Linking intranasal group A Streptococcus infection to CNS complications

New Study!!  Making some headway!!!

The findings may lead to a more definitive diagnostic test for PANDAS, which is currently diagnosed based on clinical symptoms and the presence of Strep A infection or autoantibodies against brain proteins. "We are also interested in exploring ways to treat the disorder by repairing the blood-brain barrier itself to prevent the entry of autoantibodies into the brain," said Dr. Agalliu.

how_recurrent_strep_a_infections_affect_the_brain-171874

Chunky Monkey Banana Ice Cream

I think everyone has been there.  You walk the frozen food section and see the pints of Ben and Jerry's ice creams.  You grab one thinking that you will only have a little and instead the whole thing is gone within an hour.  How the hell did that happen!!???
My weakness was always Chunky Monkey. Banana ice cream with walnuts and dark chocolate chunks.  It was addicting and I would eat the whole thing in one sitting.  

  Well, once we went paleo, I would try to skip that section of the store but the damn frozen fruit is right next to the ice cream. DAMN IT!! Chunky Monkey was taunting me constantly.  It would scream my name as I grabbed bags of frozen fruit and it took a lot of will power not to grab that little pint and devour it without anyone knowing.  I finally realized I needed to make my own version and get my fix before I caved and bought the pint. 

  I don't own an ice cream machine and I wasn't about to go buy one. I thought about getting the attachment for the kitchen aid but that would require another trip to the store, which I just didn't have time.  I knew there had to be another way.  So, I added a bunch of bananas (I looked for some that were really turning brown), some dark chocolate chips and some walnuts to my cart and left the store. 

  I had a couple of bananas already in the freezer.  They had turned brown at some point and I had read that you could freeze them and save for later. Well, lesson learned...you must peel the bananas prior to freezing!  Small detail I must have missed when I read this banana saving article.  It literally becomes impossible to peel a frozen banana so always be sure to peel before putting in the freezer.  I had to start over but I was lucky I got some really ripe bananas. So I peeled, broke up into smaller pieces, placed in a freezer safe bag and put in the freezer. Now I just had to wait. 

  Let me tell you, the first time I tried this paleo version of Chunky Monkey I swear, it tasted like heaven. The kids loved it and it has become a go to treat.  It literally tastes like Chunky Monkey but I may be a little biased.  Honestly though this is a great way to get your fix but still be healthy!  The kids think they are getting ice cream and so do I! 
Ice cream taunting is officially over. Well. At least for now.  Enjoy!
Happy Cooking and Eating!

Chunky Monkey Paleo Ice Cream

Serves:4-6 people

Prep Time:5 minutes

Cook Time:0 minutes

Total Time:5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 frozen bananas
• 3-6 TBSP coconut milk (full fat, canned)
• 1/3 cup dark chocolate chunks (Enjoy Life brand)
• 1/3 cup walnuts
• 1 tsp vanilla extract *optional
• dash of salt *optional

Instructions:

1. Place bananas, some coconut milk, salt and vanilla extract in blender or food processor.  Puree slowly until all blended.  You may need to add more coconut milk as you go depending on the size of bananas and how creamy you like it. 
2. Once blended, transfer to a bowl and mix in walnuts and chocolate chunks. Serve or place in freezer for later.

  

Easy Lemon Dressing - Quick Farm Salad

 Last week was my birthday...along with about 5 other people that I know and love.  I had a fantastic time celebrating with friends, making new friends, spending time with family and just having a good time!  It was a pretty busy week filled with typical things like hockey, basketball and gymnastics but there were also several days of dinners and outings thrown in there too.  

  As much as I tried to stick to a paleo diet there were certain things that I couldn't pass up.  See, I have always been a foodie. I seriously love food.  I have watched cooking shows since I was a kid.  I'll always have fond memories of watching Julia Child with my grandfather on PBS. I remember thinking I can't understand what she or her french chef guests are saying but the food looks delicious. Food is an amazing art!  So it became near impossible to resist some of these dishes when I went to several amazing restaurants this past week/weekend. I look back and it was well worth it but my body hated me.  I typically don't weigh myself but I decided before I went out I would do a little experiment. I logged my weight right before I went out on Friday and then on Sunday evening I weighed myself again...8 whole lbs.  I literally gained 8 lbs in a couple of days!!  I'm not kidding...8 FREAKING POUNDS!!!  I'm only 5'3", so that's a lot. Hell...that's a lot for anyone in 3-4 days. I'm still in shock at that number but that doesn't compare to the bloating I had in my stomach, the gas and discomfort I was experiencing, the aches in my joints, the tightness of my clothes, and the fog that had come over me.  I started to feel like a different person and I didn't like it.  Who knew three days would do so much damage!  But truth is, I haven't deviated from the paleo lifestyle for that many days in a row in quite some time.

