Breakfast Pazookie! :)

Guys I'm in heaven. 

I love breakfast. 

I love dessert. 

This is both. 

wink emoticon

 

I found this recipe and I've made a few adjustments to the one from #cleanfoodcrush 

I needed an oatmeal boost for nursing and this is so delish. 

👊

🏼

Breakfast: Oatmeal PizOOkie! {4 servings}

■Preheat oven to 375 degrees f

2 cup dry oatmeal

8 tablespoons almond flour/coconut flour (you may substitute whole wheat flour if needed

8 tablespoons mashed banana (2 medium ripe bananas)

1 egg to help hold it together well

1-2 TBSP water to moisten if needed

Sweetener is optional: pinch stevia, 2 tsp raw honey, or 2 tsp agave.

2-3 tsp cinnamon

1⁄2 tsp salt

OPTIONAL add ins:

1 Tbs flaxseeds,

1 Tbs cacao powder (for chocolate cookie),

1 Tbs cacao chips, OR,

1 Tbs almond/peanut butter.

Directions:

Mix oats, almond flour and mashed banana in a medium bowl.

Mix in your optional Add-Ins of choice. Combine well.

Place the mixture on a parchment lined baking sheet, form into a round 6-8 inch cookie and

flatten about 1/4-1/2 inch thickness.

Bake at 375 degrees f for 8-10 min.

Flip carefully with large spatula and then bake for an additional 5-8 min. Keep an eye on it.

You want the edges to just brown. Cool.

Mix a few tablespoons Greek yogurt, quark, or whipped coconut cream, with a drop of

vanilla and a pinch of your favorite sweetener.

Spread the yogurt/cream the cookie. Top with your favorite fruit, berries or nuts.

If you try it, tag me or message me and tell me what you liked! 

One Meal Now, One Meal Later

One Meal Now, One Meal Later
Broccoli, Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Chicken

Serves 4 (double for freezer meal)
Prep Time: 15-20 min (if chicken is thawed) Cook Time: 35-40 min

Ingredients
4 chicken breasts, sliced in half, or pounded thin enough to fold in half
2 cups chopped broccoli
1 cup fresh spinach or 3/4 c frozen (smash it in a bag while frozen to get more spinach in your meal)
1.5 c mixed cheeses (I used parmesan, motzerella, and a cheddar blend)

Seasonings:
3/4 tsp paprika
3 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
2 tsp Italian seasoning blend
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp sea salt

Directions:

Prep: Chop broccoli and mix with spinach, measure and mix cheese in bowl, slice chicken or pound thin. (if you don't do this step, it'll take you twice as long to assemble the meal!)

Preheat oven to 375. Spray 9x13 baking dish.
Combine spices in a bowl. Sprinkle about half of the spices over the inside of the chicken.
Assembled stuffed chicken breasts and lay in baking dish by adding a handful of broccoli spinach mixture, and a small handful to cheese mixture. Close and press firmly to hold the veggies in. sprinkle the remaining spices over the stuffed chicken. Sprinkle cheese over everything.
Bake for 30-35 min or until chicken is cooked thoroughly.

Serve as is, or with a small serving of mashed cauliflower, mashed potatos, or brown rice and extra veggies if desired.

(If assembling TWO meals, cook both, and then store the cooked meal in the freezer for up to 3 weeks, OR use for leftovers for lunches throughout the week!)

Enjoy!

(PS if you don't enjoy spicey food, then omit the paprika, or serve with a dollop of plain Greek yogurt like sour cream to neutralize the spicey flavor!)

Check back next Tuesday for the next meal!

Clean Eating Series: Healthy Snacks! (My Top 5!) PLUS a GIVEAWAY!

Healthy Snacks! (My TOP 5 Favs)
PLUS a GIVEAWAY (see the end)

Okay! So I've had some requests for healthy go to snacks I love!

