Dinner Candace Dorsey Dinner Candace Dorsey

Gluten Free Walking Tacos

Have you ever tried a walking taco? It's the perfect meal for those who are short on time, love customization, and want to keep it healthy. This meal is perfect for quick lunches, lazy family dinners, or even game night!

When I was a child, my family would make tacos in individual-sized chip bags like Fritos or Doritos. This allowed us to choose our own toppings, while also eating right out of the bag, making it mess-free for our parents. It was a delightful experience!

 

Healthy Walking Tacos: A Quick, Fun, and Customizable Meal

Have you ever tried a walking taco? It's the perfect meal for those who are short on time, love customization, and want to keep it healthy. This meal is perfect for quick lunches, lazy family dinners, or even game night!

walking tacos
walking tacos
walking tacos

When I was a child, my family would make tacos in individual-sized chip bags like Fritos or Doritos. This allowed us to choose our own toppings, while also eating right out of the bag, making it mess-free for our parents. It was a delightful experience!

walking tacos
walking tacos

HOW TO MAKE YOUR WALKING TACO

Assembling your walking taco is easy and fun! Just gather all your favorite taco toppings and go from there. You can even choose healthy and gluten-free options!

grass-fed ground meat

shredded lettuce

fresh organic salsa

lactose free or organic raw shredded cheese

pickled onions (with addition of jalapeños) pg. 54 in cookbook

avocado lime crema pg. 45 in cookbook

Gluten-free chips that are made in premium avocado or coconut oil like Jackson’s chips.

walking tacos

Want more healthy and fun Mexican inspired recipes? Check out: Mexican eggs Benedict, Paleo Crunchwrap Supreme, and Mexican Harvest Turkey Chili.

 

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo to #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with!


Servings: 4 Prep: 10 MIN Cook time: 10 MIN

Ingredients

To make taco meat:

  • 1 lb grassfed ground meat (beef, chicken, turkey)

  • 1 packet of siete foods taco seasoning

  • ⅓ cup water

Toppings:

Instructions:

  1. To a skillet, add 1 Tbsp avocado oil over medium high heat. Add your ground meat to the skillet and break apart as it cooks. Mix in the seasonings and water once browned. Transfer the meat into a bowl and set aside until ready to assemble walking tacos.

  2. Prepare the rest of the toppings of your choice!

  3. When ready to assemble, take individual sized chip bags and roll down the tops. (You can also add chips to a bowl if you don’t have chip bags!) Fill the bags or bowl with taco meat and the rest of your desired toppings. Enjoy!

 
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Snacks Candace Dorsey Snacks Candace Dorsey

Snickerdoodle Protein Balls

#1 favorite protein ball recipe that the girls at the gym absolutely love! And rightfully so because who doesn’t love the flavor combinations of cinnamon and sugar?!

Cinnamon and sugar are what makes a snickerdoodle, but that doesn’t mean we have to stick to the traditional unhealthy, sugar filled dessert.

Because these snickerdoodle protein balls are good for you! Not only are they made with natural sweeteners like pure maple syrup and coated with coconut sugar but they are also gluten-free, dairy free and filled with lofts of healthy fats, flavor and protein.

 

Satisfy your sweet tooth with snickerdoodle protein balls - A no-bake, healthy treat that will keep you full!

snickerdoodle protein balls

#1 favorite protein ball recipe that the girls at the gym absolutely love! And rightfully so because who doesn’t love the flavor combinations of cinnamon and sugar?!

Cinnamon and sugar are what makes a snickerdoodle, but that doesn’t mean we have to stick to the traditional unhealthy, sugar filled dessert.

snickerdoodle protein balls
snickerdoodle protein balls

Because these snickerdoodle protein balls are good for you! Not only are they made with natural sweeteners like pure maple syrup and coated with coconut sugar but they are also gluten-free, dairy free and filled with lofts of healthy fats, flavor and protein.

snickerdoodle protein balls
snickerdoodle protein balls

HOW TO MAKE SNICKERDOODLE PROTEIN BALLS

Let me give you the easy answer. Add all of the ingredients to the food processor and blend until the mixture is thick and creamy. Roll into balls and that’s it!

