by Christina | Dec 24, 2019 | Recipes, Wellness
This is the second pie recipe I’m posting in 2 days. Is that too much?
Ehhhh, I don’t think so.
A very wise person once told me there is no such thing as too much pie. The only thing I have to say about that statement, though, is that it better be good pie.
This is a damn good pie. It all started this Thanksgiving, when we had sweet potato pie for dessert. That turned into having sweet potato pie for almost every meal until we finished the pie, which turned into experimenting with other variations of sweet potato pie to find the best one.
Somehow that turned into 5 pies, and an epic taste test. Not a bad experiment, right?
I liked all of the pies, but I do think that purple sweet potatoes create the best texture in a sweet potato pie overall. You could replace the purple sweet potato with any kind of sweet potato, but the purple sweet potatoes create a dense, thick, firm pie, while the orange ones give the pie a slightly different texture.
Even if you don’t usually like purple sweet potatoes, they taste amazing in the pie – trust me. If you already love purple sweet potatoes like me, then obviously you’re good to go!
This is an easy dessert to make for any holiday – it’s festive, customizable, and sweet without being a total sugar bomb. This pie is sweetened with maple syrup, so no refined sugar is used at all. And there’s something about that purple color that’s extra satisfying!
The most time-consuming parts of this pie are boiling the potato and baking the pie. Other than that, it’s as simple as mixing everything together with a hand mixer and popping it in the oven! The hardest part is waiting for it to cool before eating it. (Pro tip – use the freezer.)
Feel free to use a pre-made crust or the crust recipe I provided below. There’s something about a homemade crust that you can’t replace, though. You also don’t have to pre-cook the crust, because it will cook when you bake the pie.
This recipe is paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian. If you’re looking for a delicious take on a sweet potato pie, look no further! That purple color will definitely get you interest, and one bite will have anyone sold!
Paleo Purple Sweet Potato Pie
Serves: 8-10
Time: 2 hours
Ingredients:
Crust Ingredients:
- 2 cups almond flour
- 2 tbsp coconut oil or ghee
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp vanilla
- Optional: 1 tbsp maple syrup
Filling Ingredients:
- 1 lb purple sweet potato
- 1/2 cup coconut oil or ghee
- 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut cream
- 1/4 coconut milk
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 3 tsp vanilla
Instructions:
- Boil the sweet potato for 40-50 minutes, or until fork tender. Run cold water over the sweet potato, and remove the skin.
- Preheat your oven to 350*F. Grease a 9-inch pie pan with coconut oil.
- Combine all crust ingredients together in a bowl to form a dough. Press the crust into the pie pan, making sure to cover all sides evenly.
- Break apart the sweet potato in a large bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients into the bowl and mix everything together with a hand mixer until the mixture is smooth.
- Pour the filling into the unbaked pie crust.
- Bake the pie for 45-50 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. The crust should be golden-brown.
- Allow the pie to cool. Serve and enjoy!
by Christina | Dec 23, 2019 | Recipes, Wellness
I have recently been on quite the pie kick. Ever since Thanksgiving, I’ve been eating pie pretty much every single day. I had 5 different pies in my fridge, taunting me!
I never used to be a pie person, and I still don’t consider myself to be one in the traditional sense, but there are certain pies I cannot turn down. If the pie has an open top and the crust is good, then I’m a happy camper. The crust is key, as is the filling:crust ratio. It’s all about the filling.
I was eating so many variations of sweet potato pie that I had to make something different, and I wanted to create a holiday dessert that was low-carb-friendly, too. With my eggnog obsession clearly on my mind, I thought an eggnog pie was the perfect answer!
This pie is perfect for anyone looking for a seasonal dessert that’s low-carb, keto-friendly, and not too overpowering. Even though this is an eggnog pie with plenty of flavor, the eggnog flavor isn’t too overwhelming. My friends who don’t typically like eggnog really enjoyed this!
Not only is this eggnog pie low-carb and keto-friendly, but it also contains a hidden serving of VEGETABLES! Steamed cauliflower is hidden in this pie to give it extra volume and thickness without making it too heavy. You can’t even taste the cauliflower! You can leave the cauliflower out if you’d like, but I would add a bit more coconut cream or coconut butter to create some more thickness if you do.
The other great part about this pie is that minimal baking is required. All you have to do is bake the crust, mix the filling, and refrigerate the pie until it’s firmed up.
