My son’s father and I have remained friends. We have no legal custody or child support agreement and, for the most part, have worked together cohesively as parents. My current relationship, however, has been a source of contention for many reasons. As I came to realize the impact this might have on my son, and on his self-esteem, I became determined to do something about it, preemptively.

So, I created a possibility. I squashed the vision I’d had of the baseball game and decided it simply wasn’t acceptable. Instead, I replaced it with a new and powerful vision of a community around my son; one that encompassed all of the people who love him the most working together, being together, on his behalf. This was no small feat. As I said, my ex-husband and current partner have, for lack of a better term, bad blood. There are a number of things at the source of that, each of them insignificant to this story. What there really is to get is that these two men, who both love my child tremendously, could barely engage in two minutes of small talk. Yet, I was committed to creating this community for Micah.

How was I going to do this? The same way I do everything, by enrolling other people in the possibilities I create. I started sharing my vision with these two men. I shared about my fears for Micah, about what I wanted for him and how I thought it was possible, if we were all able to put our love for him above everything else. My partner now was more open, in large part because he’s been in the same work that I have over the past year. Micah’s dad was dismissive, but I was determined to live in my possibility. I kept sharing with him, from a place of love and commitment to our son. And, a few days into December, I got a phone call. It was my incredibly brave, loving, wonderful father, ex-husband telling me that he would like for the four of us to go downtown, to see Santa, a Christmas tradition I had since my own childhood, that I’d started with Micah since birth.

For Christmas, and for Micah’s 5th birthday, we spent a magical night together, as a family.

Merry Christmas, and always remember that anything you can dream up, you can create. 

Creating something powerful in your life requires something distinct from change….Transformation.

Transformation is what occurs when you make a shift in who you are; how you think, act and experience the world. It is only in transformation that you find the source of living by design. So how do you transform yourself? For starters, we need to really get that transformation is not a goal or destination. It isn’t final. It’s an unceasing process, a path of constant growth and awareness. There is no right or wrong way to transform your life, so long as your commitment is to be the best version of yourself and to experience life as freely, joyfully and powerfully as possible.

Here are my suggestions for living a life of transformation.

1. Be accountable. Such a simple concept, yet such a challenge for us human beings. We are consumed by fears of failure or looking bad, so we make excuses and find justifications for every mistake we make. We weave a tangled web of lies, exaggerations and pretexts just to avoid being accountable. Then we make ourselves feel bad, guilty, defensive or even angry. It doesn’t need to be that complicated. It really doesn’t. Consider that all people make mistakes, all the time. You aren’t bad or wrong for missing the mark. There is tremendous power in simply acknowledging it, apologizing for it and moving forward.

2. Say what you mean and mean what you say. There is no freedom in obligation. Many of us live in a state of constant overwhelm because we over-commit ourselves. We say yes when we mean no, and then we hate the world and the people in it for being obligated. We immediately start creating reasons, or excuses, to get out of the things we say we’ll do because we are strapped for time, low on energy and downright cynical. We dismiss our commitments without regard for the impact it has on others, or we fulfill the demands and take out our frustration on those who carry no real blame. It’s a cycle of  mental and physical exhaustion that never ceases. If you want to transform your life, get off of the hamster wheel. Only commit to things you feel called to do and honor your commitments. You’ll feel energized and find a renewed sense of passion.

3. Create your disposition. It’s easy to blame our circumstance for our mood. It’s easy to blame our mood for a thousand other things like meanness, laziness or apathy. Can you see the loss of power here? The truth is that we are always in control of our disposition and, by extension, our corresponding actions. In the face of any life occurrence, we can actually choose to be whatever we want to be. So choose something like content, joyful or grateful and see how the world around you begins to change.

4. Let go of grudges. You’ve heard the expression that resentment is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. That statement couldn’t be more true. Holding onto grudges is emotionally draining and physically toxic. The stress of emotional baggage can have very real effects on your body and mind. And truth be told, has little to no impact on whoever you’re holding that malice over. Resentment means you get to be right about staying angry, about living powerlessly, about being a victim. Guess where that leads. Nowhere. So let it go. Not for the other person, but for your own freedom. Make a call. Write a letter. Or simply affirm to yourself that you’ve suffered long enough and wish to move forward free of that weight and it’s impact on your life. Declare yourself over it.