Main reason why I love these protein balls so much is because it doesn’t require baking, using only one kitchen equipment and takes less than 10 minutes to prepare.

snickerdoodle protein balls

WHEN TO EAT

  • Pre | Post workout - Need a quick bite before or after a workout to tie you over? Well, these protein balls are perfect in a pinch. Packed with protein and complex carbs to drive better performance at the gym!

  • Afternoon delight - If I am needing a snack or feel sluggish around 3PM, 1-2 of these protein balls will push me through with energy before dinner time.

  • Dessert alternative - Sometimes I will have a sweet tooth after dinner and these balls come in clutch!

 

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo to #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with!


Satisfy your sweet tooth with snickerdoodle protein balls - A no-bake, healthy treat that will keep you full!

Servings: 40 balls | Prep: 5 MIN | Cook time: NA

Ingredients

  • 3 cups oats (or oat flour)

  • 1 cup vanilla protein powder

  • ½ cup pure maple syrup

  • 1 ½ cup nut butter

  • ½ cup coconut oil

  • 2 Tbsp ground cinnamon

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • ½ tsp sea salt

  • Cinnamon sugar coating (optional)

  • ¼ cup coconut sugar

  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. To a food processor, (if not using oat flour), add oats to the processor and blend on high until oats have turned into oat flour. Add all of the ingredients, except cinnamon sugar coating, and blend on high until completely incorporated.

  2. If its too dry, add more honey or water and if it’s too wet, add 1 tbsp increments of oat flour.

  3. Using a tablespoon or cookie scooper, form into balls and place on a plate.

  4. If making the cinnamon sugar coating, add both ingredients in a small bowl and toss until incorporated. Add 3-4 balls in the cinnamon sugar mix and roll each ball around until fully coated.

  5. Store in an airtight container for up to one week or in the freezer for up to a month.

Notes

  • My favorite protein powder is Equip Foods! Use code ROOTS for 15% off your first order at this link

 
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Lunch Candace Dorsey Lunch Candace Dorsey

Chicken Harvest Bowl

Chicken Harvest Bowls with juicy marinated chicken thighs, roasted brussels sprouts and sweet potato, massaged kale, goat cheese, pecans, apple and a creamy balsamic dressing. 

This harvest bowl is packed with delicious fall flavor influences that is perfect for a healthy lunch meal prep option or dinner. Gluten-free, grain-free, macro balanced and dairy-free friendly. 

 

Chicken Harvest Bowl with juicy marinated chicken thighs, roasted Brussels sprouts and sweet potato, massaged kale, goat cheese, pecans, apple and a creamy balsamic dressing. 

chicken harvest bowl
chicken harvest bowl

This harvest bowl is packed with delicious fall flavor influences that is perfect for a healthy lunch meal prep option or dinner. Gluten-free, grain-free, macro balanced and dairy-free friendly. 

If you know anything about me, you know that nourish bowls are my favorite! From the Nourished Cookbook to the Nourishment Program - I absolutely love the art of batch cooking. 

chicken harvest bowl

If you can allocate one or two days out of your week to prepare batch cook items, you will have the freedom to create different meals so that you won’t have to eat the same meal twice if you don’t want to! How fun and easy is that?!

With that said, here is a fall inspired nourish bowl that you can create for lunch meal prep or for dinner! 

chicken harvest bowl

Chicken harvest bowl components based on the Six Senses Nourish Meal Template from The Nourishment Program

  1. Starchy + sugary carbs: sweet potatoes, honey, apple

  2. Non starchy carbs: massaged kale, brussels sprouts

  3. Protein: Chicken thighs + pecans + goat cheese

  4. Fat: oil, chicken thighs, goat cheese, nut butter

  5. Flavor: seasonings galore! Coconut aminos (or teriyaki sauce)

  6. Probiotics: balsamic vinegar

 

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo to #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with!


Chicken Harvest Bowl with juicy marinated chicken thighs, roasted Brussels sprouts and sweet potato, massaged kale, goat cheese, pecans, apple and a creamy balsamic dressing. 

