Always cooking up something yummy !

Yes, thats right. I am always cooking up something yummy.  I made a paleo version of Chili Rellenos that is so delightful.  It may make you say uhh. Just like this Master P video below. 

On a side note I think the kid is re addicted to sugar. She realizes she is out of control.

You may even sing this depending on what type of peppers you use.

Recipe and Pic 

Paleo chili relleno
serves 4
Ingredients:
4 large fresh poblano peppers
1 lb ground beef
3 large tomatoes
½ cup chopped onion
6 cloves garlic minced
2 T cumin
1 T chili powder
2 T Mexican oregano
2 t sea salt
2 t extra virgin olive oil
Cilantro for garnish
Directions:
Preparing the chilies:
Set your oven to broil. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Place the poblano peppers on the foil and place under broiler until blistered and slightly blackened. This will take approximately 10 minutes – turn them over every 3 minutes to be sure they are evenly charred.
Note: if you have an open grill or gas stove, you can char the peppers there.
Once they peppers are evenly blistered and charred, remove from oven and let cool.
Reduce oven to 350 degrees.
Once the peppers are cool to the touch, remove their skin. It should come off easily due to the charring process. Be careful not to tare the peppers while you remove the skin.
Cut a 3” slit in each pepper and scrape out the inner membrane and seeds with a large spoon.
Set back on the aluminum foil-lined baking sheet.
Ground meat:
In a medium sized frying pan over medium heat, sauté olive oil, half of the onions, and half of the garlic until they are slightly browned.
Add the ground meat and stir until almost cooked through.
Add 1 T of cumin, 1 T of the Mexican oregano, ½ T chili powder, and 1 t sea salt.
Turn the heat up to high and stir regularly until the meat is nicely browned.
Turn heat off and set aside.
Red Sauce:
In a medium sized saucepan over medium heat, sauté olive oil, half of the onions, and half of the garlic until they are slightly browned.
Add 1 T of cumin, 1 T of the Mexican oregano, ½ T chili powder, and 1 t sea salt.
Sauté the dried herbs and spices with the onions/garlic for approximately 2 minutes. This heat applied directly to the herbs and spices will release more of their flavor and add a smoky quality to the sauce.
Roughly chop your tomatoes and add them to the pan.
Cook until the tomatoes break down and the ingredients are evenly combined. This will take approximately 10 minutes over medium heat.
Pour the sauce into a blender (or use an immersion blender) and blend until the sauce is smooth. You may add water until you get the consistency you desire.
Set aside.
Assembly:
Spoon an even amount of ground meat in each pepper.
Bake the now stuffed peppers at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
Spoon the red sauce onto a plate and place the stuffed pepper on top.
Top with cilantro and enjoy!
Time: 45 minutes

I always mess with the spices and put peppers inside the filling.

Credit where credit is due !  http://fedandfit.com/2012/02/24/paleo-chili-relleno/

Update & Some Hummus you should make

Its been a long while since I have posted. Sorry , life happens.  In an effort to make sure I stay strong and committed to my new lifestyle I decided I would make time to post again. I have made some amazing food the last few months and definitely need to share.  So today I give you Curried Cauliflower hummus. Its no chick Pea hummus but its definitely a close second and satisfies any urges I may have for the real stuff. A little bit of work here , but I find things that are the most work leave you with the most satisfaction. Photo isnt of the best quality. Next time I will bust out the real camera.

Curried Cauliflower Hummus
Makes 1 ½ – 2 cups (depending on the size of your cauliflower)
1 head organic white cauliflower
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
1 tablespoon curry powder
1 teaspoon coriander
Salt & pepper to taste
3 tablespoons tahini (sesame seed butter/paste)
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Clean the head of cauliflower by removing the leaves on the bottom and cutting off the stem. Chop the cauliflower into florets and place them into a large mixing bowl. Add the olive oil and fresh ginger and toss to combine. Sprinkle the oil coated cauliflower with curry powder, coriander, salt and pepper and toss gently until the florets are fully coated.
Transfer the seasoned cauliflower to a baking sheet and roast in the center of the warmed oven for 20 – 30 minutes. Flip the florets halfway through and roast until they are nicely browned.
When the cauliflower is done, transfer it to a food processor fitted with the s-blade. Add the tahini, fresh lemon juice and a touch more salt and pepper (if desired) and process until smooth.

