Coconut Oil Chocolate Bars

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup cocoa powder
• 2/3 cup coconut oil
  
• 1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon honey, maple syrup or simple syrup
  
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• pinch of salt

Heat coconut oil in a small saucepan over low heat. Once it melts add the remaining ingredients. Stir and pour mix over a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Place cookie sheet in refrigerator for 2-4 hours, or until it is set. Once the chocolate hardens, break it up into pieces. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. thecoconutmama


I like to add unsweetened shredded coconut to mine before hardening.

Heard about the mason jar salads? I find them to be really convenient and they encourage me to eat more veggies daily. You can make a work week's worth for take to work lunches, or if you are at home like I am and just not into making a salad everyday. These mason jars will keep each salad fresh and crispy for about 5 days if you start with fresh veggies and load the ingredients in the correct order.

Below, is an article I copied/pasted from a local freebie news rag that demonstrates the correct layering. Please post and let us know what kinds of salads you make using the jars.


NOTE: I use the white screw on lids for the jars when I use them for the salads. These can be bought from most places that sell canning supplies, grocery stores, Ace Hardware etc.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7269/6...c13828e89f.jpg


Written by Nadine Cheung

Are you looking for a new, portable lunch option? Mason jar salads are the way to go. The concept involves layering all the ingredients of a salad into a Mason jar, and then storing them in your fridge until you're ready to eat. However, assembling the salads can get a little tricky.

If they aren't put together correctly, Mason jar salads can turn soggy quickly. By the same token, if you make them properly, they can last for days in the fridge. Take Sunday night to assemble multiple salads, and you'll have a week's worth of convenient grab-and-go meals in pre-packed containers.

So, take your favorite ingredients, grab some empty jars, and check out our tips for how to make a mason jar salad that lasts.

Instructions:

1. To make a mason jar salad, you'll need a mason jar, salad dressing and your favorite salad ingredients. We used a wide-mouth, quart-size jar, which will produce a large salad. For a smaller salad, used a pint-size jar.
2. Slice, dice and prep your favorite salad items. You can use a mix of fruits, vegetables, seeds, grains, croutons and more. Be creative!
3. Start by placing your salad dressing at the bottom of the jar.
4. Pour in as little or as much as you usually put in your salads.
5. The dressing should sit at the bottom (pictured above)
6. The next layer should be comprised of heartier vegetables. These will hold up when submerged in the dressing, and depending on how long you leave them in the fridge, some may even come out with a light pickled effect. Carrots, beans, cucumbers and radishes are good choices.
7. Keep layering the heavier veggies. This will separate your leafy greens from the dressing, preventing them from getting soggy.
8. The next layer will be your lettuce, which takes up most of the space in the jar. It's okay to stuff them in; just don't push down too hard, as leafy greens are delicate.
9. Your final layer should be the lighter items. We used corn here, but you can go with nuts, seeds, croutons or dried fruit.
10. Finally, twist the lid on tight. When you're ready to eat, simply pour out into a bowl and toss gently. You can store these salads for 4-5 days and they will stay as fresh as the day you made them.

P to the S...
 

I just found a site that does the same thing, except with meals! My brain is thinking, "Dude, cook one day for the whole week, jar it up, do the dishes...for the rest of the week the only dishes you will have to wash are a couple of mason jars, plate, a spoon or fork and water jars!" :happyjump: My brain hates doing dishes!

So here is the site, Mason Jar Meals (It is 2 parts, follow the links at the bottom of this link for some recipes and ideas, if you like)

Oh and tell your brain, my brain sent it! ;)

P.S.S Some of these MJMs are Paleo, but not all are.

But its really easy to make recipes Paleo -- just a little more thinking. :|

I'll be making these for a dessert this weekend and some sweet potatoes for a bbq with some friends. But I'm looking for another side dish that I can bring a long -- a salad, a warmed dish. I have no idea really-- Any suggestions? or recipes you'd care to share. Thank you.

UGH! I am so ticked with Firefox right now. I sat here for 30 minutes working on a post to you with some suggestions. As I was typing in the last one, Firefox crashed! :seeingstars: I think I hurt my head too. Shakin it off!

