Banana Walnut Bread

My husband, Steven, surprised me with a small gift recently - my first bread pan!!  I suppose you know you're an adult when bread pans as gifts excite you  ;)  My new toy needed some breaking in, so I started perusing some - what else? - Paleo banana bread recipes. Doesn't everyone love banana bread? This girl sure does. I'm especially fond of Starbuck's super sugary one, but for obvious reasons, that is not an indulgence I partake in often.

I am pleased to report that this Paleo version of a traditional banana bread is suuuuper convincing.  The hubby and I both agreed we couldn't tell much of a difference between it and the "real" thing. It's also ridiculously easy to make - throw your ingredients in a food processor, blend, pour, and bake - which makes it a definite keeper in my book.

A slice of this Banana Walnut Bread pairs perfectly with a morning cup of coffee, and is even better smeared with just a touch of grass-fed butter or almond butter (or other nut butter of your choice).  Healthy fats, FTW!

Banana Walnut Bread

Serving Size: Recipe makes one 5 x 9 - inch loaf (8 thick or 10 thinner slices)

Ingredients:

6 large eggs

1/3 cup coconut milk

1/4 cup honey

1 tsp vanilla extract

8 Tbsp coconut oil

3/4 cup coconut flour

1/2 cup almond flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup ripe bananas, mashed (about 2 large bananas)

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

1 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2) Place all ingredients, except the walnuts and cinnamon, in the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth.

3) Pour mixture into a loaf pan (don't forget your non-stick spray) and sprinkle chopped walnuts and cinnamon evenly across the top.

4) Bake for 45-50 minutes or until tester-toothpick inserted into the middle comes out with just a few moist crumbs.

5) Cool for 10 minutes before inverting bread onto a cooling rack.  

Dark Chocolate Coconut Paleo Truffles

Mmmmmm truffles <3

Just the mere mention of the word and I'm instantly transported to another time(s) - mainly, all the Valentine's Days of yester-years.  As a young girl, one of my favorites parts about the holiday was always the anticipation of receiving my big box of Russel Stover Assorted Chocolates from mom & dad, and eagerly biting into each, never knowing for sure what was waiting on the inside...chocolate ganache, chewy caramel, creamy cherry filling?  Even now, as an adult with a pretty strong sense of self-control, I am still SO SO SUPER DUPER tempted every Valentine's Day by the grocery aisles full of those pretty red, heart-shaped boxes!  

These truffles definitely feel like a "cheat", but they are, without a doubt, a much healthier version of the truffle than anything you'll find from Mr. Stover.  They're covered in healthy dark chocolate and filled with chewy, sweet coconut.  I'm REALLY excited to share this recipe with you - super easy, and I know you'll love them!

The recipe makes 18-21 Truffles.  If you're anything like my husband and I, that amount will last you approximately...2 days ;)  Enjoy!

Dark Chocolate Coconut Paleo Truffles

Ingredients:

2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut

4 Tbsp maple syrup

5 Tbsp coconut oil

1 tsp vanilla extract

4 ounces dark chocolate for melting

Directions: 

1. Pulse the coconut in a food processor until the texture becomes like thick flour.  Transfer to a bowl and add the maple syrup and coconut oil.  Stir until a thick paste forms.

2. Using your hands, squeeze the mixture into 18-21 small balls.  Place the coconut balls in the fridge for ~30 minutes or until firm.

3. Melt the chocolate slowly and gently until smooth and spreadable (using either a double-boiler or your microwave).

4. Lay out a sheet of wax paper.  Using two forks, roll each coconut ball in the chocolate until completely covered.  Scoop the ball out with the fork and let the extra chocolate drip off the fork.  Gently place the truffle onto wax paper and chill until the chocolate has hardened.  Store in the fridge. 

Spicy Kale and Coconut Chicken Soup

This post is long overdue!  My apologies for the hiatus, guys.  Last week was a busy one!

This past Saturday, the gym where I train - Tribe Fitness - hosted its first Bring a Friend Day.  Members were asked to bring a friend with them to visit Tribe and compete in a partner-style WOD.  The day was a huge success!  I had a blast meeting the spouses, relatives, friends, and co-workers of some of our members.  As always, I was uplifted and inspired getting to witness them encourage and push one another through a pretty intense workout.  I'm very blessed to work at a gym where no-one is just a number...we are truly a family.  New faces are always welcomed with open arms and hearts that want to help.  To say this job is one of the best things to ever happen to me would be an understatement!  Thank you to everyone who came and made the day so much fun! :)  Go Team TRIBE!

