Home Dining with a Flair!

A few weeks back, we decided to start using up the things we had in our deep freeze.  One of those items was a precooked brisket.  Nothing wrong with brisket, in fact, midwestern brisket is one of my favorite things to eat!  But.... we generally only serve it one of two ways - with BBQ or without BBQ. 

Boooriiiiing.

I was pondering it while weeding our garden.  I realized our lettuce had sprouted tiny little leaves and got my inspiration - brisket with baslamic vinegar on a bed of microgreens.  (Microgreens are so in right now ;)  It looked so pretty and put together for once, I just had to take a picture.  Just because you may have leftovers doesn't mean they can't be magnificent! ;)

Paleo at Your Local Walmart

Think you can't shop Paleo at your local stores?  Think again :) 

 

 

This brilliant post has tons of great ideas on how to go paleo, without spending an arm and a leg at a fancy natural store.  Also, with summer starting up, so are farmer's markets!  Support local farmers AND healthy eating! :)

Homemade Strawberry Toaster Tarts

I am always looking for healthier, on-the-go, quick and easy breakfasts for the kids in the morning.  Cereal causes them to linger at the table and they literally forget they even eat it, demanding breakfast within the hour.  Pop-tarts are unfortunately one of the things we have fallen back on in the past.  So when I found a recipe for homemade toaster tarts with make-yourself stawberry filling, I couldn't wait to try it!

Following the recipe carefully, the kids and I waited anxiously to see how they turned out.  I didn't even get the chance to put a glaze and sprinkles on before we were digging in, but they didn't even need it they were so good!  However, they didn't make it to my regular menu because for all my work, it only made 6 pastries - one for each of us at normal size.  (I suppose you could halve them and get double, which may make it worth it if you have fewer than 4 kids eating them :)  Nevertheless, they are a wonderful treat anytime and a great way to use this summer staple!

Herbed Pasta Salad

After enduring one of the last days of school before summer and working hard in the garden, our family needed a quick and light dinner to match the sunny skies and high temps.  This new favorite herbed pasta salad was just the ticket!

It is from doTERRA's Essential Oil blog, so of course it includes their essential oil in the dressing :)  (Do NOT consume any other brand's basil essential oil - only doTERRA is pure enough to take internally!)  Regardless, I didn't have doTERRA's basil essential oil yet, so I instead used a zesty Italian dressing instead of making theirs.

It was the perfect meal, coming together in less than 30 mins and being filling without heaviness.  There was even enough left over for another dinner :)  With the exception of child #3 disliking the peppers and onions, and child #4 refusing to eat the tomatoes, the family gave it their thumbs up!  Hubby even complimented me several times through the meal and didn't end up making himself "second dinner" later in the evening.  I think I just found my new go-to summer meal! :)

Maple Glazed Ham Steaks

I refuse to put a picture up of this recipe.  None of the crappy home-made picts on the site do it justice.

These maple glazed ham steaks are like an Easter celebration in your mouth.  Weird, but true. 

Hubby doesn't like ham to the point of actually refusing to eat if all we have is ham lunch meat for our sammies.  The only exception is a true-blue-once-a-year honey baked ham with dijon mustard and other spices from my Grandpa's recipe.  So when I told him what I was making for dinner, he was pretty hesitant.  After reluctantly agreeing to one serving of the glazed ham, he tried a bite and immediately requested 2 more helpings!  The kids feasted like kings and I spent the evening feeling like a conquering hero.  Take THAT Monday night! ;)

Crack Broccoli

This is the recipe that started it all.  It is how I derived my theory that every veggie can be exciting and delicious if you find the right way to make it :) 

Growing up, we only had broccoli one way - steamed and if you were lucky covered in velveta cheese.  For years I thought I hated broccoli... until I tried it raw dipped in ranch. 

My family likes raw broccoli ok, but THIS, they love!!! After trying crack broccoli, I am not allowed to serve it any other way!  It is literally the first thing eaten off their plate and leave them asking for more, even after seconds :)  It is also the MOST requested recipe from me.  It goes with most everything and is super fast to make.  It is simple enough a kid can even make it with some supervision for the oven.  The only way to blow this recipe is not making enough! ;)  Try it tonight!

Egg Perfection

At the start of our paleo diet, I was totally overwhemed.  "If I could just cook a few simple things really well, I would be set."  My first endevor was omlettes.  Growing up I remember my Mom's perfectly cooked & seasoned scrambled eggs.  They were worth dragging my tired teenage butt out of bed for.  My eggs, not so much.  They were flavorless, spongy, and even a ton of cheese on top couldn't rectify them. 

