Butternut Squash Soup *A WHOLE family friendly recipe for Thanksgiving*

I'm not going to wax philosophical on the meaning of Thanksgiving today..

It's the one day a year we don't need some weird keyboard warrior to remind us to smile at our significant other as he watches football on the couch. It's the day we don't get frustrated at the dog for being under our feet or our sister for bringing that musician boyfriend nobody can seem to get behind.
It's the day you invite the vegan cousin for dinner... knowing you're going to have to watch him glare at the turkey and remind you that it once had a brain and a mother.

The newly converted Buddhist/Artist/Dog Groomer/Theramin player/Splashing Hands Instructor brother will sit next to your lawyer friend who couldn't get home for the holiday.
And everyone will hate something on the table and something on the tv. Everyone will tell you why the last election was rigged or right and everyone will roll their eyes as 3 different denominations insist on leading the prayer over the meal.
And everyone will leave without a hint of animosity at the diverse table of gorgeous souls who had one thing in common: Everything to be grateful for.

So thank you for reading <3 Thank you for opening your hearts...
And thank you for leaving me the turkey leg ;) The wishbone is all yours. I couldn't hope for another amazing thing this year...

So. What are you going to feed your vegan paleo diabetic celiacs with peanut allergies this year?

How about some Butternut Squash soup?

Easy Peasy. Ready??

I very large butternut squash. Peeled, seeded, and cubed.
1 large yellow onion, roughly chopped

4 or 5 carrots, cleaned and chopped
4-6 cups of veggie stock (depending on your desired consistency and # of folks to serve)
Cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, clove OR curry powder... if ya wanna schmancy it ;)

Preheat oven to 400. You have the option of tossing your cubed squash in olive oil and salt before spreading in an even layer on your cookie sheet (I don't prefer to cook with olive oil.. but that's a whole nother post... here I would use butter or bacon grease depending on my desired flavor)
Roast for 30-40 minutes until a fork inserts easily.

Toss your onion into a large hot pot with some kind of fat (butter, olive oil, lard, tallow, bacon grease....) until onions have softened. Add carrots and any other veggies you want to use. Butternut squash has a very rich flavor, so this is an ideal place to sneak cauliflower or any extra veg into your family's dinner without any complaining ;)

Cook until you have reached a pretty uniform tenderness and add your veggie stock. Obviously, you can use beef or chicken stock here as well, but we're being vegan today ;)

 

 

Add your roasted butternut squash to stock and cook until your liquid has reduced by about 1/4. Add whatever spices tickle your turkey and hit the whole thing with a stick blender or slowly add to a food processor until you've reached your desired consistency =)

Serve it up to your colorful collection of loved ones and enjoy one last silent night before the next of the holidays hits ya between the eyes ;)

 

 

It's the end of the world as we know it... and I feel fine

December 21, 2012.
I'm sure you're aware of the significance of that date.
It's only an approximation, of course... but that's the best anyone can hope for, really.
The day the world as we know it.... ends.
That's it.
The Mayans aren't the only ones who have cleverly (if somewhat cryptically) informed us of our impending upheaval.

Nostradamus.
The dreams of Daniel.
Revelations made to John the Apostle.

We've known about this for centuries.. and yet, was there any way to prepare?
No.
When your world changes, you can't be ready.
You just have to change, too.

I've spent months preparing for this.
I know I've done everything I can.. but on at least a daily basis I take inventory.
Where can the supply be supplemented? Do we have a decent supply of food? What else can help in the transition??
All the supplies in the world aren't what I need.

I do my pushups against the wall or up the stairs. It's getting harder with my expanding belly. I can barely bend my arms before my belly brushes ground.
I do pushups with my legs on the couch.
I swim to keep my heart healthy enough for the exertions before me.
I use the abductor and abductor machines to keep my legs strong.
Reverse crunches. Squats. I don't use weights anymore, but I stay strong.
I keep myself well fueled.
You never know when everything could start... you never know when life as we know it will begin to change.

I check our supplies again.
Onesies. Check.
Tiny jeans. Check.
Tiny hoodies with dinosaur spikes down the back.. Double check.
We still need to make a final decision on those cloth diapers and make that initial investment.. but again. All the supplies in the world won't prepare us for the end. For the beginning....

When the day comes and the world is changed.. all we'll be able to do is stare in awe at the tiny wonder that will save us. Save us from not knowing what we're capable of. Save us from having no place to put all of the good we have cultivated in our 60 combined years of life..
All we can do is embrace the new world that will be handed to us.
And all I can think is... it's going to be a Good life <3


Paleo Pasta

This isn't really a recipe.. just an idea =)

I found one of those amazing little gadgets that you find now and again that makes you wonder how you ever cooked without it.. Simple thing, really.. it's a julienne peeler...

