My boys love these Paleo Carrot French Fries hot out of the oven. I like baking them as it eliminates the messy splattering that results from the typical preparation of French fries –frying.
Speaking of messes, I feel like I’m cleaning up a lot of them these days. Writing a book this summer really threw me for a loop. First, I wasn’t entirely planning on it. Second, I spent just about every waking (and too many that should have been sleeping) moment(s) on the book. Now I’m feeling worn out and tired, and oh so cranky. I’m realizing that pushing myself this hard is not good and that getting back into balance will take more than one restful weekend –it might take a couple of months, or even longer.
What do you do to take care of yourself when you are feeling off kilter? Let’s have a chat (in the comments section) and toss around our ideas. Right now, I’m focusing on eating a lot of protein, getting to sleep early and taking long slow walks. Do any of you have other strategies to share? Go ahead, let’s hear ’em!
Carrot French Fries
Ingredients
- 6 large carrots
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon celtic sea salt
Instructions
- Cut each carrot into 2-inch long sections
- Cut each section into thin sticks
- In a large bowl toss carrot sticks with olive oil and salt
- Spread out carrot sticks on a parchment paper lined baking sheet
- Bake at 425°F for 18-22 minutes until carrots are browned
If you’re looking for other healthy vegetable recipes, Elise at Simply Recipes has one for Roasted Parsnips that looks incredible. Below is a photo of my carrot fries before the boys got their hands on ’em! I hope you enjoy these Paleo Carrot French Fries as much as we do.
And, in terms of the book that I just wrote, Gluten-Free Cupcakes: 50 Irresistible Recipes Made with Almond and Coconut Flour
Update: check out my nut-free Paleo Chocolate Cupcake recipe made with only 7 ingredients!
Linda says
Perfect timing for this discussion… I’ve been feeling over-whelmed and off kilter the past couple of weeks due to health and family issues. Hoping to try some of these suggestions to go with what I’ve been doing. I’ve found that the proverbial ‘Calgon’ bath helps some, even better if you can listen to favorite kind of music, have a glass of wine, and if you need a good cry, let it out then. It’s especially helpful close to bedtime since it helps me sleep better. I also relieve stress by clearing out closets, dressers,& shelves & donating to local charities. Hoping to do that with the pantry and freezer this week. Naps are good too but mine always seem to get interrupted by phone calls, dogs barking, or appointments to be kept in middle of the day. Plus my mind works overtime on all the things I should or could be doing so falling asleep doesn’t come easy.
Now’s a good time to make sure you get plenty of rest, eat healthy, and get some exercise since cold and flu season is here.
Thanks Elana for some great recipes, I’m looking forward to trying so many of them. I went shopping today and bought a small bag of Almond Flour just to get started sooner on some of your other recipes. I’m ordering more online. This week I’m going to attempt to make the Rosemary Crackers:-)
Sarah says
Hey Elana! As with the others, I too want to let you know how much we all appreciate you and your hard work. We won’t be hurt if you need some time off! What I do tends to depend on what kind of out of whack I am. A hot bath followed by tea for body aches, yoga and meditation for stress, picking an exotic recipe and making it when I haven’t been spending enough time in the kitchen (probably not the best option for now:), and my standard is just picking an activity I want to do (movie, read a book, watch a certain tv show, dinner with a friend, red wine and chocolate, etc) and “schedule” a time for it. If it’s 8 pm, then all of my other to dos for the day have to be done by then or wait for tomorrow.
Gluten Free Nomad says
Oh, and since we’re talking R&R here’s a page with some very easy stress reduction tips: http://www.squidoo.com/stressreductionsimplified
And some very funny videos. Laughter really helps!
Enjoy!
Pat
Gluten Free Nomad says
What a great idea Elana! I’ve had roasted carrots and love them, especially when they get a little caramelized, but never thought to make them into fries…
Nancy says
Eating GF goes along with your adrenals. A saliva cortisol test is always a good idea. Ones can be found that you can order yourself at http://www.stopthethyroidmaddness.com, under lab work.
It is good to see if you are running to high or low on the cortisol at different times of the day and evening, and then work to correct it with supplements.
Elana, i know you must have pushed yourself to do the cookbook. So some R & R is necessary. It can be different for everyone.
Karen says
Baths with epsom salts and hydrogen peroxide to help detox, make sure I get my sleep in (always the first thing to go it seems), eat healthy, and slow down. One thing I try to remember is to schedule time with friends doing fun activities outside the normal things we do. Go somewhere that has great music, meet for tea in the sunshine (or as close to it as I can get), take a trip to the coast (an hour) for a change of scenery. I am an introvert so I tend to stay home but I am finding that some quality time well spent with a good friend is a sweet gift and recharges me. I will pass on a party with lots of people though…. Good music in the background or just watching the leaves fall on a walk. Little things. And kitty loves. Petting my cat is relaxing for me.
charity dasenbrock says
I make myself lie down for a bit, with my legs propped up on pillows or lie on the floor with my legs up against the wall. Always revives me. water drinking. really monitoring the sugar intake. I think those carrot fries would help too. Yum.
the blissful baker says
yum! what a delicious, healthy snack!
Julie says
Mmmm, The kids and I love roasted carrots.
When I’m feeling worn down, I take the kids and our crazy border collie to the dog park just down the street from our house. I usually sip on some water kefir mixed with lemon juice (with a bit of stevia) and just enjoy watching the girls and the dog run around with the other dogs. Total entertainment.
I find that the water kefir is very soothing to my stomach, and the children enjoy it too. You can order the water kefir culture from http://www.culturesforhealth.com
Jenna says
I hope you start feeling rested soon, Elana! Getting to bed earlier, eating well and taking long slow walks (as you have already begun to incorporate) seem to be very helpful to me as well! When I am feeling overly busy and cranky, I also love to schedule in a pedicure (during slow hours at the salon so that it’s nice and quite in there!) and some quite one-on-one time with my husband as well as a good 30 minute nap once a week or so until I feel recovered. I also find it necessary to spend time reading my bible and praying to the Lord.