5 Delicious Cinco de Mayo Recipes You Can't Pass Up

Oh are you all in for a treat today! I have master chef Erica Rogers here today sharing 5 Recipes for a tasty Cinco de Mayo using essential oils. 

 

Hola!  I'm Erica, your guest blogger today, and I'm honored and excited to be here!! 

As you all know, it's MAY!!  And you know what that means... CINCO DE MAYO!!  I love theme parties (and I really love tacos and essential oils!), and what are theme parties without food?!  So today - all Mexican dishes that I have created are using Young Living oils!  Go ahead and throw together a little fiesta and show your friends what all you can do with oils in the kitchen!!  

On the Menu (and YL oils used):

Horchata-- cinnamon bark

Guacamole-- lime, lemon

Fresh Salsa-- lime

Pork Carnitas-- oregano, orange, lime

Mexican Hot Fudge Sundaes-- cinnamon bark

First, Horchata!!-- If you haven't tried it, you should!!  It's super easy to make and you will impress your friends with something other than Coronas.  Speaking of Corona... if you like to party like I do, add a shot of rum to your glass of Horchata!!

Guacamole--  fan favorite in our house!  The best part is, you can tweek it to your liking!!  There's no wrong way to make guacamole.  If a waiter can do it table-side, you can do it, too!!

Salsa--  seriously, y'all, it takes less than 5 minutes to make, but scores high when impressing your friends!  This batch makes quite a bit....I hand out little mason jars of salsa to mi amigas to take home!

Pork Carnitas-- worried about ruining the meat?  I've been there!  Don't run away yet.....you can't mess up this one, I promise!!  Crockpot and then broil- you got this!!

Hot Fudge Sundaes-- I decided to ditch the churros (over used!!) and the flan (who really likes it anyway??), and go with something simple yet delicious!! 

A couple other things to try:

•add a drop of lime to your favorite Mexican beer!!

•add a drop of lime in with the water and rice when cooking.  When finished cooking, top with red pepper flakes and queso fresco!!

Cinco de Mayo parties are way fun and easy-- lots of drinks for adults, a little mariachi music, tasty food, and a piñata for the little ones....a fiesta!!  

Fun fact:  Did you know Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day?  It celebrates the Mexican victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.  Yes, Mexico unexpectedly won that battle, but lost the war, so Cinco de Mayo is more celebrated in the United States than Mexico.  

Cheers!

Erica

Mouth watering yet? Holy yum!!!! Go - make these now! And if you have no clue where to get these essential oils, you can find them here.

Healthy Back To School Lunch Ideas

This is a sponsored post. Thanks to Crunchmaster for making it possible. 

You know what time of year it is - back to school time!! This year, I am home-schooling one daughter for Kindergarten and one for pre-school, but my oldest son is heading off to school for 3rd grade. 

I know that when school is in session, our mornings get really hectic around here... trying to make sure my son's homework is done, his clothes are clean, healthy breakfast eaten, nutritious lunch packed and making sure he is not late for the bus. Basically school mornings involve a lot of me diffusing Stress Away and taking deep breaths. 

So I am working on making things a little simpler by having some good lunch ideas ready ahead of time, so I can just pick one and go. 

Let's share ideas and make each others' mornings a whole lot easier!

In this lunch, I've included gluten free Crunchmaster 7 Ancient Grains crackers, cucumber slices, a guacamole pack, apricots, and grass-fed organic cheese slices. 

I love these Crunchmaster crackers, because they fit our gluten free lifestyle. They are made from non-GMO brown rice, quinoa, flax, and are deliciously tasty and crunchy. I picked this fresh cucumber from our garden and added apricots to make sure we have fruit and veggies packed. I love this organic guacamole for the healthy fats and nutrients. The cheese is a bit of treat, since we don't eat a lot of dairy, but because it is grass-fed, organic cheese, I know it provides some healthy protein to lunch.

Here is another idea: cherry tomatoes, frozen peas, a hard-boiled egg, a banana, and homemade trail mix. 

I picked these cherry tomatoes from our garden and added in the peas and banana to make sure we have plenty of fruits and veggies. I added in a hard-boiled egg and trail mix for protein and healthy fats. 

Now tell me - what are you packing for healthy school lunches? After you share in the comments your creative lunch ideas using Crunchmaster crackers, make sure you enter our giveaway to win your own Crunchmaster prize pack!

That's right - One lucky winner will receive a Crunchmaster Prize Pack!! Enter below.

