Must-Have Healthy Food Products (Gluten-Free, Vegan, Paleo, Whole 30, or Keto) Healthy Hot List – Part 2

Welcome to another installment of the Healthy Hot List! This is now a regular feature over here at Give It A Whirl Girl. There are health food items everywhere I look nowadays. People are focusing on health and wellness and fueling their bodies with healthy and nutritious foods. This is where I break down those must-have health food items that you just gotta try.

Some I have tried and I can vouch that they are great, while others are just sitting around on my Amazon wishlist waiting to be swept up and brought over here. I also added a few supplements to this list, two of which I have tried, and another that I want to give a whirl.

You can read Part One of the Healthy Hot List HERE

Healthy Hot List Part 2 – Must-Have Health Food Products

Vanilla Bean Grass-Fed Ghee Butter by 4th & Heart, Pasture Raised, Non-GMO, Lactose-Free, Certified Paleo, Keto-Friendly

Want to take your next baking project up a notch? Why not try out 4th & Heart Vanilla Bean Ghee Butter in your next recipe? When I think of great ghee this brand here certainly comes to mind. The wonderful thing about this ghee is that it is spreadable and does not require any refrigeration. Ghee is a clarified butter with milk solids removed so there is nothing here that will spoil. Available in chocolate too!

Nutpods Variety 3-Pack, Unsweetened Dairy-Free Creamer, Whole30, Paleo, Keto, Non-GMO & Vegan, for Coffee, Tea & Cooking, made from almond and coconut

Move over dairy coffee creamers that are laden with sugar and calories! Nutpods is my new favorite coffee cream. These are unsweetened and taste rich and smooth in my coffee. Each 1 tablespoon serving is a mere 10 calories and ZERO grams of sugar. Nutpods are made with coconut cream, almonds, and other natural flavors.

CAULIPOWER Paleo Cauliflower Pizza Crusts, Grain Free, Gluten Free, Non-GMO, Lower Carb (4 Crusts)

I bought myself a Caulipower paleo crust for a Greek pizza this week. I am excited to work with this blank canvas gluten-free crust. You can read my veggie pizza review: HERE. What a time it is to be alive with a cauliflower pizza crust that takes the place of regular pizza crust so well. The veggie pizza that I tried had a great crisp crust. No soggy cauliflower there. I have a great feeling that this paleo crust will by a go-to product for my next pizza concoction.

Rao’s Tomato Basil Sauce

I have been hearing a lot about this brand of pasta sauce. This marinara from Rao’s contains only pure and natural simple ingredients and Italian tomatoes. I will say that it seems to be a bit on the pricey side but if you are looking for a high-quality sauce for your next Italian dinner look no further than to Rao’s.

No tomato blends, paste, water, starches, filler, colors or added sugar. (source)

Rao's Homemade Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce — Rao’s Homemade Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce

Primal Kitchen – Avocado Oil-Based Mayo, Garlic Aioli, 12 oz, Gluten and Dairy Free, Whole30 and Paleo Approved

I just used this Primal Kitchen Garlic Aioli Mayo last night to whip up one hell of a tasty tuna salad with some sundried tomatoes in it! This was my first time using this mayo (I have used the regular one previously) and I love the added garlic flavor in this. Primal Kitchen takes pride in only using all natural and pure ingredients in their food. This mayo is the first avocado oil-based of its kind.

A creamy combination of garlic, lemon, and cage-free eggs, this savory mayonnaise spread is infused with real food ingredients and uncompromisingly delicious taste. (source)

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Birch Benders Pancake & Waffle Mix Health Variety Pack, Gluten Free, Protein, Paleo, Pack of 3

Awesome pancake mix alert right over here! I have used Birch Benders to whip up some delicious and fluffy chocolate chip pancakes recently. Their mix is one of my go-to brands and I am always happy with how these pancakes turn out. This particular brand has great reviews on Amazon, and for a great reason, they are fantastic!

Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Homemade Wonderful Bread Mix, 16-ounce (Pack of 4)

Bob’s Red Mill is a brand that I rely upon heavily for quality products. I have tried several in their line and have never felt let down. This Wonderful Bread Mix is gluten-free and results in a wonderful, fluffy loaf of bread. Considering the fact that this bread is gluten-free, it does a great job of mimicking regular whole grain bread. You can read more about this bread mix on my two posts on the blog: HERE and HERE.

Bob's Red Mill Wonderful Bread Mix — Bob’s Red Mill Wonderful Bread Mix

Garden of Life Kombucha – Vitamin Code Raw Dietary Supplement with Probiotics and B Complex, Vegan, 60 Capsules

This supplement by Garden of Life is something that I recently came across that intrigued me. Drinking kombucha gets expensive when you add up all of those bottles. This supplement has all of the healthy gut benefits that you will find in kombucha and it comes in capsule form. This supplement is great for boosting energy and your immune system.

