she talks

Happy Halloween Friends

Nolan has a fantastic sense of humor as well as amazing ideas...especially for halloween costumes.  One of our personal favorites was in grade 2 when he went as "morning dad".  He wore a house coat, held a coffee mug and we painted stubble on his face.  It was awesome...only none of his classmates got it.  This year he wanted to be an old man.  He has been talking about it for weeks and weeks.  basically we threw it together with what we had at home {with the exception of the mustache and hair dye I purchased to help it come together}.

Nolan fully committed to the costume by shaving an actual cul-de-sac in his hair {and he is a total hair guy...loves his hair}.  He wore the mustache all day long at school that was glued on and was a in the way for eating, drinking and smiling.  I just love it.  I still can't stop laughing.  This is hands down my favorite costume!

The best idea he has ever had.  I love this kid.  COMEDY GOLD!

                                           
                                           
                                           
                                           
                                           

Pumpkin Thread Art

I decided not to get messy and gut my pumpkins this year.  We actually used a very similar idea for our wedding table numbers.  It took much more time, patient {awesome} friends who committed their time and creative selves to cutting wood blocks, drilling holes in the shape of numbers, then we hand-sewed through the numbers with thread.

This pumpkin thread art was done strictly with spray paint {optional}, nails and thread.  

I had some chalkboard spray paint that I used for my black one.  This would be a super fun alternative for small children...without the nails of course...

Some of my diy's just make my heart so darn happy...  The little things I tell ya...

Paleo Chicken Strips with Honey Mustard Dip

I am definitely getting my groove when it comes to making paleo dinners.  Being more creative has been fun for me!  Most of the new things I've tried in the kitchen lately have been a success including these!  super quick, easy, healthy and delicious!  

Paleo Chicken Strips

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips 

1/2 cup almond flour {for a nut-free version: use coconut flour in place of almond flour}

1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

salt & pepper to taste

1 egg

coconut oil

 

Honey Mustard Dip

5 tbsp honey

2 tbsp dijon mustard

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

 

1.  Combine almond flour, shredded coconut, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.

2.  In a separate bowl, whisk egg.

3.  Melt coconut oil in a saucepan over medium heat.

4.  Dip chicken in egg first, then in coconut mixture.  

5.  Fry until evenly cooked through (turning often). 

{Option to bake in the oven:  in preheated 375 degree oven.  Bake for 15-20 min on parchment-lined cookie sheet.  Broil on low for added color.}

6.  While the chicken is cooking, whisk the honey mustard dip ingredients.

I served these with carrot stick fries and a tossed salad!   

Carrot Stick Fries

We usually use yams as one of our side dishes with dinners, but here is an alternative to mix things up a bit!

Carrot Stick Fries

 

1.  Peel carrots and slice into 1/2 inch sticks.

2.  Toss carrots in olive oil or coconut oil and salt.

3.  Bake at 375 degrees for 12 minutes until crisp and tender.

Weekend Project: Acorn Garland

I am definitely more of a "fall" decor person rather than a "halloween" decor person when this time of the year rolls around.  I love carving my halloween pumpkins and the trick or treating part (duh...free candy), but for me fall is the season and halloween is the day everyone waits for to showcase their wicked awesome costumes they've been planning for weeks... {Tom and I always fail in this department...but lets not get into that...}

What you need:

• acorns
• acrylic paint (the dollar store has great paint that won't take 1000 coats like the martha stewart paint from Michaels)
• paint brushes
• twine
• hot glue gun

What to do:

• paint your acorns (you may need a few coats to get a nice solid color)
• allow paint to dry thoroughly
• using your hot glue gun, put a dab of glue on the top of each acorn and place onto the twine

Life.

We had my mom and step-dad come all the way from Edmonton for a visit this past week.  Gare-bear and Claire-bear as we like to call them.  Nolan is the only grandchild in town and he takes full advantage of the attention they give him.  He is the sports guy in the family and Gare-bear is really into watching sports, so they have a lot of fun together.  The grandparents got to walk Nolan to school every morning.  They drove him to his football practices where they toughed out the cold weather just to watch him for the whole two hours, {this is pretty die-hard because Tom and I don't even watch the practices anymore, but they are from Edmonton so they're practically eskimos}.  They had the privilege of watching Nolan's first volleyball game.  Then finally, the highlight for them, to see him play a kick butt football game on Sunday!  In between all of the 'Nolan events', Nolan made cake-pops shaped like footballs with Grandma, wrestled with Grandpa {on several occasions}, and managed to get a couple massages out of Grandma!  

