Ranch Dressing Recipe

One of the most popular salad dressings in America is Ranch. Ranch dressing is one that both adults and kids like! I have to admit growing up, I used to eat the Hidden Valley Ranch all the time. It was so good, but as I got older and learned more about nutrition I realized it was not the healthiest choice.

The problem is that most store-bought salad dressings are loaded with hydrogenated oils, MSG, soy, added sugar and other chemicals that are not so great for our body. I was tired of the balsamic vinegar and Italian dressing so I have been on the hunt to find a creamy and HEALTHY ranch dressing to squash my cravings.

I cannot tell you how many ranch dressing recipes I have tried that have just left me disappointed, so I gave up on trying. Recently, I went through an elimination diet and salads were a main staple for my meals. I HAD to come up with something else because I could not stomach Italian any longer.

The base of this ranch dressing recipe is Vegenaise, which is a dairy-free mayo alternative. Now, before you roll your eyes and leave, you really should give this a try. It actually tastes very similar to mayo and is a healthy alternative. There are many different types of Veganaise and my preference is the one in the light green lid, which is dairy-free, soy-free and gluten-free. I know you are thinking that it’s also probably taste free, but you would be wrong. Using this base plus the coconut milk to thin it out and the herbs make this my favorite ranch dressing alternative.

“Ranch” Dressing Recipe:

1/2 cup soy-free Vegenaise
2 tablespoons of coconut milk
1 teaspoon organic dried parsley
1 teaspoon organic dried chives
1/8 teaspoon organic dried dill
1/8 teaspoon organic onion powder
1/8 teaspoon Pink Himalyan Salt
1/8 teaspoon organic black pepper

Method:

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate so flavors can combine. Enjoy!

Tips:

Add more coconut milk to thin it out based on your personal preference
Add a squeeze of lemon juice to taste for an extra tangy flavor
Use fresh and/or dried herbs based on what you have on hand
Keep it at a thicker consistency to serve as a dip at your next party

What do you think of this recipe? If you know of any other great creamy and healthy alternatives or have a questions about ingredients let me know in the comments below. I am hear to help and as always learn from each other so I want you, yes you, to share!

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Tex-Mex Deviled Eggs Recipe

Recently my Tex-Mex Deviled Eggs recipe was featured on Catarina Catarino’s website. Catarina focuses on the Mind-Body and how to maximize both nutrition as well as movement. She has some great tips plus a 3 FREE breathing exercises so you can have more energy throughout your busy and hectic day. I really encourage you to check out her website. She was so gracious to include this recipe on her website and I am so humbled and grateful! Take a look at what she says about it below and let us know your thoughts once you test this out!

“Even though I had these for lunch they also make a great starter and snack. The blend of cilantro, paprika and lemon works perfectly. Fresh, summary, smooth. I used less lemon though you may prefer to do it the original way.

Now, my only challenge is to peel off those eggshells without scraping the white. I’d like to serve them for starters on my next family meal but need to up my peeling skills.”.

– Catarina Catarino

Introduction

Organic eggs are a great source of animal protein. More studies continue to show that eggs, while they do contain high levels of cholesterol do not actually increase our own cholesterol, but instead produce natural inhibitors to benefit our heart health. We get the most health benefits when the eggs are raw, organic, free-range and pastured. When they are cooked they can lose up to half of their antioxidant power. That’s why I included additional powerhouse ingredients such as avocado, lemons and cilantro to up the nutritional benefits of this recipe. I hope you enjoy this Tex-Mex Deviled Eggs recipe!

Procedure

Add eggs to saucepan and fill halfway with water. Make sure the water covers the eggs completely. Turn the stove on medium heat until the water is at a rolling boil. Once the water is boiling turn the heat off, place cover on the saucepan and leave on the stove for approximately 12-15 minutes. Let them cool then peel off the egg shells under cold running water. Want to learn the best way to boil an egg that peels easily? Take a look at this recipe too!

Next, cut each egg in half lengthwise and carefully spoon out the yolk into a mixing bowl. Place each egg half on a platter. Mix remaining ingredients into the bowl with a fork or whip with hand beater. Taste the mixture and add any additional seasonings as needed. Carefully spoon mixture to fill each egg and garnish with extra paprika or cilantro.

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How to Boil an Egg that Peels Easily

Why would I EVER have a recipe for boiling an egg? Well, in theory it’s a simple task. After you boil an egg the problem comes when you start to peel it.

I would boil eggs and half the egg would stick to the shell. Please tell me I am not the only one who struggles with this issue – it was such a waste! I tried different things like not using fresh eggs, run cold or lukewarm water over the egg while I was peeling it, different saucepans and the list goes on.

