Salmon Tacos with Mango Salsa

This recipe is delicious and healthy.

So, why wouldn't you try it?? It's easy too, so skip that excuse as well.

Wild Caught Salmon is full of Omega-3s, which help reduce inflammation (the basis of every disease and illness), promotes brain function, and assists cell production.

Salmon Tacos with Mango Salsa Recipe
Adapted from: Alison Needham

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pound salmon filet with skin on
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon cumin
corn tortillas
1 avocado, sliced
feta cheese, optional

Salsa:
1 mango, skinned and cut into small dice
1/2 cup diced red onion
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
handful chopped cilantro
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
1/2 juice lime
pinch salt

Directions:

1. Pat the salmon dry. Combine the chili powder, sugar, salt and cumin in a small bowl and sprinkle over the surface of the flesh-side of the salmon. Set aside.
2. Prepare the salsa. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Taste for seasoning, cover and refrigerate.
3. Spray the grill with cooking spray and light a medium-hot flame. To test heat on a charcoal or gas grill, hold your hand about 5 inches over the flame. You should only be able to keep it there for 3-4 seconds.**
4. Place salmon skin side down on the grill, cover and cook for about 5 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish (cook fish about 10 minutes per inch of thickness). Flip salmon over, peel off the skin and cook for 3 minutes more, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove from heat and place it pink flesh up on a plate. (The underside of the skin will be an unattractive gray color).
5. Place the corn tortillas on the grill for a few seconds a side to warm up. Flake fish and divide evenly between the tortillas. Top with mango salsa, sliced avocado, and feta cheese. Serve immediately with lime wedges.

**You can also prepare the Salmon in a pan on the stove. Cook as stated above over Medium Heat with olive oil in pan.

Enjoy!

Jane Iredale Makeup

 

It's time for me to review another beauty product! This time it's a whole line. Jane Iredale has an incredible line of mineral makeup.... Truly mineral that actually has skin-care benefits. Her makeup is great for sensitive skin and actually cures some skin disorders.

You can go to her website and actually read the ingredients. Most of her makeup is Vegan, Gluten Free, and Cruelty Free. She uses natural preservatives that are allergen free.

Unlike some beauty blogs, I have actually been using her products for 9 months now. I absolutely love them! I have combination skin that breaks out very easily. I've battled with acne all of my life, so that means that I have battled with makeup that really conceals blemishes all of my life. I use her Disappear Concealer with Green Tea Extract, which actually works great on acne and under-eye circles. I apply the concealer first and then dab Bare Minerals Concealer over the top for extra coverage. Then I use Jane Iredale's PurePressed Base Mineral Foundation over the top of that. It is supposedly anti-microbial so it keeps bacteria off the surface of your face. It seems to be working, because my acne has improved. The concealer is also supposed to heal blemished instead of dry them out. I have also tried their Eyeliner Pencil in Midnight Blue, but it tends to fade easier than I would like. It might just be the color though.

If you have problem skin at all or are just looking for a great natural makeup free of harsh dyes and preservatives, check it out! It is definitely worth the money. I haven't even put a dent in my powder or concealer in 9 months!

Enjoy!

Sesame Avocado Spring Rolls

I was feeling in the mood for something new, something fresh, something healthy and packed with vegetables, and then I stumbled upon these delicious spring rolls! Sesame crusted avocado and cabbage spring rolls?!? Yes, please.

I had never made spring rolls before, but they are quite simple. I can't wait to try my own rendition of these. Naturally Ella does a brilliant job of combining a simple, tasty treat. I would recommend not using as much lime juice, a half a lime will do. If you want this recipe to be more healthy, just skip the pan-frying of the avocado and just roll it in the sesame seeds. They shouldn't have a problem sticking. These would also be great with chicken or pork strips. Oh! Another added bonus is that they are Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free, Soy Free, and Vegan.

Sesame Crusted Avocado Spring Rolls

Adapted from: Naturally Ella

1/2 head red cabbage

1 carrot, shredded through grater

Juice from 1/2 lime

1 tbsp honey

2 ripe avocados

1/4 cup sesame seeds

1 tbsp sesame oil (olive works too)

6-8 spring roll wrappers

1/4 cup cilantro

Soy Sauce or Coconut Aminos*

1. Shred cabbage and carrot and toss with lime juice and honey. Set aside.

2. Slice avocado in half, remove pit, and slice down the middle length-wise. Remove skin, and slice into 1/2 inch slices.

3. Roll slices in sesame seeds until covered.

4. Heat oil over medium-high heat and place avocado in skillet. Cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes on each side.

5. Fill bowl with hot water to dip the spring roll paper in (a bowl that is wide enough to submerge the entire paper in works best).

6. Soak rice paper for 10-15 seconds (not too soft, just pliable), and place on cutting board or counter.

7. Place a small handful of the cabbage-carrot mixture in the center of the spring roll, and top with avocado and a sprinkle of cilantro.

8. Roll the spring roll by tucking one side over the food in the middle, fold in the sides, and continue rolling. You can roll them pretty tightly. It's surprising that they are tough to break.

