Homemade Guacamole Recipe

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Food For Thought: Purpose of Life

Happy Monday, friends! What a beautiful weekend it was outside- I mean, who expects 75° weather in the middle of January? Hey, I’ll take it! I did take full advantage of the sunshine and headed to north Georgia for some hiking (and Vitamin D!). As I sat on top of the mountain and overlooked the vastness of the state below me, two thoughts came to mind:

  • I am one piece to this massive and historic puzzle, and my role was created intentionally to serve a specific purpose to the world.Every Monday at our office, each staff member comes with a word and quote that drive the direction of her or his week. I chose the word purpose with this quote: “Purpose is the place where your deep gladness meets the world’s needs.” (Frederick Buechner).

    My purpose is to love and serve people well, and I am beyond grateful I get to do that in my job every day. My purpose is to make a change in my corner of the world, knowing that others are making similar impacts in their corners, as well. If we all work in our spheres, we would see goodness everywhere we turn.

  • Peace comes with stillness. Atop the mountain, there was silence. It was pretty uncanny actually. As I let my eyes wander over the below cities, hills, and trees, it seemed like life had stopped momentarily. But we all know it was zooming quickly under us, as has become the norm in most of our lives.Are we running so fast we are actually missing life? My yoga instructor Angela always says, “Before there is movement there is stillness,” and this quiet space is pivotal for a full life. My heart calmed sitting on top of those rocks; God knows all things about this world, so we can be still and find comfort in knowing that all will be all right.

Comfort Foods For You!

Speaking of comfort, let’s talk guacamole. This food certainly brings my heart comfort and joy 🙂 Make this super simple and delicious recipe for a healthy dish (be warned: you may not want to share). Enjoy!

 

Print Recipe
 The Best Homemade Guac + Sweet Potato Chips
Gluten-free | Keto | Paleo| Vegan | Avoiding the corn chips? Use homemade sweet potato chips as the perfect scooper into your homemade, fresh guac! You'll never want to go back 🙂
Course Just Veggin', Nibbles (Snacks)
Servings
Hungry Person or 2 People Willing to Share
Ingredients
Course Just Veggin', Nibbles (Snacks)
Servings
Hungry Person or 2 People Willing to Share
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven for 375°.
  2. Slice sweet potatoes horizontally into ~2 cm slices (they will be thin circles). Coat each side with coconut oil, and lay on a baking sheet with parchment paper. Sprinkle any of the suggested spices at the top over the "chips". Bake for ~30-35 min (flip them halfway after ~15 min).
  3. While the potatoes are baking, saute chopped onion in butter/coconut oil until caramelized (i.e. a bit golden brown). Set aside.
  4. Cut avocado in half, and scoop out the flesh into a bowl. Add lime juice, garlic, salt, and pepper, and using a fork, mix all ingredients together until smooth.
  5. Spoon the guac into a bowl, and enjoy with your sweet potato chips!
Recipe Notes

A Guacamole is an avocado-based dip with seasonings -- originated from Mexico. This dish is a great addition to your balanced diet since it is high in "good fats," the monounsaturated fat which was mentioned in my heart-healthy article that it blood cholesterol levels. Thus, a good source of food to avoid cardiovascular diseases. this recipe is also high in fiber and vitamins, beta-carotene, folate and potassium.

What brings you joy and into a posture of stillness? Comment below to help give ideas to others!

 

Winter Squash Soup

Winter Squash Soup – New Year Food Recipe

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With the start of this 2017 year, I have been reflecting on this ever-popular idea of New Year’s Resolutions. We tend to speed so fast at the year’s starting line on January 1st toward better health, financial stability, or renewed relationships (all of which are incredible things). Our momentum is 100%-all-in to create change. We can for sure do this. Then, a couple of months into the race, we often times lose a bit of speed, and some of us even stop racing. We let go of the resolution— the commitment to ourselves— to do something differently.

What makes us lose steam? Often, it is one or both of two things: challenge and value (or lack thereof). Change is hard— I get it. We are creatures of habit, as the adage goes. Here’s the thing, though. If something is not working well, not lifting us up or helping lift up others, change is necessary.

