Holiday Treats

It's only just now the week of Thanksgiving and already my schedule has been crazy!  So this is just a quick post!  We are hosting home group at our house tonight and I wanted to have a couple of healthy treats on hand that will be easy to nibble on while playing games and chatting.  So...

How about Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge?

And Chocolate Chip Cookies from Modern Alternative Mama's Treat Yourself Cookbook?

WIth coffee and some homemade Eggnog?

Seriously, I'm drooling...

Chicken Broth

Flu season is upon us as I am not so gently reminded to get a flu shot every where I go.  No thanks, I'll pass...


Instead, I need to stock up on oh-so-good-for-you-and-tasty-too homemade chicken stock!  Chock full of vitamins and minerals needed to boost your immune system, and it can be used for so many things:

• a base for numerous soups/stews
• mashed potatoes
• making rice
• pour it over dried out leftovers when reheating
• ...the list goes on...

Sure it takes time, but most of that time is inactive time, meaning you can do laundry, read to your children, sleep...whatever it is that you do while something is quietly simmering on the stove and releasing a delicious, intoxicating aroma throughout your house.  And best of all, it's WAY cheaper (and obviously healthier) to make your own broth than buy it from the store!

This recipe is pretty much from Weston A. Price:  http://www.westonaprice.org/food-features/broth-is-beautiful

Homemade Chicken Broth:

*You need a large stockpot*

Rinse your whole, free-range, farm-raised chicken (remove the gizzards and stuff inside) and place in a stockpot.  (Optional:  Cut the wings and neck into several pieces and add chicken feet as well)  

I will also be adding a chicken carcass from my last batch of broth to add more minerals. Bones can be reused over and over until they disintegrate when pressed between your thumb and forefinger. 

Add a gallon of cold, filtered water to the pot along with 2 Tbsp of Apple Cider Vinegar, 1 coarsely chopped onion, 2 peeled and coarsely chopped carrots, and 3 coarsely chopped celery stalks.  You can also add a couple of bay leaves and some peppercorns for added flavor.  Let it stand for 1 hour.  Then bring to a full boil and remove the scum that rises to the top.  Cover and simmer for 6-8 hours (the longer the better!).  In the last 10 minutes, toss some fresh chopped parsley into the broth for some added minerals.

Remove the chicken, bones, and veggies from the broth and let the broth cool until the fat rises and congeals on the top.  Remove that.  (Don't forget that step...it makes for some greasy soup if you use it!)  I pour my broth in 2-3 cup amounts into Mason Jars and then freeze them.

Remove the chicken from the bones and you've got cooked chicken for a variety of other recipes!

Meal Plan....Friday?

In my attempts to follow the letter of the law in regards to the Plan It, Don't Panic meal plan challenge, I've completely lost the benefits that it is supposed to reap.  And after almost a month of doing this, I'm finally deciding to rethink things to make it work for me.

First of all, Monday is no good for me.  It's not the first day of the week, in my opinion.  I've already hit the ground running by this point.

Next, payday is on Friday, which means that's when I like to do my grocery shopping.  Or if not Friday, then that weekend for sure.

Lastly, and I've mentioned this in a previous post, I like to do two week menus since that's how paydays and grocery runs work!

So, new rules established for myself.  I'll post a meal plan on Thursday or Friday every other week.  =)

Friday:
Homemade Pizza

Saturday:
Chili
Cornbread

Sunday:
VERY busy day--so we'll probably eat out

Monday:
Chicken and Black Bean Tacos
Organic Corn Chips and Salsa

Tuesday:
Pan-Fried Salmon
Sauteed Green Beans
Mashed Potatoes (made with chicken stock)
Bacon-Cheddar Biscuits

Wednesday:

Ravioli Bolognese (never made it last week)

Wilted Spinach

Thursday:

Taco Soup

Organic Corn Chips

Friday:

Potato Cheddar Broccoli Soup

Saturday:

Leftovers or sandwiches

Sunday:

Beef, Tomato, and Zucchini over Pasta

Monday:

Pumpkin Chicken Enchiladas

Tuesday:

Beefy Lasagna

Garlic Bread

Wednesday:

Busy night, eating out

Thursday:

Piled High Veggie Pot Pie

Chemical-Free Cleaning

**This post is especially for you, Mary!**


You might be thinking, "Wait a minute...cleaning doesn't have anything to do with food!"  But don't tune out just yet.  Cleaning products are something we can ingest--just by using them--and the likelihood that our little ones ingest the chemicals is even greater.  With marketed cleaning products, it's best to wear gloves so that the chemicals don't seep into your skin, and a mask so that you don't inhale the toxins through the air.  (Seriously, read the labels on your cleaning products...the warnings are there!)  Then you have the warning not to mix certain products because they can create lethal fumes.  For a lot of us, these are the products we've been using all our lives, often times without taking the necessary safety precautions.  That's how it was for me!  And then I had Joshua...

