The Paleo Mama

Homegrown and Handmade

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Buffalo Chicken Muffins

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buffalo chicken muffins

I was going to post these next week but I think today is good but wanted to get them to you in time for the Saturday football games! These muffins are delicious. I am a HUGE fan of buffalo chicken wings…HUGE. But they are just so terrible for you. We make them ourselves sometimes to cut down on the loaded transfats from frying them in canola or peanut oil, or whatever they use. But, I wanted to create something that I could grab in a hurry and that was actually good for me. Great thing about these Buffalo Chicken Muffins is that they are loaded with protein and, also, perfect for you if you are doing “Kick the Weight with Keto” with me!

The Buffalo Chicken Muffins do the trick! In fact you might not even want to eat chicken wings after these! I’m not joking…these are amazing! You can make a a batch for the week and then just reheat them accordingly. Another great thing about these muffins is that they are CHEAP to make, especially if you use chicken breast and not expensive ground chicken.

I hope you enjoy!

Buffalo Chicken Muffins

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Ingredients:

  • 2 chicken breasts (raw) or 1lb of ground chicken (cheaper to grind yourself in a food processor)
  • 5 eggs
  • 1/2 cup of bleu cheese (you can omit this if you really, truly need to)
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 1/4 cup of Frank’s RedHot Buffalo sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Directions: 

1) Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

2) Chop up the raw chicken breast into large chunks. Then throw them in the food processor. Process for about 30 seconds until it is completely ground. Let it rest for a second.

3) In another bowl add the eggs, green onions, bleu cheese, baking soda, salt and pepper. Mix till blended.

4) Add the chicken, bleu cheese, and hot sauce to the bowl and mix until everything is incorporation.

5) Scoop into a silicone muffin pan (I love this one) or a heavily greased muffin pan.

6) Bake for 25 minutes till muffins are firm.

7) Serve with extra hot sauce, ranch, celery and carrots! Makes 12 muffins!

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Pumpkin Pie in 2 Minutes Flat!

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As a mother of 2 kids at home, 2 goats (one in milk), 17 chickens, and a full-time cleaner and personal laundromat, I am STRAPPED for time. I don’t have time to make pie, cookies, or delicious treats for my kids everyday. I make 3 Paleo meals a day and THAT’S it! My kitchen is a disaster most days!

But it’s pumpkin season and I LOVE me some pumpkin. But I don’t want to make a whole pie. I might eat it all! So, I’ve been trying to find a fix for my pumpkin craving. My Pumpkin Pie in a Cup is delicious, but sometimes I want to chew my pumpkin and not drink it.

I don’t mind microwaves either. I know some people refuse to use them and if you’re reading this and now realize that this recipe requires a microwave…I’m sorry. How’d you think you were gonna get Pumpkin Pie in 2 minutes without a microwave?! I’m sure you can use your oven if you really want to. I’m an honest person. I’m not going to tell you microwaves are bad and then just secretly use one. I have a microwave and I use it often.

So, I put the genius idea of my Mug Brownie together with my Pumpkin smoothie and this is what I’ve come up with. This is very much the texture of Pumpkin Pie because there is no “cake-y” ingredients in it like coconut flour or almond flour. I really suggest you make the crust because it gives it that crunch that blends well with the smooth texture of the Pumpkin!

Pumpkin Pie in 2 Minutes Flat!

 

Ingredients:

Crust (Optional) – you can totally make this without the crust…although you would be missing out!

Directions:

1. Put the butter/ghee in a large ramekin and toss in microwave for 3o seconds to melt.

2. Add the shredded coconut and the almond flour to the butter and mix it around with a spoon.  Pat it down to form the crust. Sprinkle with coconut sugar if you like.

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3. In a separate bowl, mix the pumpkin, egg, pumpkin pie spice, and sweetener of choice together till smooth.

4. Pour the pumpkin mixture into the large ramekin over the crust.

5. Use fingers to form into a pretty little pie!

6. Toss in microwave for 2 minutes. After 2 minutes is up, check it. If the center is still a little wet, then pop it back in for another 20-30 seconds!

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7. Careful… pumpkin gets really hot! Add your favorite toppings: coconut butter, drizzle of honey or maple syrup, pecans, whipped cream, cinnamon, or butter/ghee and eat!!! My favorite toppings are coconut butter, extra pumpkin pie spice, and pecans!

8. Enjoy and try to share 😉

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This recipe is shared on Holistic Squid, Kelly the Kitchen Kop, and Real Food Forager.

Paleo Meal Plans- 50% Off This Week Only!!! (Sale extended to 10/7!)

