Paleo Onion Steak Recipe

Growing up I hated onions.  I'm still not very fond of raw onions, but I've gotten to the point where I can tolerate and sometimes even enjoy onions when they're cooked.  With that said, I just paleo-adapted a recipe for Onion Steak and absolutely loved it!  The resulting onion gravy had a delicious flavor unlike anything I've ever had before.  Plus, if you're like me, you're always looking for excuses to bust out your new pressure cooker (our semi-new toy that I'm beginning to think is a must have in any kitchen).  If you don't have a pressure cooker, you can still prepare this dish in a dutch oven or large pot, but you'll want to cook/simmer this for a lot longer, and you might want to buy a more tender cut of steak.  Otherwise, here goes:

Ingredients

1 tbsp of olive oil

4 large onions, peeled and sliced

1.5 lbs of grass fed round steak, cut into 6 pieces

4 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced

1 tbsp dried parsley

1 cup of beef stock

1 tsp dried thyme

1/2 tsp dried rosemary

Dash of dried red pepper flakes

Salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup of coconut milk

2 tablespoons of coconut flour

Directions

1.  Use the oil to coat the bottom of the pressure cooker.  Cover the bottom of the pressure cooker with half of the onions, then layer the meat on top, then top with the rest of the onions.  Add the spices and stock.  Lock the lid into place and heat until you create pressure, then maintain pressure for 14 minutes.

2.  Quick-release the pressure and remove the lid.  Remove the meat to a serving platter, and keep warm.  Add the coconut milk and coconut flour to the onions and broth in the pressure cooker.  Stir and simmer until the onion gravy is thickened.  Pour this over the meat, and enjoy!

The last day of our paleo challenge!...and some chicago paleo restaurant options

It’s hard to believe it is already DAY 45, the last day of our paleo challenge!  This day finds me full of mixed emotions. 

On the one hand, I’m super excited we made it a full 45 days on our paleo rules, existing well within the limitations we set out.  For example, we had very little fruit and virtually no honey or other natural sweeteners – much less than the prescribed rules allowed.

On the other hand, I am scared!  I have been a meal planning machine for the past 45 days, and with the end of the challenge approaching, our last meal plan ended today.  Yesterday the thought of not having a planned paleo lunch pushed me over the edge and I planned out our meals for another week.  I’ve determined that I need to keep planning, the difference is that now the plan includes some scheduled restaurant stops.  These are restaurants that will provide some paleo options, if not paleo – at least ‘primal’ – for us that means potentially adding in some dairy.

We need to make sure to not let the restaurant meals over take the planned, home cooked meals.  We already have 2 nights of dining out scheduled for this week, partially due to just being able to!  But, these are very good paleo option restaurants.  If you ever find yourself in Chicago and in need of a paleo option, these should work:

• El Barco Mariscos – specializing in serving an abundance of grilled seafood and meats served family style, also serve a great ceviche! (will be staying away from the sugar-filled margaritas this trip – maybe just go for some straight tequila!)
• Old Town Social – specializing in charcuterie, they also have amazing specials (often involving delicious roasted meats).  At the very least, they serve a grass-fed beef burger topped with bacon and an egg – take it bunless and you’re good to go.

Complete 45-day Paleo Challenge, check.  Continue paleo lifestyle, working on it!

#45 - Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls (the second time)

Another week of delicious paleo meals - week 3 menu plan is on!

Well, I'm bringing back some favorites in week 3.  There are just some recipes (meatballs and chili for example) that are so easy to make ahead and stretch over multiple meals - that I feel like I need them.  My goal for week 4 is to find some new "stretchy", go-to meals. 

I made our egg muffins, meatballs and chili last night - so we are pretty set for the beginning of the week.  The exotic 'meat' we are experimenting with this week is bone marrow and the big adventure for sunday will be using my new pressure cooker for beef stew!

Week 3 Menu	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Monday 2/21	veg & bacon egg muffins	roasted beet, kale and shrimp salad	taco salad bowl (x2)
Tuesday 2/22	veg & bacon egg muffins	taco salad bowl	meatballs & spaghetti squash
Wednesday 2/23	bacon, eggs & avocado	meatballs & spaghetti squash	"breaded" pork cutlets & brussel sprouts
Thursday 2/24	pork cutlets & eggs	beanless chili and jicama chips	chipotle lime salmon & steamed spinach
Friday 2/25	salmon & egg scramble	beanless chili & veg	paleo shrimp and grits
Saturday 2/26	eggs & beanless chili	pork chops with roasted apple and onions	roasted bone marrow, salad greens and leftovers
Sunday 2/27	paleo pancake & blueberries	tuna & veg	beef stew (pressure cooker!)

Paleo Challenge...not so challenging?

Well, we are officially 2 weeks, or one third, of the way through our 45-day paleo challenge.  And we are basically rocking this sh*t out!  I have not had anything even approaching a food craving breakdown (not counting my vivid food cheating dreams), and over all - feeling great!  I did have a minor breakdown at the gym, when I decided I just wasn't doing one of the exercises Ryan had on our workout plan for the day.  But I blame that on general grumpiness and not the challenge.  I am working on always saying 'yes' at the gym.

Challenge highlights to date:

• After about day 10, all general congestion has cleared up
• Weight loss is not a goal for me on this challenge, however I did measure myself at the beginning to track how my body changed over the course of the challenge.  I've lost an inch on my waist, hips and thighs - seems like a lot for such a short time, but that's what the measuring tape says!
• Sleep!  Sleep is amazing, we have our blackout blinds in full effect, focusing on 8 hours per night - and getting up for work has never been easier (although no matter how well rested I am, it can still be a challenge to leave the cozy warm cocoon of the bed!).
• Barely drinking...we had some wine on Valentine's day and a couple glasses over the weekend.  But overall, not drinking much at all - which is refreshing (and makes weekend mornings so productive!
• Meal planning and workout planning are awesome!  I feel like we have the time to do what we want, because we have made the time.

One third of the way there...maybe we need to make it longer! 

#14 - Ernie Banks, Chicago Cubs

(even though it is actually day 15 - I just don't have a good 15, and how do you pass up Mr Cub??)