Recipes

Nourishing Nice-Cream

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NOURISHING NELLI | FUNCTIONAL NUTRITIONIST | DAIRY-FREE ICE CREAM

If there’s one thing that I missed most after eliminating dairy from my nutrition rotation, it’d have to be ICE CREAM!

There’s something about a bowl full of creamy cold ice cream that fills all my dessert type cravings!

After playing with a few alternatives to make dairy-free versions of cheese like, coconut, avocados, and various nuts and seeds, I’ve also found the perfect blend to a plain vanilla NICE-CREAM base that’s extra nourishing with its nutrient dense ingredients and free of dairy!

Let’s break down the nutrients:

CHIA SEED – an incredibly rich source of omega -3 fats, amino acids and soluble fiber that aids digestion and provides lasting energy.

COCONUT KEFIR – a source of probiotics to help establish and maintain a balanced microbiome. Coconut kefir is known to promote the good bacteria in your gut!

COCONUT MEAT – a super nutrient dense source of medium chain triglycerides that aid immune health, heighten energy, and boost your metabolism!

FIBROUS VEGGIES – YES! Veggies in ice-cream. Fibrous veggies like cauliflower and squash give you a rather thick texture and add minerals like potassium and vitamin-C. Both are bland in flavor and take on anything you combine with it like fresh ginger, peppermint, or any of the NN Approved Sweeteners. 

ADJUST IT WITH YOUR FAVORITE FLAVORS!

This recipe is super basic and can be a thousand different flavors by simply adding some of your favorite fruit, elixirs, or spices! For more on flavor combinations, grab a copy of Dessert in Disguise; my ebook full of ideas! For more on Dessert in Disguise, click here!

Cacao, Maca, Mint, Ginger, Beet, Carrot and Cinnamon are a few of my favorite items to toss in along with the base! 

 

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Nice Cream Base
Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp chia seed
  • 1/3 cup nut based milk
  • 1/4 cup coconut meat
  • 2 tbsp coconut kefir
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup vegetable of choice
  • 2 tbsp Flavor of choice (collagen, cacao, maca, peppermint, ginger, beet, fruit flavored greens)
Instructions

  1. Add the chia seeds and liquid to the base of a single serve blender and allow to soak for about 5 minutes forming a gel consistency. Add the remaining ingredients and blend until creamy (about 2 minutes). Pour into a silicone mold and store in the freezer until time to eat. Simply remove the frozen cubes and toss them back into the blender cup along with any additional elixirs, or ingredients. Blend for a second and enjoy! 

 

Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie Cake

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THE BEST, Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake….

Skillet Cookie

A large slice of this with a big scoop of the NN-Nice Cream base is just heaven! Skip the sugar filled store bought cakes and cookies, this one pan skillet cookie is made from real and whole foods that your grandmother would have in her kitchen! No processed sugars, binders, fillers, or hormone wrecking ingredients needed to fulfill your sweet tooth!

Here we have an incredibly nutrient dense dessert made with a secret ingredient that you’d never guess of if you weren’t the one doing the cooking….

Garbanzo beans give this cookie cake the density of no other! Garbanzo beans also known as chickpeas are full of fiber and contain a small amount of protein. The chose a natural sweetener of dates which provide you with other nutrients like potassium and copper, crucial for boosting your immune system and aiding red blood cell count. The whole cookie is rich in both soluble and insoluble fibers making it an A-OK way to end your day! I like to call this a Dessert in Disguise! Fiber ensures of no spike in your blood glucose levels which is great to regulate your energy and hormones. 

Enjoy!

-Nelli

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Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie Cake
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
35 mins
Total Time
45 mins
 
Course: Cookie Cake
Servings: 30
Author: Britni Martinelli
Ingredients
  • Group 1
  • 2 cans drained garbanzo beans (500g)
  • 2/3 cup almond milk
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 4 tbsp coconut oil
  • 2 tbsp maple extract
  • 1 cup pitted dates (150g)
  • Group2
  • 4 tbsp monkfruit
  • 3/4 cup quick oats
  • ¾ tsp sea salt
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
Instructions
  1. Combine group 1 in a large bowl.
  2. Combine group 2 in a large bowl.
  3. Pour half of each mixture into a food processor, process until smooth, do the same for the other half unless you have a large food processor you can do this all in one step.

  4. Add ¾ cup of chopped cacao nibs to the mix. Stir with a spoon to distrubute. 

  5. Divide the mixture into half and pour into a large cast iron skillet. Bake for 30-40 minutes at 330 degrees or until a toothpick comes out clean.

  6. Let cool before enjoying!

Cookie Cake

Blazin’ Basil, Bean & Barramundi Bowl

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One of the funnest parts of building meals has got to be NAMING THEM!  This one literally says it all… It is indeed…

 

    • BLAZING from the use of one of my favorite chile pastes, Mina Harissa, which is made from ground chile peppers and Moroccan spices. You can find it on Amazon here;  or at your local Whole Foods Market.
    • Uses fresh BASIL for sublime flavor and function – basil is a super-herb! It not only has antibacterial properties to ward off things like staph, strep, and E. coli, but it contains oils that work to block the activity of an enzyme called cyclooxygenase, responsible for inflammation in the body.  Drugs like Tylenol, Aspirin, and Ibuprofen work in the same way by inhibiting this enzyme. Cough, Cough, food is medicine. Trade your pills in for some plants.
    • Contains white BEANS for fiber-rich carbohydrates and a source of additional protein.
    • Packed with protein rich BARRAMUNDI, a white fish native to Australian waters.  Barramundi is a fellow to the common fish, sea bass, yet less oily in texture and a tremendous source of Omega 3 fatty acids, great for heart health
    • And, well….is served in a BOWL!

 

Ta-da! There you have it: 

 Blazing, Basil, Bean, & Barramundi Bowl!

 

This has been a staple meal ever since I made it for the first time.  It’s super simple, warming, and filled with a slur of vegetables to keep your body working with the most micro and macronutrients as possible! Most of the items are able to be batch prepared allowing for dinner to be done in under 20 minutes!

Blazin' Barramundi Bowl

I like to buy my barramundi from Trader Joes, it’s wild-caught and a great price; although most other markets carry barramundi in the frozen seafood section. Just be sure to check your source!

The NN dairy-free sour cream recipe can be found here! This is optional – yet makes it extra creamy and contains monounsaturated healthy fats from cashews! 

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Blazin' Basil, Bean & Barramundi Bowl
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
20 mins
 
Author: Britni Martinelli
Ingredients
  • 1 cup butternut squash diced and steamed
  • 1 cup yellow onion diced
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 3/4 cup yellow bell pepper diced
  • 1 cup leeks
  • 1 heaping cup zucchini diced
  • 1 cup white beans
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatos halved
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 3 tbsp Mina Harrissa Paste
  • 1.5 cup light coconut milk
  • 6 oz barramundi fillet
  • 1/4 cup diced celery
  • 1 tbsp NN dairy-free sour cream
  • 1 tsp garlic, basil, cumin, sea salt
Instructions

  1. Sautee the onion, garlic, pepper, and zucchini and leeks, in a pan for 1-2 minutes using seasonings listed last. 

  2. Turn the heat off and add the Mina, tomatoes, Butternut squash, beans, basil, coconut milk, sour cream, celery. 

  3. Top with the barramundi fillet 

If you enjoyed this dish, be sure to sign up for the NN Newsletter, for all my latest hit’s in the kitchen, delivered directly to your inbox!

 

 

 

Melon, Mint & Mag

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This has been my superstar smoothie lately. I’ve been blending some variation of it a few times a week and it STILL hasn’t got old! Take a look below at the line up…

MELON – honeydew melon guys!! I can’t get enough of this nutrient rich fruit! It’s loaded with vitamin C, water rich and sweet but not too sweet! Honeydew has the perfect texture for creating a thick creamy smoothly along side the other ingredients in this super smoothie!

