Paleo Meatloaf

Well, I had to repost this because I have perfected my recipe and this time, it was GOOD!

Here is what you'll need:

1 lb Ground Beef
3-4 Italian Sausages, removed from the casing (I use HOT, but you can use Mild if you prefer)
2 eggs
1.5 + .5 cans of tomato paste
1/2 c Almond Meal
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 TBSP Parsely
1 TBSP Italian Seasoning
2 TBSP garlic, chopped or minced
Salt and Pepper

Preheat the oven to 375. Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl, by hand(except for one .5 of one of the cans of tomato paste). You really have to get in there and squeeze it all together. Place the mixture in a loaf pan, and spread the remaining .5 can of tomato paste on the top. Place in the oven to bake for at least an hour. When the top is browned, it is ready! Yum Yum!

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!