Recipes

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

Print
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

If you enjoyed this video, subscribe to Nourishing TV on Vimeo or Youtube

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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

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

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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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!

Print
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. (Head brain? going with it! –  you get the picture) So 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, digestive health, hormonal balance, etc. etc. etc.

To achieve a healthy gut or gastrointestinal system you must supply it with the right 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 of good bacteria in your body then all of your other systems will be off kilter and you’ll result with problems in the areas listed above.

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 America has finally caught on and is spreading this message about the importance of gut health. Without this good bacteria your body is incapable of handling the bad bacteria (which is EVERYWHERE) properly and we result in  more chronic illness, cancer, obesity, digestive issues, and mood and energy disorders –  however we cannot forget about 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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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!

 

Fish Fajitas

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Not your normal…

FISH FAJITAS!

Mexican food is a favorite of mine due to it’s high adjustability and ability to incorporate a large amount of fresh veggies and flavors – resulting in allowing you to squeeze in as many nutrients as possible! The adjustability comes by adding a little of this or a little of that which I’ll cover below, via a simple intuitive tune it!

Beans/no beans?

Black olives/no black olives?

Dairy-free sour cream/no dairy-free sour cream?

GUAC//NO GUAC? (why anyone would choose the later is beyond me, but maybe your having some of these Phat Fudge Brownies later, that consist of avocados, so your saving room?!

You get the point! There are many options when it comes to choosing how you build your plate!  The practice of eating intuitively is gained via self-awareness – reaching a level that you feel comfortable in making food choices that will support your wellbeing in that moment! I

Mexican meals are highly allowable for that  “tune in to your unique body and give it what it needs” moment, that I view as one of the most important pieces to the wellness puzzle! No matter what the wellness trends are; no one can tune into your bodies innate wisdom like you can! For more on learning how to achieve this – catch me for 1-1 coaching in the NN Shop – here!

Back to the Fajitas because they are super delicious!!! I tend to turn all of my Mexican dishes into a salad of some sort by adding fresh greens, so that I have a large bed to add all of the other ingredients to. Think cilantro and cumin, peppers and paprika, olives and onions!

These fish fajitas are a perfect example of so. Traditional Fajitas consist of a sizzling pan of peppers, possibly some onions, a source of protein in a sauce, a side of sour cream, and tortillas.

I turn the traditional fajita dinner into a salad type dish, by serving it over a bed of hydrating romaine lettuce, adding some squash slices and a healthy fat’s for optimal digestion,as well as nutrient absorption. Adding healthy fats to your meals allows your body to transport the nutrients to your cells more easily, providing you with more energy and a happy belly. Have fun with the recipe and turn it into YOUR favorite version of Fish Fajitas!

 

Print
Fish Fajitas
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
10 mins
 
Author: Britni Martinelli
Ingredients
Group 1
  • 1 cup orange bell pepper cut into strips
  • 1 cup purple onion slivers
  • 1 cup yellow summer squash cut into thick strips
  • 1 tsp coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup Frontera Veggie Taco Sauce
Group 2
  • 4 cups mix of fresh green cabbage +romaine finely shredded
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
  • 1/4 cup black olives sliced
  • 1 cup tomatoes
  • 1 cup raw purple onion
  • 1/2 jalapeno - diced
  • 7 oz. fish of choice (Mahi Mahi, Cod, Tilapia, Sole)
Group 3
  • 5 tsp guacamole
  • 1/2 cup salsa
  • 2 tbsp dairy-free sour cream
Group 4
  • corn tortillas
Instructions

  1. Saute Group 1 in a warm skillet for 2-3 minutes.


  2. Layer Group 2 on a large plate.


  3. Top with Group 3.


  4. Serve with Group 4.


  5. Adjust to your liking by adding or eliminating ingredients of choice.

 

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Three Sea Basil Blend

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STIRFRY

Thank god for my wok, because I live off of stir-fry’s.  They’re so easy to throw together and there are so many flavor combinations you can create! This one in particular focuses on three different types of seafood and a tangy Thai basil sauce.  I used my “go-to” grain in this one, as I do in most stir-fry’s; quinoa. Quinoa is a gluten-free grain, packed with protein and fiber.  A 1 cup serving provides a whopping 8g of protein and 5g of fiber.