  Luckily my sons, Lucca and Kaine, only participated in one meal.  It was a cheat day for my birthday and they were able to partake.  But after three days of bad eating my body was different and it solidified why our family eats the way we do.  See, my oldest son, Lucca, has PANDAS. We decided to go hard core paleo once he was diagnosed.  The paleo lifestyle helps to keep inflammation down in the body.  It also helps keep him healthy and keeps the flare ups at bay or at least to a minimum (Our Story). But the thing is, I forgot how much I had experienced these horrible feelings in my body a while back.  Prior to eating paleo, I was a little overweight, woke up every morning sore (you think it just comes with age), had a bloated belly, had several different sizes in clothing depending on the day, didn't have energy, and just felt under the weather, tired or just in a weird brain fog.  Food is our fuel and you definitely get what you put in.  If you eat a donut or have a soda and crap all day, you feel sluggish and out of it.  Not to mention you will likely put on a couple of pounds (or 8!!!).  If you eat a salad and some lean meat while snacking on nuts, fruits and veggies, you are likely to have more energy and be more alert.  You just feel better!!  

 Here's the thing that people don't realize....paleo food and healthy food CAN TASTE GOOD!!!  Paleo food is not hard to find, there are lots of things that are paleo friendly.  Finding food is easy.  The hard part is sticking to it and resisting the bad food.  Believe me, I get it!  I clearly had a hard time this past week and boy did my body feel it. Now, will I likely cheat again?  Sure.  But probably not three days in a row!  I don't want to feel this way and I don't want to spend a week trying to get back to my old paleo self.  It's much easier for your body to bounce back after one cheat meal than it is three. Plus, I feel bad.  I feel bad that I have the option to eat this way and my son doesn't.  Technically, he can eat anyway he wants to.  But it's what is best for his body and we decided as a family we would eat paleo. It isn't fair to him that he sticks to something that I don't.  Lesson learned.  Guilt and bad body feelings are not a fun combo.  

  In order for me to get back to feeling better, I started with salads and veggies.  Contrary to what most people think about paleo,  our main dish is not meat.  Meat tends to be the side dish to our main course...Veggies!  Vegetables are important.  The meat/protein is what gives you the energy but the vegetables are what gives you the vitamins and nutrients that you need to stay healthy. Plus, they help fill you up.  I of course made the Kale Krack Salad but I needed something easier too.  The Farm Salad. Our kids call this the farm salad because when we went on a farm stay this past summer it was the salad that came with our first meal.  It was delicious, simple, fresh and easy.  As Julia Child once said "You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces - just good food from fresh ingredients." This salad is just that, fresh arugula with lemon and olive oil with a little salt and pepper. Ever since the farm stay, my kids will eat this salad up pretty regularly. Personally, I think it brings back fond memories for all of us.  We can't wait to go back this summer! There are times I change it up a bit but I always keep this dressing on hand.  I may add some avocado, cucumbers, onions and chicken to make it a big salad meal. But most times I just put it on arugula (like at the farm), micro greens, mixed lettuce or any greens I have in the fridge.  It's the perfect side salad to make your dish complete.  After 3 days of being back on paleo I have lost 5 of the 8 lbs.  I am starting to feel much better, which is what I really wanted.  I really don't count the pounds, it's about how my clothes fit and how I feel.  I just want to get out of bed in the morning, have some energy and not have my whole body ache. Well, and for PANDAS to go away and maybe be on the farm again. Oh and winning the lottery would be nice too.  Maybe not having to work anymore and traveling to a bunch of beaches... crap, this list could get pretty long if I really think about it.  I should just stick with getting out of bed, at least that one is possible.
Happy Cooking and Eating!

Easy Lemon Dressing

Serves:a little over 1/4 cup 

Prep Time:2 minutes

Cook Time:0 minutes

Total Time:2 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 1/2 to 5 TBSP fresh lemon juice**
• dash of salt and pepper

 **I like it a bit more tart so I use 5 but if you don't want it that lemony do 3 1/2. 

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients in a small dressing container or whisk together in a bowl.  