Here’s how I boil an egg that peels easily:

Put a ½ cup of water in a saucepan.
Grab a metal vegetable steamer (like this one) and place it in the saucepan.
Add the number of eggs needed and place on the steamer.
Put the lid over the saucepan and put it on a medium heat.
Set a timer for 15 minutes and let it do it’s thing.
When the time is completed, remove from the heat, take the steamer out of the saucepan so the eggs can cool.
Peel eggs under cool running water.
Rinse to make sure you got off the small egg shell pieces and then use in your favorite recipe, store in a glass container in the refrigerator or enjoy immediately.

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Watermelon-Mint Chia Agua Fresca Recipe

You guys know that I love Tex-Mex food. I was determined to find a yummy agua fresca recipe that I could play with and enjoy this summer! It just so happens that I was talking to Leslie Nance of www.go2kitchens.com and she wanted to feature recipes with watermelon as the star ingredient.

This Watermelon-Mint Chia Agua Fresca recipe was the result. (Isn’t that a mouthful?) Be sure to check out her blog post as she talks about what to look for when you are buying a watermelon plus an additional 4 recipes!

Sidebar: GO 2 KITCHENS is a phenomenal resource that you should bookmark (I did). Here is more about what they do:

“You know how everyone always gathers in the kitchen at parties? At www.go2kitchens.com we have created a virtual hang out kitchen! You might be wondering where did a name like www.go2kitchens.com come from? It’s simple! We GO 2 KITCHENS around the world and cook with you, our audience. We focus on real foods, real easy for real people! We share our recipes with you via step-by-step videos.”

Don’t forget to go to their website and sign up for FREE VIP access!

And now without further delay here is my Watermelon-Mint Chia Agua Fresca recipe. Don’t forget to check our the complete watermelon post by GO 2 KITCHENs here. Enjoy!

Tex-Mex Egg Salad Recipe

Organic eggs are a great source of animal protein, which is why I created this Tex-Mex Egg Salad recipe. However, eggs can be a bit of a controversial topic, so I also wanted to point out a few things.

More studies continue to show that eggs, while they do contain high levels of cholesterol, do not actually increase our own cholesterol, but instead produce natural inhibitors to benefit our heart health. We get the most health benefits when the eggs are raw, organic, free-range and pastured. In a 2007 study, free-range and organic eggs contain the following:

• 1/3 less cholesterol
• 1/4 less saturated fat
• 2/3 more vitamin A
• 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids
• 3 times more vitamin E
• 7 times more beta carotene

Even when organic free-range eggs are cooked they can lose up to half of their antioxidant power. That’s why I included additional powerhouse ingredients such as avocado, lemons and cilantro to up the nutritional benefits of this recipe.

Note: eggs can be an allergen for some people, so if you live with chronic inflammation or pain you may want to do an elimination diet to test if eggs negatively impact your body. Remember, we are all different so what impacts one person does not impact another. In order to see what works best for you, this “experiment” or elimination diet may be something you want to test.

Tex-Mex Egg Salad Recipe
6 organic eggs
1 avocado
1-2 tablespoons soy-free, dairy-free and gluten-free vegenaise
2 lemons, juiced
1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
1 teaspoon finely chopped red onion
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Pink Himalayan salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Add eggs to saucepan and fill halfway with water. Make sure the water covers the eggs completely. Turn the stove on medium heat until the water is at a rolling boil. Once the water is boiling turn the heat off, place cover on the saucepan and leave on the stove for approximately 12-15 minutes. Let them cool then peel off the egg shells under cold running water. Tip: If you have a metal veggie steamer put that at the bottom of your saucepan and place the eggs on the steamer. This makes the eggs easier to peel!

Next, rough chop the eggs using the edge of a fork and mix in the remaining ingredients into a bowl. Taste the mixture and add any additional seasonings as needed. Enjoy by itself or with romaine or butter lettuce cups to make an egg salad wrap!

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Pineapple Salad Recipe

I love to mix interesting flavors together and I accidentally stumbled on this combination while needing a snack pronto! This crowd-pleasing pineapple salad recipe is as delicious as it is nutritious.

Why these ingredients?

Pineapple is a favorite among tropical fruits. It’s growing season is typically from March to June, but available year round in most stores. The powerhouse enzyme in pineapple is known as bromelain, which can be extracted from the stem and core of this fruit. Some of my favorite facts about this enzyme is that it aids in reducing inflammation, improving digestion and is packed with Vitamin C to help our immune system. In order to get the most health benefits, try juicing the core of the fruit or take a supplement like this one, but on an empty stomach. As always, if adding a new supplement to your routine please check with your doctor and/or pharmacist. Other powerful nutrients found in this tropical fruit include manganese, copper, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, folate, and pantothenic acid.

