Chopped Chicken Salad, by Diane

 I created this recipe from what I had on hand including some ingredients that were about to go bad in the fridge. It came out so so good, especially the next day when all the flavors had come together! I think the secret is how chopped the chicken is, because it can really absorb all the flavor and moisture from the other ingredients! (this was born out of laziness because I hate dicing things when my food processor is RIGHT. THERE. so, win-win!) I love to eat this on rosemary almond crackers, but honestly it would be great however you ate it! Yum.

Ingredients:

1.5 lbs chicken breasts

1/2 cup fresh blueberries

1/4 cup craisins (I love the low sugar kind)

1/4 chopped pecans

1/2 cup diced celery (fine pieces are best!)

1 tsp fresh thyme leaves

1/4 cup pumpkin seeds

3/4 cup mayo (I used avocado mayo to make this whole30)

2 tsp salt

Optional: I also use 1/2 tsp of Penzey's Mural's of Flavor which has yummy stuff like citrus peels and shallots in it

Directions:

1. Boil chicken breasts until just cooked through, let cool. To speed this along I usually rough chop them into 3 chunks ahead of boiling.

2. Once the chicken cools, place into a food processor until fully chopped into small pieces.

3. Add the chicken to a large bowl, add remaining ingredients and adjust for taste. Refrigerate at least 5 hours before serving, best overnight and it gets better each day!

Mistake Cake, by Diane

This is a recipe I have been making for years for our family and I have just never thought to post it! This cake is a riff on a strawberry shortcake, but we make it with blueberries for the 4th of July each year. The cake gets its name from a mistake that went wrong but so good it's oh so right and now we make it this way every year! A few 4th of July's ago, I tried to make whipped cream from scratch using whipping cream and sugar, then assembled the layers of the cake and put it in the fridge before our cookout. By the end of the meal, the whipped cream had turned to liquid and essentially melted through the layers of the cake. What started out as a massive disappointment turned into quite the discovery as the cake soaked up all the sugary creamy goodness and now we will never make it any other way!! This cake is so freakin' delicious and absolutely the taste of summer. YUM.

Ingredients:

1 ring angel food cake

1 pint strawberries, sliced

1 pint blueberries

1 8oz container heavy whipping cream

1/2- 1 1/2 cups sugar

Canned whipped cream

Directions:

1. Slice the angel food cake into three even layers and poke each layer several times with a fork, set aside. 

2. Mix cream and sugar until the sugar dissolves (use your desired level of sweetness).

3. Assemble the cake by starting with the bottom layer and drizzling about 8 tbsp of the cream mixture onto the cake, making sure it soaks in. Then cover with berries and place the next cake layer on top. 

4. Repeat for all layers, and the drizzle more cream mixture over the outsides and inside of the cake, reserving some "mistake cake sauce" for serving. Chill for 30-60 minutes to allow the sauce to absorb.

5. When ready to serve, top with dollops of canned whipped cream and berries and serve with a side of the magic sauce. Yum!!!

Blueberry Banana Açaí Bowl, by Diane

This has been my go to breakfast even though it’s winter for the past few weeks. I love smoothie bowls, but the place on my block has added sweeteners and granola, etc., and so I had to get creative while on Whole30. Its super easy to throw together and I always decorate it a bit to make it a little more special. This is the best version I’ve made all month, so I decided to post it!


Ingredients:

1/2 frozen banana
1/3 frozen zucchini
2 tbsp Sunfoods Açaí Maqui Bowl Mix (I’ve also subbed frozen açaí kale mix from Whole Foods!)
Small handful frozen blueberries
1 tbsp cacao powder
2 tbsp collagen
1/4 cup almond milk (can add more based on consistency)
Toppings: chia seeds, hemp seeds, cacao nibs, shredded dehydrated coconut, pepitas, almond butter


Directions:

Whip all ingredients except toppings in a blender, adding more milk if needed. Top and enjoy!

Bluberry Banana Fig Green Smoothie, by Diane

I have quite possibly made the most delish green smoothie EVER this morning. I normally don't make creamier smoothies using almond milk, both for calories and because they are very filling, but this one is a definite exception. This smoothie tastes like candy and a milkshake combined! And it is filled with awesome superfood nutrients to boot, that happen to be wonderful for reproductive issues. YUM.


Ingredients:

1 banana
2 figs (I used mission figs here because they are sweeter!)
1/4 cup frozen blueberries
1/4 cup frozen zucchini
1 cup greens (I used a mix of spinach, chard, and kale)
Sprinkle of cinnamon, turmeric, and ginger
1 tbsp raw organic maca cacao powder (I love Terramazon!!)
3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk


Directions:

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Enjoy!

Green Trekker Smoothie, by Diane

At long last, I've finally found a way to make these green smoothies look as appetizing as they taste!

The problem with having a favorite smoothie from your local Whole Foods within walking distance (2 blocks away!) is that you wind up spending lots of money at Whole Foods for something you could easily make at home (and for way cheaper!). This smoothie is my latest in a long line of green smoothie obsessions. It's packed with greens, antioxidant-rich blueberries, potassium-rich bananas, electrolyte-balancing coconut water, and superfood energizers/anti-inflammatories maca and cacao powder. Because of these ingredient properties, this smoothie is great for managing dehydration, low energy, and inflammation. And the flavor is that banana chocolate combo that I crave all day long, naturally sweetened without any sugar. YUM.


Ingredients:

2 large handfuls of greens (spinach/kale/chard blend is my vote- or just spinach for beginners!)
1 large frozen ripe banana (for a milkshake consistency) or 1 large fresh ripe banana plus 1 cup ice
1/2 cup blueberries (I love Wyman's wild blueberries in the freezer section!)
3 dates (sometimes I skip these as they make the smoothie very sweet!)
2 tbsp raw cacao powder and 1/2 tbsp maca powder OR 2 tbsp of TerrAmazon Organic Raw Cacao Powder with Maca (this stuff is seriously delicious and tastes like dark cocoa!)
1 cup coconut water (or less/more for consistency)


Blend all ingredients until smooth- if using dates blend for longer!

*Note- to make this smoothie more energizing and anti-inflammatory, I usually add in a small amount of the following: turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and chia. You can't taste any of these except hints of cinnamon!*

*Girly Note- if it's that time of the month, definitely add the dates and consider upping the cacao for more chocolatey sweetness, also include 1/4 of an avocado for cramps and bloating. This should take care of any cravings/symptoms! :)*