Taco Tuesday! Braised Cherry Pork Shoulder

  I sometimes forget that I can't always handle alcohol the same way I did before children.  Not that I am boozing it up every night but sometimes you just need a drink!  Gone are the days of going out all night.  I no longer get to sleep in on weekends nor do I get to sleep the booze out of me after a long fun night.  Recovery is harder with little to no sleep and much harder with a child whining and crying because their brother is "TOUCHING ME!!".  Sometimes I question whether or not I should even go out. Typically, I don't ask myself this question until the morning AFTER I have gone out!

  One morning, I woke up after a girls night out and I seriously regretted it.  But what sucks is that during the night I was woken up several times by both of my boys.  Interrupted sleep is the worst...with or without alcohol in your system. My wonderful husband, Damon, could tell I was going through a rough time and decided he would take the kids to go see The Lego Movie.  It was music to my ears and my head!  I took a nap and when they got back they told me all about the movie and "Honey, Where are my paaaannnnttts???". You know what I am talking about.  Well, if you have seen the movie, you know what I am talking about.  

  For those of you that have never seen The Lego Movie, it is a pretty funny movie and you should watch it!  I never realized this until the movie made it's way to cable television.  In all honesty though, I probably never would have watched this movie if it wasn't for my husband putting it on...after the kids went to bed.  I literally came out of the boys room to find my husband in front of the tv watching the start of a cartoon movie.  I had no idea why a cartoon was on but I said, "You know the kids are asleep, we can watch an actual movie...". His mumbled response was something about nothing else being on and you have to watch it, it's actually funny.  So there we sat watching a cartoon and I laughed thru much of the movie. 

  Now that we have all seen The Lego Movie (several times), we all make references to the movie quite often.  So what would be better than doing a TACO TUESDAY night/recipe.  This is a slow cook, easy recipe that is awesome.  The meat is super tender, juicy and delicious.  I topped it with some shredded cabbage mixed with a little vinegar or you can top with sliced radishes and lime.  You don't have to make this into a taco but it's pretty damn good!  The kids ate them up and we didn't really have any leftovers which is always good but a little sad. I have grown to like leftovers.  Anyway, I used a zucchini "tortilla", which is a little more work but still relatively easy. They are loaded with zucchini and seriously taste like a corn tortilla. They are sure to satisfy your Mexican craving with any toppings. 

  Now go make some tacos on a Tuesday or any night and watch The Lego Movie!  It will be a good night with or without the kids! EVERYTHING IS AWESOME!  Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Happy Cooking and Eating!

Braised Cherry Pork Shoulder

Serves:4-6 people

Prep Time:5 minutes

Cook Time:3 hours and 25 minutes

Total Time:3 hours and 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs pork shoulder
• 1-2 TBSP bacon fat or olive oil
• 3 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 1/2 large yellow onion, sliced into thin strips
• 1 granny smith apple, chopped
• 1 1/2 cup chicken or beef stock
• 2 cups of frozen cherries (10 oz bag)
• salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. 
2. Place the bacon fat in a hot large oven safe pot over med/high heat. Add onions and sauté for about 5 minutes until soft.
3. Add garlic and cook for about one minute, be sure not to burn. Remove onions and garlic from hot pan and place in a bowl. Add a little more bacon fat if pot is too dry.
4. Season the pork with a little salt and pepper on all sides. Add to hot pan and brown on each side for about 3-5 minutes. 
5. Add onion and garlic mixture, apples and cherries over the pork.  Then add chicken stock, you want to almost cover the pork shoulder. 
6. Cover the pot and place in the middle of the oven for about 3 hours. Turn the pork over halfway thru cooking time and check to make sure there is enough liquid. Add more stock if needed. You want the sauce to thicken but you don't want it to burn. 
7. Remove from oven and let rest for about 15 minutes.  Shred the meat and add back to the pot to coat with sauce.  I topped with shredded cabbage tossed with a little apple cider vinegar and some sliced radishes with a little lime juice. Optional - serve on zucchini "tortilla". YUMMY!!! 

  

  

Zucchini "Tortillas"

 I LOVE Mexican food!  Seriously, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! I grew up on Mexican food. My grandmother used to cook all the time. I used to spend summers with her and she lived with us for some time. She really started my little cooking bug.  I used to love to spend all day cooking tamales, soups, Mexican rice, and homemade tortillas.  We mostly did flour and they were delicious. They were heavenly and I can still taste them now as I write about it. It's amazing how certain memories stick with you.  Homemade tortillas are one of them.  Another one, that I would like to forget, is having lengua (cows tongue) sit on our kitchen table being ready to get chopped up for tacos. I remember thinking why would I want to eat something that can taste me???? I'm not a fan of lengua tacos if you haven't guessed.

