Homemade Chicken Nuggets

Homemade Chicken Nuggets

These are so easy to make- breaded or not- they make a perfect starter for a meal in minutes! Much healthier for your family than over processed convenience food! 100% kid approved! 100% Real food!

Chicken Nuggets - 

1-2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast meat
1-2 tbsp. coconut oil
1 egg
1 cup whole wheat flour (or almond flour, or coconut flour, or homemade breadcrumbs!Yummmm!)
1 tbsp. seasonings  (whatever is your preference- paprika gives a good color to the meat, Mrs. Dash's garlic herb seasoning is fantastic!)

Wash chicken breast and slice into finger eating sized chunks, like 2" x 1". In a bowl ,whisk egg and set aside. In another bowl, add flour and seasonings, ( I use a fork to lightly incorporate evenly).
In fry pan add coconut oil, turn on heat to med high and heat to begins to sizzle. Dip chicken strips or chunks first  into egg and then roll in flour mixture until coated evenly and add to fry pan. Drop chicken pieces in to hot oil only, turning once down side is brown. approximately 4-5 minutes each side, when coating is golden brown and center of meat is white.

Oven method: if you prefer baking over frying, these are fantastic in the oven!!!!!!!!!!! Works well with the coating too.

Prep exactly the same way, however place on baking sheet, and bake at 350 for 45 min. turning over once half way! No oil ! Still delicious!


For Plain (No Coating) Chicken Strips- clean and cut the chicken into finger sized chunks. Skip the egg and flour steps mentioned above. Just add chicken straight to heated coconut oil and lightly sprinkle with seasonings. Fry in coconut oil turning once down side is brown. approximately 4-5 minutes each side, when side is golden brown and center of meat is white.

Note: this is an excellent recipe to teach the kids-  if they are still to young to use the stove they can easily help with the coating and placing on a cooking sheet for the oven method. Teaching them such techniques is extremely beneficial for other recipes requiring battering too!





This recipe was shared in, and you may also enjoy:

Real Food Wednesday 6/12/13

    Make Your Own Monday Link up 6/10

Using the Whole Tomato

Using the Whole Tomato

I'm tired of wasting. I am learning to make the most out of everything! Homemade anything is so awesome for the simple fact that I know exactly what is in the product I make. All natural, no preservatives or fake food chemicals.  I am loving using every part of the fruit or vegie that I can.

This weekend we canned Roma tomatoes. Love the way the cans fill my shelves, and I know I have a quality canned tomato without extra chemicals ready to use- makes awesome sauces, and soups!

A wonderful guide to canning exists on this page: Pick Your Own.org Canning Tomatoes
I could attempt to tell you the entire process, but their tutorial is so thorough that it is better to just let you know where I learned it from that try to copy cat their process. 

One thing I would like to note is: 
Be sure to always wash your produce: I use a cup of vinegar to a pan of water and let them soak in it for 10 minutes. It is so important to get the residues off the skins, you just never know- and the process is so easy.
A simple note and measure to ensure no one gets sick and your food is healthier for your family.



One of the steps taken in canning our tomatoes is to blanch them and remove the skins. In past I did this without thought- and tossed the skins!  But no more! What a waste!

Three wonderful things can come from the tomato skins! 

1. You can use them in a crock pot along with other vegie left over and cuttings and start a pot of vegetable broth.  A great blog about this is found at: My Humble Kitchen
2. You can put all the skins into a food processor and grind them into a pulp for tomato bark! Dehydrate the pulp, and yay! You have instant tomato paste later for anytime you need it! tomato bark
-or-
3. You can dehydrate them, as I did this time. The end result was wonderful flaky dried tomato,  that I whirred into the food processor for a minute until I had small flakes and poured into a recycled spice jar to add to my new homemade spices! Instant tomato flavor to add to anything! -All natural, all homemade.
I laid the tomato skins  on my dehydrator racks, set the dehydrator for 135F and let it go for about 10 hours to be sure we were completely dry. Times may vary due to weather and humidity. We had a cloudy weekend, so I wanted to be certain I got all the moisture out.

<-- this is how we started
        this is what came out ----->







<--I tossed these into the food processor

and this is my end result-
 pure tomato flakes! -->


Love it!



No waste, and a new spice jar for my cabinet! Awesome!!






You might also like the links found at:

Frugal Days - Sustainable Ways #74

Tomato Bark, Dried Tomatoes and Zucchini chips

Tomato Bark, Dried Tomatoes and Zucchini chips

In adventures for trying new things I'm dehydrating Roma tomatoes, Zucchini chips and 1 test run on tomato bark.

