Healthy Spaghetti

I discovered something new tonight....spaghetti squash. Why have I never cooked with this before?!?! It was so easy to prepare and once it's fully cooked, it just peels off in strands that look just like spaghetti.  It definitely holds true to it's name SPAGHETTI squash.

So tonight I gave it a try, not sure of what to expect. Spaghetti squash has a naturally buttery flavor and the texture completely fooled my taste buds.  I did not miss the standard, highly processed, pasta noodles that I would normally serve with spaghetti sauce. I loved it and can't wait to find other recipes to use this wonderful squash in!

This is what it looks like after it's been roasted.  I took a fork and the "spaghetti" strands just flake off.

It only takes a couple minutes to get all the strands out and onto your plates.  Then top with your favorite spaghetti sauce and be prepared to be fooled.  What a great meal! I'm so excited I discovered the spaghetti squash!

Healthy Spaghetti

Source: Adapted from www.isavea2z.com

1 lb. hamburger or sausage

Jar of spaghetti sauce

Spaghetti squash

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Slice spaghetti squash lengthwise down the center, remove seeds and roast cut-side down for 40-45 minutes.  (You'll know it's done if you can easily poke your fork into it.) Flip cut-side up when roasting is complete and allow to cool slightly before harvesting strands with a fork by scraping with the grain until the squash is cleaned.

Brown hamburger or sausage and drain grease. Add your favorite spaghetti sauce and season with extra Italian seasoning to your liking. Heat through.

Serve warm sauce over the spaghetti squash.

Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies

For the last week and a half, I'm proud to say that I've cut out 90% or more of processed foods from my diet. I've noticed great results not only on the scale, but more importantly in my energy level! I've been eating lots of proteins, veggies, fruits, raw nuts, etc. and it's amazing how full I feel throughout the day now.  For instance, instead of sugary cereal, I've been eating eggs with spinach for breakfast. If I get hungry after lunch, I'll snack on some nuts or fruits/veggies and it easily gets me through until dinner time. I've been baking a lot with almond flour and coconut flour as well as making yummy smoothies with organic frozen fruit, bananas, a little honey, and almond milk.

Every now and then I will have a craving for something sweet and that's when I'll grab one of these. I've experimented with several Paleo chocolate chip cookie recipes and this is by far my favorite! They taste great right out of the oven and also freeze well. I'll make a batch, eat one, and put the rest in an air-tight container in the freezer so I can grab one here and there throughout the week.

My daughter will usually help me make these cookies and I had to laugh the first time we made them.  I told her we were making "Healthy Cookies". When I went to pull them out of the oven she said, "Those don't look like cookies!!!!" So don't let the looks of them fool you. They taste great AND are good for you!

Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies

3 T. Coconut Oil, melted

2 T. Honey

2 t. pure vanilla extract

1 T. unsweetened almond milk

1 c. blanched almond flour

1 1/2 T. coconut flour

1/4 t. Celtic sea salt

1/4 t. baking soda

1/4 c. high quality chocolate chips (I've been using 1/2 dark chocolate and 1/2 carob chips to make them even healthier)

Preheat oven to 350. 

Beat wet ingredients in one bowl. Mix dry ingredients in another bowl.  Mix dry with wet and fold in chocolate. 

Line cookie sheet with parchment and scoop rounds tablespoons onto cookie sheet. 

Bake 9-10 minutes. Cool and store in air-tight container or freeze. Makes 10 cookies.

Roasted Asparagus

Here's a great veggie to make in the winter while there's 7+ inches of snow covering the grill on your back deck.  Asparagus is one of my favorite veggies and this is a super easy, delicious way to prepare it in the oven.

I've been dreaming of Spring lately. Clear blue skies....warmer weather and nice walks outside to get some fresh air and vitamin D from the sun. Once the weather warms up, this is also a great way to prepare asparagus and throw it on your grill.

Roasted Asparagus

Source: Our Paleo Life

Ingredients

• Asparagus, as much as will fit on your rimmed baking dish
• Sea Salt, to taste
• Fresh Ground Black Pepper, to taste
• Olive Oil

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425F.
2. Line a rimmed baking dish with tin foil or parchment paper.
3. Snap the cut ends off all the asparagus and place on the baking dish in a relatively single layer.
4. Drizzle lightly with olive oil. 
5. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss with a spatula just to evenly coat all the asparagus.
6. Put in the preheated oven and roast for 12-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your asparagus. 
7. Remove from pan and serve immediately. 

