Lifestyle Posts

On this week’s healthy vegetarian meal plan, we have Balsamic Dijon Tempeh Buddha Bowls, Black Bean Enchilada Casserole, Pasta with Black Lentil, Carrot, and Chard Ragout, Israeli Power Salad with Za’atar Roasted Sweet Potatoes, and Spaghetti Squash with Roasted Pecan Pesto. Enjoy, and have a great weekend! XO Sunday Balsamic Dijon Tempeh Buddha Bowls from Making Thyme for …

When it comes to giving gifts, I aim to take the thoughtful and practical approach. On the flipside, I don’t care much to receive gifts, but I get the most amount of enjoyment out of the gifts that are – you guessed it – thoughtful and practical.

 

While I’m not big on the materialism of the holidays, I love the concept of giving to people in ways that improve their overall health and life. The way I see it, if you’re going to put time, energy, money, or effort into giving, it should be in a way that

With this said, you can imagine my holiday gift guide is focused on gifts that are designed to be useful and ideally bring about better health and joy. In this sense, you could say this is a Gift Guide for the health nut, cooking fiend/aspiring meal prepper, or for those always looking to forge new habits or optimize health or wellness.

Everything I have included in this gift guide are items I have used to the max and continue to get a ton of value out of. Each item is either a part of my daily routine, used regularly in my weekly meal prep, or has been used to bring a higher level of wellness to my life. I hope you find these simple gifts as valuable as I do!

Please do let me know if you have any questions, and feel free to comment below telling me what gifts you find useful to add to the mix!

Health/Wellness Books:

Paleo Power Bowls – a gift for the New Year! My latest cookbook, Paleo Power Bowls, will be published on January 21, 2019. In this sense, the book will unfortunately not be ready for wrapping up and gifting during this holiday season, but it will be available just in time for forging healthy habits in the New Year. Snag a copy for your loved ones, who enjoy nutritious home-cooked meals, or are looking to make changes in their health. Shameless plug, I know.

 

Healthy Gut, Healthy You by Dr. Michael Ruscio  – this book played a huge role in helping me heal my gut over the last several months. If you know someone who is looking to improve their overall health or is healing from autoimmune disease or gut issues, I strongly recommend you purchase this book for them (or read it yourself!).

 

Unconventional Medicine by Chris Kresser – the book that will make you re-think our Western medical system and get on board with taking a natural (or hybrid Western/Eastern) approach to illness. The book discusses how getting to the root cause of disease is not only cheaper, but much more effective for long-term health. For the health nut who is looking to understand the role of functional medicine in treating chronic illness, this book is an awesome read and a great gift.

 

Mating in Captivity by Esther Perel  – Relationship issues that you do or don’t discuss with your friends? Feeling like your relationship is dead AF, find yourself attracted to other people and feeling like there is something viciously wrong with you? There’s not. It’s the human condition, and it’s entirely normal. If you feel bleh about your love life, READ THIS BOOK!

 

 

Attached by Amir Levine and Rachel Heller  – It’s not you, it’s the combination of you and your partner. So often, we blame ourselves or our partners for the shortcomings in our relationships. It’s not just you, and it’s not just him/her. It’s the way we attach to one another and our natural method of resolving conflict. If one partner is anxious and the other partner avoids, it can be difficult to come to any sort of resolution when problems crop up. The book, Attached, helps us learn how to forge a relationship that is proactive, secure, and fulfilling.

 

Food:

ButcherBox Subscription – You may have read my recent blog post, Butcher Box Review + Why I Eat Meat.  ButcherBox delivers 100% grass-fed, grass-finished beef, heritage breed pork, and organic free-range chicken right to your door. Their meat is always antibiotic-free and humanely raised without hormones. Their quality standard is very high, and the price point is incredible given the quality. You can sign your meat-eating loved one (or yourself) up for a ButcherBox subscription. If you set up the subscription before 11/30, a pack of free bacon will be thrown into the shipment for the duration of the subscription. 

 

SmoothieBox – Similar to the concept of ButcherBox, SmoothieBox delivers smoothie packs that are already portioned out for a smoothie that is super high in variety and nutrients. All you need to do is open the pack, dump the contents in your blender, add almond milk or your favorite juice, and blend! Rather than buying a huge amount of ingredients for your smoothies each week and taking the time to measure out your fruits and veggies, SmoothieBox does all of that work for you. A SmoothieBox subscription is an amazing gift for friends and family who are always on-the-go and simply love a tasty smoothie. Sign up your giftee for a subscription HERE! 

