Paleo and Whole30 Butternut Squash Meatball Soup

Need a hug in a bowl?

It's February and that usually means all things couples. Sticking with this month's theme here is a great recipe to cook together (but very easy to do solo too). This savory meatball soup is not only easy to prepare, it delicious.

As usual, I will have some chronic pain and illness warrior tips.

Paleo and Whole30 Butternut Squash Meatball Soup
Grab a buddy if you have one available.

Ingredients:
1 large yellow onion coarsely chopped
4 carrots, cut in half lengthwise and then cut into 1/4" half moons.
1 bag of frozen butternut squash
1 T of tomato paste
1 can of Rotel
1 4oz can of Green Chilies
4 cups of Chicken Bone Broth
1 bunch of fresh cilantro
1 lb of ground beef
1 lb of ground pork
1 egg
1 lime
1 bag of shredded coleslaw mix
1 cup of pepitas (raw pumpkin seeds)




Meatball Spices
1T of cumin
1 t of granulated garlic
1/2 t of Mexican oregano
1/2 t of smoked paprika
salt and pepper to taste

Make it!

If you have a buddy, have them prep the meatballs while you are chopping vegetables. Regardless, prep the Meatball Spices. In a small bowl whisk together the meatball spices and set aside. My Mother-in-law recently mentioned she couldn't find Mexican Oregano in Georgia so here is some if you can't find it in your store.




In a large sauce pot on med-high heat, warm about 2 T of avocado or olive oil until hot. While oil is heating coarsely chop the onion. Add the onion to the pot and stir occasionally while peeling and chopping the carrots. Add the carrots and the bag of butternut squash to the onions and stir well. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cook vegetables until soft and then add in 1 T of tomato paste. Stir to coat the veggie in the tomato paste. Add in the Rotel and green chilies. Stir. Add in the chicken bone broth. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 5 to 6 minutes.

While waiting for the soup to boil, prep the meatballs (or have your partner do it while you work on the soup).

Drain any excess liquid from the beef and pork and then pat dry. In a large bowl, using your hands mix together the beef, pork, egg, and spice mix. Form into 2-inch meatballs, just a smidge smaller than a golf ball. The meatballs make 2 servings, approx. 40 meatballs. We put 20 on a baking sheet covered in wax paper and froze them for a repeat meal later on.

Bring the soup back up to a boil and carefully drop in 20 of the meatballs. Reduce to a simmer, cover the pot and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes.

While the meatballs cook prepare the lime and cilantro.

Cut off the two "pointy" ends of the lime and then cut into wedges. Wash and coarsely chop the cilantro. Get out the coleslaw mix and the pepitas.

When the soup is done, serve in bowls topped with the coleslaw mix, a sprinkle of pepitas, and garnish with cilantro and a lime wedge.

Serves 4. I'm going to adapt this for the instant pot so I will have an update out when I do!




Enjoy!

8 Last Minute Ideas for Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! As I mentioned last week, I used to hate Valentine's Day. However, after meeting #leohusband I have come around to love it just as much as the next sap. He used to be all things in charge of Valentine's because he loves to surprise me but since I've started working from home that has made surprises difficult. A couple of years ago I suggested that we switch back and forth each year as to who plans Valentine's. Type A personality, yours truly, of course I've already planned out our Valentine's....

You totally forgot to plan something for Valentine's didn't you?

via GIPHY

Oh Snap!


I know some of you out there may be scrambling for ideas last minute to celebrate so without further ado, I'm going to dive in.

8 Last Minute Ideas for Valentine's Day

1. Forgot to Make Reservations???

Offer to Cook Dinner for your Spouse that night. Whichever partner does the cooking...let them take the night off if you didn't make dinner plans. Look up a recipe on Food Network or Pinterest, leave work early, stop at the grocery store and pick up the ingredients, and head home. I'm not assuming this one is just for the men to do the cooking because we have a couple bff where he is the main cook.

Most places have an oven so try my super simple Paleo and Whole30 Pork Chop Sheet Pan Dinner or my Sheet Pan Smoked Paprika Chicken

2. Picnic in Your Living Room

Pick up some to-go food from your favorite place, grab a blanket and a bottle of wine. Lay the blanket out in the living room and have an indoor picnic. No fireplace? Pick up a variety of candle sizes or a bunch of tea lights and float them in mason jars around the two of you. All of which you can get at WalMart or the dollar store. Just don't burn the place down! Safety first!

