Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

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Try making this paleo sweet potato shepherd’s pie for your next dinner option! This recipe serves as a great comfort dish, especially as we begin to prepare for the fall season. Sweet potatoes are rich in Vitamin A and are great source of dietary fiber. Ground beef serves as an excellent source of protein and helps to improve muscle growth. Carrots are rich in iron and magnesium and have a wide range of benefits including aiding digestion, increasing energy levels, and improving bone health. Rosemary adds flavor and plenty of antioxidants to this dish to reduce inflammation. Make this dish on a cold fall evening and enjoy!

Ingredients:

Sweet Potato Layer:

  • 2 large sweet potatoes

  • 1 tbsp coconut oil, melted

  • ½ tsp chili powder

  • ¼ tsp sea salt

Filling:

  • 1 lb ground beef

  • 2 large carrots, peeled and finely chopped

  • 2 celery sticks, finely chopped

  • 1 small white onion, diced

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 ½ cups peas

  • 3 oz tomato paste

  • 1 tsp chili powder

  • ½ tsp rosemary

  • ¼ cup water

  • ½ tsp sea salt

  • ¼ tsp pepper

Instructions:

1) Preheat oven to 375 F. Bake the sweet potatoes for 50 min or until fork tender.

2) In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sauté the ground beef, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and peas. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring often.

3) Once that is finished cooking, toss in the tomato paste, chili powder, rosemary, water, sea salt, and pepper. Transfer the filling to a large round casserole dish.

4) Begin making the sweet potato layer by combining the baked sweet potato (remove the peeling), coconut oil, chili powder, and sea salt in a large bowl. Mix ingredients together until a smooth consistency is formed.

5) Transfer the sweet potato mixture to the casserole dish and layer on top of filling. Sprinkle the top with a little extra sea salt and pepper. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes and enjoy!

Almond Butter Banana Smoothie

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Try making this almond butter banana smoothie for your next breakfast or snack option! Bananas serve as an excellent source of potassium and provide plenty of fiber to promote proper digestive health. Not only is almond butter a delicious and healthy nut butter of choice, but it is full of omega-3 fatty acids which help to reduce inflammation throughout the body. Dates are rich in a variety of antioxidants that can help combat several chronic illnesses including heart disease and diabetes. Sprinkle extra cinnamon on top of this smoothie to regulate those blood sugar levels and enjoy!

Ingredients:

  • 1 frozen banana

  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk

  • 2 tbsp almond butter

  • 2 dates, pitted

  • ½ tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

1) Begin by adding the banana and almond milk to a blender. Blend until the banana is blended well.

2) Add in the almond butter, dates, and cinnamon and blend until smooth. Sprinkle extra cinnamon on top if desired and enjoy!

Sweet Potato Avocado Toast

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This sweet potato avocado toast serves as a delicious breakfast, snack, or lunch option! Sweet potatoes are free of cholesterol and rich in beta-carotene. Because they are full of fiber and antioxidants, sweet potatoes promote gut health and reduce inflammation. Coconut oil has many benefits including strengthening the immune system, improving bone health, and promoting weight loss. Avocados are full of healthy monounsaturated fats and are great for heart health. Top with sliced tomato, hard-boiled egg, and/or chia seeds and enjoy!

Ingredients:

  • 1 large sweet potato, sliced into ¼” slices

  • 1 tsp coconut oil, melted

  • 1 avocado, mashed

  • Optional toppings: sliced tomato, hard-boiled egg, chia seeds

Instructions:

1) Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

2) Coat both sides of sweet potato slices with coconut oil. Place on a baking rack and bake in the oven for 10 minutes, flipping the slices halfway through. Remove from the oven and let rest.

3) Once the sweet potato slices have cooled off, spread on top the mashed avocado. Top with sliced tomato, hard-boiled egg, and/or chia seeds and enjoy!

Rice Crispy Treats

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Try making these delicious gluten and dairy-free rice crispy treats for your next dessert option! Brown rice crisp cereal is a healthier alternative to traditional cereal because it is loaded with fiber and contains less sugar. Maple syrup is the preferred sweetener for this recipe as it contains plenty of amino acids and helps aid the immune system! Nut butters are full of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats which help to increase HDL or “good” cholesterol. Drizzle with dairy-free chocolate if desired and enjoy!

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups gluten-free brown rice crisp cereal

  • ⅓ cup maple syrup

  • ⅓ cup nut butter of choice 

  • Dairy-free chocolate chips, optional

Instructions:

1) Line an 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.

2) In a small saucepan, add in nut butter and maple syrup and heat on the stove over low-medium heat. Stir occasionally until the mixture begins to bubble.

3) Pour the cereal into a large bowl. Add in the nut butter and maple syrup mixture and stir well until cereal is well coated.

4) Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Melt dairy-free chocolate chips and pour on top of rice crispy treats if desired. Chill in the freezer for up to one hour and enjoy!