Sneak Peak, Primitive Foodie Food Porn: Primal Chocolate Molton Cake

Autumn Butternut Squash and Bacon Frittata

Halloween has come and past, and we recently went to the pumpkin patch and bought a variety of pumpkins and squashes. I am unsure which is my favorite between pumpkin and Butternut squash. Both, pumpkin and squash, are delicious, and reminds me of all the wonderful things, I love about fall. 

When I found this recipe, on the Whole Foods, FB page, I had to make it!  Of course, it has been adapted, and changed, to fit our diet. We added bacon, and exchanged almond milk in the place of milk. This dish would be a perfect Thanksgiving morning brunch treat, or the day after Thanksgiving breakfast! It is hearty, filling, and lite in calories!

A great Thanksgiving weekend treat! 

 

Nutrition:

This winter squash is actually a fruit not a vegetable, that has a rich sweet nutty taste. According to Livestrong.com , 1 cup of Butternut Squash has 60 calories, 16 g of carbohydrates and 3 g of fiber. It also supplies almost 300 percent of your daily value of vitamin A , 50 percent of vitamin C, 7 percent of calcium and 5 percent of iron.

Not bad for one cup of extremely filling and satisfying butternut squash.

Four cup of healthy Goodness.. 1200% of Vitamin A!

Ingredients

• 4 cups butternut squash cubes 
• 1/2 red onion, cut into thick slices 
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 
• 1 teaspoon sea salt, divided 
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided 
• 8 large eggs 
• 1/3 cup Almond milk no flavor
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
• Fresh thyme
• 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese (optional)
• 4 slices of Bacon
• Parsley to garnish

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. 
2. Slice Bacon and fry in a cast- iron skillet. Remove excess grease, and set aside. 
3. Add , dice onions, and squash in  a baking pan or in cast iron skillet,  toss with the oil, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper. 
4. Roast in oven until the vegetables are browned and softened, about 25 minutes, stirring once or twice during cooking. 
5. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, almond milk, spices and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper together. Pour into the baking dish or skillet and return it to the oven.
6.  Continue cooking until eggs are just about set, 6 to 7 minutes. 
7. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with cheese. Turn on the broiler; place the skillet under the broiler just until the cheese melts and the top of the frittata is browned, about 2 minutes. Cool for a few minutes, cut into wedges and serve.

Autumn Butternut Squash and Bacon Frittata, right out of the oven

Nom, Nom, Nom! Or Violet says Nommy, Nommy!

The Primal Blueprint 21-Day Total Body Transformation

I’ve got a special announcement today. Mark Sisson, author of The Primal Blueprint, has a brand new book out called The Primal Blueprint 21-Day Total Body Transformation. The Primal Blueprint 21-Day Total Body Transformation: A step-by-step, gene reprogramming action plan
 It’s a practical, action-oriented guide for how to eat, exercise and live Primally – a step-by-step, “cut to the chase” resource to make a smooth and quick transition into a Primal lifestyle. In it he tells you exactly what to do every day for 21 days to take control of your health for the rest of your life. Mark explains what this new book is all about, what’s in it and who it’s for here. The Primal Blueprint 21-Day Total Body Transformation: A step-by-step, gene reprogramming action plan


Mark is looking to score this book on the New York Times best-seller list to gain exposure for the Primal Blueprint message, so he’s put together a loaded special offer. Basically, you order 1 or more copies between October 18 and 24, email your receipt to a special email address and Mark kicks you back a bunch of freebies. It’s a win-win. You get a great book for less than 15 bucks, and a bunch of free gifts, and you and Mark both get to help take the Primal movement mainstream. Check out the details of Mark’s special offer below and pick up a copy of the book today. The Primal Blueprint 21-Day Total Body Transformation: A step-by-step, gene reprogramming action plan




What Do I Win for Helping Put This Book on the NYT Best-Seller List?

Order 1 Copy and You Get:



1. Access to the exclusive, password-protected ebook – “Primal Living in the REAL World”: In this 130-page eBook, hundreds of Primal enthusiasts share their challenges, solutions and practical tips for how they get – and stay – Primal. It’s like having the advice of 300 coaches. In it you’ll read hundreds of answers to these and numerous other questions: What is the first thing a person should do to kick start their Primal life? What do you think is the most important thing one should understand as they attempt to go Primal? What was the biggest hurdle you experienced when going Primal and how did you overcome it? And of course, the most important one, What do you usually eat for breakfast?



