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.

Breakfast Stuffed Acorn Squash

This past weekend, we celebrated Friendsgiving here in Cincinnati. It was, as always, so much fun and so delicious. It's nice to celebrate with friends. I had a hard time at first, when we moved to Cincinnati. It wasn't that far from home, yet I felt that it was impossible to meet new people. Luckily, that didn't last too long. I made instant friends when I started working at Caribou Coffee that year, and I added to that as I got to know J's colleagues.

We ate many glorious dishes at Friendsgiving. I made the turkey, using the Rosemary Apple recipe from my Thanksgiving Roundup. Oh man. Yeah you guys have to try that one. There was salad, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pies...just about everything you can imagine. Mmm Mmm.

Anywho... onto the recipe. I made this squash last week. It was a little chilly outside, and this dish definitely hit the spot. I don't think I've ever made anything with acorn squash. It smells a bit like pumpkin when you cut it open, but it's a little sweeter in taste. Man was it good. I loved the breakfast flavors that accompanied. This recipe is from paleOMG. This lady has some great stuff!

Foodie's Friday Favorites | Week of Nov 8. 2015

Alas... Another week has gone by! Hard to believe it is mid-November. I feel like I am already miles behind on Xmas shopping, However, I did make strides this week. I found some great deals, and bought a few things off my list (thanks to one of my favorites below)! Wahoo!

Here we go! My Friday Favorites :) Hope they give you some inspiration or something new to try for the weeks ahead.

Korean Pork Chops Recipe

Can anyone believe the weather right now!? I mean... I live in Ohio, so I guess I can. You just never know around here. We started this morning in the low 60s. It's November! WTH? I'll take this nice weather and football at the same time, anytime.

Speaking of football... GO COLTS! YES. We finally got a win last Sunday. However, tragedy struck a few days ago, when we found out that Andrew Luck will be out for 2-6 weeks due to injury. "Luck"ily ;) we are on a bye this week. Feel better Andrew!! (I'm sure he reads my blog lol)

Today's recipe is one that would be great on the grill. If I would've thought about it before hand, I would've had the hubs fire it up to cook up these pork chops. Have I mentioned I love pork? I found this recipe while searching pinterest, of course, and could not wait to try. It's super simple, with minimal ingredients. Who can beat that on a weeknight!? This pork chop deliciousness comes from Jo Cooks. It looks like some of her recipes are Paleo, and all of the recipes on her site look DELICIOUS. Check it out!

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.

Foodie's Friday Favorites | Week of Nov 1, 2015

Happy Friday! We've all made it though yet another crazy week. Friday mornings are always rough. You're there, but not quite yet. Gotta get through the next few hours of the work day...then it's the weekend :) Always workin for the weekend.

Anyway, I thought I would start a new weekly series about what I'm liking each week. Foodie's Friday Favorites (see what I did there?).  This will be a short article to send you onto your wonderful weekend with a few of the things that I'm loving at the moment. Maybe it will give you some inspiration to try something new.

HAPPY FALL! | Paleo Pumpkin Turkey Chili Recipe

Another long break between posts... Sorry guys! Fall is always crazy, schedule wise. Work, family, friends.. It's a busy time of year, but I'm extremely thankful!

The weather has been so nice recently. A little rain here and there, but for the most part, it's been gorgeous. Beautiful fall days are just the best. The leaves are so pretty, and everyone is in a good mood.

Fall is also a WONDERFUL time for food. Oh man...All of the warm, delicious recipes pop up during this time of year. Pumpkin everything. I'm one of those pumpkin freaks. Yep. Not at all afraid to admit it. I love cooking with pumpkin. It's so creamy, and it brings out some delicious flavors in your food. There's also sweet potatoes, squash, apples, etc... Yum!

I've been playing around with my pumpkin turkey chili recipe for some time, and I think I've finally got it down. The fire-roasted tomatoes really compliment the pumpkin well in this recipe. I also love adding cinnamon. It's such a great flavor. This chili is PERFECT for leftovers. Make up a huge batch, and eat this throughout the week :) It's also a one-pot meal, and super fast to make!