Get Your French Quarter Fix: Body SymmetryMD 's Paleo King Cake

What started out roughly 300 years ago as a dry French bread-type dough with sugar on top and a mashed bean interior has now evolved into a sweet, sugary iced Danish-type of dough that's braided and finished off with a small plastic doll hidden on the inside... 

We're talking about King Cake, which is especially popular during the Mardi Gras season (hundreds of thousands of them are eaten somewhere around the French Quarter during this time every year)!

King Cakes today are commonly made of a cinnamon-filled dough in the shape of a hollow circle. 

They're also adorned with a colorful glazed topping and sprinkled with colored sugar.

The cake often has a small plastic baby (said to represent Baby Jesus) inside, or underneath; and the person who incidentally gets the piece of cake with the toy trinket also supposedly receives several special privileges and/or obligations (depending on which legend you've heard).

As a special privilege to all you waistline watchers out there, our Body SymmetryMD wellness squad has a Paleo version of King Cake (with natural coloring from kale, tumeric & berries too!) you can enjoy at home...without all the guilt. Try baking up this decadent dessert as part of your N'arlins celebrations today:

Paleo King Cake

Ingredients

- Classic Vanilla Coconut Flour Paleo Cake (click here for the full recipe we used)
- Cashew Glaze (click here for the full recipe)
- 1½ cups shredded dried coconut
- 1 handful fresh kale
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- frozen berries (we used 3 blueberries and 1 blackberry)

Directions
After making the cake and glaze, divide the coconut into three bowls.

FOR THE GREEN: Add kale and ½ cup water to a high speed blender and blend until smooth. Strain through a nut milk bag, coffee filter or layered cheese cloth. Add strained kale juice 1 teaspoon at a time until the coconut is colored but not too wet.

FOR THE YELLOW: Add turmeric ½ teaspoon at a time until the coconut is colored. If using unsweetened coconut, you may have to lightly wet the coconut with water before adding turmeric.

FOR THE PURPLE: Microwave mixed berries for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Mash with a fork and add juice 1 teaspoon at a time until coconut is colored.

Sprinkle on cake, slice, serve and enjoy eating Paleo -friendly this Mardi Gras!

For more great health tips or to learn about our medically supervised weight loss programs and services CLICK HERE.

Here's to gettin' your French Quarter fix in a healthful way!
--Your Body SymmetryMD Wellness Squad

References:

http://ourfourforks.com/paleo-king-cake-natural-food-coloring/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_cake

Berried Treasure: Paleo Blueberry, Cranberry & Cucumber Quinoa Salad

Although quinoa breaks from "strict Paleo," this staple food (which is technically a seed) of the Incas contains more protein than rice or wheat... and some Paleo dieters actually include it in their eating regimens as a grain alternative.

Here's how you can benefit from the rainbow of colors on your plate with this dish-- Blueberries are always packed with antioxidants and fiber, cranberries are also loaded with fiber as well as vitamin C and the cucumber bits can help keep you hydrated. You’ll also get some essential vitamins and minerals from that delicious spinach.

So what are you waiting for?! Our Body SymmetryMD wellness squad dares you to try this yummy recipe for lunch or dinner this week:

Paleo Blueberry & Cucumber Quinoa Salad

Ingredients
- ½ cup cooked quinoa, chilled
- ¼ cup fresh blueberries
- ¼ cup (no sugar added) dried cranberries
- ¼ cup fresh mango, diced
- 1 small cucumber, diced
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- juice of one lemon
- salt and pepper (optional)

Directions
1. In one large bowl, combine the quinoa, cucumber, lemon juice and salt and pepper.
2. On a plate, arranged the fresh spinach leaves, quinoa mixture and top with fresh blueberries, mango & cranberries
3. Serve with grilled chicken or lean fish for complete meal an enjoy eating Paleo -friendly!

Nutritional Info
Calories per serving: 327
Protein: 5.5g
Total Fat: 33.9g
Carbohydrates: 23.4g

To learn more about trimming that tummy effectively and keeping the weight off for good CLICK HERE to visit our web site now. 

Here's to eating healthfully with this "berried" treasure!

--Your Body SymmetryMD Wellness Squad

References: 
http://www.livestrong.com/article/394705-is-quinoa-allowed-on-a-paleo-diet/
http://thepaleodiet.com/fruits-and-sugars/
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/cranberries-year-round-superfood

The Hungarian Games: Paleo Beef Goulash

Goulash is a Hungarian dish using beef and paprika as its main ingredients (in fact it’s also known by some as Paprikash). 

This savory, Paleo -friendly dish from your Body SymmetryMD wellness squad is sure to become a favorite for you & your family (even if you're not watching your waistline)! 

Paleo Hungarian Beef Goulash

Ingredients

- 2 lbs. stewing beef (chuck), cut into 1 ½ cubes
- 3 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 cups chopped onions
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 can (14-16 oz) organic diced tomatoes
- ½ cup water
- 1 tbsp. paprika
- 2 tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- ¼ tsp. dried thyme

Directions:
1. Brown meat on all sides in hot oil using a large pot or Dutch oven.
2. Add onion, garlic, tomatoes, water, paprika, salt, pepper &
    thyme. Cover and simmer 1 ½ hrs, stirring occasionally.
3. Remove lid and simmer uncovered for an additional 30 minutes 
    or until meat is tender, stirring frequently.
4. Cool down, serve and enjoy! Makes 8 servings.

Nutritional Information
Calories per serving: 229
Protein: 23g
Fat: 12g
Carbohydrates: 6g
Dietary fiber: 1g

To learn more about slimming down successfully at Body SymmetryMD with our weight loss products and/or services CLICK HERE to visit our web site now.

Here's to a skinnier, sexier YOU!

--Your Body SymmetryMD Wellness Squad