The Perfect Paloma

The Perfect Paloma - This refreshing grapefruit and tequila-based drink is perfect for any occasion! 

I’m completely over winter! Okay, I’m usually over winter the first day it starts, haha but now I can say that it’s time for a change. So instead of waiting for mother nature to catch up, I will just start without her!

So, in rebel fashion, I am traveling to LA for a few days (travel post soon), eating ceviche till my heart’s content, and drinking these refreshing Paloma cocktails! 

What’s in a Paloma?

1. Tequila: I prefer silver tequila-like Espolon Blanco, Casamigos or if you want more of a smoky profile, mezcal is great, too! 

2. Grapefruit soda: Instead of using a fruit cocktail mix, here are some healthy swaps: freshly squeezed grapefruit juice + mineral water, Izze Sparkling Grapefruit, San Pellegrino Grapefruit, or Jarritos Grapefruit works too. 

3. Lime: I use half of the lime per serving

4. Salt: This is usually added as a pinch on top of the drink but I like to use it to rim my glass using: pink Himalayan salt + lime zest + chili lime seasoning 

That’s it, basically! So don’t wait until summer to enjoy this super refreshing cocktail. As long as there’s grapefruit soda or juice in your fridge, this cocktail is yours for the drinking.

All you have to do is fill a glass with ice. Add a shot (or two) of tequila, juice from half of lime, and fill the glass up with grapefruit soda. Give it a stir, then sprinkle a pinch of salt over the top of the drink. Salud! 

Also, I would like to mention that Paloma’s pair nicely with spicy food or with a big plate of shrimp ceviche nachos!

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo to #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with!

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The Perfect Paloma - This refreshing grapefruit and tequila-based drink is perfect for any occasion! 

Ingredients

• 2 oz Tequila Blanco or Mezcal 

• 4-6 oz grapefruit soda 

• Juice of half a lime

• Pinch of pink Himalayan salt 

Chili Lime Salt Rim

• 2 tsp pink Himalayan salt

• 1 tsp lime zest

• ½ tsp chili lime seasoning

• lime wedge

Directions

1. Run the cut side of a lime wedge around the rim of your glass.

2. Place the salt, zest, and chili lime seasoning in a shallow dish and mix until fully combined.

3. Dip the rims of glasses into coat. 

4. Fill glass with ice, then add tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit soda. Give it a stir. Garnish with grapefruit and lime slices! 

Notes 

• Tequila: I prefer silver tequila-like Espolon Blanco, Casamigos or if you want more of a smoky profile, mezcal is great, too! 

• Grapefruit soda: Instead of using a fruit cocktail mix, here are some healthy swaps: freshly squeezed grapefruit juice + mineral water, Izze Sparkling Grapefruit, San Pellegrino Grapefruit, or Jarritos Grapefruit works too.

Magic Bar Cookie Skillet

Magic Bar Cookie Skillet - Great for camping trips, DIY holiday gifts, or when you are hankering for a cookie skillet! - Paleo, naturally low in sugar, dairy-free, and gluten-free. 

As I was packing food supplies for my winter retreat, I noticed that I didn’t have anything for dessert. Who doesn’t think about packing dessert!? But I didn’t want to bring a lot of ingredients to make something homemade so that’s when I came up with an idea to make “a cookie skillet in a jar”! All the dry ingredients are in a jar. Just bring one egg and coconut oil and you are all set!

Dry ingredient layers (bottom to the top)

• Almond flour

• Paleo flour

• Baking soda

• Salt

• Coconut sugar

• Chocolate chips

• Toasted coconut flakes

• Chopped raw walnuts

You can also use the batter to make cookies! For these cookies, I swapped out the “magic bar” toppings for chocolate chips and salted caramel almond butter. Reserve ¼ serving of salted caramel to drizzle over the cookies, add a pinch of coarse sea salt, and bam! Perfection!

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo to #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with! 

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Magic Bar Cookie Skillet - Great for camping trips, DIY holiday gifts, or when you are hankering for a cookie skillet! - Paleo, naturally low in sugar, dairy-free, and gluten-free. 

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup blanched almond flour

• 1/2 cup paleo flour 

• 1/4 cup coconut oil (solid)

• 1 egg

• 1/3 cup coconut sugar, dark chocolate chips, chopped raw walnuts, toasted coconut flakes 

• 1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla powder

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/4 tsp baking soda

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine sugar and solid coconut oil together.

