I was a bit skeptical about dinner. I am not the biggest fan of butternut squash, but I got it in my CSA box and excited to try out a recipe I would like. This was so easy and perfect for a  cold rainy night.

Ingredients

Butternut squash halvee
Small pumpkin halved
One sweet potato halved
1/4 onion halved
1 tbl evoo
1 qt chicken or veggie broth
1 tbl turmeric
1 tsp nutmeg
1 can coconut milk

Take first 4 ingredients cover with oil, salt and pepper. Roast in 425 degree oven for thirty minutes. I only used half of pumpkin and squash- adjust accordingly. Removed from skins and place in blender with broth. Pulse. Add spices to taste and heat for 5-10 minutes then add in coconut milk. Top with chives.

Ingredients:

3 bananas

1 can pumpkin

3 eggs

1/3 cup oil

1 cup powder honey

1/2 organic sugar

1.5 cups flax meal

2 cups organic wheat flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

4 tsp pumpkin spice

3 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

Mix wet ingredients, honey, and sugar in stand mixer. In seperate bowl, mix remaining dry ingredients. Create a bowl in dry ingredients and switch spots on stand mixer pour at once wet ingredients into dry ingredients bowl. Mix on medium speed for 5-10 minutes or until mixed thoroughly. Put in preheated oven at 350 for 45 minutes if toos brown too quickly place aluminum foil on top last 10 minutes.

This is one of my favorite recipes, I cant get enough of it! It was easy and my favorite piece its from the garden! I make my marinera out of what the garden gives me. Feel free to alter for your season and own taste. The meatballs where sweet and savory so juicy.

Turkey Meatballs

1/2 onion chopped

2/3 cup peppers chopped

2 cloves garlic

3 tbl fresh parsley

1 lb all natural ground turkey

1/2 lb sweet sausage

2 eggs

2 tbl ketchup

1/2 tbl dr braggs aminos

2 cups toasted bread crumbs (i used stale kings hawaiin rolls)

Salt and pepper to taste

Cook up onions, peppers, and garlic in one tablespoon oil, about 8-10 minutes until tender. Put in food processor and mince. Put pepper mixture in large bowl with remaining ingredients. Slowly add in bread crumbs until it is a solid mixture and not runny.. Mix thoroughly. Grease cookie sheets with aluminum foil. Form meat into 3" balls and place on sheet. Cook at 425 for 25 minutes turning once. Meanwhile make marinera.

Marinera

Again use what veggies you have on hand. These are the ones I used are listed below.

3 tbl evoo

2 stalks of carrots cut into chunks

1/2 cup peppers cut

1 cup eggplant

1/2 cup onions cut

5 cloves garlic

1 portobello mushroom cap cut

1 cup spinach

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

2/3 cup dry red wine

5 cups tomatoes

2 tbla each basil. Oregano, parsley

Cook in hot oil carrots, peppers, eggplant, and onion for 10-15 minutes until tender on medium high heat. Reduce to medium and add garlic and mushrooms. Saute 3-5 more minutes. Add in spinach and saute 1-2 minutes then add in wine and vinegar and tomatoes. Reduce to med/low and cover for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and put in food processor. Return to pan, add meatballs and place in oven at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes until done. Enjoy!

Girls night last night and lots of fun to be had. I wanted to make something healthy with quick and easy cleanup. This yummy dish is comforting like chili with a spiced flair of curry. I put this over brown rice feel free to rice cauliflower for a delicious base or eat it without either.

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef

2 sweetpotatoes cubbed

4tbl coconut oil

2 cup chopped peppers

1 onion diced

5 cloves garlic minced

2 cups tomatoes chopped

1 tbl mae ploy curry paste i used yellow red would be good too

2 cups water

Begin by cooking sweet potatoes in 2 tbl coconut oil over medium high heat 8-10 minutes or just prior to getting soft. Add in diced onion and peppers. Saute until translucent add more coconut oil if needed. Add in beef and brown. Add tomatoes garlic and curry. Mix together then add water bring to boil then reduce heat to medium low and simmer. Simmer until water has mostly dissolved and thickened. Enjoy!

