I’m a bit on the annoyed side today. I’m not one to get mad or angry or even sad about what people say about me or my blog (I’m weird, I know that) but I do get annoyed. And even sometimes offended. But the more I grow and the more people that come across my website and Facebook page, the more people feel as though they should state their opinion. And I get that. We all like to be heard and be the center of attention sometimes. Why the hell do you think I write my blog? Duh. I’m an only child, I scream for attention daily.
BUT there are some things that need to be remembered in this blogosphere. I just made that word up. I write this blog FOR FREE. Everything that goes into this website is FREE to anyone that reads it. If you don’t know what free means, it means you don’t pay to read this blog. I post recipes 4-5 days out of the week because I love it and I want people to have the opportunity to cook good food within the paleo spectrum. I want to show people that it’s not hard and that anyone can do it. I do not charge for my recipes because I want to make paleo easy for people.
That being said, I have never once said that you HAVE to try a recipe or that my recipes are perfect for your diet. Nor do I act like I’m any good at photography. Or perfect when it comes to eating paleo. I just post the recipes of the things I cook because I enjoy those meals and I hope others do too. But no one body is the same. No taste bud is the same. That’s why I say everyone creates their own meaning of paleo.
The jist of it is, stop being rude people. Like jeeez. I’m posting recipes for free and telling stories about my life. I’m not telling you to make my recipes, I’m not telling you how to live your life, and I’m not telling you to even look at my website. I’m just telling you that I really like to consume chocolate covered walnuts, CrossFit, and think about men constantly. And now that I don’t eat nuts, I only have 2 things to really talk about. Crap. My b.
OMG, sh*t just got real serious there. Let’s lighten the mood. GUESS WHAT?! I made it onto CrossFit.com today!! I worked with my good friends Ian and Patrick with Again Faster to create some cooking videos for the CrossFit Journal and I’m so happy to see that they published one! They even have the zone blocks within the recipes in case you follow the zone diet!
Creamy Avocado and Spinach Chicken Pasta
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 1 spaghetti squash, halved lengthwise, seeds removed
- 2 avocados, pits removed
- 6 cups of fresh spinach (or more, if you’d like)
- 1lb chicken, diced
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, stems removed
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- juice of 1 lemon
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon parsley
- 1 tablespoon thyme
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Cut spaghetti squash in half, lengthwise, and remove the excess seeds and strings.
- Place open side down on a baking sheet and cook for 20-25 minutes or until spaghetti squash is soft when you push the skin or the threads easily come out when you take a fork to it.
- While your spaghetti squash cooks, place a tablespoon of olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add two minced garlic cloves to your hot pan and then toss in your spinach. Let your spinach wilt down, then add it to your food processor.
- In the same pan, add your diced chicken and onion to cook down.
- Then add 1/2 tablespoon of parsley, thyme, garlic powder, and a bit of salt and pepper to the pan and mix well.
- While your chicken cooks down, add 2 avocados to your food processor along with your lemon, fresh basil, 1/2 tablespoon of parsley, thyme, and garlic powder and a bit of salt and pepper, to taste. Puree until smooth, then add your 2 tablespoons of your leftover olive oil.
- Once your spaghetti squash is done cooking and cooled, dethread your spaghetti squash and place threads in a large bowl.
- Then add your chicken that has cooked completely through and top off with your spinach and avocado sauce.
- Mix thoroughly and top with a bit of basil.
- Eat it like you mean it!
By the way really enjoy the blog, your humor, and especially your dancing. Keep on the awesome work and remember, “Haters gonna hate.”
Its ok. Somedays we just dont like people.
I take your blog for what it is, just like you just spelled out. And I think its great!!!
Keep up the great job.
I think you are so cute and funny. I love reading your blog and trying recipes. I appreciate your time that you put into the recipes, pics and videos. You go girl cuz you rock! Sooo keep it up, I’m a follower 🙂
Ditto what Rossana said. You’re AWESOME and provide a fantastic resource to all of us with these incredible recipes (and entertaining commentary, which is also solid gold).
Sure, paleo-adapted brownies, and the like, aren’t 100% super-rigid paleo foods. I don’t know many of us who think that they are. However, I can wholeheartedly state that your adaptations keep me from diving, face-first, into a pan of traditional brownies on a monthly basis. Since no one considers old school brownies remotely paleo. I think this is a “win”.
I’m past the stage in my life that I feel a burning need to be “Perfect”. Now I just want to do my best…your recipes help me do that.
I have been waiting for a post like this!! Thanks for all your awesome recipes, my family truly appreciates them!
Juli- For every fool that comments with a critique, there is probably TONS of people who don’t comment with rave reviews. I’ve not commented on your blog before, but I love it! You are real, honest, and fun to read. I LOVE the recipes you share and feel motivated by your enthusiasm for Crossfit and Paleo. Thank you for the culinary and Crossfit inspiration!!
I totally agree! Keep up the great work! I know how hard it is to put your heart and soul into your blog and do it for FREE! I honestly think that people who just want to put others down and complain unnecessarily are just bored with their own lives and jealous. That’s my 2 cents…
I have to say I LOVE your web site! The fact that you are doing all of this (sharing your recipes and even your insight) is so helpful! I just recently was put on the paleo diet by my doctor to loose weight. I have polycystic ovary syndrome, and I was lucky enough to find a doctor who is an MD but also deals with organic medicine. Loosing weight is the key to me getting my hormones back in check, and ever since I started the paleo diet I am feeling so much better. Having a web page and facebook page like yours to refer to has been a such a joy! You have a sarcastic wit (which I adore!), you come across very real, and you have so many wonderful recipes that is giving me the jump start I need when it comes to my paleo journey. Thank you for everything you do!!
p.s. This recipe looks incredible, and I can’t wait to try it!
Eff the haters Juli, you have way more followers who love what you do and are grateful for making Paleo easy, real and fun…of course your critics are jealous…you are a star, changing lives, have will power & ur a good dancer. ok, now i’m jealous! 🙂
Love the creativity of this recipe. Thank you for taking the time to post. I think your pictures are great.
Juli – where are you getting spaghetti squash from in Denver? I’m not seeing any in the stores!
Though it was pointed out to me today that I walked right by the shallots I had been looking for…
Eva,
I don’t know where in Denver you are, but I regularly shop the Safeway @ Evans and Downing, and I can’t remember the last time they didn’t have spaghetti squash, so I think they’re around. I do know that the inventory is vastly different from one store location to another, though. Ask the produce manager if your regular store doesn’t have them. They might start ordering a few if they get requests…
I’ve found it at Vitamin Cottage (in Lakewood). It’s fun to cook with!
I love your blog! Thank you for all your hard work! Mean people suck!