Dr. Monica Bravo

Healthy Recipes and Doctor Tips

menu icon
search icon
×

Primal

Paleo Cookie Dough Bar

By 8 Comments

I am 100 percent guilty of loving cookie dough. I used to be the cookie queen of my friend group. I had a famous recipe that I’d bring to everyone’s bday. It was also another excuse for me to bake… and eat cookie dough. This Paleo Cookie Dough Bar recipe is FAB, and the best part is you can eat it raw, without the risk of getting sick. (Although who REALLY worried about getting sick from Nestle cookie dough.) 

Paleo Cookie Dough Bar

This recipe is a Paleo-ified favorite. It mimics the taste and look of a delicious chocolate chip cookie but without the grains, refined sugars, and other ingredients found in a store-bought cookie. Although this recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and positively delicious, it is still a treat and should be eaten in moderation like any other dessert! 

Paleo Chocolate Chip "Cookie" Dough Bar
We've all been guilty of eating raw cookie dough! This cookie dough is paleo and you won't have to worry about eating raw egg. It is truly delicious!
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. 1.5 cups of almond flour
  2. 2 Tablespoons of coconut flour
  3. ½ cup of melted coconut oil
  4. ¼ cup of organic maple syrup
  5. 1 Tablespoon of Mexican vanilla extract
  6. ¾ cup of Dark Chocolate, chopped (I use Lindt 85%)
  7. Dash of salt
Cookie Dough Bar
  1. Mix flours and salt together.
  2. Add coconut oil, syrup, and vanilla, and stir well.
  3. Place dough into tray and flatten out with spoon.
  4. Place in freezer for 20 minutes to enjoy promptly, or place in refrigerator until hardened.
  5. Serve cold.
  6. Note: If you'd rather a warm chocolate chip cookie follow steps below.
For cooked cookies
  1. Follow steps 1 and 2.
  2. Add 1 egg, and ½ tsp of baking soda.
  3. Bake in oven on 350 for 10-12 minutes.
Notes
  1. The Mexican vanilla can be substituted for regular vanilla extract, but the Mexican vanilla makes the recipe unique and super sweet! You can find it at most grocery stores.
Dr. Monica Bravo https://drmonicabravo.com/

Sorority Girl Avoids the Freshman 15

By Leave a Comment

 Amy Dugas and I are in the same sorority and found we share a love for health and nutrition on our spring break together. We both came to spring break prepared with our Paleo snacks and foods. Although most girls our age were snacking on chips and grilled cheese, we stuck to our healthier choices. Amy surprised me in her determination and gave me hope for others my age. She can you tell you that the Paleo diet will help you avoid the freshman 15. 

As a freshman in college there are many things to be worried about. As a freshman girl avoid the freshman 15in college one of the biggest fears is the dreaded freshman fifteen. For me, a former high school athlete who had been very thin my entire life, this fear seemed unreasonable. I had the mindset that, “It won’t happen to me”. However, by my second semester I noticed that I was already not as thin as I used to be. I was never the type to eat junk for every meal, but I was used to eating large portions, a lot of which involved pasta, because I was always practicing multiple sports.  Just by no longer being active on a daily basis I had gained 10 lbs. While this may not sound like a lot in comparison to other people’s struggles, as a very weight conscious girl in a sorority I panicked.

I tried several fad diets with none of them fitting my lifestyle. I love to cook and am used to GOOD food so eating a little bar as a meal, or warming up frozen junk wasn’t doing it for me.

Luckily I, just like most girls my age, am a Pinterest addict. This is where the idea of Paleo was first introduced to me. I was looking in the “Health & Fitness” section of the app when I stumbled upon a string of posts about the diet/lifestyle. The food looked delicious! I could hardly believe that it was for real.

After stalking Paleo board after Paleo board on Pinterest I decided I wanted to know more. So I did what everyone does when they want to know anything, I Googled it! There it was, everything I could ever want to know about the diet of my dreams. It was so simple, logical, do-able! I was convinced. I started that very day in fear that I may get dragged into the classic diet postponement of “I’ll start tomorrow”.

From then on I was committed to Paleo. For better or for worse, in moodiness and irritability, to love and to stick to; from this day forward, ‘til death do us part. Unfortunately, worse did come before better. I was tired, grouchy, and wanted nothing more than to eat a giant loaf of French bread.  But once the first couple of weeks were over it was nothing but blue skies. I was hooked! My energy was up, I felt wonderful and I never was upset with myself after a meal. As an added bonus, even my skin and hair looked healthier! After a month the weight was already coming off and by being healthy in what I was eating I wanted to make other healthy choices.

It took a couple of months for me to no longer crave carbs but when I did I instead started to crave good things. It was great and people were taking notice. Soon my sorority sisters were asking me what I was doing and they too decided to try Paleo. I was so proud of myself. Not only was I happy to look at myself in the mirror again, but also I was inspiring others to make healthy choices.

Paleo is about more than just losing weight. It’s about becoming healthy. This is not a fad, crash diet. It’s a lifestyle change. It may be challenging in the beginning, but the benefits are exponential. I no longer even feel as if I’m dieting, I’m simply living; healthier, happier, and Paleo for life.

Want to be the next Testimonial on my blog? Send me your story at bravoforpaleo@gmail.com, and I may feature you! 

 

Paleo Crockpot Flank Steak- Mexican

By 4 Comments

Looking for more crockpot recipes? Try this Paleo Crockpot Flank Steak recipe. 

Looking for a recipe you can just throw in the pot and let it cook. Try this Paleo Crockpot Flank Steak Recipe.

A huge reason for not eating healthy is the expense. People will try to find any excuse to not eat healthy, but money is a reasonable one. Fortunately, there are ways to eat healthy on a budget. The way I think about it is- you pay now for quality food and good health, or you pay later for medical bills and a bad quality of life. Either way you are paying. 

For all those on a budget, flank steak is a wonderful choice. Many people have a problem with their flank steak coming out too tough, but this recipe will guarantee a tender outcome. It has a Mexican flavor to it, which I personally love!

Want to know where to buy good meat? Topline foods is a favorite. Want to know how to eat healthy on a budget? Check out this resourceful site. 

Here are some sides you may want to serve with it: 

Mexican Flank Steak
The easiest way to cook flank steak. This recipe has a Mexican twist with great flavors!
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. 1 flank steak
  2. ½ small can of green chiles
  3. 1 large red onion, chopped
  4. ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  5. 1 teaspoon of chili powder
  6. ¼ teaspoon of cumin
  7. 1 Tablespoon of olive oil
  8. 1-2 cloves of garlic minced (depending on taste)
Instructions
  1. In a small pan, sear the flank steak in olive oil on both sides.
  2. Add all ingredients to slow cooker.
  3. Cook on low for 4-5 hours if you prefer it sliced, cook 5-6 hours if you prefer it shredded.
Adapted from Lifetime Moms
Adapted from Lifetime Moms
Dr. Monica Bravo https://drmonicabravo.com/