Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Paleo Bread!

I want a BLT. No offense to the whole using a romaine lettuce leaf as the bread part but I need the texture or else it is not a true BLT.

I have never made bread before - Paleo or non Paleo. This was a very exciting time in my life (no, I don't get out much). I have only tried this one recipe and can say that it is pretty darn delicious (from www.elanaspantry.com <-- have you checked out her site by the way?! It's amazing!).

If you are in need of "bread" - try this! 

Next stop - Almond butter and strawberry jelly sandwich!!

PREP: 8 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Total: 38 Minutes

INGREDIENTS:
2 cups blanched almond flour
2 tablespoons coconut flour
¼ cup golden flaxmeal
¼ teaspoon celtic sea salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
5 eggs
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
DIRECTIONS: 

Place almond flour, coconut flour, flax, salt and baking soda in a food processor and pulse ingredients together


Pulse in eggs, oil, honey and vinegar 

Pour batter into a greased 7.5 x 3.5 magic line loaf pan

Bake at 350° for 30 minutes 

Cool and serve
 
Please note: if you use a loaf pan that’s bigger than the size recommended above, your loaf of bread will be wider and shorter than the loaf in the photo above.

Enjoy!

-- ALl the Best

Recipe from www.elanaspantry.com

Friday, March 15, 2013

Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage

Over the past couple of years, I have gotten it in my head that it isn’t officially St. Patrick’s Day until corned beef and cabbage has made its way into my belly.

This will be the third CB&C recipe I’ll try. Not that the others were bad. I just enjoy trying new things.
 
Since I haven’t made this yet- I am using a picture from where I got the recipe from. It looks amazing! I’ll be crock-potting it tomorrow (Saturday) to eat on Sunday.

[After celebrating the festivities on Saturday- it'll be a perfect snack-all-day-and-don't-move-or-talk-loud type of meal on Sunday] 
 
Have a safe and happy St. Patrick's Day weekend!

 
Photo from : www.skinnytaste.com
 
INGREDIENTS 

2 lbs lean corned beef brisket, all fat trimmed off
1 cup frozen pearl onions
2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
2 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into chunks
1 small head cabbage, cut into 6 wedges
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 bay leaves
1/8 tsp whole peppercorns
 
DIRECTIONS

In a 5-6 qt crock pot, place brisket, carrots, parsnips, pearl onions, parsley, bay leaves, peppercorns and 3 cups of water

Cover and cook on high 4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours

About 1 hour and 20 minutes left before you eat, add your cabbage and cook on high

Remove meat, slice and serve



Enjoy!

 

-- All the Best
 

 

Recipe from: www.skinnytaste.com

Thursday, March 14, 2013

7 Natural Cold and Flu Remedies

Suffering from a cold that has been dragged out for weeks? everydaypaleo.com, brilliant as always, has a natural list of home remedies for you to try.
 
If you or your child catches a cold or flu this year, there are some natural remedies (that you probably already have at home) that can help shorten the duration and lessen the symptoms.

Simple things like getting enough rest, staying hydrated and drinking herbal teas can often make the biggest difference, but some other simple remedies can help if you want to take a more aggressive approach.
 
Home Remedies You Probably Already Have At Home
 
1. Garlic
Garlic naturally has a lot of antibiotic and antiviral properties and it can really help lessen the severity and time of an illness, in my experience. For maximum potency, finely mince a couple of cloves and drink it water. (Nasty, I know, but it works). This can be repeated every few hours until symptoms are gone. [Note: Pregnant women should not take more than 1 clove a day, and children often will not take this remedy.]
 
2. Herbal Face Steam
This remedy is great, especially for respiratory illnesses. In a large (2 gallon) pot, bring a few cups of water to a boil. When water boils, turn off heat and add a couple tablespoons each of rosemary, thyme and oregano. Stir well, cover for up to five minutes, and remove lid. Drape a towel over the head and lean over the pot, breathing in the steam. This will help loosen congestion and kill any bacteria that has accumulated in the lungs or respiratory track.
 
3. Hydrogen Peroxide
At the first sign of illness or ear infection, a few drops of hydrogen peroxide can do wonders! To keep the illness from getting worse, lay on one side of your body and put a dropperful of Hydrogen Peroxide in one ear. Let it stay in there until it stops bubbling and then repeat on the other side. This is especially useful for kids!
 
4. Cinnamon
Great at more than just increasing insulin sensitivity! To help with congestion and achy muscles, stir 1/2 tsp of cinnamon powder into hot herbal tea and drink. It is slightly spicy but can really take the edge off of congestion.
 
5. Coconut Oil
What does it not do? A few extra tablespoons of coconut oil can help shorten the duration of an illness. The lauric acid in coconut oil is thought to dissolve the lipid coating around some viruses and make them more susceptible to attack by the immune system.
 
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
I know, it smells and tastes horrible! A teaspoon in warm water gargled and then drank can help sore throat symptoms and some sources also suggest that it can help kill viruses and bacteria.
 
7. Vitamin C
Ok, so this one you might not have around, but Vitamin C is well known for its illness-fighting capabilities. We get powdered Vitamin C, since it can be added to applesauce, other foods or even smoothies to get kids to take it. I just mix into water and drink.
At the first sign of illness, we take 1/4 to 1/2 tsp every few hours until we reach bowel tolerance and then back down to half of the dose until symptoms disappear.
 
There are many other herbs and vitamins that can be helpful during illness, but these are our staples. Thankfully, between a healthy diet and these natural remedies, none of us get sick often, and illnesses don’t usually last long at all.
 
[Note: These treatments are not meant to replace medical care, especially in severe illnesses. Consult with your doctor before using natural remedies, especially if you have a medical condition or are pregnant. If symptoms of any illness don't improve after a few days, consult your doctor.]