 

 

Inexpensive... INNNNNNVALUABLE!
I've been making everything with it.
I Julienne Zucchini and yellow squash for a pasta dish and serve it with Vodka sauce (recipe soon!)
I Julienne carrots, zucchini, yellow squash, eggplant, peppers and toss them with some chicken base and crushed red pepper for some spicy chicken lo mein..
It's my new favorite toy =) =)



Last night, I made spicy beef stir fry.
Happiness <3 <3

I would love to hear about some of your favorite gadgets and what you do with them!!!
Feel free to leave a comment or message me directly with any thoughts or suggestions!!!


Enjoy the end of the world, my sweet ninjas!
I know I will <3

PaleOmaha.. A safe place to lay your fork. Part Uno.

PaleOmaha.
Pronunciation: Pale Eee Oh Maha.
Definition: Places in Omaha where you can find absolutely delicious fare without making yourself sick eating some glutenous mass because you didn't want to be a bother =)

That's right. I love eating in a restaurant. It makes any day feel a little special.. let someone else prepare something beautiful and bring it to me. Go home and not have to wash dishes.... All a recipe for a great night!
But The Caveman is incredibly strict about his Paleo ways.. which is understandable.
When he makes the decision that he wants something bad for him, he goes for it.. but for days after he's lethargic. Down. Bloated. He coughs incessantly and has to use his inhaler again. His stomach aches constantly and his skin gets patchy.
He doesn't decide that he wants gluten very often at all.

This makes restaurant dining a BIT tricky. Not terrible.. but a challenge. So for the last year, I've been cataloguing places we can go to find something that will still be enjoyable to eat, excellent service, fun atmosphere, and Paleo Approved =)

Ready? Let's go!


                                           Manila Grill

                                            108th & O st
                                           (402) 339-2606

 

 

 





My dinner... Lots of veggies and beef in a delicious tomato based sauce.
I LOVED it.. very satisfying.

 



Caveman's dinner..
Beef in a Mirin and Bay sauce.
He liked his a lot, but mine was CLEARLY the better order ;)

 

                                          
The atmosphere was comfortable, not fancy. It was lovely, considering we were unfamiliar with Filipino food and wanted a low pressure dining experience. I assume it was the owner's family who came in and seated themselves at a nearby table.. 12 or so people, loud and boisterous.. asking how long we had been dating, if we wanted to try some of this or that, making recommendations on the menu. One of the children came and sat at our table with us because he found Abrabacon so amusing.. (Imagine that! A 5 year old finds Abe amusing.. will wonders never cease!)
We felt included and welcomed. Even aside from the food being incredibly satisfying, the place is a treasure. Highly recommend!

 

                                                                            Kona Grill

                                   
                                           295 North 170th Street 
                                                (402) 779-2900

 

 

What? Sushi??? Raw fish and rice?????
Here's the thing. You have to ask VERY nicely and they may or may not charge you a dollar extra per roll, but you can have your rolls wrapped in Nori (Seaweed) and then a layer of cucumber or avocado rolled over the outside. Adds the healthy fats your body loves and makes you feel more satisfied after fewer rolls =)
Delicious. I love this place, but it is a little 'Chainy' for my personal pleasure... I'm quite certain you can con any kind sushi chef into making this alteration. Give it a try! You will not be sorry..

In addition, Kona has many delicious entrees that can easily be made suitable.. You can simply ask for additional veggies instead of rice or noodles on each dish, mashed potatoes, or a salad to substitute the offending side =)
                                                    Outback Steakhouse
 


Ok
I LOVE seared Ahi. LOVE IT.
This appetizer plus a side of seasonal veggies with butter comprise one of my favorite dinners.
First.. always ask if it's butter or margarine.
Cuz. Seriously.
Then, take your time as you let the spice blend come together on your tongue.
Happiness <3

A steakhouse tends to be a pretty easy bet// a steak slathered in butter with veggies/
Sweet potato with cinnamon and butter.
Abe likes to get a salad topped with cottage cheese instead of dressing... dressings are usually made of ridiculous amounts of soybean oil...So there you have it, my darling dolls. Part one of my Paleomaha series. Check back for more delicious dining destinations soon!

<3

Take another little Pizza my heart now, baby..

Every now and again, I Benjamin Button.

Throw a tantrum.. pout. Kick stuff. Call everyone stoopid fayce dummy!

Seems that it's happened significantly more in the last 365 days. 

