Sloppy Joes with Chef V BBQ Sauce

This Sloppy Joe recipe uses my tomato-less bbq sauce. Serve with my creamy coleslaw on a gluten-free bun.

Did you know the sandwich probably originated in Sioux City, Iowa in the 1930s. According to legend, the “loose meat sandwich” was created by a cook named Joe. My version is made with ground turkey and my tomato-less BBQ sauce.

sloppy joe sandwich

Ingredients

-2 tbsp water

– 1 lb organic ground turkey

– Chef V's BBQ sauce

Directions

Add 2 tbsp water to a frying pan over medium high heat. Add the ground Turkey and brown the turkey (about 5 minutes). Mix with the BBQ sauce on the stove. 

Continue to warm for 1-2 minutes and serve with your favorite gluten free bun and my coleslaw recipe.

Raw Coleslaw

This coleslaw recipe goes well with my BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich, my Shredded Chicken Sandwich, and my Sloppy Joe Sandwich.

coleslaw

Ingredients

-2 cups shredded green cabbage
-1/2 cup shredded carrot 
-1/2 cup shredded red cabbage 
-3/4 cup Chef V Raw Mayo 
-1 tbsp.  coconut sugar 
-Salt and pepper to taste 

Directions

Mix all ingredients. Serve on my Jackfruit, BBQ Chicken or Sloppy Joes sandwiches on your favorite gluten free bun.

Golden Milk: Drink your Turmeric

golden milk

Golden Milk … just the name of it sounds alluring, exotic, and appealing to our inner child. Kind of like chocolate milk. But golden milk is way healthier than chocolate milk.

In fact, golden milk isn’t really milk at all.

Golden Milk: What is it?

There are a few beverages you might want to drink everyday (sorry, coffee: you’re not on the list, though I do love you at times). First on the list is Organic Green Drink, a refreshing and delicious blend of the world’s most detoxifying green, leafy plants.

The next super beverage on my list of nutritional liquid powerhouses is bone broth. Bone broth from humanely-raised animals contains amino acids and collagen. Collagen can improve your gut health, skin, and immune system. It can also better cushion and protect your ligaments, tendons, bones and joints and make your hair and nails stronger.

Golden milk is the third beverage I highly encourage you to drink as often as possible. Golden milk’s featured ingredient is turmeric.  But let me catch you up to speed on why this golden-colored spice (hence the name golden milk) is, well, the spice of life.

Turmeric contains anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-oxidant, and heart-protective properties. Moreover, another of the golden milk health benefits is that turmeric helps normalize your blood sugar levels. This is super important if you’re trying to lose weight or detox.

To make an easy vegan golden milk, just add some nut milk, coconut milk (it’s one of the few foods I buy in canned form). You can also make golden milk extra creamy by adding coconut oil.

The healthy fats from coconut and the amazing health benefits of turmeric make golden milk a must do morning ritual.

Golden Milk Health Benefits: Weight Loss and So Much More!

Recently, I shared with you how several Chef V client relations specialists have lost weight following a low-carb diet. Low-carb diets are only healthy if you replace the starchy carbs with healthy fats. Coconut is one of those healthy fats. (I love coconuts so much I named my dog, Coconut.)

The fatty acids in coconut don’t get stored as fat. Instead, they are immediately used by the body as energy. Imagine if you were able to ditch crackers, cookies, and all those other junky carb foods and replaced those empty calories with healthy fats. You just might achieve super fast weight loss.

Making a golden milk recipe vegan is easy. Again, all you need is the turmeric spice, coconut milk and/or coconut oil. It’s important to add coconut to the recipe. That’s because turmeric is fat-soluble. That means you need to eat some fat (it doesn’t have to be a lot; a tablespoon is more than enough) to absorb it and get the golden milk health benefits.

Moreover, by using coconut milk, you’re getting lots of vitamins and minerals that you wouldn’t get with just coconut oil.

How to make easy Vegan Golden Milk

To make my version of this yummy drink, you’ll need:

2 cups of your favorite nut milk (I prefer My Almond Milk)

1/4 teaspoon of ground turmeric

1/8 teaspoon of ground ginger (which has amazing health benefits, including clearing your blood of fatty deposits),

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon (which helps lower blood sugar)

1 teaspoon of coconut nectar (which is a natural, low-glycemic sweetener that won’t spike your blood sugar).

Some nutritionists recommend adding a dash of black pepper as well to increase the bio-availability of the turmeric. The best thing about making a vegan golden milk is you can enjoy it hot or cold. To enjoy hot, simply heat up the plain “milk”. I prefer to simmer it on the stove rather than use a microwave. Take the warmed or cold  “milk” and place it in your Vitamix or other blender. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend. Easy as pie. Well, actually, much easier than pie.

Golden milk is a potent anti-inflammatory elixir that might just help you lose weight. The strong taste of turmeric might take a little getting used to. So only use a small amount at first. Enjoy it in a cup alone, alongside a special dessert or my favorite guilty pleasure, having it with a bowl of yummy cereal or oats!

GOLDEN MILK OATS

Add 1 cup gluten-free oats

2 Cups Chef V Almond Milk

1/8 tsp. cinnamon

1/8 tsp. ginger

1/4 tsp. turmeric

1 tsp. coconut nectar

Chef V’s Immunity Smoothie

I've created this new Immunity Smoothie to start the day. Made with ginger, turmeric, kale and coconut water, it gives me extra drive as I start a busy day.

Immunity Smoothie

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup coconut water
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 piece kale
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger
  • 1 tbsp fresh turmeric
  • 1 dash black pepper

Directions

Mix all ingredients and enjoy!

Tropitaya Smoothie

One of the most popular smoothies (and one of my favorites) at our stores in New Jersey and San Diego, the Tropitaya Smoothie is so refreshing after a yoga class or to cool off on a hot day.

super smoothie

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup frozen pitaya
  • 1/4 cup pineapple
  • 1/4 cup mango
  • 1 large piece of kale or other nutritious green
  • 1 cup ice
  • 1/2 cup coconut water
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1 tbsp pea protein

For a healthy variation, add 1 tbsp fresh ginger and 1 tsp fresh turmeric

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend 1-2 minutes until smooth. Add ¼ cup filtered water if necessary. Bon Appétit!

Pulled BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich – Vegan

This Pulled BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich recipe uses my tomato-less bbq sauce and is vegan. Serve with my coleslaw on a gluten-free bun.

jackfruit

Ingredients

– 2 cans Jackfruit

– 2 cups Chef V's BBQ sauce

Directions

Remove jackfruit and drain water out from the can. Heat jackfruit and BBQ sauce on the stove for 4-7 minutes until the jackfruit is warm. Shred the jackfruit like shredded “meat”. 

Serve hot with your favorite gluten free bun and my coleslaw recipe.

Red White & Blue Popsicles

Little ones will love these frozen summer Red White and Blue Popsicle treats. Use coconut yogurt, fresh fruit, and natural non-sucrose sweeteners to make them happy without making them wild with the sugar crazies! – Veronica

red white & blue popsicles

INGREDIENTS

  • 8 oz. So Delicious Coconut Yogurt (original, unsweetened)
  • ½ cup organic coconut or almond milk (original, unsweetened)
  • ¼ cup fresh lime juice
  • 1 drop of organic liquid Stevia or 1 tsp. coconut nectar (optional)
  • ½ cup organic blueberries
  • ½ cup organic raspberries, chopped
  • Popsicle mold for 6
  • 6 Popsicle sticks

Combine coconut yogurt, milk, lime juice and sweetener (optional) in a bowl with a spout, so it’s easy to pour, and mix well.

Drop two blueberries and two raspberries at the very bottom of each popsicle mold.

Fill the popsicles half-way with the coconut yogurt mixture.

Add 2 more blueberries and raspberries in the middle.

Fill almost to the top and again, add 2 of each fruit.

Place the top cover over the popsicle mold.

Carefully place the sticks in the center hole of the mold – more than halfway the popsicle, but not all the way to the top. Also remember to leave enough room at the end of the stick for someone to hold in their hand.

Place in the freezer for 5 hours or overnight.

