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Roni

Food, Savory

Paleo Lettuce Wrapped Hamburgers

The first thing I thought when I first started reading about Paleo food was that it was going to be bland. Everything processed had flavor, artificial flavor, but still flavor. And I worried without cheese, I’d miss creamy Alfredo sauces, cheese burgers, and fondue.

So when it comes to making even the simplest dish, I’ve made it my mission to make sure it’s flavorful. Make it something that even someone who is not eating Paleo, want to eat the meal I’ve made. For this burger, I added a few extra spices and a bit of a crunch. When you can’t have bread, you’ve got to take an extra step to make a hamburger more than a hamburger.

Paleo Lettuce Wrapped Hamburgers

Gather
1 pound of ground beef
1 egg
1/4 cup of almond flour
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon cumin
Black pepper, to taste
1-2 large beefsteak tomato
Head of iceberg lettuce

Heat a medium sized skillet on medium-high heat. In a large bowl, mix ground beef, egg, almond flour, and spices until combined. Create 1/2 inch thick beef patties and cook through, about 7 minutes a side, or until each side is browned and cooked through.

Slice tomato. Carefully unwrap layers of lettuce so that each piece is unbroken, you will use these as a your wrap. Place cooked hamburger in lettuce, top with tomato, and carefully wrap lettuce around burger. Enjoy.

March 15, 2015 by Roni

Life In General

You are the Monica Geller of Your Group When

I am Monica Geller. Yup, I freak out about little things, I like when the house is clean, and I love cooking. I’ve always kind of known this. So when Friends came back on Netflix, all I wanted to do was watch every episode of the show with Andy. Which meant, that first, I had to get Andy to watch Friends.

Turns out, it wasn’t as hard as it seemed, all I had to do was get him to listen to Chandler’s jokes a few times and he was hooked. He thought Chandler’s jokes were funny, probably because they’re the same kind of jokes he tells all the time. (Now Andy is pretty sure he’s Chandler, which ultimately makes sense if I’m Monica.) It wasn’t too hard for me to figure out why I’m Monica, I just had to have the same personality traits as her, like accepting that:

1. You’re Over-Competitive

Yes, Monica has a tendency to be a little over-competitive: Thanksgiving football games, allegedly throwing a plate during Pictionary (“rules help control the fun”), and gambling away an apartment because she thought she knew her friends better than they knew her.

2. A Compulsive Cleaner

There’s nothing wrong with wanting a clean house/apartment, is there? Sometimes the ceiling really does need to be Swiffer-ed, and the vacuum cleaner needs to be dusted.

Ask Andy, who has found me at 2 a.m. doing dishes, washing down the counters, and reorganizing the bedroom because I cannot sleep. I have my random spurs where everything will be a disaster (read as Monica’s secret closet), but overall I get antsy quickly when things seem (to me at least) to be out of order.

3. Have a Tendency to Take Charge

Perhaps it’s just having a type A personality. Or wanting everything to go exactly right, because let’s be real, no one is going to get it right, you just have to do it yourself. Or micromanage.

4. Because You’re Always Right

Like I said, Type A personality.

5. But You’re A Really Good Friend

And will bring over the wine and margaritas for a girl’s night to talk about anything. Even if it seems silly.

6. And Put Their Needs First

When a friend needs your help, a shoulder to cry on, even a favor, you’re there. No questions asked.

7. You Have a Bit of a Temper

But only when something really horrific has happened….

8. And Let’s Not Forget, You’re an Excellent Dancer

March 14, 2015 by Roni

Fashion

Shades of Green | St. Patrick’s Day Inspiration

When I was younger (oh, maybe like two years ago), I often found myself a day-deep in pints of Blue Moons and Guinness, dressed head-to-toe in green, and pretending to be Irish. To be fair, it was once a year as St. Patrick’s Day rolled around, either a full weekend of celebrating my non-heritage with corned beef and cabbage, or one day fighting the Boston crowds and trying to make sure I didn’t miss my train home.

I’m a little older, a little wiser, and certainly couldn’t last until 1 a.m. at the bar anymore. Believe me, I’ve tried. On the verge of 30, and I’m already throwing in the towel. But it doesn’t mean I can’t celebrate in a much more refined, mature means: Like shopping for anything and everything green. My wallet is no less hit this time of year.

So, instead of looking for an emerald green “Kiss Me I’m Irish” T-shirt, I’m dulling the hue for shades of green more appropriate forthe workplace, a night out with just one glass of beer, or watching The Matchmaker with my girlfriends at home.

I’m Already Late Mint Green Watch | Mint Flats | Vivian & Vincent Infinity Scarf (Mint) | Analog Clock | Delicate Drop Necklace | Refined and Radiant Necklace | Bag in Sage

March 4, 2015 by Roni

Food, Savory

Breaded Paleo Buffalo Chicken

Turns out I hate it when I don’t eat Paleo. As much as I love regular food – the bread, the butter, the desserts – I hate looking at the scale afterward. It seems that the best way to keep my weight at a manageable level is to make good eating decisions. So we’re making little changes and this recipe is one of them. Instead of dredging our chicken in flour and using butter, we made some substitutions, mainly using almond flour instead of regular flour.

Yes, almond flour is more expensive. No, you can’t really tell the difference. Yes, it’s better for you in the long run.

Breaded Paleo Buffalo Chicken

Gather
2 cups of almond flour
2 teaspoons of salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 large eggs
1/2 cup unsweetened original coconut milk
3 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup Franks Red Hot Sauce

Pre-heat oven to 475 degrees.

In a small bowl combine almond flour, salt, paprika, and cayenne pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs and coconut milk.

Cut chicken into small chunks or strips. Dredge chicken in wet egg mixture, then bread chicken with almond flour mix. Repeat the process so that each piece of chicken is double coated. Use tongs instead of your hands to avoid breading your fingers. Place chicken on a cookie sheet that has been lightly coated with olive oil.

Bake chicken for 8-10 minutes or until chicken begins to brown.

Turn the oven on to low broil and continue to cook the chicken for an additional 1-2 minutes or until the surface is browned.

In a clean bowl, add hot sauce. Toss pieces of chicken in hot sauce, then serve.

March 2, 2015 by Roni

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