Beef Jerky and Crystals

I know it's an odd combo, but this is what's happening in my life right now - beef jerky and crystals. We were given a food dehydrator by our awesome bro-in-law, so we immediately got to work. We made 3.5 pounds of the good stuff and guess how much is left? That's right. We devoured it all. And shared a bit too. I intend on making more very soon. Might need to hide it in a secret place though.

Each spring and fall is the KC Gem and Mineral Show. Us gals at The Merc get to go and buy stuff for the store. I know what you're thinking. You sell crystals at a grocery store? Well, yea. Why not pick up some smoky quartz to go with your sweet taters. Who wouldn't want that? It's a really fun work day and I definitely pick up a few things for myself too. 

Well, spring is supposedly here. It was 85 degrees last week, yet we woke up to another 7 inches of snow this morning. Kansas weather is freaky. I don't mind though. If you can't change it, why not just enjoy it? Although, I am looking forward to get my hands in the dirt. 

Our teaser day in the garden last week.

***Winter Feasting***

So, I really haven't been posting a whole lot this winter. My life feels pretty "non-postable" right now. We're not doing our Supper Club anymore, my best friend, Josh, just moved to Denver, it's been snowing a lot. I haven't really even been able to wrap my head around gardening when there is still 10 inches of snow on the ground. We needed that moisture so badly...I'm grateful. 

What I have been doing is cooking. And eating. Chris and I are (mostly) doing the Paleo "plan" as we like to call it (instead of "diet"). It's been really great. It's gotten me out of a cooking rut. The gluten free nature of it leaves me sleeping better, with more energy, less brain fog and feeling full longer. Oh yea, and I've lost some weight. It definitely takes food planning though. If I skip my Monday prep day, I'm scrambling for the rest of the week. The Paleo Plan includes lots of veggies, some fruit, nuts, seeds and healthy meat and seafood - think grass fed, cage free, antibiotic free - all of that good stuff. It's mainly about avoiding grains and processed carbs like crackers, pasta, tortillas. It's supposed to be the "caveman diet", what people ate when they were hunters and gatherers. I mean, I'm obviously not going to be foraging berries for my breakfast but I am going to be more conscious about what I eat. And the coolest thing about it is that I FEEL REALLY GOOD. 

Raw kale salad with apple, radish, dried currants, almonds, goat cheese 

(not technically on the plan) and a lemon mustard vinaigrette. 

Made one for dinner and another to have for lunch the next day.

A whole roasted chicken with sweet potatoes and an AWESOME fresh herb, 

lemon zest, garlic, olive oil, parmesan sauce you drizzle over everything. YUM.

See recipe below if you care to replicate. Sorry for the torn/taped together recipe. Let me know if you have any questions.

Raw broccoli salad with almonds, red onion, dried currants, 

sunflower seeds, lemon, greek yogurt.

snack/lunch

Grass fed beef burger patty with stinky blue cheese, sauteed mushrooms 

and almonds. Green salad on the side. SO GOOD!!!

Chicken with garlic, thyme, parm and capers. 

Mashed sweet potatoes and acorn squash with almonds on top.

Homemade paleo cookies! 

Homemade paleo crackers! Sesame seed, sunflower seed, coconut flour.

Breakfast on a snow day.

Snacks for the week.

Not very pretty but DELISH. Goat curry (braised for 4 hours) 

with coconut milk, tomato and cauliflower.

And finally, Smokefest II at Kevin's house yesterday. We smoked cheese, garlic, salt, almonds, trout and salmon. MMMMmmmmm.