Crockpot Pulled Pork Burritos (Paleo Friendly)

My intention when starting a blog this year was to share stories of my journey with organization, homemade meals, and DIY projects. As you have probably noticed, I have been on a huge fitness kick the entire summer (and now into fall). While this has cut back on time for DYI projects and organization around the house, I have still been working on many healthy recipes to share.

A couple months ago, JD and I decided to change our diet. The original thought came about when I was setting goals at the beginning of the year (although what I didn't know at the time was how well this goal would correlate with Crossfit which I wasn't even doing at the time). As I continue growing in fitness, I want to incorporate a more balanced approach to healthy eating. When you are dedicated to enhancing your life through fitness, it only makes sense improve the way you are eating too. So, my “no processed foods” goal came about….

Since I love cooking, trying new recipes, and making up my own, it seemed like an easy transition and a fun challenge. That was at the beginning of the year….Halfway through 2013, I still hadn’t taken the first steps to healthier eating.

Around the same time I was rethinking my goal and how to integrate this change into my lifestyle, I began working out at CrossfitFlyOver. As I previously mentioned, when I push toward fitness, it only makes me want to get more out of it and I knew I needed to change up our diet.

Through Crossfit, I was introduced to a diet that is based upon eating wholesome foods from the food groups our hunter-gatherer ancestors would have thrived on including: fresh meats (preferably grass-produced or free-ranging beef, pork, lamb, poultry, and game meat, if you can get it), fish, seafood, fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and healthful oils. After researching Paleo recipes, finding a few more blogs to follow, and modifying a few weeknight staples, I realized we could make Paleo meals that include WAY more than just chicken, veggies, and salads.

Crockpot Pork Burritos is one of our all-time favorite meals. It took very few modifications to turn this favorite in a Paleo-approved meal….And the end result is just as good!

Crockpot Pulled Pork Burritos (serves A LOT)

Ingredients:

• Pork loin (around a 3lb boneless pork loin with the fat trimmed off)
• Spices: chili powder, cumin, lemon pepper seasoning, salt/pepper
• Peppers — green, red, yellow (if you like heat, add in some jalapenos)
• Small white onion thinnly sliced
• Salsa — prepare a homemade salsa or purchase a fresh salsa (jarred salsa)
• Head of lettuce (tortilla shells)
• Monterrey jack cheese
• Toppings: serve with guacamole, sliced avocado, tomoates or green onion

Place the pork loin in your crockpot. Combine spices with about 1 cup of water and poor the mixture over the pork loin. Next, add in the salsa and peppers. Cook for 6-8 hours on low in a crockpot.

For the non-Paleo recipe, try the crossed out ingredients listed above.
 
At some point (I make no gurantees when), I will get better at providing measurements, real instructions, and appetizing photos. I can tell you though, any recipe I post will be simple, easy to modify, and absolutely delicious!

Back to the Beginning

Since it was over a year ago when I started this blog, I figured it would be nice to take a step back and fill you in on the beginning. I have always loved writing and hope to share inspiring stories to my readers (if when it gets to this point)!
Over the last couple of years, I have found a few great blogs that I religiously follow such as iowagirleats.com, younghouselove.com and bowerpowerblog.com. There are also a few great weddings blogs that helped inspire me while I was patiently waiting for my ring and wedding planning: popcornonthestove.com and rufflesandtruffles.com. I have loved learning from all of these individuals as they share their passions, life stories and experiences along the way. They’ve inspired me in many ways through their great recipes, DIY knowledge and fabulous wedding plans.

Throughout my journey, I'll plan to share my stories whether they're successes or failures along with organization tips, homemade meals, DIY projects and wedding plans — all the little things that help make our home sweet home in Iowa.

As far as recipes, let's kick it off with a quick and easy favorite in our house, buffalo chicken wraps. The fiery combination of buffalo chicken paired with the cool avocado and salsa mixture will sure be a favorite for your family too.

Ingredients:

2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-size pieces)
Frank's buffalo sauce
Ranch dressing
Shredded cheese (monterrey jack or cheddar)
1 Avocado
Banana peppers
Small white onion
Grape tomatoes
4- 10 inch flour tortillas

Put a small amount of oil into a large nonstick skillet. Add the chicken and cooke over medium heat until no longer pink in the middle. When the chicken is almost done, add the buffalo sauce and ranch dressing.

While the chicken is cooking, start on your salsa. Mix together chopped white onion, banana peppers and tomatoes (amount to your preference). Add in the avocado last.

To assemble wraps:

Lay tortilla on a work surface or plate. Spread with more buffalo or ranch (if you'd like). Then, top with chicken, cheese and the salsa mixture. Roll over the top of the tortilla and slightly tuck it under your filling, fold in the sides and finish rolling the tortilla over. Repeat with remaining tortillas.

