Chocolate Banana Bread

Chocolate Banana Bread

(So good!) 

Heat oven to 400F

Bake for 12 minutes if mini muffins

Bake for approximately 35 minutes loaf pan. 

What you need

(I mixed everything in a food processor) 

2 c Almond meal

1/4 c Coconut flour

1/2 c Flaxseed meal

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp cinnamon 

1/4 tsp cream of tartar 

1/4 c Cocoa powder 

5 eggs

1 c heavy cream

1/4 c honey

3 large bananas 

Mix/blend everything all together.

Add 1/2 c to 1 c dark chocolate chips. 

Then pour in to pan/pans 

I was able to make one tray of mini muffins and one loaf of bread with this recipe. 

Tamale...Tamale....Tamale

Okay so by the title i'm sure you guess this is a recipe for tamales and you would be right.
A few nights ago I really wanted a tamale and seeing how we don't eat corn I was at a loss as to what to do about fulling my craving for a tamale. I had never made tamales either so for some reason I thought this give me a head start for paleo ones as I have nothing to compare it this ones from prior ones I have made.  In my head it all makes sense. :D

 Here are pictures of my first batch. I used coconut flour and almond meal then filled it with leftover pork and chili mixture. 

 These ones look great! The almond meal gave it a funny texture and the coconut flour was too sweet.

Here is the second batch! 

May not look like a regular tamale but it did taste really good.

How to make this:

1 cup flaxseed meal

1/2 cup coconut flour

1 cup coconut milk

1/2 cup broth

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup heavy cream

Mix it altogether.

Spread on your tamale wrapper. 

(I should corn husks)

Put a scoop or too of filling of your choice.

Wrap then place in steamer for 1 hour 30 min to 2 hours or longer.

*I did not have a steamer so I used a large pot with a lid.

Make three large foil balls then fill with an inch or two of water.

Place a strainer on top of them.

Lay tamales in then cover. 

Cooked over low heat. 

Check after an hour or so to makes sure there is still water in the bottom, if not add a little more.*

For the filling I used left over pork roast, green chilles and cheese. 

Pumpkin Seed bars

Pumpkin Seed Bars

This is one of the easiest things to make.

(If you have a food processor) 

To make the bars:

Pitted dates

Dried prunes

Cocoa Powder

Pumpkin seeds

Okay here it goes..

get ready 

follow very carefully.

Put any amount of each item into food processors. 

turn it on and lit it mix.

Dump out on to parchment paper 

fold paper over and with a rolling pin flatten it out. 

Cut it into strips and enjoy. 

(Hint about 1/4 cup cocoa)  

Banana Pancakes

Banana Pancakes

What you'll need:

1/2 cup coconut flour

1/2 flaxseed meal

1 cup almond meal

1/2 tsp baking soda 

1/2 apple cider vinegar

1 tsp vanilla 

3 eggs

1 cup coconut milk

1/4 to 1/2 cup honey

2 to 3 small bananas cut up

Mix all ingredients in order.

Make sure to pour the apple cider vinegar on top of the baking soda for 

the chemical reaction. 

Once the reaction is complete continue to add the rest of the ingredients. 

Mix well. 

I like the banana a little chunky in my pancakes as I do not mash them till smooth. 

I just mix until it's well mixed but still lumpy.

If you want it thinner pancake add a little more coconut milk.

If you want it thinker add a little more coconut flour. 

Pour small amounts of batter into a heated pan or griddle.

Once one side is cooked and browned flip and cook the other side.

Serve with a drizzle of honey.

Pumpkin Chili Con Carne

Pumpkin chili con carne

What you'll need to make a nice size pot:

1lb ground meat of your choice (ground beef)

1 29oz can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)

1/2 cup flaxseed meal

1 - 1 1/2 cups broth (beef)
3 TBSP Cocoa powder 

1/4 cup chili seasoning

Cook up the ground meat in the bottom of a medium to large pot.  

Once it's all cooked and browning add pumpkin puree.

Mix that all together really well.

