Delicata, Pomegranate & Avocado Kale Salad {Gluten-Free, Paleo & Vegan}

Recently I completed a ten day cleanse. I needed a reset. My body was feeling sluggish, tired and heavy. I consulted a holistic nutritionist and off I went. Shakes. Veggies. Supplements. Repeat.

I didn’t talk about the cleansing process on here. I didn’t really want to trouble you all with my inevitable “EHRMAGHERD, ALL I WANT TO DO IS EAT MY ARM OFF AND YELL LOUDLY” attitude. That happened around day seven. Detox is a funny thing. It can make a usually jovial human being into a crazy, wonky-eyed monster, willing to sell their first born child on the black market for half a steak and a glass of bourbon. Perhaps this is dramatic, but still… it’s a thing. One night I cried into a bowl of Brussels sprouts. Just sobbing and eating. No big deal. I asked my husband to ignore me, as this was all just “part of my process”. He kept his eyes to himself like a gentleman as I tried to choke down sprouts through light sobs. This is no easy feat. Did you know you use a lot of your cry muscles to swallow? No? You don’t cry when you eat? Oh, ok… […]

Grain-Free Apple & Pear Crisp {Gluten-Free & Paleo}

Everyone has been so busy losing their minds over pumpkin. I’m no different. You’ve seen my Ultimate Gluten-Free Pumpkin Recipe Round-up! That got intense. I scoured the internet for over fifty pumpkin recipes. That is a lot of pumpkin, folks! I’m in it. I want to make pumpkin body wash and rub it all over my body so I smell like pie all day. I want to throw some pumpkin pie spice into my yogurt in the morning. I want to get wild and make pumpkin pudding and pumpkin soup and put on a pumpkin costume and do a jig as a pumpkin. Too much? Probably. But, you get me. There is totally a thing called “Pumpkin Fever”, and your girl has got it.  […]

Spaghetti Squash Pesto Pasta With Chard & Sun Dried Tomatoes {Gluten-Free, Paleo & Vegan Option}

Have you ever tried to recreate a food memory? We all have them, right? Things that were simmering or baking during significant moments in our lives. Certain dishes that remind us of someone or something special. They can also go the other way on you… for example, I will most likely never again put a Sun Chip in my mouth — Thank you windy road to the beach for all the memories #nope.
When I was making this dish, I wanted to recreate what I ordered on my first date with my husband. The smell of pesto always brings me back to that evening. I wore a denim skirt that in hindsight was gloriously too short. He wore a button down that looked just like the checkered table cloths at the Italian restaurant. He was nervous. He wiped his mouth incessantly with his napkin. We joked. We laughed. Our waitress was totally drunk and boisterously exclaimed “You’re such a beautiful couple! When’s the wedding?!” Perfect for a first date. After the date, I asked him if he wanted to come over and meet my cat, Gunther. Smooth, right?  I made out with his face. The rest is history. Some might consider Gunther our Yenta (Fiddler On The Roof reference, anyone? )  Classic love story, right? Totally.  […]

Spinach & Pepita Pesto {Gluten-Free, Vegan & Paleo Option}

I came to my computer this morning with every intention of writing you a fantastic post on pesto. Fast forward thirty minutes… I am staring semi-blankly at my computer screen a step away from drooling. I look down and a big-ugly-flying bug has committed suicide in my smoothie. Is this an omen? Yikes. At least my Monday is going slightly better than Mr. Ugly Bug’s. I could be face down somewhere  in a liquid vat of coconut milk and greens. Rough.
I message my husband on G-chat. I complain that the hamster in my brain refuses to jog. The wheel is not turning. I need some pesto inspiration. I ask him for some thoughtful words on pesto. He responds with a factual “It’s green”. This is going well. I ask him if he has anymore slightly less literal thoughts on the subject, to which he confesses “No idea. I barely understand it.” His hamster is tired too. I get it. Pesto can be kind of mysterious. I’m gonna help you all demystify it. […]