Tom and I are the worst hosts during the week.  We both wake up early so naturally we like to go to bed early.  Gare-bear even made a comment at the end of the week about how much sleep he had gotten here.  I think he liked it, mom on the other hand was probably hoping someone...anyone...would stay up to watch tv, play a game, chat...  don't worry, we let them have more fun on the weekend!  

We went out for a nice dinner and live music on friday night!  Saturday was a jam-packed fun day.  Nolan and I took Claire-bear to Kelowna Mountain to check it out and walk along all the suspension bridges.  It was so pretty how low the clouds were and being able to see all of the pretty fall leaves changing!

Later we met my sister Tracy and her husband Cam to go to Davison's Orchards in Vernon.  We fed all the animals in the petting zoo, played in the fun-zone, which even turned into a mini parkour session, sampled apples and picked out pumpkins to carve!

This is Nolan's impersonation of Grandpa attacking him.  No comment.

Grandpa made a friend and he was completely oblivious to the fact that this goat was hovering behind him!

Our group picture, minus Garry.

Sunday was Nolan's big football game.  The last game of the season.  He had told Tom earlier that morning that is was a big game, when Tom asked why, Nolan said, "because the grandparents will be watching me!".  I am thankful for the relationsip he has with them.  Nolan's team won 38-14 and Nolan scored 2 of the touchsdowns!  

We are missing new years with my family this year, this is why my parents came out {and to watch Nolan play football}, so we had one last big meal with the whole crew sunday night, we called it our New Years as we sipped some brut paired with tacos.

Paleo Pie Crust

 This is amazing...guilt-free pie crust!  I always feel a bit sketched out if I buy the pre-made ones from the grocery store because you never know what's in them.  I have a kick-butt martha stewart pie crust recipe that I use when I do make a good old fashioned pie, but unless we want to binge on "cheat day" and eat a whole pie made with flour, butter and sugar...it just isn't worth making them anymore because I end up eating the leftovers by myself because Tom's self-control to not eat everything in front of him is clearly better than mine!  But now we won't have that issue because here is the easiest pie crust recipe that is gluten-free, dairy-free and wheat-free!

 

Paleo Pie Crust

 Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup almond flour
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp coconut flour
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Mix dry ingredients.
• In a separate bowl, mix wet ingredients.
• Combine wet mixture with the dry mixture.  Mix well. {I like to let it sit for a couple minutes to let the coconut flour absorb the moisture.}
• Press the dough evenly into a pie pan.  Spread evenly on botton and up the sides.
• Place parchment paper in the bottom of pie crust and fill with beans or pie weights.
• Cook for 5-7 minutes.  Allow to cool, then add desired filling. 
• Cover with foil, to prevent edges from burning.
• Return to oven and bake according to pie recipe.  

*For pumpkin pie, feel free to add nutmeg to the pie crust recipe for added spice!

 

It has been a wonderful thanksgiving weekend for us!  I love long weekends with our family when we get them.  Often, Tom gets called away for work, so having him here all weekend is something to be thankful for.  Nolan was supposed to play a football game on sunday, it would have been a 2 1/2 hour drive that I had been dreading all week, but the other team forfeited because they were short players...so I am also very thankful for that!  Then of course for all of our friends and family, our health, our jobs...life is good!  Happy thanksgiving! 

Related articles

Reese Cups

chocolate crunch...the paleo kind

Party Animals

This year is crazy...both Tom's mom and dad, along with my step-dad all celebrated their 60th birthdays!  What are the chances right?  Well, between the two of us, both of our parents are divorced which means we have a lot of parents with the re-marrying and what not, so I suppose the chances are actually pretty good.   This weekend, not only do we celebrate thanksgiving, but Tom's dad AND my sister-in-law!  

Every party needs details...otherwise the planning would be stress-free...and mama don't play that game.  Ask Tom.  But actually, I have nothing to do with this party other than attending and enjoying my mother-in-laws delicious turkey dinner, Todd's margarita's {I hear someone is bringing a margarita maker...woot-woot!}, and Cindy's cupcakes...which I plan to make extra special for the birthday boy and girl with my party animals!!!  I am really excited about these guys...and I already know that I will be more excited than everyone at the party, maybe even more excited than the toddlers...  and that's fine with me.

