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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* This post contains affiliate links. Thank you!

This pot is changing my life!

Have you heard about this amazing magic thing?

The Instant Pot?!?



This thing is Changing my life!

I only got it like 3 days ago, and I've seriously cooked SO MUCH in it already! Today's magical concoction was a super hit!

You know how we've all heard how much better for you steel cut oats are.... yadda yadda...
But those things take SOOO long to cook! Even with the quick cooking ones I have it takes over 10 minutes of "simmering"! Also, say goodbye to those amazing little things called "Overnight Oats" if you switch from old fashioned rolled oats to steel cut! Those things are amazing you all, seriously everyone picks their own and they are DONE overnight! Since we chose to forgo buying a microwave in our new house, those too have gone out the window because of the whole heating up part, but that isn't the point..... back to the pot. This thing makes the magic of "make your own oats" possible again, with the healthy steel cut version, and its fast and so good you all!

I came across this amazing blog post on Tidbits that lays out how to do this! My mind was blown! I just had to try it! I may very well blow my whole house up putting jars in the cooker, but I like to live dangerously.... I had to do it! (I also didn't do the "water test" you are supposed to do when you first get it, I have no idea where everyone even saw this info!)

I did make a few changes to the original recipe (find recipe here)

We all wanted to try the Carrot Cake oats! So we put in the oats, chia, and spices (we upped these a tad, as we love spices). I used chopped carrots instead of shredded (I love my food chopper, way faster then shredding), and we used coconut sugar (1 Tblsp per jar? I don't measure much) in place of the sweetener the recipe calls for! We actually did everything the night before, minus adding the water. Added all dry ingredients to the jars, and put the lids on til morning. We stored the chopped carrots ready to add covered in the fridge. My Instant Pot does not have a "delay" feature that I know of (maybe I should read my book), so I just finished them and put them in to cook in the morning with the carrots and water! 

Since I used my Bob's Red Mill Organic quick cooking steel cut oats, I did decrease my cook time to only 14 minutes vs the 20 called for in the original recipe. Once done, I quick released pressure then opened it up! I used my canning jar tongs to carefully lift them out and put them on a cooling rack. Let them sit there for a short bit to cool.

We opened the lids, stirred, and enjoyed! You guys, seriously these are OUT of this world good! SUPER easy for everyone to pick their own add ins, and then cook them all up! I actually think  I like the texture better cooking this way too! This is a SUPER win recipe for our family!  I hope you enjoy this great recipe as much as we did!

I created a neat little community on facebook to share clean eating Instant Pot recipes! Want to join us?  

Let me know what you love making in your pot!

PIN IT HERE!!!

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* This post contains affiliate links. Thank you!

Muffins are amazing!

Ok, so muffins aren't exactly healthy - but making them at home does make them a bunch more healthy!! Plus, my kids LOVE when I make muffins!! From scratch is ALWAYS better then those store bought!

Today was a lazy Saturday morning - so I decided to bake some muffins! They really didn't take too long, and were so yummy! I made banana crumble muffins - and they were made with all organic ingredients (<---- that means "healthy" right??) The recipe I originally found on all recipes, but made some changes for our family since we don't do any dairy. 

Whip these up on a lazy morning for your kids, they will think you are super awesome baker mom!! 

Ingredients:

1.5 C flour

1 tsp each baking soda & baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

3 mashed bananas
3/4 C granulated sugar 

1 egg

1/3 C coconut oil

Topping:

1/3 C brown sugar

2 tbsp flour

1 tbsp coconut oil

Cinnamon to taste

Preheat to 375. Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl - set aside. Cream together bananas, sugar, egg, and coconut oil (soften with heat of necessary). Once well combined, add dry to wet - stir until just combined and moistened. Put into muffin cups it greased muffin tin. Bake 18-22 minutes. Cool on wire rack, and enjoy!

Do you follow me on Facebook yet? I post all kinds of recipes over there too! 

Fresh out of the oven Muffins!!

This recipe was adapted from a recipe at All Recipes: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/banana-crumb-muffins/

Protein loaded oatmeal that is delicious!