So tonight I wanted one of my favorite dishes, pizza!! Decided to try a new recipe out that calls for a paleo and gluten free crust using cauliflower. Some recipes call for a cup of cheese to hold together better, i decided to make my creamy cashew cheese substitute instead. Made a nutty delicious crust just have to make sure you cook it long enough to ensure adhesion or it will fall apart. I added spinach, dates, and goat cheese on mine- choose whatever flavors you like!

Ingredients

1 head of cauliflower

2 eggs

1/2 cup raw cashews

1 cup water

1 tbl italian spices dried or 1/4 cup fresh chopped

1 tbl avocado or olive oil

2 cups tomato

Any ingredients and toppings you like

For dough add water to cashews and sit over night or for at least 2 hours. cut up cauliflower and place in food processor chop up fine. Microwave cauliflower in pyrex dish for 7 minutes. Ring out and excess water. Remove water from cashews and pulverize in blender. It should look like paste. Addthis to cauliflower along with egg and spices, mix. Form into ball and place on greased parchment paper placed on pan i used round pizza pan. Press into pan. Brush oil on top. Cook in pre-heated 425 degree oven for 20-30 minutes or until browned all over. Remove and cool 5-15 minutes. Add sauce or tomatoes and any toppings you like. You can make it for many different types of diets and healthy eating lifestyles. Enjoy!!!

Tried a new recipe tonight. Got the inspiration from a fellow challenger, unfortunately I left the commissary without zuchini. So I decided to do a leek soup. Instead of cream, I used the frugal paleo recipe for creamy cashew sauce-(ummmm yum!!!) great healthy recipe a must try!

Ingredients

5 slices bacon

1/2 onion sliced

2 leeks sliced hard root removed

2 carrots cut

3 celery stalks cut

3 cloves garlic

1 sweet potato chopped

3 bay leaves

3 tbl dried parsley

5 cups chicken broth

1 recipe creamy cashew sauce from frugal paleo

Begin with cooking bacon, reserving drippings and setting bacon aside. Cook next 5 ingredients in bacon grease. Add potato, chicken broth and herbs. Cook on medium heat for 25 minutes. In batches place in ninja and blend well. Pour into bowl with small amout of cashew sauce to your desire. I added cut spinach, bok choy, and bacon on top. Add your favorite ingredients to conpkiments the subtle onion flavoring.

Creamy cashew sauce is made from soaking 1 cup of cashews in 1.5 cups of water over night. Remove water and lighly chop in ninja. Add 1/2 tbl salt. Blend longer til smooth. Add 1/4 tbl pepper and 1 cup chicken broth blend creates a creamy almond/cashew milk mixture. Really cool creamy! Enjoy!!

This was so yummy it didnt make me want carbs!!! The fresh herbs from my garden is what set it off. The stevia leaves made it so sweet i swore it could have come from a jar! Enjoy.

Ingredients

1lb ground all natural turkey

1 onion chopped

1 bell pepper chopped

3 stalks celery minced

1 carrot or 6 baby carrots mince

3 cloves garlic minced

1 cup olives chopped

2 whole tomatoes diced

2 tbl balsamic vinegar

1/4 red wine

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tbl fresh stevia leaves minced

1 bunch basil, oregano, savory, and sage leaves minced.

Brown meat. Add pepper, carrots, celery, garlic and onion. Saute until translucent and cooked. Add olives and tomato. Crush tomatoes down add wine and vinegar. Cook for 10-15 minutes adding herbs last 5 minutes. Enjoy!

I am trying hard to stay good and not snack, but a sweet craving came on and i couldnt resist. This is a healthy way to indulge in goodness.

Ingredients:

Handful of almonds (1/4cup)

2 tbl coconut oil

3/4 mango

5 dates

1/4 cup blueberries

1/2 tsp lemon juice (1/2 lemon)

Mix almonds and oil create a crust in blender cup. Press into cup/bowl. Add remianing ingredients into food precessor or blender cup blend then add on top or crust. Enjoy!

This alteration from my typical vinegarette is well worth the try! Just know it becomes solid when placed in fridge for future use.

Ingredients

1tbl fresh ginger

1 tsp powder onion

1 tsp powder garlic

2 tsp drbraggs aminos

1/3 cup rice wine vinegar

3tbl coconut oil

2 drops sesame oil or tahini

salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together and emulsify in blender or food processor i use my ninja personal cups. Enjoy!