When removing, allow the popsicles to sit out for 10 minutes and slowly remove by gently wiggling them side-to-side.

Breakfast Smoothie Bowl

My breakfast smoothie is delicious, good for you, and easy to make. What’s not to like?

breakfast smootihe

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup tropical green drink or green drink (If not green drink use 1/2 cup water)
  • 1/2 cup coconut water 
  • 1 cup greens (spinach, kale, or chard)
  • 1/2 cup mango
  • 1/2 cup pineapple
  • 1/2 cup ice 
  • 1 tbsp pea protein 

Directions

Blend in vitamix or blender for 1-2 minutes until thick and smooth but not watery. Top with 1/2 cup mixed fresh cut fruit of choice and gluten free granola.

Piña Kale’oda Smoothie

A new recipe at our San Diego store and an instant favorite. Pineapple, coconut, kale and oat milk make a smoothie that is a refreshing, healthy, and delicious “taste of the tropics”.

super smoothie

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup Chef V’s oat milk
  • 1/2 cup organic pineapple juice
  • 1/2 cup frozen pineapple
  • 1 large piece green kale
  • 1 tbsp. Unsweetened Coconut shreds
  • 1 tbsp. Vanilla pea protein
  • 1 cup ice

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend for 2 minutes until it’s completely mixed and smoothie consistency. Enjoy!

Tasty Lettuce Cups

A delicious combination of water chestnut crunch, meaty mushrooms, fresh zucchini, and savory aminos. 

 Chef V's Tip: For more protein, add 1 pound ground chicken or turkey. Raw coconut aminos are a fabulous replacement for soy sauce.

tasty lettuce cups

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup diced white onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
  • 2 cups diced crimini mushrooms
  • 1 cup diced zucchini
  • 1/2 cup diced water chestnuts
  • 2 carrots, shredded
  • 1/4 cup raw coconut aminos (I like Coconut Secret)
  • 5/6 lettuce cups (iceberg or boston lettuce leaves)
  • Optional: 1 pound ground chicken or turkey

Optional toppings:

  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • 1/4 cup chopped raw cashews

Directions

In a large skillet, sauté onion in coconut oil over medium high heat for 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, then add mushrooms and veggies (or ground chicken) and cook for 3 more minutes. Stir in coconut aminos and cook for 2 minutes more.

To serve, spoon mixture into lettuce cups. Top with cilantro and cashews.

Easy Raw Pesto

This Easy Raw Pesto is so delicious. Besides my Grilled Chicken Pasta, try this on gluten-free bread as a spread or use it as a marinade for your favorite protein or vegetables.

Add a simple & delicious raw pesto to add to your next homemade pizza. Chef V's pesto has less calories than store-bought pesto & is better for your health.

Chef V Easy Raw Pesto

Chef V Easy Raw Pesto

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh basil
  • 3/4 cup raw pine nuts
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 cup cold-pressed olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Sea Salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

Process all the ingredients in a Vitamix until smooth. Will keep for up to a month refrigerated.

Grilled Chicken Pesto Pasta

Chef V's Tip: Substitute the chicken with 2 cups of your favorite grilled veggies to make this dish vegan.

Grilled Chicken Pesto Pasta

SERVES 2

Ingredients

  • Sea Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
  • 2 cups cooked brown rice or quinoa pasta
  • 1/2 cup Chef V's Easy Raw Pesto

Directions

Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. Lightly salt and pepper the chicken (or veggies) and grill for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, or until thoroughly cooked. Cut chicken into pieces and combine with cooked pasta and my Easy Raw Pesto.

What Do I Eat Today – Gluten-Free

This “What Do I Eat Today” gluten-free menu starts with warm lemon water, then Green Drink. For breakfast, Avocado Toast is a rich tasting treat. Lunch is my “Chipotle” style Burrito Bowl, and the day’s snack is a choice of three different hummus’s served with fresh veggies.

Dinner is my Quinoa Enchiladas – you can follow the recipe online or watch me make it on my YouTube channel.

First Thing in the Morning

I have lemon water in the morning and then I wait until I’m hungry to have my Green Drink.

For Breakfast – Avocado Toast

A special breakfast or a brunch treat, my recipe adds flavor to the avocado with a hint of vinegar’s tang and red pepper flakes.

Get the recipe

Lunch – Chef V’s ‘Chipotle’ Burrito Bowl

Here’s my Mango Avocado Burrito Bowl, a spin on Chipotle Mexican Grill’s awesome burrito bowls. Use my recipe as a starting point and add any of your favorite ingredients like grilled chicken or fish to make your own. You can also turn this into an easy wrap with gluten-free tortillas.  – Veronica

Get the recipe

Snack – Choose from Three Hummus’s and Fresh Veggies

Choose from three of my Hummus recipes, pair with fresh veggies, and have a rich tasting and delicious gluten free snack.

Get the recipe – Easy Hummus

Get the recipe – Green Goddess Hummus

Get the recipe – Red Beet Hummus

Dinner – Quinoa Enchilada

My famous Quinoa Enchilada – or “the whole enchilada” as my husband says. That’s so cheesy – no pun intended. This recipe is approved for the purpose of cleansing as long as you substitute vegan cheese and omit the corn. Watch my YouTube video or read the recipe on the blog.

Get the recipe

Chef V’s Cooking with V – Chicken Pot Pie

Welcome to Chef V's Cooking School!

I'm Veronica, Certified Nutritional Therapist, author, and proud owner of Chef V. You might know me for my Green Drink and Cleanses, but I started Chef V as a personal chef. In my first video cooking series, I'll be sharing some of my clients' favorite recipes with you.

Using this blog and my YouTube channel, I welcome you to my kitchen. We're going to laugh, learn and cook – together.

This month we are making Chicken Pot Pie with my trusty sous chef and husband, Brandon.

CHICKEN POT PIE

Watch Veronica make the recipe in the video above and follow along with the directions, below.

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 tbsp. olive oil (separated)
  • ½ white onion, diced
  • 1 Gluten Free pie crust
  • 1 lb. Organic Chicken, poached or use rotisserie chicken
  • ½ cup Fresh or frozen Peas
  • 1 Carrot, chopped
  • 1 Celery, chopped
  • 2-3 tbsp. Gluten Free flour (separated)
  • 2 cups Chicken or vegetable stock.
  • ½ cup dairy free milk
  • 1 egg white to brush the top of pie crust.
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • dash of pepper

DIRECTIONS

shredding the chicken

PREPARE THE CHICKEN

You can poach the chicken or I like to use a rotisserie chicken, it’s easier and has more moisture. I like to shred the chicken instead of chop it.

chopping veg

cooking veg

PREPARE THE VEGGIES

Chop the carrot, onion, and celery.

Sauté the vegetables in a pan – heat 1 tbsp. olive oil and add onion, add carrot, then celery to the pan. Add salt and pepper. Sauté lightly for 2 minutes.

making the roux

MAKE THE ROUX (SAUCE) 

In another pan create the roux. Add 1 tbsp. olive oil and add 1 tbsp. gluten free flour and stir until golden brown (about 2 minutes). Slowly add chicken or vegetable stock ½ cup at a time and stir until you have like a gravy. Add salt to taste. Reduce the heat to low, add the dairy-free milk, and continue to stir.

boil water

PREPARE THE PIE

Add the gravy, the chicken, and cooked vegetables to a pie pan.

roll out dough

MAKE THE PIE CRUST

This recipe uses a purchased gluten-free dough. Or you can use my recipe for gluten-free pie crust. 

Roll out the gluten-free dough. Place 1 tbsp gluten-free flour on a surface and roll the dough into a circular shape, slightly larger than the pie pan, with a rolling pin.

adding egg white to pie crust

ASSEMBLE THE PIE

Place the crust over the pie pan and press the edges with a fork. Add some slits at the top for air and decor. Mix one egg white and brush the top of the pie.

making the sauce

BAKE AND SERVE

Bake in the oven uncovered for 30-45 minutes until the crust is a nice golden brown. Serve hot.

TASTING THE PIE

NOW THE BEST PART – THE TASTE TEST!

Brandon says “winner winner, chicken dinner.”