Tomato Bark is dried tomato sauce. 1 tomato sauce can covered a whole leather tray. I am excited to find out how this turns out! A Small experiment for me; but, if it works as well as I have read, I will make a whole lot more! Easy storing, and what a wonderful way to pack and transport more flavors for camping trips etc. Re-hydrates in a sauce pan of water within 20 minutes, and would leave me so much more room to pack other things! (less weight and all the nutrients!)

Dried tomatoes are wonderful additions to so many things I can't count- pasta, salads, rice, soups, stews, vegetable dishes! I'm looking forward to this! As with the dried sauce- if this turns out right, I'm making a lot more! Only with these I believe they will fill a quart jar and sit with my spices and seasonings for regular use! We love tomatoes!

Zucchini chips are highly recommended. I sprinkled paprika and a bit of sea salt on mine before starting. I am looking forward to a healthy alternate for potato chips that isn't full of fat and preservatives! Zucchini chips come highly recommended, and dehydrating them doesn't make them lose their nutrients! Yay!
The dietary fiber in zucchini helps lower cholesterol.  The magnesium and potassium found in zucchini helps lower blood pressure. The vitamins C and A found in zucchini act as powerful antioxidant. Zucchini is so good for you! Delicious too!

....I'll let you know how it goes.

**Evening Update! 

Everything turned out, but I have to admit- being in my learning stages has it's draw backs- the tomato bark is perfect! Love it!  All on it's own, has a strong flavor, and will be awesome for quick needs recipes!  The dried toms are extra sweet and strong in flavor!! I added nothing to them- ate a handful last night after they cooled! These are going to be fantastic on salads! I can't wait to try them on some pasta! 
My fail= zucchini. My learning experience has begun with the zucchini chips! I cut them way too thin! They are delicious, and every single one in my family tried them! But they would never stand up for dip- I gotta do thicker! Ya Never know until you try! and I have to report Tomato bark =A+, Dried Romas= A+, Zucchini chips= Fail.... but I am going to chop them up in the food processor this morning and save them in a recycled seasoning bottle- I think they'd be perfect seasoning! so Zucchini seasoning=A+ WIN! (Just not in the manner I intended! LOL )

This, I am definitely going to enjoy making more of! 

upcoming dehydrator trials: butter, squash, and sweet potato chips! Yay! (I'll cut them thicker I promise)







You might like to try:




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Carrots!

 Carrots!

Carrots are the easiest vegie to incorporate into a meal- they add so much flavor, are simple additions to soups, stews, delicious raw! And colorful!  Rich in beta carotene, they are wonderful for Vitamin A, are considered rich in antioxidants, great for the eyes, skin and metabolism!
I wash them the same as many vegies, in bowl of water with tbsp of vinegar for 10 minutes. To prep I usually cut the tips off and use a peeler to clean the outside edges. After this you can slice into wedges, circular slices, grate,  chop, dice and or -just eat!  The Best way to eat them is raw!  wash, cut into sticks and enjoy!

To Cook on the stove:

Clean 1lb. carrots and slice whatever way you like.
Add to sauce pan filled a 1/4 of the way with water. Add a pinch of salt and bring the water to boil. Cook about 7-9 minutes for slices. Baby Carrots** take about 8-10 minutes. Cook until tender and a fork easily pierces piece. Drain, top with butter if desired and serve.

To Steam on the stove: 

Clean 1lb. carrots and slice.
Fill sauce pan to the bottom of vegetable steamer with water and bring to boil. Add sliced carrots and cover with lid. Steam for 8-10 minutes or until carrots are tender and easily pierced with fork.

To Mash:

Clean 1lb. carrots and slice whatever way you like, for mashed, the smaller the bits the easier to prepare.
Fill a saucepan with water about 3/4 way, add 1/2 tsp salt. Add carrots, and boil for 10-15 minutes until pieces are completely tender and mashable. Drain and place in bowl. Use a potato masher or toss into food processor.  Add 1 tbsp real butter and 1 tbsp homemade yogurt, salt and pepper to taste- mash or process until creamy. Garnish with chopped parsley.

To Bake in oven:

Preheat oven to 400F. Grease a casserole dish. Clean 1lb. carrots and slice into 1" pieces. Toss carrots with 1 tbsp olive oil, and seasonings (you can use a great variety of seasonings here, Italian seasoning mix is wonderful and rich, a simple Garlic and herb mix is wonderful with baked chicken, sprinkle with curry and cumin for impact- the choice is yours! Even just salt and pepper and wonderful!) Toss until all pieces are coated, arrange in baking pan and cover with foil. Bake for 30-40 minutes. If your chunks are thicker- you may need an additional 10 minutes. test with a for for tenderness.

