Low Carb Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo with Egg Life "Noodles"

Low Carb Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo with Egg Life "Noodles"
I've been eating low carb so long that I'm pretty used to just skipping out on noodle dishes. However, sometimes there's a dish that I kind of crave, and Alfredo fits the low carb profile except for the noodles involved.

BUT - I've been in 2 Carnivore Diet groups to learn new dishes and I kept seeing talk of "noodles". If you aren't familiar, Carnivore Diet means only animal products, so if it's Carnivore approved that means it's also going to be low to no carbs. There were a few recipes to make your own, but this version caught my eye for the simplicity: buy Egg Life Wraps and turn them into "noodles". WHAT? Yup!


If you've not seen them, they are generally in the refrigerated section of the grocery store by the eggs, egg white cartons, etc. I have never used them as wraps, but last night I turned them into "noodles" and I think it's actually life-changing, LOL!!

You can honestly make the Alfredo any way you want to with your favorite recipe. The main thing was learning how to best make the "noodles". But, here's basically what I did for the entire recipe.

Season chicken breasts (I cut mine into strips) with Redmon's Real Salt, garlic powder, black pepper and a little dry Italian seasoning. Brown in batches in a large skillet. Separately, I steamed some fresh broccoli in a steamer basket and put that aside when it was done.

After all the chicken was browned and in a dish staying warm, I poured 2 jars of Alfredo sauce into the same pan with the chicken drippings (don't waste flavor!!). I added some red chili flakes and brought it up to a simmer.

While all of that was cooking, I brought a small sauce pan of water to boiling. Place the egg wraps on a cutting board, and using a pizza cutter, cut the wraps into strips. Drop them in batches into the boiling water and cook for exactly 1 minute for each batch, stirring to make sure they all get submerged and don't stick together.


Bring the cooked chicken, broccoli and the boiled noodles all back together in the sauce and let it simmer for just a few minutes so everything gets coated and comes together in the sauce.


I served ours with grated parmesan cheese and extra red pepper flakes.


I hope you'll try these "noodles" out even if it's not this specific recipe! I am planning on trying them next with Beef Stroganoff, and I'm honestly excited about that! LOL It's definitely time for some comfort foods since it's gotten cold here in Texas.

If you do try this, let me know what you thought and if you use the "noodles" for any other dishes! Enjoy!
Blessings,
Sarah Claburn, ND

Chicken Crust Pizza

Chicken Crust Pizza
Being gluten free, I've tried a lot of different pizza crusts. I do try to avoid grains in general even if they don't contain gluten, because my body just does better. I've done the cauliflower crust, and it was indeed delicious - but I personally think cauliflower is one of THE MESSIEST ingredients to work with - right up next to shredding cabbage, lol!

Although I am not following the Carnivore diet, I do follow some groups for recipes because it does fit my way of eating. And this one definitely caught my eye!


For ease of recipe...this gets 2 thumbs up and a snap! I used the ingredients I had on hand and can't wait to pile on different toppings in the future. Go crazy, be creative and let it fit however you eat.

For the basic crust recipe you'll need:
1 can chicken (or use leftover roasted/baked)
1 egg
1/4-1/2 cups shredded cheese of your choice

Mix all of the ingredients together really well, breaking the chicken down as much as possible (I used a fork). Spread on a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet and bake at 400 for 10-15 minutes, watching it for desired crispiness.

Take it out of the oven and cover with whatever toppings you like. For this I used a little cheddar jack, mozzarella and pepperoni. Bake in the oven for another 10-15 minutes, again, watching it for desired crispiness and browning.

Notes: As mentioned, you can use whatever toppings, sauce and seasonings you like. Once you have the crust down you are set! I found that it's best right out of the oven, as it seems to "set" as it cools. Also, I will be experimenting with cooking it in my air fryer oven to maximize the crispy crust. But for my first attempt, I'm definitely happy!

Blessings to you and your family and let me know if you make this and how it turns out!
Sarah C, ND

Dandelions - Guest Blog post by Tricia Baxter

Dandelions Welcome!

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I saw some dandelions in my yard the other day, and I say that’s great!

My neighbors may not be so happy with me about that, but too bad.

