepper

• Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)

 Instructions:

1) Drain salmon.

2) Place mixed greens in bowls.

3) For dressing, use separate cup and mix oil, vinegar, and mustard.

4) Top greens with salmon, avocado, and cherry tomatoes.

5) Drizzle with dressing and top with salt & pepper. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds. Enjoy!