9. Slice in half and serve with soy sauce or coconut aminos.

* Coconut Aminos are a great substitute for soy sauce for those of you who might be allergic to soy, like I am, or for those who are avoiding high-sodium foods. It looks and tastes exactly the same and is much better for you. You should be able to find it in Whole Foods, Earth Fare, or something similar. 

Enjoy!!

Roasted Radishes Recipe

After one of my Farmer's Market adventures, I roasted some radishes.

They were amazing.
My whole family loved them, even my picky dad and brother. Raw radishes are usually bitter and spicy, but when they are roasted, they transform into a savory and sweet flavor. I would have never thought to roast radishes until I saw spoonforkbacon's recipe for them. This is one of my favorite food blogs. Her food is incredible.

Roasted Radishes Recipe:

2 bunches of radishes, washed and trimmed, cut length-wise
2 1/2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 lemon, juiced
salt and pepper, to taste

1. Pre-heat oven to 375 F.
2. Toss all ingredients together in a bowl and season with salt and pepper.
3. Spread onto baking sheet. Bake until radishes have crisp, brown edges and are tender.

Such an easy and quick recipe! You must try it! Make sure to visit the original recipe. Her pictures are beautiful. http://spoonforkbacon.com/2013/05/roasted-radishes

xoxo

Athens Farmers' Market

Farmers' Markets are amazing. Period. It is a dietitian's Chuck-E-Cheese. That might be a poor reference... those things are creepy. Athens has a really great farmers' market on Saturdays that I haven't been able to go to, but I go on Wednesdays instead. It is smaller but still fantastic.

Farmers' Markets are great because you are supporting local farmers, therefore, your city or town. At most Farmers' Markets, you can find vendors who are Certified Organic or Certified Naturally Grown, which means you know how they are treating your foods and they are not genetically modified. Another great thing to note is that you get more nutrients from foods that spend less time from when they are picked until you cook them. At grocery stores, most of the food has traveled a long way to make it onto your shelves, so their nutrient content has decreased. This is not usually the case at farmers' markets; they pick their food that day or maybe the day before. So, seriously, go check out your local farmers' market. Odds are that there is one near you or maybe you grow your own, which is even more awesome.

And here is what I came home with the first time I went to the market. Lacinato Kale, shiitake mushrooms, mint, and gomacio (a Japanese seasoning made of sesame seeds, garlic, dried seaweed, dried kale, and black pepper).

The second time I went, I came home with onions, radishes, lacinato kale, and the most delicious strawberries I've ever had. 

It's so exciting to know that your food is nutrient rich, where it came from, and that it's healthy for you. You feel good about what you are eating, which should honestly happen every time we eat. 

Another thing to note is that Farmers' Markets usually have some type of ethically and pasture-raised, hormone-free meats there too! They are always a great price and taste incredible. I picked up some grass-fed ground beef and pasture-raised groud pork when I was there too.

Enjoy the experience!

xoxo Britney

100% Organic Vegan Deodorant

One thing that I struggled with for a while, was whether or not aluminum was bad for you in deodorant. Knowing that it probably was bad for you, made me search for a more natural solution. First I tried Tom's... It was horrific. Sticky, runny, messy-- not to mention the sweat and B.O. It didn't work at all. So then I moved on to Secret's "natural" deodorant, which I knew had aluminum, but more "natural" other ingredients. I figured out that I was allergic to BHT, an endocrine-disrupting preservative which happened to be in this deodorant. Most deodorants have this preservative and many other harmful ingredients.

About two months ago, I decided to try another natural deodorant from North Coast Organics called Death by Lavender...... I was scared to death, even though Vegan Beauty Review said that she loved it. I even told my boyfriend to let me know if he ever noticed me smelling bad or funny. Well, it has been two months or more, and he said he hasn't noticed me ever smelling anything but lovely.

I know what you must be thinking. "She must not sweat a lot." "There is no way this deodorant works without an antiperspirant." Well, I actually never leave the gym without looking like I jumped in the pool. I've played volleyball, kick-boxed, ran, done hot yoga, and laid out with this deodorant on, and I still love it. It is basically a miracle. I like it because it comes in stick form. The only downside is that it doesn't want to stay together as well as normal stick deodorant, but I hardly think that that should deter you from getting away from those other harmful chemicals.
There are 8 ingredients and you can read them all and actually ingest them, though I don't suggest it. Another thing to note, is that it took my body about a week to adjust to not having aluminum in my system, so I was sweatier then and got an inflamed pore or two. Again, worth it. How does it work without an antiperspirant? It contains drying agents that mop up sweat naturally (corn starch and baking soda).

It's only $7.99 plus shipping, so give it a try. I promise you'll like it.
xoxo Britney

Allergy Free Banana Nut Muffins

Today I made a version of Chocolate-covered-Katie's Single Lady Cupcakes in the form of Banana Nut Muffins and they were delicious. The single lady cupcakes are great because it makes one big serving or two normal-sized servings. These muffins are great because they are quick and easy so you can make them in the morning and finish getting ready while they bake! You won't feel bad for eating 15 muffins within 3 days either, because you are only making two. Another thing I like about them is that there are no special ingredients, these are things I always have stocked.