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Hey everyone! I wanted to send out a quick email to tell you about a really great sale that is happening this week only. It’s a Back to School Sale to make your life easier! Holistic Squid offers two different plans, depending on what your diet preferences are: Real Food Meal Plans and Paleo Meal Plans.

These plans will make your life easier!

That’s right, your dinners will be all planned out,  and Holistic Squid will even hook you up with a complete shopping list so all you have to do it grab the ingredients and get cooking quick and delicious meals your whole family will love.

The Real Food Meal Plans and Paleo Meal Plans are 50% OFF if you subscribe this week using coupon code BRAINFOOD.

1 year subscription: $72 now only $36/year

Quarterly Subscription: $33 now only $16.50/quarter

Monthly Subscription: $14 now only $7/month.

Excited yet? Subscribe now or keep reading.

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Healthy eating doesn’t have to be a chore. But, lots of times it just doesn’t come easy to a busy family with kids back to school. You are running around to practices, pick-up lines, and then, on top of that, haven’t even thought about cooking a healthy meal for the night. As a busy mom, myself, I feel your pain. I have 2 goats, 17 chickens, 2 dogs, 2 kids at home with me, I work from home, and try to manage to keep my house clean on top of all that. It just doesn’t happen sometimes.

These meal plans are my lifesaver. All I have to do is pick up the groceries for the week and follow the recipes in the evening. But, don’t just listen to me. Look at the feedback from others who are using these meal plans:

“This working mom’s life has gotten a whole lot easier thanks to you – most appreciative of your hard work – thank you!!” – M.

“I get your meal plans and they are truly WONDERFUL! Thank you for taking the time to do them, we haven’t had cereal for dinner in weeks.” – Selene

“I’m a busy business owner and first time mom to a 19 month old who wants to feed my family nutritious meals and stop eating out all the time.  I love how the meals are flavorful, toddler friendly, and packed full of nutrition!” – Jenny

“You really make it easy to come home and have a healthy meal on the table in no time.” –  Mare

“As a single dad of 4 kids, I have been a subscriber to your Real Food Meal Plan since February.  It has saved me immeasurable time and we have enjoyed your recipes.” – Jean

Don’t wait any longer! This special offer is only available to September 30 at midnight. Use the code BRAINFOOD when you checkout to receive a 50% discount for the entire time you are subscribed!!!

Click here to order Real Food Meal Plans at 50% OFF today!

Click here to order Paleo Meal Plans at 50% OFF today!

Homemade Herbal Shaving Cream & Citrus Spiced Aftershave

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I’m so thankful for all these wonderful bloggers who are willing to share some great stuff with my readers on my page! I just think that is so generous! With my big move to North Carolina, setting up our farm, and settling in with the kids, these guest posts have, not only, been a lifesaver, but I am learning so much from them! Aren’t you? Today’s post is brought to you by Becca at The Dabblist! I am just amazed at how great this recipe works and I do plan on whipping up a batch of the homemade shaving cream for myself! Please welcome Becca!  

My poor husband had basically given up on shaving, and had resorted to sporting stubble for several months when enough was enough. His sensitive skin would break out in a rash every time he shaved, and no conventional (or expensive natural brand) skincare products could make it right.  So he thought his only option was to not shave anymore, which I wasn’t exactly a fan of. Every kiss would be highlighted with the scrape of needle-like facial stubble. Sometimes I would break out in hives when we would…ahem…have one of our more passionate moments.

So, as you can see, we were in a bit of a pickle. And I wasn’t going to let it go on any longer. So I started researching homemade, herbal remedies for sensitive male skin that would also work for shaving. We needed something to moisturize his skin while shaving, and soothe it afterwards. As I keep finding out in my journey through life, nature has the best recipes – for our skin, for our health, for a happy and healthy life.

Today, I’m sharing with you my recipes for shaving cream and soothing aftershave tonic.

Homemade Herbal Shaving Cream

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Ingredients: 

 Instructions: 

In a double boiler (or a glass bowl placed over a pan of water), melt the oil and butters together. Once melted, immediately remove from heat, transfer to another bowl, and add in the other ingredients. Blend with a hand blender until frothy and cream-like (should take 60-90 seconds). Place cream into glass jar containers and allow to cool. Store in a cool, dark cupboard (no need to refrigerate). Shelf life is 1 month.

To use, take a small amount of cream in your hand of work up to a lather on your face before shaving. Be sure to splash face with warm water after shaving, and before using the aftershave tonic.

 Citrus Spice Aftershave Tonic

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Ingredients: 

 Instructions: 

Combine all ingredients in a large jar and seal tightly. Store in a cool, dark cupboard for 2 weeks and allow mixture to steep. Give it a shake every couple of days to agitate the ingredients.