Paleonola and Shepards Pie

These pictures are really crappy but this food is really tasty. 

Here is the Paleo Granola, My husband and I took a bite and said OHHH. 

Its so delicious. 

Here is the recipe

http://paleomg.com/paleo-granola

I also slaved in the heat to make this Shepards Pie,  also delicious. This would be so much better on a cold day ..... I am going to bring some for my friends at work for lunch tomorrow because this makes a huge pan and its just me and the Hubby this week. Thats not Potatoes on the top ! Its cauliflower.

I also have a Dark Chocolate cheesecake baking in the oven.  I did good today.

Primal Shepard's Pie 

and guess what I can not find the recipe so I will have to post it tomorrow when I have time to type it out !

Back to School... Almost

Its almost time for school again so in the next few weeks I will be going through clothes and buying supplies. I am also going to think of some lunch ideas for my daughter. I am also thinking about buying some special containers just for her lunch. The kids did pretty good this summer  eating well. They ate some popcorn and Grandma brought them some candy.  We also let them pick Ice cream on their own a night or two. When we went out to dinner the husband and I ate primal and they picked chicken penne and Riblets : ) This week I am going to try out a few new recipies , here is whats on the list. 

Hawiian BBQ burgers 

Balsamic garlic chicken 

Pineapple Chicken 

Shepard's Pie

Since today is Sunday I plan on prepping some stuff for lunches and making tomorrows Chicken salad.

Check back this week for recipes and Pics !

Cheesecake and Almond Berry Chicken Salad

Here is the cheese cake ! Its Yummy. I also made a raspberry Balsamic Vinigrette dressing to go with the Berry almond Chicken salad I made. Everything was a hit with the Family! 

Bavarian Apple Cheesecake 

Here is the recipe - http://fastpaleo.com/bavarian-apple-cheesecake

Here is the Berry Almond chicken salad. You just make a salad and here is a list of what I put in ours. 

Strawberries

blueberries

sliced almonds

onions

lettuce

Parmesan cheese

Cooked chicken breast 

For the raspberry vinaigrette

1/2 cup rasberry balsamic vinegar 

1/2 light olive oil 

sweetner of choice to taste 

salt  to taste 

1/2 teaspoon of oregano 

shake it all up in a jar with a tight fitting lid. 

The Ice Cream Experiment

Finally after 2 months of not losing anything I finally lost another pound! The hubby is doing great too !  We have experimented with Ice cream the last few days. I made some coconut mint choc chip Ice cream and It was okay. I am not a big fan.  We tried butter pecan and raspberry . I used a recipe that called for eggs half and half and whipping cream. My husband liked the butter pecan , the kids and I did not like either.  So last night I tried to make my bag ice cream but in the ice cream mixer. I used half and half , stevia, pureed strawberries and vanilla.  That was the best one so far.  I am not sure if it was the eggs or the whipping cream in the previous recipe that we did not like.  I would like to try a paleo version of chocolate chip cookie dough for the kids before they go home.  This week I plan on making Berry Almond chicken salad, chicken Parmesan and Chicken and Gravy. For dessert I am going to make a Bavarian Apple Cheesecake. Check back this week for the recipes and pics !