  Anyway, back to tortillas.  I will never forget the first time I helped my grandmother make tortillas.  I was in awe of how she made them.  There were no measuring cups or measuring spoons.  It was all a pinch of this or a handful of that. She only needed her hands and figured it out by how it felt. This went against all the cooking shows I had ever seen.  So, naturally I thought it was magical. I watched her turn flour into dough and soon we were rolling out tortillas.  I tried to do it like my grandmother but I ended up making the tortillas quite large. I remember everyone being nice and saying that's just the way they like them.  I love that memory and I will always treasure moments of cooking with my grandmother. 

  When you go paleo, Mexican food can get pushed to the side sometimes.  You can't have cheese, rice, tortillas or corn. But it is still something I love.  So, I had to find my way to be paleo and have some of the staples. Tortillas were a hard one to get over.  Nothing ever seemed quite the same.  What I wouldn't give for a street taco. I finally figured it out and here it is.  This is a tortilla made from zucchini and it really reminds me of a corn tortilla.  It's pretty freaking awesome and my kids can't get enough of them.  I will admit they are bit more time consuming than most of my recipes but they are well worth it.  The trick is to get all the moisture out of the zucchini and get a nice thin layer or else you will end up with a soggy mess.  

  You can top these tortillas with my Braised Cherry Pork Shoulder or any meat of your choice. Whatever it is, it will be delicious and  will give you a taste of Mexican food again! 

Zucchini "Tortillas"

Makes:Approx 12 tortillas

Prep Time:20 minutes

Cook Time:13 minutes

Total Time:33 minutes

Ingredients:

• 8 cups zucchini, shredded
• 1 cup almond meal/flour
• 1 egg
• 2 TBSP coconut flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• coconut spray or oil for pan

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. 
2. Cut bottoms off zucchini and shred, I use the tops as a handle.
3. Place the zucchini in a thin layer on several paper towels or thick cloth napkins on a large sheet pan. You may have to do this in two batches.  Place in oven for about 5 minutes.  You want to warm up a bit to remove the moisture. 
4. Let cool for about 5 minutes and then squeeze as much liquid out of the zucchini as you can. I do this in the napkin/paper towels.
5. Place all ingredients (except coconut oil) in a bowl and add drained zucchini. Mix well. 
6. Line the large sheet pan with parchment paper and lightly spray with coconut oil. You want just enough to brown a little not to soak it. 
7. Place a heaping TBSP of the mixture on the pan and spread out with a spoon until you make a small tortilla (think the size of a typical corn tortilla). Repeat until mixture is gone.  Again, you may have to do several batches.
8. Bake in the oven for 5 minutes. Flip and cook an additional 3 minutes or until slightly browned and crisp.
9. Remove from oven and op with Braised Cherry Pork Shoulder or your favorite taco toppings. 

Sonoma Chicken Salad

  

  A couple of days ago was pretty tough.  I think I finally reached a point where I needed to let everything go and just break down.  Unfortunately, it happened in a strangers office.  I had never met these two ladies before in my life but I started talking about PANDAS and my son, Lucca, and emotions just completely over took my whole body. I couldn't control it (and I am known for being a control freak) which made me even more embarrassed and mad.  It was hard and I was embarrassed but I started to cry. I realized it had been a long time. It had been a long time since I had to explain my son's condition in front of a stranger.  Especially a stranger that had never met him. Someone who had never seen his ups and downs.  It was hard to express my concern and why I was there. I was canceling my gym membership.  YES People!  I was crying at the gym. The truth is I haven't been able to go to the gym much since the diagnosis of PANDAS (Our Story). It had been a good couple of months, or maybe 4, but who's really counting here? Anyway, I became so wrapped up in helping my son heal with doctors visits and more doctor visits, hospital visits, teacher meetings, etc that I forgot to take care of myself.