2. Access to the exclusive, password-protected audio interview – “21-Day Total Body Transformation”: Download a 60 minute, free-wheeling Q&A podcast in which Mark discusses the 8 Key Concepts that everyone needs to know to go Primal. Among many other topics covered, Mark discusses why your body prefers burning fat over carbohydrates and how you can use this knowledge to become a fat-burning beast instead of a sugar burner. Also, listen to Mark riff on why grains are totally unnecessary and why 80 percent of your body composition is determined by how you eat.



3. $10 Gift Certificate to PrimalBlueprint.com: Spend it like cash and order whatever you want, perhaps a cookbook to go with the 21-Day Transformation book? This means for a net 5 bucks you can grab a copy of Mark’s new book today. (The coupon code is good for any single product at PrimalBlueprint.com and expires on 11/30/11.)

Order 3 (Or More) Copies and You Get:

1. All the aforementioned benefits – the $10 Gift Certificate, the exclusive eBook and podcast, plus…



2. Audio recording of the original Primal Blueprint (released in 2009) - Listen to The Primal Blueprint on your phone or MP3 player with this abridged, digital (MP3) audio book voiced by Mark Sisson. The audio book is four hours long, and covers all 10 of the Primal Blueprint Laws and then some. This is the book that started it all and retails for $26.99. Grab 3 or more copies of the the 21-Day Total Body Transformation and you’ll get it for free.



3. Plus an additional $10 Gift Certificate to PrimalBlueprint.com, bringing the total to $20. Maybe this is the perfect opportunity to try a PEK, Primal Fuel or Master Formula on for size!(The coupon code is good for any single product at PrimalBlueprint.com and expires on 11/30/11.)

Order 8 (Or More) Copies and Help Change The World!

Buy 8 or more books through mainstream channels and Mark will send you one book for every two books you buy! Buy eight and he’ll send you four more. Buy 80 and he’ll send you 40 for free – seriously…and he’ll autograph each one of these promo books! And, of course, you’ll get all the aforementioned freebies.

Do your holiday shopping early. One common frustration from Primal enthusiasts is how to get friends and loved ones on board. This book is the perfect calling card to introduce someone to the Primal Blueprint. Why not reduce the hassle of holiday shopping and give each of your deserving friends and loved ones the gift of life transformation?

100 copies – Personal Touch: A 30-minute private phone consultation wherein you and Mark discuss anything you want. (Well, almost anything.) Mark doesn’t one-on-one coaching anymore so this is a rare opportunity. Yes, you also get the 50 free signed books and all the aforementioned freebies!

1,000 copies – Executive Decision: Could you co-workers use some guidance and motivation to get in shape? Mark will fly out to your location, present his Primal Transformation seminar and spend the day helping get your co-workers/employees Primal!

How Do I Win?

1. Order your book(s) online or at your local bookstore before midnight Monday, Oct 24. Here are some online ordering options:

Amazon.com The Primal Blueprint 21-Day Total Body Transformation: A step-by-step, gene reprogramming action plan



2. Email your receipt to the appropriate email address:

If you purchase 1-2 copies email your receipt to 1book@primalblueprint.com
If you purchase 3-7 copies email your receipt to 3books@primalblueprint.com
If you purchase 8 or more copies email the confirmation that your order has shipped to 8books@primalblueprint.com
To reiterate, for 8 or more books, please email Mark the confirmation that your order has shipped (not your initial email receipt) to the appropriate email address above. Also, please include your shipping address so Mark knows where to ship your free books. Please allow 30 days for processing and shipping of your free books. Mark’s going to have a lot of books to sign!

Low-techies can fax receipt copy to 310-317-4424.

3. You will receive your e-gift certificate, eBook download instructions, podcast download instructions, and all other freebies by reply email. (Please be patient. The Worker Bees will be reviewing receipts and sending you instructions on how to access all of your freebies within 24 hours.)

If you have any questions about ordering, or this promotion, please call 888-774-6259 (or 310-317-4414).