Once mixture is steeped, strain the liquid into a lovely looking container. Your aftershave tonic is ready to use! Store in a cupboard (or refrigerate, if you want it cool) and use within 6 months.

To use, pour a bit of the mixture onto a cotton pad and swipe over skin just after shaving. Another option is to pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spritz the face.

19bc4a93063dc53ad76900340c908f0bBecca is the face behind The Dabblist – her manifesto to declare freedom from the taboo from being known as a “dabbler.” She has found that, through sharing our stories and creations with each other and not being afraid to get our hands dirty, we can remember what our great great great grandmothers once knew – that we can be the creators of our own joy. 

 You can follow The Dabblist on Facebook, Pinterest, & Instagram.

The Udder Truth: City Girl Adventures in Goat Milking

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Hi everyone! I’m Jackie, a city girl turned farm girl. I grew up in Orlando, Florida and all my life had a calling for living on a farm. I would run into farmers and tell them that my dream was to have a farm. They would look at me like I was crazy and say, “I didn’t know people dreamed of doing this.” 

So, after years of dreaming of having a farm, we finally made it a reality! Three weeks ago we moved to the mountains of Western North Carolina to fulfill our farming and homesteading dreams. One of the first things I did, even before we moved to North Carolina, was look for a goat. I wanted to be able to have fresh milk every day. So, I bought a goat. I bought two goats.

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We moved to North Carolina, ditched our sleek, sedan, pimped out Altima and bought a old, cornflour blue, pickup truck. We hopped into our new “ride” to pick up our goats. The kids sat, excitedly, in the back seat and we arrived at our destination. “Ok…now what?” Ummm, ok…the big mama goat got shoved into a dog kennel in the truck bed…and I’m talking SHOVED. Poor thing. The (not-so) baby goat sat ON MY LAP in the front seat. “Helloooooo goat”.

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So, here we are, a family from the city that just moved into the country and we are driving in a 21 year old pickup truck with 2 goats that are bleating incredibly loud! “Oh what a dream.” One is pooping in the dog kennel, the other is trying to climb into the driver seat, and my husband is getting hit on by a local redneck woman driving next to us. “Hello, I’m the wife and, yes, we those are goats. Hot, right?” The kids had no idea what to think. But we arrived home safely, tucked the goats into their new barn, and said goodnight till the morning.

Oh the day has finally come! Oh sweet morning! I have dreamed of this for years…milking my beautiful goat out in the mountain breeze; pumping fresh, warm milk into a shiny new bucket. I jump up from bed at around 4am, I just couldn’t sleep. Let’s do this. I washed and sanitized the bucket as all the articles had said, and I set out to milk my new goat. As I walk out into the cool air in my new rubber boots carrying my shiny, new bucket, the thoughts of chèvre, feta cheese, and goat milk ice cream dance in my head.

Into the barn I go. I prepare the milk stand that my husband, so graciously built, for me. Then call Sophie, the mama, to the stand. She doesn’t move. She stares me down. “Oh, Sophie, come on you old goat. I’m your new owner…I know you got some delicious milk for me.” I, literally, have to drag her to the milk stand. It’s almost abusive. My desire for milk is becoming squashed by a stubborn goat. “Oh, no Sophie, I will get some milk. Don’t spoil my dream.“What is her problem? I bribe her to the stand with grains. Up she goes and I lock her head in. Ok, here we go.

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What in the world am I doing? Am I really about to milk a goat? One look at those hairy teats and I about lose it. Oh city-girl Jackie…where am I again? Some old farmhouse milking a goat…my mother is probably dying laughing at the thought of this.

I grab my homemade, organic, udder wash for Sophie and go for it. Get them teats all nice and clean. Clean teats make clean milk. Thank God I was by myself. It took me almost 10 minutes to clean them teats. Sophie was almost done with her food. “NOoooo, slow down, I still have to milk you.”

Alright, here we go….I grab my shiny silver bucket and give her teats a squeeze. Nothing. Ok, let’s try this again. Squeeeeeze. Sophie about jumps a mile high. Sorry girl. I’ll get this. I squeeze again and I shoot myself in the neck with milk. At least there’s milk! All I can think about is all the times I spent milking myself!

“Do her teats feel like my nipples did?” God, I sure hope not.  I aim, set, and fire away…I’m doing it with two hands. “Look at me, twooooo hands!!!” As soon as I start getting it, Sophie steps in the nice, new, shiny, clean bucket and my heart sinks. “Are those poop particles floating around in there now? Shoot, I guess I can’t use this milk.”  I leave the goat strapped into the milk stand and run in to get another bucket to use. I come back and get back into my rythym. Squeeze, aim, and fire away. Sophie wiggles and squirms and kicks me over and over again. “WHAT????”