MINT – The mint in this smoothie is there for taste as well as helping your body digest the nutrients! Mint soothes your digestive tract by increasing bile.

MAG – as in magnesium! Load up on this macronutrient, at all times possible! Magnesium is crucial in the role of many of your body’s processes like ATP production, (aka ENERGY) and DNA + RNA synthesis. Magnesium aids muscles soreness, it promotes better sleep, it helps keep us regular (digestion) and promotes a healthy functioning thyroid! This all contributes to better weight management, insulin sensitivity, and a happy you!

Cucumbers – are full of water for hydration, rich in vitamin K for blood health and rich in a micronutrient; molybdenum – which facilitates in the breakdown of certain amino acids (proteins) helping your body use them best!

Avocado – is used to create a creamy texture as well as provide you with a source of unsaturated healthy fats, it boosts your body’s ability to absorb all these nutrients your giving it and is important for brain health! Avocados also contain a good amount of fiber, helping us feel full and satisfied!

MCT – the coconut in this smoothie is there for a source of rapid energy; medium chain triglycerides; unlike unsaturated fats, bypass the digestion phase and are immediately available for your body to use as energy! Coconuts have anti-microbial properties and study’s show it prevents aging – just a few of the fantastic features of coconuts!

Protein – the vanilla protein in this smoothie is optional; making it a meal! If you’d like to use this as a snack you could reduce it to 1/2 a scoop or leave it out. Protein is one of the most important macronutrients in helping form lean muscle tissue, keeping your bones strong, and hunger levels balanced!

Give it a blend, show me your creations by tagging #nourishingnelli on the gram!

Print
Melon, Mint & Mag
Prep Time
1 min
Cook Time
2 mins
Total Time
3 mins
 
Servings: 1
Author: Britni Martinelli
Ingredients
  • • 1 cup 160g honeydew melon
  • • 1 cup cucumber
  • • 1 cup baby spinach
  • • 1/2 avocado
  • • 1/2 cup coconut milk
  • • 1 scoop vanilla protein collagen or plant based
  • • 1 tsp mint extract or fresh mint leaves
  • • 1 tsp magnesium
  • • 1 tsp MCT oil
  • • dash of cinnamon
Instructions
  1. Blend all ingredients in a high speed blender

Maple Pecan Banana Bread Muffins

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These muffins are a must! They tick all the baked good boxes…

MOIST
DENSE
BANANA-Y
MAPLE-Y

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SATISFYING YET STILL HEALTHY
FIBER FILLED
PROTEIN PACKED

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LOW SUGAR
GLUTEN FREE
DELICIOUS HOT & COLD

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QUICK & EASY
QUADRUPLES AS DESSERT,BREAKFAST, SNACK OR SMOOTHIE TOPPER!

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What more could you ask for from a muffin?!

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Ever since stumbling upon this recipe due to a major banana bread craving, lots of extra pecans, and some Fall cooking inspiration, I’ve made these about 4 times. They taste great heated up when you want something satisfying after dinner, or cold on top of smoothies. I usually make a batch on my batch cooking day, store them in an airtight container and place in the fridge for the week!

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Maple Pecan Banana Bread Muffins
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
 
Servings: 14
Author: Britni Martinelli
Ingredients
  • Group 1
  • 1.5 cup (164g) raw pecans
  • 2 whole eggs
  • 2 200g bananas
  • Group 2
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp melted coconut oil
  • 1 tbsp almond milk
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 cup coconut flour
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degree F
  2. Add group 1 to a highspeed blender and blend until smooth
  3. Add group 2 and blend for another 1-2 minutes
  4. Dollop the batter into a 12-14 cup silicone muffin pan evenly and bake on the top rack for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserts clean. Allow to cool for 20 minutes.

Give them a bake and let me know how you like them, show your creations on Instagram or Facebook by tagging #NourishingNelli

-Nelli

Dark CHARCOALATE Dream Cream

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THIS is the most detoxifying, energy boosting, skin clearing, creamy and dreamy concoction i’ve blended in a while!

I’ve been wanting to share the benefits of activated charcoal for a while, yet couldn’t think of what to use to pair with, so that I didn’t scare!

Eventually I realized, everyone loves chocolate…no better way to introduce you to this stuff, than along side some polyphenol rich cacao, creamy coconut, and fibrous kale for the ultimate win/win when it comes to taste, texture and nutrient density!

Highly different from charcoal that you’d use to grill with, ACTIVATED COCONUT CHARCOAL brings a lot to the table; let’s break down the benefits:

WHO

Activated coconut charcoal is derived from the shell of a coconut.

WHAT

It’s used to trap unwanted toxins in your body and quite literally pull them out. You can think of it as a vacuum for your body after a stressful or indulgent week, exposure to harmful substances or when you feel you’re in need of a little clean out. Charcoal treats gas and bloating and is often used in trauma centers to treat poison or drug overdoses. It’s pretty powerful stuff!

WHY

To cleanse! It doesn’t take any crazy poison or alcohol abuse to need a clean out…simple daily do’s like exercise, walking, and house chores all leave your body with some level of oxidative stress, not to mention the sometimes polluted air, chemicals and fillers in our cosmetic products, and pesticides used on our produce! #yuck To remove these toxins and pollutants from your body, you need the help of certain nutrients. Charcoal is great to incorporate on occasion for doing so.

HOW

Charcoal has a large surface area allowing these toxins to bind to it and are then excreted. 1. Absorb 2. Move 3. Excrete is a great way to think of it.

WHERE

You can purchase activated coconut charcoal in any vitamin/supplement store, pharmacy or Whole Body Market. It’s also available online from Bulletproof or on Amazon, here! It comes In powder or pill form and stores in the pantry for quite some time. It’s fairy inexpensive and you only need a small amount per use.

The taste is pretty neutral and the texture is a little gritty as you can imagine but nothing over the top! Especially in this smoothie! Blend up with brilliant bowl that uses a few of my favorites when it comes to eating good and feeling well!

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Dark CHARCOALATE Dream Cream
Author: Britni Martinelli
Ingredients
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1 cup kale
  • 1 scoop Primal Kitchen Coconut Collagen Fuel
  • 1 unsweetened acai
  • 1/2 cup blackberries
  • 1 scoop Nutridyn Cacao Fruits & Greens powder
  • 2 tsp activated coconut charcoal
  • 1 tsp cacao
  • 1/2 cup cucumber
  • squeeze of lemon
  • dash of cinnamon
  • optional boost - avocado
Instructions
  1. Blend all ingredients together on high until creamy

Primal Kitchen has an amazing coconut collagen that I use to blend with for an added protein source. You can read about the benefits of collagen, here!

NutriDyn is my go to when it comes to greens powders, it gives this smoothie a boost of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and unmatchable flavor!

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Sneaky Snickerdoodle Muffins

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In attempt to fill my craving for an ultra dense muffin and a snickerdoodle cookie… I came up with this little combo!

Think banana bread muffin smashed with a snickerdoodle cookie, but without the sugar and preservatives!  I’ve snuck in some veggies and even added an adaptogen to keep your mood elevated – leaving you feeling top notch after having one, or, two, or ten! … There’s no such things as too many muffins and Beetle Mylk!

I was even able to make these taste magnificent without the banana – however feel free to throw in 1/2 a banana for added sweetness. I like to eat these as a dessert; when I don’t necessarily need any extra sugar… so depending on how you want to fit these in, bake accordingly.

I start with a base of avocados that give these the most dense and creamy texture ever. They also serve as a source of healthy monounsaturated fats, important for brain and heart health. They add fiber to the muffin, keeping your satisfied for more than a second! Ever eat a regular muffin and your STARVING in less than 30 minutes? Traditional baked goods are full of sugar, dairy and hardly any fiber to keep your stomach satisfied.

