Beef Mushroom Quinoa Chili

I put a spin on classic Texas beef chili by adding mushrooms and quinoa. Beef Mushroom Quinoa Chili (gasp), what?! Sit down if you need to, let that sink in. It may be a little unconventional but, darn, if it isn’t just as spicy, satisfying and downright delicious as old-school chili. I think if hard-pressed, even strict chili enthusiasts would have to agree.   Beef Mushroom Quinoa Chili

So why did I put mushrooms and quinoa in classic Texas-style beef chili, you ask? I’ll admit, first was out of practical necessity – I *thought* I had a little more ground beef in the freezer than I actually did. I figured adding mushrooms (which everyone knows pair well with beef) and quinoa (which has a similar texture of ground beef) would help me stretch the recipe — which it did indeed! But there are other benefits too! Read on to get the recipe and learn all the benefits of this beef chili with mushrooms and quinoa. Continue reading

Tomatillo Shredded Pork Roast and Pinto Beans for Slow Cooker

This post is sponsored by Kevin’s Natural Foods as part of a blogger’s recipe contest. However, all content, comments and enthusiasm remain my own.

Hey, what’s crockin’?  I recently discovered how to make a pork roast AND pinto beans at the SAVE time, in the SAME slow cooker. Let me introduce you to Tomatillo Shredded Pork and Pinto Beans for the Slow Cooker— a low-maintenance, low-stress, low-mess way to make a juicy pork roast for shredding with pinto beans on the side. Use for tacos, a southwestern salad, sandwiches with beans on the side. Heck, use the leftovers and add some broth and a can of tomatoes to make pork ‘n’ bean soup.

Slow Cooker Tomatillo Shredded Pork Roast and Pinto Beans for taco night

As if slow cooker roast recipes (and the resulting myriad of leftover pork roast meals) aren’t game-changing enough, the simultaneous slow-cooking of beans without dirtying up another pot is enough to yell out the kitchen window to neighbors, “HEY, I am winning at this dinner game, suckers!” Oh, it gets even better – I’ve used a Paleo and Keto-friendly sauce pouch from Kevin’s Natural Foods to keep this a 4-ingredinet main dish and side – excluding water for cooking and any desired taco fixings or extras you mut have. Read on to get the easy slow cooker pork roast and pinto bean recipe.

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Leftover Mashed Potato Waffles + Topping Ideas

Nothing like a big bowl of mashed potatoes . . .  except maybe these Leftover Mashed Potato Waffles, I absolutely adore the crispy exterior and soft, fluffy inside that some time spent in the waffle iron creates! Leftover Mashed Potato Waffles with Topping Ideas

With Thanksgiving and other big-meal holidays on the horizon, I am always on the lookout for leftover mashed potato recipes and other ways to give a next-day upgrade to our hearty meal and side dishes. Learn how easy it is to make these flourless mashed potato waffles and even meal-prep enough to stick in the freezer for busy days down the road. Continue reading

Crispy Cinnamon Almond Cookies | Keto, Low Carb, Gluten Free

This post is sponsored by Spectrum Culinary™ Oil. However, all content, opinions and enthusiasm remain my own.

These low-carb Crispy Cinnamon Almond Cookies have been a welcomed treat over the last few months. Spending so much time at home makes me “snacky,” so I’m always looking for lower-carb ways to satisfy my sweet tooth – and with other functional ingredients to support my active lifestyle as an athlete. Crispy Keto Cinnamon Almond Cookies spectrum MCT oil
Bake up these low-carb, sugar-free, gluten-free, Paleo and keto-friendly cookies that feature Spectrum Culinary™ Keto Blend Organic Olive & MCT Oil that I ordered for pick up at Walmart. Continue reading

 Beef Tenderloin Steaks with Bourbon Bacon Pecan Sauce

 Beef Tenderloin Steaks with Bourbon Bacon Pecan Sauce – this homemade meal was as easy as was epic, if I do say so myself. Well, ordering a cart full of frozen meats from WildForkFoods.com  for my protein fix this week – turkey, bacon steak, beef chuck roast and these beautiful tenderloin steaks was EASY.

Beef Tenderloin Steaks with Bourbon Bacon Pecan Sauce

Shelling the pecans foraged on a recent day trip was NOT, lol . . . but I took the task as a personal challenge. Was so convenient to get all these quality meats delivered directly to door with free shipping on first order. Food from Wild Fork really IS fresher, they “blast freeze” at -40 degrees to seal in vitamins, minerals and flavor . . .satisfaction guaranteed! Read on to get the recipe: Continue reading