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~

~Yummy One Pot Meal~Sausage and Spinach Pasta~Make Gluten Free or Not~

Sausage, Spinach and Quinoa Pasta 

One package of sausage {I used Applegate Organics italian chicken-turkey sausage}
1/2 onion, diced {Optional}
1 cup sliced mushrooms {optional, I love mushrooms}
1 can 13-14oz diced or stewed tomatoes {I used Muir Glen
organic diced}
1 1/2 cups chicken stock {I used homemade}{Click here for homemade chicken stock recipe}
8oz package Quinoa Pasta {I used Ancient Harvest Organics} OR{ for regular you can use 1/2 package of egg noodles}
3 cups of fresh spinach {I used Earthbound Farm Organics}
1 cup of fresh grated Parmesan cheese


Start by cutting up the sausage into slices. Then put sausage in pot and brown, add onions and mushrooms, then when the mushrooms shrink and onions are cooked add in the tomatoes, chicken broth, and uncooked quinoa pasta OR uncooked egg noodles. Bring to a boil and then lower to a simmer. Lastly add spinach making to stir in well. Let cook about 10 more minutes.

Grate your fresh Parmesan and sprinkle over the top before serving. Let melt a bit and then serve!

~This post was inspired by Wholesome Mommy and her blog, She has a similar recipe, I just tweaked it to my liking, which you can do too!~

~Easy Homemade Chicken Broth~

The health that is in chicken broth is amazing, that is why I learned how to make my own. I attached this GREAT article on the healing effects of bone broth from Dr. Mercola's website. Its a great read and very informative. I would encourage you to read it if you are really serious about learning to make your own chicken broth, it will get you excited about making it! Also, Dr. Mercola has an even BETTER recipe and way of making broth, although its more time consuming. {NOTE}I'm just trying to help moms out who need quick, easy recipes for their family, but if you have more time then I would suggest trying his method.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/12/16/bone-broth-benefits.aspx

You can use your chicken broth to make soups, boil noodles in, make rice with, or quinoa.

Just about every week when I'm planning my meals I use chicken meat. BUT instead of buying chicken breasts, I usually purchase the whole chicken. Its ALWAYS cheaper and I can get two meals out of one chicken. So for example I will make chicken soup with some meat and a stir fry with the leftover meat.

EASY Homemade Chicken Broth

Crock pot {If you don't have a crock pot, you can do this in a large pot on the stove, put in water and chicken and bring to boil, then set to low and let simmer uncovered for about 4 hours, add more water after 2 hours if its getting low}
1 whole free range chicken, thawed
water

Place you whole chicken in the crock pot, fill with water about 1/2-3/4 full. Turn crock pot on for most convenient time for you. If your gonna be home set for 4 hours, if your going to work all day set for 10 hrs.

When chicken is all done, let it cool. Then pull chicken out. Use strainer to strain broth for unwanted bones or meat pieces. Strain broth and pour into a container until ready for use. You can freeze your broth or place it in the freezer if you know you will be using it that week.

You can store your broth in many ways, glass jars, tuberware, or even plastic ziplocs if thats all you have on hand. It takes time to build up a kitchen with gadgets, so use what you have until you can buy what you'd like :)

{Additional}

After you have picked all the meat off, place the remaining bones in a pot full of water and simmer for anywhere from 20-60 minutes. Whatever time you have. The longer you simmer the more health in your broth. Then strain out bones, use for chicken soup immediately and just add veggies and meat OR store in container until you use.

{Note}

Since this is homemade broth it will harden and become gel-like if stored or leftovers are placed in fridge. This is okay and normal, once its warmed it will return to its liquid state. :)