Okay, so here is the last one...it's probably the best and easiest anyway. It's been my experience that stuffed mushrooms are usually a hit at gatherings, because that are yummy and make great finger food. The one I am posting is called:
PALEO ITALIAN GIANT STUFFED MUSHROOMS

The cool thing about these are you can play around with this recipe in so many ways, for instance, I use these like I would a tostada shell sometimes and just build it with all of the good stuff inside.They are also cook to use with either ground beef or chicken and a good salsa instead of the marinara. For a gathering I would most likely use the smaller portabello caps and and make ground chicken and ground beef taco caps, or maybe one vegan and one paleo?

If you create something fun with the recipe, please share. :)

FREE Paleo Desert book! Get it while it's free!

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FKNQ0UG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957& creativeASIN=B00FKNQ0UG&linkCode=as2&tag=foodrene-20"]Amazon.com: Bare Root Sweets: 30 Paleo Dessert Recipes for the Modern Food Lover eBook: Angela Gallardo: Kindle Store[/ame]

Thank you-- funny you suggested mushrooms because I'm thinking of doing these -- Ricotta/Herb stuffed shrooms. I've made stuffed mushrooms with pizza ingredients and taco-- super yummy.

:hangloose:

Thank you.

Here is a recipe link for the upcoming "food" holidays for those who are Paleo or just low carb and are looking for some stuffing ideas and other recipes.

For the low-carbers and paleo folks, Pinterest has a freakin huge amount of holiday recipes with an ample supply of sides included. I typed "Paleo Thanksgiving recipes" minus the quotations of course.

Tonight's dinner ---> yum!!

I am making snowballs tomorrow and thought I would share the recipe here. As deserts go, this one is pretty healthy I think. There are only three ingredients: flaked coconut, cream cheese and well drained, crushed pineapple. Clicking on the picture will take you to the recipe and nutritional info.

http://img.food.com/img/recipes/99/7.../picppgwHD.jpg

made these tonight for dinner. steaming some fresh organic broccoli and squash for the side.

As requested... Chicken Breasts With A Mustard Cream Sauce :)

Thank you Jesse (f)

Flourless Chocolate Cookies


http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SLIhTZ6-Xi...IMG_3390_1.jpg

another goody - I made last night for dinner. Yum!!

Looks good! I'll have to try it!

really really good.

But I used chicken thighs for the extra fat --

making this as a side with dinner.

These little "tortillas" are somewhat time consuming but really good and totally worth the extra effort on those days when a lettuce wrap just doesn't quite cut it. Did I mention they are totally Paleo, and scrumptious?

http://slimpalate.com/cauliflower-to...e-gluten-free/

I love slimpalate blog. I made the lemon chia muffins over the holidays and they were ahmazing!!

Over the weekend I made >>> this <<< with a grassfed brisket. I slow cooked it for about 10 hrs and it is absolutely aHmazing!! Yum.

http://media.paleomg.com/2014/01/IMG_0984-610x300.jpg

5 Ingredient Bacon Brussels Sprouts Slaw

Prep time - 5 mins Cook time - 15 mins

Total time - 20 mins

Serves: 2-3


Ingredients

• ½ pound bacon, diced
• 16 ounces brussel sprouts, shredded*
• ½ red onion, diced
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 2-3 precooked sausages (I used game sausage, but use any kind you like)
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Place a dutch oven over medium heat. Add bacon and cook until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel lined plate.
2. Add brussel sprouts, onion and apple cider vinegar to the rendered bacon fat in the dutch oven. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and a bit of garlic powder. Cook down for about 10 minutes, stirring every couple minutes.
3. Once brussel sprouts become soft, add sausage and bacon to dutch oven, mix, and cook down for less than 5 minutes, until sausage is hot. Sprinkle with a bit more salt before serving.

Notes
*I shredded my brussel sprouts in a food processor using the thin slicing blade. - PaleOMG.com

Credit for this recipe goes to PaleOMG.com, it is really good if you love brussel sprouts like I do...or even if you don't, it has bacon in it so you know it's good. :) It works for a quick-n-easy dinner or along side eggs for breakfast; I've had it both ways and can't decide which I like best.

I also like it with cabbage shredded and cooked in with the brussel sprouts.

Yum.
Do you know where I can find some good sausage, Jesse?
or a brand?

Thank you.

Hey Jesse, do you create any of the fermented foods paleo style?