Strawberry Ice Cream 

Update

We have been busy camping and hanging out ! I finally made the kale chips again and this time I did it right. I think the key is cutting them into small pieces. The last time I made whole leaves. I also bought an ice cream maker. We tried our first batch last night with coconut milk. We didnt really like it.  I dont think I like coconut milk ice cream. I am going to try and see if I can find some organic heavy cream this evening and try again. I also made some chicken flatbread sandwiches. I didnt care for that flatbread either.  The Hubby thought it was okay though.  I think tonight we will grill some chicken . The other day I made a chocolate cheesecake since its been awhile. It turned out nice again. I have been trying to go for bites versus whole pieces like I did in the beginning since the weight loss has been slow to non existent.  We are going to be walking alot in the next few days so I am sure that will be a good thing for me. Since I have been off work I haven't been doing my daily walking. Thats it ! I hope I will have some new recipes to post soon.

Avocado Ranch

Oh this dressing I made up is now my new favorite.  It is sooo good.   You just have to try it. 

I am planning on making some chicken primal friendly flatbed sandwiches here very soon and I will put this dressing on them!  Tonight we just put this on plain chicken salads.

Avocado Ranch Dressing

One avocado 

3 table spoons sour cream 

2 teaspoons olive oil 

1/4 teaspoon lime or lemon juice 

Onion powder 

garic powder 

Salt 

Pepper 

stevia 

chili powder 

I put the cut up avocado and the sour cream and oil in the food processor and blended then added a few shakes of each spice and lime juice and blended. Use as much or as little spice to taste.  

Yummy Shrimp

We had a nice two weeks with the girls and now they are back to their Dad's. We cooked up alot of good food.  I am really happy with the way the girls are willing to try new things. If they snicker while I am cooking I just say at least give it a try and they do. Usually they end up saying this is really good Mom!  I love how hamburgers without the bun is just the norm now and no one asks anymore are we having buns? They just know we aren't.  They both have a different way of eating them. One stacks everything on top and the other puts a piece of lettuce on the top and one on the bottom and eats it with her hands. We watched some movies last night so we did buy some popcorn.. I probably ate a handful and the hubby a few handfuls. I will tell you it was so not worth it ! I felt like crap.  This morning I felt like crap. I am still feeling like crap.  It wasn't even good. The kids however were not really affected by it. I am really happy with the way I eat now and cant even imagine going back to the other way all the time. Thats a really good thing. The more I read , the more stuff is clicking if that makes sense. So today I made Shrimp and Broccoli with tomatoes.  I kinda threw this one together myself after seeing a picture with tomatoes and shrimp.

Shrimp with Broccoli and Tomatoes

Steam a head of broccoli , set aside. 

In  skillet add butter and sautee onions until tender.

Add broccoli and cherry tomatoes to the pan with the onion and sautee. 

Remove from pan and set aside. 

In another bowl toss shrimp in your fave spices.

 ( I used , garlic powder, paprika,onion powder, chili powder , salt , pepper and parsley)

Add some more butter to the pan and cook the shrimp. Add vegetables back to the skillet and serve.

SMORES !

Today we made marshmallows and primal graham crackers. We took some dark chocolate and made smores. Honestly any one of these items taste great alone. I am sure when then chocolate is gone the kids and hubby will be snaking on the marshmallows and crackers. It was so neat to make the marshmallows. I think this is a fun cooking project to do with the kids. If you have a hand mixer like I do the kids don't mind mixing the ingredients for 10 minutes on high speed.Note on the recipes below.. I dont recall them calling for anything we couldn't have. If they did I substituted the items for primal friendly ingredients.

Here is the link for the marshmallows. Watching the video first really helped !
http://www.mommypotamus.com/homemade-marshmallow-recipe-gaps-paleo-scd/


Here is the link for the graham crackers
http://heartonyoga.com/2012/03/08/paleo-graham-crackers-grain-freegluten-free-32/

Back is better and I am ready for the weekend

I am happy to report this morning I woke up and my back feels so much better! The kids are coming for a few weeks so I am glad I will no longer be couch ridden ! The hubby helped me with dinner last night and we had some awesome burgers ! I was little worried because when you eat this avocado cream alone its very strong with lemon lime flavor . Pairing it with the sweetness of the pineapple and burger the flavors really work well together! 