5. Stop being obsessed with yourself. Tony Robbins says that the root of all suffering is obsession with self. When you sink into self obsession, meaning that your thoughts are consumed with you, it’s very difficult to feel empowered. Let’s face it, most of us aren’t overly confident with ourselves, so self-obsession shows up as relentless thoughts about our failures, shortcomings and inadequacies. It includes thinks like martyrism and self righteousness. It may even be that little voice telling us that we do so much and aren’t appreciated. We spiral further and further down a rabbit hole that only leads to self loathing, bitterness and ineffectiveness. Where real power and joy exists is in the world around us, and in who we be to others. So get out of your head and start focusing on who you can be to someone else, just for the sake of someone else and without regard for what reward or acknowledgement you may get out of it. Get involved in a charity or fundraiser, befriend someone who’s lonely or take on some random acts of kindness. Stepping outside of your “self” will provide an incredible amount of fulfillment for you. I promise.

For a more personalized approach to powerful living, schedule a free consult with me!

If you read my last blog post, you probably learned quite a bit about me. I revealed some of my deepest, darkest truths to the world wide web as part of a program I was completing back in May. And I’ve been pretty quiet here since then. But it’s not out of shame or embarrassment. The truth is that I’ve been insanely busy with some amazing changes in my life that all began when I finished the Landmark Forum and came back to Pittsburgh.

When I went to Los Angeles in early spring, my life here at home was in shambles. I had just lost a successful business I’d spent three years pouring my blood, sweat and tears into. My relationship ended abruptly, and in a very toxic way. I felt lost. I was alone, a single mom with no sustainable source of income and no idea where to go from there. So I boarded a plane to LA to get away and gain some clarity. My lifelong friend, Matt, had insisted I enroll in the Landmark Forum, a “self-help” seminar of which I had no knowledge about. I’ve always been invested in self growth and introspection and his passion and push for me to complete this program left me little excuse to decline.

The three (very long) days I spent doing the Forum were truly the most transformative of my life. When I gave birth to my son, I became a mother and I suddenly knew unconditional love for another. When I completed the Landmark Forum, I became free and I suddenly knew unconditional love for myself, and for all others. It was THAT powerful.

Life after Landmark has been a whirlwind, but I wanted to take some time to share with you what that’s been like. As a blogger, I always feel compelled to let you into my world. But truthfully, the point of this post is to share with you what is possible for you, through Landmark. Allow me to say, as a side note, that I am in no way affiliated with Landmark Worldwide. I simply want to pay it forward by sharing my experience.

Now, the good stuff!

As part of the course, I was encouraged to write letters and make phone calls to people I had wronged, or who had wronged me, as part of a self-liberation process from any guilt or resentment that might be holding me back from success, healthy relationships and really in any area of my life. This part of the Forum was challenging, but I welcomed the opportunity to free myself of the baggage I’d been dragging around for thirty-some years. I knew that, despite the outcome of those calls and letters, I’d be coming home to the same life in disarray, of which I had no idea how to rebuild. But I was returning with a newfound freedom; freedom from self-limitation, freedom from the guise of victimhood and freedom from fear.

As I stepped off of the plane in Pittsburgh, I was keenly aware of the absence of a fear that had come to dictate my existence. I knew that only possibility existed beyond those doors. I was ready for it, whatever it was.

I had two major goals for myself post-Landmark. The first was to do everything in my power to rebuild the relationship I had so intently destroyed prior. I knew that repairing the damage would not be easy, that it would take time, patience, determination and forgiveness. But I refused to believe that it was impossible. I only saw what was POSSIBLE. Pursuing this goal was one of the most difficult things I’ve done in my life. It demanded that I remain outside of the meanings I was inclined to attach to everything that was said, or unsaid, done or undone. It demanded that I see the man that I love for who he really is, and not for the ways in which he responded to the unraveling of our relationship. It demanded that I forgive myself, and him over and over again, for our insecurities and fears and flaws. It demanded that I remain focused solely on the possibility of something new. And, in the end, through God’s grace and through the freedom and clarity I gained through the Landmark Forum, victory was ours. Mine, and his. And God’s. We are now happier and healthier than ever, and have a completely different relationship. And guess what? He decided to do the Forum as well!

It wasn’t just that relationship that was healed, though. Virtually every relationship in my life improved because I had learned how to separate people from their actions, and separate people’s actions from the meanings we attach to them. I was able to see people for who they truly are, behind the walls and beneath the scars. I was able to be my true self as well.