Getting the perfect texture is only possible with the help of gelatin, though. I prefer Vital Proteins gelatin, but any gelatin will do! If you’ve never worked with gelatin, it’s really easy to do. All you have to do is sprinkle some gelatin onto hot water, let it sit there for a few minutes, and then heat it up again so that it dissolves. When the gelatin cools down, it will create that “jelly” texture.
I love the texture of this pie because it’s firm but soft, and rich but not overly heavy. The gelatin creates the perfect pie filling because it’s easy to cut through and doesn’t fall apart. It has the look of a dense pie, but it’s lighter than it seems.
Eggnog is obviously a main ingredient in this pie, so feel free to use whatever eggnog you enjoy the best! If you’re making your own eggnog at home, you can try out my recipe for Classic Paleo Eggnog, or my recipe for Vegan Yuletide Nog. My favorite dairy-free eggnog to buy at the store is Califia Farms Holiday Nog. A lot of store-bought dairy-free eggnogs taste nothing like the real thing, but this is the best dupe in my opinion.
If you’re looking for a simple holiday-inspired dessert this season, try out this paleo, low-carb, keto-friendly Eggnog Pie! It’s the perfect treat to store in the fridge at this time of year, and a great way to sneak in a hidden serving of vegetables!
Paleo / Keto Eggnog Pie
Serves: 8
Time: 30 minutes + 3 hours refrigeration time
Ingredients:
Crust:
- 2 cups almond flour
- 2 tbsp ghee or coconut oil
- 1 egg
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp vanilla
- Optional: 1/2 tbsp Lakanto monkfruit sweetener (Use code “WELLNESS” for 15% off Lakanto)
Filling:
- 1/4 cup coconut cream
- 1/2 cup Lakanto monkfruit sweetener (Use code “WELLNESS” for 15% off Lakanto)
- 1.5 tbsp gelatin
- 1/4 cup hot water
- 1 1/4 cups eggnog
- 1 cup steamed cauliflower
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup coconut butter
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350*F. Grease a 9-inch pie pan with coconut oil.
- Combine all crust ingredients together in a large bowl. Press the dough into the pie pan in an even layer so that all sides are covered.
- Bake the pie crust for 10-12 minutes, or until the sides start to turn golden brown. Remove from the oven and set to rest.
- Put the hot water in a small bowl, and sprinkle the gelatin on top. Allow the gelatin to bloom for 3-5 minutes.
- Use a hand mixer to blend all other ingredients together in a large bowl. If your hand mixer isn’t strong enough to blend the cauliflower, you can put the mixture in a blender.
- After the gelatin has bloomed, microwave it for about 15 seconds so it melts. Pour the gelatin mixture into the rest of the filling mixture. Use the hand mixer to mix everything together thoroughly.
- Pour the filling mixture into the pie crust. Sprinkle extra cinnamon on top if desired.
- Refrigerate the pie for 3-4 hours, or until firm. Serve and enjoy! Store extras in the fridge.
by Christina | Dec 13, 2019 | Wellness
Still searching for the perfect gift for friends and family? If you haven’t already checked out my 2019 gift guide for her, you can find that here, and you can find my 2019 holiday gift guide for him here. Meanwhile, here are my top picks for anyone in your life who is interested in health and wellness, covering a range of interests and prices!
BLUblox Blue Light Blocking Glasses – Everyone needs a pair of blue light-blocking glasses to support their sleep and hormones, and these are the best on the market! The Sleep+ red lens is designed to be used every evening when the sun goes down until bedtime, and the BluLite and SummerGlo lenses are designed for daytime use. The BluLite is best for people who work in more natural lighting during the day, and the SummerGlo is best for people who work in harsher artificial lighting and / or struggle with seasonal depression. You have not used real blue blockers until you’ve used BLUblox! They come in a ton of different styles, so you’ll definitely find frames you love. Use my code “WELLNESS” for 15% off any purchase from BLUblox!
Ned Holiday Gift Set – Ned’s Full-Spectrum Hemp Oil is a life-changer, and this season you can get Ned’s top-selling products in a gift set! These are the highest-quality CBD products on the market – you’ll notice the difference from quality. The set comes with your choice of 300, 750, or 1500 mg full-spectrum hemp oil, their hemp-infused body butter, and their hemp-infused peppermint lip balm. With so many CBD products on the market, you definitely want to make sure you’re investing in something that works! You can use my code “WELLNESS” for 15% off any items from Ned! 
