The title is a bit ridiculous. Overwhelming. But there are too many flavors in this dish to be ignored. There are onions in the chutney as well. But another word in that title would have been pure madness. What is a chutney anyways? I think of it as something between a jam and a salsa. So I used to the word. It just felt right.
Ok, I talk about myself a lot on this blog. Probably because it’s MY blog. I know I can be a bit overwhelming and offensive to some, and seem self absorbed to others, but I really write this blog because I know some enjoy it. Whether you have enjoyed my recipes or just liked my stories, I have made some people smile and that means a lot to me. It means even more to me when I receive incredibly kind emails. To know that I have helped someone purely based on talking about my own experiences is pretty incredible. And so I wanted to share one of those emails with you today. This email made me cry because I can relate so closely to this sweet women, Keren.
“I am beyond grateful to have found your hilarious blog. Not only for its tasty recipes and comic relief, but also for the “rando rants” posts that you have put up. As an 18-year-old girl who is still trying to recover from an eating disorder, I don’t think words can fully describe the inspiration that PaleOMG has given me. You help me realize that beauty is certainly not an unnatural size 0 or a starved 22-inch waist; beauty is being strong, passionate, and determined, which is what you are. I am really lucky to have someone like you to look up to..someone who not ONLY has a bright smile and super pretty eyes, but someone who is funny, hardworking, and charismatic. At the end of the day, that is what girls should strive to be, a beautiful person that sparkles from the inside out. Thank you for showing me that. There are days where I still struggle with allowing myself to eat fruits or weighing more than 86 pounds, but I am slowly shifting my definition of beauty each day as I continue to subscribe to your blog. I am looking to start crossfit as soon as I find a good gym in Toronto, Canada. I can’t wait to experience the sense of accomplishment that crossfit has brought you!”
I write this blog because I want others to be inspired to eat better and challenge themselves inside AND outside the gym. Our life is all about what we make of it, what path we choose, and how the amazing people we share that life with. My path has lead me to people like Karen who are changing their lives for the better and believing in themselves, and that’s f*cking awesome. Period.
So it’s time for some fan photos!! Thank you so so much for everyone that has supported this blog and sported a PaleOMG shirt or headband. You all are amazing!
YOU should be in these fan photos! Yes you should! My gear is brought to you by Renegade Fitness who also has some awesome workout clothes! Like their men’s fight shorts! They make your butt look good, like real good. I’m not even kidding. All my guy friends love them and look good in them, even after a workout. You gotta try them and you will be instantly hooked!
But if you haven’t seen my shirts or headband yet, check them out! MEN AND WOMEN can sport them. Yes they can. And then email me a picture or post it on my Facebook page!
Sage Bison Burgers with Balsamic Bacon Apple Chutney
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
For the burgers
- 1lb Ground Bison
- 2 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1–2 tablespoons choice of fat (I used bacon fat)
For the chutney
- 5–6 slices bacon, diced
- 1 red onion, diced
- 1 apple, cored and diced
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons water
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Place large skillet under medium heat and add diced bacon. Cook down until bacon is completely cooked through, then place cooked bacon on a plate with a paper towel and leave 2-3 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan.
- Then add your diced onion to the hot pan and cook down until translucent.
- Next add your apple and mix with onion and cover to let cook for 4-5 minutes.
- Then add your balsamic vinegar and water and a bit of salt and thoroughly mix together until the balsamic vinegar is completely incorporated in.
- While your chutney is finishing cooking, mix your burger ingredients together in a bowl.
- Make 4 burger patties and place burgers in a skillet under medium heat with 1-2 tablespoons of your choice of fat.
- Cook on both sides for about 5-8 minutes or until cooked to preference.
- Place chutney on top of burgers and consume!!
God i love this one! Apples and bacon are two of my favorite things, this is getting made this weekend…might even roast some purple yams along side it for some color. *high five*
Juli,
How do you store your bacon fat? In previous recipes you’ve used bacon fat when there wasn’t bacon in the recipe and I’m curious how you “collect it” when you’ve cooked bacon and how you store it. Thanks!
Hey SJ! I pour my bacon fat into a glass jar and store in the fridge!
And realistically, how long do you keep that bacon fat? I am a bit scared of mine when it gets old, but the smell never goes off, so… does it even go bad ever? Also, you are awesome. 🙂
Forever honestly, I just keep adding to it. I’m not sure if it ever goes bad but it’s seemed fine to me for months upon months
My mom always stored her bacon fat that way too, just kept adding to it. Seemed to work out great for us! I had a buffalo sage burger for breakfast this morning lol. Made them a little differently, with yellow onion, some balsamic and a little almond flour. Didn’t see this post until today but I’m going to try your recipe next time. Love your blog, Juli – hope I bump into you one of these days.
Def teared up reading that email. So awesome that you continue to inspire so many people every day. Keep it up!
Also, you didn’t overdo it with the title. Emailed the link to my brother saying we should make it. His response: “Haven’t even opened the link, but I agree just based on the address” Can’t wait to try!
Finally ordered a headband! Can’t wait to run with it!!
Juli, just started reading your blog and wanted to say thank you for all the good info + entertaining writing.
I’ve been getting back into Crossfit after an injury/work sidelined me for a while, and have been trying to eat better as well, because one doesn’t work without the other.
Just reading your blog inspires to eat healthier, and I’m excited to try out one of your recipes for the first time.
Keep it up!
Hey Juli, any chance Renegade Fitness is going to have a booth set up at Regionals with your shirts?
Sadly no, but I will be selling them from my tent most likely!
Have never done bacon and apples together, I don’t. What a tragic mistake.
JB, thanks for your blog. It is a day-maker every time, and with the right shirt and iPhone camera angle, even this guy can be referred to as a badass.
Juli,
I love you (in a non-lesbian/creepy kinda way) and I just want to say that you also have inspired me to live and be better in everything I do (not just in the food I eat but also in my state of mind)!
Anyway just want to say I know I’m gonna try this soon and its gonna rock so thank you for creating it!
I’d love to also buy one of your tanks but only if it I get the ‘guns’ like you do to go with the shirt 😉
Rock on Ms Juli and o’yeah I sent you an email to a link that has a lot of ideas to use for ‘coconut spread’.
WINNER, WINNER, bison dinner! Made this for dinner tonight and it was fantastico! (I got lucky – hubby grilled the burgers up for us.)
Juli, I have been wanting to post or write you a note as well as your blog lifts me up each and every day from your funny stories, delicious recipes, enthusiasm for fitness, and witty humor. I too am like Karen, and Karen, thank you for your open and honest email. I am 26 and have struggled with an eating disorder since middle school. Although I don’t treat my body like I used to and have fully embraced clean eating and and becoming a workout fanatic, I understand the daily struggle of truly believing you are worth it and beautiful. I just want to thank you Juli for being open and willing to share your journey. And Karen, you are on the right path and remember you are beautiful, strong, and can accomplish whatever you want. I recently got married and for one of the first times in my life I honestly could say I felt beautiful.
Keep on liftin’ and inspiring 🙂