Category Archives: Snacks

Refreshing Blueberry Salsa (Paleo, Whole30, Low Carb, Vegan)

This quick and refreshing blueberry salsa is made with all the fresh and delicious ingredients, and it’s a perfect Whole30 and vegan 4th of July dip recipe!

refreshing blueberry salsa recipe

Homemade salsa is one of my favorite foods. There’s nothing as refreshing as when you chop up and combine the freshest of the fresh ingredients and let the flavors meld together to dip your favorite tortilla chips in. For today’s recipe, I decided to think a little bit outside the box to incorporate one of my favorite summer fruits into the mix, and the result is fantastic. It has a slight natural sweetness without the need for any sugar that’s in many store-bought salsa!

Refreshing Blueberry Salsa Recipe

This blueberry salsa recipe is so light and refreshing, and it makes a perfect summer snack. At first, I was a bit hesitant about how blueberries would taste in salsa, but it’s subtle and delicious while being unique and addicting at the same time.

It’s also a healthy low carb and Whole30 compliant salsa, and the festive colors are so perfect to serve as a 4th of July dip recipe or any other summer holidays.

Blueberry salsa before mixed together
fresh ingredients for a whole30 compliant salsa

How to Make This Blueberry Salsa

This blueberry salsa one of the easiest recipes to make. Just chop up the ingredients and mix them together! Roughly chopping up the blueberries first really lets their flavors combine better with the rest of the ingredients. If you are lazy like me (blueberries can roll all over the place on the cutting board!), just place them in the food processor and pulse a few times to get that rough chop.

While you can enjoy this right away, I do recommend letting the salsa sit in the refrigerator for an hour or so to let the flavors really build and meld together. It really does get better the longer it sits!

festive colors of this salsa make it perfect 4th of July dip recipe

Ways to Enjoy This Blueberry Salsa

I’ve actually been loving this blueberry salsa recipe in all different ways for every meal (like I said, I’m obsessed). Here are some of my favorite creative ways:

  • with tortilla chips (duh – I love my grain free Siete Foods chips!)
  • with plantain chips
  • on top of avocado toasts
  • over roasted or grilled veggies
  • with eggs
  • in tacos or burrito bowls
  • and since I said this is a Whole30 compliant salsa, you can enjoy them over fish, steak, chicken, or any of your favorite protein!

If you are reading this and it’s the summer, I highly recommend you give this blueberry salsa a try because it’s such a cool and refreshing snack on a hot day. It’s also an extremely easy 4th of July dip recipe that’s looks fancy and fun, so make it for all your summer festivities and get-togethers!

tortilla chip dipped in blueberry salsa

Other recipes you may love…

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Refreshing Blueberry Salsa (Paleo, Whole30, Vegan, Low Carb)

This quick and refreshing blueberry salsa is made with all the fresh and delicious ingredients, and it's a perfect Whole30 and vegan 4th of July dip recipe!
Course Condiment, Snack
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword 4th of july dips, 4th of july recipe, low carb salsa, portable low carb snacks, savory blueberry recipe, summer snacks
Prep Time 5 minutes
Optional resting time 1 hour
Servings 6 servings
Calories 33kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh blueberries
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 2 jalapeno peppers seeded and membranes removed, finely diced
  • 1/2 red onion diced
  • 1/3 cup fresh cilantro chopped
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • Juice of 1 lime

Instructions

  • Roughly chop the blueberries. You can also put them in a food processor and pulse a few times.
  • Combine the blueberries and the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl and mix together.
  • You can enjoy right away, but it'll taste better after you let it sit for hour in the fridge so the flavors meld together and build!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving – about 1/3 cup | Calories: 33kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 195mg | Potassium: 63mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2.7% | Vitamin C: 13.9% | Calcium: 0.5% | Iron: 0.8%
What Great Grandma Ate / Jean Choi is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Regarding other affiliate links and affiliate relationships: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Thank you for your support and understanding.

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Homemade Paleo Pigs in a Blanket

A favorite for both adults and kids alike, learn how to make paleo pigs in a blanket that’s healthier than the original but still super tasty and addicting!

paleo pigs in a blanket baked on a baking sheet

Pigs in a blanket is a type of dish that I get excited about growing up and even now. There’s something so yummy and comforting about these pillowy bites dipped in a delicious sauce that’s just so addicting. While I can’t enjoy them like I used to because of my gluten intolerance, I can definitely make a paleo version at home using much healthier and cleaner ingredients!

