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.

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.

Pumpkin Seed Basil Pesto Chicken

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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.

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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anti-inflammatory leek chicken

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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Orange Pulled Chicken

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.