paleo cookies

Hi Everyone! It’s Arsy of 30 days of paleo, filling in for K + T, while they jet set across the globe to get some much needed R&R in Bali. 

I really can’t wait to see the amazing photos these two will come back with!

Since my blog is about food and nutrition, I thought I would share an easy and delicious recipe with you today. Have you been noticing this gluten-free craze lately and wondering what it’s all about? Gluten-free items are marked in grocery stores now and even on some restaurant menus. 

I started taking a paleo approach to diet and lifestyle a couple of years ago, this way of eating is naturally gluten-free. If you aren’t familiar with paleo, check out the “The Whole9 Nutrition Elevator Pitch” (it’s at the very bottom of the page).

Anyway, I could honestly say removing wheat from my diet is one of the best things I have done for myself. Within weeks, I experienced a surge in my energy levels and never felt that icky too full feeling anymore. I know it seems daunting to remove wheat from our diets, it’s in so much stuff. I took it one step at a time and focused on only doing it for a month, then checking in to see how I felt. I personally didn’t struggle with it too much, but the one thing I really did miss was those Sunday mornings where I would sip on a cup of coffee and indulge in a pastry, while catching up on my favorite blogs. Since, I wasn’t willing to jeopardize how great I was feeling with a cookie or a croissant, I had to come up with an alternative.

I am not claiming that my paleo cookies are healthy (but I would argue that they are healthier than regular cookies), they are still cookies nonetheless! They are a great treat to have once in a while, plus they will make your house smell amazing!

Ingredients
Dry
1 cup almond meal
1 cup ground pecans - I purchase bulk pecans and ground them in a food processor
1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips - you can also use cacao nibs
1/4 cup dried berries of your choice
1/2 cup dried turkish apricots - chopped
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1 tsp. cinnamon

Wet
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 egg
4 tablespoons honey
1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Preparation
Preheat your oven to 350.
Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl.
In a separate bowl, combine all wet ingredients and mix well.
Once, the wet ingredients are mixed really well, pour over the dry ingredients and mix.
Place a heaping spoonful at a time of the mixture on a cookie sheet.
You can oil the cookie sheet with coconut oil to prevent from sticking.
This mixture should make about 10-12 cookies.
Bake for about 8 to 10 minutes. Keep your eye on these, they bake quick.

Enjoy!

42 below :: honey vodka

a while back,  i was in SF for a work trip... i stumbled upon the most amazing stuff  ---  honey flavored vodka!
yes!! i'm a fan of all things honey, so this was exciting for me... and this stuff is amazing! 

i had quite a few drinks at this bar with this gal... and we were in love with this stuff.

i tracked it down after on the internet... and it comes all the way from new zealand! 

the company is 42 below and they make a few other interesting flavored vodkas (and have won tons of awards too).

you must check out the 42 below site and click on "products". i love the way they display their vodka flavors
(which all sound amazing by the way - kiwi, passion fruit, & feijoa - YUM!)

then click on "tasting notes" to hear that fab kiwi accent (which i can never get enough of!) talk about the product! ;)

i'm on the hunt for a bar in sd that has this stuff... 

and if you ever find yourself in SF, head over to 15 romolo for a track 42... promise you'll love it 

(and thank me for the cute eye candy behind the bar too!).

PS - they suggest drinking 42 below honey with ginger beer (um... hello! my fav ever!) and lime! yum.... 

i think i need to order some of this stuff now for this summer!

PSS... since we missed some tunes we love on tuesday... 

here's two songs i'm loving right now by the band stornoway! 

check them out!

xo

Keen-wah...

So, I moved into a new apartment this weekend and I've yet to figure out how to hook up my internet, so that's why I haven't posted lately. I'll post more about the apartment and my adventures in decorating very soon....

My new place is close to downtown and my commute is only 10 minutes, door to door. SO RAD. Because I have all of this newfound free time in the morning, I actually made my lunch today and thought I'd share a recipe for a super easy recipe using a very, very healthy food, quinoa. It's a complete protein, so it's really, really good for you and more importantly, it's impossible to screw up . . . and I could easily burn water.

1 cup Quinoa
1 can of black beans, drained
1 container of salsa
1 avocado

Prepare the quinoa on the stove like the box tells you to. Add the black beans in during the "simmer" process and toss the salsa in, once it's cool. Add avocado right before eating. Salt, pepper and you're ready to go.

Yum.

i scream...

so i discovered this stuff a few weeks ago and i can't stop buying it (and sadly eating it)! it's the best stuff ever!
it's coconut bliss ice cream... and the greatest part is that it's not that bad for you! (yay!). it's made with coconut milk and sweetened with agave syrup. and it tastes amazing... especially if you're a fan of coconut!

it's soy, dairy, & gluten free, low glycemic, vegan... and organic! check out the nutritional info.
it also comes in 10 yummy flavors. my favs are dark chocolate and then naked coconut. i still haven't tried the mint one.... so that's next i think!

anyway... if you haven't tried this amazing stuff... go out to your local natural foods store and buy some!

cheers to a yummy (as good for you as it gets) ice cream! happy friday.