Fine Print:

Unfortunately, Kindle and other digital books don’t count toward the NY Times best-seller list, nor this promotion.
Books purchased in physical locations (e.g. a brick-and-mortar Barnes & Noble) count, too. Just scan and email your receipt to the appropriate email address above, or fax it to 310-317-4424.
The 8 book offer only applies to book orders placed in the United States. While international orders won’t impact the New York Times best-seller list Mark will extend the 1-2 and 3-7 book offers to anyone around the world.
Order Your Copy of The Primal Blueprint 21-Day Total Body Transformation Today!
The Primal Blueprint 21-Day Total Body Transformation: A step-by-step, gene reprogramming action plan

Sweet Potato Carrot Soup

Nothing reminds me more of autumn, than warm bowls of delicious stews and harvest soups. Now is a great season for carrots and Carrot soup is one of my favorite soups to make. It is a hearty soup that is sure to satisfy your taste buds, fill your belly up, on the first serving. Best of all it is a quick dish to make and fairly inexpensive. This dish made around 20 servings for my family, and we have eaten for lunch for several days now. I am unsure if it can be freeze due to the Yogurt? If anyone does know the answer to this feel free to leave a comment below.

• 2 1/2 pounds peeled or scrubbed, chopped carrots
• 4 cups vegetable stock
• 1 cup of water
• 1 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 2 medium sweet potatoes, chopped (optional, for heartier soup)
• 3-4 tablespoons Kerrygold butter
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1-2 small cloves crushed garlic
• 1/3 cup Almond Flour
• dash of Kosher salt
• 1 cup of Greek Yogurt, plain
• 1 tbsp of Honey
• 1 tsp of nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon dried mint (I bought mint tea at the grocery store, and cut open the bag)
• 1/2 tsp of cinnamon
• and 1 tbsp of grated ginger (optional)

1. In your dutch oven melt butter and saute onion, and garlic for 6 minutes or until onion is clear. Add salt, and potatoes and carrots, and saute for five more minutes.
2. Add stock and water, and bring to a boil. Should take 15 to 20 minutes or until the carrots and potatoes are tender. 
3. Mix soup in a blender, by transferring carefully, I would probably cool the soup if I were to use this method. Or you can carefully mix with a handheld mixer if you are in a hurry. Definitely wear an apron for this, and do not burn yourself!
4. Stir in Almond flour, Greek yogurt, honey, and all the rest of the dry ingredients. 

Serve and enjoy!

Quick facts about the health benefits to this soup..

• Carrots are rich in antioxidant nutrient beta-carotene, and polyacetylenes as phytonutrients that can help inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells, provides cardioprotective benefits, vision health, Anti-Cancer Benefits,
•  Sweet Potatoes have Anti-Inflammatory Nutrients. They can also regulates blood sugars, and has beta-carotene, an antioxidant that converts to vitamin A in your body and switches on DNA that's in charge of producing new skin cells and shedding old ones.
• Garlic, acts as an natural antibiotic, which has allicin and dilly sulfides. Again garlic is a powerful antioxidant.
• Greek Yogurt has twice as much protein as regular, packed with calcium and live bacterial cultures.
• Almonds are high in monounsaturated Lower LDL-Cholesterol and Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease, full of vitamin E. Almonds Provide Double-Barreled Protection against Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease
• Eating Nuts Lowers Risk of Weight Gain
• Manganese, Copper & Riboflavinâ Provides more assistance with energy production
• Daily consumption of almonds help you eat a healthier diet
• Almonds Help Prevent Gallstones

Halibut Tomato Zucchini Roast

A brief apology for my two month absence. Summer has flown by so fast and I have been chasing three active girls around, losing track of all time. We have still been trying to follow close to our Paleo diet, but I have found myself slacking and consuming more sugars from fruits and chocolates than I would like to admit.

In an attempt to get our eating back on the right track, I am trying to focus more on fresh seasonal produce, which is not hard when you live in Oregon. This time of year fresh produce is abundant and inexpensive.

Courtesy of Rachel Coward

 When they said Eat the Rainbow, I am sure those researchers must have been thinking of the typical Oregonian Diet. Tomatoes are also a excellent source of antioxidants that can protect your skin against UV's , and is a great anti-aging vegetable.

