Squash Soup

One of my all time favorites. It is very rich and I always eat too much.

Ingredients:

1 Acorn Squash, microwaved until tender, scoop out flesh

3/4 cup Carrots, microwaved until tender

2 cups hot Vegetable Broth 

3/4 cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut (Or Coconut Milk)

1 tsp Curry Powder

1/2 tsp Cumin Powder

1/2 tsp Corriander Powder

1 tsp Salt 

1/2 tsp Pepper

Put hot vegetable broth and coconut in the blender and blend. (For a smoother soup, you could use coconut milk instead of shredded coconut, but I liked it as is).

Add the acorn squash, carrots and spices.

Blend until smooth. Enjoy!

Pink Grapefruit

I don't like grapefruit, except like this.

1 Pink Grapefruit, cut in half. Slice down each side of the segment membranes to make for easy removal later. Place on a cookie sheet. Set oven to broil with oven rack in top position.

Drizzle each half with a teaspoon or so of honey. Put under the broiler for 3-5 minutes. Take out and immediately sprinkle with salt (about 1/2 tsp each). So good!

Brownies My Way

Even I was surprised as to how good these turned out. You can't eat these and expect them to taste exactly like a store brand box mix, but they are smooth and chocolaty, and work really well for a sweet treat when using the Paleo diet.

Ingredients:

8oz Creamy Roasted Almond Butter

2 Eggs

1 1/2 cups Honey

2 tsp Vanilla Extract

1 Avocado, mashed

3/4 cup Cocoa Powder

1 tsp Salt

1 cup Almond Flour

1 cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut

1/2-1 cups Dark Chocolate, chopped (I used Green & Black's Organic 85% Cacao)

In a large bowl, blend almond butter, eggs, honey, vanilla and avocado, using an electric mixer. In a small bowl, mix cocoa powder, salt, almond flour, and coconut with a fork. Add to almond butter mixture and blend further with the mixer or by hand. Stir in chopped chocolate.

Pour into a greased 9x13 pan and back at 325 degrees for 30-45 minutes.

Flash, making sure I was doing it right.

Smoked Salmon Stuffed Portabello Mushrooms

Ingredients:

3 Portabello Mushrooms, stems removed. Gills removed if desired.

1 Small Zucchini, diced

1 Tomatillo, diced

1/2 Small Onion, diced

2 Garlic Cloves, sliced or crushed

Olive Oil

Salt

Pepper

1/2 tsp Basil

1/2 tsp Oregano

2oz Smoked Salmon

Saute zucchini, tomatillo, onion, garlic, basil and oregano in olive oil until soft. Put them in a food processor with the smoked salmon and pulse until blended. Sprinkle olive oil on the tops of the mushrooms and put on a cookie sheet, gill side down. Put under broiler for 3-5 minutes. Take out, turn over. Sprinkle inside with salt and pepper and then fill with the salmon mixture. Put back under broiler for another 3-5 minutes.

This was a very tasty and filling alternative to one of my favorite dishes. If I was not on the Paleo diet, the only thing I would change is to add cream cheese. Because what's better than smoked salmon and cream cheese. Other than strawberries and cream. Or chocolate and...well, anything.

I Ate a Burger and I Liked It

First of all, I have to explain that I have been a vegetarian for 20+ years, although I do eat seafood. Nothing with fur or feathers has been my rule. Not because of health reasons or because I don't like the taste, or because I don't think people should eat meat. Because I do. It's because I see body parts when I look at meat and I just can't stomach the thought of putting that in my mouth. But I love to cook it. I love creating recipes and getting positive feedback from my family. I still remember what each type of meat tastes like, so I season and prepare based on that memory. I think my discerning husband would agree that I do a decent job.

So, on this Paleo diet I am not allowed to have beans of any type, or dairy. That's likely where 50% of my protein usually comes from. Apparently my body rebelled against this lack of this body-sustaining nutrient and I started to crave meat. Not turkey, pork or chicken. That still has me nauseous at the thought. I wanted red meat...give me the beeefff! Not a slab of steak mind you, no, I wanted it ground up so it didn't look like a cows muscle stripped from its hind end somewhere. So I pulled a precooked hamburger patty out of the freezer, zapped it in the microwave and ate it. Yes, I did. And it was good. So there. 

Now before you carnivores cheer and pat me on the back to welcome me home into the barbecue eating fold, just know that I was equally disgusted with myself at the same time. So, tonight I made a tuna salad and felt slightly more like me. But I'm not saying I won't ever do it again.

Tuna, Olive Oil, Green Olives, Sundried Tomatoes & Avocados on a bed of Lettuce

Paleo Diet Day 6

I told my loving husband today more of the details of this diet I am on. He really doesn't care what I eat as long as I continue to cook his meat and potatoes. Besides, he's used to me eating differently due to my vegetarian tendencies. So, he did ask me how I was doing on it. Well, honestly, really well. I'm eating tons, I'm never actually hungry, I don't miss anything, and I have lost 6 lbs in 6 days. Not to shabby at all.

Brunch Today: Eggs scrambled with tomatoes, peppers, spinach and cayenne.

You're eating what???

So, I decided that one of the first things I needed to change were my eating habits. And then a sweet friend of mine, Heather, mentioned on Facebook that she was going back on the Paleo diet because it had made her feel so much better. Following some quick research, I discovered that this diet excludes all grains, legumes including peanuts, potatoes, dairy and refined sugar. Well, that sums up about 95% of my typical diet. Considering a diet that relies heavily on meat would also be a challenge to this vegetarian (who occasionally eats seafood). But, eggs are allowed, and since my hens are laying over a dozen daily, that was a plus.

So, after a trip to the grocery store and stocking up on lots of fresh fruits, veggies and a few specialty items such as almond flour, I am on my way to a healthier me. :)  My first step was to make a big bag of Superfood Salad that I had recently seen on The Reluctant Entertainer.  So I had that last night with some tomato, avocado and a great dressing I found that fit the rules.

This morning I got up a baked a loaf of Paleo bread. Since my oldest was sick, it had delayed our school anyway, and I was able to afford the time to bake. It turned out well and I actually found it quite tasty.

And for dinner I created a recipe that included roasted eggplant stuffed with green peppers, sundried tomatoes, olives and oyster mushrooms.  A piece of baked tilapia on the side, and I am one happy chickie.

My goal is to try this diet for one month. After that I will try adding dairy back since that is what I am missing the most. But, in the meantime, I am drinking loads of water, herbal tea and enjoying the change. I'll keep you posted on how this goes - whether I'm able to stick with it for more than 5 days (that pizza is calling me from the freezer), whether I lose any weight, and if I actually feel "better". I suspect exercise might actually have to be involved, but I'm not rushing to any desperate measures...yet.