Going Paleo at Boy Scout Camp

Grass fed and humanely butchered meat is the mantra for most Paleo eaters. I do agree that we need to redesign the slaughter houses, but I don't think Grok (named by Mark Sisson) would have cared about the Mastedon's feelings when he himself was about to become extinct. I know we live in a different world, but really folks? I love my chickens but they are about the stupidest bird alive. No wonder the dinosaurs are compared to them and believe the roots can be traced back.
Anyway, I am gearing up for a week at camp with 35 boys and 4 other adults under my charge. We have discussed nutrition with the boys (many of whom believe a strawberry pop-tart is considered fruit) and with their parents. It will be interesting to see how well that is lived.
After perusing the menu for the week, I will need to supplement a lot of alternatives for my eating. Being gluten free has some advantages and hopefully, I can pull rank to acquire shelf space in the kitchen's pantry and fridge.
The meat comes from questionable origins, but it is still protein and I won't deny myself that satisfaction.
And there is that slimmest of chance that I can convert one or two over to the greener pastures.

Paleo for Foodies: Ira's Paleo Jambalaya

Paleo for Foodies: Ira's Paleo Jambalaya: " My Cajun husband, Ira, grew up with Louisiana favorites such as Jambalaya and Gumbo. As most of you are aware, food from this region isn't..." for the soft hearted!
Ok, now to get dinner going.

A few treats

When I was a toddler, my grandmother loved to tell the story of how I would always want 3 cookies. One for each hand and the other in my mouth. I am still that way today. I have a real hard time walking past a bakery and in our little town we have a couple of them.

These 2 recipes come from Elana Amsterdam of Elana's Pantry. I included her recipe and how I modified it.

Chocolate Chip Scones
Oven: 350

2 1/2 Cups Blanched almond flour
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/3 c grapeseed oil (coconut oil)
1/4 C agave nectar (subbed with 2 ripe bananas & 3 Tbsp honey)
2 lg eggs
1 C coarsely chopped dark chocolate (70% cacao w/espresso nibs!)

Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. I love my Pampered Chef Stoneware for this!
In lg bowl combine almond flour, salt & baking soda. In med. bowl, whisk together the oil, agave nectar (bananas & honey), and eggs. Stir the wet into the flour mixture and combine until moist. Add chocolate chunks. Drop batter, scant 1/4 cups at 2 inches apart.
Bake 12-17 minutes (mine took about 20 due to the bananas). Let cool.


Another one we absolutely love

Orange Cake
Oven: 375

2 oranges (washed)
4 eggs
3/4 C Agave syrup (honey)
2 C blanched Almond flour
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp baking soda

Boil whole oranges for 1 hour 30 minutes.
Place the whole boiled oranges into food processor and pulsate until liquid - Yep, everything.
Add rest of ingredients and pulsate until mixed.
Pour into 9" greased round pan. Bake 45-50 minutes until center comes out dry.
Cool and enjoy.

The second time I made this, I added 1 tsp cinnamon and 1/2 tsp nutmeg and served with locally made ginger ice cream (not paleo, but ooh so yummy!).

Colonoscopies

I cannot encourage you enough to get a colonoscopy as soon you're of age or if Colon cancer runs in your family.
According to the CDC, it is the 3rd most common cancer for men and women in the United States but less than 60% of the population have had screening. It has hit our family hard and if we're freakish about it, well- you need to listen and Do It.
I had my first screening 3 years ago and they found a polyp. The doctor told me I had to do it again in 5 years since I was a young 40 y/o. My mom introduced me to her doctor and he said 5 years was too long and he wanted to see me right away. So, I made the appointment. The eve of the appointment it snowed and we were snowed in. 2 days later we were off to Hawaii. I rescheduled the appointment twice after that and the doctor rescheduled as well. Finally in June, I was able to endure the "pain and suffering". I woke up with good news, I was polyp free and he didn't want to see me for 5 years!!

Did the paleo diet contribute to being polyp free? I would wager that it did. But that doesn't mean that there are 2 different camps out there. Before I was paleo and gluten free, I had a polyp. When I went paleo and gluten free, I had none. So, I'm 1 for 1. We'll see what happens in 5 years.

Paleo Zombies

So, what happened? Not like I dropped of the face of the earth, although I sometimes thought so. I started working as a sub for the school district and got real busy. Just before Spring Break I was hired as the Assistant Boys Track Coach for the Middle School and became the Throwing Coach. I knew nothing of throwing and had 6 short days to learn how to do it. Talk about a miracle short of a shot put! Then summer break started and the boys & I hit the ground running.
Today is a rainy day (In Seattle? Really??) and so I hope to work on my blog a bit more. There is so much that I need to say and get out there. I'll break it down into categories since I'm never short on words, but always short on time!
Once I get the back ground out of the way, we can move forward. My goal is to add recipes. Some made up and others attributed to my favorite Paleo Chefs that I tweaked here and there. I am so into tweaking.
Right now, I need to awaken the Troops. There are paleo pancakes to make and eat!