To Foil on BBQ:

Clean 1lb. carrots and slice. Take square pieces of foil and  Add 1 serving size amount of carrots to the middle, add a pat of butter, and sprinkle with seasonings (salt and pepper, or whatever herb spice might match your BBQ preferences). Fold foil over. Roll sides together until resembles completely sealed envelope. Prep remaining carrots into serving sized foil pockets. Bake on BBQ, turning half way for 25-30  minutes.

Grate carrots and add them to pilaf, rices, soups, pasta, salads, dips, cakes, muffins- the options are endless!

Easy Carrot Salad: 2 cups shredded carrots, 1 cup raisins, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 diced apple, 1 tbsp. brown sugar (or honey), 1 heaping tbsp. mayonnaise (Homemade preferred). Stir together and chill for 1/2 hour before serving.   Easy Carrot Salad

Quick and Delicious Tuna Salad -GF

Quick and Delicious Tuna Salad

I discovered something and now I am never making tuna the same way I used to! :)

Do you remember how mom made tuna salad? All slathered in mayo and slabbed on white wonder bread?  - yup- well for me- Never again!

Try avocado- and yogurt! yup... The avocado makes it creamy, with out the horrible oils of processed store bought mayo! Avocados are rich in potassium, vitamin B-6, folic acid, fiber, and antioxidants! They have twice the amount of potassium as a banana! Super good for you! 

for base: 
1 avocado mashed, 2 spoonfuls of plain homemade yogurt, salt & pepper, 1-2 cans of tuna drained and rinsed. (for 2 cans use 2 avocados)

to this you can add
additions: 
dill, pickles, chopped celery, pine nuts, flax seeds, lemon juice, mustard, parsley, pinch of cayenne, chopped onion, chopped green onion or chives, diced tomato, sunflower seeds, peanuts, shredded cucumber, shredded carrot, shredded lettuce, oregano, chopped fresh basil, or chopped fresh spinach!!!!! (any combination there of, that makes you happy!)

you can served this on a bed of spinach leaves,
or dolloped into a romaine lettuce leaf and rolled up like a wrap,
inside a hollowed out cucumber,
inside a cleaned hollowed bell pepper,
or inside a hollowed out beefy tomato!

So versatile, so easy! Give it a try! Super yum!!!!!!

Note: This would be considered gluten free!

I read the original idea to use avocado somewhere- truly, the way I sit in the early morning and read, read, read; I probably absorbed it unconsciously from a genius! Who ever it was, I thank you!!! What an inspiration!

Talkin' about Real Food- the steps I take.

Just a talk about real food.

I'm a gal in my forties, just going through the motions. I have a wonderful family! We are not rich in money- but our family is strong, and together in this challenge we call life. We work together, and it works for us.
We all learn as we go. I think that's true for everyone.

A while back, I wasn't feeling well. Every day was a struggle in energy, aches, pains, stress... after a few doctor visits, I wondered what could help.  I really did not want to start playing the pill popping game. I just didn't feel old enough for that yet. I hate seeing it happen. So my question was simple: what can I do to avoid it? What can I do to feel better?
Before I really found a strong desire to change- actually - it felt like before I even had the chance- I had the doctor give me a medicine that I was allergic to- and I suddenly went from being diagnosed with high blood pressure- to nearly having a stroke. It took over a month to recover!
I found my motivation. Unfortunately it took a scare to cause it. And I want more people to realize that they can start sooner- before a scare- Prevent a scare! ---please!

There have been trends of diets and fads for decades. New! try this! Do that! Guaranteed to work! All trends that come and go. Marketing today takes an idea to extremes and shoves phrases down our throats to the point of confusion and disheartening results. You can barely avoid it, on every ad, on every page, every internet site, at the end of the market isle, whole sections devoted to the newest latest trend.
But... you do not have to follow a trend. Or jump on a bandwagon.

Sometimes, all you need is to know what's good and what's bad- and make better choices. Not feel like you are joining a cult trend.

Just trying to eat healthier. Small steps.
That's what you should do. Make better choices when you go to the store. Cook better food when you decide to cook. Cook at home more often,  and know what you are eating. Choose to make healthier food.
Simple really.

look up: Real Food, Clean eating, Whole food.
All phrases being used lately for good reasons. Some people, as in all things, take it to extreme. You do not have to unless you want to. Your choice. Even if you only choose to grab a healthy choice once a trip- you've taken a step in the right direction.
Baby steps- as it's been nicknamed.
Every step in a healthier direction is a step in progress to less doctor visits, less days of feeling bad, more energy, more smiles, and more ability to enjoy life. 
That's how I am looking at it.

