Video Recipe: Sauteed Greens

The Cleanse- Monday November 1

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Feedback from the Cleanse: "Everything was delicious and really helped with controlling my out of control eating habits. I feel a little lost now without it. Would absolutely do it again and again. I feel much better, more energy and hopeful that I can keep it going. Thanks so much for doing it. Please
do it again, soon!"

4 Days of Amazing Meals that omit:

• dairy
• wheat
• grains
• sugar
• red meat

Monday 11/1:

dinner: sea bass with basil mint pesto on a bed of fresh spinach

Tuesday 11/2:

• breakfast: veggie fritatta
  
• snack: side of berries
  
• lunch: mixed greens salad with grilled chicken, kale, red peppers, avocado, sliced almonds, lemon vinaigrette
• dinner: salmon burgers with a side of black beans and mediterranean chard
  

Wednesday 11/3:

• breakfast: hard-boiled egg with guacamole, slice of turkey and tomato
• snack: almonds
  
• lunch: spinach salad with salmon, pecans, apples, seeds, shaved fennel apple cider vinaigrette
• dinner: Spicy Baked Ratatouille
  

Thursday 11/4:

breakfast: veggie frittata
snack: black bean dip with celery sticks

lunch: mixed greens with a side of tuna nicoise salad

• dinner: chicken curry
  

Friday, 11/5

• breakfast: apple with almond butter
• snack: orange
• lunch: butternut squash soup
  
• dinner: herb roasted chicken breast with and seasonal veggies

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note about the cleanse: We usually keep the menu as accurate as possible but there is always a chance we will substitute a different type of fish or produce if the availability changes. We strive to bring you only the BEST ingredients, so if we do change the menu a bit, know that it is to ensure the best quality for you! Let us know if you have any food allergies that would complicate this process :)

ORDER HERE

Garlic Herb Pork Chop

(on the menu October 18!)

This is a quick easy and cheap recipe to make!


Ingredients

• pork chops (however many per person, usually about 6 oz. each)
• fresh herbs (choose whatever is your favorite- thyme, rosemary and parsley work well)
• garlic (one clove per pork chop)
• 1 cup white wine (optional)
  

1. Pre-heat oven to 350
   
2. Mince garlic
   
3. Chop herbs
   
4. Heat a pan over high heat
5. Pat pork dry and cover in the herb/garlic mixture
6. Add a spoonful of olive oil and a spoonful of butter to your pan
7. Add pork chops
8. Leave on each side about 1 minute, until they are seared brown around the edges
   
9. Place pork in oven about 5 minutes, or until pork is cooked through
10. Optional: if you want to get fancy, save the juices from the pan you seared the pork in. Add some white wine and a few sprigs of herbs, and allow to simmer a few minutes. Strain and pour over pork

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It's Back...The EC Cleanse!

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4 Days of Amazing Meals that omit:

• dairy
• wheat
• grains
• sugar
• red meat

Monday 10/11:

dinner: salmon in papillote

Tuesday 10/12:

• breakfast: veggie fritatta
  
• snack: side of berries
  
• lunch: mixed greens salad with grilled chicken, kale, red peppers, avocado, sliced almonds, lemon vinaigrette
• dinner: stuffed tilapia with spinach and sun dried tomatoes
  

Wednesday 10/13:

• breakfast: hard-boiled egg with guacamole, slice of turkey and tomato
• snack: almonds
  
• lunch: spinach salad with salmon, pecans, apples, seeds, shaved fennel apple cider vinaigrette
• dinner: Spicy Baked Ratatouille
  

Thursday 10/14:

breakfast: veggie frittata
snack: hummus with celery and carrots

lunch: mixed greens with a side of tuna salad with apple and basil

• dinner: chili stuffed bell peppers- stuffed with lean ground turkey, beans and tomato
  

Friday, 10/15

• breakfast: apple with almond butter
• snack: orange
• lunch: roasted red pepper soup
  
• dinner: herb roasted chicken breast with and seasonal veggies

promo code: Spice

note about the cleanse: We usually keep the menu as accurate as possible but there is always a chance we will substitute a different type of fish or produce if the availability changes. We strive to bring you only the BEST ingredients, so if we do change the menu a bit, know that it is to ensure the best quality for you! Let us know if you have any food allergies that would complicate this process :)

ORDER HERE

The EC Cleanse- September 6

Happy Labor Day Week!