Three Sea

SEAFOOD

My fish of choice for this dish blend so wonderful together.  Shrimp, Scallops, & Squid (Calamari). These fish all fall into the shellfish family.  They are high in Vitamins B12 and the mineral selenium which is great for boosting immunity and enhancing your thyroid function.  Feel free to use just the shrimp as they’re the easiest to find, but if you do find fresh squid and scallops at your local market, give them a try! They’re super tasty and a great addition to your nutrition regimen. If you need a tip on cooking the scallops and squid, take a glance at this, because it can be tricky and you may end up feeling like your eating an inner tube…SO, check this out: What the Shit Is A Scallop & How to Scook It.

IMG_1217

VEGETABLES

The vegetable line up here has an Asian background… bok-choy and cabbage are both members of the brassica family of vegetables and are used in traditional Thai and Chinese dishes. Brassica vegetables are full of fiber and antioxidants that help ward off cancers. Other than those two, we have a Fresno Chile for spice, and the norm; peppers, onions, carrots, and garlic which I tend to throw into almost every stir-fry.

Look how nicely these little Fresno Chiles look when roasted! They give a nice subtle heat to the dish.

Fresno

SAUCE

This sauce is what makes the dish so flavorful. It’s very tangy and lemony from the use of lemongrass  (another Asian addition) basil, and ginger.  It combines peanut butter for a source of healthy fats adding a balance of macronutrients to the meal.  Peanut butter is high in fiber and vitamin B-3 which help to regulate your metabolism.  It also provides you with a source of healthy fats. DON’T FEAR THE FATS! They are such a crucial part of helping your body perform and feel it’s best.

IMG_1220

I hope you enjoy, give it a wok and show me your creations by tagging #Nourishingnelli on Facebook or Instagram.

-Nelli

Print
Three Sea Basil Blend
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
25 mins
 
Ingredients
Dressing
  • 1/3 cup minced lemongrass
  • 2 tsp minced ginger
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • 2-3 tbsp runny peanut butter
  • 1 large Fresno Chile roasted
  • 1.5 tsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp avocado or olive oil
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • dash sea salt
  • small drop honey
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil
  • Optional Chile Garlic Sauce & Liquid Aminos
Group 1
  • 1/2 cup white quinoa and 1 cup of water
Group 2
  • 3 oz. jumbo shrimp
  • 3 oz. sea scallops
  • 3 oz. squid
Group 3
  • 2 cups cabbage shredded
  • 1 large Fresno Chili sliced
  • 1 cup yellow bell pepper diced
  • 2 cups bok choy
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/3 cup purple onion diced
Group 4
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/4 cup raw purple onion diced
  • 1/2 cup shredded fresh basil leaves torn apart
Instructions

  1. Blend the ingredients for the dressing together in a high speed blender.


  2. Cook Group 1 ingredients by bringing to a boil, reducing to a simmer, and covering for 18 minutes.

  3. Sear Group 2 in a pan on high heat and your favorite Thai Seasoning.


  4. Heat a 1/2 tsp avocado or olive on high heat in a wok and sauté Group 3 for 3-5 minutes.


  5. Turn the heat off the Wok and add your cooked quinoa, cooked seafood and and half of the dressing. Mix to combine.


  6. Pour the blend into a big bowl, top with the other half of your sauce and top with Group 4.

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Black, Blue, + Poo

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The name says it all!

BLACK

from detoxifying coconut charcoal.

Charcoal is 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 and something we can all benefit from on occasion.

BLUE

from antioxidant rich blueberries. Containing a special class of antioxidants called anthocyanins that give them their rich blue color. Anthyocyanin is responsible for cellular protection and can aid a healthy blood cholesterol/ blood pressure level. 

