raw zucchini "noodle" salad

Summer is here. School is out. Sun is shining.

Thank goodness.

Even though I am not in school, there's something about the summer. In LA it means outdoor movies, pier concerts, and long lazy Saturdays at the beach with friends. Oh, and cookouts - or BBQs - depending on what you like to call them.

This raw zucchini "noodle" salad is the perfect summer side dish to bring to a cookout - whether it's on a rooftop, a ranch, or a roadtrip. (Well, I guess that last one's not technically a cookout, but let's be honest - I needed one more "r" word.)

It's quick, easy, healthy, and the perfect compliment to a hot, juicy burger.

raw zucchini "noodle" salad

 using potato peeler, shave thin layers off zucchini

 rotate zucchini as you peel

 mix in any combination of your favorite dressings, herbs and spices

 I love Tessemae's all natural dressing, apple cider vinegar and lime juice with dried oregano, basil, dill!

toss, chill, and serve!

I like to garnish with fresh cilantro. And I especially love the potential to diversify this dish. Every time I make it I add something different - avocado, cherry tomatoes, nuts, you name it! Feel free to add your favorite toppings and make it your own! Happy summer!

turkey bacon wrapped dates

It's New Year's Eve. You need an appetizer to bring to a party, but you can't have gluten, soy, dairy, corn or nuts (welcome to my world). You want to make something relatively healthy and that won't require you to stand on your feet for hours in your kitchen. 

Enter bacon-wrapped dates. With a mer la la twist. A spin off the traditional version that merely subs goat cheese for coconut butter and regular bacon for turkey bacon! 

They're so delicious they'll have you asking, "Why didn't we think of this sooner?!"

turkey bacon wrapped dates

what you need:

- dates

- artisana coconut butter

- turkey bacon

- olive oil

- toothpicks

what you do:

1. using a sharp knife, slice the dates on one side (the long way) and remove the pits

2. fill centers with artisana coconut butter

3. gently press and reform dates around coconut butter

4. coat pan with olive oil and cook your turkey bacon (I like mine pretty well done)

5. roll stuffed dates in turkey bacon, piercing with a toothpick to secure

they're so irresistible...

you just might have to have one...

or two... before you make it out the door!

xoxo, 
mer

roasted acorn squash

Is there anything better than something that looks like a heart to warm your heart? Sorry, couldn't help myself.

In all seriousness (yes this is a very serious matter), roasted acorn squash is one of my favorite go-to veggies. It's a great snack or side dish, it's easy to make and super healthy!

All you need is:

LOVE. Sorry, couldn't help myself again.

All you really need is:

- acorn squash

- olive oil (or coconut oil)
- salt, pepper

- garlic powder

All you do is:

slice the acorn squash in half using a large butcher knife.

scoops out the seeds & stringy stuff with a large spoon.

score with knife like a checkerboard.

spray with olive oil (or spread thin layer of coconut oil.)

sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

 place on baking pan with edges. pour 1/4 inch water into pan.
(yes, the acorn squash sits right on the water!)

 bake at 400 degrees for one hour until golden brown.

and enjoy!

If you wanna get real fancy, you can top with a little Artisana Raw Coconut Butter. But be careful, you can't just have a little of that stuff!

Also, if you prefer a sweeter alternative, you can skip the pepper and instead top with any combination of the following:

- cinnamon

- honey

- agave nectar

- coconut sugar

- and, of course, coconut butter!

Wintery goodness. A hassle-free dish for your (hopefully not) harried holiday season!

cauliflower mashed "potatoes"

It's fall. Comfort food is a must. Compromising your health is not.

I love taking traditional comfort food favorites and putting my own healthy spin on them! These mashed "potatoes" are all the deliciousness of regular mashed potatoes and none of the digestive disaster - especially for all you fellow gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free peeps out there. 

