Autoimmune Paleo Cauliflower Sushi

I am just beyond excited about this. This was another one of my kitchen experiments that turned out better than I could have ever imagined. Isn't that just the best? I'll bet you thought this wasn't possible. I sure didn't. Before going Paleo, my husband and I loved going out for sushi. And right before I went Paleo, I had pretty much mastered the art of making sushi at home. So after going grain-free, I tried making it without rice and it was a total disaster. I thought that there just wasn't a replacement for the rice. Then a few days ago while I was grocery shopping the wonderful idea to use cauliflower popped into my head, so I instantly rushed home to try it. When I got home my husband asked what I was going to make for lunch- when I told him what I planning to try, he said "well, I guess I'll go put a steak on the grill." God knows he has eaten some terrible things that were products of unsuccessful kitchen experiments. After I was finished making them, I was happy that my husband was eating steak though- because I didn't have to share! 

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Chewy Ginger Thin Cookies (Autoimmune Paleo)

This is quite possibly the easiest cookie recipe ever. It's also one of the best tasting! Sweet and simple- but not too sweet. This cookie is chewy, with just enough ginger to warm your soul. Mmm, I love ginger! It only takes a few minutes to prepare, and requires only a few dishes; a blender, a cookie cutter (optional), and a baking sheet. This is a big plus for me, because washing dishes is not my favorite chore. I am extremely particular about not making a huge mess in the kitchen when I am cooking. What about you guys? My husband DESTROYS the kitchen when he cooks- or prepares anything for that matter. I get scared when I see him entering the kitchen.. knowing that he'll use every spoon, fork, knife, and cutting board we have just to heat up some soup (I love you, Jason!). Anyhow, I love this recipe because after you put them in the oven to bake, you don't have to spend a great deal of time cleaning up.

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Simple Pumpkin Pie (Autoimmune Paleo)

You know what I think? I think that pumpkin should be enjoyed every season of the year, and not just during the Fall. Sure, we should eat seasonally when possible, but how many of us actually abide by that year round? It's obviously something I'm conscious of, but hey, sometimes I just want a pineapple in the winter! Pumpkin pie was always my favorite dessert around the holidays, and I think it's silly to only enjoy this warming dessert a few times a year. Especially since, this year, I didn't eat anything at Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner. I had just started the AIP protocol, and nothing my family prepared was allowed on that diet. So, last week when I made the Best-Ever Lemon Tart, the crust turned out so good that I had to experiment with some different fillings. Pumpkin was the first thing that came to mind. Pumpkin and cinnamon are both just incredibly warming and comforting flavors. It's snowing here in Arkansas, and I needed that. I have many more ideas for Autoimmune Paleo legal fillings floating around, and I can't wait to share them with you guys! This pie is also GAPS and SCD legal!

What you need:

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Dill & Garlic Carrot Fries (Autoimmune Paleo)

Need to spruce up your dinner plate? Getting bored with bland side dishes? Need a healthy snack that both you and your kids will love? Dig this. Garlic and dill carrot fries. I have been eating lots of carrot fries as a side, and I cannot believe how satiating they are. I tried this flavor combo this morning and fell in love. This little side dish only takes a few minutes to prepare! I really like these seasons, but you can flavor them however you like! This recipe will serve 3.

What you'll need:

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Avocado & Lime Vegetable Dip (Autoimmune Paleo)

I try not to snack. I really, really do. And when I say snack, I mean to eat when I'm not hungry. Or to eat shortly after a meal, when my body doesn't need any more energy. This is not to be confused with eating a small portion when you're actually hungry between meals. It's something that I struggle with fairly often, and I suspect that many of you do as well. Food is comforting, we all know that. But I think it's important that we find healthier ways to comfort out emotions- like yoga, or any other physical activity. When I get in a snacky mood, I can just go crazy on some fruit. Like, three-granny-smith-apples-in-a-row crazy... yeah. So, one of my recent goals is to just have ONE piece of fruit a day, and for that fruit to be a fairly low-sugar fruit. I'm doing this to create a new normal for myself, so in a few months from now I might be less likely to binge eat high-sugar fruits. So, why am I sharing all of this with you? Because this vegetable dip has really helped me from snacking too much. The combination of carrots and this dip is sweet, satiating, and super filling. So when I'm feelin' snacky, I just eat some of this and it really puts my cravings in check. It's incredibly fast and easy to make! It's Autoimmune Paleo, SCD, and GAPS friendly. Makes about 10 servings.

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Best-Ever Lemon Tart (Autoimmune Paleo)

Okay, I don't mean to sound boastful.. but I am really proud of this. I jotted down an ingredient list for this about a month ago, and had been daydreaming about making it ever since. So when it worked out on my first attempt, I was just beyond delighted. If you experiment with your own original recipes, you know what I mean! I was especially happy because this was my first Autoimmune Paleo dessert recipe. If you aren't familiar with the Autoimmune version of the Paleo protocol- it's very restrictive. No eggs, nuts, dairy, grains, legumes, nightshades, or sweeteners. If you're struggling with an Autoimmune disorder, I highly recommend this book. Sarah Ballantyne, from ThePaleoMom.com, provides some well-researched information about the cause and treatment of Autoimmune disorders.  I've only been following the protocol strictly for about 1 month. At first, I thought that there would be no way to make anything with the amount of ingredients I could have. Then I realized that following this protocol was going to be fun, because it would challenge my creativity. It would force me to make things with very minimal ingredients. It has also opened my eyes to how we can make almost anything with the same ingredients our ancestors ate. And even if you aren't following the Autoimmune Protocol, these are the healthiest version of desserts possible. Of course, they should only be eaten on occasion! Personally, I don't think we should indulge in these types of desserts more than 1-2 times a week.

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