This week we will be cleansing from a long summer and transitioning into fall. Enjoy!

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Monday 9/6:

dinner: honey chile glazed salmon

Tuesday 9/7:

• breakfast: veggie fritatta
  
• snack: side of berries
  
• lunch: mixed greens salad with grilled chicken, kale, red peppers, avocado, sliced almonds, lemon vinaigrette
• dinner: stuffed tilapia with spinach and sun dried tomatoes
  

Wednesday 9/8:

• breakfast: hard-boiled egg with guacamole, slice of turkey and tomato
• snack: almonds
  
• lunch: spinach salad with salmon, pecans, apples, seeds, shaved fennel apple cider vinaigrette
• dinner: Spicy Baked Ratatouille
  

Thursday 9/9:

breakfast: veggie frittata
snack: hummus with celery and carrots

lunch: mixed greens with a side of tuna salad with apple and basil

• dinner: chili stuffed bell peppers- stuffed with lean ground turkey, beans and tomato
  

Friday, 9/10

• breakfast: apple with almond butter
• snack: orange
• lunch: black bean soup
  
• dinner: herb roasted chicken breast with and seasonal veggies

ORDER HERE

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note about the cleanse: We usually keep the menu as accurate as possible but there is always a chance we will substitute a different type of fish or produce if the availability changes. We strive to bring you only the BEST ingredients, so if we do change the menu a bit, know that it is to ensure the best quality for you! Let us know if you have any food allergies that would complicate this process :)

Depressing Dieting

As a 25 year old engaged female I am constantly bombarded with diet advertising. Just about every Facebook ad on my sidebar is about the newest trend in dieting. Here is the latest one I noticed this morning:

"The Wedding Diet, Look Great For Your Big Day!"

And when you click on it, you are redirected to an affiliate site that claims you will lose 15 lbs in 30 days by taking an Acai berry supplement.

When logging on to bride message boards there are hundreds of posts from brides looking for quick fixes through crash diets. Here's one I noticed from a bride getting married in 9 months:

"For the longest time, I have felt like I am never going to lose weight. I feel as if I am doomed to be chubby forever. I feel really discouraged. Any advice for how to get things rolling in the right direction? "

Standing at the grocery store check out I notice the new O magazine by Oprah. Every month she's a yo-yo, gaining weight and then the next month advertising how to lose it.

It can be overwhelming with all of the different advice out there. Do you cut carbs, count calories, take supplements, what?

I'm not a nutritionist, dietitian or expert, but can only give advice based on my personal experiences. From a girl who went from being 25 lbs heavier in high school and college, eating Slimfast bars every morning and laboriously counting calories, I can tell you that it doesn't have to be so difficult. Simply by sticking to a lifestyle of natural foods and exercise you can feel and look amazing.

This is why I developed the EC Cleanse. Four days of eating all natural foods will surely get you in the habit of this healthy lifestyle. Once you gt used to it, your body will crave those natural foods. The rest is easy!

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Cleanse 2

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Feedback from the last Cleanse: "Everything was delicious and really helped with controlling my out of control eating habits. I feel a little lost now without it. Would absolutely do it again and again. I feel much better, more energy and hopeful that I can keep it going. Thanks so much for doing it. Please
do it again..., soon!"

The last cleanse was so popular that we are doing it again Monday August 9! We have taken your feedback and tweaked the menu a little bit. Check it out and tell your friends. The better turnout we get, the more often we can offer the cleanse!

4 Days of Amazing Meals that omit:

• dairy
• wheat
• grains
• sugar
• red meat
  

Monday 8/9:

dinner: salmon on a bed of spinach with honey chile glaze

Tuesday 8/10:

• breakfast: veggie fritatta
  
• snack: side of berries
  
• lunch: mixed greens salad with grilled chicken, kale, red peppers, avocado, sliced almonds, lemon vinaigrette
• dinner: wild Alaskan cod or halibut with basil mint pesto and sauteed spinach
  

Wednesday 8/11:

• breakfast: hard-boiled egg with guacamole, slice of turkey and tomato
• snack: almonds
  
• lunch: spinach salad with salmon, pecans, apples, seeds, shaved fennel apple cider vinaigrette
• dinner: lettuce wraps with chicken breast, shaved carrots, sesame seeds, green onions, broccoli, red peppers

Thursday 8/12:

breakfast: veggie frittata
snack: orange

lunch: mixed greens with a side of tuna salad with basil and apples

• dinner: chili stuffed bell peppers- stuffed with lean ground turkey, beans and tomato
  

Friday, 8/13

• breakfast: apple with almond butter
• snack: hummus with celery and carrots
  
• lunch: veggie soup (veggie broth, tomatoes, carrots, celery, tomato, onion, garlic)
  
• dinner: grilled chicken breast with seasonal veggies
  

Please note that I am not a doctor. I am not here to give any type of medical advice. I am just here to provide yummy food that will make you feel amazing.