  Being a parent is tough!  And being a PANDAS parent, tends to come with a couple of extra challenges.  But, honestly being a parent in general is draining and you work so hard at keeping it together for your child/children that it is pretty easy to forget to think about yourself.  I clearly got to that point.  While trying to cancel the membership, they were kind but didn't want to let me go that easily.  I had to sit and explain that the whole purpose of why I chose that gym was to utilize the kid zone area, a place to bring my kids so I could work out.  I have a full time job, my husband works odd hours, so I needed something I could use in the evenings and on the weekends. Well, guess what, once your kid is diagnosed with PANDAS, you don't have any desire to bring them to a gym kid zone type area.  It's an environment that is screaming...germs, germs, germs!  I know germs are everywhere but my son has a compromised immune system.   We are working so hard to protect him and boost his immune system that taking him to the kid zone would seem counterproductive. There are lots of PANDAS parents that start to homeschool their child.  Some because their child's anxiety is so severe that they won't leave their house and some because it is one more way to protect them from contracting strep or some other viruses that can trigger an episode and send their kid spiraling out of control. 

  As I sat explaining our situation and how we had to protect my son.  I could feel it. I could feel the tears well up in my eyes. I could feel the emotions rush over me.  This lady looked at me and saw the start of it and said "It sounds like you are going through a really hard time. Maybe there is something we can offer you, to help you get through this. Some free classes or something. It sounds like you definitely need a release and you can't forget about yourself during this time.  You need a break too.  You sound like a great mom, but don't forget to take care of yourself.".  Well, that started it.  The tears came rushing out and I couldn't control it.  Part of me understood everything she was saying and she was right! I do need to take care of myself!  I do need a release!  I do need to get the PANDAS anger out of me somehow and the gym is a great place to do that! The other part of me was furious because didn't she understand that I couldn't bring my son there!  That I couldn't risk it!  That if I had a way to get to the gym, I would! I was so frustrated with everything.  At that point with tears rushing down my face, she just brought out the cancellation forms.  I pulled myself together, apologized for my crying and signed the papers.  

  I left the gym and walked to my car with the cancellation papers in my hand.  I put the key in the ignition and stopped. I sat back and just started balling.  The big ugly cry.  The one where no one looks or sounds pretty. The one that comes from your gut.  

I cried because I HATE PANDAS!  

I hate that it took my son away!  

I hate that it completely rocked his world and ours!  

I hate that there is no easy fix!  

I hate that we are still fighting with our insurance company over treatments! 

I hate that we are still trying to figure everything out because every kid is different! 

I hate that I question my 4 yr olds son's behavior and wonder is it PANDAS, regular 4 yr old behavior or is he mimicking his brother's behavior! 

I hate that there are still people that question if it's real!  

I hate that we walk on eggshells wondering if this is a small flare or will this become a big episode that we can't control! 

  There is so much to hate about PANDAS...and I definitely started going through that list while I sat in my car. 

I cried because I wish we could go back and know what we know now! 

I cried because that reminded me of the time Lucca said he wished he could die and start over! Do you have any idea how hard it is to hear your 6 yr old child say he wishes he could die!!!  

I cried because I wish this hadn't gone undiagnosed for so long! 

I cried because I don't know if we are missing something else!  

I cried because I am tired and can't remember the last time I slept through the night!  

I cried because I blame myself for letting PANDAS get the better of my son!  Not my fault by any means, but I still feel like I could have done more sooner.

I cried because I hope Lucca won't go away again!  

I cried because I wish this wasn't happening! 

I cried because I have pushed myself to the side and I need to take care of myself again, for my sanity and for my family's!  

  I decided if I couldn't go to the gym maybe I could create something at home in our basement.  But oh wait...we just got it tested for mold and we have elevated levels.  Mold remediation, here we come!  Guess what, mold is a trigger for some PANDAS kids too.  AWESOME! One more thing to add to the list!!!  

  Now, please don't get me wrong.  I am by no means looking for a pity party here.  I am the last person that wants someone to feel sorry for me.  I typically tell people to suck it up, everybody has  issues, and get over it...Put on your big boy/girl undies and move on, is my way of thinking. Here's the thing though, we as parents have to remember to take care of ourselves or we won't be any good to the people we are trying to take care of.  Everybody can use a little break or release.  For me, I needed to get that cry out and let go of all the feelings I had bottled up. I had a little mini-therapy session with myself in my car that day.  I addressed my anger and I let it go.  Now, I need to continue to work on releasing that to make sure it doesn't build up again. 

  I have no idea how to lead into this recipe, so I am not going to pretend to. All I can say is, I do love this chicken salad and it made me feel good later that day. Lucca, also had three bowls. So there you go.  

