Monday, September 3, 2012

Healthier Key Lime Pie



In August,  I achieved the big 45.  I did not really celebrate another year under my belt, but we did enjoy eating this Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free Key Lime Pie.  Lauren, my daughter,  wanted to do something special, and she knows one of favorite deserts is Key Lime Pie.  She made amazing pie by herself with a little guidance on ingredients from me. 

Ingredients
 
1 cup of Almond Flour (or 1.5 cups of Almonds, finely ground)
2.5 tablespoons of coconut oil
1 cup of whole coconut milk (Canned is OK do not use low-fat)
3 eggs
1/2 cup of freshly squeezed, key lime juice
4 tablespoons of honey
2 tablespoons of coconut flour
 
Preparation
 
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
Mix 1.5 tablespoons of coconut oil with the almond flour. 
Grease a standard pie pan with coconut oil. 
Add the Almond flour mixture to the pan and press flat into the sides.
Bake the crust in the oven for 5 - 10 minutes or until slightly golden.
Combine the coconut milk, eggs, key lime juice, honey and coconut flour.
Pour the filling into the crust and bake for 30 - 35 minutes, or until the pie is set.
(The pie should not wiggle much when you move it.)
Let cool and store in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to set. 
Enjoy!
 

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Asian Salmon Patties



Wild Caught Salmon is one of the best things that you can feed your body and mind.  It is loaded with an abundance of vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. This potent combination has been shown to improve your heart health, regulate your blood sugar, increase your metabolism and to help build healthy tissues.  Can you see your heart smiling already?  Always choose wild salmon over farm raised. Test have shown wild salmon to be much more healthy for you.

Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs of wild-caught, skinless salmon finely chopped
2 green onions finely chopped
1/2 viadalia onion chopped
1/4 cup of steel cut oats
2 tablespoons of grated fresh ginger
1 large egg
1/3 cup of mayonnaise
Juice from 1/2 lime
1 teaspoon of toasted sesame oil
1/4 teaspoon of powdered cayenne pepper
Salt and Pepper to taste



Prep

Combine salmon, oats, ginger, vidalia onions, egg, cayenne pepper, and salt into a bowl.
Firmly pack into eight patties and place into the freezer for about 20 minutes.
Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and cook until brown on both sides.
In a small bowl mix the mayo, green onions, lime juice and sesame oil.
Serve the patties with the Sesame Mayo and Enjoy!






Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Chopped Garden Salad



Inspired by a recipe from Martha Stewart and Glenn's Texas Caviar, we developed this salad mostly from the items we picked fresh from the garden.  This is one of my summer favorites because it is full of incredible flavor, beautiful colors and so good for you!  If you do not have the exact ingredients listed, feel free to pick what you have and experiment.  Even the kids will eat it.   You cannot go wrong with fresh veggies and it is so easy!


Ingredients

1 yellow bell pepper diced
1 orange bell pepper diced
1 sweet red pepper diced
1 cucumber diced
1 zucchini diced
1/4 cup of vidalia onions diced
1 tomato diced
1 can black eyed peas drained
1/4 cup of seasoned rice vinegar
garlic powder to taste


Preparation

Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl
Chill for one hour
Enjoy!

Monday, July 23, 2012

Mini Tacos



This meal was created by my lovely daughter, Lauren, and inspired by a recipe that she made with my sister.  It is not gluten or dairy free, but could be easily made that way.  I was not able to eat these, but was told they were delicious.  Instead, I used the same ingredients to have my Super Taco Salad.


Ingredients

24 Wonton wrappers
1lb of All-Natural Lean Ground Beef
1 can of Organic Black Beans
Fresh, Diced Tomatoes
Shredded Cheese
Sliced Black Olives
Salsa
Coconut Oil
Taco Seasoning and Garlic Powder

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Insert the wontons into a oiled muffin pans.
Brown the ground beef.  Add Taco Seasoning and Garlic Powder to taste.
Add the beans to the browned beef and cook a few more minutes.
Fill each wonton with a spoonful of the beef & bean mixture.
Top with cheese and bake in the oven for 5 minutes.
Remove the mini tacos from the muffin pan.
Top with olives, salsa, guacamole.
Enjoy!

