Chicken Cacciatore

Time to fill everyone in on what's been happening in my life. Thanksgiving turned out delicious. For the most part, I ate paleo. WAY TO MUCH! That's okay though cause I went to bed at 8pm that evening and was still tired Friday morning. Is that a food coma? I'm not sure what a food coma really is but I imagine its something like that.

So at Crossfit GP we have been doing this strength bias cycle, its awesome, but its also ripping me apart. Good news is, I'M GETTING STRONGER! Although walking around regularly and getting up and down my stairs is difficult at times. I wouldn't have it any other way. I am so thankful to not be injured anymore and be able to workout regularly. It makes me happy. :)

Our weekends lately have consisted of a little too much alcohol intake. Not that it isn't fun, but MAN. The recovery when you get older takes too long. We went out Saturday night with a group of friends from the box and drank way too much. Not to mention I took a shot of something I shouldn't have that caused me to have a headache for 24 hours. LAME. Thinking its time to slow my roll down a little bit and ride my bike or something.

Kitchen project is still underway. I have been slacking on these doors. But its okay, the fact that I don't have doors doesn't really bother me too much. So I'll get to it. Do you guys like the Beiber song "Beauty and a beat"? I LOVE IT. Everyone makes fun of me, but ever since I saw him perform it on the music awards, I love it. You people would too if you'd get over the fact that its Beiber. Everyone loves to hate on the Beibs.

I just made myself the MOST amazing breakfast, two fried eggs and sweet potato pancakes. Um YUM!

Chicken Cacciatore

2 lbs skinless, boneless chicken breasts

4 roasted red peppers (from the jar), chopped

1 14oz can fire roasted tomatoes

1 14oz can tomato sauce

2 tbsp olive oil

1 cup beef broth

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 yellow onion, diced

2 bay leaves

1 tsp crushed red pepper

1 tsp dried parsley

1 tsp dried tarragon

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

salt & pepper

 

Preheat your oven to 350F.

 

Lay chicken breasts in baking dish sprinkle with pepper and drizzle olive oil, bake for 25 minutes until cooked through. While your chicken is cooking on your stove top bring a large saucepan with olive oil for medium heat. Add your garlic and onion and cook down until onion is soft. Next add all remaining ingredients and stir to incorporate all the spices. Once chicken is done, immediately add to sauce mixture and cook on low for another 10-15 minutes to let the flavors marry.

 

 

Serve over white rice, cauli rice, zucchini noodles, or grilled veggies (like me). Or just eat it by itself. Do whatever tickles your fancy. Any way you eat it, its delish.

 

 

 

| Prep time 5 minutes | Cook time 45 minutes | Serves 4-6 |

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Thanksgiving Prep

So this morning like any other Tuesday morning I get up at 5am to do the 6am wod. I have to do the 6am class on Tuesday's because I help the Dunkins' with different things. Today it was food prep for the Turkey Day. Anyways, I will talk about the food after I tell you this. I was on my way home from the gym, killed the shoulders today. If I can lift my arms over my head tomorrow I will be surprised. K, back to story. Driving home from the gym my eye itched, so I itched it. But the thing is I half poked myself in the eye slash had salt/sweat and whatever else was on my hands assuming other peoples sweat (ew...I just thought about how gross this is) and this all went in my eye. It burned SOOO bad and was watering a rediculous amount. So its a soggy waffles morning, a monsoon outside to be exact and it's dark and hard to see because my driver side windshield wiper sucks(go figure). So I was driving unsafely and should have stopped to let my eye recoop. But I just wanted to be home so badly! So I patched my bad eye with my hand and continued onward.

So my day ended up being super productive and I cooked my little heart out! My body is immobile from the dead lifts yesterday and tomorrow it will be my shoulders. I wouldn't have it any other way! So I don't have any recipes BUT I have pictures of the things I made with the links to the recipes I got them from.

