Kale & Butternut Warm Winter Salad

This is a gorgeous, nutrient dense warm salad. It makes a perfect vegetarian meal!

1 organic butternut squash
1/4 cup + 2 tbsp butter, divided
1 large bunch organic kale
2 cloves organic garlic

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp salt

1/2 cup almonds, chopped
1/2 dried cherries

Wash squash & cut into chunks. Melt butter on a baking sheet while the oven preheats to 400. Toss squash in the butter & bake until tender.

Wash & de-stem kale, tear into bite sized pieces. Mince garlic. Blend vinegar, mustard & salt together in a bowl.

When squash is ready, melt butter in a large skillet. Sauté garlic for 30 seconds, then add kale. Sauté for 2 minutes, just until it turns bright green. Remove from heat, add warm squash, dressing, cherries & almonds & toss to combine.

Sweet Potato Fries

It's never the wrong time for sweet potato fries! These make an awesome snack & we've been known to indulge in them for breakfast too :)

1/4 cup coconut oil (full flavoured works really well here)
2lbs sweet potatoes, washed & sliced into strips
Cinnamon, salt & cayenne to taste

Melt coconut oil on a cookie sheet in the oven while it preheats to 400. Toss the potato strips in the melted oil with cinnamon, salt & cayenne. Roast, turning every 15 minutes, until the fries are crisp on the outside & cooked through.

Butternut Squash Soup

Squash soup is one of the simplest, most nutritious foods you can make. Butternut stores well & is an inexpensive vegetable throughout the winter. There are very few ingredients so using very high quality is essential.

2 tbsp organic bacon fat
2 organic onions, diced
1 organic butternut squash (2-3lbs) washed, seeded & cut into chunks.
8 cups organic turkey or chicken stock
Fresh grated nutmeg, black pepper & salt

Sauté the onions in the bacon fat until translucent. Add squash & stock, simmer until squash is tender. Purée, season to taste & serve!

Paleo Colada

I've learned, as someone who appreciates good health along with my good spirits, that what I mix my alcohol with affects how I feel. Healthful mixes I love include water kefir, kombucha & now coconut milk! Here's a yummy blender drink I'm enjoying as I blog ;)

1 cup ice
1 cup coconut milk beverage
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp maple syrup
2 oz rum

Blender it up & serve!!