K.I.S.S.

K.I.S.S. = Keep it simple stupid

Sure, I get it. Stupid isn't a nice word. But, it gets the point across right? I use this acronym a lot. There are SO many things in life that I think we as humans really try to over-complicate.

We over analyze.
We over research.
We think the crap out of everything.

It makes things more difficult I think. Back when things were simple, and there wasn't as many choices .... life just seemed easier am I right? Well, today I bring you the issue of "What to make for lunch after church on Sunday" - Yes, it's an issue.

If I don't have things ready, my kids can't fend for themselves. I must have staples like bread, and peanut butter. These kids expect so much from me! (joking). This works well, if we remembered to make sandwich bread! #realmomlife  This brings us to this past Sunday....after church. NOTHING to eat. No bread was made. The kids had NO idea what to make themselves! What is a tired, and busy mom to do? I mean we already lost an hour of sleep, momma just wanted a nap! (Thanks daylight savings)

Enter my "mom's busy and didn't plan a lunch meal" - Salad! But not just any salad, this is the super amazing, full of flavor, tasty salad that my kids love, and it requires no bread! Crab salad!! YES! That is the answer! I highly suggest you keep staples to make a version of this in your own house at all times! :) I'm sharing my recipe with you so you too can keep this in your back pocket, for just those moments. You may even LOOK like you have it together! ;)


First, you start with some chopped up celery. I prefer to have mine diced.

Throw them in the bowl. 

Up Next, The Crab. You could used canned if that is what you have on hand. However, I prefer the Big huge chunks of the imitation crab meat from Aldi. You can see in my picture how huge these chunks are. Next, add about 1/2 C Avocado Oil Mayo.

Up Next is really the secret Sauce! The seasonings! I add by sight, and don't really measure, so these can totally be adjusted to your own taste & liking! I do about 1/2 Tsp of Each Old Bay Seasoning and Dill. If you have fresh dill, use that! The flavor will really pop. If not, Dried is great! 

Mix it all up really well. From here you can stick in fridge to chill, or you can eat it! We've been known to throw it on Crackers, Breads, Chilled cooked pasta..... Really, the possibilities are endless! :) 

I hope you enjoy this easy simple recipe! Let me know if you try it in the comments! 

PIN IT HERE ⇓

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Yummy Energy Balls - Recipe Included

I love making healthy little treats for my family. While many think we only eat carrots and celery for fun, we do enjoy treats. I just try to make them healthier treats! This recipe is one I made up years ago while living in Okinawa still. It was posted on my old blog, but since I still make this for the kids, and its such a great easy recipe, I thought I'd bring it over here to share with you all!! Seriously they are SO GOOD!

I wasn't sure what to name these (this is always a problem with "ball" type recipes) - So, I called them Yummy Energy Balls! These are easy to make, and the kids love them! Try them out and let me know what you think!!

Ingredients:

2 Cups of dates, (Dried, chopped)

1/3 Cup Water

1/2 Tblsp Vanilla

1 Cup Chopped Almonds

2 Tblsp Cocoa Powder

1/2 Cup Coconut

Combine dates, and water in a saucepan on the stove. Cook over low heat, mashing and stirring frequently. Cook about 10 minutes until the dates are all mushy and soft. Once done, remove from heat.

Stir in Vanilla.

Pour date mixture into a bowl, add 1/2 Cup chopped almonds and cocoa powder. (If still too gooey, add more chopped Almonds) Stir well.

Put into refrigerator for about 30 minutes.

Once cooled, use a small – med scoop to make balls. Roll them in shredded coconut or almonds and place on wax paper. Once done, return them to the fridge to “set” up (if you don’t eat them all before hand)

These are SOOO yummy!!! I hope you enjoy them as much as my family did!

Let me know what you think in the comments section below! Don't forget to "pin" it for later, and share with your friends! ;)

Ditch the package crap - EASY overnight oatmeal (recipe included)

I am guilty! I used to buy the packets of "instant oatmeal" for my kids out of sheer speed and ease! However, those are usually NOT very healthy or good for you! I am sure MANY of us are in a rush in the morning and need something quick and healthy for breakfast!

