Lemongrass Lettuce Wraps

This is good with ANY meat! A must try, all ingredients are in the produce section of most grocers.  If you cannot find some, try different types of markets- asian and farmers markets should carry these herbs too. 

I heart lemongrass so much, what a wonderful way to welcome Spring!  This perennial herb has a lot of great uses along with health benefits.  Studies and good ole' traditional practices have proven that it helps to detoxify the bodies liver, pancreas, kidney, bladder and the digestive tract. Cutting down on uric acid, cholesterol, excess fats and toxins in our body while improving digestion, blood circulation and gastronal intestinal health.  Also said to improve our skin by reducing acne and helping to tone muscle and skin tissue. 

Who wouldn't want those benefits?  Especially while losing weight we need all the help we can get with the whole skin tightening right?  Learning this I am going to be adding more lemongrass to my meal rotations!

PS- I am working on the spring planting project I mentioned last post with the lettuce boxes.  I will post as soon as I can!  Start saving your clear plastic lettuce boxes you buy at the store, don't throw them away!



P2- please ignore the red onion in this, I am past P2 and added sliced red onion as suggested below.

Photo Credit

Lemongrass Lettuce Wraps
(Serves 1)

3.5 oz chicken breast, boneless and skinless- diced small (any meat!)
1/4 C water
1 TB lemon grass, sliced (white part only)

1/4 tsp fresh ginger, minced  (you can use powdered too)

1/4 tsp celtic sea salt

1/4 tsp fresh cracked pepper

1 tsp fresh squeezed lemon juice

1 TB fresh Thai basil leaves, sliced (regular basil works too)

1 TB fresh mint leaves, sliced

1 TB cilantro

few drops or pinch of stevia

1 TB water

red, butter, romaine lettuce leaves all work well.


This is what lemongrass will look like at the stores and markets if you have not used/ bought it before.

 Season the chicken with ginger, salt and pepper.  Cook chicken over medium heat in 1/4 cup water and lemongrass for 10 minutes or until no longer pink through the center. Transfer to a plate to cool.  Shred into small pieces, toss with basil, mint and cilantro.  Add the lemon juice and stevia to the chicken mixture and mix until evenly coated.

Open a a few lettuce leaves and stack; spread chicken mixture onto the lettuce leaf.  Fold and enjoy!

Phase 3/4: Cook your chicken in 2 tablespoons coconut oil instead of water. Add sliced red onion and bell peppers when cooking the chicken ,julienne some cucumbers to place on top before rolling up too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fire Roasted Chili

What did you have for dinner last night?  I had some great tasting Chili! 
This recipe is very good and filling, the secret to the flavor I believe is the fire roasted tomatoes.  You can use any meat, I have use shredded chicken and shrimp would be good too.

Fire Roasted Chili
(1 Serving)
3.5 ounces Grass Fed, Organic Sirloin- cubed or ground (Can use any meat you desire)
1 C Muir Glen Fire Roasted tomatoes
1/2 C Pacific Low Sodium chicken broth
1 green onion- sliced
2 cloves garlic- minced
1/4 tsp Chili Powder
1/4 tsp Cumin
1/2 tsp Onion powder
1/4 tsp Oregano
1/4 tsp Basil
1/4 tsp Black Pepper
1/8 tsp Cayenne- to taste
Red Pepper Flakes to taste
Green Onion and Cilantro for topping

Brown your meat of choice on medium heat.  Add minced garlic and white part of green onion and reserve green part for topping.  Saute 1-2 minutes.  Stir in rest of spices, tomatoes and chicken broth.  Bring to boil then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 1 hour.  It will cook down a bit; if you desire more liquid, you can always add a bit more broth. Top with green part of the green onion and cilantro.

Now to make a whole pound of ground sirloin at a time follow this...

Fire Roasted Chili
(5 servings)
1 pound Grass Fed, Organic Sirloin- cubed or ground
2- 14.5 oz cans Muir Glen Fire Roasted tomatoes
2 C Pacific Low Sodium chicken broth
5 green onions- sliced
4-6 cloves garlic- minced
1 tsp Chili Powder
1 tsp Cumin
2 tsp Onion powder
1 tsp Oregano
1 tsp Basil
1 tsp Black Pepper
1/4 tsp Cayenne- to taste
Red Pepper Flakes to taste
Green Onion and Cilantro for topping

Brown your meat of choice on medium heat. Add minced garlic and white part of green onion and reserve green part for topping. Saute 1-2 minutes. Stir in rest of spices, tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring to boil then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 1 hour. It will cook down a bit; if you desire more liquid, you can always add a bit more broth.  Top with green part of the green onions and cilantro.  This will be able to be measured out to 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 C serving depending on much it cooked down. 

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I did.  If you want to feed your family the same meal, maybe serve over rice or stir in some beans after you remove your portion.  So after reading this...what are you having for dinner tonight?

Taco Seasoning for All Phases

I have been using this Taco Seasoning for a few years now.  Phase 2 protocol requires lean beef.  I chose to only use grass fed- organic lean sirloin, steaks or ground.  Ground would be for tacos, steak you could make for fajita style for any protocol meat of your choice.  By making this you are sure that your seasoning is sugar, starch and filler free....also saving money!  Use good quality spices, great cumin goes a long way in a recipe.  Bonus:  This also makes it easy to incorporate your families dinner without having to prepare 2 meals. 

TACO SEASONING
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Mix these together and use this amount per pound of ground sirloin or as a
rub. Wrap in lettuce leafs or shredded lettuce/ cabbage and sprinkle with green
onion and cilantro, squirt of lemon. Very flavorful and satisfying meal.

Phase 3:  Serve with lots of veggies, sour cream, avacodo and creamy homeade ranch dressing.