stacyd on January 23rd, 2010

This is to DIE for!!  If you want to be strictly paleo, I guess you could substitute red wine for the Guinness. For me, it is close enough for horseshoes and hand grenades.

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 pound (or so) beef, cut into bite sized pieces
1 onion coarsely chopped
2 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon coconut or almond flour
1 large bottle or can of Guinness (or other dark stout)
beef stock (have at least two cups of home made or a large can of store bought beef broth)
Seasoning - a couple of tablespoons of chopped rosemary and thyme, a dash of oregano is also nice
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 bay leaf
4 parsnips
2 large turnips
4 carrots (cut into bite sized pieces)

Directions:

Heat the oil in a large pot.

Add the beef and brown well, on low/medium heat. Add the onions and saute until tender, about five minutes. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Sprinkle in the flour and stir. Add the Guinness and enough beef stock to cover the meat.

Add the seasoning, bring to a boil, reduce to low and cover and simmer until the meat is tender. About 2 hours on LOW. Check about 3/4 way through and add a little more broth or Guinness if needed to keep the meat well braised.

Add the vegetables and just enough additional beef stock to cover. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until they are tender, about 20-60 minutes depending on how big of pieces you cut.

Remove Bay leaf. Garnish with fresh parsley (optional) and serve.

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stacyd on January 18th, 2010

I have found it challenging to find a fast, inexpensive, zone-friendly breakfast.  I tend to rotate between about three options: a smoothie, cottage cheese/fruit/nuts, and my favorite, a Breakfast Tortilla.  I usually prep the ingredients for several of them at a time.  Here's the recipe for 6.  Really easy to cut it down.

  • 6 6-inch corn tortillas (check ingredients to make sure there is no added sugar or corn syrup)
  • 12 eggs
  • 1 can black beans
  • 1 small can diced jalapeno pepper
  • 2 T butter
  • 6 oz pepperjack cheese (slices work really well)
  • Sea Salt & Fresh Ground Pepper
  • 6 T sour cream (optional)

Whisk the eggs until well blended.  Add salt & pepper.  Whisk again.  Melt butter in a non-stick skillet.  Scramble the eggs until still slightly wet.  Remove from the heat.  If I am making these ahead, I immediately put them into a tupperware container so they start to cool.

Put a tortilla on a small plate.  Layer 1/4 cup black beans, 1/3 cup scrambled egg, 1 T diced jalapeno pepper, and 1 oz cheese.  Microwave for about 1 minute, or until cheese has melted.  Spread 1 T sour cream on top.  Bon appetit!

When making ahead, I store the ingredients in separate containers and just layer & microwave for about 90 seconds for a fast breakfast.  Alternately, I have layered everything on a plate and wrapped in plastic wrap for an even faster breakfast.

3 blocks protein, 2 blocks carbohydrate, 6 blocks fat

To make this "Zone Perfect", add 1/2 cup berries or pineapple on the side (1 block carbohydrate) and eliminate either the butter or sour cream to reduce the fat to 3 blocks.  Personally, I try to add the additional carbohydrates, but I don't worry about reducing the fat since it has a benign impact to my blood sugar.

Will try to take a photo tomorrow morning.

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