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Paleo Banana Bread Recipe

We are celebrating March as National Nutrition Month with Carrington Farms and T-Fal as part of their healthy baking challenge. Thanks to these companies sending me some awesome cooking supplies,  you get a new healthy delicious recipe!

I have been a lifelong banana bread lover. So it was a mission of mine to find a really good Paleo version. I have found it! It is super moist, very tasty, nutritious, grain free, sugar free, and easy to make. Try it tonight!

 Paleo Banana Bread

You will need:

 4 Bananas

4 eggs

1/2 cup peanut butter, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter

4 tbsp coconut oil (I used Carrington Farms Liquid Coconut Oil because it retains the benefits of traditional coconut oil, but stays liquid - perfect for baking) 

1/2 cup coconut flour

2 tbsp of organic flax/chia seeds

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla

pinch of sea salt

1. First, mix all the wet ingredients: mashed bananas, eggs, nut or seed butter, coconut oil, vanilla.

2. Next, mix all the dry ingredients: coconut flour, baking soda, baking powder, sea salt.

3. Spray your bread loaf pans or use an 8x8 pan, like I did. I usually grab a hunk of coconut oil and smother it all over the pans, but this time I tried the Coconut Oil Cooking Spray from Carrington Farms. Worked perfectly!

4. Bake your banana bread at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes in the 8x8 pan or a little longer for the bread loaf pans.

5. Let it cool and enjoy - just plain or with a little Kerrygold butter. Delicious!

 Who else loves to bake healthy, nutritious treats? What is your favorite?

Enter below to win your chance at some delicious baking products!  

One winner will receive (1) T-Fal Airbake natural baking set, Carringtons Farms coconut oil, flax/chia seed blend, and coconut oil cooking spray. 

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Thanks to Carrington Farms and T-Fal for sending products to use on this post. No other compensation was given.  

Gluten Free Valentine’s Day Pie Recipe

I like to make my kiddos a little dessert treat for Valentines Day each year. Last year, I made them my
favorite no-bake chocolate cookies. This year, I decided on a delicious gluten-free fruit pie.

I do not often make pies, because they are hard to make from scratch, right? This one is not. In fact, the prep time was under 15 minutes. It is so easy that it is a great recipe to make with little ones helping out. Turn it into a family affair!

Your turn.

Gluten-Free Fruit Pie 

 (or whatever you choose to put inside your pie)

1. Crush up some Nairn’s Stem Ginger Oat or Chocolate Chip Oat Biscuits. I just crushed them right in their little baggies. My daughters loved helping with this too!

2. Mix the crumbs with about 2 tbsp melted grass-fed butter.

3. Bake at 375 degrees F for about 7 minutes.

4. Now comes the creative part. You get to fill in the crust with whatever you would like - chocolate, fruit, whatever sweet treats you would like. I decided to use cherries and an acai berry mix.

5. Stick the whole pie back into the oven and cook until it is all bubbly and gooey - about 20 minutes or so. Yum! Dig in while it is still nice and warm.

For more fun, how about we get you started with some free boxes of Nairn’s Oat Biscuits (which I also love to snack on whole)? These are gluten-free, made of real ingredients, and absolutely delicious!

We are giving away 4 boxes of Nairn’s Oat Biscuits - 1 Each of Ginger, Chocolate Chip, Raisin, and Original to (1) lucky winner!

Enter below.

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Thanks to Nairns for their delicious product and recipe idea. All opinions are my own. 

Paleo/Primal In 5 Ingredients or Less!

Who else scans their cookbooks and recipes, skipping over the meals with super long lists of ingredients?

Maybe it is just me, but I don't have time for extra grocery trips to pick up unheard-of ingredients that I don't usually use. I like simple. I like delicious. I like easy. Which is why I am doing a lot of my cooking out this awesome new cookbook I just received for review, Paleo/Primal in 5 Ingredients or Less.

In this new book, Bestselling author Dana Carpender helps readers remove the processed convenience foods like frozen entrees and takeout, but still make healthy, fast, easy meals that everyone loves. Dana gives the modern caveman 200 recipes that can be made from 5 or fewer ingredients. All recipes are also sugar-free, grain-free, and gluten-free. Yay!!

One of my favorite recipes is for their Basic Stir-Fry Sauce. This one is so versatile. I feel I am always stir-frying veggies, chicken, shrimp or whatever I have on hand, so this is great to have waiting in my refrigerator.

Basic Stir-Fry Sauce

1 cup coconut aminos

4 cloves garlic, crushed

1/4 cup dry sherry or white wine vinegar

1 tablespoon grated ginger root

2 tsp dark sesame oil

In a bowl, just mix it all together and store in a tightly lidded container in the fridge. Then you will already have it ready for a super quick dinner. 