My second goal, after returning home, was to move forward with my professional life. After losing my business, I was terrified to pour my heart into something else and fail. I felt inadequate, and doomed to failure. I found excuses to stay where I was, afraid to take that risk again. But after Landmark, I knew what I wanted to do. And I knew what I needed to do to get there. So I got to work. I’ve been quiet here, but behind the screen, I’ve been insanely busy working on an entirely new business that I am so excited about. I’ve partnered with a great friend of mine to bring something unique and fresh to Pittsburgh’s dating scene! And after months of research, hard work and all of the chaos that a start-up brings, we are just two weeks away from opening our doors. My goal is to build this company to become a staple in Pittsburgh, helping people find love, and eventually head back to Los Angeles to start building there as well.

I’ve also been working behind the scenes on a strategy to develop my personal brand and focus on finding my direction there. I’m excited to be offering life and business coaching both in-office and virtually. You can find more info under the Coaching tab!

In the meantime, I’ve been trying to spend as much quality time with my son as possible during the warm, summer months and before he heads back to school and the new company launches. I’m heading back to LA in October to do the next course in the Landmark curriculum. I’m also doing Landmark seminar series here in Pittsburgh that starts next week.

Only three months after my experience with Landmark, life looks completely different. The impossible became possible, and the possible became reality. I have some big goals I’m still working on, but I have total confidence in my ability to make them happen. Until then, I’m enjoying the ride and all I’ve been blessed with.

For more information on the Landmark Forum, visit http://www.landmarkworldwide.com

Who doesn’t love fruit? Fresh, juicy, delicious fruit! It’s refreshing on a hot summer day, satisfying in a fresh, seasonal smoothie, great for  holiday desserts and makes a perfect Spring Sangria. Let’s be real, fruit is incredibly delicious, convenient, versatile and HEALTHY! Or is it?

Yes, fruit is healthy. In moderation. Fruit contains a lot of good stuff like antioxidants, fiber, vitamins & minerals. Those things can really do a body good (unlike milk, but we’ll save that story for another day). The bad news? A lot of fruits also contain high amounts of fructose, which is the same thing as sugar. Do you know what happens to sugar after consumption? A couple of things.

When you consume fructose, your body processes it via your liver and it turns into fat. That’s right, FAT. So if you’re trying to lose weight, eating a lot of fruit is not your best bet. Secondly, the more fructose you eat, the more your body develops an insulin resistance, which means that you are more likely to develop Type II Diabetes. Thirdly, consuming sugar causes opiate and dopamine activity in the reward centers of the brain. In layman’s terms, eating too much sugar (including fruit) causes a real, physiological addiction to sugar. Sugar addiction can lead to a ton of other bad stuff, including heart disease and cancer. And I’m pretty sure you don’t want any of that.

When I began the Autoimmune Protocol to treat my Lupus holistically, I had to limit my fruit to just 1-2 servings a day. When you’re cutting out nearly all other sugary foods (along with carbs!!!), fruit is the LAST thing you want to give up. And you don’t have to! Fruits are a beneficial part of any diet. Just remember, balance is key.

You’ve heard the expression “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” right? It’s true! Apples are an excellent choice for a snack. But not all fruits are created equal. Limit yourself to what types of fruit you choose and how much you consume. Here is a list of fruits with high fructose content, and some healthier alternatives that will provide the same nutrients.

Fritters. They’re what’s for dinner. So let’s get started.

I’m not a veggie lover. BUT, with fritters I figured the more the merrier. This recipe is jam-packed with veggies. You could always substitute, add or leave out some of the veggies based on what you have or any food aversions. But I pretty much threw the kitchen sink into these.

Ingredients:

About 3 cups broccoli, cauliflower & carrot mixture, chopped
2/3 cup fresh spinach, chopped (before cooked)
1/3 cup onion, finely chopped
1-2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup whole wheat flour (or flour of choice)
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
Salt & Pepper to taste
EVOO for frying
Water for boiling

Yields about 8 fritters.

Instructions:

I started out by boiling the carrots, broccoli & cauliflower for about 4-5 minutes to soften. DO NOT OVERCOOK or they will be hard to work with.

While you wait for those to soften, chop the onion, garlic & spinach and sauté in a tiny amount of EVOO until the spinach is cooked. If you use too much oil, the fritters will not stay together as well, so take it easy!

Place the broccoli, cauliflower & carrot mixture into a strainer and allow to drain thoroughly. Then gently pat dry to remove excess water. Chop the broccoli and cauliflower into small florets and place them in a bowl. Sidenote: I food-processed the carrots, only because my son has a weird thing about carrots and I didn’t have shredded since I used the organic veggie trio above. If you have shredded carrots, there’s no need to food-process them. Just chop along with the broccoli & cauliflower. Throw in the sautéd veggies as well.

