Farmers Market Haul + Easy Mushroom Balsamic Sautee

So after working 6 days this week, I decided to make the most of my day and wake up early for a pilates class. Once this was accomplished, I realized I still had some time to head to the farmers market!

I bought some fresh poi, local/organic cremini mushrooms, kale and beets!

So as soon as I got hungry, I was extra excited to use my new ingredients... ESPECIALLY the mushrooms <3

First I chopped up the mushrooms vertically, heated up some olive oil and let them sit in the scaulding oil a bit to sweat. I added a good amount of balsamic, chopped garlic, salt, pepper and a small drizzle of agave.

Can you see the big chunks of garlic? ;)

Once the balsamic vinegar was reduced to a think sauce, I added a bunch of dried rosemary and sauteed until the reduction was fully absorbed by the mushrooms.

Then I threw it on top of a bed of the kale and chopped/skinned beets (that were boiled during all this mushroom madness).

a tri-fecta!!! 

Easy Sunflower Butter Dip

If you haven't tried this stuff... It's time!!

Sunflower seeds are loaded with healthy omegas, minerals, fiber, and the amino acid tryptophan, which  balances serotonin levels and aids a restful sleep.

So I mixed

about 3 or 4 spoonfuls of sunflower seed butter

~1 tsp dijon mustard

~1 tsp garlic chili siracha sauce

and a dollop of greek yogurt

salt and pepper

Great for dipping veggies into.

The Fear of "Paleo Diet" (Lavender/Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies)

I'm sick of these fad diets. Like low carb/no carb/no sugar/candida diet/gluten free/grain free/blahdeeblah. 

The key to maintaining good health (including an ideal weight) is to not adopt a temporary diet that "worked for that lady on the internet" but to adopt healthy choices when it comes to food. 

Listen to your body. If you react to gluten, don't eat it! If you don't, enjoy that scone from the local  bakery you've been eyeing in the window the past week. Everything in moderation, right?

Don't restrict yourself from the things you love, however you probably shouldn't eat a pint of ice cream every night... Healthy mind, healthy body :)


So, I saw this recipe for paleo cookies, and immediately I think of the things I've read about the "Caveman Diet". Tons of meat, no seasoning, no processed foods, sugar, etc. I was definitely skeptical! But I actually read further into the ingredients and it wasn't bad at all.

My apologies, but I'm unable to find the original recipe!

2 cups coconut flour

3/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

3 eggs

1/2 cup coconut oil

1/2 tsp baking soda

3 Tbsp raw honey

1 tsp vanilla extract

pinch of salt

1/4 cup dark chocolate chips (I just cut a dark chocolate bar up)

2 Tbsp dried lavender leaves/flowers (?)

Mix wet ingredients first, then add dry. Once combined, add chocolate chips and lavender, mix. With a spoon, scoop onto a baking sheet greased with coconut oil and then mold into desired shape. Bake at 375 for about 15 minutes or so, or until light gold brown. My oven is kind of funky so I had to use convection bake for about 14 minutes.

Deliciousness... and I don't feel like a caveman!

Watching Portlandia, eating a kale salad and cookies :)

The point I'm trying to make here is that you don't have to follow a crazy strict diet to get to where you want to be physically. You also shouldn't be afraid to try new foods or new ways of eating. Expand your palate, keep an open mind, but make healthy choices.