Raw Superfood Breakfast Bars

Made these raw superfood breakfast bars today.  They came together very quickly.  I used 8 large Medjool dates.  They were very sweet, so 8 smaller dates would probably work.  Took some to share with a couple other ladies today and they like them too.  I did not top with coconut butter.

Sloppy Joes

I loosely followed this recipe for paleo sloppy joes. 

Starting with the BBQ sauce:  I had a cup of homemade ketchup that I needed to use so I did half ketchup/half tomato sauce.  I adjusted the other ingredients accordingly.  This is exactly what I did, play around with it and see what your family likes.

BBQ sauce:
1 cup homemade ketchup
1 cup tomato sauce
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1 cup water
1 tsp mesquite seasoning(this is how I made mine:  http://www.cookingwithcorey.info/2011/04/recipe-262-mesquite-dry-spice-rub.html)
1/2 Tbsp ground mustard
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp lemon juice
3 Tbsp Yacon syrup
1 tsp organic no-salt seasoning (basically Mrs. Dash original)

Buns:
I made them according to the link the recipe provided except i used the organic no-salt seasoning again.

Meat:
I omitted the bacon and used 2 1/3 lbs of ground beef

   
Here is the seasoning I used.
 
  
My dinner.  :)


 

Soft & Chewy Double Chocolate Cookies

I was having an unexpected lunch guest, so I quickly mixed up a batch of these cookies.  They were very easy & delicious.  I had a jar of almond butter that was not well stirred, so I mainly used the thickest, less oily part per the author's instruction.  I also used 74% cacao chocolate drops.  I used my large cookie scoop and made 15 cookies.

Breakfast Cookies (Egg Free)

I have shared this recipe before.  When I had made them previously, I used the egg option and I loved them.  This time I used the "flax egg" option.  They were also very good.  I'm not sure I could tell the difference.  I enjoyed them with a cup of coffee sprinkled with cinnamon while I did some reading this morning.  No review from the kiddos or hubby, but I will have them try them soon.  I used some very moist Medjool dates, so I did not soak mine first.  Also, I subbed fruit juice sweetened cranberries for the currents (last time I used raisins.)  I used my large cookie scoop and made 1.5 dozen cookies.  They only took about 15 minutes to mix together and clean up.  With baking time, I'd say about 30 minutes start to finish.  Only pictured are 3, but I ate 4!  I think I will have these around this summer as we run around to swim practice and meets.
 

Stir-Fry

Making a stir-fry is not an exact science.  Here is how I made tonight if you are need some ideas.  My family loves rice, so I usually make this for them on stir-fry nights.

5 carrots, thinly sliced
1/2 large onion, thinly sliced
2 handfuls frozen green beans
1/2 pkg frozen broccoli
sweet peppers, thinly sliced
2-3 cup cooked turkey (I had some in the freezer I defrosted)
chunk of ginger, grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/3-1/2 cup coconut aminos

Saute all in 2-3 Tbsp of oil.

Egg Free Paleo Porridge

We all have ideals, don't we?  In my ideal world, I would not make separate meals and my children would eat what I eat or vice versa.  I would not cook in my microwave.  I forfeited these ideals this morning and had a great breakfast!  Since I've been reacting a bit to eating straight eggs and I know others looking for egg free recipes, I am on the quest for some new breakfast options.  

I've tried many different paleo hot cereal recipes, but this one is by far the easiest and best tasting.  I topped mine with vanilla, cinnamon and almond milk.  I had 3 of the kiddos try it.  One of them liked it better than what I had made them (Bob's Red Mill 7 Grain Hot Cereal), the other 2 were happier with their breakfast.  This confirms what I have experienced in the past, not all my kiddos will eat paleo hot cereal.  I loved this and feel way better than if I would have eaten a couple eggs.  

So, check out this paleo porridge from The Paleo Mom if you need a one portion breakfast in less than 5 minutes.  If I plan ahead next time, I will grind all the seeds, nuts and flax the night before for even easier clean up in the morning.  No picture this morning, but mine turned out looking just like the picture in this link (wish I would have had a few of those lovely blackberries to put on top of mine!).

Spiralized Sauteed Veggies

Look at this!  It is so pretty spiralized.  It would be totally tasty thinly sliced also.  This is what I took to a family get together this weekend.

 
 Here's what's in it.
2 small zucchinis
2 yellow squash
2 parsnips
4 carrots
12 chives

Saute all the veggies until tender-crisp (about 7-10 minutes).  Season & serve.  I sprinkled mine with Jane's Krazy Mixed Up Salt and fresh ground pepper.