FYI: these beauties are extremely affordable to make.

What you need:  

• gold spray paint
• dollar store animal toys 
• birthday candles {and candle holders}
• drill
• glue {optional}

What to do:

• drill holes in the top of toy animal {just deep enough to insert the candle holder}
• insert candle holder {I glued mine to make them more secure}
• spray paint with gold spray paint {or desired color}
• allow to dry completely
• place on cupcakes or birthday cake and smile with pride at your beautiful creations!

These make my heart happy...  

Paleo Pumpkin Granola

There are some mornings that are too tight for us to make eggs and bacon and since there is no cereal that doesn't contain sugar, I have been making my own this past year.  It is grain-free, peanut-free, and dairy-free so for all my friends out there with the peanut allergies, this one is for you!  So in the spirit of fall and thanksgiving, a pumpkin recipe for you!

Paleo Pumpkin Granola

 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup raw almonds
• 1/2 cup raw pecans
• 1/2 cup raw hazelnuts
• 2/3 cup raw pumpkin seeds
• 1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
• 1 tbsp flax seeds
• 1 cup shredded coconut, unsweetened
• 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 1 tbsp pumpkin spice seasoning  {1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground ginger, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/8 tsp ground cloves}
• 2 tbsp pureed pumpkin
• 1/2 cup honey, melted
• 1 tbsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp sea salt

 

Directions:

• Soak the nuts in salt water overnight.  Drain nuts and place on a paper towel to absorb the moisture.
• Chop all the nuts and mix with the seeds and coconut flakes.  {I sometimes put the nuts in the food processor until they resemble oats.}
• In a separate bowl combine coconut oil, honey, vanilla, pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice and salt.
• Combine wet ingredients with the nut mixture.  Mix well.
• Spread mixture evenly on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
• Bake at 200 for 1-2 hours, cooking time will vary on the oven.  {I like to flip mine every 20 minutes to avoid the edges burning.}
• Remove from oven and let cool.  {The granola will become crispier after it has cooled.}
• Crumble into small pieces and store in an airtight container.  Serve with almond milk or yogurt and fruit. 

Reese Cups

I made these for Tom.  Ok.  I made them for me too.  Here's the thing,  I am working overtime here trying to bust out new and exciting "paleo" snacks and meals for my husband and guess what...sometimes I might forget that peanut butter isn't paleo.  Peanuts are a legume. 

I actually stole this recipe from trusty old pinterest and the recipe is for "Nut Butter Cups"...  but I didn't happen to have any sunflower seed butter (which I will buy now to avoid the paleo-peanut controversy in our home).  

Another thing that sparked debate (from Tom) and dirty looks (from me...clearly not being appreciated enough for being amazing), the "Enjoy Life" chocolate chips, I am sure you can find articles on whether these actually qualify as paleo...and if you ARE indeed hardcore paleo, then NO...these are not for you.  But sorry Tommy...every paleo website, blog, or cookbook mama's found uses these.  They do have brown sugar in them, but they are gluten-free and dairy-free.  I am not saying this recipe is paleo...but I'm not saying it isn't.  

Thankfully, I have Nolan to agree with me that these are indeed AMAZE-BALLS and potentially a "dangerous" sweet to have in the home.  Tom likes them too, but he just thinks they taste way too good so they must be bad!  Valid point...either way, it is a healthier version of a Reese's peanut butter cup.

 

Reese Cups

 

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups Enjoy Life chocolate chips
• 1 cup sunflower seed butter (or almond butter...or if you are not "paleo" natural peanut butter)
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

 

Directions:

1. Line cupcake pan with cupcake liners (I used a normal sized cupcake pan, but I like to make these as mini's).
2. Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler (or put in a bowl over a pot of boiling water).
3. Take a spoon with a dollop of chocolate and put it in the bottom of cupcake liners by spreading the chocolate around on the sides as well, just under half way up.
4. Place pan in the freezer to harden chocolate as you mix up the filling.
5. In a food processor, combine nut butter, oil, honey, salt and vanilla.  Mix until combined.
6. Once chocolate shells are hardened, place a dollop of filling in the center of the cups.
7. Freeze for 30 minutes or until the filling is solid.
8. Re-melt the left over chocolate.  Using a spoon to cover the filling with chocolate. 
9. Freeze again until chocolate has hardened.
10. Store in the refrigerator.  Enjoy!