Needless to say I will be getting a lot of cooking in this year for the feast. I still have to do my pumpkin pie, apple crisp, stuffing, cheese/sausage platter, and french onion dip for my families meal. Fun stuff!

Wishing everyone a joyous time with their family and friends on Thanksgiving this year!

Pumpkin Pies



Garlic Cauli Mashers

 

Cinny Buns

Paleo Stuffing

 

 

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Elk Stroganoff

Jimminy CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!

It's right around the corner! Booyah!! I love the holidays. Cooking delicious meals, spending time with your closet loved ones and decorating of course Plus its my sister's 21st birthday this year, and that means my birthday is 7 days later. And that's the most exciting! I already put up a little Christmas tree today. Its so cute! This week is Thanksgiving and what's everyone up to?! We are going to go spend some time out at my parents house and eat some amazing food. I'm making a few paleo dishes for Scott and I so we can try and stay good.

It's raining cats and dogs here in Grants Pass. Such a soggy waffles morning, but I got my workout in! Laying in the bed listening to the rain was definitely not a motivator this morning. Anywho, kitchen is coming along, slowly but surely. Thanks to Scott and Mike this last weekend we got it all painted. Makes the world of a difference! I love it! It had motivated me to finish the doors, but that's still a huge project. Ugh.

Rogue is 4 months old this week. CRAZY!! He got his last set of shots this afternoon and he is ready to see the world. So happy that I don't have to worry about him coming down with the plague and whatnot. He needs puppy school. I need to sign us up for that ASAP. He gets a little crazy...

Tried out this recipe and it turned out tasty!

Stroganoff

2 tbsp ghee
1 yellow onion diced
1 cup of sliced white mushrooms
1 lb ground meat ( I used elk, obviously, but you could use anything)

2 tbsp of tomato paste
2 tsp thyme
2 tsp rosemary
4 cloves of garlic
1 tbsp arrowroot
1 1/2 cup beef stock
2/3 cup canned coconut milk
salt & pepper
cauliflower mashers

 

In a large fry pan heat ghee to medium and add your onions, garlic and mushrooms. Saute until soft and caramelized. Once this has cooked down for a bit remove and set aside. To the same skillet add your ground meat. Once this has cooked until hardly any pink is left add your thyme, rosemary and tomato paste. Stir well to incorporate spices. Sprinkle arrowroot powder over meat mixture and stir to combine until arrowroot is completely mixed in. Add beef stock and stir to mix in. Sauce will begin to thicken as it comes to a simmer. Stir back in your sauteed onions and mushrooms then reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for a couple minutes. Stir in the canned coconut milk and serve over your cauli mashers!

 

| Prep time 20 minutes | Cook time 30 minutes | Servings 4-6 | Pin It Now!

Beef Stew

My house is literally in shambles. Let me fill you in on a little something, I have OCD. If things aren't the way they should be or if I don't have done what I like to have done I cant relax and I begin to stress out, then I am not any fun to be around. It blows. But I have been pretty good at keeping my composure for the most part. I just want my kitchen back to normal. I still have to do all the cabinet doors (stain & seal) but I only have to seal the frames. I'd say I am about 50% there. After that is paint. Kitchen transformation here we come! :))

Before....

 

Next....

 

This is why I haven't wrote any blog posts because I haven't cooked. Ugh, I have ate leftover beef stew and meatballs for lunch and dinner the past 3 days. But this beef stew was awesome. I tried calling it beef soup because Scott doesn't like beef stew. And we also found out he doesn't like beef soup either. Cant win with that boy. Picky.

So if you want something delicious and comforting and warm and savory and amazing, make this.

Beef Stew

2 lbs stew meat (cubed beef)
2 parsnips, chopped
4 carrots, peeled and chopped
4 stocks celery, chopped
2 yellow onion, chopped
2 tbsp minced garlic
4 cups beef broth
salt & pepper to taste
1 bay leaf
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 generous sprig of rosemary
2 tbsp ghee

 

In your stew pot heat ghee to medium and add stew meat. Saute meat for 5-10 minutes to get a nice brown on it. Add your onions and garlic and saute until onions are transparent. Next add all of the remaining ingredients, and cook on a low - medium heat for 45-60 minutes. The longer the better for meals like this so all the flavors can marry and be delicious.

