No Bake Delightful Granola Bars {Gluten Free}

 

I have made granola bars in the past, but they were crumbly, and just not good. So I went back to buying store bought bars, but now that I'm eating gluten free it became more expensive to find quality gluten free granola bars. I also wanted to make them kid friendly. When I make something, my goal is to make something the whole family will like. Sometimes this momma's house does feel like a restaurant with all the good food, but this momma's restaurant only has one thing on the menu per meal ;) Lol.

Delightful Granola Bars


2c Rice Cereal
2c Gluten Free Oats
1/2c Peanut Butter
1/4c Light Brown Sugar {I used Coconut sugar}
2/3c Honey {Or Brown rice syrup}
1tsp Cinnamon
1tsp Vanilla
1c Nuts {I used Walnuts}{optional}
1/2c Mini Chocolate Chips or cocoa nibs {Optional}
1/2c Cranberries {Or your dried fruit of choice}
1/2tsp Salt



First you need to pour honey, peanut butter and brown sugar in a sauce pan and cook on low heat until mixture is melted together.

 Next, add your oats and crispy cereal to a bowl and pour warm honey mixture on, mixing it all well.

 Add your vanilla, cinnamon, cranberries, and nuts.

 Lastly add your chocolate chips, BUT be careful not to mix them to much or they will melt!

 Next line a large pan with plastic wrap, and spray plastic with non stick spray OR spread some oil on it, so your bars won't stick to it when they are done. {I used coconut oil to spread on it}

 Then place the pan in the freezer for about 1 hour.

 After the hour take out the pan, and VERY CAREFULLY pull the bars out using the plastic wrap.

 Slice the bars with a sharp knife, carefully. {You can taste test any that break ;)}

Cut into desired size bars.

I individually wrapped my bars and placed them in a baggie for a quick snack. I placed some in the fridge and some in the freezer, there were quite a few. I made these a couple weeks ago and they are almost gone now!

These bars turned out great and I'm really thankful to have found a gluten free recipe for some good granola bars! Here is a link to where I found the base of this recipe, Averie Cooks, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars.

REAL Food Nachos {Gluten Free} AND The Challenges of Being Hungry @ The Grocery Store With Kids

Today I totally forgot to bring a snack with me, that's always a bad idea when I know I'll be gone longer then 2-3 hours. Thankfully I had to stop at the store on my way home anyways, so I figured I would grab a few bananas for the kids and I to hold us over.

As I was walking through the store, I could tell my kids were just as hungry as I was. I had to stop myself from looking at everything, and just focus on why I came. The kids looked like vultures circling their prey ready to grab everything! I had to keep the cart in the middle of the isle so Weston didn't grab things from the shelves. I told Michael to hold onto the cart to keep himself from fingerprinting every box of goodies he saw.

Finally I grabbed some salmon and baby items and we headed to the checkout, BUT that's the worst place to be when your hungry. First they have magazines lined up with tons of garbage all over it and junk food galore. Weston grabbed for the kill and got a snickers, I gently grabbed it saying that i had some bananas in the cart for us to have. Thankfully he was so excited about the banana that he gladly let the snickers go without a fight.

As we left the checkout and everybody bundled back up to go into the arctic zone {I'm exaggerating a bit, but its so cold and keeps snowing, ah!} I gave the boys a banana. We got into the car and started on our way home. Along the road there was a lady waiting at the bus stop, and she pulled a doughnut out of her bag and started eating it. My first thought was, I wonder where she got that from? Hence where's the closet bakery BUT I stayed on my mission of home. Bakeries are places I rarely visit, because there's no gluten free options and I like to make homemade goodies anyway. BUT when your hungry anything with carbs looks good.

So when we got home Michael made peanut butter and jellies for Weston and himself, and I decided to make some REAL food nachos. Its so easy and you can add whatever you like or have on hand.

REAL Food Nachos

Corn Tortilla Chips
shredded cheese {I used RAW cheese I found @ woodmans! I was so excited}
black beans {optional}
plain yogurt {Or sour cream}
salsa
Guacamole or avocados {I used some leftover guacamole} {optional}

Other toppings you can use:
Tomatoes
spinach
lettuce
feta
onions
corn
And whatever else you can think of

Spread out your chips on a plate, sprinkle shredded cheese over the top, add black beans {and other items that need to be heated up}.