I sneak attack ya with some veggies, of course, by adding zucchini or summer squash into the mix! This gives you fiber, folate, potassium and just adds more bulk to your muffin – I mean who doesn’t love the monster sized muffins!

I add some coconut sources of healthy fats to aid in making them taste creamy and to give you extra energy. Coconut is a source of Medium Chain Triglycerides that bypasses digestion and is available for energy immediately! These would be a great afternoon pick me up snack. Coconut fats help in the  bringing of ketones to your blood – for a brain boost and fat burning approach on sweets – cool stuff!

Cassava is my flour of choice which is root vegetable native to South America. It is filled with B vitamins to aid in an optimal metabolism. It’s rich in carbohydrates, yet low GI so there are no sugar spikes or insane insulin releases like modern day muffins do to you! Cassava is in the resistant starch class of carbohydrates, a type that does not break down – literally resisting digestion and instead of being absorbed like sugar/starch carbohydrates it feeds the good gut bacteria in your belly!

Maca and cinnamon give these guys the snickerdoodle taste, curing any sweet tooth you may have in the best way possible. Maca is also a root vegetable that has a nutty and malty taste. It’s been used since ancient times as a natural remedy for hormonal balance. Maca is an adaptogen and can help your endocrine system function properly in suboptimal conditions; say times of high stress.  Maca can help improve energy levels, endurance, mental clarity, boost your sex drive and relieve symptoms of PMS. It’s full of protein, B vitamins, iron, and potassium. It’s sold in powdered form and is easily stirred into baked goods or smoothies.

I hope you enjoy these as much as I did, they take a good 10 minutes to blend up, toss in the oven for twenty, and keep great for 1-2 weeks in the fridge.

 

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Sneaky Sugar-Free Snickerdoodle Muffins
Author: Britni Martinelli
Ingredients
  • 1 whole egg
  • 2 tbsp cassava flour
  • 2 tbsp coconut flour
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1.5 cup 145g avocado
  • 2 tbsp maca powder
  • 3/4 cup zucchini or summer squash
  • 2 tbsp coconut butter
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1.4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tbsp lakankto or 1/4 banana
  • 1/4 cup almond milk
Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients to a high speed blender, blend until creamy
  2. Bake in a coconut oiled muffin pan for 25-28 minutes at 350

 

  

 

Parmesan & Paprika Broccoli Bowl

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PARMESAN & PAPRIKA BROCCOLI BOWL! 

A dairy, gluten, and sugar free bowl full of roots, nutrient rich greens and a special ingredient for the cheesy flavor WITHOUT the use dairy!

Nutritional Yeast; an inactive form of yeast, is used in combination with walnuts and hemp seeds for an ultimate cheesey taste without the gut disrupting processed dairy. Nutritional yeast is packed with B vitamins and folate, it’s a wonderful source of plant based protein and super supportive of your carbohydrate metabolism. These all spiral towards the ultimate goal of better digestion, clean energy and balanced hormone levels. Find the full recipe here, and have it on hand for when you’re craving a cheezy addition to a meal. It’s super simple and can be stored in the fridge for weeks!

NN Dairy- Free Parmesan

This bowl is the ultimate no-recipe recipe! It comes together easily when using the NN Dinner Designer Guide out of Batch Build. Choose an ingredient from each of the “Eat 8” categories and then spread the dressing, for dinner in a flash! It’s one of my favorite for a quick week night meal that leaves you feeling real!

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Parmesan & Paprika Broccoli Bowl
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
2 mins
Total Time
12 mins
 
Servings: 2
Author: Britni Martinelli
Ingredients
  • 1 cup celery
  • ¼ cup fresh oregano + fresh basil
  • 3 cups lightly steamed and cooled broccoli florets
  • 1 cup steamed carrot chunks
  • 1 cup white onion diced
  • 1 cup artichokes hearts
  • ¾ cup banana peppers
  • ¼ cup green olives
  • ½ cup red bell pepper diced
  • 7 oz Bay Scallops or jumbo shrimp
  • 2.5 Tbsp NN Parmesan Cheese or Nutritional Yeast
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Paprika
Instructions

  1. Layer all in a large bowl

  2. Top with any of the NN Dressings,  Parmesan and spices

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The Womanizer

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Your one-stop sip for woman’s wellness!

Let’s state the fact… women’s wellness is CRUCIAL when it comes to keeping everything balanced at home from raising healthy children to keeping happy husbands! BUT, when mama’s not well, no one’s well! We must show up for ourselves in the kitchen so we have the energy to pitch in when no one else does!

My recent studies under Dana James, the Fantastic Female herself behind Food Coach NYC, opened my eyes to a whole other world of wellness. Hormonal hone-in’s and Archetype determining is amongst the most important part of our nourishment. Not only does it comes down to the nutrients, but the whole mindset you create for yourself while eating.

Food itself is literally at the forefront of what will make or break you and I’m here to help you choose wisely!

If you’ve ever had a 1-1 session with me, you know your archetype and can personally pick out nutrients to meet your best interest! If not then try this little blend below, as it’s bound to make you feeling everything more than amazing!

In the WOMANIZER, I pair a few adaptogens with the herb lavender, a flower plant known for its ability to bring you to a state of calm. I add some coconut milk for a source of healthy fats. As a woman your body needs these healthy fats, more than men in fact. They help produce the hormones that keep you at a healthy weight, and all of your bodily systems correlation correctly. Coconut milk is a wonderful source of MCT’s that bypass digestion and are readily available for energy immediately. If that’s not one of the most terrific tools to add to your “life tool box”, I don’t know what is. I think it’s safe to say, as women, we try to do it all! Sometimes our to-do lists’ have to-do lists! If there’s a way to tap into an extra source of fast clean energy, I’m all for it!

It contains all essential nutrients to help the ladies thrive! I’m tapping into everything for harmonizing hormones, enhancing energy, supporting our female systems and warding off stress!

This can be used as the perfect pick me up, or light and refreshing dessert!

The adaptogens used in this are ones that help bring the body to a state of homeostasis – something I refer to as “Set Point”; when the body is in balance. This is the ultimate state that your body works to achieve constantly, so anything you can do to help it along the way provides you with a “stress-less” effect.

Adaptogens are a class of foods (mainly roots, herbs, and mushrooms) that literally help the the body “adapt” to life’s stressors. Some of my favorites are:

  • Maca
  • Cordyceps
  • Reishi
  • Chaga
  • Shatavari
  • Tocos
  • Mucuna pruriens
  • Pearl

These can be picked up at any whole body shop or found on amazon. I recommend starting slow and adding 1-2 tsp daily in smoothies, oatmeal, or tea! Moon Juice Shop and Sun Potion are two of my recommend brands that contain quality ingredients.

Next, for a rich source of vitamin C, and to keep it sweet with natural sugar vs anything artificial, I added a cup of fresh strawberries. This provides you with a source of antioxidants, fiber, magnesium, potassium and gives you t most magnificent flavor! Feel free to swap these out with any of your favorites like blackberries, raspberries or blueberries.

Lastly, keen to Nourishing Nelli’s “8 Pillars to Living a Nourished Life”; that you can read more about here, is zucchini.

Pillar Number One – EAT IN ABUNDANCE

…one of my truest trues and provided in this drink by way of adding a fiber rich, B vitamin packed chunk of zucchini or summer squash! It gives this drink the thickest texture and rounds up everything you need to thrive beautifully!

Golden Mylk – It’s Benefits and Why It’s the Perfect End to Your Day!

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Golden Mylk is one of my favorite warm drinks to make; especially when the seasons change and cold weather starts to roll in.  Golden Mylk is a highly anti-inflammatory, immune system boosting and digestive healing drink that is soothing and beneficial for you in SO many ways! Lets take a dive:

One of the main ingredients in my golden mylk is turmeric.

Turmeric: is a spice native to India that has been used as a natural remedy since ancient times. Curcumin is the active component in turmeric and is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent as well as an antioxidant.

