Justine Stenger

Justine Stenger studied nutrition and physical education at the University Of Alberta. She graduated in 2008 and went on to complete a Holistic Nutrition and Therapeutic Chef Certification at Bauman College in Boulder, Colorado. She has completed her Functional Medicine training with The Institute For Functional Medicine, is a Bredesen Trained Practitioner, GAPS Practitioner, Certified Gluten Practitioner, and is a Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach through The Institute For Functional Medicine.

Pumpkin Spice Banana Loaf

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Pumpkin Spice Banana Loaf

Ingredients

  • 3 ripe bananas
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 8 pastured eggs
  • 10 medjool dates, pitted
  • 1 tbsp vanilla
  • 1 tbsp Ceylon cinnamon, plus 1 tsp for garnishing
  • 1/8 tsp ground clove
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • pinch sea salt
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil – melted
  • 1 -1/2 cups cassava flour

Procedure 

  1. Preheat oven to 350F
  2. Combine banana, pumpkin puree, eggs, dates, coconut oil, vanilla, sea salt, and spices. Blend until pureed. 
  3. Add cassava flour and process until combined.
  4. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and pour batter and smooth with a spatula.
  5. Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake for 45-55 min or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Nutrition Tip 

Cassava is a very nutrient dense, starchy root that is rich in fibre and resistant starch – an excellent food for our microbiome. Cassava may contribute four times less digestible sugar, and up to 16 times more fibre, giving it a lower glycemic load than many grains. 

This food has been historically eaten in many developing countries, but has become a popular stable in homes that follow a grain free lifestyle. 

AIP Sweet Potato, Apple, “Oatmeal”

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AIP Sweet Potato, Apple, “Oatmeal”

Anyone that knows me, knows how passionate I am about bioactive lipids. Bioactive lipids are essential fatty acids that we must consume through our diet. Our body is unable to make linoleic acid, and alpha-linolenic acid on its own, so if we don’t eat a diet rich in these two essential fatty acids, we will be starving our cells of the raw materials our cells need to create structure, stability, and integrity. Without healthy cells, it is impossible for a person to be healthy. Bioactive lipid consumption is the first step towards optimizing our health. This is why I get giddy excited when I create a recipe that is chock full of cellular nutrition. Stay tuned for future recipes you can make to support your cellular health!

Serves:

3-4

Ingredients :

  • 2 garnet yams, shredded (about 5 cups of shredded yam)
  • 1/2 cup sweet potato flour
  • 1 Tbsp ceylon cinnamon
  • 1 Tbsp vanilla
  • 1/4 cup E-Lyte
  • 3/4 cup organic apple sauce
  • Homemade coconut milk for serving
  • Raw sunflower seeds for serving (optional)
  • Pastured raw egg yolk to serve (optional)
  • Manuka honey to serve (optional)

Procedure 

  1. Preheat oven to 350F
  2. Shred sweet potato in your food processor with the shred disk.
  3. Add sweet potato to a large mixing bowl and add sweet potato flour, and cinnamon. Stir to combine. Form a hole in the middle of your mixture and add apple sauce, vanilla, and BodyBio E-lyte. Stir mixture until combined. 
  4. Press mixture into a casserole dish and bake for 35-40 min or until done. 
  5. For an AIP version, serve with homemade coconut milk, and a drizzle of Manuka honey. If you are not following strict AIP, I personally like to add two raw egg yolks, along with 1/4 cup of raw sunflower seeds for a good dose of non oxidized arachidonic acid from the raw egg yolks, and Linoleic acid from the raw sunflower seeds. 

Recipe: Gogi Berry Energy Balls

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Recipe: Gogi Berry Energy Balls

Ingredients 

  • 1 1/2 cups organic gogi berries 
  • 1 1/2 cups coconut shreds – divided 
  • 1/4 cup manuka honey 
  • 2 tsp vanilla 
  • pinch sea salt 
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 20 small parchment paper cups

Procedure

  1. Combine gogi berries, coconut oil. vanilla, honey, and sea salt into a food processor. Blend until your ingredients become a paste. 
  2. Add 1 cup of coconut shreds and process until combined. 
  3. Pour the additional 1/2 cup of coconut shreds onto a cutting board. Roll gogi berry mixture into small balls and cover in coconut shreds. 
  4. Place balls into a parchment paper cup and store in the fridge or freezer. 

Nutrition Tip 

What makes gogi berries so good for us? 

Gogi berries are often referred to as a superfood, because of the array of phytochemical that exist within them. There has been a great deal of research done on one particular antioxidant found in Gogi berries called, Zeaxanthin. Research shows that this miraculous antioxidant has the ability to improve vision! 

Zeaxanthin protects the eyes from oxidative damage caused by UV light,  acts as a free radical scavenger, and combats inflammation. 