A little one in the house makes me much more aware of the presence of chemicals in our home.  I don't really want him breathing in toxic air.  I don't want the toxic residue of cleaning products to end up on his hands as he crawls around the floor, plays with his toys, or puts his mouth on everything in sight.  Yet, I want my home to be clean.

Just as I've taken baby steps to cut out toxic ingredients in our food, I'm in the process of removing chemicals from our cleaning products.  No, I haven't changed every product in my home, but I'm working on making significant changes for our overall health.  The best part is that these changes are CHEAP and EASY and they work!  You can do this!  This post over at Mommypotamus is what inspired me to begin making changes.

Here's what I've got for serious or everyday cleaning in my home:

Windows, mirrors, stainless steel--
Spray bottle ($0.97 at Walmart) filled halfway with distilled vinegar ($0.88 at Walmart) and filled the rest of the way with water.  For less than two dollars, you've got a great cleaner that makes porcelain or stainless steel SHINE!  It's streak-free and even has some disinfecting power.

Toilets, bathtub/shower, sinks--
If I really want a good clean, I add some baking soda.  For example, I spray the vinegar solution on the tub and then sprinkle baking soda around it.  Then I just grab a scrub brush and get to it!

Multi-purpose kitchen cleaner--
I had some Dr. Bronner's soap (can be found at Target) on hand and decided to make an all-purpose cleaner with that.  I need something in the kitchen that will disinfect after working with raw meat.  Dr. Bronner's is not anti-bacterial, but Tea Tree Oil is!  So I got another spray bottle from Walmart and poured in two tablespoons of Dr. Bronner's (it's about $10 for a bottle, but you use very little of it so it'll last a long time).  Seriously, that's all.  Then fill up the rest of the bottle with water.  Then put in about 20 drops of tea tree oil (about $8 at Sprouts, but again, it'll last forever!) and you're good!

I've also heard of cleaning with Vodka (thanks Keeper of the Home!)...but I've yet to try it.

There are lots of things that you can do to remove toxic cleaning products, yet have a sparkling clean home!  I mostly chose these things because I had much of it on hand already.  When I run out, I might try something else.  My husband doesn't like the smell of vinegar after I've cleaned (though, in my opinion, it's way better than the smell of bleach!), so I use the Dr. Bronner's most. Explore the links I've referred you to and see what makes sense to you.  If you have trouble finding one of the ingredients you are looking for, let me know and I'll help you.  Or if you have any ideas that I didn't mention here, feel free to enlighten us!

Homemade Pizza!

Yikes!  It's been a week since I posted!  My last post was my menu plan, and unfortunately, it's been tossed out the window for the most part this past and current week.  We've had things come up that have made it impossible to cook, we've been with family for dinner a few nights, and then there have been some nights where good intentions only went so far...

The recipe I was planning to make tonight requires cream.  Well, I ordered cream with last week's raw dairy order, but due to a glitch in their new system, my cream didn't come.  So instead of running to the store, I rummaged through the freezer to see what I could find.  GOLD!  I found a batch of homemade pizza dough!  Homemade pizza is not as hard as you would think, it uses great ingredients, and makes everyone in the house HAPPY!

Pizza Dough:

Mix the following ingredients in a large bowl:

1 cup milk (make sure it's room temp)

1 cup water (again, room temp)

4 Tbsp olive oil

2 tsp basil

2 tsp oregano

3-4 cloves minced garlic

3 cups of flour

Directions:

After that is mixed, mix in 1 Tbsp of yeast and let it sit for 5 minutes.  Then add 1 Tbsp salt and another 1-2 cups of flour.  You want to be able to knead it and roll it out without it sticking to everything.  Once it gets to that point, you are ready to roll it into crust.

After you've got your dough all rolled out, you need some delicious marinara sauce!

Pizza Sauce:

¼ cup chicken broth

10-12 cherry tomatoes (or 1 quartered regular size tomato)

¼ cup onion (any kind)

2 Tbsp tomato paste

2 cloves garlic

2 tsp basil

½ tsp italian seasoning

salt and pepper to taste

Mix all these in a food processor until well mixed.  Transfer to a sauce pan and simmer for 10 minutes or so to let the flavors blend.

Smatter some sauce on the dough and add your toppings!  My favorite are just cheese, pepperoni, and maybe some spinach.  Nathan goes for the pineapple and jalapenos!  Bon apetit!