Kitchen:

Instant Pot – You may have noticed I’ve been posting recipes using my Instant Pot regularly over the last few months. I’m actually fairly new to the Instant Pot – I bought mine three months ago, and I absolutely adore it. I resisted for a long time because I love my slow cooker, but I’m so impressed by the amazing result of the Instant Pot with such little time. If you’re like me and you don’t always plan your meals far in advance, you’ll appreciate the ability of whipping out a mouth-watering meal quickly using the IP. So pick one up as a gift to yourself, and spread the love by snagging one for someone you love!

 

Swiss Diamond Non-Stick Roasting Pan (4.8 QT)  – For the lover of all-things roasted! I recently discovered Swiss Diamond, which is a company that uses crazy amazing technology to produce super high-quality non-toxic non-stick cookware. Their cookware is not only manufactured using green technology, but it is PFOA-free.

 

Wolf Blender  – If you watch my Instagram stories, you know I use my Wolf Blender every single morning for blending my bulletproof coffee. I also use it for making all my batters – pancakes, breads, cakes, etc., as well as sauces, creamy soups, dressings, marinades, and more. I love that the caraf is wide from top-to-bottom because you can easily scoop out the contents and it’s so much easier to clean than a caraf that is narrow or super tapered. I’ve also owned a Blendtec and a Vitamix, and while I also really love both, the Wolf is my favorite of the three.

 

8” x 8” baking pan – Okay, this is going to sound ridiculous, but if the person you’re shopping for loves to bake but does not own an 8” x 8” baking pan, I highly suggest this dimension. It is the perfect size for brownies, cornbread, bars, fudge, cheesecake, you name it. I use my 8” x 8” more than any other size.

 

Household & Self-Care:

Berkey Water Filter – Heavy metal toxicity is no joke – it can mess with your gut microbiome, cause constant stress and inflammation in your body, and lead to disease. The Berkey water filter purifies water and removes heavy metals, bacteria, fluoride, and basically every single thing you don’t want in your water, giving your body a lot less to fight against. It can basically filter raw sewage, that’s how amazing this thing is. Plus, it makes your water taste AMAZING! I’ve been using my Berkey for over two years, and I don’t ever see myself quitting. I’ve grown so attached to it that I wish I could take it with me when I travel. The Berkey is a super generous gift for the health nut, and/or for those struggling with health issues and whose bodies need all the support they can get in fighting the illness they’re facing.

Essential Oils Diffuser  – I find constantly diffusing essential oils has a calming effect on me. Plus, it’s my one shot at having a home that doesn’t constantly smell like bacon, since I try to avoid air fresheners that aren’t 100% natural. Lavender and Clary Sage are my favorite oils to diffuse, but you can go all out with various oils to have various effects (and scents). If you’re looking to buy a gift for someone whose house smells like bacon, or for someone who could use a little chill pill, an oil diffuser is a thoughtful gift.

 

Sage – I keep a supply of sage bundles so I can smudge whenever I feel the necessity. While I’m not a smudging expert, I’ve read you should burn sage when moving into a new place to ward off bad juju (or spirits), after getting in an argument with someone who is significant in your life, when tragedy strikes, and/or when you simply need your environment to be cleansed. For your hippy friend or family member who could use a good cleansing, a little 3-pack bundle of sage is always nice.

 

Himalayan Salt Lamp  – Not gonna lie, I’m not sure what exactly Himalayan Salt Lamps are supposed to do for your aura, chakras, or chi, but I do know they’re pretty rad looking, and I think they make great gifts. They’re awesome for home decor for someone who has moved recently or for the hippy who is always trying to find her calm.

 

Dry Brush – I dry brush every day after I shower! Dry brushing not only exfoliates your skin, it also stimulates your lymphatic system for proper hormone regulation. It is also said it helps get rid of cellulite. Whether or not it works wonders on your hormones (or cellulite), I’m not sure, but my skin is soft as a baby’s bottom, I tell you what! For the person who loves a good self-care routine, a dry brush is a simple, cheap gift. Plus, awesome stocking stuffer.

