About a month ago I eliminated grains & sugar from my diet due to some significant digestion issues that I had been stubbournly ignoring. I’ve had some hiccups & special events along the way, but the changes in the way my body has felt overall throughout the last handful of weeks have been amazing! I feel lighter, brighter, less foggy & more energetic!
In making the switch, I decided to replace grains & sugar with more vibrant, nutrient-rich foods. Instead of a traditional bun for my veggie burger, I’ve been cooking up delicious sweet potato buns! I’ve been eating lots of beet kraut + pickled treats for a boost of flavor on salads & making a delicious yogurt bowl every morning for breakfast.
I’ve shared my yogurt & granola bowl many times on Instagram, but I’ve yet to share the full recipe. There are so many ways to mix it up, but here are the basics:
Natalie’s Go-To Yogurt Bowl
1/2 – 1 cup plain greek yogurt
1/2 chopped banana
1/2 cup fresh fruit of your choice
2 teaspoons raw, creamy almond butter
2 teaspoons grain-free, sugar-free granola (My go-to is Wildway granola from Whole Foods Market)
Sprinkle unsweetened coconut flakes
Spoon plain greek yogurt into bowl. Layer bananas & fruit of choice on top of yogurt. I love adding blueberries, pomegranate seeds, raspberries & strawberries (April 4th – 10th, you can grab two cartons of organic, seasonal strawberries grown without toxic or persistent pesticides for just $7 from Whole Foods Market! Yes!) Next, drizzle creamy almond butter on top. Finally, add granola & a sprinkle of coconut flakes!
One simple addition to my yogurt bowl that I’ve been loving lately is my homemade, sugar-free strawberry sauce! It’s so wonderful to have this sauce on hand when the berries are plentiful & on sale – pour a little on top of your yogurt bowl or mix in balsamic vinegar as a tasty dressing for my favorite spring dinner – strawberry & chicken salads!
Simple Strawberry Sauce
1 quart organic strawberries, tops cut off & chopped
teaspoon local honey (optional)
1 teaspoon water
Add all ingredients to a small saucepan on the stovetop. Heat over medium high heat until sauce begins to bubble. Using a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon, mash your strawberries as they bubble. Once the consistency is thick & to your liking, remove from stovetop & allow to cool. Place in a small jar & refrigerate. Add to your favorite spring dishes for a boost of flavor! Lasts about 3 weeks.
What recipes are you enjoying this spring? Have you been making any switches in your food journey? Please do let me know if you make my yogurt bowl & strawberry sauce!
love,
natalie
Homemade chicken broth is such a simple way to nourish our bellies & save a little money. At least once a week, on our busy days, I stop by Whole Foods & pick up a rotisserie chicken. Paired with roasted veggies & Luke’s sourdough bread, it makes for the perfect meal.
I don’t stop there, though. I always take off the leftover chicken from the bone & prepare sandwiches for lunch or make chicken nachos. I then add the bones to the crockpot & let it simmer into a rich & golden chicken broth for the week’s soups. A $7 chicken turns into two meals & two delicious jars of broth, an impressive way to stretch one’s dollar!
Today on the blog I am sharing my go-to crockpot chicken broth recipe. It’s simple & one we make weekly. Enjoy!
Crockpot Chicken Broth Recipe
1. Remove all meat from the chicken carcass & place the bones in your crockpot. Fill with water until the bones are completely covered. Add your favorite herbs – rosemary, thyme & bay leaves – along with salt & pepper. Allow to simmer on low for 24 hours (yes, this means your crockpot will be on overnight!).
2. Once your broth has simmered for 24 hours, allow to slightly cool. Then pour bones & broth into a large colander with a bowl underneath. I typically do this in our sink. Lift the colander from the bowl & discard bones. You will be left with a rich, golden bowl of delicious broth! There may be some floaties, but that’s just a flavor bonus!
3. Grab your jars (I use wide mouth) & a funnel. Pour broth into jars & screw on the lid. Don’t forget to label your jars with the date!
4. Store your beautiful jars of broth in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. Use broth in soups, chilis, sautés & more!
Let me know if you make this recipes! It’s one of our family favorites & sure beats the pants off of the stuff you buy in the store.
love,
natalie
I am finally reaping the rewards of my newly planted herb garden (I talked more about it in this post)! Throughout the summer I harvested herbs here & there for roasted potatoes & homemade salad dressings, but with the change in seasons comes the need to beginning drying & storing my homegrown herbs for the winter months.
After my morning walk, I headed out to the garden with my basket & shears to harvest the first of many baskets full of herbs.
I keep this little twine stand with scissors conveniently in our dining room hutch for tying bundles of flowers, last minute gifts & freshly harvested herbs. It truly does have so many uses. I also keep a plethora of baskets nearby – can you ever have too many baskets?!
Once I brought my herbs inside, I bundled them up with a simple tie of twine.
From left to right – hyssop (for winter tea), oregano, lavender (I love baking with lavender), bergamot (also for homemade hot teas!) & rosemary (my favorite).
I then hung each bundle on my herb drying rack (found here). Each time I walk by my herbs, I squeal in delight – the rosemary smells heavenly!
I will say, it is best to dry herbs in a dark, cool space. Unfortunately our small home doesn’t have a dark space that is not already being utilized. Thankfully, this little spot receives diffused morning light only so it has worked great.
Once my herbs are dry, I store them in my favorite Weck jars. If you don’t like the clamps, you can always use the wooden lids, which are equally lovely.
I appreciate the look of these jars & think they make such wonderful jars for gifting during the holiday season. Lots of relatives will be receiving Freckled Hen Farm culinary herb blends with a little wooden spoon this year!
I’d love to read your thoughts on drying herbs at home. What are your favorite methods & blends? Please share!
love,
natalie