Yummy Green Smoothies and Tweet, Eat, Post

Green Smoothies

We have been making a LOT of smoothies.  They are so simple to make.  We just dump everything into our Blendtec, push the "Smoothie" button, and in less than 30 seconds our nutritious breakfast is prepared.  My kids are still loving this strawberry banana smoothie.  However, I have been experimenting with some green smoothie recipes, as well.  Here is one of my favorites:

 photo credit

Spinach - Mango Smoothie

1 big handful of Spinach
1/2-1 cup of Trader Joe's Frozen Mango
*1 cup of Water, Milk, or Unsweetened Almond Milk
**Ice - Enough to get the consistency you like 

*I do 1/2cup water and 1/2 cup whole milk.
**I do about a cup of ice.

I have also discovered Vega's Whole Food Health Optimizer, which I am loving.  I started putting it in my smoothies because I have trouble with anemia and it has lots of iron.   Within just a couple of days, I am feeling like a new woman.  Seriously, this stuff is wonderful.  Here is how I have been using it:

My Vega Smoothie
1 scoop Vega Whole Food Health Optimizer
(I have the Vanilla Chai.)
1/2 banana
1 cup of water
1 cup of ice

Tweet, Eat, Post

In an effort to lose some weight, eat healthy, and be accountable, a friend and I have started food journaling through the use of Twitter.  It is so easy and convenient.  You just tweet each time you eat.  Then, you can generate a food table of your daily intake.  You can read all about how it works on Roni's Weigh.  If you are interested in following my food journal, here is the link.  If you decide to start using this, let em know and I will follow you, as well.  It could be a great way to get some new healthy meal planning and snack ideas.

This post is part of the Mouthwatering Monday Blog Carnival over at A Southern Fairytale, Tempt My Tummy Tuesdsays at  Blessed with Grace, Tasty Tuesdays at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam, and  Tuesdays at the Table at All the Small Stuff.  Stop by for more yumminess.

Smoothies in Our New Blendtec (and a picture recipe for preschoolers)

I have been wanting to experiment with some different smoothie recipes, but my blender was the absolute pits. It was a cheapo that we got when we were first married and always left chunks of ice in our smoothies.  Therefore, I was so excited when I received a Blendtec  to try and review.  I had read so many glowing reviews of the Blendtec and could not wait to give it a whirl. 

For our first experience we made Strawberry Banana Smoothies.  They were ridiculously simple to make because the Blendtec has a specific digital touchpad setting for smoothies.  We just loaded up our ingredients and pushed the "Smoothie" button.  We didn't have to hold the lid down or even stand and wait near the blender because this magical machine automatically turns off when the cycle is complete.

Making our smoothies was truly so easy that I knew my girls could make them by themselves, so I made this picture recipe to make it easy for Gracen to read and follow.  The next morning the girls made their breakfast smoothies all by themselves. Lovely!

Printable Recipe

 The smoothies went over well, so next week I am going to experiment with some green smoothie recipes.   Anyone have a good recipe?

This post is part of the Mouthwatering Monday Blog Carnival over at A Southern Fairytale, Tempt My Tummy Tuesdsays at  Blessed with Grace, Tasty Tuesdays at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam, and  Tuesdays at the Table at All the Small Stuff.  Stop by for more yumminess.

What We Are Eating: Week Eleven

Favorites from Week Ten

•  Real Mom Kitchen's Crockpot Southwestern Chicken Nachos - These were a huge hit with everyone!  I will definitely be making these again.
• My Pinkalicious Pasta Primavera

Weekly Goals
We have come a long way in the  past eleven weeks.  We have established some new healthy eating habits and routines that I am confident will stay with us.  We are eating many more whole foods and a lot less processed foods.  We are baking our own breads and baked goods.  We are limiting our sugars, drinking more water and raw milk, and eating grass fed beef and pastured chickens raised by local farmers.  Don't get me wrong ~ we still enjoy junk food on occasion (especially Queso dip and tortilla chips and homemade chocolate chip cookies).  We just don't have it around all of the time.  Due to our progress, I will not be posting weekly goals.  Instead, I will just update with any new finds that I think may be of interest to you all.  Thanks to everyone who encouraged me through this process.  I appreciate your support!

