3-INGREDIENT MEALS: MUSHROOM GNOCCHI WITH A BUTTER THYME SAUCE

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I have loved these 3-ingredient meals. They are super easy and encourage me to get creative and think outside the box. Plus, they force me to edit and simplify, which I am not always the best at.

Today it's Gnocchi with Mushroom, Thyme and Butter.

Gnocchi is a type of small, soft dough dumplings that are typically made from potatoes, flour, and eggs, although other ingredients like ricotta cheese, spinach, or pumpkin can be used as well. Gnocchi originated in Italy and are commonly served as a pasta alternative, often with tomato sauce, pesto, or other savory toppings. They can also be served in soups or as a side dish. Gnocchi can be found in a variety of shapes, from small pillows to long tubes, and their texture can vary from dense and chewy to light and fluffy, depending on the recipe and cooking method.

Butter, thyme, and mushrooms complement each other very well due to their unique flavors and aromas. Butter has a rich, creamy flavor that adds richness and depth to dishes. It also has a high fat content, which can help to bring out the flavor of other ingredients.

Thyme is an herb that has a slightly sweet and floral taste, along with a hint of mint and earthiness. It is often

used to add depth to savory dishes, and it pairs particularly well with mushrooms.

Mushrooms have a unique earthy and meaty flavor, which can be enhanced by cooking them with butter and thyme. The butter adds richness and creaminess to the dish, while the thyme helps to balance out the earthiness of the mushrooms.

Together, these three ingredients create a delicious and complex flavor profile that works well in a variety of dishes, such as mushroom risotto, mushroom soup, or sautéed mushrooms as a side dish. Three-ingredient meals are great for several reasons:

1. Simplicity: Three-ingredient meals are incredibly simple and easy to make. They require fewer ingredients and less time in the kitchen, making them perfect for busy weeknights or when you're short on time.

2. Cost-effective: Three-ingredient meals are often more budget-friendly than recipes that require a long list of ingredients. You can save money on groceries and reduce food waste by using up ingredients you already have on hand.

3. Versatility: Three-ingredient meals can be incredibly versatile. With just three ingredients, you can create a variety of different dishes by changing the preparation method or seasoning. This allows you to experiment with flavors and textures without spending a lot of time or money.

4. Healthier options: Many three-ingredient meals are healthy and nutritious, as they often feature whole, unprocessed ingredients like vegetables, grains, and lean protein. By keeping it simple, you can create a satisfying meal that is also good for your body.

Overall, three-ingredient meals offer a simple, budget-friendly, and versatile option for those who want to create delicious and healthy meals without spending a lot of time or money in the kitchen.

Mushroom Gnocchi with butter thyme sauce

INGREDIENTS:

Primary Ingredients:

• 1 lbs (16 oz) mushrooms, sliced

• 1lbs (16oz) pre-cooked potato gnocchi

• 1 1/2 tbsp thyme leaves, more for garnish

Staple Pantry Items:

• 1/2 cup melted salted butter, divided

• Olive oil

• Salt and pepper

• Fresh grated Parmesan (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375f

Put the sheet pan in the oven while it pre-heats, and you slice the mushrooms.

Carefully remove the pan from the oven, and rub butter all over it. Lay out gnocchi and mushrooms in an even layer, and drizzle with olive oil, 2 tbsp melted butter, thyme leaves, salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Roast for 11-13 minutes until cooked.

Once done, add the remaining butter to the gnocchi & mushroom mixture, and toss well. Divide amongst bowls and garnish with thyme and fresh parmesan if using.

TUSCAN-INSPIRED SAUSAGE SOUP W/ SUN DRIED TOMATO & SPINACH (DAIRY FREE)

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This is my fiance's favorite soup. He requests it all the time and it is so simple to make so I had to share it before soup season was over. However, we enjoy it year-round and I will often freeze it in individual portions so he can take it with him to work.

