Anti-Inflammatory Recipes

Happy Friday everyone! I believe it is safe to say that I am in love with cooking! Cooking is not only a fun pass time but also a wonderful opportunity for me to experiment with all sorts of fun ideas that come to my mind. That is why it is such a treat for me every time I get to share with you all some recipes that I personally find both enjoyable and consciously sourced. Cooking my own meals is not only fun, but also ensures that I know I am fueling my body with the right sources of energy. This week’s recipes all have two things in common.

1. They are all soup related (perfect for our winter weather)

2. They are all anti-inflammatory!

Go ahead and give these recipes a try and experience for yourself how a recipe can be both tasteful and health-conscious at the same time.

Sweet Potato Turmeric Soup

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) avocado oil or olive oil

• 1 small sweet onion, diced

• 1 tablespoon (10 g) finely chopped fresh ginger

• 2 cups (270 g) diced sweet potatoes

• 2 (14-ounce [399-g]) cans black beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 (14-ounce [399-g]) can diced tomatoes, with liquid

• 2 teaspoons (4 g) ground turmeric

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste

• 3 cups (700 ml) vegetable broth

• 1 cup (240 ml) full-fat coconut milk

• Juice of 2 limes

• Optional: organic sour cream

Directions

1. Heat a large stockpot to medium heat. Coat the bottom with oil, then toss in the onion, ginger, and sweet potatoes. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until fragrant.

2. Add the black beans, tomatoes with liquid, turmeric, cumin, and salt. Stir until the ingredients are combined, then add your vegetable broth.

3. Bring the soup to a slight boil; reduce the heat to a simmer. Let simmer for 10 to 12 minutes. Pour in the coconut milk and stir so that it melts in the soup. Add the juice of the limes to the pot.

4. Add sour cream on top when serving (if desired).

Chickpea Spice Bowl

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon avocado oil

• 1 15-ounce can rinsed and drained chickpeas

• ½ teaspoon ground turmeric

• ¼ teaspoon plus a pinch of paprika

• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger

• ¼ teaspoon sea salt

• Pinch of fresh ground pepper

• 1 red bell pepper, chopped into 1-inch pieces

• 2 cups frozen cauliflower rice

• 1 5-ounce container of plain coconut or Greek yogurt

• 3 scallions, chopped

Directions

1. Chop scallions and bell pepper. Drain chickpeas.

2. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat with avocado oil. Add chickpeas, turmeric, ¼ teaspoon paprika, ginger, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, then add bell pepper and cauliflower rice. Cook for 3 more minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Spoon into two bowls. Top with dollop of yogurt, sprinkle of paprika, and fresh scallions.

Coconut Ginger Soup

Ingredients

• 1 quart bone or vegetable broth

• 1¾ cups full-fat coconut milk

• A piece of fresh ginger, peeled and finely sliced

• ½ teaspoon ground turmeric

• Juice 1 lemon

• ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes

• A small handful of cilantro, roughly chopped

• 2 teaspoons coconut oil

• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. Place all the ingredients, except for the cilantro and coconut oil, into a medium saucepan, and bring to a gentle simmer.

2. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, remove from the heat, and allow to cool for a few minutes.

3. Season with sea salt and plenty of black pepper, sprinkle over the cilantro, and spoon in the coconut oil. Taste and add more lemon juice if you

Nora's Naturals Holiday Edition: Festive Cocktails with Benefits

Fa la la la la, la la la la. It is Friday and I am in a cheery mood! This holiday season has been such a blessing to me. Spending time with my family and friends, singing carols in the car and baking cookies have been filling my weekends.

In the kitchen, I have also been enjoying a variety of my holiday cocktails at happy hour. A perfect way to end my work week. All of this merriment makes me want to share this holiday deliciousness with you! Read below and watch the videos to give these holiday cocktails a try and spice up your holiday season.