 

Chef V’s Cooking with V – Quinoa Enchilada

Watch the enchilada video & read the recipe

Welcome to Chef V's Cooking School!

I'm Veronica, Certified Nutritional Therapist, author, and proud owner of Chef V. You might know me for my Green Drink and Cleanses, but I started Chef V as a personal chef. I'll be sharing some of my clients' favorite recipes with you.

This is my first ever cooking series and I welcome you to my kitchen. And of course I couldn't do my show without my trusty sidekick Brandon – Sous-Chef B. And our dog Coconut – Taste Tester. We're going to laugh, learn and cook – together.

We are starting with my famous Quinoa Enchilada – or “the whole enchilada” as my husband says. That's so cheesy – no pun intended. This recipe is Challenge approved for the purpose of cleansing as long as you substitute vegan cheese and omit the corn.

quinoa enchilada ingredients

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 2 jars enchilada sauce
  • 1 cup cooked black beans
  • 1 cup frozen organic corn
  • 3 cups organic cheese or vegan cheese
  • 1 tbsp. chopped green onions for garnish
  • 1lb. ground turkey or you can substitute chopped mushrooms
  • 1 tsp. taco seasoning (optional)

quinoa enchilada ingredients

MY SECRET INGREDIENT

Trade Joe's Enchilada Sauce is my secret ingredient – you can use a different sauce but we think this one makes the difference.

quinoa enchilada ingredients

COOK QUINOA & TURKEY

Quinoa: Cook quinoa as directed on package or use these directions:

Cook quinoa on stovetop: 1 part quinoa and 2 parts water. Bring to a boil, then simmer covered for 10-15 minutes or until done.

Turkey: sauté ground turkey or chopped mushrooms with taco seasoning.

mixing enchilada ingedients

MIX INGREDIENTS IN A BOWL

Add cooked quinoa, turkey (or sub), ¾ of the cheese, beans, corn, and 1 ½ bottles of enchilada sauce to the bowl and mix.

casserole assembly

ASSEMBLE CASSEROLE

Add contents of the bowl to the casserole dish.

Add the rest of cheese on top and drizzle a little sauce on top.

Top the casserole with the chopped green onions – you can add them before or after baking.

baked casserole

BAKE

Cook covered 20 minutes and uncovered 15 minutes at 350.

eating the casserole

ENJOY!

Customers who've tried this recipe say it is even better the second day. You can keep it in the refrigerator for several days, if it lasts that long! Brandon says this recipe taste as good or better than “real” enchiladas.

Cheers to your health – Veronica

Chef V’s Cooking with V – Organic Turkey Risotto

Welcome to Chef V's Cooking School!

I'm Veronica, Certified Nutritional Therapist, author, and proud owner of Chef V. You might know me for my Green Drink and Cleanses, but I started Chef V as a personal chef. In my first video cooking series, I'll be sharing some of my clients' favorite recipes with you.

Using this blog and my YouTube channel, I welcome you to my kitchen. We're going to laugh, learn and cook – together.

Cooking with Chef V

This super simple recipe has only 7 ingredients and is so easy to make. It has so much flavor, is so filling and balanced, and I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! “You don't even know do', it's the BEST Risotto!”

While most risottos have a lot of cream and butter, we're not going to use those. Using arborio rice, this risotto has a nice creamy texture that we'll make using vegan broth.

Organic Turkey Risotto- Dairy-Free & Gluten-free
Step by Step

turkey risotto ingredients

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups Arborio rice
  • 2 tbsp. Olive oil
  • 4 cups broth (may need more depending on absorbency)
  • Ground turkey 1 lb
  • Organic butternut squash cubed 2 cups
  • Green Kale 3 cups chopped
  • 3 tsp. dry sage, separated
  • Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

KALE
First chop the kale, rolling it into a little ball to finely chop. Set aside.

dicing onion

TURKEY
Season the turkey with 1 tsp sage, a pinch of salt and pepper. Add a little water to the pan before adding the meat. Add the meat to the pan.

Brown the turkey meat and slightly undercook. Let it rest and set aside.

add water to pan

salt and pepper meat

salt and pepper meat

BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Using a dutch oven or heavy pan, turn the heat on medium high. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and sauté the butternut squash (previously cut into 3/4 inch cubes) for 3 minutes. Add a tiny bit of salt and pepper. Add one tsp of sage.

Next, add the chopped kale to the pot, then the browned turkey.

sliced zucchini

RISOTTO

To the pan with the butternut squash, start adding the arborio rice. Add 2 cups of rice, sautéing the rice.

Stir well, then add 1 cup of broth to start and keep stirring. Slowly add more broth as it is absorbed – keep stirring. Add salt, pepper, and remaining sage to the risotto. Stir until nice and creamy and the rice is cooked al dente. If the mixture is a little thick, add another 1/2 cup of broth.

add kale

add 1/2 cup broth

tasting 2

Time to Taste!

time to taste

Serve it up.

time to taste

Sou chef Coco joins us!

Coco

Peaches & Cream Smoothie

June 21st is National Smoothie Day and National Peaches and Cream day so you know we had to make up a healthy Peaches and Cream Smoothie.

peaches & cream smoothie

Ingredients

Serves 2

  • 1 cup filtered water
  • 1/4 cup organic cashews
  • 1 cup frozen peaches
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1 tbsp. vanilla pea protein
  • 1 dash of cinnamon (trust me!)
  • 1 cup ice

Directions

Blend the cashews with the water for one minute. Then add peaches and the rest of ingredients and blend for 1 minute.

Pour and enjoy. This recipe is perfect anytime this summer.

Morning Mojito Smoothie

Keep it up! After you cleanse, it is important to maintain healthy habits – have 16 oz. of Chef V's Organic Green Drink first thing in the morning, then followup with a healthy smoothie. 

sweet potato bunnies

TOTAL 10 minutes

Prep Time: 8 minutes

Serving Size: 1 Person

Ingredients

  • ½ cup ice 2 cups organic spinach
  • ¼ cup fresh or frozen pineapple (skinned and chopped)
  • ¼ cup lime juice
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • 1 cup filtered water
  • 5-10 mint leaves (depending on how minty you like it!)
  • 1 serving of Chef V Ultra Shake protein powder or Powder of your choice

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend 1-2 minutes until smooth. Add ¼ cup filtered water if necessary. Bon Appétit!

Chef V’s Pistachio Crusted Salmon

This salmon dish is delicious and super easy to make. It’s also filled with lots of healthy fats and omegas. It takes less than 5 minutes to prep and less than 20 minutes to cook. It also makes great leftovers. Or you can serve 4 with this recipe. 
 
I usually buy a large piece of salmon, make the whole thing, serve my husband and myself, and then have leftovers for my lunch salads. I love having extra protein prepped and ready to just toss on a mixed green salad during the week. It makes meal prep easy and that much healthier.
 
I recommend wild caught salmon like Coho or wild Alaskan salmon. I’m not a huge fan of sockeye salmon because it’s not as fatty and tends to cook more dry, but use whatever type your heart desires or what’s fresh and wild for your availability. 
pistachio crusted salmon
 This dish was made by a dear friend for me one night @msjulesfit on Instagram and I’ve been making it at least once a month ever since. I promise this will be one of your favorite salmon recipes! 

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lb salmon
  • 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 1/4 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 3 + cloves minced garlic
  • 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup crushed pistachios
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Rinse and pat dry your salmon fillet. Cut slits on top to soak in the flavor. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and heat oven to 375. Put the salmon on the lined baking sheet and salt and pepper the salmon. 

Mix the marinade ingredients together. Oil, lemon, Dijon, honey, and garlic. Pour over the salmon and add the crushed pistachios on top.

Bake for 18 minutes, remove and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve with your favorite sides. Enjoy! The best part is that it’s pre-cleanse approved!

Serves 4 or 2 with leftovers 

Ginger Apple Berry Smoothie

This ginger apple berry smoothie not only tastes great but is loaded with antioxidants to fight free radicals and reduce inflammation. 

Antioxidants are substances that may prevent cell damage. Berries are great natural sources of antioxidants.