Curcumin is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream alone, but with the addition of black pepper, which contains the natural compound piperine,the absorption of curcumin is enhanced. You can hardly taste the pepper, all you need is a dash! Turmeric is fat soluble, so taking it with coconut oil (which I’ll touch on here in a minute) helps the absorption process as well.

AND a bonus from this wonderful spice is that it’s a very rich antioxidant.

Oxidative damage from free radicals is the process that causes premature aging –  you know…the wrinkles, cracks and crinkles! (F%#* You free radicals!) Lucky for us, curcumin is a potent antioxidant and can neutralize these free radicals, promoting beautiful skin and preventing premature aging.

So the turmeric take-home would be: it’s  a great addition to your nutrition for steering clear of inflammation which seems to be the culprit of most all diseases and disorders in our Western culture. It’s a wonderful source of antioxidants and helps make you even more beautiful and beaming! I’m all for doing anything you can to fight chronic inflammation as it’s important in avoiding disease and keeps you happy and healthy!
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Coconut oil provides this drink with a source of healthy fats – medium chain triglycerides specifically, which are metabolized differently than other dietary fats. They bypasses the digestion phase and go straight to your liver; being available almost immediately as a quick source of energy! Coconut oil has been proven to increase the body’s fat burning potential by increasing the amount of actual calories that you burn in a day. And last but not least, coconut is an effective antimicrobial because of it’s lauric acid content it can kill harmful bacteria and pathogens. There’s so many other reasons I love to incorporate coconut into my diet but I’ll save that for a different post!

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Next, we have Ginger which is one of my favorite herbs and I have it in some form everyday whether it’s in tea, Mylk or fresh thrown into a stirfry or soup. It’s great for anti inflammatory like our buddy turmeric, but it’s also so helpful for our digestive system. Ginger relaxes the digestive tract which helps in stimulating gastric juice and helping the digestion process go more smoothly after meals. It’s great for de-bloating and is a really tummy pleaser! Who doesn’t want a happy belly?

The Cinnamon gives this drink a touch of sweetness, warmth and helps keep blood sugar levels balanced. I think I add cinnamon to almost everything I eat besides a few dinners. It’s a great spice with wonderful benefits and I just love the taste!

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This drink really knocks on the “Food is Medicine door”. It’s healing, healthy, super simple, satisfying and requires few ingredients.

I’m a big “routine” person and creature of habit, as you may know! That being said, something I do on the reg. is have a warm drink in the evening… aka: my “cuppa” whether it’s a cuppa tea, cuppa golden mylk, or cuppa hot coco, I find it very soothing and warming to my soul! Peppermint and ginger tea are great for digestion after larger meals, hot coco is oh-so-delicious when sitting around a bonfire and this golden mylk is so healing and nice to sip on in the colder months. Not to mention, I think we can all use an excuse for extra hydration! Try adding tea or a hot cuppa into your nightly routine and see how you like it. There’s something about a good book + bed + one of the beverages above that just sets the mood for a good night’s rest.
On a side note, how beautiful is the color! It looks like chalk paint. It seems like every time I make it, it comes out a different hue.

I hope you enjoy it, show me your creations by tagging #NourishingNelli on Instagram or Facebook. I’d love to see the color you guys come out with! I’m off to boil a pot now, Holiday Cheers to you all!

Golden Mylk – Benefits and Why It’s the Perfect End to Your Day!
Author: Britni Martinelli
Prep time: Cook time: Total time: Serves: 1
Ingredients
  • 2 cups of nut milk of choice (I recommend almond or coconut)
  • 2 tsp coconut oil
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp ginger
  • dash of sea salt
  • dash of black pepper
Instructions
  1. Bring all ingredients to a simmer on the stove for about 3 minutes
  2. Remove the cinnamon stick and serve hot.

If you like this recipe and want to enjoy it on a warm day; you can make it into a Golden Mylk Iced Latee by taking the original Golden Mylk Recipe and adding 1/2 cup ice + 1 tsp vanilla extract + 2 tbsp coffee.
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Caul Me Crazy Chocolate Cake

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I know your thinking eww, cauliflower in my cake…but this is a must-trust guys! If you know me, I’m always looking for ways to add nutrient dense foods (usually veggies!) to anything, be a smoothies, a snacks or now sweets!

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I had a huge head of cauli already chopped and sitting in the fridge from my Batch Build, and was looking for a creative way to use it up! Eating Evolved just sent me some uber delicious chocolate bars that have a top notch ingredient lists and fit well into my Brand Approval List! Cake sounded delicious, but instead of using the traditional ingredients I wanted to incorporate something different, something that my body could appreciate! …350 degrees and 25 minutes later CAUL ME CRAZY CHOCOLATE CAKE was born! 🙂 All jokes aside, it’s so dense and chocolatey you’d never guess your eating a serving of vegetables in your dessert! Hint: could be a way to add to your children’s veggie intake!

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Cauliflower is one of my favorite brassica vegetables due to its health benefits. It’s full of fiber, vitamins C, K & B, as well as manganese and folate. Cauliflower helps your body detoxify in two ways. It contains antioxidants that support Phase 1 detoxification and has sulfur-containing nutrients that support Phase 2 detoxification. The glucosinolates in cauliflower activate detoxification enzymes which help the digestive system run smoothly. Studies show adding brassica vegetables to your diet can reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, aid in weight loss and promote a flourishing digestive system.

The cacao powder along with chocolate bars provides you with the richest source of antioxidants for fighting cancer, and gives you an instant mood boost from the theobromine content that is found in raw cacao (chocolate in its purest form).

The walnuts in this dish are a must! They provide a dense cake like texture and this “super nut” is loaded with brain healthy omega-3 fatty acids, as well as, protein for maintaining strong muscles and bones.

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Not only is this 100% indulgent free – it’s approved for anyone living a dairy free or lifestyle; something hard to pair with cake and cookies. It contains healthy fats from all sources: coconuts (MCT), eggs (mono and poly unsaturated), and nuts (omega-3). This cake provides a whopping 7g of protein per slice and is refined sugar free, using only natural sources of sweeteners –  #eatrealfood ya’ll!

Overall, this is more of a healthy “meal” than dessert if you can believe it! You can now “have your cake and eat it too” and chocolate cake at that!

Let me know how your CAULI CAKE turns out by tagging #NourishingNelli on Instagram or Facebook!

Nelli

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Caul Me Crazy Chocolate Cake
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
40 mins
 
Servings: 12
Author: Britni Martinelli
Ingredients
  • 2 cups cauliflower florets
  • 3/4 cup almond milk
  • 3 whole eggs
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/8 cup + 1 tbsp coconut oil melted
  • 1 - 2 tbsp Eating Evolved Chocolate Spread
  • 12 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 3/4 cup coconut flour
  • 1/2 cup cacao powder
  • 1/4 cup walnut pieces + 1/4 cup almond milk
  • 1/4 cup Eating Evolved Chocolate broken into pieces
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
  2. Spray a round cake pan or 8x8 baking pan with coconut oil
  3. In a high speed blender blend cauliflower, milk and eggs until smooth
  4. Add maple syrup, dates, vanilla extract, melted coconut oil
  5. In a large bowl mix together coconut flour, cacao powder, baking powder, cinnamon, and sea salt
  6. Add dry mixture to the blender and blend until smooth
  7. In a small blender or food processor blend together walnuts and almond milk to make a creamy paste
  8. Add the paste to your large blender and blend everything until well combined
  9. Stir in the chocolate pieces or cacao nibs
  10. Pour batter into your baking dish and bake for 25-30 until knife inserts clean.
  11. Allow to cool for 15 minutes.

Creamy Dreamy Chocolate Chia Mousse – The New & Improved Chia Pudding!

