A Must Read Article!

Please take a minute out of your busy day today to read this article that I found regarding cancer causing foods. Unfortunately the list came as no surprise to me but it's most definitely worth your time. (Just another reason to stick with a paleo strict diet- because as you can see this list correlates directly with the healthy lifestyle that we encourage everyone to maintain).

http://www.undergroundhealth.com/cancer-foods/?

Here is the breakdown:

1. GMOs
2. Processed Meats
3. Microwave Popcorn
4. Soda Pop
5. Diet Food Beverages
6. Refined White Flours
7. Refined Sugars
8. Conventional Apples, Grapes and other "Dirty Fruit"
9. Farm Raised Salmon
10. Hydrogenated Oils

Gearing Up For Our Upcoming Paleo Challenge

As you may or may not have read already we have decided to run our half yearly paleo challenge... starting June 1st. We are doing things a bit different this time around, and one idea that was brought to my attention via Weronika was to create a paleo recipe sharing book pre challenge. 

So I ask that all of our members do some digging, and spread some kindness by sharing their favorite paleo recipes with Weronika or myself. We are looking for a good variety so that this time around the "challenge" won't even feel like one. It can be something as simple as a smoothie that you have found the perfect blend of ingredients for, or a paleo condiment that you have finally mastered. The point is we can get as fancy or as basic as you would like. 

Please either make a copy of your recipe(s) or email it to info@fireforcefitness.com- and leave the rest to us!!!!

I'm excited to see what we all come up with- and thank you in advance on behalf of your fellow athletes!

Pesto Chicken topped with Bruschetta

The weather has finally taken a turn for the better around here and with warmer weather comes the desire for lighter dishes. This chicken recipe is perfect for those warm summer nights where you don't want anything too heavy or filling... Adapted from a recipe I found on Fine Cooking I think everyone will really enjoy this one!

Ingredients:

2 Organic Hormone/Antibiotic Free Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

Basil Pesto- (Homemade) Olive Oil, Fresh Basil, Lemon Juice, Chopped Walnuts, Minced Garlic

3 Tbs Fresh Lemon Juice

2 Organic Vine Ripened Tomatoes (Chopped)

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 1/2 tsp Red-Wine Vinegar

3 Garlic Cloves minced

1 tsp Dijon Mustard

Handful Chopped Sweet Onion

2 Tbs Chopped Fresh Basil- in addition to basil needed for pesto

Salt & Pepper to taste

Instructions:

Prep your Chicken by removing any excess fat if need be- I bought ours from Trader Joes and as it came was just fine. Butterfly your chicken and pound it with a meat pounder if you have one. After your chicken is prepped prepare your homemade basil pesto. (I simply eyeball making this each time- so it always comes out different). But you will need a good amount of chopped fresh basil (over a cup), I used 2 garlic cloves minced using a garlic press, a handful of chopped walnuts, fresh squeezed lemon juice, salt and pepper, and slowly poured olive oil. It should look something like this when you have processed it either in a food processor or high speed blender.

Lightly salt and pepper your chicken before covering it with your fresh basil pesto onto one side. 

Next warm up either your outdoor grill or your grill pan with olive oil. It's important to allow time for the oil to heat up so that you can create those beautiful grill marks that everyone strives for.

Cook your chicken until it's juices run clear or until it's cooked entirely throughout. While your chicken is cooking toss together your bruschetta ingredients. Take your chopped tomatoes, onions, red wine vinegar, dijon mustard, chopped basil, 1 garlic clove, fresh lemon juice, a tad bit of olive oil and salt and pepper to taste and mix it all together. (It should look something like this)

When your chicken is cooked through simply top each piece with your bruschetta mixture and enjoy- pair with a side salad for a great summer dinner.

Toast Mom With A Paleo Pina Colada Smoothie

Happy Mother's day to all of you deserving mothers- (including mothers like myself who's job thus far is to mother our pets... but nonetheless we are mothers as well). I hope everyone has a relaxing Sunday spent with family, eating good food and possibly partaking in a few beverages as well. (After all it is a celebratory day- so why not). I'm not much of a drinker but I did make myself this Pina Colada Smoothie this morning and patted myself on the back for a job well done :) (Kyle wasn't here to witness- and I'm pretty sure he would have made fun of me). Anyways cheers to Mothers Day!