Although we do not follow any food rules, this is Whole-30, Dairy-Free, Gluten Free and Paleo-Friendly. During the day, while He is at work, he likes to eat food like this so it doesn't slow him down, gives him brain fog or make him want a nap at 3pm.

Tuscan cuisine is the culinary tradition of Tuscany, a region in central Italy known for its beautiful landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and its emphasis on simple, hearty dishes made from fresh, high-quality ingredients.

Tuscan cuisine is characterized by its reliance on locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients, such as olive oil, beans, cheese, vegetables, and meat, particularly beef and game. Some of the most famous Tuscan dishes include ribollita (a hearty soup made with bread, beans, and vegetables), pappa al pomodoro (a bread and tomato soup), bistecca alla fiorentina (a thick T-bone steak cooked rare), and cantucci (almond biscuits often dipped in Vin Santo, a sweet dessert wine).

Tuscan cuisine is also known for its use of simple cooking techniques that allow the natural flavors of the ingredients to shine through. For example, meat is often grilled over an open flame, and bread is used to soak up the flavorful juices of stews and soups. The cuisine is often paired with Tuscan wines, such as Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino.

TUSCAN-INSPIRED SAUSAGE SOUP W/ SUN DRIED TOMATO & SPINACH

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 medium yellow onion, diced

• 1 1/2 pound spicy Italian sausage

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 cup sundried tomatoes (no oil)

• 2 tsp Italian seasoning

• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast

• 1 (15-oz) can of coconut cream

• 4 cups chicken broth

• 2 1/2 cups fresh baby spinach

• salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

Add the oil, onions, and sausage in a large soup pot over medium-high heat, and cook until the sausage is brown on all sides. About 5-7 minutes, stirring often. Then add in the garlic, sundried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and nutritional yeast, and season with a generous pinch of salt and black pepper. Mix well. Add in the coconut cream and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, cover, and lower to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes. Then turn off the heat, add in the spinach and stir until wilted. Taste test and see if you want to add in any more seasoning. Enjoy!

ARE YOU REALLY TRYING TO CONTROL YOUR FOOD?

For the longest time, my eating disorder was a coping mechanism and a desperate attempt at having some form of control over my life.

At the time, my life felt very out of control (read: parents going through divorce, one parent was in jail, I moved to a new country on the other side of the world all by myself, etc.- you get the picture.)

Controlling my food gave me something to have control over - nothing says control like counting almonds, right? - that is until I would lose control and be face-first in a tub of ice cream.

Furthermore, I thought that if I could control my food and the way my body looked - I could in theory control other areas or outcomes of my life, too.

If I made sure I was thin, I would be safe from ridicule and not be teased by others.

If I made sure I was skinny, I could make all the guys like me and get a boyfriend.

If I were rail thin like a model, I would be taken more seriously at my job (I worked in fashion at the time) and be more likely to get promoted or be given a raise.

If I made sure my body and food were perfectly put together, no one would know that my life was a huge mess.

If I had an amazing body, people would respect me, accept me, be jealous of me, and I would finally be happy.

At the end of the day, it didn't matter what size I was. It wasn't stopping my parents from divorcing, it wasn't making men or women like me more, and no matter how perfect my food looked - my life was imperfect.

The thing is, no matter what size we are or what our food looks like, we have absolutely no control over some of the things that happen in our lives or how other people see us.

We can not make someone feel or perceive us a certain way, no matter what we do.

When I ask my clients why controlling their weight is so important, so much of the reason is because of trying to control the way other people perceive or judge them. And while our society does make assumptions based on weight and appearance, at the end of the day, we really have no control over other people's judgment, ever.

We can not control what we can not control. And our pursuit of controlling the uncontrollable typically leaves us empty and exhausted.

Inner peace does not come from controlling things outside of yourself - including how your body looks.

So what are you trying to control by trying to control your food and weight?

xo C

Binge Eating Recovery Resources

• To learn more about the non-diet approach to healing your relationship with food, check out my free video training series HERE.

• You can also check out my podcast, Love Your Bod Pod, on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

• Lastly, you can also check out my books, or online course.