Am I hungry?

Last night, I was a hostess for my friend Ashley's event called Dine and Dash. She is the owner of Homegrown, a local event planning company that has created some of my favorite things to do in Huntsville. Dine and Dash is a once monthly event that runs from April-September in Downtown Huntsville. The tour highlights 4 restaurants with small plates and a cocktail pairing. It's always a blast and I'm so lucky to be a part of it!

In conversing with one of my guest, I mentioned being a real estate agent and his response was "Great! Do you want to list my house for 2%?" I told him no and his response was "Oh. I guess you're not hungry enough yet." Well first off, I don't discuss my paycheck with strangers. I think that's tacky. And secondly, your home is one of the largest investments you ever make. You work hard to save your down payment and then spend a large chunk of your monthly income on your mortgage payment. You work hard to build that equity and when the time comes to sell your home, you want to get as much of that back as possible. I get it! I want you to get as much of it back as possible too! But let me ask you this. If, in our first meeting, I am willing to discount my services then how quickly do you think I would negotiate away your equity? If I do not feel that my services as your agent are worth what I ask for, how quickly would I see the value of your investment in the same manner and expect you to discount it as well? 

It's not a matter or how "hungry" I am. I hope that I am always blessed with as much business as I can handle. I want to be able to give 110% to each client and I don't ever plan to discount my services.  I promise to answer when you call, even when it's late.  I promise to take time away from my life and family to help better yours.  I promise to help you find the perfect home and get the very best deal.  I promise to market your home and protect your investment.  I promise to be an invaluable resource to you throughout our time together.  If you'd prefer less service, I know it's out there and I wish you luck.

Sweet Potato Hash

One thing people always seem to ask me is "What do you eat?"  I am a retired NPC Bikini competitor and since then I have adopted CrossFit and I eat about 80% Paleo.  When I was competing, my meals were super structured and rigid.  I weighed every ounce of food.  I ate plain tilapia and asparagus for several meals a day.  I was miserable!  Since stopping competing, I have found more of a balance in life and I have found that as long as I eat REAL food, I maintain my weight right where I want to be and I don't have to measure a thing!

One thing I didn't abandon was my food prep.  I still prep food every Sunday evening for the week.  I usually cook up a bunch of chicken, a veggie side and a carb.  I also eat red meat but I have found I don't like it as much reheated so I usually cook that and eat it right away.  More weeks than not, my carb of choice is sweet potato hash.  It's super simple and reheats beautifully.  I eat it for any meal and sometimes just as a snack.  Sometimes I'll throw a couple of eggs on top for breakfast.  Sometimes I mix my chicken into it for lunch.  Sometimes I just eat it alone.  You can make this sweet or savory.  It's very versatile and that is one of the major draws for me.

This week, I just went basic.  Once you master this super simple recipe, you can change it up many different ways.  So why are we still talking about it?  Lets see it!

Ingredients:
1/2 lb uncured Bacon, diced
1 medium organic yellow onion, chopped
1 large or 2 small organic sweet potatoes, cut into small cubes
2 T. grass fed butter, I used Kerrygold
Sea Salt and Fresh Cracked Black Pepper to taste

Throw your diced bacon into a dutch oven and crisp it up.

While that is rendering down, dice your onion.  When the bacon is crisp, remove it from the pan and saute your onions in the bacon fat.

Saute the onions until they are soft and golden brown, about 5 minutes.  Add your cubed sweet potatoes and 2 T grass fed butter and stir together with your onions.

Cover and cook for 15-20 mins or until potatoes are fork tender.  I like mine a little soft.  Season with S&P to taste.  Stir in your crispy bacon and it's ready to eat! 

Plate this up and dig in!  Sometimes I skip the bacon and add cinnamon and a diced apple to make it sweeter.  Sometimes I add additional veggies.  Most weeks, it's just this and I love it!  Let me know how you make your hash!