My Favorite Paleo Recipes

Beef Stir-Fry Salad

1 1/2 lbs. beef stir-fry strips
2 t. coconut oil
1 T. Bragg's Aminos
1/2 sweet yellow onion, sliced
2 yellow or orange bell peppers, sliced
large handful (about 1-1 1/2c.) sugar snap peas, cut in half
4 cups Romaine lettuce
4 cups green leaf lettuce
1/2 c. ice-berg lettuce
balsamic vinegar
olive oil
sea salt
ground black pepper
3 fresh strawberries (I added myself but highly recommend it for this meal)
1 ripe mango, cut into bite size pieces (same as strawberries, I can't imagine this meal without the fruit on top).

Prepare ahead: slice onions, peppers and cut snap peas in half, get the lettuce washed, dried and cut into bite-size pieces put into serving bowl. Prepare fruit.

Heat large skillet over med. heat. Add coconut oil. When it melts add sliced onions saute' until they begin to soften and turn translucent. Stir often. Turn heat up a bit, wait 30 sec. add beef strips and Bragg's continue to stir often. When is close to being done add bell peppers and peas, until peppers are tender. Do not over cook the beef. Turn off heat. On a plate put your amount of lettuce's that you want, then put on beef mixture, top with amount of fruit you want, pour on desired amount of balsamic and olive oil for dressing, doesn't take much. Season with sea salt and pepper. Ready to eat.

Garlic Basil Chicken Spaghetti Squash

Servings 6-8
1 large sketti squash
1 1/2 chicken breast cut into cubes
10 fresh Roma tomatoe, cubed or diced.
1 small onion, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 T. basil
1 T. olive oil
1 t. pepper
1 t. crushed red pepper (less if you don't want it spicy)
1/4 c. low sodium chicken broth

Pre-heat oven to 350*. Cut sketti squash in half long way, scoop out seeds. Place face down in baking dish with 1/2 " water on bottom. Bake for 1 hr. While squash is baking, heat large skillet or soup pot, pour in olive oil. Cook chicken until no longer pink and is done. Add tomatoes, broth, basil, onion, black pepper, red pepper and garlic. Cook over med/low  heat stirring occasionally until heated though. Cover and set aside on low heat. Remove sketti squash from oven, with a mitt and a fork, shred squash out with a fork, it will seem like spaghetti noodles but healthier. Place 1 cup of squash noodles on plate and top with 1 c. of chicken/tomato mixture or as much as you want. Enjoy!

Beef/Vegetable Chile (very flavorful)

2 T. coconut oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
2 T. chili powder (I only put 1)
1/4 t. cayenne
2 t. sea salt
1 t. cumin
1 t. garlic powder
2 lbs. beef stew meat
2 (28 oz) cans diced tomatoes
2 (4 oz) cans of diced green chilies
1/2 of a 4 oz. can diced jalapenos (if you want extra spicy, I didn't)
1/2 t. oregano
1/2 t. thyme
1 bay leaf
7-8 medium brown crimini  mushrooms, sliced
2 med. carrots,sliced
2 med. zucchini, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
4-6 leaves of kale leaves, shredded

Prepare in small bowl mix chili powder, sea salt, cumin and garlic powder. Dredge beef in mixture, set aside. Make sure all veggies are diced ahead of time.  Heat large soup pot over med. high heat. When hot, add coconut oil and onion to pot, brown slightly. Add beef and brown on all sides. Add tomatoes. Fill empty can with water and ad to the pot. Add green chilies, jalapenos if you are using them, cayenne, mushrooms, carrots, oregano, thyme and the bay leaf. Turn heat down to med. and cook for about 40 min. stirring occasionally. Add zucchini and red bell, cook for another 20 min. Add kale leaves and finish cooking for 10 more minutes. Ready to eat! I did half the recipe for just me and Ron. Loved this a lot.

Cauliflower Rice Stir-Fry

1 head of cauliflower
2 T. coconut oil or olive oil
sea salt
1 or 2 T. Bragg's Liquid Aminos (like soy sauce but not so many calories)
shrimp 10 pieces cut in half
1 red bell pepper
1/4 c. green onions
1 c. spinach
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup of brown crimini mushrooms, sliced

In food processor pulse the cauliflower until it resembles rice. Set aside. Heat skillet, add coconut oil. stir-fry cauliflower until soft. Add all other ingredients just enough to heat through and the shrimp is pink and the cauliflower is tender enough like rice. Enjoy! This was surprisingly my own recipe and it turned out great!

