It’s that time of year when we are all seeing the advertisements of weight loss and getting rid of the extra pounds or starting new lifestyle changes. With so many options out there the question becomes, “Is there really a quick fix?” Many will tell you no, but after being in the health and wellness industry for over 15 years with my husband, The Nutrition Chef, and having seen so many different weight loss options that either our clients have tried, or that I have personally tried in my 52 years, I have come to the conclusion that there is a quick fix. The quick fix comes with the process of elimination of two key things: dairy and pesticides. I make it a point to not exactly include gluten-free items, because my personal belief is that it is the pesticides in our wheat product that are actually the culprit of many allergens that many people face. Dairy, which we of course find in so many foods, is a huge culprit in our quest to fight foods that cause inflammation. Pesticides are the other key culprit that have wreaked havoc on otherwise healthy foods such as whole grains. So your quick fix comes by simply eliminating dairy products and foods loaded with pesticides or genetically modified ingredients. In this day and age, label reading is essential to our health and longevity. We must remember that weight loss is not simply losing weight from fat, but can also come in the form of losing excess toxins in our body as well as excess water weight. This quick fix can come as simply as eliminating pesticides and dairy from our everyday diet. Furthermore, this does not have to be a New Year’s resolution, this can be a rest of your life solution!
Gluten free - Dairy free and Nut free - Pesto Turkey Meatballs
Ingredients:
For the Meatballs:
1 lb organic ground turkey
1/2 cup dairy-free pesto (see recipe below)
1/2 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt
1/4 teaspoon organic black pepper
For the Pesto:
2 cups fresh organic basil leaves
2 cloves organic garlic
1/2 cup organic unrefined organic olive oil
pink Himalayan Salt and organic pepper to taste
* Blend thoroughly together*
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, dairy-free pesto, salt, and pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated
3. Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and lightly browned on the outside.
Serve the meatballs on a salad or favorite pasta with a generous dollop of your favorite Italian marinara or sauce (delicious on their own also). A nice spin on the dish is to top with a sweet chili sauce (pictured here is dollop of sweet chili sauce over gluten free rice noodles). The meatballs are versatile to use for an Italian or even Asian flavor.