Enjoy this popular smoothie in the morning after your 16 oz. of Organic Green Drink.

ginger apple berry smoothie

TOTAL 10 minutes

Prep Time: 8 minutes

Serving Size: 1 Person

Ingredients

  • ½ Fuji apple
  • ½ cup blueberries
  • ½ cup raspberries
  • 2 small pieces organic red chard
  • 1 tbsp. fresh ginger, minced (I use a garlic presser)
  • 1 cup ice
  • ¾ cup almond milk
  • Optional: 1 serving of vegan protein powder (hemp, pea, or brown rice)

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend 1-2 minutes until smooth. Add ¼ cup filtered water if necessary. Bon Appétit!

Vegan Ambrosia Salad from Chef V

Ambrosia salad is to die for Yum but also you might die from the ingredients! Yikes! Sugar on sugar on sugar! Oh wait, a little cream too! So, I’ve decided to remix this classic and make a yummy, healthy and vegan ambrosia salad.

vegan ambrosia salad

Ingredients

  • 2 different apples, diced (I choose one green and one honey crisp)
  • 2 cups pineapple, diced
  • 2 cups coconut cream or 2 cans coconut milk (Trader Joe’s has the cream)
  • 2 tbsp. raw coconut nectar
  • 1 tsp. vanilla bean or vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp. unsweetened shredded coconut
  • ¼ cup chopped raw walnuts

Directions

Refrigerate the coconut cream overnight. If you don’t have coconut cream you can use canned coconut milk, you will just need two cans. For coconut milk, not cream, refrigerate the cans and when you remove, be careful not to shake the can as the cream is at the top. Carefully open the can and scrape out the cream from the top, the milky water will be at bottom. Don’t worry if you get a little bit of watery milk in cream just try to avoid it and get all cream. If you found coconut cream, you don’t have to do that step. You do need to refrigerate but just remove the cream in a bowl. Add coconut nectar and vanilla to cream and whip for 1-2 minutes.

Add apples, pineapple, walnuts and coconut shreds. Mix well. Chill for 2 hours before serving.

Sweet Potato Bunnies

Check out my cute little sweet potato bunnies! They are so cute and can be seasoned sweet or savory!

sweet potato bunnies

Ingredients

  • 1 yellow sweet potato
  • 1 orange sweet potato
  • 1 purple sweet potato
  • 1 tbsp. coconut oil
  • Bunny Cookie Cutter
  • Sweet Topping
  • 1 tbsp. sugar
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. ginger
  • Savory Topping
  • ¼ tsp. onion powder
  • ¼ tsp. garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp. sea salt
  • ¼ tsp. black pepper
  • ¼ tsp. ground mustard
  • ¼ tsp. oregano
  • ¼ tsp. red chili flake

Veronica shows off her sweet potato bunnies

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Slice the sweet potatoes thin and lengthwise. Arrange the sweet potatoes on a foil lined baking sheet, sprayed with coconut oil.

Brush the tops of the sweet potato with coconut oil. Drizzle half the bunnies with the sweet seasoning and half the bunnies with the savory. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove and let cool. Using a bunny cookie cutter, cut bunny shapes from the sweet potato. You can replace in the oven for 10 minutes to crisp up more or just serve on a plate and enjoy these little bunnies!

Add apples, pineapple, walnuts and coconut shreds. Mix well. Chill for 2 hours before serving.

sweet potato prep

Safe & Healthy Easter Eggs

Happy Easter! What’s more traditional than decorating Easter Eggs? But what is in all of those nasty dyes that we’ve been using on our food all of these years? Healthy Easter egg dye is easy to make. You can save money buying artificial dyes and get creative this year with household items you already have.

I’ll be using turmeric, green tea, blueberries, beets, and a couple of other fun ingredients to make some colorful dyes. Last year I tested out some fun textures and patterns to put on the eggs. Herbs and flowers wrapped in cheesecloth make great patterns or you can use old ripped nylons. You can also use string or rubber bands to wrap a fun pattern around the egg.

FlashTats are temporary tattoos that are fun to decorate without the mess of dyes. I made a fun video showing you how easy it is to make the dyes!

Safe & Healthy Easter Eggs

Natural Ingredients for Homemade Dyes

  • ½ cup red beet
  • ¼ cup fresh turmeric, peeled
  • 3 green tea bags
  • Skins from 2 yellow onions
  • ½ cup blueberries
  • 5 tbsp. white vinegar
  • Optional for design
  • Cheesecloth or nylons
  • Rosemary or other herbs
  • Small flowers

natural easter egg dyes

Fill 3 pots of water with 2 cups each and 1 pot with 4 cups. Heat the water and bring each pot to a boil. When the 4 cups boil, pour 2 cups into a glass container and add 3 green tea bags. Let steep for 20 minutes while other dyes cook.

Return the remaining pot to a boil. Add beet to one pot, turmeric to another, blueberries to one, and onion skins to last. Stir and reduce heat for each pot to simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and pour into a glass container. Add 1 tbsp. of vinegar to each dye, including green tea.

Wait for the dyes to come to room temperature (about an hour). Drop the hard boiled eggs (room temperature) into the dyes (also room temp.). You can use cheesecloth or nylons to wrap the eggs and drop them in for cool patterns. I added some rosemary and flowers for different designs. Leave the eggs in the dye for 2 hours.

Remove and enjoy your beautiful Easter Eggs!

Flashtat Egg Decorations

Flashtat eggs are less messy than dyes and they look freakin’ awesome! The trick to this is that the eggs need to be room temperature and completely dry. They can’t have any dew or water on them. Apply the tattoo just like you would to your skin and set by dabbing with a damp towel. Slowly remove the tattoo and voila! These come out so cool!

Garden Salad w/ Yummy Viniagrette

Salads are easy to prepare and are a super convenient way to get more nutrients into your diet. This mix of greens and veggies is easy to assemble and goes great with my Yummy Vinaigrette Dressing.

romaine lettuce

Ingredients

serves 1

Salad

  • 2 cups chopped organic romaine
  • 5 slices cucumber
  • 2 tbsp Sliced red onion
  • 1 radish, thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp sunflower seeds
  • 1/4 cup kidney beans
  • additional protein options: 4 oz grilled organic chicken breast or wild salmon

Yummy Vinaigrette

  • 3 tbsp good quality olive oil
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 Clove garlic minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Gently toss the salad ingredients together, sprinkling the sunflower seeds on top.

Mix the dressing ingredients well and use half for your salad and half for a salad later in the week. Keeps in the fridge for a week. Can easily double the recipe for more.

BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

This pulled chicken recipe uses my tomato-less bbq sauce. Serve with my creamy coleslaw and a gluten-free bun.

To make this vegan version, check out my Pulled BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches

pulled chicken sandwich

Ingredients

– 4 organic chicken breasts
OR
– 1 organic rotisserie chicken

– Chef V's BBQ sauce

Directions

For chicken breasts: poach the chicken in boiling water. Begin to check the chicken after 7 minutes, it should be an opaque white and not pink. Remove the chicken when done and start to shred with a fork.

For rotisserie chicken, shred the chicken super fine.

Add shredded chicken and mix with my tomato-less bbq sauce over low heat and warm. Serve the chicken warm on a gluten free bun with my coleslaw recipe.

Green Eggs & Pancakes

Thinking of something fun to do with the kids this year for St. Patrick’s Day? I’m sure your kids love having fun green foods that aren’t normally green like green eggs or pancakes. 

However, food coloring is so dangerous to your kids health. The primary colors blue, yellow, and red are used to make up all of food coloring. Blue and yellow make green, red and yellow make orange, and red and blue make purple. So before you reach for the green food coloring this St. Patty’s Day, know what you are about to feed your little leprechaun before doing so.

Blue No. 1 food coloring has been associated with cancer risk and in lab animals, cancerous tumors have grown after being exposed to Blue No. 1 (Natural-holistic-health.com). Blue No. 1 and 3 have also been linked to problems with male sterility.  Yellow No. 6 has been linked to problems in the adrenals and kidneys. When exposed to Yellow No. 5, people experience headaches, dizziness, anxiety, asthma and behavioral problems.

green pancakes

Green Eggs and Pancakes

In light of St. Patty’s Day, one of my clients told me about how she adds my Chef V Green Drink to her kids eggs  to make them Green. She also added the Green Drink to pancake mix instead of all water and the pancakes came out Green and yummy!