  Please don't forget to take care of yourself.  Whether it is going to the gym, talking to a friend more often or maybe a therapist, crying in a stranger's office, screaming and crying in your car, or reading a good book (again, something I haven't done in a long time). Take some time out of the day to address YOU, it will help YOU and everyone around YOU in the end. 

Happy Cooking and Eating!

Sonoma Chicken Salad

Serves:2-4 people

Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:0 minutes
Total Time:10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 chopped cooked chicken breasts (about .75 lb), I used some broiled chicken breasts that I had made.  It had a little thyme and salt and pepper on them.
• 3 celery stalks (about 1/2 cup), chopped into small pieces
• 1/2 cup red grapes, chopped 
• 1/2 cup amazing mayo
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
• 1/4 cup chopped granny smith apple
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, I did a mix of the two
• 1 tsp poppy seeds
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1.  Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and stir until fully mixed. 
2.  I served with chopped arugula on the side, but you can also use micro-greens or serve it in lettuce cups.

Pot Roast with Celery Root and Parsnip Puree

 

  It's been a little while since I posted last. It's been a whirlwind lately.  Lucca has had some rough days and some awesome amazing days!  I didn't have time when he was going thru the rough patch, I was pretty much researching constantly and trying to have him take some deep breathes to calm his body and mind down. Lucca started slipping backwards which is pretty terrifying.  You get frightened because you don't know what to do and you pray that this isn't going to become a huge flare up.  Or worse, you pray that he doesn't slip so far away that you can't get him back.  All of his old symptoms started coming back slowly and I knew we needed to do something fast.  His integrative doctor suggested changing some things up and I am that crazy person that tends to over research everything.  It's amazing how many hours I can spend in front of a computer screen learning about stuff.  I sometimes question what my true profession should have been.  

 Well, all that research paid off and after a couple of days of figuring stuff out, Lucca made a great turn around. He played unbelievable at his hockey game and scored 5 goals!  The last couple of games, he could barely stay on his feet and lost all motivation to go after the puck. It just looked like a different kid skating. You could tell he was frustrated but couldn't control any of it, which is extremely hard to see your child go through.  We had an amazing time at a pumpkin patch for close to 5 hours with no issues and he was just a happy little boy again! He was smiling again, could fall asleep better, ate like a champ, was focused better, and could play with his brother, Kaine, with no issues again. He was able to listen and focus on you when you spoke, he was able to sit calmly and do his homework, and he was just back to being a happy 7 year old boy.  

 

  When these good days happen, I tend to savor the moment and try to take it all in.  The last thing I want to do is sit in front of a computer when I don't have to.  So, I hate to say it but the blog took a backseat. I wanted and needed to be with my kids. I wanted to record happy moments, take pictures of them being goofy and silly and watch them play. Also, I realized I needed a break.  A PANDAS parent tends to worry so much that you get worn down.  During this happy time I was also happy and just needed to take a deep breath and not think.  I still cooked and wrote down recipes because I love cooking.  But I couldn't even think about going on the computer. All I could and wanted to do was sit on the couch, watch some useless tv, not think and pass out at 930 pm because the kids were happily asleep. It was glorious and perfect! I loved every minute and it definitely gave me a much needed boost. 

  So, here I am posting the first recipe in a while. It is a comfy dish that I love.  It's easy and cooks for hours which makes it tender and juicy.  I love pot roasts and I love when meat is on sale.  Win win! I tend to add a lot of carrots because well... I love the taste of pot roast carrots and so does my husband, Damon. 

Enjoy and more will be coming this week. 

Happy Cooking and Eating!

Pot Roast

Serves:4-6 people

Prep Time:8 minutes

Cook Time:25 minutes plus 4 hours minimum

Total Time:4-5 hours

Ingredients:

• 2.25 - 2.5 lbs chuck roast
• 1 small yellow or white onion, cut into small chunks
• 4-6 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks (I add extra because carrots are a favorite)
• 3 stalks of celery, cut into chunks like carrots
• 2 large garlic cloves, chopped into large chunks
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar or red wine
• 2.5 cup beef or veggie stock
• 4-5 sprigs fresh thyme
• olive oil
• salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Add olive oil to a hot oven-safe pot, enough to cover the bottom, over med/high heat. 
3. Once oil is hot add onions and cook about 5 minutes until a little caramelized and cooked, stir occasionally.
4. Add carrots and celery.  Cook another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Add garlic and stir for one minute.  Be careful not to burn the garlic. 
6. Remove veggies and place in a large bowl/plate. If the pan is a little dry add a little more olive oil.
7. Season the roast with salt and pepper on all sides and add to hot pan.  Cook for approx 2 minutes or until browned. Flip and repeat until browned on all sides. Remove from pot and set aside. 
8. Add balsamic or wine to pan and cook for a couple of minutes. Be sure to scrap all the bits off the bottom of the pan.  
9. Add meat back to pan and top with veggies. Add sprigs of thyme and cover with stock. 
10. Place in oven and cook for at least 4 hours or until meat breaks away easily with fork.
11. Remove from oven and serve. 