Source: http://everydaypaleo.com/7-natural-cold-and-flu-remedies/

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Paleo Chocolate Mug Cake

I intended on eating just half. That didn't work out. I ate the whole mug full. It's a happy-miserable, really.

What a delicious concoction. Easy and quick. You will love this!

Pictures do no justice to the taste
PREP: 5 Minutes
Cook time: 3 Minutes
Total: 8 Minutes
Serves: Makes 1 (one) Cake

INGREDIENTS

1 small ripe banana
1 1/2 Tablespoons almond butter (or any nut butter)
1 egg
2 Tablespoons cocoa powder (I used Chatfield's Carob Powder)
2 teaspoons sweetener (optional)
Dark chocolate chips, walnuts, dried fruit, or other mix-ins (optional) 

DIRECTIONS

With a fork, mash the banana into a smooth puree 

Mix the almond butter, egg, cocoa powder, and extra sweetener [if using] into the banana puree until it forms an even batter
Fold in any mix-ins into the batter that you’d like
Pour the batter into a mug or other microwave safe container. Be sure to only fill the container up to 2/3 full because it will expand in the microwave
Microwave on high for 2 and 1/2 – 3 minutes until the center is set. Carefully remove the mug from the microwave and enjoy hot, cold, or at room temperature

I had an observer :)
 
Enjoy!
 
-- All the Best
 
 

Recipe from: www.thewannabechef.net


Eggs Stuffed in Avocado

I love avocado. I would eat it by the handful if I ever thought about it. This little treat can be a meal or a snack. It is filling, for sure.

What's neat about this recipe too, is you CAN reheat it. I did. I made it last night and put them in a zip loc bag in the fridge to have for lunch today. It was great! You'd never think warm avocado would be even slightly appetizing. It is tasty! Try it- at least so you can say you did!

PREP: 3 minutes
Cook time: 15-20 minutes
Total: 18-23 minutes
Serves: 1

INGREDIENTS

1 Avocado
2 Eggs
Salt & Pepper
2 Slices Bacon, Cooked - Optional
 
DIRECTIONS 

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F 

Cut the avocado in half and scoop out the avocado (with a spoon) so the hole matches the size of your egg – this helps by keeping the egg in the avocado and not leaking onto your baking sheet

Crack each egg into your avocado halves. Try balancing the edge of the avocado on the side of the cookie sheet – you will be glad you did – to avoid the eggs spilling out.

If you chose to use bacon. Duh. Place the pieces of bacon on top. I would lightly fry your bacon (in a skillet for about 3-4 minutes). Just to make sure the bacon is fully cooked and not limp. Ew.  

Depending on how you like your eggs cooked- cooking time will vary. You will know the eggs are mostly done when the whites- turn white. I know. Brilliant. Watch the yolk too- it will turn a dark yellow if overcooked.  

Once they are done enough to your liking, add salt and pepper to taste 
I didn’t get a picture of my avocado stuffed with eggs. So I found one. It’s way better than mine would have been anyway. Photo Courtesy of: www.californiaavocado.com

Enjoy!
 

--All the Best!

 



 

Sausage and Peppers

Yes. Because I am not creative today, that is the name. If you have a better name for this recipe- let me know in the comments below!

PREP: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total: 40 minutes

Serves: 4


INGREDIENTS
1 lb Italian Sausage
1 Onion (I used 1/2 a red onion)
1 Green Pepper
1 Yellow Pepper
1 Red Pepper
1 Cup Vegetable Broth (Try for Organic)
Garlic – As much as you’d like
1 Tsp Salt & Pepper  
 
DIRECTIONS
 
Brown the sausage, then remove it from the pan

Sauté your onion with the peppers for about 7 minutes
Time to freestyle! I added garlic, salt, pepper, vegetable broth, salt & pepper and cooked it for another minute or so
After the veggies were sautéed to my liking, I threw the sausage back in and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
 
Done and done! This makes a great leftover meal too!
 
Enjoy!

 
 
--All the Best!

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Pecan Coated Tilapia Topped with Orange Salsa

This. Was. Damn. Delicious. As I started making this, I thought that I wouldnt have enough pecan crumbs.. then I ended up with plenty. You can probably even get 4 filets out of this "bread" crumb recipe. Then I started on the salsa. Definitely didnt think there would be enough and there was the perfect amount! (Double th salsa if you end up cooking 4 filets!)

The flavors were amazing together. You need to try this one!

 
PREP: 18 minutes
Cook time: 12 minutes
Total: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS

Fish
2 tilapia filets
1 egg white, beaten
1 cup pecans
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons coconut oil 

Salsa
4 Clementine’s, peeled and cut in halves, seeds removed
1/2 jalapeno, seeds removed and finely diced (I used pepperoncini’s)
1/2 small red onion, diced
1/2 lime, juiced
1/2 lemon, juiced
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
pinch of salt 

DIRECTIONS

Add your pecans and coconut to a food processor. Pulse until they turn into almost bread crumbs 

Add your seasonings along with a bit of salt and pepper, pulse 4 or 5 times to mix

Whisk your egg in a separate large bowl 

Put your pecan bread crumbs on a plate 

Heat up a large skillet with your 2 TBS coconut oil

Dunk your tilapia in the egg whites then over to your pecan bread crumbs - coat on both sides - repeat with other filets

Add your pecan breaded tilapia directly to your hot skillet 

Cook on both sides for 5-6 minutes, being sure not to burn the crust 

Now chop up all your ingredients for you salsa, add to a large bowl and mix thoroughly 

Once the fish is done cooking, top it off with your orange salsa. Your fish should be flaky 

Enjoy! 

-- All the Best