Ground Lamb Curry

Yesterday, during our almost daily ritual of roaming hungry through Jewel scavenging for something fast to make for dinner at 8:00 at night that is Whole Life Challenge approved and that we're not bored to tears of, I decided to free-form my own Mediterranean dish after being inspired by a package of ground lamb.

It's reminiscent of a curry dish you'd find at an Indian or Mediterranean restaurant, and I also likened it to a Lamb Vindaloo dish that I love (though not nearly as spicy). It turned out great! I bought some of my fresh veggies pre-cut in steamer bags to cut down on prep time–I was so hungry I would have just as soon diced my left arm.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground lamb
• 1 small-to-medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves of pressed garlic
• 2 firm roma tomatos
• 1 bag of cubed, fresh butternut squash
• 1 bag of cut, fresh cauliflower
• a lot of curry powder
• a lot of cumin
• a moderate amount of chili powder
• a little bit of cayenne pepper powder
• a little bit of sea salt
• a little bit of pumpkin pie spice
• 1 T bacon fat

I never measure my spices, but this is a rough ratio. Use each to taste based on your desired flavor mix. Would also be good with some mint leaves.

Instructions:

1. Brown lamb in pan with bacon fat, garlic and diced onion over medium-high heat
2. While lamb is cooking, steam squash and cauliflower in the microwave per the bag's instructions
3. Combine cooked vegetables and all spices into pan with meat and reduce heat to medium-low
4. Let simmer for 5 min, stirring frequently
5. Serve with Terra Original Vegetable Chips and Tribe Classic Hummus

Total prep/cook time: 10-15 min

Paleo Hot Chocolate

It's 9:00 on a cold weekday night. Following an awesome meal (I'll post that recipe next), I had the urge for hot chocolate. 

So I do what I always do. Throw shit that I have together and pray to Zeus it works. It did! 

Berka's Whole Life Hot Cocoa

• Microwave 6oz of pure almond milk in a mug for 2:45 on medium-high power. I used Califa Farms brand, found in the produce section of Jewel next to the Naked Juice.

• Slowly stir in roughly:

        - 1 T cocoa powder

        - 1 T cinnamon 

        - A pinch of stevia

        - A drop of organic vanilla extract

If you have come to this post looking for paleo recipes, surely you understand this is no Ghirardelli substitute. But it is a sweet, chocolatey beverage to warm a cool night.