If you make this recipe you will not be disappointed! 

Grilled Pineapple Burgers with Avocado Cream 

Here is the recipie 

paleomg.com/grilled-pineapple-burgers-avocado-cream

Tick Tick Tick

I hurt my back. I am not sure how but we are now on day four of pain. This morning I found a tick on me. We walked through the woods the other day at the State Park so maybe that is where it came from. The dog looks good and I have not seen anymore.  I cant be sure but I don't think it bit me.  Here is is pic.

I couldn't get him to smile for the camera.

Now lets talk about food.  I made some Primal chicken Cordon Blu the other night. 

It is very hot today so I am dreading making dinner tonight. 

Chicken Cordon Blue 

This recipe is pretty easy . I take a chicken breast , cut it thin and roll ham and swiss in it and use a toothpick to secure.  Then I roll it in egg and then into coconut flour seasoned with salt pepper and parsley. Then I fry for a few minutes in olive oil. I bake it in the oven at 350 for about 20 mins. 

Just a little Update

I haven't taken any pic's this week but I made a new dessert. Cheesecake dibs. They were very good. I even took some to work to share with the ladies. How can anyone not like cheesecake covered in dark chocolate! Since the kids are spending a few weeks with their Dad me and the Hubby have been eating salads, burgers and steaks. I think I try new recipes more with the kids so they don't get bored.  I am coming up on some more vacation time here soon so I am sure I will be trying out a lot of new recipes and posting them. I plan on buying that ice cream maker too!

Here are the cheesecake Dibs , I didn't go with her coating.. I went with dark chocolate and just dipped them. She used a special silicone pan. I used my mini cupcake pan , cooled them and then put them in the freezer then cut them into bite sized pieces and dipped and put them back in the freezer to store them.

Photo from http://247lowcarbdiner.blogspot.com

Cheesecake Dibs - http://247lowcarbdiner.blogspot.com

16 ounces cream cheese
2 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream - Sure you could use greek yogurt
3/4 cup powdered erythritol - I used Stevia

**************
1/2 cup coconut oil
3 Tablespoons cocoa powder
1/4 cup powdered erythritol (or to taste with any combination of sweeteners)

Bring cream cheese to room temperature. Beat cream cheese and eggs. Add in sour cream and sweetener. Poor into special baking mold or use mini muffin cups. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 325 degrees.

Remove from oven and let cool. Place in the freezer for at least 2 hours. When ready to dip, first prepare chocolate coating. In a ceramic mug or small bowl, melt coconut oil and then stir in cocoa powder and sweetener. Remove the frozen cheesecakes from their pan. Using tongs, dip each frozen bite into melted chocolate mixture. Set on foil to firm up. Eat frozen for an ice creamlike treat, or eat chilled for a cheesecake treat. Either way is great! My tray makes two batches, or 48 dibs.

Why didn't I think of this 5 months ago!?

The Hubby wanted broccoli again to go with the steaks tonight. I Seriously love broccoli , but this is what came out of my mouth. ARGGH Broccoli again !  I started browsing online for side dishes to try to save my self from the steamed broccoli side dish.  I found ''loaded'' Broccoli. It seems so simple and so obvious I thought to myself why didn't I think of that 5 months ago!  I can't wait for the kids to try this out.  I tried to make us dessert but it was a flop. I attempted Oppsie pies. I should have known based on the cookie ingredients they would be nasty.  Oopsie is right.  I tried making two batches thinking the reason they wouldn't come out of the pan the first time was my lack of not greasing the non stick pan before hand. So I cleaned it and tried again. Second batch out - same problem.  So in the sink the second try sits stuck to the pan and now I don't feel like washing it again. They tasted pretty gross too.