Purely Inspired 7-Day Cleanse, Flush Excess Waste, 42 Count Cleanse Supplement

This is a product I have actually tried quite a few times. Without going into too much detail or getting graphic, this gentle cleanse by Purely Inspired will release any backed up waste that you are walking around with and storing in your body. I take my capsules and in the evening I am ready to go! This product never gave me diarrhea but it sure did clean me out after a week of taking the capsules.

Purely Inspired 7 Day Cleanse Supplement

NatureWise Whole Food Multivitamin for Women | Whole Foods Complex with Vitamins & Minerals for Healthy Heart, Bones, Hair & Nails | Brain Health, Focus & Memory Boost with Cognizin Citicoline | 60 ct

I have tried several multivitamins that are on the market today and so far this one by NatureWise has been my favorite. I felt my best while taking this. The main thing that sucked me into purchasing this multivitamin was that it supports brain health. The older I get, the more brain fog I am getting. This supplement did seem to improve mental focus and did give me a boost in energy. I did not have any ill side effects while taking this and it was gentle on my stomach.

Naturewise Multivitamin & Minerals Supplement

Have you tried any of the health food products on this list? What health food item do you want to try out?

Leave me a comment and let me know.

DISCLAIMER: I am not a health or medical professional. This content is for entertainment purposes only and not to be taken as any medical advice. Please consult with your doctor before taking supplements if you have any health concerns. I am not responsible for any side-effects that may occur from supplements and vitamins listed here.

Curious about ButcherBox? Read my ButcherBox review HERE.

Want to learn more about Kettle & Fire? Check out my Kettle & Fire review HERE.

September 29, 2018 0

Healthy Hot List – Must-Have Health Food Products For Your Lifestyle (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Vegan, Paleo, Whole 30, or Keto)

Healthy Hot List - Must-Have Healthy Food Products For Your Lifestyle (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Vegan, Paleo, Whole 30, or Keto)

I would like to start up a new regular feature on the blog featuring items that I have used and fallen in love with. I will be calling this the Healthy Hot List. These are all health food items that I have given a whirl and want to spread the word about so this fits in perfectly with my Tried It Out Tuesday weekly feature. These are healthy foods that can fit into your routine.

Many of these health food items fall within the realms of several different diets: gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, Whole 30, keto, and vegan.

Whenever I try out a new product and I become a fan I do my best to promote these items and spread the word about them. I would love my good words for these brands to travel far and wide because they earned it with their quality health food products. Hope you enjoy this list and let me know if you have tried anything on this list.

Healthy Hot List – Health Foods Your Pantry Needs

Caulipower Variety Pack – Cauliflower Crust Frozen Pizza – Gluten-Free

I recently blogged about this Caulipower pizza. I tried the veggie one out and doctored it up a bit. I was really impressed with the quality of this frozen cauliflower crust pizza. This is a low carb pizza alternative and features a gluten-free crust. The cauliflower crust mimics a regular crust quite well considering the fact that it is all veggie!

Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil Mayo

This Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil mayonnaise is a must-have in your fridge. It is paleo-friendly and Whole 30 compliant. It is also egg-free and dairy free. I have made tuna salad, potato salad, and macaroni salad with this mayo and the flavor of it was impressive.

Check out my: Primal Kitchen Lemon Turmeric Chicken

Terrasoul Superfoods Cacao Nibs

Did you know that chocolate in its purest form is actually quite healthy and good for your body? These raw cacao nibs from Terrasoul Superfoods are an antioxidant powerhouse. Cacao nibs are also vegan-friendly. I enjoy eating these on top of my smoothie bowls or incorporating them into my nice-creams.

Mamma Chia – Chia Squeeze – Variety Pack of 4 flavors

I consider myself a big fan of Mamma Chia. I often purchase their chia drinks and chia seeds. The squeeze pouches are an awesome on-the-go snack. These pouches come in at 70 calories and contain 1200-milligrams of Omega-3. These squeeze pouches are also a great source of protein, antioxidants, and fiber.

Enjoy Life Foods Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips – Package of 6

Here is another brand that I am a huge fan of- Enjoy Life Foods. At the moment these are my favorite chocolate chips. They are a trusted brand for me and the only brand I purchase my chocolate chips from. I usually use the dark chocolate chips. They are free from common food allergens. If you are looking for a dairy-free, vegan option for chocolate chips this is the brand I recommend going with.

**Find out how I used Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips in THIS RECIPE!**

4th & Heart Grass-Fed Ghee Butter – Variety Pack

A lot of talk about ghee these days! Ghee is a clarified butter with all milk solids removed. It is a dairy-free option to butter and this can replace your current butter or cooking oil with a 1:1 ratio. I use 4th & Heart ghee for my cooking and my baking. The smell of a ribeye steak cooking in some ghee is divine. I will never turn my back and go to regular butter again. Ghee not only tastes better but it also has some health benefits as opposed to butter. This variety pack includes regular ghee and a vanilla ghee, which would be great for your next baking project!

