Paleo Gluten-free Chocolate Mousse (Vegan too!)

The worst is when you buy a bag of big juicy avocados and within a day they're all going too soft. So this recipe is win win because it's Paleo and you get to use up your avocados!

This recipe is Paleo, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and just really good for anyone.
Yes you can taste a bit of the avocado, but that's not a bad thing. Obviously if you hate avocados don't make this recipe.

Paleo Chocolate Mousse 

Ingredients
1 Large Ripe Avocado
1/2 Cup Almond Milk
1/2 Cup Cocoa Powder
1/4 Cup Maple Syrup
1Tsp Vanilla Extract

Put all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Refrigerate before serving if you prefer more cold and firm or eat right away if you don't. Works great as frosting for a cake, a topping for berries, or just as in out of the bowl.

Pairs well with red wine :)

Yes. I believe wine is Paleo.

Paleo Gluten-Free Breakfast Cereal

I have recently injured my foot so I've had to change my calories and food consumption for the day. I used to do yoga about 5-6 times per week and I would run about 1-2 times per week.

Since I can't really do any exercise now, I give myself about 800-900 calories per day.

For breakfast I have created this yummy little Paleo Gluten-Free Cereal. Honestly since converting over to Paleo about 3 years ago, the one thing that I miss is cereal. I used to love to eat bran and oats and even quinoa for breakfast. 

But I've created something even more delicious and with huge nutritional value. 

This is great for breakfast, or before a workout, or even as an afternoon snack. I've never tried heating it up but that might be yummy as well. 

I make a big batch of this and then keep it in a mason jar in my fridge. I have about 1/2 cup of it for breakfast with 1/2 fruit and almond milk. 

Paleo Gluten-Free Breakfast Cereal

1/2 cup organic chia seeds

1/2 cup organic hemp hearts

1/4 cup organic flax seeds

1/2 cup organic ground flax

1/2 cup organic almonds (whole or flakes)

1/3 cup organic almond meal

1/3 cup organic dried goji berries 

1 tbsp cinnamon

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well. Transfer into large mason jar and store in fridge for up to 3 weeks. 

Add approx. 1/2 cup almond milk and fresh fruit, and 1/2 cup of cereal mix and enjoy! 

(I add a splash of egg whites if I know I'm going to have a long day and need more protein)

Yield: 12-14 servings

My 30 Day Weight Loss Challenge: December 2014

November 30 2014

Well it's December again and just like every year, I take this time to kick my own butt into gear. It's so easy to let things slip by and indulge into the goodies and sweets and treats and drinks, so that's why I want to make a conscious effort to keep things in line.

For me personally, I work a lot harder at goals if I am kept accountable for them. So here goes. I want to post every night and keep a diary of how the day went.

Obviously I will be focusing a lot on my diet, but I want this to be more holistic. I will be looking at diet, physical exercise, mental exercise, professional development, stress levels and fun levels. I really hope it goes well!

So to send off November I will be having a lovely dinner with my parents, and yes, I will have a nice plate of delicious Persian rice. And tadeeg. mmmm....

Starting weight: 118lbs
Goal weight: 110lbs

Paleo Brownie Power Balls

Paleo Brownie Power Balls

I started making these Paleo Brownie Power Balls for my co-workers and it soon became a weekly tradition. They were a huge hit when I first brought them in and I have perfected the recipe and put my own little spin on it.
The only downfall is that they are so good that no matter how much you make, there are never any left over for the next day :( But I guess that's every chef's best compliment :)

Another great recipe for Paleo desserts is Paleo Banana-Coconut Cookies.

Please put your own spin on the recipe and let me know what you did! I always love to try new creations.

Paleo Brownie Power Balls

1 1/2 cup walnuts

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 cup pitted medjool dates

1 tbsp pure vanilla extract

1 tbsp cinnamon powder

1/4 cup egg whites

1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

In food processor add walnuts and cocoa powder. Process these until they are coarsely mixed, but you don't want to over process because then the walnuts will start to become like a butter. Add dates, vanilla and cinnamon. Process until everything is mixed together in a big clump. Add egg whites to soften everything. 

Remove mixture and put into a large bowl. In a smaller bowl put coconut flakes. Measure out a tablespoon of the mixture and make them into bit sized balls by rolling them in your hands. Then dip these balls into the coconut flakes. 

**sometimes I like to dip my balls into other ingredients like hemp hearts, ground flax, and cocoa powder**

Place all of your balls into a cookie tray lined with parchment paper. Put in freezer for at least two hours, and then you're ready to enjoy!

I love to keep my balls in the freezer because I love the frozen hard texture, but some people prefer to store them in the fridge. They will last up to a month in the freezer, and about a week in the fridge. 

The amazing thing about these bite sized balls is that they are SO satisfying, they taste like they have chocolate in them, and they have protein as well. Great as breakfast, pre-workout snack, and that perfect guilt-free pleasure. 

Prep Time: 15 min

Cooking Time: 0 min

Yields: 30 balls

Paleo Apple Crumble

Paleo is a diet that is very well known for meaty dishes, bacon wrapped everything, and t-bone steaks the size of Wisconsin. Well meat isn't everything we eat. We want dessert too! So I have created a simple and easy Paleo dessert recipe to satisfy anyone's craving, Paleo or not. 

...I highly recommend eating this with a cup of chai tea. 