At this point, all veggies should be in the bowl.

Next, add the Parmesan, flour and seasons.

Whisk the egg and toss that into the bowl. Mix all ingredients until thoroughly combined.

Heat oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat until it sputters when you flick some water into it (from a distance!!!) Once it’s hot, spoon approximately 1/4 cup of mixture into pan for each fritter. Press lightly to flatten to about 2-2.5 inch wide fritters and cook for about 4 minutes, then flip and cook another 4 minutes (or until golden brown). Then, just serve and enjoy the veggies of your labor!

Recommended Pairing: Grilled White Fish or Salmon, Grilled Chicken.

When I first began my journey into health and fitness, I heard a lot of hoopla about having to cut alcohol out my diet. Of course, I was incredibly turned off by this fear mongering and immediately began to panic. I love wine. I drink a glass almost nightly, and on the weekends I prefer to have several….bottles. Just kidding. Unless it’s a really wild night.

The idea of being on an alcohol restriction made me feel like I was doomed to failure. Not because I have an alcohol dependency, and not because I couldn’t give it up. I refrained from alcohol throughout 10 months of pregnancy (Yes, 10 months. I was pregnant forever.) My fear of failure came from the overwhelmth (that’s probably not a word) of having to change my entire life all at once! I knew how difficult it was going to be to get myself into a habit of working out everyday. I knew that it was going to be near-impossible to stay on track with my nutrition. But I was ready to give 100% to that change. But giving up wine? I didn’t sign up for that and I didn’t want to do it. It was just too much change at once. I mean, who the heck likes change anyway? Plus, there’s plenty of evidence floating around indicating that wine might actually help you maintain good health. Why give it up?

So I did what any thirty-something woman would do and I just said no….to giving up wine.

7 months and 43 bottles later, I am down 23 pounds and counting. I am comfortable with my body and enjoy working out. I eat healthy most of the time, and I still enjoy my wine whenever I want. Sure, maybe I would’ve had quicker results without the wine. Or, maybe I would’ve given up altogether. The point is, you don’t have to give up wine to lose weight. I am living proof.

That being said, I have put together a little list of wines and what their general caloric counts are, so you can choose your wine wisely. I’ve also included a few of my personal recommendations. Cheers!

White & Blush Wines

White Zinfandel is your absolute best option when counting calories. This wine has only around 105 calories per 5 ounces. However, a lot of wine drinkers don’t care for a White Zin, myself included. Your next best option would be a Chardonnay or Chablis, which are at the low end of the spectrum at around 118 calories per 5 ounces.

I drink Chardonnay frequently and one of my favorites is the Sofia Chardonnay produced by the Francis Ford Coppola Winery.

This wine has a delicious hint of apple and spices, which is perfect for the fall, but enjoyable any time of year. I highly recommend trying this one, multiple times.

Sèmillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Fume Blanc each have around 122 calories per serving. Dry Riesling, Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio average about 123 calories.

One of my absolute favorite wines is the Kris Pinot Grigio created in the Kris winery in Italy’s Alto Adige region. This wine has the perfect amount of subtle sweetness and goes well with almost any food!

A sweet Riesling, which can have as many as 225 calories in each 5 ounce serving, is not a great choice for drinking regularly. However, should you choose to indulge in a sweeter wine from time to time, you MUST try this one!

Eroica Riesling is produced in the Chateau St. Michelle winery in Washington state in conjunction with a German producer of fine Rieslings. I had the privilege of touring the facility during the early stages of the development of this wine and was also able to sample it. It was truly love at first taste, and this is one sweet wine I do allow myself to enjoy on occasion.

Red Wines

As for red wines, the concept is the same. Dry reds yield lower caloric counts, while sweeter reds will be higher in calories. I personally don’t drink much red wine, but I like to know my options and I’m guessing you do as well.

Pinot Noir and Grenache (or Garnacha) contain approximately 122 calories per 5 ounce serving. Syrah and Hermitage have around 123. Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux and Merlot typically have about 125 calories per serving.

Chianti has around 128 calories in each serving. When I do drink red wine, I prefer Chianti because it’s relatively mild. The Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva is an excellent choice and is very affordable.

Now this isn’t a green light to start drinking excessive amounts of wine. As with anything else, moderation is key! If you’re as much of a wine lover as I am, check out this wine club for home delivery service of AMAZING specialty wines! You can even earn FREE wine by referring friends!

