Really?

Saw this commercial tonight -- I didn't realize that Lucky Charms are healthy and nutritious. Marshmallows? check. Sugar? check. Corn syrup? yup. And a bunch of other stuff that I would not normally have in my pantry.

This has got to stop. Really.

30 days, people!

{peeling thirty}

Ready to look, feel, and perform better in about 1 month? Click HERE.

My challenges: No 'paleo' pancakes and black tea for 30 days. I encourage you to start your Whole30..... NOW.

DFlood's Paleo BBQ Sauce. Oh. Yes.

1 small can tomato paste (organic/no additives)
1.5 tbsp olive oil,
1 tbsp red wine vinegar* (optional)
2 tsp chili powder,
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp paprika
1 tbsp of agave or maple syrup
3 tsp of liquid hickory smoke extract (found in ketchup aisle).

Stir altogether and simmer on low for 10-15 min

*the vinegar is fairly acidic, you can omit this and just add water instead

Give it up for Audrey!

This week is Food Allergy Awareness week. 3-5 million children have food allergies, and as many of you know, Audrey is one of them (dairy). I encourage you to join us this week in bringing awareness to this issue and 'giving up' a favorite food as part of the campaign (and beyond). We'll be giving up nuts this week (on top of our gluten-free/dairy-free paleo diet). Let us know what you're giving up! And do check out the Food Allergy Initiative. Thanks!

Mini Quiches

4 eggs

about 1/4 cup diced white onion

1 diced chicken sausage (Sweet Apple flavor @ Trader Joe's)

handful of chopped spinach

2 tablespoons salsa

olive oil

Preheat oven to 350; lightly grease cupcake pan w/ olive oil. Combine eggs, onion, sausage, salsa and spinach in a bowl. Mix well. Evenly distribute mix in cupcake pan and bake for 20 minutes. Makes about 6 mini quiches. You can also add peppers, mushrooms, bacon, etc. Best served with caffeine :)

Audrey enjoying her brekie

Comfort Food

Everyone needs a little extra love, right? Here's an easy dinner fixen' that will fill your tummy and warm your heart (trust me, it will).

Paleo Shepherd's Pie:

1lb Lean Grass-Fed ground beef

Cinnamon

Cumin
1/4 cup white onion, chopped
Fresh veggies (I use chopped carrots, sliced radishes, chopped white mushrooms, and chopped celery)
1-2 sweet potatoes
Organic Vegetable/Chicken broth (optional)
Olive oil

Pre-heat oven to 420. Heat up skillet w/ olive oil. Add onion and let simmer for 5min. Add meat. While meat is browning add in a dash of cinnamon and cumin -- begin to boil peeled/sliced sweet potatoe(s). Once meat is brown, add chopped veggies. Reduce heat and keep on burner for about 5min (you can add broth here for added juices... that's what she said). Once sweet potatoe(s) have softened, remove from heat and drain excess water. Mash potatoe(s) and beat w/ hand-mixer (you can add almond milk if you like a creamier consistency). Pour meat/veggie mix in casserole dish, distribute evenly. Using a large spoon, scoop the sweet potatoes on top of the meat/veggie mix. Spread evenly w/ spatula and then 'comb' with fork. Throw it in the oven for about 15-18 minutes. Serves many, great for left-overs!

No excuses!

Time and time again I am asked the question regarding the dreaded 'r' word: recipes. I don't mean to sound like a paleolithic elitist, but it shouldn't be that hard to figure out what to eat when you're dealing with REAL FOOD. This past weekend we attended Robb Wolf's Paleolithic Solution Seminar in Seattle -- Robb touched based on this topic of folks not knowing what to eat or getting bored/lost with their paleo options. As a group, we put together a paleo food matrix that provides years' worth of meal ideas (yes, YEARS). Click on the image above. There are 251,680 different paleo meal combinations right there, that's 689 years worth of different recipes. Just throw in the four groups (meat, veggies, fat, and seasoning) together in a pan, cook for 10-15 minutes, and voila! Easy, quick, yummy, food. And that's just for 4 combinations. You can add whatever fruit/additional seasonings/etc. you'd like. Be creative! No more excuses! Have fun and eat well for life.