Warm up in the microwave for about 30-40 sec

 Add yogurt{sour cream}, salsa, and guacamole

Enjoy!

You can do this as a treat, snack, dinner, or for a party. People can make their own and personalize which topping they like.

You can always melt the cheese in a pot and add some butter and milk to make it more creamy like, but serve immediately before it gets to stiff ;)

Before You Call for Delivery, READ THIS! Eating REAL food is NOT about dieting, Also, Homemade Pizza Night {Gluten Free}

Running short on time, or forget about dinner? Don't get fast food or order out just yet! 

Homemade pizza is SO YUMMY and super quick. I actually ran to the store and grabbed some premade gluten free dough but I had all the other ingredients on hand. Sometimes I enjoy take-out too BUT I try to do everything I can to make all our meals at home. And places l eat are limited if the choice is up to me.  Since we are a one income household, we also have to be budget conscious when eating out and making food at home is ALWAYS cheaper for us.

{Recipe at bottom of post}

I enjoy cooking and I feel good about knowing whats in my food. Nothing is worse then going out to a restaurant so hungry, ordering things you normally wouldn't, questioning whats in the food, then eating it anyways. AND then you regret it about 10-20 minutes after when your stomach is hurting, your head is pounding and your so upset that you just treated yourself that way. Okay maybe that's how I feel, but you get my point. I have felt this way too many times that I have decided if I'm struggling and want something I know is gonna make me feel yuck, I will make it with REAL food in my own kitchen with ingredients I know my body will appreciate.

YOU are worth REAL food. Eating REAL food doesn't have to be like a diet, and you don't have to cheat. You can eat REAL treats. I'm going to be making some yummy brownies this week, but with REAL food and one of the ingredients is zucchini :) Look for the recipe coming soon!

I don't have to feel like garbage after I eat REAL treats, and I don't have to have guilt over my head because I cheated on my diet. And I don't have to feel like I messed up so now I'll just go back to eating whatever.

Your body is like a car, if you don't feed it the right fuel, its gonna burn out, explode, and fall apart.

I have chosen to not eat refined white sugar as much as is within my power, I have substituted all my sugar in recipes for stevia or honey. I'm doing this for many reasons, 1. I'm addicted to sugar and going cold turkey would create a monster, 2. I'm trying to heal my stomach but still crave sweet things sometimes, 3. Stevia doesn't have the same harmful effects as other sweeteners, such as aspartame which is known to cause neurological effects., 

I have chosen to quit gluten. After I had some blood tests done I have chosen for my health that its better to cut out all gluten as much as is in my power from my diet. I'm so thankful to God that I have done this. For me cutting out gluten also helped limit my carbohydrate intake {breads, pastas, muffins, cookies, etc.} Carbohydrates and sugar are whats making US {Americans} fat, NOT fat. We need fat, good fat, such as avocados, peanut butter, nuts, some meat, coconut oil. I feel more clear headed and have more energy as well.

Some people have also talked about cutting out all grains, I'm not there yet. I still eat rice which is naturally gluten free, quinoa, and popcorn. I do try to make recipes without grains because i want to limit my carbohydrates, but I'm comfortable at this point with eating rice, quinoa, and popcorn. I also do not eat rice made in the USA if I can help it, it has high levels of arsenic, although this can be in any rice, the US rice has very high levels. I usually buy basmati rice, jasmine white or jasmine brown rice.