SERVINGS: 4 | PREP TIME: 15 MIN | COOK TIME: 45 MIN

Ingredients

Chicken marinade

  • 1 lb chicken thighs

  • 1/3 cup coconut aminos or teriyaki sauce

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • S&P

Sweet potatoes

  • 2-4 sweet potatoes, cubed

  • 1 tsp each smoked paprika & garlic powder

  • dash of cinnamon

  • 1 Tbsp oil

Brussels sprouts

  • 1 lb brussels sprouts

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • 1 Tbsp oil

Balsamic dressing

  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

  • 2 Tbsp nut butter

  • 1-2 Tbsp water

  • 1 Tbsp honey

  • S&P

Bowl components

  • 1/2 cup pecans

  • 1/2 cup goat cheese

  • 1 large apple

  • massaged kale or regular leafy greens

Directions

  1. Marinate your chicken first by seasoning chicken thighs generously with S&P. Mix marinade ingredients in a Ziploc bag and transfer chicken to the bag. Seal bag, massage chicken in juices while sealed and place in the fridge to marinate for 30 min or up to 8 hrs.

  2. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

  3. Add diced sweet potatoes in seasoning mixture and halved Brussels sprouts in seasoning mixture on baking sheet. Toss in oil and roast in the oven for 35-45 min until tender.

  4. You can either roast chicken thighs in the oven at the same time and on a different baking sheet or grill / cook in a skillet.

  5. To make dressing: add the balsamic vinegar, nut butter, salt, honey and 1 Tbsp water to a small mason jar. Shake vigorously and add more water if you want a thinner consistency.

  6. Prep the remaining ingredients: dice the apple, crumble goat cheese, roughly chop pecans and follow massaged kale recipe if not using leafy greens.

  7. Assembly! Evenly divide the greens, chicken, roasted veggies, apples, goat cheese and nuts. Serve with creamy balsamic dressing and enjoy! 

 
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Breakfast Candace Dorsey Breakfast Candace Dorsey

Banana Nut Muffins

Muffins are a staple at my house! Not only are they great as a carb source for breakfast, but they are great as a grab and go snack! What I just now realized is that I have more muffin recipes on the blog than anything else! 

Another realization is that I have not one but two banana style recipes. The infamous paleo banana nut bread naturally sweetened with just bananas and 5-ingredient banana bread muffins that is also in the Nourished Cookbook

I may be mildly obsessed…

 

Banana Nut Muffins - Light, fluffy, gluten-free and dare I say moist and delicious! 

Muffins are a staple at my house! Not only are they great as a carb source for breakfast, but they are great as a grab and go snack! What I just now realized is that I have more muffin recipes on the blog than anything else! 

Another realization is that I have not one but two banana style recipes. The infamous paleo banana nut bread naturally sweetened with just bananas and 5-ingredient banana bread muffins that is also in the Nourished Cookbook

I may be mildly obsessed…

But this recipe variation in particular is my pantry/fridge clean out - banana nut recipe. Why? Because the ingredients are so practical! 

I typically have all of these ingredients in my fridge or pantry and do not realize it until some bananas are looking a little brown and I need to think fast on my feet! 

Don’t have overripe bananas but need them fast to make this recipe!?

The fastest way to ripen bananas for baking is to just bake them! Simply preheat your oven to 400 degrees F, place your bananas on a baking sheet, and bake them for five minutes, until they’re browned. That’s it! 

 

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo to #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with!


Banana Nut Muffins - Light, fluffy, gluten-free and dare I say moist and delicious! 

Servings: 12 muffins | Prep Time: 5 min | Cook Time: 20 min

Ingredients 

  • 1 ½ cups 1:1 gluten-free flour

  • 3 medium overripe bananas, mashed

  • 1 tsp baking powder

  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • ½ tsp salt

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • 1 tsp pumpkin spice seasoning

  • 1 egg, room temperature

  • ½ cup coconut oil or grass-fed butter, melted

  • ¼ cup maple syrup

  • 2 Tbsp coconut milk or milk of choice

  • ¼ - ½ cup coconut sugar (depending on your sweet level) 

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • ½ cup walnuts, chopped

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line a muffin tin with muffin cups or spray tin with oil spray. 

  2. Mash the bananas with a fork or meat masher in a mixing bowl. Add all the wet ingredients (egg, oil, syrup, milk, vanilla) and coconut sugar to the mixing bowl and whisk together until combined. 