POO

As always… I’m adding fun to my recipes! Mimicking just that ^ … this smoothie gets it’s brown and creamy color from theobromine rich cacao and fatty + fibrous avocados! Both aid nutrient absorption, hormonal balance, and longevity! 

In the “holy grail” of functional nutrition, this blend is sitting near the top for aiding your bodies natural detoxification system and “clearing your cache” if you will 🙂  It’s a quick blend and bowl and will leave you full! If you enjoyed this recipe be sure to subscribe to the NN Newsletter for Nourishment to your inbox!!

Print
Black, Blue, Poo
Ingredients
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 1 tsp coconut charcoal
  • 1/2 avocado
  • 1 tbsp cacao powder
  • 1 scoop collagen
  • 1/4 cup almond or other nut milk
Instructions

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

Anabolic Acai Nice-Cream

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Summer is in full swing here in St.Louis and I’m hopping on every opportunity to provide my body with the needed nutrients to support extra activity, sweating, swimming, salsa’ing and whatever else you do in the summertime!

Think hydrating, muscles supporting, blood-sugar regulating, fat burning, hormone healing via WHOLE + REAL foods!

This “nice-cream” recipe is a simple blend and bowl that is full of the mentioned above benefits!

Let’s break down the basics:

ANABOLIC

The state of building up; anabolism is the opposite of catabolism which is a state of breaking down tissues (think, exercising). Anabolic is a desired state for tissue and organ growth and is achieved by a simple set of nutrients in this recipe, namely protein via collagen.

ACAI

A tropical fruit clocking in as one of the most powerful antioxidants out there; helpful in promoting youthfulness by riding oxidative stress. Acai is high in fiber and low in sugar keeping your blood sugar levels in check and balancing your weight. Acai also provides you with healthy omega fats for brain health, and is super satiating leaving you with no cravings left uncured!

AVOCADO

In order to keep this ice cream dairy-free, i I’ve added avocado for a rich source of fiber, potassium, and healthy fats. This provides a creamy texture without the gut havoc that tradition ice cream comes with due to its high content of dairy.

MONK FRUIT

A natural source of sweetener; and much healthier than of any other sugar substitute due to its zero blood sugar effect and it’s rich source of antioxidants. Monk fruit actually benefits the body instead of “tricking” the body, if you will, like many other sugar substitutes do. Monk fruit has been known as the “longevity fruit” with it’s exceptionally high levels of antioxidants and anti-sugar effects!

SUPER SIMPLE

The best part of this recipe is that you just throw everything in a blender, blend and bowl!

Enjoy!

Print
Anabolic Acai Nice Cream
Prep Time
2 mins
Cook Time
2 mins
Total Time
4 mins
 
Servings: 1
Ingredients
  • 2 frozen acai packs
  • 1/2 avocado
  • 1 tbsp monk fruit sweetener
  • 1 scoop collagen peptides
Recipe Notes

Add all to a high speed blender and blend until creamy. 

Top with your favorite toppings or eat as is.

 

Snip Pea & B Salad

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I’m pretty sure peanut butter and sriracha are the new ketchup and mustard… anyone else agree?!

They pair so well together as a sauce for salads, stir fries and curries – and with my newest discovery of Wildbrine‘s fermented sriracha, it’s an even more divine duo due to the gut health that tags along! You can find this sriracha sauce at Whole Food’s Market or in the link above.

Fermented foods contain good bacteria – probiotics and enzymes, which help our bellies balance the production of stomach acid. They help our bodies produce acetylcholine; a neurotransmitter, that aids the transmission of nerve impulses in our gut, providing you with optimal digestion and help keep a regular bowel movement. So please, add any and all the fermented foods you can get your hands on!