You can curb cravings by replacing them, for example trade a late night snack with a warm cup of tea. You can also make healthier versions, in my case I like peanut butter cups, BUT I'm eating sugar free now, so I have a recipe for homemade sugar free peanut butter cups. Most products on the market that are sugar free, are dangerous because of the artificial sweeteners and have no nutritional value. My homemade peanut butter cups have a plant based sugar alternative, stevia, pure organic protein filled peanut butter, and dark chocolate with antioxidants, OR Chocolate protein powder, OR Carob protein which is naturally caffeine free. I will post that recipe soon :)

Its hard in the beginning to change your routine, and to turn your back on things that are easily accessible, fast, convenient, and something you really like. BUT the longer you start weaning yourself towards eating REAL foods, you start to feel better, energized, and overall better. You won't want to go back to the foods that gave you a quick good feeling, but afterword made you feel yucky. And if you do, it will be a reminder why you chose to give it up. {I know this from personal experience :)}

Homemade Pizza Night

Make this a fun night with your kids, get all the toppings out and let them help, or make individual pizzas. Make your dough from scratch or buy premade dough. If I still ate gluten I would have made my own dough BUT with being gluten free I'm still learning how to bake with gluten free flours and such, SO it was easier for me to get some gluten free premade dough. Buying premade dough to me is better then ordering out pizza. I can still remember the last time I ate take out pizza, I felt so yucky that I couldn't even sleep that night, it was horrible! SO, now I make our pizzas at home. Since I'm gluten free it also helps me reject certain foods I normally might cave on. I feel so good after being off gluten, I don't wanna go back!

Use what you have or add what you want!

Here's what I did:
1 box of 4 Premade Gluten free pizza dough from Woodmans
spinach
feta cheese
mushrooms
pepperoni
pasta sauce or pizza sauce
minced garlic
olive oil

You can also use/try:
pineapples
shredded cheese
Parmesan cheese
chicken
BBQ sauce
onions
tomatoes
zucchini
sausage
bell peppers

I spread a little olive oil on the dough before adding any toppings, then I spread out some minced garlic on the crust.

I added my sauce, then my spinach, add cheese, meat and veggies.

Bake until cheese is melty, and/or crust is tanned.

HAVE FUN AND EAT REAL FOOD!

Here is a recipe for homemade gluten free dough, I will be trying this soon!

Cauliflower Pizza Crust – Don’t Let the Name Fool You

"Out of the Box" Homemade Mac N Cheese {Gluten Free}

This post was inspired by my sister in law and my beautiful nieces! I'm really hoping Claire and Cennedy like it. If not then I'll just have to keep trying :) This post is also for moms alike whose kids like the "box stuff" but want to give them something better :)

If your child is super picky about where their mac n cheese comes from, I'd suggest leaving a box of Annies or Kraft on the counter when your making this, just so in their mind they think its from the box.

I understand that everybody's real food journey is different. We should all get to the point of using real ingredients BUT overtime you will learn what ingredients are safe or better and continue to change based on this new knowledge. It takes time, but I'm glad we are getting back to eating whole foods :)

The reason that some of the ingredients aren't in the picture is because after I was done making it I felt like the taste was a bit bland, so I added some more favor :)

"Out of the box" Homemade Mac N Cheese 
16oz box Macaroni Noodles {I used 2 8oz boxes of Gluten Free Andean Dream Quinoa Macaroni}
1/4c butter { I used Full Circle Organic}

1/2tbsp minced garlic

1/2c Flour {I used Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Flour}                                      

1 1/2c of Milk {I used rbst free milk}
1c heavy whipping cream
2c shredded white cheddar cheese {Buy a block and shred yourself, its cheaper}
2tsp Dijon mustard
2tsp yellow mustard
2tsp garlic pepper 
salt and pepper to taste
1-2tsp turmeric for coloring only, not taste

Directions

1. Cook macaroni according to directions on package

2. Meanwhile, place butter in a deep pan or pot and let melt on low heat, add minced garlic

3. Slowly add flour, whisking and mixing as it is being added

 4. Slowly add milk and cream, whisking and mixing as its added. Turn up heat to low-medium, Cook until it thickens up and bubbles a bit.

5. Add cheese, Dijon mustard, yellow mustard, garlic pepper, salt and pepper, mix, cook until smooth

6. Start by adding 1 tsp of Turmeric and add up to 1 more teaspoon to color to your liking, this is for color only and not taste.

7. Add macaroni, stir up.

8. SERVE!

I made turkey hot dogs from Applegate, and a side salad with buttermilk ranch dressing in addition to the mac and cheese. My kids and my husband REALLY liked it. Michael said it tasted better then the box stuff! l was glad for the leftovers. I used the leftovers as a side to crock-pot chicken the next day. It was yummy!