Loaded Broccoli 

Steam the broccoli and top with chives, sour cream, cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon

You can't possibly mess this up

FANTASTIC

German Apple Pancakes, some toads and Dragonflies

Before the girls woke up I got to work making the German apple pancakes I promised them I would make on my other day off this week. The were yummalicious!  The kids used syrup but I didn't think it was needed. It was sweet enough all on its own. The girls took a picture of a big dragonfly the other day.  They also found a toad and right after this picture the toad pee'd all over her !

DRAGONFLY

The little toad

German Apple Pancakes

I cooked my pancakes in a whoopie pie pan for 20 mins at 425 , mine made 12 servings

here is the recipie from http://civilizedcavemancooking.com/grain-free-goodies/german-apple-pancake/

Servings: 8

Ingredients:

• 6 Eggs
• 1 Cup Almond Milk
• 3 Tbsp Coconut Oil, melted
• 2 Tsp Vanilla
• 2 Tsp Pure Maple Syrup
• 1/4 Cup Coconut Flour
• 1/2 Tsp Baking Soda
• 1/8 Tsp Nutmeg
• 2 Apples, cored and diced
• 2 Tbsp Coconut Oil
• 2 Tbsp Raw Organic Honey
• 1 Tsp Cinnamon
• 1 Tsp Nutmeg
• Juice of 1/2 Lemon
• Handful of crushed pecans

Process:

1. Preheat Oven to 425 Degrees Fahrenheit
2. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, almond milk, coconut oil, vanilla, and Maple Syrup
3. In a small bowl, stir coconut flour, nutmeg, and baking soda
4. Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients and beat well to combine, set aside while you prepare the apples
5. In a small frying pan, heat 2 Tbsp coconut oil and raw organic honey  
6. Stir in cinnamon and nutmeg and juice of 1/2 Lemon and cook for 1 minute
7. Add in your apples and sauté until all your apples are nicely coated
8. Evenly divide your apple mixture between 8 Ramekins greased with coconut oil and then evenly divide your egg mixture on top of the apples between the 8 Ramekins
9. Place your Ramekins on a baking sheet and bake for 20 Minutes at 425 and then reduce heat to 375 and cook for an additional 20 Minutes
10. Sprinkle with Pecans when removed from the oven
11. Enjoy

No work ! Time to Cook !

Today I was off work so I cooked up a storm. To start the day I made the kiddo's blueberry and chocolate chip muffins. Then I made an Almond Joy freezer pie The crust on this pie is amazing! I added a couple teaspoons of coconut crystals to it. Snack time I  made the Kale Chips.  I made some Parmesan popcorn chicken with broccoli for dinner. The kids LOVED the kale chips and the pie. The muffins were okay and the popcorn chicken was a little dry. I think I may have cooked it too long waiting for a golden brown color I never achieved. We will definitely be making all of these recipes again ! The weight loss has slowed down dramatically now that I am down to the last 20 pounds I want to lose. According to Marks Daily apple my Body will just stop losing when I am where I am supposed to be ... I am hoping this is not it lol.  I ate too much cheese and chocolate last week so I am trying to stick to meats and veggies right now. My middle daughter who is not primal except for when shes at my house has been doing really well !  She is always up to try new things .

 I am very proud of her !

 Blueberry Muffin

Chocolate Chip Muffin

Recipe  from  :  http://glutenfreefix.com/gluten-free-blueberry-muffins/838

KALE CRISPS 

Parmesan Kale Crisps
From Glutenfreefix.com

• 1 large bunch of curly kale
• olive oil, for coating- about 1/4 cup
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon sea  salt
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Wash and dry kale, remove leaves from tough core.
3. In a food processor, pulse together cheese, garlic powder, salt, paprika and pepper. 
4. Massage olive oil into kale leaves. 
5. Toss in parmesan mixture, coating the kale evenly.
6. Spread into a single layer onto baking sheets.
7. Bake for 9-11 minutes, until crisp.

 Kids LOVE them !