Enter Julia. 

Everyone remembers her tall figure and funny accent.  But more importantly, she was an incredible chef and her unique charm shines through her dishes :)  And I could totally relate to an impromptu dinner party for 300 (what a normal dinner around here feels like ;)  Since using her technique and simple recipe, I have cooked ham and spinach omlettes for playdate lunches, bacon omlettes for dinner, and plain omlettes as fast as I could cook them for my starving small army (aka family).

The next 30 minuntes will change your life :)  Bon Appetit!

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

Why yes, these peanut butter oatmeal bars are even better with chocolate chips in them!  Not that I tried that or anything ;) 

This is a great make ahead breakfast that can last all week.  Cook in cupcake liners with sprinkles and a drizzle of royal icing on top for a healthy afternoon snack.  Or replace the peanut butter with maple syrup, cooked apples, walnuts, blueberries or anything your heart (or sweet tooth) desires ;)

Protein Wrap

"I'll take a cobb salad, hold the greens!"  That's basically what this delicious wrap tastes like :)  Super easy, super filling and super good for you!  We made them for an outdoor family dinner and served along with fresh strawberries. My fav kind of meal - simple and delicious! 

There are all kinds of paleo wrap/tortilla recipes, but I used basic lavash from the store, since it is yeast free and the kids have trouble with lettuce wraps. It was wonderfully filling but not too heavy - perfect for spring and summer :) 

Paleo Apple Pie Smoothie

Give me an apple flavored anything and I will be happy ;)  But this is even better!  I made these amazing apple pie smoothies as an after school snack for the kiddos and a pick me up for myself.  Super yummy!  And it helped my kids get enough nutrients they weren't bouncing off the walls or fighting with each other while I made dinner. Score!

It's is a great boost to have inbetween meals, after a workout, or with an omlet for a protein-packed breakfast.  I may have even served these along with a simple veggie meal for dinner ;)

Note: If you are making the almond butter yourself, make sure the consistancy is creamy like peanut butter or it will be kinda lumpy and hard to get through your straw!

My favorite salmon recipe!

I'm back from Easter break with a kick!  Oh my tastebuds!  This has got to be hands-down the best salmon recipe I own, and I don't normally even like teriyaki!  The sriracha cream sauce is so simple and flavorful, you will never buy that prepackaged stuff again.

It is another simple recipe that is impressive, restraunt quality even ;)  Great for company, or just a quick healthy meal in between evening activites.  Grilling this would be a nice summer alternative to baking it.  Serve over rice with broccoli, asparigus or wilted spinach.  Top an asian salad with it, or just drown it in sriracha cream sauce the next day for a lunch on the run :)

My kids beg for this meal daily, and even Hubby, the Salmon Master himself, has officially turned over fish cooking honors to me after I made this ;)  Add it to your summer repertoire; you won't be disappointed! :)

Naan

Ok, this is definitely not paleo, but it is so delicious, that it is worth adding to our Indian dinners :)  Naan is easy peasy to make, and definitely cost efficient.

I used vanilla yogurt, and it didn't make any difference in flavor :) 

We ate them with a sweet potato soup, but they go with everything!  Curries, stews, mexican, chinese, you name it :)  Just a word of caution, I would absolutely double the recipe as these will go FAST! :)

Bang Bang Cauliflower

I give this 6/5 stars!!! Yes, that's one more than my rating system, it's THAT good :) 

Fashioned after Bone Fish Grill's famous "bang bang shrimp," this cauliflower recipe is time consuming but totally worth it with amazing taste and yeild.  I ended up asking James to help in order to expedite the process (he handled the skillet), so I recommend this as a two person recipe (you could even have a child helper do the dipping and coating while you fry :) 

My 4yr old was skeptical at first, but he fell in love at first bite.  There was only a tiny bit leftover, which I ate for lunch the next day :) 

I used our spicy japanese sauce from this recipe because it was simpler and we had some on hand. (If you use 2tbs of sriacha instead of 3, it will have more of a sweet than spicy flavor for kids :)  We will absolutely be making this again!

Spiced Carrot Cake Cookies

Carrot cake is the male birthday cake of choice in our home.  And who could blame them?  Homemade carrot cake is full of moist, spicy goodness and those box cakes can't hold a candle to them.  So when I found a recipe for carrot cake cookies, I had to make them for my menfolk (who currently outnumber us girls ;)

These cookies were delicious!  The kids ate them for dessert, snack and even as a quick breakfast one morning (they have carrots and oats, ok!? ;)  Hubby, liked them, but prefers a crunchier cookie.  These did need to bake a little longer in our oven than the recipe called for, since they would break apart otherwise when trying to get them off the baking tray.  (Could be just our old oven not getting hot enough.) 