Right from the start, I had to find a way to satisfy those cravings and trick my mind into thinking it was eating grains. So I started to get creative with my veggies and I’ve found some great ways to get that “grain” sensation. For anyone who is considering making the transition to AIP, I wanted to share my list of go-to grain substitutes. I know how hard it can be to make this change and I want you to succeed with it. So check these out!

Cauliflower Mash: If you’re craving mashed potatoes, try mashed cauliflower! It’s a great side with any meat and very easy to make. Just steam until very soft, then food process! I make mine with ghee and fresh rosemary. If you like sweet potatoes, try this Roasted Sweet Potato & Cauliflower Mash

Cauliflower Rice: This is great for a side or with any dish that would normally call for rice. I use it with Asian dishes all the time! You can use fresh cauliflower and food process to rice-sized pieces or, a lot of grocery stores carry fresh or frozen riced cauliflower in a bag! Just sauté in coconut oil or EVOO. Flavor with ginger, lemon and fresh herbs or just a little salt and garlic! Perfect pairing for any Asian dish or as a side to pretty much anything!

Zucchini Noodles: These are a great substitute for pasta dishes! Use a veggetti or mandolin to slice the zucchini into noodles and sauté in EVOO. These go great with just some EVOO and fresh herbs if you aren’t able to eat nightshades! Or check out this delicious Butternut Squash & Rosemary Cream Sauce. You can also eat these uncooked in a cold “pasta” salad.

Spaghetti Squash: These are so easy to make! When they’re in season, I make them once a week. Just cut in half, bake and shred the flesh! It shreds easily with a fork!

Faux Mein: I buy bags of organic broccoli slaw at Trader Joe’s and they make the perfect Asian noodles. Just sauté in coconut oil until soft. Top with any AIP friendly Asian meat dish! Here’s one of my favorites, Ginger Orange Chicken

Gingerbread Cookies: Treats have to be kept to a minimum on AIP, but we all deserve a cookie once in awhile! These Gingerbread Cookies aren’t exactly AIP, but you can omit the vanilla & cloves and the flavor is still great!

When my family and I made the choice to adopt a healthier lifestyle, one of our biggest worries was how that decision would impact our wallets. We were able to up our grocery budget a little, but we really didn’t want to spend a lot more. We still had a kid in diapers and we’ve been on a mission to pay off debt. So learning to eat healthy on a budget was absolutely critical. Once I started the AI Protocol and began making separate meals for the boys and for myself, learning to save on groceries became even more necessary.

Our very first trip to Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s AND Target to get all of the necessary organics, produce, meats, etc wound up costing us WAY over our usual budget. But it was a good starting point. Over the past year or so, I’ve come up with some cash-saving tips to help us eat healthy for half the cost. We’ve learned to make it work because we had to. If we can do it, YOU can do it. Here’s how!

1. Meal Plan. Creating a meal plan and sticking to it is the easiest way to cut down on spending. By creating a meal plan, and a corresponding grocery list, you eliminate excess spending AND waste. Just make sure you ONLY buy what’s on your list and don’t give in to sales or those tempting treats at the check-out. Tip: Always use one night’s dinner for the next day’s lunch to ensure you’re using up all of the leftovers! Tip 2: There are TONS of free meal plan templates available for download on the internet.

2. Shop in Bulk. Places like Sam’s Club & Costco offer a lot of bulk foods that can be stored until later use. They even carry quite a few healthy ad organic options.

3. Eat eggs. All the time. Eggs are a healthy, inexpensive food that be used in countless ways from a frittata to a cauliflower pizza crust!

4. STOP eating out. All of those pizzas you’re ordering or drive-through runs to McDonald’s?? They’re not just leading you closer to heart failure and diabetes. They’re eating away at your wallet, too! Cut out the crap and start cooking healthy foods. Your body and your bank account will thank you later.

5. Buy produce that’s in season, when it’s cheapest. Or, buy frozen fruits and veggies, which are less expensive than the off-season fresh ones.

6. If you can’t afford to buy all organic, stick to organic for the dirty dozen and buy the rest of your produce at the less expensive rate. What are the dirty dozen? They are the fruits and vegetables that contain the highest amount of pesticide contamination, so you want to avoid that exposure by purchasing organic when possible. Check out this handy chart for reference!