Cranberry Sauced

Benefit: Immune strengthening cranberries contain high levels of vitamin C and phytonutrients to fight free radicals and lower inflammation.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka

• 1/2 cup club soda

• 1/4 cup cranberries

• 1/2 cup unsweetened cranberry juice

• Splash of orange juice

• 1 tbsp orange zest

• 2 tbsp honey

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients with 1/2 cup of ice in a shaker.

2. Shake for 30 seconds and pour into a fun glass.

3. Add the whole cranberries from the shaker (option to soak in vodka ahead of time).

4. Option to add additional orange zest to the top.

Beauty Bubbles

Benefit: Beauty boosting pomegranates contain B6, potassium and polyphenols essential for cellular turnover- brightening skin and strengthening hair.

Ingredients:

(Similar setup to Cranberry Sauced)

• 2 oz vodka

• 1/2 cup club soda

• 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds

• 1/2 cup fresh lemon squeezed

• Splash of pomegranate juice

• 1 tbsp lemon zest

• 2 tbsp honey

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients with 1/2 cup of ice in a shaker.

2. Shake for 30 seconds and pour into a champagne glass.

3. Add the pomegranate seeds from the shaker (option to soak in vodka ahead of time).

4. Option to add additional lemon zest to the top.

Vacay Ready

Benefit: Fat burning fiber in the blood oranges slows down blood sugar spike and regulates digestion.

Ingredients:

(One large batch)

• 2 bottles of cabernet or pinot noir

• 2 cups sliced strawberries

• 2 cups apple juice

• 4 cloves

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 1 lemon cut into wedges

• 1 lime

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a pitcher.

2. Let the mixture sit in the refrigerator overnight to let the flavors seep into the wine.

Irish Exit

Benefit: Energy enhancing coffee contains chlorogenic acid; an antioxidant that increases circulation and decreases insulin secretion (essential to lower insulin for weight management and sustained energy).
Ingredients

• 2 oz bourbon

• 8 oz Nora's Naturals Coffee

• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

• 1/4 cup coconut cream

• 2 tbsp coconut sugar

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tsp nutmeg

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender for 30 seconds.

2. Serve hot.

3. Optional: add whipped cream on top.

Fall Favorites

And the countdown begins. We are officially one week away from Halloween and my excitement continues to build! The days have been flying by and my to-do list seems to continuously grow. Nevertheless, while October is always a busy month, that does not mean we should succumb to the work-horse lifestyle as it can be so easy to do. 

Setting time aside to relax and enjoy the little moments can not only make your busy week feel like fun, but also balanced! Here below I will be sharing some of my absolute fall favorites that are easy to fit into a busy schedule.

Burn a Candle

This is a quick and simple way to jump in on the fall festivities. There are so many different scents that I love. One of my favorites is called Fall Leaves. Aside from this, there is Pumpkin Spice, a variety of Vanilla scents and even a yummy Cinnamon Apple. When you find yourself at home looking to take the ambience up a notch, grab that lighter and embrace the cozy candle aroma!

Watch a Halloween Movie

This is a great activity to celebrate the spooky season and reset at the end of a day. I usually will start to play my Halloween favorite, Hocus Pocus, while cooking dinner. However, just make sure you are keeping a good eye on your food and don't burn anything! Whether it be an old classic such as It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, a comedic horror movie such as Cabin in the Woods, or even a family friendly choice like The Nightmare Before Christmas, this is an activity that anyone can make time for.

Explore a Pumpkin Patch

This may take up more time than the other ideas, but nonetheless I wanted to remind you that this is such a fun option to take advantage of. Google search for a local pumpkin patch near you and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Here you will find pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, possibly a train for little kids to ride, and some pumpkin spiced baked goods. Occasionally there may be a corn maze available which I can't help but explore!

Bake a Sweet Treat

Baking can be a fun activity either on your own or with a friend. I enjoy baking at home with some tunes on or having a movie playing in the background. Occasionally I will choose to indulge in a little taste test of the batter or frosting. What can even be more fun than the actual baking itself is sending your goodies off to family and friends. It always warms my heart to see other people’s eyes light up at the fact that you thought about them.