The Paleo Mama

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5 Piece Le Creuset Cookware Giveaway! (CLOSED)

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I’m so excited to be, yet again, joining forces with some incredible real foodie bloggers and offering another HUGE giveaway! After polling you all on Facebook and asking what you would me to offer for my next giveaway, the item that won it out was: the 5 Piece Le Creuset Cookware! 

This set includes:

  • 3 1/2 qt. Signature Round Dutch Oven with Lid
  • 1 1/4 qt. Iron Handle Precision Pour Saucepan with Lid
  • 9″ Signature Iron Handle Skillet.

Le Creuset is an enameled cast iron that will last FOREVER. Cast iron is really good at evenly distributing heat and staying warm for a long time. Enamel protects the cast iron from acids like tomatoes and vinegar. Enameled cast iron is great for roasting, stewing, baking, frying, sauteeing, etc…a perfect compliment to a real food kitchen!

I’ve been lusting over this Le Creuset set for years now! I have a 1 1/2 qt. Le Creuset casserole dish that I won from Fast Paleo and I LOVE it. Have you been dying for this set too?  Well, now is your opportunity to WIN ONE FOR FREE! This set is valued at $400 on Amazon. Seriously, go check it out RIGHT NOW and if you can’t wait to see if you win this giveaway, then order it for 25% off! These will be the only pots and pans you will need in your kitchen and after using them, you’re gonna want to donate all your old ones.

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Enter to win this 5 Piece Le Creuset Cookware Set ($400 value)!

HERE’S HOW TO WIN:

1) Click to take a closer look at this set at this set! Winner will get to choose their color.

(After reading about it come back here to complete steps 2-5.)

2) Subscribe to The Paleo Mama, my weekly newsletter highlighting the latest posts from me! I will not share your email address with a third party. It is solely used for my weekly newsletter and updates from The Paleo Mama. (If you are already a subscriber, just continue to step 3)


3) Leave me a comment on THIS blog post and let me know the first thing you will make with your new Le Creuset set!

4) Use the Rafflecopter widget below to confirm your entries and unlock more! 

You can earn extra entries by following the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget. This giveaway is open to everyone, but the Le Creuset set will only be shipped to U.S. or Canadian residents. Winners who live outside of these areas will receive an Amazon gift card in the amount of the item sale price on Amazon.

5) Be sure to check out this giveaway’s co-hosting bloggers!!! 

Hollywood Homestead

House Barn Farm

Real Food Outlaws

Meatified

Fancy Nonsense

Healing for Real

The Darling Bakers

Yuppie Farm Girl

Naturally Mindful

 

A winner will be chosen via random.org. We will announce the lucky winner on Tuesday, October 14, 2013. The winner will have 48 hours to contact (thepaleomama at gmail dot com) with his/her full name, address, and phone number. There is no purchase necessary to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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

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brainfood

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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cream+aftershaveforpaleomama.jpg

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

shavingcreamforpaleomama.jpg

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

cream+aftershaveforpaleomama.jpg

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.

Chocolate Pecan Pie Energy Bars

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Chocolate Pecan Lara 2-1

Today I’m excited to share this guest post from Jennifer of Sweet Plantains. Please head over to Sweet Plantains and check out Jennifer’s amazing recipes and don’t forget to follow Sweet Plantains on Facebook! -Jackie 

We have a little grocery shopping tradition in our family. A light at the end of the tunnel, if you will. And believe me, you need a light when you attempt any sort of shopping with four kids. After we’ve gone through the whole store (and back again, since I inevitably forgot one thing all the way at the beginning), we head to the “bar aisle” for a Larabar.

We love Larabars. They’re chewy, fruity, and filling; and while so many bars in the health food store are masquerading as healthy, it’s like a breath of fresh air to find something a picky mommy like me can be happy to give her kids.

There are so many different flavors that I can grandly motion to a whole row, and say, “Pick one. Any one. Whichever one you want, you can have.” It feels good. Especially since chances are I just spent the last half hour explaining why we can’t get soy-ladened-this, or food-colored-that. And even though I have to stand there for a full five minutes while each child agonizes and debates the merits of each flavor before picking the exact same one as the sibling before them, I get to feel the thrill of allowing my children to get a store-bought goodie wrapped in a shiny, colorful, crinkly package. A rare treat, indeed!

