Instant Pot Braised Kale & Carrots

I warned you about the Instant Pot recipes! I can't help it. I'm friggin obsessed with this thing. And then when paired with the crockpot, you have a whole meal in under 10 minutes....

Could it get any easier!?!?

It has snowed a bit in Ohio, and it's starting to look and feel more like winter. Cold and flu season is upon us in full force, and comfort food is a must. Especially comfort food that packs a punch of nutrients and antioxidants.

Say what you will about Kale, but there is no denying it's health benefits. Kale is high in vitamins A, K and C. It is also a great source of calcium, magnesium, iron & antioxidants. And then there's carrots with beta carotene and fiber.

Hello!? This side dish is a no-brainer. With this delicious recipe from Nom Nom Paleo, you will have no problem going back for seconds. Cooking the ingredients in the Instant Pot leaves the kale tender and flavorful. You could also try cooking it a little longer in the Dutch oven as well, if you don't have a pressure cooker.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! | Instant Pot Corned Beef & Cabbage Recipe

HAPPY NEW YEAR Foodies! Another year has passed, and I must say, it's been a good one. I cannot believe we are moving on to 2016. I feel like it was just yesterday that I was staring at the computer waiting for the world to end NYE circa Y2K. Remember that?

Anywho, I hope you all had a great holiday. It can be rough coming back to work or school or just getting back to normal life after the holidays. I thought I would lighten things up with a new recipe to start off the new year. :)

We had a great Christmas at the Kinder house. We traveled back to Indiana for a couple long weekends with family. We have a nice schedule worked out for Christmas Eve and Christmas that leaves our day stress-free, and we get to see most of our family. We are truly #blessed. I received many amazing gifts this year. My family really knows me. The best gifts that I always get are the "surprises." Every year since I was little, I make my list, but I always ask for surprises! The stuff that I don't even know I want.

This year, J did really well. He got me something that I really didn't even know I needed/wanted. He got me an Instant Pot! Have you heard of these things!? I mean I think I had heard maybe something here or there, but they are all the rage in the Paleo community apparently. They are truly one pot wonders. The Instant Pot is a pressure cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, slow cooker, and even more. I was so pumped about this gift that I have already used it about 5 times in less than a week.

I was particularly excited to break this baby out on New Years Day. Another tradition we have, is eating corned beef and cabbage for good luck on NYD.  So I broke out the (FREAKING AMAZING) Instant Pot, and made the recipe below. Guess what? Delicious. The flavors that came through were just great, and in basically no time, with little work.

Thanksgiving Recipe Roundup

It's almost here!! The most grand holiday, where we celebrate all of the carbs...er..I mean something about giving thanks, pilgrams yada yada

Anyway, it's definitely the time of year where we celebrate with family. It's also the time of year where we pack on the pounds. It's easy to do, with all of the delicious feasts that are held at Thanksgiving. My biggest tip around this time of year, is offer to bring what you can. If you are providing a dish or two, at least you will know that there will be something healthy to eat. You will know exactly what ingredients are in the dish that you have homemade yourself.

Many are starting to plan their big menus, so I've put together a roundup for you! Here are a few of my choices and ideas for dishes to bring to your next family or friends Thanksgiving :) All of the traditional favorites are here for a healthier holiday.

10 Tips for Eating Healthy in a Restaurant

Going out to eat is fun... no matter if it's a treat, or if it's because you just don't want to cook that night. It's so nice to have someone else cook the food and clean the dishes. However, if you're trying to stay healthy, it can be difficult and scary at times. The choices on the menu can be overwhelming. And when your spouse or friend is ordering fried this or extra cheese on that, it can be hard to make the right choices.

Lately, my husband and I have been so busy, that it's just easier to order a meal than to cook one. And that's okay every once in a while. But be prepared! It's okay to splurge sometimes, but you can also keep that healthy diet going. There's no reason you can't find something on the menu that won't have you regretting decisions later. When you go out to eat, here are my top 10 tips for staying healthy, while enjoying yourself as well!

Have a Healthy July 4th!

HAPPY FRIDAY! :)

It's that time of year again...SUMMER! I'm honestly not the biggest fan of summer. I'm that person complaining about the heat and humidity...then turing around and complaining about the cold and snow. I'm an autumn kinda gal. Spring is great too, but it's still rainy. Fall is the PERFECT weather. Okay so I'm a complainer lol.

However I do enjoy July 4th. Everyone's always in a great mood. The weather is generally nice, there are parades, fireworks, and all sorts of delicious food. Whether you're grilling out, having a picnic, or having a regular meal in the kitchen, you are bound to have a delicious meal or two on Saturday. This year, we are traveling back to good ole Muncie to celebrate the holiday with my family! My mom is playing in America's Hometown Band, and we are planning on a picnic before the fireworks. I'm on the hunt for great ideas!

So here's my 4th of July roundup of some of my favorite go-to Paleo recipes to keep your holiday healthy and on track!

SUPER Easy Side Dishes

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love to cook. I love finding new and exciting recipes that will challenge my skills and my taste buds. However... sometimes, especially during the week, I am tired and lazy. Shocking right!? My go-to side for those lazy nights (and sometimes regular nights, because of their yumminess) is roasted vegetables!

You can use any vegetables for this side. My absolute favorite is oven-roasted green beans, but you could literally use just about any vegetable. It's always great to check out your local farmers market for the freshest and tastiest items. Here's how I typically roast veggies:

1.  Set your oven to 400 degrees F.