Halibut Tomato Zucchini Roast

• 1/3 Cup of Olive Oil + 1 tbsp of Olive oil
• 2 (10) ounces of heirloom Sweet tomatoes
• 1 cup of Mushrooms
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1 juice of lemon
• 1 Zucchini
• 1 Pound of Halibut
• 1 tsp red pepper
• dash of Kosher salt
• dash of black pepper 
• 1 tsp. peppercorn
• 4 ounces of goat cheese
• Fresh torn spinach leaves about 7

Pre- Heat oven to 350

Steps

1. Slice Tomatoes lengthwise in halves
2. Slice mushrooms 
3. Slice garlic cloves lengthwise
4. Pour 1/3 c. of olive oil in a dutch oven
5. Place halibut in and rub olive oil on fillet
6. Sprinkle red pepper on and peppercorn
7. Squeeze lemon about half
8. Pour remaining ingredients, tomatoes, garlic, zucchini
9. Sprinkle with salt and pepper
10. Squeeze remaining lemon
11. Line a deep platter with Fresh torn spinach leaves

Bake @ 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. Or until fully cooked but still tender. Stir in Goat Cheese. Serve and enjoy!!! 

Halibut, olive oil, and garlic

Slice Tomatoes and Mushrooms lengthwise in halves

Spicin it up

Fresh Seasonal Zucchini, and tomatoes

Bake 350

Opt for fresh organic spices!

creating a recipe!

Slice and stir in, I used 4 ounces

And Eat

Hearty Healthy Chicken Soup

A Chicken soup to savor!

When it is chilly outside, and you have a cold,  there is nothing more soothing than a nice warm bowl of Chicken Soup. For generations chicken soup has been said to assist the body in the healing process. For years I wondered if this was a myth told by my grandmother or a fact. Does chicken soup heal the body and soul?

According to a study done by University of Nebraska Medical Center, it does heal the body. Chicken noodle soup has anti-inflammatory properties, Neutrophil, that when activated may sooth that sore throat and assist in taking away some of the common miseries that are associated with cold and flu symptoms. 

The vegetables are an amazing source of vitamins and antioxidants! This soup has added sweet potato to replace the noodles, which adds vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium to this dish. Carrots and zucchini, which again gives the body a boost of vitamin A , and also provides cardio-protective benefits. All beneficial when you are feeling ill. 

Ingredients

• 1 zucchini 
• 8 medium carrots 
• 2 chicken breast (vegetarians leave out!)
• 2 (32oz) of low sodium Chicken broth (vegetable broth, or water)
• 1 cup of onion
• 2 medium sweet potatoes
• 16 small vine tomato
• Organic All Spice
• Olive Oil
• Sea Salt and pepper
• 16 ounces of water

Step One.

Rinse and pat chicken, slice thinly and season with salt and pepper. Slice tomatoes, thinly, line the bottom of a baking dish with tomatoes and olive oil, layer chicken on top, and top with remainder of tomatoes.  Top with a tablespoon of olive oil. Bake at 275 for 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Slow roasted chicken and tomatoes for the soup

Step Two.

Pour broth and water into a stock pot. Add sliced vegetables, chicken, tomatoes, and spices. Bring to a slow boil over medium high for 15 minutes, and then simmer until vegetables are tender. 

Antioxidants! 

Serve and enjoy!

Chunky Tomato Soup

Portland grey skies never seem to leave us, until July. With cool temperatures, overcast clouds, some days I want to curl up and read a book next to a fireplace, enjoying coffees, teas, and warm bowls of soup for dinners. 

I love soups. They can be so versatile, flavorful, and simple to make. You can slow cook them, and allow the aroma's  fill your home. They are filling, and easy to use for leftovers!

Hold the Bread Please

• 1 Onion
• 3 Garlic Cloves
• Handful of Basil leaves
• 4 (14.2 ounce) cans of Diced Tomatoes 
• 16 slow roasted tomatoes
• Kosher Sea Salt
• Black pepper
• 2 sprigs of Rosemary
• 1/4 cup of Olive oil

Dice Onion, and garlic. Heat olive oil, onions, and garlic in a dutch oven over medium heat for ten minutes. Add tomatoes, salt, rosemary, basil, slow roasted tomatoes, salt and pepper. Turn down heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.

This soup is chunky and thick. If you like a thinner soup, feel free to add a cup of water.

Slow Roasted makes this soup amazing

Fresh Garden Herbs add intensity and flavors to the dish

Dice and simmer for ten minutes

Add bacon instead of bread, for a complete meal!

Roasted Tomatoes

Slow Roasted Tomatoes

I hate to admit that I have been sort of lazy this summer, and not wanting to cook much. I have been staying away from the more complicated dishes and trying to stick to the basic easy to cook dishes.