I love oatmeal. I eat it often. Not that thin "instant" type.... But good old fashioned thick  oats! The kind you have to cook in a pot, on the stove (unless you do my overnight oats HERE). What I don't love... How I am hungry 1.5 hours after eating!

I have found that I need protein in the morning to keep me feeling full! This typically comes in the form of eggs. I also read that a high protein breakfast can help you lose weight - that is a plus!! I have come up with a way to enjoy my oatmeal, and still get my protein needs met with eggs!  Creamy egg white oatmeal!! 

I know what you are thinking... GROSS!! That is what I thought to before I tried it, but I promise it's amazing! So amazing, I even make it for my kids oatmeal with egg whites in it now and they have no clue!! 

Peaches are in season here in California, and since I eat produce according to the "in season" schedule - I have tons now! We went to the farmers market to load up, and came home with 6lbs of peaches! I made some yummy peach streusel for the husband. I still had tons left over, so I made peaches and cream egg white oatmeal for days! I'm sharing my recipe here with you! 

What you'll need: 

3/4  cup water

3/4 cup almond/coconut blend milk

1/2 cup old fashioned oats

1/2 cup organic egg whites 

Peaches cut up

Sweetener to taste (I used honey)
Cinnamon (optional)

Put milk + water in a saucepan, bring to just a boil. Add oats. Cook until 3/4 of the water is gone. Reduce heat, while constantly stirring, slowly add egg whites. Keep stirring. Cook an additional 3 minutes while stirring (or until remaining liquid is absorbed). Remove from heat. Stir in sweetener, cinnamon,  and fresh fruit! Enjoy!

Protein Loaded Oatmeal with Peaches

Mondays are for MUFFINS!!!

Muffins ..... are just ugly cupcakes, Right!??!!? WRONG!! Muffins are AMAZING! The things you can put into muffins are mind blowing, like seriously! I don't know how many vegetables I've hidden into muffins my kids think are "dessert" - Bwhahahah Little do they know, Mom don't mess around like that!

So, I was wanting to make muffins the other day, and looked at what I had on hand. . .. . 

NOT MUCH! It was almost farmers market day, so I was pretty much OUT of fresh veggies for muffins! DO NOT FRET, I found some carrot juice in the fridge! So, with that I created this amazing recipe for what I am calling: 

CARROT SPICE MUFFINS

Sounds amazing right!?!??!?! WELL, they are!!! My husband and kids have been begging for me to make more since I made the first batch!!  They are amazing plain, or with just a small touch of butter on them (when they are warm of course). 

Disclaimer: I normally buy the Organic Carrot juice, however, this must have been where my organic normally is, and I grabbed it without looking! I am not going to just waste food, so I used it up. Just know my suggestion, is the Organic one - It is normally what we have in the fridge! 

Now, for this recipe, I am SO PROUD. This is my first 100% from scratch, I completely made it up recipe! For real, I about cried when it turned out and they were AMAZING! I REALLY want you all to make these, and let me know what you think!! 

(Printable Recipe)

Ingredients

2 C Flour

2 tsp Baking powder

1/2 tsp Salt

2 tsp allspice

1/2 C Brown Sugar

1 Large Egg

1/4 C Coconut oil (melted)

1/4 C Applesauce

3/4 C Carrot Juice

1 tsp Vanilla

Preheat oven to 350

Combine Flour, Baking powder, salt, and allspice in a bowl. Mix well. In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar, egg, oil, applesauce, carrot juice, and vanilla. Mix well. Slowly add dry ingredients into the wet, stirring until just combined (do not over-stir).  Put into a muffin tin (with or without liners, whichever you do) and bake 20 min, or until done. 

Yield 12 standard size muffins! 

These are SO YUMMY!  Here is the photos of all of the steps! Don't forget to "Pin" this recipe, and share on your pages! I want to hear what you thought!!

These numbers are approximate, and dependent upon which exact products you use. ;) 

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 - 

Shakeology is too expensive

One of the biggest objection's I hear about Shakeology is "it's to expensive"! Seriously, I think people expect to get it for Free. That is frustrating. However, I need to tell you about how you can't afford NOT to be drinking this.  I can't supply everyone with it for free, if I could I would. I made this video for you all yesterday - it really breaks down how you can't afford NOT to be drinking it!

Go watch it now - 

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.