PaleYOLO: Turkey Veggie Ballz

 

Another recipe from PaleoPlan.com! Turkey Vegetable Meatballs... DERRICIOUS.

 

Taken directly from their website:

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey or chicken
• 2 medium carrots (or a handful of baby carrots)
• 1 red or green bell pepper
• 5 large mushrooms
• handful of fresh parsley
• 1/2 yellow onion
• 1 clove garlic
• 2 tsp granulated garlic (garlic salt)
• 2 Tbs Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350℉.
2. Combine carrots, bell pepper, mushrooms, onion, garlic and seasonings in a food processor and blend until well chopped.
3. Empty the food processor into a large bowl, add the ground turkey and mix together completely.
4. Form meatballs and place on a non-greased baking sheet (about 1 1/2" - 2" each). Bake for about 25 minutes, or until completely cooked. 

If you're kitchen retarded like me, don't forget to shave the carrots! LOL. I mean, I eventually did... I didn't have any "Italian Seasoning" so I just kind of went to town with basil, oregano, rosemary, and garlic powder.

It was a success. My brother is my official taste-tester and he was "impressed." WOOP WOOP! Cooking Mama up in this household! Yeeeee....

I'm a very picky eater (I will remind you guys as I go, lol) and this was super tasty and a very sneaky way to get my veggies in. My brother and I both agreed that when I prepare this next time... I need to add... bacon.

zzzzZZZZZzzZZz...

I love naps. I love naps so much that lately I feel like I'm playing catch up from when I was a child and used to fake my naps. Since I've converted to Paleo I feel sluggish, tired, cranky, slow, etc. But one thing I haven't felt is hungry (with exception to meal times). I know that a big thing about Paleo is to eliminate your carbs. But I've been taught in Anatomy and Nutrition that when you eliminate your carbs your body does go into shock for about 2-3 weeks because of the lack of carbs. Hence, they say that you need carbs because carbs contain glucose and glucose can produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate) which is really one of the powerhouses in your body that makes energy (in the most efficient manner). BOOM. Anatomy lesson for your ass.

So this is probably the reason why my body feels so tired. Or possibly because I'm stressed. My boyfriend is in the Army and he is away at bootcamp. I have never been more than two weeks away from him in SIX YEARS.

Yeah, I know, some may think, "SIX YEARS AND NO ROCK!" Well, let me tell you, "Honey, the time isn't much of an issue for me. Fuck a rock. I want a damn BOULDER!" Jk. Ahhhh... the joys of blogging. It feels good to finally get that out.

Ok, back to the point I wanted to make. Am I doing something wrong since I feel so tired? I eat anywhere from 5-6 meals or snacks a day. I don't do CF (because I don't have that kind of money to pay for it, nor the time). I haven't been working out lately either. I usually run 2-3 times a week but since my daughter has been extra needy with her dad gone, I've been super lenient. I'm thinking my body needs exercise.

Oh yeah, it might also be that I'm weening myself off of coffee. Again. For the 345th time. But seriously now, coffee is my ultimate last resort for caffeine.

Anyone can feel free to share tips or ideas to help me get over this "energy lacking hurdle."

PaleYOLO: Grain Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Thank you, PaleoPlan.com! Here's my version of the Grain Free Chocolate Chip Cookies...

 

 

Directly off their website...

Ingredients

• 3 cups almond flour
• 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1/2 cup raw honey
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375℉.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. In a small mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients. Set aside.
4. In a medium mixing bowl, beat the eggs, honey, and vanilla extract with a hand mixer, or wire whisk.
5. Pour wet ingredients slowly into dry ingredients and beat with mixer or fork until combined.
6. Add the melted coconut oil and continue to blend until combined. Stir in chocolate chips.
7. Drop Tablespoon size balls of cookie dough onto prepared baking sheet.
8. Bake for approximately 8-10 minutes.

My Variations:
I used 70% cacao chocolate chunks. And I think I undercooked (top set) and overcooked (bottom set) the cookies. It was my first time so, uh... TRIAL AND ERROR! As a honey substitute, apple or pear puree would work too.

