Dinner...the Paleo Way

I haven't done much blogging about food lately, so I thought I'd share. It's still Fall Break and I didn't have much to do today so I thought I'd go ahead and cook. I adapted a brownie recipe from my friend Beth - the original and my updated version to come in a bit, and made dinner like I usually do. I love my Cuisinart vertical rotisserie, and make chicken a lot. Today's was seasoned with a garlic and crushed black peppercorn rub. Then I cut an acorn squash in half and went ahead and hollowed it out. I baked it at 350 for about 40 minutes. While it was baking, I browned some sausage, onions, garlic, and mushrooms. I scooped the filling into the squash and sprinkled some cheese on one for my husband. Then I turned the heat up to 400 and baked for an additional 20 minutes. Doesn't it look great? Add a salad and you  have a lovely paleo dinner.

Now for the pumpkin brownies. Here's the original recipe, courtesy of my friend Beth.
4 eggs beaten

1 c oil (I often use unsweeten applesauce)

1 3/4 c. sugar

1/2 t. salt

1 c. pumpkin

1 T. cinnamon

1 t. baking soda

1 t. baking powder

2 c. flour

1  t. vanilla

1/4 t. nutmeg

 

Combine all ingredients and put into greased bar pan (like 14 X 11)

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes

 

Icing

-Can of Cream Cheese icing

or

 -6 oz cream cheese

1 stick buttter

3 c. powdered sugar

2 t. milk

2. t vanilla extract

Beat until fluffy and spread on cooled brownies.

Now for all of you paleo fans out there, you may say to yourself - I can't eat that! So here is what I did.

4 eggs beaten

1 1/2 C unsweetened applesauce

2 T molasses

1/2 t.salt

1 1/2 C pumpkin

1 T cinnamon

1 t baking soda

1 t baking powder

2 1/2 C almond meal or almond flour

1 t vanilla

1/4 t nutmeg

Bake for 25-30 minutes - you need to watch carefully as they are moist, but you need to make sure they are all done. Of course I didn't make the frosting, and if you're super strict Paleo you'll have to leave out the vanilla. Now, they could have been a tad sweeter, I mad add a tablespoon of maple syrup to the next batch. 

This week's WODs have been awesome  - Monday was Snatch for everyone else - but I did Push Press 3-3-3 at 90 lbs, followed by AMRAP in 20 minutes of 10 kettlebell swings, 25 meter sprint, 10 tuck jumps (i did steps), 25 meter sprint. I got 15 rounds in with a 25 lb kettlebell. I realized during round 14 that since I do double unders now that I could probably go ahead and jump, but it was a little late for that. Tuesday I did Hanging Power Cleans, and we really worked on my form, so I did 65 lbs. Then we were supposed to to Tabata burpees, but I did Tabata push ups instead. I started out strong at 14, but only scored an 8. They were real chest to floor push ups though, so I'll take that. I tried a pull up with two bands, but still can't do it. I'm working toward a pull up with two bands by New Year's, so I'm hoping all the upper body work pays off! Oh, and in case you didn't realize yet, I <3 crossfit. Today I went though my closet, and got rid of several too big items. I'm down an entire size since June!