• 3 large sliced apples
• 1 cup blackberries
• 2 1/2 cup coconut flakes
• 1 cup coconut flour
• 1/4 cup hemp hearts
• 1/4 cup ground flax seed
• 2 large eggs
• 3 tbsp coconut oil
• 3 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp pure cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 350°C. 

Slice apples of your choice into medium sized cubes. Leave skin on. 

Place sliced apples and fresh or frozen blackberries into a large ceramic dish.

In a large bowl, combine coconut flakes, coconut flour, hemp hearts, ground flax seed, cinnamon, cocoa powder, eggs, and coconut oil.

Spoon your mixture on top of fruit in large ceramic dish. Cover the top with tin foil.

Bake in oven at 350°C for 30 minutes. 

Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes. 

Eat and enjoy this 

sugar-free, 

gluten-free, 

dairy-free, 

wheat-free, 

Paleo delight!

Paleo 1 Year Anniversary Menu

I can't believe it! My Paleo 1 year anniversary is only a few weeks away. It's really amazing how much my food choices, habits, preferences, and cravings have changed over the past year. This has been one of the easiest lifestyle changes I have ever made, and I can only imagine that I will continue creating fantastic meals for the rest of my long life. 

Here are some of the major changes that I have seen regarding my food intake:

1. I used to only eat dry chicken breast. Now I eat every last piece of that delicious chicken. Including his spine. 
2. I used to pick off all of the fat that was around my steak. Now I pick steaks that have fat marbling throughout. 
3. I used to eat only lean dry meats. Now I specifically eat fatty meats, and this includes delicious pigs and their crackling skin. 
4. I used to never eat nuts because they are too fatty. Now I can't keep nuts in the house because I will devour them. I limit myself to 1kg of nuts/week. 
5. I used to eat a lot of empty calories like candy, popcorn, rice. I haven't had candy in almost a year, and the same with rice. 
6. I used to eat only egg whites. Now I eat at least 2 whole eggs every day. 
7. I used to eat very little for breakfast. Now I eat very large breakfasts and almost anything, including steak, pork chops, and salmon.
8. I used to be good at cooking. Now I'm amazing at cooking. 

In honor of my dedication for the last year, I am having a celebration night for myself. This is my night. I'm going to go all out. Here is the menu that I have planned for this special occasion:

Paleo 1 Year anniversary menu

Appetizers

• fresh shucked oysters
• patte
• marinated artichoke hearts
• olives
• roasted/salted nuts
• pepperoni/cured meats
• crab stuffed mushrooms
• smoked salmon
• dried seaweed
• bacon chips

Mains

• roasted veggies
• prime rib roast
• sauteed ground beef/mushroom/onion/garlic
• sushi
• ceasar salad 

Dessert

• dark chocolate
• coconut flakes/chips
• dates
• dried cranberries
• pineapple 

Beverages

• Sea Cider
• Red Wine
• Diet Coke

Beef Heart with Roasted Vegetables

I know what you're thinking...a cow heart?!! Gross! 

But I just hope that you try this recipe. Please leave comments, would love to see how it turns out!

Beef heart - very lean and tender

Thinly sliced

You can see how thin I sliced it

Marinated for 10 minutes 

Close up of marinating heart

Pan-fried in Ghee on high for 4min per side

Chopped broccoli, cabbage, onion - drizzled w/olive oil and oregano

Beef heart and veggies baked at 400° for 20minutes

Beef heart is done

Beef heart served with spicy mustard and radishes

Ingredients

1 beef heart thinly sliced

1 broccoli chopped

1 cup cabbage shredded

1 onion chopped

Marinade

3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp chili garlic sauce
1 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp coarse sea salt
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp cayenne

Slice beef heart really thinly with a sharp knife. Cover with marinade and let sit for at least 10 minutes. In a separate bowl toss your vegetables in olive oil with a bit of no-salt seasoning. 

On a large cookie sheet place your marinated beef heart slices and far enough apart put your veggies. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes. 

Serve with spicy mustard and radishes. 

Paleo Macaroons

For people who follow a Paleo diet, or for those who choose to limit certain foods, dessert is always a bit of a complication. Most desserts contain milk. Most desserts contain sugar. And most desserts are not Paleo friendly. But...

You can still eat dessert!

Here's how: When attempting to make Paleo desserts you should try to make something that does not require a lot of rising, has easily substituted ingredients, and isn't too finicky. Here is my take on Paleo Macaroon Balls.

Enjoy!

Paleo Macaroons

• 2 large egg whites
• 1/4 tbsp organic raw honey
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
• pinch of cinnamon (optional)
• 2 1/2 cups of organic unsweetened coconut flakes or shredded coconut
• 4 squares of organic 80% dark chocolate
• 1/4 tsp cayenne powder (optional)

Preheat oven to 350°C. 

In a large bowl mix together your egg whites and honey with a whisk or fork. Then add sea salt, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Next add in coconut flakes or shredded, and stir together until it is all mixed together. 

Here's the trick. Place mixture in freezer for 10 minutes. Remove from freezer and scoop onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Use a scoop that gives you golf ball sized balls. 

Bake in oven for 10-15 minute, until they are golden brown. Remove and let cool for at least 1 hour. 

On stove top bring water to a boil. Place a stainless steel bowl on top and put in your chocolate. You can use a double boiler if you have one. Heat chocolate until melted. Add cayenne powder to give you a slight spicy chocolate flavor. Drizzle melted chocolate over top of macaroons. 

Store them in an airtight container in the fridge or even freezer if you prefer a cold treat. 

Enjoy!

Yield: 16-18 golf ball sized macaroons