Paleo Hack: In-N-Out

In-N-Out. It’s about as synonymous with “California” as Sublime and the beach. Am I right, or am I right? Since I no longer reside in California (don’t feel sorry for me, I now have legitimate mountains as my playground) it’s practically a sacrilege to not drop by In-N-Out and play at the beach while visiting.

I realize when it comes to burgers that “buns make it fun” but Animal Style will wreck a bikini bod faster than you can say “Double-Double!” And considering I was in the Golden State to do that once-a-year-Thanksgiving-thing where I eat so much I gain 7 pounds in one day, I figured it would be smart to Paleo hack it.

So here it is, my Paleo-hack that’s not on their typical menu:

“Double Meat mustard fried with grilled onions, chopped chillies, and extra tomatoes protein style. Please hold the spread.”

I’ll break it down:
Double Meat – Two meat patties, no cheese.
Mustard fried – They’ll put mustard on my meat patty before grilling it.
Grilled onions – Typical In-N-Out burgers come with raw onions but i prefer them grilled.
Chopped chillies – Because some like a little more zing!
Extra tomatoes – It makes my double meat extra beefy.
Protein Style – No bun. They wrap it in hand-leafed lettuce instead.

Double Meat mustard fried with grilled onions, chopped chillies, and extra tomatoes protein style. No spread. Thank you In-N-Out!

The best thing about this hack is it leaves me feeling full and NOT bloated with enough gas to take me to Memphis. Double double points.

Oh! And if you want to be nice, order your dog-baby a “Flying Dutchman.” Our boxer Rogue loves going to In-N-Out with us:

Until next time, California!

Paleo Hack: Smashburger

Wish I knew what it is about mountain biking and hiking that makes me want to put a fat hamburger in my belly immediately after.

Here’s the thing (and I’m not ashamed to admit this): I love hamburgers. But I go biking and/or hiking nearly every weekend and if I indulged in my burgerlove weekly, well, the phrase “hot mess” comes to mind. Here’s how to Paleo hack a burger joint… I originally learned this trick from watching Joe Petrusky place an order at a diner. I’m glad I paid attention ’cause now burger joints have become a Top 5 candidate for places-to-eat-out-without-wrecking-my-waist-size when I’m in a pinch. Oh, the IRONY.

(I’m working with Smashburger but this works for any restaurant offering burgers.) If the burger joint allows you to create your own burger, that’s the best route. Otherwise, you can do a paleo hack by ordering a burger and then stripping it – “Off with your sauce!”

1. Order the burger that comes with 2 patties (or, not. Stick with one patty if you want.)
2. Strip the burger: Specify no bun, no cheese, no sauce.
3. Build the burger back up: Ask for extra fixings like lettuce and tomatoes.
4. Make it classy: Ask for a fried egg on top (This is hard to pull off at fast casual places but sit-down restaurants have no problem adding this.)
5. Add bacon (if that’s your thing!)
6. Don’t forget the (good) fat: Ask for a side of avocado. (Some places will have this, others won’t.)

Final cost at a fast casual restaurant is typically $6-$9
Final cost at sit-down waiter-staffed restaurant is typically the cost of the burger plus two bucks for the egg and avocado. $9-$13

And THAT’S IT. Yeah, it’s a mouthful to spell out to whomever is taking my order but I somehow manage to leave guilt-free not bloated.

Latest Obsession: Kale Chips

Let’s talk about Kale Chips!  Or, not!  I probably can’t actually TALK about them because I’m too busy stuffing my face with these (surprisingly?) delicious crisped leaves of… lettuce?  I don’t even know how I’m going to get through typing this blog because I need my hands, yes both hands, to shove “chips” in my mouth.  I need Kale chips in my mouth.

This is a good recipe for recipe-phobes like me.  (I don’t consider recipes with more than 5 ingredients.  Seven or more ingredients and I’d rather get a root canal.)  So, basically…

1.  Cut, rinse, spin the Kale.
2.  Lay cut kale leaves on a baking pan.
3.  Spritz with a lil’ bit o’ Pam cooking spray… Just a LITTLE!
4.  Sprinkle with salt, if that’s your thing.
5.  Bake at 350 degrees until leaves crisp up and make a “tin foil tissue paper crinkling sound” when you touch it.  (About 15 minutes?)

Then… this is most important!
6.  Remove from oven and spritz with fresh squeezed lemon juice.

You know how I know these are good?  ‘Cause my vegetable-hating dog requires her own bowl since she loves it so much.  I make extra Kale Chips… FOR MY DOG.

The other day I had some Kale Chips with Zucchini Hummus.  Not too shabby!  It’s like a health conscious person’s version of “chips ‘n’ dip.”  Go ‘head… you can call me a Health Nut.