3. Add the egg, salt, baking soda, and fours and blend using a mixer until well combined.

4. Fold chocolate chips, walnuts, and coconut flakes into the dough until well combined.

5. Grease a 6 inch cast iron skillet and press cookie dough firmly into skillet

6. Cook for 16-20 minutes

7. After the cookie skillet has cooled down, top with dairy-free whipped cream or ice cream and enjoy!

Notes

1. If you do not have paleo flour, double up on almond flour. Vice versa for paleo flour. 

2. Here is the paleo flour brand I use. 

Winter Retreat in Shawnee National Forest

Three days, 30 miles, one woman - braving the winter by foot in Shawnee National Forest. Haha, okay that sounds a bit dramatic, but at least I got your attention. ;) 

At the beginning of January of this year, Southernmost Illinois provided me a four-day lodging experience so that I could explore the most beautiful National Forest in the state of Illinois. Not a bad way to start the new year, amiright?! If you are looking for a winter retreat in the Midwest region, then look no further.

Lodging 

For the duration of the trip, I stayed at the oh so cozy, Rim Rock’s Dogwood Cabins. I couldn’t have asked for a better lodging experience! Not only is the location perfectly situated within the Shawnee National Forest, but they have farm animals on the property:  llamas, miniature donkeys, goats, chickens/guineas and 4 dogs to be exact! 

There are a total of 6 unique cabins on the property. I stayed in Coyote Hollow. All of their cabins are pet-friendly and have general lodging amenities (i.e. free WiFi, satellite, outdoor fireplace.) Because there was a full kitchen, I cooked and prepared all the meals during my stay. Here is a link for more information regarding cabin and local area information if you are interested in lodging! Currently, there is a winter special to the end of February 2020: 25% off weekdays and RENT 2 nights, get another night free!

Recipe for paleo magic bar cookie skillet can be found here.

Hiking

Since this is a winter retreat, you are probably thinking that I am going to talk about indoor attractions, restaurant recommendations, and shopping. Sorry to disappoint, because this girl enjoys the outdoors; regardless if it is raining, snowing, or sleeting! And now that I think of it, all three happened in one morning, haha. So if I haven’t lost you at this point, grab a map and a cup of coffee, and let’s dive into the beauty that is Shawnee National Forest during winter! 

Shawnee National Forest Travel Guide

Day 1: 

Since the Rim Rock National Recreation trail is 100 yards east of the cabins’ main entrance, I started there first. Recommend taking the lower loop on the right side, going up the stairs in the “main attraction” area which leads around the rim of a rock escarpment, hence the name! You will see really cool bluff lines, incredible bluffs, unique rock formations, “fat man squeezes”, and creeks. If you go in the summer, wildflowers are in full bloom; so beautiful. 

Rim Rock National Recreation Trail

Distance: 1.7 miles

Difficulty: Easy

While you are in this area, you will see another great trail: Pounds Hollow Lake. And while this spot is more of a summer hot spot, hiking around its beautiful 28 acre National Forest lake is beautiful too! Any horse lovers?! This area is the most popular horseback riding trail spot!

Pounds Hollow Lake and Thacker Hollow Loop

Distance: 10 miles

Difficulty: Easy

The last hike for the day was at high knob since it’s about a 15-minute driving distance from Pounds Hollow. A great little hike to end the day. If you are hiking in this area when it’s raining, make sure you are wearing appropriate shoes. Lots of moss means green in winter = great but when raining = slick! Tip: I highly recommend this hike first if you want the perfect view of sunsets. 

Pounds Hollow

Distance: .6 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Day 2

I had an early start to the day as I drove about 40 minutes west to see the falls! First stop: Burden Falls. There are trails that you can explore in this area, but if you are pushed for time and just want to see waterfalls, you can spot them about 100 yards off the parking lot area. 

Burden Falls

Distance: .8 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

About 10 minutes from Burden Falls you will find Jackson Falls. This was my favorite waterfall spot! You can spend a good amount of time in this area. At the top of the falls, cross the creek and follow the trail to the left (as you are looking out over the falls) for about ¾ mile. You will cross a smaller creek/waterfall, then about 100 yards, there are some large boulders along the bluff line that you can scramble down and follow the trail back along to the falls. Many miles of scenic hiking along the top and bottom sections in this area. Any rock climbers!? This area is great for rock climbing and bouldering between three waterfalls! 