I want to share some basic just prep and grab as you go snacks and hacks, but I also want to share a couple that you can make ahead of time and enjoy throughout the week. :)

1. Fresh Fruits and Veggies! This is by FAR  my number one. If I have a choice between eating a fruit/veggie vs a carb, I'll go for this! Pair apples or bananas with PB on whole wheat toast for a more hearty snack!

2. Raw nuts. Peanuts, Almonds, Walnuts, Cashews--lower sugar nuts are the best! You can snag most of these in bulk at WinCo, Sprouts, or Costco and get a LOT that will last you a LONG time. :)

3. KIND Bars. These are seriously a MUST in my house. I can't go without. My favs. are the dark chocolate with Sea Salt

4. Healthy Fruit and Veggie Dip (serve with fruit, or celery) I LOVE this tip. Make it ahead of time, keep in the fridge, and wah-lah! Snacks for days!

Healthy fruit dip

1/4 c plain Greek yogurt

1 -2 tsp nut butter of choice

1 tsp honey or vanilla

1/2 tsp cinnamon 

Mix up together and serve with fruit or even celery is pretty good too! 

5. Oven Roasted Veggies (like kale, green beans, asparagus, zucchini chips)
       Preheat the oven to 350. Spray desired veggie lightly with cooking spray. sprinkle lightly with seasonings (I prefer a little salt and a little garlic powder--1/8-1/4 tsp each). Cook for 8-10 min or until desired crispiness has been reached. (Green beans should be on a higher heat like 375 for about 15 min to get them more crispy).

I hope you enjoyed this!

Now! Giveaway time! I'm doing a drawing on May 2nd for a FREE cookbook--FIXATE to compliment the purchase of a challenge pack for anyone who joins in on my May Challenge Group Prep Week Preview, starting NEXT Monday, April 25th! If you'd like to be included in the drawing talk to me about how you can get involved! Send me a message on FB, IG, or leave a comment here on my blog! :)

Clean Eating Series: How Do I feed a family while I eat healthy??

So many times, I have people ask me how I figure out what to feed my family while I'm striving to eat healthy. 

I have a hard time explaining this because it's really not complicated at all! Just stop overthinking it. 

My secret? 

I promise I'll tell you. 

eventually. 

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I make healthy substitutions. 

Yep. that's all there is to it. 

If I know something isn't as healthy for me, I simply search out or just test out a healthier option. 

Don't over think eating healthy. Keep it simple and stick to what you know as you start trying to eat more healthy foods. You don't have to have a crazy awesome plan--just use your resources! Ask me, google it, or pinterest it. I promise if you have a comfort food, SOMEONE out there also has that comfort food and they have created a healthy option. :) 

Here are a few substitutions I've made in the last few years....

Mayo => olive oil and dijon mustard with some lemon juice

Canned/store bought Marinara Sauce => homemade marinara sauce (see previous post for this recipe)

White flour => whole wheat flour, or better yet, oat flour, or a gluten free option like almond flour, coconut flour, etc. 

Sour Cream => plain Greek yogurt (Fage from Costco is my favorite)

I also substitute simple veggies for well known carbs. You can always serve the carb option for your family (most kids would prefer to keep the tortilla in a taco, and kids need those carbs for energy and growing bodies!)

Bread, tortillas, chips, french fries, etc. => lettuce wraps, sliced and oven roasted veggies

Noodles => "zoodles" (shredded zucchini), spaghetti squash

When in doubt? add more veggies and/or cut out the carbs completely, and up that protein to help keep you full! 

Take tacos for example. 

Usually, I would have served tacos with tortillas. Tonight however, I served them on top of zucchini. 

(adapted from this recipe here: http://thefithousewife.com/2015/06/turkey-taco-zucchini-boats.html/)

Zucchini Taco Boats

serves 4

1 lb ground beef or turkey, seasoned with a simple taco seasoning (I get the premade one, but you can make your own with a little cumin, garlic powder, salt, pepper, onion powder)

4 medium zucchini, sliced in half length wise (I also cut them in half cross-wise again)

1/2 c Mexican cheese

1 c re-fried beans (to help the meat stick to the zucchini)

for toppings: 

2 small, ripe avocados, mashed

2-3 TBSP fresh or organic salsa per person

Brown meat in skillet and add in desired seasonings for taco flava. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350. Spray a baking dish lightly with cooking spray. 