I loved everything about this recipe - the smells as I prepped and mixed ingredients, the complexity of flavors, the gooey butterscotch chips, the happiness and excitement my kids had in eating them....  ahem.  Excuse me, I think I have some baking to do ;)

Smothered Chicken

Some days, you just need a pick-me-up from the mundane drudgery and grey skies.  Yesterday was that day for us - tons of outdoor playtime in the warm spring sunshine, and a scrumptious meal just to celebrate life :)  I went with an Italian theme, and picked a couple new recipes to try out - Smothered Chicken and Italian cream sodas.

It could have been because the kids worked up an appetite playing outside, but they were so excited over this chicken, they asked if we could have it again tomorrow and the next day :)  I served asparagus & bread as sides.  Overall, the meal was just as wonderful and vibrant as the orange tulips on the table :) 

My mushrooms went bad, so I skipped them much to my 7yr old's chagrin.  (He discovered he actually liked mushrooms earlier in the day:)  I cooked the onions with a couple slices of bacon and baked the rest, because I prefer crispy bacon.  Because I started the recipe late, I didn't have time to marinate the chicken, so I cooked it in the sauce as well.  Also, I didn't add the topping or more sauce until I served them.   You cannot go wrong with this; any way you choose to prepare it, it's a party for your tastebuds!

Crockpot Philly Cheese Steak Subs

The picture does not do this recipe justice.  This is juicy, hearty, and bursting with flavor :)  All day while cooking, the kids repeatedly commented on the amazing scent that filled our home.  Eventually, I told them the truth - that it was the onions and peppers cooking - in hopes they would at least try them at dinner.  And it worked!!!  Out of four kiddos, only one decided they didn't like them after a first taste.  The other three ate all of them up and had seconds!   Hubby loved this meal too.  His only complaint was that I should have doubled it!   Crack broccoli, homemade fries, or baked sweet potatoes go along nicely :)

THE Most Requested Recipe.... So Far!

When a recipe claims that children actually reached over bowls of candy for this veggie, you have to try it!  While I don't know that my kids would surpass candy for it, crack broccoli does get lots of cheers from the family and is one of the most coveted dishes I make.  (Meaning, if you are not fast, the others will have eaten all of your second helping up!)

As many chefs state, "color is flavour" and that is certainly true for this simple broccoli recipe.  This cooks up in a matter of minutes with almost zero prep time.  (I do not peel my broccoli, as the recipe calls for, since I cannot tell the difference and it saves time :)   The most important tip about making crack broccoli is to use at least one big broccoli head, if not two.  Otherwise, you will be wishing you had made more!

ShamROCKIN Paleo Shake

"Wow!!!"  was literally the first thing I said when I tried this shake.  It truly DOES taste just like a certain fast food chain's shamrock shake.  Hubby even finished drinking his before the kids!  And that says a lot!

Made with ice, coconut milk, peppermint extract (or certain brand of essential oil), honey and an avocado, it makes the perfect, exciting "side" to a nutritious meal.  The kids loved it so much, we had it again soon after as a post-school snack.  It's full of all those good fats and oils that actually help your body and boost your energy.

This paleo shamrock shake was the first recipe I did tell the kids what was in it because I want them to know that healthy can be delicious :)  If I teach them at home now, I believe it will help them make good food choices later!  See, I told you veggies are exciting! ;)

BEST Breakfast Ever!

Steel cut oats are the bomb-diggity.  Seriously.  I can't believe it has taken me 31 years to realize their tasty goodness.

Because eating healthy requires so much more preparation and time, and because I cook for a small ever-growing hoard of children, I need recipes that are worth the time and effort it takes to make them.  Meaning, I must be able to get more than one meal out of them and they must keep us full until the next meal.  And this is one of them :)

 

These overnight steel cut oats can feed my family breakfast (and snack!) for a week.  Because they are so filling, you really don't need to eat huge portions.  (This particular recipe calls for milk, and oats are obviously a grain, so not paleo, but a healthy sub.)  These are just as quick and easy as instant oats, but way more healthy and honestly better tasting. 

 

I tweaked the recipe a bit to fit our family.  Instead of putting the oats into serving-sized mason jars, I used a 9x13 glass dish with a lid and just cut pieces as needed.  If you wanted to add something to the oats (peanut butter, almond slivers, chocolate chips, honey, cooked apples and cinnamon, vanilla, coconut, flax seed, etc), mix it in before putting in the pan.  Otherwise, add toppings before serving :) The best part is that if you use the large pan and already have added your toppings, you can BAKE IT and have your own to-go oatmeal bars!

