Vegan Beet & Butternut Squash Chili

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This Vegan Beet & Butternut Squash Chili has big chunks of beets in it. Beets are great for nourishing your blood (that’s not a vampire reference…) — I find that they are awesome for fighting off some of those annoying conditions associated with menopause!

It’s chili season! Nothing says happy autumn like the fragrant aroma from a big pot of chili cooking on the stove. In our house that chili must be eaten while watching whatever football game is on TV. And the table has to be filled with bowls of guacamole, cheeses (vegan ones too), coconut yogurt, fresh cilantro, and some healthy-ish chips to pile on top of the individual bowls of chili. And even though this is a healthier chili, it still goes great with an ice cold beer…

Oftentimes I make my chili with meat — beef, pork, turkey, bison, lamb… whatever I’m feeling at the moment. …

Chicken Souvlaki Bowls

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These Chicken Souvlaki Bowls will help with your mental concentration and energy levels… chicken & coconut… a great combo for body & mind energy…

I don’t know how or when it started, but somewhere along the way my family just assumed they were eating healthy when they ordered in Greek food. I do love Greek food… but really, souvlaki in a pita smothered in sauce (no matter how delicious), is just not a healthy meal. But, thankfully, this recipe for chicken souvlaki bowls is easy to make, healthy, and even more delicious than if it came from your favorite Greek restaurant. This bowl is completely paleo (if you use grain-free pita bread), dairy-free (the yogurt is coconut yogurt), and Whole 30 friendly, so let the healthy eating begin!

And yes, I am one of those people that truly believes that almost everything tastes better in a bowl. Just look at …

Healing Slow Cooker Chicken Soup

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I make some form of a healing soup every time anyone says they feel they might be getting sick. So, last week when Steve was past the point of “almost” getting sick — I mean way into the multi-tissue phase of a cold, I brought out the big guns and made this healing slow cooker chicken soup.

Usually when I make chicken soup, I let it simmer on the stove and go about my business. This time, I just didn’t have the time to stay in, so I broke out the slow cooker. And let me tell you, not only is this soup delicious, but this healing slow cooker chicken soup really lives up to its name! Steve had a bowl that night for dinner, then another for breakfast (this surprised me because, although I would easily do this, I was shocked that he actually ate soup for breakfast), and …

Bulletproof Coffee Sweetened With Dates

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Bulletproof coffee sweetened with dates may be just the thing you need to start your day…

Full disclosure: I am not a coffee drinker. Well, I am not a caffeinated coffee drinker. When I was in college (a lifetime ago), I remember drinking 6 cups of coffee a day. But since I discovered that caffeine is something I don’t tolerate well (or, really, at all…), I stopped cold turkey. But I’ve always loved the taste and the smell of coffee so when I want a treat, I’ll grab a good cup of decaf.

A few years ago, when I first learned about Bulletproof Coffee from the amazingly knowledgeable Dave Asprey, all I wanted to do was try it. I started making it for Steve and for others who could actually tolerate caffeine and I found people were really reaping some great benefits.

I kept hearing about increases in energy, …

Paleo Vegan Caesar Salad

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Even if this wasn’t a paleo vegan Caesar salad, you would still love it more than any other Caesar!

This Caesar salad is better than any Caesar salad you have ever had. Yup. I said it. It’s BETTER. And, it has no dairy. And the croutons are grain-free. And instead of Romaine lettuce, it’s got shaved brussels sprouts and kale. And, I’ll say it again… IT’S BETTER THAN ALL THE OTHER CAESAR SALADS YOU HAVE BEEN EATING! You should believe me (I mean, I almost never write in all caps…)

I wish I could take all of the credit for this awesome dressing, but the credit goes to Angela at Oh She Glows.  She’s amazing and she created the original version of this dressing. Check out her blog if you want a real treat.

When I made this Caesar for friends, I didn’t tell anyone it was paleo or …

Sesame Green Beans

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Sesame green beans are a staple in my house… they are so simple, so healing, and they can be served at room temperature!