She squats and an enormous amount of pee comes out. Really? Is this really happening? A goat is, literally, peeing on me.

I clean the table…then I clean her udder again. “I want some friggin milk.” Squeeze, aim, fire…squeeze, aim, fire. The sound of milk hits the bucket and I smile. I am here…no longer a dream. I’m milking a goat…my goat. So beautiful!

“OMG what is eff is that falling from the sky???” The sound of a million little goat turds hit the table. I back away and look at the goat. How could she disgrace herself like that?

I clean the table again…then her udder AGAIN…and she kicks me over and over. I manage to get about 3 tablespoons of milk that morning. Whew…what to do with 3 tablespoons of milk?

Thankfully, Sophie and I have an understanding now. I let her poop and pee before bringing her to the milk stand and she gives me almost a half gallon of milk every morning.

soph

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shared on : Prairie Homestead

Kick the Weight With Keto – How to Lose Weight & Feel Great on a Paleo Ketogenic Diet

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Hey everyone! I wanted to share with you this great book I’m reading called, “Kick the Weight with Keto – How to Lose Weight and Feel Great on a Paleo Ketogenic Diet.” It’s a book by a woman, Kim Knoch, who was eating everything right on Paleo alone but still wasn’t losing weight. After discovering that it wasn’t because of a lack of willpower, laziness, or anything else, she prescribed herself a low-carb ketogenic diet. Kim began treating her disability to lose weight by using a ketogenic diet cure.

Kim has dropped from 260lbs to 220lbs!!! She describes this way of eating as a “lifestyle”…kind of how Paleo is to me! I love that she is open about her continual transformation saying, “I didn’t want to wait until I’m “perfect” to share this method, since I am for the time in my life having success!” Before Keto, Kim had come to grips with the fact that she was meant to be obese…but not anymore!

What is a Ketogenic Diet? 

Kick the Weight with Keto uses “nutritional ketosis” to tell your brain to use ketones for fuel instead of glucose. Ketones break down fatty acids, either from fat in your diet, or from your own body fat stores. When you lower your carbohydrate intake enough your body starts breaking down fat for fuel! Which, obviously, is a great thing! When you are eating loads of carbs, your body uses glucose to burn fuel and doesn’t tap into fat stores causing weight loss. Kicking yourself into ketosis requires diligence and a deep desire to see your health (and weight) improve.

Is Kick the Weight with Keto for me? 

Do you want to lose weight? Has your weight loss stalled with eating Paleo or Primal alone? Do you suffer from metabolic issues (thyroid, adrenal fatigue, PCOS) or blood sugar issues? Are you a healthy weight but would like more mental clarity? Then Kick the Weight with Keto is for you!

**Nutritional ketosis has worked for so many different types of people. If you are pregnant/breastfeeding or have type 1 diabetes, then you should avoid a Ketogenic diet.

What’s the Diet Like?

The Keto diet is somewhat similar to eating Paleo or Primal(with the inclusion of high quality dairy) and uses a high fat, moderate protein, and low carb guideline. Kim gives you a suggestions of what to eat and what to avoid to help kick your body into nutritional ketosis. In the book you will find 2 weeks of suggested meal plans and LOTS of recipes. In fact, half the book is recipes!!!

After reading Kim’s book and educating myself more on nutritional ketosis, I am going to be adding it into my nutritional regime. I have, personally, lost over 60lbs eating Paleo, but my weightloss has stalled. I’ve been ok with that because I am comfortable with myself, however, I, clearly, have around 15-20 more lbs to lose. I’m pretty sure Kick the Weight with Keto will do the trick! Won’t you join with me?

Click here to learn more and get Kick the Weight with Keto!

 

Here’s a few awesome recipes and a peak inside the book: 

Keto Meatloaf

Ingredients:

  • 1lb of ground beef
  • 1/2 cup of tomato paste or low sugar ketchup
  • 1 TB onion flakes
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of pepper
  • 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup almond flour
  • 1/2 cup crushed up pork rinds

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl with hands or in a food processor.
  3. Form into a loaf shape and put in a baking pan.
  4. Bake for 45-60 minutes.

A few other great recipes from her book that I love:

Crispy Cauliflower Crust Pizza

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Stuffed Chicken Breasts

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Low Carb Sub Sandwich “Unwich”

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Green Beans with Bacon and Onions

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Click here to learn more and get Kick the Weight with Keto!

Want to read more Book Love posts? Click here for all my favorite books I’ve been reading!