My boss tried it and she's a health nut. She said to probably use half the amount of honey and use half ripe naners puree :) Next time!

Dry Rub Recipe: Poppa Bear's Chub Rub

My dad was the one who made this rub, and we don't have a name for it. Hence the name I created... LOL.

Of course, adjust to your taste buds! All dried ingredients:

• Garlic Powder
• Sea Salt
• Onion Powder
• Ground Black Pepper
• Rosemary
• Paprika
• Cayenne pepper if you like spicy

Add ingredients into a small tupperware...

 

...seal and shake! :) I think it's best on chickennnn.

PaleYOLO: Seasoned Chicken with Sweet Potato Mash

I didn't really put much effort into this meal. Why? Cuz my dad was the one who seasoned it for me (garlic powder, salt, onion powder, pepper, rosemary and paprika are the main ingredients... my dad doesn't know what it's called, so I'll call it "Poppa Bear's Chub Rub"). I don't know if it's because he feels bad for me for staying up late cooking, or just cuz, you know... he loves me and all that good stuff.

 

Chicken Ingredients:

•  ...you obviously need chicken, LOL. Chicken thighs are much more delicious (as per the brother and you know, from personal experience after he told me)
• 2 shallots
• Tablespoon of ghee, or extra virgin olive oil, or coconut oil if you want the shallots to taste sweeter. I prefer the coconut oil

 Sweet Potato Mash

•  3 medium to large size sweet potatoes
• 2 tablespoons of sea salt

 Preparation/Cooking:

1. Wash yo chicken
2. Pour some coconut oil and rub all over your chicken (don't use too much, just enough to have the seasoning stick)
3. Using your lovely Poppa Bear's Chub Rub blend, rub thoroughly on the chicken thighs. Set aside for the chicken to absorb what it can
4. Peel the skin off your sweet potatoes, rinse, then cut into 2" pieces
5. Set stove at medium/high heat and heat a pot big enough to hold the potatoes and to fill it with water covering all its contents.
6. Bring to a boil, add sea salt, and let sit for about 15-20 minutes
7. Meanwhile, chop shallots and heat frying pan and coat pan with coconut oil
8. Fry the shallots until soft and transluscent
9. Add the chicken and place the shallots on top of them, cook for approximately 10 minutes on each side side, flip occassionally
10. Check your potatoes to see if they're soft; once they're soft, save about 1/2 cup of the boiled water, drain the rest
11. Using an egg masher or fork or serving fork, WHATEVER. Mash these bad boys and add at least 1/4 cup of water in as you mix to get a mashed potato consistency. Add more salt for taste (This will be good for about 4-5 meals!)

Boom.

Simple cooking for the kitchen retarded. This meal consisted of 3 chicken thighs and about 3-4 tablespoons of sweet potato mash.

Motivation for the Day

PaleYOLO: Chicken Cacciatore

I swear my days consist of work, WOD, and Whole Foods. I'm at the grocery store 3-4 times a week. I've gotten in the nasty habit of buying a lot of groceries and forgetting about them in the fridge. So... I kind of just pick up the stuff as I go. It helps me with being financially conscious!

 



I'm craving paleo cookies. My brother caught me chillin' in a squat at Whole Foods scooping a lot of almond flour. As Coach Drew reminds me, "WEIGHT ON YOUR HEELS!"

 

Anyways, I spent my evening with ze boyfriend, Dan. He knows I'm going through the paleo challenge at my crossfit gym, so he chose this for us to grub on. Paleo Plan's Chicken Cacciatore.

 

Directly from their website:

Ingredients

• 3 Tbs olive or coconut oil
• 1 (3 lb) chicken, cut up
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
• 1/2 lb mushrooms, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (16 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 large bell pepper, cut into 1" pieces

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat.
2. Season chicken with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
3. When pan is hot, add chicken and brown on all sides, about 10 minutes.
4. Remove and drain on paper towels.
5. Add onions and mushrooms to the hot pan and sauté until onions are slightly translucent, about 5 minutes.
6. Add remaining ingredients. Stir well.
7. Return chicken to pan and bring to a boil.
8. Once boiling, reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes, until chicken is tender.

