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!

Bacon Wrapped Sweet Potatoes

Mmmmmmm

So, as you can see it has been about 6 months since my last post. Shoot me, I had a baby and I've been just a tiny bit busy. Aside from being busy, I have to admit that I have not been the best with my diet, thus why I have had nothing to post. By the time I get the baby to bed, I have no motivation to whip up some extravagant dinner, so it's always meat and veggies, no frills.

So.... I am going to try to make a new recipe each week and post it here. Key word, *TRY*. We just started the "Helen Challenge" at CFSC and I want to be excited about eating Paleo again, and I want to share what I know and love with my fellow Helen Challengers. So, here is one phenomenal side dish that does not taste healthy, it is amazing!

Here is what you'll need:

(depending on your servings, I had 4 people to feed)
4 small sweet potatoes
1/2 lb bacon

Preheat the oven to 400. Cut the sweet potatoes into 1" fries. Cut the bacon in half, lengthwise. Simply wrap one piece of bacon around about 3 of the sweet pot fries and place on a cookie sheet. I lined my cookie sheet with aluminum foil for easier clean up. Once all the sweet pots are rolled up, put them in the oven, middle rack for about an hour, flipping them over when they have been cooking for 30 minutes. Once they have been in the oven for an hour, switch the oven to broil, on high, and move the cookie sheet up one rack (about 6-8" from the flame). Broil those puppies for about 10 minutes, keeping your eye on them so they do not burn.

That's it, enjoy!