Salmon Bowl. Super Bowl!

I posted this in my insta story last night but since it is so good it really deserves a little shout out 😅

This ultra-quick, nutrient-packed bowl is a lifesaver for busy days or nights. Perfect for lunch, dinner or even mealprepping.

Here’s what I used and why it’s perfect for a healthy dinner:

Ingredients & Steps,

1. Sautéed Veggies:

• 🥕 Carrots, 🥒 zucchini, peas 🫛, bok choy, and onions. A little butter and pepper & salt in the end.

• Tip: Chop everything evenly for quick cooking and sauté in EVOO until tender.

2. Oven-Roasted Sweet Potatoes:

• Dice into small squares, toss with olive oil + salt and bake at 425°F for ~15 minutes until crispy

• Why? Sweet potatoes are rich in fiber, vitamins, and complex carbs.

3. Wild Rice:

• Made in the rice cooker for hands-off ease.

• Why? Wild rice is a wholesome alternative to white rice, packed with protein and antioxidants.

4. Wild-Caught Salmon:

• Slice small squares into the fillet for quicker cooking. Pan-sear in minutes with a touch of oil. Salt and pepper to taste

• Why? Salmon is loaded with omega-3s and high-quality protein.

5. Herb Salad with Cucumber:

• Toss fresh herbs with thinly sliced cucumber, drizzle EVOO, and sprinkle with salt, add a squeeze of lemon if tolerated

• Optional: Add avocado for extra healthy fats if you didn’t have it earlier like me that day 😅

Why I Love This Bowl

• Fast: Ready in just 25 minutes!

• Balanced: Packed with fiber, healthy fats, lean protein, and veggies.

• Versatile: Swap veggies, use quinoa instead of rice, or add nuts/seeds for crunch.

• Satisfying: A dinner that feels indulgent but keeps you energized.!

Enjoy

Ragù Bolognese à la Mandy

This is probably my family's favorite dish, we eat it almost every week. We buy the meat from a local farm, check your farmer's market and look for farmers from your area! Leftovers (if any) are so good and tasty the next day.

Serves Family of 4

What you'll need:

• Cutting board (we replaced all plastic ones with wooden boards because of micro plastics)

• Cast iron dutch oven 4.5-6 qt. or other big pot

• A sharp knife to cut the veggies

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 2-3 tablespoons of good olive oil

• 2 celery stalks, finely chopped

• 2 medium sized carrots, finely chopped

• 1 small zucchini (optional)

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped

• 500g (about 1 lb) ground beef (min. 15-22% fat content)

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1/2 cup white wine

• 1/2-1 cup organic tomato sauce (marinara) (like lucini or Victoria)

• Gluten-free fettuccine (such as Caponi brand, because they are hands down the BEST GF Pasta I had in a long time) Or your favorite regular tagliatelle

• Parmeggiano (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the sofritto:

   In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped celery, carrots, and onion, and sauté until softened, about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure the vegetables don't burn.

   
   

2. Cook the ground beef:

   Add the ground beef to the pot and cook until browned and fully cooked through, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. This should take about 8-10 minutes.

3. Season and deglaze:

   Season the beef mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Pour in the white wine and let it cook down for a few minutes until it has reduced slightly.

   
   

4. Add the tomato sauce:

   Stir in the tomato sauce (not too much!) and let the mixture simmer gently, uncovered. Cook for an additional 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld together. If using zucchini, add it in the end, it only takes a few minutes to cook.

   
   

5. Final seasoning:

   Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.

   
   

6. Prepare the pasta:

   While the sauce is simmering, cook the gluten-free fettuccine according to package instructions. Drain the pasta and toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.

   
   

7. Serve:

   Serve the ragu over the cooked fettuccine, and enjoy!

The Ragu is meant to be very simple and should not be drenched in tomato sauce, stir well before serving, all the taste is in the oil now ! :-)

TIP: prep the veggies in the morning or the day before and store in air tight container, then your ragu is on the table in 35 mins!!

Juice, Juice - Baby! Why our family loves juicing.

I am so in love with Smoothies and these endless variations you can make. And how adorable are these glass cups with wooden lid that I recently found on amazon? Using a juicer to make fresh fruit and vegetable juices can offer a variety of benefits, both for your health and your overall well-being. If you're considering investing in one, a Breville Juicer is a fantastic option that combines power, ease of use, and durability. Here’s why it’s a great addition to any kitchen:

Benefits of Juicing:

Whether you're using a Breville Juicer or another high-quality model, making fresh juice at home provides a variety of health benefits:

1. Nutrient Density: Juicing extracts the liquid from fruits and vegetables, which concentrates the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, giving your body a nutrient-packed boost.

2. Easier Consumption: Juicing is a great way to consume more fruits and vegetables, especially for those who find it challenging to eat the recommended servings of produce daily. (aka the little picky eaters!)

3. Hydration: Many fruits and veggies have high water content, helping you stay hydrated and refreshed.

4. Improved Digestion: Some juicers, like masticating models, retain more fiber, which can support digestive health.

5. Skin and Immunity Benefits: Ingredients like citrus, kale, and ginger are packed with nutrients that promote healthy skin and boost your immune system.

