Welcome March!  I am hoping you bring lots of warm weather this month!! I have a full week of sweets coming up!! The following week I will switch to savory dishes – make sure you stay tuned!  I have to been going to the gym as much as possible and have supplemented in a few YouTube videos and barre classes.  It takes a while to shlep to Gold’s Gym, some nights it is easier and faster to do a workout at home.  I have also been forcing myself to try some workout classes at the gym.  I don’t like being in a classroom setting with routines to follow, because personally I am horrible at keeping up.  I never had the skills to memorize routines quickly.  When it came to school plays during the middle school and high school days I really was not one for a main character dancing around the stage.  I have pushed myself to be uncomfortable and attend the classes that involve routines that are choreographed to specific songs.  Unfortunately, for me, I have also not been able to stand in the back every class – other people seem to be just as uncoordinated as me, so it appears!!  When I don’t get my cozy corner spot in the back of the room, I realize nobody is starring at me and outwardly criticizing me, so I might as well get in a good workout and stop worrying about what others think!  Thus far I have tried the Insanity, BodyPump, BodyAttack, HIIT, and RPM cycling classes and have fully enjoyed each moment of them all.  If you are like me, attempt to go to a workout class even for half of it – just give it a try.  You might find that you enjoy jumping around a room looking ridiculous along with everybody in the class.

Today we will review a wonderful paleo granola I created.  The recipe calls for a cup of raisins, a cup of whole almonds, a cup of cashews, 1/2 cup flax seeds, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, 1/4-1/3 cup honey and 2-3 tbsp coconut oil (you can adjust the honey & oil amount to ensure all fruit, nuts & seeds are coated with some liquid).  Mix everything together and spread out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Cook the granola at 300 degrees for 30-45 minutes – cook until the mixture does not have a sticky texture and tastes “roasted” (yes, samples are allowed).  Once cooled, break apart the big block and it will quickly resemble granola.  I sprinkled this delectable treat over some coconut cream.  Thai Kitchen makes a great full-fat coconut milk – the cream is on the top and literally looks like fage yogurt.  If you scoop the cream out you will see liquid on the bottom.  I pour this into ice cube trays and freeze the remaining part of the coconut cream.  I then will use these coconut cubes in smoothies for coconut flavor.

With the snowy days here I will be baking quite a few items; be prepared for sugar overload!!

I have been browsing my cookbook collection and have realized that I need to start using them – they’re getting dusty.  I have found myself always researching recipes online – for the obvious reason: the computer is so convenient and easy.  I have tried to remove myself from some social media to focus on “the present time” and play with my son.  With this I have felt more relaxed and have gone ‘back to the basics.’  I have begun to realize it is wonderful to flip through a cookbook.  This being said I have picked a savory and a sweet cookbook to make literally every recipe from cover to cover.  Once this is done, it’s onto the next one!  My husband loves cookbooks, he is the same way as me; he personally “likes to look at the pictures.”  I want him to get through his books too!  I encourage you to dig through your cookbook collection and start cooking some delicious dishes.

Stay warm & dry during the snow storm…. don’t forget to BAKE!!!

peace. love. paleo.