Happy (almost) 4th of July! Today I've got 3 recipes for you - a main dish, a delicious drink and a yummy ice cream!
These pineapple shrimp skewers are so tasty; they are the perfect finger food for an independence day celebration! They're also full of nutritious ingredients. Shrimp is a great source of selenium, which is great for improving heart health and reduces the risk of diabetes. Selenium is also proven to reduce the risk of osteoporosis, which is the loss of bone density. Selenium is a great nutrient for those suffering from PCOS.
For the teriyaki sauce, I've switched out soy sauce for coconut aminos as it is gluten-free, soy-free and has much less sodium than regular soy sauce. Also, using real maple syrup is key here as it the most natural, organic source of sweetener you can use in this sauce!
The virgin piña colada is a fantastic alternative for anyone trying to cut down their drinking or for the kids to feel like part of the fun! Pineapple is a fantastic fruit for your health (which is why it's in this drink and in the skewers!). They have tons of vitamin C, which is an incredible antioxidant. Pineapples also have manganese, which help manage free radicals. They also have tons of other nutrients like potassium, folate and copper, all of which are important for a healthy heart rate and healthy blood pressure levels. Pineapples also have vitamin A, which is another antioxidant that protects eyesight. Pineapples have also been proven to discourage arthritis inflammation, indigestion and cancer.
The banana nice-cream is great because you enjoy a refreshing, creamy dessert without all the sugar-highs and crashes! Decorate with raspberries and blueberries for a 4th of July theme! Using bananas is great because they are a fantastic source of potassium, which is important for regulating blood pressure, which lowers your risk for heart disease and stroke. Bananas also have tons of fiber, which is important for you gut health and overall digestion. They also have magnesium, which we need for muscle contractions, heart health and brain function. Bananas contain manganese too, which is important for helping our overall metabolism, as well as folate, which is particularly important for pregnancy. Bananas have a number of antioxidants, as well as vitamin C and B6.
If you recreate these recipes, be sure to post them on Instagram and tag us @lorrainekearneynutrition; we love to see you eating delicious, nutritious foods!
Teriyaki Pineapple Shrimp skewers
Cook time: 15 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Serves 2
Ingredients
Teriyaki sauce
2 ½ tbsp water
1 tbsp coconut aminos
1 tbsp real maple syrup
1/2 tsp garlic, grated
1/2 tsp ginger, grated
Shrimp
1/2 pound jumbo shrimp
1/4 fresh pineapple, cut into 1½ inch pieces
Fresh cilantro, parsley or sesame seeds for topping
Directions
Add all the teriyaki sauce ingredients into a small pot and boil on medium-high, then reduce to medium-low heat and simmer for 10 mins
Arrange pineapple and shrimp on skewers, and grill for 2-3 mins per side
Turn grill heat to low and brush teriyaki sauce on all sides of the skewers
Serve with cilantro, parsley or sesame seeds
Virgin piña colada
Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients
1½ cups fresh pineapple chunks
Juice of ½ lime
2 oz coconut cream/milk
Ice
5 oz seltzer water
Pineapple wedge for garnish
Directions
Add all ingredients except seltzer into a blender and mix on high until incorporated.
Add seltzer in after blended and mix with a spoon
Pour into 2 separate glasses and serve with a pineapple chunk on the glass. Enjoy!
Banana (N)ice Cream
Ingredients
4 bananas, cut into small chunks and frozen
Splash of milk
Raspberries/strawberries & blueberries/grapes for 4th of July topping!
Directions
Add bananas into a high-power blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Add a splash of milk if necessary to help blend
Serve straight away for soft-serve style, or freeze for a few hours for harder ice cream!