6. Convenience: Having a Breville juicer on hand makes it easier to enjoy fresh, homemade juice anytime, without the need for added sugars or preservatives found in store-bought juices.

   
   

Cleaning: A Small Effort for Big Rewards

While it’s true that cleaning a juicer can seem like a hassle at first, with a Breville juicer, the cleaning process is quick and straightforward. Once you get into a routine, it takes just about 5 minutes to rinse everything off. No need for a dishwasher—simply disassemble the parts, rinse them under warm water, and give them a quick scrub with the included brush. It’s easy to clean, and the minimal effort pays off when you enjoy your fresh juice.

Conclusion:

Investing in a Breville juicer is a smart choice for anyone looking to improve their health and nutrition while adding a fun, customizable component to their kitchen. It’s a fantastic way to get more fruits and vegetables into your diet, boosts energy and immunity, and is an overall great tool for healthy living. The cleaning process may seem a little intimidating at first, but it becomes second nature with a little practice—soon, you'll be rinsing everything in no time and enjoying your fresh juice every day!

If I juice during the week I simply do it when my kids have breakfast and fill it in an air thight glass bottle & enjoy my fresh juice in the car on the way to school :-)

Why the Breville Juicer (on sale this week!) is a Must-Have for Any Kitchen:

• Powerful and Efficient: Breville juicers are known for their powerful motors, which can handle everything from soft fruits to tough vegetables like carrots and beets with ease. Whether you’re juicing citrus, leafy greens, or hard produce, it can handle a variety of ingredients quickly and efficiently, producing smooth, nutrient-packed juice every time.

• User-Friendly Design: Breville juicers are designed with simplicity in mind. They’re easy to assemble, operate, and clean. The wide feeding chute allows you to juice larger pieces of fruits and vegetables, saving you time on prep work. Plus, the stainless steel components are built to last.

• Great Taste and Yield: The Breville juicer extracts more juice from your produce, giving you a higher yield and better taste. This means you’re getting more nutrients with less waste, making it both cost-effective and eco-friendly.

• Sleek and Compact: With its sleek design, a Breville juicer won't take up too much counter space, making it a great option for those who want the benefits of fresh juice without cluttering their kitchen.

Tip: Freshly juiced juice, such as celery juice, is best when consumed immediately for maximum nutritional benefits, as it can lose some of its vitamins, enzymes, and antioxidants over time due to oxidation. However, if you need to store it, there are ways to do so to minimize nutrient loss and extend its freshness.

Storing Freshly Juiced Celery Juice

1. Use an Airtight Glass Container: The best way to store freshly juiced juice is in a glass bottle or jar with an airtight lid. Glass is non-reactive and won’t leach chemicals, unlike plastic, making it the healthiest option. A tightly sealed container helps limit exposure to air, slowing down oxidation.

2. Refrigerate Immediately: Store your juice in the refrigerator as soon as possible. The cold temperature helps preserve its freshness and slows the degradation of nutrients. Ideally, your juice should be consumed within 24-48 hours of juicing to retain the best flavor and nutrient profile.

3. Fill the Bottle to the Top: Try to fill the bottle or jar all the way to the top, leaving as little air space as possible. This helps reduce the amount of oxygen that can come into contact with the juice, which is a key factor in nutrient loss.

4. Consider Using a Vacuum-Sealed Container: If you plan on storing juice for longer periods, you could use a vacuum-sealed container. These containers help remove air, which slows down oxidation, preserving more of the juice's nutritional value. Some people even use specialized machines to vacuum-seal glass jars.

5. Juicing Time Considerations: Fresh juice will begin to lose its potency shortly after juicing. Celery juice, for example, may start to lose its beneficial enzymes and live nutrients within just a few hours. The more time it sits, the less effective it may be, so it’s generally best to drink it as fresh as possible. If you’re making juice in advance, you might want to consume it within the first 24 hours for the best health benefits.

   
   

Alternative Methods for Storing Longer (If Needed)

• Freezing: If you want to store celery juice for a longer period, freezing it can be an option. Pour your freshly juiced juice into ice cube trays, freeze, and then transfer the cubes into a freezer-safe glass container or bag. When you're ready to drink, simply defrost the cubes in the fridge or mix them into smoothies. Keep in mind that freezing can alter the texture and flavor a bit, but it preserves most of the nutrients.

Takeaway: Drink Fresh, Store Smart

While it's always best to drink freshly juiced celery juice immediately for optimal health benefits, storing it in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours is a good way to extend its shelf life. Just be aware that the longer you store it, the more nutrients it may lose, especially if it’s exposed to oxygen and light. So, whenever possible, try to make only as much juice as you plan to drink right away!

Celery Juice offers many health benefits, particularly for digestion, hydration, inflammation, and skin health. As with any health trend, it’s important to listen to your body and incorporate celery juice as part of a balanced diet. If you're interested in trying it, it’s always a good idea to start with a small amount and see how your body responds.