Author: Jacqueline King

10 Small Changes that can Make a BIG Difference to your Health

I hope you all had an amazing holiday season! After much family time and fabulous feasting over the holidays, I decided to kick off the new year with a 4 day cleanse at a spa called We Care in Desert Hot Springs, California. In addition to following their liquid fasting program for a few days I was able to attend several classes on nutrition and wellness. While most of the ideas weren’t new to me, (Eat veggies. Check. Exercise. Check. Meditate. Check. Be Grateful. Double check.) it was a great refresher and reminded me that little steps toward healthier living can make a big difference in how we look and feel. There’s no need for bold proclamations like- “I’m never eating carbs again!” or “I’m going to go to the gym for 2 hours everyday!” Those types of unrealistic goals usually fall by the wayside and lead to disappointment by spring. Instead, I challenge you (and myself!) to make some (or all!) of these smaller changes in 2016. Instead of a short-lived resolution, these ideas …

How-to Put Together the Perfect Party Spread in Less Than an Hour!

Published by Jacqueline King

I read an article recently that said young people are not hosting as many get togethers nowadays in part because they are intimidated by the trend of gourmet cooking. It made me want to put together a post to show how easy it can be to put together a beautiful spread for a party in less than an hour with no cooking involved! I really think there is nothing better than getting together with friends and/or family and enjoying some good food and sharing a laugh. We spend so much of our lives online that it’s important to make the effort to get together live and in person once in a while, and the holidays are the ideal time to do it. For starters we’ll make a big party tray so you’ll need to invest in a big platter if you don’t already have one. This is something you can use time and time again when you have people over. I have a couple of fancy ones that I bought at estate sales for the same …

Smoked Salmon, Almond Cream Cheese and Veggie Toasts

Published by Jacqueline King

Simple ingredients are elevated in these delicious mini toasts. They’re perfect for entertaining; easy to throw together and always a crowd pleaser. Salmon, cream cheese and veggies are natural partners and the lemon, dill and capers add a fresh and savory flair. I use pumpernickel cocktail bread as the base which is the perfect size and has a full flavor that pairs nicely with the other ingredients. You can also use your favorite sliced bread and cut it into quarters. This is the route to go if you want gluten-free or organic bread since I have not seen those offered in cocktail size. As for the salmon I always use wild Alaskan salmon. Alaska is known for responsible management of their fishery populations. Wild salmon is more nutritious than farmed because it’s eating a varied diet and swimming sometimes thousands of miles before it is caught. Farmed salmon is fed pellets that contain grains and soy and sometimes even chicken. They are often vaccinated and fed additives to make their flesh more pink. They’re kept …

Sweet Salted Caramel Cashew Milk

Published by Jacqueline King

The simplest salted-caramel drink is just too delicious to be true. Try it next time you’re craving something sweet and you’ll be shocked that two little dates can add so much caramel goodness to your milk. A little pinch of sea salt just gives it that finishing touch to balance the flavor. All of the ingredients are high in minerals plus you get filling fiber from the dates and heart healthy fats from the nuts. It’s an energizing refined sugar free treat which makes it a great afternoon pick-me-up or post-workout choice. Kids love the sweet taste of this one too. It’s so much better than those drinks made with artificial flavors. Enjoy! xJacq Ingredients: 1 serving 2 medjool dates, pitted 1/4 cup cashews, soaked 2-4 hours and rinsed 3/4 cups filtered water pinch of sea salt If your blender is on the weaker side, chop the dates. Blend all of the ingredients until smooth in a blender, serve over ice.

Baked Salmon with Mango Chutney and Pecans

Published by Jacqueline King

This is one of the most popular recipes on my blog, which is no surprise since it’s one of the easiest dishes to make! It’s quick enough for a weeknight meal, but the complex flavors also make it a great choice for a dinner party. The sweet nuttiness of the pecans works beautifully with the spicy mango chutney and the salmon offers a brain boosting dose of omega-3s. It’s also perfect for a brunch buffet since it’s equally tasty hot out of the oven as it is after it’s cooled. Cook a side of salmon for a striking presentation and allow people to serve themselves as much as they like, or cook a small fillet for an easy date night dish. PREP // 5 minutes COOK // 15 to 30 minutes SERVES // 2 per pound (455 g) of fish Ingredients: 1 skin-on salmon fillet or side (2 pounds/910 g) PER POUND (455 G) OF FISH, USE 1/8 teaspoon kosher sea salt Pinch black pepper Pinch paprika 2 tablespoons mango chutney 1/3 cup (40 g) finely …