Let me know how it turns out!

Tortilla Quinoa Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing (Gluten Free) Very Simple

This is wonderful way to change up your regular salad routine and try something new! I have been using quinoa more in my recipes and adding it to my diet ever since my chiropractor Dr. Khristi mentioned it to me.{Thanks Dr. Khristi Kennedy Otto}. I'm so thankful for my chiropractic office, its not just a place to get an adjustment, but a place to talk about lifestyles changes, recipes, new health news.

 Quinoa is a known super food. It is a complete protein and is a great replacement for gluten free diets and those watching carbohydrate intake. I use it in my chicken soup instead of noodles and I use it for breakfast, I use it with curries and whatever else I can figure out.

I also want to mention that if you like avocados, and cilantro you will like this very much but if your not sure about avocados, leave them out but you can't leave out the cilantro. This salad is very refreshing and flavor packed!

 I recently picked up the book "The (Gluten Free) Quintessential Quinoa Cookbook" By Wendy Polisi. I REALLY like it and have already tried many recipes and plan to try a bunch more. I borrowed the book from the library but I will be buying this one to keep. The library is a great tool for renting books first to test them out and then only purchasing what was most useful.

Tortilla Quinoa Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing {Gluten Free}

6 corn tortillas
3c Romaine Lettuce
2c Cooked Quinoa
1 1/2c Black Beans {about 1 can}
1c Cherry Tomatoes, quartered
1 medium red onion {I used white because I had it on hand}
1 Avocado, pitted, peeled, and diced





Cilantro Lime Dressing

1/4 c fresh lime juice
2tbsp maple syrup {or agave nectar}
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 cloves garlic {or 2 tbsp minced garlic}
1/2c cilantro leaves, chopped
1/2c Olive Oil
1tsp REAL salt



Directions:

Bake corn tortillas for about 5-10 minutes in oven to make them a bit crisp, take out set aside

In a large bowl combine lettuce, quinoa, black beans, tomatoes, red onion{or white}, and avocado

Next make dressing by combining all of the ingredients, in her book it says to blend, but I think it would be good either way, blended or just mixed up, so you choose :)

Lastly add your dressing to your salad and add tortilla, you can crumble it up or leave it whole and scoop out salad on it.

Here is a link to the author of this recipes website her website:
http://www.cookingquinoa.net/

I really enjoyed reading her story about her journey with her own health. It really encouraged me. The slogan on her book says "Eat Great, Lose weight, and feel healthy", and I feel that way with her recipes.

~Honest Motherhood~

Quick and Easy Chicken Stir-Fry {Gluten Free} One Pot Meal!



Stir Fry's are a super easy meal. They are a great way introduce veggies and to use whatever veggies your family enjoys. Stir Fry's are a regular at our house, especially in the winter months. I have found a gluten free teriyaki sauce that I really like and so do my kids! They are also quite inexpensive, and super quick. I try to always keep extra veggies in the freezer, in case I'm exhausted and need something for an easy meal.





Quick and Easy Chicken Stir Fry{Gluten Free}

2-3 fresh or thawed chicken breasts
olive or coconut oil for frying
1 bag frozen stir fry veggies
1 bag frozen broccoli {Or veggie of choice}
Gluten Free Stir Fry Sauce{I used OrganicVille, picture to right}
2 cups rice cooked {I used Basmati}

If your using a minute rice, cook last but if your using a rice that requires more cooking time which I suggest, then start your pot of water and rice now.

Then cut your thawed chicken breasts into pieces, put cut pieces into a deep pan or large pot. Add 2-3 TBSP of oil. Cook chicken until fully cooked and browned.

Add your frozen veggies, simmer on medium until veggies are tender.

Add Gluten free stir fry sauce. Let simmer on low until your ready to spoon out.

Add rice to a bowl or plate and then scoop stir fry over it, enjoy!  :)

Yummy Pumpkin Pie {Gluten Free w/ Dairy free version}

 Pumpkin pie is a favorite dessert of mine. I could eat it all year round. BUT I wanted to make a healthier version, so all the sugar didn't cancel out the benefits of eating pumpkin. AND I also needed a gluten free version, which in my opinion whether your gluten intolerant or not its a healthier version for you.