Well, since I am NOT a morning person, cooking old fashioned oats every morning gets old too! I do like to make my kids something warm for breakfast - or at least more than cereal! 

Behold the awesomeness of Overnight oats! Yes, you read that right! These are SO EASY, quick to prepare, and healthy (no icky added crap). I can prepare 4 bowls (enough for two days of oats for the kids) in just about 4 minutes! The plus side? My kids LOVE THEM!! I like them too, but for the kids this is just like instant oats, but healthier!

On to the recipe -

You will need:

Bowls to hold 1 cup with lids (I normally use jam jars, wide mouth, but I'm out of lids)

Old fashioned oats

Applesauce (homemade or organic is best)

Milk (I use almond normally)

Brown sugar (this sweetens well - I am sure you can use another sweetener of choice as well)

Cinnamon

First set out all your bowls! Measure 1/4 of your oats, applesauce, and milk into each bowl! Add 1/2 tblsp brown sugar. Sprinkle cinnamon on top to taste. They will look similar to this -

Next, you want to stir them all up until well blended! 

Next, add the lid! Put them into the fridge for at least 8 hrs! These will last for three days in the fridge!

In the morning, simply take out and eat! Can be enjoyed cold, or heated up! These are easy to transport also! 

Try it out, make it tonight and let me know what you think in the comments! 

Do you need glass containers to try this out? Try these below - 

Chocolate Protein Power Balls - Recipe

Power balls? That isn't a really good name! I don't know what else to name them! Put your suggestion for a name in the comments!

Ok, so really . . . there are just some times when you want some yummy chocolate goodness, but don't totally want to blow your whole "clean eating" out of the water. Well. . . TA DA   .. .. I present to you the Chocolate Protein Power Balls!!

Ok, seriously - I was concerned with creating a power ball recipe. I LOVE my shakeology and DID NOT want to waste a few scoops if my recipe failed! Thank goodness, it turned out. As a matter of fact, they are pretty darn amazing! Smooth chocolate peanut butter gooey-yummy-ness!

Keep in mind, just because these are "healthy" and only have whole foods, doesn't mean you should eat a ton!! Whole foods have calories too! These are a "treat" and can be made and kept in the freezer for when you want a yummy treat!

I made these to take to church tonight for bible study. We are doing the Daniel Plan, and are working on making healthy eating changes etc. It was my night for snack, so . . . they get my awesome Chocolate Protein Power Balls!

Ready for the recipe???

1 Cup Peanut butter
1 Med Banana
1 Scoop Chocolate Shakeology
3/4 C Rolled Oats
1/2 C chopped almonds

Mash Banana. Mix Banana and Peanut butter. Add in Shakeology, mix well. Add in Rolled oats, mix up until well blended. Roll into balls, roll in almonds. Store in refrigerator for 3 hrs prior to eating (if you can resist eating them that long!)

THAT is it!!

I doubled the recipe and threw it in a "recipe calculator" to get an idea of how they stack up nutritionally - with it doubled, I came up with 37 "servings" - this is per serving.

AMAZING Gluten Free Cake!

As many of you may or may not know, I eat gluten free. So, as you can imagine, finding recipes for the holidays that taste good, can be tricky!

We have a yearly tradition of making a birthday cake for Jesus on his birthday. This year, I wanted to make a yummy one that we ALL could enjoy. So, I set out to find the perfect recipe!

Low and behold I found them -
GF Chocolate cake
Fluffy Peanut Butter Frosting

I recently started using GF flours for baking and other things, so I am no expert yet. Prior to this, I just didn't eat anything Bread/cake/dough like. Let me tell you - This cake turned out SO AMAZING, fluffy, and yummy!!! Seriously it was AMAZING!!!  Go ahead, try it out - then let me know what you think!

**** Disclaimer: I do not suggest making things such as this cake regularly, however I do support making things on occasion (1-2 times a year) to enjoy in moderation. When you are a healthy/clean eater, enjoying a treat every now and again is perfectly fine!