Paleo Pigs in a Blanket Recipe

While you do have to make the dough yourself and can’t use store-bought crescent rolls, this is a fun and easy pigs in a blanket recipe that doesn’t take too long to prep AND only needs 15 minutes in the oven. I was so pleased with the flaky and soft dough that wrapped the mini hot dogs and even my husband (who is a hot dog snob) said these were incredible!

how to make paleo pigs in blanket
homemade pigs in a blanket before baking

How to Make Pigs in a Blanket That’s Healthy and Paleo

To make these homemade pigs in a blanket, you first have to make the dough with a combination of grain free flours for best results. I’ve never tried this by substituting with other flours so I can’t guarantee the same results if you make any modifications.

Unlike regular gluten dough, this paleo pigs in a blanket dough will be a little sticky and not as easy to work with. Make sure to let it sit in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to help it firm up, and then roll it out in between 2 parchment papers so it doesn’t stick to any surface. And when you are rolling the hot dogs into the dough, just be a bit more gentle when handling the dough, and it should be fairly easy to do.

Paleo Mini Hot Dogs

Conventional mini hot dogs or lil smokies can contain a lot of weird ingredients and preservatives, so I like to buy this grass fed version. It’s also Whole30-friendly, delicious, and just filled with super clean spices!

gluten free pigs on a blanket plated
dip for pigs in a blanket

My Favorite Dips For Homemade Pigs in a Blanket

I’m pretty basic when it comes to my dips for any kind of hot dogs. I’m a ketchup girl through and through. If you want to also make ketchup at home and maybe get creative with all the different ketchup varieties you can make, make sure to check out this post for the recipes.

I also think these will be fantastic with some honey mustard sauce (Whole30 version here) or even just plain mustard! What would you dip these homemade pigs in a blanket in or what did you love dipping them in growing up?

I hope you and your entire family enjoy this yummy and easy pigs in a blanket recipe, and let me know how you like them in the comments if you try them out!

east pigs in a blanket recipe
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Homemade Paleo Pigs in a Blanket

A favorite for both adults and kids alike, learn how to make paleo pigs in a blanket that's healthier than the original but still super tasty and addicting!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword game day appetizer, gluten free appetizer, kid friendly recipe, paleo appetizer
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Dough resting time 10 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 386kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Combine all ingredients, except mini hot dogs, in a large bowl and knead into a sticky dough.
  • Place in the refrigerator for 10 minutes until the dough firms up.
  • Place the dough in between 2 sheets of parchment paper, and roll it out to a thin layer that's 1/8 inch thick.
  • Use a butter knife and score the dough into long triangles that are about 1.5 inch wide x 4 inch tall (see photo in the blog post).
  • Roll each hot dog into the triangle dough starting from the widest part. Repeat with the rest of the dough and hot dogs.
  • Place on the lined baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.
  • Serve with your favorite dippings sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (makes 4) | Calories: 386kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 694mg | Potassium: 97mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 0.8% | Vitamin C: 0.2% | Calcium: 2.9% | Iron: 8.6%
What Great Grandma Ate / Jean Choi is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Regarding other affiliate links and affiliate relationships: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Thank you for your support and understanding.

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Chocolate Mushroom Paleo No Bake Energy Balls (Reishi & Chaga)

Boost your immunity with these antioxidant rich Chocolate Mushroom Paleo No Bake Energy Balls, and learn the amazing health benefits of reishi and chaga mushrooms!

Chocolate Mushroom Paleo No-Bake Energy Balls

Mushrooms are all the rage right now. I’ve been seeing mushroom coffee and various supplements popping up everywhere, and at first I thought that it was just a food trend that was bound to go away soon. That was until I tried it out myself, and was amazed at the difference I felt in my energy and health!

I’ve been drinking it in tea form for over a week now, and I’ve been gradually sleeping better and feeling better, and it’s become part of my daily self care routine that I really really enjoy.

Chocolate Mushroom Paleo No Bake Energy Balls Recipe

While I love the taste of these antioxidant rich mushrooms in tea form, I totally get it if you are not into the medicinal, slightly bitter flavor. I grew up taking traditional herbs from acupuncturists so I’m used to this kind of taste, but if you are not, these Chocolate Mushroom Paleo No Bake Energy Balls are the perfect way to incorporate this superfood into your diet.

These paleo no-bake energy balls are only sweetened with medjool dates, and combined with pecans, cacao powder, shredded coconut, and all healthy, real-food ingredients. I also like to add a scoop of grass-fed collagen for an extra boost of nutrients and protein. It’s so chocolatey and delicious, and you won’t taste the mushrooms at all!

