Crock Pot Junkie

For the 2nd time this week, I've used the crock pot. I just LOVE being able to fill it up, turn it on and leave it! I can go to work, write a blog, take a shower, go workout ... or just about anything! Well, not quite anything. I didn't quite time my crock potting right once this week and realized my dish would be finished at 2:30 ... IN THE MORNING! Doh! So I couldn't just go to sleep, I had to set my alarm to wake up in the middle of the night, stumble to the kitchen and shut it off. The next day Shirley told me that's why some crock pots have timers on them. Timers?! What?!! My love for the crock pot just grew a little more.

Crock Pot Apples

4 medium to large apples

Raisins

Walnuts

Cinnamon

4 Tablespoons coconut oil

Core apples. To core, using an apple corer or paring knife, cut around the core (about ¼ inch from the stem all the way around) but leave about half an inch at the bottom. Use the knife to ‘drill out’ the core.

Place the apples in your crock pot. If they're too big and round to fit, you can chop off the sides to make the apples square. This will allow them to fit in the crock pot. Place the sides of the apples that you chopped off around the whole apples in the pot.

Fill the center of each apple with raisins and walnuts. Place a tablespoon of coconut oil on top of each apple. Generously cover with cinnamon.

Add ½ inch of water to the pot. Cook on low overnight and enjoy a hot breakfast in the morning! Tasty served with eggs!

Alternatively, bake covered at 350 degrees in a glass dish for 45 minutes-1 hour in the morning.

Enjoy!

Inspired by Health Home Happy!

Sleepy Poo

Sometimes my stomach determines how well I sleep. If I eat too much sugar ( and we're not just talking cookies or Ben & Jerry's here, but even fruit or Lara bars) close to bed time I'll wind up tossing and turning all night. If I go to bed hungry, I just flat out can't fall asleep. If I eat a meal too close to bed time, especially if it involves meat, I'll have crazy nightmares all night! Often they involve a large furry green Muppet-like looking beast chasing me. HA! Seriously! I know, it's weird. *Blush* Anyhow, here's another great crockpot recipe! Cook it overnight while you're hopefully sleeping furry green monster free!

And find out how acupuncture can help you sleep on my Being Well Blog! My alter Cheek ego ;)

Meatballs!

1 lb ground beef

1 lb uncooked sausage (I used chicken sausages)

1/2 c onion, finely chopped

1/4 c almond flour

1 egg

1 tblsp italian seasoning

1 tblsp basil

1 tblsp garlic, minced

4-5 large tomatoes, diced

Mix all ingredients except tomatoes in a large bowl. Shape into golf ball sized meatballs. Place in crockpot that has been lightly brushed with olive oil to prevent sticking. Pour tomatoes over meatballs. Cook on low for 6 hours (or high for 4).

Enjoy!

Inspired by Maria's Nutrition!

Happy Love Day!

if this egg dish doesn't say love... I don't know what will

Lefty and I are now two days into the WHOLE LIFE CHALLENGE. All is good. I'm hydrated, mobilized, loaded with fish oil and sugar free! The nutrition portion is the most challenging part of the challenge for me. Let me get more specific, it's actually the avoidance of indulgences that prove to be the true challenge. HQ is usually stocked full of vegetables, fruits, meats, poultry, fish and nuts. It's when we venture out of HQ that the sugar temptations present themselves. As we have mentioned many times before eating well and working out all require preparation. So here is to loving yourself and being prepared.

A few things you can do:

• Shop! Go to the farmers market or grocery store, buy fresh produce and protein sources. (Fish, poultry, shellfish, eggs and steak)
• Plan ahead. Know what your day looks like and make sure to plan what meals you will be eating (taking into consideration what resources you have, fridge, microwave etc.)
• Schedule in your workouts and don't miss them!
• Surround yourself with positive, supportive people. No matter how much will power you have it is much easier to be around a group of like minded people to keep you making positive life choices.
• Lastly, know you are not going to be perfect. Rarely anyone is and that's ok. Don't accept mediocre, but know it's all about choices good and bad. Do you best to make good ones and keep moving forward. (this is in regards to anything in life)

Caramelized onion egg bake

This egg bake is Whole Life Challenge compliant and very tasty.

What you will need:

1 large organic onion

1/2 of a red bell pepper

1/2 cup sliced crimini mushrooms

6 eggs

salt

pepper

olive oil

fresh parsley

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. slice onions and set aside.

3. Add a tablespoon or two of olive oil to a cast iron skillet on low/medium heat then add in onions. Cook until golden brown and very soft.

