A Year in Review and a 2nd Recipe Too!!!

Snowed in...what better to do than reflect on a great year and mess around in the kitchen!

So....I missed my 6 month CrossFitversary...I'm sorry baby!  I can't believe how the time has flown by!! I'm not quite as strong as I thought I'd be 6 months in, but looking back and where I started, I have to pat myself on the back!  I'm two pants sizes smaller...probably 10-15lbs of FAT lighter and a heck of a lot stronger than where I started!  (My next post will have before and after pics with exact measurements!)  I remember not being able to hardly overhead squat the PVC pipe and last week I got 108lbs (I think I could have gotten more ;) !!  Besides the obvious health and looks benefits of my 6 month journey with CrossFit and overall better health, I feel like I have gained more confidence, pride, and an ability to put myself outside of my comfort zone!
Looking back on years past and new years resolutions I've made and EVERY year...it has been to lose 20lbs!  Not that I don't have 10 or so left I'd like to lose, I'm happy to NOT have that goal this year and hopefully never have a weight loss resolution again!
Goals for 2014-
Eat Clean
PR every time we max out (is this unreasonable?)
Make it to the top of the rope every time I climb it!
Master body weight moves
Be more supportive and listen more
Keep my room clean :)
Make new recipes and be more accurate with the measurements so I can share them with all of you!....transition to my recipe..

So, I have recently signed up for Green Bean Delivery (a grocery delivery service that delivers organic and local (when they can) groceries in Indianapolis).  I have opted to get the fruit and veggie bin and not look at what is coming in my bin!  This way I am forced to get creative in the kitchen AND make sure I'm varying the foods that I eat!

My last two bins I have gotten each had full heads of cauliflower.  I have seen a lot of recipes calling for riced cauliflower as a substitute for rice in dishes, soooooooo I put those bad boys in the food processor and bagged them for stir fry!  After having a delicious cauliflower soup at Cerulean (if you haven't been there...do yourself a favor and go!), I decided to try out a soup....here is what I came up with!

Paleo?? Coconut Curry Cauliflower Soup

Cook Time: However long it takes you to cook it

Serves: However many people eat it :)

1 1/2 Tbs bacon grease

1 Tbs coconut oil

1/2 yellow onion finely chopped

2 to 3 cloves of garlic finely chopped

1 head of cauliflower finely chopped

1 can of coconut milk (Canned is very important!!! Taste of Thai or Thai Kitchen) Do NOT get low fat!

1/2 cup coconut milk original flavor from the carton (like Silk brand)

1 1/2 tsp Red Curry or more...I probably used more (do this to your taste)

1 tsp cayenne pepper (also more if you like a little more heat, although the red curry is a bit spicy)

salt and pepper to taste

Saute onion and garlic in a pot over medium heat in the combination of coconut oil and bacon grease.  When onions have become soft and translucent, add in the chopped cauliflower and canned coconut milk.  This is where you can get all crazy with the spices.  I said 1 1/2 tsp of red curry, but I probably ended up using more...this is to be made however you'd like to eat it, so taste as you go and YOU decide!  After you've got it nice and spiced the way that you like it, choose your own adventure....do you prefer a chunkier soup or a creamier soup??? If you are like me and prefer a creamier soup, let the soup cool slightly and place it in the food processor or blender and blend adding coconut milk from the carton until it is at your desired texture!  

I garnished with additional red curry on top to make it pretty!  I think it would be really yummy with something crispy on top like a fried leek or bacon crumbles!

Hope you enjoy! Please comment with any tips or modifications you have to the recipe.  These are all approximate recipes, so I apologize if any of the measurements are off!  As far as the spices go, you could take this is any direction you want to go.  If you like spicy...try the curry...if you are earthier try some cumin or nutmeg!