Thursday, March 31, 2016

The BEST Paleo Blueberry Muffins

In the midst of hectic weekday mornings trying to get everyone ready and out the door I find myself really looking forward to Thursday morning.  This special morning brings peace and quiet with a cup of coffee and a cookbook, deciding what to make for breakfast.  

My daughter and I do not have to leave the house until 11 a.m., which allows her to sleep in and me to make breakfast.  Not a quick scrambled egg with toast (for my daughter) or smoked salmon (for me), not yogurt with berries, although these breakfast items are delicious.  An actual breakfast where I can create and bake something delicious, like these paleo, gluten free and refined sugar free blueberry muffins.  Sometimes almond flour can make your baked bread a bit too moist or oily but these are perfect.  The amount of blueberries are also perfect for the amount of muffins made (12).  There is an interesting ingredient added at the end right before baking that really adds a delicious twist to this recipe--cinnamon.  I paired the muffins with a piece of Applegate breakfast sausage.  You know you have made a winner when your three old eats three muffins! 


Paleo blueberry muffins, recipe courtesy of Bravo For Paleo



As I was preparing the recipe this morning, I was thinking about the blueberry muffins I ate as a kid.  You know, the box you pick up on the baking aisle at the grocery store.  I cringe at the thought, but that was my normal back then.  I am so happy to feed my daughter healthy meals, even "treat" breakfasts like this one.

Heather

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Coffee Creamer--The Good and Bad


Dairy Free French Vanilla Coffee Creamer, courtesy of www.againstallgrain.com


My coffee drinking began in college, sort of.  I can remember going to a local coffee shop on occasion with friends and ordering what I now consider dessert--a very sweet drink with a little coffee blended in.  It wasn't until I started working full-time at my first job that I started drinking coffee every morning when I got to the office.  I worked at a small company so we were able to make requests as to the type of snack we wanted in the kitchen.  Of course I requested that delicious, flavored coffee creamer from the refrigerated section at the grocery store. It transformed my black coffee into a sweet drink I loved.  

I completely understand the appeal, having consumed this product myself.  It wasn't until several years later that I learned about the horrible and harmful ingredients in this type of coffee creamer.  Even thought I had switched to a variety with only four ingredients, this specific creamer still contained large amounts of sugar.  A few years ago I switched to an almond milk or coconut milk based creamer, which is so much better than my previous choice, but I still had to wonder if it was the healthiest option.  I came across a homemade Dairy Free French Vanilla Coffee Creamer from Danielle Walker and decided to give it a try.  WOW--so delicious and worth the time!  Very easy recipe and the aroma of vanilla beans steeping in the almond and coconut milk makes your kitchen smell amazing!  While listening to a podcast yesterday I heard the host say she adds coconut milk whipped cream to her coffee.  I may try this next!

Heather

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Costco...You Never Fail To Surprise Me!

Has anyone ever stuck with their Costco list and not been distracted by all of the other goodness around them?  If so, I have not found this person yet.  I'm not talking about walking in for paper towels and a giant bag of avocados and walking out with a kayak, but finding yourself walking each and every isle to discover some new, awesome item Costco has added to their shelf.  Take this for example:




I usually peruse the snack section but never find anything with ingredients I am happy with.  Today, though, was different.  I came across this gem--Made In Nature Figgy Pops.  SO good!  I am familiar with the brand since I buy their dried prunes and mangos for my daughter to snack on.  The bags are small and last us no time, so I was excited to find a larger bag for both of us.  Of course I had to try one as soon as I got in the car and they do not disappoint!

A few additional new items I came across:


Tommy's Superfoods sweet potato bites.  My daughter loves sweet potatoes and these look like a quick, delicious addition to her meals.  The other new item for me are the beets.  I actually came across these while looking at Instagram.  I love beets cooked and juiced, but let's face it--they are a mess to deal with.  I added a couple to my salad today for lunch and they are delicious AND-no mess!  I am saving the juice to add to smoothies.

My 3 year old also loves green beans.  Even though she asks for green beans on a regular basis, I still had to laugh at the size of this bag--enormous!  And the usual berries (because she eats them like crazy), Kerry Gold butter and dog food.  Not shown is a giant bag of grapefruit and organic/Non-GMO fruit leather.

Is it snack time yet--I can't wait to eat another Figgy Pop.