4. While onions are cooking chop your red pepper and mince your parsley. Add peppers and mushrooms to pan and cook a few more minutes until mushroom are soft. Season with salt and pepper

5. Beat eggs in a sepearate bowl, then pour over vegetable mixture. Top with more salt and pepepr and parsley. Move skillet to oven and cook for 15-20min until egg dish is solid and firm to the touch.

6. Serve this dish warm or cold to anyone you love!

My stinky love affair

Lefty can tell when we've been together. She will even question me about it. (likes it's any of her business anyway right?) Because the "Love" holiday is approaching it only seems appropriate that I share with you one of my love affairs. Yes, there are many, but knowing about this one can benefit you all. I'm not being greedy, just want to share the love. Most of you know some of my current loves: chocolate, red wine, Ginger and of course pizza. But there is more!

My new love is fresher than the others. It's actually better for me too. (maybe not better than Ginger) It's organic and quite pleasing. It melts in my mouth and makes me feel really good inside. I even shared it with a new friend and he liked it too. The picture reveals it all. Roasted Broccoli, so simple it's stupid.

Roasted broccoli

1 package cut organic broccoli (Trader Joes)

olive oil

salt

Preheat oven to 400

1. Toss broccoli crowns with a little olive oil and sprinkle with salt.

2. Spread crowns on a foil lined baking sheet and bake for appx 20min.

3. Eat the WHOLE bag..... I dare you!

4. Open the windows and air out your house

Deliciousness in my mouth!

Make. This. Recipe. That is all. :)

PB & J Burger!

1 1/2 cups blackberries, chopped

2 slices cooked bacon, chopped

1/2 lemon, squeezed

1/4 teaspoon fresh grated ginger

2 ground beef patties

salt & pepper, to taste

1/4 cup almond butter

2 scallions, thinly sliced

In a small bowl, mix the blackberries, lemon juice, and ginger; set aside.

Cook your beef patties which ever way is your favorite. I like to cook them on the stove in a skillet.

While the burgers are cooking, heat a small saucepan over medium-high. Pour the berries and their juice into the pan and sauté them until they’re very soft and syrupy. Allow to cool a bit.

Put the almond butter in a microwave-safe dish and heat until thinned, about 40 seconds.

When the burgers are done, top each with 1/2 of melted almond butter and 1/2 of the blackberry “jelly,” then sprinkle with scallions and bacon.

Enjoy!

Inspired by Clothes That Make The Girl! Thanks girl!! Deeelish!

Confessions of a Cookie Addict

Week two of Cheeks Gone Sour is finished! But ummmm ... our week two actually ended on Tuesday, HA! I have to admit, it was my doing. I was over it and suggested to Righty that maybe we should end our accountability because I was feeling back in control of those cookie cravings. It didn't take her to long to agree with me. Heh! So since it's ended you're probably wondering if I went running back into the loving arms of my cookies, aren't you? Well...yes. (I love you 4eva cookies!!) But have I uncontrollably eaten 50 of them?! No, I have not. And that's what life is all about...self control, moderation and plain old will power! With the occasional cookie overdose =)

Applewich

This recipe is great for your little ones too!

1 apple

Some almond butter

Some raisins

Cut out 2 thick slices from the center of the apple. Cut the core out in a little circle. Add almond butter to one or both sides. Add raisins to one side. Top with the other apple slice.

Enjoy!

Sesame and Sunflower Salad

Week two of the Cheeks gone sour has begun. Last week was successful, which could mean two things: putting up a $50 wager could help or it was the right time to stop the sugar, I feel both played into it. Yesterday we did indulge in a cupcake, chocolate bread pudding and a some ice cream last night before week two started. And to be honest, the sweet treats were "just ok" (imagine that?!)

Now I am back on track and feeling good about it. So here is a savory vegetable dish that is sure to please anyone not eating sugar!

What you will need:

1 bag organic broccoli slaw (from Trader Joes)

healthy pour of toasted sesame seed oil (Trader Joes)

healthy pour of rice wine vinegar

3-4 Tbsp roasted unsalted sunflower seeds

1-2 tsp black sesame seeds

1 tsp Garlic Gomasio (sesame seeds, sea salt and garlic seasoning)

What to do:

1. Set aside 1 Tbsp sunflower seeds and 1/2 tsp sesame seeds

2. Mix all other ingredients together in a bowl

3. Let sit for as long as you like, refrigerate for a couple hours to increase flavors.

4. Right before serving garnish with sunflower seeds and sesame seeds that were set aside.

Adjust oil and vinegar to your taste! For those of you needing or wanting more protein this salad could be topped with Grilled Chicken or Seared Tuna to make a complete meal.