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! :)
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!
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! :)
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! ;)
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!
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.
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!
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 ;)