Then add everything else. 

Be careful the amount of salt in your broth and seasoning. 

Cook on low for 30 mins or longer then server. 

Once the meat is all cooked the longer it sits the better the flavors blend.  

Here is a basic Chili seasoning mix:

• 1 tablespoon paprika

• 2 1/2 teaspoons seasoning salt

• 1 teaspoon onion powder

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

• 1 teaspoon seasoned pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Wlankets How to aka "Egg White Shells"

Pictorial How to Wlankets aka Egg White Shells 

 Set griddle to 300F.

To make one Wlanket takes about 3 egg whites I made 3.

Gather eggs and two bowls.

One bowl for the egg whites and one bowl for the yolks. 

(You can also use the egg whites in the carton 1/4 = 1 egg white )

 Separate egg whites from egg yolks.

Get ring for spring form pan. 

Put Lid on yolk to use for another meal.

 Sprinkle water one griddle to see if it's ready.

Water droplets should "dance" and evaporate almost immediately. 

 Beat egg whites till the have air bubbles in them. 

The more air the lighter they will be.

Using a fork works just fine for this.

 Place ring on griddle and pour a thin layer of egg whites inside. 

If you want them think to use as pancake or just like a thicker shell using 4 - 5 egg whites per shell may be needed. 

When egg whites are no longer opaque use a spatula around the sides to the ring. 

Egg whites will separate from ring,  then you can start another wlanket.  

Do not flip yet! Let it cook more as steam being released from the whites. 

 No it's not a ghost; it's steam. :) 

 Check the bottom of the egg whites. 

When the are a nice golden brown flip and let the other side brown as well.

 Looks like a floor shell or pancake!

After both sides are nice and brown. 

Serve anyway you like!  

We made tacos.

 

Mini Meatloaves

Mini meatloaves

Pre heat oven to 350f.

1 package ground beef (any ground meat works fine)
1/4 c mustard
1-2 tbsp hot sauce (any kind)
1 small cucumber  chopped
1/2 an onion chopped
2 stalks celery chopped
3 cloves garlic chopped
Fresh basil (handful)
1/4- 1/2 almond meal
1 tsp Sage
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp paprika
4 egg yokes (or 2-3 eggs, just had leftover yokes from my wlankets)

Mix everything all together and form into balls.
Place balls in  cups of cupcake pan.
Place in oven for 30 to 45 min.
Remove from oven and serve with a simple salad and steamed vegetables.

Pigs in a wlanket

Twist on Pigs in a blanket.

What you'll need to make whats on the plate:

2-3 egg whites
One sausage (I used a bratwurst)
1 slice of bacon
2 handfuls spinach
1/2 cup mushrooms

Cook bacon up in a pan add the sausage then cover with lid.
Let the sausage steam the turning it so it browns on all sides.
Place bacon and sausage to the side.
Add mushroom and spinach to drippings, cover and cook on low.

Place wlanket on plate put bacon and sausage inside fold over and hold in place with a toothpick.
Put mushrooms and spinach on the side. Drizzle Pigs in a wlanket with honey if you want it sweet treat and sever.

Wlanket how to:

2-3 egg whites lightly whipped
electric griddle (a small non stick pan on low may work)
Ring to a small spring form pan. (If using a small pan this is not needed)

I use a non stick electric griddle set to 300f.
I let it heat up till water droplets sizzle and bounce around.
Place ring on griddle then slow pour egg whites in the middle of ring.
They will then spread to edges.
Cook till top of egg white is not longer clear.
Take a spatula and cut egg from around the ring.
Flip egg white to different spot on the griddle so you can use the ring again if making more then one.
Egg white should be a nice light golden brown and not shinny.

I'll do a step by step picture instructions of a wlanket soon!

If you want a thinner wlanket use less egg whites if you want it thicker use more egg whites.

Wlankets are great for pancakes, taco shells (thin), wraps, pita bread, etc.....

(Wlanket is not the best name as it's a work in progress)

Almond meal

Almond meal

You'll need a food processor or really good blender.