Just add 1 tbsp. of green drink per egg until you get the color consistency you want. The result will be fun green eggs and pancakes made from natural ingredients. Check out this video to follow along as I try making green eggs for the first time. Enjoy and have a happy St. Patty’s Day!

mixing green eggs

Alternatives to Food Coloring

My great natural alternatives to food coloring:

  • Red coloring extracted from beet juice or paprika
  • Purple coloring extracted from juice of the red cabbage
  • Lighter purple coloring extracted from blueberries
  • Green coloring extracted from spinach or Chef V Green Drink
  • Yellow coloring extracted from saffron or tumeric
Read More of This Article About Food Coloring Dangers Here: http://www.natural-holistic-health.com/dangers-artificial-food-coloring/

Chef V’s Bibimbap Bowl

Bibimbap Bowls – a 10 minute meal! It’s the day before my holiday party and I’ve been cooking all day getting ready for tomorrow. I needed a fast but healthy meal. This one is a crowd favorite.

Check out my Instagram video making this easy meal.

bim-bop-bowl

Ingredients

  • 1 Lb organic ground Turkey
  • 3/4 cup island soyaki from Trader Joes
  • 2 green onions, slivered
  • 1 pack Trader Joe’s organic frozen rice
  • 2 fried eggs
  • Trader Joes siracha
  • Trader Joes green dragon sauce

Cleanse version:

  • 1/2 cup coconut aminos
  • 1 tbsp fresh minced ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic – minced
  • 2 chopped green onions (white part only, save green tops for topping)
  • 1 tbsp pineapple Juice
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil.
  • Marinate meat for 30 minutes minimum or up to 4 hours max.
  • Use brown rice or quinoa.

Directions

This meal only takes 10 minutes to cook but I did marinate the turkey for 30 minutes in Trader Joes island soyaki sauce and the white parts of green onion.

Then I heated the turkey on the stove top for 5-7 minutes until cooked.

While that was cooking I made the Trader Joes frozen rice in the microwave, I always have this as backup when I need rice in a pinch (although I prefer to cook my own).

Then I fried an egg. I layered the rice, turkey meat, a fried egg, added the green onion tops, and drizzled with siracha and green dragon sauce. All found at Trader Joe’s!

Can’t beat that 10 minute meal! Enjoy!

Skinny Shamrock Smoothie

Shamrock Smoothies are popular around St. Patrick’s Day.  However, they are typically not very healthy.

Here is my favorite version of a Shamrock Smoothie. It’s light, healthy, creamy and it tastes so good!

It’s also a low sugar smoothie. Stay skinny and look your best in green with this delicious recipe.

skinny shamrock smoothie

TOTAL: 15 min

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Serving Size: 1 Person

Ingredients

  • 1 small avocado (or ½ large avocado)
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • 1 date, pitted
  • 1 cup spinach
  • 1 cup kale
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp. chia seeds
  • 1 tbsp. Chef V vanilla pea protein

Directions

Blend all ingredients together in Vitamix or blender for 1-2 minutes, until smooth. Serve in your favorite glass and garnish with a spinach leaf cut out like a shamrock.

Easy Green Salad

Green is good! Let me show you a variety of tasty ways you can create a sensational salad. Start with locally sourced organic greens, top your salad with a variety of colorful vegetables, fruits, legumes and a touch of lean protein. Salads are easy to prepare and are a super convenient way to get more nutrients into your diet.

easy green salad

TOTAL: 15 Min

Prep Time: 15 Min

Serving Size: 2 People

Ingredients

  • 3 cups mixed greens (use your favs)
  • 1 cup shredded green cabbage
  • 1 small seedless cucumber, peeled and sliced
  • 1 cup cooked hot or cold kidney beans
  • 1 ripe avocado, sliced

Directions

Gently combine all the ingredients, drizzle with one of my dressings, and serve.

Green Soup with Lemon Basil Pesto

Green veggies are central to this recipe, full of vitamins. Cannellini beans add fiber and richness. A lovely soup for celebrating the end of winter, the bounty of summer crops, or anytime you crave something super fresh and seasonal.

green soup

Ingredients

  • 1 to 2 tablespoons cold-pressed olive oil
  • 1 cup celery, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup leeks, thinly slicec
  • 2 teaspoons garlic, minced or pressed
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 3 cups vegetable stock
  • 1 cup filtered water
  • 7 thyme sprigs, divide use
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
  • 1 cup fresh green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained
  • 1 cup baby spinach leaves

BASIL PESTO

  • 1 cup baby spinach leaves
  • 1 cup fresh basil
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced or pressed
  • 2 teaspoons cold-pressed olive oil

Directions

Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the celery, leeks, garlic, and sea salt. Sauté for 5 minutes. Add the stock, water, and 3 thyme sprigs.

Cover and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the peas, green beans, and cannellini beans. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Discard the thyme sprigs. Stir in the spinach.

Make the basil pesto sauce. Process all of the pesto ingredients in a Vitamix until smooth.

Ladle the soup into 4 bowls. Top each with the pesto and thyme sprigs and serve.

Green Curry with Avocado

Total: 1 hr

Prep: 30 Min
Cook: 30 Min

Serving Size: 2 people

INGREDIENTS

1 clove garlic, minced or pressed
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1/2 cup green beans
1 large zucchini, sliced into thin rounds
2 tablespoons green curry paste (I like Thai Kitchen)
1 cup coconut milk
2 large ripe avocados, diced
1/2 cup fresh basil, julienned
Cooked brown rice or cooked quinoa

INSTRUCTIONS

In a large saucepan, sauté the garlic in the coconut oil for 1 minute. Add the green beans and zucchini, and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in the curry paste, making sure to coat all of the vegetables. Slowly add the coconut milk and bring to a simmer for 3 minutes. Gently stir in the avocado and basil and turn off the heat. Serve over brown rice or quinoa, optional.

Chef V's Tip: For more protein add 1 pound chopped grilled chicken. This dish is great with brown rice.

Chef V’s Fire Cider

My Chef V Fire Cider is sold in our store but if you prefer, you can make it at home with this recipe. My recipe uses healthy organic ingredients, blended fresh.
This Fire Cider is a natural anti-viral & antifungal. It is great for boosting immunity or getting rid of a sore throat or cold. It has a nice kick to it, hence the name “Fire” Cider. I use my Fire Cider all year long but especially in the winter when I need to boost my immunity and fight colds.

fire cider

Ingredients

  • 2 cups apple cider vinegar
  • 2 lemons, quartered
  • 1/4 jalapeno, sliced, including seeds
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp. horseradish
  • 2 tbsp fresh ginger, peeled and diced
  • 1 tbsp fresh turmeric, peeled and diced
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper
  • 1 tbsp. Coconut nectar (optional)

Directions

  1. Mix all ingredients together in a large container with a lid.
  2. Store in the fridge for 2 days to marinate for up to one month.
  3. To use the fire cider, strain through a cheesecloth or tiny strainer.
  4. Consume 1-2 oz and watch the magic happen.

(Can marinate up to one month.)

Awesome Mac & ‘Cheese’ IBS Version

Chef V’s tip: This is my gluten-free, dairy-free version of macaroni and cheese with variations for those following a FODMAP IBS diet. – Veronica

super smoothie

Ingredients

  • 3 cups filtered water
  • 2 cups peeled and chopped butternut squash
  • 1/2 cup Chef V’s Raw Nut Milk
  • 1 tsp nutritional yeast
  • 2 cups raw cashews, soaked and drained
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 cups cooked brown rice elbow pasta
  • Freshly ground pepper, optional

Directions

Bring the 3 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan and cook the butternut squash for 20 to 30 minutes, or until soft.

Process the cooked squash, nut milk, garlic (sub garlic for nutritional yeast for IBS version), cashews, lemon juice, and salt in a Vitamix until smooth.

Combine the ‘cheese’ sauce and cooked pasta, season with black pepper if desired, and serve.