I'm just learning.
But I'm learning how easy it can be to take baby steps. And already, I'm visiting the doctor less.

Don't be afraid to look it up. Literally just type your question into the internet browser and the information comes up. It can be so simple. Don't take one site's word for it- look at several! When key factors start repeating no matter where you look -you will start to get a sense of validity, and see a pattern. You just have to start- research isn't hard, it's a matter of asking questions and sitting down for a second. Not long.  Look up EWG. org and take a look at the chemicals in food. Google ingredients in a box of food you have on the shelf. take a look at MSG, and other ingredients. Start reading labels..read the dirty dozen/clean fifteen.

All it takes is a desire to change. An attitude of being fed up with feeling like crap everyday. A desire to be happier.

In my personal baby steps toward Real Food, I have:

1. Done my homework. Did the research I just told you about. Asked questions and WANTED change. I never stop reading, I look at everything I can.

2. Stopped buying boxes.  Boxed, premade, and convenience foods

3. Stopped the sodas. We drink Water, flavored water with citrus or herbs, teas, lemonade, kefir, almond milk -all very good!

4. I buy fresh, (or fresh frozen vegies now). Fresh fruit! Fresh colorful, vibrant! Whatever comes from a live plant! Fresh herbs even!

5. I buy organic pasture fed meats, fresh fish, nothing factory farmed.

6. I love the eggs!! Luckily we have no allergies! So- eggs! 

7. I fell in love with butter. Real butter. Cheese! Yogurts! Sour cream! All fine! I make homemade whenever I can!  again- we are lucky to not have that allergy!

8. Stopped the white over-processed flour! I use whole wheat, or almond flour now.  Stop the white.

9. Stopped the partially hydrogenated oils, margarine, canola, and cheap vegetable oils. I use olive oil, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, or almond oil.

10. Stopped the easy sweets: corn syrup and refined sugar. I try honey, stevia, real maple syrup, palm sugar, organic cane sugar. 
11. Stopped blindly buying. I read the labels. my rule of thumb is easy: If I cannot recognize the ingredient, my body cannot either.

As I learn and progress there will be more to the list. There's always more to learn. But don't be afraid to try. Each and every step to eating healthier- is a step in progress to being healthier.
You just have to Want to try.

I dare you...try REAL food for 1 week!

Ever have a challenge presented to you that changed your life? 
I have.
Simply, I was asked, "Can you go just 7 full days eating Real Food?"
One simple week. 7 days.
I took it as a dare, like a kid in school excited at the challenge! Can I? I found out quickly, I CAN!
It not only was a challenge won, but a step in the right direction for our entire family! A huge leap, actually! What an eye opener and fantastic!
Can you take the challenge?
I KNOW You can!

Do you think you can eat only real food for 7 days straight?

>
To some of you this might sound nearly impossible and some of you may be thinking – I already do. This challenge is designed to help those of you who really want to live the real food lifestyle but might need a little guidance to get started. This challenge is also for all of you who have already figured it out, but you have fallen off the bandwagon. Sometimes life gets hectic and our diets seem to suffer. It's never too late to get back into the healthy food routine!

So, What is the 7 Day Real Food Challenge?

There is a big group of us following this challenge. Everyone who joins this challenge is making a pact to eat only real food for 7 days – specifically on April 21st - 27th. Already there are 28 bloggers who have committed to this challenge and are here as a support team for everyone who joins us. Here is your support team:
Todd Dosenberry from Primal Toad
Amanda from Natural Living Mama
Erin Odom from The Humbled Homemaker
Janey McKeever from Consistantly Sporadic
Jaime Reid from Jaime Reids Kitchen
Anne Simpson from Authentic Simplicity
Laura Broach from Mama Making Changes
Mike Lamitola from MikeLamitola.com
Alix from Blessed in Homemaking
Stacy Karen from A Delightful Home
Nina Nelson from Shalom Mama
Melissa Joulwan from Well Fed
Kimball Young from Heavy on Wholesome
Laura Prevost from Head over heels in Health
Victoria Moore from Yogi Mami
Carol Lovett from Ditch the Wheat
Katie Stanley from Nourishing Simplicity
Jami Leigh from Young Wifes Guide
Andrea from Homemade for Elle
Sarah Warren from Unorthadox Momma
Amanda Anderson from Chef Amanda Anderson.com
Sara Roylance from Sara Roylance.com
Sara Shay from Your Thriving family
Jennifer from Hybrid Rasta Mama
Marillyn Beard from Just Making Noise
Nichi from My Healthy Beginning
Michelle Elnycky from The Crooked House