ORDER HERE

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Hunter-Gatherer Interview

Check out this great interview about the paleo movement with my friend John Durant, the urban caveman!!

He tells you why it's such a great idea to Eat Like a Caveman :)

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Want to Cleanse?

EC Launches a series of cleansing. The first one starts mid-July. Sign up for the waiting list with kat (kat@EvolutionCatering.com)

Here's last week's Cleanse Menu:

Thur 6/24:

• lunch: mixed greens salad with grilled chicken, kale, red peppers, avocado, sliced almonds
dinner: salmon (3 oz) on a bed of spinach with black pepper and lemon

Fri 6/25:

• lunch: mixed greens salad with chicken, walnuts, peas, cilantro, mint and a lemon vinaigrette
• dinner: wild Alaskan cod or halibut with basil mint pesto and wilted southern greens

Sat 6/26:

• lunch: spinach salad with salmon, pecans, apples, seeds, shaved fennel apple cider vinaigrette
• dinner: lettuce wraps with chicken breast, shaved carrots, sesame seeds, green onions, broccoli, red peppers

Sun 6/27:

lunch: crudite platter (fresh cut seasonal veggies with a red pepper dipping sauce, side of sliced turkey)
• dinner:stir fry with chicken, mushrooms, snap peas, onion, red peppers, broccoli

Mon, 6/28

• lunch: chicken vegetable soup (veggie broth, chicken, kale, carrots, celery, tomato, onion, garlic, squash)
• dinner: grilled chicken breast (3oz) with mango salsa (mango, red onion, cliantro) steamed seasonal vegetables

The Calorie Question

Clients and potential clients often ask me "do you list the calories in your food?".

A simple answer is "NO"

But to go a bit deeper I will explain why I don't advertise this information:

I used to be a strict calorie counter. I also used to be over 20 lbs. heavier and a whole lot less happy. Today I am at my optimum weight and have not looked at a single calorie listing in over 2 years.

I guess I should also disclose that most of the time I stick to a meat, fish and produce diet. Although I will have a carb every now and then it is definitely the exception and not the rule.

The thing I love so much about this food lifestyle (note I avoid the negative connotation of the word 'diet') is that I can eat as much meat, fish and produce as I want to without ever looking at a calorie count. I find this way of life so refreshing from the traditional restrictive dieting. And I feel healthy, vibrant and alive!

So back to the business...if a client requests the calorie count or other nutritional information I will happily hand it over. But I don't voluntarily post it simply because it is not what I like to focus on. Instead of running the numbers, eat fresh natural foods to your heart's content. Your body will thank you for it!

Read up on what Mark Sisson says about calorie counting here

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Grains- who needs them?

I read an interesting article from our friend Mark Sisson of the Primal Blueprint. He explains a step by step guide to weaning off grains. Check it out here

I cut most grains out of my diet because I feel amazing and energetic when I avoid them. But when I am at a party or social gathering I will often indulge in them, which leaves me lethargic, inflamed and craving more and more carbs- I call it a 'carb hangover'.

When recovering from a carb hangover I have learned to stop cold turkey and fill my body with as much meat and vegetables as possible. If I fill up on the good stuff, I am satisfied, and do not even want that carbohydrate anymore. The trick is to get through that first day of the carb hangover. And then I feel so healthy and vibrant that I don't even want to go back to the grains.

Try a grain-free diet for a few days and see how it feels!

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Camp Food Ideas

Camp Food

Everything tastes better when you eat it in the beautiful scenery of the great outdoors. And while preparing a meal with natural ingredients may seem like a lot of work it is just so much more satisfying than a can of Chef Boyardee Raviolis. I just got back from a camping trip over Memorial Day Weekend, and wanted to share some fun camp food cooking recipes.
We made all three of these meals with just the following:

• a campfire
• fry pan, cook stove
• olive oil
• s&p
• the ingredients in the recipe.