To make this cow's milk dairy free, I would use Trader Joe's Goat Cheddar.  You also may want to try rice papers instead of the wontons to go gluten free.



Monday, July 16, 2012

Pad Thai



Pad Thai has long been a family favorite at the Jolly house, however, it has been difficult to duplicate the taste of a quality Thai restaurant.  The most difficult part to this recipe is finding the ingredients for the sauce and cooking the noodles just right.  Kroger now carries many of these items, and the rest you can find at an Asian grocery. The pre-made sauce that you can find at the grocery store was never quite right.  Great Pad Thai should be light, fresh and have a balanced flavor.  This recipe is also free of gluten and dairy!


Ingredients
2 Eggs
Ground Pepper
4 cloves of minced Garlic
2 Green Onions - Diced
4 tbs of Tamarind Paste (or White Vinegar)
4 tsp Fish Sauce
Ground Chili Pepper
1 Lime
1 Package of Thai Rice Noodles
Coconut Oil
2 cups Bean Sprouts
1/4 cup of chopped dry-roasted cashews
1/2 pound of cooked, peeled and deveined Shrimp
1/2 pound of cooked chicken cut into bite size pieces

Preparation
Cook the Shrimp and Chicken and set aside.
Fill a large pot with hot water (not boiling) and let the noodles soak for 10 minutes.  When ready for the skillet the noodles should be flexible and not soft.  They also should not have expanded.
Mince the garlic, Dice the onions, chop the cashews and set aside.
Using a wok or a large skillet brown the green onions and garlic on Medium High.
Drain the noodles and add them to the skillet.  Continue to stir to keep from sticking.
Add tamarind, fish sauce, and chili pepper.
Push the noodles to the side and crack the eggs in the skillet.  Scramble until almost cooked and the fold the eggs into the noodles. 
Taste one of the noodles. If the noodles are not yet soft add a little water and continue cooking.
When the noodles are ready, add the Shrimp, Chicken, Bean Sprouts and Cashews. 
Stir everything together a few times.  The noodles should be soft, dry and very tangled.
Serve and Enjoy!




Thursday, July 5, 2012

French Onion Dip - Cow's Milk Dairy Free



It was Independence Day and we were enjoying a cookout with the family.  My children love potato chips, but I rarely buy them.  Since I usually reserve cheat times for holidays and Saturday nights; I thought it would be fun to have some chips and dip. I was enjoying some Wavy Chips, watching the family dig into the dip and really wishing that I did not have an allergy to cow's milk dairy.  It's not lactose intolerance, but the kind of allergy that leaves fire-burning eczema on the soft areas of my arms and neck for weeks. 

All of a sudden it occurred to me that I might be able to enjoy some dip, if I had the right ingredients on hand.  I have always thought that plain, goat milk yogurt tastes somewhat like sour cream.  In an act of desperation, I quickly mixed together a few scoops of yogurt and some dry soup mix. It was really good, and somewhat difficult to tell the difference from real sour cream.  This little experiment made my day and helped me grow one step closer to independence from cow's milk dairy.  How fitting!

Quick Brisket Tacos



This recipe is for those days when you want something healthy and really do not have time to cook. The tacos are super easy to prepare, and you can go from start to finish in less than 30 minutes. If you are not a brisket fan substitute pulled pork, turkey or chicken.  If you do not have a Trader Joe's in you neighborhood, these ingredients can be found at most grocery stores.  This recipe is wheat/dairy free, and it is best with fresh guacamole and veggies.


Ingredients

1 package of Trader Joe's Pulled Beef Brisket
1 can of Organic Black Beans
1 package of Taco Shells
Fresh Spinach
Sliced Tomatoes
Diced Green Onion


Preparation
  1. Drain black beans and heat with Brisket in a sauce pan over medium heat.
  2. Slice the tomatoes and dice the green onions.
  3. Prepare the Guacamole.  Click on the link for easy instructions.
  4. Heat the taco shells in the oven at 350 degrees for 3 minutes. 
  5. Assemble and Enjoy!