Orange/Avocado Chicken Salad

2 large oranges, segmented
1 large ripe avocado, diced
1/4 c. cashews
3 handfuls of spinach, arugula or watercress
olive oil to drizzle
sea salt and pepper to taste
2 chicken breast tenders sliced or cubed

Prepare both oranges by cutting off the rind and outer membrane and slicing out the wedges of fruit between the segments. Do this over a bowl to collect juices. (I just sliced the oranges into bite size pieces and drizzled the juice over the spinach once everything was added) Divide greens into 2 plates, top with oranges, avocados and cashews. Drizzle olive oil and remaining juice from oranges. Season with sea salt and pepper. Add sliced or cubed grilled chicken on top. Ready to eat!

The 11 Questions

The 11 Questions

Can't seem to get these colors right. Came across this at my cousin's website, thought I would try this.

THE RULES:

1. Post these rules
2. Post 11 random things about yourself
3. Answer the questions provided by the one who tagged you
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag
5. Tag 11 people

11 RANDOM THINGS ABOUT ME:

1. I get excited for holidays, especially the ones my kids are out of school, I love being around them.
2.I love to read historical fiction books, my favorite all time writer is Lynn Austin, check her out.
3.I love to cook most of the time. I love coming up with my own recipes.
4.I love to sing, doesn't matter what kind of music, most of the time I'm making up my own that doesn't make any sense.
5. I love to learn about people, their customs, traditions, the way they run their households, their language. We are all different and unique with different flavor.
6.I love all the seasons. Their is something beautiful about each season. I love the rain, the first snow fall, the gentle breezes and colors.
7. I only feel comfortable wearing several layers of clothes. I usually wear about 4.
8. I love to laugh but don't love the way I look when I laugh or smile big.
9.  I've always been considered younger than I am. Don't ever look old enough according to many. I like this now, but, not so much growing up.
10. I chew gum every day. Most of the time it's Wrigley's Big Red. I love to blow bubbles, but, try to hold myself back from annoying others.
11. I'm mostly a home body, but, I love road trips and vacations, I've been blessed and grateful to have a husband who makes us go on one every year, sometimes twice a year. Because of him I have seen and been many beautiful places.
11 QUESTIONS that was asked:

1. Tell about the last thing that made you really laugh. One night after dinner Kaydon went to the bathroom and had been in there awhile. Ron was doing the dishes and needed Kaydon to finish doing his job of clearing the table and counter. Ron called into Kaydon to ask what he was doing and Kaydon said he was going to the bathroom, Ron then asked if he needed any help. I don't know why, but, this started me in a frenzy of laughter to think of what might be going through Kaydon's mind from that comment. It took awhile for me to stop laughing.

2. What type of situation makes you feel out-of place? What makes you feel comfortable?  When I first walk into a place where lots of people are and they are already talking to someone.  I feel comfortable when I first get into bed, soft sheets, with the window open and the warm breeze coming through touching my face.

3. What is one thing about yourself you want to improve on?  Being more secure about me and my relationships. I've always been insecure and not sure how people think about me.
 
4. If you had 1 million dollars, but could use none of it on yourself, what would you do with it? I would give some of it to my family members struggling, I would like to start my own little private school. I would help my neighbors. And I would like to help young kids who's families can't afford it take lessons in an instrument, or take dance, cheer, singing, or whatever it may be. I didn't grow up with a chance and I would like to give others a chance I didn't have.

5. Tell about a memory that you remember often, but aren't sure why. I remember I was home alone a lot when I was young. Music was my escape, so I wouldn't be afraid. I pretended to be this amazing, super singer, performer. She was a princess in Germany, her father didn't think it proper that she wanted to sing, so, she runs away to America and lives this double life, so she isn't found out. She is this super singer that everyone knows living her dream, then she is a wife, mother the other times. Kind of a Hannah Montana except this was before that was even around. Crazy, but, I would perform in my living room in front of my imaginary fans. I even pulled my brother into one of my concerts. Fun. I think of it often because I watch American Idol and The Voice. I still today, every once in awhile will  perform in my kitchen or living room. I love to sing.