Lemon Ginger Detox

Lemon and ginger detoxify the liver and strengthen the immune system.This is a great drink to start your morning and also for an afternoon lemonade. Follow it with a low-sugar green drink for the best detoxifying results in the morning.  – Veronica

lemon ginger detox

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • 1/4 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon grated fresh turmeric
  • 1 1/2 cups cold or hot filtered water

Directions

Mix lemon juice, fresh ginger, and turmeric with either cold or hot water and serve. This is a great drink to start your morning and also for an afternoon lemonade. Will keep for you up to 3 days refrigerated.

Bon Appétit!

Warm Cinnamon Quinoa

Warm Cinnamon Quinoa is an IBS friendly recipe.
Chef V’s Tip: My fool-proof way to cook quinoa is to use a rice cooker. Place 1 cup uncooked quinoa and 2 cups liquid (either 2 cups filtered water or 1 cup filtered water and 1 cup unsweetened almond or coconut milk) in the cooker and set it on the white rice setting.
If you don’t have a rice cooker, place the quinoa and 2 cups of liquid in a medium-sized pot. Bring it to a boil, reduce the heat to medium, and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Simmer, covered, for about 15-20 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed. remove the pan from the heat, fluff the quinoa with a  fork and keep it covered until ready to use.
IBS Version of this Recipe
Only change to the recipe is to limit pecans to maximum 10 pecan halves.

vegan eggnog

Ingredients

    • 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed and drained
    • 1 cup Chef V’s Raw Nut Milk (see recipe) or coconut milk
    • 1 cup filtered water
    • 1 tablespoon raw coconut nectar (I like Coconut Secret)
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • Optional Toppings
    • 2 cups fresh blackberries
    • 1/3 cup raw pecans, chopped

Directions

Cook the quinoa in a rice cooker or if cooking on a stovetop, follow the directions in the tip above, except simmer for 15 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed. Turn off the heat and let the quinoa stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Stir in the coconut nectar and cinnamon.

To serve, spoon into bowls and top with blackberries and pecans.

Sticking to Your Health Goals while Celebrating Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is associated with romance and all things romantic. It’s unfortunately also associated with sugary treats and big dinners. While those will certainly get your heart racing, it’s probably not in the way you want. We ask you, what’s so romantic about bloating and sugar headaches? However, we’re not suggesting your health goals and habits will inevitably be trampled underfoot on Valentine’s day. In this blog, we’ll discuss a few ways to stick to your health goals and not ruin your cleansing juicing or juice detox diets during February. 

Do your own dinner

There’s an expectation around Valentine’s day that one person in the relationship is going to be saddled with organizing a costly dinner out at a fancy restaurant. The meal is probably going to involve a lot of steak, and end up with tons of sugary desserts. 

It’s a nice image, especially for fancy restaurants looking to lure in customers. But maybe it’s time to consider bringing the romance back into the most intimate of settings, the home. This isn’t to say you can’t enjoy some time out. But if you have Valentine’s Day dinner at home, you get total control over the meal.

That means you can control the portions, and how it’s prepared, to make sure it meets the health goals of everyone involved. You can swap the steaks for vegetarian options, or opt for lean proteins like fish. 

Desserts can be prepared with healthier options. And if you do indulge, you can at least head to the fridge to wash it down with some green drinks. The only thing the home experience can’t guarantee you is someone to wash the dishes.

Restaurant responsibility

Maybe that part about washing the dishes got to you. Maybe you simply don’t have the time or inclination to cook. That’s perfectly okay! It’s alright to want to spend the night out on Valentine’s. But if you’re firm on having a restaurant experience, then it’s worth it at least to consider expanding your options. 

You don’t need to go for heavy meals. Compare your dietary goals with everyone involved, and then try to select a restaurant that fits these dietary needs. Remember, sometimes fun and new is better than fancy and expensive. 

Take the focus off the dinner

Valentine’s Day should be about spending time with the ones you love. So why is it so focused on the dinner experience? Maybe it’s time to think outside the box. Have dinner as you usually would that day, and then plan for something else that’s a bit more active and engaging. Of course, given that Valentine’s Day is in February, the best options vary depending on your location. 

If you’re in a colder area, why not try ice skating or other winter sports together? If you’re in a warmer area, why not plan a walk in a botanical garden or a hike in the most beautiful natural settings your region provides? These all let you spend quality time together while still remaining active. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box, either. For some people, the real romance is found in mini-putt or indoor rock climbing. 

Back yourself up with green drinks

Sometimes, we just want to indulge. And you know what? That’s okay. One day a year isn’t going to derail your health goals. And you can take steps to mitigate any side effects you earn from that indulgence. Some detox juice can be the perfect thing to fight both bloating and the sugar headaches

And when it comes to detox juice, there’s little better than Chef V’s green drink. Whether as part of a juice detox diet, or delivered to be enjoyed on its own. So let Chef V backup your health with the green drinks, and focus on having the most romantic Valentine’s possible.

Awesome Mac & ‘Cheese’

Chef V’s tip: This is my gluten-free, dairy-free version of macaroni and cheese.

super smoothie

Ingredients

  • 3 cups filtered water
  • 2 cups peeled and chopped butternut squash
  • 1/2 cup Chef V’s Raw Nut Milk
  • 1 clove garlic, minced or pressed
  • 2 cups raw cashews, soaked and drained
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 cups cooked brown rice elbow pasta
  • Freshly ground pepper, optional

Directions

Bring the 3 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan and cook the butternut squash for 20 to 30 minutes, or until soft.

Process the cooked squash, nut milk, garlic (sub garlic for nutritional yeast for IBS version), cashews, lemon juice, and salt in a Vitamix until smooth.

Combine the ‘cheese’ sauce and cooked pasta, season with black pepper if desired, and serve.

Seared Ahi Tuna

Serves 2 as an entreé or 4 as an appetizer. This recipe is low FODMAP, IBS friendly.

Chef V tip – This is great to dip in a little dish of raw coconut aminos. Serve with a side of my Easy Fried Rice or White Sweet Potato Purée.

ahi tuna

Ingredients

  • 2 lemons, juiced
  • 2 tablespoons cold-pressed olive oil, divided use
  • 2 tablespoons freshly ground rainbow peppercorns
  • 1 pound sushi grade ahi tuna steak
  • 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds
  • 1 teaspoon white sesame seeds
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, for garnish
  • pink sea salt, optional, for garnish
  • Lemon slices

Directions

Mix the lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of oil in one shallow dish and place the freshly ground peppercorns in another. Coat the tuna steak in the lemon juice, then with the peppercorns and the sesame seeds.

Heat the remaining oil in a large pan over high heat. Once the oil is hot, sear the tuna for 30 seconds on each side. Remove the tuna and let it sit for 1 to 2 minutes before slicing into 1/4 inch thick pieces.

To serve, plate the tuna slices, sprinkle with sea salt and chopped parsley and top with lemon slices.

Green Goddess Hummus

I love hummus. Kids love hummus too! I eat hummus probably once a week. I like to make different flavors all the time. I love avocado hummus, bruschetta hummus, hummus with curry, and lots more. Your kids will love this healthy and delicious treat. – Veronica

This Green Goddess Hummus is amazing! It’s so full of flavor from the cilantro, chives, parsley, and lemon. It has the bright green festive coloring that kids love. Bring out the Green Goddess in you this holiday, or anytime.

This recipe is easy and it tastes delicious! Eat it with naan, veggies, gluten-free bread or pita chips. I love Stacy’s brand gluten free pita chips, they are the best. Enjoy!

skinny shamrock smoothie

Serving Size: 4 Person

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp. fresh parsley
  • 1 tbsp. fresh cilantro
  • 1 tbsp. fresh chives
  • 2 cups garbanzo beans or chickpeas
  • 1 tbsp. tahini paste
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ cup cold pressed olive oil

Directions

Blend all ingredients in Vitamix or food processor. Chill for 1 hour before serving. Serve with gluten free bread, carrots, cucumbers or anything else your little leprechaun desires.