It's cute, intimate, and thoughtful.

3. Enough with the Chocolate, Ugh!

I'll clue you in on a teensy little fact, if I want chocolate, I'm a grown ass woman, I can get chocolate whenever I damn well please.

Our first Valentine's my husband got me a variety of cake pops which was awesome because it's something I'd never just go out and get for myself. So if you are going to go with yummy treats as your last minute gift, get something original. Stop at a bakery, not the grocery store, which will make it seem as you put more thought into what you are getting. Hell, even Starbucks has cake pops.

4. A Rose By Any Other Name

Did you know that flower's have meaning? Check out Wiki's Plant Symbolism chart and find something original and unique to describe your relationship and then head to a florist, an actual florist (or call around first to see if they have what you want) and pick it up on your way home.

If it's a new relationship then go with Daffodils since it means new begginings and tell them that. It will seem much more meaningful than the grocery store stock red roses, even if it's last minute. They'll never know.

Hot and spicy? Red Tulips for Passion

Your 40th Valentines together? Lavender for Devotion

You get the idea...see it's not hard to put a little thought into it!

5. Forgot to Book the Baby Sitter?

I'll be honest this one is for the ladies, usually because they end up being the caregiver, but I have ideas for Mr. Mom so hold on tight.

For the mom's: Get the kids involved in pampering Mom by just leaving her alone for an hour. After dinner, go draw her a bubble bath or bath bomb, whatever they are into. Light some candles and steer her into the bathroom. Let her know she gets a completely undisturbed hour or more, again whatever, to relax.

You take the kids and for Pete's sake don't let them near her.

For the Mr. Mom's: What do they love to do interrupted, other than that, because sexy time is probably happening anyway after your kids go to bed. Xbox? Reading? An hour of uninterrupted social media binging? Give it 5 minutes of thought and it will come to you.

via GIPHY

6. Conquer That To Do

Is there something your significant other has been asking you to do for days, weeks, months or even years? Do it.

It may not seem like a gift but just getting something off their plate that they have been asking for, for eons, will show that you A. Care B. Listen and C. Give them peace of mind that they do not have to bother you about it anymore.

If #leohusband is reading this we have a ceiling fan and bidet attachment that have been sitting in our bedroom for over a year that needs installing. Hint Hint.

via GIPHY

7. Adopt

Been thinking about getting a furry friend for a while?

Make this Valentine's Special by bringing home a new buddy. Check the hours for local dog adoption shelters or events and go get a wonderful new addition to your family. It will be a Valentine's to remember for years. I remember as a child getting our family poodle on Valentine's when I was 6. That's a memory that will last and also benefit someone else, with fur.

via GIPHY

8. Delay Celebrations

You can always postpone Valentine's to the weekend to give you more time, but make sure you get a card and plan something good!

10 Things to Try for Knots in Your Neck and Shoulders

Knots in your neck and shoulders, we all have them, and lately because I've been working on healing my rotator cuff injory, mine are really talking to me.

There was one night this past week where my traps were so tight and my knots so painful I couldn't even lower my shoulders. All I wanted to do was stab something into this spot of tension between my shoulder and neck.

I knew something had to give because I was not backing down on my shoulder physical therapy. Remember the "to the cloud" commercials? I always think that when I go to YouTube.

To the YouTube!

10 Things to Try for Knots in Your Neck and Shoulders

Seriously though, they have everything. Want to knit a hat? They've got it. Learn to prepare eel? They've got it. YouTube is amazing and it's no wonder Google owns it. For me it's the new Google, mostly because I learn visually, to watching a video is a sure fire way for me to make sure I've got something down.

I found this gem in a moment of despiration and after doing all the things listed in the video I actually did feel temporary relief. I also made a reflexology appointment, chiropractor, and acupuncture appointment. Did I say I was so over my shoulder pain because I sure as hell meant it. Anyway, this guy is brillant. Like his video, subscribe to his channel Tone and Tighten, and click the bell to get notified of his new videos. I can't wait to dig through his library to see what else he has.

5 Favorite Bullet Journal Supplies

I'm now in my third year of bullet journaling and loving it. It really has brought so much clarity to my life, my health, and my production.

One of my old students is doing one and texted me to ask what my favorite supplies are because I guess he was so over using highlighters.

I get it, you've invested your initial time into a bujo and realize you're hooked. Now you want to upgrade and invest in your supplies.