Are you living a daily lifestyle that creates the best version of you? If yes, keep going, friend! If not, it is time to start reflecting on where change will be a positive thing in your life.

If you want something you have never had, you must be willing to do something you have never done.

Value is required to make our priorities. We focus our attention, money, and time on the individuals and things that ultimately bring value to our lives. I classify people, obligations, material things, etc. by their levels of AV (a.k.a Added Value). Is this relationship an AV one, or does it cause more pain? Does this activity I have been doing for the past year have AV, or do I feel uneasy about going each week? AV is a method of deciphering priorities. This idea of AV is not just for you and me personally, but we can use it to measure how much value we add to the world.

So when it comes to resolutions, think about the AV things you want in your life. Write them down, and next to them, scribble down the steps it will take to get there. One foot in front of the other, my friends. And eventually, this effort will lead to habit, which morphs into a lifestyle. You are changing your life one decision at a time.

 

Cheers to Your New Year, New Goal!

To help you on your journey, fill your soul (and tummy!) with comfort and warmth. This Squash Soup is just the ticket to a successful goal-setting evening!

 

Print Recipe
 Winter Squash Soup
Dairy-free | Gluten-free | Vegan | Paleo | Pescetarian | Crockpot recipes are the best! All you do is add everything to a pot, go about your day, and when you come back, you will have a full meal for days!
Winter Squash Soup
Course Just Veggin'
Prep Time 15 Minutes
Cook Time 4-8 Hours, depending on crockpot time
Servings
Big Crockpot Full!
Ingredients
Course Just Veggin'
Prep Time 15 Minutes
Cook Time 4-8 Hours, depending on crockpot time
Servings
Big Crockpot Full!
Ingredients
Winter Squash Soup
Instructions
  1. Peel the skin off the butternut and acorn squashes.
  2. Chop the carrots, sweet potato, and onion.
  3. Toss all ingredients together (except pumpkin seeds) in a crockpot. Simmer on high for 4-5 hours or low 6-8 hours.
  4. When you are ready to enjoy, put as much soup as you want to eat in a blender, and puree. Top with pumpkin seeds, and enjoy!
Recipe Notes

*If you want a thicker, chunkier chili, use 1 cup of broth. With a thinner soup, use 2 cups of broth.

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Asian detox stir fry-The Best Cleanse Food

Asian Detox Stir-Fry, The Best Cleanse Food!

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Happy New Year, friends! How were your celebrations? Mine was so wonderful–my sweet friend got married at a winery in Dahlonega, and it was the most beautiful wedding. I just love weddings.

Now that the year is starting anew, it’s time for a detox. My mom has always said, “If not now, when?” So now it is. Once or twice a year, I will do the Standard Process 21-Day detox to reset my body. This detox program is truly amazing because it cleans the body at a cellular level, and the basis is all whole foods. We love those whole foods over here at MTF!

Speaking of Whole Foods, we have some exciting news to share! More Than Food is collaborating with Whole Foods Atlanta for some amazing events and social media fun this year! Once a week during the month of January, MTF will take over the @wholefoodsatl Instagram with a new recipe created especially for Whole Foods Atlanta (so be sure to follow them for updates). It’s pretty much a dream come true–I mean, who wouldn’t want to work alongside WF? I am the most excited!

Because this week begins the detox, I wanted to create a meal that is cleanse-appropriate and nourishing. Plus, it was raining and cold outside this weekend, so my body screamed, “comfort food!” Stir-fry dishes are always warm, super flavorful, and practically foolproof (and truly just so easy to whip up), so Asian food for the win.

I hope you enjoy this savory meal on your couch in your PJ’s wrapped in a blanket with a great movie and your best friend (or your dog, which is essentially the same thing, right?).