So for those of you who think this might be way too hard to do – you have all these experts here to back you up and help you meet the challenge. It’s not only these bloggers that will be doing the challenge but many of our readers will be following along. We will have a special Facebook group for discussions about the challenge and a place to reach out to everyone for help and support. There are two ways you can participate in the challenge:

Option # 1 (Free)

Join us and make the commitment to eat only real food for 7 days starting on April 21 – April 27, 2013. You will receive:

• An e-guidebook on “What is Real Food?”
• A chance to win one of our fabulous real food prizes

To enter this challenge for free click here

Option # 2 ($29)

If you want to get really serious about this challenge and take full advantage of the support you can get from this group – this is for you. Making a big lifestyle change can be difficult on your own but with a huge group of people doing it along with you it is a lot easier – and a lot more fun! As a member of this challenge you will receive:

• An e-guidebook on “What is Real Food?”
• A full real food Paleo meal plan for 7 days – three meals a day and snacks
• Recipes for all of the items in the meal plan (37 Delicious recipes!!)
• A shopping list to help you prepare for the challenge
• Tips on how to prepare your kitchen for this event
• Membership to our private Facebook group which is a place to reach out for help and ask questions
• A chance to win one of our fabulous real food prizes - worth over $600+

PLUS these fabulous Bonuses (worth over $237+) for everyone who buys this package...

• A copy of "Your Grocery Budget Toolbox eBook" ($7.99 value). This eBook is the perfect guide for anyone new to eating healthy, learn how to save time and money with a few simple strategies. Follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest
• A copy of Health Coach, Mike Lamitola's music album, "Fitting Out," ($7.00 value). Mike's music is inspired by real life experiences, dreams and some very random thoughts. Follow Mike on Facebook
• A 20% discount to Natural Living Mama's Product shop. Natural Living Mamma offers herbal body and skin care, salves, and teas made from only natural ingredients. Click here to visit her shop or follow her on Facebook
• A copy of The Holistic Mama's Audio Class,"How to Eat Real Food on a Budget" ($29.00 value) Follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest
• A 15% discount Blessed in Homemaking Etsy shop. Blessed In Homemaking offers organic and all natural body care products, gentle baby care products, herbal products, crocheted items, and more, for your healthy lifestyle. Follow on Facebook
• A copy of "What to Eat and Why: Healthy Nutrition for Preconception, Pregnancy and Postpartum" audio program (Value $197.00) by Nichi Kuechle from My Healthy Beginning
  Follow Nichi on Facebook and Twitter
  

  
  

The meal plan for this challenge is a Paleo menu! This means that all the recipes are grain-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free. If you have ever thought about trying the Paleo / Primal diet and thought it was too hard this is the perfect chance to try it out. All of these done for you planning items and the built in support are designed to make this challenge much less of a challenge to complete. What do you think – are you ready to take the 7 Day Real Food Challenge?

Click here to join us and get the plan, recipes, and support now!

The plan and recipes require basic kitchen tools. A good set of knives is the best thing you can splurge on in my opinion - even better you may win some in the giveaways that go along with this challenge!

Speaking of giveaways...Don’t forget about all of the fabulous prizes from our amazing sponsors!! We are giving away $600 worth of products! 

  The Giveaways (over $600+ value)...

Ergo Chef Knife Company, makers of ergonomically-designed professional chef knives, is giving one participant of our challenge their Pro-Series 7” Santoku knife, Come Apart Kitchen Shears and a 9” & 12” Duo Tongs (Retail value $132) Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube  

Taza Chocolate company, makers of traditional stone ground Mexican Chocolate, is giving one of our participants a package of their salted almond discs, their chipotle chili discs, a jar of chocolate covered hazelnuts and their 87% chocolate bar. Taza chocolate has a direct trade cacao program that cultivates face-to-face relationships with farmers. (Retail value $ 30.47) Follow them on Facebook and Twitter

Kaya Foods, superfoods for delicious living, is giving one participant 5 bags of their delicious Kale and Veggie Chips, great for healthy snacking and a few $1.00 coupons (Retail value $ 10) Follow them on Facebook

    Yogi Tea, products inspired by Ayurveda is giving one participant of our challenge 4 boxes of a variety of our top selling teas and a Yogi tea mug. (Retail value $40)Yogi tea is committed to providing healthy, natural teas that are accessible to as many people as possible. Follow them on Facebook.    