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Simple Spinach Salads





Simple Spinach Salads are my favorite side dish.  They are quick, easy to prepare and delicious.  Spinach is my favorite salad green by far.  Not only does it taste great, but it is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet.  One cup of spinach has more than 20 vitamins and mineral with only 40 calories.  I like it fresh and wilted.  You just can't go wrong with Spinach!







The simple salad shown above only contains sliced strawberries, crumbled goat cheese and spinach.  Why spend time cooking veggies when you can make a delicious, fresh salad in less than 5 minutes.  This salad is great by itself or with several dressings including balsamic or raspberry vinaigrette.

Most kids like the taste of spinach, because it is not bitter.  I started my children on simple spinach salads made with berries, grapes (cut in half) or cherry tomatoes. Now they prefer spinach over other less health choices of greens.   

I challenge you to have a simple spinach salad as a side dish at least twice per week.  Not only will you save time, but you will improve you health.  Let me know what combinations you and your family enjoy!

What else is to like about Spinach?
  • Spinach contains at least 12 cancer fighting antioxidants.
  • Fresh spinach is know to improve cardiovascular health.
  • Spinach contains nutrients that are known to fight prostate and ovarian cancer.
  • Spinach has been shown to improve brain health and slow down the aging process.

    

Monday, June 18, 2012

Almond Chicken with Strawberry - Balsamic Sauce


If you prefer a sweet-tart sauce with your crispy chicken, then look no further. This is very easy to make and is wheat/dairy free. Your family will think you've spent hours on this quick and delicious meal served with a wilted spinach salad!


 Ingredients

1/2 cup of McCann's Quick Cooking Rolled Oats
1/3 cup of Trader Joe's Almond Meal (or coarsely ground almonds)
8 Chicken Breast Tenderloins
Coconut Oil
1/4 cup of chopped green onions
1/3 cup reduced sodium chicken broth
1/3 cup of strawberry preserves
3 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
1 package of baby spinach
Salt & Pepper to taste

  • Combine the Oats, Almonds, Salt and Pepper in a large ziplock or tupperware.
  • Add chicken one piece at a time and shake to coat evenly.
  • In a large skillet coated with coconut oil, cook over medium heat until done.
  • Remove chicken and keep warm.
  • In the same skillet, cook green onions until tender.
  • Stir in broth, preserves, vinegar and bring to a boil. 
  • Reduce heat and simmer until thickened (about 5 minutes)
  • Meanwhile, in a large sauce pan, bring 1/2 inches of water to boil . 
  • Add spinach, cove and cook for 3 minutes until wilted, then drain.
  • Serve chicken and spinach with the sauce and Enjoy!
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Monday, June 11, 2012

Farm Fresh Purple Hull Peas & Green Beans

Gretchen and I took a trip to her Mother's farm in Dallas last week while I attended a convention for Realtors, Banks and Loan Servicers.  We had some great meals while we were there' and even brought home some farm fresh veggies: including purple hull peas and green beans.  They are so delicious, and easy to cook. It made me wish I lived on a farm...but only for a minute.
 
Ingredients

4 cups of shelled purple hull peas
4 slices of Trader Joe's Uncured, Fully Cooked Bacon
Crazy Jane's Mixed Up Salt
Filtered Water

  • Shell the purple hull peas and rinse.
  • Add peas to a sauce pan and cover with water plus one inch.
  • Cut the bacon into 1 inch strips and add to the pan with some salt.
  • Boil for 45 minutes on medium heat until tender.  Enjoy!



Ingredients


4 cups of green beans
1 tablespoon of Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Crazy Jane's Mixed Up Salt








  • Rinse the green beans and snap off the ends.
  • Saute the green beans in a skillet under medium heat for 15 minutes or until tender-crisp.
  • Add salt to taste and enjoy!
We ate these veggies with My Favorite Meatloaf.  What a perfect pairing!




Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Super Taco Salad

Super Taco Salad is a great lunch or dinner if you want something quick, filling and delicious.  I like to use Spinach for my greens because they are full of vitamins (A,C,E & K), antioxidants and minerals.  Spinach has been shown to prevent cancer and improve the health of your heart and bones. Many other lettuce greens, especially those in the cabbage family, have substances that can slow down your metabolism.  Since my goal is to continue losing weight, spinach is my top choice for salad greens. 

