Easily Adaptable, Simple Salad

Okay, so everyone knows how to make a salad: lettuce, assorted veggies, cheese, meat, croutons, salad dressing-- Yum! But, if you are AIP, you can't have cheese, croutons, or store bought salad dressings. Firstly, to solve the salad dressing problem, I have a tasty, AIP friendly Balsamic Vinaigrette! I used carrots in the recipe to give the look of shredded cheese, and red onions to give the crunch of croutons!

Yields: 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 to 2 cups spinach (you will find that I really love spinach!)
• 1 carrot; sliced (won't be using the whole thing)
• 1/3 cup cucumber; cubed
• 1/8 cup red onion; cubed
• Balsamic Vinaigrette (my recipe)

Directions:

1. Put the spinach on your plate.
2. Add your assorted vegetables. (I sliced my carrot with a vegetable peeler! It created these lovely, thin ribbons.)
3. I used about 2 tablespoons of my Balsamic Vinaigrette over the top.

Note: I also like adding some baked, AIP friendly seasoned chicken in my salads! Salad is so easily adaptable, so find a variation you like and share in the comments!

Crock Pot Apple and Fennel Pork Loin with Sweet Potatoes

Last night I made the most amazing apple and fennel pork loin! I served mine with sweet potatoes, and garnished with fronds (the leafy part of the fennel). Before going AIP I loved this recipe: link 
However, it is not AIP friendly! So, I adapted it to not only be AIP friendly, but crock pot friendly as well!

Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients: 

• 2 large Fuji or Braeburn apples; sliced
• 1 large fennel bulb; trimmed, cored, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fennel fronds; for garnish
• 1 large red onion; sliced
• 4 boneless pork chops
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 3 sweet potatoes; cubed

Directions:

1. Place the pork chops in the bottom of the crock pot (can be frozen)
2. Add the other ingredients (apples, sweet potatoes, fennel bulb, red onion, apple cider vinegar, and salt).
3. Cook on low for about 6 hours or on high for about 4.
4. Enjoy! :)