I'll be honest, you can sink quite a bit of money into one. I went crazy when I first got mine. I bought stamps, ink, markers, washi tape, stencils, etc...

The list could go on and on but by my third year, I know what I use on a consistent basis enough where I could actually give away some of my bujo planning items I used in the beginning. However, now that I actually have a desk and a place to journal, I may use some of those more tedious supplies again.

If you are looking to bullet journal on a budget check out 5 Ways to Bullet Journal on a Budget.
5 Favorite Bullet Journal Supplies

These are my go tos for bullet journaling every setup and on a daily basis.



1. Tombow Markers

Tombow's are beautiful markers that do not bleed through your bullet journal pages. They blend amazingly well and are self-cleaning. What do I mean about self-cleaning, well remember when you were a kid and someone used your yellow Crayola marker on something dark and it was ruined for life? Well, that is not going to happen with these.

2. Sakura Pigma Micron Pens

These pens come in a variety of nib sizes from super small to large bullet tip and brushes. They are permanent archival ink and have the blackest blacks I've ever seen in a pen. They also last a decent while if you take care of them.

3. Staedtler Fine Liners

These super fine markers come in a beautiful 36 color pack. I love these for doing detail drawing work in my bujo. These are for everyone but I definitely recommend them for anyone that likes to get creative in their bullet journal with designs and doodles.

4. Compass

There are a lot of stencils out there but I use this one for just about everything. It has a straight edge that I can use to keep my lines crisp. Makes circles look awesome from large to small. I also feel it gives you that professional touch to the overall look and feel of your journal.

5. Get a Weekly Layout Stencil

I know I get bogged down in trying to figure out dimensions, spaces, and dots. Sometimes it is tiring just figuring out what to put where and how to evenly space it. There are so many weekly layout stencils to choose from on Amazon and Etsy. Look around and find one that you like.

7 Steps for Learning to Live with Joy

I am learning to really live with Joy and Gratitude because I honestly think it's going to help with my pain.

That sounds weird simply because I have always thought I have been happy but the truth of the matter is that I'm not.

I have been coming to this conclusion for a while now, and what really blows my mind is that I don't think I've ever been joyful and happy. I don't know how to live in joy.

Sure I've had joyous moments like getting accepted to grad school, meeting my husband, getting engaged, getting married. However, I don't actually live in joy. Joy in the good times and the bad.

My mom always told me when I was growing up the story of the wrecked car. You can be happy and have a wrecked car or you can be upset and have a wrecked car, but either way, you have a wrecked car.

I couldn't ever do it though. I have been a slave to my emotional state since, um, forever.

7 Steps for Learning to Live with Joy
I've completed You Are The Placebo and am clued into the fact that to get out of pain I have to literally become a completely different person. Living in negativity for my entire life got me here, I turned on genes that are damaging by being addicted to stress and when tragedy struck, pain.

That's right.

Addicted.

You know how I truly figured this out in the last week?!? I honestly have been doing so well with my pain and working on transitioning to my new positive self that I totally sabotaged this direction by thinking that #leohusband is secretly having an affair everytime he works late.

How insane is that?

via GIPHY

I'm doing better in my consistency and my positivity that my brain simply said no I need stress like a crack whore on the street.

I want to bitch slap my conscious brain so hard.

Honestly though, how do you live each day in joy?

Well, this is what has worked for me.

1. Happy Memories

I like to first conjure up a moment of pure joy. Oftentimes I picture me walking down the aisle toward my soon to be husband. As soon as I came out I peeked around the corner because I just couldn't wait to see him. We locked eyes and it took my breath away.

I can feel the overwhelming happiness enter my chest and almost explode out of my limbs. Everything is affected and I feel my energy change. I feel lighter.

2. Joy for All Occasions

I know what you are thinking, how can I be joyful all the damn time? Well, it's a choice. I had a ton of stuff planned to do today. In fact, I even had this post completely written out and somehow deleated it. After one choice word, I reached inside and pulled up some joy. I was able to recover and not go into Disterville USA. The old me (literally a few days ago) would have bemoaned the rest of the day losing all that good writing.

So I turned to laundry, and I know what you are thinking, seriously Adina, how does laundry bring you joy?