Love Salad

Pomegranate seeds are so yummy. They are sweet and tart and add a delicious crunch to any dish. They have lots of fiber and two essential Vitamins, C and K. Sprinkle them on your favorite salads and soups or toss them into your next smoothie.

buffalo cauliflower

Ingredients

1 large organic red chard leaf, washed & chopped
1 cup organic red leaf lettuce or red spinach, washed and chopped
1 tbsp. cold pressed olive oil
1 tbsp. organic balsamic vinegar
1 small raw organic beet, washed, skinned & grated
½ cup organic raspberries
2 small radishes, shaved
¼ cup pomegranate seeds
¼ cup chopped raw walnuts

Directions

Combine olive oil and vinegar with chard and red leaf lettuce. Divide lettuce on two separate plates.

Distribute half the beets, raspberries, radish, pomegranate seeds and chopped walnuts to each salad.

Beet-It Smoothie

Go red! Research has shown that red fruits and vegetables such as beets and raspberries are nutritional superheroes. So drink up! – Veronica

ginger apple berry smoothie

Ingredients

  • ½ cup organic blueberries (fresh or frozen)
  • ½ cup organic raspberries (fresh or frozen)
  • ¼ cup diced organic red beet, raw & skinned
  • 1 piece organic red chard
  • ½ cup ice
  • 1 cup organic unsweetened almond milk
  • Optional 1 serving of vegan protein powder (hemp, pea, or brown rice)

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend 1-2 minutes until smooth. Add ¼ cup filtered water if necessary. Bon Appétit!

Creamy Beet Soup

My Creamy Beet Soup is a healthy treat. Beets, including beet greens, contain an amazing array of antioxidants, other vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein. They are also believed to support our body’s detox system as well as having anti-inflammatory properties.

(serves 4 and great for leftovers)

beet soup

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 tbsp. cold pressed olive oil
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cups fat-free organic chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegan)
  • 3 large beets, peeled and cut in quarters
  • 1 medium sweet potato, skinned and cubed
  • 2 cup full fat, canned coconut milk
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp. sea salt
  • ⅛ tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Heat the oil in a large pot, big enough to make the soup.

Add onion and cook for 2 minutes. Add garlic and continue to cook for one more minute or until onion
becomes translucent.

Add broth, beets, sweet potato, and bay leaf. Boil for 15 minutes or until beets and sweet potato become tender.

Add coconut milk and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove the bay leaf.

Transfer small batches of soup into a blender and blend 3-4 batches until smooth. Add salt and cayenne pepper to taste.

Bon Appétit! – Veronica

INSTRUCTIONS

Heat the oil in a large pot, big enough to make the soup.

Add onion and cook for 2 minutes. Add garlic and continue to cook for one more minute or until onion
becomes translucent.

Add broth, beets, sweet potato, and bay leaf. Boil for 15 minutes or until beets and sweet potato become tender.

Add coconut milk and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove the bay leaf.

Transfer small batches of soup into a blender and blend 3-4 batches until smooth. Add salt and cayenne pepper to taste.

Bon Appétit! – Veronica

5 Libido Spiking Ways To Spice Up The Romance On Valentine’s Day

What are you doing to make this Valentine’s Day special for your mate? A box of chocolates? Flowers? Yawn! While those V-Day traditional go-to’s will always be appreciated, these 5 activities will help resurrect your romantic life—even if you’ve been married for years. 

“I love never being spontaneous and having absolutely no romance in my life.” 

You know who said that? 

Nobody, ever. 

But stress in America is endemic. Wake up, race to get ready. Work your butt off. Race home to take care of the kids. Cook, clean and hopefully you’ll get an hour of peace and quiet to stream a favorite show. 

You and your spouse are like strangers passing in the night. You two have become functional roommates more than lovers. 

And then February 14 rolls around and you go through the motions. Maybe you will have a nice dinner. But deep down inside, as you’re enjoying a slice of tiramisu and drinking a glass of cab (even though you actually enjoy cooking and eating at home more than eating out), you know the thrill is gone. 

You and your partner may be partners for life—but in name only, not in romance. 

Well, this Valentine’s Day, don’t be ordinary. Do one or more of these 5 things to respark the romance and rekindle your libido.

couple hands yoga

Couples Massage

No, I’m not talking about both of you going to a 5-star spa and getting pampered. Although, that does sound just about what I need right now. If you get a massage from a spa, you’ll feel great but it won’t really do anything to get your romantic grooves back. 

What I mean by couples massage is this steamy scene…

Both partners are seated Buddah-style facing each other on comfy cushions. 

With shirts off and a high-quality CBD oil, coconut or jojoba oil (or another synthetic-free fave massage oil) in hand, each partner rubs the oil onto the other’s neck and shoulders. 

Stare into each other’s eyes for a few minutes and smile. Really take each other’s spirit in. Reconnect with why you fell in love with each other in the first place. Just say the reasons internally. 

For a few minutes, continue simultaneously rubbing each other’s neck and shoulders. Or see where the night takes you; perhaps to different places—wink wink. 

Then, rest your foreheads on each other and keep the romantic, healing vibes going. 

candle

Grateful Affirmations

After both of you have had your fill of couples massage, it’s time to externalize your appreciation of your partner and vice versa. 

You can stay seated in the lotus position facing each other. Or if you’re uncomfortable because you have tight hips, both of you can lie down on a warm, cozy rug or yoga mats while holding hands.

With romantic candles lit in the room—I should have mentioned candles in the couples massage part, haha—express your gratitude for your partner. 

“I feel blessed to have you as my partner because you are so kind and supportive of me.” 

Something along those lines. 

Think of everything that you appreciate about your partner. Valentine’s Day should be the annual rite of passage where you renew your partnership vows—instead of just flipping on the TV after coming back home from dinner. 

partner yoga

Partner Yoga

Can it get any more erotic than having your partner adjust you while you’re doing a downward dog? Sorry, my intention isn’t to be pervy; there are plenty of male yoga teachers who give adjustments without any ulterior motives. 

But when you’re doing partner yoga—or even just a regular yoga routine side by side—, it definitely has the ability to reignite libido. 

If you’re not sure what partner yoga is there are tons of videos online. Basically, one partner helps the other go deeper into a pose, albeit comfortably and safely.

With downward dog, your partner can lean back, facing up, on your back. Your weight supports your partner and vice versa. 

Another great partner yoga pose is spinal twists. 

Late Night Walk Or Hike

This one’s easy for me to recommend since I live in San Diego. But if you’ve never visited here, you might be surprised to learn that it can get down into the low 40s or even high 30s at night here. That may sound downright tropical to my Organic Green Drink delivery customers who live in Boston or Buffalo. 

But if the weather isn’t too brutal outside, instead of hopping in the car for dinner and then just driving right back home, having a quickie and then Netflix, go for a walk, even if it’s a short one. 

Make sure you’re holding hands. The frigid weather will be conducive to huddling together and walking arm in arm.

The key is that on this Valentine’s Day, do something out of the ordinary that will bring you and your partner closer together. Sure, it’s just one day out of the year, but if you do one of these fun things, the effects will carry on…

Green Drink Cocktails

And speaking of Green Drinks, if you want to enjoy a healthy adult beverage that’s out of the ordinary (that means no wine), just add a shot of vodka. Seven leafy greens and a strong distilled spirit. Life is all about balance. And for this Valentine’s Day, balance your love life by not doing something you wouldn’t do the other 364 days of the year. 

Gluten-Free Toast + Avocado Smear

A special breakfast or a brunch treat, my recipe adds flavor to the avocado with a hint of vinegar’s tang and red pepper flakes.

avocado toast

Ingredients

1 slice gluten-free bread or 1/2 gluten free bagel

OPTIONAL TOPPINGS

  • Fresh lemon juice
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Pinch cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes
  • Pinch sea salt

Directions

Lightly toast the bread and spread the avocado on like butter. For extra pizzazz, add a dash of lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, cayenne pepper, or sea salt, if desired.