 Dinners
 Honey Chipotle Glazed Salmon and Chipotle Rice and Veggie
Homemade Sausage Lasagna
Panko Crusted Chicken Strips
Crockpot Baked Beans and Sausage
Out to Dinner
Cheeseburger Soup
Loaded Baked Potatoes

Check out what other bloggers are cooking at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

To see all of the posts in this series go here!

What We Are Eating: Week Ten

Favorites from Week Nine

• Lynn's Kitchen Adventure's Pepperoni Pizza Pie Quiche 
• My kids absolutely loved Lynn's Peanut Butter Baked Oatmeal.  I did not have quick oats, so I used old fashioned and it came out perfectly.
• A new recipe I created for hamburger stroganoff  (I will be sharing it later this week).

Goals for Week Ten

• Continue with Couch to 5K Program.
• Experiment with smoothie recipes.
  

 

New Breakfast Recipe

Sweet Potato Pancakes

Dinner
Saturday - Orange Chicken with Snow Peas and Vegetable Egg Rolls
Sunday - Roast chicken with Paula Deen's Sweet Potato Casserole, Green Beans, and Homemade Yeast Rolls
Monday - Pizza Rolls
Tuesday -  Southwestern Creamy Chicken Nachos
Wednesday - Pink Pasta Primavera
Thursday  - Thai Beef Over Rice with Broccoli and Carrots
Friday - Out to Dinner

Check out what other bloggers are cooking at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

To see all of the posts in this series go here!

What We're Eating: Week Nine

 Favorites from Week Eight

• Passionate Homemaking's Chicken Curry 
• Musings of a Housewife's Cookie Corn Muffins

Goals for Week Nine

• Drink more water.  I know I need to drink more water.  I drink it with my meals, but I am bad at drinking throughout the day.  I think I just get busy and don't think about it.  Maybe I need to keep a bottle near me.  Any water drinking suggestions?
• Continue with Couch to 5K Program.
• Register for a 5K for me and a fun run for the girls.
  
  

New Breakfast Recipes
Sweet Potato Pancakes
PB Baked Oatmeal

Dinners
Marinated Steak Sandwiches with Basil and Red Pepper Mayo
Pepperoni Pizza Pie Quiche and Spinach and Tomato Quiche
Red Beans and Sausage
Black Beans and Rice
Addictive Sweet Potato Burritos
Hamburger Stroganoff
Orange Chicken and Vegetable Egg Rolls

Check out what other bloggers are cooking at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

To see all of the posts in this series go here!

What We Are Eating: Week Eight

 Favorites from Week Seven

• GNOWFGLINS Basic Soaked Muffins - I added in some unsweetened shredded coconut and a handful of mini chocolate chips.  My kids loved them!  Here is the printable recipe.
• Mark Bitten's Crunchy Granola ~ Super easy and yummy!
• My Bacon and Beef Chili.

 Week Eight Goals

•  Begin Gnowfglins Fundamental eCourse.
• Pick back up with Couch to 5K Program.
 

 Dinners
Sunday - Spaghetti and Meatballs
Monday - Chicken Curry with Brown Basmati Rice and Chick Peas
Tuesday - Browned Cabbage with Egg Noodles
Wednesday - Chicken Strips and Baked Fries
Thursday - Beef and Bean Burritos
Friday - Out to dinner
Saturday - Sloppy Lentil Joes, Corn, and Veggies and Dip

Check out what other bloggers are eating at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

To see all of the posts in this series go here!

What We Are Eating: Week Seven

 Recap of Week 6

•  Try making rolls from Master Recipe in Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day: 100 New Recipes Featuring Whole Grains, Fruits, Vegetables, and Gluten-Free Ingredients I did not try to make rolls.  However, I did use the master recipe to make sandwich bread.  It was delicious.  I also added rosemary and olive oil to a portion of the master recipe to make a loaf of bread to go with our linguine with clam sauce.  Awesome!
• Start a collection of family friendly vegetarian meals.  I found a couple of  blogs and cookbooks that have some yummy family friendly recipes. 

