Paleo Pumpkin Chicken Chili

This coming week, I'm trying to eat 100% Paleo just to see how I feel.  I will most likely find myself missing carbs and dairy, but I'm curious to see how it may change my digestion/weight.  This was super easy to put together, and the flavors came together deliciously.

Ingredients:

• 3lbs. chicken breasts, cubed
•  2 cups of red onion, diced
•  2 cups bell pepper, diced (color of choice)
• 1 can chopped green chili peppers
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 cup white wine (optional)
• 1, 28 ounce can diced tomatoes in their juices
• 6 ounces tomato paste
• 3 tbsp chili powder
• 2 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1 whole cinnamon stick
•  3 cups canned pumpkin pure
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp. coconut oil

Instructions:

Heat coconut oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Sauté onions until lightly browned, then add bell peppers, chili peppers, and garlic and sauté for another 5 minutes. 

Add in chicken, chicken stock, white wine, organic tomatoes, organic tomato paste, chili powder, pumpkin pie spice, coriander, salt, and cinnamon stick and simmer for 20 minutes.

Stir in pumpkin and cocoa powder and cook for an additional 20 minutes. 

Blueberry, Banana, Almond Baked Oatmeal

No matter the season, oatmeal is always one of my go-to items for breakfast.  When I prepare ahead, the concoctions I make can usually be eaten hot or cold, so depending on the day, I may warm it up, or keep it chilled.  This particular mixture tasted AWESOME cold, and since it was 90 degrees all week, I ate it that way all week.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Steel Cut Oats (I use Bob's Red Mill)
• ¼ cup Sliced Raw Almonds, divided in half
• ½ tsp. Baking Powder
• ¾ tsp. Ground Cinnamon
• Pinch of Salt
• ¼ cup Agave Nectar
• 1 cup Coconut Almond Milk (I used Blue Diamond, unsweetened)
• ¼ cup Egg Substitute (I use Better n' Eggs)
• 2 tbsp. Unsweetened Applesauce
• 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
• 3 Ripe Bananas, peeled and sliced
• 1 cup Blueberries, divided
• 2 tbsp. Flax Seeds
• 2 tbsp. Chia Seeds

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375F.

2. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish. 

3.  Mix the oats, almonds, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl.

4.  In a small bowl, combine agave, milk, egg beaters, butter, and vanilla

5.  Slice the bananas, and spread in a single layer over the bottom of the baking dish.  Top with half the blueberries

7.  Pour the dry ingredient mixture over the fruit evenly

8.  Pour the liquid ingredients evenly over the oats.

9.  Sprinkle the remaining blueberries and almonds over the top.

10.  Bake  35-40 minutes, until top is browned and oats set.

I sliced this into 5 portions and brought them to work with me every day last week.  YUM

Roasted Chicken Breasts with Purple and Gold Potatoes in a Champagne and Dill Sauce

The other night, I was feeling creative and want to whip up something a bit gourmet.  Costco had my favorite purple potatoes, and we have a whole bunch of bottles of champagne around from our wedding, so I threw a bunch of stuff together, and this deliciousness resulted:

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 lb. purple and fingerling gold potatoes, coined
• 5 cups of brut champagne (any kind will do)
• Handful of fresh dill
• Spices to taste:  garlic powder, sea salt, black pepper

• Preheat the oven to 425

In a large roasting plan, place the chicken breasts on the bottom and sprinkle with spices.  Sprinkle the dill on top.

Add the potatoes and sprinkle with more spices.

Pour the champagne over the mixture until it covers most of it, cover pan with foil, and bake for 45 minutes

Enjoy!