Banza Chickpea Pasta Variety Pack of 6

If you are looking for a lower carb pasta that is gluten-free and high in protein look no further than Banza! I have been using Banza quite often in my pasta dishes and it is one of my favorite pasta that is gluten-free. You can check out the macaroni salad that I made with Banza HERE. I whipped that up for family and even though it was gluten-free the pasta salad was a smashing success. Pro tip: undercook your pasta just a tiny bit. I always do a minute or 2 less than the suggested time on the box. I also give my pasta a rinse before serving.

Nut Cravings Raw & Unsalted Cashews

If you are interested in making a vegan and paleo cheesecake raw cashews are a must! Nut Cravings has pretty reasonable prices. Raw cashews can be quite pricey! When the raw cashews (soaked overnight) are mixed with a bit of coconut milk and lemon juice you end up with a faux cheesecake filling. I honestly prefer my raw paleo cheesecakes over traditional nowadays.

Thai Kitchen Coconut Cream

Coconut cream is essential for paleo or vegan baking. If you are in need of a dairy-free whipped cream the best way to go is to use Thai Kitchen coconut cream. You simply refrigerate the can overnight and then scoop the solids out of the can (no water) and then use your whisk attachment on your stand mixer.

Kiss My Keto Chocolate

Sugar-free, low-carb chocolate bars? Can I get a hell yeah! Check out this variety pack of chocolate bars from Kiss My Keto and let me know which flavor you will try out first!

What health food items have you tried from this Healthy Hot List and what are your thoughts? Leave me a comment and let me know.

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September 25, 2018 1

Let’s Celebrate 100 Posts With Paleo Balsamic Raspberry & Chocolate Balsamic Fudge Ripple Nice Cream

Wow, gals and guys! Can you believe that in the past 4 1/2 months I have been blogging here at Give It A Whirl Girl and this is a milestone post? 100 posts have been drafted and published as of today! I figured the best way to celebrate my hard work was with a bowl of Balsamic Raspberry & Chocolate Balsamic Fudge Ripple Nice Cream! No champagne bubbles flowing here, just some paleo and (almost vegan… I did use raw honey) nice-cream for my daughter and I to share.

Blogging has just been a fantastic journey and experience for me. I feel blessed that I am able to work from home and combine my passion for cooking, baking, and writing. I am learning new things as the days go by. There is also never a shortage of things to do. I am consistently keeping myself busy and occupied. With blogging, there is always a lot of behind-the-scenes work.

I love being able to sit down and write each morning while I am sipping on my coffee. Once the caffeine kicks in I am ready to start drafting up a post to share with my readers. I am really looking forward to seeing where I will be on June 6th of 2019 when I will hit my one-year blog milestone. I can already see in the four short months I have been blogging, how much improvement I have already made from the beginning. Thank you to all who take the time to read my posts. I love and appreciate each and every one of you!

Now onto the balsamic nice-cream that I created last night. I am going to tell you all about it!

The story behind the balsamic vinegar

This all just started out as a wild and crazy idea. I had some bottles of flavored balsamic leftover from an adult onesie party that I had for my birthday. I picked these up at Devries & Company 1887 in Eastern Market down in Detroit, MI. Back in February I stocked up on Groupons and went and did a little shopping there. They had numerous flavors of balsamic vinegars to sample and several different oils as well. For the vinegars, I ended up bringing home a bottle of raspberry, chocolate, and espresso. These vinegars pair so well with fruit.

Continue reading “Let’s Celebrate 100 Posts With Paleo Balsamic Raspberry & Chocolate Balsamic Fudge Ripple Nice Cream” →

September 19, 2018 3

Cactus Pear Nice Cream RECIPE With Pomegranate & Enjoy Life Foods Protein Bites – (Vegan and Gluten-Free)

Cactus Pear Nice Cream RECIPE with Pomegranate and Enjoy Life Foods Protein Bites

Wondering how I naturally obtained this lovely shade of hot pink in my bowl of nice-cream (vegan ice-cream)?? Easy! I owe it all to the cactus pear, also known as the prickly pear. The flesh of a cactus pear, when combined with a banana, will give you this gorgeous magenta hue. This cactus pear nice cream recipe is a healthy dessert that will most definitely make your child excited for a yummy treat that is naturally sweet from nature with no added sugars. Other ingredients in this frozen treat are frozen pomegranate, two frozen bananas, some coconut milk and Enjoy Life Foods Dark Chocolate Raspberry Protein Bites. This is a much healthier alternative to traditional ice-cream and I always enjoy creating this and serving it at home. Super simple and easy to do too!

Nice-cream is the vegan and paleo version of ice-cream. It is dairy-free and lactose-free.

Cactus Pear & Pomegranate With Enjoy Life Foods Protein Bites Nice-Cream

Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I receive a commission if items are purchased through these links with no extra cost to you.