Some common sources include:

  • Fermented vegetables
  • Kraut
  • Pickels
  • Kimchi
  • Kombucha
  • Yogurt
  • Coconut kefir

This salad has a wonderful profile of leafy green vegetables along side some of my favorite root veggies for an overall nourishing meal. Let’s break down the basics:

‘SNIPS

Paranips are a fibrous root vegetable from the carrot family. They’re a source of complex carbohydrates, clocking in low on the GI, giving you a great source of energy without any sugar crashes. Parsnips are super rich in phytonutrients that are helpful in warding off certain cancers; leukemia in particular. One of my favorite facts about paranips is the rich content of falcarinol that works wonders for our body when it’s trying to rid oxidative stress built up in our muscle cells. Oxidative stress is the result of our daily physical activity and environmental factors we come across. Leave it to the parsnips to help you clear it out and feel fabulous!

PEA

I added some fresh sugar snap peas, more or less because I love a good crunch to my meals, but also because they have such a strong nutritional profile like the parsnip. Peas are a great source of plant based protein, which complements the amino acids we get from our other protein friends (aka; fish, eggs, etc). Peas are packed with vitamin C for immune system health and are a wonderful source of soluable fiber; important for lowering cholesterol levels and controlling blood sugar.

B

B as in broccoli! Broccolini (a younger species of broccoli) more specifically in this salad, but if you can’t get your hands on any; broccoli works just fine- it’s a taste preference! Broccoli is a brassica vegetable full of antioxidants and a little chemical called sulforaphane which is marked the MOST powerful chemical for fighting the growth of tumors. It’s so powerful that in the making of many cancer fighting drugs; scientists are going in and extracting this chemical. Soooo my advice; eat more broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts; all memembers of the brassica vegetable family.

P&B

…And since you know I love a good pun if there is one Pea & B also standing for PB, as in peanut butter!

Peanut butter is one of the key ingredients in the dressing. A lot of people have a bad attitude towards peanut butter, due to it high fat content but these are healthy fats that are full of fiber, B vitamins, and are a complete source of protein. Peanuts can also get a bad reputation for mold toxicity however if you buy it fresh and make sure the peanuts are organic you should have now worries.

I added fresh baby Key West shrimp for an added source of protein – however feel free to swap this for your favorite fish or do without.

The sauce is one for the books! Coconut milk, peanut butter, sriracha and some digestive aiding spices and herbs light this salad on fire!

Coconut milk gives us a healthy serving of saturated fats in the form of MCT – great for metabolism health, riding viruses and an excellent energy booster!

It seems like a lot goes into the salad, however it’s one of those dishes that hits the spot after a long day of work when your craving a never ending, Nourishing meal! It stores great in the fridge for the week to pull out when in need!

I hope you enjoy it, show me your creations by tagging #nourishingnelli on Instagram or Facebook!

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Snip Pea & B
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 
Author: Britni Martinelli
Ingredients
  • Group 1
  • bed of fresh romaine lettuce
  • ½ cup fresh basil shredded
  • ½ cup green bell pepper diced
  • 1 cup purple onion diced
  • ½ cup green onion diced
  • 1.5 cup steamed sugar snap peas
  • 1 ⅓ cup steamed parsnips diced
  • 1 cup celery diced
  • 1 ¼ cup broccolini florets + stalks
  • ½ cup diced cherry tomato
  • 7 oz Key West Baby Shrimp
  • Group 2
  • 7 oz roasted red bell pepper 1 extra large
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1.5 tbsp Wildbrine fermented sriracha sauce
  • 1 inch fresh ginger or 1 tsp ginger juice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 cup light coconut milk
  • 2 tbsp creamy peanut butter
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • ¼ cup fresh basil
  • 1 tbsp liquid aminos or soy sauce
  • Cumin + fennel + red pepper flakes
Instructions
  1. Layer all of group 1 ingredients on a large plate
  2. Blend group 2 in a high speed blender and pour atop your salad

 

Creamy Cuppa’ Calm

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Now that Spring is on the radar I’m tapping into some of my colorful and springy recipes!

This potent purple drink is sure to leave you feeling calm and relaxed via one of my favorite herbs…lavender!