6. What is something you are excited for? This year, I'm excited for Christina to get married and have her own family, for Cameron to graduate and go on his mission, for our summer vacation to San Diego.

7. What did you eat today? So far, scrambled omelet. 
 
8. Name someone that makes you proud, and if you want, say why. All my children do, because they are so awesome, but, I can't help but think of Christina who has worked so hard to overcome her addictions to drugs. She has made a comeback. She finally found the right guy, wants to have a temple marriage, have kids of her own. She is doing so great. I'm proud of all my kids and how awesome they are, but, I can't stop thinking about my oldest daughter, Christina. She has made a comeback. She has a had a long hard road overcoming her addiction to drugs and alcohol. She had finally found the right guy to make her happy, she talking of temple marriage and having kids. She is looking so great, with a great attitude. 
 
9. What is your dream job? Of course to be a good mom and wife first, but, I have dreamed so many times about being a elementary school teacher, even preschool. I use to pretend to be a teacher when I was young, I would teach the kids on my block and it was lots of satisfaction helping kids learn things.
 
10. Describe the teenage you.  Quiet, very unsure, very modest, loved to listen to music, didn't have any friends to hang out with, home alone a lot, got into some things I shouldn't have (tobacco-didn't last long), person pleaser. Not brave enough to do anything. Shy.
 
11. What is your go-to food when you are hungry. Fruit/Gum but I also love to make cookies.

MY QUESTIONS FOR YOU!!
1. What is your earliest memory?
2. When did you first receive a testimony of Jesus and the gospel?
3. If you could only listen to one music artist for the rest of your life who would it be?
4. Describe the teenage you.
5. Do you still talk to your childhood best friend?
6. When you have spare time during the day, what do you find yourself usually doing?
7. What is your favorite quality about yourself?
8. What is a childhood memory that always makes you laugh when you think about it?
9. What is your dream job?
10. What time do you get out of bed on a Saturday?
11. What is something you are excited for?

Satisfying Breakfast Ideas + Dessert

Just discovered some better ways to eat foods on my own. Try these!

• 1 serving of Regular Oatmeal (cooled) with1/4 c. raisins and one gala apple pulsed in food processor. Add all together and wow, no milk, no sugar added. Just pure goodness.

• 1 serving of Regular Oatmeal with 1 ripe banana mashed and 1/4 c. raisins. Add all together and ready to eat. Again, no sugar, no milk. This is amazing. And it helps you stay full longer.

• Scrambled Omelet- 4 eggs (white or brown) slightly beaten, 1 cup of spinach, 1/8 c. mushrooms, 1/8 c. red pepper, 1/2 med. tomato (diced) and 2 T. cheddar cheese. You can add other veggies as well. In hot skillet, place 1 T. butter, let it melt quickly add egg, wait a moment until sides form, add all veggies and cheese. Stir and cook until desired consistency of eggs. Another meal that fills you up for a longer amount of time= less food during the day. Paleo friendly.

This recipes I had help with: 

• Carrot Banana Muffins- 2 cups of almond flour, 2 t. baking soda, 1 t. sea salt, 1 T. cinnamon, 1 c. dates, 3 ripe bananas, 3 eggs, 1 t. apple cider vinegar, 1/4 c. coconut oil, 1 1/2 c. carrots (shredded), 3/4 c. walnuts, pecans or almond pieces. You need to line your muffin pan with paper liners. In small bowl combine flour, soda, salt and cinnamon. In a food processor, combine dates, bananas, eggs, vinegar and oil. Transfer mixture into large bowl, mix more thoroughly, add flour mixture, mix well. Fold in carrots and nuts. Spoon into muffin cups and bake at 350* for 25 min. I not only used these muffins for breakfast but for snacks. This recipe is Paleo friendly.

