burger, fries & a shake. the healthier way.

Living in America we are told that it's normal to eat copious amounts of red meat. Fried potatoes. Drink our Venti and larger coffees. To eat on plates the size of frying pans. This is simply NOT right. It's NOT healthy and I hope that over time more people can see that in fact it's the cause of so many diseases and the obesity problem, or should I say epidemic, in our country. 

I walk into a general grocery store, or peruse the menus at local eateries and I just simply shake my head. I support local markets with organic, GOOD food. I support restaurants who take it upon themselves to be educated and watch out for our health. Sadly, there are VERY few eateries that value health over the dollar. Which is why I simply try to eat at home AS MUCH as possible. 

Now that's off my chest, I wanted to share that Mr. Charming and I sat down the other night, popped in a flick and enjoyed a delicious burger, fries and shake date night. "But Mandi, you just ranted about how bad that was!". And, now I was guilty of having this craving. I've been eating GF/DF for about a year now and I will tell you because of the way most of us grew up sometimes a girl just craves a burger. 

But without giving into something that could be harmful to my health, or waistline as I count down to Hawaii/bikini season, I made a variation at home so I could know exactly what was on my plate. 

We don't eat red meat often because I know a lot of what has been said about red meat and digestive health, however, with how much food I had to cut from my diet I do include it in my diet. I buy grass-fed, antibiotic free beef when I do. I also usually make my patties from natural turkey meat. I also have cut potatoes from my diet due to starch, as it feeds candida, but like I said, once in a while a girl needs to give in, if even just a little.

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burger. 

1 Lb. ground grass-fed beef or turkey
2 tbs. Gluten-free soy sauce
Pinch of sea salt

In a medium bowl mix meat with soy sauce (a little secret that makes them SO moist and DELICIOUS.) and salt. Form patties (I make them fairly small, 1 lb. makes 4 patties for me) and place patties in a ceramic or stainless steel pan on medium-high heat. Cover. Turn once or twice during cooking. Cook until both sides are browned and the center is no longer pink. Serve on plate with some fresh avocado and paleo ketchup. (IE: NO sugar, and apple-cider vinegar.)

fries.

It varies.. when I cook, I use organic potatoes and use the recipe below, some nights I've been known to use the organic fries from Fry's Marketplace. The ONLY ingredients are Organic Potato and Sea Salt. 

3 russet potatoes, peeled & cut into “fries”
2 tablespoons oil of your choosing
1 teaspoon sea salt

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 450 F.
2. Place raw cut “fries” in to a colander and rinse under cold water (to remove the starchy exterior of the potato). Pat dry with a towel to remove as much moisture as possible.
3. Place on to a sheet tray, pour 2 tbsp of oil and 1 tsp sea salt over them and then toss to coat evenly.
4. Bake for 20 minutes, then toss and bake for an additional 10 minutes (for a total of 30 minutes).
5. Serve.

shake.

Coconut or Almond Milk Ice Cream
Coconut or Almond Milk

For mine I use chocolate coconut milk ice cream from So Delicious (they have a sugar free version too!) with unsweetened chocolate almond milk from Almond Breeze. I use my Ninja blender and it tastes EXACTLY like a traditional shake.