Red Beet Hummus

Improving your diet is the most important healthy change anyone can make. Yes, you can exercise more, you can get more sleep, you can meditate. But if you’re still filling your body with junk, none of that is really going to work the way it should. Change your diet and everything else falls into place. Start with this healthier and delicious red beet hummus dip.

red beet hummus

Ingredients

1 cooked organic beet, cooled
1 can organic garbanzo beans, drained
1 tbsp. tahini paste
1 clove garlic
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp. olive oil

Directions

Blend all ingredients on medium and slowly add olive oil while blending.

Blend for 1-2 minutes or until a creamy smooth consistency.

Serve with multi colored carrots, cucumber, and gluten free bread or crackers.

Do You Have To Be Gluten-Free To Be Healthy?

sourdough bread

“Let’s talk about bread, baby, let’s talk about all the good things and the bad things that may be…”

With apologies to Salt ‘N’ Pepa (I’m starting to show my age!), bread isn’t as sexy as a topic as, well, sex. But actually in a way it is, because the conventional logic in natural health circles is that if you want to be slimmer and feel sexier, you’ve got to abstain from bread. 

Personally, I don’t have bread every day or even close to every day. On the rare occasion I do eat bread, I’ll choose a gluten-free variety or organic sourdough cracked bread from Trader Joe’s. 

And what about you? How often do you eat bread and other foods that contain gluten? If you’re eating gluten everyday, is this a ticking time bomb? Are you setting yourself up for an autoimmune disease or other serious health condition later on in life if you continue on your gluttonous gluten-filled path? 

Here’s what I think about whether or not it’s necessary to go gluten-free…

ancient breads

Today’s Gluten: A Different Breed 

When wild wheat was first collected some 20,000 years ago, it was much different than the wheat that’s harvested today. Through selective hybridization, wheat has been modified thousands of times. 

Wheat, which contains gluten, the glue-like protein structures, is one of the most complicated species in terms of gene variation. You and I have about 25,000 genes that contribute to our individual traits. Wheat can contain as many as … get this … over 330,000 genes!!!

That’s right, wheat is more genetically complex than human DNA. But it wasn’t always like that. During the last 50-60 years or so, as the industrialization of food became the norm, wheat has become so bastardized that it would hardly be recognizable to the first agrarians who started cultivating it. 

And as wheat has changed, so has gluten. The gluten molecules over the years have become larger. And modern wheat products contain more gluten than their ancient counterparts—gluten has become bigger and badder!

What does this mean for your health? If you’re eating lots of processed wheat and other foods that contain gluten, your blood sugar levels are going to suffer. That’s because modern wheat elevates blood sugar levels higher than ancient wheat varieties. 

In fact, Dr. William Davis, author of the best-selling book from a decade ago, Wheat Belly, compared his blood sugar levels after consuming processed wheat bread compared to an ancient variety of wheat. With his baseline, fasting blood sugar at 84, Davis’ blood sugar spiked to 167 mg/dl after eating modern wheat bread. But after eating a variety of ancient wheat, his blood sugar rose to a far more moderate 110 mg/dl. 

So you see, like most things in life, not everything is black and white. The devil is often in the details as they say. 

The same is true with gluten. Gluten has a bad reputation, and for good reason; 99% of supermarket products contain highly-hybridized wheat gluten. 

And with bigger gluten molecules and more of them, it’s no wonder that many people have bad reactions after eating gluten. 

But not all gluten is bad…

Organic Sourdough Bread: Good Gluten?

Sourdough bread contains gluten. But there’s less gluten in sourdough than in wheat bread. Another benefit of sourdough is that it acts like a prebiotic fiber. Prebiotic fiber is what the good bacteria in your gut feed on in order to survive and thrive. 

When I do eat sourdough bread, I always opt for organic. That’s because organic foods in general have less glyphosate. That’s the potentially-cancer causing herbicide and pesticide in Roundup weed killer that was developed by Monsanto, and the focus of over 125,000 lawsuits and counting.

Organic sourdough bread is fermented and contains more antioxidants than other varieties of bread. Plus, it’s easier on your belly to digest than wheat bread. 

ancient grains

Gluten: The Older The Better

Besides sourdough bread, what other foods with gluten may actually be good for you? Try eating ancient varieties of wheat that have not been hybridized to the extent that modern wheat has, and that won’t spike your blood sugar as high.

Einkorn and emmer wheat are a couple examples. There’s also spelt, kamut, farro and teff. 

Considering how used to modern wheat your taste buds are, it may take some getting used to ancient heirloom wheat varieties. 

But if you don’t want to give up gluten and want to take charge of your blood sugar levels and your overall health, give ancient wheat a try. Unless you have a true allergy to gluten such as Celiac Disease, you’ll probably find ancient wheat is easy to digest and won’t cause wheat belly. 

Chef V and kale

Chef V’s ‘Chipotle’ Burrito Bowl

Here’s my Mango Avocado Burrito Bowl, a spin on Chipotle Mexican Grill’s awesome burrito bowls. Use my recipe as a starting point and add any of your favorite ingredients like grilled chicken or fish to make your own. You can also turn this into an easy wrap with gluten-free tortillas.  – Veronica

chia seed pudding

Ingredients

  • 2 cups organic mixed greens (arugula, spinach, red leaf, kale, chard, green leaf, or romaine, etc.)
  • 1 cup cooked organic quinoa or brown rice, cooled
  • 3⁄4 cup organic black beans, cooked and cooled
  • 1⁄2 mango skinned and cubed
  • 1⁄4 cup chopped cilantro
  • 1⁄4 small red onion diced
  • 1 small lime, juiced
  • 1⁄2 avocado, skinned, cubed
  • Optional: 4-6oz protein like grilled chicken or salmon.

Directions

Fix two bowls with lettuce on the bottom. Top with plain quinoa (or rice) and beans. Mix mango, onion, cilantro, and lime juice in a small bowl. Add mango mixture to top of salad. Top with avocado, optional protein and serve. Bon Appétit!

Serves 2

Pumpkin Smoothie

This smoothie tastes rich and decadent – but it is vegan and gluten free as well. I use raw cashews and my own Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend to make this a healthy, delicious treat that won’t make you bloated. – Veronica

pumpkin pie smoothie

Ingredients

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a Vitamix or blender. Blend on high speed until smooth. Serve in glasses with a straw or a spoon. – Veronica

Warm Carrot Ginger Smoothie

Warm Carrot Ginger Smoothie – As the weather gets cold, I’ve found myself wanting something loaded with veggie goodness but not cold in my mouth – brrr! So here’s my new recipe, a smoothie that’s a little sweet, a little spicy and comforting on a cold winter morning.

warm carrot ginger smoothie

Ingredients

  • 1/2 large carrot
  • 1/2 cup apple juice
  • 1/2 lemon juiced
  • 1 tsp. honey
  • 1 tsp. fresh ginger
  • 1 cup hot water

Directions

Blend all ingredients except hot water in blender. Remove, pour into cup and top with hot water.

Easy Fried Rice

This Chef V recipe satisfies a craving for carbs with high fiber brown rice, healthy seasonings, and very flavorful veggies. Make it easy on yourself and prep enough for several meals, so when you aren’t motivated but have to eat, you reach for this healthy entrée and not for chips.

Chef V tip: For more protein, add 1 pound chopped grilled chicken. This is a great side or a meal in itself.

easy fried rice

Ingredients

• 1 pound mixed veggies (use your favs!), lightly salted

• ½ cup diced yellow onion

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil, divided use

• 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed

• 2 cups cooked brown rice

• 2 tablespoons raw coconut aminos, divided     (I like Coconut Secret®)

• ½ cup pineapple, diced

• ¼ cup chopped cilantro

• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

Directions

  1. Spray a grill or grill pan with coconut oil cooking spray. Cook veggies for 3-5 minutes per side, until done. Remove from grill, cut into 1-inch pieces, and set aside.

    Sauté onions in 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes, or until translucent. Add garlic, remaining oil, and cooked rice. Cook for 1-2 minutes, then stir in 1 tablespoon of coconut aminos. Continue to cook for 1 more minute. Slowly stir in the remaining coconut aminos, diced pineapple, and grilled veggies. Cook for 2 minutes. Stir in cilantro and red pepper flakes, if desired. Remove from heat, plate, and serve hot.

© 2021 Chef V, LLC.