 

Warning! This type of warm, yummy goodness is addicting!  I actually find myself craving a bowl with coconut, vanilla, almonds and a sprinkle of brown sugar :) 

 

Dry Roasted Cabbage Wedges

I am quickly learning that cabbage is a highly under-rated veg.  High in antioxidants, cabbage is rich in vitamins K & C, B1, B5 and B6.  It also provides fiber, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium for strong bones, and potassium for regulating the heart rate and blood pressure.  In just 1 serving size (1cup)!

One of our favorite ways to enjoy cabbage is simply dry roasted.  (I say "dry" as some recipes call for butter, lard or other wet ingredients.)  We substitute coconut oil for the olive oil, and like to change up the spice on top depending on the menu.

This is a great recipe for little hands to help with once you have sliced the cabbage.  And it cooks quickly, which is important when you have ravenous children who morph into kitchen marauders any time you turn your back ;)  I also love how versatile this dish can be - serve chopped as a garnish to your chicken, as the "plate" to a hearty helping of other roasted veggies, or just a simple side to your pot roast.  But the best part is that the leftovers are just as good as the night you roasted it... that is if there's any left ;)

Bacon Wrapped Chicken Strips

Paleo Cupboard is one of my favorite food sites.  Tons of amazing and delicious meals, including this one - bacon wrapped chicken strips.  Anything that has bacon in the name must be tasty and it was.  I made it one of those nights where I have only a little time to get everything done before I am out again for the evening.  It was perfect!  Came together easily, cooked quickly and served as the protein part of our meal.  Next time I will baste the chicken initially before wrapping in the bacon and omit the second basting.  I think this will solve the bacon issue I had, as I prefer super crispy bacon.  You know it's good when dinner is totally silent because the kids are eating it all! :)

Sunday Sweet

This has been circulating around the web a bit and it always looked enticing.  The perfect oppourtunity came when we had some of Dood's friends over after school.  These were quick to make and super delicious.  AND the recipe made enough to fill 6 hungry kids :)  I cooked them a little longer to make them more solid and used chocolate chips rather than raisins.  You could skip the almond milk and I think they would take a little less time to cook.  Perfect for snacks, desserts, or even breakfasts ;)  Definitely a favorite around here!

Welcome!!!

The older I get, the more important health is becoming to me.  When I was younger, I never had an issue with weight or energy.  But then I married and had 5 children in 7yrs and it did a number on both my energy and eating habits.  Last year Bean was diagnosed with too much yeast in her system.  Then came Baby Cuda's inability to have dairy.  I came to the realization of just how much food affected the way we all felt.  And what a food rut I was in from Hubby's year-long deployment. 

I decided to start slow - healthy snacks.  I stocked up on high protein bars and bought bags of raw almonds at Sams.  The protein bars ran out too quickly and I got kidney stones from all the almonds (seriously!).  I began cooking at home more, but mostly quick meals or ones from the freezer section that left us feeling gross or still hungry hours later.  Over the following months, I read more about GMOs, real food, protein heavy meals, and buying organic.  Then my sister got engaged and Lent began.  Both great reasons to make a drastic diet change :)  Sometimes the best way to do something is simply to dive right in, and that's just what I did.

The new way we eat is referred to as "paleo."  This is essentially the foods our ancestors would have eaten - no sugar, no dairy, no grains & no starch or beans (if you are strict!).  It is protein rich with hearty additions of veggies and fruit.  What a learning curve we endured for the initial month!  Eating this way takes much more preparation and organization as you cannot simply throw something together.  It also takes time to build your ingredient staples, many of which are difficult to buy in our little town.  Because I am nursing Baby Cuda and need extra calories, and since the older kids take lunches to school and have trouble with lettuce wraps, I made a decision.  We would eat paleo as much as possible, while trying to stay sane.  We will currently avoid recipes with ingredients I cannot buy here locally.  If I make exceptions (such as rice with our salmon, potato wedges with veggie burgers, or low yeast flatbread sandwiches for the kids' lunches), they would only be healthy exceptions.  So no easy junkfood or fast food substitutions for meals or snacks, even if it means we eat later or more simply than planned.  Even the simplest dish can be delicious when cooked well :)

Many of our family and friends have requested recipes and in the best interest of sharing those with everyone, Veggies Are Exciting was born :)  We are still learning ourselves, but would be happy to answer any questions you have :)  As Julia says, "Bon Apetit!"