Whole Roasted Maple Ginger Carrots

Published by Jacqueline King

These carrots are a sweet and spicy treat you wont be able to resist. I just ate the whole bunch of carrots after testing this recipe! This works best with medium-sized carrots that are fairly uniform in size. If the carrots are very large, slice in half lengthwise. You can even deglaze the pan after, using a little broth and white wine to make a delicate sauce for roast white fish or grilled tofu. Ingredients: Pre-heat oven to 425* 1 bunch Carrots 1 inch piece of Ginger, peeled 1 Tbsp Olive Oil 1 Tbsp Maple Syrup 1 Tbsp water 1/8 tsp each Salt, Pepper, Cayenne & Cumin 1 Tbsp fresh Cilantro Leaves Trim carrot tops to 3/4 inch. Rinse and scrub carrots very well with a paper towel or peel. Place carrots in a baking dish in 1 layer. Grate ginger into a bowl, add olive oil, maple syrup, water and spices and whisk. Pour over carrots and toss to coat. Place in oven for 20 minutes, remove and sprinkle with cilantro leaves. Turn carrots using tongs, careful not …

The Big Sur Spritz- Perfect for the Holidays!

Published by Jacqueline King

Ease your way into a long fall evening with this festive cocktail that is just right for the season. It’s an evolved version typical mimosa made with fresh persimmon juice instead of the traditional orange. It was inspired by a trip to Big Sur, California where I first tried persimmon (right off the tree) and where the hillsides are covered with lavender leaving a trace of its’ distinct herbal/floral scent hanging in the air. It’s lovely before a meal as an aperitif. Since it’s only lightly alcoholic it will whet rather than dampen your appetite. Cheers! xJacq Directions: Make fresh fuyu persimmon juice using a juicer. Add a splash to a glass of Champagne or sparkling wine. Float pomegranate seeds on top and garnish with a sprig of fresh lavender or thyme. Add each ingredient slowly to avoid bubbling over.

Spiced Sweet Potato Puree

Published by Jacqueline King

This wonderful purée adds a ton of flavor to any dish. The consistency is thinner and smoother than a traditional mashed sweet potato, but thicker and creamier than a sauce. One of the awesome things about sweet potatoes is that they are less starchy than regular potatoes so they don’t get gummy in the food processor or blender; which means once your sweet potato is cooked it only takes a couple of minutes to transform it into this spicy golden puree. I love to serve it spread out on the plate under roasted or sautéed veggies, tofu or fish dishes. It turns ingredients which might otherwise be a little bland into an exciting meal without adding a single drop of oil. In fact, the sweet potato and spices are both a super nutrient-dense additions to your menu. Plus they and add a beautiful pop of color. Try it with my Maple Glazed Acorn Squash and/or some sautéed greens. Enjoy! xJacq Ingredients: 4 Servings 1 large sweet potato (approx. 1lb 3oz) 1/2 cup Almond or Cashew Milk 1/4 …

The Perfect Vegetarian Main Dish for The Holidays- Stuffed Maple Glazed Acorn Squash

Published by Jacqueline King

Every year there is the question of what vegetarian main dish to make on Thanksgiving. I’m always looking to serve something that feels extra special, but that isn’t too complicated on an already busy holiday. In the past I’ve made dishes that turned out well, but still kind of felt like one more side. I decided to do a little recipe testing ahead of time this year and came up with this dish that deserves to be the center of attention. It’s beautiful, flavorful and hearty. It’s super satisfying because it’s full of protein and fiber. Maple, pecans, cranberries, and warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg make it the perfect dish for fall. It’s simple to make, but using the acorn squash as bowls makes for an impressive presentation. The filling comes together easily while the squash roasts. This is the kind of meat-free main dish that will make a carnivore feel jealous if there is not enough to go around. I really can’t wait for you to try it. I’ve made it two more times …

Creamy, Gooey Cashew Mozzarella

Published by Jacqueline King

Sometimes you just want to yell “Cheese Please!” so if you’re avoiding dairy it’s best to have some fabulous plant-based versions that you can throw together when you want need a gooey, melty cheesy fix. This cashew mozzarella is perfect on Pizza, Lasagna, Pasta and as a topping for grilled veggies or steamed broccoli. It’s one of my favorite non-dairy cheeses to make because it requires only a little bit of cashews. A lot of recipes are made almost completely of nuts which can be a little too rich, not to mention pricey! It takes just a few minutes to make and uses simple wholesome ingredients, unlike a lot of the processed non-dairy cheeses at the market. Tapioca flour helps thicken this cheese and gives it a creamy, melted texture. It comes from the root of the cassava plant and is naturally gluten-free. The cheesy flavor comes from the nutritional yeast which has an almost parmesan-like taste. Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast that is high in B vitamins. Make sure you don’t mix it up with brewers …