Cilantro, aka fresh coriander, often gets confused with Italian flat leaf parsley, which is in the same plant family. Cilantro has numerous health benefits and a few of my favorites are that is a great source of detoxification and aids in digestion and reducing inflammation. It is packed with phytonutrients is a great source of dietary fiber along with copper, manganese, iron, magnesium, and calcium

Avocado is actually a fruit with high fat content. The “good” fats in avocado are alpha-linolenic acid, which is an omega-3 fatty acid, and oleic acid. Avocados have numerous phytonutrients, as well as pantothenic acid, dietary fiber, vitamin K, copper, folate, vitamin B6, potassium, vitamin E, and vitamin C. Avocados are a personal favorite of mine and my kitchen is always stocked with them!

Hemp seeds are part of the Cannabis family, but are legal, don’t get you high and have numerous health benefits. They are a near “perfect” protein as they contain all 20 amino acids plus 9 essential amino acids that our bodies cannot produce on its own. They have a 3:1 ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 ratio, which benefits our hearts and hormones. If that weren’t enough, these little seeds also have phytonutrients and fiber in these seeds keep the nutritional value high benefiting hearth health, skin, weight loss, joint pain, digestion, PMS and more.

Shallots is related to the onion family, but is more subtle and light in flavor. I typically use this vegetable in dishes where I want a hint of onion, but I don’t want it to be the main focus. Shallots contain folate, potassium, Vitamin A and flavonoids, which carry an antioxidant punch, to help protect the body.

Here is the pineapple “salad” recipe. The flavor combination is a bit non-traditional, but I find it light, refreshing and delicious. I hope you feel the same!

Pineapple Salad Recipe (Yields 1 serving)
1/2 cup diced pineapple
1 -1 1/2 tablesppons finely chopped cilantro
1 teaspoon finely chopped shallot
1 tsp hemp seeds
1/2 diced avocado (optional)

Chop ingredients and add into serving dish. Sprinkle the hemp seeds on top and enjoy!

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Summer Fresh Cucumber Salad Recipe

This cucumber salad is light and refreshing, which you need living in the south during the summer! Here are just a few reasons why I love the ingredients in this cucumber salad.

Cucumbers are an amazing vegetable and part of the Curcubitaceae family, which is the same family as some melons and squash. Cucumbers are not only cooling and hydrating to the body (that’s why we put them on our eyes as a beauty treatment), but cucumbers also have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.

With all these benefits, I know that cucumbers can be hard to digest for some. This is typically because of the standard cucumber in the stores have a wax coating with large seeds which makes it difficult for our stomach to breakdown. That is why this recipe specifically calls for English Cucumbers.

Parsley is related to the celery family and is one of the most popular herbs in the culinary world. It’s nutrient profile is packed with Vitamin K , Vitamin C, Vitamin A, folate, and iron.

Dill is a very light and refreshing herb, which is native to Russia, Africa and the Mediterranean. It’s nutrient profile is packed with Vitamin A , Vitamin C and manganese.

Avocados are actually a fruit with high fat content. The “good” fats in avocado are alpha-linolenic acid, which is an omega-3 fatty acid, and oleic acid. Avocados have numerous phytonutrients as well as pantothenic acid, dietary fiber, vitamin K, copper, folate, vitamin B6, potassium, vitamin E, and vitamin C. Avocados are a personal favorite of mine and my kitchen is always stocked with them!

This salad is not only tasty, but is packed with nutritional value. Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Summer Fresh Cucumber Salad Recipe Serves 3 (1 cup serving size)Print Friendly

1 English cucumber, sliced
2 tablespoons chopped dill
1-2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 whole avocado, chopped
1 tablespoon of hemp seed hearts (optional)
Lemon juice, to taste
Pink Himalayan Salt and Pepper, to taste

Combine all ingredients and mix together in a bowl. Serve immediately!

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DIY Hand Sanitizer Recipe

In the Journal of the National Medical Association, Joyce M. Carter, states that hand washing decreases the risks of colds and flu. Alright, so our mother was spot on with this advice! Carter goes on to say in her article that when we wash our hands we should remember to do the following:

Use warm water
Lather thoroughly for 10 to 15 seconds
Wash between the fingers, fingernails, palms and about 1 inch of your wrist
Blot with paper towel
Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and to open the door

Per the CDC, hand washing reduces the risk of diarrhea by 31% as well as respiratory illness by 21%. We use our hands to touch our face, eyes, mouth and even other people, so let’s make sure we are protected by washing out hands. Also, make sure to have hand sanitizer in your purse so you can use in a pinch. You want a hand sanitizer that doesn’t contain alcohol or other toxic perfumes or ingredients that dry out your skin. Instead of the store bought options, try making your own with this recipe!