A. First go watch Tidying Up with Marie Kondo (which is a joy bringer in and of itself)
B. It feels good to pour love into and thank my clothes

3. Breathe and Step Back

Part of this journey of learning to pull those joyful feelings up throughout the day is forgiving yourself when you fail. Be flexible with your emotions and don't feel guilty for a slip back into negativity. I've spent the last 30+ years being negative, this is going to be a long process. For instance, the day I had my breakthough I ended up driving almost 200 miles around my city.

via GIPHY

There's nothing like a little road rage to put you new positive, joyful, mindset like terrible traffic. When someone cut me off I felt that negativity and anger fill me and then I took a breath and pulled up that joy. I told myself that I actually had plenty of time to get where I'm going but the person ahead of me might not. I didn't berate myself for my slip.

4. Know your Triggers

Learning to live with joy everyday is also about knowing your triggers. Too much on my plate is mine. I feel overwhelmed and that leads to stress. Negative people could be one as well, or surrounding yourself with drama...sorry Handmaid's Tale you are just going to have to be put on the back burner.

via GIPHY

5. Immerse Yourself in Happiness

On that note, drive into fun and happiness. Start a family game night or spend time with entertainment that makes you laugh. We've started watching Brooklyn 99 and it's one of the funniest shows I've ever watched. You know the old addage about The Laughing Cure where the man healed himself from cancer by immersing himself in comedies. Then try it for you.

via GIPHY

6. Practice

So let's recap. To live in joy remember one of your happiest moments. Feel that feeling. Then try in 5 minutes to bring up that feeling without the memory. Practice throughout the day. If you don't succeed the first time then repeat the memory or try a different one and start again. Practice bringing up the joy throughout the day, especially if it's a task you don't want to do. Try bringing up the joy first. I find it amazing for my energy level as well as my ability to do more throughout the day.

via GIPHY

7. Bring Someone on your Journey

Tell friends and family, journey's are always more fun when shared with others. You are changing into a new, more positive person. Who do you want to bring on this journey? It will benefit the both of you more than you know.

via GIPHY

Tell me about your Joy Journey in the comments!

Paleo and Whole30 Tex Mex Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

For some reason last week was all about the last minute dinners. I meal planned but didn't prep because my prepping buddy was gone on a business trip...needless to say #leohusband didn't help me either.

So I was stuck scrambling as per usual to come up with a healthy, last-minute meal that was Paleo and Whole30 compliant.

Paleo and Whole30 Tex Mex Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Serves 4

Ingredients:

4 sweet potatoes
1 lb of Paleo/Whole30 Compliant Chorizo
1/2 a yellow or white onion, whatever you have on hand, coursely diced
1 can of fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 can of green chilies
1 avocado diced
1 bunch of cilantro, washed and chopped

Pre-heat the oven to 400.

Wash and scrub the sweet potatoes. Place on a foil lined baking sheet and bake at 400 for one hour.

20 minutes before the potatoes are done.

Put a large skillet on the stove on medium heat.

Split open the casings on the chorizo and brown the meat. While the meat is browning, dice the onion.

When the meat is cooked through drain some of the grease off by tilting the pan and using a spoon. Add the onion and saute with the chorizo until the onion is translucent. Add in the tomatoes and chilies. Salt and pepper to taste. Cook everything together on medium heat for about 5 minutes or until the liquid has reduced.

Take the potatoes out of the oven. Split open and stuff with the skillet mixture. Top with avocado and cilantro.

Quick and easy! Enjoy!

Hate Valentine's Day? 7 Valentine's Self Care Ideas

I used to hate Valentine's Day with a passion.

I mean hate.

With the fire of 1,000 suns.

via GIPHY

I actually used to call it "Singles Awareness Day." Seriously.

Anyway, I was single all throughout high school and most of college, which according to family and friends it was simply due to the fact that most guys were completely intimidated by me.

Ugh, grow a pair.

via GIPHY

So while friends were walking through the hallways with ballons and flowers and candy and cards I felt very left out that I had nothing. My senior year of high school some awesome friends, who I can't remember 20 years later, got me 2 ballons and flowers. It was very sweet, but I wanted love y'all.

I actually didn't have my first Valentines date until I was 20 years old and by then I was so effing desperate I picked not the best guy to spend it with and then persued a long, on again, off again relationship throughout undergraduate with him. I spent my second Valentine's Day with him, but not the one after that. They were good celebrations of Valentine's day for that time of my life.

In the subsequent years since undergraduate, I had a total of two other Valentines Day dates, one at 25, with the ATM boyfriend and the other at 28 with a different boyfriend, which was so disterous I broke up with him. That's it folks.

4.

Total.

Did I mention I really hated Valentines?

Until I met my husband.

