Lemon Dill Baked Salmon (AIP, Low-FODMAP, Paleo, Whole 30)

It may surprise some, but I have eaten a lot of fish throughout my pregnancy. I have easily had 2-3 servings a week of either salmon, sardines, anchovies, cod, or something similar. There is an old notion that consuming seafood while pregnant is a big no-no, but that is simply not true. Think about it, in many cultures around the world, seafood makes up a large portion of people's diets, and I guarantee they do not reduce their consumption while pregnant or breastfeeding.

While there are some concerns regarding the mercury in fish, there are actually far more beneficial nutrients that come from fish that outweigh the minimal levels of mercury actually present.There are two great pieces that go into the health benefits and importance of consuming fish both for everyone, and for pregnant women.

The first pice by Chris Kresser states "Based on the new understanding of selenium’s protective role, and the importance of DHA for fetal and early childhood development, pregnant mothers should be advised to eat oily ocean fish regularly." Read more about on what Chris has to say regarding eating fish here.

Additionally, Sarah Ballantyne, goes on to say something very similar " Not only is the mercury exposure from seafood a complete non-issue (with the exceptions of the few fish that are higher in mercury than selenium), but by limiting seafood during pregnancy, women are missing out on the best food source of DHA, an extremely essential nutrient for their health and the health of their growing baby.  In fact, a maternal diet rich in DHA has been shown to improve a baby’s IQ by 10 points.  The recommendation should probably be for a minimum of three 6oz servings of oily cold-water fish per week for these women, if not a diet that is heavily based on fish as a protein source (although, there still is a legitimate rationale for avoiding sushi)." Read more about what she has to to say about the importance of fish our diets here.

Since fish is not something you should avoid, but something you should actually include weekly in your meal plan, I am sharing my most favorite and super easy salmon recipe with you all.

Lemon Dill Baked Salmon

Ingredients

• 1 lb wild caught salmon, deboned
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 lemon, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped and divided

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Rinse salmon, pat dry, and place salmon on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
3. Brush olive oil all over the top of the salmon.
4. Sprinkle half dill over the salmon. Layer the lemon slices over the salmon. Sprinkle remaining dill over the salmon.
5. Bake in oven for 20 minutes or until salmon is cook (flaky).
6. Remove from oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes. Cut in to portions and enjoy with your favorite sides. Personally, I love this salmon with simple roasted asparagus and cauliflower rice.

Broiled Salmon (AIP, Low-FODMAP Paleo, Whole 30)

When I first thought about starting a blog, I almost immediately stressed myself out. What was going to be my style? Where people going to find my jokes funny or think I'm an idiot? What if what I think looks and tastes good is actually crap?

Then, I realized that I can be whatever blogger I want, I don’t have to follow any trend. I got so worried about taking pictures of everything and trying to catalog it all, that I forgot the main purpose of my blog was to share my journey. This may mean showing tricks for certain foods, sharing awesome dinner recipes or packing meals. What matters the most is trying to find the best way to show that you are not alone. Whether you are a health food nut or someone who is too scared to start, I hope that my blog inspires you in some way.

Now enough about me, let’s talk about food, more importantly Salmon. I LOVE SALMON!

Salmon

We have salmon once a week, every week. It is always on the menu, and we always keep a portion in the freezer. Salmon is just such a fresh, fishy fish. But most of all Salmon is so great for you. It is a great alternative to having steak, chicken or pork during the week. It’s light and filling and is by far one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids (aka nature’s own heart medicine). Salmon and it’s nutrients also help reduce inflammation, arthritis and help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. 

What more can you ask for from a piece of fish!?

Preparing 

There are so many ways to prepare salmon that I could fill an entire blog. Bake, broil, grill, fry, sear, roast…the list goes on. In fact, I am sure there are is a blog dedicated to salmon out there already. I am going to share with you my go to Salmon recipe and meal. It really doesn't get old and it’s so simple to do, you’ll wonder why you didn't make it before! However, here is my most favorite way to prepare it, quick and easy.

Ingredients

• 2-4oz salmon fillets
• A pinch of sea salt
• 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

1. Set broiler on high and set rack to second highest level
2. Cover broiler pan with parchment paper.
3. Place salmon skin side down and lightly season with salt).
4. Drizzle top of salmon with olive oil.
5. Place in oven and broil for 15-17 mins. You want the top to be golden and the fish to begin flaking.

And there you have it! That only took you about 2 minutes to prep and 20 minutes to cook. 25 minutes total time max, so there is no excuse!

Credit for facts about Salmon from Livestrong.com 

http://www.livestrong.com/article/529920-how-much-salmon-per-week-would-benefit-my-health/