Four Sigmatic Mushroom Elixir Bundle – Any products from Four Sigmatic are an amazing gift, but this bundle contains their Cordyceps (great for natural energy without the caffeine), Lion’s Mane (boosts your brain function and memory), Reishi (ideal for relaxation and winding down in the evening), and Chaga (amazing for immunity and antioxidants) mushroom elixirs. I consume at least 2 of these every day! They taste so delicious, they’re convenient for travel, and they offer a variety of health benefits! These are also great for anyone looking to ditch their coffee habit. Use my code “CRW” for 15% off any Four Sigmatic products!
AkuSpike Acupressure Mat – This acupressure mat is the real deal. It’s made with tiny metal spikes instead of plastic spikes that you find on most acupressure mats, and it allows you to get the benefits of acupressure at home! The concept of the mat is based on acupressure and reflexology, and the tiny metal spikes will activate nerve centers that increase blood flow and lymph circulation. This helps with inflammation, improving your mood, relaxation, pain, and more. You can use code “CRW” for 15% off any AkuSpike products!
Beekeepers Naturals Beegan Pharmacy Kit – This kit contains Beekeepers Naturals’ propolis throat spray to support immunity, B.Powered to nourish and restore your body, and B.LXR to fuel your brain power! These are all products I use daily to feel my best, and this kit is perfect for anyone who’s interested in trying out the healing benefits of bee products! You can use my code “CRW” for 15% off any Beekeepers Naturals products!
Weighted Blanket – Weighted blankets are a gift everyone will appreciate, but something a lot of people don’t want to buy for themselves. These are amazing for relaxation and helping with anxiety – nothing makes me want to fall asleep faster!
Beautycounter Travel Companion – This set comes with Beautycounter’s Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash, and Hydrating Body Lotion, all in travel size! These are a great way to try out Beautycounter’s body / hair care line, but also always great to have on hand for travel! If you want to help someone switch to safer products, this set is a great place to start.
doTERRA Introductory Kit – The introductory kit from doTERRA is a great place to start for anyone new to essential oils because it contains the 3 most-used essential oils – Lavender, Lemon, and Peppermint! These are staples in anyone’s kit, so even if the person already uses and loves essential oils, they’ll definitely appreciate the restock on these 3! The only essential oil brand I recommend using is doTERRA – they are the highest-quality, and most other essential oils on the market are not 100% pure.
Onnit Kettlebell – The fitness enthusiast in your life will definitely love a kettlebell, and I love Onnit’s KBs because they’re extremely high-quality and have different heads on them – so much more fun than your standard kettlebell. Go with whatever weight you think would suit the person best!
Comrad Compression Socks – These socks have totally changed my life, and everyone needs a pair. Instead of getting someone a boring pair of socks, you can get them a pair with health benefits! Comrad Compression Socks are amazing because they come in a variety of styles and colors – some look like everyday socks, while others have colors and patterns. These socks are amazing for reducing swelling / inflammation in your legs if you’re standing or seated in one position for most of the day, for reducing leg swelling when traveling, and for enhancing muscle recovery! You can use my code “CRW” for 20% off any purchase from Comrad Socks!
MAPS Anabolic – Any of the MAPS fitness programs would be a great gift for anyone looking to get in great shape and increase their strength, so check out the different options to see what you think the person in mind would like most! That being said, Anabolic is the fitness program that would be great for everyone to do, and then you can move on to other MAPS programs after you’ve started with Anabolic. This is well-programmed strength training that everyone would benefit from! You can use my code “WELLNESS” for 10% off any programs or gear from Mind Pump!
Almond Cow Nut Milk Machine – This kitchen appliance will change your life, even if you don’t know it yet. This machine makes homemade nut milk in less than a minute, and you don’t have to soak or prep your nuts / seeds beforehand! I used to dread making my own nut milk, and now I love it because it’s so easy with this machine. Making your own nut milk is much better for the environment, much better for your health, and saves you a ton of money longterm!
Stovetop Smoker – If someone can’t get a full smoker, then this stovetop version is the perfect alternative! It can be used over any heat source, so you can smoke small amounts of food right on top of your oven!
Immersion Blender – Hand blenders are perfect for soups, mayo, hot chocolate, yogurt, and more! It’s much easier than using a blender, especially for hot foods and drinks, and it’s usually a kitchen appliance people don’t know they need.
Fermentation Crock – If you know someone who loves to make fermented food, get them a fermenatation crock so they can ferment large amounts at once!
