A Thoughtful Bite

[athoughtfulbite-blog]

Breakfast ☀️ Greek Yogurt with a scoop of @musclegen_research Genepro protein, coconut sugar & vanilla. Served with strawberries, blueberries, figs, walnuts and raspberry granola from #Kind. Lots of good protein to start the day! Keeps you full, curbs bad cravings and gets your mind going. #cleaneating #cleanrecipe #cleanliving #coconutsugar #greekyogurt #yogurt #fruit #strawberries #blueberries #raspberries #noexcuses #figs #breakfast #healthy #nutrition #chia #granola #vanilla #greatstart #morning

[athoughtfulbite-blog]

Look out Girl Scouts..figuring out a recipe for thin mint cookies! It's a tough job, but someone has to do it. These aren't quite right, but getting close 😉 Anyone tried the real ones lately? Do you think there is peppermint in the cookies or just the chocolate coating..or both? The texture is good but the minty flavor is a bit off still..work in progress ⚠️#cleaneating #cleanliving #cleanrecipe #cleansweets #notquiterightyet #foodie #Instagramfood #baking #cookies #cocoa #chocolate #thinmints #girlscoutcookies #yum #lifestyle #nutrition #noexcuses #mintchocolate #refinedsugarfree #recipe #coconutsugar #sweets #darkchocolate #peppermint #athoughtfulbite

[athoughtfulbite-blog]

7 Layer Bars from Against All Grain. I've been wanting to make these for a while but there seemed to be so many steps- it was a little intimidating. But, since I hunted down the coconut butter I decided I had to figure these out! I'm so happy I did! They are amazing..and not hard to make at all. They take a little time but you could make the crust & ganache ahead of time. You can find the recipe on againstallgrain.com These are grain, gluten, dairy and refined sugar free but full of flavor! #cleaneating #cleanliving #cleanrecipe #cleansweets #chocolate #7layerbars #againstallgrain @againstallgrain #glutenfree #dairyfree #noexcuses #nutrition #natural #paleoish #coconut #coconutbutter #coconutcream #grahamcrackercrust #dessert #delicious #lifestyle #f52grams #foodie #Instagramfood #baking #athoughtfulbite

[athoughtfulbite-blog]

Fresh Figs! Ive been craving these and finally saw some at Publix today. A simple appetizer that can be thrown together in 10 minutes that looks beautiful, too! Trim stems off fresh figs and slice in half. I used goat cheese with these tonight since I had some on hand. Blue cheese would be great too. Crumble some cheese on each fig and top with a drizzle of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, fresh ground pink Himalayan salt & black pepper. Served with baby spinach dressed with balsamic. Enjoy! #cleaneating #cleanliving #cleanrecipe #appetizer #healthy #wholefoods #eat #balsamicvinegar #oliveoil #figs #freshfig #goatcheese #babyspinach #pinkHimalayansalt #f52grams #foodie #prettyfood #Instagramfood #salad #nutrition #natural #noexcuses #quickbite #lightlunch #clean #dairyfree #glutenfree #athoughtfulbite

[athoughtfulbite-blog]

Zucchini Tortilla Grilled Cheese with goat cheese, sautéed garlicky kale & spinach, mozzarella & a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. #cleaneating #cleanliving #cleanrecipe #zucchini #zucchinitortillas #grilledcheese #goatcheese #mozzarella #kale #spinach #garlic #veggies #alternative #noexcuses #weightloss #vegetarian #balsamicvinegar #yum #eat #athoughtfulbite

[athoughtfulbite-blog]