Meal Plan Monday

This post is for the Plan-It, Don't Panic Meal Plan Challenge over at Keeper of the Home.  I've got my plans and my grocery shopping done, so hopefully we can stick to the plan this week.  One problem is that I'm looking for beef bones to make beef stock from, but I can't seem to find them inexpensively.  Any ideas where I could find some close to home?

I tend to create two-week meal plans because of the way Nathan is paid.  I like to get a majority of my grocery shopping done on payday and just get fresh produce or other extras the next weekend.  This means that something usually happens that keeps me from sticking exactly to the menu (dinner over at our parents' or with friends), but when that happens, I just shift my meals to accommodate the change.

Okay...meal plan (as usual, breakfast is granola/cereal/eggs and lunch is leftovers or sandwiches):

Monday:
Sirloin Steak
Homemade Mac and Cheese (using brown rice pasta and adding mozzarella to the cheddar)
Cabbage/Carrot/Apple Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette Dressing

Tuesday:
Pot Roast with Root Vegetables (carrots, potatoes, and parsnips)

Wednesday:
Dinner with friends

Thursday:
Baked Salmon
Mashed Potatoes (made with Chicken Stock)
Betteraves Melange

Friday:
Simple Roast Chicken (freeze the leftovers for later meals)
Green Beans sauteed in butter
Cinnamon Baked Pears

Saturday:
Leftovers

Sunday:
Cheese Ravioli Bolognese (wilted spinach in the sauce)

Monday:
Nathan's Birthday!  We're going out wherever he wants.

Tuesday:

Harvest Soup

Bread (Homemade Sourdough, if I can swing it!)

Wednesday:

Chicken and Black Bean Tacos with Homemade Tortillas

(using leftover roast chicken)

Organic Corn Chips with Fermented Salsa

Thursday:

Sun-dried Tomato, Bacon, and Spinach Cream Sauce* over Fettucini and Salmon

Garlic Bread

*I do NOT remember where I found this recipe.  I thought it was Modern Alternative Mama, but I can't find it on her site now.  But I promise to blog this recipe because it. is. amazing.

Friday:

Chicken and Gnocci Soup (based on Olive Garden's recipe)

(using leftover roast chicken)

What's for Dinner?

Two posts in one day?!  Okay, okay, I just can't help it!  It's the first time I've been able to spend any time in the kitchen in a week!!  We had one of my very favorite meals for dinner tonight.  It's an American comfort food that is even moderately healthy!  I say "moderately" because it does have some sugar in it, but even that can be minimal if you make some modifications.



Sloppy Joes (without the can!)

• 2 T. coconut oil
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 lb ground beef
• 3/4 c. ketchup (I use Hunt's because it uses sugar instead of corn syrup. One of these days I'll try my hand at homemade organic ketchup!)
• 2 T. sugar (I used turbinado, but I'd like to try raw honey or maple syrup when I have it on hand again.)
• 2 T. yellow mustard
• 2 T. vinegar (I use Bragg's raw apple cider vinegar instead of white)
• 2 T. Worcestershire sauce (make sure it is free of corn syrup like Lea and Perrins!)
• 1/4 t. salt

Saute the onion and zucchini in the coconut oil until soft. Add beef and cook until browned. While meat is browning, combine the remaining ingredients in a small saucepan. Cook sauce over low heat for 15 minutes stirring occasionally. Once the beef is cooked, stir in the sauce and simmer over low heat for about an hour (you can do it for less time, but the longer it simmers, the more flavorful it is!), stirring occasionally.

Serve on homemade hamburger buns (or if you use store-bought, make sure they are free of corn syrup, like Orowheat). We like to add a side of sweet potato chips/fries as well.

better-than-store-bought granola bars

I love eating breakfast.  To hear that it's the most important meal of the day excites me, because I wake up hungry in the mornings and the first thing I want to do is eat.  However, the last thing I want to do is prepare breakfast.  That means that I either put off eating until lunch time, or I end up with a bowl of cereal.  Not so great.

That's why I am SO glad I found this recipe for granola bars.  I've made my own granola before, but never been a big fan. These bars are AWESOME!  They are chewy and crunchy, salty and sweet.  AND they are full of protein and healthy fat!  I can make up a batch during the day when I have the energy to make them, and then pop them in the fridge, ready for the next several mornings.  =)  I press them into a muffin pan and then once they've hardened, I pop them into plastic baggies or an airtight container.  They are crumbly, so it's easier than trying to cut them into bars.

This original recipe can be found at the Enjoy Life blog.