•  Red Velvet Sorbet- (this recipe make enough for 4+). In powerful blender like a Vita-Mix combine 4 frozen bananas (frozen at least one day in advance), 10 oz. frozen raspberries, 1 T. baking cocoa, 4 dates (chopped). It is going to be hard, but, blend all until forms like ice-cream. It's good to let the fruit defrost for about 20 minutes to make it easier. I like to leave a few small chunks of fruit. This is a very good dessert. Healthier than ice-cream.

Calorie Counter

My husband has been keeping track of his calorie intake and I've watched him. He has been shredding pounds like crazy. He credits that to healthy eating/staying active when he can and keep in track of his calorie intake. Man he is looking hot! Although, I've always thought he was before.

 I have been curious about how many calories I take into my body, thinking I didn't really eat a lot.So, I started my own tracker. I use the same as he does. Check it out here http://caloriecount.about.com/cc/account/index.php   It keeps track of the food intake, water and activity you do. At first, I was frustrated about the math of it all, changing cups into oz. or grams and also finding the right foods in their database. I've learned lately you can customize your foods and add it to the database. It's amazing how much more vigil I am about the numbers on the back of each food package.  You can type in your own recipes and it will log it in for your serving. I've had a few supporters come by and comment on my status at the end of the day when my progress is complete (meaning my food intake is done for the day). It has been nice to have them give me tips on how to use this site. Today, I'm happy about it. During the day, I can put in the foods/recipes I have planned on my menu ahead of time. This has saved me time when there is no time at meal time to do it. Or I can go ahead and put it in knowing that is exactly how much I will eat and be done with it. I just have to stick with the amounts I had thought I would eat. If I decide to eat more when I already put in the amounts, I can go back and adjust it, it's pretty easy. This method has so far kept me in line and to stay within my calorie intake. When I do exercise, it gives me points, but, I ignore these, so I can lose more weight in the short run. So far, I really like it and the other people have cheered  me on. I'm not in this alone and it makes the difference. Plus, you can put this on your phone, bonus, if you go out to eat instead. If I stick with this I should be at my ideal weight by the end of the year. That's something I can look forward to.

Lynn Austin-Amazing!

I finished all of Lynn Austin's Books. What a great writer! I thoroughly enjoyed each book and learned so much through reading her books and not just history. Each book got me emotionally involved and has strengthened my testimony and faith in Jesus christ in so  many ways. Now that I'm done, I'm sad, like moving away from a great friend. I never thought this before for any other book, but, I wouldn't think twice about picking up any of her books and reading it again. And i can truly suggest her books to anyone and not regret it. Looking for a worthy goal, try reading all of these. These books had it all: adventure, clean romance, faith building, historically correct, and powerful. You come to know each character and feel their struggles and they are real struggles we face. Loved seeing the change in each character as they began to really depend on god to help them. But, it wasn't preachy or didn't feel like going to church, it was a real adventure for each character from each book. 


Stand-alone novels

• All She Ever Wanted
• Eve's Daughters
• Hidden Places
• A Proper Pursuit
• Though Waters Roar
• Until We Reach Home
• While We're Far Apart
• Wings of Refuge
• A Woman's Place
• Wonderland Creek 

Chronicles of the Kings series- I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this series. It was the best.
Following the lives and legacies of King Hezekiah and his son Manasseh, this series takes readers through the history, drama and promises of the Old Testament. Embracing God's law, following God's will, and growing in faith is easier said than done for the father and son. Three-time Christy Award winner Lynn Austin brings the Bible to life in her gripping historical novels.

1. Gods and Kings
2. Song of Redemption
3. The Strength of His Hand
4. Faith of My Fathers
5. Among the Gods

Refiner's Fire series
Each book in this sweeping Civil War series—one each told from the northern, southern, and slave points-of-view—offers a unique and shattering perspective on the conflict while exploring the deep effect the war had on the faith of a nation.

