Pineapple Banana Smoothie

“Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.” -Laura Ingalls Wilder
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The warm weather here in Asheville has put me in a tropical mood, so this pineapple-banana smoothie really hit the spot today. One sip of this and you’ll feel as if you were transported to a white sandy beach.
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All you need to do for this one is blend 1 frozen banana, ½ cup frozen pineapple, 1 T unsweetened coconut flakes, 1 scoop vanilla protein powder, and ½ cup of 100% coconut water (unsweetened coconut milk would work too.) I topped mine with more unsweetened coconut flakes and some fresh pineapple. The great thing about pineapple is that it’s loaded with Vitamin C, which is healing after a workout. It also contains the enzyme bromelain, which diminishes bloat, eases digestion, and reduces joint pain.
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On the flip side, with some rum added, this would make an excellent cocktail by the pool… just sayin’. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Gyro Platter

“Variety's the very spice of life, that gives it all its flavor.” ~William Cowper
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Everyone loves “Taco Tuesday” right? Of course, because...tacos...and EASY! This gyro platter is just as easy to put together as tacos, and is a great way to add a little flavor variety to your weekly meals without complicating things!
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Here are my add-ins: cucumber, tomatoes, feta chunks, green onions, mini bell peppers, radishes, chopped iceberg lettuce, black olives, store-bought tzatziki, spiced chicken strips and pita bread to stuff it all in.
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I searched for a gyro seasoning blend for my chicken because I prefer to make my own than buy the stuff that is full of junk. This blend was great with this chicken and mix of ingredients, but it didn't taste at all like a gyro! My gyro seasoning blend search continues (or I’ll cave and buy the Super Gyro from @primalpalate )! Has anyone tried that one before?
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This chicken was simple to make: I sliced chicken tenders into thin strips, seasoned with spices (keep it simple with s&p or do a quick search for a Greek seasoning recipe), tossed with oil and let it sit while I prepped all of my other ingredients. Then, I threw the chicken (w/the oil) in a hot cast iron pan, let it brown on one side, flipped the pieces and finished them off (5-6 minutes total). Super simple, can be tweaked to accommodate whole30/paleo/vegetarian etc, and always a crowd pleaser!

Paleo Sweet Potato Pancakes

“Life is short, and it is up to you to make it sweet.” - Sarah Louise Delany
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These sweet potato pancakes with whipped coconut cream are simply heavenly, and they include only clean ingredients! They take a little time and effort but would make a great brunch with the girls (just add mimosas), a fun date with your significant other, or a weekend activity to complete with your kids!…Make them clean the dirty dishes, of course.
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(Makes 3 large pancakes): Peel and cut 1 small sweet potato into chunks and boil for 12-15 minutes, until soft. Drain, and mash potatoes with fork. Add in two eggs and stir to combine. Next add 1/4 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and 3 T almond flour. Stir or use an immersion blender to reach a smooth consistency. Pour 1/3 of the batter on a greased pan (I used avocado oil) and cook on medium heat for 2-3 minutes on each side. Turn down heat and add more avocado oil if needed for the rest of the remaining batter.
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All you need to do for the “whipped cream” is put a can of coconut cream in your fridge overnight, then put the amount you want to use in a bowl and either whip with a fork or use an immersion blender to achieve a “whipped cream” consistency.
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I added some banana slices, walnuts, and a tiny bit of organic maple syrup, and WOAH was this good. Add a cup of coffee (see yesterday’s post) and your sweet tooth and belly will be completely satisfied. Swipe for video tutorial.

Naturally Sweetened Whole30 Coffee

“Insert coffee to begin” ~The Internet
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Be sure to check our story highlights for a quick video tutorial!
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I love the weekend ritual of coffee...enjoying a hot cuppa, hanging out with the family, listening to some music. I don’t like my coffee black, but in my food freedom, I avoid sugar and dairy which makes enjoying my weekend coffee a challenge. I did however recently find a non-dairy milk (@so_delicious unsweetened organic almond milk) that I really love with super clean ingredients (great flavor and consistency). So I decided to experiment and make something that I would enjoy while staying true to my food freedom.
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I start by removing the pit of a date and put the date in some hot coffee (approx. ½ c) to soak for a few minutes. I then blend it with my handheld immersion blender until the date is finely incorporated and the mixture is frothy. For me the sweetness of that one date will cover 2 cups of coffee. I then fill my cup with black coffee, add my date sweetened coffee to taste, and top with my almond milk. I like a little sprinkle of cinnamon on top! How do you like your coffee?

The Library Lounge Patio at the Inn on Biltmore Estate

Have you found yourself on Asheville's beautiful Biltmore Estate? With all the dining options, it can be difficult to decide where to go. The Library Lounge Patio, located at the Inn, is one of my all time favorite spots, because I'm a sucker for the mountainous views. They serve lunch, dinner, snacks, wine, beer, and cocktails. They describe it as a "relaxed elegance" atmosphere; I've sat outside in my running getup during the day, and I've also dressed up in my fanciest for dinner there at night. The food is simple (salads and sandwiches with some mains at night), and you can take in the mountains inside via huge windows, on the patio (me on the patio, pictured below), or you can grab a drink and walk down below to an another outdoor area (pictured above).