1. The Veggie Table 
2. Spatulatta  
3. Better Than Peanut Butter & Jelly: Quick Vegetarian Meals Your Kids Will Love! 
4. Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home: Fast and Easy Recipes for Any Day    

• Research  how to make homemade kefir.  I did not do this because I have registered for the GNOWFGLINS Fundamentals eCourse and there is a lesson included on how to make kefir. 

Good Finds

• Total Mom Haircut's post ~ I Love Trader Joe's 
• Kitchen Stewardship's Pepper Steak - Very simple and very yummy!
  

Week 7 Goals  

• No white sugar.  We all had too much Valentine's Day chocolate this weekend!
• Work on decreasing the amount of juice Wes drinks.
• Begin to develop a Menu Planner (master list of dinner ideas).
  

Breakfast
Egg in a Hole (heart shaped) and Bacon
WW Bagels and Cream Cheese
Granola and Yogurt
Fruit and Kefir
Corn Muffins (left over from dinner on Tuesday)


Dinner 
Sunday - Ribs, Red Rice, and Coleslaw
Monday - Black Bean Burritos
Tuesday - Lima Bean Soup and Corn Muffins
Wednesday - Shrimp Scampi and Roasted Broccoli with Parmesan
Thursday - Beef and Bean Chili
Friday - Homemade Pizza - Pesto, Tomato, Black Olive, and Feta/Double Cheese
Check out what other bloggers are eating at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Do you have any kid friendly "meatless meal" ideas? Please share!

To see all of the posts in this series go here!

Simple Plan ~ Healthy Food

For the past six weeks, I have been diligently working to change my family's ways of eating.  We have been eating less sugar, eating grass fed meats, drinking raw milk, soaking our grains, and baking our own breads.  I am very proud of the changes that we have made.   However, the more I read the more the more I realize that there are still additional changes we need to make.  I also realize that I still have a lot to learn.

To help me on my journey to healthful eating, I have registered for GNOWFGLINS Fundamentals eCourse.
This is a brand new, on-line healthy and traditional cooking course.  It will focus on the simple, fundamental, traditional cooking skills that should be a part of every healthy kitchen.

The ecourse will consist of a combination of audio, video and/or print formats.  In addition, there is a member forum where I will be able to get to know and exchange ideas with other members.  I am very excited to get started.

Here is an overview of what I will be learning:

• Lesson 1: The GNOWFGLINS Foundation
• Lesson 2: How to Soak Whole Grains, Nuts and Seeds
• Lesson 3: How to Make Soaked Whole-Grain Flour Baked Goods I
• Lesson 4: How to Make Soaked Whole-Grain Flour Baked Goods II
• Lesson 5: How to Soak and Cook Dry Beans
• Lesson 6: How to Sprout Beans
• Lesson 7: How to Cook a Chicken and Make Chicken Stock
• Lesson 8: How to Make Skillet Dishes: A Dinner Formula
• Lesson 9: How to Make Water Kefir
• Lesson 10: How to Make Dairy Kefir
• Lesson 11: How to Make Soft, Spreadable Cheese
• Lesson 12: How to Make Sourdough Bread
• Lesson 13: How to Sprout Whole Grains for Sprouted Grain Flour & How to Bake With Sprouted Grain Flour
• Lesson 14: How to Make Natural Pickled Foods

Check out this  Sneak Peek video:  Basic Whole Grain Soaked Muffins.


Here is the printable recipe.
Soaked Muffins Recipe Notes 1
 

Although I am only six weeks into this journey, I am already experiencing positive outcomes.  I have more energy, less digestive trouble, and have lost a few pounds.  The only hard part has been the cost.  Our grocery bill has definitely seen an increase.  This is another reason I am excited to begin this ecourse.  It will teach me how to make (from scratch) some of the items I am currently buying.  This will definitely reduce my grocery costs. 

This 5-month cooking eCourse costs just $27 per month (that’s $6.75 per lesson).  I know I will save at least that much on my grocery bill, and will learn lessons that I can carry with me on this journey.

Gnowfglins Fundamental eCourse registration is currently open.  It closes on February 22nd (5pm), so check it out and register today! Spaces are limited.