While others call them weeds, I say not so fast, because they really have a lot of positive sides.

Be honest. Who, as a kid, used to love dandelions? I remember rubbing the flower on my chin or cheek. I know it sounds silly, and the “game” could have originated with buttercups, but if the pollen rubbed off and left a yellow spot, you liked butter. Even those who don’t know that one, however, probably remember blowing the seeds all over as they made a wish – the idea being you were blowing your wishes into the wind so they would come true.

It’s full of vitamins A, B, C, and D as well as iron, potassium and zinc. Although I didn’t find scientific studies, there are articles on organic and homeopathic websites, and even on the website for the University of Maryland Medical Center about some of the medicinal uses of the plant. They include as diuretic, liver problems, weight loss, stomach problems, appendicitis, diabetes, and a whole host of other things. Some sites even mention the cosmetic use, citing their benefits in skin and beauty care.

How about as a food source? You’ve probably heard of dandelion wine (in fact, I believe my grandfather used to make it). And I know some folks who pick the young leaves as one of the now popular “baby” greens for salads. They can also be served cooked, a lot like spinach. But every part of the plant can be used for one purpose or another. Even the root can be roasted like a root vegetable or to make a coffee substitute.

But far, far more important than as a game for kids, or a food source for the rest of us, is the role dandelions play in our ecosystem.

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These bright flowers are one of the earliest flowers to bloom in spring and, as such, are an important source of food for several pollinators, including honeybees and several butterflies. Goldfinches and other birds eat the seeds, too. Each flower is 40-100 florets, each containing nectar, so pollinators don’t have to search for several flowers to feed on. Plus, dandelions bloom just about the time many of the species that feed on them emerge from overwintering sites.

Okay. So some still think of them as an annoying weed and wonder why they should give a care about all this.

Easy – our pollinators are important to us. Without them, we wouldn’t have the flowers we enjoy, nor many of the crops we use for food.

I can hear some folks now thinking I’m being a bit over dramatic. But consider this – at the time of writing this post, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and WorldWildlife.org have 8 species of bees on the endangered species list. Yes, most of those bees are native to Hawaii, but common to many parts of the US is one species of bumblebee that is a key pollinator of blueberries, tomatoes and many wildflowers (which in turn feed other pollinators). Also common to many areas are the 25 species of butterflies already on the endangered species list. As of December 2020, the USFWS decided that adding monarchs, a butterfly dear to many folks, to the endangered species list is warranted because of its drastic decline in population size. It is currently officially listed as “considered” because of some higher priority listings, but their population is being closely monitored while higher priority listings are handled. Because the monarch is so easily identified and popular, there are even folks who believe that as the monarch population goes, so do the populations of ALL pollinators. 

Granted, the dandelion is only one small factor among many in the decline of some pollinator species, but it is a factor.

So in a society that prizes perfectly manicured, weed-free carpets of grass, I’m glad to see a few dandelions in my yard. I may not have enough of a crop for any of those medicinal purposes nor even a small glass of wine, but I am more than happy to let the few I have feed some bees, butterflies, and birds.

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"Chillin' Out" just got a whole new meaning...

"Chillin' Out" just got a whole new meaning...

BLOG REPOST: This is a repost of my first Cryotherapy session. I wanted to share again to encourage a new group of readers to go try it! Since this post, Cryon7 is under new management and has a new name: Naturally Rooted, and my friend Cassie McDowell and her husband Grant are co-owners. They are located at 920 US 287 Frontage Rd in Mansfield, in the Tom Thumb Shopping Center.

How has your Thursday been? Mine, oh, you know, I got frozen in a vat of nitrogen down to -250ºF.

Seriously! Well, sort of.

Yup, that's me there in that cryo chamber. So, what craziness is this you ask? It's called Cryotherapy, and my friend has been encouraging me to try it for awhile now. I admit I was nervous which is why I kept putting it off. However, the nerves were for nothing and I'm glad I tried it. And yes, I will go back.

I took this directly off of their website:

What is Whole Body Cryotherapy?