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No, this is not another chia pudding recipe! I’m all for the chia puddings, they’re great,  but THIS stuff guys, is UNBELIEVABLE! It takes chia pudding to a whole other level. It’s triple the creaminess and can be adjusted in so many ways to create a combo your body is craving! Simply switch the cacao powder for maca powder or the banana for strawberry!

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I’ve been super busy lately with all the projects going on behind the scenes here at Nourishing Nelli, so needless to say I highly appreciate a “quick cook” or blend in this case! I’ve stuck to the game plan when it comes to batch cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinners, however dessert-prep has somehow got pushed to the wayside – how could I? 😲 That’s where this creamy concoction comes into play! It literally takes all of 2 minutes to make. Add a tbsp of chia seed to 3 tbsp water, whisk it together and let it sit for a bit. Add everything to a blender, blend and bowl! Could it get any simpler? This Chia Mousse is a great fiber-rich dessert or snack that aids digestion! It’s full of protein, healthy fats, and one of my favorite gut friendly foods – the almighty chia seed. The fruit in this mousse gives it a touch of sweetness, providing you with a well balanced nutrition profile. Try it out and tell me your still craving the sugar ridden ice creams, yogurts, and other desserts you’ll find in the grocery store –  I’ll call your bluffs!

Let’s talk chia seed for a second! These little seeds are such an amazing superfood, and one that I keep on hand for things like smoothies, puddings, baked goods, and now mousse!

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Chia Seeds are native to Guatemala and Mexico. They’ve been used since long ago by the Aztec’s for their powerful lasting energy. They’re full of fiber and amino acids, (the building blocks of protein) and literally double in size when placed in liquid, as they soak it up and transform into a gel like consistency due to the soluble fiber they carry. (Hello, healthy gut and digestive system!)

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Dreamy Creamy Chocolate Chia Mousse - The New & Improved Chia Pudding!
Author: Britni Martinelli
Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp chia seed + 3 tbsp almond milk soaked for 2 hours to for your chia gel
  • 1/2 cup nut milk
  • 1/4 avocado
  • 2 tbsp chocolate protein powder
  • 2 tsp cacao powder
  • 1/2 frozen banana
  • dash of cinnamon
  • dash of sea salt
Instructions
  1. Blend chia gel, nut milk and avocado together.
  2. Add the remainder of ingredients and blend again.
  3. Serve with your favorite toppings.

Show me your creations by tagging #nourishingnelli on Instagram or Facebook!

Golden Coconut Curry

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This golden coconut curry is a great way to boost your immune system with its select warming spices and herbs: turmeric and ginger. Both are high in compounds that help fight inflammation and guard you in times of cold or when you need a little boost in the digestive system.

Ginger works wonders for stimulating gastric acids and breaking up toxins, sending them south! Turmeric contains the active compound curcumin, that has been used in India for years as an alternative to medicine. That’s where curry gets it’s unique yellow color from! Turmeric is highly anti-inflammatory and one of the most powerful antioxidants out there for warding off oxidative stress; keeping you youthful and glowing!

This whole meal can be thrown together in minutes and left to simmer on the stove. If your in the Batch Build routine, this is one of my favorites to double recipe and use through the week. It tastes great the second, third, and forth days reheated!

As always, I like to make my recipes alterable to your liking via something I call “swaptions” 😬 (swap/options) !!

PROTEIN:

  • Swap shrimp for crab, chicken, or another shellfish.
  • Keep it plant based by adding extra garbanzo beans or lentils.

VEGGIES:

No go on broccoli? Use cauliflower! It comes from the same plant family, called Cruciferous, and packs a load of vitamins and minerals.

No bueno, on the beans?

  • Simply leave the beans out and serve it with gluten-free crackers or homemade Naan bread!

Print
Golden Coconut Curry
Ingredients
  • 1 cup garbanzo beans drained
  • 2 cups broccoli steamed
  • 1 cup yellow onion
  • 2 cups butternut squash steamed
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 2 cup celery diced
  • 1 cup light coconut milk
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp curry powder
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 8 oz cooked shrimp
Instructions

  1. Sautee the onion, garlic and celery in olive oil. Add the remained of ingredients and simmer on low for 20-30 minutes. 

Pretty In Pink

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The prettiest pink drink you ever did make! photo-dec-29-10-22-08-am

Let’s breakdown the benefits of this beauty bowl!

STRAWBERRIES the ultimate skin food – 

  • full of vitamin C which helps your body fight free-radicals that cause depletion of collagen, as well as fine lines in the skin #nothanks!
  • high in Folic Acid, an important part of cell regeneration and production of new cells to keep you glowing! 
  • Rich in ellagic acid, which has a photoreceptive effect to work against UV damage from things like being in the sun for long hours ultimately leading to wrinkles.  
  • The acidic nature of strawberries helps give you clearer skin by allowing it to rid sebum (oil) which is responsible for things like acne and pimples. 

COCONUTS the uber beauty friendly food –  

  • Raw coconut meat is a great source of an anti–microbial rich nutrient. Eating raw coconut reduces the severity of any bacterial or inflammatory skin condition like eczema or psoriasis. 
  • Excellent moisturizer, helping to give you smooth and soft skin! 

AVOCADO… is there anything an avocado doesn’t do?! For now lets focus on what they provide for us in the beauty department –

  • Full of fiber, great for digestive purposes.
  • Source of healthy fats to in nutrient absorption aka, help all these wonderful vitamins, minerals and nutrients I spoke about above become bioavailable and ready to be used by your body when combined with avocado.
  • High in biotin, a B vitamin, which helps keep your skin moisturized, nails strong and prevents your hair from becoming dry.
  • The oil found in avocados contains sterolins, which are molecular structures within plant based oils that can help boost the body’s collagen production and treat age spots!

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Along with all these skin foods, the protein powder helps support the growth of muscle to keep you strong, the cauliflower gives you a servings of fibrous vegetables and helps add nutrient density to the smoothie. last but not least the maca powder sends your hormones into overdrive keeping you feeling sexy and lustful!

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Give it a blend and show me your creations by tagging #NourishingNelli on Instagram or Facebook!

-Nelli

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Pretty in Pink
Prep Time
2 mins
Cook Time
1 min
Total Time
3 mins
 

The prettiest pink drink you ever did make! 

Servings: 1 person
Author: Britni Martinelli
Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup young coconut meat
  • 1 cup frozen strawberries
  • 1/4 avocado
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder vega sport performance recommended
  • 1/2 cup riced cauliflower steamed
  • 1/2 inch fresh ginger
  • 1 tsp maca powder
  • dash cinnamon
  • dash sea salt
Instructions

  1. blend everything in a high speed blender

Roasted Red Dressing

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ROASTED RED DRESSING

This robust and highly variable dressing is a go-to for me in the kitchen! I make sure to double or triple the recipe on my Batch Building days for an easy selection of salad dressing during the week.

It’s full of heart healthy fats from extra-virgin olive oil, making it fit right into one of the categories of my “EAT EIGHT” formula you can follow when building a meal.

Along side its macronutrient profile, the red bell pepper provides  high amounts of vitamin C and carotenoids, both crucial for reducing inflammation and improving your immune system.

The beauty of this dressing comes with the ability to turn it into many different variations when you go to eat it with a little addition of other kitchen staples!

  • Send it to Mexico? Add some avocado!
  • Italy? Throw in some capers!
  • Americano? Mix in some mustard!
  • Change the flavor profile? Swap your vinegar for Balsamic or White Wine!
  • Get creative in your herb choice!

Print
Roasted Red Dressing
Ingredients
  • 1 large 7oz roasted red bell pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 2 tbsp basil, cilantro, oregano, or thyme
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp red or white wine, or Balsamic vinegar
  • 3 tbsp roma tomato
  • 1 tsp sea salt, pepper
  • 1/4 cup onion or shallot
Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients to a single serve blender and blend until creamy. 

    Store in a jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. 

