Deconstructed Energy Balls

We've changed our eating habits quite a bit, especially since we've had our boys, but there's one thing I just can't give up: sweets!

They're my weakness, specifically baked goods, but nothing about a giant, warm cookie is healthy. So I've searched for alternatives to satisfy my sweet tooth without going overboard!

You may have seen recipes on Pinterest for "energy balls". We all love this idea in our house, but when I make a whole batch, I can't stop at one, and I defeat the purpose of a healthy treat. I've since realized that if I use these ingredients mixed in a single serving bowl, I won't break the calorie bank & exceed the sugar limit.

Recipe:

Serves 1

• 2 tablespoons Old Fashioned Oats
• 2 teaspoons Natural Peanut Butter (I love Costco's pb)
• 1/2 teaspoon Raw Honey
• 1 tablespoon Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
• 1 teaspoon Miniature Chocolate Chips

 Directions:

• Combine oats & peanut butter in a small bowl (like that cute one above from Target). 
• Drizzle honey on top & sprinkle with coconut & chocolate chips.
• Enjoy! 

21DF - 1/4 yellow, 3 Teaspoons, honey from "coffee bar", 1/2 Blue

Balsamic Glazed Steaks with Sauteed Maple Brussles Sprouts

Don't get me wrong, I love a grilled steak, but it's a little difficult to grill when the temperature is in the teens here in the evening. And when it gets dark at 5:30, it's tough to tell the how done your meat is. Lucky for me (& you), the broiler in our oven isn't too shabby when it comes to fulfilling a craving for steak!

 

What I love about this meal is that it's quick, easy, and requires only a few ingredients.

Recipe:

Serves 2 adults & 2 kids

Steaks-

• 3 - 4oz. Sirloin Steaks
• Salt & Pepper
• Cooking Spray

Sprouts-

• 1 pound Brussels Sprouts (approximately 20)
• Avocado Oil
• 3 teaspoons Maple Syrup

Sauce-

• Balsamic Vinegar

 Directions:

• Preheat broiler.
• Spray broiler pan with cooking spray. Season both sides of each steak with salt & pepper.
• Cook steaks for about 5 minutes on each side; more or less according to your preference and steak thickness.
• Meanwhile, add 2 teaspoons avocado oil to a pan. Cut the ends off Brussels sprouts, and remove the outside leaves. Slice in half and add to pan, sautee until slightly crispy and brown. Add a little water and maple syrup. Place a top on the pan and steam for 3 minutes. 
• In a sauce pan add balsamic vinegar and reduce until thick.
• When steaks & sprouts are done, place them on a plate and drizzle the balsamic glaze. 

21DF - 1 Red, 1 Green

Open-Faced Ham & Egg Sandwich

A few years ago, my mom, husband & I decided to venture into the world of "Backyard Chickens". Well, not so much backyard, since combined we have over 7 acres in the city (my mom lives in our backyard), but none the less, we do not have a chicken farm. We started with a dozen chicks since we were told that some may not make it past the teenager stage (rebels). We did lose one chicken early on, but we also experienced something we were not expecting... 2 of our chicks "turned into" ROOSTERS!

Now this is particularly saddening for me, because my chicken, a Golden Wyandotte, who I respectively named Goldie Hen (harhar!) was one of the roosters. Lucky for them, one of my husband's co-worker's sons was starting a chicken farm. So after many *hilarious* attempts to lure these cocky & noisy roosters into a cat carrier, they were safely taken to their new home where I'm sure they have produced a fine brood of chicks!

We only have 2 left from the original dozen & we added 6 more chicks 2 years ago, we lost 1 from this batch, leaving us with 7 hens total. They are free-range (just ask the neighbors...), and eat lots of yummy food, which we believe is what makes their eggs taste so good.

So why did I tell you all of this? Well, on a good day we'll get an egg from each hen, and typically at least 5 a day. We love to eat LOTS of fresh eggs! Which leads me to this simple recipe:

Recipe

Serves 1

• 1 slice Ezekiel Bread, Toasted
• 1 Farm Fresh Egg
• 3 slices Nitrate-Free Ham

Directions

• While your bread is toasting, spray pan with cooking spray & fry your egg on half of the pan for a few minutes, depending on your yolk preference.
• Add the slices of ham to the other half of the pan to warm & brown slightly.
• Place the ham on top of the toast & the egg on top of the ham.
• Enjoy!

And I'll leave you with this handsome fella...

 

21DF - 1 Yellow, 1 Red.

Menu Monday - 1.26.15

I'll be including a quick post each Monday with our menu for the week. Typically I plan, shop & prep on Sunday, but we were gone until last night, so today is the day for all of that!  While I was planning, I also checked the weather to see what day would be best for grilling outside. Wednesday is a high of 34*, and I actually said out loud, "Wow! It's going to be hot!" Oh geez...

Our Menu for the Week of 1.26.15

Monday - Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Carnitas with Chopped Romaine, Tomatoes & Shredded Cheddar on Corn Tortillas

Tuesday - "Skinny" Shrimp Scampi with Zoodles & Whole Wheat Noodles

Wednesday - Asian Chicken Skewers with Broccoli Slaw & Orange Sesame Dressing

Thursday - Leftovers (I typically make enough food to plan on a night of leftovers)

Friday - Venison Meatloaf with Roasted Red Potatoes & a Side Salad

Saturday - Chicken Chili with Baked Corn Chips

Sunday - Oven Roasted Chicken & Vegetables

I'll be sharing these recipes, so be sure to check back! And after a while you will see repeats in our meal plan. We have our favorites & I try not to make each week too complicated. But on that note, I also can't eat the same thing over & over. 

Enjoy!

Hi, I'm New Here...

Welcome!

Somehow you've stumbled upon this new little blog, and I'm grateful for that. I also blog over at I'm Always Nesting, my design + lifestyle blog, but I have now decided to keep food & design separate.

My mission for this blog is to spread the word about clean eating. I'm passionate about what goes in my family's bodies, and I really enjoy spending time in the kitchen. In turn, I also have a new-found love for food photography. The color that comes from our food amazes & inspires me!

I hope to provide quick & easy to follow recipes using simple ingredients to create a delicious meal for you to enjoy.

Thanks for visiting!