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!

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!

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! ;)