Chex on sale!!

Here's a sweet deal!! I just hit up our local Macey's grocery store and stocked up on their honey nut, cinnamon and corn chex. I paid $1.69 a box! This sale applies to every 4 boxes bought. Make sure you watch them apply the discount for each group of 4. I had to have them credit my card b/c they missed one :)

Thanks to Eating Gluten Free for sharing this!

Eating Gluten Free

For all those in the western US: If you live near an Associated Foods store (if a store near you sells Western Family brands, they are likely an Associated Foods store), head in to stock up on Chex cereals this week. The Associated stores near me (Macey's and Ridley's) are selling Corn, Rice, and Cinnamon Chex for $1.69 and $1.50 a box (respectively). Broulim's (in Idaho) is also selling Chex this week for $1.50 a box, so I think it's a system wide Associated Foods thing. It's a pretty good price for a great GF cereal, so I thought I'd let you know!

Think I got enough???

Banana Nut Muffins - Paleo Style!

Funny story: My husband said to me on Tuesday night, "Did you know that it was National Celiac Awareness Day today?" I responded that I was aware, and asked him if he knew that. He said he did now, and I asked how he found out. He said he read it on Failbook, which is a website dedicated to sharing people's failures (it's rather hilarious, but can be crude). His statement cracked me up for some reason. We rely on social media to keep up to date on our friends' birthdays, the news, pretty much everything!

Anyway, things are going pretty well these days. Extremely busy, but it is what it is. Luke's writing up a storm, trying to get applications and essays in to 7 business programs, as well as working full-time and juggling a full load at school. Work is keeping me on my feet as well. I feel like when I'm at home, I do nothing but cook and wash dishes thanks to our paleo lifestyle, but other than that, the diet is going great! Been working out more too, which has been fun! Plus, the sun is back, for the next few days at least, and that makes me happy :)

I wanted to share a recipe that has literally saved me since my husband joined me in this paleo venture. I don't seem to have a hard time finding things to eat...but I really enjoy vegetables. Unlike my husband, whose repertoire of favorable veggies is rather sparse. So, in attempts to keep him fed, and from getting burned out on salads, chicken with (fill in the veggie blank), and bunless burgers, I have tried to find filling, satisfying snacks for him to enjoy. 

This recipe is gold.

We both love banana bread, and I really appreciate that this form of said food can be enjoyed without all the non-paleo ingredients, such as sugar, wheat, etc. It's an easy recipe to make, makes a lot, and the muffins are delicious when warmed with a bit of melted butter on top. 

Paleo Banana Nut Muffins

Adapted from the recipe in "The Gluten Free Almond Flour Cookbook" by Elana Amsterdam

3 c blanched almond flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

2 tbsp olive oil

3 large eggs

4-5 very ripe bananas

1 c chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 12-18 muffin cups with liners.

Put the bananas into a bowl. Using a hand mixer, mash up the bananas. Add the oil and eggs, and blend until the mixture is smooth. Add the flour, salt and soda. Mix well. Add the walnuts, and combine. 

Spoon the batter into the muffin cups. Bake for 35 minutes, or until the muffins are golden brown. Check with a toothpick if desired. Let muffins cool in the pan for about half an hour, then serve.

*Note: The original recipe says that this recipe makes a dozen muffins. I don't know if I just have a small muffin pan, but I've gotten 15-18 muffins every time I've made it. 

These muffins freeze well, and travel well. They are great warm, but are just as good at room temperature. 

Enjoy!

Wellness Challenge complete! Vote for me!!

As you all know, I have been following the Paleo diet for a month and a half now. There have been plenty of ups and downs, but definitely more ups! A new development in my life is that last Saturday my husband came to me, and said he wanted to try eating Paleo for a month. He's trying to get in shape, and hopefully bulk up a bit. Being so tall and lean, he's struggled w/ this in the past, and thinks changing his diet may help his chances. So, I'm cooking Paleo for two now! Well, more like three, since he eats almost twice as much as me...

At my husband's request, we are also trying a more strict Paleo diet for his first 30 days, meaning organic, grass-fed meats and eggs (and veggies, when available). Whew! That's gonna be pricey! Although I found some killer deals at costco, so I'm a little more excited about this aspect!

We've also been eating a lot of fresh veggies out of our garden, which I think rocks!

Conveniently, around the same time as I started my Paleo journey, Katie over at Wellness Mama decided to issue a 30 day Wellness Challenge, chock full of advice, mini-challenges, and spectacular giveaways. I decided to follow along, and started my own Wellness Journal to track my progress, and keep me motivated through the first month of this diet.

The challenge was so great! I learned a lot of great things, from my own documentation, as well as from the others participating. It was a lot of fun too, to be involved in a community of people all striving for the same goals.

Even better, I was chosen as one of the finalists for the grand prize! You can head over here to read my full story, and if you feel so inclined, you can VOTE for me here!

We're headed camping tomorrow, but when I get back, I plan on doing some serious catching up on the blog. I have so many fantastic recipes to post! The one I'll be dreaming about tonight (and hopefully photographing before consuming tomorrow) is Primal Breakfast Burritos!!

Now I'm off to make some banana bread muffins.

Have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend!

Nothing overly delicious tonight, just saying hi

I know I know...I said I was going to be better about blogging. But I've kind of lost my motivation for it lately :(

Still photographing my successes (though I've been eating a lot of leftovers, and thoughtless last-minute dinners recently), contriving witty posts in my head that aren't getting published, etc, etc. Not much to show for it though.

One of my problems is the massive vacation post that I have yet to finish for my friend/fam blog (yes, I know...technically it's been 2 months today since we left on our cruise).

My other, more distracting problem has been THIS o.O

Can ya blame me?

But, life is a work in progress, right? So, here we go. Take 2 (give or take a few). No energy for anything more tonight....worked a 12 hour day :P But I was determined to post anyway!

So, this is what's been happening in my kitchen lately:


Yes, that's my superman, trying to fix the flood in our kitchen. Isn't he cute?


No worries, all is well. The line to our fridge water was leaking behind the oven. One plumber and a new hose later, and we're as good as new.

I plan on sharing some of my latest and greatest treats real soon. As well as finally getting to do some experimenting in the kitchen this weekend!

Stay tuned!