 

Andalou Lotion  – Finding a good all-natural non-toxic lotion can be difficult when you don’t know where to start. The great news is, I’ve tried a TON of non-toxic products, and I can tell you my favorite non-toxic lotion is Andalou. I love all of their scents (I cycle through each scent based on mood and season). I’ve even used their shampoo and conditioner. If you’re putting together a cute lil’ care package for someone as a holiday gift, this is a great gift for your friend who likes to keep things au natural!

Wearables:

Waypoint Goods Travel Scarf – Waypoint Goods Scarves are infinity scarves that are not only designed for everyday fashion and warmth. They are designed for travel! They include a hidden zippered pocket, which fits your cell phone, passport, credit cards, chap stick, etc. so that you can travel safely knowing your valuables are secure. The scarves come in lots of colors and patterns and the fabric feels luxurious. I own the Denver and the Peacock and absolutely love them. I use them when I’m on a trip (I wore mine almost every day on my last trip to Europe) and on any given day the weather necessitates cozying up. This is a fabulous gift for women who enjoy wearing scarves to keep warm, and also for women who beebop around the planet and want to do so with convenience and peace of mind.

Fuzzy Socks  – Truth: I am not into shopping. Especially not for clothing. If there is one item I absolutely cannot live without it is my fuzzy socks. The more obnoxious, the better. If you know someone who is always cold or simply loves being comfortable, these socks are a precious gift. Plus, they come in a million (obnoxious) colors, so you can stock up, or pick the most vivacious of them all.

 

Patterned socks  – Words cannot adequately describe how much I love these socks. They’re thick and cozy, the patterns are beautiful, and sure as shit, I get tons of compliments on them. If you know a woman, buy these for her. No joke, she will love them. Plus, they’re inexpensive! Stocking stuffer? Uh, yes.

For the Coffee Lover:

Chemex  – I’m a huge fan of pour over coffee…in fact, I’d go so far as to say I’m a pour over snob. I use a Chemex to make my pour over coffee. When I’m making coffee for more than one person, I use a standard-sized Chemex, and when I’m making coffee for just me, I use a smaller Chemex (yup, I own two Chemexes…toldjya I’m a pour over snob).

 

Baby Chemex  – As I mentioned above, I use my small Chemex when I’m making coffee for just me. This one holds 10.5 ounces of coffee – just the right size when drinking Joe by your onesie!

 

 

Collapsible Coffee Filter  – So if you weren’t convinced about my coffee obsession before, you will be now… When I travel, I take this collapsible coffee filter with me. It’s made out of food-grade silicon and is BPA-free. While it doesn’t require additional filters (it has a mesh filter built in), I do use an additional #2 filter, because: coffee snob. I brought this filter with me on my recent trip to Europe and was so happy I did. While I love the European espresso scene, it can be difficult to find regular drip coffee AND coffee that is my preferred size (read: bottomless).

Handheld Milk Frother – Since I make bulletproof coffee every morning, I bring my hand frother with me when I travel and I’m not sure whether or not there will be a blender where I’m staying. Yup, coffee snob on parade. I use it to whisk up my ghee and collagen (which I also bring with) so that I still get my favorite cup of Joe. This is also a great gift for folks who simply love frothed milk in their coffee – no travelling necessary. If you have a friend or family member who likes frothed milk or bulletproof coffee, this is a great little gift.

 

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored blog post; however, there are affiliate links throughout this post. If you make a purchase through one of my links, I will receive a small commission. Thank you as always for your support, and have a memorable holiday season!

My latest cookbook, Paleo Power Bowls is available for pre-order on Amazon and will be published Jan 21, 2019. In this post, I discuss the features of the book and show you some teaser photos.

Exciting news, friends!

My latest cookbook, Paleo Power Bowls, is available for pre-order on Amazon! Actually, it has been available for pre-order for several months, but I waited until now to make the announcement because the publication date is January 21, 2019 – it’s coming up quickly!

I wanted to give you the full rundown of the book and also provide some teaser photos to get you excited for the book.

As the title suggests, the book is comprised of paleo bowl food recipes. From breakfast, lunch, and dinner to dessert, the book covers all meals, all seasons, as well as all sorts of dietary restrictions.

In addition to all recipes being paleo, there are vegan, low-carb, AIP, and low-FODMAP options for those with many dietary restrictions.

The book is designed for folks who love clean, delicious, complete meals, as well as for those who must restrict their diet for health reasons. As you probably know, I manage my IBS through diet – it has been an incredibly powerful way of both managing my gut issues and also giving me the energy I need to fuel my active lifestyle.

