Food: Turkey & Apple Wraps

I love an easy and healthy lunch idea - especially one that utilizes food I usually have on hand.  I got this delicious wrap idea from CleanFoodCrush. It only takes a couple of minutes to assemble and uses healthy ingredients like turkey (or you can use any lean lunchmeat of your choice), avocado, apple slices, and large lettuce leaves. The first day I made it I used Gala apples which were crunchy and sweet.  The next time I made it I used Granny Smith apples, which are usually my favorite, but the I think the sweeter Gala apples worked better mixed with the other ingredients.

Full disclosure: My wraps did not look as neat as the ones pictured or stay together very well when I assembled them but they still tasted great!

Photo from cleanfoodcrush.com

Food: Turkey & Apple Wraps

I love an easy and healthy lunch idea - especially one that utilizes food I usually have on hand.  I got this delicious wrap idea from CleanFoodCrush. It only takes a couple of minutes to assemble and uses healthy ingredients like turkey (or you can use any lean lunchmeat of your choice), avocado, and apple slices. The first day I made it I used Gala apples which were crunchy and sweet.  The next time I made it I used Granny Smith apples, which are usually my favorite, but the I think the sweeter Gala apples worked better mixed with the other ingredients.

Full disclosure: My wraps did not look as neat as the ones pictured or stay together very well when I assembled them but they still tasted great!

Photo from cleanfoodcrush.com

Food: Protein Snack Balls

I like to make my own protein bars so that I don't have to buy the store bought kind that contain all kinds of added sugars and preservatives.  I am always searching for new recipes that are easy, and of course, taste great.

On my search today I found another great recipe from cleanfoodcrush: Almond Joy Protein Balls. Luckily I had enough of the ingredients on hand that I only had to make a few substitutions: I used a combination of honey and pure maple syrup (from Costco) for my sweetener, I only had vanilla whey protein powder so I used that in place of the chocolate, I added about 1/2 tsp cinnamon, I didn't have the cacao powder so I substituted Trader Joe's Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, and I eliminated the chocolate chips but did add chopped almonds.  With all that being said, they turned out great!  The recipe was easy to follow and they are so delicious. This recipe is a winner!

Here is the recipe from cleanfoodcrush:

1.  Combine in large bowl:

• 3/4 cup all natural almond butter
• 1 cup uncooked rolled oats
• 1/3 cup raw honey, pure maple syrup, or agave *Note: Sometimes I add a bit LESS sweetener & they are still WONDERFUL!
• 1 tsp vanilla or almond extract
• 2 scoops chocolate whey protein powder
• 1 Tbs unsweetened cacao powder
• 2 Tbs slivered almonds (optional)
• 3/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate/cacao chips (optional).  I love Lily’s brand sweetened with stevia found on Amazon:CleanFoodCrush.com/lilys
2.  Form into 1 inch balls.
3.  Use your hands to combine well, and form into round balls.
4.  Keep them refrigerated or frozen. – I prefer these frozen!
Recipe and Photo from cleanfoodcrush

Food: Blueberry Bars

I have to admit that I do love to bake, but it's hard to find recipes that won't completely sabotage a healthy diet and lifestyle.   When I do find a good recipe that can satisfy both the baking process and the "need" for baked goods, yet still keep you on the healthy side...I just have to share!

I found this recipe from primalpaleo.  It's easy to assemble and very tasty.  Although I could not pass them off to my children as "regular" blueberry muffins, I enjoyed them myself for an occasional sweet treat!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups almond flour
• 2 tbsp coconut flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 3 tbsp coconut sugar
• 2 tbsp coconut oil melted
• 1  orange juiced and zested
• 2  eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups blueberries

For the complete recipe, instructions, and more you can go to primalpaleo.  Happy Baking!

