Sweet Banana Treat

So, I have been wanting to make something Paleo that was sweet without having to add honey, agave or any of the "paleo sugars". I don't know, I just feel like adding honey and that stuff is still cheating, so I trolled around the internet and found this recipe. I copied it measurement by measurement, so I take no credit here. I added shredded coconut to the top, and Paul added Cacao nibs to his. It was nice, and it hit the spot.

Meat & Veggie Chili

What else do you need? Meat. Veggies. Perfect for a cold night while eating Paleo!

Here is what you'll need:
1 lb Ground Beef
4 Italian Sausage Links (taken out of their casing)
1 Bell Pepper
1.5 c Broccoli, chopped
1 c Zuchinni, chopped
1 Sweet Potato, chopped
1 Medium White Onion, chopped
1 TBSP minced Garlic
1 Tea Cumin
1 Tea Smoked Paprika
1 box TJ's Roasted Tomato and Red Pepper Soup
1 Jar Salsa
1 c Water
Salt and Pepper to taste.

Brown the meat in a huge pot over medium heat. When the meat is about done, add in all other ingredients and stir thoroughly. Reduce the heat and simmer for at least an hour, stirring occasionally. I know this looks like a ton of ingredients, but it will still taste great if you don't have all of the ingredients. I say, with Chili, you can't really mess it up. I just had a plethora of veggies in my fridge and I didnt want them to go bad, so I added pretty much everything I had. Hope you like it!

Paleo Pizza

Here is what you'll need:

Crust:
1 & 3/4 c Almond Meal
1/4 c Coconut Flour
1 Tea Garlic Powder
1 Tea Oregano
1 Tea Rosemary
2 Eggs
3 TBSP Olive Oil

Toppings: Your Choice
Sausage, Pepperoni, Chicken, Bell Pepper, Onion, Olives, Tomatoes, Garlic, Pineapple, Artichoke Hearts, Spinach, you name it!

Preheat the oven to 350. Mix all the ingredients for the crust in a large bowl. Grease a pizza pan or cookie sheet with cooking spray or Olive Oil. Spread the crust dough very thin on the pan. Cook the crust ALONE for 20 minutes. When the crust is done, add the toppings and cook another 25-30 minutes. On my pizza tonight, I had Organic Marinara, Pepperoni, Bell Pepper, Onion, Green Olives and Sun Dried Tomatoes. The cheese eater in my family had cheese on his half.

It was good!

Paleo Sloppy Joe's

I haven't had Sloppy Joe's since I was a kid, and to be honest, I didn't like them much back then. However, my friend mentioned that she made some the other night and I thought, "well, I can make a paleo version, it's basically just meat and veggies just mushed up in a pan anyway, right?" ...."Right!"

Here is what you'll need:

1 lb Ground Beef (or Turkey, or Chicken, your choice)
1 Bell Pepper
1 medium White Onion
1/2 of a 25oz Jar of Marinara***
3/4 can of an 8 oz Tomato Paste
1/2 Tea Cumin
1/2 Tea Cayenne Pepper
Salt and Pepper
Olive Oil

Optional: Bun

Portabella Mushrooms drizzled with Olive oil, Salt and Pepper, grilled for about 4 minutes each side

Start by sauteeing the veggies in the Olive Oil. Once the onions become translucent, add in the beef and season the mixture with a little salt and pepper. When the meat is about done, add in the tomato paste and marinara, and the seasonings and blend well. Simmer together for about 10 minutes and serve.


*** I have been asked about which type of marinara to buy... I don't get too crazy. I try to buy organic when I can, but most importantly, I LOOK AT THE LABEL. I look for the jar with the least amount of ingredients and I steer clear or ingredients like sugar and cheese. Trader Joe's has a couple good ones. My rule of thumb is just to always check the label :)

Banana Nut Bacon Bites

When the going gets tough, WRAP BACON AROUND SOMETHING!

So I have been doing pretty well with my diet and the Helen Challenge, but some days I just need something that feels like it's bad for me. I was pacing the kitchen trying to figure out what I could devour one afternoon and I tried these. They were heaven-sent!

Here is what you'll need:
4-5 strips bacon
2-3 TBSP Almond Butter
1 banana

Slice the banana into 1" pieces, spread some almond butter on them, and wrap 1/3 of a slice of bacon around it. Eat them, but try not to eat too many! And, as Max would say, "If you are trying to lose weight, eat your fruit before 12 noon!"

Enjoy!

Coconut Brittle

Mmmmm.....

So I'm doing this Helen Challenge at CFSC, my diet has been pretty perfect with the exception of some cocktails last weekend in Vegas. However, I have been dying for something sweet. This kinda helped :)

Here is what you'll need:

1 c Coconut butter (now at Sprouts, and Mother's)
1.5 TBSP Coconut Oil
1/2 c Pecans
1/4 c Slivered Almonds
Sprinkle of Coconut shavings

*** you can really add in any kind of nuts you like, and if you are eating dried fruit, maybe some dried cranberries would be good too, might give you the PB & J taste... Coconut butter kinda tastes like peanut butter to me... in a weird way

Melt the coconut butter and oil in a saucepan, add in the nuts. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper and pour the mixture out over the paper. Sprinkle the top with the coconut shavings. Freeze for 15-20 minutes, then break apart.

Don't eat it all in one sitting.... Just because it's "Paleo" doesn't mean eat the whole pan... :)

Cowboy Spaghetti (A Paleo BBQ delight!)

Don't judge by the picture, it doesn't do this meal any justice!

So, my friend Jaimie told me that her husband made a Paleo BBQ sauce, so I had to try and make some of my own!

Here is what you'll need:

Pre-made Pulled Pork (I found some at Costco that has very little additives)
Broccoli Slaw (from Trader Joe's)
Olive Oil

*Heat the pulled pork as noted on the package, sautee the broccoli slaw in the olive oil until it is softened to your liking.

For the BBQ sauce:

1 can (14.5 oz) tomatoes
1/2 onion
2 TBSP Red Wine Vinegar
1 TBSP Apple Cider Vinegar
1 TBSP Minced Garlic
1/4 teasp Cayenne Pepper
1/2 TBSP Garlic Powder
1 TBSP Dijon Mustard
1 TBSP Tamari (Gluten Free Soy Sauce)

Blend all of the ingredients together until you have a nice sauce consistency. Pour the sauce over the pulled pork and simmer until heated through. Place the BBQ pork mixture on top of the broccoli slaw. Gobble it up!