I saved the best for last

Almond Joy Freezer Pie 

For the crust:

3/4 cup almond flour

3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, lightly toasted

1/4 tsp. celtic sea salt

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted over low heat

1 Tbsp. coconut palm sugar (optional for a slightly sweeter crust)

2 tsp. organic vanilla

In a large bowl combine almond flour, toasted coconut and salt.  Whisk together coconut oil, palm sugar (if using) and vanilla.  Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and thoroughly combine.  Press mixture into desired dessert dish (9″ pie plate, mini cheesecake pans, springform pan or square 9×9 dish).  Bake at 350 F for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool completely on a wire rack.

For the filling:

5 small ripe bananas, peeled and broken into small pieces (about 14-16 ounces peeled)

1 cup organic coconut milk, canned

1/4 cup unsweetened cacao powder (or your favorite unsweetened cocoa powder)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp almond extract

Combine all ingredients in blender or food processor and blend until very smooth, about 3 minutes on high-speed.  Check to make sure all the banana is pureed before filling the crust.  Pour filling into your cooled crust and sprinkle toppings (listed below) across the top of the filling.  Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and freeze for at least 4 hours, or overnight.

For the topping:

1/2 cup sliced almonds, lightly toasted

1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

1-2 oz. finely chopped or shaved dark chocolate (I use 70% or higher)

Set the dessert at room temperature about 20 minutes before serving, cut with a sharp knife, ENJOY!

From http://simplylivinghealthy.org

It was cold !

Oh it was so cold yesterday !  So cold that I even bypassed going to the driving range with my husband. I made some soup last night. I wasn't sure how it would turn out ... I am used to the wonderful Broccoli cheddar soup from Pantera bread. ( I know its Panera, but my Husband calls it Pantera and it makes me laugh) The Hubby said I must add some protein so I did add chicken . I ate leftovers for lunch today and I will tell you I think it tasted better today. Overall I was very pleased with the way it turned out ! Here is my Broccoli Chicken Cheddar Soup. I did make some bread from almond meal but I didn't care for it. I will post the recipe for that as well in case someone wants to try it out for themselves.

This recipe is from http://thepaleokitchen.blogspot.com/2010/02/broccoli-cheese-soup.html

I did make some changes to suit my tastes - My changes are listed in the recipe below 

Broccoli  Chicken Cheese Soup

3 T. Butter
1/2 medium onion, minced

1 Pound cooked chicken cut into chunks
1/4 cup flax seed meal

1 1/2 cups vitamin D milk - I am sure you can use coconut milk
2 cups chicken stock
2 heads fresh broccoli, shredded in food processor
3 small carrots, shredded in food processor

1 1/2 teaspoons Onion Powder 

1 1/2 teaspoons Garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
8 ounces grated sharp cheddar

Directions:
Melt the butter in pot and add in flax seed meal using a whisk to create the roux. Keep whisking for about 3 minutes then slowly whisk in your milk then your chicken stock, making sure there are no clumps.
Add in the broccoli and carrots. Cook over low heat for 20 minutes stirring occasionally. Add salt and pepper to taste , add garlic powder and onion powder at this time. 

Add cheddar cheese till melted 

Here is the recipe for the cheddar sage biscuits 

http://glutenfreefix.com/cheddar-sage-biscuits/1844/

Sea Salt Soiree

I just have to mention the best Chocolate Candy in the world. In my head its Primal although I don't know the percentage on it , It says intense dark and that's good enough for me!

Guar Gum

Good Morning ! I didn't post this last week but I do have two recipes to share with you. Memorial Day I ended up creating a broccoli salad. I was thinking pasta salad without the pasta. I see recipes for Broccoli slaw but usually they are Asian flavored type and I truly cant stand the flavor of sesame oil. I don't like the seeds either . I remember as a small child being upset when my parents bought sesame seed buns and onion buns.  This recipe tastes like pasta salad to me and you probably could add black olives and onions if you like those things. Its really super refreshing on a hot day !  The other recipe I am going to share is for cauliflower steaks.  I paired that with a grilled pork chop one night this week.