Blanched Almonds

Put almonds in blender or a food processor (I have a ninja that I love)
Blend on high till it looks like sprinkle parmasen cheese.
Only takes a minute or two.

I blend about 2-3 cups at a time and fill up a small size canister; enough for a few weeks.

Learn more about Almond meal here. 

Not so plain salad and Polish

Tonight we are having my paleo version of

Polish "Lazanki"-Noodles W/cabbage & Bacon

I did not use kielbasa or noodles. 

 What you'll need:

1/2 - 1 head small of cabbage chopped
4 thick cut slices of bacon
1 small onion diced 
3 cloves of garlic diced 
1 small picnic style pork (pork shoulder)
dash of salt 
1/4 - 1/2 tsp of paprika 

pre-heat oven to 300F
Put Picnic Pork in pan (sprinkle with sea salt optional)cover with foil and cook for 2.5 hours.
Then lower heat to 275 and continue for another hour to hour and half. 
Check once in awhile that the drippings are still liquid in the bottom of the pan. If the drippings are cooking turn oven off and pull the pork out. 

About 20 mins before roast is done. 
In a pan heat up bacon till the drippings coat the pan. 
Then add in diced onions, garlic, salt and paprika. Cook over low heat. 
You want the onions to turn translucent but not brown. 
Once those are all cooked add cabbage to the top of pan place lid on top. 
After about 5 minutes mix everything all together. 
This will only be cooked for about 10 to 15 minutes on low as you only want the cabbage steamed not fully cooked.  

Shredded or cut up the pork and mix in to cabbage mixture and serve. 



Not so plain salad!

What you'll need:
1 small head of broccoli 
1/2 cucumber
1 yellow peach
small handful sliced almonds 
and pistachios.
Spinach

Cut up Broccoli (florets  and stems)  cucumber and peach mix together. 
On a plate place spinach. 
On top dish the Broccoli cucumber peach mixture then top with almonds and spinach. 

No dressing is need with this salad. The juice from the peach and cucumber work great.  

Labor day Breakfast! 

How to make what's on the plate:

2 Eggs sunny side up

1/4 cup fresh salsa (recipe coming soon)

1/3 cup (approx.) shredded chicken  

1 cup spinach

1/2 avocado 

Garlic clove for garnish


In a pan (I use a non-stick skillet) cook two eggs sunny side up. 
When eggs are almost done I put the spinach in the skillet to cook just a little 2-4 mins.
For the chicken I used leftovers from a roasted chicken I had.
Cut avocado in half remove pit then cut in to strips and scoop out with a spoon.
Plate eggs, chicken and avocado.
Then top with salsa and some chopped garlic cloves and serve.

I always have fresh salsa in our house as we use it as a salad dressing topping to other dishes.
I'll be posting that recipe soon.  

Hello dear reader, 

For about a year now I have been taking photos and posting just about every meal I make or eat 95% of the time they are one in the same. I hope, with each posting, to help give you a little twist to your everyday meals. 


I have had many people asking how I made them or how I come up with the ideas. Finally after much poking and prodding by my husband I am now starting this way overdue blog!!! 

I sometimes find recipes online that I use, when I do I'll make sure to post the link and give credit where credit is due. Most of the time I just come up with ideas on my own and later find someone has made similar meals. Great minds think alike!


In my household we eat a paleo diet. for more information on what that is look here.

We sometimes eat dairy, but rarely, and as someone who loves dairy more than words could explain in truth it was very easy to go from including it in every meal to not having it. If we have dairy, it's in the form of cheese, and it is because it's in a pre-made salad or some other dish when we are out.  

We have started a fruit and vegetable garden in our backyard. We hope to have our first harvest next month. I also have a few herbs (greek basil and garlic clove) hope to be planting more as the years go on. 

I am not a chef. I have no formal training in the kitchen. I am a woman who is tried of all the terrible food options at places others call restaurants. If you want something done right you have to do it yourself and that is exactly what I am doing!      

Welcome to my cave and enjoy!!