There are lots of whys for me in eating paleo, and I find this way of eating to be healing, practical, and completely delicious!

First things first – Let’s talk about the Introduction of the book. I spent a lot of time writing the Introduction. I compiled much of the information I’ve gathered over the years on health and wellness and put it in the intro to help you make informed decisions regarding your own diet.

There is lots of science in the intro, but don’t you worry – I did my best to make it entertaining.  True to my nature, I also keep the introduction unbiased. I very much believe what you put in your body is one of the most personal decisions you make in life, and throughout the intro, I encourage you to find your own path to wellness as well as provide guidance on how to get there.

Here are some of the highlights in the introduction:

1. Defining paleo and all of the health benefits that go along with a low-inflammatory lifestyle
2. A big discussion on gut health and how various low-carb diets can alleviate IBS, celiac, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s symptoms.
3. A guide to building an epic bowl. In addition to complete recipes, my goal for this book is to help inspire you to get creative in the kitchen. I provide a guide to making your own delicious bowls so that you can branch out from recipes and make meals that fit your dietary restrictions and palate with ease.
4. A 30-Day Elimination & Reintroduction Diet, guiding you to eliminating pro-inflammatory foods and instructions on how to add them back in mindfully in order to help uncover your food intolerances.

…and more!

My hope for the book was for it to be just as informative from a medical and wellness standpoint as it is a helpful resource for mealtimes.

Next, let’s talk about the recipes!

I have sections for Breakfast, Salads, Soups & Stews, Main Dishes, Desserts, Sauces and Condiments, and Sides & Staples.

In total, there are 100 meal recipes, but I included an additional 40+ recipes that are just for sauces, marinades, side dishes, etc. in order to help you build your own bowls.

That means there’s over 140 recipes in the book. I think you’ll love them!

The recipes all incorporate seasonal produce and contain a pretty great balance of protein, fiber, fat, and carbs.

The book is not designed to be a low-carb cookbook, but there are instructions on how to make each recipe low-carb for those of you who stick to a carb-conscious diet.

In this sense, the book can fit any macronutrient profile you’re aiming for, whether you’re an athlete and require more carbs, or someone who must limit carbohydrates in order to heal a medical condition or maintain digestive health.

Yup, there are even recipes for healthier dessert bowls to quench that craving in the best possible way.

While the book will be released January 21, I think it makes a great holiday gift for the health-conscious individual and also folks who are looking to make adjustments in their diet.

In this sense, you can purchase the book for friends and family before the holidays and give it to them as a bonus gift once the holidays have passed…it can be the gift that keeps on giving!

I also like the fact that Paleo Power Bowls can be one of your tools in forging strong habits in the new year. I love what I do for a living and part of that passion stems from the ability to help others achieve their health goals.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support! Thank you for the love and support you all gave throughout the whole process I was writing and editing the cookbook.

It has been your love and words that have kept me motivated to always produce the best quality content I possibly can.

Pre-Order Paleo Power Bowls on Amazon HERE!

Much love to you and yours!

xo

A review of Butcher Box, an online high-quality grass-fed, organic meat supplier. In this post I provide a review of Butcher Box and also discuss the reasons why I eat meat.

My fellow carnivores! Do I have a treat for you?!

I eat a lot of animal protein…every single day. I want to give you a little background as to why I choose to consume meat, but first I want to tell you all about Butcher Box.  Have you tried it yet?

What is Butcher Box?

Butcher Box is an online-based company that sources the highest quality 100% grass-fed, grass-finished beef, heritage breed pork, and organic free-range chicken. Their meat is always antibiotic-free and humanely raised without hormones. Learn more about how Butcher Box sources its meat HERE.

You can place orders any time you’d like or have a monthly subscription (which comes with perks!). This is a no-obligation or commitment service, so you can order as frequently or infrequently as you’d like. The product is absolutely amazing, the service is so convenient, and the best part about all of it? It’s AFFORDABLE!

The product is packaged well in dry ice and arrives at your doorstep frozen, so you never need to worry about it thawing in transit. Once you receive your order, you can freeze your meat or thaw it for use. ButcherBox.com has plenty of recipes for your convenience, or you can always fire up the google machine to get recipe ideas.