Wheat is not healthier in my opinion anymore, through my research in fact switching from white to wheat doesn't really make a difference, especially if your buying commercially made breads. Most wheat is genetically modified, AND its basically nutritionally void. I know that eating "whole grains" or carbohydrates is part of a balanced diet based on the USDA recommendations, but the USDA also recommends GMO's, and they are NOT safe. Lets try to think outside the box, literally :). Lets view carbohydrates  in broader terms then bread. Vegetables have carbs :) Rice has carbs and is gluten free :) Potatoes  and sweet potatoes have carbs. Quinoa has carbs. Oatmeal has carbs.

ANYWAYS, I've cut out the wheat and trimmed the sugar way done without taking away from the taste :)

Yummy Pumpkin Pie {Gluten and Dairy Free}

Crust
1c unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2c  Gluten free oats {Oats are naturally gluten free but some are made in places with wheat, so check package :)}
3.5 TBSP Coconut oil
2 TBSP honey

Filling
1c pumpkin puree
1/2 c  unsweetened almond milk or other milk substitute
1 tsp REAL salt
1 tbsp honey
1 egg
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Homemade whipped Cream
8oz Heavy whipping cream
1/4-1/2cup stevia or syrup {or your choice of sweetener}
1 tsp Vanilla

 For a dairy free version:
How-to Make Whipped Coconut Milk Cream

Preheat oven to 350

 Okay to begin, lets make the crust. Measure out your oats and coconut flakes and add to a blender or nutribullet, use a low speed or your two blade cutter. You just want to make grind it up into a kind of flour but not make it creamy.

Once its has become like a flour, you can add your coconut oil and honey. Place in your baking dish and spread out like a crust.

Next is the filling, add pumpkin puree, almond milk, salt, honey, egg and pumpkin pie spice in your bowl and mix it up good. Then pour into your crust.

Bake @ 350 for about 20-25 minutes or until your filling in firm and crust is a bit browned.

You can eat it warm, if it is really crumbly put in the fridge for about 30 minutes so the crust can firm up a bit. i have made this twice so far and the first time the crust was fine, but the second time it was more crumbly, so i just put it in the fridge for a bit.

Lastly make your whipping cream. Use blender or beaters for this. Only add heavy whipping cream and whip or blend until it thickens up. then add other ingredients.

Your all done. Enjoy your almost guilt free pumpkin pie with homemade whip cream :)

Delicious Spinach, Banana, and Orange Juice Smoothie {Get in your Veggies!]

Spinach is one of my favorite greens because it tastes really good and is easy to mix with other fruits and vegetables. I'm trying to up my intake of veggies and a smoothie is a great way to get more veggie!

Delicious Spinach, Banana, and Orange Juice Smoothie
1-2c Spinach {Add to your liking}
1 banana
1/4c orange juice, or a fresh orange
1/2c water
3-4 ice cubes

Add to blender, vitamix or in my case nutribullet and blend. Once you make this once you won't even need a recipe, you will just put in to your liking. I try to limit the amount of fruit and OJ, because I want to cut back on my sugar intake.

Smoothies is a great treat and a great replacement for sugar or carb cravings. Its a great energy boost, you can mix and match your favorites.

My Family Favorite Guacamole Recipe {Thanks to my mom}

My mom has been making guacamole for me since I can remember, it has always been a favorite past-time treat! I love avocado's so much sometimes I just eat them with a little salt. This recipe has come from my mother who always makes the best guacamole! Now if you don't like any of the ingredients just leave it out, and add what you like. My sister in law said she puts garlic in her guacamole, I do not, but maybe some of you would like it that way.

Make your own and tweak it to your liking, Avocado's have the good fat your body craves for! An avocado a day may keep the doctor away ;)

Family Favorite Guacamole Recipe

2-3 avocados
1 tbsp lemon juice {Use fresh lemons, lemon juice in a bottle usually has yucky preservatives}
half of an onion, diced small
1/2 c tomatoes {Use organic if possible, tomatoes are on the dirty dozen list, highly sprayed with pesticides}
cilantro, add to liking, I really like cilantro so I add 1/2 cup, chopped
salt and pepper to taste

Slice the avocados in half, cutting around the seed, pull apart and use spoon to spoon out. Put in dish and smash up a bit but don't over do it, some chunks are good, unless you have texture issues.