I have to share one more recipe that you will love. It is unbelievably easy, but tastes so good you will be begging for more.

Roast Chicken with Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce

2 lbs chicken pieces (thighs or whatever you would like)

Salt

Ground black pepper

1 clove of garlic

1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes

1 cup coconut milk or heavy cream

Preheat the oven to 400 F. Season the chicken with salt and pepper all over and arrange it in a metal baking pan. Roast the chicken until it is done, about an hour or less depending on how big your chicken pieces are. 

Remove the pan from the oven and transfer the chicken to a platter. Pour the excess grease off the drippings and put the pan over a low burner. 

Crush the garlic and stir it around for just a minute. Now add the tomatoes and coconut milk. Stir the mixture, scraping up all the nice brown stuff, dissolving it into the sauce. 

Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until it thickens up a bit and then serve over the chicken. You can add some riced cauliflower for a delicious meal. 

Now, who wants their own book? We are giving away (2) copies of Paleo/Primal in 5 Ingredients or Less. Enter below.

 

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I was given a cookbook to review. No other compensation was given. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Waste-Free, Plastic-Free, Healthy Lunch Time

If you had an easy solution to cut down on waste in a big way, eliminate plastic and BPA from your lunches, save money and eat healthier, I bet you would jump right on that!

Lets transform your lunch to do all those things! Instead of grabbing fast food from the nearest restaurant, how about saving some money and making your own. How about instead of wasting plastic bags full of chemicals, using reusable, completely safe stainless steel storage containers?

I am loving my new Seal Cup Trio sent over by ECOLunchbox. It is the perfect container set for packing three different items, keeping the foods separate, stopping all leaks, and keeping chemicals out of your healthy food.

Not only are they great for your child to take to school, but they are adult enough for you to use at work!

My son loves taking homemade applesauce to school. Finally, we have a container that will not leak all those delicious juices!

Try bringing your leftovers from dinner last night as your lunch for today. I love grilled salmon and some raw veggies. The cooked salmon is even good cold!

Here are a few more delicious ideas for healthy lunches that will save you money, keep our planet healthier and happier, and fuel your body properly for a great day!

 

5 Healthy Lunch Recipes

Paleo Meatloaf and Sweet Potatoes

Southwest Frittata  

 

Thanks to ECOLunchbox for their product to try out. No other compensation was given.

Easy Tips for the Perfect School Lunch

School lunches. I personally think school provided lunches are out of control with the ick factor. Processed foods galore. Low in nutrition. High in pesticides. Full of gluten and dairy and sugar. No thank you.

What is a mom to do? Well, pack your child's lunch. It really doesn't have to be hard.

Check out these ideas for how to get started with a healthy easy lunch for your child or yourself!

• Five Easy Paleo/Gluten Free Lunch Ideas

• Make Your Own Clif Bars!
• More Lunch Ideas with Rock the Lunchbox
• Make Your Own Larabars!

There are many mornings, I do not want to go through the hassle of making my son's lunch. But, then I remember that it really only takes me about 3 or 4 minutes to make, and it will give him all the healthy nutrition he needs to have a great school day. Totally worth it.

Start off with making sure your child gets lots of good protein, vegetables and food that will give them energy and keep them sustained.

Here are some ideas to get your started:

• hard boiled eggs
• raw or cooked veggies like carrots, peas, broccoli and cauliflower
• a piece of fruit or handful of dried fruit
• fish - my son likes sardines or skipjack tuna
• leftovers from dinner last night
• celery, sunflower seed butter, and raisins

I depend a lot on nuts and seeds to give my son the nutrition he needs. Nuts and seeds are full of protein, healthy fats, and lots of other vitamins and minerals. We love SunRidge Farms for their fantastic trail mixes and huge variety of organic nuts and seeds. They offer so many great choices for healthy lunches, from their baking goods and spices to nut/seed butters and trail mixes. I am always looking forward to my packages from Sunridge Farms in the mail!

One of our favorites is the Organic Supreme Fruit and Nut Mix. It has a variety of all of your favorites, so you get even more nutrition packed in a handful of flavor.

Almonds, raisins, cranberries, peanuts, cashews, and dried apples. All organic, all delicious!

We also love to change things up by adding in organic pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds, which are both full of vitamins and minerals your body needs!

What are your favorite lunches to pack? Any tips to share?

Thank you to Sunridge Farms for their products to try. No other compensation was given. All opinions expressed are my own.

