Paleo-friendly Cinnamon Rolls!

There is a God.

I found this recipe on Paleo Cupboard.  I used the dough recipe exactly, and the glaze.  However, I like my cinnamon filling to have a little bit more oomph.  And what surprising ingredient adds oomph to a lot of things paleo?  Pecans.  That's right.  Raw pecan halves.  I put probably a little less than a cups worth of pecans into my Nutribullet and pulverized.  Voila.  Pecan flour.  I added the pecan flour to the honey, cinnamon, and coconut oil.  After tasting it, I couldn't imagine the cinnamon filling without it. 

The downside of a small kitchen is that when you bake, it is HOT.  And it stays hot.  So when I went to "roll" out my dough (I didn't have a rolling pin so I used my hands) it did not stay firm from when it cooled in the fridge.  When it came down to rolling up my last strip, it was definitely sticking to the parchment paper and to my hands.  Paleo mess.  About half of my cinnamon rolls looked more like cinnamon lumps.  But the other half didn't turn out too bad!  I was satisfied.  Especially since it was my first attempt at paleo-friendly cinnamon rolls.

I could definitely use these as a permanent replacement to the store-bought.  Also, this has been my boyfriend's favorite paleo treat, yet!  And when anything healthy is highly approved by the boyfriend, you know it's good.  Another plus: they only take like 15 minutes to bake.  The recipe on Paleo Cupboard says anywhere from 17-21, but I took mine out a little early and they were perfect.

So now you can enjoy a much healthier version of cinnamon rolls!  

Everyone have an awesome weekend.  

Paleo Crock Pot Monkey Bread!

Okay.  I kind of lied.  It's not really monkey bread.  It's more like cinnamon honey buns.  But it looks like monkey bread!!  And still tastes phenomenal.  And I know I say this every time, but I really mean it this time.  This is THE best paleo treat recipe EVER.  Hands down.

Not only is this a super easy recipe, but it literally melts in your mouth.  Like M&M's.  But better.  And it only takes like an hour or an hour and a half in the crock pot.  

What you need:

DOUGH:
1/3 cup of coconut flour
3 eggs
1/2 tsp baking soda
5 tbs coconut oil/grass-fed butter
dash of salt
2 tbs honey

The dough recipe is actually from one of my favorite sites: Wellness Mama.  Her recipe calls for 4 eggs, but I only used three so I had more of a dough and not a batter, and I opted for the coconut oil and not the butter.  This made about 7 or 8 balls of dough.

TOPPING:
1 cup of honey
4 tbs grass-fed butter melted
1 tbs of cinnamon

 I mixed all of the dough ingredients together until it reached a good consistency.  Next I formed medium sized balls of dough.  After the balls of dough were formed, I melted the butter, and mixed that with the honey and cinnamon.  I dipped each dough ball into the topping mixture and placed into the crock pot.  If you have a large crock pot, you will want to double the recipe for the dough, but not the topping.  You will have plenty.  If you have a smaller crock pot, the amount of dough should be fine and you can pour the unused topping over the doughballs.

Cook on low for 1-1/2 hours in your crock pot.

This is what they will look like when they are about finished.

This would be great to make for a sweet addition to Sunday brunch, or to just throw together last minute to cure the after dinner sweet tooth like I did :).  I definitely recommend using a spatula to get these suckers out because the outside ones have a tendency to come apart.  Enjoy this recipe!

Have a great weekend!

Keep it sassy.

Paleo-Friendly "Reese" Pie!

Yup.  That just happened.  The most amazing dessert among paleo desserts was just made.  Thanks to Clean Eating With a Dirty Mind our lives are forever changed.  Pretty sure I say that about most every recipe on the blog, but I mean it.  This will blow your mind.  It is pretty easy to make, too!  Time consuming, but easy.  I have no patience.  And if I can do it, you can do it.

I followed their recipe almost exactly, except I omitted the vanilla extract in everything and the lemon juice.  Mainly, because I didn't have vanilla extract or lemon juice.  So, if you have them, use it.  And I am sure this dessert could only get better.  Here is the recipe on their website!  I am sure you will find lots of other yummy goodies on there, too.

The crust alone was phenomenal.  Not exaggerating.  They call it a "faux"reo (fake oreo) crust.  Holy crap.  I had to stop myself from eating it directly from the bowl.  Fat kid status.  I am totally making "faux"reo balls with that recipe at some point, too.  Get excited! 

Instead of sunbutter cups, I made the paleo Reese cups here.  But instead of honey, I used the grade B maple syrup.  One thing I have noticed about paleo baking, is that honey definitely has a stronger flavor that stands out a bit more than maple syrup.  So, if you aren't a huge fan of the honey taste, opt for the maple syrup.  