1. Candle in the Darkness
2. Fire by Night
3. A Light to My Path

It's Okay To Mourn But Don't Hate

In recent news, we have witnessed shocking news about Josh Powell (who was accused by the people not necessarily the law, that he had something to do with his wife's' disappearance back in 2009). We learned that he had blown himself up along with his two young sons using 10 gallons of gasoline, luckily, saving the case worker the same fate. We later learned that he had brutally killed his sons before he started the fire using a hatchet. My heart broke twice. My first feeling was heartbreak and shock, then I started getting frustrated that things could have been handled differently, better. But, then I started to feel angry, mostly saddened by the things Josh had done from the beginning. To me it is evident that he killed his wife too, I had felt promptings that this is true of late last year and just hoped they would find her body to help bring closure and peace to the Cox family.  To have the kids witness it, by taking them on a "campout" while mom was in the trunk. There is no words to describe what Josh Powell has done in the last three years and may have even stemmed from the evils of pornography of all things. While feeling angry about how the boys died, I had another thought that was given me. I shouldn't be angry or hate Josh for anything, this is for God to handle and sort out. He allows these things to happen so that he can bring to pass his justice where it is needed and mercy where it is needed. God paid the ultimate price for all those that would ever suffer in this life called the Atonement. We need the Atonement today, we need to give it (this tragedy) to God and allow our hearts to be healed. We need to forgive and love all men including men like Josh Powell. I feel sorry for him now. He made a huge mistake or two or three, but, we have all sinned in one way or another and need forgiveness of the one who has mercy. Whether God will have any mercy on Josh Powell or send him straight to hell is His decision not ours. We can only believe and for some of us, we know, that Susan and her two young boys are together again. They will suffer no more and we must not suffer either because we know. God bless us all as we mourn the loss and try to understand it, but, let us put hate far from us and remember to have compassion on the man that has lost everything.

A Good Woman Knows

Julie B. Beck once said, I have felt that there has never been a greater need for increased faith and personal righteousness. There has never been a greater need for strong families and homes. There has never been more that could be done to help others who are in need. How does one increase faith, strengthen families, and provide relief? How does a woman in our day find answers to her own questions and stand strong and immovable against incredible opposition and difficulty?

A good woman knows that she does not have enough time, energy, or opportunity to take care of all of the people or do all of the worthy things her heart yearns to do. A good woman must constantly resist alluring and deceptive messages from many sources telling her that she is entitled to more time away from her responsibilities and that she deserves a life of greater ease and independence. Ladies we have work to do, we have responsibility and we must constantly be striving to do our very best. With personal revelation she can prioritize correctly and navigate this life confidently.

In order to receive personal revelation, we must be in a position to receive the Lord's Spirit. Qualifying for the Lord's Spirit begins with a desire for and implies a certain degree of worthiness. Keeping the commandments, repenting, and renewing covenants made at baptism and also making and keeping temple covenants.

A good woman knows she can search the scriptures to find the answers to difficult questions because the scriptures are an aid to revelation. We must read from them daily, we can receive peace, inspiration and strength.

Also, a good woman knows the greatest strength is found on our knees in daily sincere prayer. It is essential to success in dealing with the road bumps in the day to day busyness madness.  

Mothers can feel help from the Spirit even when tired, noisy children are clamoring for attention, but they can be distanced from the Spirit if they lose their temper with children. A good woman composes herself well in opposition and relies on God for guidance in unfavorable situations.  Promised personal revelation comes when we ask for it, prepare for it, and go forward in faith, trusting that it will be poured out upon us.

Attendance at Relief Society meetings also help us be blessed by the combined spiritual power of all the sisters. Women should be women and not babies that need petting and correction all the time. We all want to be appreciated but if we don't get the appreciation that we think we deserve, what matters? A good woman knows we serve unconditionally, we are serving God when we serve our families and others around us. We are here to please God not man.

The greatest good we can do to ourselves and each other is to refine and cultivate ourselves in everything that is good and ennobling to qualify us for those responsibilities.

We are doing well when we develop attributes of Christ and strive to obey His gospel with exactness. We are doing well when we seek to improve ourselves and do our best. We are doing well when we increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and help others who are in need. When we have done our very best, we may still experience disappointments, but we will not be disappointed in ourselves.

Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the latter days will come because many of the good women of the world, they will reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different in happy ways--from the women of the world. The Lord depends on His daughters to do their part. A good woman knows that part.

Paraphrasing and quoting between Julie B. Beck's May 2010 Conference address, rearranged with my own thoughts. Read it yesterday, it has been one of my favorite motivation speeches. Wanted to share it.