Ingredients

1 lb of Trader Joe's All-Natural Ground Beef
1 can of Trader Joe's Organic Black Beans
1/2 medium Vidalia Onion
1 medium tomato diced
Spinach
Worcestershire Sauce, Garlic Powder & Cajun Seasoning to taste
Organic White Corn Chips (optional)


Preparation

1.  Saute the onions until tender.
2.  Brown the ground beef with the onions. 
3.  Season with Worcestershire, Garlic Powder and Cajun Seasoning to taste.
4.  Add the drained, black beans to the pan and simmer for 5 - 10 minutes. 
5.  Top the spinach with the ground beef mixture.
6.  Add diced tomatoes and a scoop of Easy Guacamole.
7. Enjoy with a few corn chips. 

* Click on the link to my recipe for Easy Guacamole.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Southern Sausage Bake

This great dish is easy to make and a healthy way to get your summer started.  There are two great protein sources in this dish, All Natural Chicken Sausage and Lima Beans.  If you have never tried Lima Beans, you need to get over your fear.  In addition to the buttery texture, they have a taste similar to potatoes.  Lima Beans also contain loads of minerals that are important to heart heath, weight loss and regulation of blood sugar. 

Ingredients 

4 cups of Lima Beans - cooked, rinsed and drained
12 oz of Trader Joe's Sweet Apple Chicken Sausage
1 large Vidalia Onion diced
1 cup carrots diced
1 cup celery diced
2 medium tomatoes diced
Oregano, Garlic Powder and Cajun Seasoning to taste


Preparation

1.  Add 1 cup of water to a sauce pan and bring to a boil.  Add the Lima beans, and gently stir until the water boils again.  Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
2.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
3.  In a large skillet, saute the onions, carrots and celery until tender.
4.  Add the fully cooked sausage, tomatoes and seasonings and cook until bubbly.
5.  Rinse, drain and add the Lima beans to the skillet and cook for a few minutes.
6. Transfer the contents of the skillet to a 2.5 qt baking dish, cover and cook for 30 min.
7.  Uncover and bake for 15 minutes.  Enjoy with your family.

Trader Joe's All Natural Chicken Sausage is  a great healthy alternative.  They are free of preservatives, nitrates, nitrites, MSG and fillers.  They have 70% less fat that traditional pork sausage and have no casing.  Trader Joe's Chicken Sausage comes in several flavors including Sweet Apple, Spicy Italian, Andouille, Sun-Dried Tomato, Spinach & Feta, and others.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Stuffed Bell Peppers

I really love peppers. Sweet or Hot, they are my favorite fruits. Fruits? Yes, peppers are fruits. Unfortunately, my family does not share my affinity for the spicier varieties, but this recipe is one the whole family enjoys! Peppers are full of vitamins and photochemicals: Lutein, Beta-Carotene, and Lycopene.  These nutrients have been linked to weight loss, pain reduction and cancer prevention.

Ingredients

1 pound of all-natural ground beef (90% lean)
1/2 cup of uncooked brown rice
6 bell peppers
1 can of Trader Joe's Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes
4 oz of goat cheese
Worcestershire sauce
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder


1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cook the rice per the directions. (Trader Joe's Quick Brown Rice)
3. Brown the ground beef.
4. Remove the tops of the peppers and seeds.  Rinse and place in a baking dish.
5. In a bowl, mix the browned beef, rice, diced tomatoes, goat cheese & season to taste.
6. Fill each pepper with the mixture.
7. Cover and bake in the oven for one hour.




I hope you enjoy this great, healthy meal with your family!  A special thanks to Rachel Carter for her inspiration and ideas!



Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Easy Guacamole

Easy Guacamole

The best food to me is easy to make, delicious and healthy.  It cannot get any easier than this south of the border favorite.  Avocados are considered a healthy fat and they are full of beta-sitosterol, which has been shown in clinical studies to be most helpful for reducing cholesterol, increasing metabolism and improving prostate health.

