Author: Jacqueline King

The Best Vanilla Coffee Creamer Ever!

Published by Jacqueline King

This really is the best vanilla coffee creamer ever! I know that’s a bold claim but it’s true. Waking up is a little sweeter with a splash of this rich & creamy goodness in your morning joe. It’s all natural and packed with antioxidants and minerals. Cashews are an excellent source of copper, and a good source of phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and zinc. The vanilla gives it an incredible fragrance and flavor. What it doesn’t have are any of the weird additives, preservatives or ingredients like palm oil that you find in the store-bought non-dairy creamers. This is one of the basics that I always have in my fridge. Hopefully it will be one of your favorites too. Enjoy! Ingredients: makes 2 cups 1/2 cup cashews soaked in water 2-4 hrs 1 1/2 cups filtered water 1 vanilla bean, split down the middle* 1 tsp maple syrup sea salt Drain and rinse the cashews in a strainer. Add to a blender along with the water and blend starting on low then bringing up to high speed until …

REAL FOOD FAST- Zucchini Noodle Pesto Pasta with Cannelini Beans & Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Published by Jacqueline King

This is another in my Real Food Fast series of healthy and delicious recipes that take 10 minutes or less to whip up. This flavor packed dish is a nutritious plant-based, gluten-free alternative to traditional pasta that leaves you feeling full and satisfied thanks to all the fiber, plant protein and heart healthy fats. Zucchini and summer squash also happen to be some of the lowest calorie vegetables around meaning this is the perfect kind of dish to help maintain a healthy weight.  You can get a spiralizer to turn your veggies into noodles online or most places where they sell kitchen appliances. I use the 4-blade spiralizer from Paderno which has settings for angel hair, spaghetti and shoestring noodles plus a blade for accordion cuts. Angel hair and spaghetti sized noodles work well for this. If you don’t have one however, don’t worry! You can use a regular vegetable peeler to make thin, wide pappardelle noodles. Just press down firmly along the length of the zucchini to make the noodles with your peeler.  This …

What to do about BPA?

Published by Jacqueline King

BPA has been in the news a lot lately. The FDA recently banned the use of BPA containing plastics for use in baby bottles and sippy cups and since then there have been news stories about it everywhere. I’m not one to panic about environmental toxins (after all, stress is one of the worst things for your health!) but it is important to stay informed so we can make the best choices for ourselves and our families. Here are some questions I had and the answers I found. I hope you find them useful. What is BPA? BPA is short for Bisphenol-A, a chemical found in polycarbonate plastic, the hard clear plastic widely used in food and beverage containers like portable water bottles and in the lining of most canned goods including soups and sodas. It can leak into food and beverages stored in these containers, especially when they are acidic, high in fat or subjected to high heat such as in the dish washer or microwave. It’s been used since the 60’s and a …

Thick and Creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing- Better than the Original!

Published by Jacqueline King

This Avocado Ranch is an updated version of my favorite ranch dressing recipe from before I went dairy free. That one called for buttermilk and mayo. Instead, we use avocado, nut milk and apple cider vinegar to create a creamy texture and bright flavor that is even better than the original! The myriad of healthy fats and nutrients found in avocados – oleic acid, lutein, folate, vitamin E, monounsaturated fats and glutathione among them – are believed to help protect your body from heart disease, cancer, and even some brain diseases. That’s why so many consider it a superfood. Fresh onion, garlic and herbs make all the difference in any ranch dressing flavor-wise and pack a surprising amount of nutrients and health benefits of their own as well. Creamy Avocado-Herb Ranch Dressing This will beat any bottled dressing hands down and takes just a few minutes to throw together in a blender. This recipe makes a very thick, creamy dressing, to make it more fluid simply add more milk. In the unlikely event you have any …

Artichoke Hummus with Za’atar

Published by Jacqueline King

All of these ingredients are available at most major super markets with the exception of the middle-eastern spice blend called za’atar which is found at specialty or ethnic food shops or you can make your own. If that proves too challenging, don’t worry, this hummus is great on its own or you could add some fresh cilantro on top instead. I prefer to use artichoke bottoms (crowns) in this recipe so it comes out very smooth, but artichoke hearts work well too. Ingredients: 4 cups boiled or 2 cans Garbanzo Beans 1 can artichoke Bottoms (or hearts if unavailable) 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp Chili Powder or Paprika 1/2 tsp cumin 1/2 tsp white pepper 2-3 Garlic Cloves 1/4 cup Olive Oil 1/2 cup Vegetable Broth 1/4 cup Tahini Juice of 1/2 Lemon 2 tsp Za’atar (optional) Reserve two tablespoons of Garbanzo Beans and 2 Artichoke Bottoms or 3 hearts for garnish. Place all remaining ingredients except Za’atar into a blender or food processor and purée until smooth. Place in serving dish and sprinkle with …

Recipe Ideas for Quick and Healthy Homemade Dog Treats | Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan

Published by Jacqueline King

By Nicole Pajer Making your own homemade dog treats can be a fun reward for you dog. There are many benefits to making your own dog treats at home. • Control what goes into the recipe. You can ensure that your pet is getting a nutritious and wholesome snack. You can also tailor your dog treat recipes to your dog’s taste preferences as well as cater to any dietary restrictions. • Prevent unhealthy additives. Many brands of commercial dog treats are filled with preservatives, which help to extend their shelf life. In addition, store bought treats are often made from fillers and byproducts as opposed to natural and high quality ingredients. By creating your own treats at home, you will be able to provide your dog with a healthy snack that is not only nutritious but is also free of unhealthy additives. • Make it tasty! Making your own dog treats allows you to provide your pet with a tasty alternative to his usual doggie biscuit. Quick Dog Treat Recipe Ideas Here are a few …

Top Secret Veggie Chili

Published by Jacqueline King

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to make the best veggie chili in town. And why wouldn’t you? Veggie chili is healthy and hearty and tasty and the flavor is just so…American. Like BBQ, chili is one of those things we can imagine cowboys eating around the campfire in days gone by, making it the perfect thing to serve at your 4th of July cookout! I have to admit I am loath to give out this recipe. I’m a Scorpio and Scorpios love to keep secrets. In the past when people have asked for the recipe I’ve always given an artfully incomplete answer, but now that I’ve started this blog I’ve decided to offer it up for the greater good. It’s the right thing to do. I guess the first thing you should know is there are some secret ingredients. Ready, drumroll please… coffee, mexican chocolate and Sriracha! They may surprise you but they turn this chili into a melting pot of flavor. I happened to have a lovely coffee with chicory from my …

New Orleans French 75

Published by Jacqueline King

I made my first trip to New Orleans last weekend and had the pleasure of going to the renowned Arnaud’s Restaurant and French 75 Bar. Arnaud’s is one of New Orleans oldest and most beloved restaurants. It was built in 1918 by a French wine salesman Arnaud Cazenave, but some of the building dates back to the 1700s. It’s a sprawling, one-of-a-kind establishment with a grand dining room where waiters in tuxes serve up Creole delicacies (Souffle Potatoes! Alligator Sausage!), a Jazz Bistro with strolling musicians, a mini Mardi Gras Museum, private dining rooms overlooking Bourbon St., and reportedly a couple of resident ghosts. The highlight of our visit, however, was Arnaud’s French 75 Bar and Chris Hannah- quite possibly America’s coolest bartender. When we walked into the bar a woman who had perhaps had one too many milk punch was asking him “Hey aren’t you famous or something? I read about you somewhere…maybe TripAdvisor.” He just smiled and gave a non-committal nod. Upon researching for this post I found he could have said “Don’t …

The Best Creamy Cashew Sour Cream (only 3 ingredients!)

Published by Jacqueline King

When I decided to stop using dairy in my recipes I thought it was going to be really hard to give up some of my favorite foods. After just a bit of experimenting, however I found that there are truly delicious plant-based alternatives to traditional dairy like this amazingly creamy and delicious cashew sour cream. All of the ingredients are natural and nutritious, filled with enzymes and essential minerals. It is so simple to make and is wonderful as a topping on mexican food and lunch bowls. It also make a greet base for a dip. Most non-dairy sour creams I’ve seen include lemon which gives them (surprise!) a lemony flavor, which I find a bit strange. Apple cider vinegar however gives a delicate tangy taste that is just perfect. If you are making this in the food processor you can omit the water which will make a thicker cream, but also will keep much longer. You just have to make sure to dry out the cashews after soaking  It’s the moisture which makes it …

Feel Good Huevos Rancheros with Soyrizo and Mustard Greens

Published by Jacqueline King

 This is my Californian variation on a traditional Mexican breakfast dish. Soyrizo is a GMO-free, organic version of the Mexican sausage that’s easily available in most big super markets and pretty much the only meat substitute meat eaters always like. Even my Grandpa who is from Oaxaca likes it just as much as regular chorizo. He even buys it himself! This is the perfect breakfast for a weekend brunch or as a healthy start to a busy workday. You can sub kale or chard for the mustard greens if you prefer. Enjoy! 🙂 Jacq Huevos Rancheros with Soyrizo and Mustard Greens Ingredients: Serves 2 Olive Oil 1/2 Medium Onion, thinly sliced 2 Corn Tortillas 1 can whole Black Beans, rinsed Kosher salt and Black pepper Paprika Cumin 1 Garlic Clove, cut in half 1 small bunch Mustard Greens 1/2 package (6 oz.) Soyrizo 2 Eggs 1/2 cup Fresh Salsa 2 tbsp Cashew Sour Cream 1/2 Avocado Fresh Cilantro for Garnish 1.Place 1 tbsp olive oil in a pan over medium heat, add onions and stir to coat. 2. …