Slice zucchini in half length wise, and then cross wise for smaller bites. Spread re-fried beans on the squash surface. lay in baking dish. Top with meat spread out over all the squash. Sprinkle with Mexican cheese. Bake 20 min or until zucchini is tender and cheese is melted. 

Serve with desired toppings! Enjoy!

If you like these tips, be sure to subscribe to my blog for a weekly meal tip or clean eating tip!

Today marks day one of my clean eating group! if you'd like a daily tip this week, I can add you to this free group! Just send me your email on https://www.facebook.com/danet.peterson via personal message, or via email: swimwriter312@gmail.com

When a Baby Smiles

When a Baby Smiles

When a baby smiles up at empty space, or at the ceiling tall,
Do you believe
That they can see an angel
In some celestial place?
Do you believe their smiles
Speak of times once spent in heaven?

Do you believe their laughs and coos
Are conversations that they have
With friends they miss so dearly?
With friends they know they'll meet in time
Down here on Earth one day?

When baby smiles up at the wall,
Do you believe they're looking
Through a well lit window,
Into heaven's light prone state?

When a baby smiles at you or me,
Do you get a special feeling
That they know so much more than you,
about a special place in heaven
Where all the babies play together
Before they come to Earth?

When a baby smiles up at you,
And then looks over your shoulder
With a knowing and in awe,
Do you ever feel that they could be
Looking into Christ's laughing eyes?

I'd like to think my babies
Have that special bond with heaven;
Where the veil is thin and they still see
And talk with special friends;
friends and family who have yet to come
Down here to earth to greet them,
And then perhaps some certain friends
Who's stay on Earth was brief.

I know my children came to me
From a special place in heaven.
I know they have a place with me
That none but me can share.
I know their smiles and grins,
Oft to  those I cannot see
Are a testimony of just how fresh their spirit is
When they come here to Earth with me.


Today has been a hard day of motherhood. One where I've felt literally in the trenches of my role as a mother. But tonight as Tatum was nursing before bed, she suddenly stopped, and looked up, off into empty space in the ceiling. She was cooing and more talkative than she has ever been before. Her little smiles and half laughs were not directed to me I felt, because the spirit that was there in the little room in our home where she and I were having some special time before bed was SO strong it brought tears to my eyes. I feel certain the veil must be so thin for all little children as they first come to earth. I honestly feel like the veil that we as adults cannot see through is so thin for all children until they come to a certain age that they must rely on faith to walk the path of life, as we all must at some point.

I'm so grateful for my role as a mother. Today was hard, for many reasons I don't need to dwell on. But seeing this special reminder of just how close my little baby girl is to heaven was exactly what I needed today. Days as a mother with whiny children never seem to end. But in the end the hugs, the snuggles, the smiles--those are what we remember right? And what we remember most is all that matters.

One meal now, one meal later!

One meal now...one meal later!

I saw a series like this on a friend's blog and I think it's totally GENIUS. 

I already do this, but now I'm sharing it. (duh... don't know why I didn't think to share it earlier!)

Honestly, one of my least favorite things to do (despite all my pretty food pictures) is spend a TON of time making a meal. Especially dinner. I want dinner to be done as quick as possible so I can spend time with my little family, talk to my husband, etc. 

That means dinner either needs to be a crock pot meal with minimal other prep, a freezer meal that just needs reheated, or very simple for the evening. 

I'll be trying to share a freezer meal once a week as part of a "one meal now, one meal later series." we'll see how long I can keep it going. 

Don't forget to subscribe to my blog if you'd like to keep getting weekly emails with updated posts. I know not everyone sees it on Facebook or Instagram!

Alright....down to recipe business!

Chicken Parmesan and Parmesan Zucchini Bites!