What We Are Eating: Week Six

Recap of Week 5

• Experiment with making Musings of a Housewife's Homemade Whole Wheat Bread Recipe  a Soaked Bread Recipe and try  Upon Our Hearts's. - I was able to adapt the recipe to a soaked sandwich bread recipe.  It is so yummy! However, I did not have a chance to try Upon Our Heart's recipe.  I will have to try it this week.
• Apply for CSA/Buying Club. - I did not get a chance to fill out the application last week, so I will do it this week. 
  
• Try Kefir and introduce it to kids.  - We all liked the kefir we tried.  It was a vanilla flavor.  Super good.  

Good Finds
Books - Two of the books that I checked out from the library this week are phenomenal.  I will be purchasing them.

• Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day: 100 New Recipes Featuring Whole Grains, Fruits, Vegetables, and Gluten-Free Ingredients - I love this book.  It has recipes for bread dough that you can make in bulk and store in your refrigerator for up to two weeks. When you want a fresh loaf, you just pull off a portion, let it rise, and bake.  Super easy and so good...seriously!  I will be making all of my artisan-style loaves with this recipe.  I may even try it for sandwich bread sometime.  
• Bob's Red Mill Baking Book - This book has so many recipes that I want to try.  This week I made the Parmesan Muffin recipe.  They were delicious. 

Products

• Burt's Bees Grapefruit and Sugar Beet Shampoo and Conditioner - These smell so good.  They really do make your hair extra shiny, as well.  I ordered from Vitacost.  They have great prices on vitamins and bath and body products.  Plus, shipping is only $4.99. 
  *These have a hazard score of 2 on the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database. Pretty good - a "1" is the best.

Recipe

• Calabacitas from Sarah's Musings - Very rich, cheesey, and gooey.  Great comfort food.

Week Six Goals

• Try making rolls from Master Recipe in Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day: 100 New Recipes Featuring Whole Grains, Fruits, Vegetables, and Gluten-Free Ingredients 
• Start a collection of family friendly vegetarian meals.  Grass fed meats are more expensive.  Therefore, to stay within our budget, we will now be incorporating a few more "meatless meals" into our meal plans.  
• Research  how to make homemade kefir.  We all enjoy kefir.  However, it is a little pricey, so I thought I would see if I could make my own.
• Apply for the CSA and Buying Group.

Breakfast
Granola and yogurt
Apple Cinnamon Muffins using GNOWFGLINS's Basic Soaked Muffin Recipe
Soaked Pancakes (in blender)
Egg in a Hole
Breakfast Tacos

Lunch
Turkey Sandwiches, Fruit, Veggies and Dip/Pretzels
Pasta Marinara, Bread
Bagel with Cream Cheese, Fruit
Beans and Franks, Fruit, Veggies
No school on Friday

Dinners
Sunday - Superbowl Party
Pioneer Woman's Simple Perfect Enchiladas 
Ina's Chicken Noodle Soup and Homemade Bread
Ina's Mozzarella, Pesto, and Tomato Sandwich
Kitchen Stewardship's Pepper Steak
Friday - Babysitting Night at Nursery School/John and I Out to dinner ~ Yay!
Leftovers

Check out what other bloggers are eating at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Do you have any kid friendly "meatless meal" ideas? Please share!

To see all of the posts in this series go here! 

What We Are Eating: Week Five

Recap of Week 4
Here is how I did with Week Four's Goals

• Transition to Raw Milk  - This went very smoothly.  My children love it.  In fact, I think they have been drinking more milk than normal.  I have never been much of a milk drinker.  I never really liked the taste,  and it usually bothered my stomach.  I have had no stomach issues with the raw milk, and I actually like the taste.  YAY!
  
• Continue to look for a Homemade Sandwich Bread Recipe.  So far my family likes Musings of a Housewife's  Homemade Whole Wheat Bread Recipe the best.  This week I am going to try soaking the flour before I bake the bread.  I'll let you know how that goes.  I also want to try this recipe from Upon Our Hearts: 

Here's a simple bread recipe I use. I have found that the texture turns out a lot better with a finely ground whole wheat.  Soak overnight 2.5 cups flour in 1 cup water and 1 to 2 T. apple cider vinegar.  Next morning place dough in bread machine and add:
2 t. yeast
2 T. melted butter
2 T. sugar or honey
1 t. salt
1/2 C. flour
Let bread machine knead bread. Shape and place in greased bread pan. Rise to double (I usually set the bread pan in a cake pan filled with warm water). Bake 30 minutes at 350.

