Homemade Crackers!

Watch out Ritz! This is what happens when you become a health coach…You make crackers!

My good friend Jessica Ruth Shepard HHC sent me the recipe. So easy and they were pretty good for the first time. A little thick but still delicious with a piece of goat cheese on top. I will roll them out a little more the next time. It was so homey to take out and use the rolling pin:)

Thomas and I had them for snack and supplement time. A perfect snack, grain free, low-glycemic and full of fiber. I used pumpkin seed and sunflower seed flour instead of almond flour. Throw your seeds or nuts into the vitamix and you create flour. Pretty amazing!

Here is the recipe from Jess.

Gluten-Free Thyme and Rosemary Crackers

Prep time: 10 minutes

Total time: 25 minutes
Makes about 20 crackers
Ingredients:
  • 1 1/2 cups blanched almond flour (occasionally it’s from almond’s I’ve sprouted and blanched myself….and sometimes not  : )
  • 2 tablespoons ground flax seed (i usually grind mine fresh)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary + 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 egg (preferably free-range + local and/or organic)
  • 2 teaspoons purified water
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350. In a small bowl, lightly whisk the oil, egg and water to combine. In a larger bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients into a uniform dry mixture.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir well to combine. Once the dough comes together, use your clean hands to mix well and ensure a uniform mixture.
Place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper and roll out to 1/8 inch thickness. Peel off the top sheet of parchment paper and place the bottom sheet with dough onto baking sheet.
Cut into 2-inch squares and bake 12-15 minutes until lightly golden around the edges. Let cool at least 15 minutes before serving. Store in the refrigerator up to one week, or at room temperature up to two days.
(Extra notes):
if you live in a dry climate you will need the added water. If you’re in a more humid climate, you may not need to add the 2 teaspoons of water. Thin dough (1/8 inch) makes crispier crackers; thicker dough (1/4 inch) makes softer, more chewy crackers.
  • I used rosemary and thyme here, but two tablespoons of any combination of fresh finely chopped herbs can be used or even adding currants, cinnamon works well!!crackers

Delicious High Protein Flax and Oat Pancakes!

We had these for our Thanksgiving Breakfast! We have been on a Fat Burner regimen which has been working well! It was fun to have a healthy treat with these pancakes this morning. (Inspiration from Dr. Jonny Bowden’s Flax Pancake recipe.)

Ingredients

1 cup flaxseed meal

1 cup protein powder (I used Usana’s Nutrimeal Free.)

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup oats

a few drops of stevia

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp coconut oil

1 cup organic plain whole milk yogurt

2 eggs

4-6 servings

In baking you are suppose to mix the dry ingredients and then the wet ingredients. I put everything together in a bowl and stir. I keep it easy.

Cook on hot griddle about 1 1/2 minutes per side. We topped it with grass fed butter and homemade unsweetened apple sauce.

SO GOOD!

Delicious Flax Pancakes topped with grass-fed butter and homemade applesauce

Delicious Flax Pancakes topped with grass-fed butter and homemade applesauce!

Tis’ the season for soup!

We are starting out Fit and Fabulous Nutrition challenge on Monday. I came across a recipe that I love to share during the Reset challenge. I will share it with all of you. So easy. It warms your stomach and your heart:)

Enjoy!

Love,

Mary

Sopa De Lime

1 Spanish onion cut up
1 can chopped tomatoes
1/2 bunch cilantro chopped
1 can green chilies
1 box organic vegetable broth
2 tbs lime juice

Put everything in a pot and simmer. This has been great on Reset!

soup

 

Do you have 5 days?

It takes 5 days to change you from a SUGAR BURNER to a FAT BURNER!

I was a sugar burner, I would say for almost all of my life, Growing up, I loved baking and eating while I was baking. Who doesn’t enjoy chocolate chip cookie dough?  Today, I am so much better. I eat a balanced low-glycemic diet, I keep my blood sugar balanced through out the day. I am good! I enjoy a glass of wine with dinner as my treat of the day!

 

Answer these few questions for me.

Do you crave candy or caffeine in the afternoon?

Are you often tired during the day?

Do you feel anxious or depressed when you are hungry?

Once you start eating sweets it is hard to stop? (How many of us need to throw the chocolate chips in the garbage in order to stop? Been there, done that!)

How many YES’s did you have?

Many of you, I am afraid are SUGAR BURNERS.

I have put together a Holiday Nutrition Challenge. The goal is to change you from a sugar burner into a  Fit and Fabulous fat burner. I use the very effective Reset program to get you there!

