Grilled Cauliflower Steaks

If you're looking for a perfect summer side-dish for your next cookout, or even just something different to throw on the grill (hotdogs are sooo last year) then look no further than this week's delicious healthy recipe. 

Cauliflower is a "meatier", hearty kind of vegetable that can be seasoned and grilled much like you would your favorite cut of meat, and also is great served alongside a lean steak or chicken breast. A cruciferous vegetable, cauliflower holds flavor exceptionally well and is full of vitamins and minerals. Cauliflower has been said to prevent cancer, boost heart health, boost brain health, is a natural detoxifier for your body, is anti-inflammatory, has digestive benefits, and has tons of phytonutrients and antioxidants. Basically, a nutritional powerhouse on a plate that holds flavor and is simple to prepare. 

Grilled Cauliflower Steaks

Gather:

2 heads of Cauliflower

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 lemon, juiced

salt + pepper to taste

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Method:

1. Mix olive oil, salt + pepper and lemon juice together
2. Rinse off cauliflower and remove leaves, cut stalk so that head can sit flat on counter.
3. With a sharp knife, cut cauliflower straight down the middle, and then slice into 1 inch "steaks". If some break or are not usable as "steaks" just set florets aside.
4. Using a brush, coat both sides of each "steak" with the oil mixture
5. Pour remaining oil over the florets that were set aside
6. Grill steaks and florets on medium heat for 5-7 minutes/side. Do not allow to burn.
7. During last two minutes of grilling, sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
8. Serve immediately.

These steaks are also a perfect option for vegetarians or a "meat-free" kind of night. As a tip, grate your own parmesan off of a block, the flavor will be fresher.

Enjoy, and join us back here next week for another recipe--perfect for the 4th of July!

Healthy Pineapple Whip

If you've been reading our posts these past few weeks, you'll have noticed that we have been striving to find the best of the best healthy summer treats to offer you some choices when that sweet craving hits. (and in this humidity, it hits hard.)

This week's recipe is a spin on the ever-popular "Dole Whip", a pineapple soft serve that is creamy and citrusy offering just the right amount of both flavors to satisfy. Pineapple is high in manganese, vitamin B in the form of thiamin, vitamin C, and dietary fiber. The local honey used in this recipe has the additional benefit of aiding in the alleviation of allergy symptoms. 

The recipe is simple, quick and only uses 3 ingredients. Another great option for hot summer days, or anytime you are dreaming of exotic tropical beaches. 

Pineapple Whip

Gather:

1 bag frozen pineapple chunks

1 cup almond milk (or less, depending on desired consistency)

1 tbsp local honey

Method:

1. Pour all ingredients into high speed blender like Vitamix,  or food proccessor--some standard blenders may not work properly, as pineapple must be completely emulsified.

2. Blend all ingredients until a sorbet-like consistency is achieved.

That's it! Enjoy with fresh pineapple or make an "Ice cream float" with the pineapple whip and pineapple juice-perfect for a day by the pool, or an after workout treat.

See you back here next week for a grill-inspired healthy summer recipe.

Strawberry Frozen Yogurt

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM. This week's recipe is packed with flavor, takes 5 minutes fro start to finish and is an amazing alternative to store bought, chemical filled ice cream. This frozen yogurt uses a minimal amount of ingredients, and can be stored in the freezer for up to one month after making it.

The best part? You are getting all of the health benefits of strawberries without the fat, added processed or refined sugars and the added bonus of making your own treat. Whip this up for the kids, for an evening snack or just whenever your ice cream craving hits hard, (and with temperatures as high as they have been, we're sure the cravings are already hitting you.)

Strawberry Frozen Yogurt

4 cups frozen strawberries

1/2 cup plain yogurt (non fat or full fat)

3 tbsp honey

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Method:

Add the frozen strawberries, yogurt, lemon juice and honey to the bowl of a food processor. Process until creamy and smooth, about 5 minutes. Serve immediately or pop into the freezer for up to a month. 

*Feel free to add more honey if desired. 

That's it! 5 minutes and you have a delicious, healthy summer time treat that soothes any sweet tooth, and is also a great way to get in your servings of fruit. 

Be well! We will see you back here next week for some more summer time healthy recipes to keep your diet in check!

Easy Morning Smoothies

Fancy a smoothie? Who doesn't. It's an easy way to get in your fruits, vegetables, protein and daily vitamins and minerals. It's easy enough to throw a few scoops of your favorite protein and some water or milk of choice into a blender to shaker cup, but what if you want to take your smoothie to the next level of nutrition by adding some healthy fruits, vegetables or other supplements? Cleaning and chopping and getting together all of the ingreidents in the morning, (or whenever you want a snack) can be a pain, and so often doesn't get done. 

The solution? Make ahead smoothie packs. By prepping the fruits and vegetables ahead of time, in the beginning of the week, you have a pre-portioned baggies that are already clean, chopped, and ready to be thrown into the blender. Most people struggle with getting in their recommended servings of fruit and vegetables, and this method takes out all the guess work, and packs those healthy foods into one smoothie.  So, this week's recipe isn't so much a recipe, but instead a plan of action! 

1. Freeze greek yogurt into an ice cube tray. Adding these cubes to your daily smoothies adds protein and calcium.

2. Wash and cut fruit. Our favorites? Blueberries, strawberries, mango, kiwi, raspberries. For vegetables, try spinach, kale, or cucumber. Add 1.5 cups of a combination of these fruits to a freezer bag.

3. Add 2 frozen yogurt cubes to each bag.

4. Optional: add in 1/4 cups rolled oats, slivered almonds or walnuts to each bag. 

Done! Every day empty a bag into the blender, adding your protein of choice and 1-2cups of coconut water, almond milk, regular milk or soy. 

Enjoy, and remember that the easiest way to achieve your goals is to stay prepared and keep your body fueled with healthy nutrition. 

See you back here next week for another healthy recipe to help you live your healthiest life!