All-American Meatloaf

I made meatloaf for dinner last night and everything inside of it was healthy! I told you I'm on a health kick. I was a little skeptical when I first read the recipe and noticed that I would be using cauliflower instead of bread crumbs! However, it turned out great and my kids even liked it. (I kept the cauliflower part a secret...but they had no clue! :)

This recipe takes a bit of time to prepare, but it made enough for 2 or more meals.  So tomorrow I will pair it with a different veggie and dinner with little be on the table within minutes.  It feels good knowing I am feeding my family food that is healthy.

All-American Meatloaf

Source: Living Paleo for Dummies by Melissa Joulwan

1/2 c. Cave Man Ketchup (recipe below)

1/2 T. cider vinegar

1 T. honey

1/2 head cauliflower

2 t. coconut oil

1 medium onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 large eggs

1/2 t. dried thyme

1 t. salt

1/2 t. ground black pepper

2 t. Dijon mustard

2 t. coconut aminos (substitute for soy sauce)

1/4 t. hot pepper sauce

1/2 c. coconut milk

1 c. fresh parsley leaves, minced (about 1/3 cup)

2 lbs. ground beef

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a small bowl, mix the Cave Man Ketchup with the vinegar and honey; set aside.

2. Break the cauliflower into florets, removing the stems, and then place in a food processor and pulse until the cauliflower is the texture of fine breadcrumbs, about ten to fifteen 1-second pulses. Place in a large mixing bowl.

3. Heat coconut oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute until soft, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.

4. To the cauliflower, add the eggs, thyme, salt, pepper, mustard, coconut aminos, hot pepper sauce, coconut milk, and parsley. Mix until combined, and then add the cooked onions and garlic and ground beef; mix well.

5. Pat into a meatloaf pan with a perforated bottom, or pat into a loaf shape with your hands and place on a roasting rack set on a baking sheet to catch drippings. Brush the loaf with half of the ketchup glaze; bake for 45 minutes.

6. Brush with the remaining half of the glaze and continue to bake another 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 15 minutes before serving.

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Cave Man Ketchup

One 6-ounce can tomato paste

1/3 c. water

2 T. cider vinegar

2 t. honey

1/4 t. dry mustard

1/4 t. ground cinnamon

Pinch of cloves

Pinch of allspice

1. Place all ingredients in a saucepan and whisk to combine. Place on high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently, uncovered, for 5 minutes.

2. Cool the ketchup to room temperature before using. Transfer to a container with a lid and store in the refrigerator.

Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Verde

I've been on sort of a healthy eating kick lately.  Last week I attended a meeting with a local wellness coach (sponsored by my son's school) and I've been on a health kick ever since.  I've been experimenting with several Paleo recipes this week and I'd like to share them with you.  

This first one was found via Pinterest and is super easy and great for a busy night when you don't have much time in the kitchen. The crockpot is one of my favorite kitchen tools.  Just throw everything inside and hours later, your meal is ready! 

You only need 2 ingredients for this recipe (plus garnishes like avocados and tomatoes).  Boneless skinless chicken thighs paired with salsa verde turned out to be very good.

So far, I've been eating more raw nuts, buying local pastured eggs, limiting grains and dairy, cooking with coconut oil and eating lots and lots of colorful vegetables to name a few.  Who knows where this journey will take me...  :)

Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Verde

Source: Rubies and Radishes

2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
16 oz. salsa verde (I bought mine at Trader Joe's)

Add chicken to the slow cooker. Cover with salsa verde and cook on low for 5 hours.

If you are home, you can open the lid at the 4 hour mark and shred the chicken with 2 forks, if not, no worries, it will still turn out fine!

Use a slotted spoon to remove the chicken from the slow cooker, leaving the liquid behind.

Salt and pepper to taste and serve. The Trader Joe’s salsa is already quite salty, so it doesn’t require additional salt.

Serve with slices of tomatoes and avocados.