Add lemon juice, onion, tomatoes, cilantro, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir up and serve with Organic tortillas.

Enjoy!

{Most of the corn grown in the US is genetically modified, so its safer to go organic as its against organic standards to use GMO's, or find a Non-GMO food label on the bag.}

Guacamole is best eaten the same day but if you have leftovers, SAVE the avocado SEED and leave it in the bowl when you store in the fridge for leftovers. It will help keep some of the flavor and not go bad so fast.

Best Recipe for Tikki Masala! {Yummy FlavorFUL Indian Recipe}

 

One of my very favorite restaurants to go to is Sai Ram Indian Restaurant. When you walk in you can smell the wonderful aromas associated with Indian cooking. It has a very peaceful atmosphere and the food is just amazing! We have tried a couple different things there such as Masala, Tandoori Chicken, Eggplant Pakora, and a couple different desserts.

It is a family owned business and the family is so nice. They have amazing customer service and are very friendly. They are great at explaining what foods are and whats in them. My family and I always enjoy going there. We have went with all five of us and my husband and I have also went for date night.

Well, recently we had ordered some Masala to take out. It was just so yummy and creamy, I decided that I have to learn how to make this. So I spent about a half hour researching different peoples recipes, watching some you-tube videos, and put together what I thought was the best recipe to my family's liking. I decided to cut down on the hotness and make it a bit more mild and with a bit of sweetness.

Its also fun to try something new and learn to cook out of your comfort zone and even if no one else likes it, usually you'll like it because your time and effort went into making it!

Here is what I came up with:

I'm going to break this recipe up in two parts to try and make it a bit easier. I took more pictures then usual because its easier to learn by seeing it sometimes. The first part is what to do with your meat. I used chicken but you can probably use any kind of meat you want. Second part will be making your Masala or sauce :)

Also I have heard that Indian cooking is highly critiqued by those who know what they are doing, so if anyone reading this is a proficient I'm sorry if I bring any shame to this highly favorite dish ;)

For The Chicken
{If you have time let marinade overnight in fridge or for few hours before cooking to boost flavor, if your just making this on a whim like I did then you can skip it}
2lb Chicken {Antibiotic, hormone, arsenic feed free}
1c yogurt {I used rBST Hormone free, good source of protein}
1 tsp garlic {I used minced garlic, not dried}
1 tsp ginger {I used powder but want to try it fresh next time}
2 tbsp lemon juice {Without preservatives, use a fresh lemon or organic}
1 tbsp Coriander powder
1 tbsp Garam Masala {I found this at Woodmans}
1 tbsp cumin
dash of salt {Sea salt, or REAL Salt}

Okay so this list may look intimidating but I assure you once you have all your ingredients its easy!

1. First take your thawed or fresh chicken breast and cut into cubes, about medium size.
2. Then put them into a bowl big enough to mix all your ingredients
3. Next, your will add all of your ingredients from the list above, yogurt, garlic, ginger, lemon juice, coriander powder, garam masala, cumin, salt
4. Mix everything together really well
5. Either let marinade overnight, for few hours or skip this step if need be. {I highly recommend letting this marinate overnight}
6. Pour into a baking dish.
7. Bake @ 350 until chicken is done cooking, 15-20minutes.
8. When its finished cooking drain the excess watery stuff before adding to tomato cream sauce.

Yeah! First part is completed! Now onto making the yummy, creamy Masala. Make this while your chicken is cooking but don't forget to set a timer so you don't forget about your chicken. So throw your dirty dishes in the sink, clean your measuring spoons and clean your space and get all your ingredients ready :)

For the Masala
1 Onion, diced as good as you can
2 tsp garlic {I used minced in liquid, not dried}
2 tsp ginger
1 jalapeno pepper {OPTIONAL, I did not use, because that's to hot for hubby and kiddos}
28oz can of crushed tomatoes {For even smoother texture puree in blender, otherwise if textures not a problem, leave it}
1 pint of Heavy whipping cream {I used organic, free of pesticides and hormones}
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped well {If you know you don't like cilantro, don't use it}
2 tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp turmeric {This is a great spice to help inflammation in the body}
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp garam masala
3 tsp sugar

I know! I know! BUT YOU CAN DO IT :)  You want to use a larger pan for this. The point of Indian food I'm gathering to to create the best flavor by cooing the spices precisely, so try to follow as best as you can :) Also if you haven't already you may want to throw on a pot of water for your rice.