There are many options with this recipe to customize it for you or your family...And still enjoy the great flavor! Watching your calories? Try using a whole-wheat tortilla or add the mixture over lettuce for a buffalo chicken salad instead. Buffalo too spicy for the little ones? Modify the amount or just use the ranch dressing.

Whatever your preference, these wraps are sure to be enjoyed by everyone!

What gets you up and running?

What a beautiful Saturday! The weather around here (Iowa) has been crazy the last.....well, forever! Like many places in the Midwest, the weather can change at the drop of a hat. Earlier this week it was upper 60s, then with a chance of snow the following days. So, instead of letting the weather mess with our training plan for Dam to Dam, I met my running buddies at our favorite trial Friday night for a lovely 6 mile run. I don't think any of us wanted to be there! While most people were out for happy hour after a long week, our weekend began with running for a hour or so....in the cold, windy, and almost rainy weather. As gorgeous as it is today, I am still glad to have our long run of the week done. Maybe I will head out for a short one today and enjoy this weather while it's here.

To get me through the run I kept thinking and talking about the amazing dinner JD and I had planned. Nothing fancy, but something definitely delicious....homemade pancakes! I love pancakes! They used to be a 'special' weekend treat, but we haven't had them forever.
When I got home for the run, I was tired, cold, hungry....and did I mention cold? While I took a long, hot shower to warm up (which never happened), JD started on the pancakes. Here's the recipe he used:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup milk (a little less or more depending on the consistency you like)
• 2 tablespoons oil

In a large measuring cup, whisk together dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients and mix well. Heat griddle and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Pour batter onto hot griddle. Cook until golden brown, about 3 minuets or until the top starts bubbling, and flip.

Makes about 6 large pancakes.

Sometime we (JD) add blueberries or chocolate chips into the batter for smoothing a little more special.

We were both too hungry and devoured them right away. Sorry, no pictures this time! I was grateful to get take a backseat on cooking tonight and let JD do his thing. And it ended up being a great post-run meal.

The only thing that would have made this meal better would have been adding in my new obsession.....Blueberry Coffee from Dunkin Donuts. Now, I am not a coffee girl (usually); however, JD has me hooked on this stuff. I am hoping that if I drink this long enough, I will fall in love with the real thing.

Don't worry though, my first stop Saturday morning was ..... you guessed it, in line for coffee to start off my Saturday. 

What gets you up and running in the morning?

Continuing What I Started

Another year has come and gone.....and unfortunately, I failed again to continue my blog last year. I am hoping now that things have settled down, I can start right where I left off. Here's a recap of the amazing year, that I'll never forget!

At times, I think back and wonder how I survived 2013 as it was a crazy and busy year...But sometimes the craziest times in our lives seem to turn out as the best! In 2013, in the midst of planning (obsessively) for our October wedding, I decided it was as good of time as any to start a new job and train for another half marathon. Sometimes it's the most hectic of schedules that keep us focused and motivated on the final goals. And I'd have to say, 2013 was no different.

THE JOB

In July, I started a new job in marketing with a great company. This position gives me the opportunity to focus more on writing which was a goal I had set for last year. I continue to enjoy all I am learning and have fallen back into my love for writing!

THE WEDDING

ONE OF THE BEST DAYS OF MY LIFE…For sure! I wouldn't change a thing. While I love planning and was focused on every detail, when the day was finally here, I made sure to enjoy and take everything in. People aren't kidding when they say the day flies by. It was a little sad at the end to know everything I had planned for the last year and a half was done…But the end reward was much worth it! And having our family and friends there to celebrate with us made it even more special.

THE RUN

Like I mentioned before, I love planning and am very detail-oriented (some may say "control freak"). So, planning a wedding, my wedding, I was very particlar about every...single...detail. Training for the IMT Half-Marathon (and amazing running buddies), kept me focused on the end purpose and helped get me in shape for the big day. With all of the pre-wedding events like my showers, bachelorette party, and Italian cookie making, PLUS the long 10, 11 and 12 miles runs falling the month before the wedding, I had to carefully plan runs into my schedule. This really proved to me that, no matter how busy you are, you can make time to workout.

It also helped knowing that with running, I could enjoy not thinking about all the wedding details or the constant information I was taking in at my new job. And on most of the runs, spend quality time with the three girls I was training with along the way. In the end, my goal was to "get through" this half-marathon in one piece. But with encouragment from my great running friends (and the crazy one who ran the full marathon), I ended up setting a PR! Now, if I can just get back to that place in my running for this year….

So look forward to more to come from me throughout 2013. This is the year that I will keep blogging!