Gluten Free Paleo Pizza Crust

Here is a wonderful way to make one of my favorite foods… PIZZA!

Pizza is generally considered a "cheat meal" because let's face it… most of the time you order a pie, you open up the cardboard box, and low and behold there's a shiny grease laden pizza.  But, it doesn't have to be that way!  Save yourself the calories, fat, and carbohydrates and make your own, healthier pizza at home.  Trust me, it's much easier than you might think to make your own pizza!  You'll thank me after you try this recipe :)

Most pizzas are chock full of canned and processed ingredients, which I am not a fan of.  So, we are going to be using all natural, whole foods to make our paleo pizza!

Pizza Crust Ingredients:

- 2 cups Almond Flour (I ground all natural, whole almonds in the VitaMix)

- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder

- 1/4 tsp Baking Soda

- 2 Organic, Cage-Free Eggs (You may use just egg whites if you prefer)

- 1/2 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (You can use Almond Cheese if you're Lactose Intolerant)

Instructions:

- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

- Mix all paleo pizza crust ingredients together to form a dough.

- Spray baking tray with non-stick cooking spray.

- Place dough on baking sheet and form into desired pizza shape (I actually did mine in a rectangle).

- Bake for about 15 minutes.

- Remove paleo pizza crust from oven (careful it's hot!).

- Add toppings.

- Bake for another 10 minutes or until all the toppings are nice and hot!

Topping Ideas:

- Organic, low sodium tomato sauce and/or crushed tomatoes

- Low-fat cheese or Almond cheese

- Pre-cooked chicken breast

- Pre-cooked ham

- Pre-cooked turkey breast

- Peppers

- Spinach

- Pineapple

- Avocado

- Mushrooms

- Onions

- Kale

My mom and I made this together over the weekend and the whole family loved it!  The guys didn't even realize it was a gluten-free pizza haha! Success :)  It is so satisfying to be able to eat your favorite foods, and actually enjoy them with zero guilt because not only is it tasty, it's healthy too!  I guarantee that you won't be feeling disgusting or bloated after this pizza pie!

Enjoy!

Eat clean. Train mean. Live lean.

Protein Banana Bread

MmMmMmMmmm how I LOVE BANANA BREAD!  I doubled this recipe and made 2 loaves; one with basic bananas, and the other I added walnuts and raisins.  Both are made with all natural, organic, almond flour so they are gluten free and Paleo friendly.  Additionaly, my high protein banana bread packs 15g of protein per slice! WOAH!  This recipe is incredibly easy and delicious.  Simple and sweet!  Great for breakfast, as a snack, pre-workout, post-workout, with dinner or as dessert!  You really can't go wrong :)  Enjoy my friends!

Protein Banana Bread

Ingredients:
- 2 cups Organic Almond Flour
- 2 Ripe Bananas, mashed

- 2 large Free Range Organic Eggs

- 1/4 cup VPX Sports Zero Carb SRO Whey Protein Powder - Graham Cracker
- 1/4 cup Unsweetened Applesauce
- 1/2 tbsp Organic Cinnamon
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- Optional: Chopped nuts, raisins, berries, chocolate chips, etc!

Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350F.  
- Spray glass bread pan with non stick cooking spray.  
- Mix all of the ingredients together in a large bowl.  
- Pour mixture into glass bread pan.  
- Bake for about 45 minutes or until loaf is golden brown and toothpick comes out clean.

Nutritional Information:

Per slice (cut into 8 THICK slices)

235 calories, 15g fat, 200mg sodium, 138g potassium

13g carbohydrates (4g fiber, 5g sugar), 15g protein.

If you'd like to purchase
VPX Sports Zero Carb SRO 100% Whey Protein Isolate
you can do so online at www.vpxsports.com 
and use the discount code CANDY20 
to receive 20% off your order!

What Are The Benefits Of Almond Flour?

