Author Archives for Kelsey Finkle

Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Beef Chili

Happy Monday!  I’ve always loved chili.  It’s such a good fall or winter comfort food.  I’ve also always craved a sweeter version of chili so thought I’d play around with everyone’s favorite ingredient right now…pumpkin!  You can’t go wrong with the whole sweet and savory thing so I decided to make a beef chili with sweet potato and pumpkin in the mix!

It came out great.  My only issue is that I just chowed down a bowl and it made me even more tired than I already was, which I didn’t think was possible today.  Anyways, here is the recipe!  If you’re wondering why there are no beans in it, it’s because I don’t really eat beans anymore.  That makes this recipe primal / paleo friendly.

Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Beef Chili

  • 1.5 lbs Grass-fed Beef Sirloin
  • 1/2 Yellow Onion (chopped)
  • 1 Large Sweet Potato (cubed)
  • 1 Large Can Organic Crushed Tomatoes
  • 1 Small Can Organic Tomato Paste
  • 1 Small Can Beef Broth (low sodium)
  • 1.5 cups Organic Pumpkin Puree
  • Coconut Oil
  • Chili Powder, Cumin, Cayenne Pepper, Salt, Garlic, Cinnamon

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Drop a dollop of coconut oil in a sauce pan.  Add chopped onions and saute.  Once onions are browned add the beef and cook through until there is no pink left.  Add crushed tomatoes, paste, broth, and pumpkin.  Start adding spices to taste.  Stir and cook for about 5 minutes and then add the cubed sweet potato (I microwaved my whole potato for 3 minutes before cutting it).  Let chili cook over medium heat for 30-40 minutes.

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Staying Healthy When Life Happens

I’ve had a tough week.  We all have those weeks, when life just happens.  We all know that routines are comforting, they help you stay on track and stick to the plan, which ultimately is the first step to a healthy lifestyle.  Unfortunately, life throws you some curveballs every once in a while.

Maybe you got some bad news at work, your child is sick, you had a fight with your loved one, or you lost someone close to you.  Whatever it is, things happen that can affect our state of mind, which in turn will affect our physical state.

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Here are some tips on staying healthy when life happens:

Control the controllables.  If you’re taken away from your gym or yoga studio or regular place of exercise, use your two legs and get up and move.  Even if it’s just for 15 minutes.  That’s why I love running and yoga.  You can do it anywhere!  Any type of physical activity releases endorphins which naturally makes you feel better.

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Snack often.  Don’t starve yourself if healthy foods are not around.  You will end up pigging out on all the bad stuff that is available.  Try to grab some on the go healthy snacks that will fuel your body.

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Wake up early.  Early mornings are the best time to get some physical activity in when you don’t have the time.  Get up 30 minutes before everyone else and go for a jog, take a walk, or do some sit ups in your bedroom.  I found a great website that emails you an exercise every day that requires only YOU.  No props, gyms, or machines are needed.  It’s called Bodeefit.

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Stay hydrated.  I literally never leave the house without my Camelbak water bottle.  I call it my “adult bottle.”  People might think it’s weird but I don’t mind.  Staying hydrated is huge when your body is run down emotionally or physically.  If you don’t drink enough water your mind will trick you into thinking you need something else when in reality you just need some H2o!

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Realize no one is perfect.  There is not a human being out there who eats perfectly all the time or exercises consistently 365 days a year.  It’s okay to let go, get off track, or indulge.  It might seem like you are being unhealthy, but you know what…sometimes it’s healthy for the soul. The best thing about straying off your routine is you can turn around and get right back on track in the blink of an eye because it’s something YOU control.

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Crock Pot Beef Stew

It isn’t officially fall until you bring out the crock pot.  At least that’s my belief.  Have I mentioned I love fall?  I do…a lot.  And I really love the idea of throwing a bunch of ingredients into a pot, letting it sit all day, and wah lah! Dinner is served.

This crock pot beef stew came out dee-licious.  Since it was the weekend, I decided to throw in some potatoes.  This means it’s not technically primal or paleo, but on Saturdays and Sundays I let myself eat some potatoes!  If you want to make a primal version just remove the potatoes or sub in sweet potatoes…I bet that would be yummy!

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Crock Pot Beef Stew

  • 2 lbs Grass Fed Stew Meat
  • 2.5 cups Beef Broth (low sodium)
  • 6 ounce can Organic Tomato Paste
  • .5 cup Red Wine
  • 2 cups Organic Baby Carrots
  • 1 Yellow Onion Chopped
  • 2 Parsnips Chopped
  • 8-10 Baby Potatoes
  • 2 sprigs Rosemary
  • 3 Garlic Gloves
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • 1 Bay Leaf

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After you chop the onions and parsnips, throw everything in the crock pot.  Cook on high for 7-8 hours.  The perfect fall beef stew!  We also dunked some Paleo Pumpkin Cornbread from Brittany at RealSustenance.com in the stew which was perfect.

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