 

Maple + Maca, Grain + Gluten-Free Loaf Bread

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I think it’s safe to say we all enjoy a piece of toast, sand-which or slice of bread and nut butter at any and all times of the day! Bread gets a bad rep in the wellness world now, as most breads are filled with sugar, glutinous wheat, and other things that cause inflammation and havoc in the body.

I’ve put my brain to good use with this one and created a recipe that includes zero sugar or gluten. I kept it grain-free as well for a different nutrient profile than traditional bread. However swapping the almond flour for quinoa or oat flour would be nutritious as well.

This is a standard recipe that can be altered to your liking by adding sweeteners of choice or flavors. I actually added maple to my second recipe test and it came out with the most delicious flavor, mimicking maple pancakes if you can imagine!

The maple and maca flavor give it a wonderful flavor profile. I use Lakanto Maple Syrup which is derived from Monk Fruit. Monk Fruit is a natural sweetener from Asia that produces zero glycemic effect, keeping your blood sugar leveled balanced. Maca is a root vegetable native to South America that boasts hormonal balance and increases stamina. It can be found in powder form at any whole body market or grocer. I suggest picking some up if you spot it; I have a ton of smoothies and baked goods that contain maca that you can find in the NN Recipe Index.

My flours of choice are coconut and almond; both full of fiber to keep our digestive smooth, and packed full of minerals and protein. These flours give you an alternative to the traditional grain based breads, ensuring you are clear of any digestive distress or inflammation they may cause.

I’ve added a scoop of collagen for gut health, to provide a source of protein and to give them an airy texture mimicking sand-which bread!

Now you can have your bread and eat it too! Show me your creations by tagging #nourishingnelli on Instagram or Facebook!

Grain + Gluten Free Loaf Bread
Author: Britni Martinelli
Prep time: Cook time: Total time: Serves: 8
Ingredients
  • Group 1
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp maple or vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup almond milk
  • 1 tbsp Nutivas Buttery Spread
  • 2 tbsp Lakanto Maple Syrup
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • Group 2
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 2 tbsp (18g) coconut flour
  • 2 tbsp (18g) almond flour
  • 2 tbsp (18g) Collagen Peptides
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp maca
Instructions
  1. Mix group 1
  2. Stir in group 2
  3. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes in a silicone loaf pan.

Dairy-Free Parmesan Cheese

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Pass the Parmesan Cheese Please!

Wait? I thought dairy was one of the major gut disruptors and inflammatory igniters? … It is indeed, however I’ve done a little swap this for that, and made a mix that’ll have your tastebuds as happy as your belly – no cheese needed!

This parmesan is packed with omega-3 rich nuts and seeds to give you that taste of cheese, without the use of diary! My nuts and seeds of choice are hemp, sunflower, and walnuts, all three on my list of brain boosting, hormone balancing, and anti-inflammatory foods. Along with these sources I’ve selected nutritional yeast, an inactive form of yeast; full of B-vitamins, plant based protein, and fiber for an easy go-to topping that benefits your body rather than throwing it off balance like traditional Parmesan Cheese has the tendency to do.

The process involves either a small blender, food processor, or good ol’ mortar and pestal to crush up the ingredients into a fine texture. No worries though, it only takes a second, and can be made in a large batch, because it stores for weeks in the refrigerator!  Use this as a healthy swap for store bought parmesan. It’s unique in that it can be added as a topping to salads, creamy addition to soups, or sprinkle for roasted veggies for a boost of protein, healthy fats, fiber, and B-vitamins.

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Ingredients
  • 1.5 cup nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 cup walnuts
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
  • 2 tbsp hemp seeds
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
Instructions

  1. Add the walnuts and sunflower seeds to a food processor and pulse until you get small bits. 

    Combine the nuts and seeds in a mixing bowl with the remainder of ingredients 

    Store in a glasslock jar in the fridge for weeks. 

If you enjoyed this recipe subscribe to the NN Blog for my latest kitchen creations!

NN Signature Smoothie

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NOURISHING NELLI SIGNATURE SMOOTHIE

As we spiral towards the end of summer (tear), I’m fitting in as many tropical fruits and summer time produce as I can!

This delicious and beauty boosting smoothie is a Nourishing Nelli signature; being built using my fabulous Bowl Building Guide that includes a road map for manufacturing the most nutrient dense smoothies right in your own home!

It’s nice to leave the local juice bar or smoothie shop in charge of doing the job, until you realize you’re eating more sugar than smoothie! #nothanks!

Let’s keep ourselves flourishing with the basics nutrients that we can stock up on and use throughout the week in many different combinations for clean energy and nailing your nutrition goals.

Find my Bowl Building Guide in the NN SHOP to print and have on hand or for instant access on your phone! Need more in depth detail? Sign up for a 1-1 nutrition session to get your routine revamped with the NN Fresh Start, here!

Test this pretty little number that’s full of healthy omega-3 and monounsaturated fats, hydrating greens, tropical fruit, and living probiotics to keep your belly feeling best!

Featured are some of my favorite products that contain pure ingredients; no fillers, binders or added chemicals. I highly recommend these companies but – feel free to use your personal favorite!

  • InnerEco Coconut Kefir
  • Vega Plant Based Protein
  • Primal Kitchen Collagen
  • Pitaya Plus

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Nourishing Nelli Signature Smoothie
Ingredients
  • 1 cup dragonfruit
  • 1/2 cup frozen cucumber
  • 2 tbso coconut kefir
  • 1/2 avocado
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1 scoop collagen
  • 1 tbsp plant based protein
Recipe Notes

Blend all ingredients in a high speed blender

Strawberry Plant Smoothie

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Sometimes simple is best! This is one of my “go to” smoothies for a fresh start to the day. It’s loaded with nutrients that leave you feeling full of energy and packed with antioxidants to boost your beauty!

Strawberry Plant is low in sugar, yet super satisfying due to the cacao and digestive greens additions!

Cacao is full of magnesium, antioxidants; one in particular, theobromine which produces that “feel good feeling” you get when eating chocolate; yet contains no added sugar, dairy or fillers! Antioxidants are important to add to your nutrition for fighting off free radicals and toxins that we come across in our day-to-day.

The digestive mix added to this smoothie is by The Natural Citizen, which boasts a wonderful nutrient profile, with things like chia seeds, aloe vera and artichoke; all which contain a fiber called inulin – important for maintaining healthy gut bacteria.

The avocado provides you with a good amount of healthy fats and is packed with fiber; both to help satisfy your hunger levels and keep you fuller longer – besides the fact that it makes it super-duper creamy and dreamy! #ToDieFor

The spinach gives you a servings of greens (never enough of those) and is full of vitamin A, as well as iron for red blood cell benefits.

Last but certainly not least – STRAWBERRIES!

Strawberries, amongst most other berries, are low in sugar content, yet still give you a taste of sweetness. They’re packed with vitamin C for glowing skin and sending your immune system into overdrive! Sign me up!!

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Strawberry Plant Smoothie
Prep Time
1 min
Cook Time
1 min
Total Time
2 mins
 
Servings: 1
Author: Britni Martinelli
Ingredients
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1 scoop Vega Sport Performance Chocolate protein
  • 1 scoop of The Natural Citizen Digest
  • 1 cup frozen strawberries
  • 1/2 avocado
  • 1 cup baby spinach
  • 1 tsp cacao powder
  • dash of cinnamon
Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients to a high speed blender and blend until creamy
  2. Top with your favorite toppings

Products used in this recipe:

The Natural Citizen Organic Digest
Vega Sport Chocolate Protein
Navitas Cacao Powder

Give it a blend and show me your creations by tagging #NourishingNelli on the gram!

-Nelli

Pumpkin Nut Pie – 3 Ways

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photo-dec-28-11-06-11-amIt’s the perfect time of the year to talk about pumpkin as Fall rolls in. Pumpkin goes with almost everything! I find myself enjoying it in desserts as much as I do in a hearty stew or breakfast smoothie. The flavor goes great in spicy and sweet!