Things to consider:

1. In order to eat here, you have to have a pass to get onto the Biltmore Estate. An adult day pass is (gasp!) $67. However, that allows you access to the entire estate: the Biltmore house (America's largest home), the gardens and grounds (think hikes, picnics, biking... or pay extra for other outdoor activities such as horseback riding, segway tours etc), Antler Hill Village restaurants and free wine tasting. It is quite the experience! Go early in the morning and stay all day!

2. If you live in or around Asheville or simply visit Asheville frequently, consider getting an annual pass that allows you onto the property as much as you want. An annual pass is $174 (That's the price of about 2.5 day passes) so it's a great deal. My husband and I (and actually... my entire family pretty much) have one, and I go every week to run, eat, and enjoy the discounts I get with my annual pass.

3. It's not cheap. First you have to pay your way to get on the property, and then the food and drink are more pricey than usual. Go here for a special occasion!

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Hours

Daily 11:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Dinner: Daily 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Address

One Lodge Street Asheville, NC 28803

Website

https://www.biltmore.com/visit/things-to-do/estate-dining/restaurants/library-lounge

Sunset Cocktail Terrace at the Grove Park Inn

Ah... one of my favorite places in Asheville: the Sunset Cocktail Terrace at the Grove Park Inn. If you're feeling a little fancy and want a grand experience, just a few minutes downtown, away from the hustle and bustle of the city center, lies this oasis. There are multiple restaurants to choose from (some require reservations, others don't), but if you want a drink and/or app, the Sunset Cocktail Terrace is where you want to be.

Things to consider:

• If you can get there for sunset (it will be crowded on certain days) it's extra beautiful, but honestly the view is breathtaking all day long.

• Garage parking is free for the first 3 hours, so do that if you can. During certain holidays and special occasions they charge for parking, so call ahead if you have questions.

• The sunset terrace is first come, first served

• Drink prices are more expensive than usual... because, look at that view!

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Hours

Daily: 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. (weather permitting)

Address

290 Macon Avenue Asheville, North Carolina 28804

Phone

(800) 438-5800

Website

https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/asheville-grove-park/dining/sunset-cocktail-terrace

Blueberry Banana Smoothie Bowl

“Every moment is a fresh beginning.” —T.S. Eliot
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What a wonderful time with my family this weekend. I hope you had a great weekend as well. As for me, I ate a sliver of my grandma’s famous carrot cake, a helping of my mom’s cheesy potatoes, and a couple of my favorite local beers. It was worth it. However, I’m so excited to get back into my clean eating routine today. It’s Monday, and I’m ready to get back on track. This smoothie bowl is so refreshing, energizing, and plus it’s beautiful! It’s yummy for breakfast, as a snack, or even for lunch. I hope you try it.
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For this one, blend a cup of frozen blueberries, half a banana, a spoonful of nut butter, and non-dairy milk of your choice (add milk in very slowly until you achieve the consistency that you want. I like my smoothie bowls a little thicker than normal smoothies.) If you want to boost flavor and make a meal of it, add a scoop of your favorite vanilla protein powder. Don’t forget to add some toppings! Today I went with chia seeds, raspberries, unsweetened coconut flakes, and a bit of granola. Now all I have to do is grab a spoon and dig in! ~B
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Have you tried smoothie bowls before or are you a smoothie bowl newbie?

Jalapeño Watermelon Margarita

This is Sarah's marvelous creation. While GT's Watermelon Wonder kombucha is refreshing on its own, we prefer it as a cocktail mixer.

Ingredients (makes 1 margarita):

• 1 thin jalapeño slice (plus 1 more for garnish, optional)

• 1-2 shots of tequila silver

• Splash of GT's Watermelon Wonder kombucha to taste

• ice

• Watermelon slice for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. Muddle jalapeño slice in a glass. (Remove seeds beforehand if you don't want your drink to be SUPER spicy.)

2. Add tequila and ice.

3. Top with kombucha.

4. Add watermelon and extra jalapeño slice for garnish.

5. Sip and enjoy

Could this recipe be any simpler?

Cheese and Charcuterie Platter

Platters like this are so easy to throw together, and really please a crowd! Customizable to the season, occasion or the group you are making it for (paleo, whole30, vegetarian, etc.)...there is really no wrong way to create a spread like this.

But don't do it all on your own, next time shop with a friend and put this baby together with a partner (like we did)...it's almost as fun as eating it!

Guacamole Jalapeño Bacon Burger with Spicy Ranch Sauce

Rao's Homemade Meat Sauce

Poached Egg and Salmon Salad

Coconut Macaroons

I think if you ask anyone who is dedicated to a healthy eating lifestyle, they would say half of their success comes from preparation. On Sunday, I like to shop, plan, and prep my meals for the week, so Monday through Friday, I don’t even have to think about it.

