Paleo Enchilada Casserole

Growing up in Southern California there was always a plethora of Mexican foods available.  I remember our next door neighbor inviting us over for tamales, enchiladas and carne asada.  From a very young age, I acquired a love for Mexican flavors. One of the ingredients that makes Mexican cooking so tasty is cumin. 

Cumin has some amazing qualities. It has been around for thousands of years.  This small unassuming seed helps to boost our immune system, aids in digestion and adds a nutty peppery flavor to any recipe. To read more about cumin .

Paleo Enchilada Casserole

Serves 6

Ingredients

2lbs grass fed hamburger    

1/2 onion

2 TB minced garlic

1 head cabbage

5 oz can tomato paste

1/2 cup chicken stock

1/2 cup water

2 TB Cumin

2 TB Chili powder

Salt & Pepper to taste

Olive oil

1 can of green chilies chopped

Avocado

Lettuce

Cut cabbage from the head, removing the core. Place the cabbage into a pot of water. Cook until soft but not mushy. While waiting on the cabbage, brown the hamburger and onion, drain then add 1 TB cumin and chili Powder. Mix in the garlic then salt and pepper to taste.

In a sauce pan combine the tomato paste, chicken stock, water 1 TB cumin and chili powder. Salt and pepper to taste. Before using the sauce drizzle with Olive oil and mix together.

After draining the cabbage place a small amount of sauce in the bottom of  large Pyrex dish. Layer Cabbage, meat, green chilies and then repeat, finishing with a layer of cabbage. Pour the sauce over the top of the cabbage.

Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.

Finish the dish with some lettuce and slices of avocado.

What I learned

We may feel that we are small and insignificant but God has other plans for us.  He may want us to 

Flavor the world with His love.

Aid others in some way or

 Boost their spirits by encouraging them. 

You are the salt of the earth Matthew 5:13

I can't imagine Mexican food without cumin. I can't imagine the world without Christians who take their job seriously to flavor this world with the Love of God!

Thank you note to Ramona

It has been a while since there has been a blog. Recently I had the privilege to be alongside of my husband and his family as we said goodbye to my mother in law. It has felt in congruent for me to write as I was grieving, almost frivolous. Every event in our lives leaves an impression and this one has left an eternal one in my heart. 

Thank you Ramona

You taught me so much about how to show love to others.  Thank you for giving me a great recipe for it! 

Ramona's Love Recipe

• Welcome people with a big hug.
• Tell people that you are so happy that they are visiting.
• Be concerned about them and their comfort. 
• Offer the best of what you have when a friend is with you.
• Invite people into your home no matter what it looks like.
• Encourage guests to fall asleep on your couch.
• Remember others birthday with a song.
• Be willing to sacrifice for others in need.
• Share your joy with a song or a dance, no matter where you are at! 
• Keep memories alive by sharing stories about people you love.
• Say goodbye as if it were the last time you would see someone.
• Always say "I Love you".

I am forever grateful for these lessons of love that you modeled for me. Thank you for including me in your family, welcoming me into your heart and giving me a beautiful life with your son,

Paleo Green Goddess Chicken and Broccoli recipe

Since February I have been primarily eating Paleo foods.  That means proteins, vegetables, nuts, fruit and healthy fats. To find out more check out this link.  

When trying to decide what to make for dinner I notice a jar of alfredo sauce in my cabinet. Why it is still in this Paleo house, I am not sure!  I began to contemplate what would satisfy my creamy cravings. I have to say this dinner hit the spot and it is completely Paleo! 

Green Goddess Chicken and Broccoli

Serves 2
Cooking time: 30 minutes

Ingredients
2 chicken breasts cubed and seasoned with salt and pepper
1 head of broccoli
1 yellow squash sliced
1 avocado
1/4 Cup coconut milk
1 tablespoon garlic
olive oil
salt and pepper

Directions
In a small amount of olive oil saute the broccoli and squash until tender. Remove from the heat. Brown the chicken and then combine with the vegetables.

Creamy Green Goddess sauce
In food processor combine avocado, coconut milk, garlic and salt and pepper. mix until creamy.

Pour sauce over chicken and vegetables. Ooh la la is this fabulous! 

What I learned is that when changing things in my life I must find healthier things to fill the place that the old ones once held. 

As a Christian, I must allow the old things to be removed and replace them with the new things that Jesus offers. Galatians 5:22-23

Impatience with Patience
Anxiousness with Peace
Sorrow with Joy
Hate with Love
Grudges with Forgiveness
Harshness with Gentleness
Selfishness with Selflessness
Pride with Humility

Ooh la la- this is so worth it!

Paleo Coconut Quinoa Recipe

My recipe for coconut quinoa was featured on Fast Paleo. They have amazing recipes that I use all the time!

This summer, I visited the country of Colombia, there I partook of coconut rice. Wow, was it delicious. I immediately thought of how I could make this somewhat Paleo. I know some do not like quinoa for Paleo, but it is a seed. 

Ingredients

1 cup quinoa
1 can coconut milk
1 tsp salt
2 tsp honey (to taste)
1 tbsp unsweetened coconut

Directions

First rinse the quinoa and drain. In the pan add coconut milk, honey and salt bring to a boil. Next add the quinoa, stir, reduce heat and cook until milk is absorbed. (about 20 minutes) Remove from heat and let rest for a few moments. Sprinkle the coconut on top and enjoy this succulent sweet treat!