My best Valentine's day dates of all time have all been with my husband. Out first Valentine's was when I was 31. 31 y'all! I'll talk about our Valentine's traditions next week. I want to let the suspense kill you.

So, I wanted to kick this month off with some selfcare, Galentine's, and Significant Other/Family Time ideas that you can try and maybe let this month suck a little less if you hate February and all things Valentines.

Maybe you'll come to love this month or maybe you'll just find a little funniness here to make you laugh.

Hate Valentine's Day? 7 Valentine's Self Care Ideas

1. Treat Yo Self

Is there something you've desperatly been wanting? You've pined over it for months but you just haven't pulled the trigger.

Do it!

Doesn't have to be big, doesn't have to be small, doesn't have to be an object at all.

Maybe you've been thinking about a subscription to Hulu or Netflix? Do it!

Wanting to try that Paleo Pizza Crust mix. Do it!

That purse at Macy's been catching your eye. Do it!

Whatever you have that you've been wanting to buy, or whatever, pick one thing and treat yo self!

via GIPHY

Me?

I've had my eye on this Paleo Chocolate Cupcake Mix that I've been debating about to try forever so I got a box from Thrive!


2.Mental Health Day (or Hour)

Asking your significant other for 1 hour of silent bath time where you lock the door and put on his gaming headphones to block out the noise. Do it!

via GIPHY

Sleeping in and taking a "sick" day. Do it!

Binge watching Game of Thrones before the last season comes out! Do it.

3. Learn Something New

Maybe you've wanted to try a cake decorating class. Do it!

Skydiving? Do it.

Always wanted to know how to knit? Do it!

4. Decorate for Anti-Valentines

Really hate Valentine's? Go all out and decorate with skulls and splashes of red and black everywhere. Heck, put a fake graveyard in the front yard and put Romeo on one gravestone and Juliet on the other...complete with hands coming out of the ground!

Seriously! Lean into your hatred and go toward the dark side.

Check out Mom's and Munchkin's Anti-Valentine's Day Party for ideas.

5. Punch Something

via GIPHY

All the above ideas just not doing it for you. Go punch something. Sign up for a Kickboxing, MMA, or American Ninja Warrior class near you. Not only will it get your aggression out, you will also get some exercise in and that's the best selfcare of all.

6) The Grinch Cure

via GIPHY

Remember when the Grinch's heart increased in size three times? He sacrificed to help others thereby making room in his heart for love. Valentine’s Day is all about spending the day with a loved one, but what about those who may not have a loved one to spend the day with? Find a place to volunteer, such as a retirement home or homeless shelter, and make someone else’s day.

7) Show Some Love for Your Friends

via GIPHY

Galentine's Day is rapidly becoming popular for a good reason too. Valentine’s is not just a day for couples, but a day for love, so spend the day with a group of people you love, like your besties?

I wish I had been in tune with myself when I was younger to actually get out and do some of the things on this list instead of having my head stuck up where the sun don't shine but then again I was a teenager...college kid...etc.

Times really have changed and with the greatness of the internet and more people wanting to improve their life, there is hope for Valentine's yet. Try some of these out and let me know if they worked, especially if you did that graveyard!

Yoga for Shoulder Pain Part 1

I hurt my left shoulder in yoga April 2018 and it's been a rocky road since. However, I've dedicated February 2019 to kicking it's ass and getting on with my life.

I've committed to yoga everyday but part of that commitment is listening to my body. While I can't control what a yoga teacher decides to do in class, I can control my YouTube channel and it's free!

I'm also doing another round of PT for my shoulder. That has made keeping up with daily yoga a very big challenge.

On days that I have Physical Therapy, I'm doing yoga flows that do not use my shoulder to give it a rest. I need to rest it so I don't undo the progress I have made.

Ugh! I thought my knee problems were bad.

Here is one of my favorite non-shoulder yoga flows from one of my favorite YouTubers Yoga with Kassandra. Subscribe to her channel!

February 2019 Bullet Journal Spread

Where did January go?

Seriously?

Well, February is here and so is my bullet journal set up for the month. Last year, I opted for a sleek minimalism scheme that really didn't speak to my artist's soul.

I'm working on a balance between super detailed and artistic and simplicity in 2019.

Thing's I've changed up are a full calendar for the month at a glance spread.

I've also opted for a horizontal weekly view.

The trackers in January just didn't work for me. The pages were too busy, which made it hard to figure out what was going on.