Balanced Bites Meals – Good meal delivery services are hard to find, but Balanced Bites meals do not disappoint. These are delicious paleo meals delivered straight to your door that taste like restaurant quality! All you have to do is heat them up, and they’re ready to go. These meals are the perfect gift for anyone who loves food and prioritizes their health but doesn’t have time to cook, and doesn’t want to compromise flavor! You can get the paleo box, the keto box, or build your own box! Use my code “crwellness” at checkout to get a free real deal chicken broth (20 oz, $10 value) with your order!
POTG gift card or meals – Paleo on the Go delivers delicious, AIP meals straight to your door – comfort foods that you’d never guess are AIP-friendly! This is an amazing gift for anyone who has dietary restrictions, misses hearty comfort food, and wants to save time in the kitchen! All of their meals are amazing, and they even have AIP cookie dough right now for the holidays! You can use my code “WELLNESS” for $15 off your first order. If you’re getting a gift card, right now they are offering a promo for a $110 gift card for only $100!
Cocacao Chocolate – The chocolate lover in your life will adore you forever if you get them some Cocacao chocolate! This chocolate bar is super high-quality and made only with simple, clean ingredients. It’s the type of chocolate you store in the fridge so it doesn’t melt! It comes in a few flavors – original, mint, blueberries, and hazelnuts and sea salt, plus their seasonal pumpkin spice that’s available right now. My favorites are the Mint and Hazelnuts and Sea Salt, but all are delicious! They are also running a holiday promo – use the code “HOLIDAY19” at checkout to get 1 chocolate bar free if you buy 3.
Georgia Grinders Trio Gift Box – They have a few different trios to pick from, but my favorite is the Whole30 approved box with hazelnut, cashew, and almond butter! Georgia Grinders makes delicious nut butters with the perfect texture and flavor – you must try these!
Coracao Chocolate Box – You can build your own paleo-friendly, delicious chocolate box from Coracao! These chocolates are very high-quality, made with clean ingredients, and absolutely delectable! Perfect for someone special in your life who looooves chocolate!
Marigold Bars Sampler Pack – These paleo bars are so incredibly delicious – they could be dessert. This sampler pack allows you to try 12 of their bars, which are all gluten-free, grain-free, primal, and low in sugar. They contain grass-fed whey protein, anywhere in the ballpark of 20g or more! If you use the code “REFLL0RWNU5VM” (that’s a zero, not an “O”) you’ll get $10 to spend in the shop!
DIY Candle Making Kit – This kit comes with everything you need to make 4 high-quality soy wax candles, scented with essential oils! This kit makes it easy to create your own candles that look and smell like they were bought from a fancy store, and the process of creating your own candles is so much fun!
Game Changers by Dave Asprey – This book is all about the habits and life hacks of some of the greatest innovators in the world, and it will inspire anyone to take control of their life. The tips in this book are truly applicable to anyone!
Reiki Session – Everyone could use a Reiki Session to help balance out their energy body, relax, and tap into their intuition. I see clients in-person in San Diego, and I see clients from all over the world through distance sessions! No matter where the person is, they’ll love this form of self-care.
#NoSugarNoProblems: A Lovely Collection of Sweetener-Free Paleo Desserts – My sugar-free dessert books are the perfect gift for anyone with a sweet tooth who also wants to cut their sugar intake! All recipes in my ebook are paleo (most are vegan) and keto-friendly, and they contain no sugar or added sweeteners. That means no sugar, coconut sugar, honey, maple syrup, xylitol, erythritol, monkfruit, stevia, or high-glycemic fruits! Instead, all of these desserts are naturally sweet using flavors like vanilla, cinnamon, coconut, and more. You’ll find recipes for cookies, cakes, cheesecakes, brownies, puddings, sweet breads, ice cream, and everything in between!
There you have it – my top gift recommendations for the health nut in your life! Comment below with any of your own suggestions!
by Christina | Dec 5, 2019 | Member Exclusives, Wellness
All you’ll need for this lower body workout is a set of dumbbells! The heavier your dumbbells are, the less reps you’ll need to do for each exercise.
Adjust the rep ranges to your fitness level, and make sure that you’re doing each rep with proper form. If your form breaks down, you’re doing too many reps! Stop 1-2 reps before fatigue. Make sure you warm up / prime your body before getting started.
