Slow Cooker Cinnamon Applesauce

Slow Cooker Cinnamon Applesauce
(Makes 1 quart)

8 large apples (I used a combination of Rome Beauty and Golden Delicious that we picked this weekend.)
1/2 TBS lemon juice
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup water

Core and slice apples (Yes, you can leave the skin on.)
Place the apples in your slow cooker
Add in lemon and stir around
Add cinnamon and water
Combine all together
Cook on low for 6 hours
Then use an immersion blender (or place in blender carefully)
Blend well until desired consistency is reached

*If you don't want the cinnamon flavor, just leave it out, and you'll have traditional applesauce.
**Store this in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for 6 months.

Balsamic Chicken Salad over Greens

Balsamic Chicken Salad over Greens
(Serves 1-2)

1 (12.5 oz) can premium chunk chicken (ingredients-chicken, water, and salt only)
1/2 apple, chopped (I used gala.)
1 TBS raisins
1 TBS red onion, finely diced
2 TBS homemade mayo
1 TBS balsamic vinegar
Salt
Pepper
Salad greens of choice
*Optional-1 TBS finely chopped pecans

Roasted Beet and Butternut Squash Salad with Chicken and a Balsamic and Thyme Vinaigrette

Roasted Beet and Butternut Squash Salad with Chicken and a Balsamic and Thyme Vinaigrette 

 (Serves 4)

2 beets, peeled and chopped into 1 inch pieces. (I used a red beet and a striped beet.)

1 butternut squash, peeled, scooped out, and chopped into 1 inch pieces

1-2 TBS olive oil

Dried thyme

Salt and Pepper

Spring Mix greens or your favorite lettuces

3 chicken breasts, grilled and chopped into cubes (I used leftover grilled chicken that had been chilled.)

Raisins

Blue cheese crumbles (omit for Whole30)

Raw sunflower seeds (or any nut or seed you like)

Balsamic and Thyme Vinaigrette

2 oz. balsamic vinegar

4 oz. extra virgin olive oil 

1/2 TBS dried thyme

Salt and Pepper

Combine all of these ingredients together and mix well

10-Second Paleo Mayo

Two Christmases ago, I only wanted one thing. I wanted an immersion blender. Initially, I wanted one for soups. I had been into making squash and other veggie soups, and I really hated having to transfer the soup to a blender to puree before adding it back in to the pot. This took more time and created more dirty dishes. So, an immersion blender would cure all of these troubles. I received the blender and over time, I have found several uses for it. It has become my favorite kitchen tool.

How I Shaved $500/Month Off My Paleo(ish) Grocery Bill

When I first started out transitioning to Paleo over a year ago, I immediately threw out all grain-based flours and products, drove to Whole Foods and stocked up on grain-free items. I got into the grain-free baking as more of an experiment rather than baking on purpose. I wanted to see if these ingredients would really work. I was impressed, so I continued to try more and more recipes, which meant that I was spending more and more money on said ingredients. This was going on all while slowly buying more and more fruits and vegetables and better quality meats. So, one could say that I got excited and spent a lot because of it. Once I started noticing some health benefits, this became even more so. Well, after a while, I knew I needed to do more than just cut out the grains and eat more protein and produce. I knew I needed a more drastic change because although I was feeling and looking better eating this way, I was frustrated that it wasn't going even further. That is when I researched and found the Whole 30 program. Basically, it took away my baking and alcohol, and made me more aware of the products I was buying. I think along the way (and three W30s later), I became a little overboard. I tried to buy only the "perfect Paleo" ingredients, make elaborate "Paleo" recipes, and got caught up in the all or nothing point of view. My body and mind loved this way of eating, but my bank account ...well, not so much. My grocery (and household product) bill for a family of four had reached $300/week. Yes, a week! So, $1,200/month!  Did I mention I quit my job to stay at home with my family?? We were doing okay and making it work, but it was taking a toll, and month after month of that adds up.

A Month of Whole 30 Meals

In light of my August Whole 30, I have decided to plan ahead my meals this time. There will be breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for each of the 30 days. When it comes down to it, some days might have to be swapped for others, but nonetheless, this is what I will be eating. I do a lot of repeats for breakfast and a lot of leftovers for lunch. I will note these here, but also try to change some things up from time to time. I hope this helps some of you meal plan if you're considering completing a Whole 30 as well.

Chicken, Berries, and Apples over Spinach with Homemade Lemon Ricotta, Poached Egg, and a Honey-Lime Vinaigrette

I went to a local restaurant about a year ago and ordered a fantastic salad. It had berries and a whipped lemon ricotta with a poached egg and a honey vinaigrette dressing. It seems odd that all of this would go together, but once mixed, it was perfect. The next time I went to this restaurant, the menu had changed and this salad was no longer on there. I decided to recreate this salad at home and add in some of my own extras. I hope you give it a try.  :)

Panera Bread

Yes..that happened. I was invited to Panera Bread today. I wanted to go, but I was skeptical if I would be able to find anything that I could eat that fit in with the 21DSD and Whole30 rules. Well, with only a few minor changes, I found it.

Chopped Chicken Cobb with Avocado

Menu ingredients-All-natural, antibiotic-free chicken, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, Applewood-smoked bacon, Gorgonzola, hard-boiled eggs, all chopped and tossed with herb vinaigrette, topped with fresh avocado

So, what did I do?

Fruity Spinach Salad

When I'm craving fruit (and not on the 21DSD), I love making a salad loaded with fruit and nuts. I will sometimes use this as a side dish, but usually I top it with protein such as grilled chicken, steak, or salmon. I will also throw in boiled eggs and avocados from time to time.

Easy Whole30 Sides

Frozen veggies to steam

Salad

Roasted veggies (carrots, broccoli, asparagus, etc.)
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Mix veggies with olive oil, salt and pepper
Roast 40 mins or so

Easy Whole30 Lunches

Lunch bots (or something similar) are great when you have to pack and take meals with you. http://www.lunchbots.com/
Pack these with approved deli meats, fruits, nuts, boiled eggs, veggies, almond butter, leftovers, salads, etc.

Wraps
Use Pure wraps with approved deli meats, dijon, and veggies or chicken, tuna, and egg salads made with approved ingredients and paleo mayonnaise (Add above sides with these) http://anyajnelson.blogspot.com/2014/02/10-second-paleo-mayo.html