Whole Body Cryotherapy is the use of extremely cold temperatures that triggers the body’s natural healing process. This was originally developed in Japan in the 1970’s to treat inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
There are a wide range of benefits from better sleep, faster recovery to sore muscles, improved skin and many more. These results are very quick and long lasting. Many people have experienced chronic issues resolved with regular use.
So, when you go in there are the necessary forms to fill out. They need to make sure you are okay to take the treatment, you know the risks, and then you sign the waiver. From what I remember you want to make sure you don't go in with wet skin or clothes, and they explain why you should avoid inhaling a big breath of the nitrogen to prevent fainting. No big deal. They will check your blood pressure and you are off to the room!

So once we were in the room, I got a pair of knit gloves, was asked if I wanted tall or short socks, and was told I would also need to put on a pair of slippers. She made sure I knew exactly what to do - then told me my goal was to undress as quickly as possible, get in the chamber, shut the door and ring the bell for her to come back. So I went fast - put on the tall socks, undressed quickly, put on the gloves and fluffy slippers and got in and shut the door. WHEW! Done.

At this point I was already cold because I am usually cold and I was thinking I had made an error in judgement with this crazy idea. But, as she said, it was too late to turn back so I was kind of at her mercy, HA! I was standing on a platform and she raised me up where my head was above the chamber wall. I asked her about the nitrogen thing, and she explained all of that to me and assured me my head would be at the correct level and to just blow away any that I felt was too close. No big deal. So then it's time to go!! FREEZE TIME! And let me explain something about this - they are not really "freezing" you. It's hypercooled air that is circulated around you. It's dry, and no tissue ever actually freezes. You just feel cold. Really cold. Let's continue.

I'd like to say how awesome my friend was at her job! She explained every single thing as we went along. She told me what to expect, how long I had left, what all good things were happening to my body in response to the cold. She gave me clear instructions and lots and lots of encouragement, 'cuz it is a little concerning when you can feel your skin getting that cold. She asked if I wanted a picture and got my phone and took a few for me. (They do have some props so you can take funny picts, but I had neglected to grab any for this time.) She answered all of my questions and kept me assured that things were going great, and told me to just keep turning.

And then all of a sudden I was done! And yes, I was cold, and I was shivering a little, but I did it! Once I got dressed, I realized that the sharp pain in my neck was gone, which was awesome!

So - how do you get this awesomeness? Go see my friends at Naturally Rooted Wellness Club. Besides Cryotherapy, they offer other services, most will help minimize the pain in your life:
•  NovoThor Red Light Pod
•  Normatec Compression Massage
•  Kangen Water FREE REFILL PROGRAM
•  HU=GO
•  BEMER Therapy (PEMF)
•  Cryoskin Slimming or Toning
•  Hocatt Ozone Sauna
•  Oxygen Bar with Aromatherapy

They have a new, wonderful program where you get to set your prices in exchange for becoming a member and coming in on a regular schedule. Call them right now - or go see them! 817-225-2929
Again, the address is 920 US 287 Frontage Rd in Mansfield, TX.

Let me know when you go - I want to hear what therapies you try!
Health and blessings!
Sarah C., ND

DIY Essential Oil Infused Dry Shampoo

DIY Essential Oil Infused Dry Shampoo

Did you know that washing your hair too often can leave hair prone to dryness and breakage? It’s easy to keep your locks looking lustrous and lifted and extend time between washes by applying a dry shampoo! Using ingredients you already have in your cupboards such as corn starch and baking soda, this DIY Dry Shampoo is free of harsh parabens, dyes, and perfumes that can damage hair and cause breakage. Cornstarch absorbs excess oil, while baking soda and Cedarwood, Rosemary, and Tea Tree essential oils make hair smell fresh and support the qualities of a healthy scalp.

You can experiment with your own blend of essential oils to find a scent that works best for you! We love Lavender, Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood, and Peppermint for their wonderful aromas and various skin-care benefits. If you decide to add cocoa for dark hair, try using oils that complement the scent of chocolate like Orange, Peppermint, or Cinnamon.

DIY Essential Oil-Infused Dry Shampoo

Ingredients

Directions

  • Combine all ingredients.
  • Put in a container of your choice, such as an empty salt shaker or baby powder bottle.
  • Sprinkle on roots of hair and massage into scalp.
  • Leave for 2–3 minutes to absorb hair’s natural oils.
  • Brush through hair.
 
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