Chicken Parmesan 

serves 4

4-5 medium (6-8 oz) chicken breasts, sliced in half (pretend you're making a sandwich of chicken when you slice it. You want it thin) 

3 eggs, beaten lightly in a bowl and set aside

1 to 1 1/2  c Italian whole wheat bread crumbs (regular is fine too)

1/2 c motzerella cheese

1/2 Parmesan cheese, grated 

1/2 to 1 c Homemade marinara sauce

Preheat oven to 350. Coat chicken in egg, then dip lightly in breadcrumbs. Lay into oiled baking dishes. Bake for 30-35 min. Turn off oven. Top chicken with 2-3 tbsp of sauce per piece. Sprinkle cheeses and serve after cheese melts. Great when complimented with the zucchini Parmesan bites! 

**For homemade sauce, I use this recipe with a tad alteration-- http://varietybyvashti.org/2014/05/13/free-seasonings/

• 1 can diced tomatoes (low or no salt is best)
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 1-2 TBSP honey (to offset the acidity of the tomatoes)
• 2-4 cloves garlic, minced
• Italian seasoning, to taste

Stir the ingredients in a pan and simmer for 20-30 minutes.  If necessary, add just a pinch of sugar or Stevia to remove the tartness.

So there you have it!  Freeze your extra meal in a tinfoil container, or in ziploc baggies if you're cheap like me. It'll freeze well for about 2 months! (this recipe serves 2-3 people, so do the math and double up ingredients!)

Zucchini Parmesan bites:

Serves 2

2 zucchini, sliced length wise into eight pieces 

Drizzle or spray with 2 tsp olive oil then sprinkle on spices

1/2 tsp garlic powder 

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1/4 c Parmesan cheese, sprinkled over the top of the zucchini

Preheat oven to 350. Bake for 12-15 min or until zucchini is tender when forked.

I hope you all enjoy this recipe as much as I do! 

Happy Thursday!

Homemade Granola!

Homemade Granola-Family Recipe

Have you ever wanted to eat better, but found it was just too expensive? Like if you wanted to have cereal type food, but the granola was just soooo pricey that it didn't feel worth it? 

I'm SOOOO grateful for my grandma for sharing this recipe with me. It's an incredible granola recipe and has tons of incredible whole grains in it. I'm a firm believer in the power of whole grains, including wheat (sorry all you gluten free peeps). However, you could easily modify this recipe to be a gluten free one. :) 

Homemade Granola Recipe

Ingredients

• 8 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup wheat germ (gluten free try subbing in coconut flour or almond flour, or a gluten free flour for the powdered options)
• ½ cup flaxmeal
• 1 ½ cups oat bran
• ½ cup sunflower seeds (roasted or raw)
• 1 ½ cup chopped almonds
• 1 ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• ¼ cup flax seeds
• 2 Tblsp sesame seeds
• 1 ½ cups coconut

• 1 ½  tsp salt
• ½ cup brown sugar (optional)
• 1/3  cup real maple syrup
• 1 cup honey
• 1 cup coconut oil (or vegetable oil)
• 1 Tblsp vanilla extract
• 1 Tblsp ground cinnamon
•  2– 3 cups mixed dried fruit ( raisins, dried cranberries, dried apricots, etc.) 

Directions

Preheat oven to 275 deg.

Combine oats, wheat germ, flaxmeal, oat bran, sunflower seeds, nuts, flax & sesame seeds, coconut in a large bowl. 

Stir together the salt, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, oil, cinnamon, vanilla in saucepan.  Bring to boil over med. Heat, pour over the dry ingredients, and stir to coat.  Spread mixture out evenly on two large baking sheets.

Bake about 40 minutes, stirring 3 times during baking. 

Cool, stir in dried fruit.  Store in airtight container.  If storing more than two weeks, store in refrigerator.

My hubby and I LOVE this recipe, and it's pretty kid friendly as well. If doing portion fix, one serving is a yellow container (1/2 cup) and a teaspoon (to account for the oil)

Happy Monday!