A good food processor comes in handy for making vegan nice-creams at home. You will also want to prepare in advance for making this by freezing two sliced up bananas overnight. Also, chill a can of full-fat coconut milk in the refrigerator overnight for best results. If you have a can of coconut cream on-hand that makes for even better results, a lot more creamy, but coconut cream is usually around $4 a can and coconut milk works just fine.

The Enjoy Life Foods Dark Raspberry Protein Bites were a wise choice here as a nice-cream topping. I chopped them up small and placed them on top. The dark raspberry flavor is actually my favorite flavor of all the Protein Bites and it paired nicely with the flavors of the cactus pear and pomegranate. It also gave this bowl of nice-cream a boost in protein, which is always welcome, especially if you are following a vegan diet.

Ingredients used to make Cactus Pear & Pomegranate With Enjoy Life Foods Protein Bites Nice-Cream (Protein Bites not shown in this photo)

Cactus Pear Nice Cream Recipe

Cactus Pear Nice Cream RECIPE With Pomegranate & Enjoy Life Foods Protein Bites

This simple and easy to do gluten-free and vegan nice cream recipe results in the prettiest of pink nice creams you have ever seen.

2 Bananas (Frozen)
1 Cactus Pear
1/2 cup Pomegranate (Frozen)
6 Enjoy Life Foods Dark Raspberry Protein Bites
1/2 cup Full-fat organic coconut milk (Chilled overnight in fridge)

Place the frozen bananas, cactus pear, pomegranate, and chilled coconut in the food processor.
Blend until smooth.
Remove cactus pear nice-cream from food processor bowl.
To the nice cream with small chunks of Enjoy Life Foods Protein Bites. I used the Dark Raspberry.
Divide into two bowls.

Serve, eat. and enjoy!

Cactus Pear & Pomegranate With Enjoy Life Foods Protein Bites Nice-Cream in the food processor. Do not add Protein Bites at this time!

Enjoy Life Foods Dark Raspberry Protein Bites chopped into small pieces

Final thoughts on the cactus pear nice cream recipe

I do believe that you will love this hot-pink cactus pear nice cream recipe if you do decide to give it a whirl. It is super unique in its flavor and unlike anything I have ever tried! I am extremely happy with the results of mixing these ingredients together. I was not sure what the outcome would be, but I got brave in the kitchen and I have no regrets!

If you are looking for a healthier alternative to ice-cream that is dairy-free and contains no added sugars, you should try making vegan and glutern-free nice creams at home. They are very versatile and you can get creative by whipping them up and experimenting with different ingredients. As a base, I usually use two frozen bananas and make sure I have a can of chilled coconut milk (it must be full-fat and not light coconut milk) on-hand to make this. This will result in approximately 2-3 servings. Most often it is just my daughter and I sharing but sometimes my hubby wants some too.

You can read more about the Enjoy Life Foods Protein Bites on a previous blog post:

HERE

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Have you ever tried vegan nice cream? How do you like to create yours? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Here are some other posts you will enjoy!

Want to find out more about Enjoy Life Foods?

September 6, 2018 8

Gluten-Free Chicken Pot Pie Soup (Almost Paleo) & Lemon Turmeric Chicken – How I Created This Lunch & Dinner

Gluten-Free Chicken Pot Pie Soup - How I Created It (Almost Paleo!) by Give It A Whirl Girl

I had two super healthy meals yesterday and when that happens in the kitchen I feel quite accomplished! For lunch, we had a gluten-free chicken pot pie soup (the soup would have been paleo is you take away the peas) and for dinner, we had a grilled lemon turmeric chicken breast with fried sweet potatoes in ghee, and roasted broccoli. I used my trusty Primal Kitchen marinade for the chicken. I am trying to get back on the healthy train because I feel like I have somewhat fallen off of it with all of the naughty baking I have been doing. I am making an effort to get back on track and I feel good about my meal choices yesterday. Keep reading to find out how I created this delicious and healthy lunch and dinner for my daughter and I.

How I created our gluten-free chicken pot pie soup

This is not a recipe post but I am trying my best to relay the information to you on how I made these wonderful, nutritious dishes. They are both gluten-free and dairy-free. I am attempting to eliminate gluten completely from my diet so if you are following along expect to see a lot more gluten-free meals from me. Gluten is just not compatible with my brain and my gut. I have tested this out several times now and came to the conclusion that gluten triggers a negative mood response for me the next day and a worn down physical feeling. I get depressed and fatigued the day after consuming gluten. I am honestly fed up with feeling that way and I will do whatever it takes to change that.

I have been listening to an audiobook called Grain Brain and it is very enlightening and informative. Whether you believe it or not, gluten is affecting your mind and body. There are negative side effects of eating wheat. The book was written by David Perlmutter and he addresses the impact that gluten has on the brain. I don’t want to come off as preachy but I do highly suggest reading or listening to this book. It is a real eye-opener!