Ingredients
2 ripe avocados
1/2 of a lime
1/2 of a tomato
Cajun Seasoning
Cilantro
Peel the avocados and remove the seeds. Dice the avocados and tomato.  Squeeze in the juice of 1/2 a lime and season to taste with any Cajun seasoning and a little cilantro.  For a spicier version try adding a diced jalapeno.

Guacamole is great in salads, on a burrito, with a burger, in a taco or with a few chips.


What is your favorite meal with guacamole?

Thursday, May 10, 2012

New Twist on an Old Favorite - Apple Mango Stuffed Chicken

Apple Mango Stuffed Chicken

My family loves this meal, but we all need a little variety.  It's the spice of life!  I struggled to find another way to cook this meal without losing any taste or family enthusiasm.  My inspiration came from some of my favorite chicken sausages.  Apple and Mango are a great taste combination.  Enjoy!

8 Boneless Chicken Thighs
4 slices of Trader Joe's Fully Cooked Uncured Bacon
8 oz of Trader Joe's Silver Goat Log
1 organic Gala Apple - peeled and cut into 8 slices
8 teaspoons of Trader Joe's Mango Butter

  • Preheat the Oven to 350 degrees.
  • Rinse each thigh and place inside 1 apple slice, 1 oz of Goat Cheese, 1/2 piece of bacon.
  • Pull the sides of the thighs together and secure with a toothpick.
  • Place the toothpick side down in a shallow baking dish.
  • Top each thigh with a teaspoon of Apricot Preserves and spread slightly.
  • Bake for about 35 minutes or until the chicken is 165 degrees. Cooking time may vary slightly.
  • Serve with your favorite veggie. We used a spinach salad with red grapes or strawberries.
Chicken thighs are used because they have more flavor and are the perfect shape for stuffing. There is no need to pound the thigh flat in preparation for stuffing. If you do not have Trader Joe's in your area, you can substitute with other brands. The Trader Joe Silver Goat log is a plain, Chevre goat cheese that can likely be found at Kroger or other grocery stores. A little Benton's Bacon is my only thought to improve this recipe.  If you have a Trader Joe's in your area, lucky you, because they are awesome and much less inexpensive than other healthy grocers.

Monday, April 30, 2012

My Favorite Meatloaf

My Favorite Meatloaf

One of my favorite meals...hearty, healthy and delicious.  Better than Grandma's, this has been a family favorite at my house for years.  Re-designed for a more healthy lifestyle, this meal will leave your kids asking for more.  We ate this on Sunday afternoon paired with a simple spinach and strawberry salad.
Ingredients

2 lbs of Trader Joes 90% Lean All Natural Ground Beef
One bunch of celery stalks diced
3 green onions diced
One orange pepper diced
1 cup steel cut oats
1/3 cup Heinz Ketchup
2 eggs
L&P Worcestershire Sauce to taste
Trader Joes All Natural BBQ Sauce
Coconut Oil

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add celery, onions and peppers. 
Cook stirring until tender, about 7 - 10 minutes.

In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients.
Grease two 9x5 pans and fill each with mixture.
Create an indention in the top of the loaf and fill with BBQ Sauce.
Cook at 375 for 1 hour.



Friday, April 27, 2012

The Go-To Cheat: Pizza

The Go-To Cheat! Pizza
Now that I have been staying away from wheat for the last 3 months, I only have eat pizza about once per month.  One thing that I have recently noticied is that I gain at least five pounds every time I share this pizza with Gretchen.  It is amazing what wheat does to your body.
 Is it worth it?  You make the call!


1 Trader Joes Pizza Crust
Your Favorite Marinara
Pepperoni
Spinach
1 Yellow Pepper Cut into Slices
8 oz Trader Joes Goat Chedder


Grease the baking sheet with some coconut oil.  Spin the crust to the desired thickness.  Trader Joes crust is the best crust next to homemade!  Top with Marinara.  Shred about half of the cheese and place it on top of the pizza.  Add the pepperoni, peppers and spinach.  Top with the rest of the cheese.  Bake at 400 for 12-15 minutes.  It's dangerously delicious!