I went for a colorful visual emotion and energy tracker that I'm looking forward to blending colors for, especially since I fluctuate during the day. Hoping to get a better bead on my adrenal fatigue and the emotions associated with it.

I'm seperating my AM and PM tasks into different columns so I can really tell how I get through the day and the consistency with the night time tasks.

I've also added back in my pain + sleep tracker to the same area.

I also had a nice doolding session one evening while exhausted, it totally made me feel better.

Does Love Lower Your Pain Levels

Last week I talked about how I constantly feel overwhelmed and behind and that is not good for healing from chronic pain.

My word for 2019 is consistency. Part of that consistency is developing a schedule for each day, tasks to follow at particular times, things to do each day. I own the fact that I've totally failed at it so far. However, each week is a new week and last week I really followed my schedule to the letter.

I just about died from exhaustion by Friday, but I also started PT on my shoulder injury Tuesday's and Thursday's.

So I upheld my weekly schedule, but I didn't take into account the physical therapy sessions I was adding in. Which explains why by Friday after my dry needling session I was completely out of gas. I texted #leohusband to figure out dinner because it was just not going to happen.

However, other than my shoulder pain, I didn't have severe adhesive arachnoiditis pain last week.

It's too early to tell if consistency is helping my pain but I'm honest enough to say that I'm not really giving it all. I really need to evaluate where to start.
Does Love Lower Your Pain Levels

Let's break down what habits and scheduling I'm wanting to make and do to follow through and be consistent.

I want to work out in some form every day.

That's yoga, walking, or physical therapy exercises. I would really like to add in strength training this year.

I want to keep up with household tasks.

That's putting things away when I get them out as soon as I'm done using them, making sure I have a place for everything, and staying on top of chores, like laundry or menu planning.

I want to eat healthy no matter the circumstances.

That's eating Paleo or Whole30 at friend's houses, family gatherings, or even date nights. Holiday's and Birthday's excluded.

It's Monday of February and I can honestly say I at least worked out every day of January, except for the week I had strep.

However, I'm beginning to realize changing everything at once is exhausting. I mean seriously exhausting. I can hang in for about 4 to 5 days but when it comes to the last 2-3 days of the week.

So what is the answer, Dr. Dispenza would probably tell me I'm on the right track, and to add in love (and forgiveness) to everything I do.

Which is what I'm trying now.

Doing my tasks with love in mind. Very similar to the KonMari Method where she shows gratitude and thanks for everything in her life...even the trash can!

Today I thanked the tea I was drinking for waking up my brain and giving me antioxidant power throughout my body.

Since this is a new concept, I'm pretty sure it's going to take some time to adjust and incorporate it on top of my three goals, but I really feel it fits in well with the new Adina I'm trying to create.

Simply because it speaks to my main 2019 goals:

Consistency and
Kindness

Whole30 and Paleo Pork Chops and Winter Vegetables

This Whole30 has been rough y'all. Not only did I have a wedding to go to, but I got strep. Talk about putting the pressure on.

I have to admit I did abandon my menu planning after I got strep. Some of the things I had planned were just not going to happen. Too much prep work and cutting for functioning on zero.

Sheet Pan Pork Chops and Winter Vegetables

Serves 4.

4 pork chops
1-2 bags of precut winter root vegetables
2 T avocado or olive oil, divided
Salt and pepper to taste
2 T herbs de provence, divided
1/3 c balsamic vinegar

Preheat Oven to 425. Grab 2 baking sheets and line them with foil. Pat the pork chops down with a paper towel and drizzle on avocado or olive oil on. Salt and Pepper both sides to taste. Sprinkle with 1 T of Herbs de Provence.

Grab some pre-cut winter veggies, fresh or frozen. I get a bag of root veggies from Costco that are washed, chopped, and ready to go, but my local grocery store has the same thing in the produce department. Toss one or two bags/trays into a large bowl. Drizzle your oil of choice over the veggies and season them with salt, pepper, and the Herbs.

Place both trays in the oven with the veggies on top and the pork chops near the bottom.

Set a 12 minute timer.

While waiting, grab a small saucepan and bring the balsamic vinegar to a boil. Reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 5-7 minutes and then reduce the heat to low to keep it from congealing.

At the 12 minute mark flip the pork chops over and stir the veggies.

Set another 12 minute timer.

When done serve with the balsamic glaze spooned over the pork chop and veggies. #leohusband approved and he said it was even better the next day!