Lemon Turmeric Chicken w/ Primal Kitchen, fried sweet potatoes in ghee, and roasted broccoli

Paleo-ish Gluten-Free Chicken Pot Pie Soup

We will start with the soup! Everything about this meal was paleo except for the addition of peas. I just have to have my peas in my pot pie. No worries if that does not make it completely paleo. My happiness is what is important to me and peas really do bring me happiness. They actually are my favorite vegetable!

To start this off I used my Staub Dutch Oven to saute some garlic and shallots. The Staub sure is a blessing to have around. That thing is the absolute best for making soup, even if you are just making a small batch like I did.

Once the garlic and shallots were translucent I added in some low sodium chicken broth (32oz). I added a gigantic organic chicken breast to the broth and let it simmer until completely cooked.

While the chicken was simmering I added in a bay leaf, rosemary, and thyme. Then came the veggies. I added in some thinly sliced carrots (2) and also two nice ribs of celery.

When the chicken was completely cooked throughout I shred it with a fork and added it back into the soup along with one can of full-fat coconut milk. I also added in a a cup of frozen peas and brought this soup back up to a very light boil and then allowed it to thicken further by simmering.

In the past, I have used other non-dairy milk for my pot pie and found that full-fat coconut milk actually works best. In case you are wondering there was not a hint of coconut flavor in that soup. If you ever need a dairy-free option for your cooking, coconut milk can be your friend.

My daughter and I really enjoyed this soup yesterday. The temp in Michigan was a lot cooler yesterday and felt more like fall than summer. I will be making a lot more soups with the upcoming fall season so be ready! I love a warm bowl of soup on a chilly day. I can not eat soup in the summer (with the exception of getting it a restaurant). I just refuse to cook it when the temperatures outside are hot. In the spring and summer that is when I transitioned more to salads.

Gluten-Free Chicken Pot Pie Soup (Take Away The PEAS & It Is Paleo!!)

How I created our lemon turmeric chicken dinner with Primal Kitchen marinade

Then before you knew it, dinner time came rolling around. I already had a plan in place. I had two organic chicken breasts marinating in Primal Kitchen Lemon Turmeric Dressing/Marinade. I have not come across a Primal Kitchen product that I didn’t like… love them all! You can pick up a single bottle on Amazon but your best bet is to use my coupon GIVEITAWHIRL10 on their website and save some money and get the best deal.

I marinated the chicken in the early morning and started cooking dinner around 4pm. That gave my chicken plenty of time to get infused with flavor. I oiled up my Lodge Cast Iron Grill Pan with some avocado oil and placed my chicken breast on the grill pan once it was hot. Love hearing that initial sizzle of meat on the grill!

While the chicken was cooking I had diced sweet potatoes on the stove frying up in some ghee with some salt and pepper. I usually roast my veggies but since I was also roasting some broccoli I figured I could fry the potatoes. My daughter, Chloe’s favorite veggie at the moment is broccoli so I wanted to make sure I had that for her. I didn’t do anything special with that. I simply drizzled and tossed in olive oil and seasoned with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

This chicken ended up coming out sooooooo juicy from the marinade…. oh my gosh it was just fantastic. Lemon and turmeric flavor was infused throughout without being too overpowering.

Final thoughts

I felt so wonderful about my meal choices throughout the day. My lunch was almost paleo and my dinner was actually a Whole 30 compliant meal. That’s when you know you are eating healthy! The major advantage of these meals, of course, was the taste. They were healthy meals but that does not need to mean boring, bland meals. The flavor of both meals was perfection. Nowadays there are so many recipes and foods out there that can be pleasurable eating while trying your best to eat healthy. If you want a great place to start Primal Kitchen is your best bet. They offer a variety of healthy foods that can help get you on the right track.

I would love to make this gluten-free chicken pot pie soup again soon. Pot pies have always been comfort food to me. I am also head over heels in love with that lemon turmeric marinade. Primal Kitchen is my go-to brand for marinades!

What is one of your favorite healthy meals that you enjoy cooking at home? Leave me a comment and let me know.

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Enjoy Life Protein Bites REVIEW – A Vegan & Gluten-Free Snack Available In A Variety Of Flavors!

Enjoy Life Foods Protein Bites REVIEW by Give It A Whirl Girl

I was given a care package of Enjoy Life Protein bites and I am loving each flavor of these little chocolate morsels. As you may already know, I am a big fan of the Enjoy Life Foods Brand. They create and produce food that is free of common allergens that anyone can eat. You will not find gluten (wheat), dairy, peanuts, soy, egg, tree nuts, among other food allergens in any of their products. You can have peace of mind with this brand because they only use quality ingredients and their products are REAL FOOD. If you are following a gluten-free diet or vegan diet this brand has a ton of great products available to you. Today I am sharing my Enjoy Life Protein Bites review with you. I am a huge fan of these healthy snacks and I think that you will be too! Keep reading to find out more!

Allergy Friendly Enjoy Life Protein Bites

Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I receive a commission from items purchased through these links with no extra cost to you.