Ingredients:

1 Banana

1 1/4 Cup Fresh Pineapple Chopped

2 Tbs Shredded Unsweetened Coconut Flakes

1 Cup Coconut Milk

1 1/2 Cups Ice

Blend all ingredients together and Enjoy! (Recipe courtesy of Ourpaleolife posted on FastPaleo)

Channel your inner spice with some Jambalaya

I'm really excited to share this latest recipe with everyone... I have to say it may just be my favorite one to date. We made this just a few days ago and I really wouldn't mind making it again this weekend. I was a HUGE fan and highly recommend our readers to try it out and see for yourselves!

Ingredients:

1 Yellow/Sweet Onion (diced)

2 Green Peppers (Organic) (diced)

3 Cloves of Garlic (minced)

1 Head of Cauliflower

2 Boneless Skinless Organic Hormone Free Chicken (Cubed)

12 Oz Polish Sausage (we purchased ours from Wallace- and it was excellent but Trader Joes is a good choice as well) (Sliced)

1 1/4 Cup Organic Low Sodium Paleo Chicken Broth

1 6 oz Organic Tomato Paste

15 oz Can Organic Paleo friendly Diced Tomatoes

Olive Oil

Heaping tsp Smoked Paprika

Heap tsp Oregano

1/2 Heaping tsp Thyme

Heaping tsp Parsley (dried)

Heaping 1/2 tsp Cayenne

Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions:

Start by prepping your ingredients- dicing your onion, peppers, garlic, meat etc.

Process your head of cauliflower in a high speed blender or food processor so that it turns into a rice like consistency. 

Saute your onion, green peppers, and garlic in a warm pan with olive oil.

After your onion has become translucent add your cauliflower, cubed uncooked chicken, sausage and your broth. Stir and cover for around 5-7 minutes on med-high heat. 

Next add your tomato paste and your diced tomatoes along with your spices and stir.

Cover and cook for an additional 7-10 minutes then remove from the heat and allow to rest to thicken.

Enjoy!

(Feel free to add wild shrimp- that would really put this dish over the edge) 

Banana Nut Balls

This recipe is courtesy of my love of pinterest and Lexbake... these are a great little treat to satisfy that after dinner craving. 

Ingredients:

1 Cup Pitted Dates

1 Banana, 1 tbs Water- mashed with a fork= banana mixture

1/2 Tbs Cinnamon

1/4 Cup Almond Flour

1/4 Cup Coconut Flour

1/2 Cup Almonds

1 Cup Walnuts

1/2 Cup Almonds

1/2 Tbs Cinnamon

Instructions:

In either a food processor or high speed blender blend your dates, banana mixture and 1/2 Tbs Cinnamon.

Pour the mixture into a large bowl and combine with your coconut flour and almond flour and mix together. 

Now in the food processor blend your 1/2 cup almonds and 1 cup walnuts. Mix the nut mixture into the large bowl with your flours. 

Back to the food processor blend your remaining almonds and cinnamon.

 Roll your dough mixture into balls, rolling each ball into your almond/cinnamon. Refrigerate before ready to serve.

Paleo Blueberry Granola Cereal

I stumbled upon this granola recipe from the Paleo Cupboard site and thought why not turn this into a blueberry cereal. Originally the recipe called for cashews which I thought was weird, as we all know those aren't paleo but I guess to each his own. The most beautiful thing about this recipe is that if you make a large enough batch you can have cereal for the week. To be able to just toss this into a bowl and add a milk alternative actually brought a smile to my face. (Because as we all know there are very few easy quick fix type paleo meals that require little to no effort- now that's what I'm talking about)

Ingredients:

1 Cup Raw Almonds

1 Cup Walnuts

1/4 Cup Pepitas

1/2 Cup Unsweetened Coconut Flakes

1/4 Cup Coconut Oil or Walnut Oil

1/2 Cup Raw Honey

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

1/2 Cup Freeze Dried Blueberries (no sugar added) Trader Joes 

Milk of preference (Almond or Coconut)

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 275 degrees. Place your nuts and coconut flakes into your food processor or high speed blender and pulse for a few (just enough to break up the pieces). Microwave or warm up your oil, raw honey, and vanilla together for around 45 seconds. Now simply toss your nuts and oil mixture in a mixing bowl and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Be sure to allow for your mixture to be spread out enough so that it lays in only a single layer. Cook for around 20 minutes or until your granola has browned a bit. After your granola has browned throw in your freeze dried blueberries and allow to cool for about 20 minutes. Store in a tupperware for those mornings you just feel like taking the easy road.