Gogi berries don’t only contain this solo antioxidant – they are also packed with vitamin C, beta carotene, polysaccharides, and carotenoids. These strong compounds all work together to lower inflammation, improve immune functioning,  and protect us against cancer. 

If learning all that wasn’t enough to convinced you to try these delicious gogi berry balls, I’ll give you a few other recommendations on how you can include them in your diet. 🙂 

  1. Add Gogi berries to raw paleo granola. 
  2. Add to raw trail mix. 
  3. Add a handful of gogi berries to your smoothie and blend into your smoothie, or add them as a smoothie topping for a little crunch. 
  4. Add to homemade coconut yogurt. 

I would love to hear your favourite way to add Gogi berries to your diet! 

Recipe: Mixed Berry Muffins

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Blueberries are well known for their brain food status. They contain powerful blue/black/purple flavonoids that protect the brain from oxidative damage and inflammation. Studies show that blueberries not only protect brain cells from damage but they also increase cerebral blood flow.  Increases in blood flow allows the brain to be flooded with nutrients and antioxidants to boost memory, brain function, and cognition. An increase in blood flow has also been shown to be protective against neurological disorders.  Enjoy the health benefits of blueberries when you devour these delicious Mixed Berry Muffins!

Yield – 12 muffins 

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2  cups almond flour or cashew flour
  • 1 cup cassava flour
  • 1/4 cup ghee, melted
  • 1 tbsp vanilla
  • pinch sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 lemon, juiced and zested
  • 1 cup blackberries
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 1 ripe banana
  • 1/2 cup lakanto golden sugar
  • 6 pastured eggs

Procedure

  1. Preheat oven to 350F
  2. Using a food processor, process banana, egg, ghee, lemon juice, and vanilla. 
  3. Gather a large mixing bowl and add almond flour, cassava flour, baking soda, sea salt, lemon zest, lakanto sugar, blueberries, and blackberries. 
  4. Add wet ingredients and stir to combine. 
  5. Transfer batter to XL sized parchment paper muffin cups and fill 3/4 full. 
  6. Bake for 25-27 min or until golden. 

Recipe: Muesli Scones

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These Muesli scones are packed with the parent omega 6 fatty acid - Linoleic Acid.  This fatty acid is found in abundance in sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid that we must obtain from our diet. Adding seeds to your diet is an excellent way to ensure you are providing your body with the building blocks that it needs to function at its very best.

Yield - 14 large scones

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups almond flour
  • 1 1/2 cup cassava flour - divided
  • 8 pastured eggs
  • 1/2 cup ghee, melted
  • 1 cup honey
  • pinch sea salt
  • 2 Tbsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 cups sunflower seeds
  • 2 cups pumpkin seeds
  • 1 cup dried cranberries

Procedure

  1. Preheat oven to 350F
  2. Gather a large mixing bowl and add all dry ingredients. Next, add the eggs, ghee, honey, and vanilla. Stir until combined.
  3. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and form dough into scones. Bake for 25-27 min or until scones are done.
  4. Serve with your favourite coffee or tea.

Recipe: Pumpkin Seed Basil Pesto Chicken

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Diet Type – Paleo 

This recipe is the perfect spring/summer recipe for you to start flooding your body with nutrition, balance your blood sugar levels, and help keep you satiated for hours after you finish this meal. 

This delicious dish provides you with an abundance of high-quality protein from pastured chickens, a good dose of linoleic acid from the pumpkin seeds to aid in mitochondrial functioning, contains the perfect balance of fatty acids for your cell and mitochondrial membranes, and includes a whole heap of phytonutrients from organically grown basil. 

Did you know that basil is not only anti-inflammatory but it also has anti-cancer effects, has been shown to help patients with depression, improves skin health, aids in digestion and liver detoxification, AND helps to balance blood sugar levels? Who wouldn’t want to include this health-promoting meal into their daily food routine?

Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 10 boneless and skinless chicken thighs (Sunworks Farms) 
  • 1 head red leaf lettuce, washed 
  • 5 green onions, chopped 
  • 2 cups pumpkin seeds 
  • 2 cups organic fresh basil 
  • 1 clove garlic 
  • 1 lemon, juiced 
  • 1 tsp sea salt 
  • 1/2 – 3/4 cup BodyBio Balanced oil use Hoffman-P at checkout for a discount!

Procedure

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F
  2. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and lay chicken thighs evenly on your tray.
  3. Bake for 30-35 min or until done. 
  4. While chicken is cooking, gather a food processor and add pumpkin seeds, garlic, and sea salt. Process until you reach a flour consistency. Add fresh basil, lemon juice, and olive oil. Blend until smooth.
  5. When chicken is done and has cooled, slice each piece into strips and transfer to a mixing bowl. Cover with pesto and stir to combine. 
  6. Lay lettuce cups on serving plates and fill with a generous portion of basil chicken. Top with green onion and serve immediately.