After seeing this recipe a few times a I decided to give it a try. These could be used for much more than tortillas. I took 2 and made a grilled cheese with goat cheese, sautéed garlicky kale & spinach, mozzarella, and topped with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. I'm thinking they would be a good alternative to pasta in lasagna too! The trick with these is to make sure they are thin. Recipe is from whiteonricecouple.com Zucchini Tortillas 4 cups zucchini grated 1 egg 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup gluten free bread crumbs 1/2 tsp pepper 1/4 tsp sea salt 1/4 tsp garlic powder 1/4 tsp cumin Preheat oven to 450 & prepare a couple sheet pans with parchment. In a glass bowl cook grated zucchini in the microwave for 2 minutes. This loosens up the moisture so you're able to squeeze out as much as possible. You don't want to fully cook the zucchini. I put the zucchini in a fine mesh strainer and gave it a few good squeezes till there wasn't much moisture draining. You can also place in a thin dish towel and ring out the moisture. Place in a bowl and add the remaining ingredients. Mix until combined. Use about 1/4 cup of the mixture for each tortilla. Press down the mix with your fingers on parchment till you have a thin, 5 inch round, tortilla shape. Bake for 25-30 minutes till the edges are dark and tortilla is browned. Let them cool before removing the tortilla from parchment paper. Enjoy! #cleaneating #cleanliving #cleanrecipe #zucchini #tortillas #healthy #wholefoods #foodie #cheese #Instagramfood #nutrition #f52grams #eat #yum #recipe #weightloss #noexcuses #alternative #veggies #vegetarian #athoughtfulbite

[athoughtfulbite-blog]

Coconut Whipped Cream sweetened with coconut sugar. If you like coconut you'll love this recipe. It would be great on a dessert, in coffee, or just a sweet bite. This takes a little preparation but storing a can of coconut milk in the fridge will speed up the process. You at least want the can of coconut milk to sit in the fridge overnight so the cream will separate from the coconut water & float to the top and harden. When you're ready to make whipped cream chill your bowl and beaters in the freezer for a few minutes. Carefully open the cold can and scoop out the top layer of cream leaving the coconut water. Place in chilled bowl and add coconut sugar syrup to taste. Whip until peeks form. You could also add a touch of vanilla. Enjoy! #coconut #cleaneating #cleanliving #cleanrecipe #cleansweets #coconutsugarsyrup #coconutmilk #coconutcream #whippedcream #cream #recipe #coconutwhippedcream #dairyfree #refinedsugarfree #yum #dessert #delicious #healthier #nutrition #paleoish #Instagramfood #foodie #topping #treat #wholefoods #vegan #athoughtfulbite

[athoughtfulbite-blog]

Quinoa Cakes Love these for a quick lunch or dinner. They are great reheated too. Served with a little tomato sauce or Greek yogurt for dipping. I made these with more of an Italian flavor but you can add whatever you wish. Basically cook quinoa, add chicken or ground beef, beans, a little cheese, seasonings of choice and eggs. Try the mixture before adding the eggs to test the seasoning. I usually have to add a little more salt and pepper. Heat a skillet with a few sprays of oil and use a couple tablespoons of the mixture per cake. Brown on both sides and serve with a dip of choice. These are fantastic as a Mexican dish too! #cleaneating #cleanliving #cleanrecipe #healthy #quinoa #italian #homemade #chicken #cakes #quinoacakes #foodie #mexican #wholefoods #quickbite #grabandgo #Instagramfood #noexcuses #weightloss #nutrition #savory #dinner #lunch #blackbeans #onhand #recipe #easymeal #athoughtfulbite

[athoughtfulbite-blog]

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups These are easy to throw together for a sweet treat, and they are dairy and refined sugar free (using chocolate made with coconut sugar). Prepare a muffin tin with paper baking cups. I melted dark chocolate in a double boiler and used a tablespoon per cup. Allow the first layer to cool- a bit faster in the fridge. Next combine natural peanut butter with coconut sugar syrup and a pinch of salt to taste. I used a couple teaspoons of PB for each cup. Then topped with a final layer of chocolate and place in the fridge to set up. Enjoy! #cleaneating #cleanliving #cleanrecipe #cleansweets #chocolate #cacao #cacaobutter #peanutbutter #peanutbuttercups #candy #clean #cocoa #coconutsugar #coconutsugarsyrup #refinedsugarfree #glutenfree #natural #eat #yum #cups #nutrition #noexcuses #treat #wholefoods #foodie #darkchocolate #dairyfree #homemade #healthier #athoughtfulbite

[athoughtfulbite-blog]

Kitchen Sink Bread made from @bobsredmill cinnamon raisin gluten free bread mix. Threw in what I had on hand..chopped almonds, freeze dried blueberries, fresh coconut, cacao nibs and a touch of maple syrup. Delicious toasted for breakfast. Enjoy! #cleaneating #cleanliving #cleanrecipe #bread #glutenfree #cacaonibs #coconut #freshcoconut #bakedgoods #bundt #blueberries #bobsredmill #homemade #raisins #cinnamon #maplesyrup #healthy #clean #wholefoods #carbs #foodie #freezedried #Instagramfood #eat #glutenfreebread #kitchensinkbread #kitchensink #athoughtfulbite

