- joyfalzone
cashew cream
Read moreThis cashew cream is life changing, seriously. I could eat it by the spoonful. It is good on just about anything, as a dipping sauce, creamy pasta sauce, or dressing. Best of all, it takes only a few minutes of blender time and remembering to soak your nuts the night before. The first time I had cashew cream was at my local health food store in a veggie wrap so I have tried to recreate theirs. You can play around with the flavor if you like by adding a little vinegar, spices or nutritional yeast for “cheesiness”.
- joyfalzone
cold brew coffee smoothie
Read moreCoffee… is it healthy or not? There’s all kinds of studies saying it is and isn’t. Truth is, one cup of coffee per day likely isn’t going to cause you harm, but when you’re using coffee as a false source of energy, health problems are likely to follow. There’s no substitute for a good night’s sleep and if we are fueling our bodies with caffeine, we are likely interfering with the depth of our sleep and our body’s signs telling us that we are tired. Bottom line, you can have your morning cup of coffee, just don’t have four! Too much coffee has been linked to raising blood pressure, LDL (bad cholesterol), homocysteine (elevated levels associated with heart attack and stroke) and causing adrenal fatigue by keeping your body in a chronic state of stress. To be fair, there are a few benefits to coffee, like antioxidants which fight free-radical damage, but probably not enough to call it a health food.
- joyfalzone
pina colada popsicles
Read moreYou asked for some of our favorite summer treats so here’s another super easy four ingredient popsicle recipe! There’s no need for any added sugar, the fruit is so sweet on its own! If you don’t like “coconut” flavor, you may still like these. I hate shredded coconut but the mild, real coconut flavor that comes from the coconut milk is delicious. Oh and there’s not actually alcohol in these despite the name, so they’re great for kids too. If you let the pops freeze just until they’re frozen through but not rock solid, they have a wonderful creamy texture that is just perfect!
- joyfalzone
zucchini crudo with summer herbs
Read moreEvery year since my husband and I have had a garden, I harvest our very first summer squash and turn it into thinly sliced crudo. I think eating zucchini raw is the best way to enjoy it. The recipe I’m sharing today along with this one from the archives, are my favorites! Simply slice the zucchini with a mandolin or ceramic slicer and top with olive oil, fresh lemon juice and handfuls of fresh summer herbs! It is a light, refreshing appetizer or snack perfect for this humid weather.
- joyfalzone
blueberry oat smoothie
Read moreSmoothies are my favorite breakfast or quick snack in the summer! There are endless possibilities and they are refreshing and help keep you hydrated. Since it’s blueberry season on the east coast, I’m sharing one of my favorite blueberry smoothies that I keep in rotation.
- joyfalzone
lactation cookies (breakfast bars)
Read moreI have two exciting things to share today, one, our second baby decided to join us last weekend at home under the care of my amazing midwives, the Midwives of New Jersey, and two, I am finally sharing what is probably the most used recipe in our house! These aren’t just “lactation cookies” but also a great breakfast for everyone. They are basically a protein-packed oatmeal cookie (and who doesn’t want a cookie for breakfast?)! My husband and toddler love these too.
- joyfalzone
watermelon currant popsicles
Read moreHappy first day of summer! Today I’m sharing a super simple, four ingredient, guilt-free ice pop recipe with no added sugar (approved by my 20 month old)! I have a Zoku quick pop maker at home which I absolutely love! It makes ice pops in less than ten minutes! This isn’t a sponsored post, I just think this product is great! You can use any pop maker of course, but sometimes you just don’t want to wait five hours for an ice pop!
Watermelon is a great source of antioxidant lycopene which has been shown to fight cancer. As I’ve mentioned before, berries (including raspberries) also have cancer-fighting antioxidants as well as loads of vitamin C. Currants and limes add even more vitamin C to the mix as well as lots of other nutrients! So you can feel really good about eating one (or two) of these!
- joyfalzone
hibiscus berry smoothie bowl
Read moreI love smoothies! It is such an easy way to have a nutritious breakfast or snack in minutes with basically no work on your part besides throwing ingredients in the blender! This berry smoothie has been one of my go-tos especially during early pregnancy when green smoothies nauseated me. The berries pack cancer-fighting antioxidants and more than 100% of your daily value of vitamin C as well as lots of other vitamins and minerals. Berries have a low glycemic index compared to most other fruit and have been linked to improved regulation of blood sugar as well as lowering risk for cardiovascular disease. In one study, participants who consumed at last 3 servings of low-GI fruits per day (including blueberries) saw significant improvement in their regulation of blood sugar over a three-month period of time. (Their blood levels of glycosylated hemoglobin, or HgA1C were used as the standard of measurement in this study.) Oats and almond butter make this smoothie filling enough for breakfast. The fat in the almond butter also helps your body digest slower which also helps regulate blood sugar.
- joyfalzone
electrolyte ice cubes for morning sickness & labor
Read moreBefore I became pregnant I liked to think I wouldn’t have morning sickness. I don’t have a weak stomach, I don’t get car sickness or get nauseous easily. When I found out I was pregnant with my son I felt great, for not even two days, then the all-day nausea hit me like a boulder. Food was the last thing on earth I wanted to think about, see or smell, never mind eat. I dreaded going to work and when I got home I would lie on the couch, watch The Office and beg my husband to bring me ice cubes. I looked forward to vomiting (which didn’t even happen once per day) because it was the only way to get a few minutes of relief. Some mommas out there know exactly what I’m talking about and this post is for you! But it’s also for anyone who plans to labor as much as possible at home or is planning a home birth! If you are planning to deliver in a hospital or birth center, you can ask if they have a freezer you can use so you can take these with you.
- joyfalzone
chia pudding three ways
Read moreHave you ever tried chia pudding? I never used to like it until I made this recipe from Amy Chaplin’s cookbook. Puddings I’ve tried in the past have had a weird texture and just tasted blah. The homemade nut milk, dates, and vanilla make all the difference in this recipe and it only takes minutes to make in the blender! My husband and I usually eat it for breakfast but it would also make a nice dessert. Chia seeds are a concentrated source of omega-3 fatty acids as well as dietary fiber. They are nutrient rich and contain a significant amount of vitamins and minerals compared to their size. The word “chia” is actually the Mayan word for “strength” which is fitting since chia seeds are a complete protein (meaning they contains all the essential amino-acids we need as humans). If you’re unfamiliar with chia seeds, they become gelatinous when soaked. In herbalism they are known as a demulcent which is cooling and soothing for those with compromised digestion.