1. First dice up the onion as good as you can, then add oil to your large pan {I used coconut oil, which is my favoritist!!}

2. Set heat to a bit over medium, wait for oil to get hot, then add onions. {they should sizzle immediately}
3. Add garlic, ginger {and pepper if your using it, I did not}
4. Saute until onions are very browned, you want to mix it around a bit to get the flavors going
5. Add can of crushed tomatoes, mix, let simmer for about 5-10 minutes, really let it cook, mixing as well

 

6. After letting the tomato sauce simmer, add all of it into a blender and blend. {You can skip this BUT this REALLY helps the flavors combined beautifully.

7. Pour tomato back in pan and add cream, stirring it in well {I like this part!!}

8. Add cilantro, coriander powder, chili powder, turmeric, cumin, and garam masala, mix up well
9.CHECK CHICKEN, if you haven't already :)
10. Let simmer, mixing once in awhile for about 10-15min, longer if you can. Allowing it to simmer and cook lets the ingredients blend well, and flavors deepen.

Once your masala sauce is all finished add your chicken to the sauce, I poured a little bit of the sauce from my chicken into the masala but don't add to much because you want your masala to stay creamy. So just mostly add the chicken pieces.

Lastly, if you didn't make rice, make it now, or pour over your made rice and serve. This makes a lot, so you will probably have leftovers. I used Basmati Rice that was grown on the Himalaya mountains in India. Isn't that cool, I thought so. I bought the bag from woodman's, my all time favorite store now. I also really like using Jasmine rice. These are those delicious sticky rices, also known to have less to no arsenic in them. Arsenic is a known carcinogen that causes cancer, most rice grown in US has arsenic, not exactly sure why though.

Everybody in my house really enjoyed it including my children. The first time we had it my youngest who is 2 years old ate a bit but then just wanted the rice alone.The second time he wanted more sauce and a second helping. Lol.

You have to help acquire your children's taste buds.

With kids you have to remember to give them something 3-5 times before they acquire the taste for it. Same goes for adults at times. Some foods our kids or we will never like, but try it or have your kids try something at least 3-5 times before deciding its a food they or you don't like. Change is hard most times :)

Yummy Moist Banana Bread! Use Wheat or Make Gluten Free

Yummy Moist Banana Bread

2-3 Bananas
1/2 c sugar OR stevia OR 1/2 c of Honey
1/2 stick butter {I use Full Circle Organic} OR sub for coconut oil
2 eggs
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 tbsp vanilla {The REAL stuff, not imitation}
1 tsp Baking Soda
2 c Whole wheat flour/white flour OR Gluten Free Flour {If using Gluten Free Flour, remember to add Xanthan Gum}

Optional Additions:
1/2 bag of REAL Chocolate Chips such as Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips
1 cup Walnuts or Pecans {Check ingredient list for added ingredients, such as maltodrexin, salt, sugar}Try to get plain, raw nuts

Topping
Brown sugar OR Coconut sugar sprinkled over the top before baking.

Pre-heat oven to 350.

Mash up your bananas, but do over mash :), add sugar{OR sugar sub}, add cooled melted butter{OR coconut oil}, and 2 eggs. Add cinnamon and vanilla. MIX!

Next add baking soda, and flour. Mix it up.

Grease baking dish or cupcake pan.

Add your batter and then sprinkle with brown sugar OR{Coconut sugar}.

For cupcakes bake about 20 minutes.
For pan bake about 50 minutes.

Use a toothpick to check about 10 minutes before timer goes off. Everybodys oven is a touch different.

 

My REAL Food Journey~Knowledge is Power!