Anyone else having a hard time believing we are already 11 days into March?  Daylight Savings this past weekend hit me hard - the older I get, the more difficult it is to bounce back from losing an hour :/  However, I'm SO loving this warmer weather.  Today, we're supposed to hit 80 degrees in Athens!  Yes, yes, yes!!!

That being said, it seems not-all-that-fitting to share a recipe for soup, BUT this is one that you definitely need to try...so I'm doing it anyway :)  This soup is spicy, savory, creamy, and simply put, amazing.  The hubby and I were both blown away by how tasty it is.  One of the best Paleo soups we've tried, and now one of our favorites. Better yet?  It's incredibly healthy!

We LOVE spicy food in this house, so the heat in this soup was one of our favorite parts about it. However,  you can totally leave out the paprika and cayenne spices and this soup will still be delicious.  I can't promise I won't tease you relentlessly for not being able to handle spicy food though ;)

Spicy Kale and Coconut Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 Tbsp coconut oil

8 cups chicken stock

1 cup chopped carrots

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 can coconut milk

1 cup chopped roma tomatoes

1 Tbsp fresh garlic, minced

2 cups chopped kale

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp ginger

1 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp cayenne

Directions:

1) Cook chicken in pan with coconut oil, then cut cooked chicken into bite-size pieces.

2) Pour chicken broth into large soup pot.

3) Chop carrots and onion and add to chicken broth over medium heat.  Boil for 10 minutes or until carrots are soft.

4) Add garlic, spices, tomato, and chicken to broth.

5) Add coconut milk and chopped kale.  Warm through, but don't allow to boil.

Paleo Dark Chocolate Bark with Pistachio and Cranberry

Confession:  I LOVE sweets. LOVE.

Sweet tooth?  No, this chick's got a whole mouth full of sweet teeth.

I'm also a firm believer that every day should end with dessert, and I'm not really willing to budge on that.  Life is just too short to not enjoy something sweet after supper...it's one of those little, simple pleasures that brings me a lot of joy.

However, I recognize, of course, that having a full-on dessert splurge every night is a bad idea for many reasons, so I find ways to get my sweets fix without undoing all the hard work I put in at the gym every week.  It can be done!  Moderation is key!

This Dark Chocolate Bark with Pistachios and Cranberries is a great example of a way to do dessert without over-doing dessert.  Dark chocolate is a superfood that boosts your mood and is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories.  It's also good for your heart, brain, and skin!  Unfortunately, this doesn't mean you should eat a whole bunch of it every day, but it does mean that the occasional controlled portion can (and should!) be savored :)  Again... moderation!

I'm pretty crazy about the way the cranberries in this recipe cut some of the bitterness of the dark chocolate - perfect harmony!  Add pistachios for a little crunch and salt-factor...and wow, this bark is pretty spectacular.  Good luck trying not to eat it all in one sitting!

Paleo Dark Chocolate Bark with Pistachio and Cranberry

Recipe adapted from brighteyedbaker.com

Ingredients:

1 1/3 cups dark chocolate chips (at least 70%)

1/4 cup chopped pistachios

1/4 cup chopped dried cranberries

Directions:

1) Prepare a baking pan by spraying with non-stick spray and lining with parchment paper.

2) Melt chocolate chips in a double-boiler on medium-high heat, 

stirring until chocolate is completely melted.  

(Although I don't typically trust it, you can also melt your chocolate in the microwave, if need be. 

Start with 1 minute on high, then microwave for additional 30-second increments until melted.)

3) Pour melted chocolate into pan and spread the chocolate out evenly using the back of your spoon. Sprinkle on chopped pistachios and dried cranberries.

4) Place in fridge to harden for at least 30 minutes.  Remove from fridge, peel bark off parchment paper, and break into pieces.

Paleo Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

We survived Snowpocalypse!  This week we're thawing out with some pretty sunshine and much warmer temps... it's 72 degrees outside at the moment.  Thank you, Lord.  I'm so ready for spring!

The recipe I'm sharing today is one of my go-tos and has been for quite some time now. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, and I especially love a sweet breakfast - pancakes, waffles, muffins, french toast, banana bread...you get the idea.  These muffins satisfy me just like the real thing, but they're a whole lot better for me than the real thing. It's a win-win!

Still not sold?...

You only need 7 ingredients to make them.  Yep, 7. So easy.

These are best enjoyed with a cup of coffee and after being warmed in the microwave for about 20 seconds :)

Paleo Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Ingredients:

3 bananas, ripe

3 eggs

3 1/2 cups almond flour

1/4 cup of dark chocolate (or semi-sweet chocolate) chips

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

Directions:

1) Blend the wet ingredients.