• Research Local Farms (Beef, Poultry, Dairy). - I wasn't very successful on my own.  I was having trouble finding farms that weren't far away.  However, my friend Beth helped me out.  She sent me a link to this cooperative which offers a CSA and a Buying Club.  Perfect!
  

Good Finds
Some favorites from last week:

• Musings of a Housewife's Tried and True Chicken Nuggets  - We all loved these!
• Kelly the Kitchen Kop's Soaked Baked Oatmeal - Super yummy with a little cream and maple syrup on top. 

Week Five Goals

• Experiment with making Musings of a Housewife's Homemade Whole Wheat Bread Recipe  a Soaked Bread Recipe and try  Upon Our Hearts's (above).
• Apply for CSA/Buying Club.
• Try Kefir and introduce it to kids.
  

Breakfast
Heavenly Homemaker's Giant Breakfast Cookies
Homemade Granola with Yogurt and Fruit
Egg in the Hole
Egg and Bacon on WW Bagel

Lunch
Tuna salad
Quesadilla
Turkey and Cheese on Crackers
Pasta Marinara
Sandwich - Almond Butter and Honey or Peanut Butter and Banana

Dinner
Paula Deen's Salmon Croquettes with Green Salad
Kitchen Stewardship's Dad's Cheeseburger Helper with Green Beans and Asparagus
Lentil Tacos and Pinto Beans and Avocado
Calabacitas from Sarah's Musings with a Mixed Green Salad
Spaghetti Squash with Clam Sauce
Roasted Chicken with Macaroni and Cheese and Brussel Sprouts
Left Overs

Check out what other bloggers are eating at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

How did your week go?  Did you accomplish your goals?  Did you learn/find anything you would like to share?  I would love to hear from you!

To see all of the posts in this series go here!

What We Are Eating: Week Four

Recap of Week 3
Here is how I did with Week Three's Goals:

• Make Nourished Kitchen's Beef Stock - I did make beef stock using this recipe.  However, it did not turn out very rich.  I am not sure what I did wrong.  I roasted the bones first and followed all of the directions.  The only thing I can think of is that I used too much water.  Any suggestions?
  
•  Find a Good Soaked Bread Recipe - I tried Inspired Homemaking's recipe for Soaked Whole Wheat Bread in the Bread Machine.  It turned out pretty and the texture was nice.  Not a favorite, of my children, though.  I think they may like it better with a tad more honey and 50/50 mix of ww and white flour.  This week I am going to try Jo-Lynne's (Musings of a Housewife) favorite recipe for Homemade Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread and Passionate Homemaking's Soaked Whole Grain Bread recipe.   I will let you know how they turn out.
  
• Read Nina Planck's Real Food: What to Eat and Why.  I did read this and highly recommend it.  Nina does a beautiful job making scientific nutrition concepts easy to understand.  Her book is also  full of lots of useful information which will help you in making food choices, planning meals, and making personal decisions about your nutrition.  In addition, John and I watched Food, Inc. Enlightening and informative.

Good Finds
Some favorites from last week:

• Kitchen Stewardship's Granola Recipe  - I made this on Saturday.  I added some cinnamon, dried cranberries, flax meal, and pecans.  So good!  All of my kids love it.
• Kitchen Stewardship's Granola Bar Recipe - As Katie suggested,  I used 1/2 cup of natural peanut butter in place of 1/2 cup of butter.  I also added some chocolate chips.  Huge hit with my kiddos.  I packed them in lunches.
• Minneapolis Real Food Lover's Cottage Pie with Mashed Yams - I used rutabagas instead of yams.  Delicious!  No left overs.

Week Four Goals

• Transition to Raw Milk.
• Continue to look for a Homemade Sandwich Bread Recipe.
  
• Research Local Farms (Beef, Poultry, Dairy).
  
