Festive Cranberry Pecan Brussel Sprouts

I had some brussel sprouts in the fridge and, after making cranberry sauce and snacking on pecans, I was inspired to put them together in this delicious combination!

Ingredients:

1 lb brussel sprouts
2-3 tbs olive oil
handful chopped pecans
handful fresh cranberries
salt, to taste
cracked pepper, to taste
cranberry sauce, optional (recipe on this blog)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Wash brussel sprouts and be sure to drain all water off.  Cut them in quarters and place them in a large caserole baking dish.  Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper.  Add pecans and cranberries.  Mix to coat with oil.

Bake for approximately 20-30 minutes or until the brussel sprouts can be poked thru with a fork but not too soft. 

Eat by itself or serve with quinoa.

Try adding some cranberry sauce on top!

A link to this recipe may also be found here, along with other wonderfully delicious and nutritious recipes: Wellness Weekend December 20-24. 

Bunnicula's Carrot Top Soup Medley

Ingredients:

- 1 bunch multi-colored carrots with tops
- onion
- 3 bay leaves
- 3 tbs. olive oil
- 1/2 tbs. italian seasoning
- 1/2 tbs. turmeric powder
- 1/2 cup red lentils (optional, leave out for lower-carb version)
- 3 celery stalks
- several cloves of garlic
- fresh herbs, I used holy basil leaves
- moringa leaves
- cayenne pepper, to taste
- sea salt or Himalayan salt, to taste
- water, to cover
- 1 cup cooked quinoa


Directions:


Remove carrot tops and peel carrots.

 Chop onion and stir-fry in olive oil with bay leaves.

Add lentils and other (dry) herbs.

Add several cups water, and bring to a simmer...

Chop carrots and celery and add to soup, let cook several minutes.

Chop (washed) carrot top greens and add to soup.

Lastly, add moringa, holy basil leaves, and quinoa.

Salt to taste...

... and enjoy!

Cacao Nib Blondies (Delicious and Nutritious!)

Ingredients:

⅓ sesame oil
1 can navy beans
stevia powder, amount varies depending upon what type/brand you use and your preferred taste.  I used approximately ½-1 tsp Kal stevia powder.
2 eggs
1 cup cooked quinoa
¼ cup ground almonds and 1/2 cup maca powder (or 1/2 cup ground almonds)
2-3 tsp. vanilla extract
½ tsp baking powder
⅓ cup cacao nibs
½ cup nuts of choice (I used walnuts)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and oil an 8x8 inch pan.

Put all ingredients, besides cacao nibs and nuts, in a food processor and process until smooth.

Stop processor, then add cacao nibs and mix in with a spoon.  Pour into pan and smooth out with a spatula.  Evenly distribute nuts (I broke the walnuts into smaller pieces first) evenly across top and press into batter.  

Bake for 25-30 minutes.  Allow to cool, cut to desired size and enjoy!

 

This recipe was inspired by this recipe:  http://recipes.steviva.com/recipe/gluten-free-brownies-no-added-sugar-low-glycemic
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