It's Recipe Day

I feel it's time for a wonderful Paleo Recipe. Don't you? I want to share something that I make most often and Hubby loves.

My daughter went to a Thanksgiving Party and instead of having the usual Thanksgiving fare, they had a Mediterranean Theme. One of the dishes they cooked was called Mantia. It's an Albania dish that actually is used as a stuffing for Dumplings, but, for Paleo sake, we are foregoing the dumplings, and substituting rice noodles. There are several different ways to make this dish, but here is what I do.

This is one of those simple dishes and you will end up making all the time.

What you need:

2 lbs Ground Beef or Ground Lamb. (I prefer Lamb)
Olive Oil
3-4 stalks of Celery
1 Onion
2 tsp Garlic salt
1 tsp Pepper
2 tsp Dried Parsley
2 tsp Dried Mint
1 tsp Allspice
1 package Rice Noodles of your choice  (I prefer shells or rice macaroni)
2 Tbl Greek Yogurt
One Whole Tomato, chopped
One Whole Cucumber, chopped

Cut a whole onion and 3-4 stalks of celery into fine pieces and cooked them in olive oil until they turn clear. Set them aside. Brown the meat completely. Once the meat has browned, add back in the onion and celery. Let them simmer together for a few minutes at a low heat. Add the garlic salt, pepper, parsley, mint and allspice. Let this simmer a few more minutes to get all those tastes blended together.

While the meat is browning, boil the rice noodles as per the directions on the package.

When the meat is cooked, pour over the noodles as you would spaghetti sauce. Then top it all off with the Greek yogurt, chopped tomatoes and chopped cucumbers.

Voila!

It is healthy, filling and will warm you up.

Enjoy!

3.....The Salad Bar Theory

My father-in-law is a vegetarian. He occasionally eats fish, but for the most part, he eats fruits and veggies.  His dinner ritual is the salad bar he creates in his kitchen. I thought it was such a good idea, that it has become a ritual for us. It has made eating veggies so simple.

My father-in-law and his wife cut up the veggies of their choice and store them in containers in the fridge. They use recycled glass jars.  I use plastic boxes as they store better in the fridge. (I am attempting to get rid of the plastic stuff in my house, but step by step)

He then pulls all the containers out at dinner. He has usually cut enough for a few days. What ever is missing on their list of goodies, is chopped right then. He lines them up on the kitchen counter, then fills his bowl much as you would at any salad bar. He makes his own dressing, to boot. Then he easily puts everything back in the fridge for the next night. 

Our salad bar consists of the following....our favorites.

Spring Mix salad greens

baby leaf spinach

Sun flower sprouts (a farmers market purchase...I haven't mastered sunflower sprouts)

Alphafa sprouts if I have them (I'll share that trick another time)

Cherry tomatoes

Mushrooms

Carrots

Cucumber

Celery

Feta cheese

Dried cranberries

Pineapple chunks

Cottage cheese

Hard boiled eggs

Walnuts and garlic slices

Bacon bits sometimes

The only thing that might not keep well for more than a few days is the chopped cucumber. They tend to get mushy. Everything else will keep up to a week. 

I make my own dressing with Extra Virgin Olive oil and Balsamic Vinegar. I add herbs that I like. 

We eat meat, so I'll add a burger or pork chop or chicken breast. I can cook enough of those ahead of time. In the summer, we grill enough for the whole week and store in the freezer. 

Try this It is so easy to eat this way, you will be amazed. 

Clean Eating Plan for 2014 - Countdown to Health

Today I'm going to share what my diet plan will be in 2014.

As I have mentioned before, I am a Paleo eater.  That means I don't eat grains or legumes. I stay away from processed foods and try to eat organic and grass fed. I eat gluten free and GMO free. 

In the new year, I'm planning on going low-carb for the first few weeks...just to kickstart to weight loss. As I lose weight and begin more excercise, I will add starchy vegetable carbs like sweet potatoes and turnips. 

But in the beginning, my plan is:

Every meal will contain protein. Bacon, eggs, ham, lean beef, pork, salmon and chicken.

Every meal will contain a vegetable, or two. Salads, broccoli, cauliflower....some of my favorites.  Avocados are a must! I eat all kinds of olives, too. 

I cook with coconut oil, and sometimes olive oil. My salad dressings Are homemade from balsamic vinegar and olive oil or avocado oil and my own spices.  

I drink coffee, so I use Stevia as a sweetener and heavy cream instead of milk. I don't have problems with dairy, but if you do, Almond or Coconut milk work well.

I eat very little cheese...some feta in a salad, maybe some Swiss as a snack.

And as a treat, Nuts.....Walnuts, pecans, macademia nuts, adding raisins for sweetness. 

I plan on eating more fermented foods this year, more bone broth and probiotics.

That's it. My meals are easy, quick and filling. As the year progresses I will be sharing recipes with you and will add some yummy low-carb, gluten free treats. 

If you care to join me in this 2014 adventure, stock up now. Find real extra virgin olive oil....buy local if you can, as most imported stuff is questionable as to their authenticity. Coconut oil is an amazing product. I buy organic. Not only do I use it in the kitchen but as a cosmetic. It is an amazing lotion for the skin, For the teeth and medicinally for eczema and other skin ailments. The oil is also a wonderful hair conditioner and makeup remover.  The uses are endless. 

After the Christmas left overs are eaten, make room in your freezer for some fine, fresh meat. Pick your favorites or try something new. Organ meat is really healthy for you. Plan on veggie shopping right before January 1. Load up on avocados.  They can be frozen. Hit the farmer's markets. They still have good products this time of year. My local market sells grass fed meats for a very reasonable price. 

So.

Today's assignment is to make your first week's shopping list to buy right before the New year. 

Here is mine.

Eggs, bacon, fresh, lean ground beef, pork chops for 2, chicken breasts and sausage.

Tomatoes, avocados, salad greens, carrots, cucumbers, mushrooms, celery, black olives and feta cheese for salads.

Cauliflower to make cauliflower rice - recipe to come, broccoli and more avacodos for sides.

Swiss cheese and beef jerky, walnuts, pecans and raisins for snacks. 

Stevia and heavy cream and coffee

Pick your favorite. If you aren't going low carb, add sweet potatoes and small red potatoes. Add some fruit, as well. 

Here's a good plan

My list is made!