I’d love to pack up a whole basket of those great little bars to take home. Unfortunately, they’re a little tough on the budget department. They’re such a great portable snack that I just had to decode the formula and start making my own larabars at home. Which, as it turns out, is even better than buying them – and not just for the money saved. Making homemade Larabars is so incredibly simple and easy, and when I make them at home, I get to create any flavor my little heart desires.

Like Chocolate Pecan Pie. Yes, I did say Chocolate Pecan Pie. Sweet and decadent, it tastes like the perfect combination of fudge and pecan pie – all rolled into one healthy, energy-packing little bar. And while I do love making these with my kids, I will forewarn you – it’s hard to share!

Chocolate Pecan Pie Energy Bars

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup toasted pecans
  • 1 cup dried apricots
  • 1/2 cup dried blueberries
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder

Directions:

1. Put the pecans in the bowl of a food processor and process until they are the consistency of cornmeal. Set aside.

2.  Put the fruit in the food processor and puree until smooth.

3. Add in the cocoa and the pecans and process until well combined.

4. Line an 8″ square baking dish (or equivalent) with parchment or wax
paper, leaving a few inches of paper hanging over either side.

5. Spoon the fruit mixture into the parchment-lined pan and flatten – either with slightly
damp hands, or by pressing down with the overhanging paper.

6. Cover the dish with plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator for a few hours until hardened.

7. Place the hardened mixture on a cutting board, peel off the paper, and cut into bars of desired size.

8. Wrap each bar individually in parchment, or layer them in an airtight container with parchment between each layer.

Enjoy!

Jennifer is a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom of four. She is an avid cook, health enthusiast, and lover of all things homemade! At Sweet Plantains she shares original recipes, homeschooling tips, parenting thoughts, and anything else that strikes her fancy. In her spare time she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, reading nutrition books, and being barefoot outdoors with her little ones!

 

shared at: Mostly Homemade Mondays  and Holistic Squid

The Udder Truth: City Girl Adventures in Goat Milking

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uddertruth

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”.

takegoathome

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.

udder

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

Baby Led Weaning the Paleo Way

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babyledweaning

My son was 4 months old when I started eating Paleo. I knew that I wanted to introduce solid foods to him at around 6-7 months or when he started showing signs of readiness. When he started grabbing at my plate and sticking my food in his mouth, I knew he was ready! I wanted to do baby led weaning with him…and I knew I wanted to do it the Paleo way (if there was one!).

What is Baby Led Weaning?

Simply put, baby led weaning means letting your baby feed themselves. You just put out the food for them to grab and they feed themselves. Baby led weaning, also, does away with puree foods. In essence, you give large chunks of food for the baby to gnaw on. No spoon is involved. No ice cube trays. No time spent making homemade pureed baby food. No money spent on expensive homemade baby food equipment. You give your baby what you are eating in pieces that they are able to pick up and eat. At around 6 months, most babies are ready for the small step into solid foods. By allowing them to control what they eat and HOW MUCH, you give them a jump start into appreciating and loving real food.

One of the negatives about spoon-feeding babies is that they do not control how much food is put into their bellies. Often they have issues with constipation, gas, and the feeling of being overfull. With baby-led weaning, the baby is allowed to suck and lick their food in large chunks. They control what they swallow. They are able to learn from the beginning how to properly chew their food. And just a forewarning, gagging is completely normal and you don’t need to freak out. I can’t even tell you how many times my son gagged on his food when he was learning how to chew and swallow. With spoon-feeding pureed baby food, the baby doesn’t learn how to chew their food from the start. You have to teach it to them much later in their toddlerhood, which can be very frustrating.