Three Ideas to Brighten Someone's Day

It is Monday.


The weather is getting colder. Less sunshine. Less Vitamin D. Less time spent outdoors. More colds. More grumpiness.

Let's not get stuck in this depressing cycle. There are many positive things you can do each day to help brighten up your own day and someone else's, as well. I am sharing a few of my favorite tips with you today. Cheer up!

1. Write a handwritten letter. Give a few genuine compliments, write about how much that person means to you, or share a special memory that will make them smile. Something so simple can mean so much. And it will probably only take you one minute to do this. Easy peasy!

2. Random Acts of Kindness. Do we only give gifts when we feel others deserve them? It can get easy to fall into that habit. What about giving a gift today for no reason at all? One fantastic gift idea is a beautiful plant that will not only brighten their day today, it will brighten their day for many weeks, months, and maybe even years.

I recently received a vibrant Grateful Red Hydrangea from Nature Hills. Isn't it beautiful? I kept it inside for a few days to brighten up my kitchen table, but then I planted it outside in a spot I can see every day. It will grow 3-4 ft high and will not wither like a vase of picked flowers, so you can continue to enjoy this gift that keeps on giving. It will provide you or your friend with armfuls of flowers for your vases all season. (extra tip: it is half off right now on the Nature Hills website) Every time you/they see it, they will remember your thoughtfulness and love and feel that special feeling all over again.

3. Make a special treat! My husband knows there is hardly anything I love better than when he makes me treats. Chocolate treats, to be exact. What is that old saying? The way to a man (or woman's) heart is through their stomach. Hmmmm...sometimes that can be true.

Here are a few of my favorite homemade healthier treats:

Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies - paleo, gluten free, dairy free, yum!

 

Chewy Cinnamon or Chocolate Brownies - paleo, gluten free, dairy free, delicious!

 

Award-winning Chocolate No Bake Cookies - gluten free, dairy free, melt-in-your-mouth 

 

Make a difference in someone's day today, and I guarantee that you will feel better as well!

Everything You Want to Know About Coconut: Recipes, Uses, Benefits

It is World Coconut Day!

Whether you have never heard about the awesome health benefits of coconut products, are a newbie to trying them out or have been in love for years, I want to celebrate with you!

I am sharing some of my favorite posts, which help you learn about why coconut oil, flour, milk and more is sooooooo good for you! I am also sharing more information about oil pulling, and all my favorite recipes that use coconut!

It is all right at your fingertips below. Check it out, have fun, enjoy some coconut today, and let me know if you have any questions!

35 AWESOME ways to use coconut oil - smoothies, in your coffee, shaving lotion, and so many more!!

Everything you want to know about oil pulling - get the why and how and start doing this healthy habit today!

Top 5 Reasons to LOVE coconut oil - if you have not discovered all the awesome powers of this oil, this is a must read!!

Keeping Skin Supple Naturally - you will find some helpful recipes and tips for your skin, some with and some without coconut oil

Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies - gluten free, dairy free, and paleo

Gingered Carrot and Coconut Soup - also check out the 200 Coconut recipe book mentioned

Award-winning Chocolate Melt-In-Your-Mouth No-Bake Cookies - to die for, and dare I say, a bit healthy??? :-)

Crockpot Sweet and Spicy Carrot/Sweet Potato Ginger Soup - one of our family favorites, perfect for a fall or winter day

Coconut Vanilla Ice Cream - creamiest ice cream ever!

Crockpot Italian Chicken Soup - one of our most popular recipes ever!! A Pinterest fave with over 15,000 pins.

Now, tell me, how do you use coconut? What is your favorite recipe? Favorite use? Favorite benefit?

Paleo Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies

Thanks to Nutiva for sending me some of the ingredients to make these cookies! Nom, nom!

I admit it, I have a sweet tooth. I love chocolate. I love cookies. I also love to make chocolatey cookies healthier. You may remember my award-winning Chocolate Melt-In-My-Mouth Cookies. They are my daily treat, and so good. When I want to switch it up and go for something I can bake, I have a new recipe that is deeeeeelicious!

A healthy spin on the traditionally chocolate chip cookie, this recipe uses Organic Coconut Flour, Oil, Sugar, and Shortening to whip up a tasty batch of gluten-free, paleo-ish cookies that are much healthier than the typical chocolate chip cookie recipe!

Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies 
credit to Nutiva for this delish recipe - Nutiva is a great high quality source for all things coconut and yummy!