  

Breakfast
Hardboiled Eggs and Fruit
Kelly the Kitchen Kop's Soaked Baked Oatmeal
Tasty Eats at Home's Breakfast Tacos  Made these this morning - So awesome!
Yogurt and Kitchen Stewardship's Granola Recipe
Kitchen Stewardship's The Best Pancakes Ever
Egg in the Hole

Lunch
Turkey and Swiss on Whole Wheat
Pasta Marinara
Tuna Salad
Almond or Sunflower Seed Butter with Banana Sandwich
Cheese Quesadillas
Side items:  Apples with Kelly the Kitchen Kop's Easy Peanut Butter Dip, corn chips and salsa, veggies and hummus, fruit, cheese

Dinner
Cabbage and Sausage
Nourishing Day's Mexican Chicken Soup
Red Beans and Rice
Pioneer Woman's Spicy Shredded Pork
Hamburgers with Sweet Potato Fries
Musings of a Housewife's Tried and True Chicken Nuggets with Brown Basmati Rice and Veggies
*With our dinners, I usually try to serve a simple salad or another type of fresh veggie.

Check out what other bloggers are eating at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

How did your week go?  Did you accomplish your goals?  Did you learn/find anything you would like to share?  I would love to hear from you!

To see all of the posts in this series go here!

Health Benefits of Salmon and Canned Salmon Recipes

In reading  Real Food: What to Eat and Why, I have been learning about the health benefits of  wild salmon. I knew that salmon contained healthy Omega-3 fats.  However, I did not understand the importance of these fats.  Did you know that Omega-3 Fats...

• Regulate blood sugar levels and fat burning.
• Prevent heart disease.
• Are being prescribed for depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
• Help to prevent diabetes.
  
• Deficiency in children is linked to dyslexia, poor motor skills and ADHD.
• Deficiency in teens makes them more prone to anger, hostility, and violence.
  

For these reasons, I have decided to make an effort to incorporate wild salmon into my family's diet.  Being on a budget does not always allow for salmon fillets or steaks, though.  Therefore, I have been looking for some recipes in which I can use canned wild salmon.   Whole Foods has canned wild sockeye salmon for $2.49/can.  Not bad.

Here is what I have found so far...

• Paula Deen's Salmon Salad Recipe 
• Paula Deen's Salmon Croquettes (use a traditional fat in place of the vegetable oil)
  
• Rachael Ray's Salmon Burgers with Caesar Slaw  
• Salmon Chowder  (use cream in place of evaporated milk)
  
• Salmon Sandwich Stuffer (use full fat yogurt and mayonnaise)
• Nourishing Days' s Salmon Cakes with Lemon Caper Butter
• Emeril's Spicy Salmon Cakes with Poached Eggs and Hollandaise Sauce (recipe is for crab cakes, just substitute salmon)
  

How about you?  Do you have a yummy, healthy salmon recipe?  If so, please share.


This post is participating in Real Food Wednesday, hosted by Cheeseslave and Kelly the Kitchen Kop and Pennywise Platter Thursday hosted by The Nourishing Gourmet.  Head on over for more real food recipes and info.

What We Are Eating: Week Three

Recap of Week Two
This week's goals were to learn to make chicken stock and to find a cookie recipe (with no refined sugar or white flour) that my children will like and think of as a "treat".   I did make chicken stock and it turned out pretty good.  I did not find a cookie recipe because I found this Peanut Butter and Honey Bars recipe and decided to try it instead.  These got mixed reviews.  Samantha liked them, Gracen thought they were ok, and Wes did not like them at all.  He loves PB and honey, so I think it was the sesame seed flavor that he did not like. I will continue to work on this goal.


Good Find
This Cottage Cheese and Fruit Salad  recipe.  I do not normally like cottage cheese, but I really liked this salad.  I will be making it again.  The only change I will make is to add less cinnamon. 

 Week Three Goals

• Make Nourished Kitchen's beef stock.
• Find and make a good soaked bread recipe.  (Anybody have one?)
• Read Nina Planck's Real Food: What to Eat and Why.
  
