Menu January 25-31

Breakfasts: Scrambles, Paleo Pancakes, Breakfast Carnitas (with leftover pulled pork)

Lunches: You guess.... Of course, leftovers! This may sound dull or unappetizing, but I find it much more appealing than eating the same quick lunchmeat/tuna salad day after day. This is where you've got to make it fit your own preferences.

Dinners:

M - Paleo Pizza

T - Taco Salad (didn't eat it because Drew got sick, so I ate a lot of left-overs)

W - Pulled Pork with Guacamole (never ate it last week, mostly due to illness)

Th - Turkey Carrot Quiche, except I'll use ground beef, since I already have it
F - Out of town at a women's retreat - I'll eat as well as I can.

Sa - Out of town at a women's retreat - I'll eat as well as I can.

Su - Might get barbeque at Whitt's (meat only, no sides) and steam some frozen veggies. I've got a feeling we'll all be spent when I get home.

Snacks: Fruit, Nuts, Left-over Paleo-Granola, Smoothies (I've been thinking of throwing veggies in with some frozen strawberries to add one more way to get us all, especially Sam, to eat more veggies.)

So Drew got strep throat Friday afternoon, so date night never materialized. However, I did have a very nasty cheat that I've been dreading to post about. It's funny how this blog gives me accountability even if no one ever reads it. My confession: Sonic cheeseburger, cheese tots and a vanilla Dr Pepper, followed by a Snickers bar. I think two junk food triggers for me are (1) exhaustion and (2) eating alone, or without another adult, I should say. Sam would prefer a corn dog any old day! To battle the exhaustion of taking care of Drew, Sam & Lucy I tried Diet Dr Pepper today, but quickly remembered that I just don't like it. About 5-8oz in, I got a terrible metallic taste in my mouth that lasted until dinner. I think that if I'm not going to have the real deal, I'm not going to have it at all.

So here's to a new week. Cheers!

WOD Jan 22 & Paleo Granola

Warm Up: 2x15 - Air Squats, Push Ups, Back Extensions, GHD Sit Ups

50 Hanging Cleans 67#
50 Push Jerks 45#
50 Box Jumps 20"

16:02


I made Paleo-Granola yesterday and it was even better than the last time I made it. Yum! Thanks to Sarah Murray at Crossfit Invictus. Here's the scoop:

• 5 cups nuts and seeds (I used slivered almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pecans*, and walnuts*; you can use whatever you want, but make sure you use at least 2 – 3 cups slivered almonds, as these take the place of what is normally oats)
• 1/3 cup honey (or maple syrup or any other Paleo-approved sweetener)
• 1/3 cup Paleo-friendly oil (I used coconut oil and highly recommend it)
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
  

*I chopped most of my walnuts and pecans pretty fine this time and I think it caused the honey mixture to stick the fine nuts together a little & when it baked it became a little crunchy. Mmm-mmm. 

Mix honey, oil, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg in a small saucepan and bring to a boil on the stove. Let it cool. Spread the nuts and seeds out on a greased baking sheet and pour the cooled honey mixture over the top. Mix it around to get everything covered, and bake for 30 minutes at 300 degrees. Allow the pan to cool slightly and then put the mixture into a bowl. Mix in raisins and coconut, and enjoy!

And if you're having a hard time finding any ingredients, I recommend a trip to the organic or health food section of your neighborhood Kroger or Publix; and if you can't find it there, make a run to Whole Foods or Trader Joe's. I think I'll likely be making a WF/TJ run at least once a month.

Menu January 18-24

I just want to say that all the recipes found on this blog are not original (unless I specifically say so). Many many thanks to those of you out there blogging away with your Paleo eating adventures. I am indebted to your generosity in sharing the recipes you've worked hard to adapt or create. Check out the "Connections" Corner if you want to find more ideas than you see here.

Breakfasts: Scrambles, Pumpkin Cranberry and/or Coconut Muffins, Breakfast Carnitas (with leftover pulled pork)

Lunches: Leftovers like always. If the leftovers run out we eat Boar's Head or other good deli lunch meat with a piece of fruit and a handful of almonds, cashews or pecans.

Dinners:

M - Fish Tacos with (not Paleo) Wickedly Good Fish Taco Sauce

T - Mediterranean Chicken (see below) with Bacon Brussels Sprouts

W - Earl's Stew (see below)

Th - Pulled Pork with Guacamole

F - Apple Glazed Turkey Breast with Steamed (& Buttered?) Broccoli

Sa - Date Night! I'll post afterward with details of what we eat.

Su - Taco Salad

Snacks: Fruit, Nuts, Paleo-Granola, Smoothies (I've been thinking of throwing veggies in with some frozen strawberries to add one more way to get us all, especially Sam, to eat more veggies.)

Mediterranean Chicken

Ingredients:

·        4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (trimmed, cut in half and pounded)

·        dried parsley flakes

·        14 oz can quartered artichokes

·        14 oz can fire roasted diced tomatoes

·        1 cup chicken broth

·        2 tsp olive oil

·        2-3 T fresh Italian parsley, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. After pounding chicken breasts, sprinkle both sides of chicken breasts with parsley. Heat olive oil in a skillet, and in batches, brown chicken breasts on both sides, about 3 minutes each side. Add to baking dish when finished. After all 8 chicken breasts are browned... add chicken broth to skillet and deglaze pan. Add all other ingredients to pan, and bring to a quick low boil, then pour over chicken. Sprinkle top with fresh Italian parsley and bake for about 30 minutes.

Earl’s Stew

Ingredients:

·        6 pieces bacon

·        3 chicken breasts

·        1 large can of tomatoes in processor

·        1 package of frozen green beans

·        1 package of frozen onions

·        Garlic salt

·        2 bay leaves

·        1 link sausage

Boil chicken in small amounts of water,  pull chicken out and add the rest of the ingredients.  Dice chicken and add back.  Add the bacon at the end.  Boil for a while.

NOTE: I will probably cook the chicken breast in the crock pot for 2-3 hours in the afternoon. This makes the chicken simply fall apart & is one less step I have to do when I'm hungry and the kids are needy (inevitably at dinner-prep time).