Serves: 12

INGREDIENTS

⅓ Cup Nutiva Organic Shortening

1 Egg

2 Tbsp Nutiva Organic Virgin Coconut Oil

½ Cup Nutiva Organic Coconut Sugar

2 Tbsp Honey - I like raw, organic or pure maple syrup

2 tsp Vanilla Extract

1 Cup Almond Flour

5 Tbsp Nutiva Organic Coconut Flour

½ tsp Sea Salt

½ Cup Chocolate Chips or Chunks or you can go with raisins for a dairy free option

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350.

Blend shortening, coconut oil and egg, room temperature, in a food processor or mixer.

Add coconut sugar, honey and vanilla; blend to cream.

Sift coconut flour and add to almond flour with salt, mix into wet ingredients; blend for 30 seconds into soft dough. Let sit for 5 minutes to firm. Dough will be tacky; if it's too wet, add 1 tbsp. almond flour and mix well.

Place into a bowl and stir in chocolate chips or chunks by hand.

Spoon out dough and press into 2"cookie forms on parchment paper lined baking sheet.

Bake for 15 minutes, until lightly brown. Let cool on rack.

Try them! You will be glad you did!

4 Homemade Healthy Frozen Treats

I did receive products to try out for free. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own.

It is getting really hot this summer! Who loves to cool off with a nice icy treat?

Put away the artificial Popsicles and unhealthy ice cream treats in favor of your own homemade icy treats! I have four ideas that you and your kids will love - and they are all healthy, no guilt treats too!

Have you heard of Acai? It has become a very popular berry, loaded with powerful antioxidants and healthy omegas. I love to use Sambazon Smoothie Packs, because they make smoothies and icy treats so easy to make! You can also just eat them straight out of the package for a refreshing treat! We love to simmer them with fresh rhubarb and refreeze for a fantastic healthy treat! They are available in Acai Berry + Guarana or Unsweetened Pure Acai Berry, and they are all USDA Organic, Non GMO Project Verified, Ecocert Fair Trade, vegan, and gluten free.

If you want to make a new kind of frozen pop, you have got to try beet juice! Beets are full of antioxidants, low in fat, and an excellent source of folic acid, and they are all the rage right now. It is easy to see why, since they have been shown to help reduce blood pressure, increase stamina, and can help fight the progression of Dementia. Don’t have time to peel and steam beets? Beet juice from Biotta Juice is what I have been using. I just pour some in my awesome BPA free molds, by itself or with a bit of another juice, and freeze. A frozen veggie treat that you will enjoy!

If you are in the mood for something a bit more creamy, try freezing kefir for a healthy kick! I love to use
Lifeway Foods organic kefir. Yes, that is right, organic! I did not even know they offered organic versions, but they do! Hurray!! Grass-fed and organic, full of probiotics, gluten-free, 99 percent lactose-free, and a great source of calcium and protein. And now you can try it frozen in a pop! They come in several flavors, but I personally like to use the plain and just add my own berries.

One more awesome recipe for you - the one ingredient homemade "ice cream"? Check out this gluten free, dairy free, Paleo version of "ice cream"! It is delicious, and you can make it so many ways! Be creative!

How do you like to cool down and stay healthy this summer?

Paleo Barbecue Sauce Recipe

Stop! Before you grab that bottle of barbecue sauce full of sugar, salt, and unknown chemicals, check out my delicious Paleo Barbecue Recipe that I am sharing today.

This weekend is the perfect weekend for a barbecue, but that does not mean it has to be a weekend of constant splurging and cheat days. With a few switch-outs, you can have a weekend full of delicious and healthy food!

Here are a few ideas:

Paleo and Whole30 approved Chicken Salad - perfect for lunch!

Swimming Fish Tacos - a favorite with kids and adults!

My award-winning Chocolate Melt-In-Your-Mouth No Bake Cookies - healthy and to die for!!

 Paleo and Whole30 approved Crock Pot Italian Meatballs - perfect for an easy family meal

When you get that grill fired up, do not forget to use this delicious Paleo Barbecue Sauce Recipe! Yumm!!!

Paleo Barbecue Sauce

• 1 Cup Organic Ketchup or homemade
• 1 Onion, diced
• 2 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• 2 Tbsp Maple Syrup
• 2 Tbsp Coconut Aminos (you can also use soy sauce, if you eat soy)
• 1/2 Tsp Chili Powder
• 1/2 Tsp Paprika or Smoked Paprika
• Sea Salt and Black Pepper

 Mix these all together and cook on medium over the stove until desired consistency. Or you can throw it all in your Crock Pot and cook for a couple hours. You can also throw in some meatballs or chicken for a tasty meal!