I know I joke about my diet being "fun free" as well, but really - with simple substitutions - it doesn't have to be. You can have your cake and eat it, too! Or should I say your potatoes :)

Without further ado, I present to you:

cauliflower mashed "potatoes"

what you need:

- 1 head cauliflower

- 1 onion

- few cloves garlic

- chicken broth (or veggie broth)

- coconut oil (or olive oil)

- salt, pepper, dried (or fresh) herbs

what to do:

- rinse cauliflower

- chop (can be messy/doesn't have to look pretty)

- place cauliflower into pan

- add some broth

- cover with lid

- simmer on medium-low heat until cauliflower is soft

- meanwhile, chop onion and garlic

 - add to pan with coconut oil, salt and pepper

- sautee until golden brown

(You will probably use about half of these with your cauliflower. I usually serve the other half with another part of the meal - on top of a burger, etc.)

- place cauliflower & sauteed onion/garlic (about half) into your Vitamix (or blender/food processor)

- add a splash more broth (you can eyeball this. adding more as needed - depending on how thick you like them)

- season to your liking with salt, pepper, and herbs of your choice (I like a little oregano, thyme, and even some rosemary)

- blend

- serve

- let this warm, wintery goodness warm your heart and soul

Happy fall y'all! - M

chocolate macaroons

If you like coconut and if you like chocolate, then you will LOVE these gluten-free, dairy-free, guilt-free chocolate macaroons!

chocolate macaroons

They are super quick and easy to make. You only need 5 ingredients:

1. shredded coconut (1 cup)

2. cacao powder (5 T)

3. coconut oil (1/4 cup)

4. maple syrup (1 T)

5. vanilla (1 t)

Blend all the ingredients together. I use a Vitamix - the stick that pushes the ingredients down comes in handy when making recipes such as this one as the "dough" is pretty thick.

Then, using your tablespoon, scoop out "half circles" of the dough mixture. Press the dough firmly into the tablespoon to solidify, then gently slide it out (and quickly - coconut oil tends to "melt" pretty fast).

Place the "half circles" onto parchment paper and store in the fridge for an hour or so until they harden. At that point you can remove your macaroons from the parchment paper and store them in an air tight glass tupperware container for best keeping. They should last about a week in the fridge!

Indulge. Share. Enjoy!

eat right for your blood type

I recommend everyone see a holistic doctor. It's changed my life.

However, if for some reason you are unable, do yourself a favor and find out your bloodtype. Then google "eating for your bloodtype" and you can find tons of free information on the topic!

For almost a year, I have been seeing a holistic doctor. When I first came to him, I was experiencing some pretty intense digestive issues. He tested my body through applied kinesiology to find out to which foods I am sensitive... which foods I was eating that my body couldn't process that were therefore completely running down my immune system.

I cut out gluten, dairy, soy, and corn (among others) and my immune system skyrocketed - as did my overall health. I felt better, slept better, and had more energy.

Then, just recently I found out what my bloodtype is, and I was shocked to find that virtually all the suggestions made by my holistic doctor were supported by this method/theory.

So do yourself a favor! Find out your bloodtype. Begin incorporating changes according to the foods your body likes, is neutral toward, and doesn't like. And I guarantee you will notice a difference in your health!

Here are some direct links I have found for a few of the types:

O negative blood type diet. (This list is the most extensive with detailed categories on which foods are "highly beneficial," "neutral," and which you should "avoid.")
B positive blood type diet.A positive blood type diet.

And if you are in the LA area and want to visit my holistic doctor, you can do so here.

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If you liked this post, you may like  "sometimes you have to reach the bottom," "a decade of pain," and "from the inside out."

simply guacamole.

I'm a Texas girl. I love me some guacamole. There's nothin' like fresh table-side-made (you know what I mean) guacamole from a great Mexican food restaurant. But it's just as delicious and easy to make at home! 

Here's my easy homemade guac recipe:

simply guacamole.

ingredients:

-avocados

-limes

-salsa

-dried herbs

instructions:

wash and dry avocados and limes.

slice and dice avocados.

squeeze lime juice onto avocado.

(I use a 1:1 avocado/lime ratio)

cover with salsa of your choice.

sprinkle herbs of your choice.

(I use pepper, dill, and oregano)

using a knife and fork, slice and dice mixture (I prefer this to mashing it) until it reaches your desired consistency.

garnish with lime.

simple. fresh. easy. healthy.

enjoy!