Why I Chose Baby-Led Weaning: 

  1. I was very attracted to this concept because we were eating Paleo. We were eating whole foods, no canned or frozen dinners. I knew I didn’t want to give cereal as a first food because of all the information I had read on how terrible cereal was as a first food for a baby. Not only does it replace more healthy foods, but babies, also, can’t digest grains well. Plus, I wasn’t eating grains because of their negative affect on my body, so why would I give my child grains as a first food?
  2. It is a lazy (easy) way to feed your child! Seriously, baby-led weaning was so easy. The concept is to give your child what you are eating. And the best thing about this is that it forces you to eat healthy because your baby is going to be eating the same food!
  3. Going out to a restaurant became so simple. And with a 2 year old and a infant in tow, I needed easy. I didn’t have to pack a small cooler with pureed foods for my son. I fed him off my plate!
  4. Baby-led weaning saved me time. Instead of spending hours pureeing his food, freezing it, and then thawing it to serve, I spent that time making a healthy meal for the whole family. There were times that I would mash the food up for him, but he never let me spoon feed him.
  5. The top 2 allergies of infants/toddlers is…drum roll…dairy and gluten. Egg whites is, also, pretty high. So, I wanted to avoid these altogether.
Feeding himself with a spoon at 8 months!
Feeding himself with a spoon at 8 months!

When I started eating Paleo, it wasn’t very popular. There weren’t many cookbooks or blogs about it. And there, definitely, wasn’t any information on doing baby-led weaning AND Paleo. However, I found that my son was naturally drawn to the taste of real food. And even though you may choose to do baby-led weaning, you still want to choose their first foods very wisely.

Eating steak and eggs (just turned 1)
Eating steak and eggs (just turned 1)

My Recommendations for First Foods in Order:

I recommend you, slowly, introduce solid foods to your baby. Reason being, you need to watch for any allergies. So, give it a good 4 days after you give your baby a new food before introducing another food. In those 4 days, if your baby shows any sign of allergies or extreme fussiness, hold off on giving that food again.

  1. Pastured Egg Yolk and Bone Stock – this should be the first food you let your baby try. Most babies, if allergic to egg, are allergic to the egg white. Softly cook this for them, add a little sea salt, and let them play with it and lick it off their fingers. Give them a small bowl of bone stock and let them suck it off their fingers. It’s filled with vitamins and minerals for them!
  2. Avocado – I loved avocado for my kids because it required no cooking. I slice them long so little hands can grab and gnaw on them.
  3. Sweet Potato – easy on the tummy and very tasty! We added a little butter (watching carefully for any allergies) and cinnamon. I served it in large chunks so he could hold them in his tiny hands and chew on the pieces.
  4. Squash of all kinds – I made squash the same way as sweet potato. Roasting them bring out a delicious flavor. Season the squash well and let your baby play!
  5. Carrots – peel and roast in stalks. Give whole stalks to your baby and allow them to gnaw on them.
  6. Broccoli/Cauliflower – be careful of gas! Leave in large pieces for your baby to hold. Add salt and olive oil/or butter to make it tasty!
  7. All other vegetables – give your baby all other vegetables from your plate! Now it’s starting to get fun, right?
  8. Meats of all kinds and organ meats – we started with roasted chicken legs…giving them to our son whole so he could gnaw on the end. He LOVED and still loves chicken legs! We then moved onto beef, then pork, then fish.
  9. Banana/Papaya/Pears – easier on the tummy than other fruits and softer.
  10. All other fruits – I preferred to introduce fruits last because I wanted my kids to not prefer the taste of sweet fruits. I wanted them to eat all other foods before they tried fruits.
Gnawing on a chicken leg
Gnawing on a chicken leg

After you have introduced all these foods and there are no present allergies, your baby can have whatever you are cooking! Yes, it really is that easy. You should wait till your baby is a year old before introducing egg whites or honey since those are also known to cause allergies.

As you can see, baby-led weaning the Paleo way is…

  • simple
  • less time consuming
  • extremely nutritious
  • and allows your baby to have control

As parents there are a few things in life that we just can’t control much, and one of them is what your children choose to eat. You can force feed, which I don’t recommend, but the more fun mealtimes will be if you just let your baby/child guide you in what they will eat. By starting them early on healthy foods, you give them a love for the real, whole foods.

Eating pieces of bratwurst and quartered cuts of grapes
Eating pieces of bratwurst and quartered cuts of grapes
I see a chicken leg and half eaten Scottish Egg!
I see a chicken leg and half eaten Scottish Egg!