Pumpkin is full of vitamin C, which is great for building up your immune system, staying clear from getting sick. It’s full of fiber, which satisfies your hunger hormones, keeping you full, as well as supporting your digestive tract. Pumpkin is very high in vitamin A which is crucial for eye health.  It contains over 200% of your recommended daily intake in just 1 cup.

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Pumpkin combined with a healthy fat, and source of protein makes the perfect snack or dessert nutrients in my opinion! The combinations are endless, but here are three of my favorite ways to enjoy it. Pick one and blend it for a sweet treat – indulgent free! If your feeling creative, try all 3!

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PUMPKIN NUT PIE

1 serving of the Pumpkin Nut Pie + 1 scoop of your favorite protein powder

PUMPKIN NUT PIE POP

1 serving of the Pumpkin Nut Pie frozen in a popsicle mold for 4-5 hours

PUMPKIN NUT PIE PUDDING

1 serving of Pumpkin Nut Pie blended with one of the following:

  • 1/4 avocado
  • 1/4 cup coconut meat
  • 1 tbsp chia seed + 3 tbsp nut milk (this needs to soak for about 15 minutes before using)

Print
Pumpkin Nut Pie - 3 Ways
Prep Time
2 mins
Cook Time
1 min
Total Time
3 mins
 
Servings: 1
Author: Britni Martinelli
Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup 1oz cashews soaked for 1-2 hours then drained
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 tsp pumpkin extract can sub with vanilla
  • 1/4 tsp pumpkin spice mix
  • dash of sea salt
  • ½ cup So Delicious unsweetened vanilla coconut milk
  • splash of coconut nectar or honey
Instructions
  1. Blend until smooth and enjoy as a thick shake
  2. Store in the freezer for a popsicle
  3. Blend with an avocado, yogurt, or chia gel for a creamy pudding

Kimchi Krab Bowl

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A bowl to keep your gut full!

This one is for my dad because he 1. loves traveling to Asia, appreciates good food and likes to live a  healthy lifestyle, yet he swears he doesn’t like kimchi and still hasn’t found a use for the seaweed that’s been in the pantry for a good 6 months now. So dad, get your wok out and start cooking!

Rich in prebiotic, brassica and fermented vegetables this combination is created for harmonizing the good and bad bacteria in your gut!

kimchiHaving a healthy GI tract is so essential for all other processes in our body to function adequately. A healthy digestive tract is essential for weight management, fertility health, regulating hormones, balancing energy levels, boosting our immune system, warding off cancers and much much more!

Some of the best foods that you can eat to ensure a healthy microbiome are things like fermented foods: kefir, miso, sauerkraut, etc. Anything that contains probiotics gets a thumbs up from your gut!

I’ve turn it Asian with the herb combination! One of my favorite herbs, ginger, is great on the digestive system. It helps by toning the muscles in the intestine and stimulating the breakdown of food therefore, promoting motility to move food out of your belly smoothly.

In this dish I incorporate kimchi which is a fermented cabbage that contains probioitcs (good bacteria) that keeps our microbiome in balance. I use Wildbrine Kimchi and it is OUT OF THIS WORLD! I literally can eat this with a fork from the bag, at any and all times!

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I then hop over to aduki beans, which are a red bean from Asia. These dudes are packed full of protein and have a savory taste, much different than red kidney beans.

adzuki-beans

Along with the beans, I add two forms of brassica vegetables; broccoli and cauliflower, the cauliflower being used as a rice texture and the broccoli as florets. Brassica vegetables are great sources of fiber, full of antioxidants and help ward off cancer cells however if you find that to be a large amount of fiber or prefer basmati rice, it’s a wonderful swap as well!

I top this dish off with lump crab for a lean source of protein that blends well with the other flavors and last, but certainly not least; a dressing made from almond butter and coconut milk for a flavor explosion and source of healthy fats that promote satiety and keep your body feeling amazing!

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Seaweeds are great to add to your diet for their high mineral content; namely iodine which keep your thyroid and metabolism healthy! I serve this dish with a sheet or two of Nori for the above reasons and to add a crunch!

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Give it a try and show me your creations no Instagram or Facebook by tagging #NourishingNelli

-Nelli

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Kimchi Krab Bowl
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 
Author: Britni Martinelli
Ingredients
  • Group 1
  • 1 cup broccoli florets diced small
  • Group2
  • 2 heaping tbsp almond butter
  • 1 tbsp red curry paste
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1/2 cup light coconut milk
  • 1 tsp liquid aminos
  • 1 tsp minced ginger
  • 1/8 cup water + 1 tsp brown rice miso paste
  • dash of sea salt
  • Group 3
  • 3 cups of riced cauliflower 1 bag from Trader Joe’s
  • a smudge of red curry paste garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes
  • Group 4:
  • steamed broccoli from group 1
  • 1/2 cup adzuki beans drained
  • 5 oz lump crab
  • dash of liquid aminos
  • Group 5
  • 1/2 cup Wildbrine Kimchi
  • 1/3 cup diced green onion
  • Group 6
  • 2 Nori Sheets
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Squirt of sriracha
Instructions
  1. Steam group 1 and set aside
  2. In a small pan heat Group 2 on medium heat stirring continuously for 2-3 mins
  3. Heat a wok to high heat and a 1/2 tsp sesame oil, add Group 3 and stirfry for 2 minutes
  4. Transfer the cauliflower rice to a large bowl. Add another 1/2 tsp sesame oil to the wok and let it reheat, Group 4 and stirfry for about 1 minute (careful not to mush the beans):
  5. Add the group 4 to your plate of cauliflower rice and top with group 5
  6. Pour your almond sauce over the top of your plate and mix to combine serve with group 6.
  7. Nori Sheets
  8. Red pepper flakes
  9. Squirt of sriracha

Chocolate Mousseshake

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I think we can all agree the thicker, the better, when it comes to nice cream, mylkshakes and frozen desserts! I love to use those large and wide old fashion straws when eating this as it reminds me of when I was younger and I would slurp until the last speckle was gone! …Younger as in yesterday 😉

Traditional recipes and restaurants usually go the easy most affordable route and add in tons of heavy cream for the thickness factor which is full of dairy and can be disturbing to your gut – causing things like bloat and inflammation.

I’ve spent a second or two in the kitchen and came up with a way that’ll wow you and your belly – with no dairy bloat!

You all know I’m a big fan of incorporating plenty of healthy fats into your regimen for nutritional purposes as it helps create the desired creaminess of ice cream; but this time I’m using veggies! Hear me out…

EGGPLANT, when steamed and frozen gives smoothies and homemade nice creams an unreal texture and also provides you with a good amount of fiber, folate, and potassium.

Eggplants are technically a fruit and are used widely in Asian cuisine to provide them with some of the fundamental components to a well balanced diet.

It takes just a few seconds to chop these guys up into cubes, throw them in the steamer pot for a few minutes and then pop them into the freezer for when your craving some ice cream that makes you feel as good as it tastes!

I take it to the next level and pair it with cacao; chocolate in it’s purest form, which is super rich in antioxidants and magnesium; to give you the cleanest most energizing chocolate mylkshake around!

I’ve listed some boosters and optimizers at the end of the recipe that you can add to give it a little more nutrient density, yet these are optional and it tastes sublime just as is! All brands I’ve used are a personal preference and work best in combination, however, feel free to swap them out with what you have on hand!

