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!
UrMomCooks says
First, have never oven-fried carrots… will definitely try this one when the carrots start coming from the garden again. (right now, sweet potato fries are taking over!) Second, luv the links to lots of other recipes in the post! Third, a great way to rejuvenate is careful control over foods, sleep and exercise. Takes some concentration and effort but it always gets me back on track in about 2 weeks… hope it helps!
Tina Moody says
Hi Elana,
Kudos to you for making the push required to complete a stellar project.
When I need recovery time (more than a weekend) making my routine fresh, or at least not so predictable helps reorient me to what I need for refreshment. I highly recommend a week of Sabbaths. Our highly complex lives prohibit going into retreat without excessive planning, so, here’s a prolonged process for recovery. Take a Sabbath from cooking one day, a Sabbath from driving another. Refrain from television or computers or telephones or making your bed or any other taxing obligation, just for a day. At the end of the week pick one day, when you have backup arranged, and only do what you want, when you want to. It’s quite revealing and restorative.
May you recover with grace.
Helen says
I find Pilates really helps me center and feel great the rest of the day. I am a little addicted with 5 classes each week but it really helps body chemistry to work out. Hope you get refreshed soon.
Helen
Jennifer says
Boosting Energy:
I find the best and fastest way to get that extra energy is by juicing and/ or some AMAZING green smoothies. Get some of those wheat & barley grasses and alfalfa pumping through the veins and off you go!
My personal fav for a fast kick is a powdered energy drink such as Nu-Greens or Garden of Life Perfect Food (i like the berry)
Good Luck!
Joanne says
I take a nice relaxing hot bath with some lavender scented salts and/or sit in a dry sauna. Not only is it relaxing, but the sweating helps get rid of toxins in the body. An added benefit is how smooth your skin feels afterward!
JAmie says
I was feeling totally exhausted last week. I finished my week off on Friday early, so I came home and had an afternoon nap (felt amazing, never nap during the day). Then spent the rest of the weekend making sure I got lots of sleep (bed at 9pm), light walking in nature, deep stretch yoga, and meditation.
Also, took a computer break for the whole weekend!!
Just what I needed, I am feeling much more like myself today :O)
I have never tried carrot fries before, sounds yummy!
Deanna says
I just made these, leaving them in the oven a little longer than the recipe calls for, which turned them into Shake n’ Steak style shoestring fries. Dip in some Sriracha-infused vegan mayo and you have the best snack EVER. Thank you, Elena!
Nancy Morgan says
When I was desperate for healing of mind and body, I took walks every day, without fail. I fell in love with birding which helped the whole process 10-fold because it kept me in the present…no dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. I just WAS. Even if you don’t like birds, try to notice new things that you never noticed before on your walk each day and you will forget your stress and come home feeling like you just got some R&R.
jennifer wood says
From yoga I learned that rest time is equally as important as the action time. Did you ever hear a yoga teacher say that the resting poses are as important as the pose itself? Think of muscles that actually do the building during the resting time, after the work out. I am sure you are right about needing way more than a weekend to recover – you have to put in as much rest time in as you just put into the work time. Enjoy – it feels so good! Thanks for your great recipes and as many have said – we’ll understand if they don’t come so often…
Joanne says
Playing the piano often does it for me. My Dad used to tell me he knew my mood by what I was playing on the piano and as I started ‘getting the kinks out’ the music would get softer. And the walks or a light jog definitely another cure especially this time of the year with all the bright colors. Your Rockies with the quaking aspen — soothing.
Spending time with the grandchildren who always manage to say something witty and honest.