I paired the coconut quinoa with blackened salmon and asparagus. The sweetness of the quinoa balanced the spiciness of the salmon.

Who knew that quinoa was so controversial? I was intrigued by some of the responses to the recipe. If you were not privy to the hullabaloo, there are 2 opinions about using quinoa for Paleolians. Some in the Paleo world say that it should not be included in a regular Paleo lifestyle and others fully endorse it, provided that it is organic and rinsed. Personally, I think that it is one of those grey areas I believe. If your body is able to digest it and it is used in moderation, then enjoy.

For more in depth reading about quinoa, I loved how Andrew dug into this issue at The Spunky Coconut. 


What I learned
Arguing over things seems to be human nature  We like to take sides! I do it all the time. My husband asks me often why I must make things a competition. I think I just like being right! 


Similarly with the quinoa issue, the bible contains grey areas. It is also very clear on what God expects of us. There are however, many things in life that we must make decisions about. I love that the bible contains references to these choices. Think about the whole food argument that Paul talked about in Romans.


Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way. As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.  Romans 14:13-14


The question is not about what we can do or not do, but how can we live a life pleasing to God? When we focus on this then everything else is simple.

Paleo Apple Blueberry Crisp

Apples and Blueberries are paired up in this delicious treat! Who says Paleo is boring? 


Paleo- Apple Blueberry Crisp

Ingredients:
- 3 granny smith apples (peeled, cored and sliced)
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 2 cups almond flour
- 1 teaspoon arrowroot powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt to taste
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 4 tablespoons raw agave nectar

Preparation:
Preheat oven 350F degrees
- In a bowl, mix together apples and berries
- Add in 2 Tbsp agave, arrowroot powder and 1 tsp cinnamon
- Spoon mixture into ramekins
- In a different bowl, add almond flour, salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 2Tbsp agave, Mix well.
- Sprinkle batter on top of apple mixture
- Bake for approximately 30 minutes.
- Crust should be golden and fruit bubbling.
- Remove and cool 

- Enjoy!

Serves 6-8

The lesson

I was reminded that God has paired each of us with people in our lives. It may be a co-worker that lifts our spirits at the right time, a brother or sister that always is there for us, or a friend that helps us stop feeling sorry for ourselves or a spouse that encourages us to keep going!. At other times it is a group of people that holds us up when we are weak, or challenges us to be who God created us to be. 

Proverbs 17:17

Why not take some time today to say thank you to the people God has placed in your life?

Thank you Goose sisters, God has richly blessed me with your friendships!
Thank you Kevin for always cheering me on!
Thank you Jeni for teaching me to laugh and not be so uptight
Thank you Lissa for helping me get over myself!

Watch and Learn

Fish tacos are one of my favorite things to eat!  I love them grilled and deep fried!  My belief is that they are filled with fish, which is good for you, full of omega 3 fatty acids! I just don't think about the calories or fat grams when it comes to these marvelous creations! I first tasted fish tacos in California and then had the great pleasure of biting into their crunchy goodness while visiting Ensenada Mexico.

Fish tacos consist of these ingredients;

• White fish, battered and deep fried, or marinated and grilled
• Corn tortillas
• Shredded cabbage
• Sour cream or crema
• Salsa
• Lime wedges
• Mayonnaise if desired

When I have made fish tacos the process is; dip the fish into an egg batter and then place it into the dry flour mixture to coat, next you deep fry to golden brown.  Assemble your taco with your chosen ingredients and have a party in your mouth! Yummo!

Recently we visited with our friends Juanita and Alejandro in their home.  Juanita had invited us for lunch and fish tacos were on her menu! Yippee! 

I wanted to watch and learn from Juanita's expertise so I watched as Juanita prepared her fish. 

Lesson #1-She dipped the fish into a combination of an egg and flour mixture and then deep fried them.  "Juanita, why do you do only one step?", I asked her. "Es mas facil" translation, It's so much easier, she said.  

Lesson #2-Later she squeezed lime juice into the cabbage that was shredded. Again I ask her why, I had never seen anyone do that before. "The lime kills off any little bugs and flavors the cabbage" she informed me.  

Lesson #3- Sitting at the table I learned my third lesson about fish tacos. There is a sequence to how you construct them. Normally, I would have placed the fish into the tortilla and then added whatever I liked, but watching Alejandro I learned that there was a definite order to how one was constructed. 

1. Start with a warm corn tortilla
2. Spread a little mayonnaise
3. Place some cabbage on top
4. Lay the fish on the bed of cabbage
5. drizzle with salsa
6. Spoon on some sour cream or crema
7. Squeeze lime to complete your creation
8. Perfecto

I learned three things from watching and Learning with Juanita and Alejandro,

• Things don't always have to be so complicated. Easier can be better

• Adding something new can bring flavor and health into your life

• There is an order of things in life that may need to be followed to achieve the desired result.

Every day God is teaching us new things! I want to watch and learn so that I can know Him better.  

This is what the LORD says--your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.Isaiah 48:17

Father help me to watch and learn from you today! I am excited to know more about you as you reveal yourself to me. Jann