Celery Root and Parsnip Puree

Serves:4-6 people

Prep Time:10 minutes

Cook Time:20 minutes

Total Time:30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1.25 - 1.5 lbs of celery root, peeled and chopped into 1 inch cubes
• 1.25 lbs of parsnip, peeled and chopped into 1 inch pieces
• 1/2 tsp salt 
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 2 TBSP canned full fat coconut milk
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• salted water (approx a couple of tsp added to water)
• Optional - 1 TBSP of grassfed butter, if you can tolerate, but good without it.

Instructions:

1. Add chopped veggies to a pot of salted water.  Make sure water covers veggies.  Place over medium heat.  Boil and cook for about 20 minutes or until fork tender. 
2. Remove from heat and strain veggies from water. 
3. Add remaining ingredients and blend together.  I use a hand stick emulsion blender. But a blender or food processor will work.  Blend until smooth and creamy.  Add extra stock if not thick enough. 

 

Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes

  

  It's been a crazy couple of days for us. We have had dr visits for both kids, dentists appointments and vet appointments...all with in the past week. I am over doctors offices right now. The driving, the waiting, the MONEY, it's enough to drive you crazy!!  

  On those crazy days we typically have to rush out the door and breakfast isn't something I have time to make. So the perfect thing I turn to are frozen pancakes or waffles. I typically choose one day to make a double (or triple batch) and freeze a bunch. Pancakes cook up faster so I normally go that route. It's the perfect thing to grab when in a hurry or for a quick snack. For some reason these are really good frozen and I don't know why. But give it a try and you will see what I mean. Don't get me wrong though, they are also really good warmed up. We don't own a microwave, so I put a couple in the oven and warm them up.  Yes, you read that right...we don't own a microwave. We haven't used one for about 4 years now. Honestly, I don't miss it and can't imagine using one. I likely wouldn't even know how to use one these days. I'm sure you could nuke them but doesn't it sound weird when you say you are going to "nuke" food?? Well, that's a post for another day. 

  These pancakes include ripe bananas, the browner the better. It makes them sweet enough that you don't need syrup but to each their own. If you do use syrup, make sure it is real maple syrup and not the lady in the bottle.  That stuff is gross!! The chocolate chips are optional but they definitely add a nice touch. There is a little cane juice but these seem to work well for us.  We use Enjoy Life brand which is soy, dairy and gluten free. There are two brands and both are super good.  

  The pancakes are super easy to make and I typically do silver dollar pancakes. They freeze better and I can cook them up faster. It might take a little bit to cook up a big batch but it saves you so much time in the long run.  

Happy Cooking and Eating!!

Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Serves:25-30 silver dollar pancakes

Prep Time:5 minutes

Cook Time:20-30 minutes, depending on size of pancakes and pan

Total Time:25-35 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs
• 3 bananas, brown spots are best 
• 2 cups almond flour
• 2/3 canned full fat coconut milk
• 2 TBSP coconut flour
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp salt
• *1/4 - 1/3 cup of chocolate chips, *Optional*
• coconut oil, to coat pan for cooking

Instructions:

1. Place bananas (I typically cut or rip them into smaller chunks), eggs, vanilla extract and coconut milk into food processor.  Combine until all bananas are pureed, approx 2-3 minutes. 
2. Add remaining dry ingredients (expect chocolate chips and coconut oil)into processor and mix until all combined.  
3. Transfer to a bowl and mix in chocolate chips.
4. Coat hot pan with coconut oil, and place batter into pan. 
5. Cook for a couple of minutes until brown. Flip and cook for another couple of minutes. 
6. Repeat until batter is gone. 

To freeze - Let pancakes cool completely (very important) and place in freezer safe container.