 

Disclosure: I have a partnership with Whole Foods Market and was compensated for my work, but all words and opinions are my own.
Print Recipe
 Asian All-Veggie Stir-Fry
Gluten-free | Paleo | Vegan | This dish is made of all veggies and flavor. It's a great vegan dish if you are seeking one 🙂
Asian detox stir fry-The Best Cleanse Food
Course Just Veggin'
Cuisine Asian
Prep Time 10-15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings
cups
Ingredients
Course Just Veggin'
Cuisine Asian
Prep Time 10-15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings
cups
Ingredients
Asian detox stir fry-The Best Cleanse Food
Instructions
  1. Rice the cauliflower --> Chop into small pieces. In two batches, toss cauliflower in a food processor to grind it into "rice". **
  2. Chop all of the other veggies into small pieces.
  3. Saute the onion in 1/2 tbs of coconut oil in a large pan until they turn slightly brown.
  4. Add 1/2 the cauliflower and veggies to the pan with coconut aminos, other 1/2 tbs of coconut oil, and spices. Slowly add the remaining cauliflower to dish as the other veggies cook down a bit (we don't want the pan to overflow!). If you are using the honey, stir into veggies at the end.
  5. Enjoy when warm 🙂
Recipe Notes

**If you want to skip this step, simply grab a container of the WF 365 Brand of Riced Cauliflower, and the hard part is already done for you!

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vegetarian

Fish & Veg

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Print Recipe
 Fish & Veg
vegetarian
Course Just Veggin'
Prep Time 10 Minutes
Cook Time 15 Minutes
Servings
People
Ingredients
Course Just Veggin'
Prep Time 10 Minutes
Cook Time 15 Minutes
Servings
People
Ingredients
vegetarian
Instructions
  1. Wash and chop all veggies. Sauté them in coconut oil on a pan, until soft (about 15 or so minutes).
  2. Meanwhile, place the fish on parchment paper, and top with butter and spices. Broil or bake until cooked though (about 8-10 minutes).
  3. Mix veggies and fish, and top with sliced avocado. Enjoy!
Paleo Mac-N-Cheese

Paleo Mac-N-Cheese

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This recipe was created by my friend Rebecca at My Natural Family . It is truly delicious! It’s a great way to get some veggies into the mouths of picky eaters.

Print Recipe
 Paleo Mac-N-Cheese
Paleo. Vegan. Gluten-free. Dairy-Free. Truly delicious.
Paleo Mac-N-Cheese
Course Just Veggin'
Prep Time 20 Minutes
Cook Time 30 Minutes
Servings
Hungry Eaters
Ingredients
Course Just Veggin'
Prep Time 20 Minutes
Cook Time 30 Minutes
Servings
Hungry Eaters
Ingredients
Paleo Mac-N-Cheese
Instructions
Cauliflower
  1. Cut the stalks and leaves off of the cauliflower and chop into small pieces. Add cauliflower to a large sauté pan with 2 tbs of butter, 1/2 tsp of salt, and water.
  2. Place on medium/high heat, and cover with a lid. Let the cauliflower cook inside the pan for about 5 minutes, until mostly tender. Check the water levels every few minutes to make sure that it doesn’t all evaporate.
  3. When almost tender, remove the lid, and let the cauliflower sauté for a minute or two, or until lightly caramelized in spots. Turn heat off, cover, and keep warm until ready to toss with the cheese sauce.
"Cheese Sauce"
  1. Cut squash into small cubes. Dice up the carrots and onion.
  2. Heat 2 tbs of butter in a saucepan over medium/high heat. Add the squash, carrot, onion, garlic powder, mustard, and 1 tsp of salt to pan.
  3. Sauté for 5 minutes, or until onion is translucent. Add the can of coconut milk to the saucepan and bring to a simmer. Allow to simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the coconut milk has reduced by 2/3 and is thick.
  4. Pour the vegetables and coconut milk into a blender and puree until very, very smooth. If using, immediately add an egg yolk to the puree and blend well. The hot puree will cook the egg which will thicken the sauce and give it a rich texture.
  5. Check seasonings and add more salt or pepper to taste. Add nutritional yeast. Pour over the hot cauliflower and toss to coat. Top with nutritional yeast for more of a cheesy flavor.
  6. Everyone will enjoy this easy dish!
Veggie Medley recipe

