Seize The Day Blog

Health-Related Articles & Recipes

From My Recipe Box to Yours: Avocado Cilantro Dressing (Dairy-Free)

 

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Sugar-Free, and Vegan!

This simple recipe is clean-eating at its finest! I recommend pairing the dressing with my Southwestern Salad w/ Grilled Chicken, but it tastes great on just about anything! If you’re looking for a quick dressing with refreshing flavor you will absolutely adore this recipe! It is my go-to meal for the evenings when I’m short on time or just too exhausted to attempt one of my more involved recipes. Life is unpredictable already, your time in the kitchen shouldn’t be! This dressing is predictably delicious every time I make it! Plus, I have received the family stamp of approval so there’s no denying this recipe is a winner!

Bon Appétit!

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From My Recipe Box to Yours: Avocado Cilantro Dressing (Dairy-Free)

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Yield: 1 cup

From My Recipe Box to Yours: Avocado Cilantro Dressing (Dairy-Free)

Ingredients

  • 1 Avocado
  • 1 cup Cilantro, rinsed & loosely packed
  • 1/4 cup Lime Juice
  • 3/4 cup Water
  • 1 tablespoon Garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Honey, raw is preferred
  • 1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt
  • Sprinkle of Black Pepper, extra to taste

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients and blend until smooth or fully combined. If you prefer a thicker consistency, I recommend blending for only 10 seconds. This amount of time maintains a thick & creamy texture while also fully integrating all ingredients.
  2. Increase avocados if you desire an even thicker consistency for your dressing. Any leftovers can be stored in the fridge in a sealed container for a maximum of 3 days.
  3. Shake well before using again.
https://www.seizethedayblog.com/2019/04/from-my-recipe-box-to-yours-avocado-cilantro-dressing-dairy-free/

 

Thanks for visiting Seize The Day Blog! I hope you enjoyed this recipe for Avocado Cilantro Dressing! If you have any feedback for me, please feel free to email me (katie@seizethedayblog.com) or comment via Instagram (@seizethedayblog) & Twitter (@seizethedayblog). Thank you!

 

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website. 

 

From My Recipe Box to Yours: Southwestern Salad w/ Grilled Chicken

The Southwestern Salad with Grilled Chicken has been a recent, but popular addition to my recipe box. I love the variety of healthy ingredients this simple salad offers the consumer. With an arugula base, some might find this salad to be a little too flavorful, but the toppings and the Avocado Cilantro Dressing mesh together perfectly giving you one delicious meal! It makes a wonderful meal option for both Lunch and Dinner. The best part is that you can make this recipe in less than 20 minutes!

You can also remove the chicken for a vegan-friendly meal! I just can’t help but love the simple things in life and this recipe is definitely one of them! If you choose to use the Avocado Cilantro Dressing recipe (as pictured above) found here on Seize the Day Blog you will have a Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Sugar-Free entree for the the whole family!

Bon appétit!

 

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From My Recipe Box to Yours: Southwestern Chicken Salad

Yield: 4 salads

Ingredients

  • 1 8 oz Chicken Breast
  • 1 5 oz Container of Arugula, rinsed
  • 1 14 oz can Black Beans
  • 1 Avocado
  • 1 cup fresh Cilantro, leaves & stems
  • 1 cup Tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 Green Bell Pepper, chopped
  • 1 Cucumber, chopped
  • 1 Lime, to top each individual salad
  • Garlic Salt, to taste
  • Tortilla Chips, optional topping

Instructions

  1. Begin by prepping the chicken breast. Cover each side with garlic salt or to your preference and grill until fully cooked.
  2. Pour black beans into sauce pan and cover with lid, set aside on stove. The beans do not take very long to cook so wait until the very end of your meal prep to begin cooking.
  3. Rinse arugula and place in a medium sized glass bowl.
  4. Chop the avocado, tomatoes, cucumber, and bell pepper into bite size pieces. Slice cilantro so that you get both the leaves and the upper stem. Add to bowl of arugula.
  5. Return to black beans and cook on medium high heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain beans, set aside in bowl.
  6. Slice cooked chicken into bite size pieces. I recommend adding the beans and chicken very last because of their warmer temperature.
  7. Once all ingredients have been prepped, cooked (if necessary), and added to the bowl of arugula thoroughly mix your salad.
  8. Add a squeeze of lime to enhance the flavor of the salad and drizzle with your dressing of choice.
https://www.seizethedayblog.com/2019/04/from-my-recipe-box-to-yours-southwestern-chicken-salad/

Thank you for visiting Seize the Day Blog! You can provide your feedback on this recipe by emailing me (katie@seizethedayblog) or through Twitter and Instagram (@seizethedayblog). Thank you!

 

Medical Disclaimer:

The information posted on Seize the Day Blog, including but not limited to, articles, images, recipes, text and other material are shared for informational purposes only. None of the writings should be looked upon as advice meant to replace that of an actual medical professional. If you suspect you have a serious medical condition you should seek help from a healthcare professional immediately. Please be aware that the author of this website is posting information simply to inform NOT to recommend others about health-related topics. Before following any information (i.e. undertaking a new healthcare or diet routine) found here on Seize the Day Blog, you should always consult a medical professional first. Please be sure to never disregard any medicinal advice because of something you have read on this website. 