Have a wonderful weekend, put your game face on, and head to the kitchen.  

Keep it sassy.

Paleo Fudge? Yes, please!

Is it seriously only Tuesday?  Is this week dragging for anyone else?  Well, to cure my "only Tuesday" blues, what is better than guilt-free fudge? Oh, and Rock of Ages.  This is the second time I have watched it this week.  If you haven't seen it, it will change your life.  Tom Cruise is a little out of control.  AKA he is a ball of filth in this movie.  And you might be offended.  But keep watching.  And, for your sake, don't watch this with your parents.  And parents, the same goes for you.  This movie is like Pitch Perfect on steroids and with better music.  WAY better music.  Who doesn't love Don't Stop Believin'?  Oh.  And I am now obsessed with Julianne Hough.  I want to be her.  And I want to live in the 80's in my next life.  Teased bangs and all.  I want it.  You will, too.

Anyways.  

Guilt-free Fudge.  It exists!  I found this recipe on one of my FAVORITE recipe websites.  Detoxinista.  Have you heard of her?  Well, after viewing her recipes, you will be obsessed with her.  And Julianne Hough.  So she has a raw fudge recipe for ONE.  Thank God.  Because when I bake sweet treats, I eat way more than one serving.  You do, too.  It's okay.  I won't tell anyone.  If no one sees you eat it, the calories don't count.  Right?

If only.  

So here is what you need:

-1 T of raw maple almond butter

-1 t of extra virgin coconut oil  I always have this on hand.  Trader Joe's has it SUPER cheap

-1 t of 100% cocoa powder

-a dash of salt

-vanilla (optional)

I make homemade maple almond butter.  Chances are you don't.  So, you should get raw almond butter, and add some 100% maple syrup in there, to taste.  Grade A is runnier.  It reminds me of Cracker Barrel's maple syrup.  Grade B is thicker.  You be the judge.

Mix everything together in a bowl.  If you are patient enough, mold it into a fudge-like square and stick it in the freezer for 5 minutes.  If not, stick the bowl in the freezer for 5 minutes and go for it.

That's vegan?!  And paleo?!  Mouth-watering.  I know.  And it takes like two seconds to make.  So when a craving strikes, go make your single serving of fudge.  Or double the recipe if you'd like.  Heck, triple it for all I care.  Oh, and while you enjoy this guilt-free treat watch Rock of Ages.  You can thank me later.

Have an awesome week.  Keep it sassy.

Paleo-friendly Reese Cup!

I am not a huge candy person, but if there is a Reese Cup in front of me, I will eat it.  No. Questions. Asked.  Because who doesn't like peanut butter and chocolate together?  No one.  I am also aware, however, of the junk ingredients in a Reese Cup, which leaves me feeling guilty after I eat one.

Well, you guys, NO MORE GUILT.  This is a Reese Cup do-over.  Paleo-friendly and only four ingredients!!

What you need:

3 T of cocoa powder

1 T of coconut oil

A dollop of raw almond butter

Honey to taste

3-4 cupcake liners

1.  In a small bowl, mix together your cocoa powder and coconut oil.  Add honey little by little until you achieve your preferred level of sweetness.

2.  Pour half of the mixture into your cupcake liners.  Use all 3 or 4.  The ingredients are too heavy for only 1 or 2.  

3.  In a separate bowl, mix your almond butter with some honey.  As stated above, add honey little by little until you achieve your preferred level of sweetness.  

4.  Once mixed, spoon your almond butter mixture on top of the cocoa mixture in your cupcake liner.

5.  Add the remaining cocoa mixture on top of the almond butter mixture.

6.  Place in the freezer for about 10-15 minutes.

7.  Enjoy immensely.

WARNING:  This is RICH.  The cocoa powder used is 100% cocoa so it is extremely dark.  Also, since this is made with coconut oil, it will start to melt as soon as your fingers touch it.  If you don't mind the mess, then don't worry about.  

You can play around with this recipe, too.  If you don't want to use 100% cocoa powder, use chocolate chips instead and just melt them with the coconut oil.  If you use chocolate chips, you could get creative and use white chocolate chips for a white chocolate "reese" cup.  But, keep in mind, it may not be paleo-friendly anymore if you are a strict Paleo follower.

This makes one huge Reese cup, so usually I share it with my boyfriend, or the person lucky enough to be next to me.  