Heather

Friday, March 18, 2016

Homemade Bone Broth

Recipe for chicken bone broth, courtesy of Against All Grain


I first heard about bone broth a few years back.  It wasn't until I recently started researching the paleo lifestyle that I really learned why bone broth is so beneficial to your health.  I found Danielle Walker's recipe and thought I would give it a try.  And why not--it's so easy to make.  My husband will often times make roast chicken for our Sunday family dinner, so I used the remaining carcass and vegetables I already had on hand for the broth.  Throw all of the ingredients in your slow cooker, set on low and cook for about 24 hours.  So easy and delicious.  I have already used some of the broth for parsnip and turnip mash, but could easily drink directly out of the jar.  Give it a try.  Having homemade bone broth on hand is a great foundation for paleo cooking.

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Best Gluten Free Banana Bread

Banana Bread, recipe courtesy of Every Last Bite


I have been waiting patiently for days for my bananas to ripen enough to make this delicious banana bread.  I found the recipe here and it definitely does not disappoint.  My husband and 3 year old loved waking up this morning to the smell of baking bread!  This recipe is grain/gluten free, paleo, refined sugar free and dairy free.  Definitely a must try!

Friday, March 11, 2016

Green Pasture Product Review


Green Pasture Fermented Cod Liver Oil Beauty Balm


While listening to a particular Balanced Bites podcast, I learned about Green Pasture's fermented cod liver oil beauty balm.  After trying many products with no luck in addressing my facial rosacea, including treatment from my dermatologist, I thought it was worth a try.  The oil glides on nicely and has no fishy odor.  I use the beauty balm at night on the problem area and have seen nice results.  Using Green Pasture beauty balm in addition to eliminating gluten and clean eating has shown positive results in my rosacea.


Speaking of clean eating, this delicious lunch of leftover roast chicken, mixed greens, bell pepper, carrots, walnuts and homemade balsamic dressing was the perfect quick lunch today.  Whole Foods seaweed salad on the side.




 Heather

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

New Version Of An Old Favorite


This Slow Cooker Beef Chili with Onion, Garlic and Carrots is one of my family's favorites.


In my house we love chili.  There was a time when we would prepare chili once a week, and why not--it's so easy when you get home after a long day at the office.  Our standby chili contained ground beef, packaged chili seasoning, beans, diced tomatoes and topped with lots of cheese and Fritos.  I know--Fritos.  So I decided to clean up our usual chili recipe and come up with something healthier.  Below is what I created and it was SO good--even better than our old recipe covered with Fritos.



Slow Cooker Beef Chili With Carrots
Serves: 4-6
Prep Time: 10 minutes   Cook Time: 5-6 hours

Ingredients:

  • one tablespoon avocado oil
  • one pound grass feed beef
  • one small onion, chopped (I used a red onion because this is what I already had on hand)
  • three garlic cloves, minced
  • one green onion (garnish)
  • half of a small avocado (garnish)
For the slow cooker:
  • 2-3 medium carrots, chopped
  • one 10 ounce can organic spicy diced tomatoes
  • one 14.5 ounce can organic diced tomatoes
  • small can (or half of a 14.5 ounce can) organic tomato sauce
  • one 14.5 ounce can dark red kidney beans (omit if you are keeping this recipe paleo)
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • one teaspoon salt
  • one teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

  • Heat avocado oil over medium in large pan.
  • Add beef, onion and garlic and cook about 10 minutes, or until meat is almost cooked through.
  • Transfer meat mixture into slow cooker and add all other ingredients.  Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours.
Toppings: Avocado, green onion

Note: omit the beans if you want to keep this recipe paleo.  My husband loves kidney beans in chili, so I added for him.  

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

The Beginning...Paleo Style

Welcome!
First things first-I love food!  Cooking, baking, eating-love it.  So when I began my research in to alternative ways to nourish my body and skin, primarily to deal with my rosacea issue, paleo and gluten free seemed the logical path to take.  Honestly, the rosacea on my face was my biggest issue to deal with, but after only 10 days I have found additional benefits to the paleo lifestyle--more energy and an overall better feeling.

The first source I found was fascinating and inspiring--Danielle Walker's www.againstallgrain.com  Her photos and recipes convinced me that my family can eat paleo and still enjoy the foods we love.  And, her story is amazing.  I searched podcasts in hopes that I would find one featuring Danielle and this is where I discovered www.balancedbites.com and the Balanced Bites podcasts.  After listening to MANY podcasts by Diane Sanfilippo and Liz Wolfe I feel like I have come a long way in understanding the paleo lifestyle (and realize I still have a lot to learn).

So here I go, taking the paleo lifestyle/gluten free way of eating one day at a time.

Heather