This recipe was so simple, and can turn ordinary dishes into the extraordinary dishes! Add it to salads, pizza, marinara, scrambled eggs, or my sun-dried-feta-cauliflower ,or even soups! I found myself snacking on them, because they store easily!

Loaded with tons of Antioxidant goodness!

• 16 Vine-ripened tomatoes 
• Two tablespoons of olive oil
• Kosher Sea salt

Preheat oven to 275.
Slice tomato's 1/2 inch each and place tomatoes on to parchment paper on a baking sheet. Lightly drizzle olive oil on top, and sprinkle lightly salt. Roast for 3 hours.

Make sure to chill the tomatoes before refrigerating. You can easily store these for up to a week, in a Ziploc bag.

Banana Pancakes

Banana Pancakes

I am pancake snob. You have coffee snobs, wine conesures and then me the pancake-connoisseur-snob. I am on the search for the perfect Paleo Pancake, and have yet to find one or make one. Out of all the recipes that we have tried so far none of compared to my beloved Saturday morning pancakes. 

This recipe is close to my liking! Out of all the Almond Flour recipes that I have tried online so far, the consistency of the batter is closes to pancakes. They are not to salty, the do not fall apart, no crumbling. What I would do next time is take out the Apple Cider Vinegar. My kids and their friends asked for seconds, so it does past the kid test.

As a pancake-conesures-snob, I rate this pancake recipe at a 7 out of 10. So far the other Almond flour recipes I have tried rated at a 3, so that is not to shabby! 

• 2 cups Almond Flour 
• 2 Whole eggs
• 2 Egg yokes
• 1/4 teaspoon of Celtic Sea Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of Baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1 teaspoon of Maple extract
• 1/2 cup of Pure Maple Syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar (optional)
• 1/2 cup of Almond Milk
• 1 mashed Banana!!
• 1 tablespoon of melted butter ( optional)

When measuring with a 1/4 cup Makes 14 to 15 pancakes. 

Takes a while to cook on each side, I would recommend 3 to 5 minutes, on low to medium heat on each side. If the heat is too high, almond flour will burn easily.

Fluffy! 

Stacked and ready to eat

Garnished or accessorized? 

Notice if heat is too high, almond flour easily burns

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Broccoli Bacon Soup

It has been a while since my last post. We have been cooking, and taking photos, and chasing our kids! Mainly chasing kids! Which is why I love this recipe that I am about to share with you today! It is fast, and loaded full of vitamins. It took me under 35 minutes to prepare the whole dish.

Green Goodness!

Recently, I went over to a girlfriends house for a fun night of Bunco, and indulged in a delicious blueberry muffin. The recipe, was from the new cookbook My Father's Daughter, by Gwyneth Paltrow. Everyone knows that I have a deep love of cooking and cookbooks, I would consider it more of an obsession, to be honest.

Last week, I bought the book, and made an amazing broccoli  soup. Broccoli soup was more of an experiment to see if my daughters would eat the broccoli, with no complaints. It was a pleasant surprise when they devoured their bowls with no complaints. They loved this soup, so much they had two servings. I did modify it, it a little. Next time to add more life to the soup I will add diced tomato. We will be making more of it this week, and freezing it.

• 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil, Napa
• 2 teaspoons of Granulated Garlic, or you could use 3 fresh garlic cloves sliced
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 3 Medium Broccoli stalks, cut into small florets
• 32 ounces of Chicken Broth, or Vegetable stock
• 1 teaspoon of Celtic Salt
• 1 teaspoon of black pepper
• 5 slices of cooked bacon (omit for vegan option)
• 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese, or sprinkle of Parmesan cheese (optional, if dairy free)

This recipe is really simple. In a skillet add olive oil, and then toss in onion, broccoli, granulated garlic. Cook on medium high for ten minutes to fifteen minutes, until broccoli is green and tender but firm. In a dutch oven, add the broccoli mixture, broth, salt and pepper. Then use the skillet to fry up the bacon. While bacon is cooking simmer soup mixture on a medium high for ten minutes, and then add bacon and heat at a medium for ten more minutes.

Pour soup into a large bowl, and puree. I use my Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender. 

Serve and enjoy!

Messy looking, but tasty

Two thumbs up from our picky eater!

Thumbs up from V

My family loved this recipe so much it was gone as quickly as it was made.