These delicious macaroons are one of the things I can make on Sunday and store in the fridge for the rest of the week and take out whenever I need them. They make a perfect snack, side to lunch, or even “dessert.” I usually eat 1-2 per day.

The recipe comes from Karena and Katrina from @toneitup and ever since I discovered it I have been hooked!

Ingredients (makes seven cookies)

• 1 banana
• ½ egg
• ½ cup of unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1 scoop of vanilla protein

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Mash banana, egg, unsweetened coconut flakes, and vanilla protein powder together
3. Form the mixture into seven macaroons. Place each macaroon on a baking sheet sprayed with your preferred cooking spray.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes, depending on your oven

*If you think seven cookies won’t last you the whole week, then double the recipe to make fourteen.

What’s one of your favorite recipes to make on Meal Prep Sunday?

Quick and Easy Whole30 Tuna Salad

Habits such as meal prepping and making certain recipes part of my routine, have helped me make everyday-healthy-eating something that just happens naturally now. This tuna salad has become one of my favorite routine lunches, and I eat it at least three times a week because of how simple, quick, and tasty it is. Oh, and best of all, it abides by Paleo and Whole30 guidelines... woo hoo! Don’t you love when healthy food tastes wonderful, but also leaves you feeling satisfied? This recipe would also be great to meal prep for weekday lunches since it lasts 3-5 days in the fridge. I added a simple lemon/EVOO kale salad and apple slices to go with mine today, but the sides are endless: cucumber slices, carrots, celery, GF crackers… the list goes on and on!
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All you need to do is combine 1 can of tuna (I prefer SafeCatch), 1-2 tablespoon Primal Kitchen Mayo or homemade mayo, a big squeeze of lemon, some finely chopped celery, and salt & pepper to taste. I also added one date, chopped into pieces, to sweeten mine up; however, unsweetened cranberries would do the trick too. Thanks to @thedefineddish for introducing me to her easy tuna salad recipe which was the inspiration for today’s lunch!

Sweet Potato Avocado Toast

Sweet potato “toast” topped with ghee, avocado, @traderjoes Everything but the Bagel Sesame seasoning blend and red pepper flakes.

I first learned about sweet potato toast from one of my favorite bloggers, Kelsey @littlebitsof_realfood and now I see it everywhere! So simple to make...pop the slices in the toaster for 3 cycles or so, slather on a little bit of ghee, top with sliced avocado and seasonings and you are good to go. I sometimes add a hard-boiled egg on the side for a quick lunch, but the options are endless (vegan, paleo, whole30, etc). Sweet or savory, this is sure to satisfy! What is your ideal topping for sweet potato toast?
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P.S. Did you know that you can buy Everything but the Bagel on Amazon too?!

Whole 30 Potato Cake with Poached Egg and Hollandaise Sauce

This savory and filling breakfast is perfect for a Saturday or Sunday morning. The best part of this dish is that every part of it is Whole 30 compliant. While I chose to add a poached egg and hollandaise sauce to my potato cake, it would also pair with Whole 30 "sour cream" for lunch or dinner!

Ingredients for potato cake (makes 1 large cake):

• 1/2 potato
• 1/2 egg
• 1/2 tablespoon ghee
• 2 tablespoon almond flour
• unsweetened almond milk to taste
• green onion to taste
• red chili flakes to taste
• salt and pepper to taste

For poached egg:

• 1 egg

For hollandaise sauce:

• 1 egg yolk
• 1 squeeze of lemon juice
• dash of cayenne pepper

Directions:

1. Cut potato into chunks and let cook in boiling water for about 12 minutes, until soft. Drain potatoes and add a couple tablespoons of almond milk, 1/2 tablespoon ghee, salt, and pepper to taste. Use an immersion blender to blend potatoes. Add more milk if needed to reach consistency you like.

2. Add egg, green onion, and almond flour to mashed potatoes and stir to combine. Pour batter onto greased pan and cook on medium for 4-5 minutes on the first side, flip, and 2-4 minutes on the other side. 

3. While potato cake begins cooking, make your poached egg and hollandaise sauce. Boil water in small pot, turn down to a simmer, and crack egg carefully into the pot, and cook for three minutes.

4. For hollandaise, combine egg yolk, a squeeze of lemon, and a dash of cayenne and cook in a bowl over simmering water for about five minutes or until you reach consistency you like. Stir sauce as continuously as you can.

5. Top potato cake with poached egg, hollandaise sauce, and chopped green onion for garnish. Add a side of bacon if you're really feeling fancy! 

Notes:

• You can add some ghee into your hollandaise sauce, but I personally like mine without.
• Keep in mind hollandaise sauce will continue to thicken when done, so don't overcook. In fact, I under-cook mine just a little because I know it will thicken up. For this recipe especially, I like the hollandaise sauce a little more runny than usual, because it contrasts nicely with the consistency of the potato cake.