[athoughtfulbite-blog]

Marshmallows! Made without corn syrup or refined sugars 👍 I've never made marshmallows before- much easier than I thought and with only a few ingredients. Because these are made with coconut sugar syrup they aren't the usual color, but you won't mind once you taste these! Melted some down, mixed with gluten free rice crispy cereal and drizzled with chocolate syrup and cacao nibs. Yum!!!! 1 cup of water- divided in half 3 tbsp unflavored powdered gelatin 1 cup of coconut sugar syrup 1 tsp vanilla 1/2 tsp sea salt Arrowroot starch (or corn starch) Candy thermometer Grease a pan (8x8) and line with parchment paper. Make sure there's enough parchment hanging over the edge so you can pick them up. Sprinkle arrowroot starch on parchment to prevent them from sticking. In a mixing bowl add gelatin and 1/2 cup of water. Stir and set aside. Pour 1/2 cup of water, coconut sugar syrup, vanilla & salt in a sauce pan over medium high heat. Bring to a boil and put the thermometer in the pan so it's immersed but not touching the bottom of the pan. Once it reaches 235 degrees (right before the soft ball stage) remove from the heat. It will take 5-8 minutes to reach that stage. Slowly pour the hot syrup mix into the mixing bowl with gelatin. Start on low with your mixer and work up to high speed- careful not to spatter the hot liquid. Continue to mix on high till it resembles marshmallow fluff- 6-10 minutes. Pour into the parchment lined pan and spread with a rubber spatula. Sprinkle with arrowroot starch and place another piece of parchment on top. Smooth the top of the marshmallows the best you can with your hands. Now, let them sit for 3-6 hours. Once they have a bouncy texture when you touch them remove from the pan with parchment. Dust your knife with arrowroot starch and slice into desired shapes. You can also sprinkle and toss the marshmallows in arrowroot to keep them from being sticky. Enjoy! #cleaneating #cleanliving #cleanrecipe #cleansweets #candythermometer #marshmallows #ricecrispytreats #healthier #treat #yum #clean #lowglycemic #homemade #coconutsugar #coconutsugarsyrup #cacaonibs #sweets #athoughtfulbite

[athoughtfulbite-blog]

Can anyone guess what I'm making? I'll share the finished product & recipe tomorrow. This is a treat I've missed since cutting #refined sugars/corn syrups from my diet. #cleaneating #cleanliving #cleanrecipe #treat #yum #norefinedsugar #noexcuses #glutenfree #nutrition #snack #healthier #weightloss #gelatin #surprisetreat #sweets #clean #cleansweets #lowglycemic #candythermometer #guessthefood #sticky #verobeachhealthfood #verobeach #athoughtfulbite

[athoughtfulbite-blog]

Salted Caramel Popcorn Loving this snack at the moment..salty, sweet & crunchy! Coconut sugar and Organic @smartbalance make this a healthier version of the store bought, sugar overloaded snack. Pop 1/2 cup popcorn kernels with a couple tablespoons of coconut oil on the stove. Add oil to a deep sauce pan and 3-4 kernels over medium heat. Cover and wait for them to pop- then add the rest of the kernels and replace the lid. Shake over heat till the popping slows. Set aside. Caramel Sauce 1/3 cup coconut sugar syrup 1/3 cup organic Smart Balance 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar Nuts (optional) Bring first 3 ingredients to a slow boil over medium heat. It is ready when it hardens on a spoon once cooled (dip a spoon in mix and cool it with a fan or cold water). Pour popped corn into caramel and stir like crazy till everything is coated. If you're using nuts add them at this point. Pour out on a parchment lined cookie sheet and let cool till caramel is crunchy. *If it stays sticky after 10min put popcorn mix in the oven at 300 for 5-8 min checking to make sure it doesn't burn. Sprinkle with sea salt and enjoy! #cleaneating #cleanliving #cleanrecipe #coconutsugar #coconutoil #popcorn #dairyfree #norefinedsugar #coconutoil #smartbalance #clean #healthy #snack #treat #yum #gloobyfood #glutenfree #noexcuses #norefinedsugar #nutrition #athoughtfulbite