Applegate, Organic & Natural Meats, is giving away a gift pack of products. (Retail value $ 25) Applegate meats are free of anti-biotics, growth hormones, nitrates, artificial ingredients and fillers which makes them far surpass the quality of conventional sliced sandwich meats. When buying Applegate products you can be confident you are eating a high quality product. Follow them on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter

  Trilight Health, makers of fast-acting, great tasting liquid herbal supplements, is giving one participant a $50 gift certificate to order products on their website! For over 20 years now, TriLight Health have supplied their customers nationwide with their high quality line of liquid herbal products. They specialize in great tasting, alcohol and sugar free, liquid herbal formulas for pregnancy, children, and the family. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter  



Eco Lunch Gear, eco friendly reusable lunch gear, is giving one participant a a reusable sandwich wrap (Retail value $10.50). Eco Lunch Gear was started by a Mom who saw a need for an alternative to plastic and aluminum foil, her products can be washed and reused over and over to save money and our environment. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.  

Erin Odom from The Humbled Homemaker and creator of Real Food, Real Easy the eBook is giving one participant a copy of her eBook to help you continue with your Real Food journey (Retail value $$9.95) Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest

 

Health Coach, Mike Lamitola, is giving one participant free entry to his Tele-seminar on Cravings. Do you have a sugar habit you've been trying to beat? In this tele-seminar, Mike will explain how. (Retail value $25.00) Follow Mike on Facebook and Twitter  

 

Alix from Blessed In Homemaking offers organic and all natural body care products, gentle baby care products, herbal products, crocheted items, and more, for your healthy lifestyle in her Etsy Shop. She is giving two participants a one ounce bag of loose chamomile tea (Retail value $8.00) Follow her on Facebook

 

Stacy Karen from A Delightful Home is giving one participant of this challenge a copy of her eBook, Simple Scrubs to Make and Give. Start making your own scrubs at home for yourself and others (Retail value $3.99) Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest

 

Nina Nelson of Shalom Mama, is giving one participant of the challenge a healing balm and lavender mint lip balm from her etsy shop (Retail value $19.50) Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest

 

Melissa Joulwan from The Clothes Make the Girl, is giving one participant a copy of her Paleo eBook called Well Fed: Paleo Recipes for People Who Like to Eat (Retail value $14.95). This is a great resource for anyone interested in Paleo diet, whether you are just getting started or you are just looking for some new recipes to try. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter

Health Coach, Laura Prevost is giving 10 lucky participants one of her Dynamite Coaching sessions. If you are looking for some support around breaking a bad habit, or getting yourself motivated, Laura will work through it with you in this session (Retail value $20.00/session) Follow Laura on Facebook or Twitter

Jami from Young Wife's Guide, is giving one participant a copy of her eBook, Apartment Gardening, which is a great resource for getting started growing food in small spaces (Retail value $2.99) Follow Jami on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest

 

Jennifer from Hybrid Rasta Mama has also offered to give away two copies of her eBook, Cooking with Coconut Oil (Retail value $19.95). The 68 recipes in this eBook are all simple to make and the ingredients in the recipes are all readily available. This eBook is a great way to start getting more coconut oil in your diet to get all the amazing health benefits. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest

You will have the chance to win all of these prizes by joining is the challenge with either Option # 1 or Option # 2 detailed above!

Click below to join us!

Do you have questions about this event? Please feel free to comment on this post with any questions or concerns.

Easy Oven Roasted Chicken

Easy Oven Roasted Chicken

Ever looked at a whole chicken in the store and wondered,  "what in the world would I do with that?"
Whole often intimidates new cooks and it actually can be the easiest juiciest most delicious meal you have ever cooked!

Easy Roasted Chicken

1 whole chicken (3-4 lbs)
1 tbsp. coconut oil, or real butter
paprika
garlic powder
pepper (or seasoned mix like Mrs. Dash Garlic and Herb)
1 tsp. basil or italian seasoning (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 F. Prep a casserole baking dish, with either a thin coat of olive oil or butter to prevent sticking. Set aside. Grab your bird and take it to the sink. In sink, take chicken from wrapping and rinse thoroughly, let water into every nook and cranny. (Many complain they do not know which side is up, it's easy. at the large hole find the little tail bone- this side it's on goes down, that leaves the breast side up!) Place it's tail side down into pan. tuck the legs and wings as close to the body as you can. Using either your hand or a spoon, spread coconut oil or real butter all over the top side doesn't matter if it clumps in places. Wash your hands. Sprinkle top side with paprika to color, garlic powder and pepper. A pinch of  basil is awesome sprinkled across the top. Cover with foil, and put in oven at 350 degrees for 45 minutes-(to-1 hour -if 4 or more lbs.) . Check it. Remove foil and let finish baking until browned and a fork pulls meat away easily! about 15 minutes.  Ready to eat!
Optional: before placing in oven, fill the sides and gaps of casserole dish with carrots washed and cut into 2-3" pieces and a few quartered potatoes. This will give you roasted vegies for side dish! sprinkle them with the seasonings as well before putting in oven.

