Tag Archives: Paleo

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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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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Five Primal Snacks

A lot of people who start eating a primal or paleo diet will complain that they don’t know what to snack on during the day.  I’m guilty of it myself, especially when I first started eating primal.  Working a 9 to 5 job doesn’t always make it easy either but the key is (as always) to plan your lunches every week and have your snacks prepared.  This prevents running to the office snack closet and grabbing a bag of chips or cookies!

A rule I’ve followed over the past couple of years is pretty simple…snack on real foods or products.  Ones that you can actually read the entire ingredient list.  Here are five primal snacks that keep me going through the day!

Cottage Cheese with Fruit and Nuts

I promise I don’t eat the whole container. Just one serving 🙂

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Kind Bars

They have a ton of different ones but my recent favorite is this Cashew & Ginger Spice flavor.  I love Kind Bars because if you look at the ingredient list you will recognize each one.  It’s one of the best bars I’ve found with nothing processed.

 

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Dark Chocolate & Blueberries

I think I am officially addicted to dark chocolate.  Even if it’s just the tiniest piece I usually have a bite every night.  I usually stick to at least 80% cacao.

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Avocado

If you get one just the perfect ripeness, avocados are an awesome snack just on their own!

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Justin’s Honey Almond Butter with an Apple or Banana

I just recently discovered Justin’s brand and absolutely love it.  It is so tasty but yet so good for you.  Here are the ingredients: Dry Roasted Almonds, Honey Powder (Sugar, Honey), Organic Palm Fruit Oil, Sea Salt.  Honey is my favorite flavor so far and it only has 3 grams of sugar!  Throw a tablespoon of this on an apple of banana and you have yourself a tasty, healthy, and real snack.

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What are your go-to favorite snacks?

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