Recipe: Shrimp Shiitake Stir Fry

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Shrimp Shiitake Stir Fry Recipe - Hoffman Centre

Shiitake mushrooms are one of the earths most robust foods for the immune system. Each mushroom stock contains a plethora of nutrients that decrease inflammation and provides the immune system with what it needs to fight off pathogens, and even cancer. What is it exactly that makes a shiitake mushroom so incredible? Research shows that the these magical little fungus contain a polysaccharide called Lentinan, (1,3 beta D Glucan) which is primarily responsible for its biological effects. This Shrimp Shiitake Stir Fry recipe is a REALLY great way to start adding these mystical mushrooms to your diet!

Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 1 pound prawns, deveined
  • 1 Tbsp ghee
  • 2 Tbsp - 1/4 cup filtered water (optional)
  • 1/4 cup coconut aminos
  • 2 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1/4 cup black sesame seeds
  • 1 pound shiitake mushrooms
  • 1/2 pound broccoli florets
  • 2 Tbsp minced ginger
  • 2 Tbsp minced garlic
  • 1/4 cup water chestnuts
  • 1/2 cup chopped green onion
  • 1 bag hearts of palm
  • 2 bags Konjac noodles, rinsed
  • Sea salt to taste

Procedure

  1. Heat a large cast-iron skillet or wok and add ghee, shiitake mushrooms, prawns, coconut aminos, garlic, and ginger. (You may need to add a little bit of water at this point) Next, add the broccoli and cook until prawns are done, and the broccoli and shiitake mushrooms are soft.
  2. Add the Konjac noodles and stir to combine. Cook for 3-5 min or until noodles are warm.
  3. Remove from heat and add toasted sesame oil, green onions, and black sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

Recipe: Apricot and Leek Chicken

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This anti-inflammatory recipe was contributed by our Health Coach, Justine Stenger.

This recipe for Apricot and Leek Chicken is packed with thyme, a magnificent herb, and is also one of my favourite dishes.

The active ingredient in thyme is a compound called thymol. This powerful compound is not only antibacterial, anti anaphylactic, and anti-fungal, it is also a powerful antihistamine. Serve this dish over spiralized zucchini noodles or with a side of mashed sweet potatoes and you have a delicious, nutritious, well balanced anti-inflammatory meal.

Prep time - 10 min
Cook time - 45 min
Serves - 6
Difficulty - Easy 

Ingredients

  • 6 pastured chicken thighs, skin removed 
  • 2 leeks, half moon sliced 
  • 1 1/2  Tbsp dried thyme
  • 2 Tbsp fresh thyme, minced 
  • 12 organic dried apricots, sliced 
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 Tbsp ghee
  • 1/2 cup chopped parsley
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced 
  • 2 tsp sea salt 

Instructions

  1. Heat a large dutch oven and add ghee and leeks. Sauté leeks until translucent. Add thyme, salt, dried apricots and broth. Add chicken thighs and cover with chicken broth. Cook for 45 min or until chicken is done. 
  2. Transfer chicken to six serving bowls and top with apricot broth. Drizzle with lemon juice and top with fresh parsley. 

 

Recipe: Orange Pulled Chicken

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This Orange Pulled Chicken is extremely healthy and easy to make! The citrusy sauce is super flavorful and will definitely have you piling seconds onto your plate! This recipe is gluten and dairy free.

This delicious recipe was contributed by our Health Coach, Justine Stenger.

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs chicken thighs or legs
  • 3 inch piece fresh ginger
  • 1 Tbsp dried thyme
  • 1 Tbsp Italian spice blend
  • 2 tsp sea salt
  • 1 bunch cilantro
  • 2 limes, juiced
  • 5 navel oranges
  • 1 bunch green onions, chopped
  • 1-2 heads red leaf lettuce

Instructions

  1. Gather a high powered blender and puree oranges, ginger, thyme, Italian spice blend and lime juice.
  2. Heat a large stock pot and add orange juice/herb mixture
  3. Remove the skin from the chicken thighs or legs and place them in your stock pot with the orange juice/herb mixture.
  4. Bring to a simmer and cook for 45-55 min, or until chicken is done. Remove chicken from juice and bring the juice to a boil, cooking it down to a concentrate.
  5. Once the chicken has cooled, pull the meat off the bone and place in a mixing bowl. Pour orange juice/herb mixture over the chicken and add cilantro. Taste and adjust for salt.
  6. Serve in red leaf lettuce cups or cabbage cups. Top with green onion and serve immediately.

Note: The chicken can be frozen for up to 3 months.