The list of health benefits from Lavender is endless, but some of my top ones are as follows: it’s ability to promote a sense of calm in your nervous system, it’s super potent antioxidants for keeping your skin beautiful and fighting cancer and it’s ability to improve cognitive function as it’s been proven to even reverse Alzheimer’s disease!

My fruit of choice is a combination of dragonfruit (Pitaya) and acai, both full of omega-3 healthy fats that aid brain function and help fight oxidative stress that we as a general population come into contact with everyday; physically and mentally. These fruits are both low on the glycemic index, and in combination with the rest of my recipe, will do no harm to your blood glucose levels! I know the “fruit fear” is becoming quite the norm lately with the whole Whole 30, Ketogenic and low carb diets being at an all time high, but I promise these foods are A-OK and I always urge you to practice things that you can sustain vs short term diets.

The creaminess is a result of coconut + avocado, and provides you with a great source of fiber, as well as, aiding the absorption of all these wonderful nutrients. The fiber helps satisfy your tummy and keep cravings at bay. The coconut keeps your metabolism kicking and serves as an antimicrobial, helpful for keeping the “bad bigs” away.

I’ve added some aloe to aid digestion and to help keep your skin looking youthful!

Author: Britni Martinelli
Ingredients
  • 1 cup dragonfruit
  • 1 unsweetened acai
  • 1 tbsp lavender petals
  • 1/2 large avocado
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1/4 cup aloe gel
  • 1 scoop collagen (Primal Kitchen recommended)
  • dash of cinnamon
  • dash of Pearl Powder
Instructions
  1. blend all ingredients

Coconut Almond Poppers

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The No-Bake, Nourishing version of a Samoa Cookie!

How wonderful do these poppers look for snacking or throwing on top of smoothies!?

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These are liteterally the PERFECT little poppers for the following reasons…

  • Loaded with fiber and healthy fats to balance blood sugar levels
  • Leave you with no sugar high, like traditional cookies do; by way of using complex carbohydrates from, oats vs simple sugars
  • Full of plant based protein from almond butter, chia seeds, and oatmeal
  • Full of mood and hormone regulating superfoods maca and cacao to leave you feeling euphoric!
  • Quick, only taking about 10 minutes to make and require no bake

doughI love to make these on my Batch Build Day and have them around for on-the-go snacking, dessert, or alongside a Mylkshake for breakfast!perf

The best part about them is the quick mix, roll and go. This goes to show that if you spend just a second to prepare, you’ll save yourself from reaching for the snacks that lead to low energy, sugar crashes, and toxic overload! These contain some of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet leaving you feeling perfect with each pop! All ingredients can be picked up at any local whole body market. They are staple items that you can use for other purposes, making these budget friendly as well!

What are your type of snacks to prepare? Try these little guys and show me your creations by tagging #NourishingNelli on Facebook or Instagram!

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Ingredients
  • group 1
  • 1/4 cup coconut flour
  • 2 tbsp maca powder
  • 2 tbsp cacao powder
  • 1/4 cup shredded coconut flakes
  • 2 tbsp chia seeds
  • 1/3 cup rolled oats
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • group 2
  • 1/2 cup smooth almond butter
  • 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 2 tsp coconut melted oil
  • group 3
  • 1 tsp cacao powder
  • extra coconut shreds
  • dash of sea salt
  • Dash of cinnamon
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl whisk together group 1 ingredients
  2. In a small bowl combine group 2 ingredients
  3. In a third bowl combine a small amount of group 3 ingredients for rolling and dusting the poppers
  4. Pour your nut butter mixture into the large bowl and knead to form a dough.
  5. Roll into 1 tbsp balls, and then roll in your bowl of extra cacao powder, cinnamon, sea salt and coconut shreds.
  6. Put in the fridge for 1-2 hours in an airtight container

Fingerling + Fennel Fling

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This salad truly leaves you feeling fantastic in so many ways! After feeling crummy from the weather change, sitting in meetings all day and nothing planned for dinner…I went to town in the kitchen, using my functional nutrition creativity to reverse my cold, excrete out any/all toxins, and cheer me up! Let’s take a dive into the “who, what, why”!

