Coffee
December 1, 2015
Coffee
November 30, 2015
Glasses + yoga isn’t the best combo for people who get carsick.
November 29, 2015
Dammit. Despite thinking about taking my POD no less than 5 times, I never actually got around to it it seems.
November 28, 2015
Stalking fat squirrels in Union Square Park.
Maple Bourbon Bacon Brussels
Drool. This dish is fantastic, and a real show-stopper when shared with friends in some sort of seasonal bacchanalia.
Gluten-free, paleo-ish
Maple Bourbon Bacon Brussels
1 lb. brussels sprouts
1/2 – 1 lb. bacon
2 Tbsp. grainy mustard (I prefer Maille)
1/2 tsp. grated nutmeg
Sprinkle something hot (I used dried ghost peppers)
Kosher salt
2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
Bacon fat or other Fat Of Choice
1/4 cup bourbon
1/4 cup maple syrup
Brown the bacon in your largest pan over medium heat. While your bacon is browning, shred the brussels. Remove bacon to paper towels – don’t ditch the fat. If you have a bunch of kinda burnt bacon bits, pour the fat off into a bowl or cup, deal with the bits, and put the fat back into the pan and the pan back over heat.
Add the shredded brussels to the pan with the fat, along with 2 generous pinches Kosher salt. Stir to combine fully. Add the mustard and stir to incorporate fully. Add the nutmeg and hot stuff; stir again.
Sautee, stirring frequently, until the brussels begin to brown. If your brussels look a little dry during this time, add more fat – more fat = more better; it’s the holidays.
When the brussels are a little browned at the edges, add the apple cider vinegar, bourbon and maple syrup. Stir to combine. Sauté until the liquid cooks out and the brussels are as browned as you’d like, making sure to stir frequently so nothing burns.
Crumble the reserved bacon and sprinkle over top. Taste and add more salt/heat/acid as needed.
Serves a bunch as a holiday side
November 27, 2015
A stroll
November 26, 2015
A little pre-Turkey running.
November 25, 2015
Islanders vs Phillies
November 24, 2015
There’s just something about crisp white lighting.
Adventures In Budget Paleo Cooking – Week of November 16 – 22
This Week’s Menu
Monday
Breakfast: Green smoothie
Lunch: Leftover pulled pork + an apple + the last of my kimchee
Dinner: Vaguely Mexican-themed ground beef bowl with carrots, scallions and the rest of the radishes
Tuesday
Breakfast: Green smoothie
Lunch: Leftover pulled pork, apples & hot sauce
Dinner: Another attempt at a protein smoothie + I made a slow-cooked whole chicken with root veggies and lemon and wine. Which I did not eat, but did my wifely duty and left for my DH so he wouldn’t *have* to eat delivery Indian food.
Wednesday
Breakfast: Green smoothie
Lunch: Leftover pulled pork, asian pear, pomegranate & fennel
Dinner: I had intended on eating some of that leftover chicken I made yesterday with zoodles, but decided to get in a good workout before a late appointment so did not. The DH finally broke down and had pulled pork. I ended up grabbing a handful of nuts at the house and some deli food while out.
Thursday
Breakfast: Green smoothie
Lunch: A dupe of yesterday.
Dinner: Another protein smoothie.
Friday
Breakfast: Green smoothie
Lunch: The DH and I went out of town for the weekend, and we kicked it all off with lunch out
Dinner: Out
Sunday
Breakfast: Out
Lunch: Out
Dinner: Out
This Week’s Grocery List
Zucchini, 2 ($3.06 @ Whole Foods)
Cage free eggs, 12 ($2.99 @ Whole Foods)
Sachet herbal chai tea ($3.99 @ Whole Foods)
Sachet herbs de provence ($1.99 @ Whole Foods)
Avocado ($1.66 @ Whole Foods)
Coconut milk, 2 cans ($2.29 x 2 @ Whole Foods)
Pumpkin, 2 cans ($1.29 x 2 @ Whole Foods)
Unsweetened applesauce ($2.29 @ Whole Foods)
Lemon ($0.89 @ Whole Foods)
Grated raw milk reggiano ($7.93 @ Whole Foods)
Vanilla extract ($7.49 @ Whole Foods)
Caraway seeds ($1.99 @ Whole Foods)
Smoothie Supplies
Purchased separately by the DH – and he forgot the receipt, but I’m guessing he spent $20 – $25 at Trader Joe’s. Probably less.
Totals
Carryover from last week: $21.92
Trader Joe’s: $20.00
Whole Foods: $43.93
Budget Breakout
This week, I spent $57.99; $43.01 under budget. Yay in theory – though we really didn’t save any money, since we ate out more than usual.
Leftovers From This Week
At the end of the week, I have some scallions, 1 sweet potato, and a tiny steak left over.
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Think eating healthfully is too expensive for you? Think again. According to the USDA, to ensure a nutritious diet as of December 2014, a family of two aged 19-59 years should spend between $388.90 and $776.10 on food per month, or $89.80 – $179.30 per week. Source
For my family of two adults, I spend roughly $400 a month on groceries or $100 a week – and we eat well. Not caviar and lobster well, but I do manage to serve a predominately paleo diet with little to no processed foods, and I get to throw in a few luxuries here and there (like expensive snacks for the hubbs and the occasional ridiculously expensive bag of coffee). We even manage to buy “good” meat (grass fed beef and free-range chicken) most of the time – and I make this budget work even on the weeks we pay for convenience by getting delivery groceries. I make: 10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 10 dinners a week – plus enough snacks to satisfy and fuel two active adults.
I’m hoping that this series will help shed a little light on the day-to-day things a “paleo” person really eats — and how that way of eating can work on a budget. I want to nudge anyone sitting on the fence right over the edge by showing that it *can* be done and that you don’t just eat meat, meat, meat and more meat.
