Wheatgrass. Really.

 What kind of crazy hippy have I become? The kind that grows her own wheatgrass. Yep, that's me.

How to grow wheatgrass.

1. Get wheat.

2. Put it in dirt.

3. Get it wet.

4. Wait.

While you wait, magical things happen inside the pot. Sun, air, water, and wheat mold and meld and mix and the nutrients change and the grass grows. Amazing stuff.

Or, forget about it while you go on vacation. 

Leave it outside, and come home to something like the picture above.

After vacation, who looks more frazzled, me or my neglected wheatgrass?

Why do I throw wheatgrass in my smoothies?  Click here.

Have you ever tried wheatgrass?

What's your favorite green?

Quick and Easy: Chocolate Syrup

I've developed a new habit. When we run out of something, as I throw it away I look at the ingredients list. I ask, "Do we need all these odd-sounding things?" and, "Is there a way I can do this better?"

Often, the answer is yes. Better, tastier, healthier, and frequently, cheaper.

We ran out of chocolate syrup this week.   So we made some.  It took about ten minutes, and it is wonderful.

Clean Eating Chocolate Syrup

Why not give it a try?

What staples have you cleaned up in your home?
What staples have you found difficult to replace?

American Stir-Fry

Looking for something different to do with chicken? How about an American stir fry- no soy or sauces.

American Stir-Fry
from Samantha Shivler Young

4 boneless skinless chicken breast

2 cups frozen carrots
2 cups frozen broccoli
1/4 onion, sliced however small you have to in order to hide it from your kids
2 cups cooked rice (my kids and hubby won't eat wild, so I use white long grain which is 1 cup dry)



1. Cut chicken into bite sized chunks, and saute over medium heat in a non-stick pan (I use cast iron) with pepper, garlic powder, and whatever other spices you like. No oil is necessary.
2. Start rice. (long grain takes about 20 minutes but adjust according to whatever you're using)
3.When chicken is cooked through, add onion, carrots, and broccoli along with 1/4 cup water for steaming.
4. Stir occasionally, checking for desired tenderness of veggies. If you let the chicken brown a little, it caramelizes in its own juices, giving it a little more flavor.
This feeds my family of 7 (5 kids, ages 3-12), and it is also yummy reheated.

Come back next Tuesday for another great recipe!

Weak and Lovely- Read the series here

Join our facebook group for extra support!

Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

I tried a strange recipe.  Mock garlic mashed potatoes.

Here's how it went.

First, skepticism.

"What is this mommy? Food?"

Rich, Healthy Chocolate Pudding

Avocado pudding recipe

OK it's really avocado pudding, but as the title on the post says, it tastes nothing like avocado.
It is rich, chocolatey heaven.

I made this, and after I tasted it, I literally danced around my kitchen with joy.
I gave some to my neighbor, and she shouted, then rejoiced with songs of praise to God. (well, almost.)

I have be honest, here, and tell you it didn't go like I thought it would with the family. Hubby said it was too tangy.Half the kids loved it, the other half didn't.  Oh well, more for me!

An aside- this does contain honey. When I tried this I had been sugar-free for a week and at that time was free of sugar cravings as well. Did the honey set of my addiction and the craving cycle?  It did not.

Hallelujah, praise Jesus!
(Kitchen dancing commenced.)

Maybe you have to be going through sugar detox to love, love, love this, but the bottom line is, I love it.
Get the recipe here.


For those of you with kids-
I recommend not letting them see you prepare this.  Green in a dessert? (Complain, complain.)


Optional variation: Use less honey and add a frozen banana.  I haven't tried this but it sounds wonderful!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Photo credit and recipe here

Homemade Soft Pretzels

This is one of our new favorite after-school snacks.  I try to have the dough made before the kids come home. Then, they enjoy shaping them.  Plus, the anticipation that comes from watching them bake is fun to observe!

First, here's the recipe: Homemade Soft Pretzels

Note that this makes a LOT. I could have made half a batch and still had leftovers, even in our family of eight. Second, you need a thermometer. Much to my surprise, I found one in my drawer. I don't know where it came from or if I have ever used it before, but I was happy to discover it!

Here are some photos, for your enjoyment and inspiration. Seriously, MAKE THESE.

Loaded Baked Potatoes

Loaded Baked Potatoes

from Samantha Shivler Young

Another simple meal I make that my family loves is loaded baked potatoes.

I use medium sized potatoes, not the giant Russet bakers you'd get at a steakhouse.

Wash the potatoes, poke holes with a fork, and wrap in aluminum foil if you're using the oven, or put as is in the microwave. 

They'll take about 40-50 minutes in an oven set at 350 depending on size. (I like to throw them in with something else I am making such as bread or an apple crisp so I'm not just running the oven for 6 potatoes). 

Microwaves can vary greatly, but 4-6 minutes for one potato is a decent guide, adding approximately 2 minutes for each additional potato. 

Test their doneness by squeezing them (wearing an oven mitt). If they're tender and squishable, they should be ready. 

Meanwhile, steam frozen (or fresh) broccoli, and if you have a bunch of carnivores (i.e.- men), cook up some bacon. 

I top mine with 1 tsp. butter, 1/2 cup broccoli, 1/2 oz. shredded cheddar cheese, and 2 crumbled bacon slices. Using the my fitness pal calculator, it runs about 300 calories, with 33 carbs, 14 fat, 14 protein, 15 calcium, and 13 iron. You can adjust it to what your body needs by using turkey bacon, or using different toppings.

Come back next Tuesday for another great recipe!

Weak and Lovely- Read the series here

Join our facebook group for extra support!

Turkey (or Venison) meatloaf

Turkey Meatloaf

from Michelle Heaps Wietbrock

A staple since it's a quick prep and can be made as big as needed!

1lb ground turkey (as lean as possible)
1 cup oats
1/2 small onion (i use the whole thing)
1 egg white (or whole if u want)
Garlic (chopped or garlic salt)
Salt & Pepper as needed
Light bbq sauce on top.

Mix and bake like usual.
(350 degrees for approximately one hour)

(Emily here- This should also work with ground venison!)

Come back next Tuesday for another great recipe!

Weak and Lovely- Read the series here

Join our facebook group for extra support!

Wonderful Wonky Tortillas (best made with shirtless little boys.)

Quesadillas are one of our favorite lunches.  So this week, I tried making tortillas at home with our fresh ground whole wheat flour.  They were wonky, but they were wonderful.

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour (I used King Arthur’s white whole-wheat flour)

1/2 cup oil (she used avocado oil, I used olive oil)

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup warm water (heat in the microwave for 1 min)

(See the full recipe here- follow hers!)

Also needed (in my opinion)

Good music playing in the kitchen

Shirtless boy helpers

an iPad for backup

My notes