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I’m not sure why I didn’t think of this? Also, like 2 years ago? With the amount of bacon we cook, and the fact that we reserve the bacon fat for other uses, drrrr. She is on the money with this one!!

Kate's avatarNurseMomPaleo

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I love eating giant salads almost daily and I am a firm believer that the dressing I use plays a very important role in how much I enjoy my salad. Almost every dressing on the store shelves contains some sort of processed hydrogenated seed oil: soybean oil, cottonseed oil, canola oil (rapeseed oil), and the list goes on and on…Holy omega-6 Batman! We do not even touch those horrible rancid oils in our house. Olive oil has its place, but I am getting sick of it on my salad. I love bacon, when you cook bacon you end up with bacon flavored oil (melted fat). Hmmmm, that would make a great oil for my salad. *Poof*! Balsamic bacon vinaigrette was born.

Ingredients:

  • 1 package apple smoked bacon
  • 1.5 cups balsamic vinegar

Directions:

Chop up the bacon and cook it over medium heat until crispy and slightly sticking to…

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African Memories, Part 3

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Great White Shark Cage Diving: One of those things you think you’ll never do, plan to do at the end of your trip (if something goes wrong, at least you got to experience everything else first), and think you’ll chicken out on, once you get on the actual boat.

South Africa is the Great White capital of the world, and so when in Rome…blaa blaa. We were promptly picked up at our hotel at 4:45am, for the 2 hour drive to Gansbaai Harbor-where the Atlantic and Pacific collide, for our day of cage diving. We ended up paired with Brian McFarlane and his fabulous crew, unknown to us at the time, but somewhat of a Great White legend and expert, seen on Dirty Jobs and National Geographic among others. I would highly recommend his company for diving in Gansbaai: Great White Cage Diving.

We signed our life away, dressed in our waterproof orange suits, boarded the boat, and off we went. I felt so much more comfortable than I thought I would, because you really do not have to go far out to sea at all. Being able to see land, was a comfort for me. The waters, which were calm, also another selling point. It was so cold, and a little drizzly, with water temps around 48 degrees-so a bit of a shock when it floods your wet-suit  I’d decided based on how cold I was that I was content just viewing the great whites from the boat (aka chickening out)…but seriously, when will I ever do this again? So I volunteered for the third group (Seth and I went individually so we could take pics of each other’s experience).

Once it’s your turn, you drop down into the cage (with about 5 others), and hang on (in very specific areas so your arms and legs are not outside the cage). Spotters on the top of the boat chumming and using decoys, will let you know when a shark is coming, and they’ll tell you “Down, Down! To the left! Down! To the right!” so you know where to look. And then they just sail on by, majestic as ever. Really not as scary as you’d think, and totally awesome animals. Unbelievable. There is no adrenaline rush comparable to a 4 meter 1 ton great white, thrashing against your boat!I still cannot believe we did it. I’d even do it again! Completely worth it, and a lifelong memory for sure.

002 (2)004 (2)006 (2)003017004030031009This experience had special significance for me, as it also happened to be my 6 year diagnosis anniversary with type 1 diabetes. If diabetes has taught me anything, it’s to seize every moment, which I try really hard to do, great white shark cage diving, included 🙂

Paleo Party Treats

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I had a lia sophia jewelry party this past Saturday-they’re so much fun! Awesome ladies, gorgeous jewels, yummy healthy food, and vino. What could be better? I always take these parties as opportunities to try some new tasty finger food recipes-Ala paleo style 🙂

I ended up with Paleo Cookie Dough Truffles, Chili Roasted Pepitas, and a whole smorgasbord of other goodies.

Here are the Paleo Cookie Dough Truffles from Frisky Lemon Nutrition:Paleo Cookie Dough Truffles

I chose to use raw honey. My recipe took 3 1/2 TBSP of coconut flour. My yield was about 45, as I made them just a little more bite size. I used my Kitchen Aid mixer to incorporate all ingredients, and it was very convenient. They do soften fairly quickly, so keep in the refrigerator until ready to serve, and continue bringing more out. I chose not to dip them in chocolate as I thought they’d be sweet enough as is-and they were perfect!!! They were a huge hit. What a fabulous recipe (oh, and super easy too!) 🙂

The other recipe I made was Chili Roasted Pepitas. Whether or not seeds are considered “paleo” depends on who you ask. I typically do not eat them, as they’re difficult to digest (that whole external shell to protect the inside fruit thing…). I had purchased some a while back for a specific recipe, and all I could find at the time was a huge bag of them, which have sat in my pantry ever since. I decided to use them up with this recipe from elana’s pantry: Chili Roasted Pumpkin Seeds. I followed the recipe exactly (again, super easy!), and they were so good! I was pleasantly surprised with how light and airy the seeds became after toasting, and they’re a great crunchy, healthier snack to have sitting around instead of crackers or granola.

I also made Dark Chocolate Pistachio Sea Salt Bark from Whole Living (my fave magazine ever). I tried this recipe from the magazine about a year and a half ago, and have been making it ever since. It’s probably one of my most requested recipes. I rub butter on the pan, instead of using cooking spray (yucky), and I don’t measure anything. I melt about 3/4 of a bag of Ghiradelli dark chocolate chips, I sprinkle with lots of shelled pistachios, and grind more sea salt than you’d expect. Salt and chocolate = yum. Another go-to super easy recipe that always gets rave reviews. I’ve also changed up the ingredients with lots of different things, and it’s always been successful, too.

I’d also baked a wedge of brie, and paired it with organic blueberry preserves, and had the usual fresh fruit, crisp vegetables, nut crackers, and it wouldn’t be a party without bacon 🙂

It’s the little things, like baking powder!

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That make me happy. This health journey I’ve been on has been successful for me, because I take baby steps and slowly make changes (makes it far less overwhelming for me). This is the perfect example of one of those changes: baking powder. I don’t bake that often, but when I do, I refuse to use the baking powder you find at any grocery store, etc. because it has corn in it. Corn is a grain, that I do not eat. Not even corn starch in small amounts. For me, corn is one of those things that’s a no. I have looked at health food stores out here in San Diego and much to my surprise was unsuccessful in finding a corn-free baking powder, therefore, I turned to my best buddy, Amazon. Enter Hain Pure Foods Featherweight Baking Powder. I’m super excited about this (like I said, it’s the small things 🙂 ). It’s gluten, sodium, aluminum, and corn-free. Yes, it has potato starch, but I’d rather have a small amount of that, than the other. Oh, and it’s affordable especially when it lasts so long!Baking Powder Back Baking Powder Front