  

Roasted Fall Sweets and Squash with Apples

  Fall is officially here and we have officially lost one of the two loose teeth!! WHOOO HOOO!!! It's been a tough road and I'm so excited to have one of the teeth finally out.  Lucca seems to be a bit better now that one tooth is gone.  It's been a tough couple of months with these loose teeth.  PANDAS and loose teeth don't
go well together.  Now, we patiently wait for the other one to come out. Did I mention I'm not the most patient person...so this is kind of hard for me.

  In the mean time I am focusing on cooking to get my mind off of that damn tooth.  With the crisp fall air it makes me want something comforting and warm.  I've been working on an Apple Crisp that I haven't quite perfected and a white cake that was kind of disastrous. But it did give me a base for biscuits, that I am now working on.  With all the fails in the kitchen lately I needed something that worked. 

  Roasting veggies are always yummy and easy, so that's what I turned to. I had a butternut squash, sweet potatoes and a ton of apples so I decided to throw them all together. I love sweet potatoes.  I use them a lot! They can go so many different ways...from sweet to savory.  You will likely see a lot of recipes with sweet potatoes coming up. It's just a good fall go to.  So get ready!  Happy Cooking and Eating!!






Roasted Fall Sweets and Squash with Apples

Serves:4-5 people

Prep Time:10 minutes

Cook Time:25 minutes

Total Time:35 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 small butternut squash, cubed
• 1 medium sweet potato, cubed
• 1 gala apple, cubed
• 1 1/2 TBSP coconut oil
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 3/8 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees.
2. Place cut up squash, potatoes and apples on large parchment paper lined tray (easy clean up). 
3. Sprinkle seasonings over mixture. 
4. Add coconut oil and gently combine until everything is coated nicely and evenly.
5. Place on middle rack for about 10 minutes. Carefully stir and return to oven for another 10 minutes. 
6. Stir one more time and place under broiler for 3-5 minutes. Be careful not to burn.

  

  

Paleo Chicken Fingers

   Most kids love chicken fingers.  Let's be honest...doesn't everybody love chicken fingers now and then? My kids are no different. As a busy mom, there are some things you always need to have on hand.  These are perfect for just that.  I typically like to make a double batch and store some in the freezer.  On the nights when I don't want to cook or we are too busy and don't have time to cook...I can pop these in the oven. Add some veggies on the side and you are done. 

  Lucca is kind of a messy eater, well really they both can be at times. I will give you a warning that these can be a bit messy depending on your eater. I have no issue but my kids seem to get crumbs everywhere.  I'm just saying be a little prepared that you might have to do a quick swiffer after dinner. I don't know if it is the fact that this is true finger foods and rules get thrown out the window. Or if they just haven't really figured out how to not make a mess with finger foods yet.  Truth be told they made a mess iwth traditional chicken fingers as well.  So, really no difference to me. Ahh whatever, small price to pay for an easy dinner, right?  

  I like to serve these chicken fingers with a honey mustard sauce or BBQ sauce. My kids go back and forth on which they like better. Both are super easy to make and both can be altered to fit your sweet or tangy needs.  You can get the recipes here. 

  Paleo can be hard if you don't have things on hand. Hopefully making a double batch to freeze helps you get over that hump. Sometimes you have to spend a little time to save a little time!
Stock up, be prepared and paleo will get easier. 

Paleo Chicken Fingers

Serves:4-6 people, about 15 tenders

Prep Time:15 minutes

Cook Time:21 minutes

Total Time:36 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2-3 chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1/4 cup coconut flour
• 1/2 tsp dry mustard
• 3/8 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/4 tsp garlic salt
• 1/4 tsp dried parsley* optional
• 1/8 tsp salt
• dash of cayenne* optional
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line large flat pan with parchment paper (easy clean up).
2. Mix dry ingredients in shallow bowl. Combine/whisk wet ingredients in another shallow bowl. 
3. Cut chicken breasts into small tenders.
4. Dip tender into egg mixture.  Shake off excess and dip into dry mixture and place on pan. Repeat. Use a fork, much easier than getting your fingers all caked in batter.
5. Bake for 15 minutes, flip and bake for 5 minutes. Then blast with the broiler for about a minute to get some more browning, if you don't get enough from baking.
6. Serve with ketchup, Paleo BBQ Sauce or Honey Mustard Sauce.

To Freeze - When the tenders have cooled, place in freezer zip lock baggie or tight sealed container. 

To Reheat - Preheat oven to 350. Remove from freezer and place on foil lined pan (again easy clean up). Bake for about 8-10 minutes, flip and bake for another 8-10 minutes.