Chewy Granola Bars

• 3 T. Honey or Maple Syrup (I use raw honey)
• 2 T. Brown Sugar (I use Turbinado)
• 1 T. Coconut Oil
• 1/2 c. Peanut Butter
• 1/2 t. Vanilla Extract
• Generous Pinch or Two of Salt
• 2 T. Ground Flaxseed
• 1 c. Organic Rolled Oats
• 1 c. Perky’s Crunchy Flax Cereal (can be found at Sprouts and Whole Foods)
• 1/2 c. Chocolate Chips

1. In a medium-sized saucepan or skillet, combine the honey, brown sugar and the coconut oil, and gently warm over low heat while stirring until the sugar crystals have dissolved. This should just take a couple of minutes.
2. Stir in the peanut butter, vanilla, and salt until smooth. Remove from the heat. Allow the mixture to cool for a couple of minutes.
3. Stir in the flaxseed, followed by the oats and cereal.
4. Now you have two choices here. If you want the chocolate chips to stay intact, let the mixture cool for few more minutes, and then stir in the chocolate chips. Or, if you are antsy like me, stir in the chocolate chips right away. They may melt a little against the warm pan, but I like them that way.
5. The mixture will be crumbly, but that is okay. Press it firmly into an 8 x 8 pan (use wax paper over your hand if it threatens to stick while pressing) or into 10 to 12 muffin tins. Make sure it is packed in there nicely, and then place the bars into the freezer to chill for 30 minutes to an hour.
6. Cut into bars or pop them out and eat. Store them in the refrigerator to keep fresh and from getting too soft.

Yields 10 to 12 snack bars

Meal Plan Monday

This is my first week to participate in the Plan It--Don't Panic Meal Planning Challenge over at Keeper of the Home.  I'm only half-way participating...this menu is going to be dinner only.  For breakfast this week, all we have is eggs or cold cereal.  Lunch will be sandwiches or leftovers.

Tuesday:
Honey Balsamic Chicken (without mushrooms!)
Brown Rice
Salad

Wednesday:
Sloppy Joes
Chipotle Sweet Potato Chips

Thursday:
Fajitas

Friday:
Stovetop Chicken and Rice (made with an organic frozen veggie medley)

Saturday:
Eat out (we're gone all day, so no chance to cook)


I'm also hoping to work on some fresh baked bread this week.  We'll see!

So much for that idea

With spending 1/3 of our summer out of town on various trips, our poor bodies have been abused with fast food, soft drinks, and lots of sugar!  We came home from our final trip last weekend and the plan was to start a cleanse.  Though we knew it would be difficult, we were both excited about doing it.  We chose the Standard Process 21-day Purification Program.  I spent a lot of time creating our menu and shopping list before we went to Florida so that as soon as we came home, I could stock up on all the fresh produce and we could start right away.

After four successful days on the cleanse, a stomach bug hit our house and we had to throw the cleanse out the window. Suffice it to say, we haven't had much in the way of food the last couple of days (we both lost about 10 pounds, though!).  I could tell you about the great bananas and toast we've been eating, haha!  We've decided to hold off on the cleanse until the first of the year.  If we have to start it over now, it'll carry over into Nathan's birthday...and then there's Thanksgiving...and then Christmas...so basically, we picked a bad time to do a cleanse.  :/

I'm glad that we did get those 4 days of experience, though.  Now I know more of what to expect when we do it again. The menu that we had to work with was actually not too bad.  I made some great meals!  However,  it was a LOT of work.  Pretty much the entire day, every day, was spent preparing foods.

I've got some menu making and grocery shopping to do!

The hardest part about starting a blog...

...is actually starting it.  I've tried blogging before, but found that I didn't really have anything to say.  I'm not terribly interesting.  The only great words of wisdom I have, I probably stole from someone else.  I don't take pictures.  I hate it when people ask me what my hobbies are, because my answer has always been "I don't know."  Or, "What's a hobby??"

What is a girl in my situation to do?  Not blog, I guess.  Well...

Since I found out I was pregnant with Joshua, I immediately started changing my eating habits for the health of this little baby growing inside of me.  This baby, who didn't have the choice of whether to eat Cinnamon Toast Crunch for breakfast or homemade granola bars, was getting his nutrients from the choices I made.  What a hefty responsibility!  And because I wanted to give him the best/healthiest possible start to life, I made changes.  Did I change everything?  No.  But the few changes I made just over a year ago have put my family on a journey toward better health.  Thankfully, I have an amazing husband who fully supports me in my cooking endeavors.  When I feel like giving up, he talks me down from the ledge.  (And yes, we still occasionally pick up a pizza or make a Sonic run!)

So...new hobby?  Sure.  I guess you could say that my hobby is cooking/baking and exploring healthy options.  Does that entitle me to write a blog?  Clearly.  ;)

Disclaimer:  I'm no master chef.  Much of the time, I don't even know what I'm doing!  I'm thankful for all the blogs out there that I follow and from whom I get much of my inspiration/information!