• Hamburgers: Buy pre-made burger patties, or make your own! Wrap them up in an air-tight container and stash them between plenty of ice. Bring onion, tomatoes, lettuce, avocado, and anything else you might want. You can pre-slice the veggies ahead of time and pack them in plastic baggies. Grill the burgers right on the grates, or in a pan. If you use a pan, throw the sliced onion in there once you have a bit of burger grease built up. Add some salt and let those onions caramelize. Let everyone make their own burgers with whatever toppings they like best!

• Tacos: Make some meat ahead of time and shred it up with some spices like chile powder. You can use whatever you have, or whatever's cheap. Pack it up in vacuum sealed bags, or even a tupperware. Pack it in your cooler w/ plenty of ice. Shred up some cheese and slice some veggies ahead of time too. Bring salsa, guacamole, and tortillas. We even brought a can of black beans and pre-cooked brown rice from Trader Joes. And heated it up in the pan with the meat. To make the tortillas extra good, throw them on the grates over the open fire til they get a little charred on the outside.

• Egg Scramble: Bring sausage, bacon, onion, whatever you'd like, and cook it in a pan over the grates of the open fire. Crack the eggs into the pan and scramble it up! Pick up some instant coffee from Starbucks and heat up some water for a hot cup of coffee. Your camp-mates will be so thankful to wake up to a hot breakfast.

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Chicken with Goat Cheese and Almonds

Chicken with Goat Cheese and Almonds from Katherine Strange on Vimeo.

Kat makes an Evolution Catering favorite in under 3 minutes

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What to eat for Easter??

If you are like me, when a holiday is approaching my first question is "What treats do I get to eat that day??"

Maybe it's because I am slightly obsessed with food, or maybe it's because holidays seem to revolve around food in my opinion. But as much as I love to pig out on sweets and carbs for festive occasions, is it really worth it?

I looked back into my blog archives and found a post from one year ago called "Easter Sunday Sugar Slump", which basically recaps the unhealthy food choices I made and how bad it made me feel. So what will I be cooking this Easter? There's an angel on my right shoulder saying to skip the carbs, but the devil on my left is reminding me of how good bread pudding tastes.

I guess we'll have to see how disciplined I'm feeling this weekend. I think my goal will be too stay 90% paleo, but to indulge in a few bites of my favorite treats. After all, the first bite is always the best, right?? No need to eat a whole cobbler like last year!

IF you have decided to stay paleo this weekend, here are 2 great brunch items to make for your guests: Paleo Spinach Bacon Omelette and Paleo Breakfast Sandwiches

IF you have decided to give into the devil this holiday, here is a recipe for an amazing recipe you don't see too often in California. Here is my favorite biscuits and gravy recipe to share w/ your family this weekend. It's one of my favorite indulgent brunch ideas.

What will you be eating this Easter Sunday??

Have a great weekend,

Kat

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Molasses Glazed Pork

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KAT bars

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Point Reyes Trip

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Paleo Spinach Bacon Omelette

This is my first video, so the footage is a little rough. I will work on my video editing skills :)

Winter Veggie Soup-Available for order this week!

Winter Veggie Soup

Although I didn't over-indulge quite as bad as past Thanksgivings, I was no angel on Thursday. That's why this soup is meant to cleanse the body of any residual puffiness, and get me back on track to an EF lifestyle.

Ingredients

• carrots
• butternut squash
• onion
• tomatoes
• vegetable stock
• kale, chopped
  

Directions

1. Roast carrots, squash, onions and tomatoes until tender
2. Puree veggies, except for carrots (you can leave them chunky)
   
3. Mix in equal parts stock
4. Add kale
   
5. Simmer 30 mins.

This recipe was inspired by Simply Recipes. I switched some things around to make it a little cleaner and more EF

Promo Code: STOCK

Bacon Broccoli Salad- Available for order this week

A great snack that will fill you with nutrients and get you through the day. Think about how you'll feel after having this compared to a bag of chips!

Ingredients (6 servings)

• broccoli florets- 1 lb.
• mayo- 4 tbsp.
• red wine vinegar- 2 tbsp.
• pecans, toasted- a handful
• red onion or shallot, minced, 4 tbsp.
• bacon, cooked and crumbled- 4tbsp.

Directions

1. blanch broccoli, allow to cool
   
2. toss with as much mayo to thinly coat the broccoli
   
3. toss with everything else

voila, quick and easy!

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