Most breads, desserts and processed foods that use flour use bleached or unbleached wheat flour. While wheat flour is both nutritious and familiar, an alternative to common wheat flour is almond flour. If you are following a gluten-free diet, using almond flour in recipes calling for wheat flour allows you to enjoy baked products without consuming any gluten.

Easy Availability

Unlike some more uncommon flours, you can often find almond flour in your local grocery store but it can be quite expensive. An alternative to purchasing almond flour is to prepare it yourself using a food processor and raw almonds. Simply place almonds into the machine and grind for several seconds. Next, sift the ground almonds. Store the almond flour in the refrigerator because almond flour deteriorates more quickly than wheat flour.

 Health Benefits

Almond flour, because it is simply ground almonds, offers the same health benefits as eating whole almonds. Eating nuts regularly can help with your cholesterol.  When you have lower total cholesterol, you may reduce your risk of heart disease or stroke.

Beneficial Nutrients

Almond flour contains 160 calories in 1/4 cup. In contrast, whole-wheat flour has 102 calories in 1/4 cup. Almond flour is high in fat, with 1/4 cup containing 14g of total fat, 1g of saturated fat and no trans fat. The fat in almond flour comes mainly from monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. You get about 35 percent of your vitamin E requirement for the day, 20 percent of your magnesium needs and 6 percent of your daily requirement for both iron and calcium. Your body uses vitamin E for the health of your red blood cells, and magnesium for your muscle function, bone strength and energy needs. Almond flour also gives you 6g of protein and 3g of fiber per 1/4 cup, which is about 12 percent of your fiber requirements, if you aim for consuming 25g a day.

Uses

Using almond flour in place of wheat flour allows you to make healthy and nutritious gluten-free bread and other fit foods!

Read more:  

http://www.livestrong.com/article/462065-what-are-the-benefits-of-almond-flour/#ixzz2VpJ86i1g 

Apple Almond Flour Protein Bread (Paleo)

This is the second loaf of Almond Flour Protein Bread my mother and I baked!  Although they both were amazeballz, I think I may have liked this one better... Probably due to the hint of chocolate peanut butter flavor from the PB2 I added, YUM!!!

Apple Almond Flour Protein Bread 
(Paleo)

Ingredients:

- 2 cups Organic All-Natural Almond Flour

- 1/2 cup SRO Zero Carb Protein Powder, Graham Cracker

- 3 large Free Range Eggs

- 1/4 cup Chocolate PB2 (Powdered Peanut Butter)

- 1/4 cup Applesauce

- 2 tbsp Honey

- 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar

- 1/2 tbsp Vanilla Extract

- 1/2 tbsp Cinnamon

- 1 tsp Baking Soda

- 1/2 tsp Nutmeg

- 1 Red Apple, cored & diced

Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Spray glass bread pan with no stick cooking spray.
- Mix all of the ingredients together in a large bowl and then fold in diced apples.
- Pour mixture into glass bread pan.
- Bake for about 30-35 minutes or until loaf is golden brown and toothpick comes out clean.

Prepare for your house to be filled with the mouth-watering aroma of apples and cinnamon! 

*Tips*
- Let cool before slicing and serving.
- Cover loaf with plastic wrap and save slices for a grab and go snack like I did!  It is actually delicious cold!

If you'd like to purchase

VPX Sports Zero Carb SRO 100% Whey Protein Isolate

you can do so online at www.vpxsports.com 

and use the discount code CANDY20 to receive 20% off your order! 

Blueberry Almond Flour Protein Bread (Paleo)

I spent this past weekend with my mom coming up with some awesometastic Paleo approved protein bread recipes using all natural almond flour and my favorite protein powder; 

VPX Sports Zero Carb SRO 100% Whey Protein Isolate!  

Which, if you'd like to purchase you can do so online at www.vpxsports.com 

and use the discount code CANDY20 to receive 20% off your order!  

