Sweet Apple Walnut Kale

Ingredients
1 bunch kale, washed and torn into bite-sized pieces
1 Tablespoon organic butter or extra virgin olive oil
1/2 organic apple, very thinly sliced
1/3 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
*1 Tablespoon unrefined cane sugar or brown sugar (optional, or use more apple juice)
3-4 Tablespoons apple juice or cider
1 Tablespoon tamari
1 Tablespoon unfiltered apple cider vinegar

Directions
1. Pull away kale leaves from the stems before washing. Wash carefully by filling your sink with cold water and submerging the greens. If the water has sediment, drain the sink and repeat. Tear leaves into bite-sized pieces.
2. Melt butter or heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add apple and walnuts, and sauté for a few minutes. Sprinkle cane sugar (optional) over the apple and walnuts and stir so they are evenly coated. When apple is softened, add kale leaves and sauté over medium heat until leaves begin to turn brilliant green.
3. In a small bowl, combine juice and tamari. Pour into skillet, cover tightly. Cook until leaves are tender, 5-7 minutes. Taste to check for doneness: greens should be tasty, not bitter; still green, not gray. Dress with vinegar before serving.

Recipe adapted by Leigh Wagner PhD, MS, RD from Feeding the Whole Family by Cynthia Lair. See blog http://www.cookusinterruptus.com/

Honey Mustard Chicken

Ingredients

Chicken:
4 chicken breasts

Sauce/Marinade:
¼ cup mustard (whole grain and/or yellow)
½ ripe avocado, mashed or ¼ cup mayonnaise (olive oil-based)
2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup
¾ teaspoon salt
1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder or 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
¼ cup almond flour
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 °F
2. In a medium bowl or 2-cup glass measuring cup, mix together ingredients for sauce/marinade.
3. In a glass baking dish (“casserole dish”), pour sauce/marinade over the chicken breasts. Turn chicken breasts in the sauce so entire chicken breasts are covered.
4. Bake immediately or marinate over night.
5. Bake for 30 minutes, turning half way (at 15 minutes); chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

Yield: Serves four.

Recipe by Leigh Wagner

Flax Bread

Ingredients
2 cups flax meal
1 teaspoon baking soda
1-2 teaspoons lemon juice
¾ teaspoon Celtic sea salt
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or honey or 7-10 drops Stevia
5 eggs, whisked
½ cup water
⅓ cup olive oil

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350˚F.
2. In a large bowl combine flax meal, baking soda, lemon juice and salt.
3. In a smaller bowl, mix together sweetener, eggs, water and oil.
4. Stir wet ingredients into dry, mix well, and let stand for 2-3 minutes to allow the batter to thicken.
5. Pour batter into square baking dish.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes or so until a knife comes out clean or crust springs back
to-the-touch.
7. Remove from oven and cool.

Recipe by Leigh Wagner PhD, MS, RD

Apple Spiced Collard Greens

Ingredients
2-3 bunches collard greens, rinsed and chopped
1 small to medium fresh apple, diced
1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
4-6 cloves garlic, crushed
1/4 to 1 teaspoon dried chili flakes (crushed red pepper)
1/4 to 1/2 cup organic apple cider or apple juice
1-2 Tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste

Directions
1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds; then add the chili flakes, diced apple, chopped greens, apple cider or juice, and continue to stir. 
2. After about 4-6 minutes, or when the greens are tender, remove from the heat. Add apple c ider vinegar and salt. Toss gently and serve.

Recipe adapted by Leigh Wagner PhD, MS, RD from The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook by Alissa Segersten and Tom Malterre.

Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges

Ingredients
2 medium sweet potatoes, cut into wedges
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/8-1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Drizzle avocado oil, melted organic pasture butter or coconut oil

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees fahrenheit.
2. Cut sweet potatoes into wedges, then combine with cinnamon, salt, cumin, black pepper, garlic powder and oil in a plastic bag or in a bowl. If plastic bag: seal and shake. If in a bowl: stir ingredients until coated. 
3. Place sweet potatoes on a baking sheet (do not overlap). Bake for 20 minutes or until very tender, flipping potatoes once during cooking. 

Adapted by Leigh Wagner PhD, MS, RD