Chocolate Mushroom Paleo No-Bake Energy Balls
Chocolate Mushroom Paleo No-Bake Energy Balls

Reishi vs Chaga

Reishi and chaga are 2 of the most popular superfood mushrooms that I use in this recipe, with amazing health benefits. Both of these have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years for boosting immune health, promoting longevity, and while increasing the body’s resistance to environmental toxins and stress.

Reishi

Among the two, reishi helps you sleep better, reduces stress level, and even improves symptoms of seasonal allergies and asthma. It’s also known for improving your hormonal health, which is constantly at a risk of being in imbalance with the amount of toxins we are exposed to in the modern world.

I really like taking reishi at night before bed, and I’ve been sleeping noticeably better; much longer and deeper. As someone who has never been a great sleeper, this alone make it a lifesaver in my book. I also think it’s been helping with my nasal congestion during pregnancy, which I’m so thankful for!

Chaga

Chaga is rich source of antioxidants and boosts your immune system like no other by increasing the production of white blood cells! It’s also known to lower inflammation in the body and improve cognitive function by providing calm energy.

I like my matcha latte in the morning, so I take my chaga tea in the afternoon when my brain tends to slow down a bit. It really has been helping a lot with keeping me focused throughout the end of my work day without any caffeine. I’m actually quite sensitive to caffeine after 12pm, so this is the perfect way for me to get my energy up while also helping me relax enough to fall asleep at a proper time at night.

However, the full benefits of Reishi and Chaga can’t be unlocked unless they’re combined with complementary plants.

This is why how you enjoy these two superfoods and their formula actually matter. After looking at various products on the market (there are SO many these days!), I chose Pique Tea’s Mushroom Elixirs to get my daily dose of these medicinal mushrooms. There’s a reason why these elixirs work so well: they have actually designed their tea to maximize their bioavailability and potency.

TCM Mushroom Elixirs

Each of their chaga and reishi teas are combined with other beneficial herbs to boost their health properties so you can absorb all the immune boosting nutrients that your body can take advantage of:

Chaga Energy Elixir

  • Organic wild-harvested chaga: Immune, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral support. Improves brain function and increases energy. Revitalizes the spirit.
  • Organic burdock root: Boost energy and support detoxification, including elimination of heavy metals.
  • Organic N.American ginseng: Boost energy, strength and stamina and enhance brain function.

Reishi Calm Elixir

  • Organic reishi: For immune, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral support. Mood regulation and stress reduction. Replenishes the spirit.
  • Organic jujube date: Replenishes energy, circulation, Qi in blood.
  • Organic goji berry: Combat stress and fatigue. Support eye health.
  • Organic monk fruit: Promote respiratory health and sweeten without raising blood glucose levels.

If you want to try them out yourself, make sure to check them out in the following link. If you don’t like it or if you don’t feel the beneficial health effects, you can return the unused carton for a full refund and free shipping!

Try Pique Tea TCM Mushroom Elixirs

To enjoy, all you have to do is add hot water to each of these elixirs and the tea crystals will dissolve right away. If you want to drink them cold, I add hot water to dissolve the tea first, and then top it with ice after. You can even add a sweetener or your favorite dairy free milk as well.

However, if you just can’t get used to the taste or if you want to enjoy it in a delicious snack/dessert form, these Chocolate Mushroom Paleo No Bake Energy Balls are seriously the tastiest way to enjoy them, without being able to taste the mushroom flavor at all!

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Chocolate Mushroom Paleo No Bake Energy Balls (Reishi & Chaga)

Boost your immunity with these antioxidant rich Chocolate Mushroom Paleo No Bake Energy Balls, and learn the amazing health benefits of reishi and chaga mushrooms!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Chilling time 15 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 15 energy balls
Calories 96kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend until crumbly and sticky. You should be able to pinch the mixture into a dough with your fingers.
  • Transfer to a bowl and mix well so all the ingredients are well dispersed. 
  • Use your hands to form into 15 even balls.
  • Refrigerate or freeze for 15 minutes until they firm up. 
  • Optional: you can roll the balls in cacao powder or shredded coconut before enjoying. 
  • Enjoy right away, or you can refrigerate in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze for up to 1 month.

Nutrition

Serving: 1energy ball (makes 15) | Calories: 96kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 49mg | Potassium: 130mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 0.4% | Vitamin C: 0.1% | Calcium: 1.3% | Iron: 2.9%
What Great Grandma Ate / Jean Choi is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Regarding other affiliate links and affiliate relationships: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Thank you for your support and understanding.

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