Enjoy Life free from common food allergens info (Image courtesy of https://enjoylifefoods.com/)

They come in a variety of four flavors:

Continue reading “Enjoy Life Protein Bites REVIEW – A Vegan & Gluten-Free Snack Available In A Variety Of Flavors!” →

August 30, 2018 1

Paleo & Vegan No-Bake White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake – How I Made It

On the weekends I love to have my biggest cooking days. There is always a day thrown in there where we go out to a restaurant but most of my bigger dinners are reserved for weekends. Sunday kicked off with some healthy dessert making in the kitchen. I had a craving for something white chocolate & raspberry so I made a No-Bake White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake. I absolutely love making any kind of dessert but for me, paleo is my favorite kind to whip up because it is a fairly new concept for me. I am trying my best to get a grasp on paleo and gluten-free baking & cooking. Every day is a learning experience in the kitchen. Today I am going to talk about my experience and my process of making the cheesecake that I created yesterday.

Give It A Whirl Girl in the kitchen with fresh raspberries for cheesecake!

I have made some paleo cheesecakes in the past and I was a huge fan of the result. This white chocolate raspberry one turned out the be the simplest one yet. A paleo cheesecake is gluten-free and dairy-free. This one was also considered vegan because no animal products were used at all. The great thing about these cheesecakes is that they are no-bake. But that doesn’t mean “no wait”. Once the ingredients are in a springform pan they need to set for at least a few hours in the refrigerator.

This cheesecake came out so silky and smooth. White chocolate and raspberry flavored anything is a weakness of mine. I absolutely love that combination of flavors. Whoever originally came up with the idea of marrying those two flavors is deserving of a giant trophy or give them a medal!

For inspo, I used this recipe from Prettypies.com but it was modified greatly. I am putting the link here so if you would like to create something like this, it was a great recipe with modifications. So shoutout to Pretty Pies for the inspiration!

A gluten-free crust is made out of ground up nuts. You use coconut oil and maple syrup as a binder. You need a springform pan for this. Her recipe suggests a 7-inch springform pan and I only had a 9-inch pan. My cheesecake would have been a bit taller if I had the smaller pan (mine was a bit flat). I used a combination of almonds and cashews. If you ever opt for a crust like this I suggest soaking your nuts (yeah that sounds funny) so they can soften up and be ground up finely in the food processor. I think that many different types of nuts would work well for a crust but in a paleo cheesecake, it is typically raw cashews. In the future, I want to try a cashew & macadamia nut combo.

Gluten-free crust (& paleo) for a White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Made with ground almonds and cashews

For the “white chocolate” part of this cheesecake you make your own chocolate. White chocolate always contains dairy and dairy is a no-no with a paleo diet. So in order to solve this you melt down some cacao butter and use that as white chocolate. I love Navitas Organics Cacao Butter and use that as my brand of choice. Cacao butter is chocolate in its purest form. I warmed up some fresh raspberries in my cacao butter so I could infuse the white chocolate with fruit flavor. The recipe called for 1/2 cup of cacao butter and I used a bit more of that and used everything that was remaining in my bag, probably around 3/4 of a cup.

Navitas Organics Cacao Butter Melting w/ fresh raspberries

Once your cacao butter is warmed up and melted you add it to a food processor with your soaked cashews. It is very important that these are raw cashews and free of any added salt. Nobody wants a salty white chocolate raspberry cheesecake. The recipe called for some shredded zucchini but I avoided that completely and just used fresh raspberries to bulk up the filling.

Paleo also means no added refined sugars. So with paleo, you have some options for adding that desired sweetness. In this case, you use maple syrup. Just to clarify too, maple syrup is not some kind of Aunt Jemima pancake syrup, it has to be pure maple syrup straight from the tree. You can find some here by Now Foods.

When you add a bit of lemon juice to this cashew mixture it really does give you a taste of cheesecake. It is truly remarkable how you can make a healthier cheesecake using some simple, natural ingredients.

White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake w/ fresh raspberries on top

At this point, everything was all put together in my springform pan and I topped it with fresh raspberries. I allowed it to set in the fridge for about 3 hours or so. While the cheesecake was setting I placed my KitchenAid stand mixer bowl in the freezer so it could get super cold. Next up on the to-do list was my vegan & paleo whipped cream! If you want to try your hand at making whipped cream like this get yourself a can of coconut cream and let it sit in the fridge overnight. I use the Thai Kitchen brand of coconut cream in my recipes.

Once your cheesecake has chilled a bit you can prepare the whipped cream. There is no added sugar in this whipped cream. I have been known in the past, though, to sweeten with a bit of coconut sugar but that is completely optional. To make this you simply take all of the fatty coconut off the top of the water that is in the can and place it in the mixing bowl with a whisk attachment. Very important~ do not allow ANY water from the can in your mixture. I still have a hard time with this and am perfecting my whipped cream. The more water you have in there, the less it will whip up nice and fluffy. I whisk this up at a high speed for a few minutes.