  3. In a separate bowl, add the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda and powder, salt, spices) and whisk together until combined. Add your dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and whisk together until batter is thick yet pourable. Add the chopped walnuts and fold in until combined. 

  4. Evenly divide the batter between 12 muffin cups. Sprinkle a little extra chopped nuts on top. 

  5. Bake the muffins for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean and they’re lightly golden on top. Enjoy! 

Notes

  • Don’t have overripe bananas? That’s okay! Simply, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F, place your bananas on a baking sheet, and bake them for 5 minutes, until they’re browned. That’s it!

 
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Dinner Candace Dorsey Dinner Candace Dorsey

Lamb Stew Squash Bowl

that can also be served with a side of rice. 

Lamb stew squash bowl has got to be the epitome of winter comfort. There is nothing like spending an hour or two in the kitchen creating a comfort dish and sharing it with your loved ones. Especially when you are using seasonal ingredients that are not only nourishing for the body, but for the soul. 

For this recipe, I used kabocha squash as they are the perfect “bowl” size for this dish but you can also use: pumpkin, acorn, butternut, delicata, or even zucchini. Random thought but if you have a large family or fun gathering, using a large pumpkin for this dish would definitely be the star on the table as well as a crowd pleaser! 

 

Nourishing and hearty lamb stew squash bowl that can also be served with a side of rice. 

Lamb stew squash bowl has got to be the epitome of winter comfort. There is nothing like spending an hour or two in the kitchen creating a comfort dish and sharing it with your loved ones. Especially when you are using seasonal ingredients that are not only nourishing for the body, but for the soul. 

For this recipe, I used kabocha squash as they are the perfect “bowl” size for this dish but you can also use: pumpkin, acorn, butternut, delicata, or even zucchini. Random thought but if you have a large family or fun gathering, using a large pumpkin for this dish would definitely be the star on the table as well as a crowd pleaser! 

Squash not accessible or not keen on squash? Feel free to prepare a side of rice, quinoa or roasted sweet potatoes to go with the stew! 

Now that we are on the stew topic, I could literally drink this smooth, creamy flavor bomb of a stew just on its own! I’m telling you, there is nothing like roasting your veggies prior to blending into a cream sauce. Just saying! 

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo to #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with!


Nourishing and hearty lamb stew squash bowl that can also be served with a side of rice. 

Servings: 4-6 | Prep Time: 20 min | Cook Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground lamb or meat of choice

  • 2 small kabocha squash or squash / pumpkin of choice

  • 1 8 oz container baby bella mushrooms, sliced

  • 2 cups kale or collard greens, shredded

  • 1 can coconut milk, unsweetened

  • 1 onion

  • 2 large tomatoes

  • 6 cloves garlic

  • 1 .5 oz organic fresh basil (small container)

  • 1 Tbsp favorite go-to seasoning

  • 1-2 Tbsp grass-fed butter

  • Kosher salt and pepper

Directions 

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. 

  2. Clean out both squash and line the inside and lid with butter, set aside. 

  3. Slice tomatoes and onion in half, and place on a cookie sheet with crushed cloves of garlic. Drizzle oil and kosher salt and cook in the oven for 25 minutes. 

  4. While the tomato mixture is cooking, crumble ground meat in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoning and saute until the lamb meat is fully cooked. Set aside but keep rendered fat in the skillet. 

  5. After the roasted veggies have cooled down, remove the outer skin from the onion and transfer everything to a blender. Add in the coconut milk and basil and blend until smooth. Taste test and add additional salt if needed. 

  6. Add mushrooms and kale to the skillet with reserved lamb fat and set over medium heat. Saute for about 5 minutes and pour in the blended cream mixture and cooked lamb meat. Remove from heat and transfer the mixture into your buttered squashes.

  7. Place filled squash bowls on a cookie sheet with the lids on top and cook in the oven for 25 minutes. 

  8. At this time, if you have leftover lamb stew, feel free to make a side of steamed rice. 

  9. Remove from the oven and garnish with basil chiffonade and enjoy! Don’t forget to scrape the inside of your squash as you eat! 

 
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