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Chocolate Mousseshake
Prep Time
2 mins
Cook Time
1 min
Total Time
3 mins
 
Servings: 2
Author: Britni Martinelli
Ingredients
  • 1 cup steamed then frozen eggplant
  • 1/2 large avocado
  • 1/2 cup coconut meat
  • 1 tsp cacao powder
  • 1 scoop Primal Kitchen chocolate collagen
  • optimizers:
  • 1/4 banana 1/2 cup strawberries, 1/2 cup blueberries
  • 1 tbsp tocos
  • 1 tsp maca
Instructions
  1. Blend all ingredients in a high speed blender

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Pre & Probiotics + CARROT COYO

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CARROT COYO

First let me start by sharing this…your gut microbiome is like a second brain! It controls as many functions in the body as your head brain does. That being said, the importance of having a healthy gut is crucial in order for you to achieve overall wellness – including areas from warding off cancer and disease, to weight management, increasing energy levels, mood boosting, digestive health, hormonal balance, etc. etc. etc.

To achieve a healthy gut or gastrointestinal system, you must supply it with a healthy balancing of bacteria. I know that sounds strange, most of the time we want to steer clear of bacteria, but there IS a such thing as GOOD bacteria and if you don’t have a proper balance in your body then all of your other systems will be off kilter and you’ll result with problems in the areas listed above. I like to think of it as the little elf’s who work for you while your away – ie. living life!

To obtain a healthy microbiome you can use the Nourishing Nelli Protocol, via 1-1 coaching sessions, to capitalize in the four foundations: nutrition, environment, lifestyle (exercise and stress) and sleep. Once these are in harmony then you can start to boost yourself with two of the essential components, PRE and PRO biotics.

Here’s how to get a head start on having a happy and healthy gut!

PREBIOTICS & PROBIOTICS – The power behind the process!

PREBIOTICS

I know theres been a recent increase in supplements and foods that offer probiotics now and I’m so happy that more and more are being aware of the gut health topic. Without this good bacteria your body is incapable of handling the bad bacteria (which is EVERYWHERE) properly, we then result in more chronic illness, cancer, obesity, digestive issues, and mood and energy disorders. One roll of these bacteria is to produce energy for your body on a cellular level via things like byproduct butyric acid; healthy for intestinal lining. They protect you by strengthening your immune system; good for warding off virus and disease. They control the process of creating hormones to balance your mood energy, and weight and perform numerous amounts of work for important processes in the body to occur. Think of these guys as as being in the drivers seat, while your along for the ride! The happier you can make them the healthier you become. One way to make them happy is to FEED them! Now we move to PREBIOTICS,

You can think of prebiotics as the food for those oh-so expensive probiotics that your investing in! Without prebiotics the probiotics simply cannot do their job.

Prebiotics come from food sources that are high in a non-digestable fiber called oligosaccharides. Sources of this type of fiber include: raw asparagus, dandelion greens, acacia fiber, raw jicama, plantains, tigernuts, under ripe bananas, raw leeks, raw garlic, raw onions, and chicory root…… what you mean you don’t carry a piece of raw garlic around in your back pocket waiting to chomp on like a piece of gum?! 🙂

Yes, I know these aren’t the MOST common things to have hanging around, but if you put a little effort into finding them, you’ll be set up for success.

Beetle Mylk – my dairy-free nut milk line was formulated with this exact concept in mind! Beetle Mylk contains the prebiotic acacia fiber in combination with fibrous beets and almonds for a win-win combination. Leaving you with a happy belly, energized and providing balanced blood sugar levels. Learn more about Beetle Mylk and place your order in the NN Shop – here, for a gut granting, energizing morning go-to or PM-Pick Me Up option!

Other ways you can include prebiotics into your diet are chopping fresh dandelion greens into salad, baking with chicory root, adding raw onions to your stirfry’s and salads, and choosing bananas that are more greenish in color.

Top benefits of adding prebiotics to your weekly routine:

  1. Improved immune function and cancer fighting powers.
  2. Improved gut health and digestion.
  3. Lower chance for inflammation.
  4. Aid’s weight loss or weight maintenance.
  5. Better hormone and mood regulation.
  6. Bone health.

PROBIOTICS

Probiotics on the other hand are the actual good bacteria that you must obtain directly from the source. They can be taken in pill form or can be found in foods that are fermented. These good bacteria help balance out our naturally occurring bad bacteria; think yeast, h.pylori, or any you come across in your day to day.

Some common names of probiotics are: lactobacillus, thermofilis, and saccharomyces. These are all genus types that have millions of little strains falling under each category.

Probiotics are powerful in curing things like leaky gut, inflammation in your colon, IBS, allergies, and so on.

I recommend adding this to your daily regime to reap the benefits of a balanced body. Garden of Life and Jarrow are some of my favorite brands with quality strains.

By pairing prebiotics and probiotics together you then achieve the best result and are capable of feeling better than eve… more energy, smoother digestion, improved immune system function, a hormonal balance, weight loss, clearer skin, and strong shield against cancer and chronic disease.

This dairy-free CARROT COYO is a homemade version of yogurt using coconut milk to keep it dairy-free! I simply used a probiotics tablet and let it fermented inside of coconut milk blended with steamed carrots, lemon juice, cinnamon, sea salt and vanilla extract.

It’s a rich source of probiotics!

Super Simple to make!

Provides you with a dairy-free version of yogurt!

Can be altered to your liking by simply switch carrots for another veggie! Don’t care for carrots? Opt for steamed beets! Want to make it sweet? Use fruit instead!

Show me your creations of the crazy CARROT COYO by tagging #nourishingnelli on Instagram or Facebook! I love to see what combinations you guys and gals come up with!!

Step 1

Mix the following in a high speed blender:

1 cup steamed carrots

1 1/4 cup full fat coconut milk

2 tbsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Step 2

Remove from the blender and stir in

1 probiotic capsule

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp sea salt

place in a air tight jar and let it sit at room temperate for 8-10 hours.

Enjoy with granola, as is, with fresh fruit, a sprinkle of honey or maple syrup or dolloped on top of baked goods.

Store in the fridge for snacking on all week long!

RAZZ + ROSE

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RAZZ + ROSE … The Nourishing Nelli way to have your Rose + Drink it too!

I’ve created this recipe via my Laka Living Powder. These girls have it down when it comes to self care, self love, women’s wellness and tapping into nutrients that leave you feeling none the less fantastic!

 

Their recently launched line of protein contains a nutrient dense ingredient list –  full of things from ADAPTOGENS to elevate stressors, TOCOS to hydrate your inner systems and muscle connections, and ROSE to hilight your beautiful skin by maintaining an alkaline ph balance in the body. Rose works wonders for controlling excessive oil, breakouts and or redness.

I’ve paired their blend with some cacao, raspberries, summer squash, and avocado to give you the most nutrient dense and delicious treat! Not all treats have to necessarily be filled with sweets! Raspberries give this smoothie bowl that tasty edge, but are low in sugar and full of fiber to keep you belly as happy as your tastebuds! The avocado serves as a source of healthy fats; important for brain function and hormone health and increases your chances of nutrient absorption – because remember that not necessarily “You are what you eat” but “You are what you absorb”. You have to have the crucial components when it comes to making meals to reap the benefits of nutrients! I take it to the next level and add some veggies (summer squash) to give you a well rounded meal! Not only does this add base, it’s packed full of vitamin C and hydrating as well.

You can find this protein and the rest of their elixirs + nut butters at www.lakaliving.com

I enjoyed this for breakfast a few times, yet also used it as a dessert a couple of nights, as it contains all nutrients needed to make it either/or; both great options in my opinion!

Feel free to mix up the toppings, add whatever your heart desires, it’s Valentines Day after all!

Show me your creations by tagging @nourishingnelli and @lakaliving on Instagram!

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Print
RAZZ + ROSE
Prep Time
1 min
Cook Time
1 min
Total Time
2 mins
 
Servings: 1
Author: Britni Martinelli
Ingredients
  • 1/2 large avocado
  • 1 cup raspberries
  • 1/2 cup summer squash
  • 1 scoop Laka Living Rose Protein
  • 2 tsp cacao powder
  • 1/2 cup coconut milk
  • cinnamon
  • sea salt
Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until creamy
  2. Top with superfoods of choice! Goji berries, strawberries, rose petals, cacao nibs, coconut chips!