Ok almost time to eat! BUT it still needed the whipped cream added to the top. I used a Wilton Dessert Decorator to put my whipped cream in place. Just choose a tip for the pump and simply press down on the plunger to put your dollops on. Easy peasy!

Paleo & Vegan White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake — Paleo & Vegan No-Bake White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake

Paleo & Vegan No-Bake White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake

I was so eager to find out how all of this tasted. I took my first bite and I was instantly in love with this dessert… omg so good! Major plus over here is that hubby doesn’t like raspberries or white chocolate and my daughter is away on vacation so I get this dessert all to my sweet self!

Did you make anything new and exciting in the kitchen this past weekend? Leave me a comment and let me know. I would love to hear from you!

DISCLAIMER: THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS. I DO RECEIVE A SMALL COMMISSION IF ITEMS ARE PURCHASED THROUGH THESE LINKS. THIS HELPS MAKE FOR A BETTER BLOG EXPERIENCE FOR ALL OF MY READERS. ALL PROCEEDS GO TOWARDS MAKING IMPROVEMENTS ON THIS BLOG.

August 20, 2018 2

Fat Stack of Gluten-Free Pancakes With Enjoy Life Foods – Product Review, Recipe, & Giveaway – CLOSED

Yesterday and the day before were both dreary, overcast days in Michigan. I really needed a plateful of something to cheer me up. In times of need, we often turn to comfort food. Pancakes, for me, definitely fit the bill for that! I also decided to inject some color to them for added smiles! I have been opting for more gluten-free food products in my diet. I have been feeling a whole lot better both physically and mentally. I have been keeping track of my diet and I have come to the conclusion that gluten somehow affects my mood and I often feel run down and fatigued. So for now I am just doing my best to avoid it and keep my gluten intake at a minimal amount.

I am a big fan of Enjoy Life Foods products. I am currently obsessed with the dark chocolate chips and it is the only brand I buy now. They offer a line of gluten-free, vegan, products that are free from several other allergens (wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, casein, soy, egg, sesame, sulfites, lupin, mustard, fish, shellfish & crustaceans). Their products are created in an allergen-free facility. You can enjoy their foods with confidence that they will do your body good.

I tried out the Enjoy Life Foods pancake and waffle mix a couple times before and my daughter and I loved the finished product. They don’t hold up well for waffles but they do make a wonderful pancake. The taste of these pancakes was on point! I would never even know they were gluten-free because they taste just like regular pancakes.

I wanted to amp it up a bit so I swapped out the water and used Bolthouse Farms Unsweetened Plant Protein Milk instead. An 8 oz serving of this milk is a whopping 10 grams of protein. I also used a mashed banana in the mix to add in some fiber. A banana has approximately 3 grams of fiber.

I also added some Simple Truth natural food coloring to the pancake mix. I am not a fan of artificial dyes in my food so I wanted to give this a whirl. Unfortunately, the colors are not as vibrant as the artificial ones but they are still fun to eat. Next time I make these I will experiment more with the amount I use (probably needed to use more). The batter was colorful and bright but when the pancakes were cooked the color faded. Perhaps you will have more luck with the colors!

Stack of Enjoy Life Foods natural color pancakes with rainbow sprinkles

Now let’s get busy with the recipe!

37723362_10156514054359420_1377611683609968640_n — Products I used to make the banana protein Enjoy Life Foods pancakes.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups Enjoy Life Pancake & Waffle Mix
1 1/2 cups Bolthouse Farms Plant Protein Milk
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1/2 mashed banana
Simple Truth Natural Food Color
Pure maple syrup (optional)
Candy Sprinkles (optional)

Bowls of the pancake mix with natural food color added

Simple Truth Natural Food Color

I was able to put 3 pancakes in the skillet

Recipe:

Prepare your batter by placing the mix, milk, and oil into the bowl and stir until no lumps remain.
Mash 1/2 of a ripe banana and then incorporate this into the mix.
Using 6 bowls, place a small amount of batter into each bowl and add food coloring to each bowl until you have red, orange (red & yellow combined), yellow, green (blue & yellow), blue, and purple (red & blue).
Warm up a tiny bit of coconut oil in a pan, just enough to give it a thin non-stick coating.
Place the batter into the skillet or griddle one color at a time. You may have to do a couple batches to get all 6 pancakes cooked. I used two large skillets simultaneously with 3 colors in each pan.
Cook the pancakes on a medium setting. Flip the pancakes when the edges are noticeably formed. After flipping continue cooking until thoroughly cooked.
Remove pancakes from pan and top with maple syrup and/or candy sprinkles. Enjoy!

Stack of Enjoy Life Foods natural color pancakes with rainbow sprinkles

Hope you enjoy this fun recipe for Enjoy Life Foods gluten-free pancakes! What Enjoy Life Foods product do you think you would enjoy? Check them out RIGHT HERE!

Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter to win a $15 Amazon gift card so you can purchase some Enjoy Life Foods products!