2) Mix the dry in a bowl with a fork.

3) Combine the wet and dry, then scoop into a lined muffin pan and bake at 350 for 23-24 minutes (until lightly browned).

4) Remove and let cool.

There might be something wrong with you if you don't love these muffins ;)

Cheesy Chicken and "Rice" Bake

Day #2 of SNOWPOCALYPSE in Athens, Georgia. I have not left my couch much at all in the last 48 hours other than to use the bathroom or retrieve food.  So far, the forced relaxation has been really kinda nice, but I think if I don't get out of the house for at least a little bit today, I'm going to start to go stir crazy!  I'm far too Type A to embrace doing "nothing" for very long (which can be both a good and bad character trait, I suppose).

I'm definitely going to miss working out with my fellow Tribe trainers this afternoon, so I've decided to kick off my morning with some Tabata intervals in the living room.  But first!...a cozy, cheesy, cauliflower-y recipe for you.  THIS is the kind of dinner I could easily finish off in one-sitting, by myself, on a bitterly cold night like the ones we've had lately.  Dairy is a Paleo no-go, but we still indulge on occasion. Let's be honest, folks, what is life without cheese?!? This recipe's got it (and needs it, if you ask me), but only enough for some extra flavor...not enough to have to call it a cheat meal :)

Did I mention I love cheese?  

If you haven't tried Cauliflower "Rice" yet, get ready to fall in love. It's a phenomenal Paleo substitute that we use all.the.time. You'll need a head of cauliflower and either a food processor or cheese grater. Cut the cauliflower into florets, place in the food processor, and pulse in one-second pulses until the size of rice. Voila! 

The hubby and I paired this with a side of sautéed green beans. Enjoy! 

                            Cheesy Chicken and "Rice" Bake 

Ingredients:

4 pieces of bacon, chopped

1 large yellow onion, chopped

12 oz button mushrooms, chopped

1 tsp french thyme

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 large head cauliflower, "riced"

1 1/2 lbs cooked chicken, shredded

1 cup sharp cheddar cheese

4 green onions, chopped

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2) Place bacon in a large skillet over medium heat.  Cook until crispy.  

3) Using a slotted spoon, remove bacon from pan leaving bacon drippings.

4) Add onion and mushrooms to bacon drippings and cook about 10 minutes, stirring frequently.

5) Add french thyme and salt and stir until fragrant.

6) Add cauliflower and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

7) Add chicken and bacon and stir until well combined.  Season with salt, to taste.

8) Pour mixture into 11x7" oiled (I used coconut oil) dish, sprinkle with cheese, and bake for 20 minutes or until top is golden brown.  

9) Sprinkle with green onions.

                        

Sweet Potato, Sausage, and Power Greens Breakfast Casserole

Call it the Week of the Casserole!  Today's recipe is for a delicious breakfast casserole, but I've also got a dinner casserole/"bake" for you later on in the week.  I LOVE casseroles.  They're easy to throw together, make several servings for easy leftovers, and are such a warm, undeniably comforting meal.

This breakfast casserole is full of meat, veggies, and eggs.  The flavors are spot on - savory sausage, thyme, and clove combined with the sweetness of the sweet potatoes - yum!  An added bonus?  FOUR CUPS (yes, four!) of filling, fibrous, vitamin-packed power greens.

A special thank you to my sweet husband, Steven, for helping me prep this weekend.  I am no-where close to matching his speed and skill with a knife yet, so he saved me a lot of time by helping me cut up veggies!  Anyone else love to spend time in the kitchen with their spouse?  Mine is a fabulous cook and continues to teach me so much.  A voracious appetite and love of food is one of the many traits we share, and I sure am thankful for it :)

Sweet Potato, Sausage, and Power Greens Breakfast Casserole

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs breakfast sausage

12 eggs

2 sweet potatoes, peeled and shredded (use food processor or cheese grate)

1/2 large sweet onion, cubed

1 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/8 tsp cloves

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp black pepper

1/4 cup coconut milk

2 cups spinach

2 cups kale

Directions:

1) Heat oven to 375 degrees.

2) Brown and break up sausage in a large skillet over medium heat.

3) Beat eggs in an extra large bowl.

4) Mix shredded sweet potato and onion into eggs with seasonings, coconut milk, and power greens.

5) Grease a 9x13 casserole dish with coconut oil.

6) Pour in egg mixture and stir in sausage. 

7) Cook for 45 minutes.  

8) Cover with foil and cook for an additional 10 minutes.

If you try this out (or if you tried any of the recipes from last week), I'd love to hear what you think! Drop me a line below :)