Photo and recipe from primalpaleo

Food: Oatmeal Jars

Breakfast is definitely my favorite meal of the day.  After a good morning workout I always want something easy, fast, and healthy.  These make ahead oatmeal jars fill all of those categories.  I purchased a set of mason jars for $8.99 at Target, and bought the gluten free rolled oats and freeze dried fruit from Market Street.  I used Stevia for my sweetener but did not even use one entire packet for 6 different oatmeal/fruit combinations.  I used a combination of freeze dried bananas, blueberries, unsweetened coconut flakes, and walnuts and I added cinnamon to each different combination.

Here is the link to the complete instructions and fruit/nut combinations: http://cleanfoodcrush.com/instant-oatmeal-jars

Thanks cleanfoodcrush for another great recipe idea!

Photo, recipe, and idea form cleanfoodcrush.com

Food: Blueberry Baked Oatmeal

I found this clean eating site that I really love called cleanfoodcrush.com.  I have made several recipes from the website and all have proven to be delicious and easy to prepare.

I made this baked oatmeal yesterday and it was so easy - I think it took less than 10 minutes to assemble and baked for about 25 minutes.  I mostly followed the recipe but used honey as my sweetener, added a pinch of cinnamon, and used 1 large egg.  Here is the recipe and the link to the website:

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup dry rolled oats
• 4 egg whites or 1 whole large egg
• 8 Tbsp unsweetened almond or coconut milk
• 1 Tbsp sliced almonds
• 1/8 tsp vanilla or almond extract
• 10 drops liquid stevia, a pinch of granulated stevia, OR sweetener of choice (YOUR personal preference).

Instructions

1. Combine ingredients, pour into a larger cereal sized glass(oven safe) dish, coated with coconut oil.
2. Add 1/2 cup frozen wild blueberries, on top. (You can also sprinkle 1 additional Tbsp sliced almonds on top)
3. Set the dish on a flat sheet pan.
4. Bake for 23-25 minutes in your preheated 375 degree oven.

Recipe, picture, and website information: www.cleanfoodcrush.com

Food: Siracha Turkey Wraps

I got this recipe from CleanFoodCrush and made it last night.  It was really easy and so good!  I didn't have the aminos so I used low sodium soy sauce.  I also used extra lean ground turkey and a regular white onion.  It was super good and I plan to make it again! I wanted to share...

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 8oz baby bella mushrooms, finely minced
• 1/4 cup celery sliced on a diagonal
• 4 green onions, sliced on diagonal
• 2 tsp fresh ginger, minced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp avocado, olive or coconut oil
• 1/4 cup Braggs liquid aminos, coconut aminos, GF tamari, or low sodium soy sauce
• 1-2 Tbsp Sriracha sauce (optional, leave out if you do not want the spice)
To serve:
• Butter Lettuce leaves (romaine hearts or iceberg lettuce work well)
• Cilantro (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a medium sauté pan over medium heat.
2. Add Turkey and cook until lightly browned.
3. Add mushrooms, celery, green onions, ginger, and garlic.
4. Cook until fragrant and cooked through-just a few minutes.
5. Add liquid aminos and Sriracha--- stir to coat.
6. Scoop mixture onto lettuce leaves.
7. Top with cilantro, or extra green onions if desired, & your favorite dipping sauce.

Photo, recipe, and more instrucions from cleanfoodcrush.com

Food: Muffins in a Blender?

This recipe came across my Facebook feed and I was immediately interested in trying it out.  There are only 9 ingredients, all of which are pretty much stables in my kitchen, so on a whim I decided to whip these up.  For a gluten free, healthier option, I was pleasantly pleased with the end result, and more importantly, they passed the husband test!

I found this recipe to be super easy.  You put all of the ingredients in your blender (I have a Vitamix so it only took a few seconds to combine everything, pour the mix into a muffin tin and bake for about 15 minutes.  There were several topping ideas but I used organic frozen blueberries and unsweetened shredded coconut.  Since there is no sugar in the recipe they are definitely not as sweet as your run of the mill muffins but for a gluten free, no flour, no sugar (except for a little honey) option, they are pretty good.