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by Christina | Dec 2, 2019 | Wellness
We’ve only got a few more weeks until Christmas…. I hope you’re ready! If you can’t figure out what to get the man in your life this year, check out this list for some inspo! These suggestions were taken from men themselves, so I’ve got some backup on this one. ;P
Beautycounter Counterman Line – Counterman is Beautycounter’s men’s line, and it’s the best gift to help switch your man over to safer personal care products that actually work. I recommend the Counterman Carry-on for a smaller gift, or the full Counterman Collection if you want a bigger gift that will set him up for a long time! The Counterman Carry-on includes the Purifying Shampoo, Energizing Charcoal Body Wash, Daily Exfoliating Cleanser, and the Oil-Free Face Lotion – staples any guy will love! The full line contains the Counterman Daily Exfoliating Cleanser, the Clarifying Toner Pads, Oil-Free Face Lotion, Smoothing Shave Cream, Cooling Aftershave Tonic, Conditioning Beard Oil, Energizing Charcoal Body Wash, and the Charcoal Body Bar.
WHOOP Strap + Membership – The WHOOP strap is lightweight, waterproof, and tracks 5 metrics so you can keep tabs on how well you recover, train, and sleep. It’s membership based, so you can pay for as many months as you feel comfortable with as your gift!
Ten Thousand Shorts – These are ideal for someone who likes to be active, but even if he doesn’t work out that often, he will still love these Ten Thousand shorts! These are their foundation shorts, but you can also check out their Interval shorts and Session shorts!
HAVN underwear – HAVN apparel and underwear are designed to block 99% of wireless radiation, which is especially helpful for men who are exposed to EMFs from cell phones sitting in their pockets! They sell briefs and trunks in a variety of colors.
Men’s Down Parka Jacket – Most men could use a new jacket, and Uniqlo has a lot of great options that are perfect knockoffs for brands like Patagonia. Check out their down jackets, puffer jackets, parkas, and more.
Cuts Clothing Shirt – Cuts Clothing sells the most comfortable men’s shirts in the world. They come in all kinds of styles and shades to pick from. He will live in this shirt…and you might want to steal it, too.
Levi’s Original Trucker Jacket – Even if he’s not a trucker, it’s a staple.
Alitura Presence – If he needs a new scent, I highly recommend this one from Alitura. It’s an amazing unisex scent that contains notes like sandalwood, cedar, and cardamom, and it’s made without any harsh synthetics or chemicals. You can use the code “CRW” for 20% off any products from Alitura Naturals!
Hydroflask – Everyone needs one. Maybe he’ll actually drink enough water if he gets one of these. ;P
Tool Set – There are a lot of different options for tool sets, so meet him where he’s at. If he already has a lot of tools, there might be an addition to his collection he really wants. If he doesn’t even have a tool set and always needs to borrow tools from his dad, then maybe a general purpose set is exactly what he needs!
BBQ Accessories Set – If you get him all the tools he needs, he’ll become an expert at the grill, and you’ll reap the benefits too! There are different sizes when it comes to grilling sets, but make sure it comes with an internal thermometer so he knows exactly how long to grill for!
Primal Kitchen Grill Kit – Aaaand to go with those grilling accessories, of course he needs the right sauces! You can build your own bundle with Primal Kitchen sauces and marinades, but I love their classic BBQ sauce, Golden BBQ sauce, and Steak Sauce the most to go with grilling! Their sauces are paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, and keto-friendly! You can use the code “WELLNESS” for 10% off any Primal Kitchen products!
Air Pods – Does anyone not want Air Pods?! These make listening to music and taking calls so much easier because you’re totally wireless, and if you want to go a step up, you can go with the Air Pods Pro, which are slightly more expensive.
Herschel Backpack – Herschel makes great bags in general, and most guys need a duffle, a backpack, or both. Herschel backpacks last a long time, can fit a lot, and are simple in design!
MAPS Performance or MAPS Split – Any MAPS program is great, but I’m choosing these two in particular because Performance is great for someone who wants a solid strength training program and wants to be able to perform like an athlete / wants a training program that will enhance his performance in other activities. Meanwhile, Split is great for someone who loves traditional bodybuilding-style programming and wants a split routine that actually works. All MAPS programs are sold online and have a 30-day money back guarantee. You really can’t go wrong with any of them! Use code “WELLNESS” for 10% off any programs or products from Mind Pump!
Tickets to see his favorite team or band – Nothing beats an experience. If his favorite artist or band is playing this year, see if you can snag some tickets! If not, check when his favorite team is playing and see if you can get him some good seats!
Have any other amazing gift ideas for men? Share them below!