  • Lose 4-5 pounds in the first week and 10 -15 pounds by the end of 28 days, if you have weight to lose.
  • Control your cravings, turn into a efficient Fat Burner instead of a Sugar Burner, by balancing your blood sugar.
  • End emotional eating
  • Increase your energy
  • Sleep better
  • Clear and glowing skin.

Extra Bonuses!

*    Weekly group calls, (with recordings available after)
*    Membership in a private Facebook group for extra group support and tips from me about healthy, pleasurable eating over the holidays and beyond
*    Easy to follow Fit and Fabulous workout videos

2 options for you.

Commit to the 28 day program for only $379  or just do the 5 day Reset $130 to get you off the sugar. Your choice! (prices may vary slightly because of shipping)

Are you in? Sign up here!

Contact me if you have any questions about becoming a FAT BURNER ! 

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

I have coached many people through Reset and beyond!

From my happy clients.

“Wanted to give you a full recap- I finished the program and feel great.  Not sure if I lost too much weight- maybe 3-4 lbs- I don’t have a scale.  I definitely feel more streamlined, and clothes fit a little better.  Most importantly, I feel so healthy- very clean, I was sleeping so well this week and some of the little things that usually bother me (TMJ pain, for example), have really seemed to let up.  I think that my body was given a chance to really restore itself because I wasn’t busy digesting while sleeping.  Also, I learned some very good lessons about how much I actually put in my mouth over the course of the day (when I’m feeding my kids, when I’m hungry in the afternoon…).  I think that I’ll be able to hold on to some of these lessons and be more healthful going forward.  I can’t say that my craving for sweets has totally disappeared, but I’ve decided to avoid all sweets for at least another week to see if that helps.
Thanks for your support and encouragement.”  Sarah
“Mary, I feel great on the program! I am done 20 pounds so far. I FEEL GREAT! “Amanda
“Nearing the end of the day five! It’s amazing that I kind of want to continue into transform. I guess I am ready to transform!!! And a big shift is I haven’t been on the scale every day. I weighed myself once because I was curious. It was a healthy check in with my scale. I was down 6 pounds from when I got back from vacation. Don’t know where I am today and don’t really care because I feel good. I packed my shakes and shaker bottle and I am off to Florida. I’m actually excited to get in my bikini and not self-conscious about what I might look like. Quite a shift I must say.” Pam
Optimal Health!

Optimal Health!

Roasted Chicken on Mixed Greens, Cashews, Bacon and Orange Dressing!

Low-glycemic eating keeps your blood sugar stable, your hormones happy and promotes great health!I  follow a low-glycemic diet with very little grains.

Here is a typical lunch, bacon is an added bonus. I usually have left-over dinner on a bed of greens. I have been making different dressings to keep the salad interesting!

Salad dressing:

Juice of one orange

Juice 1/2 Lime

2 tsp maple syrup

1/4 cup olive oil

salt and pepper

Whisk it together and serve!

Roasted Chicken on mixed greens with cashews and no-nitrate bacon!

Roasted Chicken on mixed greens with cashews, no-nitrate bacon topped with a orange lime dressing!

I posted last week that I started on A-MA-TA, Dr. Northrup’s new product to help with Menopause symptoms. I am slowly weaning off my bio-identical hormones and so far so good. I am also doing the healthy gut protocol to help with the process.

Health Coach Tip!

Low Glycemic Diet +Exercise + High Quality Supplements = Optimal Health!

Organic Green Salad with Bacon tossed withPeanut butter dressing!

I made a salad with organic greens from my garden this weekend. I added roasted chicken, bacon, avocado and sun dried tomatoes! I tossed it with Organic Chunky Peanut Butter dressing inspired by Elizabeth Rider!

The perfect Fit and Fabulous Lunch! (Your hormones will appreciate it too!)

Here is the dressing recipe:

2 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon Bragg’s Liquid Aminos

2 tablespoon local honey

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

2 tablespoon chunky organic peanut butter

1 inch fresh ginger peeled and chopped.

1 sliced cooked bacon (optional and delicious)

Throw everything in your vitamix and give it a whirl. I loved the ginger in the dressing!

peanut butter dressing

The importance of hanging with healthy friends!

I had 2 of my friends come over this morning. We had a small cup of coffee while we talked about getting off of coffee. We did Dr. Mark Hyman’s 10 day detox together two months ago and now we have slipped back to some of our old ways. I think it is important to connect and raise each other up.