7. Join a Community Supported Agriculture program (or CSA). You can receive a shipment of fresh, organic produce weekly, biweekly or monthly. A lot of CSAs also have bulk meats available for purchase. To find a CSA in your area, go here.

8. Visit your local Farmer’s Market for great deals on fresh fruits and vegetables. Even better? Go shortly before closing time when you can negotiate the prices or find already-reduced items.

9. If you see a theme here about produce, there’s a reason. Vegetables are healthy, versatile and pretty inexpensive. Instead of loading up on expensive meats at the grocery store, add more veggies to your diet. You should be consuming around 5-7 servings of vegetables daily anyway, so here’s another chance to increase your wealth & your wellness!

I hope this helps you as you begin your journey to health & happiness. As always, if you’re looking for a more structured nutrition plan or program with one-on-one support, please feel free to contact me here!

For 25 days now, I have been adhering to a very strict diet known as the AutoImmune Protocol, which is a variation of the Paleo Diet. This diet, along with a number of supplements, has been prescribed to me for an indefinite period of time until my gut heals, my liver detoxes and my blood begins to accept nutrients again on it’s own. This diet excludes ALL grains, dairy (including eggs), nightshades, legumes, nuts, seeds, sugar and alcohol. And let me just say, the struggle has been real.

Once I made it past the initial shock and depression of such a drastic change to my lifestyle (not that I was an unhealthy eater), I started searching for ways to make my food more interesting. Watching other people consume delicious, poisonous foods with no repercussions whatsoever can get a bit overwhelming. I had to overcome my feelings of jealousy and loss somehow, and I knew that experimenting just HAD to lead to some food I could really enjoy.

When I began to plan my first AIP Thanksgiving menu, I was looking for some sides that wouldn’t leave me drooling over everyone else’s plates. I am not a huge fan of sweet potatoes, but in the spirit of tradition, I wanted to incorporate them into the meal. I’m also constantly seeking ways to get my full 9 cups of veggies in daily. And then the idea light bulb went off in my head! What if I added some sweet potato to my cauliflower mash???

I know I’m not the first person to realize this might be a good combination, but I was really excited about how it would turn out. Once it was finished, I was licking the spatula and scraping the sides of my food processor to make sure I got every last drop. It was THAT GOOD.

So, without further ado, here is my recipe!

Ingredients:

1 Head of Organic Cauliflower (Chopped & Steamed)
2 Medium-Sized Sweet Potatoes (Roasted, but microwaved is fine if you’re short on time)
2 Tablespoons Organic Ghee (Or Butter)
Fresh Rosemary & Basil to taste (I use it generously because the flavor is divine!)

Just food process all ingredients until you get the desired texture.
Note: This is a matter of personal preference. The flavor is great whether you prefer lumps or super creamy.

Place in serving bowl and warm in oven until ready to serve (If you can avoid eating it all!)

Enjoy!

Now that we’ve gotten that love fest out of the way, let’s talk cake. Not THAT kind of cake. I’m talking about the kind of cake that honors the perfect union between pig and fermented cabbage. Okay, that doesn’t sound very appetizing, but trust me, IT IS!! It’s like wedding cake, only better. Because these are AIP & Paleo friendly, and healthy enough that you can eat them all!! Or save some for later. Your choice.

Okay, I’m really done this time. On to the cakes.

I have to eat fermented foods daily as a part of my gut healing treatment. I haven’t always been the biggest fan of sauerkraut. But… it’s a superfood with super powers (that’s another story) so I eat it alot. And it really is growing on me. Now that I’ve created THESE, I might even say that I love it. (But not in the same way that pork loves it. I’m not a homewrecker.)

Okay, ok. I now pronounce….Sorry. Here’s the recipe.

Fried Pork & ‘Kraut Cakes
Serves 3-4

Ingredients:

1 lb. High Quality Ground Pork
2 Cups Sauerkraut (drained and patted dry)
1/4 Onion, finely chopped
1 Small Sweet Potato, steamed and mashed
1 tsp Fresh Rosemary, finely chopped
1 tsp Fresh Basic, finely chopped
1 tsp Salt
1/2 cup Coconut Oil for frying.

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients (except coconut oil) in large bowl until well-mixed.
2. Heat oil in skillet until it sizzles with a sprinkle of water.
3. Form 1 1/2 to 2 inch round balls and flatten.
4. Cook on medium heat for 7-10 minutes per side, or until fully cooked.

Once they’re cooked through, serve hot and crispy! I like to pair these with applesauce and some Roasted Sweet Potato & Cauliflower Mash.