CLICK HERE —> http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b7225bc83/?

Use the Store Locator to find Enjoy Life products near you.

You can purchase this pancake and waffle mix on Amazon.

You can find Enjoy Life Foods on the following social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I receive a commission if items are purchased through these links with no extra cost to you. I purchased these products and all opinions are my own.

July 23, 2018 46

Papaya Smoothie For My Pearl Girl

My daughter, Chloe Pearl, loves when I bust out the blender to whip up a smoothie or smoothie bowl for her. We have an abundance of fruits and veggies over here right now and I am loving every minute of it. This morning we shared a delicious papaya smoothie. Papaya is a fruit that I do not normally have on hand so she was super duper excited when she saw me slicing the papaya and scooping out all of those seeds.

We used half of a papaya, 1 whole banana, a handful of Simple Truth frozen mango, and a handful of Simple Truth pineapple. I used approximately 2/3 cup of Bolthouse Farms Plant Protein milk (unsweetened). We have been using that particular milk for a while now. Ibotta currently has a $2.50 cash-back offer on each bottle that you buy, and Kroger also had it on sale. So I consider that a win!

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My daughter really enjoyed her morning smoothie. I had a bit of it as well and I can certainly say that it was quite yummy. I am quite sure that tropical fruits rank pretty high as my favorite.

Tidbits of info on the papaya fruit

A medium sized papaya comes in around 120 calories.
Papayas can aid in digestion. Papayas have an enzyme in them that helps move things along, and they also have a high water and fiber content.
There are two types of papayas: Hawaiian and Mexican. Hawaiian papayas are small (apx 1lb), while Mexican are large. The Mexican papaya can weight in as heavy as 10 pounds!
The seeds of a papaya are, in fact, edible. The seeds have a very strong mustard & peppercorn taste. You can add some honey to them to make them more palatable.
Papaya is often consumed raw but it can be used in recipes to make a sweet sauce.
Papayas have beta-carotene (an antioxidant) in them which can help prevent cancer.
Papayas have a good amount of potassium and vitamins that can help prevent heart disease.

I have been increasing my intake of fruits and veggies and trying to rid my diet of processed foods. There are so many health benefits in these foods it just makes sense to eat them. I have a big weakness for candy. If there is a bag of Sour Patch Kids in front of me I often lose my willpower and eat them. I feel guilty afterward even though I enjoyed them. My point is that it is just best to reach for fruits and veggies when a hunger pang hits. Instead of having a bowl of Fruit Loops for breakfast why not just make yourself a smoothie. They are both filling and nutritious. Your body will thank you for it!

July 21, 2018 0

Healthy Hot List Part 2 – Must-Have Health Food Products

You can save on your order at Primal Kitchen with my special Primal Kitchen coupon code

Have you tried any of the health food products on this list? What health food item do you want to try out?

Leave me a comment and let me know.

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Healthy Hot List – Health Foods Your Pantry Needs

You might also love my: Greek Caulipower Pizza Recipe

Check out my: Primal Kitchen Lemon Turmeric Chicken

Find out how I used Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips in THIS RECIPE!

What health food items have you tried from this Healthy Hot List and what are your thoughts? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Save with these coupons!

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The story behind the balsamic vinegar

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Cactus Pear Nice Cream Recipe

Cactus Pear Nice Cream RECIPE With Pomegranate & Enjoy Life Foods Protein Bites

Final thoughts on the cactus pear nice cream recipe

You can read more about the Enjoy Life Foods Protein Bites on a previous blog post:

Have you ever tried vegan nice cream? How do you like to create yours? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Here are some other posts you will enjoy!

Want to find out more about Enjoy Life Foods?

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How I created our gluten-free chicken pot pie soup

How I created our lemon turmeric chicken dinner with Primal Kitchen marinade

Final thoughts

What is one of your favorite healthy meals that you enjoy cooking at home? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Primal Kitchen coupon code GIVEITAWHIRL10

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Other posts at Give It A Whirl Girl that you might enjoy

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They come in a variety of four flavors:

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Did you make anything new and exciting in the kitchen this past weekend? Leave me a comment and let me know. I would love to hear from you!

DISCLAIMER: THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS. I DO RECEIVE A SMALL COMMISSION IF ITEMS ARE PURCHASED THROUGH THESE LINKS. THIS HELPS MAKE FOR A BETTER BLOG EXPERIENCE FOR ALL OF MY READERS. ALL PROCEEDS GO TOWARDS MAKING IMPROVEMENTS ON THIS BLOG.

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Hope you enjoy this fun recipe for Enjoy Life Foods gluten-free pancakes! What Enjoy Life Foods product do you think you would enjoy? Check them out RIGHT HERE!

Click the Rafflecopter link below to enter to win a $15 Amazon gift card so you can purchase some Enjoy Life Foods products!

CLICK HERE —> http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b7225bc83/?

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Disclaimer – The Fine Print

**Find out how I used Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips in THIS RECIPE!**