Looks like hummus, tastes like hummus, Paleo hummus!
Congratulations challengers!! it's week three of the Sweet Cheeks Paleo Challenge! We've been getting great feedback from you so far and we're super duper proud of you! This week we're tacking on TWO more - no grains and no legumes (Which includes peanuts, beans and soy).
Two of the most common questions I'm going to address are 1. why no legumes? and 2. if you don't eat grains, what do you eat?!
First off, legumes. We all remember the childhood song "Beans, beans good for the heart! The more you eat, the more y..." well you know the rest of it! So why on earth are we giving up beans? The answer is in the song folks! Just the fact that they can cause gastrointestinal distress should be enough for our concern.
I'm gonna get a little scientific on you, ready? Legumes are high in lectins, protease inhibitors and phytates. Although beans have been pegged as the healthy protein alternative to meat, they in fact may actually make protein deficiency worse! Protease inhibitors actually interfere with the breakdown of proteins into amino acids. Poor vegetarians are just flat out of luck! Phytates are known to inhibit the absorption of important minerals such as calcium magnesium, iron and zinc in our digestive tracts. And lectins are a culprit found in inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Along with making you...ahem... gassy, most legumes are actually poisonous if eaten raw. Does this mean cavemen never tooted??!
Secondly, sans grains what does one eat. Some of you may remember our first no grains challenge so you already know there is plenty of grub that's grain free to choose from. Please turn around and hug someone who is giving up grains for the first time and let them know everything is gonna be alright. Heehee! People, don't freak out, you don't have to give up your favorite breads or muffins, just modify! Instead of cooking with flour, substitute almond meal or coconut flour. Find inspiration in our cinnamon bun muffins, coconut blueberry cakes and banana pancakes !! Sounds too good to be true, I know, but I promise, it's grain free! When grains go, a lot of folks are also stumped with what to snack on. Well lucky for you this post is dedicated to the munchies! Please find an appropriate snack and go to town.
Before I get to the food I want to remind everyone of one more very important message. As with all of our challenges, take this one to whatever level works best for YOU. I want you to be successful. I want this challenge to teach you about healthy lifestyle choices that will stay with you after our challenge is over. I want you to be happy and look forward to eating. There are a lot of foods we are limiting beginning this week, but don't be so strict. Starving, miserable and bored with your meals, aint' gonna get us nowhere!
This has now turned into the longest post I've ever written. : ) Ahhhhh thank you very much!!
Zucchini Hummus
3 medium zucchini
1/2 cup tahini (found at Trader Joes)
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Tablespoons lemon Juice
1 Teaspoon sea salt
1 Teaspoon cumin
1 1/2 Teaspoons crushed garlic
Sprinkle of Paprika (for garnish)
Peel the green skins off the zucchini. Slice peeled zucchini into thin slices or small chunks.
Combine all ingredients except Paprika into food processor and blend until creamy and thick.
If not desired consistency add a little bit of water while blending. Sprinkle with paprika for garnish.
Enjoy!
Inspired by makeeverydayraw.
It's kinda odd, every once and a while one of 'em does actually taste like a potato chip!
Spicy Kale Chips
1 medium bunch kale, washed, stemmed, and chopped into 1-inch pieces OR you can buy this organic and already prepared at Whole Foods, and it wasn't even that expensive.
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk together olive oil, sea salt and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Place kale in a large bowl and pour dressing over it, then massage into the leaves with your hands.
Spread kale onto a large baking sheet in a single layer (you may have to do this in batches).
Bake for 10 minutes. Then stir the chips up. Then bake in the oven for another 8 minutes or until the chips turn crispy.
Enjoy!
Cherry tomatoes!! A tangy tastey snack to pop in your mouth!
Paleo PB&J
1 jar almond butter
1 jar apple sauce
spoon
you
Dip spoon into almond butter.
Dip spoon into apple sauce.
Insert in mouth.
Enjoy!
Salty and sweet!! This deluxe duo can be found at Whole Foods.
And finally...Darren's Protein Bars!
A fellow CFLA-er has been cooking up a storm in his own kitchen! Yes, there is sweetener in these bars, Darren is not Paleo-ing strict. Remember what I said folks, enjoy what you eat!
8 Egg whites
1 cup Raw unsweetened coconut
2-3 oz. unsweetened blueberries
1 package raw coco nibs
1lb. whole almonds cut and diced
10oz. almond flour
5 "scoops" pure stevia powder
5-6oz. honey
1 teaspoon organic vanilla extract
Mix in BIG bowl, spread out in VERY WELL GREASED glass dish and bake for approximately 25 minutes at 375ยบ. Then remove from oven cool and reheat to "dehydrate" at 290-300 for 35-40 minutes to make firm. Cut and enjoy!
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