I am feeling in the mood to bake again so I was looking up some frosting recipes for cupcakes and came across one that looks delicious. It calls for Guar gum which is some sort of stabilizer so I am going to have to do some research on it before I buy that.  It also takes overnight to set up and that's something I am not digging because I love to make my treats and eat them. Its to hard to wait !   I also decided since I love ice cream I am going to buy an ice cream maker.  I found many many wonderful recipes for Ice cream I would like to try out. Today its off to the store to try and find some pants that fit.I also wanted to mention that last week my good friend brought me lunch all week! Its so nice to have supportive people in my life!

Broccoli Pasta salad

• Head of Broccoli 
• cheese cubes 
• Diced tomatoes 
• Olives 
• Diced Onions 

 Shred Broccoli in food processor. Mix all above ingredients in a bowl. For dressing I use an Italian good seasons packet , use directions on package to prepare. Mix everything and let sit in the fridge until good and cold.

Cauliflower Steaks

Cut head of cauliflower into steaks and preheat oven to 400 f .  Oil pan with olive oil. Sprinkle spices onto both sides of steaks. I used onion powder , garlic powder, salt , pepper and paprika . Roast cauliflower for 10-15 minutes or until tender.

Memorial Day Fruit Tart

It's Memorial Day Weekend and I love cookouts. I love BBQ sauce and baked beans and corn. I chose to not eat that anymore though.  So tomorrow I am going to have to be a little creative.  I think I am going to make the kids some sort of kabobs on the grill with chicken and pineapple and peppers. Us grownups are going to have steak. I am sure I will get some begging eyes and share with them. Last night I made a whole chicken so I will post that picture. We started to dig in and then I realized I didn't snap the photo , so I stopped to get the camera.  I made a lovely vanilla pudding fruit tart this morning.  I also made Sweet and sour meatballs with cauliflower rice.  It was already planned or I wouldn't have  cooked on the stove for 3 hours in 90 + heat.  We don't have A/C here.  The family went to the park today with the dog for a walk and there was a nice breeze.  The kids were whining and complaining that we should have had lunch there. So it got me thinking... What could we bring .... lol I will have to give that one some more thought.  I might try to take the girls camping this summer and I don't know how to start a fire.  I guess if we have to cook meat I am going to have to learn.

Vanilla Pudding Fruit Tart 

Gluten Free Tart Shell - from www.glutenfreefix.com

• 4 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 1/2 cups almond flour, packed
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 9 inch tart shell pan with a removable bottom, greased

1. Stir together the melted butter and honey.
2. Add the dry ingredients and stir well to combine.
3. Press the dough into the greased tart shell.  Spreading as evenly as possible.
4. Place in freezer and preheat oven to 350.
5. For a fully baked tart shell, bake for 15-20, until nice and golden brown.  Use a pie crust shield after 10 minutes to prevent the top from getting to dark.  (if you don’t have pie crust shields, just lower your oven to 325 after 10 minutes).
6. Allow baked tart shell to cool completely before filling.

Vanilla Pudding 

• 1 14 oz can coconut milk 
• 1 TBSP vanilla or one vanilla bean 
• 2 egg yolks 
• 2 TBSP honey 
• 2 TBSP butter

Heat the coconut milk , butter and honey over medium heat for 4-5 minutes or it starts to simmer.
In another bowl whisk the egg yolks until light and fluffy. Temper the eggs. Add a little of the hot mixture to them and whisk. Then add this back into the mixture in the pan. Whisk continuously. Add the vanilla. Cook over low heat for 4 minutes or until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Pour this on top of the cooled tart shell and refrigerate for at least a few hours.

