Garlic Mashed "Fauxtatoes"

I had not really been a fan of cauliflower until I tried them mashed (like potatoes). The only reason I knew they weren't potatoes was because I made them. This is the BEST way to have cauliflower!

Garlic Mashed "Fauxtatoes"

1 head cauliflower

2 garlic cloves, chopped

2-3 T. olive oil

2-4 T. water

1/2 tsp. sea salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp. italian seasoning

dash of chives

Steam cauliflower and garlic cloves until very tender (10-14 minutes). Place cooked cauliflower and garlic in food processor or blender. Add olive oil and water, one tablespoon at a time until a smooth consistency is reached (will be similar to mashed potatoes). Season with sea salt, pepper, italian seasoning and chives. Mix well. Serve.

Buffalo Chili

  Buffalo Chili
2 lbs ground buffalo
1 c. chopped onion
3 cloves garlic
2-4 T. pork fat
2 c. canned chopped tomatoes 
4 T. chili powder
1t. dry oregano
1 t. ground cumin
1 t. salt
1 c. water

Brown buffalo with chopped onion and chopped garlic, in fat.  Then add chopped tomatoes, chili powder, oregano, cumin, and salt.  Add water, then simmer the mixture for at least 2 hours, until the meat is very tender and the tomatoes cook in the sauce.  4 hours is not too much, but check to make sure it doesn't go dry.


I have recently learned that I LOVE buffalo meat.  So, when I came across this chili recipe that uses ground buffalo I knew I had to try it - and I am so glad I did.  This bean-less chili tasted amazing and was so easy to make!  I know it was good when I claimed the leftovers before Dean.  I had it the next day and it was just as great warmed up!  Perfect cold weather food that I will be making many more times this winter.

Breakfast Salad

Something really weird has happened. People only come to me for healthy recipes and only share healthy recipes. I used to be the one that everyone came to when they wanted to eat bad and not feel guilty because I was a strong supporter of unhealthy food. Ha!

This next recipe has come to me from a friend at church. As soon as she listed off the ingredients I knew it was going to be delicious - and it is! I call it my Breakfast Salad because of the ingredients, but eat it at all times of the day.

Breakfast Salad

Spinach (amount depends on how much you want)

1 boiled egg, cut up

1-2 slices cooked bacon, crumbled

olive oil

fresh lime juice

sea salt and pepper

Drizzle enough olive oil to lightly coat spinach. Squeeze fresh lime juice to desired taste (I usually use 1/3 of a lime in my salad). Mix until all spinach is coated in oil and juice. Add cut up boiled egg and crumbled bacon to salad. Sprinkle desired amount of sea salt and pepper.

Seasonal Steamed Veggies

Before starting CrossFit at EmerFit I did not eat vegetables. Especially those nasty green ones! Well, that changed when I learned about The Paleo Diet and how important it is to my health and performance. (And getting rid of that pesky leftover pregnancy weight!) So, I found it fitting to add a vegetable dish.

I got this recipe "Seasonal Steamed Vegetables" from Performance Menu (http://www.performancemenu.com/recipes/index.php). I had never tried summer squash before and had only had zucchini a couple of times. I was a little hesitant to try this dish, but was pleasantly surprised. It was super easy to prepare, takes little time to cook and tastes great! It was the perfect side dish to Dean's awesome steak. I will be making this again soon and trying different veggies keep it interesting.

Seasonal Steamed Vegetables

• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 medium yellow summer squash, diced
• 1 stalk broccoli florets, chopped into bite sized pieces
• 2 cups spinach
• 2 slices of red onion
• 1/2 tsp thyme
• 2 Tbsp olive oil or coconut oil
• sea salt to taste

Chop the vegetables. Add water to your steamer and bring it to a boil while you are chopping the veggies to save time. Add the vegetables to the basket, then reduce the heat and steam for around 10 minutes, or until the vegetables have reached the desired softness.

Serve the vegetables drizzled with either olive oil or coconut oil. I've used 2 Tbsp in this recipe, but be sure to adjust the amount to suit your needs. Sprinkle with thyme and sea salt.

You can use many other vegetables in this recipe. Just be aware that some vegetables, such as cabbage, will take longer to steam. Add them to the steamer first, then add the other vegetables later for best results.

Paleo Pancakes

So, if you have noticed I follow what is called "The Paleo Diet." What that means is I eat meat, veggies, some fruit, nuts/seeds (I like to think of it as the food God gave us). I avoid dairy, grains, legumes, and sugar (as often as I can - gotta give my self cheat days or I would go nuts). I have several friends who eat this same way and we all share recipes with each other.

I LOVE sweet breakfast breads and I miss them dearly... Then I fixed this recipe one morning and it totally satisfies my craving for pancakes and they are healthy! I like to make fruit purees with blueberries or raspberries or strawberries (or a combo of all of them) for a sweet finishing touch.

Paleo Pancakes

2 eggs

1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce

1/2 c. almond butter

1 t. cinnamon

1 t. vanilla

Combine all ingredients in bowl. Grease skillet with olive oil or coconut oil. Keep pancakes small and heat low to medium low - burn easily. Enjoy!