Thursday, January 9, 2014

Paleo Sweet Potato Coconut Soup


My mom has been doing the Paleo diet for almost a year now and she loves it. I love it too, because when I'm home for the holidays she is always making delicious and healthy paleo meals. I thought I would share this soup recipe which is perfect for those cold, winter nights!

Paleo Sweet Potato Coconut Soup
Serves 6

1 cup chopped onion
2-3 celery stalks, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 1/2 pounds of sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
4 cups chicken stock
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon of grated nutmeg
1 1/2 cups coconut milk (equal to a 13.5 ounce can)
salt and pepper
cayenne (optional)

Supplies
Large pot (We used a cast iron pot, but stainless steel is fine)
Emersion blender (or a blender/food processor, just make sure to work in batches if you go this route)

1. In the bottom of the large pot, saute celery, onion, garlic and coconut oil for roughly 5 minutes, just enough to partially cook the vegetables.
2. While you're doing this, you can peel and chop your sweet potatoes and add them into the pot, as well as the broth, cinnamon and nutmeg. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Usually here I like to give a good sized pinch of salt and pepper to start adding in more flavor.
3. Use your emersion blender to blend the potatoes and everything together until smooth. If you're using a blender or food processor, make sure to do this step in batches so you don't have soup flying everywhere. I would do this amount in 3-4 batches depending on the size of your blender.
4. Add the coconut milk and stir over medium heat to bring it to temperature. Add cayenne (it gives it an amazing kick) if you so wish and salt and pepper.

Garnish with unsweetened coconut flakes and enjoy! We also sprinkled a few pomegranate seeds on top.



This soup was SO good, perfect paired with a panini for dinner or on it's own. Let me know if you try it, or change it up a bit! What's your favorite type of soup?

xoxo Jackie

P.S.
My mom wanted me to take a picture of her since she was mostly making the soup.. so here is my mama!

Friday, January 3, 2014

2013 iPhone Recap; Part Two

As promised, here are the rest of my favorite iPhone photos from 2013. I did a lot of picture taking with my nice camera, but some of my favorite memories were taken with my phone. I spent a lot of my time on the back of a Harley, so having my 60D with me was a little difficult sometimes. 

1. Met George Watsky after his show, 2. Shot a funny short film for a school festival,
3. Was the Bride of Frankenstein for Halloween, 4. Went to Salem and visited the House of Seven Gables,
5. Can't get over how adorable my man is, 6. Can't get over how adorable my pup is,
7. Did lots of fun things with this goof, 8. One of many motorcycle rides,
9. My friend let me paint him as a fancy cat, 10. Memories at Echo Base,
11. Girls night with my Viking ladies, 12. Rain and dyed gloves equals,
13. No comment, 14. Was the Director of Photography for a short film.

15. Sister dates for Boba and Vegan sandwiches, 16. Getting awesome gear from Suicide Machine Co.,
17. Hiking and cutting open my hand on glass, 18. Blurry Christmas photos,
19. Finding pictures like these on my phone, 19. And then finding ones like these,
20. My first cornish hen; I was very confused as to how to eat it, 21. Tiny puppies,
22. Dressing as sharks for Christmas with my sister, 23. Date night (for the first time in a while),
24. HUGE New Year's Eve bonfire.


I hope everyone else had an awesome 2013; I know I sure did! 2014 is going to be even better and I can't wait to share it all with you. What are your plans for this year? Any big trips, moves, or plans?

xoxo Jackie

Thursday, January 2, 2014

2013 iPhone recap; Part One

2013 was one heck of a year. I completed my first year at college and started into my Sophomore year. I shot my first short film, went skydiving, went to Laconia for Bike Week, met George Watsky, joined a motorcycle club, worked hard, went on a bunch of adventures and had a pretty radical (but stressful) year overall. Here are some iPhone shots from the past year to try and key you guys into what happened a little bit. Here's from January to September!

1. My sister Kelly with her New Years kiss, 2. Andy and my pup cuddled up in my bed,
3. Elephant tattoo, 4. Finally got myself my own derby gear,
5. Extreme snow storm, 6. Andy gets the Best boyfriend award for taking care of me,
7.  We went on LOTS of graveyard adventures this year, 8. Enjoying as many cuddles with Baily as possible, 
9. Green Day in concert with my mom and Kelly, 10. Campground we stayed at for Bike Week,
11. Terrible picture of some of the best friends a gal could have,
12. I worked almost 60 hours every week this summer, 13. Giant sunflower from a local market.


14. Sharknado midnight showing,  15. Beautiful Jen in her wedding dress pre-wedding,
16.  Awesome shark dress that I wore several times this year, 17. President of my club getting his head licked at KRF,
18.  One selfie of several on a motorcycle club ride, 19. Successfully jumping out of an airplane,
20. Flower tattoo, 21. Sister Matryoshka tattoo's, 
22. Another awesome mirror picture of me and my girls,
23. Raccoon skull, 24. Took lots and lots of pictures on film.




How was everyone else's 2013? I'll be back shortly with the rest of my favorite iPhone moments from the past year!

xoxo Jackie