This one was the first!  Hope you enjoy the recipe as much as myself and my family did :)

Blueberry Almond Flour Protein Bread (Paleo)

Ingredients:

- 2 cups All-Natural Almond Flour (Homemade in the VitaMix)

- 1/2 cup VPX Sports Zero Carb SRO Protein Powder, Graham Cracker

- 3 large Free Range Eggs

- 1/4 cup Applesauce

- 2 tbsp Honey

- 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar

- 1/2 tbsp Vanilla Extract

- 1/2 tbsp Cinnamon

- 1 tsp Baking Soda

- 1 cup Blueberries (mine were frozen but you could use fresh)

Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Spray glass bread pan with no stick cooking spray.
- Mix all of the ingredients together in a large bowl and then fold in blueberries.
- Pour mixture into glass bread pan.
- Bake for about 30-35 minutes or until loaf is golden brown and toothpick comes out clean.

Prepare for your house to be filled with the mouth-watering aroma of blueberries and cinnamon! 

*Tips*
- Let cool before slicing and serving.
- Cover loaf with plastic wrap and save slices for a grab and go snack like I did!  It is actually delicious cold!

Nutritional Information:

Per slice (Yields 10 slices)

197 calories, 12g fat, 159mg sodium, 50mg potassium

11.6g carbohydrates (4.1g fiber, 5.4g sugar) 12.6g protein

Not only are blueberries delicious, they have wonderful health benefits as well!

1) Blueberries are extremely high in antioxidants which boost your immune system and help prevent infections.  In fact, blueberries contain the highest antioxidant capacity among all fresh fruits.
2) The anthocyanin, the selenium, the vitamins A, B-complex, C and E, the zinc, sodium, potassium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese etc., among others, can prevent and heal neural (brain) disorders.  It is amazing that these berries can also cure serious problems like Alzheimer’s disease to a great extent. They even heal damaged brain cells and neuron tissues and keep your memory sharp.  Researchers found that diets rich in blueberries significantly improved both the learning capacity and motor skills of aging animals, making them mentally equivalent to much younger ones.
3) Blueberry extract, high in compounds called anthocyanosides, has been found in clinical studies to slow down visual loss. They can prevent or delay all age related ocular problems like macular degeneration, cataract, dryness and infections.
4)  The high fiber content (which promotes healthy digestion), the abundant antioxidants, and the ability to dissolve the ‘bad cholesterol’ make blueberries an ideal dietary supplement to cure many heart diseases.
5) A new University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center study suggests that blueberries may help reduce belly fat and risk factors for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. 
*Tip* Choose blueberries that are firm and have a vibrant color. Shake the container; if the blueberries do not move freely, this may indicate that they are soft and damaged or moldy.  The deeper the color of the blueberries, the more they are rich in antioxidants and other medicinal values.

References: http://www.womenfitness.net/blueberries.htm

 

Apple Raisin Almond Flour Muffins

Quite possibly the easiest and most delicious muffins I've ever had 

IN MY LIFE.  

Thanks to my amazing mother for the recipe!  

*I get my love of cooking and eating from her*

<3 

These Apple Raisin Almond Flour Muffins are: 

PALEO approved, gluten-free, and all natural!!!

Apple Raisin Almond Flour Muffins

Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups Almond Flour (grounded all natural almonds in Vita Mix!)
- 3 Free Range Whole Eggs
- 2 small Apples (cored and chopped into small pieces)
- 1/2 cup Unsweetened Applesauce
- 1/2 cup Raisins
- 2 tsp Organic Cinnamon
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt

Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a medium sized bowl and mix!
- Place muffin liners in muffin tin and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Pour batter evenly into muffin tin.
- Bake at 350F for 20-25 minutes.
- Makes 12 delicious and nutritious Apple Raisin Almond Flour Muffins!

Enjoy the goodness :)

Nutritional Information:

Per Serving (1 Muffin)

 166 calories, 12g fat, 123mg sodium,

9g carbohydrates (4g fiber, 4g sugar), 6.5g protein