[athoughtfulbite-blog]

Brownies 👌 These are amazing and sweetened with dates! The dates also keep the brownies moist and chewy. I added a little coconut sugar to sweeten them up a bit more but you could easily use more dates and eliminate the coconut sugar. Walnuts and cacao nibs on top give them a yummy crunch with lots of chocolate flavor. If you haven't tried cacao nibs yet go get a bag! They are great on yogurt, in trail mix, chocolate desserts and basically anything sweet that you'd like to add a chocolate kick. They are full of antioxidants and minerals that give you a boost of energy. 1 cup almond meal 1/4 cup dark chocolate bar chopped 8 Medjool dates 3 organic eggs 1/2 cup coconut oil or grapeseed oil 4 tbsp cocoa/cacao powder 1/2 tsp vanilla 1/4 tsp sea salt 1/4 tsp baking powder 1/4 cup coconut sugar 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional) 1/4 cup cacao nibs Preheat oven to 350. In a food processor pulse almond meal, chocolate, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder and sugar until chocolate is evenly chopped throughout mixture. Pour into a bowl and set aside. Next pulse eggs, dates, oil and vanilla until the dates blend into the batter. You'll still see specks of them. Mix wet and dry ingredients and pour into a greased baking pan. Top with cacao nibs and nuts. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Enjoy! #cleaneating #cleanliving #cleanrecipe #clean #nutrition #healthy #cacao #cacaonibs #chocolate #brownies #norefinedsugar #coconutsugar #cocoa #delicious #dessert #dates #sweetenedwithdates #medjooldates #medjool #yum #recipe #nuts #walnuts #paleoish #paleo #dairyfree #darkchocolate #athoughtfulbite

[athoughtfulbite-blog]

Quick breakfast out the door today! Canadian bacon cooked in a muffin tin (fit it till it forms a cup shape) on the center rack on broil till they're crisp on the edges and hold their cup shape. Filled these with sharp cheddar, scrambled eggs & sautéed power greens mix (kale, chard, spinach). Enjoy! #cleaneating #cleanliving #cleanrecipe #Canadianbacon #bacon #eggs #baconcups #scrambled #cheese #chedder #glutenfree #protein #noexcuses #outthedoor #breakfast #spinach #kale #chard #athoughtfulbite

[athoughtfulbite-blog]

Figuring out different ways to have leftover barbacoa... Power Greens Mix (Kale, Spinach, Chard & Carrots) with quinoa,, black beans, shredded cheese, Barbacoa topped with a dressing I made from blending an avocado with salsa. Yummy lunch that will stay with you all day! #cleaneating #cleanliving #cleanrecipe #kale #chard #spinach #carrots #avocado #salsa #barbacoa #salad #lunch #yum #healthy #greens #veggies #colorful #blackbeans #quinoa #protein #full #noexcuses #weightloss #athoughtfulbite

[athoughtfulbite-blog]

Chipotle Barbacoa 👏 This is outstanding! I followed a recipe from one of my favorite cookbooks Against All Grain by Danielle Walker. It takes about 9 hours in a crockpot, but well worth the time! So far I've just had it in tacos and burritos but I'm thinking this would be fantastic on the cauliflower pizza crust! The top right picture is the fully loaded burrito..barbacoa, black beans, quinoa, avocado, cheese, salsa, cilantro, Greek yogurt, shredded radishes & a lime wedge. It's also delicious with just a little radish, cilantro, & avocado. I highly suggest the cookbook Against All Grain..she has some incredible recipes for gf and food allergies. Her site againstallgrain.com has some of her favorite recipes..this one is on there too. http://againstallgrain.com/2013/06/14/chipotle-barbacoa-tacos/ #gf #cleaneating #cleanliving #cleanrecipe #barbacoa #chipotle #beef #roast #slowcooker #crockpot #mexican #delicious #whatsfordinner #noexcuses #glutenfree #radishes #greekyogurt #avocado #quinoa #blackbeans #againstallgrain #healthy #tacos #burritos #tortillas #athoughtfulbite