I'm looking into simple fermented foods that do not require refrigeration.

Anyone else eat fermented foods?

Over the holidays I have put on four pounds,after loosing 80 pounds I don't wan't the nasty stuff back.I know the carb free diet works but I am tired of salads,eggs,meat,fish ect..I do like this kind of food but it has gotten boring.I do eat whole wheat sugar free bread sparingly,what I really miss a lot is fruit.

Rock,

I get good ideas from the Weigh Watchers cookbook. Lots of yummy stuff. I adapt, switch it up—but often start wit ideas there.

Ginger

Hey Bliss,

The problem with leaving fermented foods out is they will continue to strengthen in taste. It's best to ferment them only until desired taste is reached and then refrigerate.

Hey ahk,
I get mine from the local farmers but there are some organic meat websites you could check you can get some from but it is expensive. You may want to check with your local co-op or the area farmers and see if you can find any that grassfeed.

Hey Rock,

There are lots of Paleo websites that have easy recipes, also Pinterest has some good Paleo recipes. I am not much of a salad person and I rarely do fish. You can do Paleo and still have fruits and dairy, Primal tends to frown more on those items than most Paleo folks do, just eat them in moderation. In fact, berries are very healthy for you. I can almost guarantee you that folks ate berries, apples and the like back in primitive days. I personally try to steer clear of the fruits with really high fructose like grapes etc.

I will be putting some more recipes up soon, I just have to get well first. My Dr. told me yesterday that I have pneumonia and I need to rest.

Oh what the hell, here are a few links for now. :)
 

Karniyarik (Turkish Stuffed Eggplant)
http://thedomesticman.com/2013/09/24...lant/#comments


Fennel Apple Salad - This is not your everyday kind of salad. It is made with fennel, apples, a clementine, fresh herbs and an orange-Dijon vinaigrette. It serves up well alongside some smoked sausage or roasted chicken. It is a good fruit/herb salad.- Jesse

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/fennel-...?lnkid=soc1003

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Chimichurri

http://livinthecrunchylife.blogspot....eaks-with.html

Berries with Coconut and Lime

Ingredients

• 1 cup berries
• 1/4 cup whole fat canned coconut milk (preferably the cream at the top of the can)
• 1/2 of a fresh lime

Instructions

1. Divide berries between two small bowls.
2. Add coconut milk, and sprinkle with lime juice.

Credit for this goes to paleoplan.com. I add shredded unsweetened coconut to this because I like it and also because I buy it in bulk to make coconut flour and coconut butter with so I use it when possible. Generally, I use blueberries and strawberries for mine but use whatever berries work for you. Also can use frozen, they thaw quickly.

I knew my head was foggy, but I did not know I was posting this sort of craziness. I'm glad you could read through the mess, ahk.

Hopefully one or more of these links will help you find what you're looking for, ahk.

Moonbeam Ranch

Local Food Albuquerque - The meaty issue: MEAT SUPPLIERS

http://www.pecosvalleygrassfedbeef.com/

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...,11.953125&z=6

Okie dokie. Thanks for answering my question.

Pneumonia? ? omg. (f)(f)(f)

Cracklin' Chicken is the bomb!!

Spicy Avocado Salsa

2 avocados, chopped
1 small red onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 red chilli, finely chopped (remove seeds if you don’t like it hot)
juice of ½ lemon
salt & pepper to taste
mix well
fresh coriander, to serve

Sometimes I leave this chunky and serve with eggs or alongside meat. Other times, I throw it into the food processor or blender and pulse it a couple of times to make a smoother dip style dish for raw veggies. This salsa is very versatile and can handle ingredients and spices being added or swapped for others according to personal preference.

I love guac.
I usually put fresh green chili in mine-- along with cilantro/salt/pepper/lots of lime juice.

I have 10 avocados-- I'm sure I'll be making some this weekend.

There is a free 10 day online Paleo event called PaleoCon starting January 27th. I am posting the registration link here for those of you who may be interested.

This second link is the 10 day lineup. From the lineup, I'd guess that it will be a solid conference. Enjoy!

Paleo site for those dealing with an autoimmune disease.
 

This is a great website for folks who are dealing with an autoimmune disease.

http://www.phoenixhelix.com/