Here is the recipe from Cooking Light:

Ingredients 

2 cups rolled oats, 2 ripe bananas, 2 eggs, 1 cup 2% Greek yogurt, 3 tablespoons honey, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, dash of salt.

Topping Suggestions

– cinnamon and apple chunks
– strawberries and blueberries
– chocolate chips and almonds
– strawberries and chocolate chips
– unsweetened coconut
– anything your heart desires

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 400°. Place 12 pieces of parchment paper or muffin-cup liners in muffin cups, or spray tin with cooking spray.

2. Throw all of the ingredients in the blender; blend until smooth and creamy, about 1-2 minutes.

3. Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle with toppings of your choice.

4. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool muffins in pan 5 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely on a wire rack.

Photo from cookinglight.com

Food: Sweet Potato Casserole

This is one of my favorite sweet potato recipes.  It's pretty easy and always a favorite around holidays:

Ingredients:

2 Large Sweet Potatoes, Peeled, Cooked, and Mashed

½ Cup Sugar

2 Eggs

1 TLB Vanilla

4 TLB Butter

½ Cup Low Fat Milk

¼ tsp Nutmeg

½ tsp Cinnamon

Mix all ingredients together and pour into a buttered casserole dish. Proceed to make topping mix.

Topping:

½ Cup Brown Sugar

1/3 Cup Wheat Flour

1/3 Cup Chopped Pecans

1/3 Cup Chopped Walnuts

3 TLB Melted Butter

1 TLB Water

Mix topping ingredients and sprinkle on top of casserole.  Bake at 350 for 40 minutes or until cooked through..

Food: Avocado Chicken Salad

I recently have been experimenting with the Paleo way of eating.  I am more of a follower of eating a healthy, balanced diet, with a few cheats (pizza and wine) but I defiantly keep my carbs to a minimum. With that being said, I have been researching different Paleo recipe sites to get some easy, new recipes in my repertoire.  Yesterday I came across the site PrimalPaleo.Com and found this super easy and delicious chicken avocado recipe.  I highly recommend it.  I didn't have any Bibb lettuce but I had a Costco kale salad mix and just put a scoop of the chicken salad on top of a bowl of the kale salad and had a great, quick, healthy lunch!

Recipe: Easy Avocado Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Photo from primalpaleo.com

Food: Bulletproof Coffee

I could not decide to post this under food or fabulous finds - It was a tough decision.  After-all, I consider coffee one of the food groups, but I also consider Bulletproof Coffee a definite fabulous find.

 A co-worker of my husband mentioned this brand of coffee to him and knowing that I was a big coffee lover, he passed the information on to me.  I looked it up and considered ordering it right away but since I had succumbed to the convenience of a Keurig, the thought of having to grind my own beans and actually brew my own cup of coffee each morning seemed way too time-consuming in my super busy morning schedule. But, I kept thinking about this coffee and decided to give it a try and now I can't believe what I had been missing out on for so long!

This is the smoothest, best tasting coffee I have ever had and I can't imagine going a morning now without it!  I don't even mind taking the time to brew a cup each morning between getting kids fed and out the door - I look forward to my cup of coffee so much it's more than worth the few minutes it takes!  I have even purchased a Bialetti to make it on the stove-top and get that super fresh taste (I'll dive more into that one later).

Bulletproof has a whole science behind it's coffee and serving suggestions that you can look up on their site - as for me - I just love a good cup of Joe! www.bulletproof.com

Photo from bulletproof.com

Food: Mini Key Lime Pies

One of the reasons I started this blog is because one of my favorite things to do is to prepare great tasting new dishes or treats for my friends and family.  I get really excited when I either find or create a new recipe that is not only fairly easy to prepare but is worth the effort (and calories).

I was excited when I saw this recipe come across my Facebook feed.  It's from Tasty and not only do they provide you with the recipe there is a video that demonstrates each step.  I tried it out this weekend on my family and everyone loved it - it was a great hit so I had to share!

Recipe: Mini Key Lime Pies

Recipe and picture from Tasty/Buzzfeed Videos