From My Recipe Box to Yours: Game Day Nachos

Perfect for any game day, especially Super Bowl Sunday!

One of my favorite meals whilst being on a gluten-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free diet has been these nachos. I’m already a huge fan of Mexican-style food, in general, so as soon as I found Late July’s Restaurant Style (gluten-free) Tortilla Chips it has been my personal priority to keep my pantry fully stocked.

Long story short, these chips taste great and they’re good for you! In fact, this entire meal is nothing but healthy for your whole body. They feel more like a cheat-product every time I eat them because they’re so yummy, but they’re gluten-free and Organic. My recommended recipe to try with this “Diamond in the Rough” product is Nachos. And not just any nachos, but Game Day Nachos! It is Super Bowl Sunday here in the United States, after all!

So, can you make nachos without gluten and dairy? My answer is YES! You can make bomb nachos without cheese! Beware of the skepticism you may face from the critics in your home, I faced a little myself. However, I let the nachos do the talking’ and now my original critics are huge fans too!

I like to begin with a layer of corn chips (amount of chips depends on the person). Next, add a layer of pinto, black, or refried beans (it’s your choice, all 3 are excellent). Now at this point, I’m always tempted to sprinkle a little cheese on top of my beans, but stay strong because I promise these Nachos will still taste amazing. Place a generous amount of meat on top (since you’re skipping the cheese you might as well over indulge where the meat is concerned to ensure a healthy source of protein).

I like to alternate between grilled chicken w/ garlic salt and this Crock-Pot Chicken recipe I discovered on Pinterest. Steak is another great options, just try to stick to Mexican-infused flavors. The Crock-Pot Chicken recipe I like to use is more of a shredded-chicken style of meat so if you’re a fan of the shredded chicken above the chopped grilled chicken or steak than I would definitely go with this recipe. You can find the link above.

After the meat, I squeeze a quarter slice of lime evenly around the entire plater and top generously with guacamole. For a spicier plate of nachos, add additional jalapeños on top of your guacamole to taste. I recommend being generous when it comes to the guacamole because my guacamole recipe also includes cilantro, tomatoes, lime, and jalapeños so it is going to add a lot of complimentary flavors to your nachos. Add some salsa and you’ve got yourself some gluten-free Game Day Nachos! I like to add an extra squirt of lime before serving…or in my case, Devouring!

Bon Appétit

 

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From My Recipe Box to Yours: Game Day Nachos

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • Late July Corn Chips
  • Pinto, Black, or Refried Beans
  • Chicken or Steak
  • Jalapeños
  • Guacamole
  • Salsa

Instructions

  1. Just take it one layer at a time, or one ingredient at a time, and stack one after the other until you have your desired final product. Save the salsa and guacamole for last so that you can top your nachos in burst of extra flavor.
https://www.seizethedayblog.com/2019/02/from-my-recipe-box-to-yours-game-day-nachos/

 

From My Recipe Box to Yours: Gluten-Free Banana Pancakes

Well-balanced & Delicious…Exactly how Breakfast should be!

I’ve never been a huge fan of banana flavored foods, but these pancakes are drool worthy! I’m currently on a Paleo style of diet that is also Gluten-free, Dairy-free, and Sugar-free. So, when it comes to satisfying my sweet tooth the options are few and far between. 

That being said, these pancakes are the perfect solution AND they’re incredibly healthy for you! With only 6 ingredients total, they are quick, easy, and delicious! 

As far as toppings are concerned, I prefer to stick with the classic Maple Syrup, but Honey makes an excellent alternative, as well! 

Or, if you’d like to skip sugar alternatives completely, you can also enjoy these pancakes topped with strawberries and blueberries. 

I used Organic Ghee as my butter substitute and I have to say that the texture and flavor of the pancakes turned out even better! So, for those of you wanting to break away from the “norm” in your day-to-day routine, I highly recommend trying this recipe! 

These pancakes will not disappoint to satisfy both your need for spontaneity and your sweet tooth! And let’s be honest, who doesn’t like a good pancake???

I hope you enjoy this recipe! If you do decide to give it a try, please comment your feedback via Instagram & Twitter (@seizethedayblog) or email me at katie@seizethedayblog.com.

Thank you!

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From My Recipe Box to Yours: Gluten-Free Banana Pancakes

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Yield: 12 pancakes

Ingredients

  • 3 Bananas
  • 4 Eggs
  • 1/4 tsp Baking Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Sea Salt
  • 1 tsp Vanilla
  • 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
  • Maple Syrup or Honey
  • Ghee

Instructions

  1. Place eggs, baking powder, sea salt, vanilla and cinnamon in a large bowl and whisk until combined.
  2. In a separate bowl, place bananas and begin lightly mashing all three together. You don't want to over-mash because that will take away from the texture of your pancakes.
  3. Add bowl with bashed bananas to the first bowl and whisk again until both mixtures are combined.
  4. In a frying pan, add a small circle of ghee and top with pancake batter. Only a small amount of batter is necessary. Let sit for about 1 1/2 - 2 minutes before flipping.
  5. Top fully-cooked pancake with a small circle of ghee, add maple syrup, honey, or fruit and ENJOY!
https://www.seizethedayblog.com/2019/01/from-my-recipe-box-to-yours-gluten-free-banana-pancakes/