How it Works:

Step 1: Select your Box: Butcher box has some pre-curated boxes you can choose from (for instance, all beef, beef + chicken, beef + chicken + pork, beef + pork, etc.), or you can customize your own.

Step 2: Your Order Ships: Your beautiful box of meat arrives at your doorstep, ready for you to use or freeze.

Step 3: FEAST! Enjoy your favorite meals using Butcher Box’s amazing meat, and explore new dishes.

For my first order, I chose a mixed box, which included beef, chicken, and pork. Because I don’t discriminate when it comes to animal protein, I’ll likely continue ordering a mix.

Discounts & Promotions:

If you place an order through THIS LINK, you will get $15 off you first order, a free package of bacon, and free shipping.

Butcher Box is also running a promotion now through September 30 where new customers receive 2 pounds of Grass-Fed Ground Beef for free in EVERY order for the lifetime of your subscription. IMO, this is just too good to pass up!  If you’re interested, sign up for the Ground Beef For Life Promo throughTHIS LINK .

Head over to Butcher Box  to get free shipping, $15 off your first order, AND free bacon!

Okay, now we can get a little personal.

Why I Eat Meat

On this week’s menu: Baked Spaghetti with Kale, Mushrooms and Tofu Ricotta,  Vegetarian Chili with Summer Vegetables, Summer Corn, Monterey Jack, and Brown Rice Stuffed Poblano Peppers, and Roasted Summer Vegetable Burrito Bowls with Avocado Basil Crema. Happy Meal Prepping! xo Sunday Baked Spaghetti with Kale, Mushrooms and Tofu Ricotta, Vegan Mediterannean Chickpea ‘Meatballs’, Prep Ahead Tip: Comes together quickly. …

Disclosure: I am not an expert on keto and have zero medical background. My recommendation when reading my lifestyle posts is always, always to do research beyond my site and when in doubt, seek help from a medical professional before making diet and lifestyle changes. Keto has been blowing up for quite some time, and …

My ultimate guide to soothing an upset stomach and relieving IBS symptoms naturally. These easy at-home remedies are affordable (or free) and help get your digestive system back in order quickly. Photo Credit: Jen Schmidt Photography. I’ve found there are three areas of focus when it comes to healing my gut naturally and maintaining gut …

Feeling like you could use a little food re-set? Me too! Here’s why I’ve chosen to do a Whole30. You’ll also find 42 nutritious Whole30 recipes for some satisfying, clean meals in this post. I know. Whole30. Old news. Hear me. While I’ve followed a modified paleo diet for a number of years, I’ve never …

20 cleaner appetizer and cocktail recipes to celebrate the new year! These recipes are easy to prepare last minute to share with your guests. What are you getting yourselves into this New Years Eve? If you’re anything like me, you’re scrambling to put together a plan. But never fear: whether you’re going out or staying …

The Roasted Root’s Top 10 most popular recipes from 2017, rounded up into 1 post! Check out the recipes and be sure to pin them to make later! It’s always interesting to me to look back on the year and see which recipes you all enjoyed the most. This year, I was pleasantly surprised that …

You guys, I’ve been sitting on a piece of information for a few months, and I’m bursting-at-the-seams excited to finally let you in on it! UPDATE: Paleo Power Bowls is now available for Pre-Order and will be published Jan 21, 2019! You can order now through Amazon! I’m writing a cookbook! ^Can you tell beating around the …

My journey with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and candida – how I discovered my conditions and what I do to alleviate my symptoms. Hint: If you’re an instant gratification kind of person, skip to The Solution part of this post. I know what you’re wondering, and the answer is no. If this post had an …

Oh hey, remember that trip I took to Cordova, Alaska I took in early September? To hang with Copper River Salmon? I have more infos and photos to share with you! If this is the first you’ve heard of the trip, I encourage you to pause and read Part One of my trip recap, as it’s …

I have a story for you. From the  embellished tall tale to the factual non-fiction, I pride myself on being a self-proclaimed storyteller, as I love telling all story varietals. I come to you today to share what I consider to be one of the most important and meaningful stories I have yet told you. …

I’m still processing my trip to Iceland. It’s always difficult to put into words the thoughts and feelings you experience when traveling to a new country, and I’ve found Iceland particularly difficult to describe. Each time I travel, I come home feeling changed – enriched, rejuvenated (or sometimes weighted and woeful), clear in mind, body, …