Homemade Slow Cooker Apple Butter | PALEO, Vegan

You know what tastes a whole lot like fall and isn't pumpkin?  Apple pie.  

You know what's way easier to make than apple pie, and goes on a dozen different things to make them taste incredibly dessert-like & festive?  Apple BUTTER!

I set out to make this in my slow cooker- a Paleo friendly version, basically just meaning no refined sugar, and started it before bed.

Second Trimester Pregnancy Recap & Must Haves

My first pregnancy is flying by, and the countdown is officially ON for baby's arrival!

The second trimester was a big one- so much happened!  We had our 20-week anatomy scan, my belly (and BABY) grew so much bigger, we found out the gender & chose a name for our little one, and so much more.

Things are getting REAL!  I'm 32 weeks today, but this update will focus on the second trimester:  weeks 13-28 (roughly, because every trimester/month of pregnancy calendar I look at says something different- haha!)

You all know I'm far from an expert on this topic, as this is my first pregnancy.  But I'm learning so much as I go and happy to share what I've done & what I've experienced so far!  Pregnancy is so personal to every individual woman, and I know that no two pregnancies are the same.  Keep that in mind, and take my two cents for just that- my opinion.

Slow Cooker Bone Broth | PALEO, Whole30

That cozy weather time of year also tends to mean that "sick" time of year.  And if you didn't know, I'm kind of a freak about taking any over the counter or prescription medicines unless it's absolutely necessary.

So natural, healing foods and drinks (and supplements) are my thing.

Bone broth is amazing for its healing properties, not only when you're sick- but anytime you want an easy source of protein-rich collagen or anti-inflammatory properties (which for me is all the time!)

All of these good-for-you things are hiding in the bones that we usually toss away.  I used to do the same!  But now that I've learned just how easy it is to making a healing broth using those "scraps"- you can bet I'll be hoarding them ALL in my freezer!

No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites | PALEO, Vegan

Nothing says fall like pumpkin, am I right?  Trips to the pumpkin patch, pumpkin flavored drinks & treats.

It's such a festive & cozy time of year.  Until you layer on your boots & flannel and head out for a crisp fall day, only to realize it's still 80 degrees outside!  Can you relate!?

I'm somehow shocked by this every year living in California, but I should be used it by now since I've lived here my whole life.  I think social media has a big something to do with it, because I see the weather changing much more drastically by the season in other parts of the country.

So I'm keeping my positive perspective by going for a lightweight flannel, maybe swapping my boots for slides or flats for now, and keeping with some no bake pumpkin treats!  So I can get all those fall feelings without overheating.

Whole Roasted Chicken with Vegetables | PALEO, Whole30

Oh hey there!  It's Jessie, back with the ULTIMATE one dish meal!

This Whole Roasted Chicken with Vegetables will look & taste like you were cooking all day- but it's seriously SO easy to put together, and the oven does all the work!

My biggest excitement is the rub I've come up with that gets slathered all over the chicken before roasting.  It's key for locking in all the juiciness of the meat, and creating the most delicious crispy skin on the outside with so much flavor!