  

Breakfast
Bacon and Egg on WW Bagel
Muffins - Nourishing Traditions Recipe
Hard Boiled Eggs and Fruit
Kitchen Stewardship's Granola Recipe with Whole Milk Yogurt
Cottage Cheese and Fruit Salad

Lunch
Turkey and Swiss on Whole Wheat
Chicken Nuggets
Pasta Marinara
Tuna Salad
Almond or Sunflower Seed Butter with Banana Sandwich

 Dinner
Taste of Home's Sausage Lentil Soup
Minneapolis Real Food Lover's Cottage Pie with Mashed Yams
Kalyn's Kitchen's Chicken with Asparagus and Three Cheeses 
Martha Stewart's Crockpot Chili Chicken Tacos
Tasty Eats at Home's Pork Satay with Mashed Cauliflower
Cabbage and Sausage
Left Overs 
*With our dinners, I usually try to serve a simple salad or another type of fresh veggie.


Check out what other bloggers are eating at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

How did your week go?  Did you accomplish your goals?  Did you learn/find anything you would like to share?  I would love to hear from you!

To see all of the posts in this series go here!

Using Homemade Chicken Stock: How and Why

 This week one of my goals was to make Kitchen Stewardship's homemade chicken stock recipe.  I started it very early on Monday morning and let it simmer the entire day (about 14 hours).  I used some of it to make her Chicken Barley Leek Soup and froze the rest in 1 cup servings.

Procedure
I did mine a bit different than KS.  Here is what I did:
On Sunday I oven roasted two large chickens.  One we had for dinner and the other I picked.  I put the picked chicken in two separate zip-loc bags.  One I put in the fridge to use in my soup.  The other I froze to use for chicken tacos, chicken and rice, or more chicken soup.  I put the picked chickens in the refrigerator because I wanted to start my stock the next morning.  On Monday morning I got started.  Here are my steps in numbered order:
1.  Placed chicken bones in bottom of large stock pot.
2.  Added 4 quarts of cold water and 3 Tbs of vinegar.
3.  Let the chicken bones soak for 1 hour.
4.  Brought to a boil.  Removed scummy stuff that rose to the top.
5.  Reduced heat and simmer for 14 hours.  (You can simmer for 4-24 hours.  Longer is better).
6.  One hour before the stock was finished, I added some carrots, celery, onion, and garlic.
7.  About 10 minutes before stock was finished I added a some fresh tarragon.
8.  Once the stock was finished, I strained it into a large bowl.  I placed the bowl in the fridge.  As the stock cools, a layer of fat will congeal on the top.  You can skim this off or not.
9.  Used some of the stock to make soup and froze the rest.

Very easy and made my house smell really yummy!

Results
It was very simple to do.  The taste is quite flavorful.  However, I did not get much gelatin to form on the top of mine.  I know this sounds strange, but the gelatin contains important immunity boosters, so you want it.  

Changes

Next time,  I am going to make a bigger batch.  If I can work up the nerve, I may even try using chicken feet (instead of the chicken bones) to increase the amount of gelatin. Kitchen Stewardship also reports that you can boil down the stock to form more gelatin.

Uses
Chicken stock can be used instead of water when making rice and beans.  It can also be used in soups, stews, casseroles, and to make your own cream soups.  Here is  list of recipes using chicken stock. 

Why
For those of you who are wondering why in the world I don't just buy chicken stock, here are just a few reasons:

• Health benefits - boosts immune systems, aids digestions, provides easily digestible minerals
  
• Cost - less expensive than buying quality stock
• Environmentally friendly - "recycling" the chicken, no packaging or shipping involved
  

For more info, read this post about the health and nutrition of homemade stocks/broths.  Once you read this, you will be pulling out your stock pot and saving your chicken bones.

Do you use stocks in your cooking?  If so, share your recipes and ideas with us!

What We Are Eating: Week Two

Recap of Week 1
I have to say, I am proud of our first week accomplishments.  We stuck to our meal plans and were able to significantly reduce the refined sugars and white flour in our diets.  Everyone was pretty good about it, except Gracen.  She was devestated that she could no longer have Cocoa Pebbles.  To be completely honest, I have to admit, I did break down and by her a box of lower sugar, whole grain Honey Nut O's.  However, I did not allow her to eat it everyday.  I want her to think of it as a treat, rather than a staple.  With Christmas treats fresh in their minds, the kids did ask if we could make cookies, so we made the Giant Breakfast Cookies (link to recipe in my meal plan below).  We have made those before, and they really like them.   Overall, I am happy!

Week 2 Goals

• Learn to make homemade chicken stock.  I will be using Kitchen Stewardship's homemade chicken stock recipe.
  