Serve and enjoy!!


| Prep time 15 minutes | Cook time 1 hr | Servings 6-8 | Pin It Now!

Ginger Spice Cookies

And its monday again already?! I had an awesome weekend with my man. Saturday we relaxed, correction, I relaxed and Scott organized the garage. It looks SOOOOO good. My anxiety doesnt get all fired up when I step out there now. Thanks goodness. So that afternoon we decided to head over to Medford for some shopping and dinner. We ate at Misoya. It was really good! Sushi places are always iffy cause you never know if it's gonna suck but I was impressed. MMMM nom nom! Then Sunday we went for a motorcycle ride. My first time on Scott's BA bike. So much fun! Had a blast and the days weather was AMAZING. Like 75 and sunny. Then family dinner at the Pierson residence. Perfect weekend :))

 

 

So I started a project today. I am currently taking a break from it because my arms were about ready to fall off from vibration. I am taking on the kitchen cabinets and sanding them down to stain them a different color. YAY for home projects! I'll keep you updated on the progress. I am sure a couple days into I wont be so excited. But it's going to look awesome when its all done!

These cookies are very holiday. Make them and feed them to people. That's what I do.

Ginger Spice Cookies

2 1/2 cups almond flour
2 tbsp coconut flour
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cardamom
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
1/2 tsp baking soda

Vanilla Glaze
1 tbsp raw honey
2 tbsp coconut butter
2 tbsp coconut milk
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350F

In a mixing bowl combine all dry ingredients and add in the wet. Stir until well combined. Scoop about a golf ball size of dough onto parchment lined cookie sheet. Softly press down to flatten a bit. Cook for about 20 minutes. Let cool completely.

 

While your cookies are baking and cooling make your icing. In a food processor combine all ingredients and mix until a cream is made. Once cookies are cool put a little frosting on top and enjoy!

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Deviled Eggs with Bacon

Oh the sun is out today! You know what that means...GUNS OUT! Ha, just kidding. Although I did take a picture of my bicep yesterday for progress and it's growing, slowly but surely. So last night was Halloween as we are all aware (way to point out the obvious Codi) and all the little kids, or big kids, or young adults were out and about collecting candy on the streets. I know its tradition but if you think about it, it is kinda strange that we Americans do this.

Anyway, good news. I got more then 3 hours of sleep last night. Rogue enjoys urinating on his bed in his kennel. I think he likes it to smell like his pee. But we don't, cause then it makes our room smell like pee. So I end up washing his stupid bed a billion times and that's just annoying. So we decided to punish him by not letting him have a bed to sleep on. Just crate. Bad idea. It punished us worse then him. Neither of us got any sleep. Ugh. So last night I only gave him a towel and it was better. Not 100%, but still better. He is getting so big. Its crazy. I bet he weighs 27 lbs now. He has the whole lanky thing going on right now.

So this was the other appetizer I took to the party last night. They got gobbled up!

Deviled Eggs with Bacon

6 eggs
1 tbsp ground mustard
1 avocado
4 strips of bacon cooked and chopped
1/2 tsp garlic powder
salt & pepper
paprika
1 tsp lime juice

Boil eggs for 15 minutes. Let cool completely before cracking and removing the shell. I boiled mine in the morning then came back to them in the afternoon. Carefully de-shell and cut eggs in half removing all yolks into a bowl. In the bowl with the yolks add all ingredients, avo, bacon garlic powder, s&p, mustard and lime juice. Stir together until fairly smooth. Stuff eggs and sprinkle with a little paprika. Enjoy! :)

| Prep time 15 minutes | Cook time 15 minutes | Servings 12 egg halves | Pin It Now!