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Apricot Stuffed Chicken

I tried the Apricot Stuffed Chicken for the first time Monday, and it is already a family favorite!  This dish is short on preparation and long on deliciousness.  It is the perfect combination of creamy, sweet, salty and smokey! 

8 Boneless Chicken Thighs
4 slices of Trader Joes Fully Cooked Uncured Bacon
8 oz of Trader Joes Silver Goat Log
8 Dried Apricots
8 teaspoons of Apricot Preserves

  • Preheat the Oven to 350 degrees.
  • Rinse each thigh and place inside 1 apricot, 1 oz of Goat Cheese, 1/2 piece of bacon.
  • Pull the sides of the thighs together and secure with a toothpick.
  • Place the toothpick side down in a shallow baking dish.
  • Top each thigh with a teaspoon of Apricot Preserves and spread slightly.
  • Bake for about 30 minutes or until the chicken is done.  Cooking time may vary slightly.
  • Serve with your favorite veggie.  We used a simple salad with spinach and red grapes.
Chicken thighs are used because they have more flavor and are the perfect shape for stuffing. There is no need to pound the thigh flat in preparation for stuffing.  If you do not have Trader Joes in your area, you can substitute with other brands.  The Trader Joe Silver Goat log is a plain, Chevre goat cheese that can likely be found at Kroger or other grocery stores.  If you have a Trader Joes in your area, lucky you, because they are awesome and much less inexpensive than other healthy grocers. 








Monday, April 16, 2012

Best Cheat Ever! - Stuffed Peppers

We ate these on Saturday night, my typical cheat night.  This is one of my old favorites that has been recently updated since I can no longer eat cow's milk dairy.  Warning:  These stuffed peppers are addictive and  disappear fast! So easy!






8 banana peppers
8 oz of Trader Joes's Silver Goat Log
8 slices of Trader Joe's Center Cut Uncured Bacon (Uncooked)
 
 
Cut off the top and de-seed the banana peppers.  Rinse.
Stuff each pepper with 1 oz Goat Cheese
Wrap each pepper with one slice of bacon.
Cook in the oven at 375 for 40 minutes or until the bacon is cooked.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Easy Jambalaya



1 PKG Trader Joe's Chicken Andouille Sausage
1 Can TJ's Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes
3/4 Onion chopped
1 Yellow Pepper ciced
2 Jalepenos chopped
1 cup Celery chopped
1 cup uncooked Brown Rice
2 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth
Garlic, Cajun Seasoning, Hot Sauce to taste



Combine all ingredients listed above in a large pot. Bring contents to a boil. Cover and Simmer on Low for 35 Minutes.


Add 8 oz of Raw Shrimp, tails removed & deveined. Cover and cook for 6 minures. Enjoy!

Monday, April 2, 2012

My Lifestyle Plan


Healthy Eating NashvilleI live a busy lifestyle.  I am a full-time Real Estate Broker, Husband, Father, Chauffeur & Chef for my family.  Having to quit eating cow's milk dairy due to an allergy I developed as an adult, I began to investigate the affect of food and drink on your health.  I discovered that what you eat is the most important factor in good health.  Here is a summary of how I changed my lifestyle.  I was slow to adjust and it took a year for me to make all of the changes listed below.  My best, recent success has been in the last seven weeks with the new lifestyle fully in place. 

Steve Jolly's Five New Rules For Healthy Eating

1.  Eat approximately the same amount of food in 3 - 5 meals a day.  Portion size should be moderate.

2.  Your meals should mostly consist of equal portions of lean meat, fruits/vegetables and healthy fats. No cow's milk dairy.  No wheat. I know...It sounds harder than it really is.

3.  Drink mostly filtered water or something like vitamin water zero (water sweetened with stevia).

4.  Exercise 45 minutes per day, 5X per week. A mix of interval training, weight bearing exercises and stretching.  Meet me at the Green Hills Y or Get a trainer if you need help.

5.  Cheat a little one day a week.  It's not gonna kill you and just may keep you sane!

I will spend some time addressing the details of Rule #1 in my next post. Hope you Enjoy!