When chilled put fruit slices on top 

Sweet and Sour Meatballs with Cauliflower Rice - www.glutenfreefix.com

Sweet N’ Sour Meatballs

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup almond flour, packed
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt

Sauce

• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 red bell peppers, chopped
• 5 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 1 tablespoon ginger, freshly grated
• 1 medium pineapple, peeled, cored and chopped
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
• 1 tablespoon honey (opt)
• 2 teaspoons coconut flour, packed (opt)
• salt to taste

1. Preheat oven to 400.
2. Prepare meatballs:  Whisk together eggs, spices and almond flour.  Add ground beef and combine using your hands.  Shape into 60 small meatballs.  Place on a sheet tray and bake for 15-20 minutes until nicely browned.
3. While meatballs are cooking, start your sauce:  In a large dutch oven or pot saute the onion and bell pepper in 2 tablespoons oil until tender.  Add garlic and ginger, cook until fragrant, about one minute.
4. Stir in chopped pineapple.  De-glaze pan with the apple cider vinegar.  Add water and red chili flakes.  Bring to a boil.
5. Add browned meatballs and simmer on low for 1-3 hours.  The longer you cook it the better.  The pineapple will cook down and create a lovely sauce.

It makes more of a soup than a “sauce”, however you can make it slightly thicker using a bit of coconut flour.  At the end of cooking, take 1/2 cup of the soup in a small bowl and whisk in 2 teaspoons packed coconut flour.  It will become a thick paste aka, “slurry”.  Then pour the slurry back into the pot and gently stir in. After a minute or two you will see it start to thicken.

Just a baked chicken

Just a cute little Primal Dog

Cheesecake Cups

We had some Grilled pork chops and Shredded brussel sprouts for dinner. Tasty Yummy goodness.  Husband was craving something sweet again .. So I made FRUIT CHEESECAKE CUPS. These are so cute and fun and they taste wonderful ! These would be the perfect little treat for a food day at work! 

My daughter wanted to take some to school, because they are not only tasty but BEAUTIFUL !  

Fruit cheesecake cups 

Filling 
1 8oz package cream cheese
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 tbsp vanilla
2 eggs 
Any sweetener , Honey , stevia , maple syrup, coconut crystals (whatever you like)

Crust 
1/2 cup of any combo of nuts you like ground up in food processor
1 tbsp of almond butter
1 tbsp honey

Directions 
For Crust , process the nuts in a processor and mix the almond butter and honey with the nuts , firmly press into the bottom of mini cupcake wrappers
 For filling beat or put all ingredients in a food processor until smooth and creamy

Pour filling over the crust till it reaches the top
Bake at 325 for 20 minutes

Add desired fruit toppings 

Ben and Jerry's

My husband wants some Ben and Jerry's . I am secretly hoping he goes and gets it.  Although I would like to have my coffee heath bar crunch I will settle for his super fudge chunk. Tonight I made dinner quick. I prepared some sorta fried chicken breast with broccoli. It was surprisingly tasty for putting it together on a whim with no recipe. Just my cooker skills.  At work today some of the ladies had cake and they were trying to make me jealous with the description of the icing. It honestly didn't work.  I don't remember what icing tastes like since its been at least 6 months since I have had it. Plus there is also a pretty good chance I will get sick from it and who wants to be sick. I ate my broccoli and I was perfectly happy with that.  Exercising is really what I need to do. I think I have been spoiled with the first 55 just melting off with diet alone. WAAAH I hate exercising. So I read the second book in the hunger games trilogy. I wish these books were longer. On to the very last one. 

To make this fried chicken simply put some coconut flour in a bowl and add whatever seasonings you want. Drench the chicken in eggs and coat the chicken . Put some olive oil in a pan and fry it up.

Steam some Broccoli. Dinner in 15 minutes.  You have the time.

Here is a Pic of the cutest Puppy I know and his name is Maynard Waynard ( not really, its Maynard Ludwig Von Mises but I like to sing a song to him where I call him Maynard Waynard) 

FYI Maynard is still primal and he never cheats.