I didn't follow this recipe exactly. I only got 2 lbs of chicken (3 seemed like it was too much), a 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes with some added spices. It really amped up the flavor.

Boom.


 

 

 

The picture was taken at Dan's house with what was left! His brother and his brother's girlfriend had themselves a helping of it. They all loved it! Healthy eating FTW.

 

You'll learn that I am one hell of a picky eater. So, needless to say, this dish was something out of the ordinary... the bell peppers, the tomato-y flavoring, onions, THE CHICKEN. Yes. I'm that picky. BUT, I'm into week 3 of my paleo challenge and I'm learning to like these new flavors.

 

Next food to demolish... ripe avocados. EW. 

In My Belly: October 24, 2012

Meal 1:

• Paleo Pumpkin Pancake's (I made 1/2 the recipe and ate only 1/2 of it) 

Meal 2:

• Dry Roasted & Salted Macadamia Nuts
• 1 - Vanilla Maple Coco-Roons

Meal 3:

• 2 - hard boiled organic eggs

Meal 4:

• 1 serving Kale Chips

Meal 5:

• Butternut Squash Soup (about 5 oz)

Suggestion?: On the go Snacks

I'm a SUPER busy person. I go to school full time and I have a daughter, which means most of my days are spent at school or taking care of my daughter. Not to mention all the laundry, cleaning, studying, homework, reading, and most importantly cooking that I have to add into my daily schedule. Ahhhh.... the days where I would just be in my car and quickly go through a drive through are becoming a thing of the past (with exception to my daughter's once a month McD's treat).

Since the Paleo lifestyle I find myself prepping or cooking meals constantly. But since I'm always on the go I need something quick and easy to turn to just to grab. So I'm on a quest to find healthy "on the go" snacks that I can prepare ahead of time. Yes I know that I can eat fruit which is uber quick and uber easy. For me, a piece of fruit will not satisfy  my sweet tooth. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should eat?

Dessert Recipe: Chocolate Mousse

Ingredients:

2 small avocados
3 bananas
1/2 cup coconut milk
4 oz = 1 bar Ghirardelli melted chocolate (100% cacao)
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp cinnamon

BLEND! Magic Bullet it up in dis!

*If you're not a cinnamon person, try this alternate instead:
1 avocado
3 bananas
1/2 cup coconut milk
4 oz = 1 Ghirardelli melted chocolate (100% cacao)
2 tbsp vanilla extract
no cinnamon

Breakfast Recipe: Spicy Pork Chorizo Scramble

Ingredients:

• 1/2 medium chopped onion (I used red onion since they are sweeter)
• 1 spicy chorizo sausage (from Whole Foods Butcher aisle)
• 1 small chopped tomato
• 1 cup of spinach
• salt and pepper for seasoning
• 1 tbsp. Ghee or fat of choice

Directions:

1. Melt the Ghee (or fat of choice) in a cast iron skillet
2. Add the onions until they are translucent
3. Take the sausage cut a slit to remove the encasing
4. Add the sausage to the onions and cook until browned
5. Add the chopped tomato and spinach
6. When the vegetables are cooked thoroughly scramble the eggs and add to the pan
7. Season food to your liking.

Comments: This turned out perfect for me. Maybe I'll add an additional egg or make the batch bigger so that I don't devour it so fast.

Condiment Recipe: Paleo Mayo

FINALLY! I conquered Paleo Mayo. The recipe is from NomNomPaleo. You can either buy the app NomNomPaleo's iPad app (which by the way I am absolutely in love with) or find the recipe here.

 Granted it too me 4 tries but I made it.

For the recipe I used Macadamia Nut Oil.

TAH-DAH!!!!!

So when I made this (and failed, horribly) I tried to use my blender but after reading a bunch of forums and comments made by people who conquered Paleo Mayo they suggested that I use a balloon whisk. 

The next time I'll use a different oil because this one seemed to "nutty" for my liking. Possibly Avocado Oil or Light Tasting Olive Oil.