Here’s the Hand Sanitizer Recipe. In a 2 ounce bottle (preferably glass) combine the following:

3 tablespoons of Aloe Vera gel
1 tablespoon of filtered water
1/8 teaspoon of Vitamin E oil
8 drops of therapeutic-grade essential oil (Thieves, Lemon and Peppermint are good choices)

What’s your favorite essential oil to use?

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DIY Shower Gel Recipe

Have you ever been shocked at the increasing prices for body wash or shower gel? Have you ever been concerned that some of the ingredients in these products are not the best for your health? If you have had any of these thoughts, then you may want to try to make your own. I know it sounds a bit overwhelming, but I started doing this about a year ago and I absolutely love it.

Our skin is our largest organ, so we need to make sure what we are putting on our skin is not negatively impacting our health. We want to look good, but what is the cost? Using this DIY recipe saves time, money and more importantly you will know that these ingredients are better for your body than what you can typically buy in the store.

Grab some girlfriends, a bottle of wine and some healthy snacks to make a fun evening of it!

Shower Gel recipe
2 tablespoons Jojoba Oil
6 ounces of Dr. Bronner’s unscented natural soap – leave about one inch at the top not filled
12 drops of any therapeutic-grade essential oil
In a 6 – 8 ounce bottle, combine all ingredients. Shake well before each use and enjoy!

What is your favorite essential oil that you use to make your own bath products?

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DIY Cedarwood Cellulite Cream Recipe

Yesterday, I posted a DIY cellulite cream with grapefruit essential oil as the main ingredient. Now as I mentioned in my previous article, grapefruit can interfere with numerous medications and health conditions. Cellulite impacts us all no matter our medications or health conditions, so I wanted to provide an alternative cellulite cream recipe.

Cedarwood-Rosemary Cellulite Cream
20 drops cedarwood therapeutic-grade essential oil
15 drops of rosemary therapeutic-grade essential oil
1 cup organic extra-virgin coconut oil
1 tablespoon vitamin E oil
1 glass jar with lid

Method:

Combine and thoroughly mix all ingredients together.
Store in glass container in a cool, dry place.
For best results: Dry Brush your entire body before taking a bath/shower per your normal routine. Towel off most of the moisture and then thoroughly rub the cellulite cream into the desired area.

Why these oils?

Cedarwood essential oil is typically distilled via a steam method from the bark. This oil has been used for numerous years even as far as Egypt and Tibet. It naturally stimulates the lymphatic system, which is helps us flush out toxins and waste from our bodies.

Rosemary essential oil is distilled with steam from the leaves of the plant. It is an oil that helps protect our liver, which is vital for our ultimate health. Plus it helps with mental clarity and concentration, which I know I can use a lot more of in my life.

Coconut oil is my favorite! It is a natural antibacterial and because it has medium chain fatty acids it is easier for our bodies to digest. I love coconut oil for not just my kitchen, but it is also a staple beauty product and in many of my homemade bath products. I use it as my lotion and makeup remover! The uses are endless and to give you more ideas read this article on Dr. Mercola’s website.

Tip:I like to add lemon therapeutic-grade essential oil to this recipe from time to time. It spices things up and since lemon is great for our circulatory system it is truly a win-win. Add 6 drops to the recipe above.

When making this recipe keep these additional best practices and tips in mind:

This is not a quick fix you still need to eat healthy and exercise
As always, drink lots of water!
Citrus oils naturally have healthy acids in them so it is important to always store any DIY products that contain citrus in glass containers.
Citrus oils can also be considered to be photosensitive, meaning that they react with sun or UV light. It’s recommended to wait at least 24-hours before exposing the skin to sunlight after citrus oils have been used.
Always do a test patch to make sure your skin is not sensitive to the oil. Rub a small amount on skin and leave for 30 minutes. If there are no reactions, like a rash, feel free to use.
Our bodies are unique, which means that one person may respond to the one oil and another person might not. There are so many wonderful essential oils that have multiple purposes and uses so don’t be afraid to try something else if one doesn’t work out. All it means is that your body’s composition with the chemical compounds and constituents found in that particular oil may not be a “match” per se. However, don’t give up the benefits of using nature are far too great!

Now, I want to hear from you. What’s your favorite essential oil to use in your bath products?

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