P.S. This is healthy.  Coconut oil has so many benefits.  It is a NATURAL form of saturated fat so it is GOOD for you.  It's not industry made saturated fat in the crap food you see on supermarket shelves.  People have been known to take one tablespoon a day to keep the weight off!  Cocoa powder has antioxidants and is a mild anti-depressant!  That explains why some days I go from monster to angel the second I eat chocolate.  Raw almond butter is a healthy fat, as well. 

Everyone have an awesome weekend!  

So eat up.  And keep it sassy.

Cinnamon Vanilla Coffee!

It's Wednesday a.k.a. Humpday a.k.a. TGI Almost Friday, which means you need a little pick-me-up to help you through the rest of the week.  We are going to share with you our recipe for Cinnamon Vanilla Coffee free of crap oils and artificial unpronounceable words.

This recipe is dairy-free, soy-free, vegan, and DELICIOUS.  With this coffee, it will be easy to make the transition from the "cream"er you think you can't live without.  I know.  I've been there.  Coffee-mate Coconut Creme was my comfort in a cup.  But, to tell you the truth, most of the creamer we buy from the store doesn't even contain cream.  What the heck?  That doesn't make sense at all, does it?

What you need:

Coffee.  I'm going to be honest.  My one cup of coffee usually contains two cups.  8 ounces just does not cut it for me.  Happy me = 16 oz. of coffee.  At least.  And I don't think it's just me. :)
Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk.  I put about 3-4 tablespoons into my coffee.
Pure Vanilla Extract.  I added two capfuls.  You should start with one so you can add more if you want more of a distinct vanilla flavor.
Cinnamon.  Start by adding 1/2 tablespoon at a time.  If that is not enough, you can always add more but you can't take away.  I start with 1 tablespoon but I have a cinnamon obsession.
Stevia.  Start with 1/2 a packet.  Too much could make your drink almost bitter.  You don't want that.  If you want it a little sweeter, add more.  You could probably substitute with honey, but it may overpower the flavor of the cinnamon and vanilla.

If your almond milk has been in the refrigerator you will probably need to warm your drink up a bit.  Try about 15 seconds in the microwave.

Enjoy your coffee!  Your body will thank you for switching :)

Happy Hump Day.  

Keep it sassy.

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The Extreme Clean Strawberry Jam!

Have you ever checked the ingredients on the back of your favorite jelly/jam jar?  These are the typical ingredients in one of the leading brands of strawberry jelly: Strawberries, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, sugar, pectin, citric acid.

Um, can you say ew?! Next time you take a bite of that jelly, imagine it going straight to your ass. Because it is. Your body is going to convert all of that gross, processed sugar into bad fat. And we don't like bad fat.

Luckily, I came across this fool-proof recipe on one of my favorite blogs, Eating Bird Food.  I am a HUGE advocate of "The less ingredients, the better it is for you."  This jam only has FOUR ingredients and corn syrup is NOT one of them!

What you need:

2 cups of fresh, organic strawberries. If you don't get organic, wash them, wash them, wash them! Did I say wash them? If you missed our "Clean Fifteen, Dirty Dozen" post, strawberries are one of the dirty dozens aka one of the fruits that are sprayed with pesticides. Did you know that the farmers/workers who spray fruits and vegetables with pesticides wear face masks because the pesticides they are spraying are toxic and potentially deadly if inhaled? Yet, we eat them. That makes perfect no sense. Rant over. I apologize.

2 tablespoons of chia seeds. I got mine from Trader Joe's because they are only five bucks. If you buy them elsewhere you will be paying at least $9.00 or $10.00. Chia seeds can help lower your blood pressure and they also help to flush fat out of your body. They have a ton of fiber too, so they make you full faster!

2 tablespoons of water.
Sweetener. I used one packet of stevia. Feel free to use a tablespoon of honey, maple syrup (the real kind, or raw, cane sugar. Don't use that artificial crap. Just don't do it.

Cut the leafy part off of the strawberries, and either mash them with a fork or put it in a blender. I am lazy; therefore, I blend.

Transfer the blended strawberries into a mason jar, or container of choice. Add your chia seeds, your water, and your sweetener, then give it a good shake.

Pop it in the fridge for 45-60 minutes and voila! You now have the simplest form of CLEAN, healthy strawberry jam you can make! This recipe is so easy, you can make this with any of your favorite fruits: peaches, blueberries, raspberries, etc...

BONUS: One tablespoon of this jam is only 7 CALORIES! That's right. Seven. Calories. The leading brand of strawberry preserves has 50 calories per tablespoon.

This will go great spread on toast or a rice cake, or even mixed into some plain greek yogurt! I hope you all enjoy this recipe as much as I did.

Stay clean. And keep it sassy.