I feel I can draw an almost exact line from the time I was a real grown up who got through her day with a smile on her face and the last time Pizza passed my lips. 

Pizza. 

Not Paleo Meatza, which is NOT pizza. Not close. It's lots of meat with lots of cheese on it. I. Do. Not. Like. It. 

I want Pizza.

I capitalize Pizza like some people capitalize their children's names. The reason is simple. I have no children.. and thus, love Pizza more than I love any human. Even YOU!

Well. Maybe. I love a few of you quite an awful lot... 

But the fact remains. Something has been missing in my life. Something fundamental and meaningful. 

Something... Real.

I came to The Caveman in tears explaining I simply can't go on this way. Something has to change. A girl has needs and mine were not being satisfied. 

Cold. Hard. Truth.

He took the news pretty hard. We've been such faithful cave kids this last year.. shuddering at the thought of a cheat.. but he wants me to be happy. 

On the verge of a phone call to the hut of Pizza.. a game changer.

We found other paleo peoples who had the same needs as this cavegirl.. and could not be satisfied by bacon woven into a crust.

(Abrabacon is an enormous fan of this type of meatza.. and that's just fine. But when he makes it, I eat scrambled eggs)

This, my hungry friends.. is what we came up with:

PIZZA!!!! (With a Cream Cheese Crust)

Be warned.. this recipe is NOT for the Dairy Wary..

Stuff you're gonna need:

4 oz cream cheese

1/4 cup Grated Parmesan (Do it yourself, silly.. it's soooo much better that way)

8 oz Mozzarella (see above)

1 egg

Garlic powder

Oregano

Basil

Grate your cheese...

Mix Cream Cheese and Egg until they're light and fluffy. Blend in seasonings and add your cheeses. Mix into a batter...

Line your pan with Parchment Paper (Not Foil!! I know this is a picture of foil.. and that's why I can tell you NOT FOIL! For the love of Pete! NOT FOIL!)

And Butter your parchment.. cuz you can't be TOO careful =) =) 

Chop up some veggies.. Brown some Italian Sausage...

It is highly recommended that while you wait for your crust to bake, you snack heartily on olives and pepperoni.

And then bake it at 325 for about 20 minutes (or until it looks about like this guy) and carefully flip it.. you want both sides crispy =) =) =)

Treat it like the incredible culinary relationship it truly is.

Sauce. Mushrooms. Olives <3. Green Peppers....

Or EVERY MEAT EVER!!!

And when it looks like this (ish)

Pop it back in the oven until it's all warm and perfect <3

****I would suggest that you do not add cheese on top of this guy.. the crust is very rich.. delicious.. but rich. SO. Adding cheese on top makes it TOO much****

I woke up and birds were chirping.. the sun was shining.. the dog was dogging..

I dunno. You get it.

Sometimes.. food IS love.

And sometimes.. SOMETIMES..

It's Pizza.

Paleo Comforts.. Banana Bread

Just a quick one today!


I made some banana bread yesterday.. which led to long conversations with The Caveman, with a friend on facebook, with a friend via text, and with several people at the gym today.
So. Here it is.
Paleo Banana Bread.


I would post some pictures of it after it was sliced, but once I served Abrabacon his first piece, warm and dripping with butter, he took a fork to the remainder and.. well. It was a massacre.
I don't know if anything could have made me happier than the sight of my big strong man with his puppy eyes.. being caught enjoying something I made for him =)


Innnnnngredients...

• 2 cups almond flour
• 1/4 cup flaxseed meal
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2/3 cup chopped nuts optional (I used walnuts)
• 4 ripe smashed bananas
• 2 tbsp honey, local if at all possible
• 4 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375 and grease muffin tins or a bread pan. 

I measured my 2 tbsp of honey into a small bowl and microwaved it for 10 seconds to make it easier to mix into my mashed bananas 

cracked my eggs into a separate bowl.. that way if one is bad or I screw up and drop some shells in, it's easier to adjust and I haven't destroyed my entire batter. Break yolks and mix eggs and vanilla up before adding to batter.

Sift together dry ingredients and add to the rest of your batter.

Bake muffins at 375 for about 25 minutes, bread for 35-40 (or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean)

Serve with almond butter or butter. If you use margarine, I will come punch you.

Since there are only 2 of us, I thought this would exist long enough to become stale.. no such luck ;)

But I plan to make another batch tomorrow, slice it into sticks and bake it a little longer. I'll let the crisp bread cool while I melt dark chocolate chips in my double boiler, dip each halfway into chocolate, and take them as biscotti to add to our Thanksgiving table =) =)

Have a good week, my friends!!!!