 

FENNEL – fennel is a root vegetable and closely related to the celery and parsnip family of veggies. It’s exceptionally high in fiber and potassium, important for keeping everything running smoothly, for keeping your electrolyte levels balanced and the good bacteria in your belly fed! It has a strong flavor at first, but pairs deliciously with the other additions in this meal!

FINGERLING – fingerling potatoes are one of my favorite root vegetables. They’re full of vitamin B, potassium, manganese, and antioxidants that fight inflammation! The carbohydrate content in theses potatoes is superb as is low on the GI Index and contains fiber to keep steady blood sugar levels. This is a great source of carbohydrates to aid in the release of serotonin in your brain; making you feel like a superstar! Plus they are super simple to cook and throw on top of salads or bowls. I like to roast them in the oven at 375 for 10 – 12 minutes and viola!

VEGGIES – this salad bring you a wide variety of vegetables full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals for the ultimate take of “feel good food”

ASPARAGUS – Are a great source of folic acid and contain unique chemical properties that allow them to act as a natural diuretic; meaning they promote the production of urine; increasing the excretion of water and ridding the body of excess fluid and/or toxins. Asparagus contains significant amounts of inulin, a fiber which does not break down in our digestive. Instead, it passes undigested to our large intestines, where it becomes a food source for good and healthy bacteria. Good bacteria are responsible for better nutrient absorption.

Celery – Celery has to be one of my favorite “superfoods” it’s known for is anti -inflammatory properties and is also a nutrient packed water reducer. It acts as a natural diuretic, cleansing the liver and bloodstream and riding any toxins, bacteria or “icky’s” you may have came across.

I’ve added some peppers, onions and tomatoes to fill the rest of my plate and add an abundance of vitamins and minerals.

The dressing is made from a combination of:

ALGAE OIL – serving as a healthy fat for heart health (feel free to swap this with an extra virgin olive oil – comparable in nutrients)

LEMONS – which even though are an acidic food, act alkaline in the body, as well as, a natural dietetic to help beat any bloat and reduce that fluid fullness feeling.

GARLIC – a nutritional powerhouse packed full of nutrients that prevent hypertension, and heart disease, amongst many others.

BASIL – for flavor and to fight bacteria and viruses via its essential oil + photochemical content.

ROASTED RED PEPPER –  this gives you a thick dressing type of sauce, yet is totally optional…the ingredients above leave it tasting wonderful alone!

The dressing is simply made by blending all the above in a blender, nothing too fancy, and is great to double recipe, saving some for having on hand to dip veggies in or eat on other salads throughout the week.

I’m all about killing 2 birds with one stone and pre-making large batches of these type of things, saves me so much time, as well as prevents buying packaged dressings, that are more than likely filled with sugar and poor quality oils that leave you feeling less than your best.

 

Print
Fingerling + Fennel Fling
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 
Servings: 2
Author: Britni Martinelli
Ingredients
  • Group 1
  • Bed of romaine shredded
  • 1 cup Basil + thyme
  • 1 cup diced celery diced
  • 1 cup roma tomato diced
  • 1 cup fingerling potato roasted and diced
  • 1.5 cups fennel slices sautéed
  • 1 cup green pepper slices sauteed
  • ¾ cup purple onion diced
  • ⅓ cup 40g green olives diced
  • 6 oz barramundi halibut or favorite fish
  • 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1 tbsp hemp seeds
  • Fennel seeds
  • Group 2
  • 7 oz roasted red bell 1 extra large)
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp algae or olive oil
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 2 cherry tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp shallot
  • Dash of Sea salt
  • Pinches of paprika
Instructions
  1. Layer group 1 on a large plate
  2. Blend group 2 for your dressing and pour over the salad

 

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