 I'm very much into natural healing, whole foods, raw eatin', and natural cleanin'! I'm a FOODIE, that is a word by the way and here is the definition, "a person having an enthusiastic interest in the preparation and consumption of good food" taken from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/foodie. Why have I become so enthusiastic about food, you ask?

Well, about two or so years ago I started having digestive issues, gassy, bloating, feeling sick after eating, dizziness, foggy, and an overall feeling of sickness. I decided to go to a clinic and get tested for allergies. The Doc said I was fine and my tests were normal, but I wasn't feeling normal :/ So in the last 2 or so years (BTW I'm really bad at estimating time, so it was basically awhile ago..lol) I began my research and WOW, have I learned SO much! Yet I have so much more I what to learn and know because of what I've researched already. In short, I found out that our food system is a MESS!! We have GMO's, Artificial Flavors, Colors, Yellow # This and that, Antibiotics, Hormones, MSG, High Fructose Corn Syrup, and about tons of other science experiments in our food today.

So this is what I did, I taught myself the basics of reading food labels, I went to the library and found books on how to read food labels, researched reading food labels on the Internet and starting reading the labels of all my food at the grocery store. Anytime I couldn't understand the 50 ingredient long list, I would write it down and look it up when I got home. Most, not all, but most of the food I purchase now has usually 5 or less ingredients. And I know what those ingredients are.

It was a slow process, but I began tossing out food because I couldn't eat it after knowing what was in it. After watching the documentary Food, INC, I was so grossed out and upset with TYSON foods, that I went straight into my freezer and tossed out my new unopened bag of TYSON chicken breasts. YUCK!(Watch Food, INC and tell me if your not tempted to do the same) I NEVER buy Tsyon chicken anymore.  Then I started buying antibiotic free/hormone free chicken, usually harvestland, Walmart and Copps foods carries this brand.

Now, I shop mostly at Woodmans and I buy either organic whole chicken when I can afford it, or the brand Just Bare Whole Chicken. I can usually get two meals out of one whole bird :) And I love making soups with the chicken stock, the health in the bone broth just makes me smile..lol.

Another thing I really picked up on quickly was how everything had corn in it. This to me was a mystery I wanted to solve. I rented the movie King Corn from the library and then I began to understand why everything has corn in it. Now its not the whole kernel or corn but its a very refined, isolated part of the corn. The greatest analogy I ever heard was made on the documentary called Hungry For Change(A sort of sequel to Food Matters). A man said something like, when you have the coco plant, it makes a very good tea and has health benefits when in its natural form, but when you refine it and make cocaine it becomes dangerous and a drug. This is exactly the SAME as high fructose corn syrup. Corn is great on the cob, or in a salsa, but when you break it down so much as to take only the fructose or sugar out of it and use it as addictive sweeteners in foods like ketchup, salad dressing, milk, it becomes dangerous and a drug. High fructose corn syrup is addictive, and the sooner you can wean off it and get foods without it the BETTER off you are. Also, corn is cheap. Monsanto a major food giant, who is now patenting seeds, yes seeds, has made a genetically modified seed for corn. The genectic modified corn is heavily sprayed with toxic chemicals and its DNA is altered.

This is A LOT of info but its a great start and its where I started. I will continue to write more posts about my food journey, and what I have learned. If your on a real food journey I'm here to encourage you, you can do it! Please ask any questions you'd like and let me know how your real food journey started.

~Jenn

Here are links to the documentaries I mentioned, you can also rent them at your local library.
Check out the trailers on my blog!

http://www.takepart.com/foodinc

http://www.foodmatters.tv/

http://www.hungryforchange.tv/

http://www.kingcorn.net/

~My Favorite Sandwich~Homemade Reubens~YUMMY

When I was younger my grandmother would make homemade sauerkraut, and the smell would sweep through the house. It was a kind of stinky, tangy smell. I didn't like the smell and I wouldn't even try the sauerkraut. WHAT was wrong with me, I really enjoy sauerkraut now and even crave it at times. Its so delicious.

So one of my favorite sandwiches to make is The Reuben.

I found the best recipe on another blog and have to share this for other reuben lovers!

http://www.loriesmississippikitchen.com/2011/06/classic-reuben-sandwich.html