Jackson Falls

Distance: 3.7 miles 

Difficulty: Moderate

After lunch, I headed over to Bell Smith Springs. This was probably my favorite hiking spot! Spent the rest of the afternoon/evening weaving through various trails that contained clear, rocky streams, scenic canyons bordered by high sandstone cliffs, and beautiful vegetation! Within the trail system, you have interconnected trails featuring Devil’s Backbone, Boulder Falls, and a natural rock bridge. *If you have more time in this area, I would recommend checking Sand Cave

Bell Smith Springs

Distance: 8 miles

Difficulty: Moderate 

Day 3: 

Saved the best for last! At the wee hours of the morning, I drove over to Garden of the Gods to catch the sunrise! Even though it was below freezing temps and killer winds, man oh man, was it worth it! You can easily spend 15 minutes to a half-day in this area. There are a number of trails that offer various activities and are accessible year-round. *Please be safe when climbing the sandstone rock formations! 

Garden of the Gods - Observation Trail

Distance: .5 miles

Difficulty: Easy

And there you have it! Hiking in the winter isn’t so bad! Honestly, it was a truly therapeutic experience for me. Regardless if you are doing a winter retreat on your own or doing it with loved ones, it’s good to take time out for yourself. Nature has a special way of re-grounding us. I leave you with this:

“Every morning was a cheerful invitation to make my life of equal simplicity, and I may say innocence, with Nature herself.”

― Henry David Thoreau, Walden

This post was sponsored by Southernmost Illinois Tourism Bureau. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own. 

Butternut Squash, Kale, and White Bean Lasagna Soup

Butternut Squash, Kale, and White Bean Lasagna Soup - Made with less than 10 ingredients - sure to be a dinner staple during the wintertime. 

Ever since I made Pioneer Woman's lasagna soup ten years ago, I never got back to the normal way of making lasagna. When you find an easier, more efficient way of making something, why turn back? Amiright!? 

So to switch up the classic take on lasagna soup, I made it winter-inspired using butternut squash, kale, and white beans. For this recipe, I used spicy sausage but if you are plant-based, you can simply switch out for vegan sausage or an extra can of white beans. 

This lasagna soup is made with less than 10 ingredients, using one pot, and finished in under 30 minutes! So for my busy mom’s out there, this one's for you! 

Most of you know, I am a huge fan of Banza pasta! So to make this lasagna soup gluten-free, I used their brand spanking new line of lasagna noodles! With nearly two times the protein, three times the fiber, and nearly 30% fewer net carbs - it’s crazy how you can’t even tell the difference from traditional lasagna noodles!

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo to #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with! 

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Butternut Squash, Kale, and White Bean Lasagna Soup - Made with less than 10 ingredients - sure to be a dinner staple during the wintertime. 

Ingredients: 

• 1 container lasagna noodles (uncooked)

• 1 can 28oz crushed fire-roasted tomatoes

• 1 container (4 cups low-sodium chicken stock) or veggie stock

• 1 can white beans (rinsed and drained)

• 1 container (16oz) spicy sausage or vegan sausage/extra can of beans

• 2 cups fresh kale (destemmed)

• 1 white onion (diced)

• 4 cloves garlic (minced)

• 1 butternut squash (about 1 ½ cups) cubed

• Dash or 3 of red pepper flakes

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp pepper

Directions: 

1. Heat about 1 tbsp olive oil in a dutch oven or heavy-bottomed stockpot over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook until brown (about 5-8 minutes). Place sausage on a paper towel covered plate to absorb excess grease. 

2. While the pot has oil and grease from the sausage, add the butternut squash, and cook, turning occasionally, until just beginning to caramelize and soften (about 5 minutes). Add the onion and garlic to the pot, and cook until soft and translucent. 

3. Add the sausage back to the pot and add tomatoes, chicken stock, seasonings, and lasagna noodles (may have to break noodles into thirds to fit into the pot. If you think you need more liquid, add about 1-2 cups of stock or water. 

4. Cover, and bring the stock just to a boil, then turn the heat down to low-medium. Let simmer uncovered for about 15-20 minutes. Season with additional salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste. 

5. Add white beans and torn kale leaves, and continue to simmer until warmed through, about 5-7 minutes. Serve warm with crusty bread and enjoy! Great to garnish with fresh basil and additional red pepper flakes too.  Makes about 4 servings.