Every now and then I feel the need to post a really simple but delicious recipe. Sometimes I get a little too chef-y and I forget that simple is often better. Well, you can’t get more simple than this recipe for sesame green beans. And, you can’t get any better either!

What’s better than a fresh veggie, cooked perfectly so that it’s crisp-tender? These green beans are slightly steamed, then tossed with a tiny bit of toasted sesame oil, sesame seeds, and sea salt.  That’s it.  Nothing chef-y about the prep, only in the taste! Everyone will love this…

This side dish has been my go-to all summer long. It goes great with grilled meats, with my favorite paleo pasta dishes, and honestly, there’re nothing better than …

Pomegranate Glazed Beets

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These pomegranate glazed beets will make a beet lover out of anyone!

Every morning Steve and I take our dogs (Maggie and Sadie) to Central Park for a walk. It’s really an amazing thing to do. Before 9:00am all dogs are allowed off-leash in the park. It’s like a sci-fi movie — it’s the dogs’ world and we just live in it. Literally hundreds of dogs are running around playing and sniffing and all of them get along. It’s really quite incredible and awe-inspiring. It’s an hour of pure wonder.

Today, my plan was to go to the gym as soon as I left the park. But, it was one of those mornings… so, here I am still in my kitchen. In my gym clothes. I mean, it’s just sooooooooo hot outside and it’s so cool in here…

And, it may not be logical, but I really wanted to make …

Vietnamese Meatball Bowls

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These Vietnamese Meatball Bowls are deliciously Asian flavored… they will make you smile!

Almost all meatballs are awesome. But these meatballs are extra awesome. They are made with pork and infused with some traditional Vietnamese flavors. They are bit-sized, juicy, mouth watering, amazingly flavorful meatballs. (I do realize how over the top that sounds, but I’m sticking with it…)

Almost all food tastes better when it’s turned into a “bowl”. If you haven’t yet jumped on the bowl bandwagon, don’t wait even another minute. A “bowl” is a complete meal served in… a bowl! It’s extra special because you get so many great flavors together in one place. And they are so easy to customize to reflect your own particular tastes.

One of my favorite food bloggers, Lindsay at Pinch Of Yum, posted her awesome recipe for Banh Mi Bowls With Lemongrass Meatballs. I found that recipe so inspiring that …

Vegan Caprese Salad With Hearts Of Palm

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This vegan caprese salad with hearts of palm is even better than your favorite tomato/mozzarella salad.

What’s better than fresh ripe tomatoes in the heart of tomato season? Not much that I can think of! And when you combine these luscious, ripe, juicy tomatoes with fragrant fresh basil… it’s just the perfect marriage of summer flavors. But, with this recipe, you end up with an even better version of this traditional dish because this recipe also includes some awesome vegan mozzarella cheese and sliced hearts of palm.

I know that when a lot of people see a Caprese salad on a menu, they get all kinds of happy inside. I’ve always stayed away from these salads because of my inability to eat cheese. I am so happy to have recently found some of the most awesome vegan cheeses, so I’ve been like a kid in a candy store and I’ve …

Sweet Potato Bacon Waffles

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Sweet potato bacon waffles. Enough said. Yum!

Waffles are awesome. Waffle irons are amazing. You can make waffles out of almost anything. Really. It seems to be all the rage now… everywhere I turn I see people putting such creative mixtures into their waffle irons and making these really delicious looking creations. So, I just had to jump on the bandwagon… it looked like so much fun!

So, when I first saw this recipe on one of my favorite blogs, I just had to try to do it justice. Jennifer at Predominantly Paleo, gets all the credit for this awesome recipe.  I absolutely love it… it’s easy, delicious, paleo, and so healthy! Go visit Jennifer at her site because I’m sure you will love it as much as I do!

My waffle iron did not disappoint… these sweet potato bacon waffles are incredible! First, let me say, however, that …