As you know, if you read my last post, I would like to get off my bio-identical hormones and replace it with a-ma-ta. A-ma-ta is Dr. Northrup’s new product which is  an plant from Thailand that has been used for years to support women’s health through Menopause.  Dr. Northrup was having a Live facebook Q&A and I asked her about it being an adaptogenic substance. Here is her response. “There are 2 kinds of estrogen receptors– alpha and beta. Those things that combine with the alpha receptor results in cellular growth. Those that combine with the BEta receptor actually PROTECT the tissue. Pueraria mirifica ( in amata), acts as a SERUM ( selective estrogen receptor modulator) thus protecting bones and breast tissue. But providing the “good” benefits of estrogen without the risks. No other phytoestrogen on the planet is as effective as the unique ones found in PM.”

I am excited to get started!

I called my friends because I know I want to clean up my diet, so I have the best opportunity of getting off the hormones. I do so much better if I am connected to a group. Accountability is a good thing. I am going to reduce the caffeine , alcohol in my diet  and focus on feeling my very best!

I will be posting helpful tips along they way not only to support myself  but also to raise each other up.

Health Coach Tip

My morning smoothie

(based loosely on  Dr. Hyman’s recipe.)

2 cups of coconut water

1 spoonful of organic nut butter (changes…almond or cashew)

1/2 organic lemon (Vitamix is amazing..I throw the whole thing in)

1/4 avocado

3 scoops of (Usana’s Nutrimeal Free)

1 packet Probiotic (I love Usana’s because you don’t need to refrigerate it)

1 scoop of Fibergy (“this product not only has fiber to help with detoxification but also prebiotics which feed the probiotics and make it easier for them to populate your intestines.” Thank you Dr. Deb Kern for that info.)

1 scoop of organic ground golden flax seed (provides omega 3 fatty acids , more FIBER and I like the golden color!)

I buy the coconut water, lemons, avocado, flax seeds at Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s. The Usana products you can get here.

smoothie

Morning Smoothie!

Easy, Peasy, Lemon Balls!

I am all about easy when it comes to cooking and baking. I saw a recipe for lemon balls which involved no baking, even better! The recipe involved soaking the nuts, grinding the nuts, slowly scraping down the  sides of the food processor (which I don’t have).

I like to bake with a bowl, a spoon and a few ingredients.

Here is my simple, easy and delicious version for EASY, PEASY, LEMON BALLS. They are also very LOW SUGAR and GLUTEN FREE!  It is so important to keep your blood sugar balanced. (A health coach tip!)

The lemon balls are made from nut butter so enjoy, savor and limit yourself  to one. You can always have one later…

In a bowl mix,

one cup or so of almond butter

1 tablespoon of honey

1 tablespoon of coconut butter

the zest of a lemon

the juice of one lemon

Form into cute balls, 12 or so and then roll in unsweetened coconut. I had the flakes on hand which I love, it creates more of a crunch:) Refrigerate for 45 minutes.

Great snack for your kids as well!

lemon balls

 

LOW SUGAR COOKIES…Is it worth it?

I have stopped baking because I love eating what I bake. I try avoid sugar as much as possible. (NO HALLOWEEN CANDY FOR ME)

I saw this recipe and I had to try it. It is from THE FOOD BABE! I changed her recipe and used garbanzo bean flour instead of almond flour. The recipe calls for only 1/4 sugar, pretty impressive. I did use the Coconut Palm Sugar. “Coconut palm sugar is completely unrefined and not bleached like typical refined white sugar, helping to preserve all of its beneficial vitamins and minerals. It is naturally high in amino acids – has 10,000 times more potassium, 20 times more magnesium and 20 times more iron than conventional sugar.”

I used 60 percent cocoa bittersweet chocolate chips. I think the cookies  would be good with out them as well. Here is the original recipe from THE FOOD BABE…have fun with it!

Ingredients
  • ½ cup coconut oil, melted
  • ¼ cup coconut palm sugar
  • 2 tbsp ground flaxseed with 5 tbsp water or 1 large egg
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1 and ¼ cup almond flour
  • 1 and ¼ cup old fashioned oats
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ walnuts, chopped
  • ½ dried currents (optional mix in, feel free to get creative, i.e. raw cacao nibs, goji berries, etc.)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F
  2. Place the coconut oil, sugar in a bowl and stir until well combined
  3. Add flaxseed or egg, vanilla extract and stir for another minute until smooth.
  4. Add rest of ingredients and stir
  5. Place dough mixture in fridge or freezer for 10 mins
  6. Using an ice-cream scooper, scoop out dough and press each cookie on silpat or parchment paper lined baking pan
  7. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown
  8. Cool at least 7 mins and serve
Notes
***Choose all organic ingredients if possible***
low sugar cookies