Not hard at all- wash, sprinkle, and bake! eat!
Never fear the whole bird again.

Note: This also works well with turkey, the rule of thumb for cooking a whole bird is 15 minutes bake time per pound. So a 4 lb bird (like chicken) = 15 minutes x 4 lbs=1 hour. A 10 lb turkey  would be 150 minutes or 2 hours and 10 minutes.

see, falling apart easily with fork. Easy! Makes wonderful left overs!

You might like the links and recipes shared at:

Real Food Wednesday 7/3

Going Nuts! for Coconut Oil!

Coconut Oil for cooking

oh wow- do I love coconut oil!!! Such an awesome wonderful surprise! I cannot sing it's praises enough!

 As a child and teen learning how to cook in the 80's, the new surge of bad, fake and over processed oils was dominating the market. Suddenly media went nuts over highly refined vegetable and Canola oils and margarine -all the products that made the big name businesses lots of money and never were really good for us anyway. 
I wish I had known then...what I know now! How many times have you said that?

I am still learning the benefits of coconut oil. It's crazy good for so many things, it's astounding! 
For cooking alone, it enhances flavor of foods! It doesn't chemically breakdown in the heat of the skillet as fast as other oils (heat stable), it doesn't hurt your body with bad fats, and it's super healthy.  Organic, unrefined cold-pressed coconut oil is higher in antioxidants than any other oil. It is known to boost metabolism, and helps provide greater energy which can lead to weight loss. It is known and proven to boost the body's immune system!

Coconut oil benefits include the fact that it's anti-bacterial, anti fungal, anti-microbial (which means it helps to fight infections)! It's anti inflammatory! It improves thyroid function! It helps with absorption of vitamins so your body takes in more of what it needs, particularly calcium and magnesium-- that means it's awesome for bone support! And new studies indicate it can help Alzheimer's stop symptoms! ( I loved learning this!!) 

There is so much more! You can cook with it just like you did all the other vegetable oils, and get all the added benefits you never got with them! And it tastes soooo awesome! You really do not get a heavy taste of coconut, at first there is a hint- but as it cooks with the food it seems to just enhance flavor of what you are cooking, not dominate it. You can fry, add to baked items, any recipe that calls for vegetable oil- you can use coconut oil!

I personally use either Coconut oil or Extra Virgin olive oil now for all my cooking. Olive oil for light cooking, coconut oil for rich flavors or to add flavor to more bland foods.  I will not buy anymore over processed vegetable oil, or canola oil ever again. It's a choice I feel very good about- a healthier choice for my family. The benefits are listed in the hundreds! At this time, I cannot begin to list them all, and I have not even touched on what it can do for your skin and beauty routine!  Do not be afraid to research the benefits! It is well worth it!

You can find Coconut oil sometimes at the grocery store in the organic section, at Whole Foods, Trader Joes, and Health Food stores. You can purchase it online at  Amazon, and Tropical Traditions




you can also find it here:

My experience with the last 7-Day Real Food Challenge

What!??? You want fresh vegetables always now??

With a new challenge coming up in barely over a week, I wanted to share my personal experience with the last one.

You see, due to health problems in 2012, I had started looking for natural ways to help our family. I just knew there had to be answers out there! And I started searching! I ran across an blog post on Holistic Mama. 
 The blog was about a challenge I'd never heard of before- a 7 Day "Real Food" challenge-  to eat wholesome, real food for 7 days.
hmmm? Isn't all food REAL!?

The challenge even included a free basic guide to what Roxanne King, an accredited health and nutrition professional, considered  to be Real Food. Can't go wrong with free, nor professional advice!
And it wasn't a diet! Not a fad! Not expensive! Just a change!

I read it, it seemed pretty easy! I understood what was meant by real food in a matter of minutes.
I loved cooking, and this concept presented me with possibilities I considered feasible! It made sense!
As an added bonus at the time, I could join for free, and be included in an enormous list of giveaways!
Sold! 

Now, truthfully, I didn't take the giveaways seriously at the time. But the challenge- I considered!
I asked questions, and was surprised to find answers immediately provided.  
The support system alone sold me. 