• Find a cookie recipe without refined sugar that my children will like.

One of my readers, Rebekah, is planning to follow along with this series and the weekly goals.  To keep track of her family's progress, she thought it would be helpful to have a chart upon which she can record everything.  I though it was a great idea, so I have designed one that can be downloaded.  You can fill it in with the weekly goals that I will be setting for this series or with your own personal goals. 

Thanks, Rebekah, for sharing your idea.  If anyone else has any ideas or comments about how I can make this series more helpful/useful, please leave me a comment.
Table

Good Finds

• Trader Joes Goddess Dressing (No high fructose corn syrup, 1 carb, no additives or preservatives) - We ate this on salads, but also as a veggie dip and a spread for wrap sandwiches.

• Trader Joes Whole Wheat Wraps (only 4 carbs) - Good for soft tacos, sandwhich wraps, breakfast wraps, and quesadillas.

• Arnold's Whole Wheat Bread  (No high fructose corn syrup)

• Trader Joes Sunflower Seed Butter and Almond Butter - Even my picky children give these the thumbs up.

• Stevia - An all natural sugar substitute that we use in coffee, tea, and mix in plain yogurt and cottage cheese.
  
  
• Cashews - Everyone in our family loves a handful of cashews for a yummy snack.
  

Week 2' s Meal Plans

Breakfast
Cottage Cheese and Fruit Salad
Giant Breakfast Cookies
Hard Boiled Eggs and Fruit
Trader Joes Soy and Flax Flakes
WW Bagels with Turkey Bacon
Pioneer Woman's Egg in the Hole


Lunch
Almond or Sunflower Seed Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
Pasta Marinara
Tunafish Salad with WW Pasta
TJ Chicken Strips
Ham Sandwich
*Items I serve with these - mini peppers and dip, celery and almond butter, fruit, plain yogurt (with stevia) and granola, giant breakfast cookies, cheese sticks, pickles, broccoli and dip, dried fruit bars, Whole Food's Veggie Straws (not really the most healthy, but kids love them for a treat)
**Saturday and Sunday - Leftovers or Quesadillas


Dinner
Spaghetti Squash (WW pasta for kids) and Turkey Sausage with Marinara
Turkey Vegetable Chili
Mediterranean Steak Salad
Crockpot Chicken Tacos
Oven Roasted Chicken with Mashed Potatoes and Veggies
Seared Tuna with Sesame Seeds over Mixed Greens (kids will have ww mini bagel pizzas)
Leftover Night

Check out what other bloggers are eating at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

How did your first week go?  Did you accomplish your goals?  Did you learn/find anything you would like to share?  I would love to hear from you!

To see all of the posts in this series go here!

Week One: What We are Eating

Several of my blog friends have inquired about my plans for "detoxing" my family and incorporating more whole foods into our diets.  Therefore, I thought I would post about our progress each week.  I will let you know what we trying, what has worked, and what has bombed.  In addition, I will share recipes and resources that I find helpful.  It is my hope that you will share your experiences, as well.

Week One Goals
*No sugary breakfast cereals.
*Cut down on white flour products.

Breakfasts - Eggs (hard boiled, scrambled), ww bagels with cream cheese, plain yogurt with flax seed and granola, peanut butter and banana on toast, Heavenly Homemaker's Giant Breakfast Cookies

Lunches - Chicken strips, turkey and cheese roll up (ww tortilla), ww pasta and sauce, egg salad, tuna fish sandwich

Dinners - Chicken and veggie stir fry, Barefoot Contessa's Tarragon Chicken Salad over mixed greens, hamburger patties and bean/carrot mix, Mahi-Mahi and brussel sprouts, soup and sandwiches/salad, Pioneer Woman's Spicy Shredded Pork with ww tortillas

*Samantha is a very good eater and will eat all of these dinners.  However, Wes and Gracen are a little pickier.  If they do not like what we are having, they can choose to have a sandwich on ww, yogurt and fruit, or cereal (TJ soy and flax clusters).

What are your goals for this week?  Any advice or suggestions for me?

Join Menu Plan Monday at I'm an Organizing Junkie.
To see all of the posts in this series go here!