Christmas Veggie Medley

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Print Recipe
 Christmas Veggie Medley
Greens and reds galore! This veggie dish is great during the cooler months. Beets are typically in season during the fall, and Brussels sprouts are coming into season a bit later. Make this medley as a nice transition between the cold months.
Veggie Medley recipe
Course Just Veggin'
Prep Time 15 Minutes
Cook Time 15-20 Minutes
Servings
Large Dish (3-5 people)
Ingredients
Course Just Veggin'
Prep Time 15 Minutes
Cook Time 15-20 Minutes
Servings
Large Dish (3-5 people)
Ingredients
Veggie Medley recipe
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Cut the ends off the beets and Brussels Sprouts. Chop/Cube them, as well as the red onion. Mix together in a baking dish.
  3. Top with butter and spices. Place baking dish in the oven.
  4. Stir together after about 7 minutes or so until all veggies are coated in butter.
  5. Continue baking until beets are soft (then everything else should be ready!).
  6. Enjoy warm as a side dish to your meal!
Power veggie Salad

Power Salad

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Print Recipe
 Power Salad
Packing those power foods into this salad, for sure. From the ACV to the turmeric to the orange. Let's just say your body is going to be in heaven.
Power veggie Salad
Course Just Veggin', Raw & Uncooked
Prep Time 10 Minutes
Servings
Person
Ingredients
Course Just Veggin', Raw & Uncooked
Prep Time 10 Minutes
Servings
Person
Ingredients
Power veggie Salad
Instructions
  1. Wash and chop lettuce greens. Place in a bowl.
  2. Slice the orange in half, squeeze the juice over the greens. Scrape out the flesh, chop, and toss within salad, as well.
  3. Grate the turmeric root. Toss it in the salad with the EVOO, AVC, salt, and pepper.
Paleo Platter recipes

Paleo Platter

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Print Recipe
 Paleo Platter
Need an array of foods to keep your taste buds and your guests happy and content? This dish is fabulous to diversify the foods on your table.
Paleo Platter recipes
Course Just Veggin', Meats & Things
Prep Time ~20 Minutes
Cook Time ~25 Minutes
Servings
People
Ingredients
Course Just Veggin', Meats & Things
Prep Time ~20 Minutes
Cook Time ~25 Minutes
Servings
People
Ingredients
Paleo Platter recipes
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Plan your cook times (the instructions are ordered according to longest cook time to shortest).
  2. Chop all veggies.
  3. First, combine onion, eggplant, and summer squash in a glass pan OR cookie sheet + parchment paper. Toss in fat of choice, salt, and pepper. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until soft.
  4. Meanwhile, Toss zucchini in another pan with fat, salt, and garlic powder. Bake for 18-ish minutes, or until soft.
  5. Then, place salmon on parchment paper. Top with butter, salt, and dill. Bake for 12 minutes, or until cooked through. (You can also fry this on a stovetop pan with the same process). Chop when finished cooking.
  6. Slice avocado. Put all foods into respective dishes.
  7. Enjoy over salad greens or individually. Happy nomming!
Sweet Potatoes

Savory Sweet Potatoes

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Print Recipe
 Savory Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are easy to make and incredibly delicious to consume! Toss them with dense spices of cinnamon and chili powder for a soulful and savory bite.
Sweet Potatoes
Course Just Veggin'
Prep Time 5 Minutes
Cook Time 35 Minutes
Servings
Servings
Ingredients
Course Just Veggin'
Prep Time 5 Minutes
Cook Time 35 Minutes
Servings
Servings
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Cube sweet potatoes. Toss in melted coconut oil.
  3. Place on a pan + parchment paper or in a glass container. Bake for 35 minutes or until soft.
  4. Enjoy warm or let cool, and enjoy on a salad!
Hearty Salsa

Hearty Salsa

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Print Recipe
 Hearty Salsa
Salsa
Hearty Salsa
Course Just Veggin', Nibbles (Snacks), Raw & Uncooked
Prep Time 7 Minutes
Servings
People
Ingredients
Course Just Veggin', Nibbles (Snacks), Raw & Uncooked
Prep Time 7 Minutes
Servings
People
Ingredients
Hearty Salsa
Instructions
  1. Dice onions, tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro. Mix together in a bowl.
  2. Toss with juice of lime, freshly pressed or minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
  3. Enjoy this refreshing side dish!