So I planned, I bought food for it accordingly- nothing too far off my normal grocery list to really make a difference... and I tried it! The deal, at our house, is that I am the only female in an all male testosterone filled house (Dad and 2 Teenage boys! and me.) My boys do not take well to announced changes- so, at first, I planned to this for myself- like a test run. The problem was- I couldn't afford 2 dinners a night, so each night's meal I made actually followed the plan. After the first night of the challenge- and the positive reaction I got from everyone on how good dinner was...I decided to cook for everyone the rest of the week following the challenge, and just not "announce" it. (My boys -all 3 of them- do not like changes, let alone announced declarations of favorite foods being changed! LOL...) So I kept it to myself and we finished 7 days in full, without whimper or sigh- (one exception of a whine over no available hot pockets, but it was minor).

After the challenge, what occurred amazed me!!! Floored me actually!
I heard requests!
 Yes! Mom, can you make some more of that homemade bread?
Mom, when can we have that steak strip beef stroganoff again- that was good! 
Mom! Those bacon wrapped green beans were awesome, etc, etc.
One night, a while later I didn't have time to run to the store so I threw together a meal with what I had- which included canned green beans... and the reaction was instantaneous! Eww! These aren't fresh! I was floored! What?! You WANT fresh vegies only? From all 3 males in my house came a resounding YES!!!!!!!!!
So I finally took the time to explain the challenge to them, in detail. And now they are all for it! I even have help in the kitchen with cooking! If it means they can get to that real food faster -They are willing to move!

That actually was the best part! Success all around for the entire family- and we are all learning as we go! Wonderful for all!
The bonus I got??? I was notified by Roxanne King at the Holistic Mama, that I'd actually won one of the giveaways!  It was awesome!!!!!!!! A week later, I received Yogurt starter from Cultures for Health! I have never bought store bought yogurt again! We love it!

I'd won!

... not just a giveaway...
                                             I'd won a challenge---
                                                                                                for my whole family! 

                                                And we all are still winning!

Now the challenge is back! Bigger and better than ever! April 21-27!
One week! a huge 7-Day Real Food Challenge!
You can win too!!! It's all there!
There are 2 ways to join!
The bonuses for joining fully are valued above $237.00!!!!!with that value of the free bonuses ($237+) you are almost getting paid to purchase this product!!!!
The giveaways are valued at $600.00!!!!!!!

Give it a try! 
 Every small step in trying is a WIN!!!!!!

Sweet Potatoes!!!

Sweet Potatoes!!!    A surprisingly Awesome adventure!

Sweet Potato Wedges

1-2 pounds Sweet Potatoes (about 4-5 med. Potatoes)

2 tbsp. olive oil

½ tsp. salt

½ tsp. pepper

Heat oven to 450 f.  Grease baking sheet. Cut potatoes into ½” wedges. Toss into a large bowl, drizzle with olive oil and salt and pepper. Toss gently until all are covered. Place potatoes on pan in single layer. Bake uncovered, turning at least once half way, until potatoes are tender – (easily pierced with fork) about 25-30 minutes. 

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

1-2 pounds Sweet Potatoes (about 4-5 med. Potatoes)

½ c Plain or vanilla yogurt (I use plain homemade)

1 tbsp. honey

2 tbsp real butter

 Pinch of salt

2 tbsp. chopped pecans or walnuts to sprinkle on top before serving.

Wash and Place sweet potatoes into med- large pan and cover with water. Bring to boil on high heat, then cover with lid, reduce heat to med low, and cook until tender- about 30-35 minutes.

Drain, slip off skins (skins come off very easily at this point. Replace back into pan and mash until smooth and the consistency you like. Stir in remaining ingredients except pecans. Heat over med heat- stirring frequently -until all is heated thoroughly. Serve with sprinkled chopped nuts.

Sweet Potato and Squash Hash Cakes

1 tsp. olive oil or coconut oil

2 cups unpeeled sweet potato, shredded (abt. 1 large)

2 cups summer squash unpeeled, shredded (abt. 2 med)

¼ c shredded onion

2 eggs

¼ cup lemon juice

2 tbsp. chopped fresh chives

1 tbsp. whole wheat flour

½ tsp. salt

½ tsp. pepper

In bowl, mix all ingredients, except oil .  In nonstick fry pan, heat oil on med heat. Place about 1/3 c pile of the mixture into stacks on the fry pan. Flatten slightly with spatula and cook about 5 minutes on each side until  golden brown. (resembles small, round hash brown) .